MMM: Supplements Too Much of a Good Thing?
A new study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looks at who uses supplements, how they use them, and potential risks.
The results of the surveys conducted between 2003 and 2006 were interesting, in several ways.
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Supplement Users
One of the first things that surprised me was that most of the people who indicated they used nutritional supplements didn't actually need them. These participants already had better diets and got enough nutrients through what they ate.
This means that taking vitamins and minerals only resulted in excess intake. While the risks from too much zinc or magnesium aren't known, taking too much calcium (in supplement form) has been linked to kidney stones. Excess iron is stored in the organs and can lead to cirrhosis and heart failure[1]
Supplement Non-Users
Conversely, those participants who indicated no use of nutritional supplements also suffered from poorer diets. They were the ones, it appears, in need of additional minerals, yet they weren't getting / taking them.
Daily Requirements
One odd notation, in the article I read, related to the way people use supplements.
Everyone knows that there is an RDA (or whatever it's called these days) on containers of vitamins and minerals. Most of these items have been evaluated and the FDA has determined what the average individual needs every day. This is not the starting point for supplementation.
Yet, many of the survey participants were treating these numbers as the minimum amount - dosing upward from there. This almost guarantees, especially when their diet is sufficient, that individuals are getting too much of what they're taking.
Conclusions
Since researchers determined that those who need them least, take supplements most often, I have to wonder if it tends to boil down to income in the end. People who can afford supplements (which are not inexpensive) can also afford better quality food - fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats. They (possibly) eat less fast food, as well.
Individuals and families who are struggling financially, who can't afford more expensive meats and produce, probably can't afford vitamin and mineral pills to assist with the nutrition that their diets are lacking. Another catch-22 for families that are caught in the monetary crises crippling so much of society.
Just one more reason to make junk food more expensive, and lettuce, carrots, potatoes, and chicken breasts cheaper.
Rolled Italian Meat Loaf
We love meatloaf. And we each have an opinion about what goes in and on it. Luckily, we usually (mostly) agree.
I have, however, always had this idea in the back of my mind that making meatloaf stuffed and rolled up like my mother's jelly roll would be fantastic.
With mom's cake recipe, temperature was everything - rolling while the sheet cake was too warm didn't work, and neither did letting it cool too long. With a rolled meatloaf, I had a feeling that the temperature was critical, too.
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Apparently, I was wrong. I found this recipe on the Betty Crocker website and it doesn't mention anything about keeping the meat mixture cold. It does, however, seem to require extra-lean meat and pressing the mixture firmly onto the foil.
I haven't tried it yet - still need to get the grocery shopping done - but I do think (with a few modifications) that we're going to be trying it this month. Now, all I need is a couple of baking potatoes, sour cream, and some fresh green beans. Yummy!
Rolled Italian Meat Loaf
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
- 3/4 lb bulk (Hot) Italian sausage
- 1 egg
- 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce (Marinara)
- 1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs (Oatmeal)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded 6 cheese Italian cheese blend
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach leaves
Directions
- Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix ground beef, sausage, egg, 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce, the bread crumbs and pepper.
- On foil, pat mixture to 12x8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with cheese; gently press into meat. Top with spinach. Starting at short end, roll up tightly, using foil to start roll and tucking in spinach leaves; seal ends. Place seam side down in ungreased 12x8-inch (2 quart) glass baking dish.
- Bake 1 hour. Spread remaining pizza sauce over top. Bake 15 minutes longer or until thermometer inserted in meat loaf reads 160°F. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Tips: Use foil to make rolling the meat loaf easier. Then, using the foil, transfer the meat loaf to the pan and bake on the foil to make cleanup quicker.
If you try this before I do, let me know what you think.
ConAgra Underestimates Bloggers
I had not heard about this ConAgra blogger snafu last month, but I can only imagine how upset the victims of this bait-and-switch must have been.
The invitation (seen to the right) promised an evening with chef George Duran, a four-course meal, and a surprise at the end of the evening. Additional invitations were to be made available for bloggers to share with their readers. It sounds pretty terrific, doesn't it?
In actuality, it wasn't quite as promised.
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In a nutshell, this was intended to be similar to the Pizza Hut pasta switch. You've seen those commercials, right? People are invited to a nice restaurant for a pasta dinner, only to find out - after the fact - that it wasn't haute cuisine, but Pizza Hut's new pasta offerings.
Chuckle, chuckle. "Ooh, you fooled me." New ad campaign is launched.
In this case, the bloggers invited to dinner were somewhat seduced with talk of preservative-free food and community-supported agriculture prior to the meal. The implication was, apparently, that the food they would be served would exemplify those concepts. Instead, the diners were treated to Marie Callender's new lasagna meal and Razzleberry pie - soon to be found in the freezer section of your local market.
It wasn't so much the deception by ConAgra/Marie Callender's that I found upsetting. They were attempting to prove that, if you removed the labels, most people couldn't tell chef-made from frozen. Unfortunately, they also scripted and controlled conversations, leading people to believe that they were not just getting chef-made, but healthy chef-made. That was the hook for the ad campaign.
While we don't know if there were outraged consumers after the Pizza Hut pasta meal, we do know that the bloggers (by and large) were not amused by what many felt was a bait-and-switch. There are posts all over the 'Net attesting to their dissatisfaction. And a great number of comments attached to those posts.
The comments are what triggered my ire. Many of them read like plants; highly negative, personal attacks on the bloggers. I don't know if they're damage control by ConAgra or not. But if you look at Chubby Chinese Girl or Mom Confessionals or Food Mayhem, all quoted in the NYT article, there are a number of snarky commenters jumping from blog to blog.
This was a PR stunt that went badly. Bloggers who pride themselves on the veracity of their work were duped. They have the right to voice an opinion of the event; a responsibility, in fact.
They don't deserve to be attacked for expressing their displeasure. Well, I don't think they do, anyway. What do you think?
MMM: Contaminated Shopping Bags
This isn't a brand new article, but I think the message bears repeating:
Reusable Shopping Bags: Green, but Unclean.
Thinking of everything that we carry in fabric / reusable shopping bags, the fact that (according to a study) 97% of us never clean the bags is a sobering fact. That bag that had the meats in it last week may have veggies in it this week.
The potential for cross-contamination is huge.
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Think about it for a minute. You wouldn't cut up chicken and then, without disinfecting the board and knife, slice up your veggies. But, by not washing your totes between trips, you might well be doing exactly that. Especially if we're talking about foods that are eaten raw - carrots, celery, lettuce, tomatoes.
Researchers ran tests on reusable totes and found that 50% were positive for coliform bacteria - the group that includes E. coli. In fact, 12% of the bags tested actually had E. coli. That's a sobering thought, in these days of contamination scares.
The good news? Hand or machine washing killed over 99% of those bacteria.
So - always wash your bags between uses. We take so much care purchasing, preparing, and cooking our foods. Let's not contaminate it before we even get into the kitchen.
Thrifty Thursday: Make Your Own Favorites
I ran across an interesting article, on Seventh Generation's blog and it really made me think.
The gist of the post was that the author fell in love with an orange aioli, served at her favorite restaurant, and vowed to come back often. Then, the lightbulb went on and she realized that she could easily, and cheaply, learn to make it for herself. That's what got me thinking.
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Why not learn to make those goodies that are our favorites, when we dine out?
Personally, I'm a hollandaise junkie - I'd eat the stuff on cardboard. Over the years, I've found a couple of recipes. One involves a double boiler and more time (and skills) than I'm willing to invest. The other is a blender-hollandaise that is virtually foolproof.
My other favorite is Chicken Kiev. It's a simple, if somewhat time-consuming, recipe; chicken breasts, stuffed with butter and green onions and a little garlic. They can be pan-fried, oven-fried, or deep-fried.
Following the same process as Kiev, you can easily make Chicken Cordon Bleu.
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 3 tablespoons grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup mayonnaise (for a different experience, try plain yogurt)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (or a milder version)
Put the garlic, orange zest, and mustard into a food processor and combine. Add the mayonnaise and mix until smooth. With the machine running, slowly add in the olive oil until well-blended. Remove to a serving bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. The aioli will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Chicken Kiev
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 stick butter
- 4-6 green onions
- Garlic powder
- Flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp. water
- Breadcrumbs
- Toothpicks
- 2-3 tbsp. butter, for frying
Cut butter in half, lengthwise; cut each half in half, lengthwise. Wash and trim green onions; remove white bulb end. Using butter as a guide, cut green onion into strips the same length (3-4 per breast).
Set onions aside; cover butter and place in freezer
Wash chicken breasts. Place between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper and pound to 1/4 inch thick (no thinner than 1/8 inch). On clean piece of plastic or waxed paper, lay out one chicken breast. Sprinkle lightly with garlic powder. Place 3-4 pieces of green onion in center. Top green onion with one piece of cold butter.
Using wrap to help guide the chicken, roll up the breast - completely covering onions and butter. Seal edges and secure with toothpicks.
Beat eggs and water together, mixing until frothy. Place flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate, shallow pans.
Roll chicken breasts in flour, then beaten eggs, then bread crumbs.
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt 2-3 tbsp. butter in skillet and brown coated chicken on all sides - Be careful to not break open or dislodge toothpicks. Place in shallow baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup butter
Put egg yolks, lemon juice, salt and cayenne in blender jar. Heat butter in small pan until bubbly. Do not burn. Cover blender and whirl at high speed for 2 or 3 seconds. Remove center section of cover or entire cover and at high speed pour in hot butter in a thin, steady stream. It will take about 30 seconds. Don't use residue in pan.
Leftover Hollandaise may be kept refrigerated in a tightly covered jar 2 or 3 days. Don't let it stand around in warm temperature. To re-use, heat in top of double boiler over barely simmering water and stir constantly.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 thin slices ham or prosciutto
- 4 thin slices mozzarella
- Flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp. water
- Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 c. grated Parmesan
- Toothpicks
- 2-3 tbsp. butter, for frying
Wash chicken breasts. Place between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper and pound to 1/4 inch thick (no thinner than 1/8 inch). On clean piece of plastic or waxed paper, lay out one chicken breast. Place slice of ham or prosciutto in center. Top ham with slice of mozzarella.
Using wrap to help guide the chicken, roll up the breast - completely covering ham and cheese. Seal edges and secure with toothpicks.
Beat eggs and water together, mixing until frothy. Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Place flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate, shallow pans.
Roll chicken breasts in flour, then beaten eggs, then bread crumbs.
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt 2-3 tbsp. butter in skillet and brown coated chicken on all sides - Be careful to not break open or dislodge toothpicks. Place in shallow baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Hope you enjoy these recipes. Once you get the pounding and browning down pat, you can adapt these chicken recipes to just about any ingredients. Personally, I love adding asparagus spears to the Cordon Bleu - great flavor.
So ... what are your favorite dishes? Have you learned to make them at home? If so, would you share your recipes? We're always looking for something new.
Thrifty Thursday: Groceries at Amazon
Due to the fact that I get to make another trip to the grocery store in the next day, or so, I'm thinking about saving money at the grocery store ... again.
And, as I absolutely hate the going and shopping and hauling, online is where I'm looking for help.
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There are a couple of good reasons to give this section a look: 1.) wide variety of products and 2.) free shipping (orders over $25.00). And one, not so good: many items are only available in bulk - big bulk.
Still, there are some great deals. And if you sign up for regular delivery, i.e., 6pk of Folgers coffee every 2 months, the prices drop even further. (There's supposed to be an 'Add to Shopping List' option on the product detail pages, but I couldn't find it.)
Tea
We go through a lot of tea - a gallon a day, or thereabouts. That works out to about one 100-count box of tea bags, per month. At the grocery store or the corner store, we pay between $4.50 and $5.00 each; about $0.20/gallon†.
On Amazon, there is Lipton Tea Bags Cup Size 100-Count, 4pk for $17.96*, which works out to $0.18/gallon†. Or try the 312-Count Tea Bags option for $8.69*; about $0.11/gallon†.
Coffee
We make a pot of coffee most every day, primarily Folgers. A canister, 27.8 - 29.2 oz, lasts us about 30 days. The last one we bought was $9.88 {ouch} - or ~$0.33/pot†.
On Amazon, there is Folgers Brazilian Blend Ground Coffee 27.8-Ounce Canisters, 2pk for $17.13*, ~$0.29/pot†; and Half Caffeinated Ground Coffee 29.2-Ounce Canisters, 3pk for $25.12*, ~$0.28/pot†; and Classic Roast Ground Coffee 11.3-Ounce Refill Packs, 6pk for $21.65* ~$0.24/pot†.
Miscellaneous Groceries
Not everything we buy (naturally) is available through Amazon's Free Super Saver Shipping. So, I wouldn't order them here. Of the general grocery items we've been known to buy, here are a few items that are part of the free shipping program.
- Maruchan Ramen, 3oz 24ct at $8.56*, ~$0.36/each.
- Hunt's Diced Tomatoes (w/ Green Peppers, Celery & Onion), 14.5oz 12ct for $14.38*, ~$1.20/each.
- Plochman's Yellow Squeeze Mustard, 10.5oz 6ct at $8.44*, ~$1.41/each, $0.13/oz.
- Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise, 64oz 3ct at $22.51*, ~$7.50/each, $0.12/oz.
- Crisco Pure Canola Oil, 16oz 6ct at $13.70*, ~$2.28/each, $0.14/oz.
- La Moderna Spaghetti Pasta, 16oz 20ct at $14.96*, $0.75/lb.
- Frontier Onion Powder, 16oz 2ct at $11.40*, ~$0.36/oz.
- Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 7.25oz 15ct at $19.38*, ~$1.29/each.
Admittedly, this is not easy shopping. If you're searching for items that you always buy, the deals may not be that much better and you may have to factor in the additional cost of shipping. Hunting down the items that are part of the free shipping program means that you may not be able to find your usual products or brands.
But, for the pantry fillers (bulk flour, sugar, pastas, or oils) or if you're willing to take the time to really look, there are some great deals to be found. And don't forget, you can sign up for regular deliveries of items you use all the time - shipping is always free.
* Prices are valid as of this writing.
† Price per gallon or pot depends on brewing strength; making tea or coffee stronger or weaker will increase or decrease the cost per/gallon or pot.
Open Letter to My Grocery Store
Today was grocery day - the most hated day of my month.
Grocery Store
This adventure involves two cab rides, minimum one hour scouring shelves and bins for what we need - calculating what we can afford as we go, carting everything up the stairs, and two hours repackaging and putting it all away.
By this time of day, I'm usually dead tired and cranky. Today, I'm crankier than usual. Thanks to my grocery store.
And prompting this open letter to Kroger/Fry's:
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To My Grocery Store:
We purchase your store-brand products because they are less expensive and perform virtually as well as some of the name-brands. It should come as no surprise that we expect those products to continue to be a good value.
Today, my dear store, you disappointed me.
I picked up a box of quart-size freezer bags - the same ones I've been buying for months - only to find that there were now 5 fewer bags in the box. What was $0.0796/per bag is now $0.0995/per bag. Or the equivalent of a 25% increase in price.
In other words, I now have to buy 5 boxes of bags to accomplish what I did with 4 boxes. What I used to get done for $8.00, will now take $10.00 and more trips to the store. This is just bad news, no matter which way you look at it.
Oh, in your defense, dear store, you did add a white field to these fewer bags; a place, theoretically, where I can mark what I bagged and when. Sadly, I was already doing that - with a permanent pen - on the bags that didn't cost me quite so much. So, in all honesty, I'd rather have the missing - plain - freezer bags.
