Understanding the Food Supply Chain…

Food, Inc. (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)

We’re coming out of Thanksgiving. Appreciating all of the bountiful harvest, right?

However, it seems like those quaint images of Pilgrims that gave way to hearty farmers is nothing but an idyllic image of the past.

You know about big Agri-business and Factory Farms (“CAFOs”) and more.

Fast Food Nation took us into that world.

Now, comes Food, Inc., which was a riveting documentary further peeling the layers back. I watched it on Amazon, but I’m sure it’s on Netflix.

Now, I knew a lot of this stuff happened, but there was an awareness that dawned on me from a society security perspective about what happens when only a few companies control the global food chain…and the danger of the potentially huge external shocks to the system.

Whether you think they have an agenda (they do, of course) and disagree or not, I think you’ll agree that food is pretty important. This is 90 minutes worth the time.

Although, I should add, prepare to get depressed.

Man vs. Food and Sustainability

There’s a show on the Travel Channel called “Man vs. Food”
Basically, the host goes to various locales and challenges himself to eat ridiculous quantities of food (7 lbs of fish, 12 egg omelettes, etc.)
I saw this while flipping through the channels the other night and contrasted that with a  TED talk I had heard that morning about how we are fishing the Bluefin Tuna to death.
Knowing what we know about the threat to our food eco-systems, I just wonder if these types of shows demonstrate the right values and are anachronistic. Kind of like the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest.

Holiday Season Buffet Guidelines...

Image via Wikipedia

You know how when you get to an event and there's a buffet set up, all pristine and everyone is mulling around, yet no one is brave enough to be the first to break the buffet barrier?

Well, my experience says, that there's a huge value in being first.

Not just because you get first pickings, but because the other guests are waiting for YOU to be the first. They want the buffet line to open, but don't have the courage to do it themselves.

What's more, have you ever had a conversation at the end of a party where someone said, "I can't believe Joe was the first guy at the buffet line?"

No, of course not.

So, this holiday season, do yourself and your friends/co-workers a favor.

Break the buffet barrier and enjoy yourself!

They will thank you later.

To my friends who celebrate Christmas, have a Merry one.

 

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The 7 Species-Shtetl Fusion Cholent

Trying to expand the Top-Chef inspired cooking repertoire from the Mediterranean-Shtetl Fusion

There are  7 traditional species of Israel, so tomorrow's cholent has the following ingredients. We'll see how it goes

• Rib steak (which I seared beforehand)
  
• grilled onions
• olive oil
• pomegranate juice
• dates
• grapes
  
• figs
• barley
• bread crumbs (wheat)
• mayonnaise (for texture)
• turmeric
• cinnamon
• pepper
• sauteed garlic cloves
• saffron
• a few apricots
• pinch of ginger
• 2 sweet potatoes
  

It'll either be great...or a disaster.

Updated: ok, it was neither great, but not a disaster. It smelled great, but the taste lacked punch or "kick."  There's potential, but needs works