I just had to post this. Some may disagree with me, but I think that eating in a restaurant in today's economy should be considered a high risk activity.
Who here has gotten sick after eating out? For my husband and I, it's 50/50. And we eat at fairly nice restaurants, when we DO go out. I'm so tired of deciding to splurge on a nice meal cooked by someone else, and then spending a whole day, the both of us, with diarrhea and stomach cramps.
Restaurants are cutting corners. They often hire untrained, uneducated (sometimes undocumented, too) workers who don't know who to properly handle food. The result is a public getting very sick.
I'm all done. I used to LOVE to eat out...no more. My meals will all be at home.
(What inspired this rant? We went out to eat Friday night. We each had a small steak, grilled eggplant and butternut squash ravioli. Everything was covered in sauce. It tasted okay...within 3 hours we were both violently ill and we spent the entire next 24 hours--yesterday--with stomach cramps and many, many visits to the bathroom.)
One last scary fact: my daughter told me that she has heard kids her age talking about 'dosing' people with Visine. Especially those working in fast food restaurants....if they don't like the customer, or just feel like being a jerk, they squirt a few drops of Visine (an eye lubricant sold in drugstores) on their food. You cannot taste it, and it makes you very sick. Apparently CSI did an episode on this, and it was in some popular movie. I googled it and was shocked to find out how widespread the practice is.
What a world, what a world...
Full Version: A Warning: DON'T eat out!
RR,
I shocked that people would do this with the Visine. That's really scary. I've been sick many times from going out places to eat. The amount of MSG they put in food to make it look good is so bad. I've always been apprehensive about the food when I go out, but I always thought it was my anxiety that was doing that. It probably has something to do with it but still. As far as people with " no documentation" I would say that people "with" documentation are just as bad. Dont' think that makes a difference but I understand your frustration. I've been very sick as well from going out to eat and I sure dont go to those places anymore. There is a web site in my city that warns us of places that questionable according to the food safety regulations and maybe there is a website in your city. Worth checking out while your googling
.
Hugs,
Moozie
xooxox
I shocked that people would do this with the Visine. That's really scary. I've been sick many times from going out places to eat. The amount of MSG they put in food to make it look good is so bad. I've always been apprehensive about the food when I go out, but I always thought it was my anxiety that was doing that. It probably has something to do with it but still. As far as people with " no documentation" I would say that people "with" documentation are just as bad. Dont' think that makes a difference but I understand your frustration. I've been very sick as well from going out to eat and I sure dont go to those places anymore. There is a web site in my city that warns us of places that questionable according to the food safety regulations and maybe there is a website in your city. Worth checking out while your googling
.Hugs,
Moozie
xooxox
My mother always thought she was having stomach bugs or allergic reactions...until they went for an entire year without eating out anywhere. Guess what? She didn't have even ONE instance of stomach troubles.
There is just so much vulnerability when you eat out. There's the prep of the food, the actual cooking of it, the serving...there's the silverware, the surfaces, the dishes...whether or not your server coughed or touched their face/eyes/nose/mouth/hair before serving your meal. I've been in the kitchens of some pretty nice restaurants and the conditions are horrifying. They're always too hot, crowded, dirty...they almost aways have rats or some kind of infestation.
If we ever eat out again, it will be in an establishment that has an 'open kitchen'. The kind where the patrons can watch the food being cooked. But that won't be for a very long time. I worked very hard this past week, especially on friday, and that one meal ruined my weekend. Color me angry.
There is just so much vulnerability when you eat out. There's the prep of the food, the actual cooking of it, the serving...there's the silverware, the surfaces, the dishes...whether or not your server coughed or touched their face/eyes/nose/mouth/hair before serving your meal. I've been in the kitchens of some pretty nice restaurants and the conditions are horrifying. They're always too hot, crowded, dirty...they almost aways have rats or some kind of infestation.
If we ever eat out again, it will be in an establishment that has an 'open kitchen'. The kind where the patrons can watch the food being cooked. But that won't be for a very long time. I worked very hard this past week, especially on friday, and that one meal ruined my weekend. Color me angry.
We rarely eat out, mostly because it's expensive, and one of my daughters has a very sensitive stomach, and often gets sick after eating at restaurants. She's OK with places like McDonald's, but I don't know if it's the sauces or what but she get sick easily, although she seems to be outgrowing it more.
I'm so used to cooking these days it actually feels strange to order food and be waited on. I feel like unless we have some good reason to do so we should be able to prepare our own food. With the money you save by not eating out you can buy more interesting ingredients and try new foods. I met someone recently who said we're made to "gather around the fire"--make our own food, and gather with friends. It was sort of hippieish what she was saying, but I do agree. It's almost strange to have people we don't know preparing our food. Like you say, we have no idea what's really in the food, how old it is, and we know nothing about person preparing the food. When we prepare it ourselves we know exactly what's going into it.
And I've read that the more expensive the restaurant, the greater the chances you'll be sick, because there are more steps usually to preparing the food and there are more ingredients usually (more intricate dishes). So the less steps there are to preparing the food, the better. A lot of the nicer restaurants run their "specials" and a lot of times they seem like the chef just was being creative, throwing things together on a whim. So I'd stay away from those specials, and stick with the most popular items ordered that the staff knows how to cook well.
It seems whenever I go to a public restroom (anywhere) I'm amazed at how dirty the restrooms are and how few people actually wash their hands after using the restroom. So I always wonder about that, too, when I go to a restaurant! There have been some restaurants that have had employees with hepatitis working there and they were shut down, also.
I'm so used to cooking these days it actually feels strange to order food and be waited on. I feel like unless we have some good reason to do so we should be able to prepare our own food. With the money you save by not eating out you can buy more interesting ingredients and try new foods. I met someone recently who said we're made to "gather around the fire"--make our own food, and gather with friends. It was sort of hippieish what she was saying, but I do agree. It's almost strange to have people we don't know preparing our food. Like you say, we have no idea what's really in the food, how old it is, and we know nothing about person preparing the food. When we prepare it ourselves we know exactly what's going into it.
And I've read that the more expensive the restaurant, the greater the chances you'll be sick, because there are more steps usually to preparing the food and there are more ingredients usually (more intricate dishes). So the less steps there are to preparing the food, the better. A lot of the nicer restaurants run their "specials" and a lot of times they seem like the chef just was being creative, throwing things together on a whim. So I'd stay away from those specials, and stick with the most popular items ordered that the staff knows how to cook well.
It seems whenever I go to a public restroom (anywhere) I'm amazed at how dirty the restrooms are and how few people actually wash their hands after using the restroom. So I always wonder about that, too, when I go to a restaurant! There have been some restaurants that have had employees with hepatitis working there and they were shut down, also.
Frisbee: I forgot about that! The restrooms---ugh! I loved your post....it really made me think. I'm "on the road" all day long for my job so eating out became second nature to me. I never stopped to consider your points...that complete strangers are preparing my meals for me. Whose to day they don't have a cold, or the flu? How do I know they wash their hands as much as they should?
I don't mean to sound paranoid or start more people worrying about yet something else, but this decision of mine (not to eat out anymore) has come after 10 long years of eating out a LOT....out of necessity...or so I thought...and also having almost constant stomach problems. Starting this week, I'm going to be packing lunches for hubby and me.
The hard part is on a Friday afternoon...we're tired, we're beaten up, we're hungry. The last thing I want to do is come home, take off my suit, and start chopping onions. I'm going to have come up with a strategy for dealing with Friday nights. Maybe make something earlier in the week and freeze it...something that can be put right into the oven when I come home.
