Category Archives: Diet And Food

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Activist Jameela Jamil is celebrating on Twitter today after a detox tea company was fined $1 million for failing to disclose sponsored ads and making misleading claims.

The company, Teami, was hit with the fine by the Federal Trade Commission and has previously worked with the likes of Cardi B and Alexa Vega - both of whom were sent formal warnings by the FTC.

Jamil retweeted a report by blog The Fashion Law about the news on Twitter, captioning it, I f**king TOLD Ya. (Flicks hair).

(Getty Images)

Jamil, who became famous for her blistering attacks on the appetite suppressant and weight loss industry last year, has actually previously criticised influencers that have worked with Teami.

She actually shared Cardi Bs Teami post when it first went up in 2018, writing, They got Cardi B on the laxative nonsense detox tea. GOD I hope all these celebrities all shit their pants in public, the way the poor women who buy this nonsense upon their recommendation do. Not that they actually take this s**t. They just flog it because they need MORE MONEY.

After Cardi B responded to her, saying that she would never s**t my pants cause theres public bathrooms everywhere, Jamil told her, Regarding her response: she will never s**t her pants, not because of bushes, but because she probably doesnt ever take the products she promotes... during her promotional video she keeps looking at the name of the product on the cup... almost as if shes never seen it

(Getty Images)

Teami Tea, whose products claim to have weight loss, detoxing and antibacterial properties, agreed to a $1 million settlement with the FTC last week. This came after it was initially set at $15.2 million (the amount the company made off the products) but was changed due to an inability to pay according to Law.com.

The FTC goes into the case in more detail on its website, discussing claims made specifically about one of its products (the Teami 30 Day Detox Pack) which claimed to help consumers lose weight, and that its other teas fight cancer, clear clogged arteries, decrease migraines, treat and prevent flus, and treat colds. The FTC alleged that they were made without reliable scientific evidence.

Cardi B (AP)

In addition to this, a number of Teamis sponsored partners were hit with a warning to prominently disclose paid endorsements - which included a screenshot of their post - and told influencers that they could be subject to legal enforcement action by the FTC.

Additionally, it told the influencers in question to provide a written response to this letter...describing what actions you are or will be taking to ensure[you] conspicuously disclose your relationships.

In the letter specifically addressed to Cardi B, the FTC wrote, You were paid by Teami, LLC (Teami) to create this post. In a federal court complaint filed today, the Federal Trade Commission alleged that the post was deceptive because it lacked a clear disclosure that you were paid to promote Teami products.

(Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

It also included guidelines set out by the FTC regarding paid sponsorships, which have become increasingly strict in recent years (and especially following controversies such as Fyre Festival).

These for example include making sure that a sponsored disclosure is clear and conspicuous - meaning that it can be seen above the Read More button and makes it completely clear that the post is a paid-for one.

In the case of Cardi B, who shared a video, they also warned her to explicitly disclose sponsorships in her videos moving forwards - saying, Because the video could be viewed without anyone seeing a disclosure, you should disclose any material connection in the video itself, and not just the text portion of your post.

Other influencers to work with Teami, including Kylie Jenner, did not appear to receive a letter.

Andrew Smith, the director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said, Social media is full of people peddling so-called detox teas, promising weight loss. Companies need to back up health claims with credible science and ensure influencers prominently disclose that theyre getting paid to promote a product.

Jamil has previously been instrumental in encouraging social media platforms to crack down on the promotion of diet products and cosmetic surgery, which led to both Instagram and its parent company Facebook putting age restrictions on the content.

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Jameela Jamil celebrates on Twitter as diet tea company hit with $1m fine and Cardi B reprimanded - Evening Standard

A "reckless" and "opportunistic" businessman who dealt online slimming pills which caused the death of a Wrexham Glyndwr University student with bulimia has been jailed for seven years.

Bernard Rebelo, 32, from Gosport in Hampshire, was twice convicted of killing Eloise Parry, 21, after the Court of Appeal last year ordered a retrial at the Old Bailey.

He had already served almost 10 months in custody before being handed his second sentence on Wednesday.

Ms Parry, from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, died in April 2015 after taking eight "extremely toxic" pills containing the poisonous Dinitrophenol (DNP), described online as "the devil's cut agent".

Rebelo was accused of buying the yellow powder from a chemical factory in China and selling it on, in tablet form, to people around the world, including Ms Parry.

The court previously heard how Ms Parry had been diagnosed with the eating disorder bulimia at the age of 17, and became "psychologically addicted" to the chemical after she started taking it in February 2015.

Side affects of DNP included multiple organ failure, coma and cardiac arrest.

In part of a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Parry's mother, Fiona Parry, said her hopes for her daughter had been "destroyed."

"Eloise had many problems in her life but I always hoped they would be sorted," she said.

"In the latter part of her life there were positive signs that things were getting better. She was working towards achieving her goals.

"She had plans for the future including travelling and seeing the world, not just a career.

"When Eloise died, her life was undone and her plans were unravelled. In that moment, my hopes were destroyed."

Following the sentence, she said: "It all feels unreal. It's still never a situation you want to find yourself in. It's overwhelming.

"If I really stop to think about it, I don't function."

She said that the person that would be most affected was her other daughter Rebecca, who had just turned 17 when her sister died.

