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Archives for Apr 2007

Slow Food

Watching grass grow?  Boring.  Watching cheese ripen?  Fascinating!  At least according to the 1 million visitors that checked out a web site by British cheese manufacturers Westcombe featuring a live web stream of a large English cheddar ripening – in real time, says Reuters. Visitors to the site can see a live video of the cheddar – which has been enjoying the spotlight since February, and will take a year to fully mature – on the web site CheddarVision.tv. 

 

Not only has the web site attracted over a million visitors hungry for a chance to ogle the hunk of cheese, it has become an Internet phenomenon, with its own MySpace page (bet you never thought you could add “Immature Cheddar” to your top 8) and a growing fan base.    A school in the US even sent in photos of two crocodiles to guard the cheese. Lovers of this unexpected Internet star can even take part in naming the new fromage: Westcombe has a form where visitors can nominate a name for it. 

 

Posted Apr 26, 2007 by themagster | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: cheese food websites

Big Brother, Starbucks Style

As if you needed another excuse to feed your coffee addiction, JL Huffard Coffee & Tea has announced that they are working on a coffee machine that will be able to detect when your coffee craving will kick in and have your coffee ready and waiting before the caffeine-withdrawal hits you. 

James Pappas, JL Huffard’s Product Manager says "For the first several weeks, the machine learns the drinking patterns of its users. Then it adapts. Every Sunday afternoon, it's French vanilla cappuccino time. Each weekday morning, it starts brewing a triple espresso at 7:00 am. After dinner, it does up a creamy decaf café au lait."

The coffee machine is speculated to make use of GPS or RFID technology to help in its “mind-reading” ability.  Pappas also describes a feature that may allow coffee-addicts to put their coffee machine on speed-dial and have their cup of joe waiting when they get home.

 So….do you want one yet?  I know I do. 

Posted Apr 26, 2007 by themagster | 1 Comment | Share It

Filed under: coffee technology

Drink To Your Health

 

A recent study by Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has just unveiled that adding ethanol -- the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits -- boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries.  Which means you can drink all of the strawberry mojitos you want without feeling guilty!

 

The scientists stumbled upon the finding unexpectedly.  "They were exploring ways to help keep strawberries fresh during storage. Treating the berries with alcohol increased in antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity."

 

"Berries, contain compounds known as polyphenols and anthocyanins. People who eat more of these fruits and vegetables have a documented lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases."

 

I plan on getting a raspberry old Cuban this week to celebrate! 

 

*misterbelly

Posted Apr 23, 2007 by misterbelly | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: cocktails health

What's in STORE for FOOD?

 

There is new meaning to food storage and no we’re not talking about Glad’s double seal protection.   Vavolo is known for their cell phone accessories as well as a vast selection of gadgets and appliances including a HALO Projection Alarm Clock Rainbow Color Music Vase and a USB Circus Cannon Missiles Launcher, Mouse-Control Office Toy.  How’s that for waking up in the morning and workplace recreation!  Not only are they functional but innovative.

But where does FOOD fit in?

With technology advancing, companies constantly design and create devices to fit into today’s lifestyle.  Ingenious products are always made and it amazes me as to what you find.  If you are the ultimate Ninja Turtles fan or a foodie your findings are close to infinite.  So you wouldn’t be surprised if I told you that Vavolo is launching food flash drives with capacities from 256MB to 2GB.  Though SolidAlliance, another company that sells USB drives, already has food flash drives out in the market, Vavolo is being considerate of one’s peripheral vision.  Everything USB posted, "While I could do without the eggs on the sandwich these things certainly look tastier than the SolidAlliance squid sushi drive."  I couldn't agree with that statement more! Would you really concentrate on your work knowing a squid is sticking out of your computer or your USB hub is in the shape of a rice ball?  I’ll let you be the judge of that ha.  Function and food is now on a whole different level.  Vavolo found a more subtle approach, which is pretty cool if you’re into upgrading your devices to suit your personal needs. 

 

Would YOU consider buying one?

-sassysundae

Posted Apr 20, 2007 by sassysundae | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: food technology

Too Cool For School

Another store caught my eye in my neighborhood the other day.  I was in a taxi riding up 3^rd avenue when we passed by a store called Really Cool Foods.  Naturally I was intrigued by the name and jotted it down.  Their website is still under construction, so there isn’t any info about what the store is, but according to MetBlogs “an employee describes RCF as a better Whole Foods.”  They are basically the equivalent of KidFresh for adults, focusing primarily on selling prepared foods.  With the plethora of prepared foods offered by countless supermarkets, organic stores and specialty shops in the city, it seems that Really Cool Foods is just another fish in a big sea.  Has anyone been there before? 

 

 

 

*misterbelly 

Posted Apr 19, 2007 by misterbelly | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: health new york city prepared foods stores

Don't Mess With Our Chocolate!

 

Sure, everyone needs a little chocolate in their life – but the tables have finally turned, and this time, chocolate needs YOU. Yes, you heard right. An article in Brandweek reports that chocolate maker Guittard Chocolate Company in Burlingame, CA has launched a campaign to save the future of chocolate. They urge consumers to write the Food and Drug Administration to challenge a proposal that would relax the current rules about what can be defined as chocolate (am I the only one shocked that we have federal chocolate standards?). The proposal would allow for vegetable oils en lieu of cocoa butter and milk substitutes instead of the real stuff allowed onto the market – and chocolate makers like Guittard are outraged.

