French PAradox

French Paradox

Blog Post 4

April 20, 2015

By: Jack D. Nelson

            While searching various French foods and researching for these past three blog post I kept thinking to myself, “Wow, I haven’t seen one healthy dish yet” and as it turns out the French don’t have the healthiest diet. It’s so unhealthy; in fact there is a name for it. The French Paradox. The French Paradox became a known term in 1991 when it was said during an airing of 60 minutes. The paradox is that the French have a relatively large intake of saturated fats in comparison to most countries, including America, yet their rate for CHD, or Coronary Heart Disease, is considerably lower than these countries. During the airing of 60 minutes it left the conclusion that the French’s low CHD rate is all because of their high consumption of red wine. Therefore we silly Americans bought forty-four percent more red wine in 1992 than we did in 1991. Also wine makers used this to their advantage and started to advertise their wines as “health foods” However there are several possibilities on why the French have such a low CHD for how many saturated fats they intake. These reasons are much more feasible than and not as ridiculous as the red wine solution previously suggested. For example it is possible that close to 80 percent of their fat intake is from dairy and vegetables, making it much healthier for them. Another theory is that since they only eat three meals a day and don’t snack as much as we do here in America, it is better for them.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1768013/

Red Red Wine French Diet

Red, Red Wine

Blog Post #3

April 20, 2015

By: Jack D. Nelson

            Any person that is of the slightest of French descent will tell you that wine is a must have when it comes to French cuisine. Wine isn’t only used as a drink in France but is also used in the preparation of numerous dishes. As stated by RealSimple.com, “both red and white wines are staples in any French kitchen.” Wine in France is so big that not only is it used in the cooking but nearly every meal has a wine that it is paired with. Well, that’s not hard when you are known around the world for your wine I guess. France has seven main regions that are known for producing some of the best wine in the entire world. These regions are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley, Alsace, Languedoc Roussillon, and The Rhone Valley ( in alphabetical order/ not a ranking).  Bordeaux is known as the red wine hound in France. They produce the most and the best red wine out of any of the regions. Burgundy is known for both red and white wines, however it is known mostly for their Chardonnay.  The Rhone Valley is known for having some of the best bargains on red wine. Alsace is known for how they name the wines, by grape type not place of origin. The Loire Valley is known for having spectacular whites. And lastly Champagne is known for the World’s best, well, Champagne.

Inspiration for the Title. Gotta love UB40! 

http://wine.about.com/od/winearoundtheworld/a/Frenchwinereg_2.htm

http://www.foodandwine.com/french-recipes

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/french-cooking

A British Diet

A British Diet

Blog Post #4

April 19, 2015

Ben Bruskin

With great food sometimes comes great sickliness. This is sometimes true for British Food. Like American food, British food is filled with unhealthy goodness. A woman in the UK, who ate quite a healthy diet switched to the typical diet of a British woman for one week and gained five pounds extra weight during that week. The British diet is filled with hearty comfort foods which might in the long run make you a bit uncomfortable. The point with eating unhealthy foods though is to eat them in moderation, after why over eat them? You'll be too used to all the unhealthy food and won't find it good anymore! Some of the best but most unhealthy British dishes include Fish and Chips, Pigs in blankets, and Toad in the Hole. All of these foods either involve something fried, or something with sausage--or both! They are so good though, especially Fish and Chips which I could eat all day. There is nothing like fried cod and french fries with some malt vinegar to wash them down. The United Kingdom has obviously seen a shift in diet in the past couple of years as I think the rest of the modern world has. People are concerned about their health both around the world and in the UK. Something interesting to touch on that is a very important part of the UK diet is the pub culture in the UK. Beer has been a staple of the British diet for hundreds of years ever since before people knew how to make clean drinking water. Before people knew how to make clean water, beer was the main drink for Britons. Beer was considered clean and healthy to drink. Obviously we know now that water is much more healthy than beer but people in the UK still love their beer. The UK has a very lenient drinking policy compared to the US and even to other European countries. In United Kingdom, you can drink at five years old at home with your parents and a meal, beer or wine. At age 16 you can consume beer, wine or cider on a licensed premise with a meal and then at 18 you have full drinking freedom. Beer has become a important part to British culture thanks in part to this lax drinking law. One day I was walking around London at 10am and saw passed a cafe with people sitting outside drinking their beer-- warm! Having beer at that early hour and warm is totally normal in the UK. Most people in the UK have Pub that they go to every Sunday to have a meal and a pint. These pubs become like second homes for the patrons of them. Everyone knows everyone and everyone has a nice Sunday afternoon. All this beer has obviously lead to a higher tolerance for most people in the UK, but also health problems for some. Beer is high in calorie, so people must watch what they drink and again make sure to do everything in moderation. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2395430/Amanda-Hamilton-How-eating-average-British-womans-diet-1-week-ruined-figure.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_drinking_age

A typical Briton drinking beer at a pub. 

