Month: April 2024
I am finally preparing to have my taxes done this evening. Thats right, I did put it off until the last minute. I was contemplating what to write about for todays article while in the back of my head, thinking about what I will need to bring to the tax office tonight. I remembered a great idea that I had about this time last year about our taxes and the purchase of organic food.
You hear about it in the news, on TV shows and from politicians that Americas getting fat. Its not just the weight as much as it is our overall health that we should be concerned about but in todays economy it is very difficult for many people to eat healthy. It certainly helps to have an incentive in mind when deciding to switch to a healthy diet and many people are still skeptical about switching to organic food, assuming that its just a fad. It is slightly more expensive to eat organic but the truth is it that its the best choice we can make for our health.
America has become aware about the benefits of going green and making strides toward improving our environment but what we should also be concerned about is improving our health. If we can make America healthier one step at a time, a great start would be to allow tax payers to write off some of the cost of organic groceries. Not only will people eat healthier knowing that they will be partially compensated for the cost, it will benefit our country as a whole in many ways.
People who live healthy lifestyles will require less medical care. This is most likely a pipe dream, but it wouldnt hurt if our insurance would cover natural, homeopathic medicine as well as treatments like acupuncture and massage therapy, etc. Healthier citizens are more productive citizens. Employees will be more productive at work as they will be more alert, focused and happier because they will not be full of the toxins that can cause emotional problems, difficulty concentrating and so much more. Children who eat organic food function much better at school and will most likely earn better grades, increasing their chances for a decent job once they have graduated. I feel comfortable stating that the economy can only benefit from such a change.
We have two paths we can take. We can support local business owners like farmers as well as companies offering products that better our health and increase longevity, vs. giving our money to fast food and pharmaceutical companies. Why support businesses like McDonalds that entice prospective customers with visions of cheeseburgers dancing in their heads while delivering our children food that makes them look and feel terrible, not to mention includes meat from sick, hormone-injected cows. Come on guys, mommys taking everyone to McDonalds for dinner! I dont get the concept and the government shouldnt either.
We seem to be taking baby steps toward eating the right foods. Organic sections at grocery stores are growing and consumers are reading the labels before purchasing products. Now we just need the support of our government. If were not going to get rid of enterprises like McDonalds, lets at least offer even more incentives (above and beyond the obvious) for people to eat healthy. If our money goes toward organic food only, I guarantee you that businesses will want to accommodate our needs in order to thrive and our country will blossom from there.
Its time to come out of the closet about organic food. This is not a fad that will change over time- not once people notice the benefits that a nutritional diet can have on their health and appearance. Some people just need a little nudge in the right direction and a tax break just for one year just might do the trick!
Check out Discovery Health with Dish Network satellite television.
By: Frank Bilotta
As Kwanzaa approaches, African cuisine deserves some kudos on the cuisine scene. African food is a rich melange of dishes,
with regional takes on seasonings and preparation methods. Traditional foods combined in exotic ways reflect both native and
foreign influences, accumulated and integrated over hundreds of years. If you haven’t explored the world of African cuisine,
you’re in for a treat. A taste of this regionally diverse and rich cuisine may be just around the corner, in a family restaurant near you. If you’re not so lucky, there are a number of fabulous cookbooks available.
The staples of African food consist in the majority of tubers, starches and vegetables. Cassava, yams, okra, greens, tropical
fruits such as coconuts and bananas, corn, rice, millet, peanuts, sorghum and barley are mainstays of the diet, depending on
the region. Meat is used sparingly in some areas, but seasonings weigh heavily in imparting the distinctive exotic tastes
found throughout Africa. Mixtures of hot spices permeate traditional African food.
Foreign influences introduced the peanut, pepper, tomato, pineapple and cayenne pepper to local dishes. The Portuguese
introduced the domesticated pig, now an integral part of East African cuisine. French, British and Indian colonizers
nonetheless had a positive effect on traditional African food, bringing curry, chappatis, relishes and spicy lentil soups to
the African table.
To Ethiopia, in Eastern coastal Africa, the Arabs brought a number of spices, including cloves, cinnamon and saffron, used in
steamed rice combined with meat, vegetable, tuber, milk and honey dishes, enhancing the already rich and abundant
combinations. Pomegranate juice is an important ingredient in coastal Swahili dishes.
Western African foods reflect the heavy use of fish and meat, as these foods are plentiful in the region and are characteristically hot and spicy. Stews are highly favored, and pack a punch, especially for the Western palate.
The French influence is clear on the western coasts of Africa. Chiles, ginger and hot cayenne marinades are artfully combined
with local vegetables, peanut, palm and coconut oils, garlic and sharp marinades, making a definite food statement.
African food cannot be quantified in a word. Africa, the second largest continent, should not be discounted or dismissed for
lack of diversity. African food is as diverse as the continent, with an
array of imaginative and regionally unique dishes to tempt your palate.
Take a look on the net, or go to your local bookstore. The flavors of African food beckons. If you know someone who celebrates Kwanzaa, ask them about the rich heritage of African food. Bring your taste buds to the table, and enjoy!