Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today - an On going Thread #3]

Frugal Dad .com ^ | July 23, 2009 | Frugal Dad

[nw_arizona_granny]

Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

The Frugal Roundup

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

A Few Others I Enjoyed

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

[upcountry miss]

Thanks. Busy, busy time of year-don’t get to post much, but love to catch up frequently. Lovely weather here in Maine, unlike last year. Tourists out in full force, so I stay “up country” most of the time avoiding the traffic snarls on our country roads not made for the sight-seeing crowds.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm218437.htm

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Over-The-Counter (OTC) Products in the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica

Contact:
Consumer Inquiries - 1(888) 222-6036
Media Inquiries - Bonnie Jacobs
(215) 273-8994 -office
(856) 912-9965 - mobile

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Fort Washington, PA (July 8, 2010) – McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., is recalling 21 lots of over-the-counter medicines. The lots involved, listed below, are sold in the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica. This action is a follow-up to a product recall that McNeil Consumer Healthcare originally announced on January 15, 2010, which was initiated following consumer complaints of a musty or moldy odor, which has been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). The risk of serious adverse medical events is remote. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

These lots are being added to the list of recalled products as a precautionary measure after a continuing internal review determined that some packaging materials used in the lots had been shipped and stored on the same type of wooden pallet that was tied to the presence of TBA in earlier recalled lots. All lots involved in the recall were produced before the January 15, 2010 recall, after which McNeil stopped accepting shipments of materials from its suppliers on that type of pallet.

Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions, and information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com1 or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider.

Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/default.htm.2

The product lot numbers for the recalled products can be found on the side of the bottle label.

FULL RECALLED PRODUCT LIST:

Product Name

Lot Number

UPC Code

BENADRYL® ALLERGY ULTRATAB™

BENADRYL® ALLERGY ULTRATAB™ TABLETS 100 count

ABA567

312547170338

BENADRYL® ALLERGY ULTRATAB™ TABLETS 100 count

ABA574

312547170338

Children’s TYLENOL® Meltaways

CHILDREN’S TYLENOL® MELTAWAYS BUBBLEGUM 30 count

ABA544

300450519306

MOTRIN® IB

MOTRIN® IB CAPLET 24 count

ACA003

300450481030

MOTRIN® IB CAPLET bonus pack 50+25 count

ACA002

300450481764

MOTRIN® IB TABLET 100 count

AFA060

300450463043

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength EZ TABLET 225 count

ASA206

300450422378

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength EZ TABLET 50 count

ABA005

300450422507

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength COOL CAPLET 24 count

ABA566

300450444240

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength CAPLET bonus pack 24+12 count

ACA025

300450444318

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count

AFA018

300450449078

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count

(included in Day/Night Pack)

ABA168

300450444530

TYLENOL®, Day & Night Value Pack

(contains Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count Lot # ABA168 & UPC 300450444530)

AEC005

300450527103

TYLENOL®, Day & Night Value Pack

(contains Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count Lot # ABA168 & UPC 300450444530)

AFC005

300450527103

TYLENOL®, Day & Night Value Pack

(contains Extra Strength CAPLET 50 count Lot # ABA168 & UPC 300450444530)

ADC002

300450527103

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength RAPID RELEASE GELCAP 24 count

ACA024

300450488244

TYLENOL®, Extra Strength RAPID RELEASE GELCAP 225 count

AJA119

300450488251

TYLENOL® PM

TYLENOL® PM CAPLET 24 count

ACA005

300450482242

TYLENOL® PM CAPLET 24 count

ADA259

300450482242

TYLENOL® PM GELTAB 50 count

AFA100

300450176509

TYLENOL® PM RAPID RELEASE GELCAP 20 count

ACA004

300450244208

###

RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information3 [what’s this?4]
Links on this page:

1. http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com
2. www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/default.htm
3. /AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
4. /AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm

Page Last Updated: 07/08/2010

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm218455.htm

* Home
* Safety
* Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts

Section Contents Menu

* Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts
* Archive for Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts
* Enforcement Reports
* Industry Guidance
* Major Product Recalls

Recall — Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. Recalls Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp Due to Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Greg Abadjian/213 243 9105

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — July 8, 2010 – J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling 992 cases (4,960 retail units) of Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp was distributed in California and Hawaii. Dates and Product Codes as follows: Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp, 2lbs bags (UPC Code 7 503012 650001) with the following Lot number: A 21 04 10 / A 21 04 12.

