http://www.ironton.net/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:16:23 +0000 MyBB http://www.ironton.net/thread-425.html Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:49:13 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-425.html http://www.prostardesigns.com Email sales@prostardesigns.com . We take credit cards through paypal.]]> http://www.prostardesigns.com Email sales@prostardesigns.com . We take credit cards through paypal.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-424.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:24:36 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-424.html
Unfortunately, there is nothing inherently "sustainable" about biotech.

Biotech is designing seeds that die each year, so there is no reason to sow them. Farmers who use biotech seeds must buy them each year from Monsanto, along with Monsanto's Round Up Ready weedkiller, which destroys everything but their patented seeds.

omBiotech is creating transgenic salmon that grow larger in a shorter amount of time, rendering them sterile, so when they escape from fish farms, they can't alter the gene pool of the natural population. It's creating pigs that produce Omega-3s, because our oceans are so polluted that fish contain high levels of mercury and toxins. Never mind taking steps to limit pollution. We've got biotech to help clean it up.

As for the millions of "food refugees" that Clinton referred to in his speech, it's not clear that we need biotech to feed the world. The greatest environmental challenge is overpopulation; genetically modified crops are not going to stem the rate of birth.

Meanwhile, at the rival BioETHICS 2006 conference held in Chicago in the shadow of the industry convention, Craig Winters of The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods told a crowd that there's enough food on the planet to feed everyone 3,500 calories a day.

Why aren't they fed?

"Poverty," he said during a panel discussion at Columbia College. "Food is also used as a tool of civil war. Don't be fooled (by the biotech industry's assertion that we need genetic engineering to feed the world). If everyone in the U.S. cut back beef consumption by 10 percent, there would be so much grain released it wouldn't be funny."

And if U.S. agriculture policies stopped subsidizing beef, people would eat less, and the price would go up, he said. People would also get healthier.

Winters' vision of the future includes a society where everyone plows up their front yard and plants fruits and vegetables. Instead of using fossil fuels to cut the grass, people work in their gardens.

"Human history is a race between education and catastrophe," Winters said, quoting H.G. Wells. "Educate yourself and get political."]]>
Unfortunately, there is nothing inherently "sustainable" about biotech.

Biotech is designing seeds that die each year, so there is no reason to sow them. Farmers who use biotech seeds must buy them each year from Monsanto, along with Monsanto's Round Up Ready weedkiller, which destroys everything but their patented seeds.

omBiotech is creating transgenic salmon that grow larger in a shorter amount of time, rendering them sterile, so when they escape from fish farms, they can't alter the gene pool of the natural population. It's creating pigs that produce Omega-3s, because our oceans are so polluted that fish contain high levels of mercury and toxins. Never mind taking steps to limit pollution. We've got biotech to help clean it up.

As for the millions of "food refugees" that Clinton referred to in his speech, it's not clear that we need biotech to feed the world. The greatest environmental challenge is overpopulation; genetically modified crops are not going to stem the rate of birth.

Meanwhile, at the rival BioETHICS 2006 conference held in Chicago in the shadow of the industry convention, Craig Winters of The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods told a crowd that there's enough food on the planet to feed everyone 3,500 calories a day.

Why aren't they fed?

"Poverty," he said during a panel discussion at Columbia College. "Food is also used as a tool of civil war. Don't be fooled (by the biotech industry's assertion that we need genetic engineering to feed the world). If everyone in the U.S. cut back beef consumption by 10 percent, there would be so much grain released it wouldn't be funny."

And if U.S. agriculture policies stopped subsidizing beef, people would eat less, and the price would go up, he said. People would also get healthier.

Winters' vision of the future includes a society where everyone plows up their front yard and plants fruits and vegetables. Instead of using fossil fuels to cut the grass, people work in their gardens.

"Human history is a race between education and catastrophe," Winters said, quoting H.G. Wells. "Educate yourself and get political."]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-423.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:22:21 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-423.html
The rice would be able to make human proteins that could help reduce the symptoms of diarrhea in children by about a day. Meanwhile, the company behind the new rice varieties, Ventria Bioscience, has talked to the FDA about putting the proteins into health food like yogurt and granola bars.

