Share a hug! Check out this link:
http://www.freehugscampaign.org/
Now that's what I'm talking about. I believe that health is not just about what you eat or how much you exercise. Our own personal health can affect world health. We are all connected and we need to remember what we do to or for another, we do to or for ourselves. The best way to get what you want is to help others get what they need. You have to give it away to keep it! So hug someone today...and tomorrow...and the day after...and the day after...and...well you get the picture! God bless you!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
How to Prevent E. Coli Outbreak in Your Family
Every year, approximately 73,000 Americans suffer from cases
of food borne illness caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Some cases are violent and according to 1999 estimates, 61 deaths occur as a result. E.Coli O157:H7 food poisoning is caused by one of hundreds of strains of a bacteria found in the intestines of healthy cattle, deer, goats, and sheep.
Although most strains are harmless, this particular strain produces a powerful toxin causing severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Most people recover within days. However, some people develop a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is life-threatening and generally requires admission to an intensive care unit. The death rate is 3%-5%.
Although we usually take food safety is for granted, the country was recently exposed to an outbreak of E. coli O157 that infected 199 people in 26 states with 3 confirmed deaths. This outbreak was isolated in packages of spinach. According to the CDC, outbreaks of E.Coli O157 occur regularly. They can occur locally or throughout several states.
We usually associate food poisoning of this type with insufficiently cooked or improperly handled beef, although transmission can occur in many ways. The CDC states that E coli can also be spread through unpasteurized fruit juices, lettuce, drinking water and contact with infected animals. It also occurs person-to-person, usually among children in day care centers. It has also been isolated in sprouts, salami, unpasteurized milk, and by swimming in sewage-contaminated water.
What can you do to prevent infection?
As consumers, we can take safety precautions to prevent E. coli O157:H7 in our homes. We can also advocate for stronger preventive measures in farming and during meat processing, as well as during the growth and harvesting of produce. Stronger efforts to decrease environmental contamination is a collaborative enterprise.
Below is a list of actions that individuals can apply day to day for their own and their family's health and well-being:
• Cook all ground beef, hamburger and poultry thoroughly to a temperature of at least 160 degrees or until no longer pink inside
• Don't place cooked hamburgers on the same plate that held the raw meat
• Avoid spreading harmful bacteria in the kitchen by keeping raw meats separate from fresh foods
• Always wash hands thoroughly before and after handling foods, before eating, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers
• Wash hands, utensils, cutting boards and counters with hot, soapy water
• Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water
• Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and juices
• Do not thaw food out on the counter; defrost foods in the refrigerator
• Don't buy food past its expiration date and make sure that you use before the use-by date
• Keep the temperature of your refrigerator at 40 degrees F and your freezer at 0 degrees F
• Perform regular maintenance of your refrigerator and freezer
• Wash or replace kitchen towels, dish cloths and sponges regularly
• Do not purchase canned goods with dents, cracks or bulging lids
• Do not feed sprouts to children under the age of 5 until safety can be assured
• Avoid swallowing lake or pool water while swimming
By following these simple and common sense behaviors, you will minimize the risk of introducing any potentially dangerous organisms into your home.
.
of food borne illness caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Some cases are violent and according to 1999 estimates, 61 deaths occur as a result. E.Coli O157:H7 food poisoning is caused by one of hundreds of strains of a bacteria found in the intestines of healthy cattle, deer, goats, and sheep.
Although most strains are harmless, this particular strain produces a powerful toxin causing severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Most people recover within days. However, some people develop a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is life-threatening and generally requires admission to an intensive care unit. The death rate is 3%-5%.
Although we usually take food safety is for granted, the country was recently exposed to an outbreak of E. coli O157 that infected 199 people in 26 states with 3 confirmed deaths. This outbreak was isolated in packages of spinach. According to the CDC, outbreaks of E.Coli O157 occur regularly. They can occur locally or throughout several states.
