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

[nw_arizona_granny]

This Asian noodle salad is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself craving. The pasta and fresh vegetables are good, but it’s the amazing sauce that’ll keep you coming back.

Broccoli Noodle Salad & Asian Peanut Citrus Sauce
from Crisco® Collection

Prep Time: 20 min.
Cook Time: 10 min.

[ADD] this recipe to your recipe box [SHARE] it with a friend [Print] this recipe

1 package (16 ounces) linguine or other long pasta, cooked and drained
1/2 cup Crisco® canola oil
1/2 cup Jif® creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 small red, yellow or green pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound broccoli flowerets (about 3 cups)

1. Place the hot linguine into a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and toss to coat.

2. Beat the peanut butter, orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce and sugar in a medium bowl with a fork or whisk.

3. Heat the remaining oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the pepper, onion, and garlic and cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the broccoli and the peanut butter mixture. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring often. Add the vegetable mixture to the linguine and toss to coat.

Makes: 10 servings (1 1/2 cups each).

Kitchen Clip
Personalize this salad to fit your family: Try ramen noodles instead of linguine, snow peas in place of broccoli, red pepper flakes for heat or use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy for a little crunch.

What’s New
Savings Center Campbell’s Saving Center
Check out Campbell’s Saving Center where you can save money by making great dinners at home for your family. Also, save up to $10.00 with coupons, offers and helpful tips!
Meal-mailGo to Savings Center now .

http://www.campbellskitchen.com/SavingsCenter.aspx?&EID=4089&MID=1534739&LID=2264

Food for Thought

On Chinese food and chopsticks: “You do not sew with a fork, and I see no reason why you should eat with knitting needles.” ~Miss Piggy

©2010 Campbell Soup Company. All Rights Reserved

[nw_arizona_granny]

A NEW PURPOSE
by Marie Kleber

My husband had been gone for a couple of years after a lingering
illness. I was floundering, feeling useless and lonely.
A flyer in my mailbox describing a lost Golden Retriever in the
neighborhood prompted me to start searching the acreage around my house
looking for the poor creature who had been rescued from a puppy mill.

She had just recently gone to a foster home but was extremely fearful
and had bolted from her home and gone into hiding. Although she had been
spotted several times, she was elusive and cagey and only came out to
eat the food that was put out for her, determined to remain free.

Rescuers spent weeks trying to lure her, waiting out all night,
watching her through night vision binoculars. But when she was approached
she would bolt and hide again, refusing to come to any human.

Goldie’s story was sad in that she was struck and killed one night.

All of her would-be rescuers were devastated. But Goldie’s plight had
given me a new purpose and I began getting calls to foster Golden’s who
needed homes and I fell madly in love with this magnificent breed of dog.

One morning, I received a call to pick up a dog that had been found
in a neighboring county. When I arrived, I found a beautiful boy lying
in a muddy yard, emaciated and weak. When I approached him, he struggled
to his feet and came smiling to me. He was incredibly dirty and smelly
but there was something so regal about his demeanor that I knew he was
going to be mine forever. He jumped into my car with no urging and I
drove him straight to a vet who treated him for ear mites, parasites,
fleas, you name it. The vet estimated his age to be about 10 years old
which surprised me because I couldn’t fathom anyone owning this big boy
and letting him get away, but calls to vets in three counties and flyers
describing him didn’t produce any lost dog descriptions that matched.

When I brought him home from the vets he was a perfect gentleman
and so happy to be in a home with a soft bed and an unending food bowl.

He became the perfect host and would greet visitors by gently taking
their hand to bring them to the door, almost as if to say, “Come on in,
you’ll really like it here.”

He was such a southern gentleman that Big Boy soon became Beau, for
Beauregard, my very loving confidante and companion. He became a sturdy
110 pound, a long way from the 40 pounds he had weighed when I got him.

I had him for 5 wonderful years when I found a lump in his neck and rushed
him to his vet, a lovely young woman who had also fallen for his charms.

She was very solemn while she examined him and sadly enough, his blood
work indicated a virulent type of cancer. I was devastated but determined
that I would do anything for him to be comfortable until he chose to go.

He fought the good fight but when he could no longer walk unassisted,
I knew it was time and took him to his special vet, who wept with me as
she administered the merciful release from his pain and helped him walk
over that Rainbow Bridge.

Two years later I still grieve for that magnificent Beau who
exemplified forgiveness and unconditional love, but his story doesn’t
end there.

A few weeks ago I had to drive to Florida for a family emergency and
when I had to stop for gas at 4am, I pulled into a truck stop off I-75.
I looked around as I got out of the car and saw a large Golden Retriever
lying on the concrete near the gas pumps, obviously starving but quietly
observing people as they came and went.

His face was Beau’s and I knew I was going to have a hitchhiker
to accompany me the rest of the way. No one at the truck stop knew
anything about him — he had been hanging around for a couple of days.
When I tried to coax him into my car, he panicked and fell to the ground,
crawling on his belly to find a place to hide. Some other travelers
helped me pick him up and put him in my back seat where he buried his
face and refused to look up, not knowing what might happen to him next.

By the time I had gotten close to my destination it was daylight
and I could see that he was literally crawling with fleas so I found
a vet’s office and stopped to get a flea treatment. He was still so
fearful that he had to be carried in, refusing to stand, cowering in fear.

The vet tech who had helped to carry him in from the car was a
beautiful young woman who began crooning to him and telling him what a
handsome boy he was. He needed medication for a respiratory infection
and his bloated stomach and bony rib cage were signs of starvation,
so the vet recommended keeping him over the weekend to stabilize him
and begin the treatment he needed.

On Monday, I went back to the vet’s office to check on him,
wondering what in the world I was going to do with him until my family
crisis was resolved. The lovely young vet tech asked if I minded if she
fostered him. She had taken him home with her over the weekend and was
working with him to overcome his extreme fearfulness and the two had
bonded in those two days.

I said a silent prayer of thanks to the Good Lord who looks after
all his creatures and knew that this dog was going to have a purpose in
this life. When the dog was brought out to the waiting room, he had
been bathed and groomed and was wearing a blue bandana, handsome and
regal, but definitely not a Golden Retriever. I was stunned to see a
yellow Lab. As I looked at him, I was struck with the realization that
Beau had been at that truck stop because I had definitely seen a Golden’s
face and tail on that emaciated body —but the big boy in front of me,
except for his size, was nothing like my Beau at all.

But true to his character, Beau had known that that boy needed
help and he was there to get my attention, and he did.

For the first time in two years that he’s been gone, I realized
that Beau was still a part of my life, just waiting until the day when
we will walk the hills of Heaven together.

http://www.petwarmers.com

[nw_arizona_granny]

The Money Jar Trap
Posted by: “*~Tamara~*”

The Money Jar Trap
By Jeffrey Strain
Date: 02/24/2005

Hundreds of thousands of people place their extra change into a jar or bank every night when they return home thinking that they are saving money. In reality, the dynamics of saving coins has changed over the last 10 years so that by placing your extra coins in a jar, you may actually be losing money. This is the new money jar trap.