Given the FDA’s track record on ensuring the safety of prescription drugs, the public has good reason to be leery of medicinal food. A scathing report by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine called the FDA "disorganized and demoralized" and said its system for testing new drugs is deeply flawed.

The USDA, meanwhile, has demonstrated poor oversight of biotechnology. In less than a year, U.S. regulators have confirmed three incidents of genetically modified rice contamination, including one that has disrupted rice exports. U.S. biotech companies and research universities violated federal regulations on planting experimental GM crops more than 100 times in the last decade, according to the USDA.

The National Academy of Sciences has warned that it is virtually impossible to keep plant-made pharmaceuticals from entering the food supply when food crops are engineered to produce them. Until this problem is solved, pharmaceutical crops shouldn’t be cultivated outside.

You have until March 30 to submit comments to the USDA. (Commenting is easier said, than done, of course. After clicking on the above link, choose Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for "Agency Name." Click on submit. Then look for Docket Number 2007-0006 for Ventria. You have to scroll down.)
UPDATE: The Union of Concerned Scientists has developed sample comments that people can personalize and sumit directly through the site with one click rather than dealing with the federal government's clunky system. Simply go to http://ucsaction.org/campaign/3_07_07pharma_rice.]]>
The rice would be able to make human proteins that could help reduce the symptoms of diarrhea in children by about a day. Meanwhile, the company behind the new rice varieties, Ventria Bioscience, has talked to the FDA about putting the proteins into health food like yogurt and granola bars.

Given the FDA’s track record on ensuring the safety of prescription drugs, the public has good reason to be leery of medicinal food. A scathing report by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine called the FDA "disorganized and demoralized" and said its system for testing new drugs is deeply flawed.

The USDA, meanwhile, has demonstrated poor oversight of biotechnology. In less than a year, U.S. regulators have confirmed three incidents of genetically modified rice contamination, including one that has disrupted rice exports. U.S. biotech companies and research universities violated federal regulations on planting experimental GM crops more than 100 times in the last decade, according to the USDA.

The National Academy of Sciences has warned that it is virtually impossible to keep plant-made pharmaceuticals from entering the food supply when food crops are engineered to produce them. Until this problem is solved, pharmaceutical crops shouldn’t be cultivated outside.

You have until March 30 to submit comments to the USDA. (Commenting is easier said, than done, of course. After clicking on the above link, choose Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for "Agency Name." Click on submit. Then look for Docket Number 2007-0006 for Ventria. You have to scroll down.)
UPDATE: The Union of Concerned Scientists has developed sample comments that people can personalize and sumit directly through the site with one click rather than dealing with the federal government's clunky system. Simply go to http://ucsaction.org/campaign/3_07_07pharma_rice.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-422.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:07:52 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-422.html
The scientists established that pollen, leaves and other plant parts from corn, including the genetically modified Bt corn, are leaving the corn fields and washing into nearby streams.

Lab studies then showed that when these materials are eaten by mothlike aquatic insects called caddisflies, it can cause reduced growth and increased mortality.

Caddisflies, a food for fish and amphibians, are closely related to the European corn borer, which is the target insect, said Emma Rosi-Marshall, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of Biology and Natural Sciences at Loyola University.

Bt corn is engineered to include a gene from the micro-organism Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces a toxin that kills pests, including the European corn borer. In 2006, about 35 percent of the corn acreage planted in the U.S. was genetically modified, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Before licensing Bt corn, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tested its impact on a crustacean creature called Daphnia, not insects that are more closely related to the target pests.

"When the European corn borer eats [Bt corn] and dies, it reduces the need for pesticides. But these closely related caddisflies might be affected too," said Rosi-Marshall.

What concerns the researchers who spent two years studying the effects of Bt corn on aquatic ecosystems, is the "potential for unintended and unexpected consequences," said Rosi-Marshall. "The extent to which aquatic ecosystems are affected depends on lots of factors but we feel these kind of unanticipated effects need to be investigated."]]>
The scientists established that pollen, leaves and other plant parts from corn, including the genetically modified Bt corn, are leaving the corn fields and washing into nearby streams.

