Posted on 03/23/2008 11:36:40 PM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick
Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.
At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."
Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.
A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."
[snipped]
She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.
"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
http://www.plantea.com/garden-goofs.htm
Great Garden Goofs
We’ve all had our moments. How about you?
By Marion Owen, Fearless Weeder for PlanTea, Inc. and
Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul
Garden goofs
Back in the mid-1980’s, Susanne Zingler of Germany became a little surprised when her new potted plant hissed and squeaked after she watered it. She thought it was just air escaping dry soil.
A week later she watered the plant again, only this time, it not only hissed, but the soil began to squirm. Panicked, she called the local florist, who came right over. One look at the plant and he called the Cologne Zoo. The Wildlife experts removed a large female tarantula and her nest of 50 little spiders!
Do YOU have a garden goof, or know of someone else’s goof? If so, email the photo and a description so I can share it with others.
Happy weeding!
bookmark
The Lavenders I sell are ‘Munstead,’ ‘Lady,’ ‘Grosso’ and ‘Hidcote’ because those are the best for Zone 4/5 and have a SLIGHT chance of making it through a Wisconsin Winter if planted near a brick wall, a huge heat-holding rock or someone has a nicely enclosed, yet sunny yard..
All lavenders (even though there are 30 varieties and a many more hybrids) have the same ‘properties’ though some are higher in oils, hence some smell better than others and are better for commercial use.
They usually use “French” lavender in making the oils, however, I’m not sure which genus of lavender that is! Maybe ‘Lavender augustifolia Hidcote?’ I’d assume a rather large plant that puts out lots and lots of leaves and flowers, versus something smaller. In it’s home, lavender (and rosemary) is more of a shrub than the smaller garden plants we’re used to. Same with Sage. Ever seem true ‘Sagebrush’ in the desert? Ten feet and taller is “normal” for that plant, and it’s covered in red blooms. A total Hummingbird Magnet! (As an aside, ‘Pineapple Sage,’ which is a rather different plant, is also great for Hummingbirds, as is red ‘Lady’ Salvia.)
Lavender is used to living on the French Riviera and Rosemary, the rocky shores of Italy. They’re really not at home in the Midwest with our cold winters and higher humidity, though we sure do love them! :)
Welcome to the thread.
From your sig line, you are more up to date on recalls than I, would you care to post anything we should know about?
Diana, thank you, those are the names that I could not think of for the lavender plants.
I did not know it would grow so tall, it would be fun to trim one into a single trunk tree, LOL, after you had all the massive plants that you wanted.
I am not high enough for the sage plants, about all that is wild here are stickers, and creosote bushes.
If you have a nursery, do you and Garden Girl have links that we will want to visit for them?
There is always something to be learned.
SALMONELLOSIS, SEROTYPE AGONA, BREAKFAST CEREAL - USA
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1] FDA report
[2] CDC report
******
[1] FDA report
Date: Sat 12 Apr 2008
Source: US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) News, press release
[edited]
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01819.html
The [US] Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today [12 Apr 2008]
announced that at least 21 people in 13 states have been diagnosed
with salmonellosis that was caused by the same strain of _Salmonella
enterica_ serotype Agona that was found in the recently recalled
unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced
by Malt-O-Meal.
The recalled products were distributed nationally under the
Malt-O-Meal brand name as well as under private label brands
including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel,
Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops, and Weis Quality. The
cereals have “Best If Used By” dates from 8 Apr 2008 (coded as
“APR0808”) through 18 Mar 2009 (coded as “MAR1809”).
Consumers should throw out any product in their homes from these
recalled lots. Grocery stores and other retailers should promptly
remove the cereals from their shelves.
Individuals who believe they may have experienced an illness
consistent with the symptoms described above after consuming a puffed
wheat or puffed rice cereal made by Malt-O-Meal should contact their
health care practitioner immediately and report the illness to their
state or local health authorities.
On 5 Apr 2008, Malt-O-Meal voluntarily recalled the cereals because
the company’s routine testing found _S._ Agona in a product produced
on 24 Mar 2008.
The FDA is working with Malt-O-Meal to determine the cause of the
contamination and with the states and the CDC (US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention) to identify and prevent additional illnesses.
A full list of recalled products can be found at
http://www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
******
[2] CDC report
Date: Fri 11 Apr 2008
Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [edited]
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/agona/
The [US] CDC is collaborating with public health officials in
multiple states across the USA and with the FDA to investigate a
multi-state outbreak of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Agona
infections. An investigation that includes interviews of persons with
_S._ Agona infections and comparison of the DNA fingerprints suggests
that cereal from Malt-O-Meal unsweetened Puffed Rice Cereals and
unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals is likely related to these illnesses.
