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The Myth of Variety

July 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Soft drinks on shelves in a Woolworths superma...

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Walk into some American grocery stores and you may be surprised at the sheer size of the place and the aisle after aisle of food choices. One whole aisle for bread, soft drinks, snack items, and more. The different labels lead one to believe that there are hundreds of companies selling their wares. The truth is that though the labels are different, many times the companies are the same.

Take the soft drinks for example, in a typical aisle there is Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Orange Crush, Hawaiin Punch and a host of others, what you may not know is that Coke owns 450 brands including Minute Maid, A&W, Mr. Pibb, Sprite and Nestea. So there is a good chance that 450 products you come across in the grocery store is owned by one company, Coca Cola.

Down the bread aisle you may find 5 different loaves from the brand Natures Own, which is owned by Flower Foods who also own the popular brand Sunbeam. The examples go on and on. The point is that variety within our grocery stores is often a myth. Should we be concerned? The answer is yes. This control within the food industry must point to stringent regulations that keep smaller businesses from competing. Mom and pop bakeries have no hope of competing with the “big boys” This should be disturbing to Americans who are largely against monopolies and all for equal opportunity. So the next time you peruse the aisle of your local grocery store, ask yourself, “how many of these brands are owned by the same company?” The answer may surprise you.

Filed Under: Cooking & Recipes, Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Chemical Concerns: Food Favorites

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Cross section of celery stalk, showing vascula...

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Environmentalism begins with the smallest of steps — a journey of careful choices and little victories. Your life is a celebration social awareness: with the green philosophy dominating your decisions.

Such decisions extend even to your shopping, with you using a Reach prepaid card to buy only organic ingredients. Your favorite fruits and vegetables should, after all, prove themselves worthy.

They may instead, however, prove dangerous — with many familiar items offering pesticides and their effects.

Celery

Achieving a balanced lifestyle requires vitamins — and fewer vegetables boast better nutritional values than celery. This stalk provides essential calcium, fiber and more: ensuring that bodies remain energized without receiving unnecessary calories. It also, however, offers the highest concentration of pesticides (with over 96 percent of products affected). Almost 70 varieties of chemicals are used daily on this food.

Peaches

The taste of a peach is unmistakable: a slow slide of satisfaction. It is among the most popular of fruits, offering slices of pure summer. Its unique flavor comes with a cost, however. Over 60 kinds of pesticides contaminate this item. 86 percent of all stock is tainted (often with at least two different chemicals on each individual peach).

Apples

Proverbs declare apples the most valuable of fruits (providing wards against physicians and their examinations). Any medicinal reward is undone, however, by the startling amount of pesticides found in each bite. 47 types of chemicals are used on these items, resulting in the contamination of 93 percent of all produce.

The quest for an organic lifestyle is noble. It simply demands an understanding that not all goods are worthwhile simply because they’re not drenched in grease.

Filed Under: Food News & Reviews, Organic Tagged With: , ,

411 on Canada’s Best Vino

July 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

So, you’re going to have a delicious glass of wine with your dinner. Now, you just need to decide which wine matches your meal. There are so many great wines out there that you have a ton of options to consider. In fact, you may feel overwhelmed by all of the options. First, you need to choose where you want to get your wine from, searching on canada 411 can help you decide the best place to procure your wine of choice. Canadian wine is a great choice for any meal!

Pair Your Wine to Your Meal

Those who are new to drinking wine may not realize that it is suggested to pair your wine to what you are eating. There are a few ways to do this. One way, which most people find to be the simplest, is to choose a red wine for red meats (or to go with a heartier meal in general) and white wines with white meats (or lighter meals).

Though this is just a base standard, and there are a lot of other considerations to think about when choosing the wine for your meal, this is not always the absolute best way to pair your meal and your wine. If you are at a restaurant, you can easily ask for a pairing, and sometimes you will even get this directly in the menu.

If you are having a nice evening at home, though, you may have to do a little more research. What do you need to take into consideration? Why, the flavor palate, of course!

Dry Wine

Obviously, when talking about dry wine, we aren’t talking about the moisture that is present. All wine is wet! However, when you are talking dry wine, it is the level of sugar that is in the drink that is being discussed.

A dry wine has very little sweetness. Instead, the sugars that naturally are in the grapes have been turned into alcohol. Dry wine, many feel, is an acquired taste, simply because there is very little sweetness left to it.

