1 cup of warm water

½ cup white sugar

1 table spoon

½ cup of vegetable oil

2 ½ teaspoon of salt

2 eggs

4 cups of bread flower

2 ¼ teaspoon yeast

After dough is made let dough rise on floured surface for 5 min

Divide dough in half and then in to thirds. Roll into ropes and then braid.

Place on greased cookie sheet cover with wrap and let it rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a small bawl beat 1 egg and 1 Tablespoon of water

Brush the egg mixture over the bread

Put into oven to bake for 20-25 mins.  

 Recipe analysis

This entire meal is all processed for the simple fact there is nothing healthy really in it and nothing used to make this is all whole food. ½ cup of sugar is not really good for your body. It’s really unhealthy expectedly for ones that live with diabetes. 2 ½ teaspoon of salt is extremely unhealthy for your body because of high blood pressure. This meal original from Israel. Challah is a loaf of yeast-risen egg bread that is traditionally eaten by Jews on Shabbat, on ceremonial occasions and during festival holidays. I truly beleve that these ingeatings to make this come from your local grocey story. Challah is not expnisve compared what you would by at a fast food place but I really do think that there is just as much bad food in it just as fast food. Challah cost $2.25 at the store or the juwish bakery. Stroehmann Family White 20 Oz Loaf of bread is $3.29, which has the same ingredients but is more expensive then Challah. So really baking Challah is really the cheapest way to go at the end of the day.

 During this first quarter of science & society I have learned many thing when it come to the foods that we have in our world today. We started off talking about how children are becoming obesity because of the foods that they eat and the nutritious that they are not getting. We talk about what kind of food is held in different homes and what food places are close to eat from trying to understand why the obesity level is going up and not decreasing. 

         We started learning about how families need to look at the food labels before they buy their food from supermarkets. We talk about how hard it was to even get food companies to put the labels on their food and what laws were put in place for then to do so. So when it come to different food companies and how they raise and create a farm and animals on that farm we watched a movie called food inc. that allowed us to see what kind of goes on behind the sense of food. 

       While watching that movie we learned about how the animals were being tread and how they were being cared for. We learned about what they were feeding them and what if do to their body. They showed us what chemicals are being used to kill the germs that might be in the food. We learned about how e-coli got in to a hamburger and a young boy named Kevin died from it and then his mom tried to get a law passed about that called Kevin's law. We learned about Oprah and the case that happen with her we learned about the seeds and how they are expansive and they try to reuse then and can't. This movie talked about so many things it was crazy that it took us as student to really look at all the food that we by and eat differently. 

         After the movie and doing different class assignments with that we went on to learning about organic and non-organic foods and the difference and price between them. We as students had to go home and look in our homes to see what was organic and not the we were told to shop and see the different in price and label in organic and non -organic. Some students like my self brought the assignment home to the dinner table and talk about what we have been learning about food in class with our families. Next we started to look at different things that have to do with the body and food like, diabetes and heart disease and things like that and how they error form the foods that we eat and by.  So there are so many different things about food that we have been learning about.

Food slide  

My food rule has to deal with eating ingredients unknown to us. To represent this visually,  I found a wordle of all the ingredients included in a hot pocket. The amount of ingredients is disgusting. This reenforces the importance of my rule.

Recipe, Analysis, and Pictures!

All of these are on my drop box because they are large documents. Click HERE to view

            Recently, I have been working hard at erasing my impact to our world through energy and food consumption. This first quarter unit on food has helped educate me on the choices I am making and develop new choices. A year ago I became vegetarian. The choice to do this came from many sources but mostly because it was something I wanted to try. Lucky for me, the people around me mostly already were. This made being vegetarian easy. I never thought it would be something to keep but I am very proud to say I remain vegetarian. This had been a big change I wanted to make after seeing “Food Inc.” the first time. Now, after our study of food, I could not be more pleased with that decision. I would like to think that the impact of me eating vegetarian would be large but it isn’t. Although, I have influenced others into the lifestyle and as a chain we have grown as a larger group of vegetarians. This can make a small change if it were to grow continuously. Additionally, I want to start eating more locally and not buying over-processed food. This will help eliminate gas and energy used to transport food as well as improve my overall health.

            The chapter of “Food Inc.” that stuck out to me the most was the ‘1 dollar menu’ chapter where health implications were discussed. Then later, when researching and discovering information about diabetes, I saw what the biggest problem in our food system and society truly is. Our solutions to poverty is to make cheaper and less healthy food, which in return gives health implications, which then cost you more. We initially pay less for cheaper food, but in the long run end up paying much more for health care than you would for healthier food. Flawed system? I think so. As people who care for their health and the health of the people around them, we need to be more aware of everything we put in our mouth.

Eastern European food(Jewish)-Kasha Recipe 

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1:  Get a large pot, pour in broth, mix in a tbsp. of butter and bring to a boil, .

 Step 2: Meanwhile, mix Kasha and egg together.

 Step 3: Put Kasha and egg mixture into a wok/ frying pan on medium heat.

 Step 4: Stir continuously (so that the kasha mixture will not stick to the pan or together), let the grains separate. Should look dry but not brown.