They did the job. At a price that was a decent value. It wasn't broken; you shouldn't have fixed it.
Signed,
A Not-So-Satisfied Shopper
MMM: The Truth About Salt
Smoked Salt
Ha, ha, and ... ha! Okay, perhaps that was a tad uncalled for but, "I told you so" is just so rude.
What brought on this mini-gloat? An article I was reading, in Grist about a new study on salt, published earlier this month in JAMA. It appears that previous information may have been, what was that word? Oh, yeah. Wrong.
For years, we have been hounded by doctors, dieticians, and the USDA to cut back on salt. Salt would give us high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. We were doomed to bland, tasteless food or ... death.
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Compelling Findings
According to this study, published May 4th, "... low-salt diets actually increase the risk of death from heart attack and stroke -- and in fact don't prevent high blood pressure." And this isn't the first research to point out the disparity between dietary dogma and cold, hard facts.
Back in 2006, a report published in the American Journal of Medicine found that "Lower sodium {emphasis mine} has been associated with stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, that, in turn, has been associated with adverse [cardiovascular disease] and mortality outcomes. Sodium restriction may also influence insulin resistance."
Going back further, a 1998 article in Science , The (Political) Science of Salt, discusses the controversy. It mentions a Perspective: Biomedicine article which states: "Salt has little effect on blood pressure, and the most effective diet-induced changes in blood pressure can be achieved with a menu low in fat but high in calcium, fruits, and vegetables."
Salt and Fluid Balance
The body needs sodium. As Grist author, Kristin Wartman, explains:
Sodium is important for maintaining blood volume, it works in concert with potassium ... and ... calcium. ... [It] exists in all of the fluids in our body and is essential to water balance regulation, nerve stimulation, and proper function of the adrenal glands. It is also crucial to maintaining mental acuity ... This is part of the reason sodium deficiency (sunstroke, heat exhaustion) leads to confusion and lethargy as the human brain is extremely sensitive to changing sodium levels in the body.
Truth About Table Salt
Not to say that refined salt, the form that hits our french fries, is good for you. The article in Grist points out how salt is manufactured for the table. It's a tad scary.
In a nutshell, all trace elements are removed and the salt is heated to 1200° F. This leaves 100% sodium chloride, plus industrial additives like anticaking agents, dextrose, and aluminum. The additives turn the salt purple, so it's bleached to make it pretty and white.
Wouldn't call this a good food. (Unrefined sea salt is the best option.)
Bottom Line
I find all of this incredibly interesting. Early research indicated that salt was bad for blood pressure. That research stuck and, despite years of more accurate studies, those in charge of dietary recommendations refuse to change.
The potential correlation between sodium restriction and serious health issues is worth noting. As a society, we are suffering an increase in diabetes diagnoses that is nearly epidemic. Is this societal increase in insulin resistance a direct result of the push to limit salt intake? The timing is certainly intriguing.
Also interesting timing: milk and fresh fruits and vegetables are being priced right out of the diet of most American households. Yet, we put the blame for obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease on sodium and fast food.
But that's a fight for another day.
MMM: Go-to-Sleep Nutrition Bar
While I truly enjoy the insomnia-induced mania intense creativity that flows through my brain at 3am when I can't sleep, I think that it might be a bit more productive to be able to crawl into bed at midnight, actually fall sleep, and get up - looking and feeling human - at 6am to start the day.
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As it is, I go to bed when I (finally) can't keep my eyes open anymore. Then, lay in bed for anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. About the time the sun is rising, I roll over (for the 53rd time) and go to sleep.
It's usually between 2pm and 5pm when I drag myself out of the bedroom, jonesing for caffeine, and looking like something the cat spit up dragged in. After about 2 hours checking email, reviewing 12 versions of social media, and waiting for the coffee to kick in - I finally get to work on something. Sort of.
I need a schedule fix. I need to be able to sleep at night and get up at a decent hour. I really, really do. I think I need NightFood™
Just found these and, I must admit, they sound pretty darned good: “NightFood™ bars are delicious, and are formulated to help you fall asleep, and sleep better. Just as importantly, a delicious cookies n’cream NightFood™ bar can help you eliminate cravings and unhealthy snack options from your evening."
Of course, I'm always reluctant to trust skeptical about proprietary ingredients - especially at doses that, reputedly, equal 80mg of caffeine. And there are a lot of sugars in here - 9g and 150 calories in a 40g bar; plus some iffy oils - fractionated palm kernel oil leads the uh-oh list. And melatonin - which does encourage relaxation - is last on the what's-in-this-list.
With that said, the NightFood™ bar didn't scare me witless (although the sugars and oils look pretty bad) - or convince me that it would help me sleep. But, I just can't get away from the proprietary cocoa derivative (Chocamine) and its apparent caffeine jolt.
Would like to try it. Just don't think I'd eat it on a regular basis.
Thrifty Thursday: Meat and Produce Price Increases
Wikimedia Commons
This is, to my mind, one of those rock-and-a-hard-place situations.
Wikimedia Commons
The entire country is raging about fast food and obesity. Articles all over the Internet are touting eating healthy; cooking at home is the answer to Happy Meals and Whoppers, and expensive restaurant dining or carry-out.
Apparently, that last part isn't quite true anymore.
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There was a brief story on the local news recently, explaining that we can expect an 8% increase in the cost of meats and produce over the coming weeks. So our effort to do the right thing, to improve the content of our diets, is being not-so-subtly undermined.
In March, the Alabama Farmer's Federation announced a 3.8 percent increase in the cost of groceries in their state, prompting an article: 5 Ways to Save on Produce & Meats, in The Birmingham News. With another increase on the way, the advice is welcome.
In a nutshell, 1.) Buy produce in season, from local sources; 2.) Cut, slice, and chop meats and veggies yourself; 3.) Non-organic is cheaper, but remember to wash well; 4.) Buy meats on sale and in bulk; 5.) Save money with coupons and by shopping at warehouse stores.
Even when prices aren't soaring out of reach, these are good shopping habits.
Suing vs. Common Sense
Source: Wikimedia Commons
This, I must admit, makes me just a little crazy: the Happy Meal lawsuit. Filed by a San Francisco mother, the suit states that McDonald's Happy Meals violate consumer protection laws in California by advertising to kids.
Now, I don't have little kids screaming for the latest toys bundled into these meals, so maybe my viewpoint is a little different. But, what immediately occurs to me is a word I learned from my mother (and Nancy Reagan): "No!" Just tell kids, "No!"
Parents used to do that. A lot. And the world made a lot more sense.
Maple Syrup: Healthy?
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Dvortygirl
Apparently, karma is working in full force this week - at my expense.
No more did I create a post about the evils of sugar-laden pancake syrup than I stumble across an article about the health benefits of maple syrup. Seriously.
It seems that a recent study found loads of antioxidants - like those in blueberries and green tea - in everyone's favorite pancake topper. Even more shocking, some of these polyphenols may actually inhibit the enzymes that turn carbs into sugars - great news for diabetics.
As with anything else, I'm sure that the purer the syrup, the healthier. Tons of added sugar, sodium, and preservatives are bound to undo any benefits that may exist.
Still, interesting timing - from where I sit.
MMM: Unhealthy Grocery Options
One of the big caveats, when it comes to losing weight or staying in shape, is don't eat out. Restaurant food is notoriously loaded with fat and calories. So, we scour the grocery shelves, load up our carts, and tell ourselves that eating in is better.
Which it is. Mostly.
Even avoiding the snack food aisle, there are traps and pitfalls at the grocery store that may not be obvious.
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There is an interesting column in Yahoo! Health: Eat This, Not That that shares some wisdom, and ideas, about what we stuff in our faces. Not everything we think of as healthy is, actually.
The Bad News
Pancake Syrup & Alfredo
The obvious items, in a column called 10 Worst Supermarket Foods, are pancake syrup and a couple of Alfredo dishes. Nothing - home- or restaurant-made - is going to be good for your waistline when the two primary ingredients are butter and heavy cream. And, well, pancake syrup in all its sweet, maple-y goodness. Need I say more?
But the syrup, at least, offers alternatives. (Alfredo is just going to be deliciously loaded with calories, fat, and cholesterol.) The article provides a sugar-free syrup recommendation; there are plenty on the market.
You'll probably have to try a few, until you find one that you like. They don't all taste the same - trust me. Mrs. Butterworth's and Kroger offer decent options. But watch out - not all items labeled lite are. And some brands substitute sodium for ... I'm not sure what. Flavor?
Yogurt
I'd like to say that this one surprised me. We love yogurt, but manic carb-checking brought us up short. The 'bad' item in this article actually has 36g sugar and 3g saturated fat. There are desserts with less sugar.
We've become addicted to quite fond of the low-carb store-brand from Kroger. Before I continue - this is not all-natural, no-additives yogurt. It has quite a list of ingredients, most of which are added proteins.
Bottom line? It has only 80 calories, a net 3 carbs (3 from sugars and 1 from proteins), and only costs $0.44/each. Plus, just as important to us, it's creamy, rich, and tastes great. Not to mention there are a ton of flavors, with more popping up all the time.
This isn't yogurt, for yogurt's sake. But, if you eat a lot of it - better to choose one that isn't loaded with sugar and fat.
"Healthy" Entrees
We don't, generally, eat these. They tend to be small and overly expensive. Now, I see that they can also be very non-healthy.
Admittedly, I've given them a look; trying to come up with something quick for dinner isn't always easy. So, I did know that they almost all tend to be pretty carb-loaded. It's from the filler pastas and rices that they use.
Another issue is the sodium is so many of these meals. Anyone concerned about their health and weight will avoid loading up on salt, as well as sugars.
And let's not forget the saturated fat. Because these meals tend to have that, too.
The Good News
Dig out the apron and the cookware. We're going to 'fix' some of these bad foods.
Pancake Syrup & Alfredo
We've already discussed the syrup - lite and sugar-free options abound. If you can't give up pancakes, these are a great way to lower the impact of that breakfast.
For Alfredo, there are recipes - yes, you'll have to cook your own - for a healthier Alfredo. Although I love the stuff, this isn't something we eat; so I can't verify that this recipe is as good as it sounds. If you try it, let me know what you think.
Yogurt
This is something, now that I've read through the process, that I would love to try: homemade yogurt. There is - literally - nothing in it but milk and yogurt cultures. You can't get any healthier than that.
And, if you're not fond of plain, you can add any flavor that makes your taste buds happy - cocoa, bananas, pears, berries, lemon, granola. The only limits are your imagination - and the contents of your fridge and pantry.
Healthy Entrees
When my kids were little, their dad and I used to spend one day every other week (or so) making our own frozen dinners. It was actually great fun and eliminated the "What am I going to cook tonight?" issue. Plus, we knew what we were eating, since we were the ones that put it together.
By using leaner meats - ground turkey, instead of ground beef, for example - you can put a little bit of time and a whole lot of health into your meals. Anything that you can buy frozen is fair game: chili, casseroles, stews, soups.
Just like flavoring homemade yogurt, the only limits are your imagination. (If you're carb-watching, there's a great Recipe Forum at LowCarbFriends.com.)
There are healthy options at the store - depending on your health needs, quite a few.
Basically, look for fewer ingredients and more you can pronounce - the simpler, the better. Best of all? Don't buy pre-made; make it yourself.
You'll be happier and healthier - knowing exactly what you're eating.
Apples and Bananas
We, inadvertently, became part of an experiment in fruit ripening yesterday.
Part of our grocery shopping, we picked up some apples and bananas. The bananas were a little green - at least they were when Mark put them next to the apples on the lazy susan. By the time we were done repackaging and putting away, the 'nanners' were ... changed.
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I had heard that putting apples in a brown paper bag with unripe fruit would accelerate ripening. Yeah. Sure. Right. Well, ummm, perhaps I was wrong.
We noticed the bananas getting riper, so we moved the apples. 'Nanners' getting more yellow; put the apples in a brown paper bag. Still getting dark - moved the bag of apples.
It was, within recent memory, one of the oddest situations I'd ever witnessed. The closer we placed the apples to the bananas, the more the bananas ripened. While it may not work for all fruit, it certainly appears to work - in spades - with bananas.
Kinda fun, all in all.
MMM: Kidney, Liver, and Diabetes Diets
Source: pbiv.com
Given that we're dealing with active hepatitis C and high blood pressure and insulin-dependent diabetes, I was pretty certain what I'd be doing this week. However, we learned, last Thursday, that Mark has stage 3 kidney disease.
So, I'm doing a mad scramble to learn everything I can about kidneys: health risks, disease symptoms, and dietary recommendations. Do this, don't do that; eat those, never touch these; and always remember ...
My brain is beginning to melt.
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One of the last things that the doctor and I talked about was the priority of a renal diet, over a diabetic diet. So, given the 5,000 other options, I decided to focus on food.
Electrolytes
Just as with the liver, electrolyte imbalances seem to be indicative of renal problems. In hepatic conditions, sodium and potassium balances are critical. Apparently, with kidneys, it's a phosphorus and calcium disconnect that triggers red flags.
Source: bettercancersolutions.com
Phosphorus and Calcium
The body needs phosphorus to build and maintain bones and teeth, as well as nerve and muscle function. However, too much phosphorus keeps the body from absorbing calcium. When that happens, the body starts stealing calcium from bones to make up for it.
This leads to weak bones, as well as itchy skin, and bone and joint pain. Eating less peanut butter, cheese, nuts, and ice cream - foods high in phosphorus - is recommended. Non-cola drinks, sherbet, zucchini, broccoli, and non-dairy substitutes for milk products are preferred.
Calcium supplements may be required, with the addition of vitamin D to help maintain proper balance. Cutting out foods that are high in phosphorus may negate the need for calcium pills - something that your doctor should decide, after careful review of lab results.
Sodium and Potassium
Sodium is required by the body to manage fluid levels, regulate blood pressure, and control muscle contractions. Potassium keeps nerves and muscles working properly, especially the heart. Excess of both electrolytes are cleared through the kidneys.
When the kidneys aren't functioning properly, sodium levels may rise; leading to fluid retention in the hands, feet, and face, and an elevation in blood pressure. Excess potassium, found in greens, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, broccoli, and chocolate, can cause irregular heart rhythms.
It's fairly easy to control salt intake. Simply take away the shaker and carefully read food labels. Obvious items to avoid include bouillon, canned soups and vegetables, salty snacks, bacon, cold cuts, and boxed dinner or side dish mixes. Colas tend to be rather high in sodium, as well.
Proteins and Carbs
This is where diabetes and kidney disease crash - violently.
The body converts carbs, which are hiding everywhere, into sugars. Therefore, a diabetic diet counsels low carbs, more protein. Not too difficult, until you factor in kidney disease.
One of the waste products created when the liver processes proteins is urea, a substance that contains nitrogen and clears through urine. When kidneys don't function properly, excess urea and nitrogen build up in the system. This condition, called uremia, can cause itching, mental impairment, nausea, and fluid build-up in the lungs or around the heart.
(One source indicated a direct correlation between excess urea and muscle loss.)
Obviously, too much protein is detrimental for anyone with kidney disease; just as it is for those with liver disease. But the alternative - carbs - are a no-no for diabetics. As with everything else, a balance between proteins and carbs is critical.
Our Dilemma
With the exception of calcium and phosphorus, these dietary restrictions aren't all that new to us. When Mark was dying from end-stage liver disease, we doled out milligrams of sodium and grams of protein like a miser pinches pennies. It wasn't easy, but we learned and got pretty good at it.