When choosing a dry white wine, you may want to choose one of Canada’s Sauvignon Blanc wines, such as Peninsula Ridge’s Vintner’s Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. On the other hand, if you are having a juicy steak, you may want to pair it with Southbrook’s Triomphe Syrah.

Off Dry Wine

If you are looking for something a little sweeter, you may want to consider a sweet table wine, also known as off dry. Many types of wine are available in both dry and off dry varieties, which can be confusing.

The off dry wines have a little more sugar in them than a dry wine, and many people who don’t like dry wines are able to easily find an appreciation for off dry wines. Thirty Bench’s Riesling is a great option for a white wine, while EastDell’s Red Cab is a great option for a red.

Dessert Wine

Though sometimes consumed with dessert itself, the name dessert wine simply means that it is a much sweeter wine than you may find elsewhere. There are many great options when considering a Canadian dessert wine.

Icewines, which can come in white or red, are a great dessert wine option. The grapes for this wine are not picked until they have thoroughly frozen, and this gives the wine a richer flavor. Gehring Brothers’ Signature Series Riesling Icewine is great, sweet option to add to your meal.

Another delicious Icewine is Tawse Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine. Many times, with a dessert wine, it is personal preference whether to go red or white. Many choose to continue with the color that they had with dinner, if they are continuing after the meal with a dessert.

Sparkling Wines

You may be looking to celebrate something that has happened recently, or maybe you just feel like adding a little fizz to your meal. Either way, a sparkling wine is a great way to go about it. There are quite a few great options when looking at the bubbly from Canada.

If you want a sparkling red wine, consider SummerHill’s Cipes Blanc de Noir. A great pair for an all white wine evening would be Meyer Family Vineyard’s Old Main Road Vineyard Micro Cuvee Chardonnay. When thinking about sparkling wines, most people do think chardonnay, but this is most definitely not the only option. For example, Pillitteri’s Riesling Sparkling Icewine is a fun, flavorful Canadian sparkling wine.

Don’t Forget the Rose

Some connoisseurs feel that rose wines aren’t as good of an option as choosing red or white. Simply put, rose wines are seen as less sophisticated in some circles. On the other hand, they are becoming more popular; this is most likely due to the great flavor profiles that rose wines can achieve. Many rose wines are made by combining both red and white.

Others have the rose color because of the grapes that are used. In most cases, rose wines are a little sweeter than their counterparts. Finding a great Canadian rose is much easier than it used to be. Stratus’ Wildass Rose is a delicious choice for those seeking out a rose with their dinner.

Finding a Great Wine

When putting together a sophisticated meal, you want to consider all aspects of your meal as a whole. This includes your wine choices for each course. If you choose the wrong wine, it can reflect poorly on the whole meal. Because of this, many people find that choosing wine is not as easy as they thought.

You can check online to find the ratings of any type of wine you are interested in. Many times, there are also ratings, pairing options, and even body profiles with wines when you go to purchase them. If you still aren’t sure which wine to pair with your meal, another option is to talk to those you are dining with.

Though you may be new to the finer points of wine, those you plan to cook for may not be. In fact, they may have a type or flavor profile that they specifically like. If this is the case, it is always a good idea to go with what others have tried and like.

Filed Under: Food News & Reviews

Connecting with Your Customers in 2011

July 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Your business, whether agriculture or grocery store related has had to make some changes—many of them dealing with online ventures. While the standard ad takes place in paper form, for example, there is a new need for an ad displayed on a company website for customers to flip through. There is a need to share comments and connect with a cyberspace community.

The best in online business takes the biggest slice of the cake when the business is open to learning more; they are not satisfied with things as they are, but look forward and up for solutions to their marketing concerns.

What you’ll need to consider this year:

  • A website needs more than an email address and a cyberspace ad. When it comes to connection, kissinsights.com gives visitors an opportunity to ask questions of a company or product; even to comment on the look of the website. If something can’t be found such as an email address or product information, the guest asks the question through the forum; answers are given quickly and easily so that the customer’s journey through the site is not frustrated.
  • A website needs to be constantly updated including video’s to draw the customers in and to keep them coming back to learn more. Games and other events can be provided so that the customers feel appreciated and seen.
  • LinkedIn and Facebook give a company more than just an opportunity to display their wares. Chances for more connection come in the form of contests, prize drawings, coupons and other promotional events, including the answering of customer questions when offered.