As of 11 Apr 2008, state and city health departments from 13 states
identified 21 ill persons infected with _S._ Agona with the same
genetic fingerprint. Ill persons with the outbreak strain have been
reported from California (1), Colorado (1), Delaware (1), Maine (3),
Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), North Dakota (1), New Hampshire
(2), New Jersey (3), New York (3), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island
(1), and Vermont (1). Illness onset dates, which are known for 9
patients, ranged from 22 Jan 2008 to 2 Mar 2008. Their ages range
from 1 to 95 years; 62 percent are female. 3 hospitalizations and no
deaths have been reported.
Investigation of the outbreak
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[Since at least some cases occurred before this batch of cereal was
produced, the contamination had to have been occurring (at least
intermittently) for several months.
A 1998 _S._ Agona outbreak was associated with the same company and
was summarized in: CDC: Multistate Outbreak of _Salmonella_ Serotype
Agona Infections Linked to Toasted Oats Cereal — United States,
April-May, 1998. MMWR. 1998;47: 462-4,
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00053368.htm
The following was abstracted from this report:
During April-May 1998, a total of 11 states reported an increase in
cases of _Salmonella [enterica_] serotype Agona infections; as of 8
Jun 1998, a total of 209 cases have been reported and at least 47
persons have been hospitalized, representing an 8-fold increase over
the median number of cases reported in those states during 1993-1997.
The states reporting increases were Illinois (49 cases), Indiana
(30), Ohio (29), New York (24), Missouri (22), Pennsylvania (20),
Michigan (15), Iowa (8), Wisconsin (6), Kansas (4), and West Virginia
(2). This outbreak represents the 1st time a commercial cereal
product has been implicated in a _Salmonella_ outbreak, although an
infant cereal product was implicated in an outbreak of _S._
Senftenberg in the United Kingdom (1). _Salmonella_ spp. are
relatively resistant to desiccation and can survive for long periods
in dry environments such as cereal.
Reference
It is curious that _S._ Agona is linked to the uncommon food vehicle
(breakfast cereal) in 2 outbreaks from the same company a decade
apart. Of note, it is not specifically stated that the 2008 and the
1998 strains are genetically distinct. - Mod.LL]
[see also:
Salmonellosis, municipal water supply - USA (04): (CO), co-pathogens
20080410.1315
Salmonellosis, municipal water supply - USA (CO) 20080324.1106
Salmonellosis, serotype Paratyphi B, raw tuna - USA (03) 20080218.0649
Salmonellosis, serotype Paratyphi B, raw tuna - USA 20080127.0343
Salmonellosis, human, pet turtles - USA 20080125.0317
Salmonellosis, serotype Newport - USA: (SD) 20080115.0190
Salmonellosis - USA: (MT, TX, PA) RFI 20080107.0090
Futurist: An Electronic Doomsday
By
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=weeklyreport-000002693899#
Mark Stencel, CQ Columnist
The absurdity of Americans’ casual dependence on all things electronic
revealed itself to me recently in a restaurant men’s room. First a
poorly
set motion detector required me to wave continuously, like a stranded
castaway trying to signal a passing plane, just to keep the lights on.
Then
the electric paper towel dispenser jammed.
This reliance on gadgetry extends from mechanical toothbrushes and
wireless
car keys to life-saving medical equipment and complex systems for
accessing
and securing bank records. It also explains why some security experts
fear a
potentially continent-crippling electromagnetic pulse attack on the
United
States.
Doomsday scenarios involving electromagnetic pulse weapons are a
product of
Cold War nuclear tests in the early 1960s. Those tests showed that
high-altitude nuclear blasts create far-reaching atmospheric effects
that
could instantly shut down power grids. They also could, at least in
theory,
fry almost anything that plugs into a wall, attaches to a phone line or
depends on sensitive circuitry. Electrical systems might be knocked
offline
for weeks, if not months, disrupting or disabling transportation,
communication, health and financial systems, as well as many other
basic
public services.
The threat was serious enough that U.S. and Soviet forces began
hardening
critical military components against such effects - while incorporating
the
concept into strategies for countering each other’s technological
advantages
in a potential nuclear conflict.
With increased concerns about the worldwide proliferation of nuclear
know-how and missile technology since the Cold War, some defense
experts
have put the possibility of an attack using an electromagnetic pulse
weapon
high on their lists of homeland security threats. Conventional nuclear
weapons, bioterrorism and cyberwarfare remain on those lists, too. But
the
idea of a foe kicking the nation’s metaphorical power cord out of the
wall,
effectively turning back time for millions of people for months or
years,
seems to stir the imagination of those who make policy.
