What's for Breakfast? Avocado Frittata for Starters

Avocado And Feta Frittata. Archive photos.

WHEN most people, at least in the United States, think about how to eat avocados they think guacamole or salad. In effect this fine fruit with Mexican roots is rendered to the category of dip, condiment and salad ingredient.

‘Tis a pity, because there are myriad ways to enjoy avocados, including as a breakfast food. In California, which produces most of the avocados consumed in the United States, June is avocado month. Why not celebrate by starting the day with avocados on the plate? Try the Avocado And Feta Frittata for starters.

AVOCADO AND FETA FRITTATA
6 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 avocado from Mexico, halved, pitted, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
2 cups baby arugula, divided

Preheat broiler. In a medium bowl, beat eggs with salt and pepper. Stir in half of the avocado, half of the feta and half of the tomatoes; set aside. Heat oil (can be from the tomatoes) in a 9-inch oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Stir in 1-1/2 cups of the arugula until wilted, about 30 seconds. Add beaten egg mixture. Cook until eggs start to set, lifting sides a bit to let uncooked egg run underneath, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and tomatoes. Transfer skillet to broiler. Cook until eggs are set, 1 to 2 minutes; remove from broiler. Sprinkle with remaining avocado and arugula. Serve hot.
YIELD: 4 to 6 servings

One Million-Plus Reasons FIT Should Be in Stitches

Tony Bennett stands up for his good friends George and Mariana Kaufman at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Gala 2013. Photos by Owen Hoffmann, Patrick McMullan Company.

10 June 2013/NEW YORK – THE Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and the FIT Foundation have got to be happy campers.

If not, ‘tis a pity. Not only did their annual gala Monday night at Cipriani 42nd Street attract big names, it also attracted big spenders.

The school and foundation have an extra $1.2 million to go about their work of developing good talent who may make a name for themselves like Carolina, Michael and Calvin (http://www.ow.ly/lxTn6)

Are FIT Gala honoree Kay Krill and Karolina Kurkova grinning because they know something that no one else does?

Honored were three individuals who have supported the efforts of the FIT and/or undertook initiatives to promote distinct design and fine fashion. George Kaufman (Kaufman Organization chariman), Kay Krill (President and CEO ANN INC.) and Stefano Tonchi (W magazine editor-in-chief) were the honored guests.

The trio was introduced by Tony Bennett, Karolina Kurkova and Jessica Chastain, respectively.

Joan Smalls, Peter Dundas and Gala chairperson Yaz Hernandez turn out for the FIT.

Exciting news was also broken when honoree KK disclosed to the room holding Reem Acra, Francisco Costa, Nanette Lepore, Ralph Rucci, Joan Smalls and several hundred others, that ANN INC (Ann Taylor, Loft) will establish an annual scholarship to be awarded to one FIT student who exhibits a passion for designing fashion for women.

Sew good!

Visit http://www.fitnyc.edu/14212.asp to learn more about the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Gala 2013 and the FIT Foundation.

'Man of Steel' Has Selective Memory and Action Aplenty

A film franchise reboots and the result is “Man of Steel,” the latest in the “Superman” series.

“Man of Steel” goes back to the future, revisiting Krypton, the homeworld of the humanoid infant Kal-El aka Clark Kent who would be snatched from the jaws of death and relocated to Earth’s heartland and raised by Smallville, Kansas couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane). (See video above).

The Zack Snyder-directed film, which opens in the United States, today has amnesia as it regards its critically-acclaimed predecessor, “Superman Returns” (2006), which also had its amnesia around what came before it.

This most recent attack of (selective) memory loss, though, has everything to do with the disappointment of Warner Bros. over box office receipts of “Superman Returns.” They were around $400 million with an “M” worldwide instead of the $500 million that the Suits were hoping for.

Mind-boggling for sure, but it’s the film bidness where greed is good. “Man of Steel” is fair, with moments of an exquisite abundance of action and obscene absences of story. Those ramped-up action sequences, meant to appeal to young males, will very likely get Warner Bros. the results it desires.

“Man of Steel” has a cast nearly as strong as its hero. KC has gotten good notices as Clark’s father. Amy Adams shines as Lois Lane. Other principals onboard for the ride are Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White and Michael Shannon as General Zod.

“Man of Steel” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language; visit http://www.manofsteel.com/index.html?home to learn more about the film.

‘Gonna Walk the Night’ With Haleh Nematzadeh?

The Haleh Nematzadeh Spring/Summer 2013 collection is a journey into forbidden places. Photos from Haleh Nematzadeh Web site.

