Sunday, August 29, 2010

HPV Hope and Help

What finally beat PearlieMae and many of our relatives was the dreaded "C" word (cancer). It was their generation's AIDS and struck more fear and hopelessness in them than any other condition. For them and their peers it was a sentence of death. It didn't matter how many therapies, protocols or alternative treatments there were. It meant they were going to die. Indeed in spite of the fact that her doctors didn't expect her to respond to treatment PearlieMae did. She could have survived her cancer. It would not have meant she would have been cured but she would not have had to die from the ravages of the disease. PearlieMae surrendered to her illness. She gave up hope and that's what killed her.

While the debate continues concerning the cervical cancer vaccine for teenage girls and young adults some researchers are suggesting is that as hopeful as this treatment is it isn't the be all end all cure that many would believe especially for the teenage future PearlieMaes.
"...excess of 18,000 adverse reactions recorded in the US, including 75 deaths. Adverse reactions have also been recorded in New Zealand, Canada and Australia. A US federal report in 2009 found the vaccine had a 400% higher rate of adverse reactions than another comparable vaccine, the Menactra anti-meningitis shot. The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) said it had received 10 reports of suspected adverse reactions associated with Gardasil." (Irish Examiner)
Hope springs eternal - while we know the cervix isn't a bone and PearlieMae's cancer wasn't cervical it made it into her back and into her bones. The same institution that is developing a more effective vaccine than Gardasil which only works against four (4) types of HPV (human papillomavirus) and Cervarix which only works against five (5) types with a vaccine that works against nine (9) types of the cancer. Extending the effectiveness from eighty (80) percent to ninety (90) percent effectiveness and essentially reducing the possibility of adverse reactions.
"Cancer has a greater economic impact from premature death and disability than all causes of death worldwide, according to a report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the LIVESTRONG organization. Using data from the World Health Organization (WHO), it concludes that cancer "has the most devastating economic impact of any cause of death in the world." (Medscape Today)
The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has also identified a protein that can result in fragile bones. While PearlieMae's cancer cause her bones to be brittle and hindsight is 20/20 we believe that had she not been so depressed by her virus she might have survived to live a longer life and suffered a more prolonged death. Of course we would believe this because we miss her so much and love her so. We loved her enough to concede to her wishes to not prolong her death.
"In late-stage arthritis, the cartilage function may be completely disrupted but early in the disease process, maybe there is a window for stimulating this protein." (MCG)
Family members that haven't told their own parental units are terrified of their condition even though when discovered in the early stages treatment can be very effective. That's not just our opinion it's also the opinion of specialist in the field.
"If cervical cancer is caught very early, surgery alone may effect a cure. If the disease is more extensive, then radiation is added to the treatment mix... ...Patients with cervical cancer and, in some cases, uterine cancer first get external beam radiation under the new large bore linear accelerator at the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center. This first phase of radiation treatment lasts about five to five-and-a-half weeks. - Dr. Chris Sheils (MCG)
Yes, we're big on prevention but actionable prevention like eating dark non-milk chocolate, adding deep colored foods to your diet - the easy stuff. We even support the taking of vaccines to prevent an annual massacre. But you have to compare the upside to down and make the judgment yourself. We just want to make sure that the treatment isn't as bad as the cure.

So sweet relative of ours, please tell your momma - there is hope and you will survive.

Better Rice is Black

As soon as we found this out we had to tell you. The CBS News headline called out: "New research shows that black rice packs a bigger antioxidant punch even than blueberries". Better news if you can find it. Emphasis on the word find. Black rice might be found at you local Chinatown, health food store or even grocery:
"Black rice also costs less than blueberries or blackberries, another antioxidant-rich fruit. Anthocyanin antioxidants - also found in red grapes, strawberries, red wine, red cabbage, red onion, and blood orange juice - have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer." (CBS News)
We first heard the words black rice from Tommy Tang's Easy Thai Cooking show sponsored by the Thailand board of tourism. The recipe we can't remember. The dish might have been a mock beef recipe (Mistake on the Lake #116) that was made out of fish, tofu or turkey. And to make the dish darker its called for black rice. The dish wasn't enough to compel us to seek out this "burnt" (we thought) staple but we're a sucker for science. Which means that as soon as we saw the story we knew we had to bring the news to you.

