Friday's Top Ways to Keep Up with the Huxtables

1. Become more knowledgeable about other cultures.

Today I will give you a little information on the history of Sushi and some ways that you are really suppose to eat Sushi.

Brief History: "Sushi can be traced back to the 4th century BC in Southeast Asia. As a preserved food, the salted fish, fermented with rice, was an important source of protein. The cleaned and gutted fish were kept in rice so that the natural fermentation of the rice helped preserve the fish. This type of sushi is called nare-zushi, and was taken out of storage after a couple of months of fermentation, and then only the fish was consumed while the rice was discarded." http://sushi-master.com/usa/whatis/history.html

After awhile people begin to enjoy the rice and fish as a dish, and not just to preserve the fish.

Tips on eating Sushi and common mistakes (read even if you eat it all of the time...I am sure us American's have developed our own techniques.)

1. A lot of people mix the wasabi in their soy sauce dish. The two are not supposed to be mixed. Nigiri-zushi, rice topped with fish or another topping, comes with wasabi placed under the fish by the itamae, and reflects what he feels is the proper balance of wasabi to fish. Some of us like a little more, and you can always sneak some separately on the fish or with it.

2. It is okay to eat sushi with your hands. Sashmimi is only to be eaten with chopsticks.

3. Pick up the fish off of the rice and dip in soy sauce. Dipping the entire thing in the soy sauce leads to it falling apart.

4. Eat sushi in one bite.

5. Ginger is considered a palate cleanser and eaten between bites or different types of sushi. It is not meant to be eaten in the same bite as a piece of sushi.

6. Technically one doesn’t drink sake with sushi (or rice in general) only with sashimi or before or after the meal. It is felt that since they are both rice based, they do not complement each other and therefore should not be consumed together. Green tea is a great option with sushi or sashimi.
http://www.sushifaq.com/howtoeatsushi-etiquette.htm


2. Weekly Recap of Blacks in the News:

Simpson sentenced to prison for at least 15 years for his conviction on charges related to a botched attempt to recover sports memorabilia.

Lil Wayne gets eight grammy nominations

On December 1st, 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. (moment in history)

Obama's mother in law might be moving into the White House

Cadillac Records is in theaters today! (Dec. 5th)

Supermodel Selita works the runway at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show

Civil Rights Music Legend Odetta Dies at the age of 77


3. Tips on how to eat a healthy diet:

There are 5 basic food groups and eating a healthy diet consists of eating a variety of foods from each group. A lot of people try losing weight by eliminating certain foods; it only makes you miss out on some of your vitamins.

1. Bread, potatoes, pasta, rices, noodles, and breakfast cereals: Should be the main part of all of your meals.

2. Fruit and vegetables: 5 portions a day

3. Milk and dairy foods: 2 to 3 servings per day

4. Meat, fish, poultry and pulses: 2 servings a day. (Fish should be apart of your diet at least 1 to 2 times a week)

Ways to help you keep on track:

1. Keep a food journal or tally board. I just started marking a tally next to each category to ensure that I eat something from each.

2. Keep track with friends. At work we put our names on a board and mark a tally every time we drink a cup of water. We have to drink at least 8 cups a day.