Safe Food Handling Tips

        What could be more American than summertime picnics, barbecues, and camping?  As you prepare for end-of-summer travel and activities, the Central District Health Department (CDHD) shares some tips on how you can protect yourself, your family, and friends from foodborne illness when preparing, storing, and cooking food outdoors.

TRANSPORTING FOOD

• Keep cold food cold. Place cold food in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. Cold food should be held at or below 41°.
• Consider packing beverages in one cooler and perishable foods in another.
• Meat, poultry, and seafood may be packed while still frozen so they stay colder longer. Be sure to keep raw meats, poultry, and seafood securely wrapped to prevent their juices from contaminating cooked foods or foods that are eaten raw.
• Rinse fruits and vegetable before packing them and again before serving them.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• Food safety begins with hand washing, even in outdoor settings. A jug of water, some soap, and paper towels are all you need.
• Consider using moist disposable towelettes for cleaning your hands.
• Keep all utensils and platters clean when preparing food.

SAFE GRILLING TIPS

• Marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the counter or outdoors. Don't reuse marinade.
• Don't use the same platter and utensils that previously held raw meat to serve cooked meats.
• When it's time to cook the food, cook it thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to be sure.

For information on safe food handling, contact CDHD at 327-7499, or see cdhd.idaho.gov.

Rock ‘N' Roll Fun

        The CD Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could starts out with a snappy beat and keeps your toes tapping throughout.  It is full of tunes with a family theme, Rymers explains, "I'm a dad of two, a husband, and part of a bigger family-my band, our fans, the music scene, my community.  I recorded the songs for all of these families, to be enjoyed by every generation."  The songs entertain, while slipping in a positive message about life.  Rymer has a fresh feel-good sound that all listeners can enjoy.

Sweet Refreshing Watermelon

        If you think watermelon holds just water, think again.  Watermelon has always been a good source of vitamins A and C, and provides potassium and fiber.  Findings from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists indicate watermelon contains high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help the body fight cancer and prevent disease. 

        Add watermelon to your summer cookout!

Shrimp Watermelon Sate

Ingredients:

½ cup seasoned rice vinegar

½ cup chunky peanut butter

1 tsp. minced fresh garlic

1 T. minced fresh ginger

1 tsp. soy sauce or to taste

1 dash hot pepper sauce or to taste

16 jumbo shrimp, cleaned, poached, and chilled

16 (2-inch) cubes seedless watermelon

Fresh basil leaves or baby romaine leaves for garnish

Instructions:

        Slowly blend the seasoned rice vinegar into the peanut butter until completely blended.  Stir in the garlic, ginger, and soy sauce until mixed well.  Season with hot pepper sauce to taste.  Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the dressing over the shrimp and toss to coat them well.  Chill for 1 hour.  To serve, alternate shrimp and watermelon cubes on 4 skewers and baste with the remaining dressing.  Serve over fresh basil leaves or romaine leaves.  Makes 4 servings.

        For more information about watermelon and more tasty watermelon recipes, visit www.watermelon.org.

A Guide to Unique Places in Idaho 

        Tired of the same old tourist traps?  Take the road less traveled and discover the hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales other guidebooks just don't offer.  Idaho Off the Beaten Path features the things you'd want to see-if only you knew about them.  If you are a local looking for something different, let Idaho Off the Beaten Path show you the Gem State you never knew existed.  Take a dip at the sulfur-free Lava Hot Springs, dig for star garnets at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area west of Clarkia, or celebrate Fossil Days in Hagerman with a weekend full of small town family fun.  If you've "been there, done that" one too many times, get off the main road and venture off the beaten path.

Going Green

        "This is it.  This is the book we've all been wishing would be written for years.  It's the ultimate green living reference, a go-to guide for practical, ready-to-apply solutions to the most pressing environmental problems facing us at home, in our communities, and around the world."  So writes longtime green advocate Meryl Streep in her foreword to Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely (National Geographic Books), a book full of simple, useful ideas covering everything from the food we choose to the way we heat our homes to the costumes our children wear at Halloween. 

        Written by the editors of National Geographic's Green Guide magazine, this comprehensive resource helps consumers make decisions that are smart for the family and healthy for the planet.  Presented in 13 information-packed chapters, this up-to-the-minute reference touches on every aspect of our lives, from healthy, sustainable meals and energy-efficient appliances to environmentally friendly home decor and natural personal care products. Also included are transportation options, a natural plant and garden regimen, and eco-friendly pet care choices.

        Easy-to-follow information and hundreds of fascinating sidebars, fact boxes, and eco-tips recommend how you can replace unhealthy and environmentally damaging practices and products with more wholesome, planet-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing alternatives.

Local BioBlitz

        A BioBlitz is a 24-hour rapid survey of all living things in a given area.  On August 15 and 16, local scientists, naturalists, and volunteers will comb Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa to find and identify as many different species of plants and animals as possible.  Although BioBlitzes are held across the country, this is Idaho's only one!

        The public is invited to participate in Deer Flat's third annual BioBlitz at the BioBlitz Festival on Saturday August 16.  This free event will include guided boat trips to net fish on Lake Lowell, hummingbird banding demonstrations, native bird walks, and insect collecting.  Visitors can also view live birds of prey and local fish, learn to identify insects at the Bug Tent, visit interactive exhibits from Idaho wildlife-related organizations, and participate in kids' crafts and activities. 

                BioBlitz headquarters will be at the Refuge Visitor Center. The entrance road is located at the corner of Indiana and Roosevelt in Nampa.  A map, directions, and a schedule of festival events are available at www.fws.gov/deerflat.

The Race to the White House

        This year's election is engaging voters-and soon-to-be-voters-more  so than elections in recent years, creating greater interest in the process and more questions as to what it entails.  See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House, by Susan E. Goodman and Elwood E. Smith, is a witty, informative book that will help clarify it all.

        Smith's illustrated anecdotes clarify and expand upon Goodman's accessible, clear explanations as they delve into the history of democracy and travel through its creation and formation in the states.  They amusingly examine the changing electorate and how radio, TV, and later the internet have changed the way we get our information on the candidates, and how the candidates get their positions heard. 

        To accompany the book, Goodman has created a "Kids Speak Out" survey where kids can voice their opinion on this year's election, as well as the overall process, at seehowtheyrunbook.com.  She will tally the results close to November 4 and give an assessment of what kids are thinking about this year's race to the White House.