Fat Facts |
| New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg
recently introduced a proposal that would force all chain restaurants
to display the calorie counts of items on their menu boards alongside
prices. It would apply to restaurants having more than 15 outlets.
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| New York City already bans the city’s restaurants from using
transfats. Both these regulations have been designed by the controversial
health commissioner Dr.Thomas R. Frieden.
And, as with the transfat prohibition, this new rule is meeting with
stiff opposition from the city’s restaurant association. The
regulation has attracted national interest on both sides of the issue.
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| Freidan was also behind the fight for a smoke-free air act in New
York City. Similar bans on smoking have spread not only across the
US, but also to other countries, even to Europe. |
It all sounds like such a good idea, so why should we care? Those
who oppose these measures worry about an infringement on civil rights
and liberties. I personally do not agree with the transfat ban. I
find it excessive. I do however, embrace the calorie label proposal.
I dislike and distrust any regulation that takes away free choice.
I prefer information. I love that all the packages in the grocery
store are labeled “no transfats.” I am sure this helps
sell them over less healthful products.
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| Fast food is part of many people’s lives so
information is crucial |
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The fast food chains leading the fight against this regulation claim
that they are being penalized, while other restaurants are not being
singled out. Excepted are Chinese restaurants and French bistros and
others not in the chain category. They also point out that many chains
already post nutrition information on their websites, including calorie
counts. I know this true; I have gone to them many times. But how
many people do? According to a survey by New York City’s health
department, fewer than three percent of customers ever view these
websites.
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| Menu boards loom in fast food courts, but can you
see any calorie counts? |
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| Many chain restaurants also post calorie and other nutritional information
on posters inside their stores. But the information is often not as
prominently displayed as those large menu boards the chains have –
nor are the posters necessarily in the most convenient location. Have
you ever noticed one of these posters or seen anyone else actually
use them? Some chains also put the information on those paper liners
they put on the trays. The food you buy often covers the information,
and it’s already too late - you’ve already bought the
food. |
| I wonder how many people know that at Subway, the small six-inch
turkey breast sandwich, without mayo has 280 calories, but the toasted
turkey with cheese, bacon, and ham has 380 calories. Needles to say
add 110 calories for a tablespoon of mayo and double everything for
a 12-inch sandwich. Now that is what I call useful information darlings,
don’t you? But it’s not useful, if hardly anyone sees
it. |
I agree with those who don’t want the government interfering
with business’ right to do business. Absolutely. But what is
wrong with posting information? No one is telling businesses how to
do business or what to sell. After all, ingredients are listed on
all other consumer products from prepared foods to cosmetics. Nor
would I agree with a ban on bad or unhealthful foods. Unlike smoking,
what adults choose to eat should be their own business. The idea of
bacon or exercise police makes me nervous – it all gets a little
too Orwellian.
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| A little information can go a long way to smarter,
more mature, healthful choices. |
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| When it comes to food I think the old Dorothy Parker adage applies:
“You can lead a whore to culture, but you can’t make her
think.” And I am not being flip. No one has the right to legislate
“healthy thinking.” There is as tendency for some legislators
to want to infantilize those who don’t conform to the “collective
wisdom” of the day. We have had insane judgments against fast
food companies when adults are burned by hot coffee. Then there are
those who want to sue restaurants for making them fat. Ridiculous,
unless they kidnapped the person and force fed them like a Strasburg
goose. |
| Blaming others for our foibles and failures is popular today. But
in the battle to lose weight or just eat healthfully, information
is crucial. We are all thrown into situations sometime where fast
food is the only option. For those with significant weight to lose
or other heath challenges, information can be crucial. Not everyone
has the resources or the time and energy to look it up on a website
as they rush through life. A menu board seems like a simple and workable
plan. |
| What are these chains trying to hide? Are they afraid that people
will choose to eat elsewhere if they know the calorie count of what
they are eating? I wonder. I think it might modify some people's choices.
It may hurt the worse offender’s restaurants those that offer
only super high- calories choices. But I am not sure. |
| I remember eating fast food with a friend who was very overweight.
She is very intelligent and has since dealt with her weight with the
help of intense counseling. We were working on a very intense and
stressful project. During one meal she ate: two Big Macs, French fries,
and a milk shake, for a total just shy of 2,000 calories! I can not
believe that this very intelligent, mature woman did not know she
was eating well over her calorie limit. I would speculate that had
the calories had been posted she may have been embarrassed to order
quite so much food and reduced her order. |
| Information is a great enabler and liberator. I have worked my entire
life to maintain my weight. Learning to eat well and in the correct
amounts is what has work best. Dieting fads may come and go but the
heart of any diet that works is portion control and calorie restrictions
or control. Eat too much and move too little and you get fat. Alas,
as we get older we get to eat less and less, so we must learn to eat
very well. And my darlings, the earlier you learn this, the happier
and more gorgeous you will be. |
| I think posting the calories' counts on chain food menus is a great
idea. Think it will help those who want to make better choices. It
will be great for parents trying to teach young ones how to choose.
