The Truth About Food Dye ADHD Facts

Even though the FDA insists that food dyes are safe the studies say otherwise. Artificial food dyes do contribute to ADHD symptoms such as restlessness and hyperactivity and if food dyes were taken out of the diet, a large percentage of children would not need ADHD prescription drugs such as Concerta or Ritalin.

Food dye ADHD additives that cause reactions are Carmoisine, Tartrazine, Ponceau, Sunset Yellow, Carmoisine, Quinoline Yellow, and Allura Red. For instance Sunset Yellow (also known as Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow) has been known for inducing allergic reactions. It can be found in many products such as any orange, apricot or citrus jam or jellies, marzipan, hot chocolate mix, packaged soup mixes, breadcrumbs, cheese sauces and soft drinks and many other products that are yellow, orange, and red.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest would like the FDA to ban eight (Yellow 5 and 6, Red 3 and 40, Blue 1 and 2, Green 3, and Orange B) of the most common artificial dyes, or at least affix a warning label to products that contain the dyes such as “Warning: The artificial coloring in this food causes hyperactivity and behavioral problems in some children.” And, did you know that food companies are, as we speak, phasing out dyes in foods in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe? At McDonald’s in the UK the strawberry syrup on a sundae is a red color from strawberries and in the US; the red color comes not from strawberries but a coal-derived chemical also known by the name, Red 40. That is insane! Continue reading “The Truth About Food Dye ADHD Facts”

Classic Cheese and Wine Pairings

Cheese and wine go together like…well, cheese and wine! I have a hard time thinking of a better pairing. If you are hosting a dinner party or wine tasting, cheese is an obvious choice as an easy and delicious accompaniment to many wines. Either served as appetizers or as a formal cheese course before dessert, cheeses can enhance the experience of wine in many respects.

But like other foods, cheese and wine pairing can occasionally be tricky, with some pairings heightening the experience of both the wine and cheese and others simply clashing. What is the solution? Stick to some of the classic cheese and wine pairings for starters so that you are sure to have a smash success at your next wine tasting event or dinner party.

As a general rule, try to pair wines with cheeses that are traditionally made in the same local region. Pair like flavors with like, pair sweet wines with salty cheese and balance acidic wines with intense, creamy cheeses. These will become more obvious as you read on.

Champagne and Creamy Cheeses

Champagne and many other sparkling wines tend to be intense with high acidity. This bright, intense flavor pairs well with creamy, rich cheeses. The acidity cuts through the rich, creaminess of the cheese beautifully. Classic cheeses like Brie and Camembert work well. However, for a real treat, try to find the ultra-rich triple-cream cheeses, meaning they have very high milk-fat (around 75% in many cases). Examples of these include Saint-André, Brillat-Savarin, and Explorateur. Continue reading “Classic Cheese and Wine Pairings”

Stadium Tailgating Tips

Football season is for many of us the premier tailgating season. Here’s a list of tips gathered from around the grill to make your tailgating experience more enjoyable.

First of all we’re going to assume that your barbecue party set-up does not include anything as elaborate as a converted 18 wheeler or a grilling school bus. Don’t laugh! If you’re new to the tailgating experience then spend some time wandering around an NFL stadium or big time college football parking lot during a Fall weekend. You will be amazed at just how far some people will go to produce the ultimate tailgating rig. Some must cost as much as a small suburban house!

1. Scout the stadium parking lot. Before packing the car and loading it up for the first time make a dry run to the stadium on a football weekend. Determine which parking lot entrance lot is the easiest to get into and out of. Take notes on street names and alternative routes.

2. Stadium parking lot spots are first come first serve. Instead of getting to the lot in the middle of the night to insure yourself of your choice spot ask some of the other tailgaters in the area what time they usually get there to set up. You should probably subtract an hour or so from what they tell you because if they get the idea that you will be competing with them for the spot in an upcoming weekend they may want to make sure you get there a little late. Continue reading “Stadium Tailgating Tips”

How To Discover The Best White Wines For Your Taste And Budget

Get To Know Wines From the Grapes

White wines add joy to any wine fan’s palate. They are crisp, fruity and refreshing and can be enjoyed by themselves or paired with a wide variety of foods. They are dry or sweet. Anyone can find a white wine they will thoroughly enjoy. The challenge for any new wine lover is how to become acquainted with the different types of white wine. There are so many different labels on the market it makes heads spin. The secret is to start with the grapes.

There are about twelve popular types of grapes used to make white wine throughout the word, and of those, four are the top choices for production and consumption in the United States. New wine enthusiasts should start by acquainting themselves with these four grapes.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is by far the most used grape in the United States and, most likely, in the world. More Chardonnay wine is consumed in the United States than any other type. That is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that there are some outstanding Chardonnays on the market. The curse is that many techniques have been used to produce Chardonnays for the inexpensive and cheap mass markets. That yields some barely palatable wines. Continue reading “How To Discover The Best White Wines For Your Taste And Budget”

5 Top Tips For Matching Food With Wine

The matching of a wine to a particular food is quite a skill, but once your palate develops – all it takes is practice – the task will become easier. Food matching tips from the experts is a great place to start, and get a feel of wine-tasting terminology. An accurate description of a wine will make it much easier to match it up with a food.

