Port Richmond Partnership

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Cheryl wrote a similar blogpost and I thought it was an amazing idea, so I thought I’d respond and include my own thoughts. We had the same mentee.

Like Cheryl, I was under the impression they would assign us mentees, and assign them mentors. When we first met them, it was a big free-for-all, like Cheryl said. I think this could have been helped if we were paired up and given a whole class period to get to know each other, with a game or a questionnaire of some sort.
And the mentees had no idea what was going on when we first got there. I think the whole program could have been much better if they were volunteers who were actually looking to have help. Or maybe beforehand, we could have been paired based on our interests. The high schoolers were uninterested in us, like Cheryl said, and this was mainly because they are culinary arts students and we are not. We tried discussing our classes with them, like we were supposed to do, and they had little interest. And they were busy cooking, which I remarked to many people like Brandon Hart who all suggested we invite our mentees to Wagner. My mentee did not have a cell phone, just a number that no one ever answered we were never given their email addresses. I understand many have difficult home lives, but communication could have been improved between the high school and Wagner.
My last thought is the kitchen tour the high school students attended. I think it was strange how the staff and cooks that gave the tour acted as though the students there may only work in a kitchen like Wagner’s, they wouldn’t work in a prestigious restaurant or bakery. I could tell my mentee was insulted by this, and maybe her fellow classmates were, too, but no one was going to say it.

I thought it was nice meeting my mentee, she was very nice even if she didn’t know what to do when Cheryl and I came for our visits. I’m glad I met her, I just wish the program could have helped me do more for her.

Paris Discussion

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(I originally wrote this as a comment in response to a few other’s posts about this discussion, but I could not post it.)

The conversation from our history class about the Paris attacks also shook me. But in a different way. I’ve always been a little scared that something was going to happen again, but I always hoped it wouldn’t happen to me. The other night I was in a movie theater seeing the new Hunger Games movie, and I got scared whenever I saw movement around me. Ever since the movie theater shootings in the past few years I’ve been a little afraid of a shooter, and ever since I can remember I’ve been afraid of violence due to the 9/11 attacks and the many mass killings in America. I thought that this conversation was kind of enlightening because we pointed out to Dr. Smith that we’re almost a little conditioned to this violence. She had no idea, and was a little horrified to find out, that we grew up having “intruder drills.” Some kids said they started them in middle school, but I remember them as far back as kindergarten. We would lock the door, turn off the lights, pull down the shades, and huddle in the corner away from the door and windows, or at least that’s how my school district did this. My school had a lot of exchange students go through, my family housed three from Germany, and I know for a fact none of them have experienced this. Other countries don’t do this. And our generation thinks it’s normal.

Superfoods!

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Sometimes I’m torn between the perspective that people should be able to think for themselves and the idea that the government should restrict and regulate the food industry and its packaging and marketing. But the food and drug industry often goes too far to sell foods, by making ridiculous claims about products. Superfood is a marketing term that has no real definition for regulation in America, so it’s often used willy nilly to sell things.

I think I was quite lucky in high school and college to learn about false marketing, “unhealthy” foods, and unethical production practices. In 11th grade we watched Food Inc in our health class, which is mainly about the ethics of the food industry, and so far I feel like I learned a lot about the psychology of eating. I’ve annoyed my parents with a lot of know-it-all facts. I also know a lot about the drug industry because my mom works in the compliance and ethics department of a big pharmaceutical company. But I’m one of a very small population who is lucky to be educated on all of this.

Most of the time I think America should do the same things the United Kingdom does (quite often, actually.) One thing I am surprised at is I was the only one to mention the fact that the UK has banned the use of the word “superfood” in marketing, unless the outrageous claims made are actually supported by evidence. The new legislation also requires foods that claim to be low in one product, such as salt, must have labels if they are high in sugar or fat, which is often the case with minimizing one flavor and adding another.

As one of the lucky ones, I know it’s hard to educate the whole populous of America. It’s hard to get my mom and dad to stop buying from companies like Tyson or to try and buy more products from a local farmer’s market or to get them to understand superfoods are normally just ridiculous claims. Unless the United States is going to go on a big campaign to give the world my high school health class or our psychology of food class, maybe regulation is a good thing.

Are Chia Seeds a “Superfood”?

