Fun, Factual, Weird, and Breathtaking: 2015

Thursday, September 10, 2015

The Kraft Heinz Company Expands Voluntary Recall of Wrapped American Slices

September 3, 2015

Many off the U.S. Food and Drug Administration links provided at the time of the recalls have now been archived.

The original July 31, 2015 recall date has been expanded by The Kraft Heinz Company for the recall of select code dates and manufacturing codes of its individually-wrapped American cheese slices. A thin strip of the individual packaging film can possibly remain adhered to the cheese slice after the wrapper has been removed and could potentially cause a choking hazard.

Kraft Singles American

Approximately 335,000 additional cases of these products have been shipped to retailers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands Grand Cayman, Netherland Antiles, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, South Korea, St. Lucia, and British Virgin Islands.

Kraft Singles White American

Only the products with the S54 and S55 codes, referencing the production lines where the recalled product was made, are included in this recall. Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the list of dates and codes for 1, 3, and 4 pound boxes.

Sources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Kraft Heinz

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Voluntary Regional Product Recall of Mrs. T’s Pierogies Due to Plastic Contamination

February 27, 2015

Many off the U.S. Food and Drug Administration links provided at the time of the recalls have now been archived.

Mrs. T’s Pierogies, of Shenandoah, PA, has recalled specific lots of its Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil variety of pierogies, due to plastic contamination in the product which may be a choke hazard. The recall was initiated after plastic was found in the filling of the product during production by a Quality Assurance check.

The product in question is the 16-ounce box of Mrs. T’s Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Pierogies sold in retail groceries in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Illinois and which have the following Best By information:

Product with “Best By 05-20-16”
Product with “Best By 07-15-16”

To read the complete recall, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Sources:

U.S. Foodand Drug Administration

Mrs. T’s

Monday, February 9, 2015

The Exotic Arctic Marble Fox

The coloration of the Arctic Marble Fox is not something which occurs in nature but is acquired from human intervention and the kits are born in captivity. Marble foxes occur as genetic mutations, called color phases, resulting from breeding the red fox. Their beautiful white fur displays patches of black or tan across the face and on the ears. The Fur Commission USA also reports that an “arctic marble” was born in a silver fox litter in Norway in 1945 at Sverre Omber’s farm.

Ozzie
Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
Photo: Karine Aigner

Ozzie, in the photo above, was rescued by the Black Pine Animal Sanctuary after being left on the front porch of a home in Indiana without care. He was only about six months of age and had already lived a number of different places.

The Antics Of A Pet Marble Fox

YouTube

Arctic Marble Fox
Bored Panda
Photo: Ewald Mario

While exotic animals have become favorites to own, research and education on the species you wish to acquire is the very first step. Living with and caring for a fox is very different than owning a cat or dog. Check first to determine if owning a fox is legal in your state. We had sugar gliders for a number of years, and discovered that it is not legal in every state to have a sugar glider living in your home. Learn the facts about the fox or any exotic animal before you make that purchase.

Daryl Dee
Sibil's Den

Do your research to find reputable dealers. As with all breeders/dealers, some are just in it for the money without respect to the animal or its welfare. Foxes are not going to

thrive while living in a house on a full-time basis. They are outdoor animals and also need an outdoor environment in which to feel at home. Their life span is typically 10 to 15 years in captivity and they will weigh anywhere from 6 to 20 pounds. The first six months of a fox kit's life is the ideal time to develop bonding. Foxes need activity and attention to avoid boredom as a bored fox will find something to do and it will probably tend toward being more destructive. Diet for a fox can include beef, venison, poultry, fruit, vegetables, and dog food. Concern has to be given to other animals you may have. Dogs and foxes tend to get along very well, but cat's and foxes are not a good mix. When adding another kit to mix, it is best to monitor any activity between the two until the kit becomes older. Litter box training can take longer with some foxes than others, but persistence is the key to success. Unless you plan on breeding your fox, spaying/neutering will diminish some of odor arising from their marking. They will continue to mark their territory even after spaying/neutering.

Kenti
JPGMAG
Photo/story: Kimberly Deverell

If you are considering a fox as a future pet, visit Sybil’s Den for the Red Fox Family Care Sheet (Silver fox, Marble Fox, Glazier Fox, Pearl Fox) to begin the journey with information on purchasing, environment, young kits, training, spaying/neutering, scent glands, feeding and breeders.

Talk to others who have or have had a fox as a pet to determine what is actually needed to care for one of these amazing creatures. Hearing from someone who has lived that life, will help you decide if you are ready for this new experience.