She said: "At the end of the day, the sentence doesn't bring Eloise back. She doesn't get another chance, and as a family we have to go away and live with that.

"There hasn't just been one victim, to what he [Rebelo] has done. Although I don't know who they are, there must be many more families."

Mrs Parry added that she wished that people would "just remember the best" of her daughter.

"I hope they remember the good times, the smiles and the joy she brought to others, she said.

Sentencing Rebelo, Mrs Justice Whipple said that he had shown a "blatant disregard for risk of death" by selling the substance that was "not fit for human consumption".

"DNP is an extremely toxic substance. It is a yellow powder which was originally used in making munitions in World War One," she said.

"It was banned in the USA in 1938, because it was dangerous and unsafe and not fit for human consumption. DNP has a market in the UK amongst bodybuilders and those that want to lose weight.

"There is no safe dosage for DNP: even small amounts can have devastating consequences. In consequence, DNP has a staggeringly high mortality rate."

The judge said that taking DNP was akin to playing "Russian Roulette", adding: "You don't know if you are going to live or die.

"Eloise Parry had a distorted body image and a morbid desire for thinness. She had been a regular customer of yours in the weeks leading up to her death.

"By selling her the DNP, you caused her death - it is that simple."

Mrs Justice Whipple said that Rebelo had "encouraged" other customers to buy his product using "reckless sales talk", despite acknowledging the dangers in online posts.

She added that Rebelo had used "dishonest" business methods such as disguising the packages of DNP with false descriptions before selling them.

Rebelo, of Harrow, west London, was sentenced to seven years in prison, minus the 301 days he has already served.

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'Reckless' businessman jailed over sale of diet pills that led to death of young Shropshire woman - Border Counties Advertizer

No matter where you are, theres no excuse to avoid breaking a sweat. You dont need to join a gym and dedicate an hour a day to getting your dream body. There are ways to work those muscles and tone up even while youre sat at your desk in the office, or on the bus to work. PureGym PT Kasumi Miyake tells Express.co.uk how.

Exercising, playing sport, or going for a walk is hugely beneficial for our physical and mental health.

Fitness expert Kasumi Miyake said: Life can get busy and working out might be the last thing you want to do.

Its important to remember though that you shouldnt ever feel guilty if you dont have the time to exercise, take things day by day and just try to include exercises where you can.

The PT has shared her top tips with Express.co.uk to show that it is possible to fit in exercising during all sorts of day-to-day activities.

READ MORE-HIIT workout: At home training plan - cardio exercises to boost weight

Most of us dont have the luxury of being able to walk to work, and instead hop in the car or take public transport.

Thats no excuse to slack on your step count, though.

Kasumi said: Your commute to work is a great way to fit in some light cardio, simply getting off the bus or train one stop early and walking the rest will get more steps into your day.

At work, if you have the option to take the stairs instead of the lift then those extra steps up and down stairs work all your major lower-body muscles, including glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and calves.

Nearly a third of the nations professionals admit that their job has caused them to gain weight.

Being sat down all day and faced with temptation of free food and vending machines.

Kasumi suggested: If you want to get a bit of extra exercise in and become the most popular person in the office offer to make people a tea or coffee more often.

Going around the desks collecting cups, walking to the kitchen, then distributing them all means youll be out of your seat and getting some light cardio into your day.

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Even if youre bound to your computed all day and have no time to take a lunch-break stroll, you can still get those muscles moving.

She said: When you are at you desk, you can even do some stretches whilst youre getting on your with to-do list.

Do some arm circles - lift your other arm up so its outstretched at right-angles to your body, and then move your arm in circular motions clockwise for 10 seconds.

Do this again in reverse.

Performing this stretch a few times a day can be a great way to help remind yourself to reset your posture, which can often suffer when sitting for extended periods of time.

Do you often find your arms ache after whipping up a delicious meal?

This is especially noticeable when making a cake, but cooking is actually a great workout for your body.

Kasumi recommended: Give your arms a workout by unplugging your kitchen gadgets and mixing and whisking by hand. Remember to alternative your hands to even out the workout.

Whilst youre waiting for something to cook in the oven you can fit in a few in-kitchen moves.

If youve always wanted to master a push up, you can try a modified version with the help of your kitchen worktop.

Stand away a little away from your worktop, then with your hands shoulder-width apart on the worktop lean forward so your body is at a diagonal angle.

Slowly push yourself up from the worktop, doing three sets of 10 reps.

Sometimes the most mundane tasks are more important than going to the gym- going to the supermarket has to be done!

Dont feel bad, though, as Kasumi says doing your weekly shop can be a great way to get some extra steps in.

She said: If youre travelling by car, get more steps into your day by parking your car further away from the store entrance than you usually would.

Youre not at a gym or running in the great outdoors, but that doesnt mean you cant activate your muscles.

Kasumi said: Cleaning and doing chores around the house can help to increase your physical activity while making your house sparkly clean.

A great tip is to add some walking lunges when youre doing your hoovering or just when youre pottering around the house.

This exercise works out your glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps, she said.

To prevent feeling like the ultimate couch potato, fit in some squats while binge watching your favourite shows.

Kasumi suggested trying half squats first.

She said: Squatting to halfway between fully standing and having your thighs parallel to the ground can be done in front of the TV do three sets of 20 reps to start.

Kasumi also recommended wall squats.

