Happy All Hallows Eve

It's Here

Happy Halloween

 

Live Crabs Sold From Vending Machines

Commuters in China can purchase hairy crabs that are meant to be eaten while still alive, from vending machines -

The Dazha hairy crab, considered a delicacy, is on sale, and the crabs are packed into plastic boxes and chilled, leaving them sedated but still alive.

Here's the good news, if a customer gets a dead one, they will get three live ones for free.

The company now plans to expand its business, perhaps in Japan.

Lebanon holds the record for the world's biggest wine glass

Lebanon holds the record for the world's biggest wine glass.
Here's a report from Sky News:

Man Dies Of Caffeine Overdose

A British man died after ingesting two spoonfuls of caffeine powder purchased over the internet.

Michael Lee Bedford, 23, from Mansfield, central England, was at a party back in April when he swallowed caffeine powder that a friend bought online for £3.29 ($5.26).

He washed the powder down with an energy drink, and it was15 minutes later he began sweating and vomiting blood, soon after that he died.
Bedford ignored the product's recommendation to take no more than one sixteenth of a teaspoon. (whatever that is)
Instead he took two spoonfuls of the powder, that's 70 times more caffeine found in a high-energy drink.

Trick-Or-Treaters Warned Of Pot-Laced Candy, in California

Just days before Californians vote on Proposition 19, the marijuana legalization measure, trick-or-treaters have been warned to be on the look out for pot-laced candy this Halloween.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued the warning to parents in light of candy and snacks containing marijuana being confiscated from pot dispensaries.

Even though California has state laws allowing the medical use of marijuana, the confiscated candy was untested and unlicensed.

Officials are telling parents to check Halloween candy  for signs the candy was tampered with.

All Things Pumpkins

As we get closer to Halloween, here's a great video about pumpkins and how to roast the seeds.

The 60 Day Potato Diet

Really, it's the 60 day potato diet.
Take a look and see if this spud was meant for you!

Halloween - a day of sugar

It's trick or treat time, and for most of us, that means candy.When the kids start ringing your door bell on Halloween, the costumed masses are looking for candy treats, and nothing else.
Halloween is the highest-grossing holiday of the year for the candy industry, according to the National Confectioners Association, with spending for candy this season reaching $2 billion.

There is however, an initiative, led by "A Bunch of Baby Carrot Farmers," wanting to make baby carrots the treat of choice this Halloween.


Bolthouse Farms, has a slogan about brightly colored vegetables, "Eat 'Em Like Junk Food."
Their campaign now is the new, healthier kind of Halloween “treat.”
Scarrots (baby carrots) are offered in 1.7-ounce bags for health-conscious bores who don't want to hand out candy.



"We've been blown away by the response to this campaign," said Jeff Dunn, the chief executive officer of Bolthouse Farms, in a release. "… We've learned that is there's a huge groundswell of support behind our effort to brand Baby Carrots as the ultimate junk food and we're excited to offer snackers of all kinds a new Halloween treat."
Regardless of their marketing efforts, sugar is still the king of Halloween.

Candy sales are on track to increase by 7 percent from last year, with about three-quarters (72.2 percent) of homes expected to hand out candy this All Hallows Eve.
The average American household will spend $20.29 on candy this Halloween.
So, we are happy to report, Americans still believe Halloween should be a day of sugar.

It seems there will be no time for Scarrots this Halloween.

Seoul - how many octopus heads are safe to eat?

Octopus heads are a favorite dish on the peninsula of South Korea.
But the question is asked, how many octopus heads are safe to eat?

The Seoul city government got all kinds of people mad, especially the restaurateurs and the fishing industry when it proclaimed, octopus heads contained hazardous levels of cadmium, a carcinogen that is poison and affects the liver and kidneys.
So, the advisable amounts are no more than two heads a day.

Well, we hadn't planned on eating any, but thanks for the heads up!

Butchers Warn Against Raw Meat Halloween Costume

Jersey butchers warn against wearing a Lady Gaga meat dress for Halloween

Lady Gaga made heads turn when she wore raw steak to the MTV Video Music Awards last month.
Her dress, shoes and purse were all made with meat, and now her follwers are searching for Halloween bloody red dresses.
Who would think manufacturers hadn't thought of the raw meat costume yet, but they hadn't, and now some of the Gaga fans are planning to wear real meat, and butchers are cautioning against it.

Red Celery in markets around the holidays

There's a new celery in town, and it's red.
A Florida-based produce company is offering a new red celery, for that "colorful crunch" in salads.

Celery producer Duda Farm Fresh Foods unveiled the colorful celery under the brand name Celery Sensations.
While it may have the same crisp, fresh flavor as regular celery, this celery is milder-tasting.
This red celery is the product of almost 20 years of research by horticulturist Larry Pierce, Ph.D., Duda’s manager of celery seed research.
He used traditional methods and natural plant breeding tecniques to cross-pollinated an existing commercial celery with old-world heritage celery root,  whose original heirloom seed could be traced back to Eastern Europe, which was red in color.

