The Voice of Reason

Tina’s Top Food Trends for 2012

Last year, there were more than 1.5 billion visits to food and recipe websites, but despite much-professed “flavor and culinary trends,” the 10 most popular search words included - in descending order—cookies, chicken, chili, slow cooker, pork chops, salmon, meatloaf, banana bread, ground beef and pasta salad.  

Perhaps, this year, we’ll see a shift in a healthier direction. . .

In the meantime, I’ve done some research, and several food trends seem apparent for the New Year. Some are driven by health, others by sheer decadence.

Here are my projections:

Eat for What Ails You: Health issues are relatively commonplace within U.S. households. Nearly 52 million households have a member afflicted with muscle or joint pain; 51 million have a member with high cholesterol; 50 million have a member with high blood pressure, 23 million have a member with diabetes, and 17 million households have a member with osteoporosis. “Prescriptive eating” actually has the potential to go from a trend to a way of life.

Rustic Meals: That's another way of saying consumers, challenged by  high food prices, will focus on simple recipes using less expensive cuts of meats, along with more beans, grains and produce, which may or not be local or seasonal.

Anything Goes: Bite into a sandwich of chipotle pork chop with burnt sugar glaze and tarragon mayonnaise and your taste buds will announce that these flavors came from a global tastemaker. This is what’s emerging: A multiethnic, multisensory dining experience where flavors clash on purpose.  

Grilled Cheese: It’s the new hamburger.

Beyond Bread: Look for sandwiches made with bread alternatives like arepas, flattened tostones, bao, waffles and rice cakes.  

Korean Food: Bulgogi, kimchee and bibimbap have taken over Wednesday food sections, which means that shelter magazines will start running simplified recipes in 2012.

The Year of the Potato: Their time has come. Watch for French fry menus that let you choose the cut, crispness and dipping sauce; there will be make-your-own mashers with mix-ins, and custom-cut chips with a la carte dips to order. 

Use Your Noodle: Noodles have been around since the beginning of time, but innovative and exciting restaurants are highlighting this ancient art with hand-pulled noodles. 

RIP Comfort Food: When the recession hit, Americans gravitated to roast chicken, meat loaf and mac and cheese. Now bored by gastro-nostalgia, Americans are demanding new taste thrills and culinary invention. Look for traditional comfort food like mac and cheese to be re-worked with ingredients such as pork rillettes. (And, no, pork is not going anywhere this year.)

Beer Gardens Boom: This trend will sweep the country, especially in restaurants and breweries with unused backyards, oversized parking lots or available rooftops. Bottoms up!

Build Muscle with Blueberries!

Between the middle of December and the beginning of January, I always take a break from blogging. While I love to write and do so for a living, stopping to reflect on the past and prognosticate about the future refreshes me. Ultimately, I begin the New Year energized, and with pertinent, timely news to share.

To that end, I thought I’d post some surprising information about the little blueberry. If you’re like most Americans, resolved to shed pounds and get fit this year, this powerful fruit should become your best friend.

Native Americans referred to blueberries as “star berries” because, at the bottom of each berry, the calyx forms a perfect, five-pointed star. Today, we believe berries are superstars, but not due to their shape; they’re a potent antioxidant shown to have many health benefits. Researchers are studying the effects blueberries can have on protecting your muscles during exercise, and results look promising.

The antioxidant found in blueberries called Anthocyanidin appears to decrease exercise-induced inflammation, or the damage to muscle cells after you lift weights, do aerobics or any other form of exercise. Of course, muscle degradation and subsequent repair are what builds muscle, so eating blueberries may be just what you need to get stronger and fitter. In addition, blueberries boost brain function for better mental and physical performance.

To build muscle and loose fat, you should try to exercise four to five times a week, but it’s also important to eat the right foods before and after working out; this will help you maximize your results. Since carbohydrates are your body’s main energy source, most of your pre-workout snack should come from carbs. Berries — in a smoothie with yogurt and some protein powder — make the perfect pre-workout snack. Just limit your snack to 300 calories, and enjoy it about an hour before exercising.

Even if you’re diabetic, blueberries are a smart snack. They have a low carbohydrate density, are easy to digest and, you can safely enjoy about 3/4 cup pre-workout. As long as you choose good-quality fuel — particularly protein and carbs — your body will get that metabolism boost necessary to lose fat.

Eating blueberries as part of a healthy diet and exercise plan also reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as the accumulation of belly fat, so if it’s a flat stomach you want, blueberries are what you need!

Perfect Holiday Gifts for Cooking Enthusiasts

Finding the perfect gift for that special someone in your life can be tough.  You want to give something unique but practical, memorable but affordable, and you want it to be something they’d never get for themselves.

With those criteria in mind, I compiled a gift guide filled with goodies that are ideal for anyone who loves good food, cooking and entertaining. Gifts range from $8 to $120 and are suited to everyone -- from your inquisitive three year-old to a co-worker to your Mother-in-Law.

Affordable, fun, high quality and unique, I think you’ll find my picks just what you’re looking for. And for those of you who want to get yourself a little something, check out my ring. From Anne Koplik Designs (jewelry provider for Dancing with the Stars), this Rose Opal Crystal Flower Ring is a show-stopper! 

Watch my segment on FOX, and be inspired by your gift-giving options!

For easy shopping, click on the links below, and you’ll find pricing and purchase information for each gift.

Ancient Grains for Modern Meals

 

 

Nudo Olive Oils 

 

 

Eppa Certified Organic Red Sangria

 

 

Stephen Joseph Children’s Cook Set & Bottle Buddies

 

 

Hand-Decorated Mini Cake Pops

 

 

 

Vagabond House Luxury Handcrafted Tableware

 

 

Gingerbread Construction Company

 

 

Fabulous Girl Hostess Aprons

 

 

Baking with Dorie App for iPad

 

 

Anne Koplik Designs 

Survive the Holidays without Weight Gain: Simple Tips Make It Possible!

The average American gains one to two pounds each holiday season and never loses that weight. So, how do you avoid that fate? By eating high-volume, low-calorie meals between holiday parties and events. This way, when you do indulge, you can without guilt. 

Today, on Daytime, I spoke with Lindsay about tips to make mealtime lighter, healthier yet more filling using a few items I picked up at the grocery store. Check out the segment, and let me know what you think!

 

Health and Beauty in Your 30s

If you're in your 30s, you're probably juggling family responsibilities, a career and a non-stop schedule. While all of those things can yield fulfillment and success, this is the decade where your body undergoes changes. Your body's metabolism starts to slow; hormonal changes take place in women, and skin renewal also slows. But, science is on your side! Eating the right diet for your age will keep your body young and your mind sharp. Today, I appeared on FOX-Tampa to discuss nutrition for 30-somethings. Click here to watch the segment and learn my top tips for staying healthy, energized and beautiful.