She said: Stand with your head and back against the wall, with your feet shoulder-width apart slightly away from the wall then lower yourself into a seated position.

Hold this for as long as you can to see the best results.

Alternatively, if youve had a particularly active day, sit in front of the TV on the floor and do some stretches

If youve suddenly hit the hay and realised you forgot to fit any exercise in today, you could try some windshield wipers.

Kasumi directed: Lay on your back with your arms outstretched so youre a T shape, then lift both legs in the air and bend your knees so your calves are parallel to the ground.

While keeping your body still, rotate your hips to one side without letting your legs touch the floor.

Then return to the centre, and repeat on the other side.

If you really want to impress, do three sets of 10 reps.

If youd like to work on your calves, you can skip the weights at the gym and get your workout done at home.

While youre brushing your teeth or washing dishes you can do some heel raises.

She said: They are really simple, just rise up onto your toes and then lower back onto your heel. We suggest three sets of 10 to 20 reps.

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How to exercise without really exercising: On the commute, in office, and MORE - Express

Ill say it again, as a comic in all seriousness: Lettuce is overrated.

My favorite salad is a Greek one with all those veggies and no lettuce.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week that between 2009 and 2018, FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 40 foodborne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections in the U.S. with a confirmed or suspected link to leafy greens.

Holy shit.

This is why The Tragically Hip were so great, and why they never appealed much beyond Canada.

I feel the same about academia.

And why Osterholm called me 15 years ago as a consultant for Fresh Express, and asked me how dare I the lettuce and skull picture, and I said because I can and it was fairly apt given there have been 40 outbreaks.

Holy shit (this is me echoing my John Oliver voice).

Coronavirus is just confirming: Go public, go often, go hard.

Its the only way people will pay attention.

And as this story in the N.Y. Times points out, there have been spectacular public health failures by people who tell others, just shut the fuck up.

According to the FDA, it has an unwavering commitment to advancing the safety of fresh leafy greens.Leafy greens are among the most widely consumed vegetables and an important part of an overall healthy diet.While millions of servings are consumed safely every day, this produce commodity has been implicated too often in outbreaks of foodborne illness, and we believe that FDA, along with leafy greens sector stakeholders, can do more.

Between 2009 and 2018, FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 40 foodborne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections in the U.S. with a confirmed or suspected link to leafy greens. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, STEC can cause bloody diarrhea, anemia, blood-clotting problems, and kidney failure conditions that are potentially life-threatening. The most common STEC, E. coli O157:H7, is the type most often associated with outbreaks.

Most leafy greens are grown outdoors, where they are exposed to soil, animals, and water, all of which can be a source of pathogen contamination. In addition, leafy greens are mostly consumed raw, without cooking or other processing steps to eliminate microbial hazards. The Produce Safety Rule under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) sets science-based standards to help ensure that water, soil amendments (e.g., fertilizer or compost), food contact surfaces and other materials that touch produce during growing, harvesting, packing, and holding do not contribute to produce contamination. The Produce Safety Rule also addresses animal intrusion into fields and worker hygiene.

Due to the recurring nature of outbreaks associated with leafy greens, FDA has developed this commodity-specific action plan. What follows is an overview of the actions FDA plans to take in 2020 to advance work in three areas: (1) prevention, (2) response, and (3) addressing knowledge gaps.

More:
Lettuce is overrated: FDA's leafy greens STEC action - Barfblog

CBD stands for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid, or in simple terms, a naturally occurring compound unique to the cannabis plant.

Cannabinoids interact with the human endocannabinoid system, which maintains the balance between basic biological processes, such as memory, mood, appetite, sleep, pain, and immune function.

However, CBD isnt psychoactive like THC; it doesnt get people high. As a result, hemp-derived CBD products are widely used to manage a wide range of symptoms from medical conditions as well as common disorders.

CBD comes in many different forms. Many people choose gummies instead of CBD oil and other forms because they provide the user with the best of both worlds; CBD gummies are convenient, easy to take, dose, and more enjoyable than other products. Most importantly, they dont have that harsh earthy flavor of CBD oil, and theyre easier to administer than vapes, tinctures, or capsules.

Most CBD gummies have between 1030 mg CBD per county, leading to nice relaxation without excessive sedation. Many users take more than one gummy throughout the day, but the best dosage for each individual is determined by a range of factors, such as their age, weight, metabolism, the severity of symptoms, and their prior experience with CBD.

CBD oil in most gummies is extracted from hemp plants and contains no THC or other cannabinoids. You can find these products labeled as THC-free or Zero THC. Some gummies come with trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less), meaning they contain the full-spectrum of cannabinoids. Such products are still federally legal, but states can create their own limits on full-spectrum gummies.

In this guide, well review only THC-free gummies.

Read on to learn about CBD gummies, the benefits they offer, general dosage guidelines, and where to find the best CBD gummies in 2020.

Our editors pick, Royal CBD is a premium brand rooted in California selling CBD products from organic hemp. The guys at Royal CBD offer only one potency and flavor (10 mg, Fruit Punch), but the formula is very well-thought-out.

Royal CBD gummies are made only with natural ingredients. This includes the flavorings too. Theyre also pretty guilt-free for a sweet treat, carrying only 3 grams of sugar per container. The presence of sugar results from the fruit juices that were infused into the gummies to achieve fruity flavors and appealing colors.