All our stories seem to have derived from the American Chemical Society (ACS) who discover better living verified by chemical science.

While the price might be cheaper than blueberries in theory in web reality the price is more than $3.59 for 15 oz a bag (plus 6.50 shipping) - not cheaper than what we could find locally for blueberries though frozen ($3.69 a pound) and not fresh.

Whenever we do a basic story we discover a basic mistake in the information provided by CBS that could have been discerned with a simple GOOGLE search. In this case black rice isn't cheaper than blueberries or red grapes that we can find locally. However what Dr. Zhimin Xu, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge, La., reported further down the page "that farmers are interested in growing black rice in Louisiana and that he would like to see people in the country embrace its use. "

The story may eventually become true for us. We will however stay on the look out for some "forbidden rice" if and when it is ever on sale. We asked Dr. Xu, as we always do when we discover a discrepancy in reported information. If and when the doctor responds we will stay on the look out for that information as well and report it to you. If and when black rice is grown and marketed locally the green (transportation and production) costs may make it more affordable. But as of today that's not what we've found to be true.
"The black rice used in our study was produced in Louisiana. However, the rice is only used for experiment, but not for commercial sale. Actually, most of black rice you found in grocery stores or websites are imported. That is reason why their price is quite higher." - Zhimin (August 27)
Emphasis added by us (always). We're just too smart for our own good - we think! We've asked how the news reports and reporters got it so wrong about the issue of price and if Dr. Zhimin Xu responds to these questions we're bring these answers to you as well.
"Actually, the cost of growing black rice is almost as same as growing brown rice, if it is produced in commercial scale in the US.  So, it will be cheaper than the current price of berries.  Based on the increase number of consumers, I think the commercial black rice from Louisiana will come to market soon. " - Dr. Zhimin Xu (August 30)

Retail Chemistry

While we thought the egg recall was more of a story than first reported we were curious as to why the story wasn't being told. It was something that could frighten every single home with a refrigerator. It's not a time to panic when the news tries to scare you. Journalism has never been ahead of the curve. Stories don't tend to be exposes resulting from days or weeks of investigative reporting especially with cutbacks and layoffs expect more press released information. Bloggers will be the next generation of truth seekers especially those with news backgrounds. At least the leads will come from the fine print.

Chemicals that companies know aren't necessary but if they're not hiring their not making immediate changes in purchasing or investing in more expensive alternative unless forced by consumers whom they don't trust or government agencies whom consumers don't trust.
"Some paper manufacturers - including industry giant Appleton Papers Inc. - have phased out BPA in their products. And receipts from registers at Target, Starbucks and Bank of America ATMs, were BPA-free or contained only trace amounts, the study said."  (SF Gate)
It's not every business and every CEO but then we found this story in the Washington Post: CEOs Aren't hiring! We'd speculate that the employees they're retaining are the non-union compliant workers who wouldn't dare suggest that the company change their receipts for the health and/or benefit of their employees. As consumers we can ask if the companies are compliant for our own concern. If we're concerned about the employees who might also look out for us we will urge the companies to comply.
"The total amounts of BPA on receipts tested were 250 to 1,000 times greater than other, more widely discussed sources of BPA exposure, including canned foods, baby bottles and infant formula. These data should not be interpreted to suggest that policymakers shift their focus from BPA contamination of food, which is widespread, to receipts. BPA exposure from food sources is ubiquitous and should remain the first priority of U.S. policymakers. However, a significant portion of the public may also be exposed to BPA by handling receipts. Since many retailers do not use BPA-laden thermal paper, this particular route of exposure is easy to correct." (USA Today)
No you shouldn't be afraid but concern can't hurt. Much like the egg recall it's not something that'll be found in dangerous quantities to seriously impact your help but it can be cumulative in its effects. We just think its interesting that the news isn't what we'd like to know as news. Two stories that show danger but little serious risk to us in our homes. The risk is when we're out and about in our local and national businesses.
"BPA, a plastic hardener and synthetic estrogen linked by researchers to a long list of serious health problems, is used to coat thermal paper used by major retailers, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, fast-food restaurants, post offices and automatic teller machines (ATMs). The chemical reacts with dye to form black print on receipts handled by millions of Americans every day." (Environmental Working Group)
If you want to be afraid it doesn't mean you shouldn't touch your receipts, we still do. It does mean if you work in retail then you should be extra careful changing the roll and loading your register. It can cost you more than your job. Just be careful out there.
"The little printouts from grocery and big box stores, fast food joints, and other consumer outlets actually contain high levels of the chemical bisphenol-A. In lab tests, the substance has been linked to several types of health problems in animals including abnormal reproductive system development, diminished intellectual capacity and behavioral abnormalities. When handled by humans, BPA can contaminate fingers, and seep into the skin even to a point where it can't be removed, this entering the bloodstream." (Time)
There's a twenty-two (22) minute video presentation of a mostly boring presentation. Unfortunately the information is frighteningly scary and convincing. Entitled "10 Americans" its hard to contradict the information contained inside. It's not our intent to scare you but we believe that you, like we, can handle the truth! Truth is what we're about as harsh and scary as it can be. It's made by the Environmental Working Group.
"If you believe in things you don't understand then you suffer. Superstition ain't the way!" - Stevie Wonder 