The money jar has been a classic way for people to save money for generations. The concept was easy. After coming home for the day, you simply empty out your pockets and put the coins into a jar. When the jar was full, you take it to your local bank, have the coins counted and place the money into your savings account. While this sounds simple enough, the savings generated in the coin jar may not be worth their face value depending on how you redeem the coins.

The problem with the money jar game is that banks and other enterprises have figured out that they can charge you for taking your change. If there is a way to make a buck, you can be sure that banks and others will try to take it.

Take the convenience of changing your coins at a grocery store. CoinStar and other businesses will take your change and give you a receipt that you can use for your grocery shopping, but they’ll also take a huge fee to do so. In effect, you are trading the face value of your coins for something worth less than face value.

More and more banks are also beginning to charge you to count coins if they will accept them at all. With the current rates that banks are paying on savings accounts, you’ll likely have to leave the money your received for your coins in the bank several years just to break even with what you initially had.

What this all comes down to is that for many, keeping a coin jar is the same as losing money. Where it once was a great way to add to your savings, it has become as wasteful as keeping a balance on your credit cards. We have come to a time where the coin jar can actually cost you more money than you save.

There are a few steps that you can take to make sure that you aren’t actually losing money when you think you are saving it. First, you want to make sure never to have your coins changed at a grocery or similar store. By doing so, you will automatically have around 10% of your money subtracted for fees.

Before you take your coins to your bank, make sure they don’t charge any fees for taking the money. The policy for banks varies widely. Some will charge for loose coins, but won’t charge if you roll the coins yourself. Find out what charges exist and if any do, consider switching banks. Credit unions are usually better at not charging fees for taking coins than banks.

If you can’t find a bank that will take coins without charging you, then use the coins in your everyday use. You’re much better off doing this that letting them sit in a jar where they will ultimately lose money for you. You can amend the money jar game to benefit your savings if this is the case.

Instead of saving coins, move up to $1 bills for your money jar. In this scenario, you’ll be doing exactly what you have been doing, but you’ll be saving $1 bills instead of change. You don’t spend any $1 bills you receive, but any coins you receive are fine to use. That means all purchases have to be made with coins or large bills ($5, $10, or $20 dollar bills). At the end of the day, you place all your $1 bills into your savings jar. Since banks will not charge you anything to deposit $1 bills, you avoid the fees your would get for the change and save even more money than with coins.

If you think that changing the game will keep you from saving, another way to change the coins is to take them to your local post office and use them to buy stamps out of the vending machines there. By switching the coins for stamps, you get 100% value for your coins which is better than paying fees to have the coins switched to bills.

In the end it’s important to remember that coins are legal currency and you can get full face value for them by spending them a little at a time. While a large amount of coins can be troublesome, there is no reason to pay a fee to have the coins deposited.

——————————————————————————————————— To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Frugal-Recipes-n-More/

[nw_arizona_granny]

Uses for Citrus Peels Plus Candied Lemon Peel Recipe

Posted By TipNut On May 2, 2007 @ 6:25 am In Food,Food Tips,Recipes | 1 Comment

Instead of tossing out the peels from citrus fruits:

* Wash them, dry off the water and then store in their own freezer bags (ie. baggy for orange peels, another for lemon peels, etc.) and freeze. When you have a recipe that calls for lemon zest, just take a peel out of the freezer, let it thaw and then use in the recipe.
* Let the peels dry out and use them in simmering pot recipes [1].
* Use the peels for flavored sugars [2]. Great for baking toppings and flavoring teas!
* Save them to toss in the fireplace [3] for a fragrant smell.

Another use for citrus peels is to candy them and use them in baking (things like fruitcakes, muffins and fancy breads) or cover them in chocolate and see what happens .
Candied Lemon Peel Recipe

*First make sure to remove as much of the pith of the peel as possible (the white part)

Ingredients

Peels from 6 lemons
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3 TBS corn syrup (light)
Sugar for coating (optional)

Directions

* Drop the peels in a boiling pot of water, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain all the water and repeat process with fresh water. Drain the water again and repeat, but this time let the peels simmer for about 20 – 25 minutes (peels should be tender). Remove from heat and drain the water.
* Once the peels are cool enough to handle, slice into small strips (about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch wide).
* Bring to a boil the water, sugar and corn syrup. Let it boil for 3 minutes, then add the peel strips. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until the lemon peel starts becoming translucent. Remove the lid and cook the syrup down until there is only a couple spoonfuls of syrup left. Watch carefully at this point so nothing gets burned.
* Remove the peels carefully and lay singly on a wire rack to cool. Dry overnight.

Optional:

* While still warm, you can sugar coat the peels in a bowl of granular sugar (or coat by shaking in a plastic bag with sugar) and then allow to dry singly on a wire rack.

Secret for Success:

Remove as much of the white pith as possible before boiling the peels, it can add a bitterness if left on. Also make sure to cook the peels long enough–you want them to be very tender (use a sharp knife to determine tenderness).
Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Easy Candied Ginger Recipe + Storage Tips [4]
* Homemade Lemon Sugar Recipes [2]
* Homemade Lemon Syrup Recipe [5]

Love This Tip? Share It!

Email [6] ~ Facebook [7]

Tweet It [8] ~ Delicious [9]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/uses-for-citrus-peels-plus-candied-lemon-peel-recipe/

URLs in this post:

[1] simmering pot recipes: http://tipnut.com/fragrant-home-13-simmering-pot-recipes/

[2] flavored sugars: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-sugar-recipes/

[3] Save them to toss in the fireplace: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-waterproof-matches-firestarters/

[4] Easy Candied Ginger Recipe + Storage Tips: http://tipnut.com/easy-candied-ginger-root-recipe-storage-tips/

[5] Homemade Lemon Syrup Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-syrup-recipe/

[6] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Lemon Syrup Recipe&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-syrup-recipe/

[7] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-syrup-recipe/&t=Homemade Lemon Syrup Recipe

[8] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-syrup-recipe/

[9] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-syrup-recipe/&title=Homemade Lemon Syrup Recipe : Tipnut.com

Copyright © 2008 TipNut.com. All rights reserved.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Homemade Lemon Sugar Recipes

Posted By TipNut On November 30, 2006 @ 4:55 am In Food,Recipes | 2 Comments

Store the Lemon Sugar in an airtight container and refrigerate. Can be used for several months. There is also an Orange Sugar recipe at the bottom.

Recipe #1

3 Lemons
2 Cups Sugar

* Remove the zest from the lemons using a citrus zester. Roughly chop lemon zest.
* In a food processor, add 1 cup of the sugar and all the lemon zest. Pulse for a few minutes until the zest has been finely ground.
* Add the rest of the sugar and toss until well mixed.
* Spread the lemon sugar in a large pan and let sit until dry, approximately 1 hour.
* Store in a sealed, airtight container and use as needed. Refrigerate until used.

Recipe #2

3 TBS sugar
3 TBS confectioners sugar
6 drops fresh lemon juice

* Blend well and use. Can be stored in an airtight container. Refrigerate until used.

