Posted on 07/24/2009 3:37:21 AM PDT by 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
Dynamics and Sustainability of Urban Agriculture: Examples from Sub-Saharan Africa
“Urban agriculture can have many different expressions, varying from backyard gardening
to poultry and livestock farming. This article focuses on crop production on larger
open spaces in cities of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and investigates the sustainability
and dynamics of this type of land use, which is common on undeveloped plots particularly
in lowlands, such as in inland valleys, or along urban streams or drains.
New York panel discussion explores urban agriculture
Will urban gardens save America?
This lofty topic was taken on tonight by a panel
of experts representing different aspects of the urban agriculture movement that
provided an interesting overview of the issue.
Teaching kids to eat dandelion leaves, ensuring capital for commercially-scalable
urban agricultural projects, and the impracticality of rooftop gardens were themes
that punctuated the diverse conversation in an exploration of how we grow our food.
At Wychwood Barns in Toronto, a global garden grows
You can find the vegetables and herbs of Somalia, the Philippines, China, South
Asia, Latin America, Italy and Poland all here on seven small plots of land at the
Artscape Wychwood Barns on Christie St. near St. Clair Ave. W.
A Crop Sprouts Without Soil or Sunshine in New Jersey School
On the rooftop garden at St. Philip’s Academy, a private school in Newark, New Jersey,
students tend plots of everything from broccoli and beets to sweet corn and spaghetti
squash.
But since August they have also been helping to farm arugula, chervil, fun jen and
komatsuna in a machine installed in a fourth-floor science classroom that grows
crops without soil or sunshine.
The Urban Farming Revolution Comes To Cincinnati
Urban farming isn’t easy. Soils are rock-hard and contaminated, markets are tough
to develop and space for crops is limited. In fact, farming is tough enough in rural
areas. So why do it in the city?
Ask Megan Hill, 26, one of Cincinnati’s newest urban farmers.
Photo portraits of urban farmers by Joshua David Stein
Until the mid-nineteenth century, most of New York City was farmland. Now, thanks
to the constant drumbeat of locavorism, some of it is going back to seed. Urban
horticulture has long been practiced at hundreds of community gardens around the
city. But a new class of growers is more concerned with bolstering a sustainable
food system and, if possible, turning a profit than with cultivating a peaceful
vegetable plot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1103707556879&s=1304&e=0015Iw4k5LzsHRxHTfzMc_FbUb7UKst1wAHkhGUcC8OQlpf6W1VVvOdKxhd4gcfmM-ENv2BQI9zCiZuNeTG4CN7FoMflc9QNEpc93IOJ7MSyPbAMlXLqMtCgw==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
Papa John’s Pizza Sauce (Copycat)
1 can (10-3/4 oz) tomato puree
1/4 c water
1 T sugar
1 T olive oil
1/4 t lemon juice
1/4 t salt
1/4 t oregano
1/8 t thyme
1/8 t basil
1/8 t garlic powder
Combine all ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Makes 1 cup
Robbie IN
.
My other groups: favoritefamilyrecipes@yahoogroups.com and moderator of BisquickRecipes@yahoogroups.com, and BakingMixes
——————————————————————————————————— To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cookingandbakingmixes/
arrow Free posters for your office, home, or school
Decorations are a great way to personalize a room. A blank wall really doesn’t cut it. You want something you can look at.
Pictures are popular, but those are usually small. To cover a lot of area, a poster works better. Unfortunately, store-bought posters can be expensive.
Today’s Cool Site can help you out. It offers free posters for download. Just select one or more that you like and print them.
There are posters available for home, office and school. You can also find ones geared towards kids and teens. New posters are being added all the time!
www.poster-street.com
Sent out by:
http://www.komando..com
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm226885.htm
Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Certain Similac® Brand Powder Infant Formulas That Did Not Meet Its Quality Standards
Contact:
Consumer Hotline
(800) 986-8850
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Sept. 22, 2010 - ABBOTT PARK, Ill. - Abbott is initiating a proactive, voluntary recall of certain Similac-brand, powder infant formulas in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean.
