Post by: gunug on May 08, 2007, 08:49:24 AM
Man, this is getting serious! http://angrytoxicologist.com/?p=28
QUOTE
Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D) has introduced a bill to ban diacetyl use by 2010. The chemical is an artificial butter flavoring most commonly used in microwave popcorn. Numerous study have found links between the chemical used by flavor workers and a rare disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. For those of you who aren’t 2000 yr old Romans, that means that the bronchioles and some of the smaller bronchi are obliterated by masses made up of fiberous tissue. It’s like sticking marbles into the networks of tubes in your lung that connect fresh air to the alveoli, the little sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with the blood.
Post by: Mayo on May 08, 2007, 01:48:08 PM
So I dumped the remaining bags of toxic waste and purchased a Presto PowerPop. It is a popcorn popper that is designed to work in a microwave. It cost between $15-$20. The PowerPop comes with a package of PowerCup "microwave concentrators" that improve the popping efficiency; they are round cardboard thingies with embedded metal rings that sit in the bottom of the popper. You can use the PowerPop without them, but they really do decrease the number of unpopped kernels to near zero, so the minimal ongoing replacement cost is worth it in my opinion. They last for multiple uses, particularly if you don't use oil with them.
The difference in cost between using the PowerPop and microwave popcorn is dramatic, so the PowerPop pays for itself in a short period of time. We recently stopped using Orville Redenbacher's popcorn after I discovered that ConAgra owns the brand (we try to avoid supporting monopolistic multi-national food corporations in our house...) so we switched to organic popcorn from our local food co-op. Now we are 100% organic... Sorry Orville, wherever you are!
Post by: sandbox on May 08, 2007, 02:07:03 PM
http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/parti...8/t-pv2118.html
Post by: kimmer on May 08, 2007, 02:24:30 PM
QUOTE(Mayo @ May 8 2007, 10:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When we got our microwave (about ten years after everyone else... we're rather slow when it comes to acquiring new consumer goodies)
We still don't have a microwave. 
I am the popcorn lover here and I have a Presto HotAir popper. No oil, no junk. Came with a coupon for Orville's kernels, so I bought a container. It tastes stale!
So now I buy JollyTime. 
I just store it in a plastic container. I can melt butter on the stove, or not - depends on my mood. QUOTE
so we switched to organic popcorn from our local food co-op.
I'll have to watch the farmer's market and see if anyone has any for sale.
Post by: Mayo on May 08, 2007, 04:24:29 PM
Is Jiffy Pop still around? I think we had it one or two times and then my mom said that it was just too darn expensive compared to popping the stuff in a pot on the stove (my Dad's Specialty). It was the microwave popcorn of the 60s... But it sure looked cool when the aluminum bag expanded with popped corn.
My wife and I have discussed ditching the microwave... We use it relatively little since we generally don't eat processed food. (Everything cooked from scratch around here!) We used to heat water in it until we purchased an electric kettle after a trip to Europe where we used the energy-efficient appliances in the flats we rented in Amsterdam. Now the microwave is used for reheating, defrosting frozen left-overs and, of course, popcorn. If we could find a workable substitute for the first two things, we would likely dump the microwave.
Post by: Paddy on May 08, 2007, 07:37:04 PM
We've got a hot air popper and love it. Just add a dash of salt - very occasionally some melted butter.
I love my microwave - we don't cook convenience foods either, but I use it a lot for cooking my oatmeal/hot cereal in the morning, tea/cocoa, cooking some vegetables - not all microwave well, and reheating just about everything. Life would be a lot less convenient without it!
Post by: Gregg on May 08, 2007, 09:02:57 PM
Thanks for the link. I'm checking it out. I don't eat popcorn, but the rest of the family does.
Post by: Paddy on May 08, 2007, 10:34:01 PM
http://www.conagrafoods.com/brands/jiffy_pop/index.jsp
Of course, ConAgra is one of the biggest monopolies around...