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Often advertisements, social media, and talk shows create myths and claims about superfoods and their nutritional value. A “Superfood” is a non-medical term used in the media to refer to foods that can have health promoting properties. Chia seeds are tiny black edible seeds that come from the desert plant, Slavia Hispanica. The media claims that chia seeds aid in weight loss because of the high fiber and protein content. Is this true?

Chia seeds have a lot of vitamins and nutrients that are essential to the human body such as omega-3, fiber, and protein. The media claims that chia seeds aid in weight loss because of the high contents of fiber and protein, making chia seeds very satiating causing you not to be hungry. This would then lead to weight loss

imagesScientific studies were performed to see if these claims are true or false. The research that was done shows that there was no change in body composition or body weight concluding no weight loss. Enough research has not been done because most of these results are unclear or are combined with other types of seeds.

The media comes up with all sorts of crazy claims sometimes. It is highly important to research actual scientific studies to make sure it is true or false before automatically believing the media.

Lessons of RFT

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As this semester is coming to a close, I have been reflecting on all I’ve learned, especially from my experiential learning at Port Richmond. Through the high school students, I’ve learned more than how to cook knishes, chili or chicken stir fry. I’ve also learned to be appreciative for what I have and my education at Wagner. Many of the students do not come from good homes and do not take their education seriously. I am glad I was able to meet them, talk to them, and hopefully make a small difference in at least one of their lives.

I’ve also learned through my RFT class that through experiencing new places, such as Flushing, Queens, you can learn about yourself. Meaning, through experiencing Flushing I was able to acknowledge the benefits I have by living in Dyker Heights as well as see the problems of both neighborhoods. I hope to visit Flushing again and experience further into what it has to offer, especially in the food.

Also, after attending the presentation when the chefs of Wagner’s dining hall explain all that goes into the food preparation, I felt even more appreciative. Even though I do not eat in the dining hall, it was nice to hear the hard work that is put into the food served each day. I am definitely getting a meal card for next semester so I can enjoy all the good food in the dining hall. I am also very happy to hear about the great things Wagner does to help the hungry with all the leftovers.

Are Flaxseeds Really a Superfood?

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The media often portrays items which are labeled as “superfoods” as something magical that will change your life if consumed. One such superfood that people supposedly believe increases your health benefits is flax seed. Even though flax seeds are advertised as a food that can be beneficial to your health, based on scientific research, they are really just something blown up through advertising and are not really worth the hype or the money.

Due to the fact that it is high in fiber and contains mucilage, a gummy material, they both expand when they come in contact with water, making a person feel full. The consumption of flax seeds has been increased due to its amazing health benefits. However, research shows that its chronic consumption may offer risks considering the effects of lignans in men and in pregnant women, as well as the existence of other phytochemicals and toxic factors with adverse health effects in the seed. Flax seed marketers claim that flax seeds have so many health benefits, but what they do not mention is that the body’s conversion of the omega-3 fatty acids found in flax seed oil into the more complex EPA and DHA of fish oil is very inefficient. The dose of flax seed oil found in a single pill failed to raise blood levels of omega-3s other than ALA. The National Library of Medicine claims that flaxseed oil does not significantly reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, even though there is evidence for other possible benefits, they are claimed to be insufficient to draw any kinds of conclusions (Tufts University, 2012). There are also concerns with the commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) flax which includes potential movement of transgenes by pollen and seed, and subsequent introgression with weedy and wild relatives, impact on non-target organisms, and changes in biodiversity (Jhala, Weselake, & Hall 2009).

Flax seed contains 264-354 mg of cyanogenic compounds per 100 g of seeds. Cyanogenic compounds are toxic to the human organism and large amounts may be lethal to adult individuals. Although these items found in flax seeds are toxic, if cooked in microwaves or boiled, the toxins are released through this process (Cardoso Carraro, Dantas, Espeschit, Martino, Ribeiro, 2012). Moreover, flax seeds may cause obstruction of the esophagus, intestines or bowel if taken in large doses or without enough liquid.  Consuming large amounts of flax seeds may also have estrogen-like effects, and women taking flax seed daily may experience changes in menstruation (Cardoso Carraro, Dantas, Espeschit, Martino, Ribeiro, 2012).