Abbott is recalling these products following an internal quality review, which detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted.
The recall of these powder infant formulas includes:
* Certain Similac powder product lines offered in plastic containers.
* Certain Similac powder product lines offered in sizes such as 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans.
To immediately find out if the product in your possession is included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall9, and type in their lot number to determine if their product is affected, or call (800) 986-8850.
No Abbott liquid infant formulas are impacted. Products not involved in the recall include all Abbott Nutrition liquid ready-to-feed and concentrated infant formulas and all powder and liquid specialty formulas, such as Similac Expert Care™ Alimentum®, Elecare®, Similac Expert Care™ Neosure®, Similac® Human Milk Fortifier, and metabolic formulas for inherited disorders.
About the Recall
* The company is implementing a plan to address this matter in the affected manufacturing facility, which is expected to be completed shortly. No other facilities or products are involved in this recall.
* Abbott has consulted with the U.S. FDA regarding this recall.
Information for Parents and Caregivers
* Products with affected lot numbers should be returned to Abbott at no cost to the consumer.
* Parents and caregivers can go to www.similac.com/recall10 or call Abbott’s consumer hotline, (800) 986-8850, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
* Both the website and the consumer hotline have specific details on how to complete the return process.
Holger Liepmann, executive vice president, Abbott Nutrition said:
“Abbott understands that parents expect to feed their children only the highest quality product. We are taking this action so that parents know that the infant formula products they provide unquestionably meet the highest quality standards for which they are known. We regret any inconvenience this situation poses to parents and consumers.”
###
[next is update on melamine in milk/china, if I can cut it enough to be legal...granny]
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - September 22, 2010
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Website. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html#wh
News & Resources
* Specialty Crop Block Grant Awards Announced
* New Grazing Systems Publication Online
* NCR-SARE to Hold Listening Sessions
* FDA Expected to Limit Livestock Antibiotics
* Soil Data Available by Cell Phone
* Oregano Supplement Decreases Cow Methane Emissions
Funding Opportunities
* Northeast SARE Sustainable Community Grants
* Annie’s Homegrown Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program
* Southern SARE Large Systems Grants
Coming Events
* Farm Aid 25
* Sustainable Agriculture and Local Food Assets Workshop
* Northeast Animal Power Field Days
__________________________________________________
News & Resources
Specialty Crop Block Grant Awards Announced
USDA has announced the award of block grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. The 54 grants announced in this funding round total approximately $55 million and will fund 827 projects in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Summaries of the awards can be viewed online (http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp).
http://bit.ly/bjyJQi
New Grazing Systems Publication Online
Minnesota Department of Agriculture has released a new publication on grazing systems that is available online as a PDF file. Improving and Sustaining Forage Production in Pastures was written by Howard Moechnig of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, who has worked for more than ten years as a grazing specialist and has planned hundreds of grazing systems. This new resource presents strategies for preparing pastures for the upcoming year and improving pasture conditions, leading to better livestock performance. “This publication provides guidance to producers for achieving a well-managed grazing system and will help them avoid common mistakes in pasture and forage management,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture grazing specialist Wayne Monsen.
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/releases/2010/nr-2010-09-17-grazing.aspx
Related ATTRA Publication: Pasture, Rangeland and Grazing Management (http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/past_range_graze.html)
NCR-SARE to Hold Listening Sessions
North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education will be holding listening sessions in Nebraska and Iowa this week to engage stakeholders from many dimensions of the local food system in sharing what is foremost on their minds. The sessions are intended to assess how NCR-SARE grants and programs are reaching and benefiting recipients, and to suggest how NCR-SARE can support future programs designed to meet urban/rural community needs. The listening sessions are open to the public, at no cost. Everyone is invited to attend, especially anti-hunger and food justice advocates, educators, non-profit organizations, concerned citizens, government officials, farmers, ranchers, grocers, chefs, workers, food processors and distributors. Listening sessions will be held in Lincoln, Nebraska, September 23 and Omaha, Nebraska, September 24 and Council Bluffs, Iowa, September 24.