Sitting To Death

The first story we were going to publish when we returned was going to be the story featured on ABC News which called it "Sitting Linked to Dying Early - Link Is Independent of Exercise, Obesity and Other Factors. So What Gives?"

We call it "the great wake the hell up and get you butt out of that seat now" news. It reminds us of the scene from the movie T2 (Terminator 2 where the now Governor of California says: "Come with me if you want to live!" You're scared as all get out because you're thinking this information is from the source that wanted to kill me. If you're still alive and reading this you might want to know the specifics before you "get your butt out of the seat". We know and we're still sitting but we've always been hard behind-ed. We hope you aren't but if you're like us you probably are.
We'll get up Mom, just five more minutes (actually we really mean - leave us the hell alone we're going to live forever we don't care what you say!) The facts are specifically and not generally:
"...queried by questionnaire on 53,440 men and 69,776 women who were disease free at enrollment. The authors identified 11,307 deaths in men and 7,923 deaths in women during the 14-year follow-up. After adjustment for smoking, body mass index, and other factors, time spent sitting (>6 vs. <3 hours/day) was associated with mortality in both women (relative risk = 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25, 1.44) and men (relative risk = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.24). Relative risks for sitting (>6 hours/day) and physical activity (<24.5 metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours/week) combined were 1.94 (95% CI: 1.70, 2.20) for women and 1.48 (95% CI: 1.33, 1.65) for men, compared with those with the least time sitting and most activity. Associations were strongest for cardiovascular disease mortality. The time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level. Public health messages should include both being physically active and reducing time spent sitting." (American Journal of Epidemiology
Why risk it? Why take a chance and the difference in sitting and not is most apparent in women than men but its obviously important and though its a questionnaire response its not twenty or even twenty thousand and its not a five year review or even a ten year review its over one hundred thousand and over fourteen years. We can say its not that important but the reality hard as it is to accept is that when Dr. Oz says you need to get 10,000 steps a day to maintain optimum health he's probably right and we probably need to heed his advice. As hard a pill as that might be to swallow.

Follow your doctor's advice, if you want to live. It sucks we know. But the facts are the facts. Though we sit more than six (6) hours a day whether working at our desk or sitting before the screen silver or tiny its effects can only be compounded. The only thing we can think to do is to offer to seek ways to maximize our efforts with the minimal amount of pain. It's old news but considered we haven't' posted for so long we felt this would be the story to lead with as we explain our absence from the site. We hate exercising. What should you do? Dr. Oz has some suggestions.

