Hey Let's Split it: My own personal expiration date. and those of foods

Hey Let's Split it: My own personal expiration date. and those of foods

www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

My own personal expiration date. and those of foods

I was watching "Hot in Cleveland" the other night, and one of the female characters commented "Moving to Cleveland from LA has extended our shelf life by 20 years." 

Since I live in LA and my own personal expiration date. set by me,  is nearing, could a move to the Midwest be far behind? I hate to give up the sunshine and moderate temperatures of Southern California. And of course, the adventures on the 405 freeway. And the treasure hunt-like excitement of searching for free parking. Anywhere within the city limits.

However, it's food for thought.

And speaking of food, contemplating my own expiration date led me to think about what is in my refrigerator that is of dubious origin. Generally if I don't remember when I got it, out it goes. At my mother's house when I visit, my rule of thumb is "If I didn't see it being cooked, Don't eat it" since we all believe my mother still has, somewhere in the dark corner of the crisper drawer, a ham end dating from the mid 70's. But I digress.

WEB MD, my favorite site for paranoid and illogical worries about my own health, today had an article about expiration dates on foods and what they can mean. So read it carefully, I'm begging you. And don't forget to use your nose and eyes.

www.webmd.com/food-recipes/guide/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

And remember to sign up for heyletssplitit to meet your own personal shopping buddy. One who hopefully shares your taste in food. And has a good nose.

Correct procedures for an earthquake in the USA

This week, I received an email about correct procedures during an earthquake. The American Red Cross has responded to this proposal with a reiteration of their rules for your best strategy when the earth is moving under your feet.

"Recently, the American Red Cross became aware of a challenge to the earthquake safety advice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." This is according to information from Mr. Doug Copp, the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of American Rescue Team International (a private company not affiliated with the U.S. Government or other agency.) He says that going underneath objects during an earthquake [as in children being told to get under their desks at school] is very dangerous, and fatal should the building collapse in a strong earthquake. He also states that "everyone who gets under a doorway when a building collapses is killed." He further states that "if you are in bed when an earthquake happens, to roll out of bed next to it," and he also says that "If an earthquake happens while you are watching television and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair." These recommendations are inaccurate for application in the United States and inconsistent with information developed through earthquake research. Mr. Copp based his statements on observations of damage to buildings after an earthquake in Turkey. It is like "apples and oranges" to compare building construction standards, techniques, engineering principles, and construction materials between Turkey and the United States.

We at the American Red Cross have studied the research on the topic of earthquake safety for many years. We have benefited from extensive research done by the California Office of Emergency Services, California Seismic Safety Commission, professional and academic research organizations, and emergency management agencies, who have also studied the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on!" during the shaking of an earthquake. Personally, I have also benefited from those who preceded me in doing earthquake education in California since the Field Act was passed in 1933.

What the claims made by Mr. Copp of ARTI, Inc., does not seem to distinguish is that the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on!" is a U.S.-based recommendation based on U.S. Building Codes and construction standards. Much research in the United States has confirmed that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" has saved lives in the United States. Engineering researchers have demonstrated that very few buildings collapse or "pancake" in the U.S. as they might do in other countries. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which collects data on injuries and deaths from all reportable causes in the U.S., as well as data from three University-based studies performed after the Loma Prieta (September, 1989) and Northridge (January, 1994) earthquakes in California, the following data are indicated: Loma Prieta: 63 deaths, approximately 3,700 people were injured. Most injuries happened as a result of the collapse of the Cypress Street section of I-880 in Oakland. Northridge: 57 deaths, 1,500 serious injuries. Most injuries were from falls caused by people trying to get out of their homes, or serious cuts and broken bones when people ran, barefooted, over broken glass (the earthquake happened in the early morning on a federal holiday when many people were still in bed.) There were millions of people in each of these earthquake-affected areas, and of those millions, many of them reported to have "dropped, covered, and held on" during the shaking of the earthquake.

We contend that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" indeed SAVED lives, not killed people. Because the research continues to demonstrate that, in the U.S., "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" works, the American Red Cross remains behind that recommendation. It is the simplest, reliable, and easiest method to teach people, including children.

The American Red Cross has not recommended use of a doorway for earthquake protection for more than a decade. The problem is that many doorways are not built into the structural integrity of a building, and may not offer protection. Also, simply put, doorways are not suitable for more than one person at a time.

