.Many of you have been like me, in the DARK, with no electricity for the last few days and now dealing with pipe and water issues. See my safety tips for food and water that may be of use for you now, followed by updates with my business. I’ve got lots of new programs coming down the pipes, thank goodness something IS coming down the pipes. Literally and figuratively speaking about plumbing pipes in the house, and the body.
I feel you, and it sucks, Polar Vortex took Texas out for days!
Do you have a fear about what you are eating?
First and foremost, you are experiencing stressful times, do what you can for self-care. Do not stress about whether you are eating your 5 fruits and vegetables minimum, getting your water, or exercise, this is not the time to worry about any of that. Food safety tips addressed next but the anxiety around food is real. Sure, if you don’t get your water, your vegetables, and fiber, your bowel movements may be a little disruptive and you may feel a bit off, and right now you are working with survival mode if you are impacted by the polar vortex. So, use kind self-talk words.
Your body is amazing and no one day or week will completely throw you off the success you have been having with finding balance and a sustainable way to eat without fear and finding a way to nourish your body while improving your health. If the fear and anxiety around what is happening right now are strong, talk to a professional who can help, use any assistance programs, and if the anxiety is around fear, work with your dietitian, who can help you address and strategize the best approach for you.
Food Safety Practical Meal Strategies
Here are a few quick tips as you dig out, de-thaw and start to re-emerge back and deal with the continued challenges.
Food Safety is key when deciding what survived.
Quick freezer rule: If food from freezer has ice crystals and feels cold, as if refrigerated (or 40ₒ or below), all freezer food is good and can be re-frozen, unless the product is ice cream or frozen yogurt.
The refrigerator is more complicated. If your refrigerator went out and was without power for more than 4 hours, and you did not find a way to maintain the food temps, throw out food like eggs, meats, cheese, left- overs, etc.
Never use smell to tell if food is safe or not.
If you were able to maintain the temperature by alternate methods, you may be good. Here’s an example:
The first day of the power outage, when the temp was still maintained in my freezer, I took the food and put outside in the freezing temps, in the snow, out of the sun, with in a protected storage container, with ice bags in between the food products. Experts recommend against using outside in snow because of variable outside temps, sun warming containers, animals, and contaminants.
The temp outside never rose about freezing (in single digits and teens) and food was kept out of the sun. So, if packages still have the ice crystals and feel cold as if it was refrigerated, you checked and know temps were maintained and kept safe from the elements, you MAY be OK re-freeze.
I would never recommend going against what the CDC says as a general rule with how long temps should be maintained and the length outside with no power. However, do keep in mind that there is variability and we are talking about risk. Food-born illness is dangerous and could be deadly, especially for compromised individuals, so play it on the safe side if at all possible. More about food and what now with limited ways to replace food and dwindling home food supplies soon.
Let’s talk about variability
• For instance, a full fridge or freezer maintains temps longer.
• If you keep fridge/freezer doors closes, temperature maintains longer.
• The temp your fridge/freezer set at before power loss impacts.
• The temp inside the house impacts.
• The temps outside impact.
• The temps of where the food is moved to is a factor, as well as all of the additional elements.
Food Safety Quick rule is, if you question it, then throw out.
The CDC has some quick chart references that may help you make your decisions
https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage
Use filtered water for your pets For plants, if you plan to eat them or something off of them, use boiled water that has been cooled, but if they are decorative, tap water is fine. Wash dishes in water temp that is hot enough, as you are eating on those dishes, so food safety guidelines apply. With the snow still on the ground, and water supplies for many shut off, yes you can boil snow for water, provided you have electricity, which is a premium right now in Texas. You want to boil snow for 1 minute and filter out any impurities.
Use filtered water for your pets For plants, if you plan to eat them or something off of them, use boiled water that has been cooled, but if they are decorative, tap water is fine. Wash dishes in water temp that is hot enough, as you are eating on those dishes, so food safety guidelines apply. With the snow still on the ground, and water supplies for many shut off, yes you can boil snow for water, provided you have electricity, which is a premium right now in Texas. You want to boil snow for 1 minute and filter out any impurities.
Water Safety
- Boil is for a full rolling boil for 1 minute
- Boil water, even if it is filtered from your faucet filtering system or refrigerator Do not use your ice, it is made from the same source and must be boiled
- Use filtered water for your pets For plants, if you plan to eat them or something off of them, use boiled water that has been cooled, but if they are decorative, tap water is fine. Wash dishes in water temp that is hot enough, as you are eating on those dishes, so food safety guidelines apply. With the snow still on the ground, and water supplies for many shut off, yes you can boil snow for water, provided you have electricity, which is a premium right now in Texas. You want to boil snow for 1 minute and filter out any impurities.
Many of you are under a boil water advisory right now. Key take away points to consider are as follows:
Sure, we have all eaten snow and been fine. I even wrote previously about snow ice cream and made it again this year. My family is blessed to have a healthy immune system and the ability to make snow ice cream, we even made 4 different flavors! The strawberry was the winner! Ah, I digress about ice cream. The point is the amount we consumed was far less than what is consumed when you rely on snow for meeting your hydration needs and need increased amounts!
Exciting News
Exciting News
I am doing tele nutrition appointments, if you have not had a session with me recently, appointments are even easier to work into schedules (once you have return of electricity and internet of course)
In addition, I have been hard at work developing:
eBooks addressing:
• Nutrition for Optimal Immunity
• Anti-inflammatory Meal Planning
• Your Ultimate Guide to Building a Healthy Kitchen
Simple Success Nutrition and Cooking Courses
VIP monthly packages with and without personal fitness training
Meal plans including weekly recipes and the shopping lists
Updating my website (will go live soon)
A new electronic health record to streamline working with clients and providers and making scheduling and paying for your appointments much easier.
Let me know how you have been doing. What are you struggling with? Stay tuned for more exciting news as it develops.