These days, we've got to factor in diabetes. That means the foods he ate, in massive quantities, to make up for being denied proteins are now (pardon the pun) off the table.
Frankly, I'm not quite certain how we're going to put all of this information together (and it's only a small part of what we have to consider) to create a diet that will not aggravate Mark's liver and kidneys, or shoot his blood glucose through the roof.
But I'm working on it. Any and all advice is extremely welcome.
Thrifty Thursday: Food Storage
The cost of food is shocking. And will undoubtedly get worse, before it gets better. That means shopping smarter and taking a serious look at food storage.
Ideally, we'd walk to local shops and get what we need for today. No worry about how long food lasts in the fridge, because it's gone before it can go bad. Ah, a perfect world.
Since I don't live in that world, I have to make what I buy last longer.
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I hate using plastic bags, but they are (so far) the best option I've found for keeping produce usable longer. The key is getting it put away, properly, as quickly as possible. It's never going to be any fresher than the day you bring it home.
We wash, cut up, and bag most of what we buy immediately.
Photo: Wikimedia/Francinegirvan
Celery and Green Pepper: Clean and cut into strips about the width of a quart-size freezer bag. We divide into two or three bags. (If one goes, it doesn't take out the whole batch.) Squeeze the air out and they'll last up to a month in the veggie bin.
Carrots: Scrub (not peel) them well and trim ends. Cut into usable sizes: strips for snacking, larger pieces for cooking. Bag by size and, again, get all of the air out.
Fresh Greens, e.g., Spinach, Lettuce: Wash well and shake off excess water; core head lettuce. Bag carefully; don't bruise. Leaf lettuce, collard greens, kale, etc. need a damp paper towel in the bag. (We bag head lettuce in halves or thirds; no paper towel.)
Fresh Herbs, Green Onions: Common wisdom says store these in water. I wash them well, remove iffy leaves and fresh-cut the herb stems. (Don't trim root-end of onions.) A sturdy mug is less likely to fall over in the fridge.
Onions and Potatoes: The exceptions to the rules. These veggies need air or they rot. My absolute personal favorite storage method is wire mesh, three-tiered hanging baskets. Just hang somewhere that's not too warm, with good airflow. Should work just as well for turnips, rutabagas, parsnips and other root veggies.
Fruits are, naturally, totally different. If you cut them up before storing, they tend to turn brown or dry out. For almost all of our fruits, I like (again) those mesh hanging baskets. Or paper bags, in the veggie bin. Keep apples away from everything else; they give off gases as they ripen which accelerate ripening (and rot) in most other produce.
So, what did I miss? Do you buy, and successfully store, other goodies from the produce aisle? Please share your tips and tricks in the comments.
We all need to make our food dollars go as far as we can. Not throwing away half of what we buy is a darned good place to start.
Thrifty Thursday: Electronic Coupons
I love saving money on food. I hate clipping coupons.
The problem, besides forgetting to bring them to the store, is digging through pages of junk to get to the few items I buy. There are a couple of ways around that. Thank heaven.
One is digital coupons that I can load right on my grocery club card. The other involves those tremendous sites that let me choose which coupons I want to print.
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Digital Coupons
The main source of digital grocery coupons are the stores themselves. All you need is a store discount / saver / club card, whatever they call it where you shop. Then, go online to the store website, choose your coupons, and upload to your card. (If the shopping part was only that easy.)
Grocery Stores
I've listed these two stores, because they're in our area and I know they offer online ecoupons. Check your store for similar deals.
Safeway.com has a pretty extensive collection of coupons. Sort them by your purchase history (items you've bought before), best value, new offers, and deals about to expire. They're not region-specific, so you should be able to use them anywhere in the country.
Kroger / Fry's is another great source. The last time I checked, there were over 100 coupons available for everything from bread and soup to laundry soap and pet food. Again, you can sort by newest, expiration, popularity, or value.
Online Services
P&G eSaver is one of my personal favorites. They offer coupons for a huge number of Proctor & Gamble products and - love this so much - will upload them to your store shopper card. Just register your card and off you go - save away.
Shortcuts.com is a free service from AOL that has several different options. You can register a shopper card from a large selection of participating stores and upload your choice of coupons. They also offer printable coupons, cash-back savings, and online coupon codes.
Cellfire.com is another online service that lets you upload coupons to your store card. But, unlike other services, you can also get non-grocery coupons sent to your mobile phone. You'll never leave home without savings at your fingertips again.
Printable Coupons
Most sites offering printable coupons require that you download their special printer software. It's important, because the coupons' bar codes won't scan if not printed properly.
Grocery Stores
Albertson's, which may be a different online company in your area, only provides printable coupons. (At least, I couldn't find any electronic ones.) The offers seem to vary, somewhat, by store and region.
Whole Foods Market is located across the US, as well as British Columbia, Ontario, and the UK. The products look to be exclusive to the store, but there are a lot of available coupons.
Online Services
CouponBug and Coupons.com seem to offer the same (exact) printable coupons. There are also savings card options, as well as coupon codes for online shopping. (The majority of their deals seem to be in the printables, but they do work with several different shopper cards.)
Kingdom First Mom has some great coupon resources. Including a searchable database with information on - literally - thousands of coupons, deals, and offers. It took me a little time to figure out the lingo (for which KFM offers a glossary).
This is, by no means, a complete list of options. But, it should get you started saving on that weekly grocery bill.
Please feel free to share your favorite sites, pages, and online deals.
A Chocoholic in Need of a Fix
It occurred to me, as I was drooling all over my computer screen, that
surfing sites with gift baskets, brownies, and flavored popcorn is a
really bad idea when there aren't any sweets in the house.
Ultimate Brownie Bow Box
It all started with the brownies. That many colors, flavors, and
tempting combinations just can't be ignored. I mean seriously - who
could resist anything that combines toffee crunch and brownie in the
same recipe?
Of course, oatmeal and butterscotch is a combination that just begs
tasting, too.
Includes buttercream frosted hot fudge, classic vanilla fudge, toffee
crunch, classic fudge, blondie, and oatmeal scotchie brownies.
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Chocolate Decadence Gift Basket
Then, before I could wipe my chin, I hit the mother lode. Biscotti
and espresso! And ... oooh, chocolate.
The pecans protect my nervous system, provide antioxidants, and
... oooh, chocolate. Sorry. Couldn't help myself. {wink}
Contains chocolate pecan clusters, Perugina chocolates,
chocolate-covered pretzels, Italian chocolate espresso cake,
chocolate biscotti chunks, orange chocolate cookies, and plenty
more.
'Hang in There' Basket
One of our favorite treats is popcorn, with a side of fudge.
Apparently, we're not the only ones who understand buttery salty
crunch and rich, decadent chocolate go together like dill pickles
and lemon meringue pie. What?
Okay, if you must stick with tradition - how about popcorn with
almonds and pecans, and chocolate chip cookies?
Reusable basket with Premium Popcorn Factory® Butter, Cheese and
Caramel corn, mini pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, Almond Pecan
corn, fruit sours candies, chocolate frog, and more.
Guess I have to face it. Living with a chocoholic for over nine
years has rubbed off on me. I have completely lost my self-control.
And do not intend to look for it.
Grow Me a Hot Wing, Please
Photo: Wikimedia/MutHwaBC
This
story made me think of an episode of Eureka, right after
the knee-jerk gagging reflex kicked in.
Apparently, a scientist in South Carolina is attempting to grow meat
in a lab. And, he's not alone. There are, according to the article, a
handful of scientists worldwide trying to do the very same thing.
I understand the logic behind the work: As the population of the world
increases, we are running out of room to raise animals for food. By
engineering meat in a lab, science "could help solve future global
food crises." But, still ... ick? [Continue Reading
...]
Which brings me to Eureka. In an episode from Season 2, while
in the midst of a crisis (when aren't they), members of the town of
geniuses start to get ... stupid. This leaves the sheriff (when
doesn't it), not the sharpest of the residents, to save everyone.
It turns out that the woman who supplies chicken to the town cares
just a little too much for her bird. Yup, bird. She only has one
rooster that she is very, very attached to.
Rather than raise animals and have to kill them, she clones her
rooster and grows 'chicken' in a building on her property. Turns out
that one of the chemicals she uses in the cloning process interacts
with the human brain - making everyone into idiots.
And that, boys and girls, is why we shouldn't try to 'grow' meat.
Okay, it wasn't real. But ... it could happen.
Humulus lupus? Not So Much
Photo: Wikimedia/A. Masclef
If it's tough to find out what's in that handy-dandy "best weight loss supplement", that's nothing compared to hunting down any benefits. But, hey, that's actually the fun part.
For example, I stumbled across a supplement today that has Humulus lupus in it. Pretty interesting, until you realize that there is no such thing. Just don't tell that to the USDA researchers or the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
The actual plant is Humulus lupulus (I checked with itis [dot] gov) or Hops. While hops, a member of the same family that gives us marijuana, is reputed to have mild sedative properties, there is no clinical evidence. Many preparations contain so much alcohol that it's anyone's guess what's doing the sedating.
What is known is that Humulus lupulus contains phytoestrogens, chemicals found in plants that can act like estrogen. These chemicals are, alternatively, blamed for increased risk of hormone-dependent cancers and touted as protection against those same conditions. Mostly it's soy-based products that take the heat.
That doesn't mean popping supplements containing hops are good - or bad. It just means that there really isn't enough information to make an educated call. Wow, where have we heard that before?!
MMM: Health Stories from Twitter
I usually start my day by checking my email, moderating any comments that came in to the blog, and touching base with Twitter. Yes, Twitter. There's a lot more to read than who kissed who, which celebs broke up or got together, and what food product Gaga turned into a costume this week.
One of the people I follow, Blackdogworld, is an amazing woman who covers an incredible variety of news in her daily tweets. (If you're not a tweeter, you can share what inspires and moves her on her blog: Art of Green Recycling.)
A couple, or more, of the items that caught my eye this morning:
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One line from this article says it all: "[O]f all the certified organic labels, most of them can still contain varying amounts of non-organic ingredients that will effectively negate any benefit of the organically-grown ingredients."
There are 3 labels, directly related to the food we buy and the quality/quantity of organic ingredients.
- Products labeled "100% Organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients
- Products labeled "Certified Organic" must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients
- The label "Made with Organic Ingredients" can contain anywhere between 70 to 95 percent organic ingredients
As you can see, there's a lot of wiggle room in the last 2 groups for not-so-organic (read: pesticide-treated) items. It's a bit like buying organic lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, celery, and onion - then dressing them with motor oil. Sure, the veggies are pesticide-free, but I still wouldn't eat the salad.
This is another "Crap! I didn't know that!" moment for me. It isn't enough that Monsanto has given us "Roundup, genetically-engineered beets, corn, and other crops, the fact that they sue farmers after their seeds (a monopoly of their own) contaminate the farmers' own fields, Agent Orange....we could go on and on."
They now own about 40% of the seed market for home vegetable gardens. And that just can't be good.
Think about it for a minute. You're trying to feed yourself and your family the right way, maybe save some money by growing your own food. Then along comes the king of GMOs, putting heaven-knows-what in those little seed packets.
If you're planning your garden, getting a little misty at the thought of all those incredible veggies you'll be enjoying in a few months, this is the article you need to read first.
Photo: National Geographic/Joel Sartore
And something that's just plain gorgeous.
View, enjoy, download, and save these amazing pictures. I can't imagine more beautiful images to add to my wallpaper. Of course, there is the very real risk that I'll spend hours taking virtual vacations ~ around the world.
Aw, heck. There are worse ways to kill a couple of days.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Photo: Diana Rattray/About.com
Another great cookie recipe found.
These Chocolate Crinkles are just incredible. The intense
chocolate of the cookie, offset by the sweet powdered sugar coating
makes for an unforgettable flavor. Once you've tried them, you'll make
them more and more often.
Well, unless you don't like chocolate.
I've heard that there are people like that. But, I'm certain that's
it's just one of those urban legends.
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Chocolate Crinkles
Ingredients
-
3 eggs
-
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
-
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
-
1/2 cup vegetable oil
-
2 teaspoons baking powder
-
2 teaspoons vanilla
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
sifted confectioners' sugar
Preparation
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs, sugar,
chocolate, oil, baking powder, and vanilla until blended. Beat in as
much of the flour with the mixer as possible, then stir in the
remaining flour. Cover and chill the cookie dough for 2 hours.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sifted confectioners' sugar,
coating well. Place balls of cookie dough about 1 inch apart on
ungreased cookie sheets and bake in a 375° oven for 8 to 10 minutes,
until crackled in appearence. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to
cool. (Mom never added this step: Sprinkle with more
confectioners' sugar if desired.)
Makes about 48 cookies.
Eating in Front of the Computer
These little studies are interesting. Not necessarily valid for grand medical pronouncements, but they do make one think.
This latest, involving 44 men and women, tested whether mealtime distractions cause us to overeat, especially dessert. An interesting hypothesis, though hardly a definitive study. And, oddly, my circumstances tend to be the opposite.
At home, and at the office, I've always been one to work while I eat. I never noticed being particularly interested in sweets later. Or eating more because I'm not paying attention to the meal.
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In the study, participants who played a computer game during lunch ate more cookies, when dessert was offered 30 minutes later. Those who paid attention to the meal, and only the meal, indulged in fewer sweets. Additionally, the game players were less able to recall the order and content of their lunch, and reported feeling less full.
For me, doing other things while I'm eating generally causes me to eat less. I start feeling full and quit eating sooner when I'm paying attention to more than my meal. Undistracted, I'll eat everything but the plate.
Even eating the same amount of food, I will agree that I don't end up feeling as full when I'm multitasking. Probably because I tend to eat more slowly; nibbling at the food, while typing or reading a little between bites. My possible response to sweets, offered a half-hour later, did make me stop and think.
Because I nibbled my way through the meal and don't feel over-fed or too full, it is entirely possible that I would be more likely to nibble my way through cookies afterward. But, I am just as likely to decline. I make jokes about cookies and pies and other goodies, but really am not big on desserts or sweets on a regular basis.
What about you? Have you ever noticed that you eat more (or less) if you're doing something else while you're having a meal? (Snacks, for me, don't count. I'd eat a 20lb bag of chips or 10lbs of jelly beans without even thinking, if distracted by work or games.)
Christmas Dinner Menu Needs Advice
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Calling all readers! Help!
We are trying to plan our Christmas dinner. I should mention, upfront, that neither of us are big fans of turkey. Case in point: In defiance of tradition, we had a (wonderful, by the way) ham for Thanksgiving.
But that doesn't solve our dilemma. In fact, it just further complicates the issue. Another ham would simply be too much.
Last year, we went with beef - took out a loan, hocked the family jewels, and bought a standing-rib roast. It was a huge - expensive - disappointment. (Even this lover of rare beef was unable to ignore the ... mooing ... coming from my plate despite many hours of applied heat.)
[Continue Reading ...]
Bird Options
Our current thinking is: Fowl, of some species, would be great; preferably more exotic than chicken. Oh, did I mention that (in addition to turkey) Mark will not, under any circumstances, consider Cornish hens. Or (given the local pigeon infestation) Squab. I can live with that last one.
For years, we have threatened to try making a duck or goose. Now that it's just the two of us again, this may be the year to expand our culinary horizons. But ... which bird? (Hence, the earlier cry for Help!)
