June/July, 2002
With temperatures in triple digits in part
of the country, the closed (but we hope well-ventilated)
space of the kitchen makes you crazy from the heat and eager
to head out to the beach, the park, or the lake, particular
for that Fourth of July getaway. Eating outdoors can add
zest to your food and give you an appetite for healthy living.
Slow-grilled hamburgers (or tofu burgers), chicken and fish
pair perfectly with our Summer
Red Green Salad, and our frozen Soysicles.
However, when you're grilling or chopping or chilling your
fresh water (be sure to refresh yourself in the hot sun),
it may not be just the ocean air that's spicing your food.
If you take steps to guard against infection, you and your
family can enjoy a safe, healthy summer.
It's not just ants you have to worry about at your picnic.
Make sure that bacteria don't find their way into your hamburger
or chicken. The FDA FightBac campaign recommends that hamburgers
be cooked to 160º F. Large cuts of beef such as roasts
and porterhouse steaks may be cooked to 145º F for
medium rare or to 160º F for medium. To savor those
chicken sandwiches, cook ground poultry (for turkey burgers)
to 165° F and poultry parts to 170° F. That trout
you caught should flake easily with a knife when cooked,
and the flesh should be white and opaque. If you can see
through the fish, throw it back in the lake.
Chop your vegetables, such as tomatoes, avocados and onions,
at home before the picnic, to prevent contamination from
outside bacteria and dirt. Summer is a time for fresh vegetables,
but if weather rains out your picnic, consider dehydrating
your food with the L'Equip
Dehydrator Model 528 (FREE shipping in the continental
U.S.) or the Excalibur
Dehydrator 2900 (2 FREE sheets of Teflex and FREE shipping
in the continental U.S.) for safe storage. The taste is
the same, but the peace of mind is greater when you finally
head outdoors on a sunny day.
No matter where you are, always have access to a sink with
hot, soapy water to wash your hands before and after handling
food. Ask the kids to wash up after they're finished playing
in the sand or throwing a Frisbee.
Finally, don't leave food uncovered (especially anything
with mayonnaise or eggs), even if you're intending to come
back for that cherry pie. Always store food in a cooler
with extra ice packs, especially at the beach. If you're
in the forest, this ensures that animals in the area won't
decide to join the party.
Summer is no time to stay in the kitchen, and once you take
your safety precautions, you won't have to.
Products:
L'Equip
Dehydrator Model 528
Excalibur
Dehydrator 2900
Resources:
FightBAC
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