Recipe #3

2 1/2 TBS coarsely snipped lemon rind, pith removed (white part)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

* In a blender add 1/2 cup of the sugar and all the lemon rind. Blend for a few seconds until the peel is finely blended.
* Add the rest of the sugar and mix well.
* Store in an airtight container and refrigerate until needed.

Uses:

Add to teas, sprinkle over cookies and use in baking instead of regular white sugar. Also try as toppings for fancy breads.

Gifts:

Place lemon sugar in decorative glass jars and give as gifts. Include a tag with ideas for use as well as the recipe itself if you like.

Alternatives:

You can replace the lemon rind with orange rind if you’d like to make Orange Sugar, also try limes and other citrus fruits.

Tip for the citrus sugars: Grate the peel from all the lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits (whatever citrus fruit you use) as you eat them. Make into sugar immediately and store it for future use.

Here’s a recipe for Orange Sugar as well:

Orange Sugar

1¼ cup grated orange peel
1 cup sugar

* Grate the peel from the oranges. Do not remove any of the pith (white part of the skin).
* Keep the grated peel free from juice.
* Rub the grated orange peel into the sugar.

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes [1]
* Homemade Lemon Extract Recipes [2]
* Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes [3]

Love This Tip? Share It!

Email [4] ~ Facebook [5]

Tweet It [6] ~ Delicious [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-sugar-recipes/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-sugar-recipes/

[2] Homemade Lemon Extract Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-extract-recipes/

[3] Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

[4] Email: mailto:?subject=Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes&body=http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

[5] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/&t=Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes

[6] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

[7] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/&title=Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes : Tipnut.com

Copyright © 2008 TipNut.com. All rights reserved.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.highlonesomeranch.com/Canning.htm, just scroll down.

CORNCOB JELLY

12 dried red corncobs*
3 pt. water
1 pkg. powdered pectin
3 C. granulated sugar
1 T. lemon juice

* Red corncobs come from what is termed “field corn” that is raised to feed animals. However, you can use corncobs from the sweet corn you have just had for dinner! Rinse cobs well. Break in half. Boil gently 30 minutes and strain the juice through a wet cloth. Measure to get 3 cups. If necessary, add water. Add the pectin and bring to a full rolling boil. Add sugar and heat to dissolve. Bring to a boil again, boil for at least a full minute or until it starts to jell - another minute or so. Skim; pour into sterile glasses or jars and seal.

[The Cajun]

The Money Jar Trap.........

Never thought about a dollar bill jar. My wife and I have a 5 gallon water dispenser bottle we fill with coins and about every 2 years we empty out about $1200 to $1500 worth of coins. Think I'll start a dollar bottle, should be interesting because I can't think of any reason to have more than $10 of dollar bills in my wallet, probably have $20 to $25 in my wallet right now ;^)

[nw_arizona_granny]

Mutha Sauce
Just like the name says, this is the basis-the true mother of all the sauces at Dinosaur Barbque. It is a balanced blend of sweet, spicey, savory and smokey flavors. It can stand alone as a slatherin sauce for chicken or ribs too.

¼ C vegetable oil

1 C minced onion

½ C minced green pepper

1 Jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

pinch of kosher salt and cracked black pepper

2 T minced garlic

1 can tomato sauce (28 oz)

2 C Heinz Ketsup

1 C water

¾ C Worcestershire sauce

½ C cider vinegar

¼ C lemon juice

¼ c molasses

¼ C Cayenne Pepper sauce

¼ C spicy brown mustard

¾ C dark brown sugar packed

1 T chili powder

2 T coarsely ground black pepper (yes it lists it again)

½ t ground all spice

1 T liquid smoke (optional, if you like it smokey)

Pour the oil into a large saucepan and set over medium-high heat.

Toss in the onions, green peppers and jalapenos and give them a stir.

Season with pinch of salt and pepper and cook till soft and golden.

Add the garlic and cook 1 min more.

Dump in everything else except liquid smoke.

Bring to a boil, then lower heat so the sauce simmers. Simmer for 10 min.

Swirl in the liquid smoke if you are adding it. Let cool and pour into a container,

cover and store in fridge till ready to use.

Makes 6-7 cups

Variation

Hot BBQ sauce

Add 2-3 T minced Habanero peppers along with the onions and peppers and jalapenos.

Also add ½ t cayenne pepper along with the other ingredients to add punch.

---

Little Known Uses for Fruit Peels, Shells and Seeds

Submitted by: Kira @ Tip Hero 06/29/2010 4:38 PM

How many times have you eaten a banana and then immediately tossed the peel,
either in the trash or into your compost pile? What about your orange peels or
your avocado pits? Well, contrary to popular belief, these fruit leftovers can
be used in a bunch of useful ways.

When I read about the many ways you can use orange peels, I started to wonder
if the same idea could apply to other fruits. As you’ll see below, the same
concept does apply. Take a look at some popular fruits that are full of
nutritional goodies and the many ways you can be sure to use the entire fruit.

* Oranges

One orange provides nearly 100% of the recommended daily dietary intake of
vitamin C. They also provide good fiber, vitamin A, B vitamins, amino acids,
beta-carotene, potassium, folic acid, and much more. Oranges have been shown to
have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and blood clot inhibiting properties. They
are also full of antioxidants, making oranges one of the most recommended
fruits for maintaining optimal health.

Orange Peels

Don’t throw those peels away once you’ve gotten your fill of citrusy goodness.
Try some of these uses from The Kitchn:

* Add to meat dishes to enhance the flavor. Put peels in braising liquid or
into the cavity of a whole chicken before roasting.

* Infuse your liquor, especially vodka, for excellent cocktails.

* Dry and save for black tea.

Here are some more great ideas from Associated Content:

* Add orange peels to aging olive oil to add an extra zest that’s great on
salads and pastas.

* Set some orange peels around areas where ants are a problem. Works as a
great ant repellent. Helpful while on a picnics or camping.

* Deodorize garbage cans by dropping a couple of orange peels in the bottom of
the can before inserting the trash bag.
You can also check out this Tip Hero write-up of a Frugal Village article for
more ideas.

* Pineapple

Apart from being loaded with vitamins and minerals, pineapples have a lot of
other health benefits. They are full of manganese, which helps to strengthen
bones. One cup a day of pineapple in any form provides 73% of the daily
recommended amount of this stuff. Pineapple is also great for treating coughs
or colds. While the extra vitamin C doesn’t hurt, pineapples contain bromelain,
which has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus.

Pineapple Skin

EHow has a great idea for making sure that pineapple skin doesn’t get wasted
after eating the juicy inside. Here’s a way to make fresh pineapple juice using
the skin of a pineapple and a few other ingredients.

Take your pineapple and scrub with a brush under hot sink water for a few
minutes. Boil 2 quarts of water on the stove, and then turn off burner. Cut
away skin from your pineapple with a large knife. De-vein the pineapple but
leave the cored fruit. Place all the extras from the pineapple (skin and juice
that leaked, etc.) into the pot of water. Let contents, including a piece of
ginger root, steam in the water for an hour. Enjoy the pineapple fruit any way
you’d like!

