Marsala
The color specialists at Pantone have chosen marsala as the color of 2015. A rich, reddish brown that Wall Street Journal describes as “vintage-y, earthy and hinting at the dregs of a bottle of wine,” expect to see the hue taking over in fashion and furnishings in the coming months. As of now, 2014’s radiant orchid is so last year.
2015 Food and Beverage Trends
According to Celebrity Chef Mareya Ibrahim, also known as “The Fit Foodie,” there are some definite trends on the horizon. Here’s what to look for:
1. Mushroom blends: Mushrooms are getting unearthed for their powerhouse composition, richness in B vitamins, minerals, digestibility and low calories and their ability to mimic meat texture (mushroom burgers, anyone?). You can even find mushroom powders these days. 2. Organic adult beverages: For the same reasons people are seeking out organic foods, they’re also considering what goes into their beverages. Think organic wine, beer, cider and spirits like vodka, gin, liqueurs, whiskey, tequila and rum. You’ll also notice bartenders using organic garnishes and infusions to keep things even more interesting.
3. Cold and pressed: Juices and even coffee made this way are hitting the spotlight, because the process promises maximum nutrition and flavor.
4. Meat alternatives other than soy : Offerings range from pea proteins to mixtures of nuts, beans and gluten-free oats and cornmeal.
5. Crickets: Yep, you read right. Edible insects are gaining popularity because they have dense nutrients, are inexpensive and it’s environmentally conscious to consume them. You’ll find “cricket powder” in protein bars, chips and more. Ibrahim adds you may also see cricket burgers pop up on the shelves soon.
6. Gourmet meat snacks: For the “meat traditionalist” who’s looking for the best stuff, you’ll find more varieties of jerky and meat sticks than ever before.
7. The next superfruit is baobab: It’s available in everything from powders to supplements, making it easy to include in baked goods, add to smoothies or oatmeal and chew like healthy candy. Over the next 12 months, look for it in ready-to-drink beverages, as an addition to protein powders and in prepared baked goods and cereals.
8. Colorful veggies and Latin-inspired flavors: Greens like sunflowerchokes, kale sprouts and Romanesco; colorful selections like rainbow chard, carrots and cauliflower in vibrant pink, green, purple and peach hues; Latin-inspired flavors will give way to veggies like jicama, tomatillo and chile peppers getting more of a featured place in the limelight, with Shishito, Padron and Habaneros taking center stage. Sweet potatoes are also seeing increased popularity.
Source: www.eatcleaner.com
Women in the Workforce
According to a recent report by Pew Charitable Trusts, American women are increasingly driving upward mobility among the middle class. Today, full-time working women contribute more than half of their total household income, on average, providing the kind of financial support that can increase the odds that low- and middle-income households move up the economic ladder. A generation ago, working women contributed only 25 percent of their families’ household incomes.
The new numbers back up a report Pew released last May, which found women were the sole or primary breadwinner in 40 percent of households with children under the age of 18—the highest record of women breadwinners and a 400 percent increase from the 1960s.
Women also still make up the majority of college graduates, and Pew notes the wage gap significantly narrows among young women and men today. Among workers ages 25 to 34, women’s hourly earnings were 93 percent those of men in 2012.