Lab studies then showed that when these materials are eaten by mothlike aquatic insects called caddisflies, it can cause reduced growth and increased mortality.

Caddisflies, a food for fish and amphibians, are closely related to the European corn borer, which is the target insect, said Emma Rosi-Marshall, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of Biology and Natural Sciences at Loyola University.

Bt corn is engineered to include a gene from the micro-organism Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces a toxin that kills pests, including the European corn borer. In 2006, about 35 percent of the corn acreage planted in the U.S. was genetically modified, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Before licensing Bt corn, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tested its impact on a crustacean creature called Daphnia, not insects that are more closely related to the target pests.

"When the European corn borer eats [Bt corn] and dies, it reduces the need for pesticides. But these closely related caddisflies might be affected too," said Rosi-Marshall.

What concerns the researchers who spent two years studying the effects of Bt corn on aquatic ecosystems, is the "potential for unintended and unexpected consequences," said Rosi-Marshall. "The extent to which aquatic ecosystems are affected depends on lots of factors but we feel these kind of unanticipated effects need to be investigated."]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-421.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:00:19 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-421.html
If they even notice they're eating products from clones at all.

Therein lies one of the problems: If cloned food is not labeled, how will these products be tracked for safety?

They won't be. In fact, while the FDA has called cloned food safe to eat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday asked U.S. farmers to keep their cloned animals off the market indefinitely. Yet, as the Washington Post's Rick Weiss reported, we're probably already eating meat from the offspring of clones.

"Executives from the nation's major cattle cloning companies conceded yesterday that they have not been able to keep track of how many offspring of clones have entered the food supply, despite a years-old request by the FDA to keep them off the market pending completion of the agency's safety report," Weiss wrote.

"At least one Kansas cattle producer also disclosed yesterday that he has openly sold semen from prize-winning clones to many U.S. meat producers in the past few years, and that he is certain he is not alone.

"'This is a fairy tale that this technology is not being used and is not already in the food chain," said Donald Coover, a Galesburg cattleman and veterinarian who has a specialty cattle semen business. "Anyone who tells you otherwise either doesn't know what they're talking about, or they're not being honest.'"

Another issue is public perception: Cloned food is not something that consumers are clamoring for at the moment. Why market a product no one really wants, here or abroad?

"Even if we can eat such meat, it doesn't necessarily make economic or ecological sense to do so," wrote Laura Bush, editor-in-chief of BioPharm International.

It is not unlike industry's use of artificial growth hormones (r-GBH) in cows to increase milk production. The hormones aren't necessary and the public has an unfavorable impression of milk that comes from these cows, even though the FDA says it's safe to drink. But consumers are so leery of bovine growth hormone that even Starbucks has pledged to stop using it in its drinks.

Bush, very logically, suggests each biotech application should be evaluated on its own merit.

"We don't need higher productivity in agriculture, or more human control over the biological processes involved," Bush wrote.

"In the biopharmaceutical industry, we view genetic engineering with affection. But as members of the biotech community, we must evaluate each biotech application on its own merit. We should support the forward march of science, not just because we love technology, but because it truly represents progress. Cloning animals for agricultural purposes does not represent progress."]]>
If they even notice they're eating products from clones at all.

Therein lies one of the problems: If cloned food is not labeled, how will these products be tracked for safety?

They won't be. In fact, while the FDA has called cloned food safe to eat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday asked U.S. farmers to keep their cloned animals off the market indefinitely. Yet, as the Washington Post's Rick Weiss reported, we're probably already eating meat from the offspring of clones.

"Executives from the nation's major cattle cloning companies conceded yesterday that they have not been able to keep track of how many offspring of clones have entered the food supply, despite a years-old request by the FDA to keep them off the market pending completion of the agency's safety report," Weiss wrote.

"At least one Kansas cattle producer also disclosed yesterday that he has openly sold semen from prize-winning clones to many U.S. meat producers in the past few years, and that he is certain he is not alone.

"'This is a fairy tale that this technology is not being used and is not already in the food chain," said Donald Coover, a Galesburg cattleman and veterinarian who has a specialty cattle semen business. "Anyone who tells you otherwise either doesn't know what they're talking about, or they're not being honest.'"