After an hour, blend the contents of the water pot in a blender. Strain two or
three times with a cloth sieve. Sweeten, if needed, with sugar and refrigerate
until cold. Voila! You’ve got freshly made pineapple juice without actually
using the fruit part!

* Bananas

Bananas, of course, are full of potassium, which is good for your heart,
nerves, kidneys and bones. Bananas are also known to have a calming effect on
the brain and help to create a stable mood. They are also full of vitamin B6,
which helps your body make hemoglobin, a crucial ingredient of your blood. One
banana a day can also provide you with 16% of the daily recommended fiber
intake. The best part about bananas? They are extremely affordable at about
35-40 cents per pound (US average).

Banana Peels

The insides of banana peels are full of antioxidants and potassium, and
therefore, surprisingly, can have healing powers when it comes to many facial
problems. Here are some ways that eHow suggests you use banana peels for skin
care:

* Rub inside of banana peel on psoriasis-affected areas of skin. Skin might be
red at first, but you should notice a difference within a few days.

* Rub inside of banana peel over your acne at night for improved skin.

* Rub on poison ivy to stop itching and subdue inflammation. Reapply as
necessary.

* Grapefruit

This fruit is a great helper when it comes to weight loss. While low in sodium
and high in fat burning enzymes, grapefruit can also help increase metabolism.
They are also rich in lycopene, which helps prevent the occurrence of tumors
and cancer. Grapefruit is a great fruit to eat before eating other foods, as it
can aid in the proper digestion of food.

Grapefruit Peels

There are lots of uses you can put grapefruit peels to. The peels contain
pectin, which can help keep cholesterol in check. Here are some ideas from eHow
for using the outer part of grapefruits:

Many creative things can be done with grapefruit peel. You can use the zest on
salads or in cooking; it can even be dried and added to loose-leaf tea
mixtures. It is also possible to infuse olive oil with the essence of
grapefruit or to make marmalade with it. A grapefruit half, cleaned of the pulp
and pith, also offers a stylish way to present a fruit salad; it can serve as
the bowl. If you simply want to dispose of the peel in a beneficial way, add it
to your compost pile.

* Pomegranate

Pomegranates have gained a lot of popularity in the last few years, and with
good reason. They are full of vitamins and folic acid. They have been shown to
aid in the prevention of breast cancer, lung cancer, osteoarthritis, and more.
They are also known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. As a bonus, if you
don’t want to eat all of the seeds, here is a great recipe from NoteCook for a
DIY pomegranate body scrub.

Pomegranate Peels

After you pick the yummy stuff out of the pomegranate, the rest is useless,
right? Nope! Pomegranate peels are actually a great treatment for diarrhea.
Associated Content has a recipe for a tea that should cure this problem. Cut up
peels into small, nickel sized pieces and lay them in the sun to dry. Store in
a tea box or glass jar until you need to use them.

To make the tea, take 4-5 dry pieces and place them into a cup. Add boiling
water and wait until the drink cools a bit. One serving should be enough to
cure the problem, but you might need to continue this remedy for a few days in
severe cases.

* Lemons (and Limes)

These citrus fruits are full of vitamin C and full of flavor. They contain
flavonoid compounds, antioxidants and anti-cancer properties. The uses for
these fruits are endless in the food and drink department. Check out this Tip
Hero write-up if you’re at a loss for what to do with lemons.

Lemon Peels

Try some of these tips from Reader’s Digest:

* get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets by rubbing lemon rind
over the chrome. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

* Throw leftover lemon peels down the garbage disposal to deodorize and keep
it smelling fresh.

* Use peels to clean counter tops and sink stains and your kitchen will have a
lemony-fresh scent.

* Remove tea stains on tablecloths by sprinkling the stain with salt and
rubbing the lemon peel across the surface.

* Avocado

These fruits are full of the “good fat” that is not harmful to you and doesn’t
increase your cholesterol. Avocados can lower cholesterol in the blood and
protect against cholesterol related heart diseases. They also contain many
necessary minerals like potassium, calcium, vitamins C and K, folic acid, etc.
Avocados have even been proven to contain a toxin that kills cancer cells.

Avocado Pits

Don’t throw those avocado pits away if you have use for a nice houseplant. Try
this tip from Thrifty Fun. All you have to do with the pit is wash it and stick
three toothpicks around the pointy upper third of the pit. Place the pit in a
jar of water so that most but not all of the pit is submerged. In five days,
put the jar in a spot that receives a lot of sunlight. Once you see roots and
leaves sprouting, you can transplant the pit to potting soil. Water once a week
and watch your little plant flourish!

* Peanuts

Ok, peanuts are technically from the legume family, but I couldn’t help but add
these nutritional gems to the list. Peanuts contain a high amount of protein.
They are also a good source of coenzyme q10, which protects the heart during
periods when you have a lack of oxygen, such as when at high altitudes.
Unsalted peanuts are also good for your arteries and promote the growth of
healthy bones. The list goes on.

Peanut Shells

Here’s an idea from Life hackery: Use stored peanut shells as a charcoal
substitute when grilling. They don’t burn easily and can absorb decent amounts
of heat.

EHow suggests that you make a homemade kitty litter using peanut shells. Soak
the shells in water, then add biodegradable dish soap. Let them dry and
sprinkle them with baking soda. This kitty litter will be much better for the
environment than the chemically treated variety.

* Watermelon

Watermelon is a great summery fruit that, like most melons, is rich in
potassium. This nutrient helps to control blood pressure and possibly prevent
strokes. They are full of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which researchers
believe are capable of preventing heart disease, cancer and other chronic
conditions. There are many ways you can enjoy watermelon, but here is a fun
idea for a party (since the fourth of July is around the corner!) Try a Vodka
Watermelon recipe from WikiHow!

Watermelon Shell

A watermelon shell can be put to a lot of uses, but my favorite of them is
making a bowl for a festive fruit salad. If you are hosting a party or heading
to a potluck cookout, this simple idea is easy yet impressive! Head to
Cooks.com for some recipe ideas.

There you have it! A multitude of ways you can use those parts of fruits that
normally get thrown away. What ideas do you have for using extra parts of
fruits? Whether you have an idea for a fruit listed above or a completely
different fruit that has a shell, seeds or skin, be sure to share your tips
with us!

---

This is good info. I would like to add something. Please remember to peel mangoes and do not serve them in their peels. They are related to the poison ivy family.