Speculating about Iran’s intentions at a 2005 Senate hearing, former
House
Speaker Newt Gingrich warned of the “catastrophic impact” of the
electromagnetic pulse from “a single Iranian nuclear missile,” which he
said
“could quickly turn a third or more of the United States back to a 19th
century level of development.”
Gingrich’s testimony echoed the conclusions released the previous year
by a
commission created by Congress to study that exact threat. The panel’s
findings were dire: An electromagnetic pulse from certain kinds of
nuclear
blasts could create “unprecedented cascading failures of our major
infrastructure,” and the arduous recovery from such an attack “would
seriously degrade the safety and overall viability of our nation.”
Gauging the Threats
Scary predictions like that have long made so-called e-bombs good
material
for Hollywood writers, who have woven similar weapons into the plot
lines of
recent TV shows such as “24,” “Jericho” and “Dark Angel.” But the
threat
also is inspiring government action, and not just at the federal level.
In
Maryland, officials are considering forming a state-level task force to
look
at how to protect critical infrastructure from electromagnetic pulses,
and a
state technology grant is funding a pilot project designed to help
local
officials, utilities, hospitals and others think through their needs
for
preparing for such an attack (www.safe9-1-1.com).
Where the potential damage from an electromagnetic pulse actually falls
in
the grand scheme of “when, not if” threats to our way of life is hard
to
say. A Congressional Research Service report reiterates much of the
congressional commission’s findings. But CRS also notes that “some
analysts
discount the likelihood of a large-scale EMP attack” and question “the
extent of possible damage, stating that the critical infrastructure
would
survive.” Critics of the panel have accused the commissioners of
exaggerating the dangers to justify increased spending on ballistic
missile
defenses, which members of the panel also have strongly advocated.
The specific threat from an electromagnetic pulse is ultimately less
significant than the fear on which it is based: the potential loss of
the
electronic infrastructure of modern life. Appreciating that
vulnerability
doesn’t require a rogue nation to hurl a nuclear missile high into our
skies. The cascading human and system failures that left millions of
Floridians in the dark in February and the even more widespread
Northeastern
blackout in 2003 underscore the current fragility of the U.S. power
grid.
Many of the commission’s recommendations for heading off an
electromagnetic
doomsday - especially those that involve disaster planning and
fortifying
electrical and telecommunications systems - might be prudent
investments.
They would prepare the United States for all manner of man-made
calamity, as
well as natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes and
massive
solar storms. Most important, they address the real source of our fear,
which is the target, not the weapon.
Mark Stencel is deputy publisher and a technology columnist for
Governing
magazine, published by Congressional Quarterly Inc. For a complete
listing
of his columns, click
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&byline=Mark%20Stencel
here.
First posted March 30, 2008 12:35 p.m.
If you are interested in writing, do you know this site?
LOL, I have read the newsletter for years, it has tips, warnings about scams they pull on writers, etc....
Back Issues (with Lots of paying markets) are at:
http://www.writersweekly.com/backissues.html
See the entire list with details here:
http://writersweekly.com/markets_and_jobs/004642_04162008.html
South Korea Raises Bird Flu Alert, Troops On Standby
April 16, 2008
South Korea on Wednesday issued a nationwide bird flu alert, deployed troops and put firefighters on standby to try to contain the spread of the disease, officials said.
The agriculture ministry said in a statement the “orange” vigilance level was extended to the whole country after previously covering only the badly hit southwest.
The ministry said it had confirmed 20 outbreaks involving the H5 virus, of which at least six were the deadly H5N1 subtype, since the first case was reported in Gimje, 260 kilometres (162 miles) south of Seoul, in early April.
It is investigating 14 more suspected cases, including one on a farm in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometres south of Seoul.
Officials have slaughtered 2.2 million chickens and ducks in and around infected farms. These are mainly in the South and North Jeolla provinces, a hub of the poultry industry.
“As avian influenza is spreading, the military has decided to help slaughter and bury poultry in the infected areas,” a defence ministry spokesman said.
The spokesman said an initial contingent of about 200 troops was deployed in and around the Gimje area Wednesday to help cull chickens and ducks.
A separate group of about 180 soldiers had already been manning checkpoints to help control movements in infected areas.
The National Emergency Management Agency ordered local firefighters to be ready to help with disinfecting vehicles and farms or other tasks, although it said they would not take part in culls.
“We’ll do whatever we can do to prevent the bird flu outbreaks from spreading nationwide, which is now a national concern,” Kim Kook-Rae, a senior agency official, told AFP.
Authorities have yet to fully explain why the outbreaks are not abating, but said Tuesday that a poultry dealer was under investigation for breaching quarantine restrictions.
