Have you heard of Fem-vertising? It’s related to advertising.

 Are there people who still watch the nightly news? Friday or Saturday, my son left the room and NBC news was on the TV. I wasn’t watching or not watching. I was on the computer when a segment on a new trend in advertising, called Fem-vertising was discussed. Fem-vertising has to do with pro female campaigns. Fem-vertising surveys have found that more than half of women buy products when they like how their ads present women. Interesting, while I love a good commercial I buy a product because I like the product.

I can appreciate a great story or ad. The ballerina MistyCopeland’s story?  It’s a great story. I think her message is great for young people and honestly great for not-so-young people. Breaking down stereotypes, good stuff. Maybe I’m an advertiser’s nightmare but I had to look up who the ad was for. I have a great running turtleneck from Under Armour, my kids (boys- nobody thinks of young boys in any of this, I guess “they’re boys” and their self image is fine” ..yeah) love their shirts.  I also liked the “run like a girl” spot. Again, forgot this was for Always (maker of “feminine products). Nobody is pointing out the 6 year olds used in a panty liner commercial (weird). Yes, “you throw like a girl” is insulting but the best revenge? Throw well.

I’m also not anti women being sexy, I’m not buying Pepsi (obviously) but the Sophia Vergara commercials were fantastic. Seems 94 percentof women think, ”using women as sex symbols is harmful to the gender.” Really? Can we not be sexy or funny or inspiring? Aren’t all sorts of images what we want to see? I never bought into the brand of feminism that banned sex appeal.  Now if we’re talking women presented like whores? I object. I saw a Viagra commercial this weekend and couldn’t imagine the woman not only pushing Viagra (eek) but rolling around in a bed using her “sexy voice”. Blech.

Don’t get me wrong; I love good messaging whether it’s on a blog post, Instagram, in a magazine or an ad. I just feel we’ve come to far to be condescended to by advertising agencies. I picture  (mostly male) execs in a room strategizing “ooh say this the women will really go for it.” The Dove ads are fantastic but if Dove wants me to buy their products they should work on their ingredients.

Have you heard of fem-vertising? Or seen the Copeland or Like A Girl spots? Do you think it’s positive messaging? Good for women? Or condescending?

When the kids are away the parents will play

Friday, my boys left for 7 weeks. This is their 3^rd year and while I wasn’t especially emotional, my babysitter was a mess. So as soon as the bus pulled away, I had to make sure she was OK. There we were on the steps of the Museum of Natural History, I told her we’d have fun cooking and organizing, I told her she’d have more time for herself but 10 and a half years with these boys, she really loves them.

I love them too, of course, but I’d be lying if there weren’t some things I want to complete in the next 7 weeks. While I look forward to the little things reading the paper, reading more in general and walking home from work unrushed, I also have a “Summer List”, would you expect anything less of me?

Some of it is indulgent, I want to get back to acupuncture, run more and try a few new workouts (Jumplife anyone?). I also use the time with boys away to stay on top of doctors/dental visits. Then there’s the fun, some travel, some recipe testing and plans with friends (many who are child free as well).  We’ll send out our Foodtrainers Fourth of July Party Monthly Morsels Newsletter tomorrow but here’s a sneak peak. Chef Jenna Helwig of Rosaberry (@JennaRosaberry on Twitter) developed this beet dip recipe for us. It will vary in color depending on the number of beets added. You can serve it with crudité (snap peas, blanched asparagus and cucumbers work nicely) or Mary’s Gone crackers would work well too.

Beet Yogurt Dip

This dip keeps well in the fridge overnight, although the garlic flavor does get more pronounced, a treat for those of us that love garlic.

½ cup walnuts

1 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt

2-3 small to medium-sized cooked beets, roughly chopped (you can use love beets or any pre-cooked beets in the produce aisle, I used 1 pack original Love Beets)

½ teaspoon salt

1/2 to 1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped (optional)

2 teaspoons dill

freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Place the walnuts in a food processor (or coffee grinder) and pulse to chop finely.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to food processor (or add all ingredients to vitamix with stick attachment)  and blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning adding more salt and/or pepper if necessary.