Labeling on food packages has been a great boon to the healthy eater.
Fast food is a bigger part of life for most than being in a bistro,
so it makes sense to start there. I think we need to lobby for all
the information we can about products so we can make our own choices
and not be frightened by every little scary story on the media. |
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Great gifts to buy online, and avoid
standing in line. Nothing says I love you like Cashmere |
| A great selection of designer gifts online,
especially cashmere for him from top labels at fabulous discounts.
Shop early to avoid disappointment. They are offering shipping incentives
and will ship internationally. |
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An elegant accessory |
A man about town will adore the fine leather and craftsmanship of
a Mont Blanc wallet. Find an excellent selection and pricing at www.paradisepen.com.
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For the lover of the links |
| If the man or men in your life - and by that we mean father or brothers
- love the links, then try www.thegolfcellar.com
for a great selection of golf gifts online. |
Head covers are popular and personalized. Golf balls are more useful
than you might think. But check his bag for the make of his clubs
or call a golf buddy to make sure you are ordering the right kind;
the permutations of golf accessories rival Jimmy Choo.
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| Zeyner Backfire Leather Flame Design Backpack |
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Do you want to spoil a rebel at heart
who is doing 9-5 |
Give an office-bound James Dean a chic and exclusive back pack by
Zeyner. It’s a line of backpacks
and briefcases for the guy who is happier with the back of his bike
than at the boardroom table.
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And for the others
on your list… the perfect parapluie |
This is an umbrella that’s so chic, a fashionista will hardly
mind rainy days. The Abbott Collection umbrella
, at $34.99 (CND about the same USD. International shipping available)
from www.jackryn.com.
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Unplug the iPod user on your list |
| If you have a friend or relative who loves their iPod, then give
them a way to share the sound. The new i-Luv i189
Stereo Speaker will dock with all iPods, MP3s, laptops, PDA –
the whole electronic alphabet of devices. Perfect for parties. In
sleek black or chic white and only $49.99. A must-have for party girls.
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Also from this ever-so cute and well-priced line the i-Luv
i166 Stereo Audio iPod dock and AM/FM Dual Alarm Clock System.
This little high tech wonder does it all and even plays videos. It’s
69.99. How fabulous is that? We love i-Luv. www.i-luv.com
They are also at selected big box stores in the US and Canada.
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Are you a Sweet Girl? |
Do you and your love crave chocolate? Then the new personalized
chocolates from Dove may be the perfect way for you to send a heartfelt
holiday message to your love or mark the occasion with special friends.
You can now order Dove’s rich milk or dark chocolate in foil-wrapped
squares with your own special message. A delicious way to send a special
holiday wish. About $60 for a 50-piece bag. A fun gift idea for the
person who has everything. www.mydovechocolate.com/custommessage
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The Body Shop |
It’s been around forever and it is still a favourite. You
can shop on The Body Shop’s international website for friends
in different countries. The selection of three tropical body butters
is sinfully sensual and perfect for dry winter skin. Who doesn’t
love that? The www.thebodyshopinternational.com
takes you to the country of your choice.
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Not So Naughty PJ’s |
| For all the girly girls on your list, Victoria Secret’s
adorable flannel PJ’s. They have a slew of different looks and
patterns. Order now and get free matching slippers from $29.50. How
perfect is that? Shipping arrangements for the US and Canada, with
specials for the holidays. www.victoriassecret.com |
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free weekly email newsletter? Help us grow; sign-up
today, and forward
to your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
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Elegantly sweet and savory recipes
for your holiday parties |
| This fabulous holiday hors d’oeuvres embodies all the flavours
of the season with the taste of fruity fig mixed with creamy cheese
and savory-sweet caramelized onion on a base of crispy puff pastry.
