Posts Tagged ‘New York’

Cultural Eating in NYC

One of the best things about NYC is the food.  Everywhere you go, you can see the mix of cultures and the many different foods we eat. The city is a feast of flavors, ingredients and traditions.

Immigrants from all parts of the world brought their recipes to New York.  Visiting the city’s neighborhoods can feel like an around-the-world adventure in dining.  From Chinatown and Little Italy to Harlem, a great meal is just a few steps away.

Many foods are recognized as being “New York’s Finest”.  The list has to include the obvious:  bagels, hot dogs, cheesecake, pizza, pickles, knish.

Many people don’t realize how many dishes were created in the grand hotels or restaurants over the years.  New York chefs created the Waldorf  Salad, Red Velvet Cake, Lobster Newberg, Steak Diane and even Thousand Island Dressing.

Another cultural fact about New York is that in 1837, the first, fine dining establishment in the United States opened – Delmonico’s.   The restaurant also started the “Celebrity Chef” phenomeon when Chef Alessandro Fellippini began to develop the now famous Delmonico Steak.  He is also credited with inventing Eggs Benedict and Banked Alaska.

One of my favorite books is Arthur Schwartz’s New York City Food.  The book traces over 400 years of eating history and is loaded with pictures and recipes.  I love thinking about how our cultures and foods develop.

If all this talk has made you hungry, why don’t you look in your favorite cookbook and make something new?   Or go visit that new restaurant and see what’s on the menu.

Happy Living Global with Fine Dining!   Joy

NY Yankee Baseball

The House that Ruth Built

Baseball is so popular in the United States that it’s called our “National Pastime”.    Since it’s beginning in the early 1800’s it has grown in popularity around the globe.

The professional National League was formed in 1876 and American League in 1900.  Radio stations began broadcasting games during the 1920s because of the growing popularity.

The legendary Babe Ruth joined the NY Yankees in 1920 and began hitting balls farther and got more home runs than any player before.   He made over 50 home runs in 4 different seasons.  Wherever the Yankee’s played, the fans came to see the great Babe.

Throughout the years, the Yankee’s always have star players and win championships.  As the love of baseball spreads around the world, the Yankee’s are leading the way.  The Yankees hire players from Japan and Panama.  Children in Africa proudly wear Yankee baseball caps.

Our culture is enriched by the game of baseball.  Children learn to play in little leagues, teens play in high school.  College scholarships often lead to professional careers.  As a fan, we love to watch the game and follow our local teams.  We have parties and invite our friends over to watch a game.  Baseball is a rich part of our lives.

This year, my local team isn’t doing so well.  It’s frustrating because they were so good last year, but I can always dream about next spring.  I guess that’s what make the sport so great.  Every time you’re up at bat, you get another chance to hit a home run.

Good luck on the next pitch!  Joy

Global in NYC

Lady Liberty Welcomes Everyone

When I had to decide where to begin this global journey, I chose New York City.

I’ve lived in NYC for almost 20 years, so I have to admit that I have a biased opinion.  For me, it’s the greatest city in the world.

The Statue of Liberty has stood in the harbor since 1886 and many consider her the symbol of American Freedom.   Ellis Island welcomed millions of immigrants to our country.   Over the years, people came in waves from countries all over the planet.  Today, immigration is processed at Kennedy Airport as flights arrive from Africa and Asia.

One thing I love about New York is that everyone lives together.  My neighbors were from all races, religions and political views.  I would ride the subway to work and see people reading all kinds of foreign language newspapers – English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Korean.  Everyone was going to work and everyone wanted to read their newspapers!

While America is the great melting pot of immigrants, we still manage to keep our separate cultures alive.   There is a real excitement within the first generation of American immigrants.  They have come to make a better life for themselves and work very hard to be successful.  Many have left family behind but they are thankful for the opportunities they can make here.

My family came to the States a long, long time ago and I’ve forgotten that pioneer spirit.   I take so many things for granted.  My life seems pretty easy when I think about the recent immigrants and what they’re facing.

Dale Carnegie said “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy.  It is what you think about.”

Dale’s right – think about all the good things in life, and there they are.  Lady Liberty is standing in the NYC harbor as a beacon for freedom and prosperity.  I’m going to think about her and smile when I go into that new Jamaican restaurant and order dinner.

Happy Living Global!  Joy