So, when will see this red celery in grocery stores?
You can expect to see them on grocery aisles right around the holidays.

Toilet Use Tax?

The more you eat and drink in Nassau County may cost more with the “toilet tax.”

This may be the next big tax to be "passed" in a neighborhood near you.

The Black Widow Has Struck Again

The Black Widow has lured more victims into into her web.
Sonya Thomas, has won a moo npie eating competition in Caruthersville, Missouri.
Thomas collected $1,500 for devouring down 38 moon pies in eight minutes.

Sonya Thomas holds 38 world records in competitive eating for cheesecake, chicken wings, eggs, lobsters, tater tots, and Turducken.
She also has beaten Joey Chestnut in a previous competition.

The video has very little to do with Sonya Thomas, but it explains what moon pies are all about.

Michelle Obama - Cheeseburgers and Fries

When President Obama is on the road eating fast food, he often says,  "Don't tell Michelle."

But Michelle Obama, known for her healthy eating lectures was in Milwaukee on this week and stopped by Miss Katie's Diner and had a cheeseburger and fries.
But unlike her husband, do not attempt to take a photograph of the First Lady eating a cheeseburger.
Customers had their cellphones temporarily confiscated to prevent pictures from being taken.
 
They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, and the photo above speaks volumes.

This shouldn't even be news, but it is.

Celebrity Chef Mario Batali Sued - Again!

Celebrity chef Mario Batali and his business partners are being sued by 27 workers from the Manhattan restaurant Del Posto, who say they weren't paid a legal wage.

Waiters, busboys and other workers say managers at Del Posto improperly pooled their tips in violation of state labor laws, and illegally withheld a portion of some gratuities on wine sales.

Tip-pooling has been problematic for a number of New York restaurateurs, as employees have been in court against other celebrity chefs, including Bobby Flay.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday claims that all workers at Del Posto, which were praised a few weeks ago by New York Times food critic Sam Sifton as "a pleasure that lasts, offering memories of flavors that may return later in a dream" — were placed in  a point system that determines how much they receive in gratuities.

Captains — they get the most with six points.

Bartenders are next with five points.

Front waiters and food expediters got four and the rest of the staff get smaller amounts, with stockers getting two.

The lawsuit also said staff who worked banquets weren't getting their proper share of a 23 percent service charge billed customers. 

Instead, the workers got a flat fee of $150 to $250 per shift, depending on their role.

The food workers believe the customers assumed the 23% charge was a gratuity.

The lawsuit seeks compensation including backpay, unspecified damages and attorney's fees.

This just adds to the lawsuits Batali and partners Joseph and Lidia Bastianich are already fighting against in similar suits involving other restaurants.

Half Moon Bay and the Giant Pumpkin

Here you see Ron Root of Citrus Heights, California, proudly showing off his first place ribbon next to his 1,535 pound Giant Pumpkin.
All this took place during the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California on October 11, 2010.
Ron won more than 10,000 dollars for his colossal pumpkin.

Halloween Chocolate Not For Your Pets

Halloween Chocolate is wonderful for trick or treaters but can be a serious threat to pets. 

Pets who eat chocolate can get really sick, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, irregular heartbeat, tremors, seizures and even death, well, you get the point.

These health problems are the result of a substance in chocolate called theobromine.

Different types of chocolate have varying concentrations of theobromine. Baking chocolate contains the most, semisweet and milk chocolate sport a medium amount, and white chocolate has the least.

If your pet eats a large quantity of chocolate, you should call a veterinarian immediately,.

Chocolate consumption is a common problem with dogs and even cats, birds, rats and ferrets. 

So don't feed your pets chocolate and keep it only within your reach.

It may be Halloween, but let's not kill our pets.

The Italian/Mexican mix, "Spaghetti/Tacos"

We love spaghetti and we eat a lot of tacos, but we trying to come to terms with the "Italian/Mexican mix, "Spaghetti/Tacos."

It's received enough attention to attract Syracuse University professor of popular culture Robert Thompson.

He said the spaghetti taco has the air of inevitability about it -- "sort of like chocolate and peanut butter running into each other on that Reese's commercial," Plus, they've "made it possible to eat spaghetti in your car," he said. "It's a very important technological development."
Uh huh, thank you professor.

This all came about because of  iCarly's creator, Dan Schneider. "It was just a little joke I came up with for one episode," Schneider told the Times. "Then it turned into a running joke. And now it's this thing people actually do." 

But really, it's just spaghetti in a taco shell.

Eating Disorders -The Cutting Edge

It seems everything is linked to eating disorders these days, and now there is a U.S. study that says there is a connection between eating disorders in young adults and self-injury behaviors like cutting.

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine reviewed 1,500 patients ages 10 to 21 who were diagnosed with an eating disorder at a clinic.

Researchers said that nearly 41 percent admitted to cutting  themselves.

