Is Chocolate A Superfood?

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

In today’s society, there are many nutritional websites, magazines and television shows that focus on the power on superfoods. Labeled as a superfood by the media, dark chocolate supposedly can produce beneficial health effects such as lowering blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health. Websites, such as The. Dr Oz Show and Women’s Health Magazine, specify that the consumption of chocolate containing 70% or more cacao is great for the body because of the richness in flavonoids. However, I found a discrepancy in the daily serving that is being recommended. The Dr. Oz Show recommends no more than one ounce of dark chocolate a day, while Women’s Health Magazine recommends no more than seven ounces of dark chocolate a day. There is no affirmative daily recommended serving, which can misinform various audiences. Based on my investigation, the media seems to be putting emphasis on the powers of dark chocolate without providing an accurate daily serving for consumers.

The Harvard Women’s Health Watch mentions that this could be a problem. Many people learn from the media that chocolate is great for a person’s heath but, the entire reports being made by scientists are not being stated. The cocoa ingredient found in chocolate can possibly improve a person’s heart health yet, this finding made by scientists does not encourage people to eat multiple chocolate bars in one sitting. Chocolate has been found to have many calories from milk, sugar and other ingredients that add to the fat content of the snack. Chocolate should not be eaten in mass quantities.

While investigating the truth behind chocolate and its health effects, I found an inconclusive answer. Many scientific studies show contradicting results, some report chocolate is beneficial to cardiovascular health and some studies report that chocolate makes no impact on an individual’s health. However, the media has been taking these findings from these clinical trails and creating biased news, which society absorbs and believes. The Dr. Oz Show and Women’s Health Magazine emphasize this idea.

Oxfam America Hunger Banquet

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

Tonight, I had the privilege to experience the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet. This interactive event demonstrates the poverty and hunger occuring in the world today. Their mission is to open participant’s eyes to the unequal distribution of food in the world. Participants are drawn a card that shows their economic stratus. The low income people of the world represent the majority of the world. While the upper class represents 20% the the world’s total population, consisting of mostly Americans.

I was given a card that placed me in the low income group during the banquet. I represented a woman named Adis from Ethiopia. I was placed in her shoes and was asked to sit on the floor with my fellow colleagues and eat a small meal consisting of bland rice and beans in a cup. I, Adis, struggle to provide my seven children with adequate meals and go to sleep with an empty stomach. I have nothing left to sell to buy food and have no money. As I look to my right, the middle class were seated at a table and given pasta and water. To the far end of the room, the upper class were given a nutritious meal consisting of chicken and salad. My meal portrayed the difficult access to food and water in poor areas of the country.

The Oxfam America Hunger Banquet brought forward the reality of hunger in our world. I am fortunate to live in a home where I do not have to struggle to feed myself and have everything that I desire. This experience opened my eyes and made me realize that I am lucky because, most of the world does not have the life I have and I was able to have a small perspective of the struggles most of the world faces today.

Cheese Addiction

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

As a child, I remember cheese being my favorite snack. I loved to have a cold string cheese while doing my homework and relaxing after a long day of school. Not only do I eat it as a snack, I sprinkle it on almost all my meals. Now, there seems to be an answer for my preference for cheese. The University of Michigan studied people’s preference for cheese and their findings can be found here.

The University of Michigan termed this addiction as “cheese crack.” The study examined why people have a greater preference to certain foods. Researchers questioned 500 students and found out the favorite food among these students using the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Pizza was the considered the most addictive food because, of the cheese melted on top. The reason behind this result is scientifically based.

The study identified certain foods are addictive due to the way they are created. Highly processed and fatty foods are associated with addictive eating behavior because, as humans, we have an instinct to crave high energy foods at keep us satiated for long periods of time. Cheese has an ingredient called casein, which can be found in all dairy products. This protein releases casomorphins during digestion, which stimulate the dopamine receptors in the brain. When the dopamine receptors are triggered, the addictive behavior to cheese is presented. This article helped explain my desire for cheese and why I put cheese as a topping on most of my foods.

Eating Dirt

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

In a New York Times article, the question of whether eating dirt is harmful is addressed, which can be found here. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, we eat about a “spoonful” of dirt before we die. We eat a little bit of dirt everyday, through uncleaned vegetables, dirty hands and many other ways. Sometimes, children eat dirt without knowing any better, yet they have not shown any negative health effects and grow out of their habit.