http://nesare.unl.edu/
FDA Expected to Limit Livestock Antibiotics
FDA is expected to issue new and stronger guidelines on animal antibiotic use within months, reports The New York Times. While major livestock producer organizations are opposing stricter rules, some medical and health organizations say even stronger action to limit antibiotic use is needed. According to the article, the proposed guidelines focus on the use of antibiotics to speed growth.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/us/15farm.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=FDA%20antibiotics&st=cse
Soil Data Available by Cell Phone
Growers can now get information about the properties of their soil by using their cell phones while standing in the field. The UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory has developed a smartphone application that performs location-based queries from GPS-enabled cell phones. Using its online soil survey, the SoilWeb application allows users to identify soils and access soil survey data from any place that has cell phone coverage in the 48 contiguous states. The spatial queries are sent to the UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory’s online interface to soil survey information. Query results are presented as a series of soil profile sketches, depicting soil horizons, series names, landscape position and taxonomic classification.
http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?story=1325
Related ATTRA Publication: Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource (http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/pastsoil.html)
Oregano Supplement Decreases Cow Methane Emissions
A Penn State dairy scientist has developed an oregano-based supplement that not only decreased methane emissions in dairy cows by 40 percent, but also improved milk production. Alexander Hristov, an associate professor of dairy nutrition, screened hundreds of essential oils, plants and various compounds in the laboratory before arriving at oregano as a possible solution. During his experiments, oregano consistently reduced methane without demonstrating any negative effects, and increased daily milk production by nearly three pounds of milk for each cow at Penn State’s dairy barns during the trials. Hristov has filed a provisional patent for this work.
http://live.psu.edu/story/48055
>> More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
__________________________________________________
Funding Opportunities
Northeast SARE Sustainable Community Grants
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. To apply, you 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. The Northeast SARE region is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.
Applications must be submitted online by October 19, 2010.
http://nesare.org/get/sustainable-community/
Annie’s Homegrown Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program
Annie’s Homegrown Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program is open to full time undergraduate and graduate students beginning or returning to an accredited 2 or 4 year technical or college program or graduate school in the U.S. for the 2011/2012 school year. Students must be focusing on classes in sustainable agriculture. $75,000 in scholarship funds will be offered this year.
Proposals are due December 15, 2010.
http://www.annies.com/scholarshipapplication
Southern SARE Large Systems Grants
Southern SARE invites established agricultural systems research teams to apply for the first round of Large Systems Grants. Aptly named, Large Systems Grants are robust awards—$100,000 per year over multiple three-year cycles—intended for interdisciplinary teams already successfully researching a particular agricultural system. If the teams continue to produce solid research results, the grants can be renewed.
Proposals are due November 1, 2010.
http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/callpage.htm
>> More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
__________________________________________________
Coming Events
Farm Aid 25
October 2, 2010
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“Growing Hope for America” is the theme of the 25th annual Farm Aid concert featuring Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Mathews, which is accompanied by a range of additional events supporting family farms.
http://www.farmaid.org
Sustainable Agriculture and Local Food Assets Workshop
October 6, 2010
Blairsville, Georgia
The Appalachian Regional Commission plans to convene a series of workshops in several Appalachian states in the coming months to facilitate regional conversations on these issues, strengthen regional support networks, and support community economic development based on Appalachia’s agricultural and food assets. The Blairsville workshop will include five presenters and a lunch of local seasonal food.
http://www.asapconnections.org/component/option,com_eventlist/Itemid,155/did,554/func,details/
Northeast Animal Power Field Days
October 15-17, 2010
Tunbridge, Vermont
This event is dedicated to working draft animals in enterprises that support sustainability of local communities and vital land-based economies. The annual event has become a clearinghouse for educational and operational resources, building networks, and sharing experiences around the many aspects of draft-animal power, sustainable agriculture and local food systems in the Northeast.
http://animalpowerfielddays.org/
>> More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/)
__________________________________________________
New & Updated Publications
Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland
http://attra.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=108
Sheep: Sustainable and Organic Production
http://attra.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=209
Market Gardening: A Start Up Guide (Spanish version)
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=338
Question of the Week
What are the benefits of feeding sprouted grain to dairy cattle? Is it cost-effective?
http://bit.ly/cnxofQ
Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
ATTRA on the Radio
Next week’s topic on the Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight: Pastured Poultry: Raising Chickens Locally and Sustainably.