Duck
As the smaller cousin, this may be a good choice for two people. Especially two people who have a tendency to make enough 'go-withs' to feed the 12th army. Neither of us are good at cooking small amounts -- of anything.
On the negative side, duck is loaded with fat. Fat that must be dealt with in order to have an edible meal. The prep time for a duck meal may be prohibitive for us newbies.
Anyone have experience; a good recipe; advice?
Goose
A larger bird, this may be more meat than the two of us need.
Again, we're looking at culinary horizons and a -- really, really -- fatty bird. Neither of us, it occurs to me, may have the skills to deal with properly preparing a goose.
That and - oh, wow - my favorite scene from "A Christmas Story" - roasted goose, complete with head -- may keep me from ever eating goose again.
Have I mentioned we need a lot of help?
Another Cookie Recipe Found
Credit: Garrett McCord/Vanilla Garlic
Today, I went looking for another of my mom's Christmas cookie recipes. The interesting thing was - I had the name all wrong.
What I thought (or was told) were "Swedish Thumbprints" are all over the Internet under simply "Thumbprint Cookies" or "Polish Tea Cakes." Imagine my surprise.
Luckily, the recipe seems to be what I remember from helping Mom make them. I chose the posting from Simply Recipes because of the picture.
The ones rolled in nuts are exactly what I remember eating, all of my life. (Many, many thanks to Garrett McCord of VanillaGarlic.com and Simply Recipes.)
[Continue Reading ...]
Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup of butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces), room temperature
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of chopped nuts (optional)
- 3/4 cup of your favorite jam
- Parchment paper
METHOD
- Cream the butter and sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes.
- Separate the eggs. Add the yolks and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. If using nuts place the egg whites in a shallow dish on the side and whisk them until bubbly and frothy (the egg whites will be used to keep the nuts on the cookies).
- Add the flour and salt. Mix until just combined. Place the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes and preheat the oven to 350F.
- Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. If using nuts, dip the balls into the egg whites then roll them into the nuts until covered. Place the balls on parchment lined cookie sheets.
- Press down with your thumb to make a small well in the center of the cookie. Do not press too hard or the cookie will fall apart. Fill with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until slightly firm. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet to firm up before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Cookies! Must Have Cookies!
There are few things that take me back to my childhood like Christmas
cookies. My mother - the queen of all holiday sweets - had a box full
of recipes. And, each year, she made a few dozen of almost all of them.
Thanks to her incredible skills and love of sharing, the stacks of
carefully packed containers, filled with amazing goodies, grew -
weekend by weekend - to fill every available space along an entire
wall of our garage. Colorado winters and no insulation kept everything
frosty. (Colorado summers and no insulation were a whole different ...
joy.)
I loved that garage from November to January! [Continue Reading
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The picture of the cookie plate reminded me, so much, of years gone
by. (I swear I've eaten many of those cookies over the years.) It also
inspired me to search for some of my mom's recipes, which I (sadly) no
longer have.
There were Swedish Thumbprints, Chocolate Crinkles, Russian
Balls and a bar cookie - whose name I have long forgotten - that
had melted chocolate bars and ground walnuts on top. Look! Just a bit
left of center, at the bottom of the picture. That has to be the same
cookie!
Her sugar cookies were the best on the planet - I don't care what you
say. Or what you've ever eaten - unless you are willing to post your
evidence. The no-bake cookies - with chow mein noodles, chocolate,
peanut butter, and mixed nuts were a later addition to her repertoire.
Picture me sitting here, with my eyes closed, trying to remember the
contents of every single box that ever did time in our one-car
freezer. Oooh, the divinity! Basically whipped, sugared egg whites
with colors and nuts. Does anyone remember what it is? Does anyone
still make it?
I'm not a huge chocolate fan, unless it's wrapped (thinly) around
vanilla ice cream. Then, there's fudge ... very specific fudge. The
recipe originated on the Hershey's Cocoa label. Might still be. I just
have never created anything but sludge from it, so I stopped checking.
My mother could turn this list of ingredients into something
resembling ... ambrosia? heaven? must-have? great eats? She isn't the
only one (thank you, Mark) who has mastered this recipe. But Mom's
fudge was just one more reason that I spent a great deal of time in
the garage, after Thanksgiving.
But, back to the cookies that I miss, so much (I love you, Mom):
With huge thanks to Life
Needs Art for the picture - one of my favorite recipes:
Nutmeg Log Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 deg.
Cookie
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp rum flavoring
3/4
cup sugar
1 egg
3 c sifted flour
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
Cream butter, vanilla, rum flavoring. Beat in the sugar and then mix
in the egg. In a separate bowl, stir the flour, nutmeg, and salt. Mix
with the butter/sugar.
Shape dough into logs about 1/2 inch thick, then cut into 2 inch
pieces.
Bake on greased cookie sheet for about 12 minutes, until the cookies
are lightly golden on the bottom. Let cool on wire rack.
Frosting
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp rum flavoring
2
cups confectioners sugar
2 Tbsp milk
Blend butter, vanilla, rum flavoring together (I used my stand mixer).
Then add the sugar and milk. The frosting is fairly stiff, so I added
just a few drops more milk to make it a little softer. It should not
be runny. It needs some texture.
Frost the cookies, making grooves in the frosting using the tines of a
fork so that they resemble logs. Sprinkle with powdered nutmeg while
the frosting is still moist.
Thifty Thursday: Feed Me, Seymour! II
After a brief break, this week we return to the subject of saving money at the grocery store. One thing we all have to have is food - gotta eat, you know - regularly.
But, as we started exploring, it is not necessary to break the bank to keep from starving.
[Continue Reading ...]
After addressing meat, produce, dairy, and bakery items, we are left with the middle of the store. In so many ways, this is the risky part of the shopping trip. The items you'll find here tend to be the snacks, sodas, and pre-packaged processed stuff with a longer shelf-life than Styrofoam.
Frozen
Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are less processed than canned, meaning more nutrients and fewer preservatives. Like anything else, however, you need to read the labels carefully. We found several packages with added sugar and/or sodium.
Store brands are almost always the best deal. At our regular store, the 12 oz packages are almost always on sale for $0.88. We get two meals out of each package, putting the cost at about $0.22/serving.
Fries and Pizza
Non-name brand french fries are frequently half the cost of the big names, and potatoes are potatoes. The frozen pizza that costs $4.99 across the street is frequently $1.50-$2.00 cheaper at the grocery store. (If not, we don't get one.)
Ice Cream
Our store has a 'premium' ice cream that is about a third the cost and usually has better ingredients. Back before diabetes came to live with us, we bought the giant buckets of ice cream - about $4.00 for 3 gallons. And every bit as good as any other option.
Frankly, we don't buy much else in this section. But, what we do buy, we buy on sale.
Canned and Boxed
Side Dishes
These are convenience foods - open a box, add milk and fat, and poof! a side dish. Throw in a little protein and it's a complete meal. Store brands are affordable, but all of them are full of preservatives and sodium.
With a little time and effort, I promise - you can make your own equivalent for less. And you'll be cutting down on the sodium and chemicals in your diet. Leave these on the shelf.
Vegetables
We just don't buy canned veggies. They are heavily processed, have far less nutritional value, and just don't taste as good as the frozen version. Except for tomatoes and tomato products.
Instead of canned sauces and chili, we tend to buy the ingredients and make our own. It's more cost effective and we know what we're eating. Trust me, canned tomatoes or tomato paste aren't much different from brand to no-brand (with the exception of the really inexpensive generic, white labels). Don't pay more for the pretty label or big name.
Coffee and Tea
If you are into caffeine - as we are - this may be one area where compromise simply isn't possible. Cheaper no-name coffee and tea are rarely the same quality as name brands. They cost less because there is more filler (coffee) or poorer quality leaves (tea).
Our answer? Stock up when our favorites are on sale.
Paper, Plastic, and Cleaning Supplies
Paper
In a nutshell, we buy 4-packs of Kroger-brand toilet paper. It's similar to Scott-brand, but about 1/3 the price. And it lasts forever, compared to the cushy soft kinds. Generic paper napkins are usually good for daily use.
Plastic
The same with storage and trash bags. Most of the store brands are fine. Just don't necessarily buy the cheapest, and check the mils (thickness) on the trash bags.
Cleaning Supplies
For liquid dish soap (we don't have a dishwasher), this is a case where the store versions tend to not work as well. They seem to be watered down, so you end up using much more and erase any possible savings. It's easy to get a mid-range option - such as Ajax - on sale and stock up.
With laundry products, less is more. "Everyday Cheapskate" has a great recipe for laundry detergent that saves a fortune. And, instead of fabric softener, one-half to one cup of vinegar in the final rinse helps soften without perfumes. Hard water? Add one-half cup non-iodized salt to the wash water and get rid of the dinginess.
For other cleaning situations, I suggest "Pioneer Thinking" Cleaning Solutions section and - again - "Everyday Cheapskate" columns. There are recipes and tips, enabling anyone to avoid paying high prices by making their own supplies.
Bottom Line
No matter what you need, there is a cheaper way to get it. P&G eSaver Coupons are one of my favorites. They load right onto your store shopping card; no clipping or schlepping or forgetting. Most are good for about 90 days, so if you're waiting for a sale - the coupons will be there when you need them. And they come right to your email inbox.
Several columns and blogs are dedicated to helping you save time and money. One I just discovered is Deal Seeking Mom. If you weren't aware, a lot of people offer coupons on eBay. (Learned that one from DSM.)
Finally, don't buy what you won't use. A great deal isn't, if it's something that will just take up space and gather dust.
Eat Your Peas!
Pediatricians and dietitians will tell you - meal time battles with your kids frequently lead to eating issues. So, if you ask them, will those kids. Trust me.
I can't tell you why I have issues with food, just that I do and always have. It drove my mother absolutely crazy, which led her to push. Really, really hard.
That, in turn, just made everything worse.
[Continue Reading ...]
Results of a recent study confirm that moms' mealtime tactics are tied to kids' eating habits. But, oddly enough, it may be in the reverse direction. It isn't necessarily what moms do that creates the problems. Just as likely, moms become pushy and controlling in response to what the kids are eating or not eating at the table and perceptions of the child's weight.
Mothers who think their child may be too thin, may start forcing more time at the table or larger portions that must be finished. When the child is believed to be overweight, moms may strictly limit calories or foods that are perceived as unhealthy. In both cases, children tend to rebel - refusing to eat or overeating at every opportunity.
All I know, from personal experience, is that the more I was forced, the more I didn't want to eat. Probably why I weighed 120lbs (or less) and was nearly 6 feet tall as a high school senior. And why, to this day, I am seriously resistant to "You have to eat."
It may be a control issue, where what and how much we eat is the only part of our lives where we have absolute control. Or we may simply be stubborn souls who hate being told what to do. Either way, conflict at meal time is seriously bad for everyone's digestion.
Thrifty Thursday: Feed Me, Seymour!
The cost of feeding our families is on my mind this week. Especially
since yesterday was the oh-so-dreaded monthly grocery trip. There
simply is no way that that is ever fun.
At least not at checkout. And, frankly, schlubbing everything
upstairs is just a huge pain in the ... But, I digress. [Continue Reading
...]
Groceries
With all due respect to the SSDCoLA
fairy, things are more expensive this year. And - are you
listening, fairy? - food is a valid part of the cost of living. As
in, no food - no living.
Crankiness aside, there are ways to live within one's means and not
starve. My first suggestion - don't hate me - is a small, separate
freezer. (Unless you have a huge freezer section in your fridge; and
I mean huge.) That way, as sales and cash flow permit, you can stock
up on specials.
Meats
We don't - under any circumstances - pay full asking price for
anything down the meat aisle. Some months we eat a lot of chicken;
some months pork. Occasionally, we get a deal on beef.
Our store, a local Kroger affiliate, has a lovely section with
'Manager's Special' bargains. As you might expect, these are
(undoubtedly) a day or so past the sell-by date. They are also
perfectly edible and cost one-third, or less, of the original price.
The only caveat being they need to be cooked right away or
immediately frozen. (They will not last long in the fridge. Period.)
Would I still buy them if my budget were a little more ... flexible?
Absolutely. Wasting money is wasting money, no matter how much is
sitting in the bank.
A guideline for whether the price is 'acceptable'? The closer you
can get to $1.00 per serving (not per pound), the better. If I can
buy 4 boneless, lean, center-cut loin chops for about $4.00, I'm
happy. (See 'Manager's Special'.) In today's economy, 4 of the same
for $8.00 is probably still a good deal; but I don't have to like it.
Produce
This is a little trickier, but still doable.
First, buy in season. Yes, you can get melons in the dead of winter
and apples in February. But they were shipped in from outside your
area and will cost you dearly.
Second, use that freezer. Most everything (lettuce, watermelon,
citrus, and cucumbers excluded) will freeze beautifully, if you do
it right. Personally, I am of the opinion that if you can buy it
frozen at the store - you can freeze it yourself. (But then I've
made my own preserves, baked my own bread, and dabbled in dill
pickles. I could be biassed.) Another caveat : frozen carrot
or celery sticks will probably not be snackable when thawed.
Lastly, you would not believe how long those (aforementioned) celery
and carrot sticks will last in the refrigerator - with proper care.
We immediately wash our carrots and celery, then cut into three-inch
pieces. Those pieces are then put into inexpensive zippered bags and
- this is really important - sealed airtight. Squeeze - all - the -
air - out. We've had them last, beautifully, for weeks and weeks.
Oh, and the carrots? Another option is cleaning, cutting, and
putting them (covered with water) into a small plastic container
with a tight-sealing lid. If the kids get into the carrot sticks a
lot (good for you and them, by the way) this eliminates the worry
over resealing the bag.
Dairy
Nothing in this category is (to my understanding) freezable. However:
Low-fat milk is often cheaper than whole milk. It also has fewer
calories and is lower in sodium, without giving up calcium. Where we
shop, milk is milk. (In my youth, I drank milk straight from the cow
- my uncle loved to 'shoot' calcium at us! So, I'm not fond of
low-fat. And, since I rarely drink milk, I'm not worried about the
calories and sodium.)
Cottage cheese and sour cream are - as far as I've noticed - the
same quality, regardless of the name on the label. Although I did
notice yesterday that the low-fat had more carbs than the regular.
(Guess which one we took home.)
Yogurt, from our experience, is often better in generic or
store-brands. The added sugar in so many name-brands is positively
ridiculous. Our store carries a 'CarbMaster' version that has only
3gms of sugar/carbs. And - most importantly - tastes great, lower
price, still has real fruit.
Eggs - ooh, fun stuff. (First, how is something that has nothing to
do with milk considered dairy? {sigh}) You really can't freeze 'em.
So, if there's a great deal (I just got 2 18-packs for $3.00), how
do you make sure you're not poisoning your family by the time you
eat all of them? Easy. Rumor has it they are good in the fridge for
4-5 weeks. If there's any doubt, get a bowl of cold water and gently
drop in an egg. The more it floats, the older it is. (If it's doing
the backstroke across the bowl - capture on video for YouTube, then
RUN!)
Cheese is my favorite dairy product. So many varieties, so little
time. (Never pay full price, by the way.) Like our carrot and celery
sticks, air is the mortal enemy. Once you see a spec of mold on the
outside, it's already taken over. Cost-wise? It's all trial and
error. Some store brands are just as good as name brands; some are -
supremely - worse. (Our store-brands are comparable at less than
half the price and much less salty.)
