Justin Vanessus 04

Alzheimer’s and the Complex Scientific Inquiry Process

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:38:36 +0000

This webcast provides an interesting look at the complex scientific inquiry process: An Alzheimer’s Drug That Doesn’t Treat Alzheimer’s?

Medical research is complex. Once we figure out what is most critical and discover effective treatments often the explanations can then make it seem fairly simple. But that process is often decades of efforts that include years of frustration and confusion.

For long term medical impacts we often need to guess at important biomarker indications that may be closely related to health outcomes. But that process often isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Much Alzheimer’s research for the last few decades has focused on amyloid plaque reduction.

A new Alzheimer’s drug has been approved. But should you take it?

Aducanumab (brand name Aduhelm) is a monoclonal antibody engineered in a laboratory to stick to the amyloid molecule that forms plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Most researchers believe that the plaques form first and damage brain cells, causing tau tangles to form inside them, killing the cells. Once aducanumab has stuck to the plaque, your body’s immune system will come in and remove the plaque, thinking it’s a foreign invader. The hope and expectation are that, once the plaques are removed, the brain cells will stop dying, and thinking, memory, function, and behavior will stop deteriorating.

I personally do not think the drug should have been approved. Continued research would be fine, but approving an extraordinarily expensive drug without strong evidence of significant positive health outcomes is very poor public policy.

mRNA Vaccine Targets Ticks to Allow Us to Avoid Diseases Ticks Carry

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 19:22:05 +0000

A lab-stage mRNA vaccine targeting ticks may offer protection against Lyme and other tick-borne diseases

A new laboratory-stage mRNA vaccine that teaches the immune system to recognize the saliva from tick bites could prevent these bugs from feeding on and transmitting tick-borne diseases to people
…
What’s unique about the 19ISP mRNA vaccine is that instead of directly targeting the pathogen that causes the disease like traditional vaccines, 19ISP was able to stimulate resistance to the carrier of the disease, ticks, and prevent them from transmitting the pathogen in the first place. Our study also suggests that this form of tick-based vaccination – teaching the body to rapidly recognize and react to being bitten by a tick – may be sufficient to prevent infection.

mRNA vaccines have been in the news a great deal due to the covid19 mRNA vaccines. The potential for mRNA solutions is very promising. If this research can be confirmed and brought to market it could save us from Lyme disease and other diseases transmitted via ticks.

Toyota Mirai – Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Car

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 18:05:14 +0000

I am curious, even skeptical, about the potential for hydrogen fuel cell versus battery passenger cars. I do respect Toyota and so am wondering if they do indeed see something that most others are missing.

The current production Toyota Mirai has a range of 650 km.

I do think hydrogen fuel cells may provide a better option for larger vehicles (maybe even shipping), but I have done next to no research on this so I may be wrong.

It seem unlikely to me that hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars are going to make it but I would be happy to be wrong. Perhaps the advantages will overcome what seem to me to be challenges that are going to prevent them from being successful. I am confused about how committed to this strategy Toyota is (which makes me question my belief that hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars are not going to be successful).

Science Explained: Wind Powered Vehicle Traveling Faster Than the Wind

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 19:32:08 +0000

This is an interesting explanation of a the physics involved with vehicle propulsion. And it is a great video showing the scientific method at work.

They only touch on it a little bit but the need for creating 4 versions of the small treadmill device to illustrate the principles in action is a great example of how science inquiry and engineering work. There are often many failed attempts before an engineering solution to the issue involved can be properly created (video on Xyla Foxlin’s efforts: Building the Vehicle Physicists Called Impossible).

Enjoy the videos.

Veritasium is also offering 3 prizes to split the $10,000 for 1 minute videos that highlight science communicators with his Veritasium Science Communication Contest.

Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet May Include Reduced Risk of Cognitive Impairment As We Age

Sat, 08 May 2021 19:28:50 +0000

Medical studies about healthy living are very complex and not easy to draw clear conclusions from. But the evidence continues to grow on the benefits of a healthy Mediterranean diet.

Mediterranean diet may prevent memory loss and dementia, study finds

The true diet is simple, plant-based cooking, with the majority of each meal focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts and a heavy emphasis on extra-virgin olive oil. Fats other than olive oil, such as butter, are consumed rarely, if at all. And say goodbye to refined sugar or flour.

Meat can make a rare appearance, but usually only to flavor a dish. Instead, meals may include eggs, dairy and poultry, but in much smaller portions than in the traditional Western diet. However, fish, which are full of brain-boosting omega-3’s, are a staple.
…
“Eating a healthy plant-based diet is associated with better cognitive function and around 30% to 35% lower risk of cognitive impairment during aging,” lead author Claire McEvoy, assistant professor at Queen’s University Belfast

I am skeptical of the size of the risk reduction. It is seems decades of health studies show that precise measures are not that trustworthy. But it does seem that there are many benefits to a Mediterranean diet.

