Hell ya its overrr!!!

I would like to start off by saying that I thought this class was really pointless. I feel that I could have gotten the same knowledge out of this class as i would if I were to stay home and surf the web like i usually do when I'm bored. I think that this class opened the eyes of many students but as mentioned before I usually surf the web when I'm bored and usually find it really interesting to read about whats going on and whats new in the culinary world.
The blogging part of this class was not as bad as i expected it to be, i just dont see why we had to do it if we discussed our articles in class. I did, however, find some of the presentations to be interesting, especially the technology one. I am a huge fan of molecular gastronomy and read about it all the time. My roommates have cookbooks from Allinea, Ell Bulli, and Thomas Keler and they all deal with amazing dishes that come from molecular gastronomy.
So, to sum things up, I could have done without this class but I did enjoy some things that we discussed. I feel that in order to make this class more interesting we should have done classroom debates.

Final Blog!

This class was one of those classes that I gained a lot from personally. It wasn't so much studying material and being expected to know formulas or dates, it was directly about our industry and all the current issues arising. I liked the idea of coming to class everyday and knowing that I would leave having learned something new. It made me want to be knowledgeable about current issues, trends, fads, technology, nutrition, health, etc.

I think I'm going to miss blogging after this is over. I had fun with finding articles and researching on topics that I wasn't aware of before. It opened my eyes to matters that were ongoing and matters that were abrupt.

I will definitely be following NRN for a while. I like the website and how it is easy access to everything that is happening in the food service industry.

One website that I've been reading up on and following is Chocolate & Zucchini. It offers everything from recipes, to books people suggest to use, to forums, to an online "store". I really like reading the forum section and learning about what people have made or used in recipes and others suggestions about it. It seems like a very informal blog that anyone is open to write in. I've joined Chocolate & Zucchini as a member and plan on following it for a while.

I enjoyed this class and I enjoyed blogging. I liked getting feedback on articles I choose from my classmates. I think it really makes a difference in the learning process for students at any age!

The End.

So it is finally the end of the term and we are done with blogging. I have very mixed emotions on blogging. There were times were I had a difficult time finding articles and times were i read three or four and could not decide which one to choose. I also felt that blogging was like my deadline. It was an assignment that I hve never done and it really opened my eyes up more to te social media world.

I would of originaly like to be in the social media groups, but I did not want to get stuck with a group members I did not know personally and especially how they worked and interact with each other. I did like reading my other group members articles and comments on each others blogs. I learned differnet styles of writting through each one and how to look at a situation at all different angles.

I did learn a lot which was the most intersting out of all this whole experience. I am really not into health and nutrition but my roomate is. She is always reading about ealthy diets and things to keep you fit. I learned about how I can change my eating habits by subsituting one small thing and it can help me live a better lifestyle.

I am really into technology and social media. Blogging has helped me find different blogs from credible sources and showed me that this is just one way to get your name or opinion out here for everyone to see. I will continiue to read random blogs I found on this website but I will not blog about health and nutrition. If i come across a particular subject ifll strongly about I wil try and let the word to see my opinion. I have decided to follow @eatprovidence on Twitter. i have been following them for a week and a haf and already i have tried some chocolate peanut butter wings downtown and also found a different farmerss market for my friend.

Thanks for Listening,
Vanessa

That's All Folks!!!!!!!

I liked bloging this tri. I thought it was going to be dumn honostly but I really learned a lot. When we had to research diffrent topics every week it made you read different articles to find the right one. The idea of having a blog is fun because I often checked to see what my group members wrote on my posting. Although we didn't directly work with each other we had to work together to make our blog interesting.

I learned about a lot of food topics in the industry. Within our topic there were a lot of diffrent segments that we covered with our project. I never realized that are political and environmental factors that restaurants have to deal with on a daily basis. It just really help yout take a different look into the food service industry. Without doing the bloging, project, or our class articles I don't think I would've ever looked into the different aspects of the foodservice indusrty.

I really liked the class disscussions about articles that we had to look up every week. My favorite topic was children and nurtition. I just feel like it's sad to know that there are so many obese children in the Unied States. hopefully with the awareness that the class has been exposed to we can make changes in our lives, as well as teach our family and friends to do the same as well. Also I found that when we talked about how many of our foods are manipulated without many of us not even knowing. I mean it won't stop me from eating tomaotes but it will open my eyes to really look at what I'm eating.