Another issue is public perception: Cloned food is not something that consumers are clamoring for at the moment. Why market a product no one really wants, here or abroad?

"Even if we can eat such meat, it doesn't necessarily make economic or ecological sense to do so," wrote Laura Bush, editor-in-chief of BioPharm International.

It is not unlike industry's use of artificial growth hormones (r-GBH) in cows to increase milk production. The hormones aren't necessary and the public has an unfavorable impression of milk that comes from these cows, even though the FDA says it's safe to drink. But consumers are so leery of bovine growth hormone that even Starbucks has pledged to stop using it in its drinks.

Bush, very logically, suggests each biotech application should be evaluated on its own merit.

"We don't need higher productivity in agriculture, or more human control over the biological processes involved," Bush wrote.

"In the biopharmaceutical industry, we view genetic engineering with affection. But as members of the biotech community, we must evaluate each biotech application on its own merit. We should support the forward march of science, not just because we love technology, but because it truly represents progress. Cloning animals for agricultural purposes does not represent progress."]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-420.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:46:27 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-420.html
Whole Foods Market has partnered with the Non-GMO Project to test its private label products for genetically modified organisms (GMO's), a move company officials say will help consumers make more informed food choices.

As much as 75 percent of the processed food in the U.S. may contain parts of genetically modified cops, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But there is no required standard labeling for GMO products in non-organic foods.

Whole Foods, meanwhile, says more than 80 percent of consumers would seek out non-GMO foods if they could. As a result, it plans to have its in-house 365 brand products tested for by the Non-GMO Project's third party Product Verification Program (PVP). Qualifying products will earn the organization's seal.

Several other countries, including Australia, Japan and the European Union restrict or ban the production of GMO's due to concerns about safety and environmental impact.

In the U.S., the FDA has said there is no significant difference between genetically engineered seeds and natural seeds, thus labeling something as "GMO" is unnecessary. Industry fears consumers will not buy products labeled "'GMO," even though the FDA has said they're safe.

But Whole Foods and the Non-GMO project say consumers have a right to know what's inside the products they're buying and that they want to ensure the sustained availability of non-GMO choices.

National brands such as Nature’s Path Organic and Lundberg Family Farms also have items enrolled in the program.

The first Whole Foods private label products to bear the seal are expected to be in stores by the end of the year.]]>
Whole Foods Market has partnered with the Non-GMO Project to test its private label products for genetically modified organisms (GMO's), a move company officials say will help consumers make more informed food choices.

As much as 75 percent of the processed food in the U.S. may contain parts of genetically modified cops, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But there is no required standard labeling for GMO products in non-organic foods.

Whole Foods, meanwhile, says more than 80 percent of consumers would seek out non-GMO foods if they could. As a result, it plans to have its in-house 365 brand products tested for by the Non-GMO Project's third party Product Verification Program (PVP). Qualifying products will earn the organization's seal.

Several other countries, including Australia, Japan and the European Union restrict or ban the production of GMO's due to concerns about safety and environmental impact.

In the U.S., the FDA has said there is no significant difference between genetically engineered seeds and natural seeds, thus labeling something as "GMO" is unnecessary. Industry fears consumers will not buy products labeled "'GMO," even though the FDA has said they're safe.

But Whole Foods and the Non-GMO project say consumers have a right to know what's inside the products they're buying and that they want to ensure the sustained availability of non-GMO choices.

National brands such as Nature’s Path Organic and Lundberg Family Farms also have items enrolled in the program.

The first Whole Foods private label products to bear the seal are expected to be in stores by the end of the year.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-419.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:25:17 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-419.html
While you were busy working on your muffin top, a related malady might have been blossoming south of the knees: Cankles.

You’ve seen cankles--a calf that blends seamlessly into an obese or swollen ankle. “The affected leg takes on the shape of a summer sausage with a human foot at the end,” observed the Urban Dictionary.

Apparently, cankles are so offensive during capri season that there’s a movement afoot to wipe them out.