When it comes to connecting with customers, letting go of fears and jumping on the fast-moving banana boat, will connect you with your customers faster than ever before.

Filed Under: Grow Your Own Tagged With: , ,

Save Money, Buy a Cow

July 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Hereford Steer

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It’s no secret that the economy has slowed and food prices are rising. Families are cutting their budgets and tightening their financial belts just to make ends meet. Luxury items are usually the first things to go when families cut back, but unfortunately healthy food becomes a luxury when times are hard. One such luxury is grain fed beef.

Grain fed beef is hard to find at ordinary grocery stores but now those desiring “all natural” meat products can buy a cow online. Not to be raised but to eat. Farms make it possible for customers to buy parts of a cow or a whole cow that is shipped right to your home. The  meat comes properly butchered and ready to cook. Choice steaks, ground beef and practically any cut desired.

Of course a freezer is necessary to house large quantities of meat for months or a year. Though this process may seem expensive, it is possible that buying larger quantities of meat may actually save money in the long run.

Having your own meat supplier may seem a little fanatical to “city folks” but it actually makes great sense. Now healthy, farm fresh, grain fed(the way nature intended) beef can be yours, delivered right to your door for your family to enjoy all year-long. This idea is not limited to meat, fruits and vegetables can be purchased in the same way. Local farmers need support, this is away to provide for growing families and encourage those farmers who make it possible.

 

 

Filed Under: Cooking & Recipes, Food News & Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Food as a Business

July 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Farming is big business in America. There is a need for farming to support citizens stateside, as well as a need for exports. The export market provides the Unites States with billions of dollars in revenue, and that helps to maintain many of the programs that are offered today for children, the elderly, and schools.

The Business Deal

Agriculture is a great way for Americans to literally see the fruits of their labor. The hard work and effort not only provides the food that is needed, but also provides farmers and corporations high amounts of revenue. Some of the highest demand food products are those of corn and potato. Much of this is because these two items are used for so much more than just consumption.

Corn is a major ingredient for ethanol, a fuel alternative that has take the globe by storm. Companies make huge money on the research and development of corn fuels, while providing a way to become free from the use of oil as a whole. Some of the greatest example of being free from the oil addiction or to the debt of oil, is by taking a look at the consumer demands. Many people have scaled back on their personal debt, making it a great example for companies to follow.

There are things like a reach prepaid card that help people keep their debt and credit in check. This model is the basic structure of the agricultural market in that it focuses on streamlining and debt awareness.

Filed Under: Cooking & Recipes, Food News & Reviews, Shopping Tagged With: ,

Why Including Dried Fruits and Fresh Fruits in Your Diet Makes Sense

July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Health researchers have concluded that dried apricots, raisins, dried apples, dried berries and other dried fruit should be included in a healthy diet. There are many reasons for this:

1) Dried fruits are just as healthy as fresh. New research proves it. In the past, there has been a myth that dried fruit have more sugar and calories. However, research has shown that once portion size and water content are accounted for, fresh fruit and dried fruit have the same calories and the same natural sugars.

2) Dried fruits have the same nutritional benefits as fresh fruit. They have fiber and the same minerals and vitamins. In fact, dried fruit are often picked at their peak while fresh fruit is picked before it is ripe so that it can be shipped. Therefore, dried fruit like bulk walnuts is at the peak of its nutritional value when dried.

3) Dried fruits and bulk peanuts can help fight disease. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that dried fruits are a good source of fiber, which has been linked to improved overall health. As well, dried fruits are low in terms of the glycemic index, and can therefore reduce the risk of metabolic disease. Researchers at the University of Leeds have concluded that dried fruit can help protect against heart disease because they contain potassium and polyphenols.

4) Dried fruits can make it easier for people to eat enough fruit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 32.5% of US adults ate the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Dried fruit can be a more convenient way to eat fruit, making it easier for people to reach their health goals.

5) Dried fruits are portable. Unlike fresh fruit, dried fruit does not spoil, bruise, or cause a mess in a lunch or a briefcase. It can easily be carried as a snack, making it easier for people to eat healthy snacks. In fact, Nutstop sells snack packs of dried fruit and wholesale nuts, which make it easy to take dried fruit on the go.