We usually associate food poisoning of this type with insufficiently cooked or improperly handled beef, although transmission can occur in many ways. The CDC states that E coli can also be spread through unpasteurized fruit juices, lettuce, drinking water and contact with infected animals. It also occurs person-to-person, usually among children in day care centers. It has also been isolated in sprouts, salami, unpasteurized milk, and by swimming in sewage-contaminated water.
What can you do to prevent infection?
As consumers, we can take safety precautions to prevent E. coli O157:H7 in our homes. We can also advocate for stronger preventive measures in farming and during meat processing, as well as during the growth and harvesting of produce. Stronger efforts to decrease environmental contamination is a collaborative enterprise.
Below is a list of actions that individuals can apply day to day for their own and their family's health and well-being:
• Cook all ground beef, hamburger and poultry thoroughly to a temperature of at least 160 degrees or until no longer pink inside
• Don't place cooked hamburgers on the same plate that held the raw meat
• Avoid spreading harmful bacteria in the kitchen by keeping raw meats separate from fresh foods
• Always wash hands thoroughly before and after handling foods, before eating, and after using the bathroom or changing diapers
• Wash hands, utensils, cutting boards and counters with hot, soapy water
• Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water
• Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and juices
• Do not thaw food out on the counter; defrost foods in the refrigerator
• Don't buy food past its expiration date and make sure that you use before the use-by date
• Keep the temperature of your refrigerator at 40 degrees F and your freezer at 0 degrees F
• Perform regular maintenance of your refrigerator and freezer
• Wash or replace kitchen towels, dish cloths and sponges regularly
• Do not purchase canned goods with dents, cracks or bulging lids
• Do not feed sprouts to children under the age of 5 until safety can be assured
• Avoid swallowing lake or pool water while swimming
By following these simple and common sense behaviors, you will minimize the risk of introducing any potentially dangerous organisms into your home.
.
Welcome!
Hi Everybody,
I want to introduce you to your body and what messages it might be sending you about it's health. I am of the firm belief that many of us are just not familiar with what is good for us. Or if you're like me, you have a hard time with getting yourself organized and educated. So, I went back to school to earn a Doctorate in Holistic Health so that I could help myself and a whole lot of other people in the process. In case you haven't looked around lately, there are a lot of unhappy, overweight, overworked, stressed out negative people on our planet.
I was one, too. I struggled with some other issues as well. But, this is not about me. I wanted to be able to help educate the regular guy or gal out there who daily struggle with some or all of these issues. It is all about our health, be it our physical, mental or spiritual.
I am hoping to get this blog to become an interactive tool for those who happen upon it. I want you to tell me what you want to read about. I want you to participate by sending me your articles or jokes or recipes or anything else that you use on a daily basis that makes life just a little happier for you or your loved ones. Share with our readers what puts a smile on your face.
Empower yourself and someone else. Let's talk about health. Yours, mine, the planet's!
If we can make even a small difference in one person's life today and that person pays it forward, imagine the possibilities! I know it can be done. Help me to help you.
Welcome to LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH!
I want to introduce you to your body and what messages it might be sending you about it's health. I am of the firm belief that many of us are just not familiar with what is good for us. Or if you're like me, you have a hard time with getting yourself organized and educated. So, I went back to school to earn a Doctorate in Holistic Health so that I could help myself and a whole lot of other people in the process. In case you haven't looked around lately, there are a lot of unhappy, overweight, overworked, stressed out negative people on our planet.
I was one, too. I struggled with some other issues as well. But, this is not about me. I wanted to be able to help educate the regular guy or gal out there who daily struggle with some or all of these issues. It is all about our health, be it our physical, mental or spiritual.
I am hoping to get this blog to become an interactive tool for those who happen upon it. I want you to tell me what you want to read about. I want you to participate by sending me your articles or jokes or recipes or anything else that you use on a daily basis that makes life just a little happier for you or your loved ones. Share with our readers what puts a smile on your face.
Empower yourself and someone else. Let's talk about health. Yours, mine, the planet's!
If we can make even a small difference in one person's life today and that person pays it forward, imagine the possibilities! I know it can be done. Help me to help you.
Welcome to LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)