Gold’s Gym, perhaps trying to drum up a little business, has declared July “National Cankle Awareness” month. Cankles, according to Gold’s Web site, saynotocankles.com, are now the “fastest growing ‘aesthetic affliction’ in the country, ahead of muffin tops, saddle bags and moobs.”

Even more startling, Gold’s predicts that by 2012, cankles could surpass love handles—love handles!--as the number one aesthetic affliction in the world.

If you care, you can try to combat cankles by exercising--try calf raises to strengthen your calves which makes the ankles look slimmer--and by eating fewer high fat and high sodium foods which can contribute to water retention.

Or create an optical illusion by wearing a great platform espadrille or ankle-wrap gladiator to cover the dreaded cankle, said New York style consultant Jene’ Luciani.

But if you’re too busy obsessing over dimpled thighs, a jelly belly or a sagging neck to care, then flaunt your right to bear cankles. Wear capris with pride.]]>
While you were busy working on your muffin top, a related malady might have been blossoming south of the knees: Cankles.

You’ve seen cankles--a calf that blends seamlessly into an obese or swollen ankle. “The affected leg takes on the shape of a summer sausage with a human foot at the end,” observed the Urban Dictionary.

Apparently, cankles are so offensive during capri season that there’s a movement afoot to wipe them out.

Gold’s Gym, perhaps trying to drum up a little business, has declared July “National Cankle Awareness” month. Cankles, according to Gold’s Web site, saynotocankles.com, are now the “fastest growing ‘aesthetic affliction’ in the country, ahead of muffin tops, saddle bags and moobs.”

Even more startling, Gold’s predicts that by 2012, cankles could surpass love handles—love handles!--as the number one aesthetic affliction in the world.

If you care, you can try to combat cankles by exercising--try calf raises to strengthen your calves which makes the ankles look slimmer--and by eating fewer high fat and high sodium foods which can contribute to water retention.

Or create an optical illusion by wearing a great platform espadrille or ankle-wrap gladiator to cover the dreaded cankle, said New York style consultant Jene’ Luciani.

But if you’re too busy obsessing over dimpled thighs, a jelly belly or a sagging neck to care, then flaunt your right to bear cankles. Wear capris with pride.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-418.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:14:30 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-418.html
Tougne, the father of two children with serious food allergies, has developed a series of allergy-friendly dinners "designed to make all guests feel understood, catered to and profoundly satisfied."

Tonight's prix fixe "Sans-Gluten Dinner," is the second installment of a four-part dinner series designed especially for the food lover with allergies to the staples of fine French food--nuts, dairy, gluten and shellfish.

The gluten-free meal will include dough-less "quiche Lorraine" and gluten-free tagliatelle with ragout of mussel, clam, shrimp and tarragon.

But remember, if you're also allergic to other foods, including dairy, let the wait staff know. The "Sans-Dairy Dinner" which will include "cream of lentil" soup and roasted chicken breast with corn flan, isn't until Sept. 29.

And if it's shellfish you're trying to avoid, you'll have to wait until Nov.17. That meal will include shellfish-free seafood soup and "an uncannily lobster-esque monkfish ragout," Tougne said.

As always, diners must take personal responsibility. "We're not doctors and can't know every guest's unique and complicated condition," Tougne said. "All we can offer is our assistance, and our guests always appreciate our efforts, as much as we appreciate their trust.”

(The allergy-friendly prix fixe dinners will be held at 6:30 p.m. at 110 E. Pearson St. and cost $55.00 per person, not including tax and gratuity. For more info, call 312-266-3110.]]>
Tougne, the father of two children with serious food allergies, has developed a series of allergy-friendly dinners "designed to make all guests feel understood, catered to and profoundly satisfied."

Tonight's prix fixe "Sans-Gluten Dinner," is the second installment of a four-part dinner series designed especially for the food lover with allergies to the staples of fine French food--nuts, dairy, gluten and shellfish.

The gluten-free meal will include dough-less "quiche Lorraine" and gluten-free tagliatelle with ragout of mussel, clam, shrimp and tarragon.

But remember, if you're also allergic to other foods, including dairy, let the wait staff know. The "Sans-Dairy Dinner" which will include "cream of lentil" soup and roasted chicken breast with corn flan, isn't until Sept. 29.