Flu Numbers

We love flu stories and before you go and point to the latest news and tell us how we're wrong here's why we love them. The flu can be prevented. The flu has to be passed from one individual to another. It's not in the air and its not in the water so its not that it can sneak up on you. It's preventable and we're glad that the numbers for prior years aren't valid - which is what the news report should say.
"This report updates estimates of the number of influenza-associated deaths from the 1976--77 through 2006--07 influenza seasons and demonstrates the substantial variability in mortality estimates by year, influenza virus type/subtype, and age group. The estimated rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths vary substantially from one influenza season to the next, depending, in part, on the characteristics of the circulating influenza virus strains (10). Because of this variability, a single estimate cannot be used to summarize influenza-associated deaths." (CDC)
"Estimates of Deaths Associated with Seasonal Influenza — United States, 1976–2007" that's the story. Three (3), count them three (3) years ago that was true. Looking back we were wrong. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says so. Or think of it this way - the prior administration was wrong! They're saying when they guessed at the figures. Not us - but the ones that came before us were using fuzzy math.

So don't gloat! It's so unbecoming of you. Remember the headlines said or rather should have emphasized that its the ESTIMATES that are rather were too high! Not the number of deaths and dead. The actual numbers were right on the money. While that is true, the actual incidences don't change. The facts are the facts. The speculation might have been off, well, they were off. While the West Nile virus hasn't made it's way south to our region the fact that a Boston woman over the age of 45 has been affected doesn't change the facts that real people die real deaths. Estimates don't kill people. Viruses kills people. The flu kills people. The wrong foods kill people. The air kills people.

When we are born there may not be an expiration date stamped on us anywhere but we are not long for this life. It's not our goal to stress you out about that. You're an adult and we think you know this. It's what we do with the time we have that matters. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your world. We just want to point out the potholes in the road. The bumps in your way so that you can navigate away from them and not be interrupted in your journey. Enjoy today and every day.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Sick Food

We wrote this article before the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their information on 2007 we repeat back, when there was another president and some three (3) years ago and the situation that you did not know (and neither did we) was pretty bad. Sorry we didn't tell you sooner.
The study, Health-Related Costs from Foodborne Illness in the United States, was written by Dr. Robert L. Scharff, a former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) economist and current Ohio State University assistant professor in the department of consumer sciences. The study estimates that more than a quarter of these costs, an estimated $39 billion, are attributable to foodborne illnesses associated with fresh, canned and processed produce. The FDA has announced that it will propose before the end of the year mandatory and enforceable safety standards for the growing, harvesting and packing of fresh produce. These will be the first nationwide safety standards for fresh fruits and vegetables. - Produce Safety Project (PSP)
You can view the entire PDF at this link! If you can to know where the information comes from. You can read it yourself.
The survey was commissioned by the Produce Safety Project (PSP), an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts at Georgetown University, and conducted by Safe Tables Our Priority (S.T.O.P.). Thirty-nine of the 51 state and District of Columbia health departments responded to the survey, which asked about the types of questions and questionnaires administered to victims of foodborne illness, the time frame in which they were completed, and how states collected and stored the resulting data for calendar year 2007. Despite the increase in the number of multi-state outbreaks of illnesses linked to fresh produce over the past several years, the data show that only 25 of the 39 states responding to the PSP/S.T.O.P. survey asked victims about specific produce items - even if the item was associated with a past outbreak. "It is important to learn from our experience, and so it is surprising that many states are failing to ask about fruits and vegetables on their questionnaires given to foodborne illness victims," said Jim O'Hara, PSP director. - Produce Safety Project (PSP)
We knew the problem was bad some months ago. There is a difference between knowing three (3) year old information and knowing information that will be reported as bad some years later. Ideally the goal would be to act before the problem becomes a problem as the government did with the swine flu that we were so hyped because we didn't think the numbers of dead and dying were acceptable even though the government and local health departments didn't seem alarmed.
In September 2008 a survey conducted for PSP that people were concerned about safe food and believe their concerns are serious.
In November 2008 they released a report about lessons that could be learned from the Salmonella Saint Paul outbreak of 2008.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the Salmonella Saint Paul outbreak of 2008 officially over on August 28, 2008, some three months after it began. During that time, more than 1,400 persons were reported infected, and if, as suggested by research, this represents an underreporting, [1] the outbreak may have sickened thousands of Americans. Although CDC and FDA initially pointed in early June to tomatoes as the cause of the outbreak based on epidemiological data, no contaminated tomato was ever found. In July, CDC and FDA identified jalapeno and serrano peppers as being responsible for illnesses, and the only microbiological evidence of food contaminated by Salmonella Saintpaul was, in fact, found in jalapeno and serrano peppers.[2] However, as a result of the initial identification of tomatoes as the vector for the disease, the tomato industry, a significant sector of this country's agriculture economy, was another major casualty. Estimates of the economic cost to that industry in Florida alone have been more than $100 million and in Georgia close to $14 million. [3] A less tangible, but still very real, impact of the outbreak may well be its long-term effect on consumer confidence in fresh produce in general and fresh tomatoes in particular. - Produce Safety Project (PSP)
You'll be glad to know that this isn't the end of the story. The government is on it - albeit three years later but lets let everybody calm down. Take a deep, nevermind! Let's just drink a glass of water, eat a piece of chocolate with a bowl of berries or deep vegetables.

