I Recall The Recall

 

Pexels (Free download) Photo Credit: Ekrulil

"You can't see bacteria, they're everywhere, so keep it clean."

~USDA

Do you practice food safety? Do you wash your hands, before and after handling food? Do you know the proper cook temperature and time on your homemade meals? How about cross contamination of your foods? Do you ever wonder what the food handling protocols are for the meat packing plants are? How about the fruits and vegetables... how are they deemed safe?

Do you know what products are currently under recall?

Personally, I am terrified of catching food poisoning. I've had salmonella once in my lifetime, so I have NO interest in experiencing it again. Both hubby and I wear kitchen gloves when working with uncooked foods. We separate ingredients to lessen the chances of cross contamination. Like on the cooking shows, prepare your work space, and have all the components of the meals chopped and measured separately when indicated. I was all surfaces as I go, so clean up is easier. Do your research about cutting boards. And the temperature probe is your friend. Refrigerate as directed, and writing the recommended expiration dates on the containers is such a nice way to keep track. It sounds like a lot to do, but it's really not. Experiencing "exploding diarrhea" is a lot more time consuming, and not nearly as fun!

As with Covid-19, the Trump administration isn't going to be very helpful about letting us know the statistics. We have to educate ourselves. You can contact the FDA, or the Department of Agriculture, if you trust them, but you can also check with local health departments for information, and the CDC lists recent recalled items. But reading from different sources, and checking with your personal physician is great too. Look, just take care of yourselves. We are heading into autumn, children will be back in school, and different pathogens will be making the rounds again, so be prepared. Stock up on basic over the counter stuff now. Don't wait for Trump to make it all cost more!

I think it will be well into the autumn before I try eating a salad again. If you have a favorite restaurant, check with your county health department regarding their current safety rating. Have they ever received a warning? Have they been shut down? what you find might be surprising! I still can't bring myself to buy, Boar's Head, lunchmeat. If you haven't heard about that nightmare, click the link below. Ugh.

NBC News

Boar's Head Indefinitely Closes Virginia Plant tied to Deadly Listeria Outbreak.

Take care of yourselves.

Wired

CDC Has Cyclospora Lab. Doge Downsized It Last Year.

Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts

Food Safety Charts at FoodSafety.gov

There are several PDF's you can download that details, Safe Food Handling, from the FDA. 

Delicious Autumn... My Very Soul Is Wedded To It!

"Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love... that makes life and nature harmonise. The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one's very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit. Delicious autumn! My very sould is wedded to it, and if I were a bor I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

~George Eliot

Letter To Miss Eliot

October 1st, 1841

Yesterday was Family Day. A special day Alan and I chose, while we were on our honeymoon, that we thought would be a good day for us to celebrate autumn with the children we might be blessed with one day. We were married on October 13th, and while we vacationing and dreaming about the family we would start, we figured that little ones might like to also have a special day in October that would be set aside to celebrate us as a family. We chose October 23rd. That is also the day that we choose our official pumpkins for the season. Half Moon Bay is our traditional destination for all things gourd, and to relax and just share our love. Well, we were never blessed with children, so we opted to adopt 3 little fuzzy kitties, but since kitties don't really like long car rides to pumpkin patches, we leave them at home, and spend the day together, just he and I. Oh don't worry, we always bring them each cat a pumpkin of their very own, and you'll see their's soon. But Family Day is still about the family we became. Alan and I are happy with how things turned out. We have the love, and the family we were meant to have, and life is really good. We are a mommy, daddy and three fuzzy little boys.

Because of how the past 6 months have gone, I really needed Family Day this year more than most years! My mind and focus has been scattered in 30 different directions. My heart has been broken. My patience tested. But my values have been confirmed in my heart and mind. I am happy about that, and I am ready to move forward, but the sadness taps on my consciousness daily. Still, there are days like Family Day, when the autumn air, and the colors... all the autumn colors... and smells make me smile and lift my spirits so much that all the sadness floats away. Sometimes so fast I don't even know I am in the middle of a giggle until I am doubled over with joy! The sounds, the sights, the sheer romance of autumn heals me. It always has. I hope it always will. And when you add in the love of Alan and my fuzzy little boys, I know it will all be okay. It will all work out. I just have let it.