I hated blogging on my group's memeber's post. If a group memeber decicded that they didnt want to blog until 11pm and your already sleeping, you can't help but not respond until it's too late. That's about the only annyoing thing about the class.

I could use my blogging in my future career because I can show employeers that I am computer savy. Also I can show them that this is something that my group and I created from scratch. It's just a strong point to talk about during an interview.

The food blog I decided to follow/join is called Boston Restaurant Talk. It basically a blogsite that just talks about anything that has to do with Restaurants in Boston. Of course I chooes this blogsite because not only am I from Boston but I'm into trying new restaurats as well. So it's a win win situation.

Thanks For Reading,

Leya

Final blog

This is it, were getting closer to the finish line with school as well as our class and blogging. At first I thought blogging was going to be alot of work since we had a 5 person group. After doing the first week's blog I realized that it wasn't that bad at all and it really helped me connect with whats going on today.

It helped that we had as many people in our group since none of us had any repeat articles, I learned more than I expected. Before this class, I never read food related articles or magazines and I notice that its really important in this industry to keep up with the latest trends, laws and new about companies and restaurants. I didn't dread having to look up articles for class as well as for these blogs because I enjoy reading about my major and the industry I want to work in.

In the food industry, I think that blogging can be helpful for a few different reasons. The blogs about restaurants in certain cities and states can help those places see what people are saying about them. Seeing any negative posts help those restaurants see customer's interests and likes/dislikes. Blogs about nutrition and new trends going on today can help restaurants become aware of these and make positive changes to keep up and stay updated.

I don't know if I will blog in my future. If my job requires me to become involved in some to help their business out, then I will participate in blogs. Though, I will continue to read articles and magazines about the food industry.

I found another nutrition blog that is written by RD's, fitness experts, and MD's and it is open to the public to read about the latest diet news. I thought it was an informal and reliable blog people can go to for information. Diet Blog

College Eating and Fitness 101

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/college101.html

Hello all,


So this article I found will really make you think. It is an awesome guide for freshman so they know how to stay healthy during there first few months of school. At least until they get into a groove of things. Dinning halls are like heaven. All you can eat and its already payed for, well at least for the first four years until those wonderful loans come. Some of there information is pretty obvious but its good because sometimes you might need a reminder. It also has a great chart for you. It lets you know what a healthier option is than french fries for instance. Most of the time your freshman year you are hanging in the dorm. It gives great snacks to have for when you get hungry and need a break for that 15 page paper due tomorrow. My favorite part is that they point out that there are more ways to get to class than driving. For us being a city it would be walking to the bus stop whether it is the trolley, RIPTA or the school bus. Then getting off to walk a few blocks to class. When I say it makes you think I mean for us seniors we need to think did we practice these healthy habits? If not, this article can even help us when we get out of this horrible place we call school. For my fellow junior you still have a year to get your mind, body and soul into a healthy lifestyle.

Just saying how it is,
Vanessa

BK introduces gluten-free menu items

Hey guys!

I found this article on gluten free items! It's funny how I came about this article because we just had a discussion in class about gluten free prodcts. As many of you may know what gluten free is, maybe some don't. A qucik defition of gluten free is is a diet completely free of ingredients derived from gluten-containing cereals: wheat, barley, rye, and triticale, as well as the use of gluten as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent. When you think about all these products containing gluten you must wonder how Burger King comes into play. Well some of the items that Burger King is introducing are
beef patties, French fries, Tendergrill chicken fillets, egg omelets and various dips and condiments, and the list goes on and on.

I think it's great that Burger King one of the countries most popular food chains is really making produts that give the customer what they need. It's improtnant that more and more quick service resturants follow the lead in order to keep their customers. Gluten-free prodcuts is such a big trend because more and more people get diagnosed with celiac disease, which is due to a alergy to prodcuts with gluten. I commend Buger King with thier promise of having it your way beacuse with these new products cutomers really can.