Try to match the wine with the dominant flavour of the dish to find a good balance between the two. Here are a few matching suggestions:
- - Foods with a naturally higher acid content, including many fruits and cheeses, will often go well with younger wines which have a higher acidity such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Zinfandel. These wines will also complement foods such as fish, chicken or salads which are frequently flavoured with lemon or vinegar.
  - Highly seasoned dishes flavoured with salt or spice will pair well with lower alcohol, fruity wines like Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, a dry Rosé or Pinot Noir rather than anything highly tannic.
  - Delicately cooked and flavoured food, such as steamed, smoked or poached dishes, will require a delicate match. Again, try Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel or Gewürztraminer.
  - Rich, heartier dishes require fuller bodied wines such as Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or Chardonnay.
  - Sweeter savoury dishes, such as honey roasted ham or pork with a syrupy glaze, will suit a medium sweet or off dry style of wine like Riesling or Chenin Blanc.
  - Desserts and puddings will only successfully match well rounded sweet or dessert wines. The wine needs to taste sweeter than the dish it hopes to complement. Serving anything else leaves the wine in danger of tasting acidic, try Muscat, Vespaiola, Frontignac or a Port.
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The Harmony Between Food and Wine

Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in the company of friends and .. food.

The right combination between food and wine is a source of ultimate bliss for every connoisseur. Both wine and food can benefit from the right pairing. The right wine can accentuate unexpected gastronomical aspects of food and vice versa, wine can shine in a new light when accompanied by the right dish. In order to savor the splendor of such combinations, one does not need to frequent expensive restaurants and buy overpriced wines. Rather, when combining food and wine it is one’s intuition and curiosity that are of paramount importance.

Most rules for agreeable food – wine combinations date back to the 19th century and are made by French cooks who travel around Europe showing other nations the French savoir-vivre. It is since then that we know that champagne goes well with oysters, white wine – with seafood, and red wine – with game and red meats. Those rules, however, have been broken many times throughout the years because the nature of certain dishes and the rich wine variety available allow for a much freer interpretation. For example, some red meats could be made more enjoyable by stronger white wines. Continue reading “The Harmony Between Food and Wine”

Why My Nescafe Is Better Than Your Nescafe

Did you know that there are over 200 types of Nescafé? That is why your favorite Nescafé at home may taste absolutely different in some foreign country, even if the name and the packaging look exactly the same, language differences aside. Despite being a global household name, Nestlé, the company that owns the brand name Nescafé, distinctively caters to the local palate. The key to success for a global brand lies not in offering the same product everywhere but in offering a different product with the same name everywhere.

I remember the Vanilla Coke I tried in the US for the first time in 2001. It was terribly sweet and artificial. Yuk! Some time later I found it in the shops here in Norway too, but to my surprise the sweet taste was much more refined and balanced. I experienced the same with Pepsi Lemon. Strangely artificial in the US, but much more balanced here. Why can’t it taste the same everywhere? Wouldn’t it be better for people to love the brand and get used to the taste, so people know that they can find the same taste wherever they go? Continue reading “Why My Nescafe Is Better Than Your Nescafe”

The Best Romantic Restaurants In Seminyak

If you’re thinking about the perfect romantic getaway, think about Bali. They say that Bali is the break-up island, but that’s not the case at all. Myths about love hitches in Bali have been debunked, and you can splendidly enjoy your romantic vacation in Bali. Isn’t it a wonderful place to ignite the fires of your love and togetherness?

Bali is a city with a laid back atmosphere. You can revel in its dreamy landscapes. In South Bali, you can go a bit farther to the beach town of Seminyak. It is the next town located at the north of Legian. You’ll be engrossed in the luxurious ambiance of Seminyak. As another top scenic and tourist spot in Bali, Seminyak is more uptown and fashionable. You’ll find high-end spas and boutiques in Seminyak, considering that it is Bali’s shopping capital. At daytime, you can relax at the beach. It’s quieter at that time. But what makes Seminyak more attractive to locals and tourists alike are the high-end restaurants. Bring your dearest to wine and dine in Seminyak. It’s the perfect place to nurture your affections and passions for each other. Continue reading “The Best Romantic Restaurants In Seminyak”

Soto Ayam (Saoto Soup)

Soto ayam is a chicken spicy-aromatic soup. This is the perfect soup for food lover’s looking for the true taste of Java and Suriname.

This is more of a complete meal than just a soup as it is served with lots of extras

Soto soup is usually served with white cooked rice.

Ingredients:

Look for fresh and frozen herbs like laos (galangal),daun salam in Chinese and Southeast Asian markets.

2 to3 quarts water (1 quart=1/4 gallon)

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Tales From the Big Durian

The Durian is a contentious fruit; loved by many whilst others are disgusted by its strong smell, and strange appearance. Jakarta, one of South-east Asia’s largest and least known Cities, is aptly nicknamed the “Big Durian.” Tales from the Big Durian, is a collection of true stories and experiences, that cross lines of “normality,” and takes readers in the surreal life of a mega-city torn between western modernization, and traditional beliefs.

The book starts with a short story about the differences in cultural beliefs, were locals prefer skin whitening creams to exposing themselves in the hot, tropical Indonesian sun. It leads onto a collection of bizarre, and funny tales were expatriates and locals mix, leading to a chaotic mix of misunderstandings, that end up as confusing as they first started. Continue reading “Tales From the Big Durian”