---

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/home_canning/

[nw_arizona_granny]

Suet Pudding, to serve with Roast Meat

Ingredients
. 1 pound of flour
. 6 ounces of finely-chopped suet
. 1/2 saltspoonful of salt
. 1/2 saltspoonful of pepper
. 1/2 pint of milk or water
Instructions
Chop the suet very finely, after freeing it from skin, and mix it well with the flour; add the salt and pepper (this latter ingredient may be omitted if the flavour is not liked), and make the whole into a smooth paste with the above proportion of milk or water. Tie the pudding in a floured cloth, or put it into a buttered basin, and boil from 2 1/2 to 3 hours. To enrich it, substitute 3 beaten eggs for some of the milk or water, and increase the proportion of suet.
Time: 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Sufficient for 5 or 6 persons.
Seasonable at any time.
Note: When there is a joint roasting or baking, this pudding may be boiled in a long shape, and then cut into slices a few minutes before dinner is served: these slices should be laid in the dripping-pan for a minute or two, and then browned before the fire. Most children like this accompaniment to roast meat. Where there is a large family of children, and the means of keeping them are limited, it is a most economical plan to serve up the pudding before the meat: as, in this case, the consumption of the latter article will be much smaller than it otherwise would be.
Source
The Book of Household Management (1861).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vintage-Recipes/

[nw_arizona_granny]

1. Fruit (Smoothie)-—w/ Cranberry & Blueberries
Posted by: “Russie

FRUIT SMOOTHIE

8 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tbs oat fiber
1 tbs almond butter

Combine all ingredients in a blender, pulse until smooth, adding ice, if desired. Then pour into a glass and serve.
MAKES 1 SERVING OF FRUIT SMOOTHIE...

________________________________________________________________________
2. Citrus Herb (Salt)-—w/ Lemon & Peppercorns
Posted by: “Russie

CITRUS HERB SALT

4 tsp each dried rosemary and thyme
1 cup coarse sea salt
2 tsp lemon zest
1 tbs peppercorns

Pulse together herbs, peppercorns and salt. Remove from grinder and stir in zest. Sprinkle on meats and fish, mix into salad dressings, soups or sauces, finishing touch to vegetables.
NOT SURE OF HOW MUCH THIS MAKES...

________________________________________________________________________
3. Beef and Vegetable Bake-—w/ (Biscuits)
Posted by: “Russie

BEEF AND VEGETABLE BAKE

1/4 cup each steak sauce and flour
1 cup each dry red wine and low sodium beef broth
2/3 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
2 1/4 cups biscuit mix
6 oz white button mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
5 carrots, sliced
2 tbs oil
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper, toss with beef until coated. In a pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tbs oil. Cook beef adding 1 tbs oil to second batch, turning, until browned. Transfer to a plate. Add carrots, celery, onion and garlic to pot. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Stir in beef, mushrooms, wine, broth, steak sauce and Italian seasoning. Cover, bake 50 min. Remove from oven.
*20 min. before serving, stir together biscuit mix and milk until combined. Increase oven temp to 400 degrees. Drop biscuit batter in mounds over beef mixture. Bake uncovered until biscuits are lightly browned, 20 min. then serve.
MAKES 6 SERVINGS OF BEEF AND VEGETABLE BAKE...

________________________________________________________________________
4. (Beef) Casserole-—w/ Rice & Veggies
Posted by: “Russie

COUNTRY MEDITERRANEAN BEEF

1/2 cup each low fat sour cream and pitted olives
2 tsp each chopped garlic and chopped rosemary
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1.2 oz pkg onion gravy mix
3/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1 red bell pepper, seeded, chopped
1 onion, peeled, chopped
2 tbs oil
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
3 small zucchini, sliced
1 1/2 cups long grain rice

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare rice according to package directions, substituting broth for water, set aside. In skillet, cook zucchini in 1 tbs oil until golden brown, remove from pan. In same skillet, cook peppers and onions in remaining oil 3 min.
*Add beef and garlic, cook until beef is browned. Add rosemary, tomatoes and onion gravy mix and 2 cups water. Increase heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat let simmer until thickened. Remove from heat.
*Stir in sour cream. Spoon 1/2 rice into greased casserole dish. Top with 1/2 each beef mixture, zucchini, cheese and olives. Repeat layering. Bake 15 min. or until heated through, then serve.
MAKES 6 SERVINGS OF COUNTRY MEDITERRANEAN BEEF...

________________________________________________________________________
5. (Jambalaya)-—w/ Meats & Veggies
Posted by: “Russie

JAMBALAYA

1 cup each converted rice and low sodium chicken broth
6 green onions, finely chopped
1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 bay leaves
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1/2 pound kielbasa sausage, cut into pieces
12 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into pieces
1/2 pound cooked ham, cubed
2 tbs oil

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tbs oil. Add chicken and cook, turning 4 min. transfer to a plate. Add ham and sausage, cook until lightly browned. Transfer to plate with chicken. Add remaining oil to Dutch oven. Add onion, celery, garlic cook until softened. Stir in rice, tomatoes, broth, bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, bay leaves and meats and bring to a boil.
*Cover and bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is nearly tender, 35 min. Add shrimp, pushing into the mixture, then cover and bake until shrimp is opaque, 10 min. Discard bay leaves. Sprinkle with parsley and green onions, then serve.
MAKES 6 SERVINGS OF JAMBALAYA...

________________________________________________________________________
6. Stuffed (Shells) Pasta-—w/ Cheeses & Veggies
Posted by: “Russie

STUFFED SHELLS

1 large egg
8 oz white button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 links hot or sweet sausage, casings removed
30 jumbo pasta shells
1 cup each part skim ricotta cheese and baby spinach leaves
1 tsp salt
28 oz jar garden style pasta sauce
1 3/4 cups shredded Italian blend cheeses
1 eggplant, diced

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta and stir. Bring back to a boil, cover and remove from heat, let stand 10 min. Drain and rinse pasta, set aside.
*In a skillet, cook sausage, onion and mushrooms, breaking up sausage until onion is tender, set aside.
*In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cheese blend and spinach. Stir in cooked sausage mixture, set aside.
*In same skillet, cook eggplant, stirring until softened. Add pasta sauce and remaining salt and bring to a boil.
*Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spoon 2/3 of the eggplant sauce into bottom of a shallow casserole dish. Fill each shell with 2 tbs sausage mixture, arrange in dish and spoon remaining sauce over shells.
*Cover and bake until sauce is bubbling, 25 min. Remove from oven and sprinkle shells with 1 1/4 cups cheese blend, bake, uncovered until cheese has melted, then serve.
MAKES 10 SERVINGS OF STUFFED SHELLS...

——————————————————————————————————— To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimplfyMeWithTipsAndHints/

[nw_arizona_granny]

If I can quit laughing, I will bring you up to date on the Kingman Police scanner.

We still use the morse code for some messages, they go to the far reaches of the county and it is a big county.

I laughed a couple weeks ago, ‘at last ‘ a live police chase.

Top speed went up to 24 miles per hour, that was too fast, so the chase was called off.

The 80 year old chased man, went on down the road and ran into a building, without ever knowing the Police tried to stop him....

Can one say “too old to drive?”

I think they were racing Burros......not Chevies.

And then 5 minutes ago, the sweet young dispatcher just gave an order for taking care of this problem:

“Cow lowing complaint”.

[If she was standing and crying, she was either lost and in a trap or she wanted the Bull to find her.....]

Life in the wild west.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Welcome Back to School!

