Inflation's Impact on Food Index
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the food index, a measure of inflation, increased during November. The food-at-home index rose 0.5% and the food-away-from-home index increased 0.3%. This is part of the Consumer Price Index which measures inflation. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7% before seasonal adjustment.Andy Harig, a vice president of FMI-The Food Industry Association, pointed out that inflation is stubborn. While food-at-home remains below the Fed's 2% target at 1.6% year-over-year, the monthly increase of 0.5% in egg prices (driven by avian influenza) and 3.1% in beef prices (driven by high input costs) pose challenges. November's numbers show that eating at home is still the best bet for affordability.Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in November. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 1.7%, with beef up 3.1% and eggs 8.2%. Nonalcoholic beverages increased 1.5% after a 0.4% rise in October. The index for other food at home rose 0.1% and fruits and vegetables increased 0.2%.However, the cereals and bakery products index fell 1.1%, the largest one-month decrease since 1989. The dairy and related products index declined 0.1%. The food-away-from-home index rose 0.3% in November, with full-service and limited-service meals also increasing.Over the last 12 months, the food-at-home index rose 1.6%, with meats, poultry, fish and eggs up 3.8%, nonalcoholic beverages 2.8%, fruits and vegetables 1.1% and other food-at-home 0.7%. Dairy and related products increased 1.2%, while cereals and bakery products declined 0.5%, the largest 12-month decline since December 2017. The food-away-from-home index rose 3.6% over the year, with limited-service meals up 3.7% and full-service meals 3.6%. The index for shelter rose 0.3% in November, accounting for nearly 40% of the monthly all-items increase.Unlock the Flavor of Chicken and Veggies in One Dish
Ingredients
Approximately 1.5 lbs of skinless, boneless chicken thighs, neatly cut into 1” pieces. This ensures that each bite is packed with flavor and tenderness. We also use 2/3 C of mayonnaise, which adds a rich and creamy texture to the dish. Along with 1 can of quartered artichokes, drained to remove any excess liquid and retain their delicious flavor. 1 C of cherry tomatoes, adding a burst of color and sweetness. 2 large handfuls of roughly chopped spinach, providing a healthy dose of greens. 2 garlic cloves, minced to release their aromatic essence. The zest and juice of 1 lemon, which gives a refreshing tang. Salt and pepper to season the chicken and enhance the overall flavor. 1/2 sweet yellow onion, chopped finely to add a subtle sweetness. 1/2 tsp of garlic powder for an extra garlicky kick. Dried oregano and dried rosemary to infuse the dish with Mediterranean flavors. Italian seasoning (or other such herbs) to tie it all together. And finally, 1/4 C of grated Parmesan for that cheesy finish.
In a large bowl, we combine the chicken, spinach, tomatoes, onion, Parmesan, and herbs. This creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Then, we add the mayonnaise mix, which coats the chicken and veggies thoroughly, ensuring that every bite is delicious. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish and let it bake in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, the chicken cooks through and the flavors meld together, creating a mouthwatering dish. Serve it over rice or pasta to soak up all the delicious juices. This dish serves 4, making it perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Directions
First, heat the oven to 400 degrees. This ensures that the dish cooks evenly and reaches the perfect temperature. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and approximately 1/2 tsp of both salt and pepper. This creates a flavorful marinade for the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper to season it. Then, in the large bowl, combine the chicken, spinach, tomatoes, onion, Parmesan, and herbs. Add the mayonnaise mix and coat the chicken and veggies thoroughly. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the dish to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. Once the chicken is cooked through, it's ready to serve. Serve it over rice or pasta and enjoy the delicious flavors. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to make, making it a great option for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Revolutionize Your Game Update Experience with Steam's New Settings
Understanding the Need for Enhanced Control
In regards to game updates, Valve emphasizes the importance of finding a balance. The automatic settings typically prioritize updates for recently played games and bundle those for less-played games for later download. This works well in most cases, but some users, especially those with metered connections or bandwidth caps, may want more control. For instance, imagine having a 200GB game like God of War: Ragnarok sitting on your PC, being updated for months while you keep playing other games. You might want updates for the latter to be downloaded instantly, but not for the former until you're ready to play again.This new section added to the "Downloads" tab in the Steam client offers two main options. You can set the default to "let Steam decide when to update the game (based on factors like when you last played the game, bandwidth availability, etc.)" or wait to update until the game is launched. Additionally, you can set specific game overrides by selecting "Game Properties" on titles in your library, and these overrides will be visible in the "Downloads" section under "Manage Exceptions."
The significance of these settings becomes evident when considering the storage requirements of modern games. Take Stalker 2, which requires about 154GB of storage and has had multiple large patches since release. Some games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Black Myth: Wukong, and Horizon games all consume over 100GB. Even games like Ark: Survival Evolved, with a base install size of around 130GB, can expand to 300GB+ with expansions and DLC.
The Impact on Different Users
Users with fast and unmetered connections like myself are in a fortunate position. However, the use case for those with limited resources is undeniable. It allows them to manage their bandwidth more efficiently and only update games when they truly need to. For example, a casual gamer who plays a particular game once a week might not want to constantly download updates. With these new settings, they can have more control and only update when they are ready to play.On the other hand, a dedicated gamer who plays the same game every night will appreciate the option to have updates downloaded as soon as they are available. This ensures that they are always playing the latest version of the game without any delays.
Valve's Approach and Future Plans
Valve signs off with a touch of humility, highlighting their "robust set of existing download options" and expressing their willingness to hear from users about additional settings they'd like to see. While there is no set timeline for when these beta features will be rolled out to non-beta users, it's clear that Steam is committed to providing the best possible experience for its users.The company's focus on balancing user needs with efficient use of resources is evident in these new settings. As game file sizes continue to grow, having more control over updates becomes increasingly important. Steam's efforts in this area are a step in the right direction, ensuring that users can enjoy their games without being overwhelmed by large download sizes.
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