Royal CBD gummies feature 99.9% pure CBD isolate, with 10 mg in each bear. Using smaller increments like 10 mg allows for more accurate dosing without experiencing sedation. And since isolate is flavorless and odorless, there are no earthy flavors one would experience when taking a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum extract.

DiamondCBD has one of the broadest line ups of CBD-infused edibles, with an impressive selection of CBD gummies.

This company offers a wide range of shapes and flavors; its gummies are available as worms, mini fruits, rings, frogs, or traditional bears.

Whether you want a bulkier supply or a small pack of 12 gummies, DiamondCBD has everything you need in its stock. All of the companys products are tested for potency and purity in third-party laboratories, with Certificates of Analysis available on its website.

But despite the almost overwhelming number of flavors and shapes to choose from, Diamondcbd actually offers pretty much the same products. There are two strengths available for sale 7.25 mg and 12.5 mg per gummy. These arent usual increments and may be difficult to dose, especially for those taking gummies for the first time.

And besides the obvious dosage problem, these gummies also contain three artificial colorings, which is why we give them the runner up title.

CBDistillery offers two types of CBD gummies designed with different types of users.

The companys regular CBD gummies are designed for consumption throughout the day. Each gummy comes with 30 mg of 99% pure CBD, so theyre also suitable for people who face routine drug tests, such as public employees.

CBDistillery also has Night-Time Gummies. Similar to the daytime version, this option contains 30 mg of CBD per count, but with 2 mg of sleep-supporting melatonin. Both products are made from U.S.-grown, non-GMO hemp plants and can be consumed by vegans.

The only downside of these gummies is the sugar content, which is higher than in competitors products due to grape juice concentrate and added cane sugar. They are very tasty but may turn out too sweet for some users in the long run.

CBDfx is another company that offers a plethora of options for their CBD gummies. These sweet treats are made for both novice and experienced consumers alike available in two potencies (5 mg or 40 mg of CBD per piece).

On top of that, CBDfx has various gummy formulas in their selection, each offering unique benefits. On top of their traditional daily gummies, CBDfx sells gummy bears infused with spirulina and turmeric for enhanced immune function; the company also offers sleep-aid gummies with melatonin, as well as jet-setters that come infused with vitamins.

You can also buy low-potency gummies from CBDfx. These are available in eight-count packages as well as mix-and-match bundles for those who cant decide on their preferred formula and flavor.

Similar to CBDistillery, CBDfx gummies are higher in sugar than other brands. On the other hand, these are full-spectrum gummies, so the addition of these two ingredients makes sense given the unpleasant hemp taste of full-spectrum CBD.

Another brand selling full-spectrum CBD gummies, PlusCBD Oil is a good option for people who prefer lower levels of CBD, but with the added benefit of essential fatty acids, other phytocannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins, and trace minerals.

On top of using organic hemp plants, PlusCBD oil gummies include all-natural ingredients such as organic seaweed extract, purified water, and organic cane sugar. This product is also non-GMO, doesnt contain dairy, soy, gluten or gelatin. Its a 100% vegan-friendly option.

You can choose between two delicious flavors Cherry Mango and Fruit Punch. Both are very tasty and mask the natural taste of full-spectrum CBD pretty well. They PlusCBD Oil gummies are available in 30-count and 60-count containers. The latter option saves you more money on the order, but it doesnt change the fact these gummies are a bit expensive when you consider the price per mg of CBD.

The main reason people take their supplements in the form of a capsule or edible is that they dont like the taste of natural CBD oil. Gummies are definitely the best edible CBD product for picky CBD users.

The majority of premium CBD gummies are flavored with fruit concentrate or fruit juice, which adds a pleasant taste and mask the flavor of full-spectrum CBD. These ingredients also give CBD gummies their appealing colors.

CBD gummies are easier to take than capsules because you dont need to swallow them down with water. You can chew your gummies for as long as you like absorbing the CBD content through sucking it in your mouth and then eat them just like any other cannabis edible

Gummies come in a wide range of strengths, from as little as 2 mg to a whopping 100 mg per serving.

Here we provide the most important information about CBD, the health benefits of CBD gummies, and how they turn out in comparison with other forms of cannabidiol.

CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid unique to cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are natural molecules that engage with a neurochemical network known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The molecular structure of cannabinoids regulates the functioning of ECS, bringing balance to functions like mood, memory, cognition, immune responses, pain signaling, mood, sleep, appetite, fertility, and body temperature.

Products high in CBD can help users manage the symptoms of many physical and mental conditions, such as:

Since CBD is derived from cannabis, many people think that its the same as marijuana. But in fact, CBD gummies cant get you high because CBD doesnt have intoxicating properties. So as long as your gummies are made from hemp, which contains less than 0.3% THC, you wont get buzzed from eating them.

Hemp-derived gummies are legal in all 50 states as a result of the 2018 Farm Bill. Products made from marijuana are only legal in states that have legalized medical or recreational use of cannabis.

Once again, our guide focuses on CBD products that are THC-free.

The reason why CBD gummies have become so popular all across the United States is that they offer a unique experience for CBD users, combining portability and fun with easy dosing.

