Buy Local

I wrote recently about the dangers of eating imported produce, even when just imported from the other coast. This warning applies to other foods as well.

And this is not just for safety reasons. Quality is also an issue/ The longer something is stored the more the quality goes down. If you but tomatoes locally grown, you will likely get a ripe, juicy flavorful tomato. If you get a tomato grown across the country, that tomato was picked green, shipped, then gassed to appear ripe. It will be tasteless.

Have you ever eaten fresh killed poultry. The taste is nothing like poultry that has been frozen and shipped. I have nothing against frozen or even canned poultry, but if you have a market dealing in fresh killed poultry, take advantage.

I certainly have nothing against frozen or canned vegetables or fruit. They are much better that so0called fresh produce that is picked and shipped thousands of miles. But, if you have a local farmer's market, again, take advantage while things are in season.

The same applies to seafood. Be careful though. Fish that is frozen is frozen as soon as it leaves the water, and the taste is almost as good as fresh. What is sold on markets as fish, is often frozen that has been defrosted. The problem is, fish starts to go downhill very quickly. Even if it has never been frozen, be careful. If it still has its head and the eyes are dull, it is not very fresh.  Even if it is headless, skinless and fileted, there is a way to tell if it is old; it will smell. If the smell is very fishy, don't buy it.

One more thing. There is more and more seafood that is farm raised. Now, if you live near a fish farm, you are quite lucky and will have a nice supply of fresh fish.  Most of us do not. If you are buying farm raised seafood, find out where it is raised, If raised in the USA, it's fine. Same if it is European. But, if raised in South or Central America or Asia, run quickly away. The farms there are not well regulated and most often the product is raised in filthy water, over crowded conditions, and fed hormones to grow them fast and antibiotics just to keep them alive. They are not fit to eat. If you cannot buy this product locally, at least buy USA or European products.

One more factor. Food is shipped by rail, truck or ship. That requires a lot of fuel. Until we find hydrocarbon alternatives, the less fuel we use, the better off we all are, and the better off the businessmen and women in our home communities are. Buy local whenever possible.

Foodies and Common Sense

I spent the latter part of my working life around food and, since some of that involved catering, I had to deal with many considered foodies or, sometimes and more accurately, food snobs.

These are folks who jump on ayt food fad around and delight in nothing more than finding exotic, new culinary experiences. Okay, I'm generally game to try new foods and I certainly enjoy good food, but it is a fine line between enjoying and obsessing.

There are folks, many, who will demand always top cuisine and gourmet quality and preparation at all times. They would not accept a frozen ingredient and would faint if offered anything from a can. If someone told them that crocodile toes cooked in elephant sweat was the latest craze, they would be on the next flight to Africa.

Let's be honest and practical. Food is a necessity; it provides the energy and nutrients to keep us alive and well. Eating can, and should be, a pleasurable experience, but it is a fleeting experience. Short after you complete the last bite of a meal, the experience is over, unless you have gas. By the next day, all sign of it has left your body. Why spend inordinate time and money on such a passing pleasure.

Enjoy your food. Treat yourself from time to time. But use some sense. Be practical.

Emergency Preparedness

Hurricane season is here, California is having earth tremors and before you know it, snow and blizzards will set in. It is simple to be ready for any emergency. I, having grown up in S. Florida, hurricane zone, have a bit of practice at this, so let me give a few pointers.

Loss of electricity is likely. It may be a few hours, or days.  After Hurricane Andrew, power was out in some areas for a couple of weeks. Generators are great but, if things are bad, you may have trouble getting gasoline. If you use a generator, use it sparingly. Propane grills are excellent, but, you better have extra tanks. A plain old charcoal grill is a great idea and charcoal is cheap and easy to store.
Make sure you only use grills outdoors, away from buildings. I have heard of people setting them up inside and dying of carbon monoxide poisoning. I have known people who set them up on their porch and burned their house down.

Water is vital and you do not want to be one of those people standing in line for hours to get a case of bottled water. I do not approve of using bottled  water for every day use, the disposal of all that plastic is a n awful problem. However, having 2 or 3 cases around for emergencies only, is a fine idea. Or, you can buy hard plastic or glass jugs, like you would use for tea or juice, and just fill them with water from the tap. You cannot have enough water on hand and you must drink water.

Toilets can be a problem if the water is shut off (this sometimes happens during severe hurricanes). If you have room, fill a few 5 gallon buckets and keep them handy. Just pour water into your tank, from the top, and you will be able to flush. Note: when the danger is past, empty those buckets, unless you want to breed mosquitoes.

Food may not be available as grocery stores may be damaged. Keep some canned food around. Tuna, salmon, chicken, and ham are good as are beans. You do not want to have to heat up the grill every time you're hungry so stay away from canned chili, spaghetti and soups unless you like to eat them cold. Crackers keep better than bread (if it's hot and humid, it will mold). Dry foods, such as nuts and fruits are a great idea. Remember, you are not eating for pleasure. These are emergencies and you are in survival mode. You see advertised, dry meals; just add boiling water and eat. That is great, but again, if you have no power and no grill, they are useless.

If you are on any medications, try to have some in stock. Keep a well stocked, reasonably extensive first aid kit. Make sure you have a good fire extinguisher; the fire department may have trouble getting to you. If you live in hurricane zones, the winds will stir up rotting vegetation and you will want something on hand to deal with allergies and sinus issues. Also, at certain times of year, you will be advised to keep something like Off away. There will be no air conditioning and with the windows open, mosquitoes will be ready to feast on you.

Make sure you have a basic, minimal tool kit handy, just because you never know what you might need

If you have advanced warning, fill your car's gas tank, and, if possible, fill a couple of 5 gallon cans with gas( store them safely, in a fairly well ventilated area). You do not want to be sitting in 2 mile long lines at the gas station. Also, keep some cash on hand as ATMs and banks may be shut down for awhile.

One last thing. You will do yourself know good if you sit and brood. Keep some non electronic pastimes on hand. A few books and a deck of cards will do.

I sincerely hope you never go through an extreme emergency, but they do happen. A little planning, and you'll come through just fine.