Wednesday, September 5, 2012

DNC: Samuelsson says 'eat brightly'


Get some sleep, people. If you don't, your brain can't help you judge when you've had too much to eat.

Those orders came directly from Arianna Huffington and chef Marcus Samuelsson. Arianna -- it's not only hard to call her Huffington, it's hard not to say "Ari-aaaaaaa-nah" without stretching it out like the old "Ruffles have ridges" commercial -- has set up the Huffington Post Oasis, a rest and relax stop, in the Flex + Fit facility at Stonewall and Church streets, right across from my office.

On Tuesday, she brought Hufflepuff blogger Samuelsson, for a quick Q&A on healthful eating. In the chef world, Samuelsson has a globally interesting story: Born and orphaned in Ethiopia, adopted and raised in Sweden, opened restaurants in New York (the former Aquavit and now Red Rooster in New York), stints on "Top Chef Masters" and now author a memoir, "Yes, Chef." Marcus doesn't say no to much, apparently.

So, what did Samuelsson talk about:

-- In Japan, people only eat until they are about 80 percent full. Americans eat until we're full. Stop that.

-- "You still cannot say if all organic is better for us. It's better to eat a peach in season than an unripe organic peach."

-- "Cook with a spiritual compass, eat with a spiritual compass." That's what Samuelsson calls "eating brightly," or paying attention to what you eat, where your food comes from, when to eat.

-- During the Ramadan fast, Muslims lost 7 percent of their total body mass. During American holidays, we gain weight. Stop that.

-- In the fishing village in Sweden where he was raised, there was a saying: If you catch 40 fish, cook 10, preserve 10, give 10 to elders or people without enough food, and sell 10 to buy something else.


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