 Step 5: When broth comes to a boil, pour into wok/frying pan.

 Step 6: Stir and cover on medium heat for 30 minutes (check every 5-10 minutes to stir), let the Kasha absorb the broth.

 Step 7: When the Kasha has absorbed all of the broth, season to taste with mixed seasoning salt and cumin.

Analysis:

 This meal is an easy and healthy option for any family. It consists of two whole ingredients and two processed ingredients. As a staple food in Eastern Europe, kasha is filling and nutritious. It is 82% carbohydrates, 12% protein and 6% fats. Kasha is also a good source of dietary fiber and magnesium with 155 calories for 168 grams. The dietary fiber is the part of food that your body cannot process; therefore it acts as a regulator for your digestive system. Magnesium is important for numerous functions in your body: nerve impulse transmissions and formation of healthy bones. It’s safe to say that this food is nutritious. It is also an environmentally friendly dish.

             The buckwheat used was organic and the eggs were from free-range chickens. The store we purchased these items from look for local farms to buy from so the buckwheat groats and eggs didn’t travel far. The item that traveled the farthest was the vegetable broth that we used to be vegetarian. It was imported from Canada and creates a large carbon footprint, which is ironic and an example of the choices and priorities consumers have.

            The cost of a meal is a big deciding factor for consumers. This meal is fairly feasible. The entire bag of buckwheat costs only 3 dollars and this recipe calls for half of the bag. One organic egg costs 32 cents and the broth costs around 3 dollars. While the total is much more than a fast food meal, this is a pretty cheap meal considering that two of the items, if not more are organic.

            An important aspect of kasha is that most of these products can be produced through a self-sufficient process. Chickens can make the eggs and are easy to contain as livestock in backyards. Buckwheat is apparently easy to grow and can be used in numerous types of food. The only issue with the self-sufficient food process is the limited resources in certain urban areas. Ashley and I are fortunate to own houses with backyards, but many people live in apartments or row homes and cannot grow their own food. However, many of these items were purchased in Acme and were still labeled “organic” so this meal could still be accessible.

            Therefore, Kasha is a good food to know how to cook. It is nutritious, environmentally friendly and affordable. All of the items needed for kasha can be bought at grocery markets such as Acme or local stores or even grown at home. As a dish, kasha follows a lot of the food rules. It is less than 5 ingredients, it is something my grandmother would recognize as food, and it’s vegetarian and organic. All in all, it’s a great dish.

 Personal Reflection: 

When Science in Society first started talking about food, I was ignorant to my role as a consumer. It was only after watching Food Inc. and reading the informative articles that I began to see the error of my ways. I felt extremely guilty. Obesity rates are through the roof, people are buying the cheap and easy choices, and farmers are being exploited daily because of my choices in the grocery store. The entire empire of food seemed messed up.

However, as the class progressed, options began to appear on the horizon. I began to understand how buying food means a vote for that product. Also, I understand now that eating is a responsibility and consumers need to do research before they mindlessly buy everything. However, my work as an eater is unfinished. 

 Some changes I plan to make are to research the products I consume daily such as milk, yogurt, and cereals. I, also, plan to buy only local vegetables and fruits that are in season. Fortunately, the Weaver's Way co-op will make these goals easier to achieve. This store usually buys locally and even plants it's own food. I'm lucky that it's in my neighborhood. Lastly, I need to teach other people about the food industry. Even if nothing comes from it, they at least will be more aware than before.

Food Rule: 

Recipe

Ginger roots
sugar
liquid lime
Water

need

need a clean filter cloth
1 bowl

Directions

1. Wash off the ginger roots and cut them up into slices.

(Make sure the ginger is small enough to chop smoothly in a blender).

2. Blend the ginger roots in a blender.

3. Take the blended ginger roots and pours it through the filter into the bowl.

4. Add any amount of water on the ginger while it’s in the filter.

 (Make sure you squeeze the filter so the ginger juice can pour through the filter)

5. Repeat #4 until the ginger has no more juice comes out the filter.

6. Add a half a bottle of limejuice and mix.

7. Add the amount of sugar you want and mix until it’s at the taste you want.

(Lime and sugar depends on the amount of juice you have.)

 GINGER ROOTS

Ginger is well known as a remedy for travel sickness, nausea and indigestion and is used for wind, colic, irritable bowel, loss of appetite, chills, cold, flu, poor circulation, menstrual cramps, dyspepsia (bloating, heartburn, flatulence), indigestion and gastrointestinal problems such as gas and stomach cramps. Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb and there has been much recent interest in its use for joint problems. It has also been indicated for arthritis, fevers, headaches, toothaches, coughs, bronchitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, to ease tendonitis, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and aid in preventing internal blood clots.

SELF REFLECTION

In this unit, I have learned a lot of information about what we consume and it’s origin. What I mean by its origin is where everything is processed through the food industry. I like to add that the food industries have many secrets that have been exposed that left me questioning the food system and what we consume on a daily basis.  The Food Inc. documentary was a factual and evidential piece that encouraged me to be more aware of what I choose to eat. 

