These and others are the reasons that made us, Venezuelans, wake up
from our lethargy and start protesting for what we deserve and need.
After months of protests, we are still waiting for the changes that the
students and the civil society are fighting for. Uncertainty is the word
that defines Venezuela’s destiny right now, but we won’t give up. It’s
time for real change.
Consumers Making a Difference
BY BE AT R I Z DE L L A NO
There are 7 billion people in the world today. Less than one million don’t
have enough to eat, while around two billion are overweight or obese.
Obesity has nearly doubled in size between 1980 and 2008, and is no
longer a condition exclusive of high income countries. Lack of physical
activity, combined with other trends such as diets high in carbohydrates,
added sugars, fats and animal sourced foods are some factors explaining
this global epidemic. Low income families are also vulnerable because
of cheap junk food, ubiquitous sugary carbonated beverages that are
sometimes cheaper than water, and limited access to affordable, fresh
and healthy food. Today, it is not rare to find obesity and malnutrition in
the same house. Unhealthy eating habits can lead to obesity, which is
commonly related to type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, or
other conditions that prevent low-income families from overcoming the
poverty trap. The resulting increase in medical expenses and decrease in
productivity harm the economy as a whole.
But it’s not all dire news. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), the food industry is playing a key role in promoting healthier
eating habits. At the center of this are educated and informed consumers
increasingly demanding healthier products and fair practices from the organizations that compose our food system. Concepts such as Fair Trade,
non-GMO, vegan, and social responsibility are making their way into our
everyday lives. The choice we make as individuals is not just related to
what we buy and what we eat, but also affects which companies we help
grow. The more informed and the more conscious we are in these decisions, the more we can affect how our food system develops.
Fanta Chapman
BY AT I M U KOH
If you’ve ever been around a Nigerian long enough,
you will have heard them express their immense love
for their food, and how they miss it when they are
away from home. Nigerians are very attached to their
food and get very excited when people from other
cultures opt to try out their dishes. This cocktail recipe is one of the popular ones made in Nigeria. It’s
called “Fanta Chapman”. There are some variations of
this recipe but this is the standard one. It is easy to
make and the ingredients are available at local grocery
stores. Without further ado, take a flight with me to
Lagos, Nigeria where we sit on a patio sipping Chapmans and eating spicy grilled beef.
Ingredients (Makes 1 tall glass)
180 ml of Fanta or any orange soda
180 ml of Sprite
60 ml of Grenadine (or Ribena or Blackcurrant)
2 teaspoons of Angostura bitters
30 ml of pineapple juice
1 slice of lemon
2 cucumber slices
Ice cubes
Method
In a glass, pour in your ice cubes. Pour in your Fanta, Sprite, pineapple juice and grenadine and mix with
a straw. Toss a slice of lemon in and 1 cucumber slice
and garnish the glass with the other slice. Serve cold,
and enjoy!
Choosing Fair Trade certified products helps local communities. Onefor-one models such as that used for Tom’s shoes, Two Degrees Foods,
and Synced Smiles allow you to have a positive impact on someone else
through your purchase. This is the information era: To learn what is behind the products and companies which are part of our life is easier than
never. You can decide to purchase products that are aligned with your
values and are good for your health, your environment and your community. The choice is yours.
AU G U S T 2 0 1 4
※ IS SU E NO. 3 ※ 1 3 5 5
04