Your comment about 'specials' was right on too. About 20 years ago a girlfriend and I were eating at a local Asian restaurant. The server told us how wonderful the shrimp was that night...special dish, special price...she just went on and on about it. I ordered it and found them to be inedible. On my way to the ladies room, I happened to pass by the kitchen and I heard someone telling a server "keep pushing the shrimp. we're going on 2 weeks and we have to get rid of it or throw it out."
Ditto for grocery store delis that sell prepared foods...my daughter worked in a local supermarket here in my town when she was in high school. The stuff she told me was shocking...the prepared meatballs in the deli were made from expired hamburger meat...the ham salad was from the dried ends of ham in the deli case. She worked in the store bakery and once she was pulling a loaf of bread out of the oven. She dropped in on the floor and subsequently tossed it in the trash. The owner (this is a small, independently owned grocery store) walked in, took the bread OUT OF THE TRASH, dusted it off, and restocked it. And she got yelled at for 'wasting product.' She made good money there...belonged to a union, even had part time benefits. But after 2 summers of witnessing this stuff, she quit and told me she couldn't work there anymore (she won't shop there either.)
Heck, I"m on a roll, so I'll keep going.....I'm remembering more stuff as I type. One of my aunts has worked for a major grocery store chain for her entire life. She once told me never to buy fresh fish from them. Claims that as the fish gets old, they dunk it in bleach to whiten it and make it look fresh.
I saw a special on tv last night about a woman who has written a book with her husband--he is an environmental sciences professor. Their family decided to conduct their own experiment...for an entire year, they only ate food that they grew themselves, or bought from a local farm. Such a neat idea..but of course impractical for someone like me, who works full time, and lives in New England.
DD goes to college in Florida and she and her housemates have joined a Produce Co-op. They pay a weekly fee (I think it's $15 dollars/person) and once a week they go to this farmers market and can pick up all the locally grown fruits and veggies they want. There's no guarantee on what will be available that week but so far she's loving it (she is an amateur chef and likes to experiment in the kitchen.)
Hubby and I were talking about it...we're really the first generation of children who were raised on processed and "convenience" foods. My mother and father grew up with a gardens and animals. My father clearly remembers his own parents buy a pig from a local farmer and paying to have it slaughtered and cut up for them. Almost every picture of my grandmother has her shucking, peeling, or picking apart vegetables from her garden. She'd sit on the lawn with a big pile of green beans in her apron, and snip the ends off with scissors. One of my favorite family stories is about her wedding...she and my grandfather were right off the boat from Italy and got married fairly young. She had a big wedding reception and wanted meat served. She and her NINE (yup, 9) sisters went to a local poultry farmer and bought 200 chickens. They killed them, plucked them, and cooked them themselves. Can you imagine a young bride in American doing that nowadays?
There is a whole movement in the world now to eat more organically and support local growers. The problem is, while I love shopping at stores like Whole Foods, it's just so damned expensive!!
I should probably move my thoughts to the thread on food prices...I kind of got away from my original topic.
I'd really be interested, though, to know how many women here have gotten sick from eating out...
I don't mean to sound paranoid or start more people worrying about yet something else, but this decision of mine (not to eat out anymore) has come after 10 long years of eating out a LOT....out of necessity...or so I thought...and also having almost constant stomach problems. Starting this week, I'm going to be packing lunches for hubby and me.
The hard part is on a Friday afternoon...we're tired, we're beaten up, we're hungry. The last thing I want to do is come home, take off my suit, and start chopping onions. I'm going to have come up with a strategy for dealing with Friday nights. Maybe make something earlier in the week and freeze it...something that can be put right into the oven when I come home.
Your comment about 'specials' was right on too. About 20 years ago a girlfriend and I were eating at a local Asian restaurant. The server told us how wonderful the shrimp was that night...special dish, special price...she just went on and on about it. I ordered it and found them to be inedible. On my way to the ladies room, I happened to pass by the kitchen and I heard someone telling a server "keep pushing the shrimp. we're going on 2 weeks and we have to get rid of it or throw it out."
Ditto for grocery store delis that sell prepared foods...my daughter worked in a local supermarket here in my town when she was in high school. The stuff she told me was shocking...the prepared meatballs in the deli were made from expired hamburger meat...the ham salad was from the dried ends of ham in the deli case. She worked in the store bakery and once she was pulling a loaf of bread out of the oven. She dropped in on the floor and subsequently tossed it in the trash. The owner (this is a small, independently owned grocery store) walked in, took the bread OUT OF THE TRASH, dusted it off, and restocked it. And she got yelled at for 'wasting product.' She made good money there...belonged to a union, even had part time benefits. But after 2 summers of witnessing this stuff, she quit and told me she couldn't work there anymore (she won't shop there either.)
Heck, I"m on a roll, so I'll keep going.....I'm remembering more stuff as I type. One of my aunts has worked for a major grocery store chain for her entire life. She once told me never to buy fresh fish from them. Claims that as the fish gets old, they dunk it in bleach to whiten it and make it look fresh.
I saw a special on tv last night about a woman who has written a book with her husband--he is an environmental sciences professor. Their family decided to conduct their own experiment...for an entire year, they only ate food that they grew themselves, or bought from a local farm. Such a neat idea..but of course impractical for someone like me, who works full time, and lives in New England.
DD goes to college in Florida and she and her housemates have joined a Produce Co-op. They pay a weekly fee (I think it's $15 dollars/person) and once a week they go to this farmers market and can pick up all the locally grown fruits and veggies they want. There's no guarantee on what will be available that week but so far she's loving it (she is an amateur chef and likes to experiment in the kitchen.)
Hubby and I were talking about it...we're really the first generation of children who were raised on processed and "convenience" foods. My mother and father grew up with a gardens and animals. My father clearly remembers his own parents buy a pig from a local farmer and paying to have it slaughtered and cut up for them. Almost every picture of my grandmother has her shucking, peeling, or picking apart vegetables from her garden. She'd sit on the lawn with a big pile of green beans in her apron, and snip the ends off with scissors. One of my favorite family stories is about her wedding...she and my grandfather were right off the boat from Italy and got married fairly young. She had a big wedding reception and wanted meat served. She and her NINE (yup, 9) sisters went to a local poultry farmer and bought 200 chickens. They killed them, plucked them, and cooked them themselves. Can you imagine a young bride in American doing that nowadays?
There is a whole movement in the world now to eat more organically and support local growers. The problem is, while I love shopping at stores like Whole Foods, it's just so damned expensive!!
I should probably move my thoughts to the thread on food prices...I kind of got away from my original topic.
I'd really be interested, though, to know how many women here have gotten sick from eating out...
I rarely eat out. I ordered a salad at a restaurant one time and found a BIG dead bug in it!! EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! The salad came to the retaurant prepackaged, so who knows WHERE that bug had come from, it wasn't one I had ever seen before!! I also went to a rib place once and had ordered milk. The ribs were hot and spicy, so I grabbed the milk and slammed it only to realize it was SOUR!! I almost lost my dinner right there at the table! I prefer home cooked food anyway, even though I don't always like having to cook.
I think it is healthier, and definitely cheaper, to eat at home.
Robin, I hope you are feeling better today.
I think it is healthier, and definitely cheaper, to eat at home.
Robin, I hope you are feeling better today.
Thanks, Kathie...how the heck are you? I miss you!!! The dead bug story cracked me up...although I'm sure you weren't laughing when it happened. I was eating at a Thai restaurant once and found a metal bolt in my food. A metal bolt! Worst of all, when I pointed it out to the server, she just laughed and remarked "oh wow, look at that!"
