Outbreaks of E. coli in America sicken people and are often linked to deaths, health officials say. Scary thing to think simply eating a burger could be so serious. A little knowledge and consistent practice of sensible safety measures can avoid this calamity.

Also note that you should always, ALWAYS avoid imported meats for safety reasons.

As a result of these concerns, questions about “ground meat” or “hamburger” are in the top five food topics of calls to the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline. 

Follow this link for the most frequently asked questions.

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What next…

America’s self-anointed food police have a new punching bag in their obesity crusade: fruit juice. We’re not making this up. The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that a growing number of dietary do-gooders are now pointing their fingers at juice as a culprit for fattening waistlines:

Read the entire article by Consumer Freedom…

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Strawberries can actually whiten your smile!

Combined with baking soda, strawberries become a natural tooth-cleanser, removing stains from coffee, red wine and dark sodas. Note: Be careful not to use this too often as the acid could damage the enamel on your teeth.

You’ll need:
1 ripe strawberry
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Crush the strawberry to a pulp, then mix with the baking powder until blended. Use a soft toothbrush to spread the mixture onto your teeth. Leave on for five minutes, then thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the berry-baking powder mix. Floss (to remove any seeds) and rinse. Use once a week.

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Try these delicious, whole soyfoods for a rich source of isoflavones.

Raw Soybeans*

Isoflavone content per gram: 2 to 4mg

Culinary Suggestions: Boil, steam or microwave in or out of the pod. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt to make a great finger food. Shelled edamame can be added to salads, used as a side dish or pureed as a dip.

Tofu**

Isoflavone content per gram: 30 to 40 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Cube into salads, add to soups, stir-fry, or grill and puree and puree as a pudding, dip or smoothie.

Soy Milk

Isoflavone content 1 cup: 30 to 40 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Pour over ready-to-eat cereal, stir into oatmeal or use in pudding, tapioca or sauce/gravies.

Tempeh***

Isoflavone content 1/2 cup: 30 to 40 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Ideal for grilling, sauteing and baking into casseroles.

Soy Flour

Isoflavone content 1/2 cup: 60 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Use when making bread, cakes, muffins or cookies.

*Raw soybeans are also called edamame.

**Tofu is the curd of soaked soybean milk. It comes in different textures: extra firm, firm, soft and silken.

***Tempeh is a firm, meat stand-in made from fermented soybeans and packed with protein and fiber.

Source: U.S. Soyfoods Directory

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A new CSPI report finds that the top 10 riskiest foods regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration accounted for nearly 40 percent of all foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. between 1990 and 2006, spawning nearly 50,000 illnesses with symptoms ranging from stomach cramps and diarrhea to kidney failure and death.

In all the foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA found that leafy greens are the most dangerous.  Other trouble foods include eggs, tuna, oysters and potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries.

A lot of foods are imported these days – far more than ever before – and so little of these foods are inspected. Imported foods cause the most risk of food borne illness so as always noted here, avoid them.

Source: The 10 riskiest foods in America

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Try Nutmeg!
Fall is a great time for “spicing things up”!

Nutmeg has an earthy, nutty and slightly sweet flavor that complements both sweet and savory dishes.

Whole nutmeg is a smart alternative to ground because it lasts indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place.

Grate a small amount of nutmeg into cream sauces, pastas, rice dishes, soups and desserts to give them an extra depth of flavor.

Here’s a great recipe to try:  Last Word in Nutmeg Muffins

Or, how about some Almond Nutmeg Sticky Rolls, a Healthy Grain Recipe to help you get more healthy grains in your daily diet.

And don’t forget to have some fresh for the holidays to sprinkle on that eggnog!

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While you were enjoying your morning latte today, CCF (Center for Consumer Freedom) launched a new million-dollar ad campaign designed to put an end to the fear mongering surrounding high fructose corn syrup.

They will be communicating to the public what most experts already know: High fructose corn syrup is nutritionally the same as other sweeteners like table sugar and honey.

Their new television commercial features actors dressed as an ear of corn, a sugar cube, and a honey bear—standing in a police line-up. The “victim” in the commercial is unable to identify the sweetener responsible for making him gain weight, because all three sugars are nutritionally the same.

The TV ad will air on MSNBC, Fox News, CNN and CNBC for three weeks. They are also running full-page ads in USA TODAY, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Crain’s Chicago Business.

Watch their new television ad. Learn more about high fructose corn syrup.

And tell a friend!

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Add the amazing Acai Berry as a SUPER food!

You also have antioxidants in blueberries as well as potassium and vitamin C.  Blueberries have been shown to lower the incidence of heart disease.  Blueberries are also anti-inflammatory.

Here are other superfoods you may wish to know about:

• Fish is a superfood in that it contains Omega 3 fatty acids and a number of vitamins and minerals. Omega 3s reduce inflammation and blood clotting. You can also reduce heart attack.
• Bananas provide you with energy and consists of antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and heart disease.
• Kiwis are amongst the 5 most nutritious fruits in the world. They have fiber, potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. It is also full of antioxidants that fight against disease.

These are all great superfoods. Between Acai Berry, blueberries, fish, bananas, and kiwis, you can have a very healthy diet.

See also:
Ten Super Foods
Acai Berry: A Super Antioxidant
Super Fruits

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A new site has launched to help us citizens fight the proposed food taxes. 

From their “About” page:

Americans Against Food Taxes is a coalition of concerned citizens – responsible individuals, financially strapped families, small and large businesses in communities across the country – opposed to the Government’s proposed tax hike on food and beverages, including soda, juice drinks, and flavored milks. The coalition has twin primary aims: 1) To promote a healthy economy and healthy lifestyles by educating Americans about smart solutions that rely upon science, economic realities and common sense; and 2) To prevent the enactment of this regressive and discriminatory tax that will not teach our children how to have a healthy lifestyle, and will have no meaningful impact on child behavior or public health, but will have a negative impact on American families struggling in this economy.

Visit Americans Against Food Taxes to join in the fight against this taxation without representation.

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Comments and discussion for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is currently underway.

The Guidelines may go into areas of sodium, SOFAS (solid fats, alcohol and added sugars) and more detail into fiber and whole grains, such as the different kinds of fiber and how different whole grains have varying amounts of fiber.

Other new areas that may be explored are:

1. prebiotic fibers
2. probiotics
3. dietary supplements
4. potassium guidelines
5. maybe vitamin D.

The committee will also examine ways on how to eat healthy at a low cost, changes in consumer behavior (<—Watch out for that comment!) and instructional systems to promote the new Guidelines. 

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are expected to come out in the spring of 2010.

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