Question of the Week: Are You Part Of Slow Food Nation?

The New York Times reports (July 23) that the organization Slow Food USA plans to throw a little party in San Francisco Labor Day weekend. The lawn in front of City Hall is gone and in its place is a garden. The festival, which is being called Slow Food Nation, is expected to draw 50,000 people. Will it be food's version of Woodstock? The Times writes that planners hope that "a broad band of people will see that delicious, sustainably produced food can be a prism for social, ecological and political change." Organizers are trying to strike a balance between those who live the slow food life, and those who think people in the movement are snobs. The group is even embracing corporate partners for the first time, including Whole Foods, Anolon cookware and the Food Network. What do you think? Any chance you can make the SF party? Where is the slow food philosophy leading us?

Question of the Week: How Do We Celebrate Summer And Still Eat Healthy?

Now, where were we? Oh, yes, we're talking and writing about eating real food. I had a not-fun hiatus moving these last two weeks. But the payoff is I have a kitchen I can cook in, a deck to entertain on (no grill yet, tho), and have already had a few friends to dinner. I grilled kabobs under the broiler (chicken, pork, peppers, pineapple chunks, cherry tomatoes, onion), made rice pilaf similar to how Mom used to make it, and friends brought a green salad. Two flavors of sorbet with fresh raspberries for dessert. (And, I must confess, chips and salsa on the deck before dinner. A guest brought those, and we inhaled them. I probably should have prepared raw vegetables.) There will be lots of parties, cookouts, and get-togethers with friends this summer. How can we eat healthy when the menu veers to potato salad and ice cream? And speaking of my favorite food, did you read the Newsweek article about the most-fattening ice cream flavors? I guess it is obvious, but the calorie and fat count increases in flavors that contain more than just ice cream, the ones that also contain nuts, brownie batter, pieces of candy bars, and more. Newsweek offers some alternatives (including the brands Turkey Hill and Edy's) and compare calorie and fat count for half-cup servings. (Who ever ate a half-cup of ice cream? )
Question of the week: How do you enjoy summer foods and still stick to healthy eating?