Comments on: Produce, E. Coli, Bacteria, and You http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/ About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:29:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rebecca11 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-54826 Rebecca11 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-54826 Scrub your bananas- if you don't wash the banana you contaminate your knife as you cut into it. Then you use your contaminated knife to further cut the flesh of the banana. Scrub your thick skinned fruit or vegetable- it comes a very long distance for us in North America and has been handled by many people and been in many places before it arrives in your kitchen. It only takes 20 seconds or less to throughly scrub in running water. Careful hygiene protects your family and you're worth it! Scrub your bananas- if you don’t wash the banana you contaminate your knife as you cut into it. Then you use your contaminated knife to further cut the flesh of the banana. Scrub your thick skinned fruit or vegetable- it comes a very long distance for us in North America and has been handled by many people and been in many places before it arrives in your kitchen. It only takes 20 seconds or less to throughly scrub in running water. Careful hygiene protects your family and you’re worth it!

]]> By: Anne http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-937 Anne http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-937 I would like to expand on the comment that Jessica made. Most people do not try to learn about the things that we are being programmed to fear. E. coli is a very common bacteria in the gut tract. We all have it as part of the healthy internal community that contributes to our nutrition. The E. coli that has made the headlines when people get ill is an uncommon strain known as E. coli O157 that has acquired the gene to produce a toxin. Have you ever wondered why several people can eat from the same common meal and some get food poisoning while others don't? One thing that protects us from the bacteria that are in/on our food is the acid in our stomachs which is powerful enough to kill most bacteria. People who are taking antacids or acid reflux medications are reducing the protection in their stomach. Also, eating until the stomach is overfull dilutes the acid until it can't kill all the bacteria. Now the small amount of bacteria has a lot of food and ideal temperatures to multiply! So if we stop eating just before we are full, which fits well with voluntary simplicity, we can go a long way to protecting ourselves from food poisoning. If I start to feel queasy at any time, sipping on vinegar diluted in water until I can just taste it usually eliminates the problem! I would like to expand on the comment that Jessica made. Most people do not try to learn about the things that we are being programmed to fear. E. coli is a very common bacteria in the gut tract. We all have it as part of the healthy internal community that contributes to our nutrition. The E. coli that has made the headlines when people get ill is an uncommon strain known as E. coli O157 that has acquired the gene to produce a toxin. Have you ever wondered why several people can eat from the same common meal and some get food poisoning while others don’t? One thing that protects us from the bacteria that are in/on our food is the acid in our stomachs which is powerful enough to kill most bacteria. People who are taking antacids or acid reflux medications are reducing the protection in their stomach. Also, eating until the stomach is overfull dilutes the acid until it can’t kill all the bacteria. Now the small amount of bacteria has a lot of food and ideal temperatures to multiply! So if we stop eating just before we are full, which fits well with voluntary simplicity, we can go a long way to protecting ourselves from food poisoning. If I start to feel queasy at any time, sipping on vinegar diluted in water until I can just taste it usually eliminates the problem!

]]> By: Stacey http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-763 Stacey http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-763 As a mother of a child who has suffered thru E coli., I want to let you know what the Dr.'s told me... Usually only the very old and very young, or fragile-- do get E coli.-- However, the reality is that it only takes a small amount -- about the size of a dime to make someone sick. We as a family never buy bagged produce, it is just to dangerous in my opinion-- the bottom line really is that if there is E coli on your food and you are at risk-- then you might get sick.--- I hope I don't sound angry or bitter about this topic--- Just wash what you can, and Trust in the Lord! As a mother of a child who has suffered thru E coli., I want to let you know what the Dr.’s told me… Usually only the very old and very young, or fragile– do get E coli.– However, the reality is that it only takes a small amount — about the size of a dime to make someone sick. We as a family never buy bagged produce, it is just to dangerous in my opinion– the bottom line really is that if there is E coli on your food and you are at risk– then you might get sick.—
I hope I don’t sound angry or bitter about this topic—
Just wash what you can, and Trust in the Lord!

