How to Avoid Harmful BPA Plastics in your Food Supply

Personally I do not think the FDA is doing enough to control the use of  Bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic used in baby bottles, water bottles, food packaging, other drink bottles and especially canned goods.

Should you be worried? The simple answer is Yes! And rightly so.

Canada is already on the band wagon disallowing said plastics to be used, why shouldn’t the good US of A not follow along, eh?!?

OK, now you ask, ‘why should I be any worried?’ Normally, I am not one to warn people like this, but as I lay down last night after reading an article on the subject of harmful plastics in our food while simultaneously catching the Food Network’s popular TV Show, “Food Unwrapped”, I watched the show whose topic was all things ‘orange’ and caught site of thousands of plastic bottles being filled with orange creme milk which were then fed to school children who readily drank the stuff. Yikes!

It lead me in deciding to write an article about this very subject. Immediately, I knew I should rethink what is even in my own refrigerator and what would I do to help avoid this plastic. Are these plastics well labeled that they contain BPA? No, not always…how so very nice for us unassuming consumers.

What is Bispherol A (BPA) and how does it harm us?

When the plastic bottles are exposed to boiling water for sterilization and even for pasteurization, BPA is released – and get this, can be released as much as 55 times than that of normal exposure of simply drinking from a plastic bottle that contains BPA, since the heat releases the toxins. Exposing the plastics to our dishwashers doesn’t necessarily make the cut either, as some scientists hesitate to say that this is safe, since the plastics are heated up so during the washing process.

And what does it do to our body? Frankly you really do not want to know – but it has been linked to many illnesses and diseases. Want to know a few? Obesity, diabetes, cancer, ADD, and premature onset of puberty just to name a few.

I quote, “The fear has been that exposure to BPA can cause birth defects and developmental problems. In addition, exposure to BPA has been blamed for a variety of other problems, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and attention-deficit disorder.”  – a recent article from the US News.com site (links below).

Now just think about the jump in numbers for ADD, diabetes, obesity and its correlation to the increasing use of plastics in our food supply. Hmmm, makes you think, yes? Well it should!

Here’s another quote from the NY Times: “While most of the focus is on products for children, including clear plastic bottles and canned infant formula, the chemical is also used in food-storage containers, some clear plastic pitchers used for filtered water, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.”

What seems to make the exposure or releasing of the harmful toxins greater is the heat. Scrubbing your plastic bottles makes it even worse as studies show.

Here’s another quote from the NY Times that shows you how wide its exposure hits our population…”The 2003-4 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found detectable levels of BPA in 93 percent of urine samples collected from more than 2,500 adults and children over 6.” WOW!!!! – Now you see why I was so concerned when I saw the multitude of kids drinking the orange creme milk from the plastic bottles. I am not saying that these plastic bottles that the kids were drinking from contained PBA – but do know those bottles were pasteurized with the milk in them…just saying.

How to Avoid PBA in your Food:

Start first of all to rethink how your foods are contained. Do you buy ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing? Most of us do… switch to glass. Most of these food items are available in glass containers. You just have to look for them on your store shelves.

What about storing foods already cooked? Well – rethink that too…Check the plastic containers and bottles on the bottom…”Any product made of hard, clear plastic is probably made from polycarbonate unless the manufacturer specifically states that it’s BPA-free. One way to check is to look for the triangle stamp on or near the bottom: polycarbonate plastics should have the numeral 7 in the triangle, sometimes with the letters PC.”  – NY Times (link below)

Rethink your canned goods as well….

Plastic bottles are not your only concern…rethink your canned goods in addition…Canned Goods you ask? Yes! “While much of the focus is on plastic bottles, most human exposure occurs through the lining of canned foods. Canned beverages appear to contain less of the chemical than canned foods like soup, pasta, fruits and vegetables, which are often processed at high temperatures. Virtually every canned product, even those labeled organic, has a liner with BPA. One brand, Eden Organic Baked Beans, says it uses a BPA-free can.” – NY Times (link below)

Now before you start throwing food away, simply rethink your future purchases. Switch to fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. For storing your food, select glass, porcelain, and stainless-steel containers.

Some useful links to learn more that I think you may find of interest…

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080130/heating-plastic-bottles-releases-potentially-harmful-chemical.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/health/22well.html

http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/plastic-containers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26723119/

Now that you have learned a little, to help yourself and your family more, do not be afraid to make your own soups, grow your own vegetables, eat foods in moderation and certainly always eat a large variety of foods ( i.e. don’t stick with the same thing everyday) – serve up fresh fruits and vegetables since, as studies continuously show us that these foods in particular can really help you staying as healthy as possible due to their phytochemicals and antioxidants contents being readily available.

And come to think of it, let people know about this issue, spread the word in anyway you can. The more you know, the more you are forewarned and can do something to help not only yourself, but all those you care about.