Flax seeds provide many health benefits and therefore are labeled as a superfood, but consumers are also encouraged to be cautious when consuming large amounts because some studies claim they can be harmful to the body. Flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber and are advertised as something that can be beneficial to curing certain types of diseases. The word superfood has become a popular term in our society today, but there is no technical definition of the word and no scientific evidence for the health effects of these foods is really present. To conclude, flax seeds are really just something blown up through advertising and they are not really worth the hype. If someone eats a diet based on a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, then this too will have the same effect as “superfoods” claim to have.

 

References:

Cardoso Carraro, J. C., Dantas, M. S., Espeschit, A. R., Martino, H. D., & Ribeiro, S. R. (2012). Flaxseed and human health: reviewing benefits and adverse effects. Food Reviews International, 28(2), 203-230. doi:10.1080/87559129.2011.595025

Jhala, A. J., Weselake, R. J., & Hall, L. M. (2009). Genetically engineered flax: potential benefits, risks, regulations, and mitigation of transgene movement. Crop Science, 49(6), 1943-1954

Khalesi, S., Irwin, C., & Schubert, M. (2015). Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials 1-3. The Journal of Nutrition, 145(4), 758-765E.

Ryszard M. Kozłowski, Agnieszka Kręgielczak, Dana G. Radu, Andreea I. Pag & Cecilia Sîrghie (2014) Flax seeds–source of biomedical and food products, molecular crystals and liquid crystals, 603:1, 122-135, DOI: 10.1080/15421406.2014.968076

 

Eating at home vs. Eating at College

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Over thanksgiving break I noticed how different my eating habits were away at school compared to the way I eat at home. This immediately triggered my mind back to the beginning of the semester of psychology class where we talked about food cues. The main reason, I believe, that I constantly eat when I am away at college opposed to at home, is because I have a pre-purchased meal plan. I feel that I have to use my meal swipe because I am paying for it. Furthermore, our meal swipes at Wagner have a specific time which they must be used. For example, the lunch swipe runs from 11:01am-4:29pm. Even if I am not hungry I have to eat during this time period because that is when the swipe runs. At home I am able to eat whenever I want, therefore I do not have to eat even when I am not hungry.

Oxfam Hunger Banquet

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When first entering the hall in which the Oxfam Hunger Banquet was held, I was handed one of three different types of cards: low income, middle income, and high income. This card identified my socio-economic status for the evening. After receiving a low income card, I realized that I would be sitting on the floor for the duration of the banquet. Once I seated myself on the floor, I actually took a moment to read the card that I received.

My card told the story of a 45-year-old poor woman form Ethiopia named Demitu. Demitu is a mother to nine children, in addition to being a hardworking farmer. She had become a member of a group that brings farmers together and provides them with resources they can use to improve their production due to the unpredictable consequences of the weather. The investment that Demitu has in this group allows her to afford to buy better grains to bring a plentiful harvest.

As more people entered the room, I observed that the distribution of the people among the groups was uneven. When the presentation started, the picture became quite clear. The high income group consists of approximately 20% of the population and has an income of about $6,000 a year. They are lucky enough to have access to medical care and live in comfort and a secure home. The middle income group makes up about 30% of the population and has an income ranging from $1,032 – $6,000 a year. Their occupation would most likely be a day laborer. Their small income allows for electricity and schooling, which would be used to educate the boys of the family.

Finally, the low income group, the group that I was a part of, makes up roughly 50% of the population. This group makes less than $1,032 a year and faces the daily difficulty of finding shelter and food for their children. The mother of the family would most likely eat less in order to provide more for the family. In most cases, no one in the family consumes nearly the proper amount of daily nutrition. Adequate healthcare does not exist and mothers tend to lose 1-2 children before reaching the age of 5. Members of this group would typically work on the land, but would forfeit 75% of their yield to the plantation owner.

After this overwhelming information was provided, we were shown examples of how people were able to move up and down in class. It is very easy for people to shift down a class in comparison to people moving up in class. Some would even have to temporarily move down a class in order to be able to provide for their family.

When it came to the time in which each group ate, I noticed substantial differences between classes. The high income group consumed a nutritious well-balanced meal consisting of salad, chicken, pasta and rolls. When observing their table settings, there were table cloths with glass plates, wine glasses for drinks, silverware, folded napkins and even rose shape butter for the rolls! The middle income group was offered plain pasta and rolls, served with water. While their table had a table cloth, their plates and forks were plastic. In addition, when this group was announced to eat, the ladies were told to wait as the men served themselves first. Lastly, the low income group (my group) was given rice and beans to eat out of a paper cup with a plastic spoon. The table that the food was served on did not have a tablecloth on it like the others did. Similarly, the ladies of the low income group were told to wait until the men served themselves first to ensure they were fed.

