A few weeks ago, the FDA announced that there was a tomato recall due to outbreaks of salmonella that had been linked to eating raw tomatoes. Not all tomatoes were under suspicion. For instance, grape tomatoes were eliminated as a source. I work at McDonald’s and we pulled tomatoes from our store in compliance with the recall, even though not all states were affected and our state was not even on the list.

Then, we got an announcement that we could start serving tomatoes again. From what I understood, the source and locations had been discovered.

Now, the FDA is saying they’re not even sure tomatoes were a problem to begin with, and even if they are, they’re not sure where the source of the problem is and where any affected tomatoes might be. They did testing on suspect tomatoes and found no salmonella.

Now, I appreciate that the FDA is trying to protect consumers. That’s what their job is. But it looks like we all need to get new pocket watches to keep up with the timing of recalls such as this.

Today, a recall. Tomorrow, all is safe. The next day, we don’t have a clue what to tell the public.

Right now, the FDA is reporting new outbreaks of salmonella weeks after the recall. This means that people were still contracting a potentially deadly bacteria during a period of time when there were no tomatoes in stores or restaurants. I think they’re barking up the wrong tomato vine. Look at the handlers, the shippers, the warehouses, the trucks. The tomatoes aren’t the problem. Somewhere, there is a place that is contaminated. Maybe it’s in the boxes the tomatoes are shipped in.

The thing is, Salmonella comes from feces. It can be present on household pets, such as cats and dogs, on turtles, and on farm animals without those animals actually being sick. It can also be spread from human waste from infected individuals. While the FDA is out chasing killer tomatoes, maybe the should be looking more closely at the environment around packing houses and warehouses to see if there are carriers that come in contact with human hands, then tomatoes. Pet the cat - touch the tomatoes - spread the bacteria?

Also, tomatoes are hugely attractive to both turtles and cats. Both animals will eat tomatoes and touch every part of the plant. Perhaps that’s what the source is. The source might even be found right where the tomatoes are accessed by the public - in the stores and restaurants of areas where there have been outbreaks of salmonella.

Technorati Tags: tomato recall, tomatoes, McDonald’s, FDA

These days of high gas prices, which translate into higher prices on everything else, call for even more drastic measures when it comes to keeping the budget in line. Groceries can account for a huge part of the budget unless you are planning your menus and shopping very carefully.

Meat purchases can be reduced by simply using recipes that call for less meat. Beans and rice together give you a complete meat protein so that any time you serve them, you can know that your family isn’t going to miss out on important nutrients, yet they are both relatively inexpensive and can be season up to make some wonderful meals.

Buying only produce that is currently in season will also help your grocery budget. While we all get cravings for fruit or vegetables that aren’t in season, holding the line means having some real self-control when you are out shopping and see all the colorful displays of produce. They certainly are tempting!

Fresh fruits and fresh vegetables served raw and cut up into bite sized pieces make great snacks. Keep them on hand in covered containers in the fridge. Once prepared, it’s much easier to snack on them instead of on chips or other expensive and unhealthful snacks. Popcorn is also a great choice and it’s inexpensive. Just reduce the amount of butter you use on it to keep it a healthful snack or buy microwave popcorn that has reduced fat and salt.

Water is the ultimate beverage. Squeeze a little lemon in it to brighten the taste, but getting your family accustomed to drinking water instead of soda or other beverages will help your budget and their health.

Make fewer trips by arming yourself with a focused list of items you need and places you need to go. If you have to, map out your course so that you spend less time driving back over the same territory over and over again.

The internet is a great resource for finding budget-friendly meals and wise shopping tips. Use it to its fullest so you can save yourself some money!

Technorati Tags: Groceries, budget, recipes

If I don’t do something soon about the kind of shoes I wear at work, I think I’ll wind up with permanent foot problems. It hasn’t been that long since I bought shoes for work, but already the insoles are breaking down, which means less cushioning for my feet. When you work in the restaurant business, you’re on your feet all the time, except for break time, and it takes its toll on you in your joints, feet, and legs.

Looks like I’m going to be doing some shoe shopping yet again. I may have to go with a completely different brand than I’ve been buying, like Ecco shoes. Maybe changing shoe brands will help. I know it helps to have more than one pair of work shoes, and change them every few days so you change the pressure points. But it also could be that the brand and how it’s structured could save my feet!

Technorati Tags: shoes, restaurant business

With gas prices on the rise (what else is new?), it looks like I’m going to have to juggle my bank accounts and do a balance transfer from one to the other just to be able to get a few groceries this week. I won’t be buying much - just the basics. I’ll also put in an order for an Angel Food Ministries box of food, which I can pick up in a couple of weeks.

Right now, though, it’ll just be things like detergent, dish liquid, shampoo, and a few groceries for the fridge and cabinets so I can create meals at home. It’s important to be able to do as much home cooking as possible when prices are soaring, as they are currently. Eating out should be a rare treat, not a daily occurrence. This means planning menus very carefully so that I get the most “bang for my buck” at the store. It also means planning what to do with leftovers so that nothing goes to waste.