Tuesday, September 22
10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1565
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. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html
The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) (http://www.ncat.org). 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
MELAMINE CONTAMINATION, MILK PRODUCTS - CHINA (04)
**************************************************
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: Tue 21 Sep 2010
Source: AP-Food technology [edited]
http://www.ap-foodtechnology.com/Formulation/China-arrests-six-in-latest-melamine-milk-powder-scare
China arrests 6 in latest melamine milk powder scare
According to media reports, 7 people have been arrested in connection
with the discovery of 26 tonnes of tainted powder at the Jinfulia
Dairy Company, based in Yangquan city, Shanxi province. Among the
arrested was the general manager at the plant.
State media reports indicate that the milk powder in question was
from the same batch that should have been destroyed following the
2008 scandal, which resulted in 300 000 cases of illness and 6 deaths.
Melamine, which is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of
plastics, was added to thousands of tonnes of watered-down milk
products in 2008 to artificially boost protein levels in one of the
most high profile contamination cases in recent year
snip...
[The July 2010 ProMED-mail posting 20100709.2306 indicated:
“In June 2010, authorities found 64 tons of raw materials for making
milk powder and 12 tons of finished powder tainted with melamine at a
factory in the far western province of Qinghai, the official Xinhua
News Agency said. In a separate case, they said they seized about
1000 packets of tainted milk powder in the northeastern province of
Jilin. Xinhua said the owner and a production manager from Dongyuan
Dairy Factory in Qinghai have been detained after tests showed some
of their products had 500 times the legal limit for melamine. The
contamination was initially discovered because Dongyuan sent samples
of the powder, which they had purchased from Hebei province, to a lab
for testing so they could figure out how much to dilute it before
selling it, Xinhua said, citing police.
The report said some of the material was believed to be old powder
that should have been destroyed in 2008 amid a crackdown on tainted milk.”
This particular article has a similar feel to what was previously
posted. One is left to potentially conclude that there is more
tainted product not as yet destroyed than authorities were led to
believe at the time. - Mod.TG]
[A map of China with provinces can be seen at
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/china_pol01.jpg
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of China is available at
http://healthmap.org/r/08oy
- Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
Date: 22 Sep 2010
Source: Edmonton Journal [edited]
http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=23504871-cc66-4b15-a4f8-19c54ca362eb
Police in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan are looking for answers on why 5
kids ingested seeds from a toxic plant over the weekend. Corp. Dave
Purdy said police were notified Monday [20 Sep 2010] that the kids —
said to be between 11 and 15 — had been taken to hospital when
parents noticed something was wrong.
Purdy said the investigation is ongoing, but is “kind of on hold
until we can talk to the kids.” He said the youths are being treated
for consumption of Angel’s Trumpet, a toxic but legal plant that can
cause many symptoms if ingested, including hallucination, elevated
heart rate, fever, aggression and, in some cases, death.
snip.....
[Birds planted it in my garden, a few years ago.
Those big green tomato worms eat Datura, you can drive thru the desert and the plants leaves are gone, the worms waiting for more to grow.
It will also be eaten before a tomato plant is....if growing side by side.....or it was in my garden.
