THE TROUBLED TOMATO

If you haven't heard about the salmonella outbreak w/tomatoes, then where have you been? OK...Seriously, can our commercial food stock be any worse? My answer is YES!

Salmonella is one of the more innocuous bacterium that can sicken humans. It is, in most cases, self-limiting, in that it usually runs its course in the digestive tract. It does, however, cause diarrhea/diuresis, so the primary risk is in severe dehydration.

Remember the e-coli outbreak in the 90's? E-coli kills a high percentage of those infected w/the virulent microbe.

Then, there listeria, trichinosis, cryptosporidium (a water-borne bacterium), and the infamous botulinum critter, which is now less-maligned as a cosmetic product. These are all potentially-fatal microbes which have historically, affected commercial food products.

This brings me to the topic of 'GROWING YOUR OWN'....

Growing your own foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and meats, can allow you to gain some control over what is in the foods you eat. You may never gain 100% control over this, but the more control you gain, the less you are at the 'mercy' of commercial food producers.

Some caution must be exercised when producing at the home, as these infectious agents can infiltrate YOUR home food stocks also. BUT, YOU have the power to control this in the way that you handle and process your produce. The post-harvest handling and processing of our commercial foods is when most contamination occurs.

Keep reading my BLOG to get great tips on 'GROWING YOUR OWN'. In July, I will be writing on how to turn your herb garden into infused oils great for dipping breads, as salad dressings, or as a base for marinades.

STAY FIT!
Jason