Familial Losses

Debilitating Deaths - We're working but not necessarily publishing since the deaths of our relatives.

We're becoming bi-coastal and not in a good way. We've been grieving on both coast. We lost two (2) family members to complications from Alzheimer, hence our absence from these printed words. We hope we can be forgiven though we've continued to find several interesting stories that will be making our way to these pages albeit a little late and a little old. Still the information should continue to be of use to you.

From the West Coast we love our favorite Aunt Marjorie Brooks and from the East Coast Uncle Thomas Leach (whom as children we called Buster) as his disease ravaged he resented his nickname as well as us but to paraphrase of Aunt Marjorie, "Jesus loves him and so did we." Thomas Leach wished no ceremony nor burial and as much as we disagreed we largely complied. This is obviously a departure from that request. The travel from east to west to east wore us out but we're back!

The Air Truth

What can you do? We're not going to be afraid. We CAN handle the truth. Until we get the truth and its too much for us to handle. The truth is TOO much for us to handle. The truth is in our environment regardless of how well we take care of ourselves we're being attacked by unseen attackers in our air and seeping into our water supply. Yes, many are filtered out but when we're breathing it in and expelling it out. On our skin and on our clothes.

We intended to include information from one of our favorite shows that we almost never watch, the Doctor Oz show. We don't watch the show because we really CAN'T handle the truth. We want to until Dr. Mehmet Oz tells us we have to do what we don't want to do to keep us healthy and alive. When he shows us the affects of our inaction its overwhelming sometimes. When he doesn't give us the information directly and like PearlieMae directs us to the truth. It's when we CAN'T handle it.
"A person's cancer risk can be reduced in other ways by receiving regular medical care, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, avoiding excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active. "(Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
This is the most obvious individual ways of personal responsibility. We call this blaming the victim. We don't want to blame you we want to communicate with you in the most effective way to encourage you to do what you can do to have a better and healthy life. PearlieMae would say the family was trying to control her. We would never do that. We give you the information and hopefully we can do it, like the good Doctor, and you'll be inspired to do what you want to do in a way that improves the quality of your life.

The other way is what's where you live. And we mean in your community. Not what you're told because all that's here is what's in your neighborhood detected and reported by your local or the federal government. What's too much to handle is the specific effects of the things detected.
"The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances." (CDC)
What you'll find we have to warn you might be more truth than you can handle. We'll admit its' more than we can handle so we'll bury our heads in the sand and act as if it doesn't matter. Yes, we know it does. We're just not ready for this much truth. Even the site and the government doesn't do that. But the next time you're not feeling well and you're off from work - just pull up this site and see what's going on especially if your neighbors are feeling the same symptoms.