There have been no illnesses reported in accordance with this recall.

J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. is collaborating with the FDA. This recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on a confirmed positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the FDA.

We have notified all of our customers who have received the product in question and have directed them to remove it from their shelves and return to us as soon as possible. Because it is possible that products bearing the Lot number A 21 04 10 / A 21 04 12 were further distributed and could be on store shelves and in consumer homes, this recall is being extended to the general public.

We are confident in our safety program and committed to continuing a safe supply of ready to use frozen avocado pulp.

Any Questions or comments please call Greg Abadjian, Director of Food Safety at 213 243 9105 between the hours of 4 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.

Instructions for Consumers:

Check your refrigerator/freezers for Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp with the above Lot number. The Lot number can be found on a sticker affixed to the package. Consumers who have the affected product are asked to record the Lot number, and immediately dispose of the product or return to place of purchase for a refund.

Instructions for Retailers/Distributors:

Immediately examine your inventory and quarantine product subject to recall. If you have product purchased between these dates, please with the affected Lot number contact us immediately and return this product as soon as possible in order to credit your account accordingly.

Please identify your customers and notify them at once of this product recall. Your notification to your customers may include a copy of this recall notification.

#

Produce Market Location
1601 E. Olympic Blvd. #200
Los Angeles, Ca. 90021
Phone: (213) 2438208;9105
Fax: (213) 243 8208;1189
Hours: 1:00am –9:30am Alameda Trade Center
736 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, Ca. 90021
Phone: (213) 243 8208;0003
Fax: (213) 243 8208;0001
Hours: 5:30am – 3:00pm

Photos: Product Labels1

RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information2 [what’s this?3]
Links on this page:

1. /Safety/Recalls/ucm218456.htm
2. /AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
3. /AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm

Page Last Updated: 07/08/2010

[nw_arizona_granny]

$250 for designing an urban farming logo

What text should be included in the main part of the logo? A Graphic and Text: “The
Urban Farming Guys” The Logo is for our Video Blog “The Urban Farming Guys” This
video blog will be very entertaining, educational around the many topics surrounding
urban farming. The logo should hit one or many of the following themes “urban” “self
sustainability, “innovative farming techniques in urban environments”, “sustainability”
maybe something with city-scape, or tall buildings, maybe not.

---

How this Urban-Farming Stuff Will End

So there’s room for a whole new kind of urban economy. And farming looks like a
robust candidate.

Farmers in America today specialize like fashion houses in Milan- zebra eggplant,
heirloom tomatoes, yada yada. Urban greenhouses and small plots can produce specialty
crops, and urban farmers can use mass transit (and bike networks) to sell those
crops locally around their neighborhoods.

---

Convert discarded tourist boats into floating greenhouses - Netherlands

The concept is to simply convert discarded tourist boats into floating greenhouses
as these are ideally suited due to their large glass windows. The idea dawned on
Damian O’Sullivan as he was walking around Amsterdam and realised that the typical
tourist boat actually resembled a greenhouse. ‘What if you replaced tourists with
thyme or tomatoes?’ he asked himself - the Boatanic was born!

---

Vancouver’s chicken registry lays an egg

Has the city’s chicken registry laid an egg? Only seven people have applied to register
their backyard flocks as required under a June bylaw amendment, though many times
that number have acquired laying hens and sought instruction on their care in the
past couple of months.