I just have to remember to trust in love

 and autumn

 and I will be okay.

Sights From Family Day

October 23rd 2015

Different Kinds Of Pumpkins And Delicious Organically Grown Vegetables And Flowers From Half Moon Bay, Ca!

Leaf Of The Day

October 24th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

In The Last Days Of Spring...

Julia Child Rose
June 17th, 2014
My Rose Garden.

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside."

~Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib

 
Hot Cocoa Rose
June 17th, 2014 
My Rose Garden

I am officially back in the garden! Alan and I spent a good part of Tuesday planning things out, and next week is when most of the prepping and planning, and planting will take place. It's time to get a move on if I am going to have any fresh flowers and vegetables  for the autumn and winter! My Japanese Maple, Paul, is looking yummy! His leaves are beginning to transition to a lovely copper color, and I am going to try to start a new maple from him.

Son of Paul. LOL. That's an idea! I would love to plant several more around the yard. It is amazing to have that burst of autumn color as the long hot days drag on. It would be a year before I would see the new leaves, but well worth the wait! Summer... a necessary evil to get to autumn! But oh how delicious the summer fruits and veggies are! Only 3 more months to go until autumn, and then hello delicious meals of heirloom tomatoes and eggplant. Fresh salsa and tea sandwiches. When it's from your own garden, there is nothing like it!

Life is good!

Mood: Hopeful

~Me :)

 

Round Robin Challenge: Eat Your Vegetables!

"Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn."

-Garrison Keillor

Mmmm... veggies. Pretty to look at, easy and fun to grow, delicious to eat, healthy for the body, oh so very photogenic! If you have known me long, you know how much I love my veggies. I like to cook, and I have come up with a number of recipes that even to most veggie avoiding person would enjoy. Tall tale you say? Well, how does Vegetable Lasagna sound? How about Rainbow Stuffed Peppers? Maybe you would like my Vegetable Pizza ALA Carly. That's what you are looking at above. Low-calorie, heart healthy, and really yummy! In our house, vegetables ROCK! Don't forget, February is Heart Health Awareness month! So, EAT YOUR VEGETABLES! :)

Our fellow Robin Jill, who authors the blog, Letting Crazy Take A Spin, suggested this challenge recently. We are always looking for cool new challenge ideas, so come on, what are you waiting for? Put on your thinking caps and send us your suggestions. If we chose your idea, you will get full credit, and a special link for that challenge.:) For now, show your support for your fellow Robins by paying them a visit and seeing their veggie themed entries. And don't forget that the next challenge will be announced tomorrow, so be sure to look for that new entry on the official Round Robin Blog.

How I Make My Veggie Pizza

Start With The Homemade Dough

Add the yummy toppings

Bake in the oven

More yummy toppings

A different yummy pizza

And still another yummy version

Veggies... They Do A Body Good! ;)

Linking List *Welcome New Members!

1. Jill... Letting Crazy Take A Spin
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2. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

3.*Carlo...Captured by Carlo
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4. Sandy... Myanderings
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5. Shorty... I Couldn't Help Myself
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6. Momma... Sandcastle Momma
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7. Martha... Perception
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8. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
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9.*Swampy...Anecdotes, Antidotes & Anodes
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10. Lisa... Lisa's Chaos
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11. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures


12.Sarah... Charish-Me
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13.*Jan... The Prytz Family
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14. Suzanne R... Living... Suzanne R's Life
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15. Sandra... Strong Chemistry
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16. Janet... Fond Of Snape
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17. Annie... Pictures Of Craziness


18. Kim... Nekked Lizard Adventures
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19. Vicki... Maraca
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20. Marie... Photographs & Memories
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21. Robinella... Robin's Nest
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22. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
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23. Kiva... Eclectic Granny
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-OndineMonet
"YUM"
Berkeley, California
February 4th, 2008
Evening

Violets And Baby Fruits And Vegetables

"Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity."