~Chef Maven

Super Bowl Recipes and Links

I had originally decided to write up some recipes, but with limited time, I thought I would instead share great links to recipes I have reviewed and are super worthy and ready for your super bowl party and celebration.

One web-friend of mine Cathy from The Noble Pig really outdid herself – sharing with us not only the winning recipe of a recent contest she had on her web site, but frankly, also shared amazing other recipes from her readers – how she ever decided on a winner is beyond me…I would highly suggest making even just one of these super delicious looking recipes to really outwit your opponents (oh I mean guests) at your Super Bowl Party.

• http://noblepig.com/2009/01/29/super-bowl-xllll-winner.aspx
• Here is a quick link to Epicurious’ Super Bowl Page: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/superbowl/superbowl
• Here are some of mine:
  Superb Touch Down and Score Chicken Wings
• Divaliscious Chili – How to make great tasting chili
• Bodacious Baked Ham
• Leahs Oh So Famous Sexy Homemade Salsa
• FoodNetwork.com’s Superbowl link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/big-game/package/index.html
• A Great list of recipes on a not-so-great looking website: http://www.tailgating.com/Recipes.htm
• And of course here’s a link to the official Super Bowl 43: http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/43?campaign=Google_SuperBowl_General

Hoping everyone a great Super Bowl Party, time with friends and family, wishing no bruises or broken bones from any tag football games that might be played by any of you before the big game. Go Team!

Warm wishes ~Chef Maven

Best Chicken Soup Recipe for Colds and Flu

So you are under the weather huh? Has your family spread their sickly germs around and you are just waiting for your turn? Maybe you don’t live near your mother close enough to take advantage of her cooking and caring for you. Are you coughing? Can’t breath through your nose and you’re wheezing? Feel like a cold’s coming on or you know you got one bad?

Well continue to read and get this great recipe I have concocted which creates a few twists to your normal homemade chicken soup recipe made specifically to help clear your nasal passages, open your airways and to help you start to feel better as soon as you have your first spoonful.

Containing fresh garlic, onions, rosemary, jalapenos, red cayenne pepper, cumin, scallions – it is with these fresh ingredients that help shorten your cold and open your airways allowing you to breath, aids in making your coughs productive and take rest to start healing.

How this recipe came to being:

Recently, my partner’s son was in from overseas, and while my guy was preparing for his son’s visit, he went out and bought what seemed like the farm when in came to the amount of chicken he brought home. I never had so much frozen chicken in my house. And though we hadn’t had our first colds of the year, we started taking turns every week in making our versions of homemade chicken soup. We came up with many versions – all delicious, each having their own characteristics and variations of added seasonings.

What we learned is that homemade chicken soup regardless of how you make it, or what ingredients you put into it, hot chicken soup is always good for the body and soul especially when you are feeling under the weather.

Now we obviously know there are a lot of moms and grandmothers out there who swear (OK they don’t actually swear, well at least some of them don’t swear out in public – OK some of them do and you probably have seen those few moms on the Jerry Springer show, but I digress). But these mothers and mothers of mothers certainly promise that their chicken soup recipe is simply the best to help cure colds – one thing is for sure, mothers (including yours were right). Sipping hot fluids really do help thin out mucous sputum and help open up the nasal passages – and as there are a countless number of ‘mothers’ out there, there are certainly a countless number of different versions of chicken soup to help you during your colds…

There really are scientific results stating how hot chicken soup can shorten a cold’s duration while relieving symptoms – so what are you and I waiting for? Here’s my latest version. And if you are curious to read wikipedia.com’s comments on the history and healing properties of chicken soup – simply click…

My version with the added red chili pepper flakes and sliced jalapenos really help open up your airways and allow your nose to actually breath again while the fresh rosemary helps your lungs function. So shall we get started cooking?

The cooking process is rather simple, you will be adding the ingredients along with the chicken and water and allowing it all to boil then simmer for at least 90 minutes until the chicken is done. Then removing the chicken allowing it to cool so that you can remove the meat from the bones. Then cooking your noodles separately if you want to add them to your soup, then adding the last of the reserved veggies to your soup and returning the now-deboned chicken along with the noodles to the soup and serving it up to you and your family.

Ingredients:

• One large Soup Pot
• chicken pieces – I used three leg quarters (legs and thighs)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 stalks celery – diced (reserve one stalk)
• 2 jalapenos – diced (or more)
• 2 medium sized onions – diced
• 3 large carrots – diced (reserve one carrot)
• 2+ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 1 teaspoon+ red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 tablespoons of FRESH rosemary, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 4-6 whole ‘cloves’ of allspice
• 2 large bay leaves – fresh or dried
• 6-8 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of ‘better than bouillon’ chicken flavored paste (optional)
• 4 stalks of scallions – diced and added at the end.
• 2 cups dried noodles (optional & cooked separately near the end)
• chopped fresh parsley or cilantro added at end or to the bowls when serving.

