Here’s some shocking news about unsanitary conditions which I would like to share….. here’s what the FDA article on 7 August 2009 states:

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals today seized tuna salad sandwiches and other food products from Bearden Sandwich Company Inc., doing business as Southern Belle Sandwich Company, in Baton Rouge, La.

The seized products, totaling more than $72,000, violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because the products have been prepared, packed, and held under unsanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to the public’s health (the Act uses the term “insanitary” to describe such conditions). In addition, the tuna fish salad sandwiches were processed under conditions that violate Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations.

“When FDA investigators find violations inside a company’s facility, we will do what is necessary to keep insanitary and potentially harmful products out of consumers’ hands,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Companies that are not complying with our laws will be subject to enforcement actions.”

Recent FDA inspections found evidence of widespread and active rodent and insect infestation, filthy conditions, and poor employee practices, such as allowing food-processing utensils to lie on the floor near live insects.

The company distributes products to convenience and retail stores in southern Louisiana; Mobile, Ala.; Montgomery, Ala.; and Crestview, Fla.

The FDA has not received reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the products. The FDA urges consumers who may have purchased the products to dispose of them in a safe manner and wash their hands thoroughly after handling the products. “Safe disposal” means avoiding bare-hand contact with the recalled products, discarding them in a way that will not allow people and pets to retrieve them, and washing items that came in contact with the products, including hands, with warm, soapy water.
Consumers can also report problems, including adverse reactions, to the FDA district office consumer complaint coordinator.

Technorati Tags: health

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1 can of beans, organic if possible
1 1/2 C tomato sauce
6 C shredded cabbage
1 T lemon juice
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 T honey
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 C raisins
1 medium onion chopped
1 large clove of garlic chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients except beans in a large saucepan, bring to the boil and then cover and simmer for 10 min. Add the beans and cook until warmed.
Add soup stock to a dilute and simmer to a boil.
Try serving this recipe piping hot over brown rice or quinoa.

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This simple and delicious black bean tahini dip is abundant in calcium, folate (folic acid), manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and vitamin B1.

This dip is also rich in healthy protein, including an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is helpful for promoting restful sleep and good nervous system health.

Ingredients:

1 can black beans (about 2 cups), drained and rinsed
1/4 cup sesame tahini
3 cloves garlic, roughly sliced
1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 cup water
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Combine black beans, tahini, garlic, lemon or lime juice, and water in a food processor or a strong blender and puree until smooth. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve as a dip with fresh vegetables and/or pita bread.

Technorati Tags: health

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Makes about 4 portions

Ingredients:

1 cup oats
1 cup best quality flour you have
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1.5 cups non-dairy milk (almond, rice, soy, other)
2 eggs (preferably organic and from free-range birds. Choose omega enriched and low cholesterol grades)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey or other sweetener of your choice
Maple syrup
Variety of fresh fruit (eg bluberries, strawberries, bananas)

Directions:

1. Lightly coat bottom of large flat pan with a little olive oil over medium heat

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and give it a quick stir.

3. Add wet ingredients and whisk until batter is smooth - the oats will create a slightly bumpy appearance; the idea is to make sure that the powdery ingredients are well combined with the wet ingredients.

4. Use a small ladle to transfer batter to pan, and fill the ladle to about the same level every time. This will give you even sized pancakes

5. When the pan is sufficiently warm transfer enough batter to the pan to create the size that you desire.

6. When bubbles begin to appear, give the pancakes a flip and cook for another minute or two. Cook till golden brown.

Serve with fresh fruit or a little maple syrup

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Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Makes about 8 servings

Ingredients:

1 can kidney beans
1/2 cup lentils, cooked
1/2 cup bulgur wheat
1 large can (about 28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cups yellow or red onion, finely chopped
1 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cup diced carrots
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup vegetable broth
Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. In a large pot, saute onion, bell pepper, carrots, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until onions are translucent. Don’t burn the onions (about 5 minutes).

2. Add chili powder, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring regularly.

3. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.

4. Add vegetable broth, kidney beans, bulgur wheat, lentils, and crushed tomatoes. Allow all ingredients to get close to boiling, then reduce to a simmer for about 10 minutes, or until bulgur wheat is tender.

Serve when hot with fresh green salad and whole wheat bread. Freeze leftovers…it’s even better a day or two later.

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