So here’s what’s been happening…
Eating Walnuts Helps Fight Diabetes
Scientists have reported in the April issue of the Journal of Medicine that consumption of walnuts may reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, according to The New York Times. Apart from being a rich source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are found in fish, oils and many other nuts, there’s something special about walnuts that seems to fight extra hard against diabetes onset. So try to incorporate walnuts into your daily meals, or consume them raw as a snack. Here’s one of our recipes for a perfect dessert.
The New Meat Lingo
Say goodbye to the good ol’ pork chop: cuts of pork are being re-named in an attempt to simplify the grocery shopping process and add a bit of flair to the meat by eliminating ambiguity among the varieties of chops. Instead of pork chops, grocers will now offer “porterhouse chops,” “ribeye chops” and “New York chops.” The famous “pork butt” will be gone, with “Boston roast” as its replacement. With new names comes new prices, and customers will no longer be forced into splurging on pork chops that are lower-quality than comparably-priced chops. Prices will be established based on chop identification rather than lumping all pork into a singular cut, as was the case in the past.
KFC Adds Boneless Chicken to Menu
Starting April 14, KFC will offer boneless chicken to customers in order to increase convenience. Roughly 80% of chicken in the U.S. is sold off the bone, in wraps, nuggets, salads and strips, and KFC has decided to join the bunch, while still retaining its Original Recipe. Boneless chicken may be purchased individually or in bucket combos; a 10-piece mixed bucket with four boneless strips and six on-the-bone strips costs $14.99 and a 2-piece combo with a side, biscuit and soda costs $4.99. While we are all probably most excited to try the new boneless chicken, KFC recently added smaller options to its menu that are also worth a shot: nugget-esque Bites, Dip’ems and Li’l Bucket Kids Meals.
Daily Caloric Intake Increases with Alcohol
Researchers reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition this April that men and women tend to eat more calories on days they are imbibing in alcohol than on sober days. Some possible factors may account for this problem: the restaurant setting may offer generally unhealthier food options, the party decides to order too many appetizers in order to please every member’s palate, or the drinking activity may translate to an entire “cheat day” in your head. Don’t fall into these traps! Eat small portions and healthful snacks leading up to your drinking date and look at the menu of the restaurant beforehand, making sure to pick out some meal choices to pair with alcohol consumption that won’t burst the button of your jeans.
Women Can Brew Beer Too
Colorado women take charge in the beer world. Ellegance, a Belgian-style ale brewed by women from both Boulder and Denver, was featured in Colorado Craft Beer Week and has been getting significant publicity for being the coolest new beer out there. This dark brown ale is served in a tulip glass and has a slightly sweet malt taste, appropriately balanced with a potent hops flavor. The soft touch of chocolate at the top complements the bitterness.
Dunkin Donuts Spring Menu
Two special donuts will be available in stores through May to celebrate spring. One ring donut will feature strawberry and pastel green icing, and the other will be filled with apple raspberry jelly. Although these donuts are limited to the season, Dunkin will offer tuna and chicken salad wraps permanently. Customers can order white Cheddar, bacon and either tuna or chicken salad inside 8-inch flour tortilla wraps.
18 Best New Chicago Restaurants
According to Chicago Magazine, these are the top 18 Chicago restaurants that are on the rise this year. While old favorites, such as Charlie Trotter’s, Zealous and Ria, are still beloved by Chicago diners, it’s time to branch out and experience currently popular hot spots that are truly making a statement. Here’s the list:
1. Grace
2. Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf
3. Found (Yay, Evanston!)
4. Elizabeth Restaurant
5. Kai Zan
6. Carriage House
7. Trencherman
8. Chez Moi
9. Little Goat Diner
10. Belly Q
11. Sumi Robata Bar
12. Table, Donkey And Stick
13. A Toda Madre
14. Fat Rice
15. The Boarding House
16. Siena Tavern
17. Earth + Ocean
18. Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed
Yak-A-Mein Soup: The Hangover Helper
At the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, researchers presented their belief that yak-a-mein soup may actually be the trick to fighting a nasty hangover. The soup usually consists of a salty, beef and soy-based sauce, noodles, egg, onions or scallions and a protein such as chicken; it has a particular combination of salt, protein and carbohydrates that seems to meet the requirements for hangover relief.
Starbucks Expands Menu for Spring
With spring comes new frappuccinos to quench your thirst on a hot (or cold, in Evanston’s unfortunate case) day, along with healthier salad and sandwich options to help mitigate the sweetness. The Caramel Ribbon Frappuccino isn’t the average caramel treat; it features four caramels. With a blend of dark caramel sauce, whipped cream, caramel crunch topping and drizzle, this drink is sure to satisfy any sugar craving. Returning to stores will be the Mocha Cookie Crumble, a real crowd-pleaser. As for salads, keep your eyes out for the Chicken and Greens Caesar Salad Bowl and the Zesty Chicken and Black Bean Salad Bowl. For those lucky ones in Colorado, try the Hearty Veggie and Brown Rice Salad Bowl. In the dessert department, a Bavarian-style pretzel and Sweet Lemon Cake Pop will also be featured in stores.