Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 451-500 of 5,020

[Sarah]

I'm pleased they pink fizz went down well Janice. :-)

[Sandra, Moderator]

We have been all through a cold the last week or so, including my husband and me. I just found this video, and it made me laugh so much!

Man cold vs. mom cold:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLj7f...

[Lisa]

Sandra wrote: "We have been all through a cold the last week or so, including my husband and me. I just found this video, and it made me laugh so much!

Man cold vs. mom cold:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLj..."

Lol, Sandra! So funny, yet so true!

[Tejas Janet]

Too funny, Sandra!! And very true : D

[Tejas Janet]

Hey, it seems I recall a mention about slow cooker, steel-cut oats by some members before. Well, I tried a recipe out last night, and was underwhelmed by my results. I think I need a better recipe. Anybody have experience with this that can share a recipe? Thanks.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lol Sandra. Hope you're feeling better.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I am totally recovered, thank you. But my husband, you know... he still doesn't feel like himself. :D

[Peggy]

Glad you're feeling better Sandra!

I'm at work but I have zero motivation to do something..

[Sarah]

My partner came home yesterday saying he thinks he has a cold. Another one? He needs to stay away from me. I still have sore ribs from the flu/chest infection. This winter has been ridiculous for colds and bugs. Everyone i know has had really bad ones, even the people who generally don't get ill. People i know in the medical profession have all commented that there are some virulant strains of things going about. I can't afford to be ill again. So I'm off to stock up on some vitamin C and whatever else i can find that can help me stay free of the lurgy.

I hope everyone who has been ill on here is starting to feel better.

I get the no motivation Peggy. I snoozed my alarm for an hour this morning. I really did not want to get out of bed. It was a bit chilly though this morning which doesn't help.

I have my second swimming lesson later. Can't wait!

[Sandra, Moderator]

I hope you are spared this time, Sarah! Try to wipe with clorox wipes (or similar) hard surfaces that are touched all the time, like handles and latches. And if the weather collaborates, try to air the ambience opening windows at least for a few minutes. It is what I do in the hope of stop the spreading here, that sometimes is massive. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Kids are harder. They just sneeze in their siblings faces... And opening windows is rarely possible here in winter. But there is not too much one can do.

[Sarah]

Thanks Sandra.

No wipes for me. As much as I don't want to get ill, I don't want to become obsessed with the possibility of getting ill and what germs are lying in wait on things for me. I've seen way too many clients for this kind of problem and I'm going to make sure I don't become one of them. I know there's more to it than that, but still.

It's public transport that is the problem for me I think and is probably where I pick up bugs from. Also my partner but in a 58ft narrowboat, regardless of airing and wiping, I'm inevitably going to catch it. Also some clients come in to see me when they have a cold. It's not door handles in these cases as I open and close the doors but sitting in a smallish room for an hour with them breathing in their germs. Nice!

Vitamins and remedies to boost my immune system so I can fight things off is my way to go I think.

[Lisa]

Enjoy your swimming lesson, Sarah.

My cold is getting worse rather than better. I'm worried it could be turning into a chest infection as I am finding it quite hard and painful to breathe. I will see how things go over the weekend and if I don't improve, I will try and see a doctor next week. Mind you, that might be easier said than done. You can't seem to get an appointment at our surgery for love nor money these days!

[Sarah]

That's not good Lisa. I left mine too long before going to the doctor so don't do the same thing. If you are struggling with your breathing, especially as you have asthma, I'd give them a call. Our doctors is quite good in that they have emergency nurses which you can go see instead. They can prescribe but it needs signing off by a doctor first. It generally means we can see someone the same day if need be. I've seen the emergency doctor before where you go down to the surgery and have to wait. I've sat there 2 hours before which is annoying but at least I got seen. I'd tell the receptionist you're struggling to breath - they might be more likely to squeeze you in.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I do not consider myself obsessed with germs. Germs are part of daily life. I am not interested in live in a sterile environment, but if I can, I will spare my youngest the annoyance of catching the bugs the oldest ones bring from school.

Lisa, sounds like you need to see a doctor. I really hope you are able to get an appointment. Take care!