---

Cities, including Pittsburgh, are turning green with urban farms

Nationally, the movement is profuse, with seeds in the 1980s when foodies sprouted
and gourmet eating went mainstream. The roots of several movements have intertwined
since: urban enterprise farms, urban farms for educating children, community gardens,
vacant lot greening, soil remediation of industrial landscapes, community supported
agriculture, backyard chickens and bee hives, consumers who buy into livestock with
farmers and grocery chains selling local produce.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103553079357&s=1304&e=001K_y_TF0bg-SX-jgw_R6yk0tZpb2vCeKptxVYYF1sgCXR20KhTxrXQhSRVkWkox7XCWByHrt42Zy4QZkOFTwLk-cb8Udu79MYOYdvTDRZqIlHt5YyL6l71A==]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
1978-2010

[nw_arizona_granny]

E. COLI O157 - USA (05): (COLORADO, NEW YORK), BISON MEAT, ALERT, RECALL
************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Sun 4 Jul 2010
Source: CNN [edited]
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/03/bison.recall/

A Colorado company is recalling about 66 000 pounds [approx 30 tons]
of ground and tenderized steak bison meat that may be contaminated
with a potentially deadly strain of _E. coli_, according to the US
Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

A total of 5 cases of _E. coli_ O157:H7 illnesses in Colorado from 4
to 9 Jun 2010 are believed to be associated with the products,
officials said Friday, 2 Jul 2010. [There is also a case reported in
New York.] The meat was distributed to retail establishments
nationwide and to food service distributors in Utah and Arizona. The
products, produced between 21 and 27 May 2010, are being recalled by
Rocky Mountain Natural Meats of Henderson, Colorado.

****

I snipped all the important info, read the article...granny

****

Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org

[It has not been clearly stated as yet that the outbreak strain has
been isolated from the implicated vehicle.

Although the meat usually associated with _E. coli_ O157 is from
cattle, the following (extracted from
http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/O157DT104/O157DT104index.html
discusses some other animals that have been linked as well:
Deer: _E. coli_ O157 has been isolated from deer, suggesting a
possible wildlife source for infection. In one case, the organisms
isolated from 2 deer and 5 cattle on a ranch in Texas had identical
PFGE (pulsed field gel electrophoresis) patterns. In addition,
infection has been associated with consumption of venison/jerky. Deer
have been experimentally infected and shown to intermittently shed
the organism as in cattle.
Pigs: Toxin-producing _E. coli_ have been isolated from pigs. The
porcine “edema disease” variant of shiga-like toxin, SLT-IIe, was
originally thought to be distinct from the toxins causing HUS
(hemolytic uremic syndrome) in humans, but recent cases of HUS have
been associated with swine isolates. In addition, a survey of pigs in
Japan revealed about the same level of infection with O157:H7 in pigs
as in the cattle population, and the presence of O157:H7 in the
American swine population has also been demonstrated recently.
Finally, it also appears that O157:H7 strains can also persist in the
intestinal tract of pigs, as well as cattle.
Dogs: The O157:H7 strain has been isolated from 2 asymptomatic dogs
on a farm in Washington (along with cattle, a horse, 2 batches of
stable flies, and biofilms on water troughs on the farm). There have
been reports of dog-to-human transmission in Canada and the UK, and a
report of O157 isolation from a veterinary student’s dog. A group of
greyhounds at a track in Alabama are reported to have been stricken
with HUS-like disease. Racing dogs are commonly fed raw beef, and _E.
coli_ O157:H7 was isolated from beef from “4D” (diseased,
debilitated, down, dying) cattle fed to the dogs. Greyhounds may be
an important research model for HUS.
Horses: There is a report of infection of a farmer with O157 after
tending to a sick horse, from which an identical O157 isolate was
obtained.

CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy) reports that
“the recall is the 2nd involving ground bison in 3 years. In July
2007, Custom Pack, Inc., based in Hastings, Neb., recalled 5920
pounds (2.7 tons) of its ground meat products, which included ground
buffalo patties, because of possible _E. coli_ O157:H7 contamination.
The recall was prompted by sampling done by the Nebraska Department
of Health Services as part of an investigation into a reported
illness
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/fs/food-disease/news/jul0610bison.html

A 2004 study by researchers from North Dakota State University on the
prevalence of foodborne pathogens on bison carcasses at a Midwestern
processing facility found that antimicrobial strategies in use at the
time in the plant were relatively effective in reducing _Listeria_
and _E. coli_ contamination on bison carcasses, but more study was
needed to gauge the effect of slaughter practices on carcass
contamination. Levels of _E. coli_ on pre-hiding bison carcasses was
about 88 percent, but was 11.3 percent on chilled carcasses. They
concluded that while bison meat may not be a significant source of
foodborne pathogens seen in other meat industries, new interventions
should be developed to ensure the overall safety of the product.”

It should also be noted that steak itself as opposed to ground beef
has been linked to O157 secondary to tenderized injections brings the
pathogen internal to the surface where it is less likely to be killed
by lesser degrees of cooking. - Mod.LL]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the US is available at
http://healthmap.org/r/01Ds - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[nw_arizona_granny]

SALMONELLOSIS, UNPASTEURIZED MILK - USA (02): (UTAH) SEROTYPE NEWPORT
*********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: Thu 8 Jul 2010
Source: CDC. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2010; 59(26): 817-8 [edited]
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5926a6.htm?s_cid=mm5926a6_e

_Salmonella_ Newport infections associated with consumption of
unpasteurized Milk - Utah, April-June 2010

---

On 29 Apr 2010, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) was notified of
3 cases of _Salmonella enterica_ serotype Newport infection. The
patients recently had consumed unpasteurized milk purchased from a
store in northern Utah (store A). In Utah, unpasteurized milk can be
sold legally at licensed dairies or by licensed dairies at
dairy-owned retail stores meeting specific requirements (1). A
central Utah dairy licensed to sell unpasteurized milk (dairy A) owns
and sells unpasteurized milk at store A and a 2nd northern Utah store
(store B). By 3 May 2010, 3 additional patients with _S._ Newport
infections had been reported; all recently had consumed unpasteurized
milk purchased from store A. UDOH notified the Utah Department of
Agriculture and Food (UDAF) of the suspected association between
illness and unpasteurized milk consumption, and UDAF suspended sales
of unpasteurized milk at the 2 stores on 3 May 2010.

During 29 Apr through 3 Jun 2010, a total of 10 _S._ Newport cases
were reported to UDOH; all 10 patients had consumed unpasteurized
milk from store A (7 patients) or store B (3 patients). The patients
ranged in age from 2 to 56 years (median: 21 years); 6 were female.
One patient was hospitalized. Isolates from all 10 patients were
identified as indistinguishable by two-enzyme pulsed-field gel
electrophoresis (PFGE), with pattern combination
UTJJPX01.098/UTJJPA26.009, and were sensitive to routinely used
antibiotics. Cultures of frozen, unpasteurized milk samples stored at
dairy A from batches of milk sold during the outbreak period yielded
_S._ Newport isolates indistinguishable by PFGE from the outbreak
strain. An inspection of dairy A on 7 May 2010, did not reveal any
obvious sources of contamination.

On 12 May 2010, on the basis of coliform test results within legal
limits, the dairy was permitted to resume sales of unpasteurized
milk. Ongoing testing includes monthly screening for _Salmonella_
spp. in retail samples of unpasteurized milk. As of 21 Jun 2010, no
additional cases had been reported to UDOH. Consumption of
unpasteurized dairy products poses a risk for foodborne illness (2),
and consumers of unpasteurized milk should be aware of this risk.

[Reported by: Hall JM, Rolfs RT, Herlihy RK, et al]

References

---

1. Utah Dairy Act. Utah Code sec 4-3-14. Available at
http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE04/htm/04_03_001400.htm
Accessed 1 Jul 2010.
2. Oliver SP, Boor KJ, Murphy SC, Murinda SE: Food safety hazards
associated with consumption of raw milk. Foodborne Path Dis 2009;
6(7): 793-806 [abstract available at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19737059

—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org

[This is the brief CDC report of the cluster. Classical zoonotic
organisms such as _Brucella abortus_, _Brucella melitensis_,
_Mycobacterium bovis_, _Salmonella_ species, _Listeria
monocytogenes_, _Campylobacter_ species, _Yersinia_ species, Coxiella
burnetii, and _E. coli_ O157:H7 are associated with raw milk
ingestion.

