SAFE FOOD HANDLING-THAWING THE TURKEY

SAFE FOOD HANDLING-THAWING THE TURKEY

   Thanksgiving is at the door.  As a mom, I feel compelled to review safe food handling tips to minimize risk of our families getting sick from our inattention.  So, we begin with the frozen turkey.  When you buy the turkey frozen, immediately put it in the freezer when you bring it home.  Do not let it set in the automobile, or on the table, or on the back porch.  Immediately put it in the freezer.

  We have 2 days before Thanksgiving.  We should already be thawing our turkeys in the refrigerator.  Place the bird in a dish that will contain any juices that may drip as the turkey thaws.  This reduces the risk of cross-contamination if it drips on other food, and reduces work for us (i.e. cleaning the fridge again).  We give 4-5 lbs at least 24 hours in the fridge.  So here is a table from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):  A turkey thawed in the fridge can stay in the fridge a day or two before cooking after thawed.

Whole turkey:

•  4 to 12 pounds ……  1 to 3 days
• 12 to 16 pounds …… 3 to 4 days
• 16 to 20 pounds …… 4 to 5 days
• 20 to 24 pounds …… 5 to 6 days

 If we haven't started thawing the turkey yet, we may look at the cold water method.  Remember, we do not want to allow the turkey to set out at room temperature, because the part of the bird that is already thawed, while awaiting the innermost parts to thaw, will have the bacteria growing that was already there when the turkey was frozen initially.  So, here is a table for the cold water method according to the USDA:

Cold Water Thawing Times

•  4 to 12 pounds …… 2 to 6 hours
• 12 to 16 pounds …… 6 to 8 hours
• 16 to 20 pounds …… 8 to 10 hours
• 20 to 24 pounds …… 10 to 12 hours

A turkey thawed by the cold water method should be cooked immediately. After cooking, meat from the turkey can be refrozen.
  Remember to verify the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag, to minimize risk of cross-contamination, and to minimize risk that the turkey will absorb more water.  Be sure the entire turkey is submerged in the water and change the water every thirty minutes.  Cook the bird as soon as it is defrosted.

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LOW MAGNESIUM

MAGNESIUM DEFICIT

General information

      Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium) results from excessive magnesium (Mg) loss from increased renal (kidney) excretion or gastrointestinal (GI) fluid losses, insufficient dietary Mg intake, or movement of Mg from the ECF to the ICF

    Mg, the second most abundant intracellular cation, is essential for neuromuscular integration; hypomagnesemia increases muscle cell irritability and contractility

   Mg also activates enzyme systems and contributes to intracellular biochemical reactions

   Hypomagnesemia causes decreased blood pressure and may result in ventricular dysrhythhmias

   Hypomagnesemia commonly is mistaken for hypokalemia, which often occurs simultaneously

Etiology (causes)

   Excessive dietary intake of calcium or vitamin D

   Severe GI fluid losses from gastric suctioning or lavage (performed by medical personnel), prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, or laxative abuse

   Prolonged, excessive diuretic therapy

   Administration of I.V. fluids or TPN without Mg replacement (an oversight by medical personnel) 

   Prolonged malnutrition or starvation

   Malabsorption syndromes  (a disease where nutrients are not absorbed by the body)

   Ulcerative colitis (a disease of the bowel)

   Hypercalcemia (excess calcium)

   Hypoparathyroidism (a disorder of the parathyroid gland resulting in low parathyroid hormone)

   Hypoaldosteronism (decreased levels of the hormone aldosertone)

   High-dose steroid use

   Cancer chemotherapy

   Gentamicin therapy (an I.V. antibiotic)

   Burns and debridement therapy

   Sepsis (a severe infection of the blood)

   Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

   Diabetic ketoacidosis

   Chronic alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal

   Pregnancy-induced hypertension

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INTRODUCTION TO MAGNESIUM

THE ELECTROLYTE:  MAGNESIUM

General information

  Magnesium (Mg) is a major cation (cat ion) in the intracellular fluid (ICF), closely related to calcium (Ca)  and phosphorus (P). Intracellular fluid is the blood in the red blood cells.  ECF, or extracellular fluid is the plasma in red blood cells.  Because their cells allow different substances to permeate, the ICF and ECF have different electrolyte concentrations.

   About 60% of magnesium is contained in bone.