Thanks For Reading,

Leya

Anti -obesity Push

While doing my nightly pondering on Nations Restaurant News I came upon an interesting article entitled contract feeders to support anti-obesity push. This article basically talks about how Compass Group North America, Aramark, and Sodexo, the top onsite suppliers, are joining first lady at the White House in her anti obesity push. They all have agreed to introduce more fruit juices, milk, grains and vegetables in school lunches. Along with those healthy choices, they also agree to increase or push the amount of food that meets medical recommendations for fat, sugar and grains. Thats not all, they also are going to increase the amount of education that is available to parents and students.
I feel that this is a really great accomplishment and step forward in the push to decrease obesity. The United States has the highest obesity rate of any other country, and big accomplishments like this can really make a difference. As an uncle to a niece and nephew its really releaving to hear that they will be able to eat healthy at school. For some kids, eating at school is the most eating they do all day so it is crucial that the most they eat be the healthiest it can be. I feel that in the next five to ten years the US will see a decrease in obesity, not necessarily because of this new push by the first lady, but because its been a huge wake up call these past couple years. I remember growing up and eating school lunches that consisted of high fatty foods loaded with sugars and preservatives and I think that if the schools and other officials pushed for this anti-obesity back when I was going to school then the US just may not have ended up being the fattest country.

For Nutrition, Consumers Put Their Trust in Subway

Hi Everyone,

I found an article on a recent survey conducted about how much consumers trust quick service restaurants claims to nutrition. The Dallas-based market research firm, Decision Analyst Inc., performed a survey of more than 16,000 consumers asking them to name QSR's that they "trust completely", "trust somewhat", and "do not trust".

The QSR with the greatest amount of consumers trust in its nutritional claims, is Subway with 24.2%. This is double the amount of Chick-fil-A, which is the second-most trusted quick service restaurant.

Other QSR's such as Wendy's, Taco Bell, KFC, and Quiznos were involved in the study.

I choose this article because it not only pertains to our blog on health and nutrition, but because I think it is a topic for latest fads and/or upcoming trends. It might become a law across this country that every restaurant and food provider must display or have available the nutritional information for menu items. But as of right now, this is an important article that can catch the attention of people willing to trust their quick service restaurants.

-Nina

Calories Do Count

Hey guys,
I found this cool article that was results from a study that showed that after calorie counts were posted, there were decreases in sales but only for a short period of time. Researchers from NY and Yale University found that only 28% of customers' ordering were affected by the posted calorie counts and 54% of the customers didn't even notice the calorie counts that were posted on the menu.

Also, the Los Angeles County Public Health department found that if only 10% of customers who go to fast food chains change their diet by ordering a meal 100 calories less than what they usually order, 38.9% of the 6.75 million pounds the total population gained each year could be averted. Thats a huuuuge difference and could change the rate of obesity.

With the two week test that the author talks about in the beginning of the article, they said that with the calorie postings, high calorie items decreased in sales while the lower calorie options increase, yet once the postings were removed, the sales went close to the previous rate.

I thought this article was interesting since it showed results of an experiement of the impact the calorie postings would have. Many states have it a law to show the calorie counts, so it will be interesting to see if these changes will make future healtheir lifestyles for fast food customers.

Light and Healthy Valentines Day Meals!

Ok ok so I know this might sound sappy but who wouldn't want to want to eat healthy on a day that it's so easy to pack on the pounds. I found this article on musclemagfitness.com. It's a quick and easy read that has recipies and tips on what to eat on the big day. On of their biggest pointers was to take the focus off of food. Often on Valentine's DAy people go out to eat to celebrate. Rather than going out, they sugguested eating in. When you eat in you are in control of what you eat because your making the food. If you do choose to go out to eat, they suggested that you share a meal with your partner. Also instead of just sitting down and eating, dancing is a fun way to spend time with your loved one by taking inches off your waist at the same time.

The article also listed recipes that you could make at home without feeling self consious about what your eating. Click here and take a look, the recipes vary from seafood to steak. Another sugestion of the website was eating slowly. When you take you time eating you get full faster, this also give you the time to look into your partners eyes and tell them how much you love them.

I loved this article and I know you will too. Even if you don't have a special someone to share Valentine's Day with, it's ok you could make many of these tasty treats for yourself.

Remember enjoy this day and it's not all about the food!