I think anyone who prepares food should wash their hands constantly, never touch their face, and have their hair tied back. It drives me up the wall to watch Rachael Ray on her cooking show, preparing food with her long hair hanging down into every dish she makes. Ever watch Iron Chef? The cooks manhandle every piece of food---it's disgusting---they seem to care more about presentation than cleanliness. They sit there sweating into the pots and pans, and wiping their foreheads, then personally putting little pieces of stuff on the plates with their bare hands.
I've often wondered if food critics and restaurants reviewers get sick often from the stuff they eat.
I think anyone who prepares food should wash their hands constantly, never touch their face, and have their hair tied back. It drives me up the wall to watch Rachael Ray on her cooking show, preparing food with her long hair hanging down into every dish she makes. Ever watch Iron Chef? The cooks manhandle every piece of food---it's disgusting---they seem to care more about presentation than cleanliness. They sit there sweating into the pots and pans, and wiping their foreheads, then personally putting little pieces of stuff on the plates with their bare hands.
I've often wondered if food critics and restaurants reviewers get sick often from the stuff they eat.
Floater...hit send too soon. I am feeling better today...just wiped out and dehyrated. Still waiting for that HRT to kick in!!!!
Hey, Let's not forget all the food that is dropped on the floor then put back on our plates.... eeeeeewwww I much prefer to eat at home than to eat out. We do eat out once a week after church but it's not my preference.
Interesting about the Visine. Food poisoning should take 12-24 hours to kick in. Visine would explain a more rapid onset, except for the diarrhea. Though Visine side effects would be more than those experienced with simple food poisoning. I looked it up at Wikipedia (caution: this is not necessarily fact checked). It said:
Visine Prank
A common urban legend is that a little bit of Visine eye drops in an unsuspecting victim's drink will cause a harmless bout of diarrhea. Not only will this not produce diarrhea but oral administration of Visine can induce dangerous side effects related to Visine's ingredient tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride such as
* Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
* Blurred vision
* Nausea and vomiting
* Difficulty in breathing or even a complete halt in breathing
* Elevating (hypertension) then dropping (hypotension) blood pressure
* Possible coma
* Seizures and tremors
Pfizer recommends that anyone that has ingested Visine to get medical attention or contact a poison control center immediately. [2]
This prank was brought up and debunked at Snopes [3]
Visine Prank
A common urban legend is that a little bit of Visine eye drops in an unsuspecting victim's drink will cause a harmless bout of diarrhea. Not only will this not produce diarrhea but oral administration of Visine can induce dangerous side effects related to Visine's ingredient tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride such as
* Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
* Blurred vision
* Nausea and vomiting
* Difficulty in breathing or even a complete halt in breathing
* Elevating (hypertension) then dropping (hypotension) blood pressure
* Possible coma
* Seizures and tremors
Pfizer recommends that anyone that has ingested Visine to get medical attention or contact a poison control center immediately. [2]
This prank was brought up and debunked at Snopes [3]
Hi RR,
I hope you are feeling better. Being made ill by eating out is the last thing you need now!
I very rarely eat out. These days I just don't fancy it and I do not trust just anyone to prepare my food. Permanent damage can be done by food poisoning incidents. I have seen many a colostomy performed after severe gut infections.
I never forget the story told to me by my brother's friend who was a chef. His first job was in a large company catering for the workers. He was introduced to the guy in charge. As he wandered round the kitchens he noticed some huge cockroaches basking in the steam on one of the walls. He felt unable to pass them without making a comment. This guy reached up and swept them into a huge pan of milk pudding that was simmering away below. He thought that he was really funny and remarked that the punters would think that they were raisins! What a jerk....... How can we be sure that this kind of person is not preparing our meals when we go out. Ughhhhhhh! It doesn't bare thinking about.
The economic situation at the moment is also a danger to us. Sometimes if, I have not been feeling too well, I find that something in the fridge has passed its sell by date. I take a deep breath and bin it. Do you think that a greedy , unscrupulous restaurant owner would do the same!
There is only one problem about being really careful and cooking all your own stuff and that is your bowel becomes very 'clean' and ultra sensitive to dodgy stuff. There is no doubt that people who eat dodgy stuff most of the time seem to develop and iron constitution.
Personally I choose to stick to clean healthy food even though it involves much more effort!
Cheers,
XIII
I hope you are feeling better. Being made ill by eating out is the last thing you need now!
I very rarely eat out. These days I just don't fancy it and I do not trust just anyone to prepare my food. Permanent damage can be done by food poisoning incidents. I have seen many a colostomy performed after severe gut infections.
I never forget the story told to me by my brother's friend who was a chef. His first job was in a large company catering for the workers. He was introduced to the guy in charge. As he wandered round the kitchens he noticed some huge cockroaches basking in the steam on one of the walls. He felt unable to pass them without making a comment. This guy reached up and swept them into a huge pan of milk pudding that was simmering away below. He thought that he was really funny and remarked that the punters would think that they were raisins! What a jerk....... How can we be sure that this kind of person is not preparing our meals when we go out. Ughhhhhhh! It doesn't bare thinking about.
The economic situation at the moment is also a danger to us. Sometimes if, I have not been feeling too well, I find that something in the fridge has passed its sell by date. I take a deep breath and bin it. Do you think that a greedy , unscrupulous restaurant owner would do the same!
There is only one problem about being really careful and cooking all your own stuff and that is your bowel becomes very 'clean' and ultra sensitive to dodgy stuff. There is no doubt that people who eat dodgy stuff most of the time seem to develop and iron constitution.
Personally I choose to stick to clean healthy food even though it involves much more effort!
Cheers,
XIII
I have to agree with the eating out....but another factor is the price! My husband and I are on the Dave Ramsey get out of debt program and eating out is SO expensive....and like you said the quality of food is awful. I can be so careful about what I eat and then just blow it at a resturant even if I try to order "healthy" things because of all the perservatives and who knows what else is on the food. For me eating out is all about convience.....I'm so stressed and maxed out these days that sometimes I don't care what we eat as long as I don't have to cook. I have found it takes alot of planning and making it a priority.
Great thread by the way!
Great thread by the way!
VISINE??? 
RR - My SO and I rarely eat out these days. I think it's been well over a year since we've been in a restaurant. It seems that anytime I've gone out to eat, I either have cramping or bathroom problems (so does he) or my heart races and pounds all night long. No thanks. I'd rather eat the healthy stuff at home. At least I know I can control my portions and intake of sodium and what not.
RR - My SO and I rarely eat out these days. I think it's been well over a year since we've been in a restaurant. It seems that anytime I've gone out to eat, I either have cramping or bathroom problems (so does he) or my heart races and pounds all night long. No thanks. I'd rather eat the healthy stuff at home. At least I know I can control my portions and intake of sodium and what not.
Well ladies---wish me luck. We're going out for Chinese tonight with a group of friends. We get together every other weekend and different couples pick the restaurant.
Knock on wood and thank God, none of us have ever gotten sick from eating in any restaurant. I enjoy the break from the kids and cooking and it's just fun getting together with friends. I don't think I'll give up eating in restaurants. I can't live my life on "what ifs". I could get hit by a bus tomorrow morning on my way to work and I'd be really mad if I missed going out tonight!
I know my answer here is not going to be popular---but what the heck---at least I'm being honest.
Take care,
Donna
Knock on wood and thank God, none of us have ever gotten sick from eating in any restaurant. I enjoy the break from the kids and cooking and it's just fun getting together with friends. I don't think I'll give up eating in restaurants. I can't live my life on "what ifs". I could get hit by a bus tomorrow morning on my way to work and I'd be really mad if I missed going out tonight!