Bakery
We don't buy much in the bakery aisle. Mark just can't (as much as
he wants them) have the carbs.
Nonetheless - Egads! I can buy a loaf of wheat bread at the corner
store for $2.59, or I can buy a loaf of wheat bread at my grocery
store for $0.88. The same with hot dog and hamburger buns. The carb
and fiber numbers are pretty much the same. Often the sodium is
lower in the generic/store brands. So, hmmm, let's see. One loaf for
$2.59 or 3 loaves for (just a bit more than) the same price?
Ideally? I'll go back to baking my own bread, rolls, and (shhh,
don't tell) doughnuts. It's cheaper and I know what I'm eating.
Everything Else
This is huge - literally the rest of the store - so, I think we
should dedicate an entire post to the rest of the shopping trip.
Agreed?
Healthy Mall Food
Admittedly, I haven't been inside a mall in a very long time. And the food court was never my favorite part. Give me the hot pretzel stand, any day.
But, an article on healthy mall food did catch my eye today. I'm just not so sure that I agree with their assessment of healthy, or even healthier. Perhaps, it's all perspective.
Looking at calories, not bad. Even the fat isn't all that egregious. But, oh my stars! the sodium!
[Continue Reading ...]
First, let's look at DRIs for sodium. From ages 9 to 50, regardless of gender, the range runs 1,500mg to 2,300mg per day. The lower end being preferred intake levels; the upper end being the maximum daily intake believed to be safe.
Granted, none of these meals touch a Double Whopper with cheese: 1,061 calories, 68g fat (28g sat.), 58g protein, 61g carbs, 6g fiber, and 1,544mg sodium. Or a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese: 734 calories, 45g fat (18g sat.), 47g protein, 40g carbs, 3g fiber, and 1,333mg sodium. Although a couple try to come close.
There's a Mayan Chicken Salad that sounds absolutely delicious: slow-cooked chicken over brown rice and topped with field-greens; but - Calories 510; Fat 13g (sat 3g); Protein 27g; Carbohydrate 72g; Fiber 4g; Sodium 870mg - the carbs and sodium are pretty high. For me, allowed 1,600 calories per day and low blood pressure, this would be about a third and that's not bad. For Mark, who is a sodium-sensitive slightly-hypertensive diabetic, it wouldn't be the best choice.
The Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, Calories 400; Fat 20g (sat 3.5g); Protein 31g; Carbohydrate 31g; Fiber 3g; Sodium 810 mg, has high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives in the reduced-sugar dressing. Not so great. Although, it does have lower carbs, fat, and sodium than my favorite Southwest Chicken Salad at 501 calories, 22g fat (6g sat.), 28g protein, 51g carbs, 7g fiber, and 1,259mg sodium.
I'm gonna miss that salad.
MMM: Calories, IBW, and ... Twinkies
This all started because a professor of nutrition lost 27 pounds eating Twinkies, and Ho-hos, and corn chips. Not fair!
Once I stopped whining, I started thinking about calories and weight loss, what I 'should' weigh versus what I do weigh, and diets. I like to believe that, by and large, I have a pretty healthy diet. (Don't we all!? {wink})
At the same time, I feel 'heavy' and actually don't know what I should weigh.
[Continue Reading ...]
Calories
In a nutshell, the Twinkie-diet worked for the professor because he was cutting calories. With the exception of water and air, (and plain tea and coffee) everything we put into our bodies provides some type of 'calorie.' Good or bad isn't really the point of this discussion.
We need calories to feed our cells; to make muscles work and organs function. But how hungry are those cells? Just how many calories do we need?
Calorie Needs - by Age & Activity
Based on 2005 USDA/HHS guidelines, Estimated Calorie Requirements:
For adult females (sedentary to very active): ages 19-30, 2,000 to 2,400 calories; ages 31-50, 1,800 to 2,200 calories; and ages 51+, 1,600 to 2,000-2,200 calories.
For adult males (sedentary to very active): ages 19-30, 2,400 to 3,000 calories; ages 31-50, 2,200 to 2,800-3,000 calories; and ages 51+, 2,000 to 2,400-2,800 calories.
Okay. I'm female, 51+, and fairly sedentary - so my requirements are estimated at about 1,600 calories/day. But does this make sense? Is this a good number?
Ideal Body Weight (IBW)
General guidelines are just that, general. In my opinion, to be of real use they need to be a bit more fine-tuned. Let's start by seeing what my ideal weight is. From there, we can look at what calories I need to maintain / achieve that weight.
Published by the American Diabetes Association in 1964, The Hamwi Formulas only look at height and body frame:
For men: 106 lb for the first 5 ft; 6 lb for each inch over 5 ft
For women: 100 lb for the first 5 ft; 5 lb for each inch over 5 ft
Small frames: subtract 10%
Large frames: add 10%
For me, 6-feet tall and 'small-boned', that's 100 + 60 - 16 (10%) = 144 IBW. Admittedly, I haven't been measured recently and, at my age, am probably a little shorter than that. But, it's a ballpark number that seems to be fairly consistent with when I feel my best.
Calorie Needs - by Weight & Activity
Based on my age, the USDA/HHS chart puts my calorie needs at 1,600/day. According to Dr. Hamwi, my 'ideal' weight is 144 pounds. Do those two numbers correspond? There are a few ways to find out.
- Standard calculations say:
Sedentary or Obese = IBW x 10
Low Activity or 55+ = IBW x 13
Moderate Activity = IBW x 15
Strenuous Activity = IBW x 18
For me: 144 x 13 = 1,872 seems high; 144 x 10 = 1,440 seems low. Maybe split the difference at 1,656 calories/day?
- A two step process: calculating BMR and applying an activity-based formula is a little more involved.
- This BMR calculator shows for me (53yo, female, 6 ft, 144 lbs) a BMR of 1,370. This means that I, without getting out of bed or raising my heartrate, will (theoretically) burn 1,370 calories/day just being alive. (Here's the BMR formula, if you want to calculate manually.)
- Once you have your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), applying the Harris Benedict Equation tells you how many calories you can consume, per day, to maintain your IBW at your activity level:
Sedentary (little or no exercise) = BMR x 1.2
Lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) = BMR x 1.375
Moderately active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) = BMR x 1.55
Very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) = BMR x 1.725
Extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) = BMR x 1.9
Taking my BMR and the formula gives me 1,370 x 1.2 = 1,644 calories/day to achieve or maintain my Ideal Body Weight of 144 lbs.
Conclusion
General or specific, these guidelines, calculators, and formulae seem to pretty much agree. Given that they use different types of information to draw their conclusions, that's rather amazing. It appears, regardless of method, that I should be taking in about 1,630 calories per day ((1,600 + 1,656 + 1644) / 3 = 1,633.33) if I want to reach my ideal weight.
Unfortunately, it also looks as though I'm about six pounds away from that ideal. Could be much worse; in fact, I fully expected it to be. But we still have the holidays to survive and I love Christmas cookies and candies. {sigh}
What do I do now? One calorie, two calorie, three calorie, ... oh, my.
Counting Carbs or Not
One of the biggest hurdles for diabetics (and dieters) are carbohydrates. You know, those yummy goodies like rice, and pasta, and potatoes, and bread that fill in around the lean meats and steamed veggies on your dinner plate. Not to mention, those sweet and salty snacks lying in wait at the grocery store, just dying to sabotage your diet and your waistline.
Yes, I know that not all carbs are bad. Only the ones that taste good!
Jokes aside, there are different types of carbs and, to put it simply, levels of good and bad. Naturally, chocolate bars and potato chips top the list of not-good-for-you. At least, not in large quantities.
[Continue Reading ...]
Whole grain breads and pastas aren't supposed to be as detrimental as white bread and highly processed starches. But, how much is bad? How little is healthy? And how do you keep it all straight?
I've been looking at low-GI (Glycemic Index) diets as a way to keep Mark from feeling starved and keep his blood sugar levels from shooting through the roof. This may be more difficult than it sounds. Unlike counting sodium or protein grams, the GI index isn't exactly carved in stone.
Some foods are considered high-GI, because they cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. But adding a fat, or a low-GI food to the meal can slow the increase. Conversely, some low-GI foods may be bad dietary choices because they are high in sodium, saturated fat, or cholesterol.
Not confused yet. Well, I can fix that. The riper a banana becomes, the higher it is on the GI index. Which does make sense, when you understand that the sugar content increases as fruit ripens. It just makes the calculations a little more ... complex.
And, unless you can afford to buy everything fresh, working with what's on the market is daunting. You're at the mercy of the manufacturers and packagers. We learned that one when Mark noticed sugar was an ingredient in our package of frozen green beans.
Like it or not, I've got some learning to do. And, apparently, more labels to read. Sugar? in green beans? Ridiculous!
Awesome October Offers
Quick Afghan 001
The air is getting cooler; leaves are starting to turn. Before long, it will be time to curl up with a good book, or a great movie, snug and warm while the snow falls softly outside.
Cozy and comfy come in many forms. The best don't involve turning up the heat - and the heating bills - to keep from freezing off body parts.
This double-thick, super-quick Afghan is just what those frosty toes will be begging for before you know it.
Don't wait until snow's on the ground and temps are freezing. Beat the holiday rush! Pick the perfect size, two great colors, and order today.
[Continue Reading ...]
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What Do You Do When a Product is Just Bad?
I rarely snark at product manufacturers because I believe they already
know they're putting out ... forgive the phrase ... crap. Not all
manufacturers, mind you; just the ones that inspire me to scream
obcsenities at the ceiling. You know, and I know, and THEY know that
what they're selling isn't exactly top-of-the-line. And then there's
something called "Farmhouse." [Continue Reading
...]
Let me start with what "Farmhouse" offers - boxed pasta and rice side
dishes to accompany whatever else you're cooking. Nothing new,
conceptually; yet, judging by the box, something preferable to all the
others. The claim on the box is why I decided to try them: "NO
Artificial Ingredients or Preservatives. NO MSG Added." (Okay, it was
also on sale.)
Now, admittedly, I didn't look at the instructions - I'm buying boxed
side dishes: water, milk, butter, heat, done. At least 99.99999% of
every box has requires the same additions and time. Who checks the
details before starting dinner? Oooh, I should have!
There were so many things that just didn't work, I actually composed a
complaint. For now, I haven't sent it, but I may just tell them:
I recently purchased your product, for the first time, and am
extremely disappointed - for a number of reasons. The point of buying
boxed sides is speed and convenience - this product offers neither.
-
I can and generally do make pasta and sauce, from scratch, with
less effort and in less time;
-
After 18 minutes of 'stirring constantly' and 5 minutes of
"sitting" it was still soupy and the pasta was bordering on too
done;
-
There was zero cheese (or any other) flavor in the end result;
-
Had to add cornstarch to thicken the sauce - why did I buy this,
again?;
-
Adding salt and pepper, liberally, recovered a modicum of flavor -
not flavorful, by any standards, simply less tasteless;
-
Wasting time, trying to fix this product, caused the rest of the
meal to be overcooked / cold by the time we were able to sit down
to dinner;
-
My husband is a diabetic who must choose his carbs carefully -
this was a seriously bad option;
-
After careful consideration, we threw out the "White Cheddar" and
made due with chicken and mixed vegetables.
I tried your product for the "NO Artificial Ingredients or
Preservatives. NO MSG Added" on the box. (It was also heavily
reduced in price.) Admittedly, I did not check the preparation
instructions before I brought it home. And, honestly, I shouldn't
have had to. It's a boxed side dish - by implication quick and easy.
I might have put up with the labor-intensive preparation process if
- and this is a big IF - there had been any quality or taste in the
end product. As it stands, I will probably never use the other 2
boxes - Herb & Butter and Fettuccine Alfredo - that I purchased at
the same time. (If you knew me, you'd know that giving up either of
those flavors is not in my genetic makeup.)
Your products are seriously substandard. I will never waste my money
on them again.
I can't say - "Don't buy "Farmhouse" ... stuff. Okay, I can, but
probably shouldn't. Then again, this was something that just didn't
taste - at all. And took longer to prepare than a teenager heading to
college.
Have you tried this? Did it turn out better than my experience? Or
just as bad? Or ... worse?
Final question - should I tell "Farmhouse" what I think?
Blogging Goes to the Dogs
Each year, 4 million dogs end up in shelters and breed rescues. Pedigree is committed to helping, in several ways. And you can, too.
. . .
Read More Blogging Goes to the Dogs
From January 1 through December 31, 2010, for each Fan or Like of the Pedigree® Adoption Drive on Facebook, a bowl of food will be donated to shelters across the United States. Pretty cool, right? Well, it gets better.
I just learned that Pedigree is seriously rising to the occasion. From September 16 - 19, 2010, for every blog that posts about the Pedigree® Adoption Drive , Pedigree is donating a 20 lb. bag of dog food to animal shelters. That's all it takes - a post, sharing the plight of shelter animals and how the Adoption Drive is helping.
BlogPaws bloggers are hosting a BlogHop (cool, cool concept that was totally new to me) to get the word out and collect links so that no effort goes unrewarded. It's really amazingly simple:
Have a blog? Write a Post about the Pedigree® Adoption Drive.
Yup! That's it. No secret handshake; no annual dues or membership fees; no muss and no fuss. You don't even have to be a pet blogger.
If you don't have a blog, share the news with friends, family, neighbors, the guy at the corner store - anyone and everyone you know. Post a link on Twitter - Life With Dogs and Two Little Cavaliers have a lot of information and links available.
Oh, there is one small detail - be sure to add your blog post to the list (link below), so Pedigree doesn't miss a single effort.
DOJ Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Michigan Dairy
I regularly beat up the FDA for not doing more to protect our food supply. In their defense, it is a bit like the cartoon dog who's fangs are pulled out by the scheming cat. He tries to protect his doghouse; he just doesn't have the tools anymore.
. . .
Read More DOJ Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Michigan Dairy
One could blame the dog for letting the cat get too close. Just as one could blame the FDA for continually slapping Scenic View Dairy on the wrist, without ever taking the steps to shut them down. Either way, when the dog has no teeth, the growling isn't very intimidating.
From 2001 to 2010, Scenic View Dairy was contacted 8 times by the FDA, with 11 written warnings from the USDA. Obviously unconcerned about these letters and warnings, the dairy continued to sell (for slaughter) cattle that had been treated with antibiotics in a manner that violated the "drugs' FDA-approved labeling and without a valid veterinary prescription authorizing such use."
Now, it's not against the law to give medications to cattle. However, it is against the law to continue medicating animals that are intended for slaughter, so that meat sold to the public contains abnormally high levels of those drugs. This is what, over 10 years and numerous cease-and-desist requests, Scenic View Dairy has continued to do.
As anyone can imagine, the problem with drug-infused beef (or pork or chicken) is that the people who consume the meat are dosed with whatever chemicals are in the tissue. In the case of Scenic Dairy, it was three different antibiotics. This type of overmedication has been blamed for the development of superbugs; bacteria that are resistant to standard antibiotic therapies.
It would appear to be in everyone's best interest for the FDA to get its fangs back from the cat and put a little bite behind its bark. The request for a DOJ injunction against Scenic View Dairy, while perhaps too-little too-late, is better than yapping at their ankles.
Who Knew About the Egg Farms?
Hopefully, like us, you were not affected by the recent shell-egg recalls. (Luckily, the market where we shop uses a local egg farm.) Learning that USDA experts knew of problems at one of the egg farms, but didn't report them, made me want to reach through the monitor and slap someone. Really, really hard.
. . .