I found this article interesting because, in Psychology class the eating disorder pica has been mentioned a few times. Eating non-food items is seen as abnormal and strange in our society. Eating large amounts of non-food items can lead to health complications such as intestinal blockage. When we step back and look at the larger picture, we eat about a “spoonful” of dirt throughout our lifetime, yet we do not see this as an abnormal eating disorder because the amount consumed is minimal.

The important thing we should realize is that everything that we eat has to be eaten in moderation. In today’s society, we categorize food as healthy and un-healthy. Paul Rozin, a psychologist, developed a fallacy for the food ways of America. Americans believe that there is a black, unhealthy, and white, healthy, idea on food. In reality, most foods are in a gray zone. Americans assume food is either good or bad, not focusing on perfect portions. Eating dirt is just one example that everything we eat has to be consumed in conservative portions to prevent any ill effects. All foods are considered nutritious, whether it is a piece moist chocolate cake or a bowl of fresh garden salad. Everything we consume has to be eaten in reasonable portions to prevent any harmful health issues. This example of moderately eating dirt helps to clarify that all food is acceptable to eat but, portion control needs to be monitored.

Food Cues at a Halloween Festival

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

A few days before Halloween, I was able to experience the Halloween Festival sponsored by The Polish And Slavic Center located in Greenpoint. This festival took place on Manhattan Ave and was many streets in length. Th Screen Shot 2015-11-04 at 11.45.03 AM e Halloween festival had many stands that sold a variety of stuff, including food, beverages, toys, clothes, bedding, and a multitude of little knick-nacks. There were also plenty of games and performers that allowed the children of the community to participate.

The food stands in the Halloween festival sold different cultural foods. Some of the cultures represented were Spanish, Polish, Jamaican and Italian. Yet, the festival included a lot of deep-fried American favorites such as funnel cakes, fried Oreos, fried pickles and churros. There was an enormous presence of food in this Halloween Festival. Spices and sugary treats were also available for purchase.

There were plenty of food cues in this Halloween Festival. Screen Shot 2015-11-04 at 11.56.38 AM All of the different stands created their own aroma. All of these various smells drifted into the center of the avenue where the crowds of people were located. These smells influenced the people to become interested and attracted tot he different foods that were being sold. The various stands with vibrant colorful signs caught the attention of the community. There was one food cue that influenced me to buy a cold, refreshing lemonade. I enjoyed the Halloween Festival in Greenpoint and I am interested to see what other events the Polish and Slavic Center coordinates.

Greenpoint Farmers Market

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

Today I visited Greenpoint, Brooklyn for my group neighborhood project with Anna and Cheryl. We took the ferry into Manhattan and the subway into Brooklyn. We decided to take a walk through McCarren Park. During our walk, we discovered a farmers market.This is the first time I have ever been to a farmers market.

The Greenpoint Farmers Market was filled with lots of fruits and vegetables. Milk and yogurt were packaged in bottles. Meat from grass fed animals such as beef, pork, chicken and rabbit were also available. Honey, jams and baked goods were plentiful. The different colors of foods and the aroma in the air was overwhelming. Farmers came from different places in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The market was packed with couples, families and dogs gathering groceries.

Not many people know but, food stamps were accepted! Every $5 spent in EBT spent, customers would receive a $2 coupon to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables.

After visiting the farmers market, we walked into the park. There were many people having fun, playing sports and getting some exercise. Games of softball and soccer encouraged the community to get active. Overall, the Greenpoint Farmers Market encourages the community to outside and enjoy the crisp fall days of October.

Port Richmond Partnership

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

The Center for Civic Engagement recently held a Q & A Panel discussing their mission. By attending this session I received a different perspective of Port Richmond. The night began when we were first introduced to the panel and each individual shared their mission for the future of Port Richmond. Everyone was so passionate in creating change through leadership and community building.

One of the main aspects that i enjoyed during the night was when the history of Port Richmond was told. It was interesting to learn how the influx of immigrants made Port Richmond a prosperous location. This area was the center for commerce and immigration. Over the years, Port Richmond has become a poor neighborhood, losing most of its capital. This area now houses the impoverished people living on Staten Island. I can’t believe how fast this drastic change took place.

