Healthy cooking tips, recipes, food facts and more from a Registered Dietitian!
n. Food Safety
Musty Refrigerator Remedy
Nov 2nd
I am on a baking soda kick – I use it to unclog and maintain drains and sprinkle it in the kitchen trash can religiously anytime I smell something. So, as you might imagine, I have a box in my refrigerator. It really seems to help contain odors – something very necessary in our small apartment.
My mom sent me another idea for maintaining refrigerator odors:
“For musty refrigerators, you can simply put a sheet of
newspaper inside and close the door. This works just like
baking soda to keep the smells out. Change it as needed, and if you read the paper, it is free!”
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Loading ...It’s Hot – Don’t Forget About Your Food
May 29th
I often neglect to highlight food safety in my newsletter, but anyone who has gotten sick from food would agree with me that foodborne illnesses are NO FUN!
Here’s what the American Dietetic Association recommends:
“Summer outings or weekends at the beach are great opportunities for a picnic, but before you pack up, make sure you know the basics of food safety.
“Food safety starts with proper food handling. That begins at the time of purchase and continues all the way to storing leftovers. When you get ready for outdoor events, remember the following:
* Wash hands before, during and after handling food. Bring sanitizing gel or towelettes.
* Keep cold foods below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Store cooked foods separate from raw foods.
* Don’t let perishables such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy foods sit out for more than one hour.
* Transport foods to the grill on one plate and off the grill on another plate.
* Store leftovers in tightly sealed containers.
“And finally if you’re not sure if food has spoiled, throw it away. For more information visit www.homefoodsafety.org.”
Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Food Poisoning
Oct 17th
October is football season (Congrats to my alma mater, the Mississippi State University Bulldogs for beating undefeated Vanderbilt this past Saturday, by the way!), and with football season come tailgates and picnics with friends. I found a helpful article on Web MD about 9 Food Poisoning Myths. I would strongly suggest that you read this article before preparing your next picnic dinner. There is nothing more party-crashing than for everyone to leave your party sick.
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...Don’t Forget Our Soldiers!
Jan 25th
Our soldiers fighting abroad help to keep us safe and sound. Why not show your appreciation to a soldier by sending him or her a tasty gift! Here are some recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture for safe and delicious options to be sent oversees:
- Most importantly, mail foods that are not perishable, can tolerate a range of temperatures, and won’t break with rough handling (Remember that your package may have to last several weeks during transit).
- Dried beef or poultry such as beef jerky or beef slims.
- Dehydrated soups and drink mixes (lightweight and safe to mail). Condiments in packets (hot sauce, Cajun seasoning packets).
- Dense and dry baked goods, such as fruit cakes and biscotti (won’t mold), commercially packaged cakes and cookies in airtight tins, and dry cookies such as gingersnaps.
- When mailing sturdy cookies and homemade candies, wrap each piece individually and pack items in commercially popped corn, styrofoam packaging peanuts, or foam to help cushion them for the trip. Place in a sturdy box and seal with packaging tape.
- Dried fruits such as raisins and apricots, canned nuts and fruit, commercially packaged trail mix.
- Hard candies and sturdy homemade sweets such as pralines and toffee are safe to mail (high sugar content inhibits bacteria growth).
- Homemade toasted pecans (as in this week’s and next week’s newsletters!)
- As an alternative to homemade gifts, some people may wish to send favorite mail order foods, such as summer sausage, cheese, cakes, and snacks ordered through the internet or mail order to their soldiers.
For more ideas to send soldiers, go to: USDA.gov
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Don’t Forget about Food Safety!
Nov 24th
Leftovers are for most of us a sign of delightful foods we can enjoy again. Make sure your Thanksgiving meal doesn’t make you and your loved ones sick!
Food Safety Tips for Thanksgiving:
- Turkey should be cooked to at least 170 degrees before being served.
- All foods meant to be chilled should be put into the refrigerator within 2 hours of sitting in the “Temperature Danger Zone” of 40-140 degrees. Don’t leave leftover sitting out for supper.
- When you reheat leftover foods, make sure you get them to at least 165 degrees before serving them again.
- After about 7-10 days, discard any leftovers that haven’t been enjoyed or frozen.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
