11/25/13

Solid wood cooking utensils are an eco-friendly and healthy choice to use in the kitchen. Wood is naturally antibacterial, and the wood actually repels bacteria and mold better than any man-made material. But over time, it’s a good idea to disinfect your wooden utensils, especially if there are small nicks or scratches that come in contact with food. One way to disinfect them is to hand scrub them in hot soapy water in the sink and then to microwave them on high for one minute.

11/24/13

When shopping at the grocery store, how you pack your reusable shopping bags can help you avoid cross contamination. Separate your purchases into four categories: frozen and perishable, like fruits and vegetables; meat and poultry products; fragile items, like eggs and bread; and nonedible items, like cleaning supplies and cosmetics. Designate specific bags for items in these categories. Keeping frozen items with perishables has a double-duty purpose: The frozen food acts as an ice pack to keep the fresh veggies chilled. Using color-coded reusable bags for category purposes is a simple way to keep everything healthy and free of cross contamination when you shop.

11/23/13

While it may seem like a kind gesture to put out apples or hay to feed deer during the cold winter months, it’s best not to. Deer instinctively shift their diet through the seasons, and they adjust to the winter months by slowing down their food consumption. Yes, they lose weight, but they are programmed to survive this way. If deer were to suddenly find plentiful food, the one-time meal does not help for long-term survival since supplemental feeding can put their entire seasonal feeding schedule off its normal course.