20 years ago, we lost several high school kids to datura, they were drinking a tea made of it and it was almost instant death.
granny]
[Angel Trumpet’s Latin name is _Datura_ spp. There a number of
different species giving a slightly different shape to the leaves or
flowers. However, they all contain the same toxic agents, just in
slightly different proportions. A photo may be seen at:
http://www.wildflowersofontario.ca/jimsonweed1.jpg or
http://www.1000wordsphotos.com/desertflowers/jimsonweed.html
. The
thorny fruit that contributes to its name may be viewed at:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/D/W-SO-DSTR-FR.001.html
The memory tool for Jimsonweed (another name for Angel Trumpet)
intoxication is “Red as a beet, dry as a bone” (flushed, hot, red
skin), and “mad as a hatter” (from Alice in Wonderland, for its
hallucinogenic properties). The seeds have been collected by persons
trying to get “high” because of the hallucinogenic properties. The
article correctly states that intoxicated individuals can appear as
if they have been smoking marijuana. However, the cardiac affects
have proven to be fatal in many cases.
Aside from the 1977 article mentioned above, there has long been the
issue that the hallucinations caused by the seeds were allegedly
similar to that of getting high or getting stoned. However, this
plant’s ability to produce the euphoric state that many illicit drug
users seek comes with a rude and possibly deadly surprise. The
increase in body temperature likely has a very different mechanism
than that from an infection. As the skin becomes visibly flushed and
hot, it is likely much more uncomfortable than a fever. - Mod.TG]
Do you recall if anyone has ever posted a recipe that would duplicate ranch style beans? I have been looking for a
“substitute” for these if one exists? I haven’t read every post on all 3 threads (although I am working my way through them), but I can’t recall seeing anything on this.
Hope you are all having a great day!
Avandia (rosiglitazone): REMS - Risk of Cardiovascular Events
AUDIENCE: Endocrinology, Cardiology
ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) to patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications. These new restrictions are in response to data that suggest an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in patients treated with Avandia.
BACKGROUND: Avandia is in a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs. It is intended to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to improve glucose (blood sugar) control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rosiglitazone also is available in combination with other diabetes medications, metformin under the brand name Avandamet or glimepiride under the brand name Avandaryl.
RECOMMENDATION: FDA will require that GSK develop a restricted access program for Avandia under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS. Under the REMS, Avandia will be available to new patients only if they are unable to achieve glucose control on other medications and are unable to take Actos (pioglitazone), the only other drug in this class. Current users of Avandia who are benefiting from the drug will be able to continue using the medication if they choose to do so.
Doctors will have to attest to and document their patients’ eligibility; patients will have to review statements describing the cardiovascular safety concerns associated with this drug and acknowledge they understand the risks. The agency anticipates that the REMS will limit use of Avandia significantly.
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:
* Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
* Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the FDA News Release, Q&As, and related information, at:
Tell us how we are doing:
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Thank God, I don’t take that drug.
This message contains the following:
1. Molenaar LLC Recalls Night Lights Due to Fire and Shock Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10353.html
2. Siemens Recalls Circuit Breakers Due to Fire Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10354.html
3. CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances in Child-Proofing Efforts
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10351.html
4. CPSC Creates New Office of Education, Global Outreach, and Small Business Ombudsman
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10352.html
Prince Charles Shows Off Vegetable Patch, Throws Garden Party
The Prince of Wales is inviting the public to view the vegetable patch in his backyard,
where organic carrots and celery grow in tidy rows.
The royal plot, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, yielded much for Charles
and his guests last year: parsnips, carrots, beetroot, and four kinds of potato.
Roof to Table - New York restaurant grows its food on the 6th floor
At a time when “local” and “sustainable” are the buzzwords of nearly every restaurant
and kitchen, urban rooftop gardens have become widespread. But the New York chef
is soon opening the first restaurant in the U.S. to grow its own herbs, fruits
and vegetables with an up-on-the-roof hydroponic farm.
Six floors above the Bell Book & Candle restaurant in Manhattan’s West Village,
slated to open within four weeks, Mr. Mooney is growing mint, lettuce, strawberries,
squash and about 70 other varieties of herbs, fruit and vegetables in vertical,
soil-less towers. A water filtration system, which is set on a timer, bathes the
towers for three minutes, every 12 minutes.
Two-Block Diet turns neighbours into urban villagers
Neighbours Kate Sutherland and Julia Hilton have hatched a mini-revolution that
has transformed two blocks of east Vancouver into a true urban village.