A cursory glance at the gold necklace, black cropped sheer sleeveless jewel-neck top with attached black leather bra could suggest that the ensemble is communicating a disturbing message.

And so it does. Fashion is a form of artistic expression and that expression can take many forms – delightful, disturbing and many markers in between. Haleh Nematzadeh’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, a multimedia affair called “Gonna Walk the Night,” takes its inspiration from the more problematic elements along the human continuum.

Her own p.r. fairly sums it up: “an autobiographical, film-like journey of a young woman peering into the underbelly of civilization, while exploring what is generally considered painful and taboo in our society.”

A viewer may wonder what experiences inspired the Tehran-born New Yorker to create an orange chiffon empire waist dress that has a black hand covering each breast. Perusing this 15-piece collection is an experience more akin to visiting an art gallery.

Questionable clothing: A slave to what? Fashion? Someone else's desires?

Are the black hands a metaphor for the darkness of forbidden sex, whether it be rape, incest or through forced prostitution. Do they represent evil corrupting purity. Are they protectors – bodyguards? Whoever wears this frock will be a walking conversation piece.

Same story for the individual got up in the plastic dress with front leather detail and white nipple pads. It simultaneously conjures up notions of the Borg and fierce Klingon women … More shortly

Visit http://www.haleh.tv/ to learn more about Haleh Nematzadeh Spring/Summer collection and other ventures.

Couture Council Shops Michael Kors B4 B-Day

Michael Kors and Couture Council Luncheon co-chair Jieun Wax wearing MK pre-fall. Photos by Jonathan Ziegler, Patrick McMullan Company.

MEMBERS of The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT were like kids in a candy store. Or is that like fashion mad and savvy women in a clothing store?

In any case, it went down at the (upper) Madison Avenue Michael Kors boutique last night for a very special presentation of the designer’s pre-fall collection.

For that odd time of year when it is not quite cold but not exactly warm, MK suggests sleek and chic sportswear in silk, leather, light wool and tweed. The color palette skews toward the pink family and black with here and there a splash of green and yellow. And the accent color: white!

Plum print dress with white accents: rimmed cat-eye sunglasses, clutch and pumps.

The man in white pants made it clear to his all front-row audience that the old adage about closeting white after Labor Day is about as stale as white bread. Many of the ensembles fairly popped with the hue along the lines of belts, pumps, purses and cat-eye sunglasses.

All of the jollification was a runup to the big day (B-Day). Quite a bit of chatter and serious deliberation there was about what would be the outfit to wear. A few ladies – and these were mostly ladies, with a smattering of men and fashion boy wonder with the lone name, Tenzin – arrived already got up in pre-fall finery.

Yaz Hernandez and Alexandra Lebenthal sitting pretty at Michael Kors in Michael Kors.

No doubt, they will choose something different for a couple of months out so as not to be captured in photographs or cited by the fashion cops for wearing the same outfit, not that there is any harm in it, of course.

The bigger worry is probably showing up on B-Day in the same outfit as someone else or vice versa. Even in the face of such a daunting scenario, accessories can make all the difference, no?

Incidentally, B-Day is 4 Sept., the day before the official start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York. On B-Day, however, The Couture Council bestows on MK its increasingly prestigious Artistry of Fashion Award at the annual Couture Council Luncheon.

Michael Kors demonstrates the convertible nature of his pink/fuchsia sweater by adjusting the collar lower on the shoulder for an evening look.

Upon receiving the award, the legendary FIT alum will join some pretty august company, including last year’s recipient Oscar de la Renta (http://www.bit.ly/P4zktC). Others so honored are Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Rucci, Isabel Toledo and Valentino.

Visit http://www.fitnyc.edu/3525.asp to learn more about The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT and Couture Council Luncheon.

Celery, Cilantro and Cloves Have Something on Cancer

A daily dose of apples can be good medicine. Archive photos.

AN apple a day keeps the doctor away. Everybody knows that, right?

But does everybody know that an apple a day can very possibly keep cancer away (among other debilitating illnesses). Same deal for celery, cilantro, cloves and numerous other herbs, spices and foods. All contain the natural flavonoid apigenin, which partners with myriad proteins to do its good work.

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers has revealed that apigenin zaps cancer cells of the power to live after their normal life cycle and makes them more susceptible to the effects of drugs used in chemotherapy. All the more reason to swap out colas for chamomile tea and reach for an orange over an Oreo.

Chamomile tea soothes the soul and heals the body.

“We know we need to eat healthfully, but in most cases we don’t know the actual mechanistic reasons for why we need to do that,” said Andrea Doseff, associate professor of internal medicine and molecular genetics at Ohio State and a co-lead author of the study.