The dealer was found to have taken hundreds of ducks from an infected Gimje farm and supplied them to retailers and restaurants in other regions.
The agriculture ministry said it had located 141 restaurants or farms which had recently been visited by the dealer, and had so far slaughtered poultry at 34 of the total.
South Korea reported seven cases of H5N1 infection between November 2006 and March last year, resulting in the temporary suspension of poultry exports to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and elsewhere.
But last June the World Organisation for Animal Health classified the country as free from the disease.
The H5N1 strain has killed more than 230 people worldwide since late 2003. No South Koreans have contracted the disease.
Source AFP
If you have any doubts about what you are to be getting prepared for, then take a look at this page, it has turned into a U.S. news and threat page, there is a lot happening here at home, as well as all over the world.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1940757/posts?q=1&;page=4851
There are also several alerts posted on this thread today.
KFC Chicken (clone)
3 lb chicken
1/4 c lemon juice
1 1/2 c baking mix
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp paprika
2 TBS melted butter
2 envelopes Italian dressing
3 TBS flour
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sage
1 c milk
oil for frying
Soak chicken in lemon juice for 30to 60 min. Drain. Combine dry
ingredients. In separate bowl whisk butter and milk. Dip chicken in
milk then flour mix. Fry until brown and arrange on cookie sheet and
bake ate 350 until juices run clear.
Bookmark
These are the latest to come down the pike. If you use the link in my sig then they’ll send you emails on the topics you may be interested in. I choose only the life threatening as I’m fighting malnourishment due to a surgery performed in June ‘06. When I had the surgery I was a healthy 104 lbs at 5’0”, now the most I’ve been able to weigh is 90 with the lowest being 78. Right now I’m hovering around 85 lbs. I sure do miss having some padding on my backside since not having much if any sure makes sitting for long very uncomfortable.
I’ve had blood tests where the only thing which came back as normal were the good and bad type of cholestrol. Spent a week back in October being fed through a pik line as well as having meals. Right before Christmas I spent 3 days in the hospital where they could keep an eye on me while I went through the prep for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. So life has been a real adventure for me for a couple of years now. Anyway, enough about me! Here’s what I’ve received the last couple of days. Thanks for the welcome!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Salmonella Illnesses in Multiple States may be Linked to Recently Recalled Cereal
Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:40:00 -0500
The recalled products were distributed nationally under the Malt-O-Meal brand name as well as under private label brands including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. The cereals have “Best If Used By” dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as “APR0808”) through March 18, 2009 (coded as “MAR1809”).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pulmuone Wildwood, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Leek and Oriental Noodle Fried Dumplings (April 16)
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:44:00 -0500
Pulmuone Wildwood, Inc. is recalling 1,000 cases of Leek and Oriental Noodle Fried Dumplings, because they may contain undeclared eggs. The product affected is packaged in a white resealable 25.4 oz pouch with the UPC code 801114-306338 and the Code dates 2/2/2009, 2/9/2009 and 3/6/2009.
free four patch quilt pattern
free 9 patch quilt pattern
free quilt pattern
free soft doll patterns
Hello, welcome to the thread.
I do hope you will join in, there is more to learn, then I have time to post.
Sally, you have had a time of it, I will pray that they solve this as soon as possible.
Finding tempting things to eat is often a problem.
Thank you for the alerts, they may help someone who would miss them.
Thanks so much. I think I’ll be learning more than contributing.
CROCK POT SWISS STEAK
1 1/2 - 2 lb. round steak
2 tbsp. flour
1 sliced green pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. salad oil
1 lg. onion, sliced
1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes, cut up
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. thick bottled steak sauce
Cut steak into serving size pieces. Coat with flour, salt and pepper.
In large skillet or slow cooking pot with browning unit, brown meat in
oil.
Pour off excessive fat.
In slow cooking pot, combine meat with tomatoes, onion, green pepper
and steak sauce. Cover pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until
tender.
Thicken juices with additional flour, dissolved in a small amount of
water, if desired.
Makes 5 or 6 servings. Serve with mashed potatoes.
Laughing and saying, you are welcome, join in any time.
Without readers, we have no need for the thread.
Cherry Delight
1 can dark sweet pitted cherries
1 can (about 16 oz.) crushed pineapple
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. marshmallows
1 small container of whipped topping
Chopped pecans (optional)
Drain cherry and pineapple juices into a medium sauce pan.
Dissolve cream cheese in juices over low heat.
Add marshmallows and dissolve.
Cool completely and fold in cherries, pineapple and whipped topping.
Pour into serving dish or bowl and chill for a few hours to set.
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