I know my answer here is not going to be popular---but what the heck---at least I'm being honest.
Take care,
Donna
Hi RR, I hope that you are feeling better today.
I agree with NOT eating out. My family and I rarely eat out due to the cost and the recent food scares. My husband less so than the rest of us because he is on the road constantly and has no choice but to eat out all the time. Although, he says he is always glad to get home because the food in restuarants all taste the same no matter where or what he eats.
I have been sick in the past from eating out and it is a miserable feeling.
I get so irked by the people who handle the food. I do not understand why there is not more regulation in how these people are supposed to operate. I guess it would not do for me to own a restuarant. I would make all employees where hairnets, no matter their job. Everyone would where gloves no matter their jobs. Food dropped would be tossed out. Food passed it's expiration date would be thrown out. The kitchen would be cleaned and disinfected everyday before opening. The dishes and silverware would be disinfected after each use, NOT HANDWASHED. If an employee is sick with ANYTHING, they will stay home until well. Food made one day, if not served or sold, would be taken to the homeless, not served again the next day. And last but not least, there would be a bathroom attendant at all times while open. That person would be responsible for cleaning the bathrooms every morning and evening with touch ups in between. I am sure I would not make it in the business!
I think the state health people should regulate this industry much better and I imagine they would find that there would be a lot less wide spread sicknesses and emergencies concerning restuarants.
I agree with NOT eating out. My family and I rarely eat out due to the cost and the recent food scares. My husband less so than the rest of us because he is on the road constantly and has no choice but to eat out all the time. Although, he says he is always glad to get home because the food in restuarants all taste the same no matter where or what he eats.
I have been sick in the past from eating out and it is a miserable feeling.
I get so irked by the people who handle the food. I do not understand why there is not more regulation in how these people are supposed to operate. I guess it would not do for me to own a restuarant. I would make all employees where hairnets, no matter their job. Everyone would where gloves no matter their jobs. Food dropped would be tossed out. Food passed it's expiration date would be thrown out. The kitchen would be cleaned and disinfected everyday before opening. The dishes and silverware would be disinfected after each use, NOT HANDWASHED. If an employee is sick with ANYTHING, they will stay home until well. Food made one day, if not served or sold, would be taken to the homeless, not served again the next day. And last but not least, there would be a bathroom attendant at all times while open. That person would be responsible for cleaning the bathrooms every morning and evening with touch ups in between. I am sure I would not make it in the business!
I think the state health people should regulate this industry much better and I imagine they would find that there would be a lot less wide spread sicknesses and emergencies concerning restuarants.
Ladies, I have to agree with Dcamp on this one........We LOVE eating out!!! I love getting dressed-up and going out with my family (and friends). We tend to eat at places that serve food, that we wouldn't make at home. We love going out for Sushi, Thai, Indian and Mexican. We leave the basics to home cooking, and especially barbequing.
I have to say, we have never been ill after eating at a restaurant. Now, we have been so self-indulgent that we can't eat another bite and complain about being overly-stuffed
However, we have never been ill due to the quality of food, etc. The only fast food we eat is Subway, that's my son's favorite and we watch as they make it there. The restaurants we tend to frequent, we know the Owners fairly well (usually from being repeat customers). We live in a small community, we go to restaurants where the Owners still come out and greet the customers:)
When there is only three of us, there doesn't tend to be much of a difference between grocery bills and eating out. I have to admit, I am not a savy shopper, I haven't quite mastered the art of smart shopping.
RR, I will definitely keep in mind what you said about the Visine, that is just sickening!!! Thanks for the heads-up
Hugs,
Karen
I have to say, we have never been ill after eating at a restaurant. Now, we have been so self-indulgent that we can't eat another bite and complain about being overly-stuffed
However, we have never been ill due to the quality of food, etc. The only fast food we eat is Subway, that's my son's favorite and we watch as they make it there. The restaurants we tend to frequent, we know the Owners fairly well (usually from being repeat customers). We live in a small community, we go to restaurants where the Owners still come out and greet the customers:)When there is only three of us, there doesn't tend to be much of a difference between grocery bills and eating out. I have to admit, I am not a savy shopper, I haven't quite mastered the art of smart shopping.
RR, I will definitely keep in mind what you said about the Visine, that is just sickening!!! Thanks for the heads-up
Hugs,
Karen
One more thing I have to add.........with all the peri crap I've been going through recently, eating out is still a luxury that I want to hold on to. I don't find myself that excited to do some of the things that I used to, however; going to restaurants is something that I still look forward to.
Dcamp, have a great time tonight
Hugs,
Karen
Dcamp, have a great time tonight
Hugs,
Karen
Geesh I see both sides to this. I don't go out that often for dinner but geesh - I buy foods from my workplace. I am going to try harder though to bring my lunch from home. It's about 50/50 at this point. When you have kids though, they like going out for food - here it is sushi that is the big deal. Here too in Canada there is the Listeria scare going on right now as well...and the melamine scare in milk products from China - so if you stop and think about it - it gets completely nerve wracking. The best thing to do is stick to local organic products as much as possible I suppose.
Also, I have decided that I am going to plant a veggie garden for next summer.
Suzanne
Also, I have decided that I am going to plant a veggie garden for next summer.
Suzanne
I'll have to ditto Karen and Dcamp. Hub and I eat out a lot due to busy schedules, and haven't had a problem. Like you, Karen, we do live in a small community and are known and recognized in most of the restaurants we frequent. Whenever a new place opens up, we wonder how long we can go there before the servers will start anticipating our orders. lol That's one of those signs you eat out toooo much. I don't enjoy cooking, but my husband finds it relaxing and would definitely love to cook if we had the luxury of time. It's really nice when we have a few days off and get a chance to cook, and the veggies and stuff from the farmer's market really is amazing. There are starting to be present at the farmer's market meat venders who have free range chicken and non steroid fed beef, which is great. I tend to worry a lot more about the steroids and hormones in the general food supply than anything else.
I once had to call the poison hotline after eating a Wendy's chicken salad. I had severe stomach aches/contractions for about 8 hours after that. I think the chicken must have been sitting on that salad for days and that probably made me ill. I was so hoping I would get diarhea so I could at least get rid of it, but no diarrhea and no vomiting just horrible horrible contractions and cramps. I am very leary about eating salads out, as it is raw product not cooked. I saw on the news once in south florida where a bunch of people got hepatitis from eating at a Chili's and they found out that the young man who prepared the salad had hepatitis and apparently he used the bathroom that particular night and did not wash his hands, hence he went ahead and chopped the lettuce, etc., and that is how it spread. I do like cooking my own food but I tend to cook things that take less than an hour, like stir fry chicken or shrimps with veges and rice. Simple stuff. I also like to just season or marinade chicken and maybe chop some potatoes and place in same pan, just shove in the oven and leave it for an hour or two.
That's awful...years ago I got sick from a salad at a fast food place too...and the hepatitis thing is really scary. I hate when I see those signs in bathrroms that say "employees MUSt wash hands."....like they have to TELL them to do it or they might not!
I too understand both sides of the issue. I will probably not change my eating habits, and, so far, have been very lucky. I will choose to be cautious - but not fearful about this issue. LIke dcamp said - we could be hit by a bus tomorrow!
Life's too short...I don't smoke, and very rarely drink- so, as long as having a nice meal out in a restaurant doesn't kill me, I will continue to do so occasionally!