This is actually a photo of a dinner I enjoyed while in Malaysia (which just is one I had easy access to add to this post)

I have been taking this into account in my eating. I try to eat much more green leafy vegetable (though more is from my very low levels before). I try to reduce the amount of meat and increase the amount of fish and nuts. I try to eat enough fiber and I eat yogurt. I try to eat more fruits and vegetables in general. I try to reduce the amount of processed foods and sugar. My diet is far from great but it is much better than is was 20 years ago. I have probably been focused on doing better for over 10 years (post from 9 years ago: Healthy Diet, Healthy Living, Healthy Weight).

Simple Overview of Proteins

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 19:08:16 +0000

This webcasts provides a good, very simple, overview of proteins.

Learn more about proteins: How Lysozyme Protein in Our Tear-Drops Kill Bacteria – Molecular Motor Proteins – Fold.it, the Protein Folding Game

Huge Proposed Increases in USA Government Science and Engineering Support

Sat, 03 Apr 2021 23:12:26 +0000

The Biden administration has proposed greatly increasing USA government spending on science and engineering. They are proposing levels last seen in the 1960s when the USA was most committed to science and engineering spending (as most visibly seen in support for NASA).

Advance U.S. leadership in critical technologies and upgrade America’s research infrastructure. U.S. leadership in new technologies—from artificial intelligence to biotechnology to computing—is critical to both our future economic competitiveness and our national security. Based on bipartisan proposals, President Biden is calling on Congress to invest $50 billion in the National Science Foundation (NSF), creating a technology directorate that will collaborate with and build on existing programs across the government. It will focus on fields like semiconductors and advanced computing, advanced communications technology, advanced energy technologies, and biotechnology. He also is calling on Congress to provide $30 billion in additional funding for R&D that spurs innovation and job creation, including in rural areas. His plan also will invest $40 billion in upgrading research infrastructure in laboratories across the country, including brick-and-mortar facilities and computing capabilities and networks. These funds would be allocated across the federal R&D agencies, including at the Department of Energy. Half of those funds will be reserved for Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions, including the creation of a new national lab focused on climate that will be affiliated with an HBCU.

Establish the United States as a leader in climate science, innovation, and R&D. The President is calling on Congress to invest $35 billion in the full range of solutions needed to achieve technology breakthroughs that address the climate crisis and position America as the global leader in clean energy technology and clean energy jobs. This includes launching ARPA-C to develop new methods for reducing emissions and building climate resilience, as well as expanding across-the-board funding for climate research. In addition to a $5 billion increase in funding for other climate-focused research, his plan will invest $15 billion in demonstration projects for climate R&D priorities, including utility-scale energy storage, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, advanced nuclear, rare earth element separations, floating offshore wind, biofuel/bioproducts, quantum computing, and electric vehicles, as well as strengthening U.S. technological leadership in these areas in global markets.

Eliminate racial and gender inequities in research and development and science, technology, engineering, and math. Discrimination leads to less innovation: one study found that innovation in the United States will quadruple if women, people of color, and children from low-income families invented at the rate of groups who are not held back by discrimination and structural barriers. Persistent inequities in access to R&D dollars and to careers in innovation industries prevents the U.S. economy from reaching its full potential. President Biden is calling on Congress to make a $10 billion R&D investment at HBCUs and other MSIs. He also is calling on Congress to invest $15 billion in creating up to 200 centers of excellence that serve as research incubators at HBCUs and other MSIs to provide graduate fellowships and other opportunities for underserved populations, including through pre-college programs.

This text is from The White House Infrastructure Plan (The American Jobs Plan). Likely this link will stop working in several years (once a new administration takes over.

I have written a great deal about the importance of science and engineering to the long term economic success of the USA and other countries. See the related links below. I support greatly increasing the USA government spending on science and engineering. I also support the current administration’s practice of making policy decisions based on an understanding of the current scientific understanding. I haven’t had a chance to look at the targeting of spending and I am sure I would have adjustments if it were up to me where to focus investments but the overall thrust of the current administration would be a great benefit to the USA economy over the next few decades.

As I have said before the USA has been living off of scientific investments made over 50 years ago for many decades. Our failures to prioritize science and engineering over the last few decades has been very costly and those costs are increasing rapidly. I hope we again prioritize the importance of science and engineering.

Choosing Between Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 01:06:42 +0000

Chemical engineering and bioengineering, also called biomedical engineering, overlap in some areas because they both create new technology and innovations for the healthcare industry. However, the two disciplines are very different. Here is a comparison of the two careers to help you choose the one that would be best for you.

What Does a Chemical Engineer Do?

A chemical engineer uses science to find solutions to problems, such as manufacturing issues for a food company. They can also work for pharmaceutical, chemical, science, petroleum, coal, oil, gas, trade, manufacturing and other companies.

