Clear as Crystal!

Do you ever have air bubbles in your ice cubes and wonder how you can make them like the ones you purchase at the convenient store? Well now you can do just that, air bubble free ice cubes. All right, here is what you do. Next time you want to make crystal clear ice cubes, boil the water first, pour it into the tray, let is cool to room temperature, and then put in in the freezer. Magic...No Bubbles.

Possible Listeria Contamination

Hawaii Firm Recalls Convenience Meals for Possible Listeria Contamination

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-047-2011 HEALTH RISK: HIGH


WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011- Warabeya U.S.A., Inc., a Honolulu, Hawaii establishment, is recalling approximately 1,550 pounds of convenience meals that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

"10.3-ounce packages of "7-ELEVEN FRIED CHICKEN BENTO"
"11-ounce packages of "7-ELEVEN TERIYAKI CHICKEN BENTO"
"10-ounce packages of "7-ELEVEN BREAKFAST SCRAMBLE BOWL"
"17.75-ounce packages of "7-ELEVEN BIG BENTO"
"7.25-ounce packages of "7-ELEVEN LITTLE SMOKIES SNACK PACK"

Each package includes a best eaten by date and time of "06/30/11 11:30 AM". The packages also bear "EST. 12444" or "P-12444" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on June 28, 2011 and distributed to retail stores in Hawaii.

The problem was discovered as a result of microbiological testing conducted by FSIS and may have occurred as a result of the products becoming cross-contaminated through contact with a food scale pan. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

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This should scare you!

How much sugar is there is common candy bars? Well, I will tell you that I really love a good Milky Way bar. Make me want to think twice.

Percent of sugar by weight:
Candy corn: 89.6%
3 Musketeers: 76.8%
Milky Way: 71.6%

Oreo cookie: 39.4%

Got milk? Next time I get a sweet tooth, give me an Oreo cookie and a glass of fat free milk.

Is Raw Sugar Raw? Or just cost more!

Raw sugar, despite its name, is almost exactly like refined white sugar. Don't be fooled by its color or name. Raw sugar is partially processed and a little molasses is left on the surface to give it that light brown color and the grains are often larger. There is no advantage in using raw over granulated sugar. And guess what? The price is often higher than that of granulated sugar. And did you notice the labeling of raw sugar? "Natural" All sugar can be labeled with the term "Natural". This is just a marketing trick to make you think that it is more healthful than it really is. So next time you want to purchase sugar and think of "Raw"...think again!

Maritime Services Available

For the past eight years, we have been training the ServSafe® course to stewards and cooks, as well as other aspects of safe, efficient, and cost effective galley operations. Our firm also assists in the updating and development of Steward Department Operations Policy Manuals and Steward Crew member handbooks using the current FDA Food Code. Training food safety to the maritime steward department takes more than being proficient in the training process. Knowing the maritime industry, understanding the steward department’s everyday operation and applying sound food safety principles to address the on-board challenges is critical to proper training. If your maritime company needs on-board or on-shore food safety training, contact us at 321-567-4644.

Fat Matters...Really

Have you ever tried to use reduced-fat margarine, margarine spreads, and whipped butter? Well, fat matters...really. You should not use these because they have too much water and air in them. This will cause your cakes or cookies to collapse or flatten out. Always use the type of fat called for in the recipe. NEED RECIPE HELP? HAVE A FOOD SAFETY QUESTION? E-MAIL US AND ASK THE EXPERT!

One Food Pyramid is OUT!

Choose My Plate.gov

After twenty years of the old icon of healthy eating--the food pyramid—is now ancient history. The US Department of Agriculture calls a “monumental effort” to improve the nation’s diet amid the obesity epidemic, the government has dished up a new plate-shaped graphic. This comes as part of the Obama administration's effort to slow down the obesity epidemic in our nation and reduce health care costs. Will this be easier for the consumer to follow and change eating habits? Let's follow this major change in the way we try to eat a more balanced diet and in the long run improve our health.



Balancing Calories
● Enjoy your food, but eat less.
● Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase
● Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
● Make at least half your grains whole grains.
● Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce
● Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
● Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Other advise the new system suggests is that we as consumers learn to read the product nutrition labels on the foods we buy. This alone is a great way of reducing our sodium and fat intake. It is also a good way of learning what is a portion and how portion control will change our eating habits. We have a complete training program just for learning how to read a product label. What requirements the FDA puts on manufacturers for the use of "Reduced Fat"; "Low Fat"; "Trans Fat Free"; and more. For more information or questions on food labels, contact us via email. Comments on this posting are welcomed.