Thanks for reading,
Leya

Move over, cigarettes. Junk food is the new bad guy on TV and film...

Hi everyone,

I found this article on how junk food is now the "bad guy" on TV and film. Apparently a lot of critics believe that what children see on TV and in movies, is affecting this daily life. I have to agree with them. As children, we have been told by our parents that some things we see on TV are bad and we "shouldn't do them". But we have also been told that some things are okay. It seems that these days a lot more of the population of children and young teenagers are watching TV and movies without adult supervision. This lowers the amount of guidance they have while watching a show and knowing whether something is "right" or "wrong".

This article also points out that sitting in front of the television is a sedentary activity. Not only are children being exposed to junk food via shows and commercials, they are not being active during that time either. I once heard a comment that more children can pick out who Ronald McDonald is over George Washington or the current president. It is obvious that junk food exposure is taking over TV and films and there needs to be a regulation or modification in order to help children know and learn what is healthy for their bodies.

Hey guys, I found this article about Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pushing schools to change their ways in order to create a better tomorrow for healthier kids. Many schools are planning to remove vending machines filled with sugary or salty snacks as well as offering healthier a la carte items for lunch. Some schools also plan on offering breakfast. A huge problem is kids coming to class without breakfast and either falling asleep or having problems concentrating. The administration also addresses that they wish to create programs to better educate students in nutrition

I think that this article did not really explain a definite plan, which schools will be changing as well as when this plan will take place.

Healthy Eating- Healthy Eating for Kids

I found this real great article on "picky eaters". When I was a kid I was the pickiest eater ever. I know my parents struggled when they tried to make me eat my vegetables or have at least one apple a day. This article helps parents or guardians with tips and facts to lead there kids down the right path to healthy eating habits.
-Vanessa
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/nutrition/a/1209_hlthy_etng.htm

Listing Calories on Fast Food Menu Cuts Kids Intake!

Hello

I found this really cool article on how listing the calorie count on fast food menu can lower the calorie intake for kids ages 3-6. McDonalds actually did research on about 99 parents and had them choose between a menu that had calorie counts and one that didn't. The research showed that parents who had the calorie count in front of them choose about 102 less calories than the parents that couldn't see the calorie count. This just goes to show that parents are really investing in their children's future. Childhood obestity affects a large amount of Americans everyday and the number is only increasing.

Childhood Obesity can not only lead to physical problems but mental ones as well. Gorwing up I was never a small kid so I understand the mental challenges a child who is overweight faces, and it's not easy but a lot of it has to do with parenting. With that being said it's good that parents are starting to play a more active role in their child's future. Parents need to keep in mind that they have to eat healthy as well because the parents are setting an example for their child(ren).

The article goes on to say that there was research done in Washington DC regarding the same subject of childhood obesity. This research surveyed about 10,000 customers at 275 restaurants. So the article was very interesing and a good read. Lastly the article has a cool digram on the left hand side where it has a child and if you click on various parts of the body it explains how childhood obesity affects that part of the body. Just click here and try it out for yourself.

Leya

I found this article on child obesity and the First Lady, Mrs. Obama, trying to create plans for a national campaign against childhood obesity. She wants involvement from families, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and the government to work together to create specific solutions.

Mrs. Obama wants to revise federal child nutrition programs, such as school lunches, that would and could potentially impact more than "30 million kids". She also states her steps to encourage schools to promote healthy eating, increase physical activity, improve families access to healthy foods and give parents better information about healthy choices.

This article really stood out to me because ever since I became interested in health and nutrition, years ago!, I've tried to keep up with everything going on with schools. I think that helping children be nutritionally educated is one of the most important things in life. Our First Lady is moving in the right direction for this country and I'm really hoping that it will work out to help the lives of millions of children across the country!

Check out the article for more information on her plan!

-Nina

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704381604575005530811257728.html

I dont know if the link worked or not so this is the URL again or I just went to wsj.com and searched nutrition and the article is called Restaurants Begin to Count Calories on 1/22/10

Laura

Restaurants Begin to Count Calories

Hey guys,
I found an article on Wall Street Journal that talked about how restaurants as well as chains are beginning to post their calories on their menus as well as offer healthier options. One big issue for restaurants to change or add healthier menu items, is that they may loose the wanted flavor and texture customers desire.

