Chit Chat - Welcome Center

A smile that can light the sky...sooooooooooooooooo beautiful

Little Natalie sitting like such a big girl....Grandma beautiful girl

Grandma big girl...Sooooooooooooo cool with her shades on...Love ya

Samantha and Ethan last day to go to daycare...Love you much

Little Miss Natalie sitting in her seat being Miss queen bee...Love you

Jeff, Brittney, Brynna....Love you and miss you

Brittney and Brandon...Grandma loves you

Samantha and Ethan at the park...Grandma misses you....love you much

Jeffrey had his surgery yesterday ...all went good...the lump was the size of a half dollar in his throat...they sent it off and will see the doctor the end of next week...How you have surgery then get out and go to the K-mart....lol..lol...

I have had the week from hell being so worried...but Jeffrey is fine...Meant to update last night but havent slept good and after getting the good news went right to bed...Why I was so worried is the size of the lump they removed not to mention the doctor mentioned the word tumor...but enough on that he is okay sooooooooooooooooo wooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooo...

John loves to hunt...Love ya

I think this is a 5 pointer...think that's what ya call it

Not sure you count all the points sticking out or not...I call them sticks...lol..lol...poor Bambi...he loves to hunt

Bin Ladens last Facebook entry...lol..lol

I added Food News to the front section...felt it was needed with Germany having the killer virus outbreak Ecoli....we have close to 3 thousand cases with 672 of the cases in the ICU with a complication of E-coli known as HUS...so far 26 have died...Mostly in the north....of course right where I am located...lovely...but the last days new cases have popped up in the east....They havent a clue as to where its coming from...So far they have stated not to eat any fresh veggies and anything pertaining to salads...no one knows for sure so most are afraid to each much of anything...The reason its taking so long to pinpoint is because there isnt a Center for Disease Control...instead each state handles any food problems...so you have 16 states running around all trying to be head chief in charge...and instead of sharing the info with one another they are all trying to be heros...instead they are idiots...In the meantime the food/foods causing the E-coli is still out there or has already been eaten or destroyed.

For my German friends...they are still saying not to eat tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and sprout...most are avoiding all produce due to them not knowing where this is coming from.

You should wash raw fruits and vegetables very well before you peel, cut, eat, or cook with them. Chemical rinses and other treatments for washing raw produce—usually called fruit and vegetable washes—are now being sold. ....it can be costly but you cant compare cost with safety...you also can use distilled water to wash...

In the fruit and vegetable product industry, chlorine is commonly used to remove microbes such as bacteria and mold from produce. In the home, a water wash, either with or without the help of a produce brush, is typically used to clean fruits and vegetables. So how do water washes hold up to the new “fruit and veggie” washes?

In the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine, researchers tested three commercial wash treatments:

Fit® (Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH)
Ozone Water Purifier XT-301 (Air-Zone Inc., Leesburg, VA)
J0-4 Multi-Functional Food Sterilizer (Indoor Purification Systems, Layton, UT)

All three products were tested according to product directions. The< used lowbush blueberries as the produce. A water wash was also tested, using blueberries soaked in distilled water for one to two minutes. Here are the results:

Fit® washes got rid of roughly the same amount of microbes as distilled water. Both Fit® and distilled water reduced the level of residual pesticides compared to the unwashed samples.
Both ozone systems—the Ozone Water Purifier XT-301 and the J0-4 Multi-Functional Food Sterilizer—removed microbes from the blueberries. However, the distilled water wash was more effective than either of the ozone

What are the best ways to keep raw fruits and vegetables safe?

Wash your hands before preparing food.

Because some produce washes are costly, you can wash fresh fruits and vegetables with distilled water. Soak all produce for one to two minutes to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.

Why use distilled water? Because distilled or bottled water has been filtered and purified to remove contaminants.

For produce with thick skin, use a vegetable brush to help wash away hard-to-remove microbes.

Some produce should not be soaked in water. Put fragile produce in a colander and spray it with distilled water.

Clean your counter top, cutting boards, and utensils after peeling produce and before further cutting. Bacteria from the outside of raw produce can be transferred to the inside when it is cut or peeled. Wash kitchen surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.

Eating on the run? Fill a spray bottle with distilled water and use it to wash apples and other fruits.

Don’t forget that homegrown fruits and vegetables should also be well washed.

Deadly E. coli found on bean sprouts

German officials on Friday said they had found the first direct evidence of deadly E. coli bacteria on vegetable sprouts thought to have killed 33 people and left over 3,000 ill.

The discovery was made in a packet of sprouts in the garbage can of two sick people living in North Rhine-Westphalia, the state's Consumer Affairs Ministry announced.

Only took them weeks...with 33 dead so far and over 3 thousand infected....They botched the entire investigation with their lack of ability and knowledge...almost 800 of these developed the HUS complication associated with this rare strain of E coli.....these types off sprouts should never be eaten without first cooking them.

Top 10 Superfoods

What makes superfoods so super? These ten foods all have one thing in common: They're filled with nutrients that will keep you healthy and feeling great from the inside out!