Toad in the hole-- this is Harry Style's favorite dish. 

My favorite Fish and Chips with mushy peas!

Pigs in a Blanket. 

This pub is in a very cool part of London called Shepard's Corner. It is a hidden corner in London with cobblestone streets. Very 18th century English. When I went, I felt like I had stepped back in time. 

Beans on Toast

Beans on Toast

Blog Post #3

15 April 2015

Ben Bruskin

British food is best described as simple food with great flavor. Fish and Chips, Roast Chicken and potatoes, Chicken curry, and anything on toast are all staples of British cuisine. One of the most staple ingredients in British cuisine is toast. The Brits love to put foods like cheese and beans on toast because it tastes so delicious and is so easy: Make beans, make toast, combine the two and Bob's your uncle, you've got beans on toast! There are other dishes too like, cheese on toast, eggs on toast, Marmite on toast, and my favorite, the Bacon sandwich (literally toast, ketchup and lots of bacon). Why do the British people love to put things on toast so much? The best answer today is probably a convenience factor.  The origins of putting things on toast go all back to the 1920s and convenience was still a factor then. In the 1920s, after World War I, when war rationing was still in place, a can of beans and a loaf of bread were all some people could afford. Beans on Toast was simple yet nutritious meal for the whole family during the early post-war days. These days, everyone has their preferences of what they like to put on their toast. Beans and toast remains one of the most popular things to put on toast and Heinz makes many different flavors of beans for people to put on toast, including barbecue baked beans and curry flavored baked beans. You can also get cheddar baked beans from Heinz in case you want to have cheese on toast and beans on toast but don't want make two slices of toast! Cheese on toast is probably the second most popular thing for Brits to have on toast, so popular that the phrase "cheese on toast" has become a popular phrase when someone sees something really stupid and cheesy. My favorite things to have on toast are Heinz Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce and the Bacon Sandwich. 

Bacon Sandwich

Beans on Toast

Spagetti on Toast

Like Water for Chocolate Reflection questions Jan- Feb

Reflection Q's Jan- Feb

1. The theme that the passage was presenting is that Mama Elena is a dictator and everyone on the ranch is under her control. Mama Elena is very controlling over Tita and even states that Tita "doesn't have an opinion" so she shouldn't be talking. By introducing the theme so early it emphasizes the importance and the severity of the fact that Mama Elena has control over her children. This also shows how important the family rituals are because it says this has been the way forever so Tita is not going to be the one that changes this ritual.
2. In the interaction on page 38 it relates to the theme of independence and rebellion because in their hug and congratulations the are both fighting for their independence by rebelling against Mama Elena and the marriage of Pedro and Rosaura. However Pedro isn't truly rebelling, if he were he would have denied the marriage offer to Rosaura. Therefore, Tita's rebellion is stronger than Pedro's. 

Carnival Festival

Carnival

Carnival

Blog Post #2

     April 12, 2015     

 Julian Johnson

One of the most well know festivals in Brazil is the Carnival, it is an annual festival held between the Friday afternoon 51 days before Easter and Ash Wednesday at noon, which marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period before Easter. This is a very important festival for Catholics. During this time period Catholics stay away from the consumption of meat and poultry, hence the term carnival, from “carnelevare”, which means to remove meat. The types of food, music and costumes for the carnival vary from one region of Brazil to another. This is a time of religious happiness, where all of the different cultures of Brazil come together as one and celebrate the death and rising of Christ. Catholicism is the most practiced religion in Brazil at the moment with 65% percent of Brazil practicing Catholicism. Carnival is almost the equivalent of Mardi Gras, being that they both display the areas unique deep cultures through their clothes, food, dances and songs.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/carnival-brazil-100582.html

Brazilian Culture

Brazilian Culture

Brazialian Culture  

Blog Post #1

     April 12, 2015

      Julian Johnson

The Brazilian culture is one of the world’s most varied and diverse. This is mainly because Brazil is a melting pot of nationalities. The Portuguese culture is by far the dominant of these in Brazil, which is where Brazilians got their language and most of their customs. Brazil was a colony of Portugal for over three centuries. About a million Portuguese settlers arrived during this period and brought their culture to the colony. When people think of Brazil they think about extravagant festivals, unique food, and passion for soccer. Brazilian cuisine varies greatly by region. This diversity shows the country's mix of natives and immigrants. This has also created a national cooking style because of the regional differences. The most well known food the Brazil is known for is Feijoada, which is made up of black beans cooked with pork, and many other elements, it is also the national dish of Brazil. This is a very delicious dish, while I was in Brazil this was among my favorites. Brazil’s incredibly warm weather is another reason why it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Brazil is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Which is the Christ the redeemer statue in Rio de Janero. Brazil is also arguably one of the most intense soccer capitals of the word. Some of the best soccer players that ever lived played for Brazil’s national team such as Pele, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The last world cup was also held in Brazil.