And if it's shellfish you're trying to avoid, you'll have to wait until Nov.17. That meal will include shellfish-free seafood soup and "an uncannily lobster-esque monkfish ragout," Tougne said.

As always, diners must take personal responsibility. "We're not doctors and can't know every guest's unique and complicated condition," Tougne said. "All we can offer is our assistance, and our guests always appreciate our efforts, as much as we appreciate their trust.”

(The allergy-friendly prix fixe dinners will be held at 6:30 p.m. at 110 E. Pearson St. and cost $55.00 per person, not including tax and gratuity. For more info, call 312-266-3110.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-417.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:08:16 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-417.html
The walk starts at 7 p.m. at the Soldier Field Great Lawn and winds about 3 miles along the lakefront path. Participation in the evening event is free, though donations are always appreciated.

Just check in (starting at 5:30 p.m.) to receive an orange Tyvek wristband to gain access to the food tent (hot dogs, pizza, a nacho bar, apples, bananas, salads and cotton candy), enjoy the children's activities or meet Bain, the honorary walker.

Bain was 14 when she was shopping at an Old Navy store and felt a telltale symptom of her Crohn's disease: persistent, uncontrollable diarrhea.

The clothing store didn't have a public restroom, so Bain's mother, Lisa, asked whether Ally could use the employee bathroom. The store manager said no. She showed him her daughter's medical card, which explained that she suffered from a digestive disorder. He refused again.

"By then, Ally was crying and hunched over in pain," recalled Lisa Bain of Vernon Hills.

The teenager ended up soiling herself in the store, but the two didn't slink away in humiliation. Instead, Lisa Bain made a furious round of phone calls to Old Navy corporate offices. Ally Bain bravely spoke out about a painful bowel condition rarely discussed in public.

Now Illinois has one of the most civilized restroom-access laws in the country, thanks largely to efforts by the Bains and state Rep. Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), who heard their story and introduced the legislation.

Called "Ally's Law," the unanimously supported legislation requires businesses to make employee-only restrooms available to people with irritable-bowel disorders and other medical conditions such as pregnancy and incontinence. Ally's Law makes exceptions for businesses with fewer than three employees on duty (such as gas station kiosks) and restrooms in locations that would pose an "obvious safety risk" to the customer.

Similar laws have since passed in Minnesota, Texas and are pending in numerous other states across the country.]]>
The walk starts at 7 p.m. at the Soldier Field Great Lawn and winds about 3 miles along the lakefront path. Participation in the evening event is free, though donations are always appreciated.

Just check in (starting at 5:30 p.m.) to receive an orange Tyvek wristband to gain access to the food tent (hot dogs, pizza, a nacho bar, apples, bananas, salads and cotton candy), enjoy the children's activities or meet Bain, the honorary walker.

Bain was 14 when she was shopping at an Old Navy store and felt a telltale symptom of her Crohn's disease: persistent, uncontrollable diarrhea.

The clothing store didn't have a public restroom, so Bain's mother, Lisa, asked whether Ally could use the employee bathroom. The store manager said no. She showed him her daughter's medical card, which explained that she suffered from a digestive disorder. He refused again.

"By then, Ally was crying and hunched over in pain," recalled Lisa Bain of Vernon Hills.

The teenager ended up soiling herself in the store, but the two didn't slink away in humiliation. Instead, Lisa Bain made a furious round of phone calls to Old Navy corporate offices. Ally Bain bravely spoke out about a painful bowel condition rarely discussed in public.

Now Illinois has one of the most civilized restroom-access laws in the country, thanks largely to efforts by the Bains and state Rep. Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), who heard their story and introduced the legislation.

Called "Ally's Law," the unanimously supported legislation requires businesses to make employee-only restrooms available to people with irritable-bowel disorders and other medical conditions such as pregnancy and incontinence. Ally's Law makes exceptions for businesses with fewer than three employees on duty (such as gas station kiosks) and restrooms in locations that would pose an "obvious safety risk" to the customer.

Similar laws have since passed in Minnesota, Texas and are pending in numerous other states across the country.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-416.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:59:51 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-416.html
Bikram Choudhury, the man who invented hot, or Bikram yoga, can bite his toes without bending his knees. And he loves to help others do the same.