Hugs,
Di
Life's too short...I don't smoke, and very rarely drink- so, as long as having a nice meal out in a restaurant doesn't kill me, I will continue to do so occasionally!
Hugs,
Di
I made the mistake of eating out with my husband the week before my younger daughter was born. I had severe food poisoning and didn't know if I was going into labor or not. It turned out to be food poisoning--it was an Italian restaurant and the pasta had an odd taste to it, but I stupidly ate it anyway. My doctor had wanted to induce me but I had to delay it because I was so weak from the food poisoning. We had a high deductible on our insurance at the time and the restaurant wound up paying for part of my hospital bill. The restaurant was in the same town as the hospital, so maybe it wasn't the first time they had to deal with this. That was the worst case I've ever had, and I got very dehydrated which made me really worry about the baby, but she was OK. Maybe that's why I don't like eating out so much!
So I wouldn't recommend that anyone eat out during the last month of pregnancy--the whole situation was very scary.
And when I watch those TV shows with Chef Ramsey (the one who's always screaming at the potential chefs) it seems someone is always undercooking something and he's screaming at them that the customers could get sick if they served the food the way they prepared it. And on one show the girl had thrown out the pasta and it turned out they needed it so she got it out of the trash and started rinsing it off. She would have served it if the chef hadn't stopped her. I've had food brought to me undercooked many times and I have to send it back, and I've been given silverware with a gob of raw hamburger on it once, I remember. I never went back to that place. And you're right about the "employees MUST wash hands"--who are they hiring for these jobs?? If they don'tt learn to wash their hands at home wouldn't they at least learn about cleanliness at culinary school (if they go there). So I have to wonder both about the hygiene habits and training of the people working at these restaurants.
OK, Robin, you've convinced me--I'm staying home--no restaurants for me! The restaurant business is a hard one and owners tend to cut corners if they can, whether it's with food or help.
So I wouldn't recommend that anyone eat out during the last month of pregnancy--the whole situation was very scary.
And when I watch those TV shows with Chef Ramsey (the one who's always screaming at the potential chefs) it seems someone is always undercooking something and he's screaming at them that the customers could get sick if they served the food the way they prepared it. And on one show the girl had thrown out the pasta and it turned out they needed it so she got it out of the trash and started rinsing it off. She would have served it if the chef hadn't stopped her. I've had food brought to me undercooked many times and I have to send it back, and I've been given silverware with a gob of raw hamburger on it once, I remember. I never went back to that place. And you're right about the "employees MUST wash hands"--who are they hiring for these jobs?? If they don'tt learn to wash their hands at home wouldn't they at least learn about cleanliness at culinary school (if they go there). So I have to wonder both about the hygiene habits and training of the people working at these restaurants.
OK, Robin, you've convinced me--I'm staying home--no restaurants for me! The restaurant business is a hard one and owners tend to cut corners if they can, whether it's with food or help.
We hardly eat out. My husband always would get sick, similar to what you're describing after eating out. We finally discovered the culprit...it was MSG. It's in so many foods, sauces, breadings, etc. that it's almost impossible to eat at a restaurant and not encounter it. You can ask if a meal is MSG free, but the restaurants themselves aren't even aware of all the sauces, and seasonings they use that have MSG as an ingredient. Sure, they don't add it as a separate ingredient, but it's in the soy sauce they add, or the seasoned bread crumbs, or chicken broth they use. We do have a few restaurants that we know are "safe" to eat at, and when we go out, we just patronize those places.
Wow...never thought this thread would garner so many responses...so I'm not as alone as I thought I was in getting sick whenever I eat out.
I don't know if any of the veterans here remember, but the day before my DH was fired from his job (and the whole nightmare began) I got incredibly bad food poisoning from a local restaurant. I had a roast beef sandwhich smothered in mushrooms. The shrooms tasted funny and they were spongy, but I was stupid and ate it anyways. Within six hours my stomach was gurgling, and withing 12 hours I was simaltaneously having diarrhea and vomiting. When I passed out, my husband drove me to the ER (we got stopped by the police on the way for speeding but the officer took one look at me and cleared us to go.) I spent the night in the hospital, was given IV fluids, morphine, and muscle relaxants to stop the contractions in my stomach. The doctor who came in told me that my stool sample was negative (it was just bile I was passing at that point) but that there was no doubt in his mind I was poisoned. In fact, he even said "did you by any chance eat any mushrooms you picked yourself?"
What was awful was he refused to document his opinion. I asked him to please write 'suspect food poisoning' on my chart, and he said "nope, not going to...you'll just use it to sue the restaurant and I'm not getting involved.' I called the restaurant and they didn't care at all...but they did refer me to their insurance carrier, who pestered me for months to sign a waiver of liability. I finally told them I wasn't signing anything, but to please leave me alone or I'd file a police report for harrassment.
This is a locally owned restaurant...they have about six locations.
I don't know if any of the veterans here remember, but the day before my DH was fired from his job (and the whole nightmare began) I got incredibly bad food poisoning from a local restaurant. I had a roast beef sandwhich smothered in mushrooms. The shrooms tasted funny and they were spongy, but I was stupid and ate it anyways. Within six hours my stomach was gurgling, and withing 12 hours I was simaltaneously having diarrhea and vomiting. When I passed out, my husband drove me to the ER (we got stopped by the police on the way for speeding but the officer took one look at me and cleared us to go.) I spent the night in the hospital, was given IV fluids, morphine, and muscle relaxants to stop the contractions in my stomach. The doctor who came in told me that my stool sample was negative (it was just bile I was passing at that point) but that there was no doubt in his mind I was poisoned. In fact, he even said "did you by any chance eat any mushrooms you picked yourself?"
What was awful was he refused to document his opinion. I asked him to please write 'suspect food poisoning' on my chart, and he said "nope, not going to...you'll just use it to sue the restaurant and I'm not getting involved.' I called the restaurant and they didn't care at all...but they did refer me to their insurance carrier, who pestered me for months to sign a waiver of liability. I finally told them I wasn't signing anything, but to please leave me alone or I'd file a police report for harrassment.
This is a locally owned restaurant...they have about six locations.
I eat out occassionally. I 'snack out' quite a bit. I've really only been caught out with food poisoning twice. Once in a far away hot country many years ago and once at a wedding when 12 of the guests, including a very pregnant me, came down with food poisoning. It was the prawns. I couldn't eat a prawn for years and years after that.
Interesting and thought-provoking thread RR.
Interesting and thought-provoking thread RR.
QUOTE (bchgrl65 @ Sep 28 2008, 10:06 PM) 
I once had to call the poison hotline after eating a Wendy's chicken salad. I had severe stomach aches/contractions for about 8 hours after that. I think the chicken must have been sitting on that salad for days and that probably made me ill. I was so hoping I would get diarhea so I could at least get rid of it, but no diarrhea and no vomiting just horrible horrible contractions and cramps. I am very leary about eating salads out, as it is raw product not cooked. I saw on the news once in south florida where a bunch of people got hepatitis from eating at a Chili's and they found out that the young man who prepared the salad had hepatitis and apparently he used the bathroom that particular night and did not wash his hands, hence he went ahead and chopped the lettuce, etc., and that is how it spread. I do like cooking my own food but I tend to cook things that take less than an hour, like stir fry chicken or shrimps with veges and rice. Simple stuff. I also like to just season or marinade chicken and maybe chop some potatoes and place in same pan, just shove in the oven and leave it for an hour or two.