And, of course I should have known - Amazon carries it - $25.80 for 24 packs and free shipping.
Post by: kimmer on May 08, 2007, 10:50:40 PM
QUOTE
Big Mama Sausage
Big Mama Sausage
Big Mama and her spicy sister, Tijuana Mama are the largest pickled sausages on the market. They offer a big, bold taste for consumers looking for a hearty snack. Big Mama is available in a pickled flavor and a smoked, non-pickled flavor. Tijuana Mama boasts "300% hotter," ensuring consumers looking for a HOT snack won't be disappointed! All varieties are sold in a single serve pouch.
Big Mama Sausage
Big Mama and her spicy sister, Tijuana Mama are the largest pickled sausages on the market. They offer a big, bold taste for consumers looking for a hearty snack. Big Mama is available in a pickled flavor and a smoked, non-pickled flavor. Tijuana Mama boasts "300% hotter," ensuring consumers looking for a HOT snack won't be disappointed! All varieties are sold in a single serve pouch.
Post by: Gregg on May 09, 2007, 07:36:23 AM
QUOTE(kimmer @ May 8 2007, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Big Mama Sausage
I love sausage, and I love hot!
I met my match when my wife made Firey Hot Linguini, with chipolte peppers and some hot spice I can't recall. We called the fire department.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 09, 2007, 08:52:44 AM
And don't waste too much time looking for a cheaper price anywhere, they rule the supply chain with an 
Post by: kimmer on May 09, 2007, 11:22:13 AM
QUOTE(Gregg @ May 9 2007, 04:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I love sausage, and I love hot!
Good sausage -- yes; BigMama -- NO!
Have you seen these?
The ones at the local market aren't individually packed, they are floating in liquid and it's red and it's about the most disgusting site I've ever seen.
Maybe I should buy a jar and put it on my counter. It would keep me from eating. Great diet incentive.
Post by: krissel on May 10, 2007, 01:27:06 AM
Seriously, veggies cooked in the micro are are
and if you like shrimp you really ought to try microwaving them in water. Almost like boiling but oh so much tastier and not tough (don't add anything to the water...no salt!)Recall reading recently about 'popcorn lung' but it mostly was concerning the workers in the factories.
To note:
QUOTE
Diacetyl is a naturally occurring chemical in bay and other oils, beer, butter, coffee, vinegar, and other food products.
Post by: Gregg on May 10, 2007, 07:26:49 AM
Well, there might be vinegar in some things I eat, and rarely I will have real butter...
Post by: Parker on May 10, 2007, 10:11:00 AM
Post by: Mayo on May 10, 2007, 02:16:01 PM
QUOTE
rarely I will have real butter...
If you are substituting margarine for butter, you are better-off eating the butter, since margarine is essentially a big tub of trans-fat. Scientists have determined that there is no safe level of trans-fat consumption.
We make our own "margarine." Using a food processor or blender, use 1/2 butter and 1/2 healthy oil, such as olive or canola oil. Extra virgin olive oil will impart a slightly green color and stronger taste, while lighter olive oils will be essentially tasteless, as will canola oil. Blend thoroughly and then transfer to a container in the fridge.
It looks and spreads like margarine but it tastes like butter without the health consequences associated with trans-fat, and you cut your use of butter by at least half. It may be possible to use even less butter in the mixture, but I will leave it to others to experiment...
Post by: Gregg on May 10, 2007, 08:46:01 PM
It's not margarine either. It's 37% vegetable oil. Rather mysterious, but I passed my stress test, so it can't be bad. In fact, I made it to the final stage of the stress test. My doctor said most people don't.We also don't use mayo. We use Miracle Whip Light. (We're not into heavy stuff.) It's a salad dressing, but I don't put it on my salad; I put it on my sandwich.
Post by: Mayo on May 10, 2007, 09:05:11 PM
"Liquid Soybean Oil And Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Sweet Cream Buttermilk, Salt, Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate) As Preservatives, Citric Acid, Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A (Palmitate), Colored With Beta Carotene."
"Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil" There's your trans fat...
How's your blood sugar doing? Miracle Whip Light contains high fructose corn syrup...
Post by: Gregg on May 11, 2007, 07:14:49 AM
QUOTE(Mayo @ May 10 2007, 09:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light" ingredients?
"Liquid Soybean Oil And Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Sweet Cream Buttermilk, Salt, Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate) As Preservatives, Citric Acid, Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A (Palmitate), Colored With Beta Carotene."
"Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil" There's your trans fat...
How's your blood sugar doing? Miracle Whip Light contains high fructose corn syrup...
"Liquid Soybean Oil And Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Sweet Cream Buttermilk, Salt, Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate) As Preservatives, Citric Acid, Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A (Palmitate), Colored With Beta Carotene."
"Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil" There's your trans fat...
How's your blood sugar doing? Miracle Whip Light contains high fructose corn syrup...
...But no trans fat, according to the label. Same for ICBINB. I'll go with the labels. They'd be in deep fat if they were lying. My blood sugar came out fine. I've been eating both of these products for decades. Maybe something gets added in the "translation"?
I bet I eat a bunch of other stuff that's worse! I love chocolate, for instance; eat some every day! I'm 5'-9" and weigh 160 (pounds!). My wife says I'm too skinny. I'd rather lose 5 pounds. I watch the volume of food I eat, and excercise every day. I hope you're not worrying about me now...
Post by: dboh on May 11, 2007, 11:30:33 AM
QUOTE(Gregg @ May 11 2007, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...But no trans fat, according to the label. Same for ICBINB. I'll go with the labels. They'd be in deep fat if they were lying.
They're allowed to label products with small amounts of trans fats as containing zero trans fats, much as "natural" products don't have to be 100% percent non-chemical.
From Wikipedia:
On July 11, 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a regulation[46] requiring manufacturers to list trans fat on the Nutrition Facts panel of foods and some dietary supplements.[47] The new labeling rule allowed for immediate voluntary compliance with mandatory compliance by January 1, 2006 (although companies may petition for an extension to January 1, 2008). The regulation allows trans fat levels of less than 0.5 grams per serving to be labeled as 0 grams per serving.
More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat
I've been a butter fiend for years, but I switched, thinking I was helping myself. When I realized that anything containing any amount of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil (even relatively healthy oils like soybean or canola) was highly unhealthy, I beat it back to butter and Hellman's. I just cut my intake.
Post by: Gregg on May 11, 2007, 12:09:13 PM
Post by: Mayo on May 11, 2007, 01:09:46 PM
QUOTE
Should one really worry about LESS THAN 0.5 grams?
A half gram here, a half gram there... now that they can claim zero trans fat when there is actually trans fat in the product means it is more difficult to ascertain how much total trans fat is in a person's diet.
Like I mentioned earlier, the scientific consensus is that there is no safe level of trans fat.
QUOTE
I'll go with the labels.
That's how most people do it (Hey, the label says "no trans fat!") which is exactly why the food processors lobbied for the regulation as it is currently written.
QUOTE
I bet I eat a bunch of other stuff that's worse! I love chocolate...
Maybe you should take a more careful look at the labels of the food you eat! Better yet, try to eat more food that doesn't have a label attached. As far as chocolate goes, dark chocolate has been shown to have some anti-oxidant properties, as well as making people smile when they eat it.
As with all sweet things, moderation is the key...
Post by: sandbox on May 11, 2007, 02:08:40 PM
The Oil issue is all over the place, every year someone pays some scientist to find something wrong with the last concoction leading us all down the road of wonder.
Olive oil has been highly used in the Mediterranean since Plato, where Soy oil has been used in the east for millennium, Corn Oil, native Americans, Whale Oil, Damn Yankees, fat this or fat that, "doctors say" check with your doctor and if needed get an oil change. Then while sitting at your local grab & growl you notices your doctor sitting at the table with a representative of the Canola industry who's picking up the bill, the next thing you know Canola is favored 5 to 1.