“We see here that the beneficial effect on health is attributed to this dietary nutrient affecting many proteins. In its relationship with a set of specific proteins, apigenin re-establishes the normal profile in cancer cells. We think this can have great value clinically as a potential cancer-prevention strategy.”

Titled “Molecular basis for the action of a dietary flavonoid revealed by the comprehensive identification of apigenin human targets,” the findings are published in the online edition of the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences … More shortly.

Visit http://www.bit.ly/16awcD9 and/or http://www.bit.ly/13AxEha to learn more about the study.

'Much Ado About Nothing' Is Really Something Else

PERHAPS had "The Great Gatsby" (http://www.ow.ly/kU8b0) come wrapped in modern clothing like "Much Ado About Nothing," a certain someone would have liked it so much better.

Joss Whedon's present-day treatment of the Shakespeare classic opens today in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. It had its world premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. "Much Ado About Nothing" is fun, fun, fun! (See video above).

Of course, virtually everybody knows that in the end bickering Beatrice and Benedick will wind up together. The delight, though, is in seeing the circuitous, contemptuous journey that Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof, respectively, take to reach that destination.

Ditto for Don John's (Sean Maher) dastardly scheme to destroy his host, Leonato (Clark Gregg), by any means necessary, including using the man's poor, innocent daughter, Hero (Jillian Morgese), as collateral damage.

Comparisons to Kenneth Branagh's critically acclaimed 1993 film are inevitable but not relevant; KB hued much closer to the original text.

JW’s “Much Ado About Nothing” has greater kinship with another Shakespeare work that was infused with modernity: 1996’s “Romeo and Juliet” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the lead roles. There, of course, the similarities end. The latter is a weighty tragedy, while the former is a frothy comedy that keeps the laughter happy and bright.

All's well that ends well. And so is "Much Ado About Nothing."

“Much Ado About Nothing is rated PG-13; visit http://www.muchadomovie.com/#home to learn more about the film.

The Real Problem With Cheerios Ad Is the Cereal

NO doubt, Chirlane McCray voices the sentiments of many about a certain ad for a breakfast cereal that’s been making waves:

“19 years of marriage and two children later, this is the first TV commercial I have ever seen with a family that looks a little bit like ours.”

In her global email, she is referring to the increasingly infamous Cheerios ad that features an interracial family. The company refuses to kill it despite an outcry from dubious corners. And why should it? First, it is so tender. In this case, out of the hands of babes. Surely General Mills won’t do away with the ad because a few bigots have been spewing invective because it features a black man/white woman married couple. (See video of ad above).

Chirlane, Bill and Dante de Blasio are an embodiment of the Cheerios commercial. Photo from Chirlane McCray.

And let’s be clear. Make no mistakE. Had it been a white-identified man and a black woman – in the case of CMcC and Bill de Blasio, a candidate for the mayor of New York City – the hue and cry would not be nearly so cacophonous, if at all.

Ditto for white man/Asian woman, black man/Asian woman, white man/Latino-Blatino woman, Asian man/black woman. Just about any iteration except the most provocative of all. This is the United Sates of America, and it is what it is.

Not all of the ingredients in Cheerios are nearly as smart as Whole Grain Oats. Photo from General Mills.

“As an interracial couple, we sometimes felt conspicuous – which was painful. If you're in love with someone, you're in love with someone,” CMcC shares in the email. “But Bill and I believed it would get better over time, and we hoped for our kids it would be easier. That's why the Cheerios ad is so refreshing."

Guest what is the lone ingredient in the original Post Shredded Wheat? Photo from Post.

Interestingly, the invective is not directed at the real culprit. Specifically, some of the ingredients that Cheerios uses in its so-called heart-smart cereal. The first, Whole Grain Oats, is fine because whole grains are high in fiber.

Fiber does all sorts of good. It aids digestion, reduces the incidence of some cancers and reduces heart disease, hence the Cheerios heart-smart palaver. However, it is offset by the addition of Modified Corn Starch and the preservative Tocopherios, not to mention a little too much sugar and salt.

The mandate at Barbara’s Bakery is to produce healthy foods that are delicious, including its High Fiber cereal. Photo from Barbara’s Bakery.

CMcC’s and all other families would be more hearty if they replaced Cheerios with the original Post Shredded Wheat or the original Barbara’s Bakery High Fiber. Neither contains detractors such as tocopherios.

Visit http://www.bit.ly/11ZratV to learn more about Post Shredded Wheat; visit http://www.bit.ly/18WCDgJ to learn more about Barbara’s Bakery High Fiber.