]]> By: Dani http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-572 Dani http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-572 When it comes to things that need to be 'scrubbed' I use exfoliating shower gloves on my hands. I'm talking about the really cheap $2/pair kind. It's great because it's as easy as hand-washing things but with a little abrasiveness. It works great for potatoes and other root veggies. The best part is that they're machine washable. I just throw them in a load of whites with bleach and they come out clean and germ-free. I guess you could clip them to your dishwasher rack with a clothespin, too. WFM! When it comes to things that need to be ‘scrubbed’ I use exfoliating shower gloves on my hands. I’m talking about the really cheap $2/pair kind. It’s great because it’s as easy as hand-washing things but with a little abrasiveness. It works great for potatoes and other root veggies.

The best part is that they’re machine washable. I just throw them in a load of whites with bleach and they come out clean and germ-free. I guess you could clip them to your dishwasher rack with a clothespin, too.

WFM!

]]> By: zamejias [verb] http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-568 zamejias [verb] http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-568 Thanks for this one. I'm a big "washing" fan too. And I'm bothered when vegetables or fruits are served without washing them thoroughly. Esp when preparing a salad. My mother and I sometimes use brine solution to clean most of the produce we buy in the market. Other times I use a commercial vegetable cleanser (that's also used as baby bottle cleaner) to clean vegetables. But most of the time, I just clean them with running water from the tap. Thanks for this one. I’m a big “washing” fan too. And I’m bothered when vegetables or fruits are served without washing them thoroughly. Esp when preparing a salad.

My mother and I sometimes use brine solution to clean most of the produce we buy in the market. Other times I use a commercial vegetable cleanser (that’s also used as baby bottle cleaner) to clean vegetables. But most of the time, I just clean them with running water from the tap.

]]> By: Keri Ann http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-567 Keri Ann http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-567 Hi there. I'm kind of a fanatic about washing my produce, but not ONLY because of e. coli bacteria scares. About a year ago I heard a statistic -- from a reliable source, though it escapes me now just what that source was -- that each piece of produce is handled by an average of 17 different people from the time it leaves the ground/bush/tree to the time it reaches your kitchen. Yikes! That completely freaked me out! Mind you, I'm a germophobe, so hearing that that many people had touched the food I was putting in my and my family members' mouths was enough impetus to get me doing some extra scrubbing. That includes berries, mushrooms, bagged greens, melons, citrus fruits AND bananas. I know several commenters said they don't wash their bananas, but think about your hands -- or your child's hands -- holding that dirty banana peel while eating it. Pretty creepy to me! Hi there. I’m kind of a fanatic about washing my produce, but not ONLY because of e. coli bacteria scares. About a year ago I heard a statistic — from a reliable source, though it escapes me now just what that source was — that each piece of produce is handled by an average of 17 different people from the time it leaves the ground/bush/tree to the time it reaches your kitchen. Yikes! That completely freaked me out! Mind you, I’m a germophobe, so hearing that that many people had touched the food I was putting in my and my family members’ mouths was enough impetus to get me doing some extra scrubbing. That includes berries, mushrooms, bagged greens, melons, citrus fruits AND bananas. I know several commenters said they don’t wash their bananas, but think about your hands — or your child’s hands — holding that dirty banana peel while eating it. Pretty creepy to me!

]]> By: Ornery's Wife http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-563 Ornery's Wife http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-563 I love my mushroom brush. I sometimes use veggie wash, but often buy organic produce, so am not quite as concerned with pesticides, which is the primary use for that. I always rinse greens, and carefully examine to be sure there is no dirt left behind, especially with spinach. Bagged produce is rinsed and put in the spinner. Berries are rinsed, unless they are frozen. We take a teaspoon of Colloidal Silver each day, which kills bacteria, fungus, virus and parasites. It is pure with no alloys, does not build up in your system, and is a natural disinfectant for use in and outside of the body. It is safe for all ages and pregnant women. We also take probiotics to help prevent any of the bad stuff from harming us. So, if you are really worried about catching something from your food supply, this is like a daily vaccine! TM I love my mushroom brush. I sometimes use veggie wash, but often buy organic produce, so am not quite as concerned with pesticides, which is the primary use for that. I always rinse greens, and carefully examine to be sure there is no dirt left behind, especially with spinach. Bagged produce is rinsed and put in the spinner. Berries are rinsed, unless they are frozen.