[Sarah]

I am sorry Sandra if you felt that I was implying that you were obsessed with germs. I do not think that at all. I was just saying, I don't want to become obsessed (it's already going through my head more than it should be at the moment). I feel that if I took action such as using alcohol gel or wipes on my hands and things around the place that this would exacerbate those thoughts which could lead to me closer to being obsessed. Which I do not want.

And I completely understand why you would use the wipes when you have kids to minimise the spread. It was bad enough when it was just me and my partner ill. I can't imagine what it must be like to have that then a load of kids who are also ill to contend with. Hats off to you!

I totally agree with you about not being interested in living in a sterile environment. I think with all the modern cleaning products out there now, we are perhaps eliminating too many germs from our environment. Germs help to build our immunity.

[Peggy]

I think you're right about that last part Sarah. It was on the news here a while ago that those desinfectant soaps are actually doing you more bad than good. And also those small hand soaps that some people carry around in their bags and which you can use without water. Apparently they kill of all the good bacteria, that actually protect you agains illness, too.

[Sandra, Moderator]

No, I don't think you meant I am obsessed with germs. No worries. And I know what you mean. I know many people who is terribly obsessed about germs. I think it is important to understand the difference about germs we live with in daily life, and our body can perfectly handle, and a violent bug it is going around and spreading. I don't even use sanitizer with my kids. If they are in the park, and they want an snack, they can go to the restroom and wash their hands (parks in our area have even liquid soap). Sometimes all the other mothers around me are taking from their bags all kind of stuff to prevent germs, and I feel like the worst mother in the world. But, to be honest, my kids get sick very little. We rarely need to see a doctor other than for check ups.
So, do not worry. It wasn't my intention to imply you were implying anything. On line communication can be tricky sometimes. :)

[Peggy]

I always think that it actually makes you stronger and more resistant if you don't take too many precautions but just the basics (like wash your hands before cooking and after using the toilet). Don't know if it really works that way, but to me it makes sense.

I read something a while ago about parents who gave their kids a full bath/shower twice a day, every day!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Yup, that's the problem with all these life saving inventions. While they kill the bad, they can't tell bad from good, and actually kill all. Which is why antibacterials, disinfectants, antibiotics, etc should all be used sparingly.

Just think, if you build up immunity to things in your kidlets, they can turn into the full functioning adult like me, who found an uncovered, indeterminate age, slice of pizza in the back of her fridge today, and decided it was totally fine to eat if I blasted it in the microwave for long enough. What came out wasn't really pizza anymore, but I'm still fine and dandy, and resourceful!

>.>
<.<

Anyway...
We made cheese yesterday (trying out a Blue) and realised we were out of iodine for sanitising. And had this great realisation that boiling water, and a spray bottle full of vinegar would work just as well. It's amazing how much we rely on things we are marketed, when we have cheap and effective stuff already for a fraction of the price in our cupboards already. My 2L no name brand of vinegar cost me $1.25. A 300mL bottle of iodine costs me $16.

[Lisa]

I agree with what you are all saying about taking too many precautions when it comes to germs. Obviously you need to do the basics like washing hands, etc, but I do think you can go overboard with disinfectant wipes, soaps etc and that they can be counterproductive to building up your immune system.

I phoned up the doctor, there are no appointments available but the receptionist said she would get my GP to ring me which she has done in the past when there have been no appointments. Because of my history and current underlying health problems, she might prescribe me antibiotics without seeing me.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

At least you have a work around Lisa, but that sucks about the doctor. Hope you feel better soon, and are resting up.

Sarah, you need to rest up too. Garlic and chilli are my go to immune boosters. I make a good pork belly stir fry that is perfect for this, but I reckon you could do it with eggplant. I buff up the chilli and garlic in this, but here is the recipe: https://thereisnoutopia.wordpress.com...

[Peggy]

Rusalka wrote: "Yup, that's the problem with all these life saving inventions. While they kill the bad, they can't tell bad from good, and actually kill all. Which is why antibacterials, disinfectants, antibiotics..."

Lol Rusalka, if you don't even remember when you put that slice in the fridge it must have been really old! ;-)

I'm the same though, if it doesn't look or smell funky I eat it. I'm also a big fan of getting rid of expiry dates on things like pasta, rice, and other dried goods. They don't expire and so much is wasted because many people still throw it out when it's past the expiration date.

