You wouldn't like him when he's angry | Image: Universal Pictures
For some, the holidays aren't necessarily all sweetness and light. With immediate and extended family gathered and the discussions of world events and politics that can produce; with some worn thin working odd hours with cranky coworkers; and travel by plane, train and automobile, tensions can run higher than usual.
But that doesn't mean we can't keep our own emotions in check. As "they" say, you can't control others, but you can control how you react toward them — and often, that makes a significant difference in the moods and behaviors of those around you.
This well researched article offers suggestions on how to communicate in tense situations as well as diffuse and keep reign on anger that gets a start simmering beneath the surface. Check it out; you may be able to use a technique that makes the inevitable refugee, presidential candidate and "who's eating the last slice of pie" discussion smooth sailing, and make your holiday season even more enjoyable.
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Consumers would like it, but do the manufacturers want less waste? After all, they would end up selling less, not to mention the cost of adding the coating.
out of date: 34%
left over after cooking: 26%
left on plate: 20%
(Don't know about the other 20%)
Condiment/Herb offenders sorted by severity are:
Other sauces: 15.4%
Cook-in sauces: 12.2%
Herbs & Spices: 10.9%
Other condiment, spice, sauce, oil or herb: 10.2%
...
Mayonnaise / Salad cream: 4.6%
...
Ketchup: 2.9%
Proportion of the weight of food items purchased that is thrown away (mixed adult households)
Salad: 38.6%
Bakery: 23.9%
Vegetables: 14.7%
Confectionary: 11.1%
Meat and Fish: 10.4%
Condiments: 9.8%
Dried Food: 9.8%
...
Source: http://www.ns.is/ns/upload/files/pdf-skrar/matarskyrsla1.pdf
So, it kind of does look like it was a pet project that the researchers identified with, and the $17 billion (big scary number) is a rationalization after the initial impulse that was then carried out under the pretext of altruism, when in fact it was probably just curiosity and personal identification with the pet-peeves of condiment use.
Apparently the "Bagged Salad & Dressing" market (UK data) reached $10 billion in 2011 and was expected to grow as consumers become more health conscious. 38.6% of $10 billion is greater than 9.8% of $17 billion. Maybe they should have been working on a way to keep salad fresh longer.