If you are in bed when an earthquake happens, remain there. Rolling out of bed may lead to being injured by debris on the floor next to the bed. If you have done a good job of earthquake mitigation (that is, removing pictures or mirrors that could fall on a bed; anchoring tall bedroom furniture to wall studs, and the like), then you are safer to stay in bed rather than roll out of it during the shaking of an earthquake.

Also, the Red Cross strongly advises not try to move (that is, escape) during the shaking of an earthquake. The more and the longer distance that someone tries to move, the more likely they are to become injured by falling or flying debris, or by tripping, falling, or getting cut by damaged floors, walls, and items in the path of escape. Identifying potential "void areas" and planning on using them for earthquake protection is more difficult to teach, and hard to remember for people who are not educated in earthquake engineering principles. The Red Cross is not saying that identifying potential voids is wrong or inappropriate. What we are saying is that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" is NOT wrong -- in the United States. The American Red Cross, being a U.S.-based organization, does not extend its recommendations to apply in other countries. What works here may not work elsewhere, so there is no dispute that the "void identification method" or the "Triangle of Life" may indeed be the best thing to teach in other countries where the risk of building collapse, even in moderate earthquakes, is great."

Pets and ESP

After all, you can't spell "Pets" without  the letters e.s.p. So is it any wonder our chosen housemates seem to know when we are sleeping? And know when we're awake?

Even pets not our own seem to have that inborn knowledge of when you are awake and when you are just faking it. I dog-sat last weekend and the big Retriever who had his head on the pillow next to mine knew the instant I was awake. Was it a change in my breathing? Or do we humans mutter "oh sh*t" under our breaths in a tone so low only dogs can hear?

And cats. My cats too knew when REM had ended and BFB (begging for breakfast) could commence. And once they know it's no good trying to shoo them out, or begging for just "five more minutes" sack time. You've got to bite the bullet and rise to face the day.

When heyletssplitit is up and running in late spring, think of the new fellow pet fanatics you can meet. Dog dates in the park, an exchange of kitty litter tips, planting a community garden of catnip are just some of the delicious possibilities once you meet up with fellow animal lovers. And let's not even get started on the cool ideas for Youtube.

Maybe you are too busy for full-time pet ownership. Even this may be something you can share.

Until then, here are some tips from "Real Simple" on pet owning.

http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/pets/top-pet-owner-mistakes-10000001728993/index.html

super moons and emergency kits

Everywhere in the United States, if the sky is clear, tonight you'll be looking at the kinda rare "super moon." Which is not catching a glimpse of one of your supersized neighbors, naked, in the window. It's when the moon will be the closest to the Earth as it's been in 18 years;  which means it will be bigger and brighter.  Unfortunately, it will also be the closest at 6 p.m. EDT and 3 p.m. PDT. Which means it will still be light out.

Scientists are quick to dismiss rumors that the Super moon causes weather upheavals, like earthquakes, tornadoes and the like. However, might not be a bad time to make sure you have an emergency kit in the unlikely possibility a natural disaster may strike your area. It's my "clean underwear" theory. As long as you are wearing clean underwear, there is no chance of being hauled into the hospital. My friend whose first initial is "E" also has a shaved leg theory, formulated when she had a visit to the ER where an uncannily handsome resident was on duty. Her first words to him, muttered through her haze of pain, were "damn nobody said you'd be cute. I would have shaved my legs."

Your kit should contain drinking water for five days. Foods like peanut butter, canned beans, nuts, dried fruits. First aid supplies like bandages and antibacterial ointments, as well as aspirin and some extra prescription drugs for you and your pets, if you have them. A solar blanket, or at least a warm sweatshirt. Flashlight with extra batteries and if you can find one with a radio, even better.

Got your physical needs (in case of emergency) taken care of? Here's a prayer you can offer up to the moon:

Goddess of the moon -

Mother of the earth -
We pray to you now,
Bless us with mirth

Toga parties and corned beef

I'd forgotten to "spring forward" Saturday night. So when I woke up at 4 a.m. on Sunday and was emailing my friend in Atlanta to complain about our mutual insomnia, he reminded me. Small consolation that had it been Saturday morning, I'd have been awake at the even more evil hour of 3 a.m. No good can come of that. Keeping in mind that according to my 8th grade algebra teacher "idle hands are the devil's workshop" I decided to look up holidays for the upcoming week.

