Legislature May Soon Regulate Sidewalk Vendors

The Nevada legislature is considering a bill to regulate sidewalk vendors of food and other merchandise.

According to an article by Michael Bell on Fox5Vegas.com, Nevada Senator Fabian Doñate is conducting the first hearings on bill SB92 today. The bill would set rules for street and sidewalk vendors of food and merchandise. At this time, the bill would only affect vendors in counties or cities with populations of 100,000 or more. In Nevada, that involves Washoe and Clark counties.

I grew up in New York City where sidewalk vendors of street food are prevalent. Hot dog carts, bagel and coffee carts, roasted chestnut carts during the holiday season, pretzel carts, ethnic food carts; the list goes on and on. Here in Las Vegas, there really has not been a large number of sidewalk vendors due to the fact that food and beverages have been historically inexpensive in order to draw tourists and visitors into the hotels and casinos. However, now that food and beverage prices have skyrocketed, grabbing a quick hot dog outside of places like Allegiant Stadium doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

But, the Southern Nevada Heath District warns: "Buyer beware!" Kim Passoth wrote an article back in January on Fox5Vegas.com, which warns us to make sure any sidewalk vendor has a legitimate permit for operating the business. They must follow the same rules and regulations as restaurants. If you purchase food from a vendor who does not have a permit, you may make yourself and your family sick. You may also be enabling human trafficking, as many of these unpermitted vendors have been sold into slavery and brought here illegally.

Per Michael Bell's article: "The Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus said in a statement the bill is looking to make it accessible for vendors to obtain a vendor license and stop the criminalization of street vendors. Also, it will reduce the risk of vendor exploitation, or working under a person, due to their legal status or license documentation requirements."

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Here in Las Vegas, we have had some colder temperatures and overcast days, which may affect your winter moods. If you have been feeling a little more rundown, maybe experiencing the "winter blues," experts are saying the foods you eat could be part of the problem.

Of course, it could also be that post-Christmas slump that many of us experience after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Or, it could be the fact that we make New Year's resolutions that we fail to keep up with. Some people feel that the minimal amount of daylight during December and January affects their winter moods. It could be a combination of all of those things.

Whichever the case is for you, an article posted recently on WrenKitchens.com provides information on foods which will help boost your winter moods, and recipes to go along with that info. Swapping in some of these foods and recipes into your daily diet could really help.

However, there is also this cautionary quote from the article: "It’s also important to mention that while opting for these foods might help you get through gloomy January days, your overall mood can be influenced by lots of different factors, from stress and sleeping habits to genetics, mental health issues and more. If you’re having a tough time with your mental health, food swaps might help with some symptoms, but it’s important to reach out and get support if you’re struggling."

Here we go with the 7 foods to help boost your winter moods! Bon appetit!

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Oats and oatmeal are a great way to start your day. They are loaded with fiber, which help slows digestion to keep your energy levels more stable throughout your day. Oats also contain lots of iron. An iron deficiency could cause you to feel sluggish, tired, and more irritable.

Well, I guess turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners anymore. By now we all know that turkey contains tryptophan, which I heard makes you feel tired and sleepy after those big holiday dinners. While true, that amino acid helps create serotonin in your body, which causes you to relax, helps to reduce anxiety, and helps fight depression symptoms. Who knew?

I happen to love eating fish nowadays, but I sure didn't as a child or teenager. Not everyone loves fish, but if you can find a way to enjoy tuna, especially yellowfin tuna, then you'll be helping your body and brain in a big way. This fish contains selenium, an essential mineral your body needs for many things, including fighting infections. Halibut and sardines are also a good source of selenium.

Fatty fish like salmon are a great source of Omega-3 acids, which experts agree lead to lower levels of depression. There is more research being done, but there are already studies which support this theory from the National Library of Medicine.

Vegetarians and vegans will love to know this: enjoying dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, chicory, and chard provides your body with a whole bunch of essential nutrients. Per the WrenKitchens.com article, these veggies "are a great source of fiber, folate, and carotenoids, as well as being packed with iron, calcium, and vitamins C and K."

Do you love having a crunchy snack in the afternoons or late night? Forget that bag of chips or pretzels, and eat almonds! They are a great source of plant-based proteins, healthy fats, fiber, and tryptophan. Plus, they're loaded with magnesium, which helps promote sleep and a stable attitude throughout your day.

Finally, here's a food that just about everyone can agree on...CHOCOLATE! According to the WrenKitchens.com article: "Chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which help to boost brain health and support blood flow to the brain, as well as phenylethylamine (PEA), which has been linked to improved moods." They advise enjoying dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate if you can, since the latter contains lots of fat and sugar.