~ Welcome Back Coloring Page
http://janbrett.com/welcome_back_to_school.htm

Projects for Alphabets and Reading

~ Jan Brett Alphabets in Modern, Traditional, and Cursive
http://www.janbrett.com/alphabet/alphabet_main.htm
~ Hedgie’s Alphabet Game
http://www.janbrett.com/games/hedgies_alphabet_game/intro.html

~ Jan Brett Alphabet Tracers in Modern, Traditional, and Cursive
http://www.janbrett.com/alphabet/alphabet_tracers_main.htm

~ Alphabet Flash Cards in Modern, Traditional, and Cursive
http://janbrett.com/alphabet/flash_card_alphabet_main_page.htm

~ Jan Brett Coloring Alphabet in Modern, Traditional, and Cursive
http://www.janbrett.com/coloring_alphabet/coloring_main.htm

~ Jan Brett’s Manual Sign Alphabet Line Bulletin Board Set
http://janbrett.com/alphabet/manual_sign_alphabet_main.htm

~ Jan Brett Alphabet Poster
http://janbrett.com/alphabet_poster/alphabet_poster_main.htm

~ Alphabet Flags
http://janbrett.com/alphabet_flags/toothpick_flags_main.htm

~ Alphabet Book Jacket Covers
http://janbrett.com/alphabet/alphabet_book_covers_main.htm

~ Dolch Word Sight Lists
http://janbrett.com/games/jan_brett_dolch_word_list_main.htm

~ Dolch Word Sight Lists Flash Cards
http://janbrett.com/games/flash_card_dolch_word_list_main.htm

~ Phonogram Flash Cards
http://janbrett.com/phonograms/phonogram_fc_main.htm

~ Phonogram Bulletin Board
http://janbrett.com/phonograms/phonograms_main.htm

It’s a pleasure to be in touch.

Sincerely,

Jan Brett

Download a Free Jan Brett How to Draw Video - http://janbrett.com/video/video_main_page.htm
Read all about Jan Brett’s books and get the best bookstore prices - http://www.janbrett.com/bookstores/hedgies_lets_go_shopping.htm

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm221958.htm

Novacare LLC Conducts Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Products Found to Contain Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Contact:
Janay Jespersen
801-290-1738

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -– Salt Lake City, UT – August 10, 2010 – Novacare LLC announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of products sold under the following names: Stiff Nights, Aziffa, Size Matters, Erex, Mojo, Hard Drive, Eyeful, Red Magic, Straight Up, Zotrex, Monster Excyte, WOW, Xaitrex, Verect, Prolatis, Xytamax, Maxyte, Libidinal, OMG, OMG45, and Zilex (with Golden Spear).

Novacare LLC has been informed by representatives of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that the products appear to contain sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction. “Sulfoaildenafil” is not declared on the product labels. The undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.

The recalled products listed above were distributed in bottles and/or “blister cards” to retailers and via internet sales. All lots of the above-named products with manufacture or distribution dates prior to June 17, 2010 are being recalled.

This recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure. No illnesses or adverse effects have been reported to the company to date in connection with these products.

Customers who have any of the above-named products in their possession should stop using them immediately and contact their physician if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking these products.

Consumers and healthcare professionals should report any adverse events that may be related to the use of the above-named products to the FDA’s Med Watch Adverse Event Reporting Program online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm9, by phone 1-800-FDA-1088, or by returning the postage-paid FDA form 3500 which may be downloaded from www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm10 by mail to FDA Med Watch, HF-2, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787 or fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

Novacare LLC is conducting this recall with the knowledge of the FDA. Consumers should return any unused product to the place of purchase or contact Novacare LLC directly at 801-290-1738, Monday – Friday, 10 am to 4 pm MDT.

#

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm221940.htm

Ikaria® Recalls INOMAX® DS Drug-Delivery System

Contact:
Samina Bari
(908) 238-6730
samina.bari@ikaria.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Clinton, NJ, August 9, 2010 – Ikaria, Inc. announced today that its INOMAX® DS drug-delivery systems in the United States are being voluntarily recalled due to the potential failure of a pressure switch which may have an impact on the administration of INOMAX® (nitric oxide) for inhalation to patients. This potential failure was identified by Ikaria as part of its ongoing quality monitoring and review processes. This class I recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All INOMAX DS systems in Canada also are being voluntarily recalled.

Specifically, a component within the pressure switch, which monitors for when the drug supply should be replaced, may tear. In the event of a tear, the flow of INOMAX to the patient is not immediately interrupted. While the patient is not immediately impacted by the pressure leak, subsequent risks to the patient may include interruption of drug flow due to an empty cylinder, and/or the time taken to switch to a replacement system. An interruption or delay in the administration of INOMAX therapy may cause:

* worsening of systemic oxygenation indices (i.e., hypoxemia, especially manifested as decreased arterial oxygenation saturation);
* hypotension; and/or
* increase in pulmonary arterial pressure.

If a leak is suspected, clinicians should: 1) not interrupt the delivery of INOMAX; 2) verify an adequate amount of INOMAX remains in the cylinder; 3) switch to the manual back-up system using the INOblender® by connecting the INOMAX Inlet Hose of the INOblender directly to the INOMAX regulator, and follow the standard procedure for use of the INOblender as the primary back-up method for manual ventilation, and; 4) contact Ikaria Customer Care at 1-877-KNOW-INO (1-877-566-9466) for assistance. Although the risk of INOMAX exposure to pregnant women is unknown, it is advised that healthcare professionals who may be pregnant avoid the immediate area in which a leak is suspected.

Ikaria has already begun the replacement process of all INOMAX DS drug-delivery systems with remediated INOMAX DS systems. This recall does not apply to the INOvent® drug-delivery system.

Ikaria sent recall notices to healthcare professionals on July 21, 2010 informing them of this action and identifying steps that are intended to reduce the potential risks associated with a system failure. These notices contain more detailed information about the device usage and are available at www.inomax.com9 or www.ikaria.com10. Customers with questions regarding this notice may contact Ikaria Customer Care at 1¬877-KNOW-INO (1-877-566-9466) for assistance. Adverse reactions associated with the use of these products may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch11.

“Ikaria is committed to ensuring the safe and effective delivery of INOMAX to NICUs and patients who require the drug,” said Daniel Tassé, Chairman and CEO of Ikaria, “and we are working very closely with our customers to complete a timely and orderly replacement of the affected INOMAX DS systems.”

About Ikaria, Inc.
Ikaria, Inc. is a biotherapeutics company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics and interventions designed to address the significant unmet needs of critically ill patients. The company’s lead product is INOtherapy®, an all-inclusive offering of drug product, services and technologies. INOMAX® (nitric oxide) for inhalation, the drug included in the INOtherapy offering, is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension in term and near-term infants. INOtherapy also is marketed in Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Japan. Ikaria acquired the North American and Australian rights to LUCASSIN® (terlipressin), a potential treatment for hepatorenal syndrome Type 1, as well as the exclusive worldwide license to IK-5001, a potential treatment for preventing cardiac remodeling and subsequent congestive heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. The company also has a number of investigational compounds in development. Ikaria is headquartered in Clinton, NJ, with research facilities in Seattle, WA and Madison, WI, and a manufacturing facility in Port Allen, LA. Please visit www.ikaria.com12.

