Polish Excellence

Polish 'Diet'

Blog Post #4

April 19, 2015

by Dan Horn

There are two main ingredients in most Polish entrees: protein and a form of lard or butter. Protein is important in any diet because it gives the body nutrients and energy. Fatty substances such as butter are important in moderation because the body turns fat into energy. Unfortunately, if that energy is not burned off, it is turned into fat and is stored away in the body. Luckily, as time progresses, we can come out with healthier solutions such as margarine or other tasteful solutions to lard. The use of butter and lard in the Polish cuisines is not unlike anything that we see here in America. The use of butter on bread in Poland is considered bad because you would then not be able to afford the luxuries of exquisite foods such as sausages.

The use of butter in America is something that we take very heavily. We use it in a large number of dishes and often in very large quantities. Poles do the same in some of their dishes but are beginning to one it down a bit for fear of a drastically rising obesity rate. Countries like these that are physically so far apart can be so closely tied together just through something so simple as the foods we eat.

"Polish Sausages, Charcuterieand the Blood Sausage." Polish Sausages, Charcuterie and the Blood Sausage. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

Polish Excelence

 

 

What Makes Polish Food So Special?

Blog Post #3

April 19, 2015

by Dan Horn

If there is anything that you need to know about Polish food, is that it almost always contains proteins. Many appetizers, the kielbasa, for example is a type of sausage that is made with several spices and its quality is measured by how much meat is used in the preparation. The meat can be virtually any type of animal but they usually stick to pigs or cows. next comes the preparation which also has a few varieties. Kielbasa can be served cooked or cold and that is actually the common approach to the preparation of the dish. Poles usually eat this sausage with bread as a sandwich or as an on the go snack that they eat plain.

 Considering Poland's hectic life so far, they have often had to make due with what little resources they had available. One such way they have done so is by utilizing all of the parts of a pig including the intestine, lung, heart, head, tongue, and blood are all packed together inside of the intestine and cooked over low heat. This famous combination adds up to what we refer to as blood sausage. Not uncommon anymore in Poland, blood sausage is enjoyed thoroughly as butchers prepare meals like this for everyone to enjoy.

 

"Polish Sausages, Charcuterieand the Blood Sausage." Polish Sausages, Charcuterie and the Blood Sausage. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.                         

Polish Diet *blog #4*

As I discussed in other blog posts Polish dishes are very hearty. Most of the time they consist of the main food groups on our food Pyramid. Poland is used for crops so a lot of vegetables and grain are grown there and do not have to import as much making healthier foods not as expensive like they are in America. In America's agricultural system a lot of tax payer dollars go towards the cereal grains because they are basic ingredients in so many boxed and bagged food items such as cereals, chips, breads etc. A lot of Polish dishes contain potatoes, beans, rice, peas, and protein packed meats. 

http://healthymehealthyyouhealthyus.com/postdetail.asp?id=242

On the left is a picture of Poland's food pyramid which is much more in depth than America's. Poland strongly encourages physical activity and even included that on their pyramid. Although, many polish cuisines are high in calories and can be high in fat, if eaten in moderation, is a very steady diet. Polish desserts such as Paczki, deep fried powdered sugar doughnut like spheres filled with sweet fillings, are very sugary but are only eaten on occasions especially on feasting days like Fat Tuesday right before Lent. This tradition is also a theme in the novel Like Water For Chocolate. Traditions are different for so many cultures and have been mixed especially in America and yet have lasted for so long. Continuing these traditions draws families and friends closer together. I think America has started to lose that sense of community largely in part to the business of peoples lives now.  

"Poland." Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-based-dietary-guidelines/regions/countries/poland/en/>.

Rolek, Barbara. "Traditional Polish Pączki (Doughnuts) Recipe." About Food. About.com, 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/desserts/r/Paczki.htm>.

"Polish Ideas about Healthy Diet- Exercisesreading." Polish Ideas about Healthy Diet- Exercisesreading. Healthy Me! Healthy You! Healthy Us!, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://healthymehealthyyouhealthyus.com/postdetail.asp?id=242>.

More Potatoes *Blog #3*

Poland is known for an assortment of Potato based dishes, ranging from the almighty Polish Potato Pancakes, to dumplings, to Vodka (which Poland first introduced). The use of the potato in many dishes has been around for hundreds of years after being introduced in the 16th century. Nutritionally, the potato supplies complex carbohydrates which are essential for energy, and is rich in the minerals iron and magnesium.Today the potato is the fifth most important crop worldwide, after wheat, corn, rice and sugar cane. But was not as welcomed after becoming accustom because of its poisonous properties and ugly appearance.  Many Polish dishes include potatoes such as potato pancakes, pierogi with potato stuffed inside, red borchst with cream and potato, and Kotlet schabowy which is a popular dinner favorite. It consists of a pork cutlet(schnitzel like) with potato, vegetables and/or cabbage. Although many Polish foods are very hearty they are quite healthy. 
2014 is forecasted to increase by 17 percent in comparison with 2013. The 2012/13 marketing year represented the first year during which the starch market operated as a free market.

Fun Facts: 
Boffins at the Institute for Tuber Science in the southern city of Gliwice have found a way to extract industrial amounts of energy from the humble potato.

Poland  imposed new bans on the cultivation of certain genetically modified strains of maize and potatoes.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-the-potato-changed-the-world-108470605/?no-ist 

http://www.tastingpoland.com/food/polish_food_first_courses.html#schabowy

Mann, Charles C. "How the Potato Changed the World." Smithsonian. N.p., Nov. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-the-potato-changed-the-world-108470605/?no-ist>.

