Olives and Health
The Tanach (Jewish Bible) has a lot to say about olives.
Long before I became the Notmilkman, a favorite restaurant was Sylvia's on Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem. Fast forward to 2016. I still enjoy dining in Harlem, minus Southern Fried Chicken, Deep-fried Coconut Shrimp, and Deep-fried Catfish of Sylvia fame at restaurants which have sprouted like fiddleheads in Harlem, representing the new "soul food" such as this one which I wrote about earlier this year:
Asparagus is an interesting vegetable. I am not sure how I would describe the flavor or what I would compare it to, it is just one of these things that you would have to try for yourself. But I do know that I like it and find it rather tasty and the health benefits provide now even more reasons to like it.
You have probably heard these sayings: “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” “A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.” “A man cannot live on chocolate alone, but a woman sure can.” Such common quotes reflect our love and desire for sugary products.1 In the United States the average individual consumes over 140 pounds of sugar annually, the equivalent of 50 teaspoons per day. That adds up to over 350 calories a day or 20 percent more than we consumed three decades ago. Unfortunately, it is prominently revealed in our hips and waistlines. Of that amount, 70+ pounds is “added” sugar, roughly 25 teaspoons every 24 hours.2 The “added” or “excess” sugars are those which are augmented by home cooks and commercial kitchens during processing of food and beverages.
When the fat-free craze began back in the ’80s, I believe it was my sister the marathoner (though she hadn’t started running yet) who raised my family’s awareness of the evils of fat. We ceased making rich homemade desserts and, as did the rest of America, snacked instead on pretzels, red licorice, hard candy, and Snackwells cookies. “They’re fat free!” we proclaimed delightedly between mouthfuls. I think Entenmann’s even made a fat-free donut.