Read More Who Knew About the Egg Farms?
Undoubtedly, you've read by now, that contaminated chicken feed that was behind the salmonella outbreak in shell-eggs from two Iowa farms. Apparently, USDA daily sanitation reports noted dirt and mold at one of the facilities. They just never bothered to share with the FDA, who is also responsible for the safety of our food [1] and drugs.
Just routine conditions, according to the USDA. Okay, dirt is probably routine - especially if you raise chickens outdoors, the way my family did. In fact, dirt would be guaranteed.
I am curious, however, about where this 'dirt' was found. Inside the supposedly-sanitary feed storage areas? Or the supposedly-sanitary animal areas? That would be really bad. Add mold to the mix and 'really bad' becomes a health hazard.
Then, there's the scope of the 'routine conditions' statement. Is it 'routine' for this farm to be filthy? Or 'routine' for all chicken/egg farms to be dirty and moldy?
Food safety is an important issue for everyone. For us, it's critical. With his suppressed immune system, it wouldn't take much to completely destroy Mark's health.
1. The article states that the "FDA has overall responsiblity for egg safety" and that isn't, exactly, accurate. They do work closely with the USDA, but actual oversight lies with the FSIS.
Responsibilities: "The FDA is charged with protecting consumers against impure, unsafe, and fraudulently labeled products. FDA, through its Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), regulates foods other than the meat, poultry, and egg products regulated by FSIS." Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is an agency of the USDA.
Eat Your Eggplant!
We've all heard stories about what chefs do to our food. Especially, if you send an order back. Unless you've worked in a restaurant, the 25 Things Chefs Never Tell You may surprise you.
. . .
Read More Eat Your Eggplant!
Those stories aren't, necessarily, true. I've personally seen things happen, but that was a young cook at a chain steakhouse. Most chefs interviewed for the article say they haven't seen or done anything untoward to a diner's meal. (Loved the story about the dishwasher, though!)
Number one chef pet peeve? Customers who request substitutions - you know: no butter; beans, rather than asparagus; that sort of thing. Does that mean chefs clean their plates? Not so much.
I have to admit, I'm with them on some of their ewww-I-don't-want-any choices: liver, oysters, and sea urchin. But, personally, I like eggplant. One hopes that the cooks who hate liver or tofu don't have it on their menus.
How, after all, can you properly prepare something that you hate to eat?
Dental Care Products for Dogs
While we don't have pets, there are some pet care basics that we learned early on. It doesn't matter whether you have a dog(s) or a cat(s), a constant diet of soft foods can contribute - quickly - to dental problems. Getting tartar off the teeth and stimulating the gums is an important part of pet care.
. . .
Read More Dental Care Products for Dogs
Oh, and doggie breath?! That's really gotta go, too!
When I was a kid, my mom gave bones to our dog. He had pretty good teeth, but it still wasn't a very good idea. Bones, especially chicken bones, can break into sharp pieces. Those pieces can scratch the animal's mouth, throat, and esophagus; not to mention the very real risk of puncturing various parts of the digestive tract as they move through. Serious and dangerous problems that can easily be avoided.
Nylabone offers a natural product - Nubz, Edible Dental Dog Chews - designed to help clean teeth, reduce tartar, get rid of that icky doggie breath, and stimulate gum health. Nubz are made in the US with real chicken and without added sugar, salt and preservatives. Highly digestible, these treats are also gluten-free.
Like their owners, many dogs are sensitive to certain ingredients. And, to my mind, cereals (where gluten comes from) are just more filler that pets don't need. Sure it may keep the cost down, but how much grain does a carnivore really need in their diet? And, as a snack, it just seems like a bad idea.
What also impressed me was the size. Normally, we buy pet treats based on the size of our animals; the neighbor's Shih Tzu can't handle the same item you'd offer your Great Dane. With Nubz, a large bone can be broken down into smaller pieces - to suit everyone.
So, where do doggie parents find Nubz? That's easy - Costco, with a $3.50 coupon available to members in the monthly coupon book. But hurry - this offer is only valid from August 19th through September 12th, while supplies last.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ August 10
Updates/Corrections to listings / unavailable information posted effective August 02, 2010:
- Nutraloid Labs Inc. ~ Recall ~ Ejaculoid XXTREME and Stimuloid II ~ Undeclared Sulfoaildenafil (Viagra analog)
- J & H Besta Corp. ~ Recall ~ Joyful Slim Herb Supplement, lot/code 101408 ~ Undeclared Desmethyl Sibutramine (Appetite Suppressant)
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through August 10, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ August 10
FDA Recalls & Safety Alerts:
- Novacare LLC ~ Recall ~ Multiple Male ED Supplements (21 Named in Recall) ~ Undeclared Sulfoaildenafil (Viagra analog)
- Fresh Express ~ Recall ~ Veggie Lovers Salad, Code I208, Use-by August 10 ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
- *Ikaria ~ Recall ~ INOMAX® DS Drug-Delivery System ~
- * EZVille, Ltd. ~ Recall ~ Revivexxx® Extra Strength ~ Undeclared Tadalafil (Cialis)
- EZVille, Ltd. ~ Recall ~ Solo Slim® Regular and Extra Strength, All Expiration Dates through August 2013 ~ Undeclared Desmethyl Sibutramine (Appetite Suppressant)
- The South Bend Chocolate Company ~ Recall ~ Bountiful Blend, 1 lb. bags ~ Undeclared Tree Nuts (Cashews, Almonds, Pecans, Brazil Nuts)
- Optimus, Inc. dba Marky’s ~ Recall ~ Eugenio Brezzi Truffle Puree, Imported from Italy ~ Under-processed; Possible Contamination
- * Merrick Pet Care ~ Extended Recall ~ "Texas Hold'ems" Dog Treats, Item #60016, Lot #10127, best by May 6, 2012) ~ Possible Salmonella
Still unavailable from August 02, 2010:
- * Lundbeck Inc. ~ Recall ~ NeoProfen® (ibuprofen lysine) Injection ~ Failed Visible Particulate Quality Requirement
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Open Recalls & Alerts:
- Valley Meat Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Frozen Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ugo. DiLullo & Sons ~ Class I Recall ~ U. DiLullo's Deluxe Meatballs In Sauce, Est. 1153 ~ Undeclared Eggs ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Perdue Farms, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ 'Great Value' Frozen Chicken Nugget Products ~ Possible Foreign Material ~ Health Risk: Low
- M&K II Co. ~ Class II Recall ~ Beef Jerky Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Rocky Mountain Natural Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Bison Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- San Antonio Packing Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Cervelat Summer Sausage ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Mountain House Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff with Noodles ~ Mislabeling ~ Health Risk: None
- Great Kitchens, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- South Gate Meat Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Meals ~ Possible Salmonella ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ SpaghettiOs with Meatballs ~ Possible Underprocessing ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Montclair Meat Co., Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- Vienna Beef Ltd. ~ Class II Recall ~ Vienna Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: Low
- International Gourmet ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Orlando Greco & Son Imports ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Custom Corned Beef, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Crumbled Pork Sausage Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- The Murphy House ~ Class I Recall ~ Brunswick Stew Products ~ Undeclared Allergens ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Beltex Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Beef Trim Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Westlake Food Corporation ~ Class II Recall ~ Assorted Meat Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Windsor Foods ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ruiz Foods, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Nestlé Professional North America ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links may not have been functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
I Hate Grocery Shopping
I am hiding today. Why? Because we need to go grocery shopping and - shopaholic that I am - I hate grocery shopping! Hate it! Hate it! Hate it!
. . .
Why Do I Hate Grocery Shopping ?
First, it's expensive. Although the cost of living hasn't increased - according to our whiz-bang government - food is more and more expensive every time we set foot in the store. $4.00/lb for ground meat that's at least 20% fat is insane in my little corner of the universe.
Second, the quality of the products have gone downhill rapidly in recent years. Try to find a decent bag of potatoes or onions, or green peppers that are bigger than an infant's fist - go ahead! I dare you! And what about that chicken? It may be injected with flavorings and sodium-loaded additives at -- wait for it -- up to 15% of its weight! And it still dares to call itself 'natural!'
Third, once you hunt down enough food to hopefully feed three people for a month and survive the sticker shock long enough to schlub it home - it has to be hauled up the stairs and put away. That 20-pack of chicken pieces, 12-pack of pork chops, and those 5 lb. chubs of ground meat have to be cleaned and rewrapped in convenient, meal-size packages that will fit into the freezer. Produce has to be washed; pantry supplies need to be stowed away.
It's an all day event and the only reward is knowing that - with any luck - you won't have to do it again for 3 or 4 weeks. So, if you see Mark, tell him -- I haven't been here, you don't know where I went, and good luck with that grocery thing. (Me? I'm under the bed and I'm not coming out!)
Contaminated Supplements
In the past month, there have been five (5) FDA recall alerts for supplements containing undeclared (read: illegal use of) prescription medications. I know, because I posted them in my weekly recall updates. If that weren't bad enough, now we have a Consumer Reports report on contaminated supplements.
. . .
More About Contaminated Supplements
From what I read, contaminated doesn't necessarily mean debris, dirt, or such. The term, in this case, seems to indicate supplements with ingredients that pose potentially serious health risks. Consumer Reports lists 12 specific 'natural' items whose "potential dangers include liver and kidney damage, heart rhythm disorders and unhealthy blood pressure levels."
Those ingredients, with a brief description, are:
- Aconite: Aconitum is a genus of flowering plant whose species include monkshood and wolfsbane. Highly toxic, it is used - after extensive detoxification or in extremely small doses - in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Untreated, even small amounts may be fatal.
- Bitter Orange: Commonly used in marmalades, an extract from this fruit and its peel has amphetamine metabolites similar to those in the banned ephedra. These metabolites can cause rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Reports have shown increased incidence of strokes and angina, lack of effectiveness in weight loss, and risks similar to those found in ephedra.
- Chaparral: Larrea tridentata is a flowering plant also called creosote bush. Used by Native Americans to treat a variety of conditions, it may be safe in small amounts. However, FDA and Health Canada have confirmed reports of liver damage related to this supplement.
- Colloidal Silver: A suspension of microscopic silver particles reputed to treat any number of diseases and conditions. Long-term use can lead to a condition called Argyria, where the silver salts deposit in the skin, eyes, and internal organs, turning the skin bluish-grey. In 2002, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration determined that there was no evidence to support therapeutic claims and the risks of silver toxicity and bacterial resistance to silver outweighed any value in trying an unproven therapy.
- Coltsfoot: Tussilago farfara is a low, perennial herb originally used in the treatment of coughs and bronchial congestion. However, a study in Japan determined that the flowers, leaves, and roots of the plant contain a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, easily extracted in hot water, that is highly toxic to the liver. Even small doses are unhealthy and may have a cumulative effect.
- Comfrey: Symphytum officinale, a perennial shrub native to Europe and parts of Asia, is used to treat wounds and inflammation associated with sprains and broken bones. However it, like Coltsfoot, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which have been proven damaging to the liver and possibly fatal. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany have banned oral products containing Comfrey.
- Country Mallow: Sida cordifolia is a perennial subshrub native to India used, primarily, to treat respiratory ailments. Containing Ephedrine, the amphetamine-like alkaloid also found in ephedra, it may cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. Country Mallow is banned in the United States.
- Germanium: Germanium is a naturally occurring element found in shittake mushrooms, garlic, tuna, pan fish, and tomato juice. Touted as a treatment for cancer, HIV and AIDS, and arthritis, supplements have proven toxic to the kidneys, liver, bone marrow, and nervous system. Even small doses, due to cumulative effects, have caused death.
- Greater Celandine: Chelidonium majus, a member of the poppy family, is native to Europe and western Asia. Historically, it has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis, gallstones, and toothache. Due to the presence of isoquinoline alkaloids, the plant is toxic even in moderate doses and has been implicated in liver damage.
- Kava: Piper methysticum, a western Pacific crop with sedating properties, has been used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Only the roots are used in traditional preparations. Some reports found that long-term use elevated liver enzymes and supplements, believed to contain stem peelings and leaves, have been shown to be toxic to the liver.
- Lobelia: Lobelia inflata, a flowering plant also called Indian Tobacco, has historically been used by Native Americans to treat a variety of respiratory conditions. Believed to be similar to nicotine, it was often used as a nicotine substitute. Toxic in moderate to large doses, it can cause side effects from nausea to convulsions and coma.
- Yohimbe: Pausinystalia yohimbe is an evergreen tree found in western Africa. Extracts from the bark were traditionally used to treat fever, coughs, leprosy, and as an aphrodisiac. However, the alkaloid yohimbine causes a dangerous rise in blood pressure and anxiety.
Although some of these products are banned, they are easily found online; imported from countries that allow their manufacture and use. As supplements are not regulated, it is impossible to know how much of any ingredient is in a preparation. Or, in the case of Kava, which part of the plant was used in manufacturing.
Herbalists and alternative medicine practitioners understand and believe in the effectiveness of herbs and extracts - when used properly. One web site I visited felt that Comfrey had been unfairly banned. She may be right; I'm no herbalist. And, while only the oral supplements are banned, there is concern that topical use could result in similar risks to the liver if improperly applied to broken skin.
Then, there are possible interactions - with OTC or prescription medications, or with one's diet. Obviously, combining Country Mallow or Bitter Orange with caffeine or caffeine-like products would increase the effects of both. For a serious coffee drinker (several cups per day), taking either of these supplements could elevate their heart rate and blood pressure to possibly dangerous levels.
For people who drink alcohol or smoke, the toxic affects of acetaminophen on the liver are already increased. Add an herb such as Greater Celandine or Coltsfoot or Yohimbe and the potential for liver damage is even greater. In someone who already has liver disease or impaired liver function, these combinations could have catastrophic outcomes.
It is possible, with the guidance of an expert in botanical or alternative medicine, to safely use herbs and extracts. The problem arises when products are thrown together, dumped on the Internet, and touted as treatments and cures - without clinical evidence or even accurate information as to what they contain. Risks outweigh benefits, so very many times.
