Rice has been in the news recently--and this time it's not bad news about arsenic in rice; it's good (or at least interesting) news about a way to reduce the calories in the product. Here's something else that's a perfect accompaniment to your Asian meal--matcha tea.  Never heard of it? In Japan, it's been popular for more than a millennium; it's also become a contemporary trend, especially in the American West. Read on for details about both of these products.

Cupcakes are sweet--that is, unless they have a meatloaf or ground turkey base and mashed potato or angel hair pasta topping. Such savory novelties are sold at the Meatloaf Bakery on Clark Street in Chicago, but  they can be mailed anywhere in the continental U.S.

UPDATES: Here are links to some recalls related to the products listed in the article below:

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Expands Recall on Organic Garlic Powder Due to Possible Health Risk

First Source LLC Recalls Wegmans Organic Food You Feel Good About Walnut Halves & Pieces 6oz tubs Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Aurora Products, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Certain Aurora Natural Brand and Certain Private Label Brand Walnuts and Trail Mixes Due to Possible Health Risk

Aurora Products, Inc. Expands Voluntary Product Recall to Include Certain Private Label Branded Walnut and Trail Mix Products Due to Possible Health Risk

Hannaford  Announces Recall of Two Mixed Nut Items

Texas Star Nut and Food Co. Inc. Natural Macadamia Nuts Are Being Voluntarily Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

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Important warning!  Check your kitchen cabinets, fridge (if that's where you keep fresh garlic), and freezer to see if you have any of the following recalled products:

1) Blue Bell Creameries ice cream

2) Kraft macaroni and cheese boxes

3) Trader Joe's raw walnuts

4) Products made with Frontier Co-op organic powdered garlic

Sure, Americans want more healthful, sustainable, minimally processed, and local food.  But many consumers also want food products that make it fast and easy to prepare tasty, tangy, novel meals. Often, the second group of wants/needs comes in conflict with the first.  Let's see what the news media are telling us about what trends are available that are time-saving, a stimulus to eating veggies, and enticing to those that want new and dramatic flavors.  These trends will be noticeable on restaurant menus as well as supermarket shelves.

We'll also find supermarkets saving shoppers time by becoming more like restaurants.  That is, they prepare the food for you, deliver it to you, or, if you choose, provide both services. All this help makes the grocery bill higher, but the time-challenged multi-tasker may decide it's worth it.