Blueberries
Did you know that much of the power of blueberries lies in their color? That deep-blue hue is a by-product of flavonoids — natural compounds that protect the brain's memory-carrying cells (neurons) from the damaging effects of oxidation and inflammation. Since blueberries are one of the best sources of flavonoids you can find, it's no surprise that this superfood has been shown to help preserve memory function. Blueberries, like other berries, also have a high water content, which makes them hydrating for your skin and other cells of the body.

Sardines
You may be surprised to find out that ounce-for-ounce sardines contain just as much heart-healthy omega-3 fat as salmon! Not to mention that they're extremely low in contaminants, eco-friendly (so no need to worry about overfishing), packed with high-quality protein, and super affordable. If you buy canned sardines with the bones you'll get a hefty dose of calcium, too.

Spinach
Popeye was definitely on to something — eating spinach even before we knew about superfoods! Spinach is filled with antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin — a duo that acts like sunscreen for your eyes and guards against macular degeneration. One cup of fresh spinach leaves also provides almost double the daily requirement for vitamin K, which plays an important role in cardiovascular and bone health. And of course you can't forget that spinach is a great vegetarian source of iron, which keeps your hair and nails strong and healthy. Use fresh spinach leaves as a base for salad or sauté it and add to an omelet.

Pistachio Nuts
Nuts offer a nutritious package of protein, fiber, and heart-healthy unsaturated fat, making them one of nature's perfect foods. Pistachios are especially rich in phytosterols and soluble fiber — two natural plant compounds that have been shown to lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. Pistachios are my nut of choice when it comes to weight loss. Twenty-five pistachios will cost you only 100 calories (per nut, they're the least caloric of all) and because they're in a shell, eating them will slow you down!

Dark Chocolate
Believe it or not, chocolate is a healthy treat, as long as you choose wisely. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and boost overall heart health. Choose chocolate that is at least 70 percent cacao or cocoa to optimize the antioxidant power and health benefits. Dark chocolate may even boost your mood. While there's no scientific explanation for why, the rich taste and sensuous mouth-feel of a decadent piece of dark chocolate may be to thank. Just be sure to keep your portions in check — one ounce of dark chocolate has about 150 calories.

Red Bell Peppers
A little known fact: one red bell pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps clear your body of free radicals and keeps your skin and blood vessels healthy and strong. The vitamin C in bell peppers may also help prevent arthritis or slow the progression of the disease. Red bell peppers also deliver beta-carotene and lycopene, two more antioxidants that have been associated with decreased risk of eye diseases like cataracts. And, thanks to their high water content, bell peppers of all colors are a high-volume, low-cal food that's very figure-friendly.

Beans
Beans are a fabulous source of vegetarian protein and fiber, two nutrients that help you stay full and satisfied. The protein and fiber in beans also tempers the rise in blood sugar that occurs after a meal, which can help stabilize mood. The fiber in beans also helps keep you regular (every half cup serving adds another 7 g of fiber to you daily total) Beans are low in fat and a good source of magnesium and potassium, nutrients that work together to lower blood pressure and keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Added bean bonus: They're inexpensive! So stock up on canned, no-salt added varieties and add them to soups, salads, stews, and more!

Egg Whites
Egg whites are a versatile low-calorie, fat-free, high-quality protein choice. For only 17 calories you get 4 g of protein per egg white — talk about lean protein! Egg whites can help you maintain strong bones, muscles, nails, and hair. Plus, all that protein will help you stay satisfied for hours after a meal. Egg whites can be eaten hard-boiled on their own, enjoyed as a topping for salad, or substituted for whole eggs in egg salad; they can also be used as the base of a vegetable omelet or in place of whole eggs in baked goods.

Oats
You've probably heard that it's good to eat oats if you have high cholesterol. That's because whole grain oats are one of the best sources of soluble fiber, which, in addition to lowering cholesterol, helps keep blood sugar levels under control. Trade in your cream of wheat or sugary breakfast cereal for a bowl of wholesome oats topped with berries and chopped nuts for extra nutrition!

Pumpkin
Pumpkin is good for a lot more than carving jack-o'-lanterns on Halloween — it's loaded with nutrients that will help your heart, bones, eyes, and skin. Beta-carotene and potassium are the two standouts here: Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that helps rejuvenate skin, protect your vision, and may even reduce risk of arthritis. Potassium is a mineral involved in lowering blood pressure and maintaining healthy bones. Use fresh or canned (no-sugar-added) pumpkin in stews, soups, pies, or pureed as a side dish — or add a scoop to some nonfat vanilla yogurt for a yummy snack.

Update on the E coli mess we had in Germany...No new cases since the first part of June...they found that seeds from Egypt was the culprit...which have been banned in Germany....but the company in Egypt shipped all over the world...including the USA..according to WHO...another outbreak could happen in another country...These seeds dont expire for three years. Many love the raw sprouts on a salad which are dangerous on a good day much less infected with E coli...I have added a food news on my main section for recalls... news on foods ect...as always wash your hands after handling raw meat...scrub and wash all veggies before eating.

Always check your dates on all items in your cupboards...that pancake mix that expired 2 years ago you might want to toss...they have that expiration date on products for a reason...Rule of thumb...when unsure if a food is good ...toss it

Toooooooooooooooooooo funny not to share

Daddy, how was I born? 'Well, son, Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe. We sneaked into a secluded room, and googled each other. There your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive. As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button , nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said: 'You got Male!