The supplement information above is a brief overview of data found on a variety of Internet web sites. It is presented for informational purposes, only. As always, consult with a medical professional for complete information on any medication or supplement.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ August 02
Updates to listings / unavailable information posted effective July 26, 2010:
- Pasco Processing, LLC ~ Recall ~ Corn and Poblano Blend; 10071179 017738; 20 lbs. Net Wt. ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
- Quong Hop & Co. ~ Recall ~ "Raquel's" Hummus, Salads, Wraps, Sandwiches, and Other Food Items ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through August 02, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ August 02
FDA Recalls & Safety Alerts:
- Kashmir Crown Baking, LLC ~ Recall ~ KCB No Eggs Added Cake Rusk (28oz) ~ Undeclared Eggs
- The Procter & Gamble Company ~ Expanded Recall ~ Iams and Eukanuba Veterinary Formulas ~ Possible Salmonella
- Lundbeck Inc. ~ Recall ~ NeoProfen® (ibuprofen lysine) Injection ~ Recall Results in Temporary Product Shortage
- * Lundbeck Inc. ~ Recall ~ NeoProfen® (ibuprofen lysine) Injection ~ Failed Visible Particulate Quality Requirement
- Bay Valley Foods ~ Recall ~ Chef's Cupboard Chicken with Rice Soup, 10.5oz. Cans ~ Mislabeled 'Vegetarian Vegetable' with Undeclared Egg and Wheat
- Nutraloid Labs Inc. ~ Recall ~ Ejaculoid XXTREME and Stimuloid II ~ Undeclared Sulfoaildenafil (Levitra analog)
- Specialty Farms, LLC ~ Expanded Recall ~ Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and Organic Sprout Salad, Sell-by 08/01/2010 and 08/03/2010 ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
- Biggers & Callaham LLC, dba Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia ~ Recall ~ Frozen Reptile Feed ~ Possible Salmonella
- Bausch + Lomb ~ Recall ~ PreserVision® Eye Vitamin AREDS 2 Formula with Omega 3 Soft Gels ~ Reported Swallowing Difficulties
Still unavailable from July 26, 2010:
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
- Ugo. DiLullo & Sons ~ Class I Recall ~ U. DiLullo's Deluxe Meatballs In Sauce, Est. 1153 ~ Undeclared Eggs ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Perdue Farms, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ 'Great Value' Frozen Chicken Nugget Products ~ Possible Foreign Material ~ Health Risk: Low
- Recall Completed
K. Heeps, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Turkey Breast Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- M&K II Co. ~ Class II Recall ~ Beef Jerky Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Rocky Mountain Natural Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Bison Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- San Antonio Packing Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Cervelat Summer Sausage ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Mountain House Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff with Noodles ~ Mislabeling ~ Health Risk: None
- Great Kitchens, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- South Gate Meat Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Meals ~ Possible Salmonella ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ SpaghettiOs with Meatballs ~ Possible Underprocessing ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Montclair Meat Co., Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- Vienna Beef Ltd. ~ Class II Recall ~ Vienna Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: Low
- International Gourmet ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Orlando Greco & Son Imports ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Custom Corned Beef, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Crumbled Pork Sausage Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- The Murphy House ~ Class I Recall ~ Brunswick Stew Products ~ Undeclared Allergens ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Beltex Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Beef Trim Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Westlake Food Corporation ~ Class II Recall ~ Assorted Meat Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Windsor Foods ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ruiz Foods, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Nestlé Professional North America ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links may not have been functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ July 26
Updates to listings / unavailable information posted effective July 19, 2010:
- Feline's Pride ~ Expanded Recall ~ Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs, Produced 06/21/10 ~ Possible Salmonella
- I Dolce ~ Recall ~ 33.8 oz (1 Liter) Roba Dolce Double Chocolate Chunk Gelato ~ Undeclared Peanuts
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through July 19, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ July 26
FDA Recalls & Safety Alerts:
- Airgas South, Inc. ~ Expanded Recall ~ High Pressure Medical Cylinders ~ Improper Manufacturing Practices
- The Procter & Gamble Company ~ Recall ~ Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal, 5.5 lbs ~ Possible Salmonella
- * Pasco Processing, LLC ~ Recall ~ Corn and Poblano Peppers, 20lb. cases, (SKU 10071179017738) ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
- Specialty Farms, LLC ~ Recall ~ Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and Organic Sprout Salad, Sell-by 07/26/10 ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
- * Quong Hop & Co. ~ Recall ~ Raquel's Products ~ (Potential Health Risk)
- Oregon Ice Cream Company ~ Recall ~ Denali Bear Claw Ice Cream, 3lb. Tubs ~ Undeclared Peanuts
- DeBoles® Nutritional Foods, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta ~ Undeclared Whole Wheat Alphabet Pasta
- * J & H Besta Corp. ~ Recall ~ Joyful Slim Herb Supplement ~ Undeclared Drug Ingredient
- Cook Medical ~ Recall ~ Percutaneous Tracheostomy Introducer Sets and Trays ~ Cuff Not Holding Air
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
- Perdue Farms, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ 'Great Value' Frozen Chicken Nugget Products ~ Possible Foreign Material ~ Health Risk: Low
- K. Heeps, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Turkey Breast Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- M&K II Co. ~ Class II Recall ~ Beef Jerky Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Rocky Mountain Natural Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Bison Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- San Antonio Packing Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Cervelat Summer Sausage ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Mountain House Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff with Noodles ~ Mislabeling ~ Health Risk: None
- Great Kitchens, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- South Gate Meat Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Meals ~ Possible Salmonella ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ SpaghettiOs with Meatballs ~ Possible Underprocessing ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Montclair Meat Co., Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- Vienna Beef Ltd. ~ Class II Recall ~ Vienna Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: Low
- International Gourmet ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Orlando Greco & Son Imports ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Custom Corned Beef, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Crumbled Pork Sausage Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- The Murphy House ~ Class I Recall ~ Brunswick Stew Products ~ Undeclared Allergens ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Beltex Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Beef Trim Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Westlake Food Corporation ~ Class II Recall ~ Assorted Meat Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Windsor Foods ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ruiz Foods, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Nestlé Professional North America ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links may not have been functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
Two More Supplements Contain Undeclared Drugs
Can it be that, just a week ago I was commenting on the FDA finding undeclared drugs in a supplement? And, yet - here we are again. On Friday, July 16, two drug companies announced recalls of their products - due to undeclared drug ingredients.
. . .
Read More Two More Supplements Contain Undeclared Drugs
Good Health, Inc. has recalled multiple lots of Vialipro, an ED supplement. Lab analyses reported to the FDA indicated that the product contained Sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of Sildenafil - the active ingredient in Viagra. The fact that this ingredient was found, though not listed, in several lots of the product tells me that this is the standard 'recipe' for Vialipro.
* J & H Besta Corp., on the other hand, only recalled one lot of Slim-30 "All Natural Herbs for Weight Loss." Apparently, some of the ingredients were 'contaminated' with prescription drugs approved by the FDA for weight-loss. Hmmm? Weight-loss herbs and weight-loss prescription drugs ... together ... accidentally ... in the same, what, mixing drum?! Seems rather improbable.
* The link to the Slim-30 recall can be found HERE. It was working at the time of my earlier post, but went down later.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ July 19
Updates to listings / unavailable information posted effective July 12, 2010:
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through July 19, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ July 19
FDA Food Safety Notices:
- Good Health, Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Vialipro' ED Dietary Supplement, Multiple Lots ~ Undeclared Drug Ingredient
- J & H Besta Corp. ~ Recall ~ 'Slim-30' Herb Supplement, Lot/Code #032009 ~ Undeclared Drug Ingredient
- D & M Smoked Fish, Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Haifa' Vacuum-packaged Schmaltz Herring, lot #168 ~ Uneviscerated
- * Feline's Pride ~ Expanded Recall ~ Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs, Produced 06/21/10 ~ Possible Salmonella
- Fresh Express ~ Recall ~ Romaine Lettuce Products, Use-by Dates July 8 & July 12 ~ Possible E. coli 0157.H7
- Diamond USA, Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Dry Apricot Rolled', 1 lb packages, code #01-12-2010 ~ Undeclared Sulfites
Still unavailable, from July 06, 2010:
- * I Dolce ~ Recall ~ 33.8 oz (1 Liter) Roba Dolce Double Chocolate Chunk Gelato ~ Undeclared Peanuts
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
- Perdue Farms, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ 'Great Value' Frozen Chicken Nugget Products ~ Possible Foreign Material ~ Health Risk: Low
- K. Heeps, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Turkey Breast Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- M&K II Co. ~ Class II Recall ~ Beef Jerky Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Rocky Mountain Natural Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Bison Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- San Antonio Packing Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Cervelat Summer Sausage ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Mountain House Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff with Noodles ~ Mislabeling ~ Health Risk: None
- Great Kitchens, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- South Gate Meat Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Recall Completed
Crown I Enterprises, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Meals ~ Possible Salmonella ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ SpaghettiOs with Meatballs ~ Possible Underprocessing ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Montclair Meat Co., Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- Vienna Beef Ltd. ~ Class II Recall ~ Vienna Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: Low
- Recall Completed
Boston Salads and Provisions Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Buffalo Style Chicken Salad Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- International Gourmet ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Orlando Greco & Son Imports ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Custom Corned Beef, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Crumbled Pork Sausage Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- The Murphy House ~ Class I Recall ~ Brunswick Stew Products ~ Undeclared Allergens ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Beltex Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Beef Trim Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Westlake Food Corporation ~ Class II Recall ~ Assorted Meat Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Windsor Foods ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ruiz Foods, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Nestlé Professional North America ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links may not have been functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
Sustainable Coffee
Thanks to a sale at the local grocery store, we are finally trying Yuban.
I know that environmental consciousness shouldn't wait for $2.00/off,
but - in our defense - it was more like $7.00/off and we're on a fixed
income.
Yuban is, to the best of my knowledge, one of the most 'green'
coffees in my supermarket. Not only are they partnered with and
certified by the Rainforest
Alliance, their canisters are made of 50% recycled materials, 35%
post-consumer recycled materials. And it tastes good, too.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ July 12
Updates to listings / unavailable information posted effective July 06, 2010:
- Setton International Foods, Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Fairway' Energy Mix and 'Setton Farms' Total Energy Mix ~ Undeclared Peanuts and Chocolate Flavored Chips
- Feline’s Pride ~ Recall ~ Feline's Pride Raw and Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food ~ Possible Salmonella
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through July 12, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ July 12
FDA Food Safety Notices:
Still unavailable, from July 06, 2010:
- * I Dolce ~ Recall ~ 33.8 oz (1 Liter) Roba Dolce Double Chocolate Chunk Gelato ~ Undeclared Peanuts
- * Domega NY International ~ Recall ~ Fuma Custard Pie ~ Undeclared Milk Powder
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
- K. Heeps, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Turkey Breast Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- M&K II Co. ~ Class II Recall ~ Beef Jerky Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Rocky Mountain Natural Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Bison Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- San Antonio Packing Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Cervelat Summer Sausage ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Mountain House Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff with Noodles ~ Mislabeling ~ Health Risk: None
- Great Kitchens, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- South Gate Meat Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Crown I Enterprises, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Meals ~ Possible Salmonella ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ SpaghettiOs with Meatballs ~ Possible Underprocessing ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Montclair Meat Co., Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- Vienna Beef Ltd. ~ Class II Recall ~ Vienna Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: Low
- Boston Salads and Provisions Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Buffalo Style Chicken Salad Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- International Gourmet ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Orlando Greco & Son Imports ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Custom Corned Beef, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Crumbled Pork Sausage Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- The Murphy House ~ Class I Recall ~ Brunswick Stew Products ~ Undeclared Allergens ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Beltex Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Beef Trim Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Westlake Food Corporation ~ Class II Recall ~ Assorted Meat Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Recall Completed
North American Bison Co-Op ~ Class II Recall ~ Whole Beef Head Products ~ Contain Prohibited Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Windsor Foods ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ruiz Foods, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Nestlé Professional North America ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links may not have been functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
The How-Much-Per-Day?! Diet
I am sure that there are diets
that work out there. Some online programs are pretty well organized.
And, undoubtedly, the reliable ones offer a support system and exercise
programs for healthy weight loss.
Then, there's the one I ran across today. The one that suggests
committing a lifetime to the program and -- wait for it -- costs $23.00
per day for the pre-packaged meals and snacks. Over the course of a
month, that's almost $700.00 - per person!
We don't spend that much in a month to feed three people!
FDA & FSIS Notices ~ July 06
In April, I added an FDA widget to this blog in an attempt to provide timely notification of alerts and recalls. Sadly, for reasons unknown, this dramatically slowed the load time of the pages. Hence, we are back to manual posts of alerts, recalls, and safety information from the FDA and FSIS.
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through July 06, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Notices ~ July 06
FDA Food Safety Notices:
- United Pet Group ~ Expanded Recall ~ Pro-Pet and Excel Pet Supplements ~ Possible Salmonella
- * Setton International Foods, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Energy Mix and Total Energy Mix ~ Undeclared Peanuts and Chocolate Flavored Chips
- Azteca Linda Corp. ~ Recall ~ Queso Fresco and Queso Hebra ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
- * I Dolce ~ Recall ~ 33.8 oz (1 Liter) Roba Dolce Double Chocolate Chunk Gelato ~ Undeclared Peanuts
- * Domega NY International ~ Recall ~ Fuma Custard Pie ~ Undeclared Milk Powder
- * Feline Pride ~ Recall ~ Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food ~ Possible Salmonella
- Tri-Union Seafoods ~ Recall ~ 12-Ounce Chicken-of-the-Sea Solid White Tuna in Water ~ Possible Loose Seals or Seams
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
- M&K II Co. ~ Class II Recall ~ Beef Jerky Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Rocky Mountain Natural Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Bison Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- San Antonio Packing Company ~ Class I Recall ~ Cervelat Summer Sausage ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Mountain House Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff with Noodles ~ Mislabeling ~ Health Risk: None
- Great Kitchens, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- South Gate Meat Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Crown I Enterprises, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Frozen Meals ~ Possible Salmonella ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC ~ Class I Recall ~ SpaghettiOs with Meatballs ~ Possible Underprocessing ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Montclair Meat Co., Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ground Beef Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- Sampco, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Canned and Frozen Cooked Beef Products from Brazil ~ Possible Animal Drug Contaminant ~ Health Risk: Low
- Recall Completed
Galant Food Co. ~ Class I Recall ~ Chicken and Beef Puff Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High
- Vienna Beef Ltd. ~ Class II Recall ~ Vienna Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: Low
- Boston Salads and Provisions Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Buffalo Style Chicken Salad Products ~ May Contain Foreign Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- International Gourmet ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Orlando Greco & Son Imports ~ Class I Recall ~ Imported Prosciutto Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Custom Corned Beef, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Fully Cooked Crumbled Pork Sausage Products ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High (No Retail Sales)
- The Murphy House ~ Class I Recall ~ Brunswick Stew Products ~ Undeclared Allergens ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Beltex Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Beef Trim Products ~ Possible E. Coli O157:H7 ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Westlake Food Corporation ~ Class II Recall ~ Assorted Meat Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- North American Bison Co-Op ~ Class II Recall ~ Whole Beef Head Products ~ Contain Prohibited Materials ~ Health Risk: Low
- Recall Completed
Lorentz Meats ~ Class I Recall ~ Kowalski's Whole or Half Ham Packages ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes ~ Health Risk: High
- Recall Completed
Perdue Farms, Inc. ~ Class II Recall ~ Fresh Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage Products ~ Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: Low
- Recall Completed
CaiE Foods Limited ~ Class I Recall ~ Assorted Asian-Style Products ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: High
- Recall Completed
Fernando's Food Corporation ~ Class I Recall ~ Enchilada Products ~ Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Recall Completed
N.Y. Gourmet Salads, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Various Chicken Products ~ Produced Without Inspection ~ Health Risk: High
- Windsor Foods ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Beef Taquito and Chicken Quesadilla Products ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Ruiz Foods, Inc. ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Tornados Ranchero Beef & Cheese ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High (Retail Distribution List [PDF])
- Nestlé Professional North America ~ Class I Recall ~ Ready-To-Eat Bacon Base ~ Possible Salmonella at HVP Supplier ~ Health Risk: High
- Recall Completed
Rudolph Foods Company, Inc. ~ Class III Recall ~ Baken-ets Fried Pork Skins ~ Packaging Error ~ Health Risk: None
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links may not have been functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
Happy Fourth of July!
I know I'm a day early, but we always seem to end up so busy on the
fourth that I forget to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Enjoy your burgers, dogs, corn-on-the-cob, and ice cream! And ribs,
potato salad, brownies, and pie. I can assure you - we certainly will!
Be safe around those fireworks and always keep a bucket of water handy,
for spent sparklers and odd surprises. We always had fun, as kids, and
with a little bit of forethought, no one ever got hurt.
Goodbye, June ~ Hello, July!
Well, June is finally gone! Hooray! It came in badly and did not go out with a whimper. Never, in recent memory, has one month wreaked so much havoc - from start to finish. July just has to be better. Right?!