With so many summer vegetables and fruits showing up at the farmers’ markets, having healthful meals shouldn’t be a problem and the prices should be low enough so that they fit nicely into the grocery budget.

Technorati Tags: groceries, menus

The cost of groceries is going up right along with the cost of fuel for the car. This makes it even more challenging to feed a family without having to dip into our savings accounts just to buy groceries.

One way to save is to reassess what you normally purchase to see if there is anything that can be reduced or eliminated. I find that reducing the amount of meat I purchase helps a lot on my grocery budget. Buying more in-season fresh vegetables and fruits, more grains, and learning to cook in more frugal ways will save a lot. These are the foods that bring appetite satisfaction more than meat anyway. Loading the plate with vegetables and grains, with just a smidgen of meat or none at all, will give you a filling, hearty, healthful meal that also saves you some money.

Utilizing leftovers is another way to save. If you have only a spoonful or so of a vegetable left, put it into a container in the freezer, It only has to be a quart container. When it’s full, add some chopped onion and tomato juice and you have an economical and healthful soup to serve your family. And, you can feel good about it knowing that you’ve helped to reduce your grocery bill through this very simple measure.

Technorati Tags: groceries, budget, freezer

We were hoping to have a cookout tomorrow for Memorial Day. However, there is rain predicted for today, tomorrow, and Tuesday, so it looks like cooking out is out. I’ll have to see what I can cook inside and how I can still make it festive and picnic-like.

I’ve got some hot dogs in the freezer. I got some chicken drummettes out of the freezer yesterday to let them thaw in the fridge. Today, I’ll do a little shopping after I get off work for things like pasta salad ingredients, fresh fruit, sandwich buns, and baked beans ingredients. I’ll also get some hamburger patties so I don’t have to fool with making them myself.

I think if I put in a movie or some music, set up the kitchen and dining are in a festive way, and just let people enjoy themselves, it will all work out just fine. After all, the idea is for people to fellowship together, isn’t it?

Technorati Tags: cookout, Memorial Day, picnic

The herbs and vitamins I got have really helped me get over whatever bug it was that attacked me. While my co-workers are still suffering, I’ve found a great deal of relief from using a simple combination of echinacea, mullein, vitamin C, Zinc, and some sublingual B-12 for energy. I mentioned to one of my co-workers that I was taking these things. She stopped. Blinked. Then said, “I have no idea what you just said.”..LOL

I am continuing with extra doses of the mullein combination to combat the bronchitis I’ve got now. I am at least waking up in the mornings now instead of a hundred times a night due to coughing spells! The most difficult thing was just finding the mullein to begin with! I looked at two Walmart stores, Walgreen’s, and another discount store. GNC was closed already by the time I got back into Big Town. Finally, I found it at a small, locally owned pharmacy. It was actually part of a list of ingredients in a bottle of Bronchial Aide tabs. I’d prefer the pure mullein, but you take what you can get when you can’t breathe.

They asked me to come back and tell them how it worked for me. I’ll do that in a couple of days and see if they can order straight mullein tabs or capsules while I’m there.

Technorati Tags: herbs, vitamins, echinacea, mullein

I’m up early and feeling better right now than I did yesterday, although I am occasionally beset with fits of coughing. I haven’t done anything special to get over this bug. I never did go shopping for the herbal teas and vitamins I needed because I didn’t feel well enough to shop for them. I figure I will go ahead and get them today, though, since I’m feeling better and would like to have them on hand for the next time, if there is a next time.

Taking them now couldn’t hurt anyway. I might be able to throw off this lingering cough if I get some mullein and take it. I tend to deal with my health through more natural means and find they work very well without causing side effects such as a jump in blood pressure. If I were wanting a supplement to help me lose weight, I’d probably choose something like lipovox because of the ingredients, which don’t include stimulants or chemical appetite depressants. Just things like green tea, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acid.

If I had been eating normally (plenty of fresh veggies and fruit, nuts, seeds, and whole grains), I probably wouldn’t have even had to deal with this “creeping crud” to begin with. But with moving and the job I have, I haven’t been consistent with my diet and have been eating things not so good for me. I think I’m going to celebrate moving into this new house by making a batch of granola!

Technorati Tags: herbal teas, vitamins, blood pressure

The interim time we spent at a friend’s house until we moved into this house has resulted in not many groceries for us. I am truly starting over in restocking the cabinets and fridge here. But I’m not going to go on a shopping spree and spend too much. I’ll still be looking for the best buy in groceries, spices, and herbs, picking up a little here and there until I’m satisfied with what I have on hand.

I will be potting some herbs for use as fresh and later dried in my cooking. Nothing but nothing beats the taste of home grown oregano, basil, sage, and other wonderful cooking herbs!

Technorati Tags: groceries, cabinets, fridge, shopping, herbs

I love granola but I haven’t tried this brand yet. But now I’ll have a chance to do so by going to Kashi.com and signing up to get a free sample of it!

I know I need to be more diligent about eating right and getting healthier. This sample could kick me off to a good start doing both. Besides the free sample of Kashi Granola granola, there are also helpful tips for getting up and exercising, as well as nutrition tips and a blog to read.

Technorati Tags: Kashi Granola, granola