What exotic animal have you ever had as a pet?

Sources:

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary

Bored Panda

Fur Commission USA
Hillview Exotics

JPG

Sybil's Den

YouTube

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Whole Foods Market Recalls Raw Macadamia Nuts Due To Possible Health Risk

February 3, 2015

Many off the U.S. Food and Drug Administration links provided at the time of the recalls have now been archived.

Distributed in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

Whole Foods Market is recalling packaged raw macadamia nuts due to possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

The product was labeled as “Whole Foods Market Raw Macadamia Nuts" and was packaged in 5.6 oz. plastic tubs. If you believe you have purchased these macadamia nuts, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for package labels, dates, batch numbers, and UPC codes to identify the recalled products. The recalled product was distributed to Whole Foods Market, Greenlife Grocery, and Harry’s Farmer Market stores in the states listed above.

Sources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Whole Foods Market

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Meat In Your Beer! Is This Whale Of A Drink For You?

In honor of the Norse god Thor, the annual month-long celebration Thorri will be off to a whale of a start with a new beer from Stedjar Brewery. This year’s limited-edition beer follows the trend from last year using endangered whale fin for Hvalur 1, by adding smoked whale testicles to the water, malted barley, and hops used for this year’s new addition to their line of beers, Hvalur 2.

Hvalur 2
Photo: Stedjar Brewery

Preparation for this year’s festival will result in 20,000 bottles being brewed with one whale testicle in each batch. To achieve the unique smoked flavor, whale testicles are smoked in the traditional way by burning sheep manure. Somehow, I’m not feeling the love for this beverage or the need to try it; however, when in Rome..., or Iceland as the case may be.

After water and tea, beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world and possibly the world’s oldest fermented drink. The release date for Hvalur 2 is January 23^rd. Other delicacies surrounding Thorri will include sheep’s heads, blood pudding, soured whale fat, ram’s testicles, and putrefied shark.

Sheep's Head
Guide to Iceland

The International Whaling Commission resumed hunting of the Fin whale in 2013, after a two-year ban. Controversy remains with Icelandic officials who are not in agreement with the endangered status of the whale population in the North Atlantic. Conservationists and activists are clear in their opinion with regard to the sensationalism being used to dishonor the whale for marketing gain.

Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout
Photo: Wynkoop Brewing Company

Voodoo Doughnut
Bacon Maple Ale
Photo: Voodoo Doughnut

The addition of meat to beer is not a common occurrence in the United States. Julie Crew of the Brewers Association identified a few examples which include Wynkook Brewing Company’s Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout and Rogue’s Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale.

Would you serve and/or drink Hvalur 1 or Hvalur 2 at a

celebration?

Sources:

Icelandic Roots

International Whaling Commission

Stedja Brewery
Rogue Ales

TakePart

USA Today

Voodoo Doughnut

Wikipedia

Wynkoop Brewing Company

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

RECALL - Voluntary Recall From The Santa Barbara Smokehouse

January 8, 2015

Many off the U.S. Food and Drug Administration links provided at the time of the recalls have now been archived.

The Santa Barbara Smokehouse, Inc., of Santa Barbara, California, is voluntarily recalling a number of brands and batches of cold smoked salmon produced and packaged between December 17th and December 24th, 2014, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes. This organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Smoked Scottish Salmon
FDA

Smoked Atlantic Salmon
FDA

If you believe you have purchased salmon which might have been processed by the Santa Barbara Smokehouse, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more package labels and batch numbers. There are 50+ batch numbers listed and many more package labels. Batch numbers can be found on the back of your package. If you have questions, you may call the company at 1.805.966.9796.

Smoked Salmon trimmings
FDA

Sources:

U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration

The Santa Barbara Smokehouse

Thursday, January 8, 2015

It's All A Matter Of Taste

When now wondering what to wear with the amazing fashions from the previous post, Eat It Or Wear It, it’s all A Matter of Taste.

Photo: Fulvio Bonavia

Fulvio Bonavia’s creation of haute couture apparel for his book, A Matter of Taste, was inspired by some of the world’s most famous designers such as Alexander McQueen and Prada.

Photo: Fulvio Bonavia

Among Fulvio’s creations are a cashew shoe, candy and seafood rings, a pastry bracelet, eggplant shoes, a pasta belt, rice boots, and do not forget the lettuce thongs.

Photo: Fulvio Bonavia

Fulvio Bonavia began as a graphic designer and film poster illustrator before becoming an award-winning photographer. His advertising and editorial photography is known for its inventive imagery.

