CasaSugar

USDA Report Monitors Food Trends Over the Last 100 Years

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:48 -0700

Sure, macarons, chicharrones, and street food are big right now, but what's been trending over the past 100 years? To answer that question, the USDA has just published a report on food trends that have occurred over the last century.

The USDA tracked 100 years' worth of food products based on information about imports, exports, and production and inventory levels. Changes include a shift from whole to lowfat milk over the past 30 years, and the decline of milk availability due to competition from sodas, juices, and water. During the same time, chicken availability skyrocketed, and so did grain-based products like cereal and baked goods. While the produce aisle became more plentiful thanks to imports, Americans also made the switch from shell to processed eggs, and turned to other heavily processed fruits, sauces, soups, drinks, and cereal products.

Although little of this information surprises me, I hadn't given much thought to how many choices Americans have now - kiwi from New Zealand, brie from France, shrimp from Thailand - that weren't available before. What trends do you think have been big over the past century?

Food Section Sampler - Mar. 3, 2010

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:30:18 -0800

Pastry connoisseurs are worried about the macaron's mainstream success. - Wall Street Journal
Why hasn't Filipino food assimilated into American cuisine? - Los Angeles Times
Rose Gray, founder and chef at London's legendary River Café, has died. - New York Times
What goes into the production of an underground dinner? - Boston Globe
The world's liquor conglomerates have begun recognizing the impact of craft distillers. - Washington Post
The Chronicle is expanding its web coverage of the local restaurant scene. - San Francisco Chronicle
Could black garlic have staying power in the kitchen? - Chicago Tribune

Mario Batali Heads Back Into Kitchen With Eataly

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:30:34 -0800

With 15 restaurants, eight cookbooks, a travel food show, and a silver screen debut under his belt, world-renowned Italian chef Mario Batali is making a return to the kitchen. This Summer, Batali will open the first US location of Eataly, a colossal food emporium based in Turin, Italy. The 60,000 square foot greenmarket and food center, which will be near Manhattan's Madison Square Park, will have a meat restaurant, a fish restaurant, a pasta and pizza eatery, a vegetable-driven restaurant, a panino bar, and a brewpub on the roofdeck. The most significant point to note, aside from the project's sheer scope, is the fact that, for the first time since he opened Otto, Batali will design the menus for all six restaurants.

Much like Tom Colicchio, who has spent more time cooking in the last year with Tom Tuesday Dinner and Colicchio & Sons Tap Room, Molto Mario admitted he's missing the time spent in the kitchen. I love the idea of a celebrated chef coming full circle and embracing the sheer joy of cooking. Do you think Batali and other celebrity chefs can still cut it in the kitchen?

What's Fab at NY Fashion Week: Stylish Nomads

fabtv — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:02:06 -0800

Hit the road this Fall in chunky knits, over-sized cardigans and endless layers. We spotted this gypsy-chic trend from designers like Rachel Roy, Catherine Malandrino and Yigal Azrouël. Check out our FabTV pick for the next must-have accessory as seen on the DVF runway.

A Look Behind the Scenes With Victoria's Secret's VP of Fragrance

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Mark Knitowski, the in-house fragrance guru at Victoria's Secret, is the kind of person I'd love to chat with for hours, as he's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the intricate art of perfumery. Last week, he gave us his sexiest fragrance tips - just in time for Valentine's Day. And now, he's sharing more with us about the fragrance-making process, including his advice on how to avoid perfume overkill. To find out what else Knitowski had to say, just keep reading.

Why Americans Hated Facial Hair - Until Now!

TresSugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:45:20 -0800

Beards have gone in and out fashion since ancient Greece. Peter I of Russia ordered all officials to shave their beards, and England's Henry the VIII imposed a tax on beards while growing one himself.

For the last 30 years, we've seen goatees and mutton chops and other styles I can't begin to name, but the full-on beard has been all but absent. It belongs to the mythical life of leisurely lit professors and, well, hipsters. Same thing. Now, with Jon Hamm and Robert Pattinson, the beard has gone mainstream. Why now? And where has it been?

Anthropologist Desmond Morris says shaving brings three advantages. First, it makes men look younger; second, it makes them appear friendlier; and third, it makes them appear cleaner.

I'm stuck on the cleanliness. The only thing Americans hate more than dirt is an unclean restroom. Just in case I'm wrong, here are four reasons beards have historically made Americans bristle.

Communists: If there's one thing communists have in common - besides everything - it's facial hair. From Karl Marx to Fidel Castro, the beard says "I don't buy razors."
Beatniks: Beards fell out of fashion after World War I. Soldiers shaved out of necessity - they needed to wear gas masks - but when the war was glorified by Hollywood, so were clean-shaven soldiers. Men remained smooth-faced for most of the 20th century; at least until the beatniks got subversive and stubbly in the early '60s.

Get the other two after the jump

Oh &$#%! Have Parents Taken Swearing Too Far?

LilSugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:00 -0800

When did cursing go from four letter words and those with a token five to half of the dictionary? Words like "crap" and "sucks" always teetered on the thin line between appropriate language and swearing for some, but now it seems that everything is a bad word. "Oh, my gosh," "heck," and "whatever" are off limits in lots of households as are "stupid," "dumb," and "butt."

It's understandable that parents (who may be curtailing their own language) prefer that their children grow up using certain words over others but have moms and dads gone too far categorizing "darn" with "&$#%"? What mainstream words do you deem inappropriate for your kiddos? Or, which off-limits words do you find ridiculous?

Top Food Trends From the Winter Fancy Foods Show

YumSugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:50:58 -0800

The Winter Fancy Foods Show, which takes place every January, is always fun to visit after making the year's predictions for foods that'll go mainstream. While both PartySugar and yours truly tasted some stellar new selections, we also got to size up the patterns that will soon hit the food and beverage market. Here are the products that we're betting we'll see more of on supermarket shelves.

View Slideshow ›

Trend Alert: Paint-Splattered Denim

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:22 -0800

Check out this cool trend alert from the OnSugar blog DHo Style.

The term "painter's jeans" has got a whole new meaning this season. Big denim brands such as J Brand, Paige Premium Denim, and 7 For All Mankind have been embracing the paint-splattered look on their jean selections. While this is a great DIY project, these brands have taken the time to give their denim a whole new makeover. Although the paint splats are tricky to pull off, I'm totally digging the more subtle paint detail. Would you wear this trend?

J Brand Cut Off Painted Boyfriend Short in Envy

$191.00 by J Brand at Singer22

To see more paint-splattered denim, read more

J Brand 12" Paint Splatter Pencil Jeans

$257.00 by J Brand at Piperlime

7 For All Mankind "Roxanne" Skinny Jean in Painter Tie-Dye Wash

$189.00 by 7 For All Mankind at Bloomingdale's

Paige Premium Denim Skyline 10"

$249.00 by Paige at Revolve Clothing

Want to see more? Follow DHo Style or start your own OnSugar Blog. We may just feature your post on FabSugar!

Get the Look: Tailored Gypsy

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:00:59 -0800

In Canadian House and Home's annual trend roundup, "Tailored Gypsy" was identified as one of its hot looks for 2010.

While bohemian style has been a mainstay in the interior design world for years now, this latest incarnation sees the boho look lose its scruff, and go for a more polished presentation. Mixing bold artwork, hand-dyed textiles, eclectic accents, and more traditional larger pieces of furniture, this look is a definite pleaser.

See some of my choices for making it work when you read more.

Source