While searching for the next big trend, my sources tell me butter sales are on the rise… More requests not only for traditional butter, but for more exotic types including goat milk butter and ghee, aka clarified butter…

My guess is it has something to do with the return of comfort foods which in my experience always go heavy on the butter…

I have to be honest, until today I had never heard of goat milk butter, but a little research turned up more than a few makers of the stuff…

So why goats milk?

According to several sites it not a problem for those with lactose issues, contains 13% more calcium than cow’s milk, 47% more vitamin A, 134% more potassium, 350% more niacin and never contains BGH…

Have a favorite butter, a fan of goat milk or some insight into where this is all headed, let us know in the comments section….

In this week’s effort to find something new a the market I picked up Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseed… The label mentions it contains 320mg ALA Omega-3 per serving, so it must be good for you…

Like most peanut butter it’s not light on calories or fat, but has a very different flavor…

Slightly sweeter than peanut butter, clearly tastes of flaxseed with a salty finish… It’s not the best peanut butter I’ve ever, but it’s a nice change… Keeps with the new trend of jamming as much nutrition into your food as possible…

Some ideas just seem bad on the surface… But if airlines giving away free booze is the start of a new trend, no better occasion than Valentines Day…

Southwest Airlines has announced that in conjunction with Finlandia Vodka they’ll be giving away free Finlandia and juice cocktails on February 14th… Because what really says I love you like a free cocktail at 8 AM….

But better yet, on St. Patrick’s Day it’s complimentary beer day…

The insert in my Southwest seat pocket read…

“At Southwest Airlines we enjoy spending the holidays with you. When you’re onboard during festivals, enjoy one of our spirited selects on the house.”

Title: Wine, Chocolate and BBQ
Location: Lodi, California
Link out: Click here
Description: Our wonderful Lodi Wineries will be offering tastes of their delicious Lodi wines paired with various chocolate treats. Enjoy winery activities, including barrel tasting, new releases, wine and food pairings, special events and live music throughout the weekend.
Start Date: 2009-02-14
Start Time: 11:00
End Date: 2009-02-15
End Time: 16:00

For the first time in a long time it appears I was on the cutting edge of a food trend… Many years ago I lived in the South of France in a very small apartment without a fridge… It wasn’t by choice, but now it appears the fridge free live style is what a very few of us are doing to reduce our carbon footprint…

One of the fridge free livers told the NY Times they were surprised how,” easy it’s been.”

Here’s the NY Times’ version of events…

By Steve Kurutz
For the last two years, Rachel Muston, a 32-year-old information-technology worker for the Canadian government in Ottawa, has been taking steps to reduce her carbon
footprint — composting, line-drying clothes, installing an efficient furnace in her three-story house downtown.

About a year ago, though, she decided to “go big” in her effort to be more environmentally responsible, she said. After mulling the idea over for several weeks, she and her husband, Scott Young, did something many would find unthinkable: they unplugged their refrigerator. For good.

“It’s been a while, and we’re pretty happy,” Ms. Muston said recently. “We’re surprised at how easy it’s been.”

As drastic as the move might seem, a small segment of the green movement has come to regard the refrigerator as an unacceptable drain on energy, and is choosing to live without it. In spite of its ubiquity — 99.5 percent of American homes have one — these advocates say the refrigerator is unnecessary, as long as one is careful about shopping choices and food storage.

Ms. Muston estimated that her own fridge, which was in the house when they bought it five years ago and most likely dates back much longer, used 1,300 kilowatt-hours per year, or produced roughly 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide — the same amount from burning 105 gallons of gasoline. And even a newer, more efficient model, which could have cut that figure in half, would have used too much energy in her view.

Click here for the complete story

Title: Fourth Annual Celebration of Pigs & Pinot
Location: Healdsburg, California
Link out: Click here
Description: Chef Charlie Palmer invites you to the Fourth Annual Celebration of Pigs & Pinot, March 20-21, 2009 at Hotel Healdsburg. The celebratory weekend offers a series of intimate dining and educational events hosted by Chef Palmer. A cast of Master Sommeliers and international celebrity chefs will showcase some of the world’s greatest Pinots with perfect pork pairings. The proceeds from this event will benefit Share Our Strength® and The Healdsburg School.
Visa Signature ® cardholders receive special perks and savings.
Start Date: 2009-03-20
End Date: 2009-03-21

Title: Olive Festival Finale Weekend
Location: The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway, Sonoma
Link out: Click here
Description: VinOlivo is a gala celebration and feast for the senses. Enjoy all that Sonoma Valley wine country has to offer! Sip Sonoma Valley\’s best wines as you get to know the personalities behind the wine. Ignite your taste buds with culinary delights from Sonoma\’s finest restaurants and caterers. Sample local artisans olives and olive oils at the Olive Bar. Listen to the talented notes of Todd Boston \”Ambient Acoustic World Music.\” Indulge in sweet temptations with sparkling wine, port and chocolate tastings.
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-02-13
End Time: 22:00

I’m not sure when the deadline is for getting your food trends for 2009 in is, but the Canadians are out with theirs.
Our neighbors to the North say it’s all about, “hunkering down and surviving the economic chaos.”
Which in their words means affordable eats, comfort foods and getting healthy.

Some of those changes include brown bag lunches, home cooked meals and avoiding the restaurant scene.

2009 Canadian trends

Lower sodium foods
Vegetarian kids
Probiotics
Healthy carbs
Increase in fruits and vegetables
Beer and red wine marinades

The list comes courtesy of Eating Patterns in Canada (EPIC)

After reading the list I wonder if Canadians are trend setters or just jumping on the band wagon?

Love to hear where you think food is headed this year… Let us know in the comments section.

Title: 3rd Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival
Location: Petaluma, California
Link out: Click here
Description: California’s Artisan Cheese Festival returns to Sonoma County for another four-day
celebration of the continuing evolution in artisan cheesemaking. Featured again this year are the esteemed cheesemakers, experts, authors and chefs who make this weekend uniquely rich and satisfying.

Start Date: 2009-03-20
Start Time: 18:00
End Date: 2009-03-23