Tag Archives: foods

General

World is threatened with famine

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World is threatened with famine – warning of German minister

(information on important politics meeting from Czech web)

Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens the world's biggest famine since World War II. At a press conference on Wednesday18th May 2022 German Development Minister Svenja Schulze said this at the start of a two-day meeting of development ministers from the countries of the group of major world economies of the G7. She said that it was therefore necessary to create an international alliance for food security.
"Food security was a problem before the war, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine dramatically escalated the situation," Mrs.Schulze said. "The world is facing the biggest famine since World War II," she warned.

The G7 food ministers invited as guests Indonesia, which now chairs the G20 group of the world's largest economies, India, Senegal and representatives of the UN development programme and the World Bank. Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal will also participate in the debates via video link.
One of the main topics of the meeting will be ensuring the export of agricultural products from Ukraine. Many countries in North Africa and Asia depend on this land, which is called the breadbasket of Europe.

Due to the Russian blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports, it is impossible to export grain and other food by sea, European states, including Poland and Germany, began to organize export by rail.

Thus, according to the German minister, food security is the most pressing issue that the ministers of the countries of the group will discuss. In Europe, we have too many fields sown with profitable crops, relying on imports from Ukraine, Russia and India. All three countries have enough to worry about.


Many of us can ask how it is possible that Africa, where it is possible to harvest crops twice a year is constantly dependent on food aid?

Global annual wheat production exceeds 700 million tons and is growing every year. The largest wheat producer is the European Union with an annual production of around 150 million tonnes. France and Germany have the largest share here. Only China, with a production of 130 million tonnes a year, can match Europe in wheat production. India ( 90 million tons) is also a major producer.  Russia (70 mil. tonnes) and the USA (60 mil. tons). In the Czech Republic, about 5.5 million tons of wheat are grown annually.
The EU is the largest consumer of wheat, accounting for 18% of global consumption. This is followed by China (17%), India (12%) and Russia (6%). Most of the wheat is consumed in the countries where it is grown, and about a fifth of the production goes to international trade. The largest wheat exporters are the United States (26% of global exports), Canada (14%) and Russia (10%).

Another important agriculture product is sunflower seed for oil production.
The three most important world growers produce 70-75% of the total volume of sunflower seeds. This is on first place  Ukraine (for the marketing year 2021/2022, the production estimate was about 17 million  tons), Russia (15,5 million t) and the European Union ( 10.5 million t).

Not only are food prices in Europe and around the world already rising rapidly, but the situation may get even worse. Let's hope that politicians will find a quick and good solution.

                    Thank you for reading

                                                       Margaret
 

General

Foods for people with uptight nerves

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Best foods for people with uptight nerves

In today's wild times few people remain calm and perfectly balanced.
We are being attacked on all sides by unfavorable news and often also conflicting information and it is difficult to focus on the daily balance in our lives.
Each of us has some bad habits. If you are annoyed that you will jump up  because of every stupidity, or on the contrary, you tend to sadness and crying (yes,that is about us, ladies..:-), try to work with your nature. Surprisingly, it also goes from the inside, ie by adjusting what you eat.
Are you a choleric who is not far from quarrels, or rather a melancholy bundle of nerves? You probably know your nature and you already know a little how to control yourself. But if you are under long-term pressure, your art of self-control can fall apart quickly.

Chocolate wins
A lot of people when stressed take chocolate. You can really feel better after eating it, but choose well. A pile of sugar is more of a fuel for stress, only chocolate with a high proportion (at least 70%) of cocoa can strengthen nerves. It contains anandamide which increases resistance to stress, can improve mood, memory and sleep. It is also a stress-beater thanks to calcium and magnesium, and caffeine and theobromine also stimulate the mood. All these substances then help to produce serotonin, the hormone of happiness.

The tea calms down (- ask the Englishmen about their favourite cup of tea)
Black or green teas contain tein, which has caffeine-like stimulant effects in coffee. At the same time, they contain antioxidants that can relieve tension in the body. That's why the samurai indulged in a tea ritual before the fight. If you are exposed to extreme stress, anxiety or depression, tea will help you regain mental stability. Researchers are even studying the effects of green tea antioxidants in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

Quality fats drive away depression
Necessary for your functioning both physically and mentally are omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which the body cannot create on its own and needs to obtain from food. Foods rich in omega 3 mainly include fish such as salmon, tuna or mackerel. But you can also find them in walnuts, flax and chia seeds or in whole milk.