After receiving my rice and returning to my seat on the floor, I was forced to think about the living conditions of the low income class. I’ll admit, the rice and beans were pretty good, but the social imbalance started to make me wonder. How long would this keep a person fed? What about balanced nutrition? Do they have any other options? This experience really changed my perspective of how I view things. It also made me realize the struggles that many people face on a daily basis. It has made me even more thankful for what I have, who I am, and where I am. I am inspired to do more to help those who are not as fortunate as I am.

My Italian Culture Present on Holidays

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A tradition in my family that makes an appearance every holiday is antipasto. The tradition started when my great grandmother came to America from Italy. She would carefully design a large tray of assorted meats, cheeses, olives peppers and other cold appetizers to pick on before the hot meal was served. Fortunately, the tradition was passed down through the generations. Antipasto is honestly my favorite part about holidays, more than any of the other food that is made! My grandma still purchases all of the ingredients needed to make the antipasto including: salami, provolone cheese, roasted peppers (sometimes we make them fresh ourselves), eggs (to hard boil), marinated mushroom and artichokes, and olives.

I woke up Thanksgiving morning very excited to help my mom prepare the antipasto, since I haven’t had it since the last holiday we celebrated, which was Easter. The antipasto is designed in multiple layers, which my mom takes very seriously. It starts with rolling pieces of salami and placing them along the outer edges of an oval shaped plate. After all the salami is rolled, provolone cheese, cut into small pieces, is placed in between two salami rolls. Next, roasted peppers are cut into slivers and placed in the space the cheese created. Whatever pieces are too small or do not meet mom’s approval are thrown in the middle of the plate to be eaten later. Peeled and cut hard boiled eggs are placed on top of the peppers. Then, in rings, the mushrooms and artichokes are placed, moving in towards the center of the plate. Finally, olives are stacked up in the middle. I used to get in trouble when I was younger for “helping out” because I would start to eat the salami and olives before they even reached the plate! To complete the dish, the juices from the marinated mushrooms and artichokes are poured over the whole antipasto. The plate is then covered and placed in the fridge to marinate before we eat.

Both my mom and I prefer the leftovers to the real dish. When we finish eating the antipasto course, there is always so much left over! My mom carefully spoons the remaining items, along with the marinade, into a container. That container then goes in the fridge to get picked on for the next week or so. As unappetizing as this may sound, I would get up in the morning and that would be the first thing I would look to eat! Delicious!

I am happy that my family incorporates our Italian culture into all of the holidays that we celebrate. I believe that it enhances every holiday we celebrate, in addition to being with family, of course. It is a tradition I look forward to preparing and eating each holiday!

Carrots, Are They As Good As They Seem?

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“Eat the carrots, they’re good for you, especially for your eyesight!” That phrase was most likely often mentioned in every household. Many of the claimed health benefits include an increase in cardiovascular health, avoidance of specific cancers, enhancement of the immune system, decreasing signs of premature aging, lowered levels of cholesterol, improved digestion, and enhanced vision. In addition, carrots are noted to contain a variety of necessary vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals such as, vitamin C, vitamin K, Vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, potassium, folate, copper, iron, manganese and vitamin A. Vitamin A, in carrots, helps people see in dim lighting because it converts the light into a signal that is sent to the brain. If the body does not receive a sufficient amount of Vitamin A, the cornea can just vanish from the eye, and can eventually lead to blindness. Due to these claims stating that carrots improve vision, many people eat copious amounts thinking their eyesight will be impeccable. However, contrary to popular belief, in order to preserve good vision, only a little amount needs to be consumed. High doses may have a negative impact on people who smoke, causing lung cancer and excessive consumption of vitamin A may be toxic to humans. United States Department of Agriculture came up with an advised portion size – a medium cup or half of a cup of chopped carrots is a serving size. Evidently, it is shown that carrots do not in fact improve vision unless the subject has a vitamin A deficiency or some other vision impairment. Due to this people can now be at ease and not be worried about consuming a certain amount of carrots a day!