I left this presentation with one piece of information that really struck me. The Staten Island community is almost as diversified as Manhattan. I couldn’t really believe it until the professor provided statistics. Living on Staten Island for many years, I have never realized how many cultures make up our neighborhoods. Some of these nationalities include Italian, Asian, Hispanic, African, Philippine, Polish, and many more which can be seen here. After this presentation, I am excited to be working with the Port Richmond Partnership. I hope that through peer mentoring, I will help others but also have learn from my mentee.

Adventuring to Port Richmond High School

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

Yesterday, LC 13 ventured outside the classroom to Port Richmond High School. We all received a walking tour of the culinary arts program. I couldn’t believe that the high school students are able to prepare meals together. The director of the program explained that the students learn about the meal they will be preparing on Monday. They start preparing and cooking the meal on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, each group is able to taste the meal they have been working so hard to make. This sounded so interesting I wish my high school had this kind of program.

After a tour of the various kitchens, we we taken to a little garden that is located outside at the end of the hall. I found it extraordinary that this program really takes a hand-on approach to teach students good eating habits. Port Richmond High School is investing in this program so students could take what they learned in class and apply it to everyday life.The teachers focus on teaching recipes that are easy to make, yet good for you. FullSizeRender

When the bell rang for the next classes, Genesis and I decided to mentor together. I was finally going able to meet my mentee. Rebecca is a sophomore at Port Richmond High School and she hopes to go to culinary school after graduating. I realized how this program has influenced her decision to pursue a culiarycareer. Over the next few weeks, I hope to build a friendly relationship with Rebecca and learn more about her. This experience will be very rewarding.

Colonial Bread

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Angelika Paczkowski

In Dr. Smith’s class, my classmates and I were placed into groups and we made presentations on different colonial foods. The foods that were researched were bacon, bread, beer and cider, sauerkraut, eggs (cakes and cookies), plum pudding, rum, butter and cheese. Every group did a great job explaining how their food impacted colonial America. My group discussed bread and its effect on America.

The ingredients for colonial bread consisted of flour, yellow corn meal, rye flour, yeast, brown sugar, scalded milk and water. The ingredients were mixed and placed in pans over night and were left to rise over night. The dough is baked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about one hour. In colonial America, the women had the jurisdictions of collecting the dairy products, kneading the dough and baking them in the oven. During this time, bread did not indicate social status because it was consumed by everyone however, the food such as meat, fish, etc., indicated social class. Due to the fact that wheat was growing abundantly in New York City, bread was able to be made by many people in society. Bread was a food that accompanied every meal throughout the day.

This research project helped me realize how bread influenced America. Over the years, bread has always remained a prominent food throughout time. During history, the recipes for bread have evolved. The tools to make the bread have changed. Yet, bread has never disappeared from American culture. I always thought that bread was a unimportant food that is loosely served with every meal. After learning about colonial bread, I have gained respect for it’s importance.

Exploring Port Richmond

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This historic building was renovated yet the historical character remains.

This building was renovated yet the historical character remains.

Taking a tour of Port Richmond opened up my eyes to the food cultures that live in this community. Port Richmond is one of the oldest neighborhoods on Staten Island. Situated near the water of Kill Van Kull, Port Richmond embraces various ethnicities that can be seen through the family owned restaurants and markets. Taking a walk through the streets, I was able to see about twenty eateries in a span of one mile. On every corner, there are Mexican, Chinese, Peruvian, African and many more cultures being presented. Many claim that when they walk through the streets of Port Richmond they “smell” South America. This neighborhood is filled with culture and delicious food!

One of the shops that remains in my memory is a food market. Situated in the middle of a street, this Mexican food market sold a multitude a fresh fruits and vegetables. This shop was pretty small compared to the commercialized grocery stores I buy my food from on Staten Island. However, this market contained so many different fruits that I never seen before. The decorations and food in this market submersed me in the Mexican culture as I walked through the aisles.

Inside the food market

As our learning community passed this market, one restaurant that really caught my attention was a Chinese restaurant that also served Mexican food. This family owned business decided to broaden the types of food being sold and appeal to another major ethnic group found in Port Richmond. I found this restaurant to be particularly interesting because these to cultures are extremely different, yet someone believed it was possible to diffuse these cultures together. This restaurant defines Port Richmond’s food culture. In this neighborhood, there are many ethnicities and these ethnicities have merged together to create a multicultural community. This is clearly seen through the food being made by store owners and purchased by customers.

This Mexican Restaurant catered Mexican and Chinese food.

This Chinese Restaurant also catered Mexican food.

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