Here in Florida, where Palmetto Bugs are everywhere, Roach Oil is becoming the craze.
My recommendation would be to use Smart Balance , just to cover all the bases, and their PopCorn is tatsy!
Post by: kimmer on May 11, 2007, 05:26:47 PM
QUOTE(sandbox @ May 11 2007, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Like Krissel I use my 1400 watt Nuker as a primary food preparation utility, in concert with a Webber Station and a crock pot, I'm in culinary heaven.
Crock pot. Which one? I'm looking to try crock pot cooking again and I'm researching.
Post by: Mayo on May 12, 2007, 12:44:15 PM
QUOTE
The Oil issue is all over the place, every year someone pays some scientist to find something wrong with the last concoction leading us all down the road of wonder.
I often see this argument applied to situations where answers are not immediately apparent but I believe it to be naive at best... So it begs the question: Are you willing to bet your life based solely on your cynicism?
Post by: Gregg on May 12, 2007, 04:38:38 PM
QUOTE(Mayo @ May 11 2007, 01:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Like I mentioned earlier, the scientific consensus is that there is no safe level of trans fat.
Well, now I know not to pay any attention to those "experts". I know I've eaten a doughnut or 20,000 in my life, and I'm still around!
I didn't mention that I love doughnuts. Chocolate ones are not my favorite. They're second to blueberry cake, a healthy sounding one.
Post by: sandbox on May 12, 2007, 06:35:36 PM
QUOTE(Mayo @ May 12 2007, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I often see this argument applied to situations where answers are not immediately apparent but I believe it to be naive at best... So it begs the question: Are you willing to bet your life based solely on your cynicism?
Mayo, I've been eating everything in front of me for 56 years and my health, aside from broken bones is good. I’m not one that would be surprised if in three years time a new study found that transfats were not the culprit but something now removed from the process.
We’ve been down this road with sugar substitutes and have almost come full circle, where the solution was worse than the problem.
Not that excessive use or consumption of anything isn’t a challenge to a system especially a sedentary couch potato with a myriad of bad habits, but I suspect that many of the top thinkers and athletes in the world have consumed transfats as a part of their diets and still came away with an outstanding medical reviews then and after years of consuming the Vegetable Oil now considered sludge.
Back to the PopCorn issue….. while on a cross country bicycle trip we rolled into this town that claimed to be the popcorn capital. We stopped an ate, the bicycles always attracted locals and they told us as much as we could consume about popcorn. All Popcorn retailers bought their popcorn from the same silos as everyone else we were told, to my amazement Orville’s popcorn was no different than Jiffy’s, the difference was in the process and packaging.
Post by: Gregg on May 13, 2007, 04:42:02 PM
QUOTE(sandbox @ May 12 2007, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All Popcorn retailers bought their popcorn from the same silos as everyone else we were told, to my amazement Orville’s popcorn was no different than Jiffy’s, the difference was in the process and packaging.
No suprise there. Go look in the laundry detergent aisle at your supermarket.
Post by: Mayo on May 14, 2007, 07:41:51 PM
Happy Scarfing!
Post by: Gregg on May 15, 2007, 10:47:06 AM
QUOTE(sandbox @ May 12 2007, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Not that excessive use or consumption of anything isn’t a challenge to a system especially a sedentary couch potato with a myriad of bad habits, but I suspect that many of the top thinkers and athletes in the world have consumed transfats as a part of their diets and still came away with an outstanding medical reviews then and after years of consuming the Vegetable Oil now considered sludge.
My wife always says she doesn't want to live to be 90 anyway.
My Dad is in his 86th year, has smoked for much of his adult life, and is in reasonably good health. Go figure.
If I'm gonna last that long, I want my wife around too!