###

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm221943.htm

Fresh Express Announces Precautionary Recall of a Limited Number of Cases of Veggie Lovers Salad with an Expiration Date of August 10 Due to a Possible Health Risk

Media Contact:
Ed Loyd, (513) 784-8935, or
Barbara Hines, (972) 724-3049

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — August 10, 2010 Salinas, California – Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling 2,825 cases of Veggie Lovers Salad with a Product Code of I208 and Use-by Date of August 10, 2010 out of an abundance of caution due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. No other Fresh Express salads are included in the recall. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.

Only the Veggie Lovers salad products with a Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Date of August 10 are included in the recall. Retailers and Consumers who have any remaining product should not consume it, but rather discard it. Retailers and Consumers with questions may call the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center at (800) 242-5472, Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. – 8 p.m., Pacific Time. Consumers can find the Product Code and Use-by Date in the upper right-hand corner of the package.

This precautionary recall is being conducted to reach retailers as well as consumers. Consumers should check their refrigerators for Fresh Express Veggie Lovers salad with a Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Dates of August 10, 2010. If they have the product, they should immediately discard it. Retailers should check their inventories and store shelves to confirm that none of the product is mistakenly present or available for purchase by consumers or in warehouse inventories. Fresh Express customer service representatives are already contacting retailers and are in the process of confirming that the recalled product is not in the stream of commerce. Although limited in number, the cases were distributed by Fresh Express to 13 states with the potential for redistribution by customers to an additional 14 states (see listing).

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If it spreads to the nervous system symptoms may include headache, stiff neck or confusion. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

The precautionary recall notification is being issued due to an isolated instance in which one package of Fresh Express Veggie Lovers Salad yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test collected and conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Fresh Express is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. Immediately upon learning about the positive test result, Fresh Express conducted a traceability assessment and a full review of its food safety documentation, all of which were found to be in compliance and were negative for the presence of any bacteria.

States Distributed
MO, MI, OH, IL, WI, IN, MD, MA, NY, KS, KY, PA, NJ

Possible Redistribution States
AR, TN, WV, IA, MN, DC, VA, VT, NH, NE, RI, PA, CT, MS

#

[CottonBall]

Hi DW!

We’re having the opposite weather here - had a long winter and now the summer is almost over and I hardly knew it happened. Even August is unseasonably cool. I hope that doesn’t mean another 25+ feet of snow this winter!

I’m looking forward to the November elections and hope we get our way! I”m glad you’re in the mix, helping out.

CB

[DelaWhere]

Fighting the good fight! 9 term RINO - won't go into details, but we is paddlin hard... And making lots of progress.

I understand the San Diego area is 5 degrees below average...

This year has been a challenge for us - HOT and HUMID then we get too much rain all at once, then back to the heat again.

After 4 tries with beets this year, gonna give up on them for this year. Three tries on green beans and finally about to get a couple of rows that look really good. Tomatoes, melons, butternuts, limas all doing great though.

Lots to can though - have two 5 gal pots of tomato sauce simmering right now (and lots more about ready in the garden - 72 really big plants) - will be canning late tonight.(when it is cooler) Stewed Tomatoes, Chili, etc. yet to do.

I used yellow squash and zucchini along with Swiss Chard, some of the onions and tomatoes to make a soup starter. (about 4 cases of Qts.)

Fortunately I planted lots of very early corn - later plantings didn't produce much - but I have almost 2 years of corn canned from that early planting. (OK, so I tend to overdo things.)

Have been using the new Tattler lids, and really like them.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - August 11, 2010

Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.
__________________________________________

News & Resources

* NCAT Releases Whole Farm Insurance Assessment Tool - Seeks Farmer Evaluators
* Farmers’ Market Management Resource Available
* National Farmers’ Markets Directory Released
* Pastures to Encourage Bee Populations Studied
* Research Shows Productivity of Organic Systems
* Targeted Grazing Webinar Available Online
* New Marketplace Listserv Available

Funding Opportunities

* Agriculture and Food Research Initiative — Food Safety Grant
* Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Grant
* Northeast SARE Sustainable Community Grant

Coming Events

* Federation of Southern Cooperatives Meeting
* Calculate Pasture Dry Matter Intake on Your Organic Dairy Farm Webinar
* Mechanization on Vegetable Farms Workshop
__________________________________________

News & Resources

NCAT Releases Whole Farm Insurance Assessment Tool — Seeks Farmer Evaluators
http://attra.ncat.org/agrlite.html
Kathleen Hadley, Executive Director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), announced the release of a new tool for farmers to assess the
usefulness of a federally subsidized whole farm insurance product called Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite (AGR-Lite). The tool, which was designed and tested by farmers using an advanced software development process, is the culmination of a three-year project supported by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). The user-friendly software tool simplifies access to this relatively new kind of insurance that protects the revenue of the farm rather than the specific commodities produced. This tool is available in CD format from NCAT by calling 1-800-346-9140. In addition, NCAT is seeking farmers who will formally evaluate the new tool. Selected farmer evaluators will be paid up to $280 for no more than six hours of work in evaluating the tool. Farmers interested in helping us evaluate the tool can contact Jeff Schahczenski at 406-494-4572 or jeffs@ncat.org.

Farmers’ Market Management Resource Available
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/managerfaqs/
In celebration of National Farmers’ Market Week (August 1-7), the Farmers’ Market Coalition and the Wallace Center at Winrock International are excited to share their newly released series of Market Management FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions.) Over the next four weeks, they’ll highlight some of the most important issues facing market managers: Market Fundamentals; Market Operations; Market Growth, Outreach, and Evaluation; and Increasing Access at the Market.
Related ATTRA Publication: Farmers’ Markets: Marketing and Business Guide
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/farmmarket.html

National Farmers’ Markets Directory Released
http://bit.ly/aZxE7e
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the 2010 National Farmers’ Market Directory lists 6,132 operational farmers markets, representing 16 percent growth over 2009 when the agency reported 5,274. The 2010 National Farmers’ Market Directory results is being released as part of National Farmers’ Market Week, Aug. 1-7, 2010. “Seeing such continued strong growth in the number of U.S. farmers markets indicates that regional food systems can provide great economic, social and health benefits to communities across the country,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The USDA National Farmers’ Market Directory can be found at http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov. Farmers’ markets can be searched by state, county, zip code and participation in federal nutrition assistance programs.