They usually work in a laboratory or office setting. Sometimes they have to work in an industrial or chemical plant. Some chemical engineers work in the field, such as a refinery. The daily tasks of a chemical engineer can vary, but they usually include research and testing. They may develop new chemicals products, or they may create and test equipment.

Sometimes chemical engineers can solve important problems that affect different aspects of people’s lives. For example, Líney Árnadóttir is a chemical engineering associate professor who studies chemical processes on different surfaces to try to uncover how and why materials degrade.

Árnadóttir and other researchers used supercomputers to study chloride’s role in corrosion. Chemical engineers sometimes use technology, such as the supercomputers at the San Diego Supercomputer Center and the Texas Advanced Computing Center, to do their work and solve problems. By understanding how chloride affects materials like steel, the researchers can help companies, manufacturers and the environment deal with corrosion better.

What Is Bioengineering?

Bioengineering is a field that uses engineering to study and design biomedical technology and systems. A bioengineer usually works in healthcare. They frequently make new medical devices, equipment, software, computer systems and other products to help people.

Bioengineers can create new laboratory machines to diagnose medical problems or artificial organs to replace the ones in a person. It is possible for a bioengineer to find work in a laboratory, research center, manufacturing facility, hospital or university. Some bioengineers work for large companies and help them develop new products.

Every time you go to a doctor’s office or hospital you are seeing examples of bioengineering. When you need an MRI or CT scan, you are using technology built by bioengineers. If you need a hip replacement or a new knee, you are also benefiting from the designs created by bioengineers.

What Type of Qualifications Does Each Require?

In addition to studying engineering and chemistry, a chemical engineer must study math, biology and physics. As a student, you may have to study science topics like engineering computation or chemical engineering thermodynamics. A strong science and math background is important for becoming a chemical engineer. Many pursue a master’s degree after their bachelor’s degree.

A chemical engineer has to be a good problem solver. They have to look at a process or design and figure out how to make it work. They also have to fix it and figure out why it is not working when problems develop. Creativity is essential for this career.

A bioengineer must study engineering, biology and medical science. Additional topics studied by bioengineers include: genetics, computational biology and cell biology. Bioengineers will also must study math and other subjects during college. Many choose to pursue a master’s in biomedical engineering after earning their bachelor’s.

It is important for bioengineers to have a good understanding of the human body and healthcare. They often work with medical devices, so they have to know how people will use them and benefit from them. A good background in biology is helpful for anyone pursuing this field.

Salary Expectations

In general, engineering is considered to be one of the higher paying career fields that you can choose. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shares that a typical chemical engineer earns $108,770 per year or $52 per hour. Some earn more depending on the field they work in, such as manufacturing or petroleum.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists $91,410 per year or $44 per hour as the typical salary for a bioengineer. There you work can affect how much you earn, and those in academic settings tend to earn less.

For example, if you compare job listings for bioengineers in larger companies to smaller ones or academic centers, you will see difference in pay. Bigger businesses tend to pay more and have higher bonuses for new workers.

If you are considering a career in chemical engineering or bioengineering, both require a strong background in science and math. However, there are differences between the two career paths that are worth exploring. The key is to find a career that fulfills you while providing a good salary and daily work environment.

Photos from This is Engineering

Creating Low-cost Construction Materials Using Recycled Plastic Waste

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 21:08:48 +0000

Nzambi Matee is a materials engineer and head of Gjenge Makers (in Kenya), which produces sustainable low-cost construction materials made of recycled plastic waste and sand. For her work, Nzambi Matee was recently named a Young Champions of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Building blocks for a greener Nairobi

Through trial and error, she and her team learned that some plastics bind together better than others. Her project was given a boost when Matee won a scholarship to attend a social entrepreneurship training programme in the United States of America. With her paver samples packed in her luggage, she used the material labs in the University of Colorado Boulder to further test and refine the ratios of sand to plastic.

It is wonderful to see young people using an understanding of engineering to find ways to improve the world. Taking waste plastic and creating usable products will help reduce pollution and create a better world. We need quite a bit of effort to deal with plastic waste, so I look forward to learning about many more ideas turned into practical solutions in the real world.

Celebrating Manufacturing Day with a Focus on FDI

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:47:13 +0000

This article originally appeared on tradeology, the official blog of ITA. Although I believe Manufacturing Day is an everyday affair, the official 2017 Manufacturing Day has come and gone. On October 6, modern-day manufacturing was showcased to students, teachers, parents, prospective employees, elected officials, and more at over 2,800 separate events across the country. It

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Small-Business Cybersecurity is Twice as Nice as Pumpkin Spice

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:30:03 +0000

This article originally appeared on the NIST Taking Measure blog. I think we’ve taken this pumpkin spice thing too far. Don’t get me wrong, I love fall. That first crisp evening when you need to put on a sweater, the crunch of leaves under your feet, homecoming football games, but pumpkin spice? It’s obvious that

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Live from Across the Country, It’s Manufacturing Day