According to Wikipedia, The Ides of March is celebrated every year by the Rome Hash House Harriers with a toga run in the streets of Rome, in the same place where Julius Caesar was killed. But "Ides" themselves simply mean the 15th of the month. Well, most months. Some months, The Ides are on the 13th. Don't ask me why. 

On the heels of Caeser's demise comes Ireland's big holiday, St Patrick's Day. Also known as "The Wearing of Green," St Paddy's originally commemorated St Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland. How that translates to out of control parades and green beer is anybody's guess.

Anyway you shake it, it's a week to to have some fun with friends, both old and new. Whether you don togas (clean sheets, please!) on Tuesday and toss up the eponymous Caesar salad, or venture out on Thursday night with Shamrock wearing friends, enjoy the extra hour of daylight. If you're new in town, or just don't know anybody else who's unashamed to leave the house in plaid bed sheets, know that help is on the way. Heyletssplitit will soon be in your town, to unite you with others who share your interests in shopping, sharing, saving...and maybe shillelaghs.

As for me, I'll just enjoy the temporary  reprieve from the paper carrier seeing me in my pajamas. Because once again it's dark at delivery time. 

Cap'n Crunch: Dead or Alive?

I was having a fine Thursday (remember my words of wisdom, about Thursday being Friday only without the unrealistic expectations) until I read a horrible story on Facebook. It said Cap'n Crunch would indeed be going down with the ship. Perhaps to reunite with Quisp and Quake and other cereal mascots, from cereals my sisters and I begged for as kids. We'd eat them until somebody got the prize; then we'd lose interest while my poor mother was left to consume endless bowls of things like Lucky Charms, minus all the marshmallow pieces that made it irresistible.

I was lamenting to my house uniform inventress friend in San Diego about what I would do without the Cap'n. As an adult I rarely ate it for breakfast. Usually it was a snack before bed, or i'd down a small bowl with a double espresso before running a 5K (trust me it works). 

Then San Diego came through. 

Turns out, the rumors of the Cap'n's death were greatly exaggerated. He's just not being actively marketed any more. Too sugary.

I'm all for cutting way down on sugar. But I still believe a bowl of Crunch, nutritionally speaking, is better for you than a bowl of ice cream. Or a bag of chips. Or some genetically altered pizza life form, found in the frozen foods section, that comes inside a mini pocket.

Rock on Cap'n Crunch.

And a wonderful, pre St. Paddy's day weekend to you all.

Mardi Gras: A dress rehearsal

Okay, this is a week I have been looking forward to. First there's Mardi Gras (note: pronounce 'mar-dee grah'... the 's' is silent and if you mispronounce this one people will be convinced you live in a cave), or as I call it "St Patrick's Day for Amateurs."

No really, Mardi Gras is the end of the Carnivale season and the last day to have some real fun before Lent begins. Once again, even if you don't practice any kind of religion, it is good for you to either give something up or make a behavioral change. It's only 40 days. A great test of your will power but with an end in sight.

So after you power up on red beans and rice, King Cake, and the infamous hurricane cocktail (I still have a stain on my rug shaped like Alfred Hitchcock from Hurricanes made, and spilled, 10 years ago), think of something. Maybe you decide you will walk for 45 minutes a day. Maybe you will give up donuts. Quit talking on the phone while you are driving. Just make sure it's something you enjoy but you know is not good for you.

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Mardi-Gras-Making-a-Hurricane-Cocktail-Video/detail.aspx

Every cheese doodle has its day

Last weekend, daunted by the promise of rain and seeing crappy weather forecast throughout the nation, I encouraged all of you to clean out your closets and donate. Did anyone follow through? And just how good do you now feel about yourself? With Fat Tuesday looming close by, "laissez le bon temps rouler" til it's time to reform. This weekend is all about having some fun, getting some rewards for being so good.

Believe it or not, March 5th is Cheese Doodle Day. Really. I'm not much for orange snacks, unless they are actual oranges, but if you feel the urge to salute the mighty doodle, do so. And March is Caffeine Awareness Month. The whole month, an excuse to sample exotic blends from throughout the world, all in the name of honoring the mighty coffee bean.

Spring will be here before you know it, so why not get out your bike, kick the tires, oil the gears and take her out for a test drive? With gas prices hovering close to $4/gallon, now is a great time to go green. And if you are honoring Caffeine Awareness month you may pedal all the way across state lines.

As the launch date of Heylet'ssplitit nears, we'll be full of exciting ideas for you to share with friends, both present and future. Until then, ride safely, eat well, and be sure to "Like" HLSI!