Killing Bacteria

Q. I know that if you don't refrigerate meat within 2 hours of cooking it, you're supposed to throw it out. But why can't you just reheat the meat? Won't that kill all the harmful bacteria?

A. Reheating meat that has been left out might kill the bacteria that grew on its surface, but it won't destroy illness-causing toxins produced by certain bacterial strains allowed to thrive at room temperature. Consider that the bacterium staphylococcus—which resides in the nose and throat and can easily make its way onto food—produces a toxin that can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, chills, fever, and headache. And even making foods piping hot won't destroy that toxin. That's why it's safer to throw out cooked foods if they've been left unrefrigerated for more than two hours.

Reprinted with permission from Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, September 1997.

Winter Wear - Taking Care of Wool

According to the Wool Bureau, Inc., the following suggestions will help wool clothing last season after season:

* After wearing—brush and air.
* Hang, leaving lots of space.
* Fold the knits.
* Dry clean once a season unless stained, and especially before storing.
* Keep moths away by storing wool with fresh cedar blocks.
* To remove wrinkles, hang garment in a steamy bathroom.

Book Review

The Prostate — A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them
by Patrick C. Walsh, M.D. and Janet Farrar Worthington

Dr. Patrick C. Walsh, director of the department of urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and science writer Janet Farrar Washington, have written a clear and precisely illustrated resource book about prostate health. The book states that "Few men who live a normal life span—about 74 years—will be unscathed by some sort of prostate ailment." The book is a wonderfully written text that allows the average person the knowledge to help prevent problems by learning to recognize early signs of trouble.

The authors state that, "Most prostate trouble can be prevented and, if caught early enough, all prostate problems can be cured, even cancer…. What you learn from this book about this troublesome gland may save someone's life, and getting good information about these prostate ailments may also preserve a man's quality of life."

This book, as the title states, is not only for men, but for mothers and wives who can pass this vital knowledge on to the men and boys in their lives.

Available in paperback, this book can be purchased at most bookstores or can be ordered from Warner Books directly by calling 1-800-222-6747.

Making a Chanukah Tablecloth

Supplies:
• Twin-size flat white sheet
• Cardboard box cut open to lay flat
• Permanent or washable markers (fabric markers are also recommended)
• Excited and creative children

Lay the white sheet on the floor (with cardboard underneath to protect floor) and encourage children to draw pictures (or use stencils) of Stars of David, menorahs, latkes, Chanukah gelt, or any other Jewish theme that comes to mind.

After the artwork is completed, the sheet can be used to decorate the table (we recommend placing a thin, transparent plastic table cloth over the sheet) or can be hung on the wall as a homemade mural.

2. Staple or tape a note around the handle of your purse or briefcase so you won't forget the important thing you're supposed to bring with you.

3. The best way to remember where your keys are is to always put them in the same spot every time.

4. Tie a bright ribbon on your car antenna to help you recognize your car in a large parking lot.

1. For maximum protection, antifreeze mixture should be:
A. half antifreeze, half water
B. pure antifreeze
C. 70% antifreeze, 30% water

2. A battery loses some of its power as the temperature drops. At 0°F it produces only:
A. 80% of its original power
B. 50% of its original power
C. 40% of its original power

Answers
1. "C" is correct. Although a 50/50 mixture will protect your car to -34° F, the 70% mixture will protect to 85° F. Do not use a stronger solution than that.

2. "C" is correct. Even a stronger battery produces only 40% of its power at 0° F, at which time the starter may need twice as much electrical power to start a cold engine.

Reprinted with permission from the Car Care Council. For more information on winter car care, call 419-735-5343 for winter car booklets.

The answer is "yes" according to Dr. Gregory Burke, a professor at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. "Women who eat moderate amounts (approximately 20 grams per day) of soy protein suffer less severe hot flashes."

Soy products (e.g., tofu, tempi, soy dressings, soy mayo, etc.) contain plant estrogens that are similar to the estrogen produced in the human body. Also noteworthy is that women on a diet that includes soy proteins had a 10% drop in their total cholesterol levels, as well as an added 11% decline in LDL ("bad") cholesterol—and no decline in HDL ("good") cholesterol.

In general, Dr. Burke also recommends reducing the consumption of animal products and increasing vegetable products in one's diet, which is in line with the recommendations of the Heart Association and The Cancer Institute.

The answer is you must drink enough to quench your thirst, but you do not have to fill yourself up with liquids. A report in Pediatrics 86, no. 5 (1990): pp. 737-40 states, "Nursing mothers who can't produce enough milk are often told to drink more fluids. It seems to make sense, but it's wrong.

Researchers at the University of Iowa asked 15 breast-feeding mothers to increase the amount of water they drank by 25 percent. The extra water made some women feel bloated but did nothing to boost anyone's milk production."

If you want to increase your milk supply, just nurse more often. Nursing more frequently is the only way to increase milk supply. According to Dr. Ruth Lawrence, "As breast milk is removed, more is produced."