6) Dried fruit are economical. Many people avoid eating healthier foods because they believe that healthier options are more costly. Indeed, fresh fruit out of season can be very costly. Dried fruit, however, is available year-round and can be very economical. Nutstop, for example, sells bulk dried fruit at wholesale prices. Customers can buy in bulk and enjoy low wholesale prices, too. In fact, Nutstop has the lowest prices in the industry, so it’s easy to buy bulk dried apples, dried mangoes, and other dried fruits and get them delivered to your door – for less.

Filed Under: Cooking & Recipes

Organic Changes Ride Out The Recession

July 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It is a misnomer that those in the agriculture business are always financially secure – after all, everyone needs food – right? Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. The scary reality is our farmers and food producers are often the hardest hit during times of economic crisis. Managing your agriculture business can be scary, but there are ways you can stay afloat, even during the worst of times. Making small changes to your product line and carefully budgeting for expenses by using a Reach Prepaid Card can make all of the difference.

It is a good idea to consider today’s current market. While many families are being forced to cut back, there is a growing market for organic fruits and vegetables. Making a change to producing organic foods may offer you an opportunity to ride out the current crisis. Consider talking with produce managers at local grocery stores to see what the demand is in your area. Switching over some of your producing fields to organic foods on a trial basis can help you determine the potential of making the change.

Funding a change like this is obviously a concern, but one that can be conquered with budgeting. Create a workable budget for your trial organic agriculture projects by matching the expenses with what you would normally spend for that field. Use a Reach Prepaid Card to pay for the expenses without going over budget. By lining up potential buyers, starting small, and sticking to a plan you may find yourself in a much more secure place.

Filed Under: Grow Your Own, Organic Tagged With: , ,

Grocery Stores Get Wise to Gluten Free Products

July 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Example of an American grocery store aisle.

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A leisurely stroll down the aisles of many well-known grocery stores will yield an interesting find. More and more grocery stores are including whole sections of “Gluten Free” products. A few years ago the average person would not have had a clue about what gluten is and whether it is good or harmful to the body. Now however with Celiac Disease on the rise consumers are searching for recipe ideas and ingredients that are gluten-free.

Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder caused by the protein called Gluten. This protein is found primarily in items containing wheat or barley. Victims of this disease can experience malnutrition digestive issues and a host of other complications.

Pasta, breads, cookies and many of our favorite snacks contain gluten but thanks to progressive producers now these items are found in the gluten-free section of grocery stores. Wheat is often used as a thickening agent however to make these products safe for gluten conscience consumers gluten-free flours such as sorghum, bean, and brown rice are used.

The cases of Celiac Disease are increasing so quickly that it may be worthwhile for the average shopper to be careful about wheat consumption and to even work some of the gluten free products and recipes into their diet. Great meals and good snacks can be prepared using gluten free ingredients and thanks to many grocery stores, these items are now readily available. Shying away from gluten may feel unatural at first but like kicking the salt and sugar habit it just might be worth the sacrifice.

Filed Under: Cooking & Recipes, Shopping Tagged With: , ,

Avoid Overspending on Your Next Trip to the Grocery Store

July 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You might not realize it but your grocery store is trying to play tricks on you. No, you aren’t going to show up on the next episode of Punk’d, but you might end up spending more on items that you neither wanted nor needed.

While you might think you are smarter than the grocery store it can be hard to overcome their little tricks to get you to spend more. Whether you are a rocket scientist, online trading broker who uses UFX Markets Trading,  or a parent, educating yourself on some of the tricks grocery stores pull will help you save money and eat better.

Junk Food When You Checkout

Grocery stores try to appeal to your impulsive side by placing the junk food at the checkout counter. This operates under the belief that if you’re hungry before you checkout you won’t think twice about tossing a candy bar or other snack into your basket.

To avoid spending money you don’t want to on candy bars, or eating unhealthy try to avoid the temptation of the candy bar rack at the checkout counter.

Avoid the Maze of the Grocery Store

Grocery stores specifically design their store to appear like a maze. They hope that you will get lost in the store and accidently come upon an item you wouldn’t normally buy and purchase it.

To avoid falling into the trap of the grocery store, try to map out your shopping trip before you go and only shop at stores you are familiar with the layout of. This will help you avoid getting lost and purchasing items you didn’t mean to.

Using these tips will help you avoid overspending and purchasing items you didn’t mean to on your next shopping trip.

Filed Under: Cooking & Recipes, Food News & Reviews, Grow Your Own Tagged With: , ,
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