We take a teaspoon of Colloidal Silver each day, which kills bacteria, fungus, virus and parasites. It is pure with no alloys, does not build up in your system, and is a natural disinfectant for use in and outside of the body. It is safe for all ages and pregnant women. We also take probiotics to help prevent any of the bad stuff from harming us. So, if you are really worried about catching something from your food supply, this is like a daily vaccine!
TM

]]> By: Dawn http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-561 Dawn http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-561 I often wonder about this, too. I think the only way to guarantee the safety of our food is to grow everything ourselves, which, of course, is impossible. The next best thing is to make sure to rinse off fruits and vegetables. I don't use any kind of soap or bleach, but I do make sure I thoroughly rinse everything, except things that need to be peeled, like bananas or melons. I think there is always a risk of contamination in our food supply, unfortunately, but I usually hear more about contamination related to meat than to fruits and vegetables, which, luckily, if it is cook thoroughly usually kills bacteria. It is not a pleasant thing to think about, but I doubt if there is a foolproof way make sure we never eat contaminated food. I often wonder about this, too. I think the only way to guarantee the safety of our food is to grow everything ourselves, which, of course, is impossible. The next best thing is to make sure to rinse off fruits and vegetables. I don’t use any kind of soap or bleach, but I do make sure I thoroughly rinse everything, except things that need to be peeled, like bananas or melons. I think there is always a risk of contamination in our food supply, unfortunately, but I usually hear more about contamination related to meat than to fruits and vegetables, which, luckily, if it is cook thoroughly usually kills bacteria. It is not a pleasant thing to think about, but I doubt if there is a foolproof way make sure we never eat contaminated food.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-560 Jessica http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-560 Well, I don't scrub my produce neither do I wash pre-bagged produce. I wipe mushrooms and rinse berries. I simply don't have the time- with three little ones ages 4 and under and one with special needs. I wash what I can, and if we're going to eat the skins on potatoes I do scrub them well. I just do what I can am sure to pray over our meals. God's Word says He will bless our food and take sickness out of our midst. And, most people don't know this, but E. Coli is actually already present in your gut. If you have plenty of healthy bacteria (probiotics) then you're fine. But, if you eat some that is contaminated and have an over-abundance of E. coli, then you get sick. Same thing goes for salmonella. If you're eating yogurt or kefir and or taking probiotic supplement daily, more than likely you will be fine. Well, I don’t scrub my produce neither do I wash pre-bagged produce. I wipe mushrooms and rinse berries. I simply don’t have the time- with three little ones ages 4 and under and one with special needs. I wash what I can, and if we’re going to eat the skins on potatoes I do scrub them well. I just do what I can am sure to pray over our meals. God’s Word says He will bless our food and take sickness out of our midst.

And, most people don’t know this, but E. Coli is actually already present in your gut. If you have plenty of healthy bacteria (probiotics) then you’re fine. But, if you eat some that is contaminated and have an over-abundance of E. coli, then you get sick. Same thing goes for salmonella. If you’re eating yogurt or kefir and or taking probiotic supplement daily, more than likely you will be fine.

]]> By: Teresa http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-559 Teresa http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/produce-e-coli-bacteria-and-you/#comment-559 I live in the Dominican Republic, so we have to be especially careful here. When we buy produce from the vegetable market, it could have been in contact with anything from mice to roaches to who-knows-what. And washing it in tap water would just be washing it in parasites. I know many people here wash it in only tap water, but we like to be more careful. As a result, we have a plastic tub thing that we mix water with just a few drops of bleach. I know some people are leery of bleach, but it's better than the alternative, and that's what many of my other North American friends (some of whom are doctors) do here. We leave it to soak for a while, and then turn them. This also tends to be easier than washing them too. When they're done (about 20-30 minutes), we stick them in our fridge. I live in the Dominican Republic, so we have to be especially careful here. When we buy produce from the vegetable market, it could have been in contact with anything from mice to roaches to who-knows-what. And washing it in tap water would just be washing it in parasites. I know many people here wash it in only tap water, but we like to be more careful. As a result, we have a plastic tub thing that we mix water with just a few drops of bleach. I know some people are leery of bleach, but it’s better than the alternative, and that’s what many of my other North American friends (some of whom are doctors) do here. We leave it to soak for a while, and then turn them. This also tends to be easier than washing them too. When they’re done (about 20-30 minutes), we stick them in our fridge.

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