HEALTH TALK

Volume 14 Issue 13 SEPTEMBER 1999

NUTRITION NEWS...

2K? What’s all the hype about ?

Should we be worried?

WSU believes that the media has exaggerated the Y2K problem. However it is recommended that each person have a 3 day emergency water and food supply on hand in case a disaster should occur.

The number one item people can not live without is fresh drinking water. There are two ways to purify water,

• BOILING: Boiling water at a full rolling boil for 3 minutes. Boiling water is the only way to kill Cryptosporidium cysts which may be present in flood waters.
• PURIFYING BY ADDING BLEACH: If boiling is not possible water can be treated with liquid household chlorine bleach (such as Clorox, Purex, ect...)

For each gallon of water add 16 drops of bleach

Mix water and bleach and allow to stand 30 minutes. If water is cloudy or very cold increase the standing time to 60 minutes

Þ (DO NOT use scented or color safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.)

Other items needed in your emergency kit are foods you are accustom to. It is unwise to select foods you haven’t eaten before, or are totally different from your normal diet. Foreign foods could cause stomach upset or diarrhea. It is recommended that you use canned food because they are the most resilient and have the longest shelf life.

Canned meats, beans, vegetables, and fruits will help to supplement your diet in case an emergency situation occurs.

Store food and water in a plastic tub rotating older items every six months to keep your supply fresh.

Contact WSU Cooperative Extension for more Y2K information (425- 357- 6014)

1/4 small onion, diced

1 (7 ounce) box macaroni & cheese dinner

1 quart boiling water

1 (16 ounce) can drained tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup milk

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef and onion, drain off grease. (set aside)

2. Cook boxed macaroni following directions on label.

( drain off water)

3. Add cheese package (from box),

cooked meat and onions, tomatoes, and milk to macaroni.

Stir gently over low heat until hot.

(serves 4)

1/2 pound ground beef

1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1-5 ounce package frozen chopped spinach (drained)

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 onion chopped

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon flour

1 small can tomato sauce

3/4 cup water

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1. Combine the first 7 ingredients in a bowl, mix well.
2. Shape meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each).
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and brown meatballs, turning them to brown all sides.
4. Remove from skillet.
5. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat. You may need to add 1/4 cup of your water to loosen particles of meat and vegetables from bottom of pan.
6. Stir in flour, mix until smooth. Add tomato sauce, water and oregano, simmer and thicken sauce.
7. Return meatballs to skillet. Cover and simmer 15-30 min. Serve over rice or noodles.

MEAL PLANNING TIPS...

What’s To Eat? Quick and Easy Meal Ideas for One or Two People!!

• Cook once and eat twice, or even three times. Cook a small roast; eat one portion now and freeze additional portions to mix with vegetables and broth for quick stews, soups, stir-fry, or chili.
• Buy frozen vegetables in 1-pound bags. Cook what you need for a single or double serving or mix several kinds for an interesting vegetable medley.
• Keep several kinds of canned beans and pasta on hand. Pasta and beans make an attractive side dish, or can be used as a base for stews. Pasta can be topped with vegetables and a low-fat sauce to make an incredible meal.
• Try baked fruit for dessert-- one or two servings cook quickly in a microwave oven, or bake the fruit along with your meal in the oven. Serve fruit warm, with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a delightful addition to any meal.
• Consider frozen dinners and entrees. They offer convenient, quick-cooking, tasty meals with little waste and easy clean-up. It’s nice to have one or two on hand for those times you just don’t feel like cooking.

GARDEN GOSSIP...

Watch for Frost...

Did you plant your fall greens? Lettuce and other greens planted at the beginning of September will keep your salad bowl full of fresh ingredients possibly through November. But watch for cold nights that could kill off all of your efforts. Listen for frost warnings on the weather report, or if the nights are cool and there are no clouds, cover your containers with a sheet of plastic a large trash bag, ect... Remove the plastic during the day. If your garden is in a container, and it is possible, move the container closer to the house or apartment building so it receives protection and warmth from the building. In the Northwest we are blessed with an Indian summer however frost starts to creep in around the beginning of October. By covering up at night, your plants can grow well into November. Remember to keep watering and fertilizing, although now you may not need to water quite as often.