"I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord" - Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight"

You know there's more don't you that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you tear away a piece of the veil you eyes are wide open. Can you stand to read moreeee? We can't. The same Center for Disease Control and Prevention that brought us the above information also tells us that there are other little nasties out there at a rate of early 1,100 food borne outbreaks reported nationally in 2007 which works out to more than three a day (365 days in a year x 3 = 1095).
CDC Report looks at Foods and Foodborne agents associated with Outbreaks in the United States - "A total of 1,097 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported in 2007 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a CDC analysis. State investigators reported 21,244 illnesses and 18 deaths as a result of these outbreaks. The report also provides the most recent data on how many illnesses were linked to specific types of foods." (CDC)
If that's not enough even if you survive all the diseases, local toxins, foul air, and every other nasty out there. Say you make it safely home every day, God willing and the creek don't rise. You can be placed at risk by accidents that happen to other people. Were not talking health care so much as health care costs that affect your health by their very expensiveness.
"...injuries, both fatal and nonfatal, to people riding in cars and light trucks cost $70 billion a year. Injuries to motorcyclists cost $12 billion. Bicyclists and pedestrians, who are vulnerable against motor vehicles, cost $5 billion and $10 billion a year respectively, the CDC said." (CNN)
And then you die. Again not to make you fearful but unlike the young and the very young at heart, taking risk while behind the wheel, such as driving aggressively or even too timidly or texting / talking while on the phone, all can lead to higher cost (both physical and fiscal) and less effective emergency department services for those not so distracted.

To Tea or Not To Tea

It'll Probably Be Better To Just Make It Yourself
We sometimes buy tea when were out and about rather than buying sodas or coffee accepting that ice tea is much better for you and better tasting than the alternative, water. We need more water. Not as much as the eight (8) classes a day old adage but flushing your system helps regulate your digestive system and keeps your weight under control. We accept that. We don't like it but we'll accept it.

While the latest research from presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) fall meeting doesn't support our delusion for better health. We do it for the sweetness. We love sugary sweet tea. If ifs unsweeten we're not just disappointed were pretty angry. We'll accept Nestea's Raspberry Flavored Ice Tea because its sweetened. We don't love it but we'll accept it in a pinch.

The research from Professor Chi-Tang Ho, an expert on the antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of natural products and distinguished professor in the Rutgers Department of Food Science, found:
"...some manufacturers do list polyphenol content on the bottle label. But the amounts may be incorrect because there are no industry or government standards or guidelines for measuring and listing the polyphenolic compounds in a given product. A regular tea bag, for example, weighs about 2.2 grams and could contain as much as 175 mg of polyphenols, Shiming Li, Ph.D., said. But polyphenols degrade and disappear as the tea bag is steeped in hot water. The polyphenol content also may vary as manufacturers change their processes, including the quantity and quality of tea used to prepare a batch and the tea brewing time. "
It's genetics according to the other researchers from Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences that:
"Whether or not you can taste a bitter compound called 6-n-propylthiouracil (or PROP) may help Professor Beverly Tepper identify your risk for becoming obese and/or developing cardiovascular disease." (Rutgers)
This further confirms our belief that its all genetics when it comes to our inability to lose weight and that our genes are weighted against us. It's not that we can lose the weight its that its harder for us than for those not genetically posed.

The information presented is from the same professionals that two years ago brought us the research that:
 "...found new evidence that soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contribute to the development of diabetes, particularly in children. In a laboratory study of commonly consumed carbonated beverages, the scientists found that drinks containing the syrup had high levels of reactive compounds that have been shown by others to have the potential to trigger cell and tissue damage that could cause the disease, which is at epidemic levels." (August 2007) Medical News Today
The research didn't just highlight the problem but suggested a solution to correct the problem:
"... adding tea components to drinks containing HFCS may help lower the levels of reactive carbonyls. The scientists found that adding epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound in tea, significantly reduced the levels of reactive carbonyl species in a dose-dependent manner when added to the carbonated soft drinks studied. In some cases, the levels of reactive carbonyls were reduced by half, the researchers say. "People consume too much high-fructose corn syrup in this country," says Ho. "It's in way too many food and drink products and there's growing evidence that it's bad for you." The tea-derived supplement provides a promising way to counter its potentially toxic effects, especially in children who consume a lot of carbonated beverages, he says. " (Medical News Today)
We know the results are only from "six brands of tea purchased from supermarkets". We'd only wished they'd named names and identified the brands they tested and the products that came up short so that we could also be better consumers. Tea was the solution to the problem identified three (3) years ago. While tea was to be the healthy alternative - it offered more than just refreshment. It offered hope and healthy recovery to those suffering from diabetes as a tasty alternative.

