On Food & Health
Tea Your Health!
After water, tea is the most popular beverage on earth. Humans have been brewing tea for nearly 5000 years and, in recent times, tea drinking has become more popular in the U.S. as news of its manifold health benefits has spread.
Teavana: Healthy, delicious Teas
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The Health Benefits of Wine
The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes in the 2000 edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, that “If adults choose to drink alcoholic beverages, they should consume them only in moderation and with meals to slow alcohol absorption.” The USDA defines moderation as no more than two, 5-ounce glasses of wine for men and one, 5-ounce glass of wine for women. The difference between the two is based on weight and metabolism. It further states that “drinking in moderation may lower risk for coronary heart disease.” Other factors like a diet rich in nutrients from whole foods and vegetable protein, physical activity, avoidance of smoking and keeping a healthy weight also contribute to a lower risk of heart and other diseases. More...
Food Allergies
A basic overview by Executive Chef Daniel Chong-Jiménez
What is a food allergy?
Fortunately most guests know of a food allergy they may have before they order their meal and those with experience will usually ask their servers to make sure that the cooks leave any potentially harmful ingredients out of their meal. The time may come, however, when a patron is unaware of a food allergy. Therefore, to minimize our guest’s exposure, ask the right questions and look for signs of distress soon after the guest has begun to eat. A guest has a food allergy when his or her immune system has an inappropriate response. The following are considered allergic responses (to food or drink):
difficulty breathing
sudden facial redness
nausea or vomiting
nasal congestion
tachycardia or arrhythmia
headache
swelling around the mouth
coughing
The above symptoms appear shortly after an allergen has been ingested. It is very important to be aware of these because it’s not uncommon for a symptom to evolve into a life-threatening situation.
Who can have a food allergy?
Anyone can have a food allergy and not know it. Most people have some type of allergy, but with mild allergic responses that may be barely noticeable. Others may not be able to even touch a certain food or drink—doing so may have serious health consequences.
The best precaution is to take your guest’s allergy with utmost seriousness.
What food items are people commonly allergic to?
chocolate
shellfish
strawberries
wheat
corn
dairy and derived products
eggs
alcohol
What if my guest begins to have an allergic reaction?
Do not panic.
Quickly analyze the situation. Try to best evaluate what is going on and ask for help from your peers or supervisor. Your guest may be choking on food or both.
Calmly, but firmly ask your guest if they need assistance. They may be prepared to deal with it themselves. If, however, a guest is unable to speak or seems disoriented call (or have someone else call) 911. Give the dispatcher all the pertinent information: why you’re are calling, where you are calling from, what your name is and any other information they may request. Send someone to the front entrance to meet the paramedics when they arrive. If warranted, give any first aid you may be qualified to give. Remember not to give aid unless the victim has requested it or has become unconscious. It is unlawful to forcefully give aid to a person who does not want it. You must wait until the victim has become unconscious.
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