As Heidi Klum Says on Project Runway...

Well, as a loyal and obsessed devotee of the television show, Project Runway, I wait anxiously for the final selection of the winner at the end of each week.   And episode after episode, one unlucky, uncreative, or unskilled designer slips up (sometimes ever so slightly) and is sent home.  We hear one of the show's familiar taglines - "As you know, in fashion one day you're in, and the next day you're out" - right before the end, with two lone designers standing on the stage.  The countdown music is ticking, and I hold my breath waiting for the words "I'm sorry, you're out."

The same certainly appears to hold true with food and wellness trends - in one year and out the next.  It seems like we are all on a constant, persistent search for that magic wand wave of wellness nirvana.  I know I am.

So, what were the food and wellness trends for 2017, and what is predicted for 2018?  Will there be a new cleanse, tonic, tea, wellness shot?  Is kale in or out?  Kombucha?  Acai or coconut water?  According to my unscientific, unsubstantiated, fake fact-based magazine and internet mash-up "research" (loosely stated), here's a teeny peek at what's "IN" and what's "OUT" (or going out) for 2018.

"IN"                                                                                 "OUT"
1.    avocado oil                                                               coconut oil
2.    "zoodle" - vegetables noodles (e.g. zucchini       lasagne, macaroni
       spiralized and eaten like spaghetti)
3.    beet greens, chard, mustard greens, turnip        kale
       greens, seaweed
4.    savory yogurts (e.g. curry, jalapeño)                      sweetened yogurt
5.    "souping" - warm and comforting soups that      juicing (2 new juice bars just opened
       are healthy for your tummy and also nutri-        down the street from where we live)
       tious (be sure to use bone broth and fortify
       with vegetables)
6.    black garlic (I've never seen it - you?)                   fresh garlic
7.    watermelon water                                                    coconut water
8.    sage smudging - clears your home and lifts        clutter - the drag and drain of un-,
       your spirit                                                                  wanted, unused stuff and unfinished
                                                                                            business
9.    ugly fruit and vegetables - a movement to           pristine and pretty produce
       consume and not waste knobby, dented, and
       unattractive produce
10.  sorghum - an ancient grain that's on the              quinoa (say it isn't so!)
       horizon as a food trend

"IN" - turmeric lattes
Turmeric, the beautiful spice - golden in color and a close relative to ginger - is believed to pack an anti-inflammatory punch.  A popular spice in India, it has now made its way into our coffee culture.  Yup, I'm talking about turmeric or golden lattes.  So here's a recipe from Tracey Black of the Don't Mess with Mama blog for the health and wellness beverage said to do everything from "encouraging heart health" to "discouraging cancer."  No barista needed!

Ingredients -
2 cups milk (coconut milk, almond milk, or cashew milk - turmeric is fat-soluble and absorbs into the body better than fats)
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tsp raw honey (sweeten to taste)
pinch of ground black pepper

Directions -
1.  add all ingredients to a blender and puree for about 10-15 seconds
2.  add to a stainless steel pot and warm turmeric latte on a low-medium heat until heated to your desired level of hotness
3.  remove from heat and pour into mugs
4.  use an electric milk frother to get a latte consistency
5.  enjoy your homemade turmeric latte (golden milk)