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:30:12 +0000

What has close to 3,000 events across the nation with more than a half million people learning about manufacturing careers and what gets made in communities across the country? None other than Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). Sandwiched between National Walk to School Day (which my son’s elementary school celebrated) and the federal holiday of Columbus

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Success Story: Innovative Company Keeps Pace With High-Tech Demands

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 21:14:08 +0000

Infinite Composites Technologies (ICT) uses carbon fiber material to manufacture patented, linerless containers that store all types of gasses at pressures up to 3,000 pounds per square inch. Founded in 2009 by Matt Villarreal and Michael Tate, the company uses a computer program that pulls the carbon material off spools, covers it in a special

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Recruiting Millennials for Manufacturing Careers

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:33:02 +0000

I was at an end of summer family barbeque the other day, and two of my nephews, 16 and 20 years old, were in attendance. As the day progressed, they spent most of the day fixated on their phones, from watching YouTube videos of cats and playing games, to tweeting and instagramming photos. Changing the

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Examining the Growth of Manufacturing Establishments in the Pacific Northwest

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 15:14:11 +0000

In three of the last four years the number of national manufacturing establishments grew according to the U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns, which may be a surprising but welcomed trend. As NIST MEP regional managers, we examined this trend as it related to the Pacific Northwest region and in comparison to national trends. With

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Success Story: New Marketing Strategy Leads to Revenue Growth

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 17:56:53 +0000

Eagan-based CARDSource is a leading manufacturer of plastic cards with services ranging from printing and fulfillment, thermal printing, card embossing, and ink jet printing for retailers, restaurants, hotel chains, and health insurance companies. The company employs 50 people. CARDSource competes in a highly commoditized market and was looking to grow its revenue by better targeting

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Manufacturing – Creating Opportunity through Innovation

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:51:43 +0000

op·por·tu·ni·ty äpərˈt(y)o͞onədē, noun, a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. When we think of champions of manufacturing today we tend to think of some of the big companies such as IBM, 3M, Johnson & Johnson, P&G and Dow Chemical. But companies don’t form themselves, and patents don’t automatically mean innovation –

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Success Story: Funding Underwater Technology in Hawaii

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:47:22 +0000

Makai Ocean Engineering was founded in 1973 as a diversified ocean engineering company focused on providing design engineering and development services. Today the company is a world-renowned think tank for ocean-related problems known for its innovative, fast, and thorough design solutions. Based in Waimanalo, Hawaii, Makai has around 25 employees. Makai receives funding through the

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Success Story: Launching Into the International Aerospace Market With ExporTech™

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 19:30:59 +0000

Liquid Measurement Systems (LMS) was founded in 1989 with one big idea: to replace the metal tubes used in fuel probes for aircrafts with graphite composite—a lighter, more durable, and less corrosive material. The company used the highest manufacturing and quality standards to produce the new probes, eventually expanding into signal conditioners and fuel gauges.

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The truth about Carbohydrates

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 02:29:38 +0000

Dairy, eggs, red meat, and carbohydrates, among others, have all had a bad rap for being “unhealthy” at some point in time. The fact is, all of those foods can be part of healthy diet. Just like everything, it is important to not only eat the right type and right quantity of food to obtain and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Carbohydrate Basics

Carbohydrates are an essential part of our diet as they provide us with energy, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

Energy: Carbohydrates are broken down into sugar which is converted into energy to support bodily functions such as thinking and walking.

Fiber: Dietary fiber is part of plants that your body can’t digest or absorb. Fiber comes in two forms, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and has the ability to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Insoluble fiber helps move materials through the digestive systems by providing bulk.

Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins and minerals are the micronutrients found in carbohydrates. These micronutrients help with the circulatory, immune, and endocrine systems. Some of the vitamins and minerals readily found in carbohydrate include: Vitamin A, B vitamins, and Choline.

Type of Carbohydrate

Not all carbohydrates are made equally. Unhealthy sources of carbohydrates which should only be consumed on occasion include: white bread, pastries, sodas, baked goods and other highly processed foods. Healthy sources of carbohydrates include: whole grains, fruits, beans and some vegetables.

Pasta

One of my favorite sources of carbohydrates is pasta. Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes. More recently pasta has been nutritionally enhanced to provide more varieties such as whole wheat, whole grain, fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, additional fiber, and additional protein to name several.

Pasta is versatile, convenient, affordable and fun to make. All you need is flour, eggs, salt and time! Once you make your dough the fun is just beginning. The stuffing – if you are making ravioli – or the sauces are where you can be come the most creative. You can make pasta vegetarian, meaty, cheese and oh so delicious. Think about it, some of the most popular sauces that go over pasta are vegetable based…tomato, squash, pumpkin, pesto, etc. This just adds to your nutritional punch to your dinner menu.

So instead of saying “no” to certain food groups learn how they can fit into your diet while learning how to make them yourselves. Part of eating is understanding not only what you are eating but enjoying the flavors and joy they bring to you. Making pasta is something that is not only fun but a great activity to for the family to do together. In the end, enjoy food and remember the food is the energy to life!

