Foodzie, an on-line farmers market

I wanted to announce to all of you about a fantastic website, www. foodzie.com, dedicated to high-quality foods from "small, passionate" growers and producers. I read about them when they were mentioned in the New York Times, and thought it was a great idea, a virtual farmers market to tide us all over until we get to a real farmers market. Since, they decided to list Dr. Dave's Mega-O truffles (thanks, Foodzie!), as well as the amazing Tootski's Toffee that my cousin Susan makes in Madison, Wisconsin. Check them out!

The Economy, again

I guess the economy is on my mind (anybody else?). The Seattle Times yesterday reported about how sweets are still a part of people's lives in the U.S.  We've shed expensive dinners, lavish trips, clothing shopping sprees, and a new car, but bring on the chocolate. This news made me glad on several levels, one of which is because my dark chocolates deliver omega-3's, that all-important nutrient that other entries in this blog have been exploring. My hope that I can help all of us get our daily omega-3's in a delicious way appears to be surviving the economic downturn. If you are interested, I've posted the article's link below:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008912270_candy24.html

Daily Candy

Thanks to the Daily Candy Seattle (www.dailycandy.com) folks for a witty summary of Dr. Dave's Omega-3 Foods' vision, deliciousness, and omega-3s. Spreading the word of omega-3 health and the options (i.e. dark-chocolate!) that are out there. Thank you!

On that note, with double-digit percentage increases in omega-3  sales each year (with more and more predicted in the years to come), many products are available. For example, this week at the large trade show called Expo West (www.expowest.com), I would estimate that at least 10% of the 2700 vendors had omega-3 products of some type. I saw omega-3 drinks, omega-3 bars, omega-3 powders, omega-3 liquids, you name. Sometimes, it can difficult to determine which is the best, which works, which doesn't work. As I have always said, I recommend sticking to the recommendations for daily doses that come out of research groups and reputable organizations and always count milligrams of DHA and EPA in each serving. And, always ask about the source of omega-3s.

Functional Foods in Japan

The idea of enriching foods with other nutrients, just as I am doing with the omega-3's in chocolate, is not a new idea. It has been tried over the years with such ingredients as vitamin D (milk) and calcium (orange juice), and in many different cultures. The cross-cultural aspect of functional foods in general and chocolate in particular is nicely summarized in a recent segment on Public Radio International's "The World". 

Check out the link: www.theworld.org/?q=node/23644

The are many interesting issues brought up in this interview surrounding the pros/cons of using single ingredients as 'magic bullets' versus relying on the whole foods to provide us optimal health and wellness. Let me know what you think!

Martek Biosciences website helps to locate omega-3 products

As with Dr. Dave's Omega-3 Foods, other companies are trying to help people meet their daily omega-3 requirements. One way to find such companies is on the Martek Biosciences website (consumer.martek.com/findinglifesdha/partnerproducts/). Martek is the only U.S. manufacturer of algae-based DHA, a good way for vegetarians to receive their daily omega-3 fatty acids. Stay tuned for algae oils that provide both DHA and EPA, more similar to what is found in fish and fish oil, and closer to what we need physiologically to fight inflammation, improve cholesterol levels, and support brain development. On a side note, as much as I absolutely support Michael Pollan's approach to food and eating (Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.), omega-3 enhanced foods like Dr. Dave's Mega-O, often referred to as "functional foods", are a convenient way to meet the recommended omega-3 levels and often easier than trying to reach those levels by simply eating the foods that contain omega-3's. Let me know your favorite omega-3 products; I'm always interested in trying delicious creations!

Clearinghouse for omega-3 information

With the popularity of omega-3's and increasing research showing their positive effects on and prevention of many health conditions, I have noticed the explosion of omega-3 information on the internet and in written form. I occasionally check in with GOED (), an omega-3 industry trade organization for new trends/research about omega-3's. Under thier "Latest News" category, I noticed a link to "Omega-3 Learning For Health and Medicine" out of Purdue University (http://www.omega3learning.purdue.edu/). This is an excellent source of information for both omega-3 consumers and health care providers. Check it out!

The Economy and Health

Sometimes I may well be moved to write about a health-related topic beyond my omega-3 passion. The past couple of weeks have seen serious economic concerns surface, with a wildly fluctuating stock market, the evaporation of banks and retirement savings, and general worry all around. I thought that an intriguing article in the New York Times ("Are Bad Times Healthy" by Tara Parker-Pope, on October 7, 2008) started to address the idea that economic uncertainty and downswings (I refuse to say "recession") affect people's health, some more than others. On a personal note, these past couple of weeks have reinforced my need to maintain a strong body, mind, and spirit, remembering even more the importance of good nutrition that, yes, includes omega-3's!