Non-zoonotic organisms such as _Streptococcus pyogenes_, _Salmonella_
Typhi, _Corynebacterium diphtheriae_, _Shigella_ species,
_Salmonella_ Paratyphi A, _Salmonella_ Paratyphi B, enterotoxins from
_Staphylococcus aureus_, and hepatitis A have also been associated
with raw milk ingestion.

Other diseases that can be related to unpasteurized milk are
highlighted in these paragraphs extracted from Leedom JM: Milk and
Infectious Diseases in Humans. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 43: 610-5
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/507035
with the
citations renumbered to be consecutive starting from 1:

“In 1996 and 1998, there were 2 episodes involving rabid cows that
occurred in Massachusetts (1). Milk from rabid cows can contain
rabies virus, and transmission via unpasteurized milk is
theoretically possible. Temperatures reached during pasteurization
kill the virus. 80 persons consumed unpasteurized milk that was
collected from the 2 cows, and 9 more had contact with saliva from
the cows. All 89 persons received postexposure rabies prophylaxis,
and no human cases of rabies eventuated. A similar report in Oklahoma
of possible rabies exposure associated with the consumption of raw
milk or cream from a rabid cow was circulated in 2006 (2).

Tickborne encephalitis, a zoonotic arbovirus infection usually
transmitted to humans by the bite of an _Ixodes persulcatus_ or
_Ixodes ricinus_ tick, is endemic to Central Europe, Eastern Europe,
and Russia (3). However, the virus can be found in the milk of cows
and goats with tickborne encephalitis and was reported to be
transmissible to humans by the consumption of unpasteurized milk (4).
A case-control study failed to confirm oral transmission (5).

A diarrhea syndrome (later named Brainerd diarrhea) occurred among
122 residents of Brainerd, Minnesota, during the period December
1983-July 1984 (6). It was characterized by acute onset, marked
urgency, lack of systemic symptoms, failure to respond to
conventional antimicrobial agents, and a long median duration of
illness (median duration, 16.5 months). The syndrome was linked to
consumption of raw milk from a single dairy (6). No etiologic agent
was ever isolated. The outbreak of Brainerd diarrhea stopped when all
of the dairy’s output was diverted and pasteurized (6, MT Osterholm,
personal communication).

Subsequent outbreaks in Illinois and Texas were not directly
associated with milk, although cattle had been in the vicinity of an
Illinois well that had its water implicated as a vehicle of
transmission (7). Another outbreak of Brainerd-like diarrhea,
although not associated with raw milk, affected 58 (15 percent) of
394 passengers aboard a cruise ship visiting the Galapagos Islands in
Ecuador (8).

References

---

1. CDC: Mass treatment of humans who drank unpasteurized milk from
rabid cows — Massachusetts, 1996-1998. JAMA 1999; 281: 1371-2
[available at
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/281/15/1371
2. Rabies, bovine, human exposure - USA (OK). 2006 [ProMED-mail
archive no. 20060101.0005. Accessed 26 Jul 2006].
3. Dumpis U, Crook D, Oksi J: Tick-borne encephalitis. Clin Infect
Dis 1999; 28(4): 882-90 [available at
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/515195
4. Matuszczyk I, Tarnowska H, Zabica J, Gut W: The outbreak of an
epidemic of tick-borne encephalitis in Kielec province induced by
milk ingestion [in Polish]. Przegl Epidemiol 1997; 51(4): 381-8
[abstract available at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9562785
5. Rieger MA, Nubling M, Kaiser R, et al: Tick-borne encephalitis
transmitted by raw milk — what is the significance of this route of
infection? Studies in the epidemic region of Southwest Germany.
Gesundheitswesen 1998; 60(6): 348-56 [abstract available at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9697358
6. Osterholm MT, MacDonald KL, White KE, et al: An outbreak of a
newly recognized chronic diarrhea syndrome associated with raw milk
production. JAMA 1986; 256(4): 484-90 [available at
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/256/4/484
7. Mintz ED, Parsonnet J, Osterholm MT: Chronic idiopathic diarrhea
[letter]. N Engl J Med 1993; 328(23): 1713-4.8. Mintz ED, Weber JT,
Guris D, et al: An outbreak of Brainerd diarrhea among travelers to
the Galapagos Islands. J Infect Dis 1998; 177: 1041-5 [available at
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/515237
- Mod.LL]