What are your summer plans, any books you plan on reading, trips you'll be going on? Or maybe there are recipes or workouts you want to try? 

Pizza to the People, mobile pizza unit: hemp seeds?

A few weekend photos, Saturday we checked out the Wanderlust Festival in VT:

I didn't do the yoga but clearly lots of other people did. 

Top of Stratton Mt, we didn't hike up but rode up to enjoy the view. 

Sat night one of our favorite VT restaurants

with skip at the guitar

Stopped at Swoon in Hudson NY oysters and kale salad,  great find and a really pretty town.

Can Hot Dogs be Healthy?

We were recently asked this question by a writer. Carolyn did some hot dog digging and she’s here with some hot dog help before the long weekend.

Fourth of July weekend is a time to celebrate all things American. What’s more American than firing up the grill for some burgers and hot dogs? We’ve discussed burgers (grass fed is key) and Lauren has given us some delicious ideas (pesto turkey burger: yes please) in BBQ greatest hits. So today, it’s time to talk hot dogs. I promise, it’s not all bad but let's get the bad out of the way...

The Downside of Dogs

Hot dogs are one of those foods that people love but really don’t want to know about. No, they’re not made from pig butt or lips or anything else your older siblings told you the second you finished eating one. But “mystery meat” might still be accurate for some brands on the shelves, which can be up to 15% “variety meats” such as like heart, liver and kidney. Then there are other issues: high in fat, high in sodium, lots of processing and additives.

I'm not suggesting you take up hot dog making but consider that a homemade beef frank would contain beef, water, egg whites and spices. Compare that to a Ball Park hot dog:

Beef, Water, Corn Syrup, Salt, Potassium Lactate, Sodium Phosphate, Flavorings, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Nitrite, Extractives of Paprika.

Gross, right? Why is there corn syrup in your hot dog? I’ll save the sweet for dessert, thank you very much. Even more concerning are nitrites. They are responsible for extending shelf life, and research shows they also may be carcinogenic. 

Hot Dog Help

You can avoid nitrites by buying uncured hot dogs. They don't use any chemically preservatives.  Just like when it comes to the burgers, you want to go organic with meat whenever possible, and better yet, grass fed. Grass fed cows have less total and saturated fat (and are less miserable) compared to factory-farmed cows. Look for brands like Applegate Farms, Lets Be Frank, Colemann’s, Niman Ranch, or Organic Prairie.

If you’re at a game or relative’s house, chances are you don't have much say over nitrite content of your hot dog. Before you start a fight over frankfurters, there's a semi-remedy. Piling on antioxidant rich condiments like sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), and whole grain mustard counteracts some of the nastiness from nitrites.

And while you’re making better decisions with the dog, do the same with the bun. Skip the white squishy type. Lisa talked about the benefits of sprouted grains recently, and turns out, Food For Life (Ezekiel 4.9) and Alvarado St. both make the ideal buns for your barbeque. Udi’s, the gluten free gods, also make a delicious gluten free hot dog bun.

Label Lingo

A few other frankfurter facts, don’t be wooed by “reduced fat”, “turkey” “chicken” or “veggie” dogs.  Reduced fat dogs often add ever more chemicals to make up for the mouth feel of fat. With Turkey and chicken, you still need to read the ingredients. It’s the quality of the meat, not just the source. Veggie dogs are TVP-based concoctions; veggies are not supposed to taste like hot dogs.

 While it’s a meat minefield out there, hot dogs can be healthy (or healthier). Look for the brands we mentioned, be clever with condiments and enjoy your hot dog on a wholesome bun. Most of all  we wish you a happy and a healthy 4^th of July.

PS. There is nothing American about bacon or chili cheese dogs.