http://www.learn-portuguese-now.com/brazilian-culture.html

Bastille Day

Fête Nationale

~Blog Post #2~

April 12, 2015

By: Jack Nelson

            There are many holidays celebrated in France, such New Year’s Day, Labor Day, and All Saints Day, along with all of the Christian holidays. However the holiday I will be focusing on is Fête Nationale or Bastille Day. This is the celebration I chose because it is comparable to The Fourth of July, which happens to be my favorite holiday. Fête Nationale is celebrated on July 14^th of every year and it memorializes the start of a political revolution. This revolution was to replace the absolute monarchy with a constitutional government. Fête Nationale is celebrated all over France with military parades, firework shows, and of course the feast. The military parade is the time to show your patriotic spirit by waving your French flag. The parade has been going on since the first Bastille Day unlike the firework show. The firework show is a more modern twist on the festivities and still isn’t done in all parts of France. The feast has been around since day one as well. This is comparable to a Fourth of July Picnic, you get together with your closest family and friends and enjoy a nice meal outside and relax the rest of the day. The feast is a lighter meal compared to the other French holidays. Since it is in the middle of the summer the starters will be served cold, such as a quiche or a salad. Also the main course will be prepared with minimal amounts of butter and creams, and more fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables will be incorporated into the feast. Then this will be followed up by a delicious desert and a relaxing afternoon at home.

Bastille Day Outdoor Feast

Bastille Day Fireworks

Sources: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/vive-la-france-la-fete-nationale-bastille-day.html     http://french.lovetoknow.com/Bastille_Day_Traditions

French Culture

                      . 

French Culture

~Blog Post #1~

April 12, 2015

By: Jack Nelson

            French Culture is not a strong point for me. I have minimal knowledge when it comes to French culture. The thoughts that I have developed about French culture throughout my life are mostly stereotypes; French people don’t bathe but once a week, French people are very rude, and French people only eat crepes and snails. Therefore my idea of French culture is one-hundred percent based off of stupid American stereotypes. The main reason I selected French culture is because I love the crepes and croissants, and I’m hoping to find that’s not all I’ll like. Throughout my journey into the true French culture I hope to develop my own thoughts about French culture. I also want to know enough about French culture so if I ever do travel there I won’t be written as another American jerk. So, let the journey begin. Let’s start with history. Foie gras is a dish that the French are known for and it is a major part of French cuisine. However foie gras actually got its roots in ancient Egypt about 4,500 years ago and made its way to France through the Roman Empire. Also French cuisine is heavily influenced by the geography and the resources available. Therefore French cuisine is split up into five regions: Lorraine, Brittany, Burgundy, Rhone-Alpes, and Provence. Cuisine is such a big part of French culture, there are over 5,000 restaurants in Paris alone.  Another distinct trait that the French have is that the meal is meant to be slowed down and romanticized. For example, an average French lunch will last for two hours, and the meal is served in four parts

http://www.expatica.com/media/upload/418916.jpg

 http://www.frenchdesire.com.au/facts/food/

The Sunday Roast

The Sunday Lunch

Blog Post #2

Ben Bruskin

The Sunday lunch is the quintessential British meal. The Sunday lunch is a large meal consisting of roast meats, veg, puddings, potatoes, of course, gravy. Sunday lunches are a celebration of family because it is a time every week where families all of the United Kingdom get together to enjoy each other and enjoy some great food. The Sunday lunch originated a couple hundred years ago during the Industrial Revolution when families would leave a meat in the oven before going to church in the morning. By the time the families got back from the church, the meat would be ready and everyone would feast. While most people in the UK do not go the church anymore, the tradition of eating a large meal on Sundays continues. The Sunday roast has many different elements in it depending on who you talk to's preferences: meats in the Sunday lunch are usually beef, chicken (my favorite), lamb, pork, duck or turkey. To go with your meat you always have your veg. The most common veg for a Sunday lunch is the one I always have to have with my meal: roast potatoes. In the UK, unlike in America, the roast potatoes are huge! They are amazing with the meat. Other veg includes broccoli, green beans (which I also like to have with it), cabbage, and carrots, boiled (another favorite). To top the whole meal off, Yorkshire pudding always accompanies a Sunday lunch. Yorkshire pudding a flakey roll type that is often served with gravy. The best gravy in the UK is Bisto, they make different versions for chicken, beef, and turkey. I love Bisto. 