Berzok, Linda Murray, "Potatoes." Dictionary of American History. 2003, "potato." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed.. 2014, David M. Spooner, "Potatoes." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S, "potato." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009, "potato." World Encyclopedia. 2005, Elizabeth Knowles, T., Michael Allaby, and "potato." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. "Potato." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2003. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/potato.aspx>.

Polish Christmas *Blog #2*

Religion is deeply integrated in Poland. A lot of religious holidays are considered national holidays. Approximately 95 percent of Poland's inhabitants are Roman Catholics.

Most Polish meals consist of meat, bread, and potatoes. Poles consume around three-hundred pounds of potatoes per capita per year. Vegetables consumed are local cool weather crops such as beets, carrots, cabbage and legumes (beans, peas, lentils). Another nutritious source is dairy such as fresh or sour milk, sour cream, buttermilk, whey, cheese, and butter.

The Polish daily meal sequence is dependent upon the family and the season; however, typically it starts with a substantial breakfast: eggs, meat, bread, cheese, and cold cuts are possible. Then people may have a second breakfast similar to a lunch. Dinner, the main meal of the day, is served mid afternoon. It consists of a large bowl of soup, a main course with a salad, and dessert.The last meal of the day is a light supper eaten in the evening. Food and family are a huge part of Polish culture, especially the process of food making which often takes time to carefully make everything by hand. 

Christmas: Among many specific family traditions, Advent (a time of waiting for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus) is when the baking of the Christmas piernik (gingerbread), and the making of Christmas decorations occur. St. Nicholas does not play a major role on Christmas Day, but is celebrated on his Saint feast day of December 6. In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The "Wigilia" feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish is typically consumed. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts, can sometimes last for over two hours. It is followed by the exchange of gifts. Christmas Eve ends with Pasterka, which is the Midnight Mass at a local church. The next day, the Christmas Day, is often spent visiting family and friends. Which is similar to Christmas for Catholics in America.

Recipes: http://www.pwaa.org/polish_christmas_recipes.htm

Kreija, Andris S. "Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Poland. Advameg, Inc., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Poland.html>   "Polish Christmas Traditions." Polish Christmas Traditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.polishcenter.org/Christmas/TRADITIONS.htm>. 

Image: "Cieszmy Się I Pod Niebiosy." Polonia Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.poloniamusic.com/KolendyCieszmysieipodniebiosy.html>.

Polish Influences

Cześć! I chose Poland because of my heritage invested in this culture. In my family we often eat  Polish cuisines: Pierogies and Paczki. Poland is largely Catholic and follow fasting and feasting traditions which impact their diet in some way. For example, many meatless and fish dishes are a big part in traditional cooking.

  More than 1/2 of Poland's land is used for farming. This farming is majorly cereal grains such as rye, wheat, barley, and buckwheat. The country is also located in a cool barren climate zone in the winter which is why most traditional polish meals can be preserved and stored for 3-4 months(peas, beans, grains). These dishes are especially focused on the pickling and drying processes. It is also why soup is a dish of choice because it is easy to make and warms during colder months along with other hearty meals. 

Poland is also located between two powerful neighbors which are Germany and Russia. In fact, there have been many instances through history of other countries' influences on the Polish culture. One of these being the marriage of one king to Italian Princess Bona Sforza in the 16th century which brought some Italian influences like salad. Hungry, France, and the Ukraine have also influenced Polish dishes as they are similarly related Slavic Countries. Another geographical impact is the Baltic Sea. Over the course of history Poland has lost and gained access to this body of water which is why many Polish cuisines consist of freshwater fish.

"Food in Every Country." Food in Poland. Advameg, Inc., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Poland.html>.

Image: ML Team. "Midtown Lunch." Midtown Lunch RSS. Midtown Lunch, 14 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://midtownlunch.com/2013/03/14/old-traditional-polish-cuisine-food-truck-hits-midtown/>.

Health Style of the Italians

Health Style of the Italians

~Blog Post#4~

April 20, 2015

By: Samantha Millán

A typical Italian diet is called an Italian diet, also known as a Mediterranean diet. A Mediterranean dietco nsists of not only Italian, but of the whole entire area of the Mediterranean sea. It consists of places such as Spain and Israel, Syria and Greece, North Africa and of course, Italy. Italians combine pasta as the base of their main meals as a source of carbohydrates. Then fresh vegetables and fruits with fish rather than meat. Italians also use olive oil instead of butter as a main form of a condiment. 

The over-all description of a Mediterranean diet are:

• Fruits 
• Vegetables
• Nuts and seeds
• Olive oil
• Small amounts of dairy
• Small amounts of fish and poultry 
• Very small amounts of red meat and eggs
• Moderate amounts of wine

(click here for the website where I found mediterranean diet! http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/mediterranean-diet.asp )

In America we interpret the Mediterranean diet very differently. Italian restaurants in America offer only a variety of fruits and vegetables, even in the most popular restaurants! An Italian salad in America is very often served with a prepacked dressing that isn't homemade like it traditionally is. When Italians see this they instantly know it doesn't have the same fresh taste as a homemade dressing is. when making an Italian Mediterranean diet, you get to match your emotions with the food like ever before. It's because this time, it's more nutritious and healthy for yourself. You get to experience a special connection with the food your creating. An example would be when Tita s creating a dish, through every motion matches an emotion.

Sources:

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/mediterranean-diet.asp

http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/371156/slide_371156_4288756_free.jpg