food rac·ism

food rac·ism (noun): An expression of racial prejudice that uses a stereotypical food item to make an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo.

In an opinion column published on CNN's website, Ruben Navarrette Jr. noted the use of the term food racism on a conservative radio program in regards to a controversial statement (see video below) made by an ESPN broadcaster about Colombian NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya:

Batter Up: Hungry Girl at Yankee Stadium

In a guest post for the New York Times Bats blog, "Hungry Girl" Lisa Lillien rates the food at the new Yankee Stadium.

Brian Boitano, Food Network Star?

The Food Network has just announced its fall lineup of shows. Several new programs are on tap, including this jaw-dropper, "What Would Brian Boitano Make," premiering in August 2009:

"Everyone knows Brian Boitano won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. What they don’t know: Brian is an accomplished cook who loves to entertain! In this new series, Brian takes viewers on a reality cooking adventure as he creates amazing food for a new event in each episode. Funny, knowledgeable and irresistible, Brian brings himself and so much more to What Would Brian Boitano Make?"

Oddly enough, Boitano was the subject of a similarly titled South Park song: "What Would Brian Boitano Do":

Fruit for Your Feet

Have you ever seen a pair of Adidas more, well, fresh than these?

With the Consortium Watermelon Forum Mid shoe, Adidas has taken the design of its iconic 1980s basketball shoes and given them a melon-y makeover featuring garish green uppers, stripes that mimic those of a watermelon rind, and a red lining interspersed with pits (sorry, they don't come in seedless).

If you want to get seasonal, there's also a low-top "pumpkin" version that would fit your fall wardrobe. Personally, I'm holding out for the Alice Waters-sponsored heirloom tomato edition (made from sustainable materials, of course). $110 at MODA3.

Extreme Potato Mashing

From the Department of Culinary Mashups comes the Spudski, a potato masher whose design is inspired by ski poles. The masher's unusual grip may be held from the side, slalom style, or with the palm on top. Its creators, Black + Blum, claim that the mashing plate is designed to push the mashed potato "away from the stem to help it mash faster and almost clean itself." $16 in red, green, or black at Charles & Marie.