Here is a recipe for a chicken Sunday lunch: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/perfect-roast-chicken/#M6Eb3zIO4tue4VuH.97

And for some British roast potatoes: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1303/ultimate-roast-potatoes 

Sunday lunch with beef, roast potatoes, veg, at a Yorkshire pudding.

Bisto

British Culture

British Culture
Blog Post #1
Ben Bruskin

I love, love, love Britain, British people and British culture. It is such a diverse and quirky culture with so many different elements.  British culture is filled with Royals, interesting humor (or humour as it would be spelled in GB), superstitions and wonderful food. I like to describe the UK to people in America as a culture and a place that is very similar to America but always a little bit different in every aspect. Britain is a top exporter, in the world, of music, movies, and television shows. Downton Abbey, James Bond, One Direction, William and Kate, The Got Talent and X Factor show formats and the Beatles are all top British exports. Not only is Britain world renowned for their entertainment exports, it is world renowned for its food. Fish and Chips, the afternoon tea tradition and the sandwich are all top British food exports around the world. British food often gets slammed around the world but I just think people are A, being too picky or B, don't know the right places to go to when they are visiting the UK. British cuisine is probably one of the most diverse cuisines you can find in the world. The cuisine ranges from the typical Shepard's Pie to the exotic chicken curry. The UK is a country of immigrants who have all contributed in their own ways to British cuisine.  My favorite foods from the UK are the bacon sandwich, the roast chicken with potatoes, and fish and chips of course. All are simple foods, that taste so good, two things that most British foods have in common. British cuisine contains lots of roast meats, stews, fried fish, and puddings. One of the most important meals in the UK is the afternoon tea. The afternoon tea is something that can act as a replacement for dinner, but doesn't have to be (When it does act as a replacement for dinner it is called high tea and there really doesn't even need to be tea with the meal. Most people refer to high tea as 'dinner' now.) Afternoon tea is taken between the hours of 4-6pm and can range from the very traditional afternoon tea which contains full trays of cucumber sandwiches, scones, and big pots of tea to the more common and practical glass of tea and a sandwich.

People often ask, 'what is the difference between the United Kingdom, England, and Britain?' The difference is simple: The full name for the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The island with England, Scotland, and Wales is known as Great Britain. The island next to Great Britain is the Republic Ireland and at the top of Ireland borders Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is not of Great Britain because it is too separate islands. Together, Great Britain and Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom. This geography has caused for a very similar cuisine across the rest of whole of the United Kingdom, with each country in the United Kingdom offering its own distinct flavors to the common food items within British cuisine.

 A very traditional afternoon tea. 

The difference between the UK and Great Britain and England and Ireland. 

Blog Topics

Blog post #1                                  Due on Monday April 13th 

This post should introduce the culture on which you are choosing to focus. Tell why you are interested in this culture and give some background of what you already know and what you hope to find out. Research two or three interesting facts about the food in this culture. Find and include an image or picture of the country or one of the places associated with this type of food. Tell a bit about the geography and history of the place. How might this have shaped the type of food that is featured in this culture? 250 words. Cite sources appropriately.

Blog post #2                                     Due on  Monday April 13th 

Focus this blog on making connections between the life of the people of the culture and their food. What feasts and holidays do they celebrate? You might want to choose a certain feast or special day to focus on i.e., the wedding in Like Water for Chocolate. Many cultures, for example, venerate a saint as a patron or honor another kind of deity or historical figure. You can also choose one particular food or recipe and discuss its central place in the culture. Share pictures, recipes (as links), music, and any rituals associated with the feast. Cite sources appropriately

Blog post #3                                        Due on Monday April 20th 

Talk about the actual food used in traditional cooking. If I were blogging about Okinawa, for example, I would discuss kombu or a sea vegetable that is most prominent in traditional cooking. I might bring up how it is harvested, why it is so healthy, what dishes it is used in, how it might be declining in use with young Okinawans, etc. You can discuss more than one food! Connect the food to the land—is this food a limited resource? Is it sustainably harvested or has it become part of a agri-business? Pictures and links to news stories or video would be appropriate. Don’t forget that tables, charts, graphs, and maps are great ways to present facts and jazz up your post. Cite sources appropriately.

Blog post #4                                          Due on Monday April 20th 

Discuss the overall health implications of the traditional diet or foods of the culture. You can discuss how the people who follow the traditional diet differ from those who eat another way, perhaps a western or American diet. Mention any foods or recipes that are particularly healthy or unhealthy. Recipes would be great to share. Are there updated versions of traditional foods that are more or less healthy? Discuss these. For example, years ago, the nouvelle cuisine movement in France tried to go beyond the traditional heavy cream and butter basics of classic French food to include more broth and seasonal fresh vegetables more simply prepared. Remember to discuss your point of view. Is there a similar shift in the American diet going on? What are you eating? Why? How are food and health, including emotional health, portrayed in the novel? Cite sources appropriately.