We're written for the answers and we'll keep you abreast of the answers.

Eat Your Colors

We worry sometimes that we're not getting enough variety in our diet. We don't consume enough color variations. We almost never use red green peppers or yellow squash or purple eggplants.

Every year the American Chemical Society (ACS) presents their reports on their latest research and every year we're at the ready to receive what they have to say. We know you'll be hearing and seeing the news but you'll miss the big story. This time it was "Eating berries may activate the brain’s natural housekeeper for healthy aging." But it's more than that. We encourage you to consume more and we're heading to grocer now to pick up some $1.50 a pound for frozen blueberries. (Your prices may vary [city residents expect to pay more].)
"Shibu Poulose, Ph.D., who presented the report, said previous research suggested that one factor involved in aging is a steady decline in the body’s ability to protect itself against inflammation and oxidative damage. This leaves people vulnerable to degenerative brain diseases, heart disease, cancer, and other age-related disorders. “The good news is that natural compounds called polyphenolics found in fruits, vegetables and nuts have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect that may protect against age-associated decline,” said Poulose, who is with the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston."
We love the song "What a Wonderful World" sung by Louis Armstrong. Especially the parts where he sings:

I see leaves of green, red roses too
I watch them bloom, for me and you
And I say to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue, clouds of white
Bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I say to myself, what a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?"
They're only saying, "I love you" 
"Their past studies, for instance, showed that old laboratory rats fed for two months on diets containing 2 percent high-antioxidant strawberry, blueberry, or blackberry extract showed a reversal of age-related deficits in nerve function and behavior that involves learning and remembering." (ACS)

Eat the colors. Put the rainbow inside your body for better health. Indeed squash and eggplant might be alot less expensive than the berries and we can stretch our dollar as well as improve our health. The berries are sexy but the story is from both the researchers and research is while the deep red, orange aren't blue there consumption can be and should be considered just as important.
"Although berries and walnuts are rich sources, many other fruits and vegetables contain these chemicals - especially those with deep red, orange, or blue colors. Those colors come from pigments termed anthocyanins that are good antioxidants." (American Chemical Society)
Crayola should do something about it - except it might promote the eating of their product which would be the wrong kind of colors to eat. When we think of "the colors of the rainbow" we think like, the good consumers we are,of the product placement. We think of the only real crayons we've ever known. But since you the readers aren't infants you won't make that mistake when we say" "Eat your colors!"

Water With Chocolate

For Wendy! -- We need a study to determine how healthy it would be to eat chocolate covered blueberries, dark colored vegetables with water. The studies are already there someone just needs to put it all together. We know that it's probably more a concept than a possibility but it intrigues us. If not water if you don't like the taste then maybe chocolate soy milk. We know that its not all chocolate nor all dark colored vegetables but a multi-hue of deep rich colors has proven itself most to beneficial to robust health.

"Food stores sell mainly milk chocolate, with sugar, milk, and extra cocoa butter added because they taste good, but the more non cocoa items are added to cocoa, the more dilute the healthy chemicals become." (American Chemical Society)

Research that includes less a population that's smaller than your graduating elementary school class doesn't seem all that conclusive. However when it reaffirms previous research of larger groups it can help to direct behavior that could result in your being able to use the information to easily improve your health with a minimal amount of effort. While the numbers may not be impressive the information confirms what your parents told you and every old wives tale says. Common wisdom isn't always wrong. Research seems to also confirm what is often passed from generation to generation.
"The study included 48 adults aged 55-75 years, divided into two groups. One group drank 2 cups of water prior to their meals and the other did not. All of the subjects ate a low-calorie diet during the study. Over the course of 12 weeks, water drinkers lost about 15.5 pounds, while the non-water drinkers lost about 11 pounds." (American Chemical Society)
The study also warns what should be obvious and what wives have told from every generation to every generation - everything in moderation. Chocolate maybe healthy for you, in moderation. Deep colored fruits and vegetables maybe be beneficial for you health, in moderation. Water can aid in losing weight, what every find restaurant and waiter knows, in moderation. Too much of anything from air, to soap, to water, in moderation.

