You are where you eat: Eating trend makes restaurants theaters | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah

The world shifts into a new trend: Making the eating experience "Instagrammable" and more cinematic, as new restaurants with more authentic content pop up daily.

The wonder of our present day is the contradictory trends. At the moment, catastrophic fears abound concerning war, inflation, COVID-19, the climate crisis and a general decline. But then there’s this: A return to the Roaring Twenties, a time when people are dining in style again.

You are WHAT you eat. But also WHERE you eat. Escapism is the latest trend – an escape from everyday life to a world like in some Hollywood film. A question about the spirit of the times is this: Will going out be increasingly staged for display on social networks?

"The dining experience" is being taken to some new heights – or lows, depending on your point of view. Top gastronomy publisher Marcella Prior-Callwey has helped to understand what the new event-dining megatrends are all about.

In west Berlin’s elegant Kurfuerstendamm boulevard, restaurant MQ offers California-style dining, while Berlin’s Italian restaurant Coccodrillo has a wild mixture of 1970s, Hollywood, diner and Italian-disco styles, local critics say.

It is the second trattoria in Germany by the gastronomy outfit Big Squadra, the German branch of the Big Mamma Group. Prior to Berlin, the group had created a big stir in places like Paris, London, Madrid, Marseilles and Monaco. Big Mamma’s design studio, Kiki, loves to design guest rooms of splashy-colored retro-kitsch.

"It isn’t our goal to be seen as an Instagram restaurant," Big Squadra Communications Officer Chiara Baumgartner said. “But if it is beautiful and exceptional, then pictures will be taken and people will want to share them. That’s how it is.”

Light bulbs with glowing filaments, vintage furniture

Naturally, photogenic bars and restaurants have been around for a long time – whether due to their breathtaking views, their location up in the mountains or on a waterfront, or because of their impressive space. But during the 2010s it became apparent that even if located in boring spots, cafes and bars increasingly feature hip interior designs. The gastronomical world has mutated into one global village.

And, regardless of whether it is Manhattan Island or Barcelona, the new trendy places share many interior decor features in common: lightbulbs with visibly glowing filaments, vintage furniture, walls of brick or concrete, chalkboards, hanging flower baskets, clipboard menus, or even a bicycle on the wall, for whatever reason.

"Eventgastronomy" is the newest theater attraction.

"The gastronomical world is now much farther along than just wanting to be 'Instagramamble,'" said Marcella Prior-Callwey of the publishing company Callwey-Verlag in Munich. "It’s about the live experience, for only in that way can analog offerings compete against the digital world." Her publishing house each year stages a competition seeking "the most beautiful restaurants and bars" in Germany.

"Restaurants are the new theater. They are conceived as a Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art)," Prior-Callwey said. Entrepreneurs aim to speak to all the senses with eclectic designs, music tailored to the setting and attractive menus.

Patrons want to have the best possible time there instead of just watching others online, she said. “They say to themselves: If I am spending money and investing the time, then I want it to be something stunning.”

The new gastronomical megatrend

Prior-Callwey said that the trailblazers of the so-called megatrend now spreading across Europe and beyond have been, among others, from London. There, such exclusive brasseries as Amazonico, Sketch and The Maine Mayfair have paved the way.

In such places, there is often some unusual combination on the plate and new ideas about how meals should be presented, whether for one person or more, so-called sharing, said Prior-Callwey. “Many guests want to see and be seen in such big-city restaurants. But above all, it’s about the real moment that they want to experience.”

The noble event dining experience is just one part of peoples’ overloaded present-day lives, in which everyone – from classical cultural institutions to media to streaming services – competes for customers’ wallets and, above all, their time and attention, she explained.

”We are all inundated with offers that are clamoring for attention,” said Prior-Callwey. “And you have to offer something and fill the time as stunningly as possible – and that’s exactly what these restaurants are doing.”

Adblock test (Why?)

