FitSugar

Salmonella Update: Mystery Solved?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:10:00 PDT

We may be once again putting tomatoes on our plates, but the source of the salmonella outbreak has remained a mystery. The FDA just announced that a possible source of the salmonella outbreak – water. They found strains of salmonella in both irrigation water and serrano peppers at a Mexican farm in Nuevo Leon.

Since the tomato industry has lost over $300 million because so much produce had to be thrown out due to the government's warnings, the FDA has been hammered with questions, of course the most pressing one being, "Why did the investigation originally focus on tomatoes?" Officials said in the early part of the investigation, there was definitely a link to tomatoes, and that this red fruit still shouldn't be ruled out entirely. They also said it's possible that the salmonella outbreak was connected to several different kinds of produce. Well that would make sense if irrigation was the culprit.

As for now, two farms in Mexico are still under investigation: The Tamaulipas farm and the Nuevo Leon farm. People are still being advised to avoid raw jalapeño or serrano peppers from Mexico. I don't know about you, but something tells me this issue isn't a closed book. The Mexican government strongly disagrees with the FDA findings. First it was tomatoes, then it was hot peppers, and now the water. What element could possibly be implicated next?

Source

Neti Pot Possible Cause of Two Deaths: How to Use One Safely

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:09:31 PST

Flushing your nasal passages with warm salt water can do wonders for congestion and sinus pain caused by colds and allergies, but use a neti pot improperly, and it could result in death. Louisiana's state health department has issued a warning for neti pots in response to two deaths thought to be linked to improper neti pot use. Both victims filled their neti pots with regular tap water instead of the manufacturer-recommended distilled or sterilized water.

Louisiana state department health officials believe deadly brain-eating amoebas known as Naegleria fowleri, which can live in tap water, entered into the victims' bodies through their noses, then made their way into their brains. The amoeba then infected each victim with a neurological disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which quickly destroys brain tissue, usually killing in a matter of days.

Scary, I know, but don't throw out your neti pot just yet. Keep reading to find out how to safely irrigate your sinuses.

Skip the Benadryl! Natural Ways to Relieve Congestion

Michele Foley — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:07:46 PST

Whether it's allergies or a nasty cold, being congested sucks. It's hard to breathe, the sinus pressure is painful, and it can even affect your hearing. Blowing your nose offers some relief, but in cases where you're really stuffed up, it can be pretty futile. OTC medicines help dry out mucus but leave users feeling loopy, sleepy, and spaced out. What's left to do? The next time you're feeling all stuffed up, try one of these natural remedies - you'll be breathing free and clear!

Steam it out: Whether it's a steam room, hot shower, or a makeshift steam bath over a bowl of hot water, steam helps to loosen mucus and relieve congestion from your nose and chest. Intensify the benefits with the addition of eucalyptus oil, a natural decongestant. Whatever method you use, slowly breathe in the steam for about five minutes and then try blowing your nose and/or coughing. This is usually enough time to break up and loosen the mucus in the body. To aid with sleep, use a humidifier; it helps add moisture to the air, which will thin out mucus in your nasal passages.
Grab a neti pot: It might sound a little uncomfortable, but using a neti pot does wonders for relieving nasal congestion and pain - just ask any ear, nose, or throat doctor. Neti pots (in combination with a DIY saline solution) help end nasal congestion by thinning out mucus and built-up crusting in the nose; think of it as a form of nasal irrigation. Still not convinced? Check out these neti pot tips for beginners.

Keep reading for two more ideas after the break.

Tour Jenna Lyons' On-the-Market Park Slope Townhouse

Elka Karl — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:22:04 PST

Great real estate doesn't always ensure a great marriage, and that's sadly the case with J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons and her estranged artist husband Vincent Mazeau. It's looking quite likely that their separation will stick, since their absolutely gorgeous Brooklyn townhouse has hit the market for $3.75 million. The home, which was featured in lengthy spreads everywhere from Domino to LivingETC, was first purchased by the couple in 2004 for $1.3 million and extensively renovated afterwards. With seven bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths as well as a wine cellar and back garden among many other features, it's a truly amazing piece of real estate.

The Sotheby's listing for 178 Garfield Place notes,

This spectacular 1880s North Slope Townhouse, at 20’+/- wide with 4 stories plus a finished cellar, has been impeccably renovated to perfection. Every modern amenity has been added, while a complete restoration has preserved the integrity of the home’s original details. An open double parlor, beautiful (but not fussy) plaster cornices & medallions, aged pine floors, and 7 restored limestone mantels are just a few of the special details of this magnificent house. The casually chic home boasts 7 bedrooms, 3.5 luxuriously appointed baths, an eat-in cook’s kitchen with top of the line appliances, large private terrace off the master bedroom and a cellar that has been converted to a media room for entertaining. The ground-up renovation includes all new mechanicals, electric and plumbing, 3 zone CAC, new rear façade & roof. The house has a landscaped, irrigated South facing rear garden anchored by a mature Dogwood tree. Currently set up as a 2-family with renovated garden rental apartment.

Keep clicking to take a tour of the home.

All Photos Courtesy of Sotheby's

No Time to DIY? Order a Garden Box Instead

Elka Karl — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 06:00:50 PDT

Interested in gardening, but not sure where to start? One easy first step is to join our community group The Girls' Guide to Gardening. Then, if you're handy, you can try DIYing my garden box. But if you're pressed for time, you don't have to break out the lumber and electric drill to enjoy a garden box in your backyard. Instead, you can buy one that's easy to assemble, set up, and plant through Los Angeles-based company Mini Farm Box. In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Mini Farm Box is offering a complete Ready‐to‐Grow kit for just $199 with free shipping (the box is regularly $250). The kit contains everything you need to get growing, including a four-foot-square garden box made from sustainably harvested cedar. This garden box assembles tool‐free in 10 minutes or less and comes with customized irrigation, organic heirloom seeds, a moisture gauge that tells you when to water, an organic growing manual, and a full one‐year subscription to Organic Gardening Magazine.

Keep reading for some tips on growing your raised bed garden.

How to Save Water in Your Garden and Yard

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:00:00 PDT

Did you know that in the Summer, outdoor water use at homes increases from 10-50 percent? This can lead to water shortages in some areas of the United States, as well as a big increase in your monthly water bill. Don't despair though, there are many easy ways to cut your water use.

Don't water your soil in your garden or lawn until it's dry. You can test for dryness by digging your finger beneath the soil surface. If the soil is dry at one-and-a-half inches deep, it's time to water.
You can reduce water needs for your lawn by raising the lawnmower's blade level so grass is cut at two to three inches or higher. Longer grass needs less water, since it shades the plants' roots, which in turn encourage deeper growth.
Water early in the morning, when your lawn or garden will retain the most water.

To hear the rest,

Get Ready to Sneeze: Ragweed Season

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:30:49 PDT

The unofficial start of ragweed season was Aug. 15.

Seventeen species of this inconspicuous weed grow throughout the US, but mostly on the East Coast and Midwest. Pollen from ragweed adversely affects 10 to 20 percent of the US population. It is estimated that 36 million Americans will suffer through the allergy symptoms of itchy, watering eyes, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, and problems sleeping over the course of the Fall season. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may also have an oral reaction (itchiness and mild swelling around the mouth) to some foods including bananas, cucumbers, zucchinis, and melons.

Ragweed season continues through mid-October. If you're suffering, I have a few tips to help. Learn them when you