One of the biggest problems that I came across with our food system is the ignorance and the “I don’t care” attitude that majority of the public has towards the food they eat and the process of it or what it contains in these products. Another problem that I feel as though is an issue is the fact that many companies keep the process of how they make the food a secret and they are so reluctant of letting people see how the food is made. Lastly, what I found to be a problem is how livestock are being treated before they are slaughtered and how they are being slaughtered in the house.

Many people can change or edit what they eat; it’s hard to change diet but it can be done slowly and step by step. Some changes I can make is that I can be more careful of what I eat and ever since the class; I have started eating more fruit and drinking more water. Honestly I still eat Chinese food on a regular basis and I also mainly eat home cooked meals. One thing that works for me is that, I exercise a lot and work out a lot to keep my body in shape and healthy. I sense a change in my healthy, I have more energy and generally I feel more and more better. 

SOURCES

"Ginger Root Benefits & Information." Herb Information, Benefits, Discussion and News. Web. 09 Nov. 2011. <http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ginger-root.html>.

"Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Ginger Root, Raw." Nutrition Facts, Calories in Food, Labels, Nutritional Information and Analysis – NutritionData.com. Web. 09 Nov. 2011. <http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2447/2>.

Ingredients and Recipe for Corn Chicken Stuffing (With Optional Stir Fry)

Ingredients:

2 cups of water

1 package of STOVE TOP cornbread stuffing mix

8 pieces of boneless skinless chicken breast

1 can of condensed soup

1 package of microwavable streamed corn

2 green bell peppers (Optional)

1 raw white onion (Optional)

1 cup of vegetable oil (Optional)

Other things you will need:

Measuring cup

Stove

Microwave

Metal Spoons

13x9-inch baking pan

Saucepan

Butter

Recipe:

PREHEAT oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit. 

Mix water and the stuffing mix in a bowl. 

Spread butter over the top of the mix

Place the stuffing mix in the microwave on HIGH for 6 minutes.

Cop the pepper and onion to any size you choose (Optional)

Place the copped vegetables in a sauce pan. (Optional)

Add one cup of vegetable oil, fry then set aside. (Optional)

Place bag of corn in the microwave for 4 minutes or until unfrozen.

Open the can of soup.

Place the chicken in the 13x9 inch pan. 

Pour the soup over the chicken and bake 30-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.

Take the chicken out of the oven.

Mix the corn, stuffing, and (optional) peppers and onions.

Spread/mix wit the chicken.

Analysis:

The food in this dish was processed for the most part. If I ate nothing but this meal everyday, I'm pretty sure I would have very high blood pressure since the stuffing mix has 500mg of sodium per serving and there is 6 servings per box. That makes 3000mg of salt per box.  In contrast, I would not have to worry about diabetes because there is only 12g of sugar in each box. There are some foods/drinks that have 3 times as much sugar as this box of stuffing. This meal was both organic and commercial. My mom bought the peppers and onions from SHARE foods. They grow their own vegetables and they don't use harsh chemicals to protect their foods (I know because I volunteered here during the summer). The rest of the food was commercial and bought from the supermarket. The peppers and onions were about 2 or 3 dollars. The only other food that could have been grown would have been the corn. Corn is really cheap too. The steamed corn was about 2 dollars a bag. This corn is much better than using corn from out of a can. Corn out of the can is very high in sodium. I’m pretty sure the chicken that I used was once mistreated because there was no label on the packaging saying it wasn’t! This isn’t the healthiest meal and if this were to be eaten everyday by someone, they would get sick and feel sluggish after a while. This is a meal that you would only have one like special occasions. But I think that it may be just as worst as eating a McDonalds cheeseburger everyday!

Unit Reflection:

This unit as taught me many things I didn't know or ignored about food. The movie "Food Inc" had somewhat of a big impact on the way I feel about how food is processed. Thinking about how they use ammonia to clean beef makes me sick to my stomach. A part of me wants to change the way I eat for health reasons but the other half of me isn't ready to make a total change. I think about how much I didn't know about diabetes and it scared me. I know so many people with diabetes that it's a shame that I didn't know more. I've realized how my eating habits effect my body and is my motivation for wanting to change. This unit has been one of the main topics that I've talked about during dinner time with my family. My mom helped me with the supermarket worksheet while we were at the market and we were both surprised by how many products weren't organic. Since diabetes runs in my family, my mom and I agreed to start making changes with the amount of sugar that is in food that we eat. This will be a much easier change for me because I have a red dye allergy and I have to check food labels anyway. My grandma has diabetes and my mom decided to take trips to the market with her to see the types of foods she buys compared to the foods we usually buy. My grandma says "eat like you have diabetes and you won't get it." This is going to be another one of my new food rules.

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

• 1 teaspoon of baking powder

• 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup of vegetable oil

• 2 ¼ cups of white sugar

• 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract

• 2 cups of grated zucchini

• 1 cup of chopped walnuts

Directions:

Recipe provided by: "Mom's Zucchini Bread Recipe - Allrecipes.com." Allrecipes.com - Recipes, Menus, Meal Ideas, Food, and Cooking Tips. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/moms-zucchini-bread/detail.aspx>.