Here are the stand out features of CBD gummies:

Most hemp-derived CBD gummies are considered safe as long as they come from a trusted manufacturer. Their relaxing and pain-relieving effects are broadly documented and the list of side effects is very short. Most of these side effects are very mild and nearly non-existent when you dont take extremely high doses of CBD.

Common side effects of CBD gummies include:

Although people often feel relaxed after eating CBD gummies, such products wont get you high in the same way marijuana edibles do.

Some full-spectrum gummies have traces of THC, but this amount wont exceed 0.3% in most products.

However, despite the lack of psychoactive properties, CBD gummies in high doses can make you feel drowsy. Thats why new users are advised to dose their treats with caution, especially if they need to be up and about throughout the day or when operating motor vehicles.

Theres no one-size-fits-all CBD dosage. The optimal number of gummies for any person depends on a wide range of factors, such as:

If youre a first-time consumer, you can use the table below for a decent point of reference. Its recommended that new users start with 26 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of weight and monitor the effects throughout one week, readjusting the dosage as needed.

CBD has many positive effects on our health, and gummies are arguably the most enjoyable way for CBD-curious people to hop on the ship and explore their edible options.

If you want to make sure that you get the real effects of CBD from your gummies, stick to organic products made from hemp grown in the United States, and most importantly, make sure your product is third-party tested.

When you get the best product and dosage for your needs, start slowly and work your way up to the point where you experience relief without sedation or other mild side effects. Dont rush another dose if you dont feel the effects right after consumption; CBD gummies must be processed in your stomach, so wait up to a full 2 hours before taking an additional dose.

If you use any medications that CBD could interact with, consult your doctor before buying CBD gummies.

Originally posted here:
Best CBD Gummies to Buy in 2020: Top 5 Reviews and Purchasing Guide - Weed News

A few days ago, my boss sent a Slack message to the Food team. Another editor at the paper, she said, has an interesting idea: Should Food do something on if shared plates dining is being affected by the [corona]virus?

The reason I bring it up, the editor explained, is I got this invite to a communal dinner event that is silverware optional. Seems like a bad idea.

Cue some heated all-channel chiming in. (I was thinking about that too when I went to a buffet this weekend, like is that sketch now??) (Im the germaphobe of the group. Havent eaten at a buffet in years and never will again. Bring my own hand wipes everywhere I go.) (My dad was a doctor and wouldnt even let us eat leftover M&Ms from his poker game because his friends put their dirty hands on them.) (Team lunch to sizzler.)

I, being cranky and old, tried to throw water/gasoline on the fire by ranting about Americans and their dont-double-dip-in-the-salsa hand-sanitizer ways of eating and proposing, facetiously, Lets ask for forks and knives at the Ethiopian restaurants!!

Which is how we arrive here: What exactly should we think when it comes to questions of eating and the novel coronavirus panic and pandemic?

The problem: Most food writers are neither public health officials nor experts in any myriad forms of expertise than can be credibly leaned on to answer such a question.

After threatening to lick the armrests on my upcoming flight to Los Angeles (which I had to, spoiler alert, cancel because of a temporary ban on nonessential business travel by my employer), I did what any American does when they want more information on a subject: I turned to cable news.

Specifically, the coronavirus episode on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Well come back to what I learned from Mr. Oliver in a minute.

Coronavirus is not spread by food or water; its spread by coughing, sneezing and unwashed hands.

(Hollie Fernando / Getty Images)

I think, first, its worth my saying that I came to this topic with the belief informed by almost every public notice Ive seen from the CDC and others that there is little beyond the reasonable, everyday things we do during flu season to keep ourselves from getting sick.

Wash your hands. Stay home if youre sick. If youre immunocompromised, you already take extra steps to take care of yourself and should continue to do so.

Some estimates say that 70% of the American populace will catch the novel coronavirus and, for most, it will be like having a bad cold not even a bad flu.

But still! Were hoarding water! Were hoarding oat milk! Chinatowns are empty! What should we do?

So I asked some experts.

First up: Marion Nestle, whom you could describe as the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University, or, if youre me, say shes the 800-pound-gorilla of what she says goes and is generally grounded in heavy-duty academic truth when it comes to most issues of food policy and politics. Either way.

So I put the questions above to her and she said:

Silverware optional? These better be people you are happy to share germs with. Coronavirus, horrible as it is, doesnt change dinner table courtesy and safety. Wash your hands before eating, use clean silverware, dont eat off of common serving pieces or use your silverware to take food from common bowls or plates, and keep your hands out of food that other people might be eating. At an Ethiopian restaurant, use the injera to take food. Coronavirus is not spread by food or water; its spread by coughing, sneezing and unwashed hands. Share food? Of course but sensibly.

Doesnt that make so much sense? Be clean and considerate and respectful of the people around you! It is less fun than kneecapping somebody who is about to buy all of the packages of instant ramen you want to stockpile, but it is actually what we know works.

Does this mean eating out is 100% safe? No! I hate to break it to you this late in life, but nothing is!

I turned to my colleague Emily Baumgaertner, who reported on the Ebola and Yellow Fever outbreaks in Africa from Africa and has a masters in public health from George Washington University. She summed up the situation as such:

Youve donned a completely unnecessary mask, commuted across town to the restaurant, and, safely inside, scrubbed your hands for two Happy-Birthday [songs] in the restroom. Thats great. But virologists have figured out that viruses found [in] respiratory droplets can survive on inanimate surfaces for hours. Theyre on business cards, elevator buttons, door handles and, yes, tables.