 

Guittard has launched a web site called DontMessWithOurChocolate.com to stir up opposition against the proposal and asks chocolate lovers to contact the FDA by April 25, 2007 in an effort to reverse the proposal.

 

From the web site:

"Through the years, consumers have had a passionate love affair with chocolate. Chocolate is an indulgence that everyone can afford, and it provides comfort, pleasure and happiness. If the Chocolate Manufacturer's Association succeeds with their agenda, the consumer will inherit what is most lucrative for them to produce rather than the high quality product we all currently enjoy and desire.

Please communicate your dissatisfaction regarding the cheapening the quality of real chocolate to the FDA . . . your opinion is important and needs to be heard along with the collective outrage from other consumers.”

 

What do you think? Should chocolate purity be protected, or should you just let your taste buds decide?

Posted Apr 18, 2007 by themagster | 1 Comment | Share It

Filed under: chocolate

Pucker up!

 

I came across an article on BBC News about chocolate being better than a passionate kiss from your lover.  I thought of how many Lindt truffles I’ve consumed and it sure does feel like you’re on Cloud 9. 

 
However, sharing a passionate kiss from the one you love is something completely different.  According to the research, with chocolate, heart rates have increased from a resting rate of about 60 beats per minute to 140.  Psychologist Sue Wright said, "Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine which can raise levels of endorphins, the pleasure-giving substances, in the brain.  "It also contains caffeine which has a stimulatory effect on the brain.  This would explain why chocolate can give people a buzz, and why people can become addicted to it." 

 
These findings and information may not be as fascinating to some but I never really thought of the effects it had mentally and physically.  Chocolate is one of the best things ever created, EVER, and having someone special in your life to share that passionate kiss with is just an added bonus.  So enjoy that truffle, pucker up for that special someone and enjoy! 

Posted Apr 17, 2007 by sassysundae | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: chocolate lovers

Gold Bunny

I was walking home last week and stopped at the crosswalk when the strangest vehicle I have ever seen blazed up the avenue.  It was a gold Lindt branded SmartCar complete with bunny ears.  It was super cute and struck me as such a clever marketing idea, especially because it's been stuck in my head since then.  I wanted to chase after it and snap a photo with my cameraphone, but I was completely paralyzed by the cuteness, and the bunny ears of course! The Gold Bunny was intended as an Easter promotion, but I guess they were a little late getting to New York?  

From the Lindt site: "Throughout the countdown to Easter, Lindt Master Chocolatiers are encouraging chocolate lovers and Easter enthusiasts nationwide to follow Gold Bunny's adventures on the ground and across the country.  This is one golden treasure that's definitely worth discovering!"

 

 

 

 

*misterbelly  

Posted Apr 16, 2007 by misterbelly | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: chocolate easter

Gummy Vitamins

 

 

About a week ago I was watching TV when the strangest commercial came on.  I thought it was fake, but it turned out to be a very real commercial for a very real product.  The commercial was for “Frutels,” which are a gummy candy that claim to get rid of acne.  I laughed for a while before realizing that they were being serious.  I immediately got online to check out their website which says, “Frutels gummy candies are a powerful nutritional supplement packed with our patent-pending formula of vitamins and micronutrients that support the body’s own defense system against the internal causes of acne.” I don’t know about you, but it really seems pretty far fetched that eating more “candy” is going to get rid of anyone’s acne.  It really made me wonder what other quick-fix products were currently available on the market.

 

After a little bit of searching I discovered Sankom, which promises to improve digestion and reduce weight by “creating a feeling of fullness.”  They resemble Starburst candies in look and taste, but have an added bonus of fiber.  That really saves people the trouble of having to eat fruits and vegetables or take a traditional fiber supplement. 

 

 

 

If you’re all good on your fiber intake, but you want an all around vitamin supplement try chewing gum.  Vitaballs are gum balls that offer 100 percent of your RDV of ten vitamins.  They also have sucrose listed as an ingredient, so apparently they aren’t too concerned about whether you get cavities or not. 

 

 

 

There are seemingly endless amounts of these quick and easy products on the market and it really perplexes me.  Eating a healthy diet will give you more vitamins and nutrition than chewing on a piece of sugary vitamin gum.  Maybe I’m behind the times? 

 

*misterbelly   

 

Posted Apr 12, 2007 by misterbelly | 1 Comment | Share It

Filed under: candy health vitamins

Go Green

Green living is gaining more and more popularity with every passing day.  Many companies are going the extra mile to become greener and even the food industry is catching on.  One notable mention is the BirdBath bakery in New York City.  The bakery itself is built out of sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, recycled, recyclable, vintage, and found materials.  The store is stocked with energy efficient appliances and the baked goods are made with organic ingredients.  It may sound a tad ambitious, but it could be a sign that the times are indeed changing. 

 

You don’t have to be in New York to enjoy green products.  Celebrate Earth Day on April 22^nd (and every day) by gobbling up green chocolate made by Vere, Dagoba, Green & Black and more!  ThisNext.com has a list of green chocolates that are not only environmentally friendly, but really tasty too!

 

So tell me, how do you feel about the green living movement?  Are any of you currently living a green lifestyle or close to it?  Leave a comment!

 

*misterbelly

Posted Apr 12, 2007 by misterbelly | Add a comment | Share It

Filed under: chocolate green living