Doing Well by Doing Good
Going all natural is good for all.
There seems to be a new trend in the processed food industry, according to a report in “USA Today”.
Simple.
Food companies are discovering that consumers prefer natural, simplified food. They want to read food labels that have a few, understandable ingredients. And their money is following that preference. Hagen-Dazs has developed a line of ice cream called Five, because there are only five ingredients. The repurchase rates on this line have exceeded the industry average by 30%. The Triscuit crackers from Kraft has had double-digit sales increases in the second quarter of 2009 after simplifying the ingredient list and switching to a healthier oil.
Even Necco wafers, a 162-year-old candy company has decided to go all natural with their chalky, sweet candy wafers. Beet juice, purple cabbage, cocoa powder and turmeric have replaced some of the ingredients. Supposedly the only loss in this changeover is the color/flavor green since a reasonable color substitution couldn’t be found.
Some may call this a marketing scheme. But if it means that processed, convenience foods are becoming healthier for us, I say bring it on.
Good News for Curry Lovers
It's a mighty spice.
Turmeric is one wicked dye. It’s also one of the ingredients in the pungent, Indian spice, curry. In traditional medicines it’s been used to cure a variety of health problems due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s been studied as a possible cure for dementia and arthritis. And now scientists are finding it may have the power to kill cancer cells, particularly in esophageal cancer. That’s pretty potent stuff for one little spice.
Time to break out the Indian cuisine recipes, whether or not my girls like curry. It’s good for them, even if it’s an acquired taste.
Photo of the Week – Joe’s Chili – 10/18/09
Wow, somebody else cooked for me!
It’s a rare but special day when my husband takes over dinner preparation. Last week he decided to invent a recipe for chili according to his own personal tastes, in order to submit it to a chili/chowder competition in his office. I usually use ground beef, but he decided to chop up a brisket. Hey, he’s the one doing the work so I’m not complaining. He may not have won the prize, but I won a night off from kitchen duty.