Directions:

• Gather your ingredients and place your large stock pot on your stove or even use your slow cooker.
• Add olive oil to your stock pot (if you are using your slow cooker omit this step and simply add your ingredients to the slow cooker starting with the vegetables first, then add the chicken, then the water and turn it on)
• Remember to reserve one celery stalk, one carrot and all the scallions – you will be adding those last to the soup pot once your chicken has cooked and you have removed the meat from the bones and replaced it back into the soup – this keeps them slightly crunchy and adds color)
• Add diced onions, celery and carrots to the mix and turn the heat under pot.
• Allow the vegetables to sweat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While vegetables are cooking, remove skin off chicken and separate legs from thighs.
• Add chicken to pot, add all remaining ingredients: garlic, spices, salt and pepper, jalapenos, etc. (except for one carrot, one celery stalk, scallions)
• Add water to pot enough to bring the water level to about one inch from the top.
• Allow to come to a boil, then lower heat and allow the soup to simmer for at least 90 minutes.
• Scoop out chicken. Let cool slightly so it is easier to remove meat from bones.
• While noodles are cooking (see next step) and chicken is cooling, add the reserved diced carrot, celery and scallions to the soup.
• When removing meat from the chicken bones, I like to keep the chicken in chunks.
• Cook noodles separately and when done drain and rinse noodles before adding to soup.
• Serve up in bowls to feed your cold and starve your fever!

Variations & Tips:

• You can easily allow this to cook for much longer of course, just remember, the longer you cook the chicken in, it might be a bit ‘drier’ despite it being cooked in the soup.
• Adding additional jalapenos or red pepper flakes at the end will bring up the ‘heat factor’ opening up the most stubborn of stuffed noses.
• Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the bowl will also up the vitamin C content.
• You can ‘cheat’ with the chicken and buy a pre-cooked roasted chicken, remove meat from bones and ’start’ the soup with the bones only and adding the meat after 90 minutes. – This is especially helpful for those too weak and need a quick fix of chicken soup. Just be sure not to add any of the skin to the soup.
• By adding the jalapenos, red chili flakes and cayenne pepper in the beginning, the soup takes on a gentle heat mellowing out the spiciness of the jalapenos. I personally like to add more red chili flakes and sliced jalapenos into my bowl just before serving to make it extra spicy – it gets my nose passages to open up so fast, I simply love being able to breath again.

So share with us how you healed you and your family using my version of chicken soup.  Hope you are feeling better real soon!

Doing Dinner Over Conversing Politics

Our American Flag

I am not new to the idea being said that no one should talk about religion or politics in a bar – but what about in your own home? As I grew up, I had parents who sat on either side of the political poles, at either side of a long dining room table, sparred lively over presidential candidates and political hot topics while enjoying the meal at hand that was made with love.

Did this keep my family together as I grew up? Well, I knew this, it made dinner conversation more interesting while asking someone how they thought their politician liked their steaks cooked all the while passing the steamed vegetables down.

I bring this up since last night, while eating at a couple’s home while lamb stew was simmering in a slow cooker with carrots, onions, prunes and fresh hard boiled eggs that were literally hatched that morning, I wondered how the night would end when the conversation got a little hot. One couple who are very pro-Obama couldn’t believe the Host’s position in politics and in the Host’s particular vision of what’s wrong with this country.

Ironically, the Hostess, whose house it was, had left before we arrived and never returned due to ‘Severe PMS’ – and as odd and possibly rude as that was – it only made me wonder more about our Host who didn’t once call her to see if she was ok or to politely ask her to return to her own abode.

I kept my mouth shut, since one, the host who has lived in this country, my country  – for over 25 years without becoming an American citizen and further, cannot vote in this Country – This host though is living legally in our Country. My own personal feelings will be kept mum on this – as I do not have enough patience to write a dissertation at the moment – BUT….

It is possible to have a delightful dinner while sparring over politics – it’s not only permissible, but I believe we should TALK about our feelings, fears, cares and hopes. By learning not only how one cooked an amazing meal, you might also discover how little or how much other people know and believe about politics.

My thoughts are this, if you can’t vote in this Country, you have no right to spew your mouth off in ridiculous statements that show off only your ignorance, unless you can support your wacky sense of beliefs. If you don’t vote and are able to, you too shouldn’t be running amok with your mouth in irrelevant thoughts that you didn’t like who won the election. There are so many ways to vote if you are not able to actually reach the voting polls in person.

So go out and vote, and before Tuesday night, have yourself a wonderful homemade meal and talk shop with your friends and family. Even if they can’t vote, won’t vote, don’t believe in Santa Clause or Satan, their opinion at the very least could make for some lively conversation – just watch out while you are chewing in case you start laughing…. it could be dangerous to your health!

I bless the person and the new administration who ever wins this election – since we are in for a ride regardless who is sitting at the Oval Office. I know who I am voting for and hope you do Chef Maven proud, but going out and voting for your choice…which ever that may be.

America the Beautiful
Written by: Katherine Lee Bates

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thorough fare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov’d
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.