This article shows calorie differences between three normal menu items and the three new substituted healthier options. With very little changes, it shows a big difference in the calorie counter.

This article also said how starbucks is creating "skinny" versions of their popular lattes and Taco Bell has added new Fresco tacos to appeal to health conscious customers. Yet, these chains continue to offer their calorie packed menu items since they have not dropped in popularity.

I think that it is great that restaurants and chains are developing healthy options to satisfy every customer. But, I think putting calorie counts on menus may be negative to restaurant businesses since usually the healthier meals are more expensive to create than the fattening ones. Many customers may be shocked by what they usually order and may decide to not return to that certain restaurant.

Caribou Coffee Latest to offer Oatmeal

In an article that i read, a place called Caribou Coffee is going to start offering oatmeal options on their menu. Click here to read article. Caribou Coffee is a small chain of 500 and they have taken into consideration the benefits of eating oatmeal, such as lowering ones bad cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.
They are offering a variety of oat meals that include apple cinnamon, cranberry orange, maple brown sugar crunch and very berry. The price if the oatmeal is not too expensive, ranging from 3.49 with a medium coffee and 4.99 with a latte. Consumers can also add a topping to their oats and they include any threeapple-cinnamon, strawberry compote, orange compote, dried cranberries, golden raisins, almonds, maple syrup and maple brown sugar crunch. Not only is Caribou Coffee starting to offer oatmeal but they are also starting to offer the option of healthier milk for the oatmeal. One can choose from a choice of soy, skim or 2 percent milk. Caribou says that its food offerings will continue to change in the upcoming years offering other healthy options to keep up with competitors such as Starbuck's new low calorie panini, and Jamba Juice's new oatmeal flavor juice.
This new trend of healthy food options going to be the new way to reach out to people and I feel that it just may start getting American consumers to think about the food that they are eating. Caribou's simple addition of oatmeal is just one small step in the huge leap to change the way Americans consume food.

.

Eating Healthy on the Go and on a Budget!

Hello Everyone,

I found a few articles about fast food resturants that are targeting a healthier audience. Quick Service resturants such as Dounkin Donuts, Taco Bell and even KFC are all serving healthier meals for less than or around 5 bucks. I read this article that was found in NRN that tocuhed base on DD's new addition. The Wake-Up wrap is an all egg white and cheese wrap that is only 150 at only $1.00 you can't beat it. Here's the link so you can check out the article! Here is also the link for the Dounkin Donuts so you could take a look at the new healthy menu for yourself.

KFC and Taco Bell are also offering low calorie entree for half the price. They have a special going on that you can get a meal for $3.59 cents that has only 359 calories. Taco Bell now offers an entire menu that has healthy foods such as Fresco Crunchy Taco with 150 calories. If you don't like the crunchy there is the Fresco Bean Burrito that has 340 calories but it includes beans. Here's the link to the new Drive-Thru Diet which includes tacos and burritos that you can either add in steak, chicken, ground beef or even veggie.

Overall there are more options to eat healthy on the go. There are no excuses to why people can't eat healthy now on a budget. Not only are these menus healthy there tasty and affordable. It's a win win situation, well at least it is in my book. Of course without regular exercise these diets won't work so rememeber, eat right, eat healthy and exercise lots!


Thanks for reading,

Leya

So, I've seen alot of articles about lower calorie items on menus for chain restaurants as well as fast food. This article called "Starbucks to debut lower-calorie items" is one of them.

On January 7,2010, Molly Gise announced Starbucks' new line of low calorie paninis and snacks. These paninis are said to have 400 calories or less, and the snacks which include brands like KIND bars, Annie's snacks and Stretch Island Fruit Company, will be 220 calories or less.

These paninis will be available in 4,200 locations and the snacks are available at multiple participating locations.

New low calorie beverages are also going to be new on the Starbucks menu. I usually get the skinny lattes at Starbucks, but I am excited to see that they are adding a Skinny Cinnamon Dulce Latte as well as a Skinny Vanilla latte; both of which for a size "tall" have only 90 calories!

I am happy to see that many chains and fast food restaurants are turning to healthier options. It is hard to be on the go and find something some what nutritional and low-calorie to grab. Hopefully the Starbucks near our school will have these new additions to their menu!