Photo: Fulvio Bonavia

Watch the creation of Fulvio's incredibly crafted fashion accessories in Edible Accessories, Video Of The Day.

Edible Accessories, Video Of The Day

YouTube

Which accessory would you choose to wear with the food you're craving?

See complete outfits made from food by Ted Salabrese on my previous post,

Eat It Or Wear It, The Choice Is Yours!

Sources:

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The Push/Pull of Attraction And Repulsion

Inspired by nature and the human form, Laura Marmash creates figure sculptures both from live models and from her own conception to evoke a mood or feeling, finding beauty in decomposition and decay, metamorphosis and evolution.

Queen
Porcelain

“The push/pull of attraction and repulsion are opposing forces that I like to play with in my work.” (Lillstreet Art Center)

Succumb
Stoneware

Her current work is a result of her fascination with fungi, molds, and spores. The mushroom itself can often signal the breakdown of the overall fungi, of which it is only a small part, and the eventual decay of the host. From the decay, the cycle begins again and new life forms are created.

Metamorphosis
Stoneware

Attaching natural elements to the bodies of the sculptures exposes the emotions of her incredibly detailed figures. Laura incorporates other materials into the clay in a way that the added fabric, wood, or wool, become one with the clay itself.

New Growth
Stoneware, Porcelain

Laura is a claymaker at Lillstreet Art Center responsible for making 1,000 pounds of clay a month. Clay creation is an art of feel to determine the proper moisture content and plasticity by adding dry clay powder or slaked clay until the moisture is just right.

Coronation
Porcelain

Laura Marmash received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kent State University in Ohio. Visit the sources below to see more of her sculptures.

Uprooted
Stoneware

Sources:

K.O. Jewel

Lillstreet Art Center

Website

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Eat It Or Wear It, The Choice Is Yours! The Most Fashionable Food!

For the creation of his Hunger Games photography, Ted Sabarese asked his models what food they were craving and then created completed clothing for them fashioned from the very food they craved.

Photo: Ted Sabarese

In exploring people’s relationship with food, Ted reflected this through his photography. His idea “was to visually suggest an actual meal the model was craving by having them wear it.” (npr.org)

Photo: Ted Sabarese

This project was shot in 2009, prior to Lady Gaga, and involved fifteen designers. Each outfit took hours to cook, create, and assemble.

Photo: Ted Sabarese

Designer Amy Goodheart of SOTU productions was the mastermind behind the designs.

Photo: Ted Sabarese

The artichoke gown took over six hours to complete during which time the model stood as each leaf was attached to her body. The gown was designed by Daniel Feld and Wesley Nault of Project Runway.

Photo: Ted Sabarese

A behind the scenes peek at the creation of the fashionable foods by Ted in Hunger Pains.

YouTube

From what food which you crave would your clothing be made?

When now wondering what to wear with the amazing creations from Ted, never fear.
Visit It’s All A Matter of Taste, Fulvio Bonavia’s creation of haute couture apparel accessories.

Ted Sabarese

Ted Sabarese spent time as a college English Teacher, graphic designer, fiction writer, and advertising creative director before deciding on his career as a photographer.

Sources:

NPR

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Year of the Sheep (Goat) 2015

The Chinese year of the Sheep (Goat) will begin on February 19, 2015, according to the lunar calendar. Each year, beginning from the Chinese New Year, is associated with an animal sign occurring in a 12-year cycle according to Chinese astrology. The Sheep is a Yin energy which represents Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquility which is the primary and fundamental mood for 2015.

Traditional Chinese Dancer
Chinese New Year Parade, Vancouver, British Columbia

The Sheep is a symbol of the Arts and relates to passive and nurturing times. Banding together in faith and the belief that good will prevail will help to win over forces that refuse to comply with a peaceful way of life. The year 2015 is a year to use one’s mental abilities over force.

2015 - Chinese Year of the Sheep

The Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar which is why the day falls on a different date than the date on the Gregorian calendar used by the Western cultures. This holiday is based on an ancient myth where villagers in ancient China set out red lanterns and food every year to scare away Nian, a beast who would terrorize children and decimate the crops throughout the year. The Chinese New year today is still marked by people decorating their homes with good-luck phrases, Chinese art, and red lanterns.

Goat Figurines
Photo: Vladimir Filonov/MT

Celebrities born in the Year Of The Sheep are: Mark Twain, Muhammed Ali, Barbara Walters, Nicole Kidman, Amy Lee, Clair Danes, Judy Davis, Kate Hudson, Veronica Lake, Jamie Foxx, Brandy, and Julia Roberts.