You are where you eat: Eating trend makes restaurants theaters | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah
Read More

Are Green Oysters Safe To Eat? - Mashed

Given the risk, it's hard to blame anyone for shying away from an oyster whose color looks a little off. As Wide Open Eats explains, however, the green coloration of oysters from North Carolina isn't a sign of malady in the oysters. Actually, it's a sign that the oysters have been healthy in at least one way. The green color of these oysters' gills is a result of feeding on the local algae, which is green. They add that in France, green oysters are actually more desirable than their counterparts lacking that pigment. Oyster Guide addresses the issue of safety directly, explaining that the green coloration is simply an indication of the oyster's diet. That means if nothing else, the oysters were digesting food properly during their lives.

Wide Open Eats also writes that green oysters have a creamier texture and a stronger brine taste. Atlas Obscura says restaurants within and outside of North Carolina are starting to offer them more widely due to these flavor elements.

While you may not consider green oysters the absolute best oysters in the United States, the color of their gills is no indication of whether they are safe to eat. All oysters regardless of their coloration pose a risk and according to FoodSafety.gov, the only way to ensure safety is to heat them to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Going green in this way poses no greater risk than normal.

Adblock test (Why?)

Are Green Oysters Safe To Eat? - Mashed
Read More

Have you ever wondered how a two-headed-snake eats? - Boing Boing

This video explains how to properly feed a two-headed-snake. It can be a tricky process. When a two headed snake is fed, both of the heads will usually want to eat at the same time, but this can be dangerous. The video illustrates what can go wrong when feeding a two-headed-snake, and how to minimize the risks. 

There's the chance that one of the heads will try to eat the other head if the heads are fed in unison, so all you two-headed-snake owners out there, take note: it's important to wipe down both heads after they eat so they don't smell food on eachother. If you woke up with a bunch of burning questions on your mind about how two-headed-snakes eat, then this video is for you.

Adblock test (Why?)

Have you ever wondered how a two-headed-snake eats? - Boing Boing
Read More

A cardiologist shares the 5 foods she eats to lower cholesterol—and keep her 'heart healthy' - CNBC

As a cardiologist who has treated thousands of patients, one of the most common health concerns I come across is high cholesterol. But the solution doesn't always have to come from a pill, which can have side effects.

The foods we eat play a major role in keeping those cholesterol numbers low. The best part is that you don't have to put tons of restrictions around your diet in order to see positive changes.

Although there is great individual variation to dietary cholesterol, just making a few tiny improvements in your eating habits can yield significant reductions in LDL cholesterol — or the "bad" cholesterol that contributes to fatty buildups in arteries.

Here are five inexpensive foods I eat regularly to help lower cholesterol and keep my heart healthy:

1. Oatmeal and oat bran

2. Almonds

A 2018 study found that almonds can lower LDL cholesterol while maintaining or even increasing HDL cholesterol — or the "good" kind that helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream.

If you're not a fan of almonds, other options that have been shown to improve cholesterol levels include hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts and pistachios.

3. Chia seeds

Chia seeds supply plenty of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Increasing consumption of these healthy fats by even one gram per day has been associated with a 16% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular issues. 

Although omega-3 fatty acids have relatively little effect on LDL, they can help raise HDL cholesterol and help lower triglycerides, a type of fat found in your blood.

4. Broccoli

Studies have demonstrated a connection between consuming vegetables and reducing the risk of heart disease. 

Broccoli in particular is plentiful in soluble fiber, which does wonders for high cholesterol. Other cholesterol-busting vegetables to consider include spinach, Brussels sprouts and collard greens.

In addition to supplying a multitude of vitamins and antioxidants, eating vegetables regularly has been shown to help lower cholesterol, with higher intakes associated with progressively lower LDL levels. 

5. Watermelon

Swap the sugar snacks for some sweet watermelon if you want to lower your cholesterol. Watermelon naturally contains lycopene, which has lipid lowering properties, reducing total and LDL cholesterol.

For those who aren't big on watermelon, consider adding apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits or even avocados to your diet. All of these are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL cholesterol.