(Jan. 8, 2010) In this season of calorie counting and New Year’s resolutions, restaurant chains are reaching out to health-focused consumers with diet-friendly options.
For some, the move may also be a reaction to menu-labeling requirements in New York, California and other markets aimed at making calorie content more transparent to consumers. Proposed federal health care legislation is also expected to include menu-labeling requirements.
However, with the push for more calorie disclosure comes questions about the accuracy of nutrition data. A study in this month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association indicates that not all calorie postings at restaurant chains and on frozen-food labels are correct.
This month, chains such as Starbucks, Corner Bakery, Applebee’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Taco Bell, and KFC are promoting new lower-calorie options.
Starbucks will soon debut four new hot panini sandwiches, each with fewer than 400 calories, at more than 4,200 stores with warming ovens. The warmed-to-order sandwiches include a Chicken Santa Fe panini; a roasted tomatoes and mozzarella panini; a ham and Swiss panini; and a tuna melt panini.
In addition, Starbucks’ U.S. stores will be adding a new line of snacks with 220 calories or fewer per serving, such as portion-controlled Annie’s Snacks; multigrain and sweet potato chips by FoodShouldTasteGood; grab-and-go Kind Bars; Lucy’s Cookies; fruit-based Peeled Snacks; Peter Rabbit brand organic treats; nut-based Sahale Snacks; Two Moms in the Raw granola mixes; and Stretch Island Fruit Company-brand fruit leather.
Starbucks is also promoting a new vanilla rooibos full-leaf tea, which is calorie free without milk or sugar, and the Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte and Skinny Vanilla Lattes, which each have fewer than 90 calories per 12-ounce size.
Dallas-based Corner Bakery Café this week introduced “100 under 600,” a program showcasing more than 100 soup, salad and sandwich combinations under 600 calories at its more than 100 units.
“So many people give up on their resolution to eat healthy because they feel like they have to sacrifice their favorite foods,” said Ric Scicchitano, Corner Bakery’s vice president of food and beverage. “Our guests find that it’s easier to keep their resolutions when they dine with us, because, with over 100 different soup, salad and sandwich combinations under 600 calories, they can enjoy great tasting, but sensible meals year round without making drastic changes to their diet.”
Among the options: chicken pesto on ciabatta with roasted tomato basil soup; a club panini and chicken noodle soup; or the D.C. Chicken Salad Sandwich with a Caesar salad. The full list is posted on the chain’s website at www.CornerBakeryCafe.com/100under600.
Guests also are invited to respond to questions on healthy eating, nutrition and exercise by following Corner Bakery on Twitter for a chance to win a free combo meal.
Dunkin’ Donuts, a 8,800-unit subsidiary of Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands Inc., said this month that any of its breakfast sandwiches and wraps can now be ordered with egg whites to reduce calories and fat. Read more: http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=377992&menu_id=1368#ixzz0cQ2ntMTO

Hold The Salt!

I found an article written by The New York Times entitled, Citing Hazard, New York Says Hold the Salt, that was addressing a recent issue within New York City. The latest fad that NYC is undertaking is to curtail the amount of salt in food manufacturers and restaurant chains across the country.

Today, January 11, 2010, the Bloomberg administration planned to unveil the new health initiative to the public. The administration wants to be able to reduce the amount of sodium by 25% over the next 5 years. This will easily reduce high blood pressure and other health conditions that many consumers have. This plan is voluntary and involves no legislation but there needs to be cooperation on a national level to achieve this goal.

Such companies as A & P supermarkets and Subway have agreed to follow through with this new goal. A & P is ready to help its consumers and the products they buy within the 435 supermarkets throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Subway has planned to cut the sodium amount in 23,000 stores nationwide.

Yet, there are companies such as Campbell Soup Company, that say they wouldn't join NYC's initiative because "there's no one size fits all".

After reading this article, I thought it was a very noble cause that the Bloomberg administration was trying to pursue. I am definitely a fan of this administration and what they are trying to do for America over the next 5 years. I think that American's consumer too much salt and trying to reduce the amount that is put in packaged foods, frozen foods, and chain foods, would help this country and its people!