Completely unnecessary masks.

(Jean-Philippe Tournut / Getty Images)

Dont get me wrong: Im happy for you someone didnt sneeze directly into your mouth or even into your plate of food. But if someone sneezed onto the table that youre now touching with your uber-sterile hand, and you unknowingly reach up and touch your face, youre out of luck. So please: go. Enjoy meals with your friends. But consider wiping down surfaces often, at least until the COVID-19 spread subsides.

I believe that restaurants, for themselves, not for us, keep as clean as possible as often as possible, but truth is truth, and thats Emilys take on the specific risks.

I texted with Arielle Johnson about the issues at play too. You may know her from such L.A. Times Food stories as How to eat a tree or as one of one of Glamours Women of the Year, but Ill offer you how she described herself in our texts: I am not an expert, I am just a food chemist who reads enough to be a dilettante.

And after running through the should-I-still-eat-around-other-humans non-conundrum (she had a similar take to Nestles), we segued to chatting about the reported supermarket hysteria going on.

Some people are stockpiling months of food and, like, friend, if society has broken down so much that there is no food for a month, we have much bigger problems than making our personal stash last. Humans are social animals. Theyre not supposed to be doing the food-getting by themselves, ever.

Johnson invoking our togetherness brought up two other coronavirus-adjacent topics: The general insecurity of minimum wage and other food service workers in the current American capitalist paradigm and the particular restaurants that people are avoiding.

The first is a broad and deep topic. My colleague Julia Wick, writer of the Essential California Newsletter, summed up the situation well in messages we traded:

We live in a deeply broken country where many hourly service workers lack the economic power to just take the day off, and we have no federally mandated paid sick time ... and even if we did, job repercussions could still be an issue for a lot of people. Jaya Saxena wrote more on the topic over at Eater.

Heres the thing: Food service workers, regardless if they work at the cheap buffet or the fancy restaurant, dont want to get sick either. If you cant trust that theyre doing their best to keep themselves and, by extension, you safe, then your problems are deeper-seated than a Food section can help you with.

But those problems might brush up against John Olivers first rule for not getting novel coronavirus: Dont be racist.

As he put it, Thats just good advice for now and for later.

So dont avoid Chinatowns. Dont avoid the turo turos that Garrett Snyder wrote up for this section, or the SGV restaurants that our critics have recently spotlighted. Dont think that the color of the skin of the people in a restaurant has a thing to do with whether its where youre going to catch coronavirus. It doesnt.

But but but I hear the hamster wheels in some of your brains spinning what if the people at the restaurant are from Wuhan? Doesnt that make a steakhouse [or substitute any restaurant you assume has no Wuhanese employees] safer than a Chinese restaurant [again, acknowledging that over a billion people live in China and most of them have probably never been to Wuhan]?

Though I am tempted to roll up my (print) newspaper and batter you about the ears like a 1950s dad in a suburban sitcom, I instead hit up Baumgaertner again.

We went back and forth and discussed how maybe very maybe right after news of novel coronavirus broke, if you knew that an employee of a restaurant had been in Wuhan within the previous 14 days and had been within 6 feet of an infected person, maybe the risk at that restaurant was higher. (Of course it is Hogwarts-level fantasy to think you could know that much about every member of a restaurants staff.)

But, she conceded, Now that were seeing signs of community spread, it REALLY makes no difference whether you go to a Chinese restaurant or a steakhouse.

So do what your mom probably told you to do years ago: Wash your hands, dont cough in the food, and be reasonable in your response dont expend energy on things you cant control.

Also, please spin the Lazy Susan over my way so I can get some of those noodles.

The rest is here:
Eating in the time of coronavirus - Los Angeles Times

Everyone is shutting down their offices. So this could be the perfect time to hit the sandy beaches, get some sun, and avoid the crowds. Travel is super cheap, planes are largely empty, and you could be working remotely whilesitting in a lounge chair by the pool or staring at the blue sea. Why not check emails and join that conference callfrom paradise? All you have to do is book a flight out of town and arrive safely and virus free. Then you are golden.

Where to go? We found the five best resorts that not only satisfy your craving for a beach vacation right about now, where the virus can't bite you (it hates the sun, hot weather, and hot water!) but also your desire to eat a healthy plant-baseddiet and stay your fighting fittest.

Regardless of whether you'reeating mostly plant-based or you've committed to ditching the meat and dairy altogether, it's easy to find delicious dining options away from home can sometimes feel like a chore. Luckily, as plant-based lifestyles continue to rise in popularity, it's becoming easier than ever to indulge in a great meatless meal while out there in vacationland. From Hawaii to Aruba, we recently rounded up five of our all-time favorite vegan-friendly beach resorts. And the winners are...

1.Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

This stylish boutique hotel is situated on 15 beachfront acres on the scenic Maui coastline. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving or sunset sailing trips, as well as a lavish six-course vegan tasting menu (available upon request with advance reservations) at Ka'ana Kitchen, the resort's award-winning farm-to-table restaurant.

Enjoy a constantly revolving selection of seasonal dishes including black sesame noodles with mushrooms, herb-marinated tofu with roasted vegetables or watermelon salad. Rates start at $577 per night.

