Food: Cooking show segments

Do you watch them? I have been, because of hubby's diet restrictions: no yeast, dairy or eggs. He has food intolerances, rather than allergies, but it makes a world of difference for him to avoid these foods. Everyone confuses yeast allergies with gluten. It's quite common. It's tricky finding casseroles and such.

I was watching The Marilyn Dennis Show.


These two segments on her Dec. 26th show were interesting. They had some kids in the audience, as they had a horticulturist who helped them plant some veggies in their school gardens in a spring segment. It was a wonderful segment, with a multicultural school population. That's my Toronto! Planters, soil, plants and seeds were donated to the school, they helped them plant, and two of the students showed the produce they had grown at the beginning of this show. It is a great thing to do with kids, and as a retired teacher, I laud them.

You can see that my Ottawa students consisted of some wonderful, rainbow colours of kids. I learned a lot from all of them. This was 2004.

Back to the studio, where Jamie Oliver was teaching them two smart food recipes. As a retired teacher, I was giggling. The kids were a hoot. Quite enthusiastic, and I don't think they thought that part through!  He is an amazing teacher, quite committed to putting good foods in kids' mouths. The father of 5, he is quite personable. Sadly, even coming from the UK, he doesn't understand something basic. It always shocks me when this kind of thing happens. He's created some inexpensive, healthy, hearty meals.

I had three issues with the shows content.
1. The expensive food processing equipment.
2. The recipes included pork, with an obviously multi-ethnic audience.
3. The recipes showed adding alcohol, with kids in the audience.

1. The thing is, Jamie Oliver uses high-tech (read expensive) blenders and food processors and he would be wise to explain how to create these recipes using less kitschy gadgets.

One Dish Wonder: 

Jamie Oliver's Chicken And Chorizo Bake 

A lot of the students had eaten mussels, which surprised Jamie Oliver! Toronto is incredibly multicultural. I'm so proud of it. They are making good steps forward in being so.

Kid-Approved Mussels 

That Are So Easy They Could Make Themselves

So, we follow the recipes, they are lo-cal, balanced meals, with good food. Problem is, the chicken and chorizo dish. (Chorizo is Spanish, spiced pork sausage.) I had to look it up! If you look at the beautiful faces in the audience, you will note that it is a multi-ethnic group.

2. Muslims and Jews do not eat pork. They were keen, and eager, and that is important. Several of the girls were wearing hijabs, which is what some Muslim females wear.

3. Not only that, but he added alcohol to the dish. Seriously. With all these kids watching.

We've entertained vegetarians,
and they don't even mix the cutting boards.

Too often, people don't know their audience. There are many easy ways to convert recipes. Believe me, I know. I've been converting recipes from dairy to non-dairy. I showed hubby how to make bread without yeast. He's baking up a storm, without tummy aches! One recipe even features chicken bullion. You can use veggie bullion. 

I did, successfully, adapt the recipe for hubby's dietary needs. It was a challenge.

Jamie Oliver comes to the continent

I have enjoyed watching Jamie Oliver rant about the food offered in the big US school cafeterias. He's putting his money where his mouth is, taking abuse from those who think there is no problem. Neglect IS abuse. Neglecting proper nutrition is a crime. With Canadian Family Health Teams offering dietary services and nutritionists, we have no excuse for people to be ignorant about eating well.

I am happy, too, that Jamie made mashed potatoes WITH the skin, as I do! That is where the nutrients are found.

We supersize, à la US model, with US-owned franchises in the not-to-be-named chains where things are endlessly fried, precooked, filled with additives and preservatives and fat. They are evolving. More chains offer salads, but the fast food notion is a sad one. I heard of one soccer mom who put a crock pot in the min-van. I like that idea! Gone are the days when moms could put a pot of stew on for the early dinner, and we eat smaller meals in the evening.

Huntington, West Virginia, Fattest US City, To Star On Jamie Oliver Reality Show

It is not a surprise that the US has so much obesity, expecially in their children. Those living in poverty cannot afford the fresh, important veggies if they live in the north. Most, however, missed the nutritional information some teacher attempted to promote. Our Ontario Milk Marketing Board spends a bundle of materials for promotion. As do the egg and other marketing boards. Education is the key. Changing the habits of those who overeat, eat the wrong things, too much of one thing, and fail to have a balanced, colourful plate of food with greens every day.

In our case, we find that making our own culinary delights is important. Using simple foods, unprocessed as much as possible. Having children participate is an important part of the process.
This is our lasagna on Easter day! Many of my Muskoka commenters said they, too, had lasagna!
The cats were very upset that the canned food wasn't for them. We put in frozen spinach, fresh zuccini, lean ground beef (Caitlin is pregnant and has had low iron), two cans of tomatoes (we are far from tomato season here!), ready-bake noodles, lots of cheese (for growing bones).

It is interesting in that Caitlin is pregnant, need milk and iron, Josephine is 2 and needs calcium for strong bones. As a menopausal middle-aged woman, I need 3 servings of milk per day. (I supplement with tablets, as I am already having oseoporosis issues. Also, Vitamin D tabs, although I do try for 10 min. of sun per day = Vit. D.)

Lasagna is almost a perfect (group) meal for most of us, except the cheese isn't good for those with high cholesterol. (Yes, I have that, too! Polypharmacy rears its ugly head.)

You'll notice P.O.'d cats in my collage, who thought the canned food was for them. I always have to let them smell the food or they will meow forever. They were not thrilled with the tomatoes. The meat caught their noses, as did the cheese, but

From MYMUSKOKA

This chart of the day is a perfect reason. Andrew Sullivan makes a good point. Even Oprah was attacked by the US-based beef industry.