So when Chicago's Danielle Babine leaned forward to grab her feet during a class this morning at Bikram Yoga in the City, Choudhury stood on her back as if it were a surfboard.

Then he gave her "the numbers"--796--meaning she was the 796th person he had helped touch her forehead to her toes.

"I was pretty excited," said Babine, 29, who has been doing Bikram for 9 years and has just finished teacher training.

As for the controversial patented Bikram style--26 poses and two breathing exercises in extreme heat--Babine says it's "not just a way to lose weight. It really does provide healing, inside and out."

If you want a chance to bite your own toes, you can attend Bikram's Chicago seminar on Sat. Aug. 2 at Soldier Field from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The cost is $200 and tickets may be purchased online (when you purchase a regular class, you'll see an option for the seminar), over the phone at 312-255-YOGA or at Bikram Yoga in the City, 219 W. Chicago Ave., 6th floor. This includes a free month of yoga at Bikram Yoga in the City.

Bikram will be teaching class and offering teacher re-certification. Both the seminar and teacher re-certification cost $225.

After the class, I spent two hours talking with Bikram; I'll post my interview next week.]]>
Bikram Choudhury, the man who invented hot, or Bikram yoga, can bite his toes without bending his knees. And he loves to help others do the same.

So when Chicago's Danielle Babine leaned forward to grab her feet during a class this morning at Bikram Yoga in the City, Choudhury stood on her back as if it were a surfboard.

Then he gave her "the numbers"--796--meaning she was the 796th person he had helped touch her forehead to her toes.

"I was pretty excited," said Babine, 29, who has been doing Bikram for 9 years and has just finished teacher training.

As for the controversial patented Bikram style--26 poses and two breathing exercises in extreme heat--Babine says it's "not just a way to lose weight. It really does provide healing, inside and out."

If you want a chance to bite your own toes, you can attend Bikram's Chicago seminar on Sat. Aug. 2 at Soldier Field from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The cost is $200 and tickets may be purchased online (when you purchase a regular class, you'll see an option for the seminar), over the phone at 312-255-YOGA or at Bikram Yoga in the City, 219 W. Chicago Ave., 6th floor. This includes a free month of yoga at Bikram Yoga in the City.

Bikram will be teaching class and offering teacher re-certification. Both the seminar and teacher re-certification cost $225.

After the class, I spent two hours talking with Bikram; I'll post my interview next week.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-415.html Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:55:32 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-415.html
The Active Transportation Alliance, formerly called the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, will equip nearly 200 bicyclists with free front headlights in an effort to raise awareness around safe and legal bicycling.

When: Dec. 11, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Where: Chicago Avenue and Wells Street in Chicago

The law offices of James M. Freeman donated the headlights.]]>
The Active Transportation Alliance, formerly called the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, will equip nearly 200 bicyclists with free front headlights in an effort to raise awareness around safe and legal bicycling.

When: Dec. 11, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Where: Chicago Avenue and Wells Street in Chicago

The law offices of James M. Freeman donated the headlights.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-414.html Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:14:31 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-414.html http://www.ironton.net/thread-413.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:53:18 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-413.html
Tea sales in the U.S. are expected to double over the next five years, but do Americans really know anything about this unsung beverage?

I sure didn't, until I reported "9 things you should unlearn about tea" which appeared in Sunday's Smart section of the Chicago Tribune. The most shocking revelation? Most herbal tea isn't actually tea.

Read on to see if black tea really has more caffeine than green tea and whether green tea can make you skinny.]]>
Tea sales in the U.S. are expected to double over the next five years, but do Americans really know anything about this unsung beverage?

I sure didn't, until I reported "9 things you should unlearn about tea" which appeared in Sunday's Smart section of the Chicago Tribune. The most shocking revelation? Most herbal tea isn't actually tea.

Read on to see if black tea really has more caffeine than green tea and whether green tea can make you skinny.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-412.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:43:48 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-412.html
A: It's Ah-SIGH-EE. And on Oprah's Web site, the highly nutritious berry is the No. 1-ranked superfood according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone because the round, purple-black fruit is packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids and fiber.