QUOTE (bchgrl65 @ Sep 28 2008, 10:06 PM)
I once had to call the poison hotline after eating a Wendy's chicken salad. I had severe stomach aches/contractions for about 8 hours after that. I think the chicken must have been sitting on that salad for days and that probably made me ill. I was so hoping I would get diarhea so I could at least get rid of it, but no diarrhea and no vomiting just horrible horrible contractions and cramps. I am very leary about eating salads out, as it is raw product not cooked. I saw on the news once in south florida where a bunch of people got hepatitis from eating at a Chili's and they found out that the young man who prepared the salad had hepatitis and apparently he used the bathroom that particular night and did not wash his hands, hence he went ahead and chopped the lettuce, etc., and that is how it spread. I do like cooking my own food but I tend to cook things that take less than an hour, like stir fry chicken or shrimps with veges and rice. Simple stuff. I also like to just season or marinade chicken and maybe chop some potatoes and place in same pan, just shove in the oven and leave it for an hour or two.
Dont even get me started on bathroom hand washing! I really get tired of going to a public restroom and watching people come out of the stall and walk right by the sinks and go out. Or run their hands under cold water for 2 seconds ,with no soap, and walk out. Its the bathroom people!! Do they know what kind of germs are in the bathroom?! I work with a girl that doesn't wash her hands after visiting the bathroom. One of the other girls made a nice little sign that said''As a courtesy to others would you please wash your hands before leaving''. Clearly she didn't think it meant her because she still isn't doing it. Thank goodness we aren't in the food business! I just can't believe people are that "uneducated" ... I think its just laziness.
My now 9 year old grandson refuses to eat Mexican food because when his mother went to Mexico she told him that it is so hot in Mexico that everyone carries around a sweat rag. He says, "I'm not eating no food with sweat dripping in it!"..................even if it's cooked at home.
I love to go out to eat. However, I am a food snob, and I do not classify Wendy's, MacDonald's, etc. as restaurants. I never eat fast food, period. I don't travel often, but when I do, I pack my own food for day trips, and I plan where I'm going to dine by Googling restaurant reviews in the city where I'm staying.
I live close to New York City, and I have go to the restaurants of my favourite chefs, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Bobby Flay. Each of them own several resaturants, and I've been to them all. Darn, my mouth is watering just thinking about their food!!!
But I digress. Poor Robin, you sure have bad luck when it comes to bad food!! I've never gotten sick (that I can remember) from a restaurant. Maybe I just have a cast-iron stomach. But there's a few tips to remember to keep you healthy in the future:
Don't eat any fresh-cooked food that doesn't arrive at your table piping hot. Ditto for any cold food that appears lukewarm. Bacteria are killed on hot food, and cold food should be fresh from the cooler.
Pass up foods containing raw eggs -- a common source of salmonella bacteria. Caesar salads, hollandaise sauce and French silk pie are among foods that often contain them.
Do not eat anything with "special sauce" or gravy. This crap is full of bad fat and loaded with useless calories. Order a good steak (plain!!) and baked potato. If the meat is done properly, you need nothing but salt and pepper. Skip the sour cream, or order it on the side and be sure it is fresh and cold. If you like butter, do the same. Ditto for fish and chicken. If the meat is dry and tastless, don't eat it! As a matter of fact, just send it back and leave the place. If a chef is incapable of giving you properly cooked food, the place isn't worth your money.
Eating meat and fish plain (not drenched in some crap that looks like coagulated Cambell's soup that passes for a wine reduction or bechamel) will give you an idea of how the place is run, and the quality of the meat and the freshness of the fish are clues to the health of the kitchen and the talent of the chef.
Salads can be tricky. Unwashed lettuce, vegetables that are not crisp and fresh could be trouble. Not to mention the dressing. Unless you know the place is clean, avoid anything raw.
The waitstaff should be professional, attentive, crisply dressed and knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
The place should be clean. Look at the floor. Is the table sticky? Is the china and silver and glassware sparkling? What about the restroom?
If things aren't up to par, leave. Don't risk your health on a questionable establishment. And please, if something doesn't look or taste right, for your own health, send it back and scram out of that filthy hell hole ASAP!
I wish I could take all of you out with me for a dining experience that will change your mind about what fine dining really is. Yes, it is expensive, and no I don't do this often. But food should be something that is tasty, healthful and a sensory experience like sex! Especially when you cook it for yourself everyday, and never go out at all!
I live close to New York City, and I have go to the restaurants of my favourite chefs, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Bobby Flay. Each of them own several resaturants, and I've been to them all. Darn, my mouth is watering just thinking about their food!!!
But I digress. Poor Robin, you sure have bad luck when it comes to bad food!! I've never gotten sick (that I can remember) from a restaurant. Maybe I just have a cast-iron stomach. But there's a few tips to remember to keep you healthy in the future:
Don't eat any fresh-cooked food that doesn't arrive at your table piping hot. Ditto for any cold food that appears lukewarm. Bacteria are killed on hot food, and cold food should be fresh from the cooler.
Pass up foods containing raw eggs -- a common source of salmonella bacteria. Caesar salads, hollandaise sauce and French silk pie are among foods that often contain them.
Do not eat anything with "special sauce" or gravy. This crap is full of bad fat and loaded with useless calories. Order a good steak (plain!!) and baked potato. If the meat is done properly, you need nothing but salt and pepper. Skip the sour cream, or order it on the side and be sure it is fresh and cold. If you like butter, do the same. Ditto for fish and chicken. If the meat is dry and tastless, don't eat it! As a matter of fact, just send it back and leave the place. If a chef is incapable of giving you properly cooked food, the place isn't worth your money.
Eating meat and fish plain (not drenched in some crap that looks like coagulated Cambell's soup that passes for a wine reduction or bechamel) will give you an idea of how the place is run, and the quality of the meat and the freshness of the fish are clues to the health of the kitchen and the talent of the chef.
Salads can be tricky. Unwashed lettuce, vegetables that are not crisp and fresh could be trouble. Not to mention the dressing. Unless you know the place is clean, avoid anything raw.
The waitstaff should be professional, attentive, crisply dressed and knowledgeable about everything on the menu.
The place should be clean. Look at the floor. Is the table sticky? Is the china and silver and glassware sparkling? What about the restroom?
If things aren't up to par, leave. Don't risk your health on a questionable establishment. And please, if something doesn't look or taste right, for your own health, send it back and scram out of that filthy hell hole ASAP!
I wish I could take all of you out with me for a dining experience that will change your mind about what fine dining really is. Yes, it is expensive, and no I don't do this often. But food should be something that is tasty, healthful and a sensory experience like sex! Especially when you cook it for yourself everyday, and never go out at all!
Hi ladies -- GREAT topic!
My husband and I never eat out, unless we end up with a restaurant gift certificate and have to use it! I probably go out once every two months with folks at work.
For one, I think its too expensive. I had a co-worker who used to shop at one of those "ready made meal" food places. They cooked various meals, had a menu, and you could buy 10 or 12 at a time to freeze. She thought it was a great deal -- the meals cost about $10-$12 each. She'd spend about $140 a week for dinner for Monday thru Friday. I took a look at what they sold, figured what I spent at the grocery store for food for a week and the different meals I could make out of it, and could do it for a third of the cost. It just takes shopping for bargains and taking the time to cook at home! I guess I'm cheap, but I'd rather cook at home than spend the money somewhere. I guess a lot of people felt the same way, because the place went out of business after about a year. Plus, I know people who eat out every night, and stop at the fast food joints for breakfast, then at the end of the week they wonder where their money went! I'd rather spend my money on something I can use for a while rather than on one meal that's gone as soon as I eat it.