   A normal diet supplies approximately 25 milequillevent (mEq) of Mg daily; of this amount, 10 mEq is absorbed trough the small bowel, 10 mEq is excreted in urine, and the ramainder is excreted in feces.

   Normal serum Mg level ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/liter, with 33% bound to protein and the ramainder existing as free cations.

   Normal Mg concentration in the ICF is 40 mEq/liter.

Functions:

   Activates intracellular enzymes and acts in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

   Acts on the mtoneural junction, affecting neuromuscular irritability and contractility of cardiac and skeletal muscle.

   Affects peripheral vasodilation, resulting in changes in blood pressure and cardiac output

   Facilitates transport of Na and K across cell membranes

   Influences intracellular Ca level through its effect of PTH secretion

Regulation:

   Control of Mg is not clearly understook

   Factors that influence Ca and K balance seem to act on Mg as well

   Sighn and symptoms of Mg imbalance--particularly hypomagnesemia--mimic those of Ca imbalance, which may interfere with diagnosis and treatment of Mg imbalance

   The kidneys can conserve Mg efficiently, restricting losses to 1 mEq/day if necessary; however, excessive Mg excretion can result from  diuretic use.

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HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Definition:

   What is high blood pressure?    Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the blood pumps blood.  If this pressure rises and remains high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.  For the average American adult, normal blood pressure is defined as 120/79.  Anything above that is considered high.  The medical community refers to high blood pressure as hypertension (HTN).   The following chart defines blood pressure ranges:

Here's a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean for you. If your readings fall into two different categories, your correct blood pressure category is the higher category. For example, if your blood pressure reading is 125/95 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), you have stage 1 hypertension.

Top number (systolic) in mm Hg		Bottom number (diastolic) in mm Hg	Your category*	What to do**
Below 120	and	Below 80	Normal blood pressure	Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.
120-139	or	80-89	Prehypertension	Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.
140-159	or	90-99	Stage 1 hypertension	Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. If blood pressure goal isn't reached in about six months, talk to your doctor about taking one or more medications.
160 or more	or	100 or more	Stage 2 hypertension	Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about taking more than one medication.

*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child's doctor if you're concerned your child has high blood pressure.

**Note: These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or certain other conditions, you'll need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.

If your blood pressure is normal, maintaining or adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure or other health problems. If your blood pressure isn't normal, a healthy lifestyle — oftentimes along with medication — can help bring it under control and reduce your risk of life-threatening complications.

The above chart was copied from the Mayo Clinic website.

The message that should be brought away from the preceding information is this:  High blood pressure is known as "the silent killer".  Obtain your blood pressure readings at least twice a year.  You can go to most pharmacies across America and utilize their blood pressure machine without cost.  There is even one in most Wal-Marts.  If your reading is high, check with your doctor.

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NATIONAL SMOKE-OUT DAY: NOVEMBER 17TH

PREPARATION

How many of us smoke cigarettes?  Confession is good for the soul.  I once heard Joyce Meyers say that when she first started her Bible Study group she had the habit.  Bless you, Joyce for your confession.  That emboldened me.  So, we will quit this habit together.  Are you ready?

1)  The first step is to track our cigarettes, so we can fight the triggers.  This is like when we look at our budget and try to figure out where all the money is going.  Same principle.  Take three days and write down when you reach for a cigarette.  Log every cigarette you smoke, what you were doing, and how strong the urge was.  Be sure to track on a weekday as well as the weekend.  We can use "S" for strong, "M" for mindless, "N" for normal, and "L" for low urge.

2)  At the end of the three days, evaluate what your triggers are.  In order to re-learn how to deal with all of these triggers without a cigarette, you need to start separating the cigarette from the trigger.  I have purchased one of those electric cigarettes, two bags of lollipops, and chewing gum.  I am a type A personality.  Re-learning is just putting some time between the trigger and the cigarette.  It is like when your child pushes your button and you get so mad that you have to take some time before you confront him, so you don't mishandle the punishment.  Recognize the trigger, and wait as long as possible before reaching for that cigarette.  Better yet, before you reach for that electric cigarette or lollipop.

3)  Plan to celebrate kicking the addiction.  National Smoke-out Day is November 17th.  We will have a national smoke-free celebration on Thanksgiving, giving thanks for our new life.

Good luck.  There are many helpful sites you can take advantage of.  One is http://www.becomeanex.org/.

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