Health experts said the discovery confirms a long-suspected connection between the eating disorders and self-injury.

The researchers say that eating soothes the anxiety, but creates a new set of problems.

When they eat, they worry about becoming fat, then they cut themselves to resolve that, because cutting produces endorphins that produce an anti-anxiety effect.

Study author Dr. Rebecka Peebles, said, "We do know that self-injurious behaviors happen more in adolescents with other issues, such as mood disorders or drug abuse, and people with eating disorders often have the same symptoms, so it makes more sense to screen more universally,"

It seems kids who cut themselves do so because they believe it helps with coping and obtaining control over their emotional pain.

Self harm may be connected with eating disorders, but it's much more than that.

Cutters are usually sensitive, perfectionists overachievers. "The self-injury begins as a defense against what's going on in their family, in their lives," according to Karen Conterio, author of the book, Bodily Harm. "They have failed in one area of their lives, so this is a way to get control."

Psychiatrists say kids with emotional problems find solace cutting themselves because self-injury has an effect similar to cocaine and other drugs that release feel-good endorphins.

Triggers for self-harm can be bullying, bereavement, pressure at work, abuse, financial problems, pressure to fit in and relationship problems.

When these pressures build up, it can seem impossible difficult to cope, everything seems to be out of control.

If you can't have control over what's happening around you, you can at least have control what you do to yourself, so you cut.

Cutters probably already realize that self harm, overeating, or drugs doesn't fix anything.

But you can gain real control by reaching out for help and from the positive support of family and friends.

Autobiography in Five Chapters

by Portia Nelson

Chapter One:

I walk down the street.

There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I’m lost.

I’m helpless.

It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two:

I walk down the same street.

There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I’m in this same place.

But it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three:

I walk down the same street.

There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I fall in.

It’s a habit.

But my eyes are open.

It is my fault and I get out immediately.

Chapter Four:

I walk down the same street.

There’s a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter Five:

I try walking down a different street.

Two Men Die - Plant Food Overdose

A NC State student and another man have been discovered dead on a fire escape after overdosing on a plant food commonly known on the street as 'Meow-Meow.'

Ray Ausbon, 21, and Zachary Tigner, 19, most likely overdosed on Mephedrone, which is usually marketed for use as a plant food.

Log Cabin's All Natural Syrup?

People from Vermont are proud about their delicious 100% maple syrup, there's really nothing like it.

But Log Cabin, famous for their own version of maple syrup have a new product, the All Natural Syrup.
While it's accurate to say there are no artificial ingredients or preservatives in their All Natural Syrup, it's also
accurate to tell you that this Log Cabin product is just a blend of sugar, thickening agents such as xanthan gum, caramel color, and about 4 percent real maple flavor.
Pure Vermont maple syrup on the other hand is exactly that, with only one ingredient: maple sap,
the maple sap is boiled down to syrup thickness.

We found it interesting that the new Log Cabin syrup is in a jug that looks just like the jugs Vermont syrup comes in.
Michelle Weese, a spokesperson for Log Cabin explained that the company believes their new product "complies with all FDA regulations."

That's great Michelle, but we'll stick with the real thing.

It's time for Pumpkin Bisque

We did this last year, but it's worth repeating.

PUMPKIN BISQUE

1 medium onion, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, roasted first, then chopped

4 cups chicken stock

2 bay leaves

Pinch of Nutmeg pinch and Cinnamon

2 cups pumpkin purée

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup heavy cream

Sauté onions, celery, and garlic in butter. Add stock, bay leaves and nutmeg and cinnamon.
Cook until vegetables are very soft.
Strain and reserve liquid.
Purée vegetables with some liquid and strain through a cheesecloth.
Combine liquid, puréed vegetables, and pumpkin; heat.
Add cream and season with salt and pepper. 
Garnish with chives and cracked pepper.

Halloween at Disneyland

It's  Halloween at Disneyland in Anaheim, and there has been an 40% increase in attendance. Disneyland began  to celebrate Halloween in 2005, and during this time of year it really is the magic kingdom.

Disney officials said that the celebration has grown in attendance and sales of merchandise and food.

In years past it was summer, springtime and the Christmas holidays that were the busy seasons, but the Halloween events, from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31, are  growing quickly in popularity.

Over the past five years Halloween at Disneyland has grown into a 12 day event.

Now, there are new costumed characters, a costume parade, themed attractions and new merchandise as well as Halloween-themed food.

It's grown so much that the Halloween event has been moved from Disney's California Adventure park to Disneyland itself.

Halloween at Disneyland has park is redecorated in Halloween themes and guests can even dress in costumes. 

On Tuesday and Friday nights in October and on Halloween night, the park is closed to the general public and is only opened to guests who buy tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party. During the party, visitors can go trick-or-treating throughout the park and ride the attractions.

Since 2005, revenue from merchandise sales alone has increase 20% during Halloween and 104% during Mickey's Halloween Party.

According to Disneyland officials food sales during Halloween Time have also increased about 12% annually.