Resources:

http://www.carbs-information.com

hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource

http://ww.mayocliic.org/healthy-lifestyle

http://pastafits.org/pasta

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Fitting in Fad Diets – Juicing

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 01:59:25 +0000

Most people truly want to be healthy. However, wanting to be healthy versus really being healthy are two very different things. In part because truly living a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy. Food is social and eating healthy can be a deterrent to many people. I mean, how many times don’t people bring in some sort of baked good to work or you go out to dinner where those cheese fries are calling your name? In addition, the time it takes to grocery shop and prepare food for the night/week takes a conscious effort. No wonder a “quick fix” is so appealing.

These “quick fixes” are the basis to fad diets and diet products. Many times these products are marketed to provide huge nutritional benefits (ex: consuming this protein powder will provide a full days worth of fruit and vegetables) while also losing weight. I can lose 5 pounds in just two weeks?!? Sign me up!

Now don’t get me wrong, some fad diets can be incorporated into a healthy diet – such as protein shakes and juicing – but they should never be the sole source of energy. Let’s talk about Juicing.

Advantages of Juicing

If consuming the daily recommendation of fruits and vegetables is difficult, juicing is a good way to get them in.

Disadvantages of Juicing

To properly juice is takes a juicer. Juicers can be very expensive ranging from $40 – $400.
When juicing the juice must be drank the day it was juiced. Since there are no preservatives there is nothing that will keep your juice from “aging” over the next couple days.
Juicing can be caloric. If you are mainly juicing fruit and not vegetables you are consuming a lot of sugar in a very condensed form. This can add calories quickly. Think about it…how many apples, pineapples, oranges, etc. did you juice to get that glass?
When you juice you lose all the pulp which means you lose the fiber. Fiber is important as it helps keep our stools regular, prevents colon cancer, helps to lower cholesterol and much more.
It is not proven that juicing will detox or cleanse your body. That is what your kidneys are for!

So for those of you who like to juice, enjoy it but continue to eat fruit and vegetables as part of balanced diet. Not only doing so improve your weight management, immune response and overall physical health, but your mental health and stress management can benefit dramatically as well.

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Year of the Rooster

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 01:47:26 +0000

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is observed in many Asian countries and communities around the world. The festival begins on the first day of the first month in the traditional lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is based on both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. This year, the celebration will begin on Saturday, January 28. The traditional lunar calendar is associated with the 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac. Each animal represents a year in the 12-year cycle, beginning on Chinese New Year’s Day. This year, 2017 is the year of the rooster.

As a preparation to the Chinese New Year people tend to clean the house and display traditional New Year decorations. Part of decorating the house is to provide good luck to the year ahead. The color red is the main color for the Chinese New Year festival as it is believed to be an auspicious color. Since 2017 is the year of the rooster you will also see rooster related decorations.

When it comes to food, certain food is consumed during the festival due to symbolic meaning. For instance, fish is a must as fish is believed to bring a surplus of money and good luck in the coming year. Other traditional foods include dumplings, spring rolls, rice cakes and sweet rice bowls.

Fortunately for me, I have friends who are from China who continue to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This year we celebrated with traditional dumplings, spring rolls and a hot pot. Incase you are not familiar, a hot pot – also known as a Chinese Fondue – consists of a broth that sits in the middle of the table. Raw ingredients such as beef, shrimp, mushrooms, tofu, etc. sit besides the pot until you are ready to cook it. The nice part about a hot pot is it great on a cold day but it is also extremely healthy. You use herbs and spices to flavor the broth and then you boil the rest of the ingredients. Once the food is cooked you take it out of the boiling broth and put it over sticky rice. To add even more depth of flavor there are dipping sauces made of sesame sauce, chili oil, soy sauce, garlic sauce, vinegar, and more.

The important thing to note is that the United States of American is a melting pot of cultures. When working in nutrition it is important to be conscientious and knowledgeable about how culture influences food consumption. So wear red, eat some fish and have a wonderful Chinese New Year!

Reference:

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/hotpot.htm

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Food Trends of 2017

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 02:06:47 +0000

Scoot over new haircut, diet trends and home re-design (sorry Chip and Joanna Gains) but what is trending in 2017 is FOOD! Food feeds our hunger, our curiosity, our social life and our cultural so get your “OpenTable” app open, its fork and knife time!

2017 Food Trends per CNBC

Poke

Poke, pronounced “po-kay,” is usually tuna or octopus that is fresh, raw seafood that is cubed and mixed with soy sauce, green onions and sesame oil severed over rice. Among Poke, fresh, ethnic and sustainable seafood dishes are trending for 2017.

