Chef Roy Choi is Revolutionizing the World of Food by Creating a Healthy Fast Food Chain

Every year for the past four years, chefs from around the world have gathered in Copenhagen to attend the MAD Conference where lengthy discussions of the future of food take place. Ideas range from progressive to wild but generally something amazing comes out of the unique gathering created by chef Redzepi. But that is no surprise seeing as it is a room full of some of the top chefs and food industry professionals in the world. 

This year, it was Roy Choi who produced a revolutionary idea. He intends to design a fast food concept to compete with famous fast food chains Burger King, Wendy’s, and McDonalds. But this concept doesn’t involve just burgers and fries. Named Loco’l, the chain will offer a range of healthy food options all priced between $2 and $6. Food options will include burgers made with a beef and grain mixture, salads, rice bowls, tacos, falafel, and more. Choi stressed the desire to have cross-cultural foods available on the menu. 

According to Choi, the intention is to “go toe to toe with fast-food chains and give the community a choice.” Loco’l would give people those choices by providing the low-income communities nourishing, healthy food without the financial burden. 

The idea first began developing in Choi’s head at last year’s MAD Conference when the chef’s were discussion food deserts and the hunger crisis. But he hasn’t just talked about it, he has already started to take action. 

Since that conference, Choi has opened 3 Worlds Cafe in South Los Angeles serving fresh fruit and smoothies “amid a sea of liquor stores.” 

Choi has paired up with famous chef Daniel Patterson to make this idea into a reality. In addition to Choi’s 3 Worlds Cafe, Patterson has been working with the Larkin Street Youth Clinic providing services to homeless youth.

As Patterson says, “It’s not that chefs aren’t making the effort. What I question is how our efforts are being used.”

But if more chefs and other food professionals get on board with Patterson and Choi, the food industry will begin to see some serious changes, for the better. 

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The Latest and Greatest in 2014’s Apps, Gadgets, and Toys (Part One)

The last decade has seen some phenomenal advances in technology and 2014 was no exception. Companies all over the world are busy trying to create the coolest and most popular new technological devices and listed below are 8 of the most awesome ones that I came across from this year.  

1. Century’s “Floe”

So many women, myself included, love ending a long, stressful day with a nice, relaxing soak in the tub. Often that includes bubbles, music, maybe even candles. Personally, I think the music is one of the best parts of the bath experience, but it can also be the most challenging. Dragging in a clunky docking station or blaring speakers from the other room serves as such an inconvenience for what is supposed to be a relaxing occasion. Enter in Floe, Century’s latest bluetooth speaker. It is a small, cone-shaped speaker that can play music from your smartphone or tablet via bluetooth, no cords required. The LED lights can be switched to a calming blue and the battery-charged speaker actually floats on water like a mini buoy. 

2. Takara Tomy’s Decora Palette

We live in a digitalized world and kids are some of the biggest consumers (and sometimes it seems, the most knowledgable) of modern day technology.  If your child loves taking pictures but you aren’t ready to commit to buying them a smartphone, this is the perfect gadget for you. It is not just a device that snaps photos but it also comes with various fun features such as the ability to alter images and add decorative stamps and frames. Cool features and it looks cute coming in blue, black, or bright pink. 

3. Aeropress

Are you a coffee drinker? If yes then you might consider this the #1 invention of the year. The Aeropress only costs about a week’s worth of coffee and saves you tons of money in the future. All it requires is a spoonful of your favorite coffee grounds and some hot water, then you press down and fresh, hot coffee comes out. It is way cheaper and less wasteful then making a whole pot for one or two cups or spending all that money on Nespresso cups. Did i mention its easy to clean?

4. Philips Norelco QT4070 Vacuum Beard Trimmer

Speaking of cleaning, finally someone has added a clean up system to one of their electric razors. Philips has created a vacuum to go along with one of their powerful electric razors so when you’re done giving yourself a stylish trim you can have a quick and easy clean up. I’m sure your spouses will appreciate it too! 

5. Logitech Powershell

For anyone who has gamers in their family, this gadget will be a favorite. The Logitech Powershell is a gaming controller made specifically for the iPhone. It works by sliding the iPhone directly into a built-in slot in the controller, allowing the phone to retain its independent functions while being attached to the controller. Another great feature is that the headphone jack stays open so your child can listen to music while they play. 