“Julia had land and I didn’t, but I have a passion for growing things,” Sutherland
explained. They thought they would work together to grow vegetables, but like true
revolutionaries they cranked up a tiny propaganda machine in the form of a simple
flyer they distributed to their neighbours, recruiting more than a dozen to the
cause.
Philadelphia’s urban-farming roots go deep-and are spreading wide
Philadelphia has long been a gardeners’ paradise, by East Coast standards anyway.
The City of Brotherly Love enjoys relatively short winters and extended fall and
spring seasons that aren’t so wet and warm that they invite plagues of the pests
that rule farther south.
It’s not surprising then that urban agriculture has deep roots here - ones planted
long before the recent national renaissance. But Philly’s homegrown ag movement
isn’t just about getting more local produce into farmers markets. (Not that there’s
anything wrong with that!) It’s focused on farming as a source of jobs and skills
for city residents as well as a means to provide them affordable, healthy food.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All stories here.
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1103713421496&s=1304&e=0011gVkDz_3yUXxfg4ky8xuxaslWwrqheTRs1Uo1-epGHR3TCnL-guDxTDYR_atnotSL3pG1vMgkk4k3kAB-2qJ7XvDGRcampp4Op07YByKUj_Td0_tP0-b8A==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
There is 1 message in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Next QTN issue is a week away..., 9/23/2010, 9:00 am
From: QTN@yahoogroups.com
Message
________________________________________________________________________
1. Next QTN issue is a week away..., 9/23/2010, 9:00 am
Posted by: “QTN@yahoogroups.com” QTN@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:04 am ((PDT))
Reminder from: QTN Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QTN/cal
Next QTN issue is a week away...
Thursday September 23, 2010
9:00 am - 9:00 am
(This event repeats every month.)
Location: Your email Inbox
Notes:
Next issue of QTN will be out in a week. Have you told that friend you’ve been meaning to about QTN yet? Have you sent in your for sale, looking to buy or wanting to trade advertisement yet? Send it directly to “dawn@nakroshis.com“.
[I think QTN means Quilt Traders News.
I have read this for several years and it is tempting, you join the group at Yahoo Groups and then can send your ad.
It is fun to read and dream of all the projects offered, for they also offer other thread and fabrics, books, machines and whatever someone wants to sell or trade.
granny]
As you know, our motto is...”living longer and living younger.”
So, with that in mind, today we thought we’d share with you...
The 7 Healthiest Foods You’re Not Eating, But Should
A little culinary adventure can add nutrients, fiber, and flavor to your diet.
Many of us get into a food rut at some point.
We’d like to break you out of that rut by introducing you to delicious foods that’ll surprise your taste buds while maximizing nutrition and making the most of every calorie you consume.
Here are seven that we recommend you rotate into your meal plan for variety and to reap their rich health benefits.
You just might find a favorite that could become a staple on your table.
Koreans are among the leanest and healthiest people on the planet.
Kimchi
Could it have something to do with this spicy pickled cabbage, which they eat the way North Americans eat French fries and baked potatoes?
Eaten at almost every meal in Korea, Kimchi is packed with vitamins and immune system-boosting phytochemicals.
Its main ingredient, fermented cabbage, contains lactic acid, which helps with digestion and may weaken infections.
Several years ago, kimchi made big news when Korean researchers found chickens infected with the avian flu recovered more quickly after being fed an extract of kimchi.
More recently, a study at the University of New Mexico suggested that eating cabbage might help ward off breast cancer.
Kimchi is low in calories and rich in dietary fiber.
The chewy, nutty hulled grain used in soups and bread and as a substitute for rice, is quickly becoming a favorite of people trying to lose weight.
It’s made up of 43 percent slow-digesting carbohydrates and 12 percent of a fiber known as a “resistant starch” because it goes through the small intestine without being digested at all.
In 2008, a Swedish study showed that people who ate barley bread as part of their dinner felt much less hungry than those who munched on plain white bread, and the hunger-quenching effect lasted for more than 10 hours.