Brenda Davy, Ph.D., senior author on the study:
"...said water may be so effective simply because it fills up the stomach with a substance that has zero calories. People feel fuller as a result, and eat less calorie-containing food during the meal. Increased water consumption may also help people lose weight if they drink it in place of sweetened calorie-containing beverages, said Davy, who is with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. " (American Chemical Society)
How do we know its true? Because science tells us so. Its' good to know that PearlieMae and your dear old momma were right about some things. They might not have liked technology but when the scence says they're right. They've got to love that! PearlieMae did love technology just not for what it could do but for how easy it was to do what see already enjoyed doing. She could play SCRABBLE on the PC bought for her and listen to her gospel favorites. But No email, no web browsing. It was something at least.

Check Your Fridge

If you bought eggs from SAFEWAY in the last few months, how do you feel? Maybe what you felt wasn't the flu or food poisoning. That diarrhea, or stomach cramps might mean you've got to discard your batch so check the plant numbers more than the sell by dates. Our area has not been identified as being part of the recall another reason to not worry.
"The Santa Clara County (California) individuals became ill after eating contaminated eggs at local restaurants and catered events. Common symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea and vomiting beginning 12 to 72 hours after consumption." (Mercury News)
We're familiar with Lucerne and when we were in California we fell in love with Ralph's especially one of their checker who was incredible at bagging our groceries. In this age of do-it yourself check outs she was impressive in her professionalism and speed. If you shop SAFEWAY you might want to check your eggs and if they aren't in the batch eat on without fear. Better to be safe than sorry.

"Lucerne, Albertsons, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. They feature plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946." (Mercury News)
Though the story says one thing the news report images offer another story. The images say that the words are incorrect. So lets go with the images and ignore the printed word. The images say that the recall affects go beyond the dates of early August and extend into next month. It won't hurt to ignore the dates and go beyond to checking the specific plant numbers which would be more related to the actual recall.
"Don't eat raw eggs. There is always a chance that an egg could be contaminated with salmonella," Cody said. "It's usually when the egg is not cooked thoroughly. Raw eggs are used in different recipes from hollandaise to Caesar dressing or cake batter or cookie dough." (Mercury News)
If you have children, that's what kids are for, finding the remote, checking the fridge for bad eggs and taking out the trash. We says this because the kids are out of the house or we're sans kids. The danger isn't so much in your refrigerator as in your lunch counter and restaurant which isn't being emphasized in the news. So don't worry about you inside eggs as much as the eggs you eat when you let another person prepare your meal.
How do I know if I have Salmonella Enteritidis - "A person infected with the Salmonella Enteritidis bacterium usually has fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea beginning 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated food or beverage. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without antibiotic treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and the person may be ill enough to require hospitalization." (CDC)
That's if you want to worry - but then there are the facts behind the recall that the fine print says that what's mostly affected, won't be in your home but in the local restaurant - where costs matter and discarding profit isn't likely to be enacted. What we would suggest (mainly because mostly of us think we can't afford to eat out is to not eat out). Of course that information is a source of internal conflict among the staff. The staff members here who prepare food are against our advice but those whom pay for our meals out highly support the suggestion! In any event the risk is all yours.
How can I tell if my eggs have been recalled? (CDC)
You'd think that the one of the retailers (SAFEWAY) would have a statement very prominent of their website but we saw nothing there. Not that we think its their fault. For all we know they've removed all items from their shelves. Mostly we think that except for using the INTERNET as a money making venture retailers have no idea of the power of the Internet.