-John Rushkin

Well, I got the blood test done yesterday, so now the next step is the appointment with the surgeon. That will be on August 6th. Sigh. I am not stressing about it as much as I was last week, but there is still a lot about it that has me wondering what I should do. Like the fact I am in my mid 40's now. I suppose it is a good idea to write things down for Alan. You know, in case something unexpectedly stupid happens. I know one thing, I would rather he knew for sure to pull the plug, as opposed to possibly having George Bush decide my fate.

That would be literally the LAST thing I would want. Sheesh. LOL. (Rolling my eyes). I am starting to see things in a more positive light, I can focus on the benefits of having the surgery, I just wish while they are in there, they could also remove my ingrown toenail, remove a weird mole I have on my back, lift up my tush ever so slightly, and make me taller. LOL. And oh yeah, by the time I have the surgery, I will need a touch up on my dye job. :)

I don't know. Sometimes things go wrong, and of course that would cross my mind, but most of the time, things go perfect. I have always believed the odds for everything are 50/50... either it will be ok, or it won't. The horse will win, or it won't, it will rain, or it won't, George Bush will say something stupid this week, or he won't, but don't we all know he will? Tee Hee. OK, so sometimes the odds are a little more in favor of something then not.But what's a girl to do? I know the attitude I take into surgery will directly affect how fast I heal. I will find my sense of humor, like I have many, times before. I will. I have learned to at least try to find the positive.

Take this summer for example. I HATE the summer, but this year I have been enjoying it, because I gave myself something to focus on other than how much I dislike the season. I have my flower garden, and Alan has the vegetable garden. We take turns doing the watering, if one of us is especially tired. I enjoying sharing the gardening duties with him, watching his vegetable plants begin to produce, and tonight he was making suggestions, for some special evening lighting for the flower garden next year. He thinks some colored solar lights my be pretty. Yeah... I can see that! :) There are very few situations in life that can't be made better, by searching for the positive aspects, rather then dwelling on the negative. But don't get me wrong about one thing... I still HATE 2007. LOL

Now... I must brag on Alan a bit. All babies are beautiful, even baby vegetables. :) He is doing an amazing job with the fruits and veggies he planted. They are going to be delicious when the harvest comes. :) We are also looking forward to eggplant, green beans, Lima beans, and pumpkins. :)

Baby Tomato

Baby Bell Pepper

Baby Zucchini

Baby Cantaloupe


"Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people."

-Elizabeth Berry


-OndineMonet
"Glistening Violets"
Berkeley, California
July 23, 2007
Early Evening

Moving On To Summer

"Then followed that beautiful season, summer. Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow




I am ready to move on to a new season, and I think this is going to be a good summer. Alan and I have been really busy the last few days, getting the garden prepared for planting. He does the vegetables, fruits and gourds, and I tend to the flowers and herbs. It has been a couple years since I have felt like taking care of a garden, so it will take a little bit of work to get everything prepared, but I found some amazing miniature roses at Home Depot the other day, and they are all set and ready to go. :) I also bought some Cosmos seed and some multi-colored Four O' Clocks. I am hoping to encourage some butterflies to pay me a visit this autumn. I haven't had many in the yard the last few years. Since I have been too tired this year to do much traveling with the camera, I hoping the garden will bring me some good opportunities. :)

We also got some bird seed for the feeder, to encourage our Wrens, California song birds, and Robins to come by for a visit. A garden filled with happy sounds in summer is a good thing, in fact, it should be just what the doctor ordered. :) We have set up the canopy, so I will have some shade in the middle of the day. I like to go outside with the sketch book, if it isn't too hot. The last couple days have been really warm, but we will be cooling off by the weekend, time to play with Elvis outdoors I think. I am thinking about hanging some colored lights from the canopy, to create a nice mood. We'll see. I love setting a nice table, especially when Alan cooks. He is amazing with the BBQ, I am so lucky to have found a guy who likes to cook as much as I do. I can't wait for the vegetables later this summer, a nice veggie kabob, with either his favorite Raspberry Chipotle sauce or a Balsamic Vinegrette, is a nice low maintenance dinner on a hot summer evening. Summer begins in just 7 days... yikes... I better get busy! :) More pictures to come as the garden progresses.

-OndineMonet
"A New Mini Rose"
Berkeley, California
June 12, 2007
Early Evening