Speaking of eating green in this green paradise, we had the fun of visiting Hawaii just last week. Check out our video of Caitee from The Beet, enjoying plant-based mealsall over Maui. Not jealous at all. Here's Caitee having so much fun.

2. The Stanford Inn by the Sea

This picturesque resort is situated high on a hilltop in Northern California with breathtaking views of the rugged Mendocino coastline. Okay so not your typical tropical locale, but it's so gorgeous, and never too cold to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking and all-around fun (like hitting the spa) so we had to include it, and especially for the food! And if you live in the NoCal area, you can get there without having to take a germy flight.

Guests can enjoy a wide variety of gourmet vegan dishes including maple-tamari glazed tofu, black bean tacos with cashew cheese and sea palm and root vegetable strudel. Don't miss the Sunday brunch at Ravens Restaurant for plant-based updates on breakfast classics like crepes, waffles, pancakes and scrambled eggs. Rates start at $425 per night.

3. Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort and Nature Reserve

If you really want to get away from it all, book a Mayan-inspired room at this eco-chic resort named One Of The World's 25 Best Lodges by Conde Nast Traveler. This Guatemalan getaway is an oasis for vegan or plant-based travelers, thanks to an entirely plant-based menu created by a world-class culinary team.

A menu of delectable dishes from whole foods doesn't get any fresher than this. Herbs, greens, and vegetables are harvested daily from the lodge's garden to create tantalizing dishes like black bean and avocado pizza and vegan french toast. Rates start at $295 per night.

4. Manchebo Beach Resort

Relax and unwind in style at this Caribbean paradise, where you'll spend your days windsurfing, snorkeling or swimming in Aruba's crystal-clear blue water. The place is famous for the color of the sea, which is more like a lit-up pool than the ocean. It's truly a miracle of nature, and anyone who loves to swim will feel they are in a marine paradise.

All four of the onsite restaurants offer plant-based options on their menus. However, you won't want to miss Ike's, a poolside bistro that serves up tasty dishes like cucumber carpaccio, lychee ceviche and truffle porcini risotto from a completely vegan menu. Rates start at $315 per night.

5. Grand Velas Resort Riviera Maya

Is Puerto Vallarta on your bucket list? Then head south of the border to the Grand Velas to experience world-class beaches, art galleries, hiking, golfing and, of course, fine dining.

It's no accident that The Love Boat docked here on its many romantic cruises. The romance of the place makes it a perfect escape with your honey, since you'll stroll the boulevards in barely-there clothing, dance all night and rest up by the epic pool to do it again tomorrow.

The all-inclusive resort offers dedicated vegan menus in all six restaurants, as well as 24-hour room service featuring options like homemade veggie burgers, vegan cheese plates, and even vegan ice cream! Rates start at $944 per night.

Know of a great plant-based or vegan destination? Share it with The Beet on all our social channels. And follow us on Facebook for more great content and tips like this.

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Where Should You Go to Escape Coronavirus? These Top Vegan-Friendly Beach Resorts - The Beet

As scientists race to develop treatments and vaccines for the COVID-19 virus, one facility in London is looking for volunteers to be infected with a coronavirus to help with research.

hVIVO, an arm of a pharmaceutical company based in the U.K. capital, is looking for 24 people to be infected with common strains of a member of the large coronavirus family of pathogens which the new coronavirus is also a member of.

The bug isn't the same as the COVID-19 virus, but close enough for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to safely test vaccines and antiviral drugs to fight the new coronavirus on participants.

The volunteers will be paid 3,500 ($4,380) according to The Times. To qualify, they must be must be healthy, aged between 18-55 years old, non-smokers, and have a verifiable medical history, Cathal Friel, executive chairman of Open Orphan, the company of which hVIVO is a subsidiary, told Newsweek.

To keep participants safe, the team will use strains like OC43 and 229E, which have been widespread "for many years and cause only a mild cold-like respiratory illness" according to a statement by hVIVO.

The catch? Participants must be comfortable with being quarantined for up to 14 days at the clinic.

The facility, known as FluCamp because of its usual focus on fighting the flu and common cold, has 24 hospital-like private rooms with en suite showers, toilets, and access to TV and WiFi. Participants must keep to a "strict" routine, and eat a nutritionally controlled diet and abstain for alcohol, smoking and exercise.

Friel stresses of the 3,000 volunteers to stay at FluCamp, none have had an adverse reaction, and the three to leave did so due to family emergencies.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 started in Wuhan, over 4,700 people worldwide have died in over 127,000 cases, according to a dashboard tracking the virus by Johns Hopkins University. More than 68,000 people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered.

Most of the deaths have occurred in Hubei, at over 3,000. The virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica, as shown in the Statista map below. There are currently no treatments or vaccines, and those who fall ill must manage their symptoms, which in severe cases requires hospital treatment.

World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Hygiene advice

Medical advice

Mask usage

Originally posted here:
U.K. Scientists Paying People $4,000 to Get Infected with Coronaviruses - Newsweek

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Plant based educator and caterer Ciara Brennan, founder of Happy Food at Home, has teamed up with Limerick College of Further Education to offer the first certified vegan course in Limerick.

Introduction to Plant Based Cooking will take place on Tuesdays from 7pm 9pm on the LCFE Mulgrave Street campus and will include demonstrations of affordable and uncomplicated plant based dishes which are suitable for all ages to enjoy. Students will have an opportunity to learn how to safely adopt a plant based diet, receive nutritional advice and enjoy sampling the dishes prepared.

