Staying Healthy is Getting Easier

Nutrition labels are being updated sometime this year. The most recent food labels were reworked in 1990 when it was required for most prepared and packaged foods; yet labels for raw produce and fish remain voluntary. The idea is for the public to understand better what their options are.

Previously, the focus of the label has been on fat content; now nutritionists are saying calorie counting should be broken down better for consumers. The Center for Science in the Public Interest wants calorie counts to be bolder and to have added sugars to get its own line, so people have a better idea of how much their sugar intake is and to know what is natural sugar and what is added. They also want to limit the amount of math is necessary to determine calorie count.

CNN.com, 1/24/14

        Bummed About Being Bald?

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PA successfully took human skin cells and transformed them into hair- follicle generating stem cells. When these were transplanted into mice, they transformed into hair-follicle-generating stem cells. They were transplanted into mice, then turned into human-like skin and hair follicles.

The next step is that the other type of cell, the dermal papillae, needs to be created.They are the bumps on the second layer of skin that poke into the top layer. Both cells are lost when one goes bald and both are necessary to grow hair. Apparently the second step is far from being figured out.

CBSNews.com, 1/30/14

   What is Valentine's Day Without Chocolate?

So, this month, forget about being healthy. I made brownies that were unbelievable and your family will love them for Valentine's Day. So easy. Even the caramel was a cinch! So grab your loved ones and watch them smile.

Brownies with Salted Caramel Sauce

Brownies

- Nonstick veg spray

- 1 TBL natural unsweetened cocoa powder plus more for pan

- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces

- 3 oz unsweeted chocolate, chopped

- 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped

- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

- 1 TBL instant espresso powder

- 1/4 teas kosher salt

- 2 large eggs

- 1 cup sugar

- 1 teas vanilla extract

- 1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8x8x2 baking pan with nonstick spray. Dust with cocoa poder, tapping out excess. Place butter, unsweetened chocolate and bittersweet chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring occasionally, until melted. Let cool slightly.

- Meanwhile, whisk flour, espresso powder, kosher salt, and 1 TBL cocoa powder in another medium bowl and set aside.

- Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until pale and thick, about 2 minutes; beat in vanilla. Fold in warm chocolate mixture, then dry ingredients, just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smoothe top.

- Bake brownies ntil a tester inserted in the center comes out with some moist crumbs attached, 20-25 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let brownies cook in pan. Cut into 16 (or more... they are rich).

Caramel Sauce

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 2 TBL heavy cream

- 2 TBL unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

- Gray sea salt or flaky sea salt (Maldon)

Instructions:

- Bring sugar and 2 TBL water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium high and cook without stirring, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush, until sugar is a deep amber color, 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat.

- Add cream and butter (mixture will bubble vigorously) and whisk to combine. Let cool slightly in the pan.

- Drizzle aramel sauce over brownies and sprinkle with sea salt.

Can make brownies a day ahead. Cover and keep at room temperature. Caramel sauce can be made a week ahead. Let cool, cover and chill in the pan you will be reusing (or microwaving). Reheat before using.

Epicurous.com, 2/6/14.