Pizza

Pizza, easily a personal favorite to many but also one that is spreading like “cheese” across the restaurant sector as it you can get pizza delivered, from fast food chains and even on high end menus. Per Scott Svenson, co-founder of MOD Pizza, Pizza is the second-largest restaurant category in the United States. The fun thing about Pizza is the pie is only as good as the customer since pizza is completely customizable. Try Blaze Pizza and MOD Pizza next time you are craving a “slice of heaven.”

Chicken

We have all heard it or seen it on a billboards/commercials, Chick-Fil-A’s “Eat more Chicken” but what does that really mean? According to research from Technomic, the top 250 restaurant chains have added some 325 new chicken menu items over the last year. Part of chicken kick is due to consumers craving healthier, high protein options that are cost effective.

Value Meals

Even though “The Founder,” a movie about the beginning of the McDonald’s mecca, was recently released the Value Meal has been part of 2016 for a while. Advertisements such as “2 for $5” or “4 for $4” is all due to the saturation of fast food restaurants where price is the competitive edge. Even though the value meal trend will continue into 2017 don’t hold your breath thinking it will last much longer as prices will rise with fluctuations in food prices.

Organic

USDA certified organic foods means food is grown and processed according to federal guidelines of which the soil does not have prohibited synthetic fertilizers and pesticides substances applied to it for three year prior to harvest, no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors among more.

Cold Brew Coffee

Not only are coffee shops in every neighborhood but now the trend is getting a cold brew year around. Cold brew coffee is the process of steeping coffee grounds in room-temperature for 12 plus hours, to extract the flavor of the beans. If waiting in line at the nearest coffee shop for a cold brew isn’t your style check out your local grocery store!

When it comes to food and beverages, be open to try new things and be creative. Food can be made in so many different ways (ex: use that cold brew as a marinate for beef) and with so many flavors and textures my challenge to you during 2017 is to become a foodie!

Reference:

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/30/hot-food-trends-that-youll-be-eating-in-2017.html

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Season Greetings with Soup

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:39:58 +0000

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go let it snow, let is snow, let it snow.” We are a week shy of Christmas and here in the Midwest we are experiencing our first, true, winters snow. Even though the snow is peaceful and calming, as I watch it fall from window, outside it is truly frightful. Per the “Let is Snow” song, I really do not have any place to go but, I do need to make dinner. Since I have not gone to the grocery store, nor plan on going, this cold winters day is a perfect time for soup.

Benefits of Soup

Vegetables –> You can pack a soup with vegetables that not only provide an array of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber.
Low Fat –> Broth based soups with lean meats are very filling without the gilt.
Affordable –> By using frozen or canned vegetables and stock made from your protein of choice soup can serve a family for a couple meals at a low price.

Bump up the Nutritional Value in your Soup

Liquid oil like olive or canola oil to sauté vegetables instead of butter.
Unsalted stock or broth in order to control the amount of salt in your soup. Plus, broth based soups are not as calorically dense as cream based soups.
Lean protein: fish, chicken, pork and beef cuts that include “loin” or “round” in the name.
Mix it up using a variety of vegetables and colors! Squash, asparagus, sweet potato, kale, bell peppers, you name it!
Try different spice combinations to add flavor without a lot of sodium or fat. For example: rosemary and thyme go well with beef.
Make it vegetarian! Use beans, tofu, or even grains like quinoa for protein sources.

Soup doesn’t have to be a complicated dish or meal. Rather, it is a great way to use what you have in your freezer to make a delicious and filling meal. You can even use leftover meat and vegetables to make a great tasting soup. Make it to taste but don’t forget, soups get better with time so tomorrow soup will taste even better than todays!

Stay Warm and Happy Healthy Holidays!

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/493740-7-day-vegetable-soup-diet/

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Calorie Burning at Christmas

Sun, 04 Dec 2016 20:13:57 +0000

I admit, I went shopping the day after Thanksgiving but not during the wee hours of the morning. Instead, my sister and I woke up, had our breakfast and went to face the masses around 10:00 in the morning. Now, my sister is a shopper. She had a list of stores she wanted to go to with a list of hopeful purchases. Even though we were not super successful on the purchasing side of things we did shop for six hours. I was exhausted to say the least. Fighting traffic, finding parking, waiting in line, dodging people to get to where you want to go and waiting in line for food felt like I just ran a marathon. Thanksgiving weekend I also decorated the house for Christmas and baked 500 cookies. To say the least my Thanksgiving weekend wasn’t as relaxing as I had wished. However, while I looked back on my eventful holiday weekend I wondered, how much energy did it take for me to do everything that I did that weekend.

Holiday Calorie Busters

Carrying Groceries for 5 minutes –> 13 calories
Changing bed linens for 15 minutes –> 40 calories
Standing in line for 30 minutes –> 47 calories
Wrapping gifts for 30 minutes –> 48 calories
Decorating the Christmas tree for 30 minutes –> 85 calories
Baking and preparing food for 1 hour –> 159 calories
Cleaning house for 1 hour –> 191 calories

Now, even though I did every single one of the list lists above this is clearly not something I do on a daily basis. However, take advantage of these opportunities when you can.

