The Pie: Food Joy

“Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success.” ― Lao Tzu

Happy Saturday!

The Lao Tzu quote seemed very timely as we have discussed ways to impact the future through sustainable living and awareness of our mental health this month. A CDC report released in 2021 found that 20.3% of adults received any mental health treatment in the previous 12 months. The data by ethnicity and race showed that of that percentage, the most treatment went to non-Hispanic white adults (24.4%), than non-Hispanic blacks (15.3%), Hispanic (12.6%), and non-Hispanic Asian (7.7%) adults to have received any mental health treatment. 

But there is hope on the horizon. Despite Mental Health Awareness month ending, we can look for ways consistently to ensure we are living our best lives. For Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, just because the placeholder month ends, it does not mean our support and efforts to understand others have to either. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your Saturday with us. 

Be Safe & Be Well, 

Riana & Team 

Science  

A new study by researchers in China shows how eggs can boost heart-healthy metabolites in plasma and the blood, impacting cardiovascular disease. 

As climate change impacts potential saltwater exposure on land, scientists are experimenting with wheat that could withstand increased salinity. 

Some believe ultra-processed foods are bad for the planet and our health outcomes. A new database by Northeastern’s Network Science Institute is hoping to find out how much food is processed before ending up with the consumer. 

CRISPR technology is being used in tomatoes to impact the conversion of Vitamin D into cholesterol, hoping to decrease Vitamin D deficiencies in consumers. 

Supply Chain

Good Meat has partnered with ABEC to increase the production of cell-based proteins; the facility will include ten 250,000-liter bioreactors to produce 30 million pounds of meat without slaughter. 

The international seafood trade may take more than just seafood from the oceans; it may be responsible for removing vital micronutrients from populations. 

To ensure domestic supply, India is restricting the amount of sugar to be exported. Indonesia enacted a similar effort to protect palm oil, and now the industry is feeling the impact. 

Continuing the conversation on the toxicity of beauty, the Body Shop launched a series of refill stations to curtail packaging. 

LettUS Grow, a UK-based company, expands growing outcomes through sound. While in the EU, a new report showed pesticides used on fruits and vegetables grew 8.8%, exceeding the goal to reduce them by half by 2030. 

Impossible Foods launched their Nuggets and Sausage Patties in the UK this week, with a survey showing that most Generation Z want more meat alternatives.  

Culture

The James Beard Foundation teamed up with famous cookbook author and activist Grace Young to provide resources and ways to support AAPI foodways throughout the year. Visit the #loveAAPI page for content from AAPI food pioneers, in their voice, the significance of preserving places like Chinatowns across the country. If you have Instagram, they also have created restaurant guides for cities across the country for great food experiences. 

Can there be too much cheese? The US government in the past has kept a surplus of cheese; with changing demands and outlooks, is there still too much? 

Social media justice strikes again! A public outcry over Walmart’s Juneteenth products has led the company to review and halt the sales of several products. 

With traditional teas seeing a renaissance in indigenous nations and the first Native American woman-owned brewery opening, the food continues to impact the futures of the First Nations of the United States. 

Vintage China in the new age? Millennials and younger generations are searching for vintage china to set themselves apart. Can you remember any meals eaten on those dishes?