7 Billion and Counting...

Today the world's population surpassed 7 billion. And this month of October saw crude oil increase 17% this month alone and prices of corn and orange juice futures increased 9 and 13%. Experts believe rising food prices are due to people in the emerging economies getting used to having more than one meal a day or having protein on a more regular basis. Rising food prices could be something we all need to factor in our spending. Eating at home is one way to lower our food and energy costs. Instead of driving someplace to eat, then go home- cut the mileage and just drive home and cook. In addition to saving food, energy and calorie costs- food at restaurants very often have high level of sodium in order to make your food taste especially good.

Many believe we should limit our sodium intake to 1500mg/day. Start looking at the labels for the sodium content. Your health is worth it!

Maybe Orange Could Become the New Pink

The inroads made in breast cancer awareness is amazing. My mother approached heads of companies in North Carolina to have mamograms covered by medical insurance. And Nancy Brinker has made all of us wake up to fight this killer! High school boys at football games wear pink shirts and then this week-end at the UVA game, the cheerleaders had pink pom poms and the players had pink strechy hats on under their helmuts. So maybe orange- representing healthy foods like oranges, carrots, mangos etc. could be the rallying color for waging a war against obesity. We need to wake up and realize what a killer bad eating habits have become. Obesity saps energy and productivity. Band together, even if it is just with one other person, to cook a meal for each other and try healthier cooking in your own home. And with the time savings on the day you receive your meal- try a 30 minute brisk walk and enjoy the changing color in the leaves.

We Need A Food Announcer

I was listening this morning to a sports announcer analyzing the Washington Redskins game with the Philadelphia Eagles and the UVA upset over #12 Georgia Tech. Football is fun to watch and we all have our teams that we care about. We also have family and friends that we care about and food tastes better when you are breaking bread with others. Why not have a food announcer talking about fabulous meals with new twists, easy to make, and budget friendly? What about those victories? Why not interview everyday cooks that close their ears and eyes to all the marketing ploys to eat out and spend more money and calories on less substantial food? Why not set up teams for cook-offs? Why not give prizes to best recipes? We cooks can be just as creative in finding new recipes and meals as coaches that draw offensive and defensive plays. Cooking families can help the athletes in the family have better nutrition for better performance. I would love to be the food announcer who gets to go observe and report on VCU and University of Richmond's basketball training meals. We need a food announcer to report on the victories and defeats that take place everyday around our dinner tables right here in Richmond.

Steve Jobs

I was at my Apple computer reading the news of Steve Jobs death. I had such a heavy heart that a man with such God-given talents had died so young. I too am 56 years old and for the past 25 years, I have clipped articles wherever I read of the importance of the family dinner hour. Charles Duhigg of the NY Times wrote one such article in "With Time Running Short, Jobs Managed His Farewells." "As news of the seriousness of his illness became more widely known, Mr. Jobs was asked to attend farewell dinners and to accept various awards. He turned down the offers. On the days that he was well enough to go to Apple's offices, all he wanted afterwards was to return home and have dinner with his family." Let that sink in. Knowing his time on earth was short, he choose dinner at home- not the glitsy dinners or awards. In honor of Steve Jobs, choose this week to spend more time with family and friends around your own dinner table- thankful for your family, friends, food before you and your health. Make better choices in what you eat and where you eat!

Sharing Meals Was Important To The Supreme Court

The Supreme court starts a new term today. In "John Marshall: Definer of a Nation"(1996) Jean Edward Smith discusses the remarkable years when Marshall served as Chief Justice 1801-1835. For the first 29 years, the justices were housed under one roof and ate their meals together for the 2 months which they assembled every year. And somehow these justices were able to come to consensus in ruling on some of the most important decisions that even today shape our laws. "That remarkable consensus established the reputation of the Supreme Court not only as the ultimate legal authority in the nation but as a body that was reliable, predictable, and definitive when it spoke." Then in 1830,for the first time, the justices were not housed together and did not eat their meals together. Marshall wrote his wife, "...we cannot carry on business as fast as usual." And for some reason "...the remarkable unity of the Marshall Court would soon splinter." Families can start right now reclaiming a regular dinner hour to celebrate the day talking together about the trials and the joys. Now that it's getting cool, try my easy Brunswick Stew in the slow cooker. Add some rolls and orange slices. Make your own important decisions and share home-cooked meals with family and friends!