One + February 2011 - (Page 44) > > O N E B I T E AT A T I M E SUPER FOOD TO THE RESCUE B Y K AT J A M O R G E N S T E R N , C M P < < CARROTS HELP YOUR EYESIGHT. VITAMIN C STAVES OFF POOR HEALTH. GREEN FOODS IMPROVE YOUR CIRCULATION. We’ve all heard the rhetoric about the benefits of eating certain foods: leafy greens prevent heart disease, broccoli protects your bones… the list goes on. Throughout modern history, humans have storied certain foods as “super,” those that by rumor or study have some or other reported benefit to our immune or metabolic systems, skin or overall wellbeing. As planners, it is our duty to remain current on the latest and greatest of super foods, so that we can improve the day-of health of our attendees, the added benefit being a pleasingly diverse spread for their enjoyment. Budgets are tight, and these super fares can give you that “wow” we in the industry so strive to achieve, while attending to the less thrilling but much more essential nutritional needs of our audience. Many super foods fit easily in glu44 ten-free, low-sodium, heart-healthy and vegetarian diets—all of which will be more frequently requested by attendees in the future (to wit, I dub 2011 the Year of Special Diet Requests). One of my favorite (and versatile) super foods is quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), a humble crop with a long and diverse history among the Incans. High in protein and essential amino acids and (best of all) gluten free, quinoa is grain-like in its flavor, texture and applications and can be used in everything from pancakes and side dishes to salads and soups. It’s an easy product to incorporate into almost any menu and budget. Need a veggie? Try the beet. The known health benefits of beets are not new; what is new is how beets can be prepared and incorporated into diets. Long gone are the days when the lowly beet sat pickled in a jar on a shelf, waiting to be ungraciously plated. Today, roasted beets are increasingly popular, found in salads, soups, stews, desserts and (of course) breakfast juice. Healthy food and meals are central themes to the lives of many. As doctors increasingly diagnose patients with celiac and heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity, the need for better, more sustainable eating habits becomes imperative. And, as planners, we are responsible for our attendees’ healthy eating habits while away from home. KATJA MORGENSTERN, CMP, is a senior project manager for Meeting Consultants Inc. She is an active MPI member, speaker and industry veteran. She can be reached at kmorgenstern@meeting consultants.com. one+ 02.11 Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of One + February 2011 One + February 2011 Contents Energy of Many Impressions The Productivity Cloud Overheard Agenda MPIWeb Connect Thoughts+Leaders Events for Life Gateway to the Future Top Spots It Was Not Interesting Irrelevant The Wrong Words Up to Snuff That’s Enough Facebook Super Foods to the Rescue Shoring Resources Jack and Smoke Accidentally on Purpose Staying on Top of Tech The Joy of Work Plan to Run Productivity on the Go Angel of the Favelas Your Community Making a Difference Until We Meet Again MPI’s 2011 Meeting Guide to Canada Contents Banff Centre Ottawa Tourism Tourisme Montréal The Buzz InterContinental Canada Caesars Windsor Vintage Hotels The Great Green North Whistler, British Columbia Meetings and Conventions Calgary Scotiabank Convention Centre One + February 2011 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201107 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201106 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201105 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_20110304 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201102 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201101 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201011 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201010 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201009 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201008 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mpi/oneplus_201007 http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com