Pickled Herring
Keep a jar of pickled herring chunks in your refrigerator for a quick omega-3 lunch with crackers.
It’s an easy way to get more fish into your weekly diet without the hassle of cooking fresh fish.
Herring, essentially a larger sardine, is still small enough to be low in contaminants.
And it’s a good source of EPA and DHA as well as calcium.
Shirataki Noodles
These noodles made from the root of an Asian yam consist of a no-calorie soluble fiber, so they are a healthier alternative to egg noodles or pastas high in fast-digesting carbohydrates.
Studies show that the fiber, called glucomanan, helps lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and may even help lower body weight.
Researchers say that just 1 gram of this fiber can significantly slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream after a high-carbohydrate meal.
Because they have little flavor of their own, shirataki noodles take on the flavor of sauces and herbs from the dishes to which they are added.
Try them in vegetable salads, soups and stir-fry dishes.
Caviar
When you’re trying to get more omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, expanding your repertoire of egg dishes can help.
We’re talking fish eggs as well as those from chickens.
Caviar contains three times as much omega-3 as salmon does.
Spooning 2 teaspoons of paddlefish caviar into your omelet just before folding it over will give you a tasty morning boost of fish oil.
And if you use omega-3 eggs from chickens who are given feed rich in omega-3s, you’ll get a double shot.
Greek Yogurt
Called “yiaourti” in Greece, this is a thicker, creamier yogurt because the liquid (whey) has been strained away.
It contains probiotic cultures and has twice the protein of regular yogurt and fewer carbohydrates.
It’s lower in lactose, too.
Flaxseeds
These trendy seeds are one of the few plant sources of healthful omega-3 fatty acids.
Toss these tiny brown seeds into cereal, yogurt, soups, and stews.
Sprinkle them on top of ice cream or on slices of apple coated with peanut butter.
My kids used to call these “ants on apples.”
If you’re wondering what to rustle up for dinner this evening, here’s a recipe that will surely do the trick.
Honey-Mustard Pork Tenderloins
Zesty honey mustard is the perfect glaze for lean pork tenderloin and the entire dish is super easy to make in just under 30 minutes.
Ingredients;
* 4 pieces pork tenderloin (4 ounces each), trimmed of all visible fat
* 1 tsp. canola oil
* 1/2 c. diced shallots or onions
* 1/2 c. defatted reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 1 Tbs. honey mustard
Alternate;
For a more zesty sauce, replace the honey mustard with stone-ground mustard.
Honey-Mustard Catfish: Replace the pork tenderloins with 4 catfish fillets, 1/2” thick.
Directions;
1. Using your palm or the flat side of a large knife, press the tenderloins to 1/2” thickness.
2. Coat a large no-stick skillet with no-stick spray and warm over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
Sear the pork for about 2 minutes per side, or until browned.
Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, warm the oil over medium heat.
Add the shallots or onions and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, or until soft.
Add the broth and cook at a brisk simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly reduced.
Whisk in the mustard.
4. Return the pork to the skillet, spooning some of the mustard glaze over the top.
Reduce the heat to low and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the pork is hot and only slightly pink in the center (check by inserting the tip of a sharp knife into 1 tenderloin).
Serve the pork topped with the mustard glaze.
Sadly, that’s all the time we have for today.
We hope you found some value in this edition!
Until next time, we want you to,
Live Longer & Live Younger!
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If you haven’t been to our website,
natures-health-foods.com
in a while, you’ll want to check out some of our new and exciting articles!
Obligatory Legal Notice: While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the authors nor the Pro-Fit Group assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. This publication is an information product and is not intended as a source to replace your own professional or otherwise advice. All users are advised to retain the services of competent professionals. The reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. The author and publisher assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any reader of these materials.
You should not substitute information on the “natures-health-foods.com” web site for professional advice.
This web site provides general educational information. This information is not provided in the course of a professional relationship between a health care provider and the recipient. It is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional.