6. Mophie Space Pack

If you aren’t worried about adding a little bulk to your iPhone, then the Mophie Space Pack can serve as an awesome memory-adding addition to your mobile device. The 3-in-1 gadget includes a case, a charger, and a storage provider. 

7. Misfit Shine

Anyone interested in fitness or getting healthy should look to the new Misfit Shine. It is a stylish gadget that provides a new take on the typical fitness tracker. It can be worn in a variety of ways and is small, making it unintrusive and practically unnoticeable. Not to mention you only have to change the batteries every four months, so you don’t have to worry about it dying on you.

8. Nest Learning Thermostat

Control the heat from anywhere in your home with a click of a button on your smartphone and save on your heating bill with the Nest Learning Thermostat. Not only can you control the heat, but the device also comes with a humidity sensor that you can hook up to your dehumidifier and set to three temperature sensors. And we can’t forget the wifi radio! It also looks way cooler than any other thermostat you’re going to see in someone’s house. 

Kids and Smartphones- How Much is Too Much?

Parents around the world are battling the pros and cons to their children owning and using smartphones. The idea of letting their children have unrestricted access to the Internet their phone provides sounds pretty unappealing to most parents, but the weight of the pressure of not wanting their children to be different from all the other kids also serves as a setback. 

With increasing uses of technology in our education system, it’s not a bad idea for kids and teens to be up-to-speed on all the latest gadgets and their uses- but it continues to raise the question: how much is too much? 

Back in January of 2009, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology issued a notice to schools requesting a ban on cellphones within elementary and junior high schools, as well as restrictions for high schools. Fast forward to 2014 and the problem only seems to be more of a problem with smartphones being more popular, and well, smarter, than ever. Most parents are all too familiar with the horror stories surrounding cyber bullying that seems to be the dominating form of bullying these days. 

Parents and educators aren’t the only ones interested in answering this question nowadays, the toy industry is as well. Recently MegaHouse developed Fairisia, a smartphone made just for kids that can easily be monitored and limited by parents. 

But, at the end of the day technology is only going to become more prevalent and harder to avoid, so instead of bashing it or banning it parents should become more educated about it. Knowing how smartphones work and using one yourself can help you be aware about how your child may be using their phone. It is important to know the dangers as well as the benefits of smartphones as well as techniques for monitoring their use. Issuing a curfew, limiting the number of hours they can use their phone, having them keep their phone downstairs at night are all examples of ways to monitor their use. If they have social media accounts such as Twitter or Facebook, make your own account and see what they are up to! Or if that is totally not up your alley at all and your child is still young, require them to give you their user name and passwords so you can occasionally sign on and take a peak at what they are doing online. 

The advancing technology and kids' advancing knowledge of it can seem intimidating to most parents, but being aware and checked in as well as knowledgable yourself are all ways to ease your qualms around the subject of kids and smartphones. 

The Legend Behind the Chinese Double Seventh Festival

The Double Seventh Festival, also known as the Qixi or Qiqiao Festival, is a Chinese festival celebrated annually around the beginning to mid August. The name, literally meaning Night of Sevens, comes from the holiday celebrations falling on the seventh day of the seventh month each year.

As with most festivals, there are traditions and rituals surrounding the yearly celebration, specifically for girls and newly weds. Girls make their way to temple to pray  and burn paper in hopes for attracting a loving husband in their future. To pray for a long and happy marriage, newly wed women are encouraged to make offerings of fruit, flowers, tea, and face powder to Niulang and Zhinu, the mythical couple this festival was created for.

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This Chinese festival is always one of my favorites to write about because of the legend and mythology behind it. Behind the Qixi Festival is an ancient forbidden love story between Zhinu and Niulang. 

Niulang, a young cowherd, fell in love with the Goddess’ seventh daughter, Zhinu, who fell for instantly for him. They were then married in secret, without the knowledge of Zhinu’s mother. They were happy for many years and had two children. But their happiness was cut short when the Goddess of Heaven found out her daughter had married a mortal and ordered Zhinu to immediately return to Heaven. Niulang tried to follow his beloved wife but was stopped by the Goddess scratching a river in the sky with her hairpin to separate the lovers forever. The only time they were allowed to see each other was on the seventh night of the seventh moon when a bridge forms in the sky to unite them for a single night. This night has since become known as the Double Seventh Festival. 

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