Burning Calories during the Holidays

Shop till you drop –> When you shop this holiday season don’t look at parking in the back as a bad thing. Instead, relish in this factor that you are getting exercise. To add more steps to your day each time you buy something take it out to your car to burn more calories.
Think of Snow as your Friend –>It does not take a lot of shoveling snow to increase your heat rate. Just by shoveling for 30 minutes you can burn 223 calories. Now that is a great workout!
Prepping the house –> Guests add another level of stress to ones life around the holidays. Housework is one of those extra stresses that comes with guests. Just by doing normal household chores can burn up to 200 calories.

This holiday season enjoy it, with everything it takes just to prepare for the holidays, you deserve it!

Resources

www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/10-ways-to-burn-off-holiday-calories#1

www.healthland.time.com/2013/12/10/11-ways-to-burn-calories-with-holiday-cheer/

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Tis the Season for Baking

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 02:56:42 +0000

For some of us, Christmas starts before Thanksgiving. For the rest of us, like myself, I choose to wait until Thanksgiving is over to start decorating, shopping and baking. The holidays bring about all kinds of beautiful cookies with festive colors and shapes: frosted sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, spritz cookies, thumbprint cookies – so many choices!

I really enjoy cookies – yes, dietitians eat cookies, too. And if you’re like me, sometimes it’s hard to say “no” to so many cookies during the holiday season. But perhaps it’s less about saying “no” to cookies, and more about choosing to truly enjoy the ones you do eat.

When we are fully present in the experience of eating, we are eating mindfully, which can increase our enjoyment and appreciation of our food. Mindful eating also allows us to be more in tune with our body’s hunger and fullness signals, which can help to avoid overeating, or eating for reasons other than hunger.

This holiday season, give this mindful eating exercise a try with a cookie, a piece of chocolate, or any other food you like.

Put a cookie in the palm of your hand, and feel its weight.
Describe the cookie, including its shape, color, and size.
Smell the aroma of the cookie, considering the thoughts and memories that surface.
Take a bite of the cookie. Pay attention to the taste, the texture, and how it changes in your mouth.
Notice how it feels as you swallow the bite.

How does this compare to your typical eating experience? How satisfied are you after eating this cookie?

After frosting sugar cookies, a tradition that was started as something to keep us girls busy while by parents went shopping, is half the fun of cookie baking. It is about the tradition, the memories and of course the pure joy of consuming something made with love.

Happy Holidays and Happy Baking!

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Tis the Season for Appetizers and Hors d’oeuvres

Sat, 12 Nov 2016 20:01:39 +0000

It is not uncommon to order a light appetizer prior to a meal. It is also not uncommon to have small plates of food with drinks after work. For many, appetizers and Hors d’oeuvres and used interchangeably to describe a type of food consumed prior to a larger meal. However, did you know appetizers and Hors d’oeuvres are actually two different things?

Appetizer –> small portion of food or drink served before or at the beginning of a meal (dictionary.com)

Hors d’oeuvres –> a small bit of food, or a preparation of chopped or creamed foods, often served on crackers or small pieces of toast along side drinks where no other food is served (dictionary.com)

With the holiday right around the corner, gatherings are being planned in which most of them will have food. When an invitation states “heavy appetizers or hors d’oeuvres” be careful to not only the amount you consume but some of the hidden calories.

Most Calorically Dense appetizers

Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers –> One plateful of these can equate to over 1,900 calories and 125 g of fat. This is the equivalent to 9 chicken enchiladas.
Boneless Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese –> One order of these is almost 1,500 calories and 4,590 mg of sodium. That is the equivalent of 2 large bags of potato chips.
Stuffed Potato Skins –> Loaded potatoes – think sour cream, bacon, cheese, butter and more – is around 2,070 calories for a plateful.

Even though these foods can be incorporated into your lifestyle they are not something to indulge on a weekly basis. Rather, try to incorporate some of these “healthier” appetizer options.

Healthier Appetizers

Shishito Peppers with Miso –> Peppers are great for you as they are not only low is calories but they have anti-inflammatory properties due to their spicy/hot flavors -capsasin.
Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower —> Cauliflower can withstand bold flavors/spices which have antioxidant properties. They are also filling due to fiber and not calorically dense.
Stuffed Mushrooms –> Think meaty texture meets fiber, B Vitamins and antioxidant selenium with all the yummy fixen’s inside!

Holidays are a time to be with family but it is easy to forget about what you are consuming when you are around so much food. The key is to not deprive yourself but to be conscious of what and how much you are consuming.

References

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/appetizers-high-fat-and-calories

http://www.delish.com/entertaining/g1432/healthy-five-ingredient-appetizers/?

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What is a meal?