Dr. Elizabeth Klodas is a cardiologist and founder of Step One Foods. Trained at Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, Dr. Klodas has published dozens of scientific articles throughout her career, authored a book for patients, "Slay the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating Heart Disease" and served as founding editor-in-dhief of Cardiosmart.org.

Don't miss:

Adblock test (Why?)

A cardiologist shares the 5 foods she eats to lower cholesterol—and keep her 'heart healthy' - CNBC
Read More

Is It Healthier to Eat Based on Your Blood Type? - CNET

There is some evidence that shows your blood type has an effect on your health. General heart health is one example since the American Heart Association found that people with type A, type B or type AB blood are more likely than those with type O to have a heart attack. But it's not all good news for type Os. Another study conducted in 2019 concluded that people with type O blood are more likely to be bitten by mosquitos. (Hey, you can't win 'em all.)

There is also a faction of people who believe that eating a certain diet based on your blood type can lead to better health and a reduced risk of certain diseases. This nutrition philosophy was popularized by a naturopathic physician named Dr. Peter D'Adamo and outlined in his 1996 book Eat Right 4 Your Type. The diet guide landed on the New York Times Bestseller list and has since sold millions of copies.

But will changing your diet based on your blood type actually make you healthier? The science behind D'Adamo's guide has been mostly debunked -- or at the very least, largely unconfirmed to date. I asked Anna Rios, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, about the nutrition plan and any benefits or potential dangers associated with eating for blood type. 

But first, here's what the Blood Type Diet is and how it portends to make you healthier.

Read more: Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services for 2022

Eating for blood type: The Blood Type Diet explained

D'Adamo's 1996 book made waves when it came out, but there is little evidence to support the idea that eating a blood type-specific diet will improve health. 

D'Adamo Personalized Nutrition

The general thrust of the Blood Type Diet is that there are optimal foods for people with various blood types O, A, B and AB. Part of the claim hinges on the idea that blood types serve as maps of our ancestral history and genetics, and that the foods commonly eaten by our ancestors are better suited for our bodies, even in the modern day. 

Below is a snapshot of the four main blood types and what D'Adamo posits is the best type of diet for each. 

Type A: The agrarian or cultivator. According to D'Adamo, those with type A blood should avoid meat -- specifically red meat -- and eat a plant-based diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Because of more "sensitive immune systems," they should also avoid processed foods and opt for organic foods whenever possible.

Read more: Where to Buy Affordable Organic Groceries Online

Type B: People with blood type B are dubbed "nomads" by D'Adamo. Folks with type B are encouraged to eat plants but also most meats (except chicken). The diet also cautions against eating corn, wheat, tomatoes, peanuts and certain seeds.

Type AB: People with type AB blood, or "enigmas" as D'Adamo calls them, are a mix between types A and B. The Blood Type Diet encourages these people to eat seafood, tofu, dairy, beans, greens and grains but to avoid corn, beef and chicken. D'Adamo contends type ABs also have lower levels of stomach acid and thus should avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Type O: Also known as the "hunter," D'Adamo purports that people with this blood type should eat a high protein diet rich in red meat, fish, poultry and some fruits and vegetables. This precursor to the paleo diet cautions type Os against eating grains, legumes and dairy products. 

According to the Blood Type Diet, type Os require more meat in their diets than other blood types.

Istetiana/Getty Images

Does the Blood Type Diet actually work?

To date, there is very little evidence that adhering to strict blood type-based diet recommendations will improve health outcomes. "The blood type diet has been debunked multiple times by new and improved research," Rios says. "People who claim to start feeling better on this diet typically do so because they start cooking at home more and eating more whole foods and less processed foods which can improve anyone's health." 

The most comprehensive study was done in 2013 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and found "no evidence to validate the purported health benefits of blood type diets." That said, most of the nutrition plans laid out in D'Adamo's book may be healthier than your current eating habits since they do focus on natural, whole and unprocessed foods.

D'Adamo suggests folks with type A blood are healthiest when adhering to a plant-based diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

summerphotos/Getty Images

When it comes to health, does blood type matter at all?