[The state of Utah can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map of the US at
http://healthmap.org/r/016l
- Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[nw_arizona_granny]

Air- or Gas-Pressurized Spray Devices: Risk of Air or Gas Embolism

AUDIENCE: Surgery, Operating Room Nursing

ISSUE: FDA has received reports of air or gas embolism occurring during or immediately after application of hemostatic drug or biological products using air- or gas-pressurized sprayers. These adverse events appear to be related to use of spray devices inconsistent with the approved product labeling and instructions for use. In some reports the device was used at higher than recommended pressure or at a distance too close to the surface of the bleeding site. Although rare, the reports describe air embolisms that are life threatening and include one fatality.

BACKGROUND: The manufacturers of all fibrin sealants licensed in the U.S. have updated the Warning and Precautions sections of the labels of EVICEL, Tisseel and ARTISS to emphasize the risk of air embolism and the need to use the recommended ranges of pressure and distance. The labeling of the spray devices and non-fibrin hemostatic drug or biological products also includes information on recommended pressures and distances.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Clinicians using air- or gas-pressurized spray devices for application of hemostatic drug or biological products should:

*
o Use the applicator, spray set, and pressure control device or regulator as recommended in the labeling or Information For Use of the hemostatic agent.
o Use an air or gas pressure setting within the range recommended by the manufacturer of the sprayer.
o Ensure that distance between the spray head and the tissue surface is not less than the minimum recommended by the manufacturer of the sprayer.
o Monitor blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation and end tidal CO2 for signs of an air or gas embolism.
o Make sure the regulators are maintained properly and checked for safe performance regularly.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

*
o Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
o Phone: 1-800-332-1088
o Mail: return the postage-paid FDA form 3500, which may be downloaded from the MedWatch “Download Forms” page, to address on the pre-addressed form
o Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the FDA Safety Notification and product labels, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm218530.htm

You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

[nw_arizona_granny]

Date: 9 Jul 2010
Source: The New York Times [edited]
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/world/asia/10china.html

Tainted Dairy Products Seized in Western China

---

Two years after a national health scare over
melamine-tainted milk products rocked China’s
dairy industry and called food safety here into
question, inspectors in western China’s Qinghai
Province have seized 76 tons of dairy ingredients
laced with the same industrial chemical, the
state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday [9
Jul 2010].

The seizure appeared to involve products that had
escaped a nationwide recall of dairy foods after
the 2008 scandal, which killed at least 6
children and sickened 294 000 others.

Inspectors in Gansu Province 1st discovered
contaminated samples of milk powder brought to
them for testing by a worker at the Dongyuan
Dairy Factory in adjacent Qinghai Province.
Qinghai officials later found 64 tons of raw
dairy products and 12 tons of finished goods were
tainted with melamine, some at up to 559 times
the legal maximum.

Both the factory owner, 54-year-old Liu Zhanfeng,
and the production manager Wang Haifeng, 37, were
taken into police custody, Xinhua said. Officials
said most of the contaminated material was
destined for Zhejiang Province, near Shanghai.

Melamine, which is used in concrete, fertilizer
and plastics, mimics protein in certain
food-quality tests, and Chinese manufacturers had
added the chemical to ingredients used in infant
formula, chocolate, pet and animal feeds and
other products to make them appear more
nutritious. When eaten in sufficient quantity,
however, melamine can cause permanent kidney
damage. [And in pets kidney failure and death. It
is likely the same in all monogastric animals,
which includes humans. - Mod.TG]

snipped and this is part of a promedmail.org post....