Want grocery store food bargains? I stick with one grocery store. I pass it on the way home from work, so I can make a quick stop if I need something. I check out their ad every Friday for their weekly bargains. Even if I know I won't need something for a while, if its a great bargain, I get it. Check out the end of the meat aisle for bargain meat. (Or wherever they put it in your store). We're not big meat eaters (slowly edging into vegetarianism), but I find great bargains on meat at various times of the day. A few weeks ago I picked up, mostly for my mom and dad, nine packages of turkey meat -- 4 packs of bratwurst type sausage, five in a pack; and 5 packs ground turkey with just over a pound in each pack -- for 99 cents a package. You can't beat that by going to a restaurant!
I agree with those who've mentioned the health issues. We've had several hepatitis outbreaks in the area over the past few years, and all have been traced to someone working at a restaurant or fast food place. Many food workers don't follow the health rules they're supposed to use, and owners look the other way or don't notice. I don't know how many of you watch the shows on television that visit diners and different eating places, showcasing various foods. I watch every once in a while, and every time it seems that the people they film making the foods aren't wearing gloves, hairnets, etc. They're dipping their bare hands into cookie doughs and flipping burgers, etc. At least at home, if I find a hair at the bottom of my salad bowl, I know its mine!
Speaking of Subway (somewhere in an earlier post), I once found a roach at the bottom of my drink cup after I finished it. Talk about being nauseous. That's what finally put me off eating out. A friend of mine once found a tooth in a hamburger from one of the regular chains. I've had bugs walk across the table before while I've been eating out! There have been some interesting documentaries on some of the news programs about these kinds of problems at restaurants, and as mentioned in another post, at grocery stores. Just watching a few of those should make anyone not want to eat out!
Lastly, I think everyone can make much better choices for healthy meals at home, using ingredients that they pretty much know are safe, are lower calorie than in restaurants, etc. I think this would make a big impact on the childhood, AND adult, obesity rates in this country, also. As for not wanting to cook at the end of a hard week? Next time you cook a meal (today?), make double and freeze it. Most foods will freeze alright. Then when next Friday rolls around, pull it out, stick it in the oven, and in an hour you'll have your meal. I once watched a TV show about "clubs" of neighborhood women or relatives who did this. They made meals to last an entire week, at double the recipes. Then they'd trade the extra meals amongst themselves and freeze them, giving themselves and their families a variety to eat during the week! Also, try out a slow cooker. The meal can cook while you're at work!!
Anna
My husband and I never eat out, unless we end up with a restaurant gift certificate and have to use it! I probably go out once every two months with folks at work.
For one, I think its too expensive. I had a co-worker who used to shop at one of those "ready made meal" food places. They cooked various meals, had a menu, and you could buy 10 or 12 at a time to freeze. She thought it was a great deal -- the meals cost about $10-$12 each. She'd spend about $140 a week for dinner for Monday thru Friday. I took a look at what they sold, figured what I spent at the grocery store for food for a week and the different meals I could make out of it, and could do it for a third of the cost. It just takes shopping for bargains and taking the time to cook at home! I guess I'm cheap, but I'd rather cook at home than spend the money somewhere. I guess a lot of people felt the same way, because the place went out of business after about a year. Plus, I know people who eat out every night, and stop at the fast food joints for breakfast, then at the end of the week they wonder where their money went! I'd rather spend my money on something I can use for a while rather than on one meal that's gone as soon as I eat it.
Want grocery store food bargains? I stick with one grocery store. I pass it on the way home from work, so I can make a quick stop if I need something. I check out their ad every Friday for their weekly bargains. Even if I know I won't need something for a while, if its a great bargain, I get it. Check out the end of the meat aisle for bargain meat. (Or wherever they put it in your store). We're not big meat eaters (slowly edging into vegetarianism), but I find great bargains on meat at various times of the day. A few weeks ago I picked up, mostly for my mom and dad, nine packages of turkey meat -- 4 packs of bratwurst type sausage, five in a pack; and 5 packs ground turkey with just over a pound in each pack -- for 99 cents a package. You can't beat that by going to a restaurant!
I agree with those who've mentioned the health issues. We've had several hepatitis outbreaks in the area over the past few years, and all have been traced to someone working at a restaurant or fast food place. Many food workers don't follow the health rules they're supposed to use, and owners look the other way or don't notice. I don't know how many of you watch the shows on television that visit diners and different eating places, showcasing various foods. I watch every once in a while, and every time it seems that the people they film making the foods aren't wearing gloves, hairnets, etc. They're dipping their bare hands into cookie doughs and flipping burgers, etc. At least at home, if I find a hair at the bottom of my salad bowl, I know its mine!
Speaking of Subway (somewhere in an earlier post), I once found a roach at the bottom of my drink cup after I finished it. Talk about being nauseous. That's what finally put me off eating out. A friend of mine once found a tooth in a hamburger from one of the regular chains. I've had bugs walk across the table before while I've been eating out! There have been some interesting documentaries on some of the news programs about these kinds of problems at restaurants, and as mentioned in another post, at grocery stores. Just watching a few of those should make anyone not want to eat out!
Lastly, I think everyone can make much better choices for healthy meals at home, using ingredients that they pretty much know are safe, are lower calorie than in restaurants, etc. I think this would make a big impact on the childhood, AND adult, obesity rates in this country, also. As for not wanting to cook at the end of a hard week? Next time you cook a meal (today?), make double and freeze it. Most foods will freeze alright. Then when next Friday rolls around, pull it out, stick it in the oven, and in an hour you'll have your meal. I once watched a TV show about "clubs" of neighborhood women or relatives who did this. They made meals to last an entire week, at double the recipes. Then they'd trade the extra meals amongst themselves and freeze them, giving themselves and their families a variety to eat during the week! Also, try out a slow cooker. The meal can cook while you're at work!!
Anna
QUOTE (virtualhorizon @ Oct 2 2008, 03:43 PM)
Speaking of Subway (somewhere in an earlier post), I once found a roach at the bottom of my drink cup after I finished it. Talk about being nauseous. That's what finally put me off eating out. A friend of mine once found a tooth in a hamburger from one of the regular chains.
Fast food restaurants are NOT restaurants to me. These places should be avoided like the plague. The crap they serve doesn't even qualify as food, in my book. People who eat in these type of places, including "mall restaurants" and any type of chain restaurant like Chili's, etc. are gambling with their health. This type of "food" is loaded with sugars, fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils. It's no wonder so many Americans are fat, have high blood pressure, and other obesity related health problems, not to mention food poisoning and bacterial infections.
QUOTE
Lastly, I think everyone can make much better choices for healthy meals at home, using ingredients that they pretty much know are safe, are lower calorie than in restaurants, etc. I think this would make a big impact on the childhood, AND adult, obesity rates in this country, also.
Anna
Anna
Absolutely. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what is going into your body.
What the heck is in that fast food"special sauce" anyway??
The latest ingredient could be melamine from China.
It was recently found in processed milk and candy sold in the US.
A movie worth renting is "Supersize Me" by a guy (Morgan Spurlock) who lived on nothing but MacDonald's food for 30 days. He nearly died.
QUOTE (RoundRobin @ Oct 2 2008, 05:56 PM)
A movie worth renting is "Supersize Me" by a guy (Morgan Spurlock) who lived on nothing but MacDonald's food for 30 days. He nearly died.
I saw it, too. It was disgusting!!! He gained something like 17 pounds of fat on his body, and his cholesterol and blood pressure skyrocketed into the danger zone.
All in 30 days!
I once found a fingernail in a cup of soup!