[Travis]

I just told my wife let me eat that for lunch I have the iron gut. If I'm not sick by dinner then you and the kids should be fine. I'm not sure there's a farmer around who can't eat and hold their food in their mouth simultaneously and if some random whatever gets flicked on it. Bah. It's like a vaccination. Like I also told my wife I cut myself with so much rusty metal I'll never need a tetanus shot

[Travis]

I was talking with my grandmother in law who worked in school back in 60' and 70's or thereabouts she said the farm kids would skip school at times because they had to help to crop work or such, but rarely were they sick. She figured just being around dirt dust and everything else probably built immunity that the other kids couldn't get at home

[KimeyDiann]

My husband is one of those germ obsessed people. He's not as extreme as some people, but he won't eat anything without washing his hands. We can be about to leave home going to a restaurant and he uses the bathroom before leaving so therefore washes his hands right before we leave. When we get to the restaurant, he has to go wash his hands again before he'll eat.

He's also wary of expiration dates too. Milk and meat products have an expiration date on them, but those dates are guesses. Sometimes the milk goes bad before that printed date, sometimes a couple days later. Same for the package of ground beef we bought at the gro. store. But if it says it expired yesterday, he's going to toss it. I'll smell it and make sure it hasn't turned then cook. But I'm not brave enough to eat pizza of indeterminate age! LOL ;)

[Travis]

I just drank an unopened container of eggnog that had a sell by or expiration date on it of about 10 days before. Drank it like a week ago and here I am telling my tale

[Janice, Moderator]

I think the trick is to build up your body's immunity - get plenty of rest, eat good foods, wash your hands, etc. Maybe you'll need to fortify with vitamins like Vitamin C, and Echinacea.

I think too clean produces the opposite effect. I've seen too many cases of people with "antiseptic" homes (those that are so clean you could eat off the floor) and yet are constantly sick. Whereas people who live in not so clean homes aren't sick as much.

I recall my neighbor saying, "A dirty kid is a healthy kid... and yours is the healthiest kid on the block." :) It was true. My son loved to play in mud puddles.

[Sandra, Moderator]

"Food doesn't expire. That is an urban myth" is what I say to my kids when they start looking and asking about due dates. :)

And regarding meat and diary, same here Kimey, I inspect food to be sure it is good, before or after their supposed due date. I trust my common sense more than supermarket's.

Rusalka, it is funny, because just a few minutes before reading your pizza-post, my husband was pointing to a plate in the fridge with around 5 or 6 half eaten apples (you know... toddlers...) and asking "What is this?". My answer "Everything will go to the blender for a smoothie to accompany the after school snack". Kind of borderline, I know, but it makes me sick to waste food.

[Janice, Moderator]

We had wine night last night and most of us ended up taking left-overs home. When the waitress brought our take-out containers back, she'd marked each box with the contents and the date. What a clever idea.

[Peggy]

My mom does that with a lot of stuff in the fridge, like when she opened a carton of milk or bottle of sauce.

[KimeyDiann]

I often wonder if things like that are still good until the expiration date after they are opened. Like the bottle of orange juice I have in my fridge. The date on it is sometime in late February but it has already been opened for two weeks. I just give it the sniff test before drinking or using it to be sure, but I've been curious. Same for sauces and such. Most of those things have dates a year or more in the future, it doesn't seem like they would last that long after the seal has been broken.

[Peggy]

I think it differs. Some products (like juice or milk) say that they're good for a limited time after opening. Other products (some sauces for example) don't say that, and I assume that they are good until at least the expiration date.

[Travis]

The onky things I am super careful with is poultry and sliced lunch meat. They both go bad super quick. I'm pretty sketchy dealing with them. I also try to inspect bread better. I always have the sandwich half gone before I notice the spots of mold. But what can you do. Free penicillin

[Sarah]

That's good Sandra. I just wanted to clarify. I wouldn't want to offend.

I agree with the use by dates on food.

That's agood work around with the vinegar Rusalka. I use whjte vinegar a lot around the home to clean surfaces, daughter scale kettle, clean toilet etc. It's great stuff and so cheap. With your cheese making, i get you using it over iodine. A few years back i injured my toe in Thailand and i used iodine every day on it to make sure it didn't get infected (So easy for that to happen there). I wouldn't have fancied using vinegar on that instead. So not always a good swap. Lol.