Pastures to Encourage Bee Populations Studied
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100804.htm
Beautiful wildflowers might someday be planted in “bee pastures,” floral havens created as an efficient, practical, environmentally friendly, and economically sound way to produce successive generations of healthy young bees. The pesticide-free pastures could be simple to establish, and - at perhaps only a half-acre each - easy to tend, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist James H. Cane. Cane and colleagues have studied wildflowers that might be ideal for planting at bee pastures in California. The research, funded by ARS and the Modesto-based Almond Board of California, resulted in a first-ever list of five top-choice, bee-friendly wildflowers for tomorrow’s bee pastures in almond-growing regions.
Related ATTRA Publication: Alternative Pollinators: Native Bees
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/nativebee.html

Research Shows Productivity of Organic Systems
http://organicecology.umn.edu/?p=766
Data presented by University of Minnesota Extension Corn Agronomist Dr. Jeff Coulter during the U of M’s Organic Field Day, held July 8, 2010, at the University’s Southwest Research and Outreach Center near Lamberton, demonstrates the long-term productivity of organic cropping systems. Alfalfa yields were highest and least variable with organic management. Oat yields and yield variability were similar for organic and high-input systems. Corn yields with the 4-yr organic rotation were among the highest and least variable. The challenge in organic management will be to increase soybean yield and reduce variability in soybean yield across years. You can read more about this research here http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/organic/OFD10/riddle.pdf and download Dr. Coulter’s presentation here (PDF/12.6MB). http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/organic/OFD10/coulter.pdf

Targeted Grazing Webinar Available Online
http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/ResourcesWebinars.html
A Targeted Grazing Webinar was hosted by the University of Maryland Extension on Thursday, July 22, 2010. Instructors for the webinar were Nevin Dawson, Forest Stewardship Educator; Susan Schoenian, Sheep & Goat Extension Specialist; and Brian Knox, Supervising Forester for Eco-Goats. The webinar discussed how goats and sheep can be a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly method of controlling invasive weeds on your property. The webinar can now be viewed online.
https://connect.moo.umd.edu/p73266133/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

New Marketplace Listserv Available
http://www.misa.umn.edu/SustAgMarket.html
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) has established a new online discussion group, SustAgMarket. This is a place where farmers and sustainable ag-related businesses can share information about goods and services for sale or trade. SustAgMarket is a Listserv that functions like their other lists, Sustag and HealthyDebate: if you have something to sell or something you are looking for, simply post a message to the list. Posts will be archived online, but this Listserv does not have many of the features of online sales websites.

More Breaking News
http://attra.ncat.org/news/
__________________________________________

Funding Opportunities

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative — Food Safety Grant
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=53033
The purpose of USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is to support research, education, and extension. AFRI gives grants that address key problems in sustaining all components of agriculture, including farm efficiency and profitability, ranching, renewable energy, forestry (both urban and agroforestry), aquaculture, rural communities and entrepreneurship, human nutrition, food safety, biotechnology, and conventional breeding. In the Food Safety Challenge Area, AFRI is requesting proposals for programs to reduce food-borne illnesses and deaths through a safe food supply.
Proposals are due September 22, 2010.

Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Grant
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/directmktg/blbw/blbw_grants.jsp
The Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) grant program provides competitive grants for projects that are likely to stimulate Wisconsin’s agricultural economy by increasing the purchase of Wisconsin grown or produced food by local food buyers. Individuals, groups, businesses and organizations involved in Wisconsin agriculture, agritourism, food retailing, processing, distribution or warehousing are invited to apply. Projects need to show how they will stimulate Wisconsin’s agricultural economy by increasing the purchase of Wisconsin grown or produced food.
Proposals are due August 23, 2010

Northeast SARE Sustainable Community Grant
http://nesare.org/get/sustainable-community/
Sustainable Community Grants make a direct connection between community revitalization and farming. Projects must address specific key issues such as farm finance, marketing, land use, water use, enterprise development, value-added product development, or other delineated topic areas. Applicants must be affiliated with Cooperative Extension, NRCS, a municipality, a state department of agriculture, a college or university, a community organization, or other institutional entity.
Proposals are due October 19, 2010

More Funding Opportunities
http://attra.ncat.org/funding/
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Coming Events

Federation of Southern Cooperatives Meeting
August 20-21, 2010
Epes, Alabama
http://www.federationsoutherncoop.com/
This is the annual meeting of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. It will feature exhibits, cooperative, agroforestry, and conservation workshops and Agtours. Guest speakers will include Ms. LeAnn Oliver, Deputy Administrator, USDA Cooperative Programs; Mr. Dave White, Chief, NRCS; Mr. Tom Tidwell, Chief, USDA Forest Service, and Mr. Johnathan Coppess, Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

Calculate Pasture Dry Matter Intake on Your Organic Dairy Farm Webinar
August 20, 2010
http://www.extension.org/article/28554
This eOrganic eXtension webinar by Sarah Flack, a national consultant on grass-based livestock farming, will help you predict the dry matter demand (DMD) of your animals, and walk you through the steps of determining dry matter intake (DMI) from different types of feed, especially from pasture. The webinar will also teach you how to calculate the percent DMI from pasture.

Mechanization on Vegetable Farms Workshop
August 22, 2010
Grinnell, Iowa
http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2010/072710_workshop.html
A hoe and a rototiller can get the job done in a home vegetable garden, but this workshop explores the more complex tools needed by commercial and direct-market growers to produce and move larger volumes of vegetables to market. The workshop will look at machines that market farmers use for tillage, planting seeds and transplants, removing weeds, harvesting crops and processing them in the packing house.

More Events
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/
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New & Updated Publications

Organic Poultry Production: Providing Adequate Methionine
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=336
Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=181
Beyond Basic Compensation
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=330
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Question of the Week
What information can you give me on NRCS native pollinator programs?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2010/08/09/what-information-can-you-give-me-on-nrcs-native-pollinator-programs
__________________________________________

Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
__________________________________________

ATTRA on the Radio
Pasture-raised Beef and Dairy: New Regulations, New Opportunities will be the topic of next week’s Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight.
Tuesday, August 17
10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1565
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ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter
http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php
__________________________________________

Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/427/personal2.asp?formid=signup
__________________________________________

Comments? Questions? Contact us
http://attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html
__________________________________________

Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives
Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online.
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html
ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html

Visit the NCAT Web site for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.
http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php

Copyright 2010 NCAT

[nw_arizona_granny]

P. Graham Dunn Recalls Toy Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2010
Release #10-317

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 828-5260
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

P. Graham Dunn Recalls Toy Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Wooden Toy Rattles

Units: About 500

Distributor: P. Graham Dunn, of Dalton, Ohio

Hazard: The wooden dowels can be installed at an angle, allowing the metal rattle inside to become exposed. This poses a serious choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of four incidents of the metal rattle becoming exposed. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves a wooden toy rattle with light brown stain, eight wooden dowels and a gold-colored metal rattle inside. The toy rattle is circular in shape, measuring 2 3/4 inches by 2 inches.

Sold by: Gift stores and book retailers nationwide from June 2010 through July 2010 for about $6.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact P. Graham Dunn to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact P. Graham Dunn at (800) 828-5260 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.pgrahamdunn.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10317.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

My wife and I have a 5 gallon water dispenser bottle we fill with coins and about every 2 years we empty out about $1200 to $1500 <<<

That works well, amazing the ways to save money, without any effort.

For years, I balanced my checkbook, by taking the next dollar figure, and not deducting the cents written on the check.

It adds up in a hurry when you are young and write lots of checks.

Our best bank was a hollow core door, Bill cut a slit in the top of it, and as it was on the walk in closet in our bedroom, the kids did not find it for years.

At the time we had 4 or 5 teen-aged foster kids and needed safety for money. It worked well, even after one slammed the door and realized that was money they heard.

When we robbed it, it would have $125. to 150. in it and that was often.

Welcome to the thread.