Nuts get rid of aggression
You can add seeds and nuts to the breakfast porridge, smoothie, homemade pastries and salad. They represent a cocktail of nutrients: omega 3 fatty acids, potassium, magnesium or zinc. Almonds, pistachios and pumpkin seeds are guaranteed to help you improve your mood. If you know that you have a busy day ahead of you, mix this mixture as a healthy snack. For example, it contains L-tryptophan, which helps against bad moods and mild aggression.

Dark green vegetables beat long-term stress
Arugula, spinach, chard, but also dandelion leaves contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals, which contribute to the heart and immunity. However, dark green leafy vegetables also benefit people with depression or under the influence of long-term stress, thanks to folic acid.

Chilli will drive away autumn spleen
If spleen falls on you from the gray autumn days, include chilli in your diet. It warms up, supports metabolism and immunity, but it is also a recipe for happiness. This is due to capsaicin, which promotes the production of the fortune hormones serotonin and endorphin. Bet on other thermogenic foods such as garlic or cinnamon.

Dried fruits for better sleep
Cherries, blueberries or figs will also help to relax and calm. It doesn't matter if you don't get fresh fruit, the dried fruit also retains nutrients. It supplements potassium, calcium, magnesium and prized antioxidants, which also help you sleep better.

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And what say Czechs about their experience ?

      Home made noodles with poppy seed mixed with sugar,richly greased
         Bread with lard,onion or garlic
            and first of all – for good sleep – beer (hops is also included in tablets sold for sleep support)

 

                         Wishing you strong nerves and good sleep

                                                                                        Margaret

 

General

Inflation in European Union

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Inflation in European Union

The annual inflation rate in the European Union (comparing same month of the year 2021 to this year) rose to a record 7.8 percent in March from 6.2 percent in February. This was announced by the European statistical office Eurostat. The Czech Republic had the third highest inflation in the EU, at 11.9 percent.
Inflation in the euro area is now well above the European Central Bank's 2% target. Upward it is pushed especially by the rising energy. In March, energy prices in the euro area increased by 44.4 percent year-on-year.

The highest inflation in the EU was recorded in Lithuania, where consumer prices increased by 15.6 percent year-on-year. Second place went to Estonia with inflation of 14.8 percent. Czechia takes third place.

In an interview with the BBC,   the president of the World Bank, David Malpass said that war in Ukraine will make food more expensive by up to 37 percent, and the looming food crisis will cause human catastrophe in many poorer countries. Hundreds of millions of people are at risk of poverty and malnutrition if the crisis is not stopped.
The head of the World Bank warned that there is enough food for everyone in the world, and according to comparisons with the situation in the past, there are also high food stocks. But there is a need to change the way food is distributed to get where it is needed.

Here some examples of prices how it is influencing Czech Republic:
prices gasoline and diesel January 2022 were at petrol stations in the Czech Republic for an average of CZK 36.20,(approx 1,68 USD/liter) . But beginning of April gasoline was approx 2,27 USD/liter which means 38 % more  – this influences of course also the prices of public transport and transport of goods  – 22% up.
Foods – flour 63% more expensive than a year ago which has of course big influence on prices of bakery products. Butter and milk very similar. Bread – some economists say that in the second half of this year 1kg of bread can be even 70 CZK/3,10 USD – that might be increse by 40-50% in comparison with the price now.

This price development is supported by the fact that Czech government is inactive and does not want to do anything against this development arguing it is against rules of Europen Union – while for instance Polish government  decreased the VAT on foods.

This graf shows average prices of electricity in capital Praha – New year 2021 compared to New year 2022 = growth 48,49 %

The complicated situation applies also on enterprises
More than half of domestic enterprises expect their energy inputs to become more expensive by 50 percent or more. At the same time, the vast majority of companies will increase the prices of other cost items, such as input materials. This follows from the survey of the Chamber of Commerce. The most acute situation is in the manufacturing industry and construction.
A few days ago was published that inflation in Czech republic now is near to 13% – and if government will not do anything against it will still grow most probably.

But not every state in Europe has the same aproach – for instance Hungary  – The Hungarian government since 1. February  reduced prices for wheat flour, sugar, sunflower oil, milk, pork  and chicken breasts.

Evidently member states of European Union have different approach to the inflation, some politicians have more courage and the development this year might be still quite wild.

                            Thank you for reading

                                                                Margaret