Blood type isn't something dietitians take into consideration when providing medical nutrition therapy, Rios says. "As dietitians, we focus on the patient as an individual," she adds. "Important things to consider include health history, chronic illnesses, current lifestyle, food allergies, food intolerances, sensitivities, stress and digestion."

Should you try the Blood Type Diet? Is it safe?

Following the Blood Type Diet can be "extremely restricting," Rios says, and, if you aren't being guided by a registered dietitian, it could lead to other health issues. There are lots of things to consider before excluding certain food groups from your diet.

If you have or are at risk for high blood pressure or heart disease, for instance, eating a diet high in red meat (as the type O diet suggests) could lead to problems. Diabetics, on the other hand, are often advised to avoid eating cheese, dairy and other foods in large amounts. Other health conditions including IBS and iron deficiency can be exacerbated by meticulously consuming or avoiding certain categories of foods.

The bottom line on the Blood Type Diet

While trying a nutrition plan outlined for your blood type shouldn't have any drastic negative consequences (at least not for those without underlying health conditions), there is also very little evidence that doing so will improve your health in any significant way.

Most nutrition experts suggest balance in the diet overall, including a mix of lean proteins and vitamin-rich vegetables along with whole grains, nuts and seeds. For losing weight, diets such as the keto and paleo plans have been known to garner fast results, but if the goal is overall improved health, including heart health, restrictive fad diets often get failing grades from nutritionists, dietitians and other health professionals.

So what is the healthiest diet?

If you're looking for a nutrition plan or diet to follow for increased overall health, the Mediterranean Diet has been ranked the No. 1 healthiest diet by US News and World Report for five straight years. Based largely on typical Mediterranean-style cooking, this nutrition plan includes lots of lean fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds. It also encourages limited sugar and salt intake and prioritizes healthy fats like olive oil. 

Read more on health and wellness

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Adblock test (Why?)

Is It Healthier to Eat Based on Your Blood Type? - CNET
Read More

Curious Kids: did humans hunt and eat woolly mammoths or dinosaurs? - The Conversation

Did humans hunt and eat woolly mammoths or dinosaurs? – Jasmine, age 10, Central Coast NSW

Hi Jasmine,

Thanks for this great question!

Humans can be blamed for a lot of things: chopping down rainforests, worsening climate change, and driving precious species like the Tasmanian Tiger to extinction. But can we add hunting and eating woolly mammoths and dinosaurs to the list?

Well, we can safely assume dinosaurs never fell prey to humans – mainly because the two never even met (despite what the Jurassic Park films suggest). Dinosaurs had already been extinct for about 62 million years by the time modern humans started roaming the planet!

But what about woolly mammoths? In this case, the movie Ice Age was actually correct. Humans and woolly mammoths lived side by side for at least 15,000 years.

Mammoth findings in the fossil record

So did humans hunt woolly mammoths to extinction? To answer this question we must look at clues in the fossil record, which is made up of the preserved remains of ancient life.

In the case of the dodo, a large flightless bird that went extinct, documents from 1690 make it clear that over-hunting by humans was the cause.

The dodo was first discovered on the island of Mauritius in the late 1500s. Wiki Commons, CC BY-SA

But woolly mammoths were around long before we had paper to write on. They existed from about 300,000 years ago – a time when ice covered the northern parts of the world.

As for when they went extinct, a small number of dwarf mammmoths survived on a little isolated island in the Arctic until about 4,000 years ago. But the full-sized species disappeared from an area called Beringia (located between Siberia and Alaska) some 12,000 years ago – after living alongside humans for at least 15,000 years.

Did humans kill them off?

The 2002 film Ice Age showed a face-off between Manny the woolly mammoth and a human. Twentieth Century Fox/IMDB

Hunting for clues

When early humans hunted, they tended to kill many animals at the same time. This created “kill sites”, which are literally huge piles of animal bones. And when they pulled the meat off the bones to eat, they used stone tools that created cut marks or small notches in the bones.

These marks now provide vital clues. In Beringia, there is fossil evidence for mammoth kill sites, and cut marks on mammoth bones – so all the clues point to humans having hunted woolly mammoths.

