Five Food Favorites: Friday April 17

Happy Weekend, Bloom Babes!

Here are a few of my favorites from the week in food news.

Did you read anything interesting this week?  Tell me about it!

Millennials Use of Restaurants Change As their Lifestyles Change
ABC News

While driving home this week, the “Top of The Hour” ABC news briefs came on the radio. The anchor said that in March spending was up, particularly in restaurants.

I found that sort of interesting (See also: slightly concerning… as a home cooked meal, nutrition advocate) so when I got home I tried to look up the whole article. Instead, when search key words from the radio piece, I found this article from March.

The report says that millennials, young people ages 18-35, make up a quarter of restaurant spending, but recently the group has actually cut back on restaurants. Reasons run the gamut from the fact that it is cheaper and more nutritious to cook at home to the fact that many millennials find enjoyment in cooking.

Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2015
Time Magazine

Ina Garten is my all time favorite. I would be 110% okay to have her life when I am 60.

… Who am I kidding?

A house in the Hampton’s? That garden? The kitchen? First class foodie trips to Paris? Fun visitors for parties and afternoon baking sessions?

I would take that life right now. (However, Ina can keep her Jeffery. I have one of those already…!)

I was absolutely thrilled when I read that she made Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2015. She has been a huge influence to me in my approach to cooking, entertaining, food shopping and gardening.

It also didn’t hurt that Taylor Swift, another one of my favorites, wrote the article.

The Prettiest Naked Cakes Ever
stylemepretty.com/living

Evidently, “Naked Cakes” are very hot right how.

Now, don’t go thinking that these are for bachelorette parties only.

Naked Cakes are actually very “rated G” and gorgeous. (Plus, let’s be real here… this is from the ever swoon worthy, Style Me Pretty… Do you really think the pretty police would okay an X-rated cake?)

I love the somewhat rustic, unfinished look to these cakes. With berries just around the corner, be on the look out for a summer berry naked cake on Bloom. I am feeling inspired!

Let’s Talk About Native Bee’s and Why We Need Them
gardenbetty.com

I am a big fan of bees and make sure to always have more than enough flowers in the garden to attract these vital pollinators. Adam and I have even considered bee keeping with honey bees.  Bu, we still have a lot to learn.

This week Linda at Garden Betty wrote about native bees and how they are just as important to the food system as honey bees and bumble bees. What is interesting about native bees is that they are incredibly strong pollinators (much stronger than their other bee cousins) and they don’t need a hive, just a group of hollow tubes.

Linda’s approach to keeping native bees, with help from Crown Bees, looks pretty simple. This is something I will be looking into for our garden this summer!

Gwyneth Paltro Consciously Uncouples From $29/Week Food Challenge After Four Days
The Today Show

This story seemed to be everywhere this week.

Gwyneth tried to buy and eat only $29.00 worth of food for a week. $29.00 is what individuals on the SNAP, or food stamp program, are permitted each week.

She found that in just four days it was too difficult to eat wholesome, nutritious food on this budget.

I won’t doubt that it is challenging. I also know that I am incredibly fortunate to not be in the position to worry about budgeting only $30 for all my meals each week.

However, I can’t help but wonder, “What if she had a garden?”

What if SNAP benefit members planted their own gardens?

Seeds and starter plants can be purchased with the benefits.

What if they took advantage of this?

Nothing huge, just things like zucchini, beans, peas, radishes, carrots and tomatoes. Things that grow well in small spaces and only require a bit of attention. Things that can be frozen or canned for winter meals.

Since we garden and put away so much food for the winter, our grocery bills are pretty light.

Could a garden help?

I think it could… in more ways than one.