Food waste is the #1 item thrown away in the United States! A family of four, on average, spends $1,800 each year on food that is thrown away, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Fruits and vegetables are the TOP TWO items thrown away. I could go on and on with statistics, but I would rather focus on Barilla’s efforts to reduce food waste and support sustainability. Barilla’s Center for Food and Nutrition Established in 1877, Barilla is an Italian food company distributing pasta, sauces and other products to over 100 countries world wide. Exemplifying diversity in food production, Barilla offers pasta for different type of dietary needs. High…
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Why Deli Meats Are Killing Us
Have you ever heard of nitrates and nitrites? Did you know, they are in almost ALL deli meats and processed meats? The only positive thing I can say about nitrates and nitrites; they inspired me to start my blog. Surprisingly, those harmful chemicals are throughout our food supply. Why isn’t someone screaming from the rooftops – “Hey, that crap causes cancer in you!” so…I started JoAnn’s Food Bites! What Are Nitrates and Nitrites? They are inorganic chemical compounds found naturally in all kinds of foods, including vegetables. Once these foods react with your stomach acids, they can help lower blood pressure. READ MORE ABOUT FOOD AND BLOOD PRESSURE HERE! HOWEVER, an…
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Does Milk Really Do a Body Good?
Humans have been consuming milk for thousands of years. Around the world, people drink milk from many different animals including cows, camels, goats, llamas, sheep and buffalo. During the depression, my mother said, they survived on fresh goat’s milk. Milk packs a nutritional punch, containing protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin D. However, it also contains a very high amount of sodium. Most milk sold in the United States is PASTEURIZED, which means the microorganisms that cause salmonella and hepatitis, as well as spoilage, have been destroyed by heating, followed by a quick cooling. Pasteurization eliminates the possibility of diseases and gives the product a longer shelf life. Dairy…
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Peaches Are More Than Nutritious
Peaches are considered a “drupe” fruit in the culinary world. A drupe is a single seeded, fleshy fruit with a soft, juicy layer surround a hard endocarp, the seed protecting part. Besides peaches, apricots, plums, cherries and mangoes are all drupe fruit. In the culinary world, fruits are usually high in sugar content, however, this is counterbalanced by their rich load of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, often concentrated in the skin of the fruit. Peaches are a wonderful ingredient due to their versatility in the kitchen. Propagation of the Peach The peach is a deciduous tree (meaning every fall, these trees lose their leaves) native to Northwest China, where…
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5 Essential Cooking Skills Taught in Culinary School
Most home cooks wish we could afford culinary school. Not necessarily to get into the restaurant industry, but to “sharpen” our kitchen skills. Recently attending a cooking school function, I learned exactly what the syllabus of a culinary school includes. Here are 5 basic cooking skill elements taught in culinary school. I. Knife Skills for Cooking Knives are the most important tool in your kitchen. Using them properly and having proper technique will provide less risk of injury, faster prep times and better results in your cooking. When using a knife, watch the non-knife hand, keeping the food steady. The knife tip never leaves the cutting board surface. Use the…