No, I don't eat out much either. We had pub grub a few months ago and that made me feel awful (mixed grill) as it was undercooked, so that put me off. The only meal I've enjoyed recently, was when we went with my sister to the local golf club, and that's once in a blue moon.
If we have a take-away(out), we have cantonese, pizza or good ole fish and chips, but I've gone off all of those. Since I had a cold at the start of the year my taste has changed. Meat (unless eaten with something sweet) tastes wierd, cream tastes like bleach and mint tastes really peculiar. Consequently it tastes like rubbish, so I can't see the point in spending good money.
There's also a tummy bug going round here (it was even in the national newspaper yesterday), so as I have a phobia about vomiting that puts me off too
No, I don't eat out much either. We had pub grub a few months ago and that made me feel awful (mixed grill) as it was undercooked, so that put me off. The only meal I've enjoyed recently, was when we went with my sister to the local golf club, and that's once in a blue moon.
If we have a take-away(out), we have cantonese, pizza or good ole fish and chips, but I've gone off all of those. Since I had a cold at the start of the year my taste has changed. Meat (unless eaten with something sweet) tastes wierd, cream tastes like bleach and mint tastes really peculiar. Consequently it tastes like rubbish, so I can't see the point in spending good money.
There's also a tummy bug going round here (it was even in the national newspaper yesterday), so as I have a phobia about vomiting that puts me off too
[quote name='Armadillo' date='Oct 2 2008, 04:02 PM' post='243619']
Absolutely. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what is going into your body.
That's not always true either Armadillo. Food handling is one of the biggest issues in the food and grocery industry today. Think about it. When you purchase food for home preparation: Who's growing the food? Who's picking the food? Who's packaging the food? Who's shipping the food?
So many people are involved in the process even before it arrives home-made on your table that there is no guarantee of safety. Stamping country of origin is now being made a requirement for some packaged foods, but what does that guarantee? That if people do get ill it is more traceable---but that's after the fact.
It's almost impossible to guarantee food safety 100%. Another poster said it would be wise to go organic. Actually the spinach scare last year was organic spinach.
I do agree that if a restaurant looks dirty I wouldn't eat there. Employees should be monitored more closely and health precautions should be taken. But I like to believe in and keep my faith and trust in humanity. If we lose that we would become hermits. We wouldn't drive cars or put our children in cars because how could we trust other drivers? So much of our lives revolve around dependency and interaction with others(not to insinuate that we are dependent on eating out) and to achieve that we can't abandon all trust.
I do see your point----but I'm still going out to eat
Have a great day.
Hugs, Donna
Absolutely. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what is going into your body.
That's not always true either Armadillo. Food handling is one of the biggest issues in the food and grocery industry today. Think about it. When you purchase food for home preparation: Who's growing the food? Who's picking the food? Who's packaging the food? Who's shipping the food?
So many people are involved in the process even before it arrives home-made on your table that there is no guarantee of safety. Stamping country of origin is now being made a requirement for some packaged foods, but what does that guarantee? That if people do get ill it is more traceable---but that's after the fact.
It's almost impossible to guarantee food safety 100%. Another poster said it would be wise to go organic. Actually the spinach scare last year was organic spinach.
I do agree that if a restaurant looks dirty I wouldn't eat there. Employees should be monitored more closely and health precautions should be taken. But I like to believe in and keep my faith and trust in humanity. If we lose that we would become hermits. We wouldn't drive cars or put our children in cars because how could we trust other drivers? So much of our lives revolve around dependency and interaction with others(not to insinuate that we are dependent on eating out) and to achieve that we can't abandon all trust.
I do see your point----but I'm still going out to eat
Have a great day.
Hugs, Donna
I totally agree with you, DCamp.
Be aware, and be cautious...but don't live life in fear!
Just my opinion... I will be joining my family for dinner tonight at our favorite pizza joint!
Hugs to all,
Di
Be aware, and be cautious...but don't live life in fear!
Just my opinion... I will be joining my family for dinner tonight at our favorite pizza joint!
Hugs to all,
Di
DH is in the wholesale food business and has told me many a scary story about what goes on in restaurant kitchens and grocery back rooms. We eat out at least once a week and thus far have avoided any illness though it does seem like occasionally we will both get peculiar stomach symptoms that last about a week. I like to say that we are just building our immunity:) We just returned from a week in San Francisco and ate out just about every meal. I am still surprised that we got home unscathed since we tried to save money by eating in ethnic neighborhoods. I have learned to trust my instincts when it comes to food. If it smells or looks off, I don't eat it. I am reading a great book right now called The End of Food which goes into great detail about how processed food is made. It will make you think twice about those bags of chicken breasts or tubes of ground meat you buy at the grocery store.
QUOTE (orngkat06 @ Oct 3 2008, 01:10 PM)
DH is in the wholesale food business and has told me many a scary story about what goes on in restaurant kitchens and grocery back rooms. We eat out at least once a week and thus far have avoided any illness though it does seem like occasionally we will both get peculiar stomach symptoms that last about a week. I like to say that we are just building our immunity:) We just returned from a week in San Francisco and ate out just about every meal. I am still surprised that we got home unscathed since we tried to save money by eating in ethnic neighborhoods. I have learned to trust my instincts when it comes to food. If it smells or looks off, I don't eat it. I am reading a great book right now called The End of Food which goes into great detail about how processed food is made. It will make you think twice about those bags of chicken breasts or tubes of ground meat you buy at the grocery store.
So very true orngkat. My husband owns a wholesale produce business, his father owned a mom and pop grocery, my parents a retail produce business. I've known and lived the food industry since I was a very small child. You don't want to see or even know what's in the store rooms and distribution houses. And yet somehow we all survive. We all eat, whether at home or in restaurants. The majority of us are unscathed. There are no guarantees in life. We can't stop living and if we stop eating we will.
dcamp: You've got me so curious!!!!! What exactly ARE in the distribution centers and warehouses that we wouldn't want to see? I mean, how bad does it get?
I'll break you in gently Robin. Keep in mind that things have improved over the years, but not 100%.
Example: A shipment of potatoes may come into a warehouse. Half of that shipment may very well be spoiled---I'm talking rotten. The powers that be will hire day laborers to sort through the shipment throwing out the bad and keeping the good for packaging. The potatoes that are sold are the same potatoes that were mixed in with spoiled for perhaps weeks at a time. That's one reason why it is very important to be vigilant with any food product you purchase. Use common sense and your nose to tell you if you really want to serve it.
If a wholesaler plans to do business with any of the major grocery chains or restaurants it's mandatory to have 3rd party inspections of your facility and equipment annually. The wholesaler may very well be up to par, but what about the growers, the packagers, the processors and all hands that touch the food we consume daily. I guess my point is that nothing is 100%---even the food we prepare for ourselves at home.
Example: A shipment of potatoes may come into a warehouse. Half of that shipment may very well be spoiled---I'm talking rotten. The powers that be will hire day laborers to sort through the shipment throwing out the bad and keeping the good for packaging. The potatoes that are sold are the same potatoes that were mixed in with spoiled for perhaps weeks at a time. That's one reason why it is very important to be vigilant with any food product you purchase. Use common sense and your nose to tell you if you really want to serve it.
If a wholesaler plans to do business with any of the major grocery chains or restaurants it's mandatory to have 3rd party inspections of your facility and equipment annually. The wholesaler may very well be up to par, but what about the growers, the packagers, the processors and all hands that touch the food we consume daily. I guess my point is that nothing is 100%---even the food we prepare for ourselves at home.
okay...that's not so bad...keep going...
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