I'm pleased Lisa that you'll get to speak to your gp even if it is over the phone.

Nice food to boost immunity sounds good. I cook a lot of garlic and chilli and curry is always my go to when i have a cold. We have indonesian curry tonight made fresh with lots of both in. And I'll grab some extra help from vitamins tomorrow. I couldn't find any decent ones at the shop i went to earlier.

My swimming lesson went well. I learnt more about what to do with my legs in breatstroke today which made a big difference and by the end of the lesson i was swimming without any floatation things, arms and legs doing what they're supposed to (ish) and putting my head under the water at the right times. I am making good progress but i am still oy getting half way across before i have to stop because I've taken in loads of water and have to cough and splutter. I guess the breathing bits the hardest. I'll get there though I'm sure. I've already done better than i thought i woukd in just 2 sessions.

[Joan]

What a great and informative discussion - thanks all of you.
Travis there is good evidence supporting your grandmother's observation. Kids who live on family farms (even adoptees) have much lower rates of asthma, allergies, eczema and upper respiratory infections. One study compared 4H kids raising chickens. The group using standard feed (contains antibiotics) had more health problems.

Vinegar spray or plain soap are probably sufficient for most places but many fungi and bacteria can form spores - which will not be killed by vinegar. This includes the bacterium that causes botulism - so if you are canning food you want to disinfect with bleach or prolonged boiling between preps.

Travis I know on cattle farms down south the vets watch out for anthrax, do dairy farmers in the north?

[Lisa]

I spoke to my GP and she decided to do me a prescription for antibiotics because she thinks I am probably in the early stages of a chest infection. Hopefully they will clear it up. Now I just need to get rid of the underlying cold which caused it.

[Travis]

Well Joan not to my knowledge. Do you know where they are watching for it to show up.

[Joan]

Its just that the bacterial spores are always in the soil so barb wire or anything that breaks the skin can lead to a skin infection which is easily treated with antibiotics but some animal care folks choose vaccination for themselves.

[Travis]

Well if nothing else Trump is making America read again. 1984 is Amazon's #1 best seller

[Joan]

It certainly is eerily prescient. "Alternate facts"is just perfect doublespeak.

[Travis]

That is nothing I've ever heard of up here. Joan

[Joan]

Well I only heard it from a couple of ranchers and a veterinarian I met down in Houston. I don't know if they were trying to shock this greenhorn and I am ridiculously gullible.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Joan wrote: "Vinegar spray or plain soap are probably sufficient for most places but many fungi and bacteria can form spores - which will not be killed by vinegar. This includes the bacterium that causes botulism - so if you are canning food you want to disinfect with bleach or prolonged boiling between preps."

Oh any jar or a bottle (we don't really ever can here) gets a boiling water bath before things go in it. Definitely.

[Joan]

Rusalka wrote: "Joan wrote: "Vinegar spray or plain soap are probably sufficient for most places but many fungi and bacteria can form spores - which will not be killed by vinegar. This includes the bacterium that ..."

I've never tried canning. At University I had to make sauerkraut (not a success); I plan to try making Kimchi this summer.

[Travis]

Kimchi huh. Good food to get people to eat more grains. As it takes a loaf of bread to get the burn out of your mouth

[Travis]

That is if kimchi is the super hot cabbage concoction made by Koreans. Used to have a Korean friend.

[Cherie]

KimeyDiann wrote: "I often wonder if things like that are still good until the expiration date after they are opened. Like the bottle of orange juice I have in my fridge. The date on it is sometime in late February b..."

Most of those dates are "sell by" dates for the store, to rotate stock to keep the oldest stuff in the front of the shelves.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Travis of NNY wrote: "That is if kimchi is the super hot cabbage concoction made by Koreans. Used to have a Korean friend."

That's the one. It's delicious!

[Peggy]

I thought some of you might be interested in hearing about the She Decides initiative, which was started by the Dutch minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. It's to ensure that millions of women and girls can be in charge of their own bodies now that Trump has withdrawn all US funding.

shedecides.eu

[Sarah]

I've been hearing about kimchi a lot recently. Never tried it. But it seems easier to make than sauerkraut. I'm curious to try it.

Feel better soon Lisa. Getting the antibiotics in early should make a big difference i reckon.