But the strongest evidence was found in southern Poland in 2019. A small part of a stone tool, made into a spear blade by a human, was found in the rib bone of a woolly mammoth. If this was evidence presented in a murder trial, that human would be locked up straight away!

Even so, does that mean humans alone were responsible for wiping out all the full-sized woolly mammoths?

Some scientists suggest the climate also played a role.

It could be that climate conditions at the time shifted away from what woolly mammoths preferred and caused a large drop in their numbers. This may have made the remaining mammoths more vulnerable to increasing hunting as the human population grew.

Australia’s own ‘mammoths’

Australia didn’t have woolly mammoths. They would have gotten very hot in those thick coats! But we did have giant animals known as megafauna, which went extinct between 5,000 and 17,000 years (depending on the species) after the First Peoples arrived.

Interestingly, we don’t find any reliable fossil evidence of these people hunting Australia’s ancient megafauna. There are no known kill sites, no cut marks on the animal bones, and no evidence of spear blades being lodged in ribs.

Was the megafauna’s disappearance related to human activity? Or did climate change play a part here as well?

The jury is still out on this one! But the more fossils we find, and the better we get at studying them, the closer we’ll come to understanding what happened all those years ago.

---

Read more: Curious Kids: could dinosaurs evolve back into existence?

---

Adblock test (Why?)

Curious Kids: did humans hunt and eat woolly mammoths or dinosaurs? - The Conversation
Read More

Let's eat! The golden tastes of the Golden Palace - Sudbury.com

Perhaps you have passed it heading to Atikamashing, Fairbanks Provincial Park, Espanola or Sault Ste. Marie, and all points west along the Highway 17 corridor.

The Golden Palace in Lively is a place where people everywhere in the city go for their Canadian-Chinese food fix.

It is perfectly located right on the highway and situated in the shared space of the Lively Inn and Suites, formerly the Red Carpet Inn and Tradewinds.

Jessica Tan has been the co-owner with partner Mark Tan for 11 years. Before that, there were different owners and even a different location.

Tan arrived in Sudbury from Newfoundland at age nine and before that from China. 

“After high school, I was deciding what to do and the opportunity came up. A lot of my friends were struggling to find work and I decided I wanted to become my own boss,” Tan said.
“I have been around this food my whole life. My partner has a lot of experience with cooking the food as well, so it is all homemade.”

Tan is no stranger to the restaurant industry. It is something her parents have instilled in her since birth, having owned their own dining spot in a different city.  

Jessica’s menu favourite is the Cantonese chow mein with its barbeque pork, sliced chicken, shrimp, mixed vegetables and fine egg noodles. She also loves the chicken balls, chicken wings and egg rolls.

She said customers rave about the beef with broccoli dish, the soup and all things chicken, and they report that “nothing is overly deep-fried”.

The Golden Palace has won awards and is dubbed by cross-country visitors as a top spot for the best broth-based wonton soup. One even raved about the wonton soup in a blogpost.

It recently won a number of Community Votes awards that are being showcased in the dining room for best Asian food, best Chinese food, best take out, best Chinese restaurant and best soup.

Tan herself won a 40 Under Forty Award in 2015 for her entrepreneurial commitment to The Golden Palace.

And with that, she is moving forward and resurrecting the long-awaited and very popular buffet that was forced to close due to COVID-19 restrictions.  

“We take multiple calls on the daily asking when the buffet will make its return. I think it is time,” she said.

The lunch buffet will resume this month (September, 2022) on Thursdays and Fridays.  

Tan said it has been nice to have people once again come for dine in or take out.  

“Our customers really do come from everywhere — even the French River, Azilda, Garson and Skead. It is amazing to know they will drive any distance for quality Chinese food,” she said.

She said even those camping at Fairbanks or on Manitoulin Island often make a point of stopping to fuel up before their trip or on the long journey back home which always feels that much longer.

Visit the Golden Palace on Facebook or on their website. 

Anastasia Riouix is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.

Adblock test (Why?)

Let's eat! The golden tastes of the Golden Palace - Sudbury.com
Read More