Among the first articles I wrote as I began my journalism career was on salt. In 1982, salt was called “A New Villain” on the cover of Time magazine. Studies showed that high salt consumption led to high blood pressure. Now, more than 40 years later, government regulators still are focusing on voluntary targets rather than mandatory ones.
My daughter Mona is great at making salads. As part of a large farm family, she’s used to cooking for crowds. When she comes to visit, as she did for my July Fourth party, she always asks me to get out the large bowls. Then she peruses her vegetarian cookbooks, which she brings with her, and prepares her latest salad success.
It was startling to learn that the goal of the food industry was to make food available on every street corner in the U.S. for 24 hours a day. The reason? To increase profits because the way to make more money is to get people to eat more. Also, through the Obama years, the administration supported voluntary efforts rather than regulations.
While almost all ingredients used in food need to be disclosed, federal regulations allow manufacturers to hide some ingredients behind the vague terms such as “artificial flavor,” “natural flavor,” or “spices.” Problems arise when companies obscure ingredients behind these terms, according to a report released Thursday by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The latest consumer-price index report from the U.S. Labor Department shows while inflation continued to go down in January, more progress was held back by stubbornly high food prices burdening everyday families. Price hikes on food have been a greed-motivated choice by the food industry for wealthy investors.
On Saturday, I wrote about One Health Day. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s a global campaign that recognizes the close connection between the health of people, animals, and the environment and the role this connection plays in the spread of diseases. Several times, I’ve written that people shouldn’t allow pets to sleep in bed with them.
For vegetable gardeners, August and September are when harvest occurs and you see the fruits, or rather the vegetables, of your labors. The star of my gardening efforts this year is the raspberries. Years ago at my local co-op, I bought a pot of raspberries, one of my favorite foods. It grew into this wonderful patch.
Have you been able to purchase any decent celery lately? Although celery isn’t one of my favorite vegetables, and it’s not one of the more nutrient-packed ones, I do like to eat it once in a while. In addition, I’ve just started drinking smoothies and celery is a good thing to add occasionally along with fruits and spinach or kale.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones on this day to celebrate relationships. I hope if your budget is tight that you have figured out inexpensive ways to celebrate. Although it’s estimated that Valentine’s Day spending for 2023 is estimated to be $192.80 per person celebrating, about a third of people plan to give an experience this year.