It may seem intimidating to a beginner, but it’s really quite
easy. There are several short cuts you can take, such as using blue
cheese crumbles and gourmet onion relish. If you don’t like
blue cheese, substitute a tangy or mild goat cheese. |
| The little rounds are elegant, chic, and tasty served piping hot
on a pretty tray. You can prep them earlier in the day and leave in
the fridge to reheat in minutes. The final quick baking can be done
by your party help or a handy family member in minutes. |
| 1pkg. of frozen puff pastry, any brand. |
| 3 cups of thinly sliced white or yellow onion and spring of fresh
thyme, or 1 or 2 jars of caramelized onion relish from a good gourmet
shop. |
| 1 large jar of fig spread |
| 6-8 oz. of blue cheese crumbles such as Salem Blue or Mountain or
Piccante Gorgonzola (aged type that crumbles) or goat cheese of your
choice. |
| 1 pkg. of puff pastry thawed in the fridge. Remove one sheet at
a time and roll it out evenly to about ¼ inch thick on a floured
surface. Using a lightly floured 2½-inch round cutter, cut
the pastry into rounds and place on a parchment or silpat-covered
baking sheet. Prick the rounds with a fork all over. Keep all pastry
cold while you work. |
| Caramelize the sliced onions by cooking them slowly over medium
to slow heat in olive oil until they are brown and sweet. You may
want to add 1 or 2 tsps. of sugar, if your onions are not very sweet,
but taste as you add. Salt the onions and add pepper, thyme, and 1
tsp. of balsamic vinegar to the pan. Mix and simmer a minute or two
more. Cool. This can be done a day or two in advance or you can use
the onion relish. |
| Spread the fig preserves on the rounds. Mix the cheese and onions
together and top with the fig spread. The rounds may be wrapped and
refrigerated at this point. Bake in a hot oven for about 8-9 minutes.
Watch the first batch carefully so they don’t burn - all ovens
are different. Serve warm. |
In a rush? Make this with store-bought croustades. They are crispy
little pastry cups from the gourmet grocery. It is not quite as fabulous,
but it’s still very elegant and different. Spoon the filling
in to the cups and heat until the cheese melts.
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Bailey’s Mini Cheese Cakes |
For something sweet, try these mini Bailey’s Cheese Cakes
- an updated version of a popular retro recipe. It’s rich, creamy,
and sweet - so easy to serve at a cocktail or buffet party.
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| 24 good little vanilla biscuits that will fit in the bottom of a
muffin tin (in a pinch, use Nabisco). |
| Gold or Silver muffin tin papers |
| Place the paper liners in your muffin tins. Dip each biscuit quickly
into a little Bailey’s liqueur, and drop it in the bottom of
the muffin tin. Do not get the biscuits too wet. |
| Filling: |
| 8 oz cream cheese |
| 8 oz cottage cheese |
| 2 egg whites (you can now get pasteurized eggs if you are afraid
of raw eggs) |
| Juice and rind of 1 lemon |
| 240 ml or 1 ½ cups of Baileys liqueur |
| 8 ounces – 1 cup of double cream or whipping cream |
| 4 oz caster sugar (normal granulated sugar can be used but must
be put through a food processor to reduce the size of the grains first)
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| 1 packet of Gelatin or Agar Agar |
| Beat egg whites until stiff (do not over-beat) and slowly add the
caster sugar. Whip the cream and set to one side. Mix the cream cheese
and cottage cheese together. Beat very well until very smooth. Add
the lemon juice and rind to the cheese mixture. Dissolve the gelatin
or Agar using the directions on the packet and a small amount of cold
water, and add to the Baileys and mix. |
| Gently fold in the whipped cream and egg whites. Try to keep the
mixture very light while mixing. Put the mixture onto the chilled
biscuit base and leave in the fridge for three hours to set. |
| DolceDolce Tip : For easy cocktail party entertaining,
choose several hot hors d’oeuvres that can be baked or reheated
at the same oven setting. That way you can set your oven before your
guests arrive. If your trays are ready to bake or heat, it is quite
simple for you or your help to manage. Set up serving trays and establish
a clearing area ahead of time, and you can hold a self-catered party
with only family help, or by hiring just a single wait person. Toss
in some wonderful prearranged platters, some bowls of great olives
or nuts, and a couple of lovely little sweets and snap - you are a
cocktail party maven! |
| This year, I am doing more and more of shopping online. A quick
trip before the Black Friday Shopping rush
convinced me it was the way to go for serious shopping this year.
This year, many retailers have made online buying attractive, by offering
free shipping outright or free shipping for purchases of more than
a hundred dollars. Still, I will still go out and stroll. Call me
mad, but I enjoy the holiday crowds, especially when I am not frantically
looking for things. I love the decorations and I do think there is
goodwill in the air. I love to meet friends for a bit of a shop and
drink. I love the windows and the displays. I think its a shame not
to make time, both on the clock and in my heart, to enjoy it all.
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| So my darlings, I hope some of the shopping suggestions have helped
and that every week you will find time to meet a dear one somewhere
for holiday cheer all though the season. Until next week, please sign-up
if you haven’t – DolceDolce is free.
And please forward
us to all your friends. Because life should be sweet. |
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| Gracey Hitchcock |
| Editor |
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