[nw_arizona_granny]

Tipnut is a new source to me.<<<

Tipnut is one of the best sites on the web, LOL, as you can see, it is difficult to leave once you get there.

Good to hear from you, how is the garden growing?

Are you all moved in and settled down?

Agree it is too hot to even eat here.

Things are about normal for me, as usual they are upside down.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Welcome to the thread.

Glad you stopped by, join in when you wish.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Welcome to the thread, do join in when you want to.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thank you for getting out the pings.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for coming to read, do join in, for this is meant to be a collection site for ideas, LOL, not just mine but your too.

[Outlaw Woman]

Thank you for your warm welcome! The recipes are mouth watering! :)

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2549534/posts?page=2#2

Weekly Gardening Thread – 2010 (Vol. 23) July 09
Free Republic | 07-09-2010 | Red_Devil 232

Posted on Friday, July 09, 2010 5:12:42 AM by Red_Devil 232

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2549637/posts?q=1&;page=1

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning ( Must Read )
http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/ ^ | Mario

Posted on Friday, July 09, 2010 8:16:57 AM by ventanax5

click here to read article

[Interesting and so are the comments....granny]

[JDoutrider]

That grand garden project is flourishing! However, we pared down the size quite a bit due to all the soil problems... between the thick clay and glacial rock residue. Had to import truckloads of screened black dirt, and even with that we ended up having to fertilize, lime, and vermiculite the planting sites to adjust for ph and allow drainage.

The effort (and expense!) was worth it but wow are them going to be some expensive veggies!!! Going to bring in more topsoil through out the summer to prepare for the full acre I really envisioned, for next gardening season... when the shtf scenario might be in full bloom and that big a garden might be a neccesity!

Settled in alright... in the middle of building a small warehouse with extra living quarters inside. May actually be able to have enough room to move around in the house (boxes, boxes, everywhere! LOL!) when the storage unit is finished.

Everything is on schedule otherwise... am finally getting acclimatized to this upper Midwest Summer heat and humidity, and skeeters... there are days I would swear I was back in S.E. Asia!

Hang in there Granny, cooler days will be there soon!

[DelaWhere]

I always enjoy the City Farmer News...

>>>Convert discarded tourist boats into floating greenhouses - Netherlands<<<

Amazing how civilization ‘rediscovers’ things...

The ancient Mayas had not only floating gardens at Xochimilco, but they used long canoes as floating stores - sort of like the hucksters I can remember as a child (except they either used old buses, pickups, trailers or push carts to go from house to house with their vegetables).

>>>Vancouver’s chicken registry lays an egg<<<

Government just never seems to ‘get it’.....
They passed legislation here that required registering all chicken, duck, quail, pheasant, geese and guinea growing locations. They wanted exact locations, number of birds, breed of birds, purpose for keeping the birds, and all sorts of other information - just in case they needed to know because of an outbreak of some possible disease...
Problem is, nobody wants government involved in their lives... Hence, very very few ever register.

[DelaWhere]

>>>That grand garden project is flourishing!<<<

I'm really glad to hear that!
Sure glad we didn't have that soil problem here, however it has taken a few years to build up the tilth and organic matter in our sandy soil.

Here, about every three years you have to contend with extended dry periods, like this year.  Until today, we have only had 1.1" of rain since the last of April. (almost an inch so far today and rain is still coming down nicely and very gently)

Even still, garden doing fairly well -

This year I decided to try a hybrid early (65 day) sweet corn, and while the ears were smaller due to the dry weather, we had corn by the 4th of July and started canning it yesterday - I just may plant some more of it for early corn next year along with my full season varieties. I particularly like the fact that it is so early, that the earworms aren't even around yet.

Note that I am using the reusable canning lids - sure love them - and they last for years and years... (so far I have used 8 dozen of them without a single seal failure)

(for perspective, bowl is 2')

[DelaWhere]

LOL, boy, I botched up the formatting on that.....

Pictures are all in the wrong places...

Sorry.