You are subscribed to Super Natural Foods, Super Recipes & Super Food Remedies.
The back issues are at the following URL...
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Similac Powder Infant Formulas: Recall
[UPDATED 09/24/2010] The voluntary recall affects milk- and soy-based formulas distributed in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and some Caribbean nations. At least 12 of the recalled products were provided to families through the federal government’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) health and nutrition program. FDA is reassuring caregivers and families whose babies may have consumed recalled products that drinking the formula will not cause long-term health problems.
FDA has created a searchable database to find lot numbers of affected products. The Consumer Update offers a printer-friendly PDF which can be shared with consumers and patients.
[Posted 09/23/2010]
AUDIENCE: Consumer, Pediatrics
ISSUE: Possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product. The FDA has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract.
Read the complete original and updated 2010 MedWatch safety summary, including links to the Consumer Update and searchable database of the recalled product, at:
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Epogen and Procrit (epoetin alfa): Recall - Particulate Matter in Vials
AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Oncology, Nephrology
ISSUE: Amgen and FDA notified healthcare professionals that certain lots of Epogen and Procrit (Epoetin alfa) vials are being recalled as a precaution, because the vials may contain extremely thin glass flakes (lamellae) that are barely visible. The potential serious adverse events resulting from the use of a sterile injectable product with particulates by the intravenous route include embolic, thrombotic and other vascular events (e.g., phlebitis), and by the subcutaneous route include foreign body granuloma, local injection site reactions, and increased immunogenicity.
BACKGROUND: The products are indicated for the treatment of anemia related to HIV therapy, chronic renal failure, and chemotherapy. The lamellae result from the interaction of the formulation with glass vials over the shelf life of the product. The affected product lot numbers and expiration dates are included in the table in the firm press release, linked below.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Amgen has initiated recall letters which include instructions to return the referenced product to the returned goods service provider.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to 1-800-77-AMGEN or to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
* Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
* Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the firm Press Release, at:
Octagam (Immune Globulin Intravenous (human)) 5% Liquid Preparation: Market Withdrawal - Risk of Thromboembolic Events
[UPDATED 09/24/2010] Octapharma USA and FDA notified healthcare professionals that, effective immediately, Octapharma is initiating a voluntary market withdrawal of ALL lots of Octagam currently in the US market. Octapharma has determined, through consultation with the public health authorities at FDA, that until a root cause of the previously reported thromboembolic events can be determined and the problem corrected, the most prudent course of action is to suspend further administration of octagam. Customers are asked to immediately quarantine the use of these lots and to contact Octapharma’s Customer Service Department to arrange for product return.
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the updated Voluntary Market Withdrawal notice, at:
Big Pharma Scores Big Win: Medicinal Herbs Will Disappear in EU
It’s almost a done deal. We are about to see herbal preparations disappear, and the ability of herbalists to prescribe them will also be lost.
by Heidi Stevenson
12 September 2010
Big Pharma Scores Big Win: Medicinal Herbs Will Disappear in EU
Big Pharma has almost reached the finish line of its decades-long battle to wipe out all competition. As of 1 April 2011—less than eight months from now—virtually all medicinal herbs will become illegal in the European Union. The approach in the United States is a bit different, but it’s having the same devastating effect. The people have become nothing more than sinks for whatever swill Big Pharma and Agribusiness choose to send our way, and we have no option but to pay whatever rates they want.
snipped.
Go Christine O’Donnell for Senate
and Glen Urquhart for House of Representatives!<<<
Thank you for the work you are doing to bring about a good change.
We will be waiting for you to return to the thread, for we need you here too.
Wal-Mart recently eliminated their “rollbacks” on grocery items in the U.S. Grocery prices at Wal-Mart rose by a shocking 5.8% in July from June.<<<
I think the best idea on what the increase in prices really means, is in a photo that I saw, contained 2 of the 4 packs of toliet tissue.
Looked the same, priced the same and then the difference was pointed out, the shorter pack, has lost 3/ inch in width to the roll.
And we were not meant to notice.
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