Ciara has been a lifelong vegetarian and studied hotel management in Shannon to indulge her passion for cooking and to pursue a career as a chef. She has worked in kitchens across the globe but found that her vegetarian diet was not compatible with her dream job and moved into human resource management within the hospitality sector. In 2016 she changed from a vegetarian to a plant based diet along with her teenage daughter and has personally experienced the nutritional and financial challenges that the transition presents.

At the same time, Ciara established Happy Food at Home. Initially a Saturday food stall selling vegan dishes upstairs in the Limerick Milk Market, the business has evolved to include bespoke catering, menu consultancy with hotels and restaurants and educational experiences as well as a regular food stall at the Limerick Milk Market and Ennis Farmers Market.

Every week in the Milk Market and in Ennis, I am asked for advice about how best to adopt a vegan lifestyle, explained Ciara. The first step is diet related and I love hosting cooking classes in customers homes on a one to one or group basis. The collaboration with LCFE presents a very exciting opportunity to share my plant based expertise and vegan journey and to provide students with a repertoire of mouth watering recipes.

The 90 course starts on Tuesday 24th March and runs until Tuesday 28th April.

Read the original post:
Certified Vegan Course at Limerick College of Further Education - FFT.ie

Now that the world is anxiously navigating the minefieldthat is CoronavirusDisease 19 (COVID-19), many celebrities and reality stars have also beensharing their fears about, and preparation for, the virus. JanelleBrown, Kody Browns second wife and star of TLCs long-running reality showSister Wives, recently took to Twitter to share how the massive Brownfamily is preparing for the pandemic.

The Brownshave 18 children, 15 of whom are Kodys biological kids with his four wives(Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown), and three of whom he adopted fromRobyns first marriage. With such a huge family, its especially important forthe Browns to stay on top of the potential of contracting the virus.

Janelle explained that, when it came to the coronavirus, it was all about long-term preparation. The Sister Wives star added that the Browns religious background made them feel more prepared for emergencies and disasters.

On Mar. 9, Janelle wrote about the Brown familys emergencyreserves of food and other necessities in case of an epidemic or pandemic likethe coronavirus.

Growing up in the LDS church, we were encouraged to have afood storage, including t.p., to get us safely through natural disasters andeconomic hard times, Janellewrote. I have seen the wisdom of that advice and can definitely see thewisdom of that advice now!

Longtime Sister Wives fans have probably noticed the Browns preparedness in the past. The family buys large annual stores of meat to keep in freezers and regularly buys basic items like soap in bulk. The sister wives have also discussed their practice of canning and preserving food, especially produce, for long-term use in a public health emergency, natural disaster, or financial downfall.

Many SisterWives fans praised Janelle andher family for thinking ahead in terms of preparing for an emergency or hardtimes.

I grew up extremely poor and I will never not have astorage of food, one viewer wrote to Janelleon Twitter. Honestly, Im surprised more people dont have at least two weeksof the basics.

Another Sister Wives fan agreed about the importanceof preparedness, writingin a comment, Another RN here- My family has stocked up on cold and flumedicines, prescription drugs, canned foods, pet foods, Gatorade powder,powdered creamer, etc. Preparedness works!

Still, a few Twitter users warned Janelle against spreading panic and worry to her fanbase. Ok, but its one thing to prepared but what is going on now is unfounded panic! a commenter wrote in response. Just as many people die from other random viruses everyday. The average person is fine if common sense practices are used. The problem is common sense isnt very common at the moment!

The practice of staying prepared and putting an emphasis onfood storage is, indeed, part of a religious practice for the Browns.

Kody and his family are part of a fundamentalist Mormon sectcalled the ApostolicUnited Brethren (AUB). Members of the AUB share their faith origins andmany similar basic tenets, including scriptures and values, with members of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS church).

Fundamentalist Mormons practice and endorse polygamy. They broke off from the mainstream LDS church in large part because of their continued belief in plural marriage, which modern-day Mormons (members of the LDS church) no longer practice or agree with. However, they share similar values in terms of encouraging self-reliance, forethought, large families, avoiding debt, long-term planning, and thriftiness.

Moreover, some of the Sister Wives parents wereraised in the mainstream LDS church. Both Kodyand Janelle were raised LDS and converted to fundamentalist Mormonism as youngadults. Meanwhile, Meri, Robyn, and Christine were all raised in polygamousfamilies. Kody and Janelles LDS-based beliefs likely crossed over into theirpractice within the AUB sect.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a guidefor members that encourages them to build a store of enough food, water, andmoney to last for three months at a minimum, just as Janelle suggested. Overtime, they encourage members to build an ever larger supply for long-term use.

Onemanual suggests, We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversityin life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.We ask that you be wise, and do not go to extremes. With careful planning, youcan, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.

Later, the guide states, Store foods that are a part ofyour normal diet in your three-month supply. As you develop a longer-termstorage, focus on food staples such as wheat, rice, pasta, oats, beans, andpotatoes that can last 30 years or more.

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'Sister Wives': Janelle Brown Shares How the Brown Family's Religion Is Helping Them Prepare for the Coronavirus Pandemic - Showbiz Cheat Sheet