. . .
Saying Goodbye, June ~ Hello, July!
For starters, this month looks to be a food fest, which is just fine with me. I love the seasonal goodies flooding the stores right now. Fresh fruits and veggies are always the top of my grocery list.
But July brings even more to enjoy. Firing up the grill and dusting off those summer recipes is what it's all about. This is a month for celebrating ~ Baked Beans, Culinary Arts, Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, and Blueberries.
If those aren't enough, take a look at the first seven days of July:
- National Gingersnap Day
- National Anisette Day
- National Chocolate Wafer Day
- National Barbecued Spareribs Day
- National Apple Turnover Day
- National Fried Chicken Day
- National Strawberry Sundae Day, and Chocolate Day
Okay - that did it! I'm off to the store for turnovers, baked beans, and fried chicken! Oh, and a pint of ice cream and blueberries. And some gingersnaps and ribs. And, in anticipation of the end of the month - lollipops, milk chocolate, and cheesecake!
And some stretchy sweatpants. And an exercise machine. This could get veddy, veddy bad.
Wedding Favors
I was - actually - searching for something chocolate when I found the cutest collection of wedding accessories. My daughter had boxes of personalized candies at her reception, which I thought were so cute and really creative. But these chocolate bars and candied almonds really take it a step beyond.
Admittedly, they are not inexpensive and might be cost-prohibitive for a large wedding or a tight budget. Yet, I just fell in love with the "ingredients list" on the back of the candy bars. Not to mention, the bride and groom graphics on the almonds. Amazing!
Diets for Weight Loss
In my never-ending search for good information and reliable advice on, among other things, diets for quick weight loss, I am frequently disappointed. I am often amused at the ridiculousness that attempts to pass for authoritative review. Rarely am I downright angered - until today.
. . .
Read More Diets for Weight Loss
What upsets me is the blithe disregard that some site owners have for readers' health and safety. They push pills and detox diets and cleansing rituals that - after reading just a few paragraphs - sound dangerous. Working my way through several posts - this is a blog, not a website per se - I couldn't find any recommendations that didn't scare the daylights out of me.
For those seeking diet and weight loss advice, please talk to your doctor. Or at least visit a site supported by an accredited medical institution, with physician-generated guidelines.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ March 30
Updates to listings / unavailable information posted effective March 23, 2010:
- * C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. ~ Amended Recall ~ Marinades, Seasoning Mixes, and Roasting Bags ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through March 30, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ March 30
FDA Food Safety Notices:
- Modern Products, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Seasonings ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (HVP Supplier)
- Perfect Candy & Packaging Co. ~ Recall ~ H.D.W. Foods Whole Black Pepper ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
- Lance, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Tom's Barbecue Potato Chips ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (HVP Supplier)
- Natural Wellness, Inc. ~ Recall ~ MasXtreme Capsules ~ Undeclared Aildenafil and Phentolamine
- Binell Bros. Cutlery ~ Recall ~ Black Pepper ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ March 23
Starting with this post, we are adding notices from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the FDA MedWatch reporting program.
Updates to listings / unavailable information posted March 17, 2010:
- Emmi - Roth Käse USA~ Recall ~ Spreadables brand Crab Creole and Shrimp Scampi cheese spreads ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through March 23, 2010, by the FDA and FSIS:
. . .
Read More FDA & FSIS Recall Notices ~ March 23
FDA Food Safety Notices:
- The Kroger Co. ~ Amended Recall ~ Kroger California Seasoning Blend Garlic Powder ~ Possible Salmonella at Unnamed Supplier
- John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Snack Mix and Cashew Products ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
- McCain Foods USA ~ Recall ~ Frozen Potato Product ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
- * C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. ~ Amended Recall ~ Unspecified Products ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
- Walong Marketing, Inc. ~ Expanded Recall ~ Flying Horse Sesame Chewy Candy ~ Undeclared Peanuts
- Blue Line Foodservice Distribution ~ Recall ~ Little Caesars Spice Paks ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
- C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. ~ Amended Recall ~ Season 'n Bake Chicken, Beef Stew, Pork Gravy ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
- C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Chilli Man Seasoning Mix ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
FDA MedWatch Notices:
FSIS Recalls & Alerts:
Please visit the above links for complete product information, recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links were not functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.
Looking For a Diet That Works
Diet, at our house, means much more than losing weight. Truth be told, none of us are really overweight. (Frankie is positively skinny, the brat!) I would be happy to lose 5-10lbs, especially around the middle.
In Mark's case, we need information on diets that work for managing his blood sugar. A sweet tooth and carb-loving appetite, is just not good for diabetes. But, with the price of meats around here, it's really difficult to keep him full without shooting his sugar through the roof.
. . .
Read More Looking For a Diet That Works
I was curious about the Glycemic Impact Diet from eDiets. It sounds like what we need - but, they all do, until you look a little closer. Still, it does bear reviewing; if for no other reason than knowing - for certain - that it's a bad idea.
After some review, information input, and eDiet recommendations, I have to say I'm rather impressed. Naturally, we can't get any actual information or help until we pay the monthly fee (not happening, right now). However, the system is easy and does seem to accurately assess needs, based on profile details.
Oh, it wasn't the Glycemic Impact Diet that was suggested. It was the Living with Diabetes online plan. Which includes dietician support, meal plans, personalized menus, shopping lists, and custom fitness guidance.
Could be a workable idea. We'll just have to see what we can afford - or find some good recipes on our own.
FDA Recall Notices ~ March 17, 2010
The following recall notices, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts
have been posted, through today, by the FDA. Note: most of these
Voluntary Recalls are related to possible Salmonella
contamination of ingredient(s) at a supplier location.
-
(Complete list of HVP
Containing Products, related to Salmonella Tennessee found
at Basic Food Flavors.)
-
(News
release, dated March 17, 2010, updating recall information related
to Salmonella Montevideo found at Mincing Overseas Spice
Company and Wholesome Spice Company.)
-
(FSIS list of Products
Recalled by Daniele International Inc., related to Salmonella
Montevideo found at Mincing Overseas Spice Company and Wholesome Spice
Company.)
Updates to listings / unavailable
information posted March
10, 2010:
-
McCormick
& Company, Incorporated ~ Expanded Recall
~ Dip and Stuffing Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic
Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Herr
Foods Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Herr's Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt
Flavored' Kettle Style Potato Chips ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Dutch
Valley Food Distributors, Inc. ~ Updated Lot
Numbers ~ Black Pepper and Related Products ~ Possible Salmonella
at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
New Notices (in numeric order):
. . .
Read More FDA Recall Notices ~ March 17, 2010
-
GFN
Foods, LLC ~ Recall ~ Gluten-free Mixes and Flour ~ Salmonella
Found at Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative (Supplier)
-
*
Austinuts Of Dallas, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Honey Mustard Pretzels from
National Pretzel Co. ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic
Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Frontier
Natural Products Co-op ~ Recall ~ Products with non-organic
Black Pepper ~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas
Spice Company (Supplier)
-
Mrs.
Gerry’s Kitchen, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Crab Creole Spread ~ Possible
Salmonella at Unnamed Supplier
-
The
Kroger Co. ~ Recall ~ Onion Soup & Dip Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella
at Unnamed Supplier
-
*
Emmi - Roth Käse USA ~ Recall ~ Spreadables brand
Crab Creole and Shrimp Scampi cheese spreads ~ Possible Salmonella
-
*
Tastefully Simple ~ Recall ~ Toasted Garlic & Parmesan Cheese
Ball Mix ~ Possible Salmonella at Unnamed Supplier
-
*
Julia's Spices, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Hulled Sesame Seeds ~ Possible
Salmonella
-
*
Spice Industrial Group, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Lian How White Sesame
Seeds ~ Possible Salmonella at Specialty Commodities
Corp. (Supplier)
-
Produce
Valley, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Toasted Onion Dip Mix ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Barcel
~ Recall ~ Tostachos 3.17 oz ~ Possible Salmonella at
Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Spice
Barn, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Two Lots of Black Pepper ~ Possible Salmonella
at Mincing Overseas Spice Company (Supplier)
-
C.
H. Guenther & Son, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Seasoning and Soup Mixes
~ Possible Salmonella at Mincing Overseas Spice
Company (Supplier)
Please visit the above links for complete product information,
recommendations, contacts, and return details.
* Some FDA links were not functioning at the time of posting. Specific
health risk information may be incomplete.
What's In That Food?
Yesterday, I posted a list of recent FDA recall notices. Nothing new; do it every week or so. But this group, in my mind, was different.
It wasn't one particular product that was an issue. And that's what scared me.
. . .
Read More What's In That Food?
So much of what we eat is a mystery, when you get right down to it. We're at the mercy of the growers. Or the manufacturers of the ingredients.
Do we really know what's in pre-packaged meals, sides, or mixes? Or where it comes from? With these product recalls, I found out that we don't have a clue.
Some companies have repeat problems. They are part of numerous recalls, because of their manufacturing practices. It's easy - if you keep an eye on the notices - to simply avoid their foods.
But, how do you avoid an ingredient, shipped to dozens of companies? Appearing in dozens of products? Invisible to even the most savvy consumer?
I don't think you can. And that's what scares me
FDA Recall Notices ~ March 10, 2010
The following recalls, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have
been posted, through today, by the FDA. Note: most of these Voluntary
Recalls are related to possible Salmonella contamination in
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), used by the recalling companies for
flavor-enhancement. The HVP was manufactured and supplied by Basic Food
Flavors in Las Vegas, Nevada.
. . .
Read More FDA Recall Notices ~ March 10, 2010
In order of listing, newest first:
-
Olde
Westport Spice ~ Recall ~ Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning ~ Possible
Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
PepsiCo
Inc. ~ Recall ~ Quaker Snack Mix Baked Cheddar ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Ventura
Foods, LLC ~ Recall ~ Seven Varieties of Its Dean's® Dip Products
~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Publix
~ Recall ~ Four (4) Seasoning Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
The
Proctor & Gamble Company ~ Recall ~ Two Flavors of Pringles® ~ Possible
Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Nutritional
Resources ~ Recall ~ Healthwise Cream of Mushroom Soup ~ Possible
Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
*
Herr Foods Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Herr's Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt
Flavored' Kettle Style Potato Chips
-
Dutch
Valley Food Distributors, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Black Pepper and
Products from Mincing Overseas Spice Company ~ Possible Salmonella
-
GNS
Foods, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Snack Mixes from National Pretzel Co. ~ Possible
Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Nature's
Variety ~ Expanded Recall ~ All Raw Frozen Chicken Diets for Dogs
and Cats ~ Possible Salmonella
-
National
Pretzel Co. ~ Recall ~ Honey Mustard Onion Seasoned Pretzels ~ Possible
Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Estrella
Family Creamery ~ Recall ~ Old Apple Tree Tomme Cheese ~ Possible
Listeria monocytogenes
-
*
Ed Roller, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Wegmans 9oz 'Food You Feel Good About®
Medium Seafood Sauce ~ Undeclared Soy and Anchovies
-
Mincing
Overseas Spice Company ~ Recall ~ Black Pepper Lots 3258 and 3309
~ Possible Salmonella
-
Fresh
Food Concepts ~ Recall ~ Spinach Dips ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
McCormick
& Company ~ Recall ~ Dip and Stuffing Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
-
Creative
Contract Packaging Corporation ~ Recall ~ HERB-OX® Bouillon
Products ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors
(Supplier)
-
Concord
Foods ~ Recall ~ Seasonings Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella
at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
Please visit the above links for complete contacts, product information,
recommendations, and return details.
* Some FDA links were not functioning at the time of posting. Specific
health risk information may be incomplete.
FDA Recall Notices ~ March 03, 2010
The following recalls, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have
been posted, through today, by the FDA. In order of listing, newest
first:
Through March 03, 2010:
-
Reser's
Fine Foods Inc ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Ranch Dressing, Dips, Redskin
Potatoes ~ Possible Salmonella
-
Earth
Island ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Select 'Follow Your Heart' Products ~ Possible
Salmonella
-
Homemade
Gourmet ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Tortilla Soup Mix ~ Possible Salmonella
-
Tim's
Cascade Snacks ~ Nationwide & Canada Recall ~ 'Hawaiian® Kettle
Style Potato Chips - Sweet Maui Onion' and 'Hawaiian - Sweet Maui
Onion Rings' ~ Possible Salmonella
-
Castella
Imports, Inc. ~ Nationwide Recall ~ Castella Chicken Soup Base ~ Possible
Salmonella
-
T.
Marzetti Company ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Veggie Dips, Oak Lake Chip
Dips, and Great Value Chip Dips ~ Possible Salmonella
-
Heartland
Foods, Inc. ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Coarse Ground Black Pepper ~ Possible
Salmonella
Read More FDA Recall Notices ~ March 03, 2010
Through February 28, 2010:
-
Johnny's
Fine Foods ~ Recall ~ Johnny's French Dip Powdered Au Jus ~ Possible
Salmonella
-
American
Pecan Co. ~ Recall ~ 1 lb. Bags of Pecan Pieces ~ Possible Salmonella
-
Thumb
Oilseed ~ Recall ~ Soy Grits and Flour ~ Possible Salmonella
-
Wholesome
Spice ~ Voluntary Recall ~ 25 Lb. Boxes Of Crushed Red Pepper ~ Possible
Salmonella
-
Trader
Joe's Company ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated
Granola Bars ~ Possible Salmonella
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Lovin
Oven LLC ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Health Valley® Organic Peanut
Crunch, Dutch Apple and Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars ~ Possible Salmonella
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Queseria
Bendita ~ Recall ~ Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson ~ Possible
Listeria monocytogenes
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Fresh
& Easy Neighborhood Market ~ Voluntary Recall ~ Chewy
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars ~ Possible Salmonella
Please visit the above links for complete contacts, product information,
recommendations, and return details.
FDA Recall Notices ~ February 18, 2010
The following recalls, market withdrawals, and/or safety alerts have been posted, through today, by the FDA. In order of listing:
Please visit the above links for complete contacts, product information, recommendations, and return details.
Weight Loss Product Reviews
It isn't difficult to find a website offering weight loss product reviews. (Or any kind of product review, for that matter.) The real question is: Are they honestly reviewing products? Or are they affiliate marketers of those same supplements?
(Don't get me wrong - I have nothing against affiliate marketing. There are several companies with which I do business as an affiliate. But, then, I'm not offering unbiased reviews of their products. I just like what they sell and offer their products to my customers, as well.)
Over time, I've run across several 'review' sites that are more than a little misleading. My all-time favorites, and there are a bunch, are the ones that mirror each other - down to typos and misprints. The top 3 or 5 or whatever combination they choose are always the same few products.
. . .
Read More Weight Loss Product Reviews
I suppose you could say that they're the top supplements across the board, because they are the best. You could. I probably wouldn't, but I'm funny that way.
My problem is that so many weight loss products don't have any supporting clinical trials to back up their claims. The best I've found is that some of the ingredients listed may have some valid claim to supporting fat-burning or weight loss. The ingredients themselves - not the combination in any particular product.
There is no monitoring or control over how much of what is included in a particular formula. And, when you're buying something over-the-counter, there is no medical support to ensure safe usage. Unless the consumer actually works with their doctor to monitor weight loss and side effects. I doubt many people do.
Take what you read with a grain of salt, as it were. Some sites do offer, what appear to be, unbiased reviews of certain products. It is certainly conceivable, though, that those are not the products they are (possibly) being paid to promote.
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