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 02:19:39 +0000

Per the movie Forrest Gump, “Mamma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gunna get.” It is a quote that those 80’s baby’s and older know well but have you ever thought about what that quote actually means? Think about it, when you open up a box of chocolates, think Russel Stover chocolates, there is this huge variety of chocolates and no matter how badly I want the chocolate with caramel in the center I somehow always pick the cherry filled. In life terms, things happen that we don’t expect and no matter how planned or careful we are there were always be hurdles.

For many of us, that hurdle may be eating healthy 80% of the time. My life is a great example of this. I am currently working anywhere from 50-70 hours a week, helping to plan a nutrition conference, planning my wedding that is but a few short weeks away while also trying to exercise, see my fiancé, and more all while trying to eat healthy. It is a constant challenge with Halloween candy every where I look and the ease-ability of ordering food when time just doesn’t seem like it is on my side. So when crazy schedules are at an all time high and breakfast, lunch or dinner barely makes it into your day, does it count?

I looked up the word “meal” to see what the definition was. Per dictionary.com, a meal is “The food served and eaten at one of the customary, regular occasions for taking food during the day, as breakfast, lunch or supper.” Now, I find this definition interesting with a lot of room for interpretation. If I normally eat breakfast between 8-8:30am but at times eat it at 7 or 10am is that still a regular occasion? Regardless, my “meals” are far from perfect. Yes, I have my standard breakfast, Greek Yogurt or an Omelet first but protein shake if I completely run out of time, it is fuel for my body regardless of the time it is consumed.

Mashed potatoes, green beans, steak, and a glass of milk may seem like a traditional meal but it is not the only type of meal per busy people’s lives. Convenient type foods, protein shakes, protein bars, frozen meals, snack packs, etc. can all play a role in being a “meal.” The goal, however, is to not make these convenient foods take the place of real food. Your body craves nutrients that you obtain by eating food that comes from it’s original state. Meaning, fresh, frozen or canned foods that are not highly processed does a body good. Consuming food like protein shakes or bars should not be regular occurrence as your body will be missing vital nutrients that you can’t get in many convenient type foods. Regardless of what that convenient food’s marketing tactics are, having to add supplements in the form of powders, bars or beverages do not provide the nutrients your body needs in the form they need them.

With that in mind, do note, these convenient foods do have a place as it is better to consume something than nothing at all, but do look at these items more as a supplement and “just in case” rather than a regular meal eaten at regular times. Instead, use “MyPlate” as a reminder of what your meals should strive to look like 80% of the time.

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The Comfort of Comfort Food

Sun, 09 Oct 2016 21:07:03 +0000

You can’t argue that the temperatures are changing. Over the last couple of weeks we have opened the windows to the house. This not only circulates fresh air but helps cool down the house. However, at night, the windows stay open which means by the time I wake up the cool, crisp air that circulates the house makes me eager to lounge in sweaters and a blanket to keep me warm. To me, this is a clear warning that fall is here and winter is on it’s way. So what does that mean for the kitchen – salads and grilling are out and homemade breads, chili’s and comfort food – is in!

Comfort food usually equates to heavy, calorie dense, food. Also during this time amount of exercise decreases. I mean, let’s be serious, how difficult is it to workout when it starts getting dark when you leave work! This intern means more calories in and less calories out = those skinny jeans become tighter than they were this summer!

To keep you feeling thin and trim this fall and winter make some healthy adjustments to your comfort food.

Comfort Food Made Healthy

Chili
- Try using ground turkey instead of ground beef for less fat
- Pack the chili with vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes for extra fiber
Baked Beans
- Use liquid smoke flavoring and chipotles instead of bacon
- Add agave for sweetness instead of brown sugar
Mashed Potatoes
- Utilize cauliflower as your “mashed potato” base for any dish by cooking the cauliflower down, adding milk, butter and herbs and mash away. Great flavor and texture without the unnecessary calories.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Utilize Spaghetti Squash as your spaghetti. Even more flavorful and packed full of fiber
- Opt for ground turkey for the meatballs or meat sauce
Green Bean Casserole
- Use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup or make your own using greek yogurt and 1% milk
- Make your own crunchy onion topping by using crushed up cereal
Pancakes
- Use Greek yogurt as part of the batter
- Try Pumpkin pancakes as well for less calories and more fiber
- Use whole wheat flour
- Try frozen fruit and nuts as a topping instead of sugar filled syrup
Chicken and Dumplings
- Use lean chicken breast
- Pack the dish with veggies including carrots, beans, peas, etc.
- Make the dough with whole-wheat flower
- Use low fat milk and geek yogurt for the cream filling instead of heavy cream
Shepards Pie
- Instead of using mashed potatoes try using sweet potatoes or cauliflower as a base
- Make the filing full of vegetables like carrots, parsnips and herbs for flavor and fiber
- Use reduced fat cheese

This fall and winter make comfort food that is comfortable to the waist line. Same great flavor but with less calories. Trust me, your skinny jeans will thank you later!

Reference

http://greatist.com/health/healthy-comfort-food-recipes

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