The year 2013 has been declared “The International Year of the Quinoa” (IYQ), recognizing the Andean indigenous peoples who have preserved and protected quinoa for thousands of years as a food for present and future generations.
The IYQ was proposed by the government of Bolivia (the main producer of quinoa) and highlights the key role that quinoa can play in the eradication of worldwide hunger/ malnutrition today and tomorrow. Quinoa is noted for its exceptional nutritional qualities and its ability to grow under different agricultural conditions.
Here’s a line-up of food and eating trends for the year.
Life expectancy of Canadians has hit an all-time high of 80.7 years, according to the most recent data released by Statistics Canada. However, men lag behind by almost 5 years nationwide with men living on average 78.5 years compared to 83.1 years for women. Why is there such a difference and what can be done to close the gender gap? One key reason may be that men are less likely to take care of their health compared to women. Although annual medical checkups and timely screenings can find early warning signs of trouble, many men do not take advantage of these treatments that may save their lives. It’s time to encourage conversations about men’s health. The “Movember” campaign has done just that by committing to “changing the face of men’s health.” Others are also taking a closer look at connecting with men, including the food and grocery industry. Research shows that long gone is the stereotype of a man as the basket-case in the grocery store and “man-style” shopping is gaining recognition. Studies suggest that men appear to do more than one-third of the family grocery shopping, a trend which is likely to continue.