But while Oprah may agree that it's the king of all "superfruits," she has distanced herself from acai weight-loss products because of predictable marketing scams.

They work like this: Ads using celebrity endorsements or free trial offers lure in consumers. But once hooked, customers find it's very difficult to cancel the contract; they're getting stuck with automatic delivery of more acai products every month or membership fees of $39 to $100 a month, according to the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.


Even better, skip the supplements for weight loss and stick with the juice form or unsweetened pulp of the berry for overall health benefits. Add the pulp to smoothies or beverages, spoon it over cereal added to yogurt or eat it alone, suggested dietitian Dave Grotto, president of Nutrition Housecall.]]>
A: It's Ah-SIGH-EE. And on Oprah's Web site, the highly nutritious berry is the No. 1-ranked superfood according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone because the round, purple-black fruit is packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids and fiber.

But while Oprah may agree that it's the king of all "superfruits," she has distanced herself from acai weight-loss products because of predictable marketing scams.

They work like this: Ads using celebrity endorsements or free trial offers lure in consumers. But once hooked, customers find it's very difficult to cancel the contract; they're getting stuck with automatic delivery of more acai products every month or membership fees of $39 to $100 a month, according to the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.


Even better, skip the supplements for weight loss and stick with the juice form or unsweetened pulp of the berry for overall health benefits. Add the pulp to smoothies or beverages, spoon it over cereal added to yogurt or eat it alone, suggested dietitian Dave Grotto, president of Nutrition Housecall.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-411.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:51:12 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-411.html
I checked with our expert, Martin Cole, who said "products like pickles, chutney and other sauces have been preserved with acid such as vinegar and will therefore usually keep for a very long time (two years) in the refrigerator."

If you want to check individual products, Cole, the director of the National Center for Food Safety and Technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, suggests looking at stilltasty.com, which answers pressing questions such as these:

* I left pizza out overnight - is it still safe to eat?
* Do you have to refrigerate opened bottles of mustard and ketchup?
* Is it ok to put hot food in the refrigerator?]]>
I checked with our expert, Martin Cole, who said "products like pickles, chutney and other sauces have been preserved with acid such as vinegar and will therefore usually keep for a very long time (two years) in the refrigerator."

If you want to check individual products, Cole, the director of the National Center for Food Safety and Technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, suggests looking at stilltasty.com, which answers pressing questions such as these:

* I left pizza out overnight - is it still safe to eat?
* Do you have to refrigerate opened bottles of mustard and ketchup?
* Is it ok to put hot food in the refrigerator?]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-410.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:07:29 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-410.html Cow's milk may be the ideal beverage for baby cows, but it just doesn't sit well with some Americans. Dairy allergies, lactose intolerance and an interest in healthier beverages have all sparked a proliferation of alternative milk products.

The new "milks," however, are milk only in name. (Would you buy "soy juice"?) Most come from nuts, seeds, grains and legumes. They don't taste like cow's milk and usually have less protein.

The benefits? With the exception of goat milk, they are all free of lactose and casein, the protein that causes an allergic reaction for some. In most cases, alternative "milks" have less sugar, cholesterol, fat and calories than whole milk. Nearly all are "fortified or enriched to contain the nutrients to make them comparable to cow's milk," said Orlando registered dietitian Tara Gidus, a spokeswoman for the National Dietetic Association. And most can be stored, unopened, for a year without losing flavor or nutritional value.

Still, if you can't give up the flavor of real milk but are one of the approximately 30 million to 50 million Americans who are lactose intolerant, there's another option: Lactaid, or milk that has had the lactose (milk sugar) removed.

I've listed the pros and cons of milklike beverages, which should never be used as a replacement for breast milk or infant formula. And always check labels, because brands vary.

Soy

Strengths: The most protein-rich non-dairy milk; 1 cup contains 30 milligrams of isoflavones, a phytoestrogen that may play a role in lowering disease. More omega-3 fatty acids than 2 percent milk. Most, but not all, are fortified with calcium, riboflavin and vitamins A, D and B12.

Weaknesses: Soy is so prevalent in the food supply that we're seeing a soy mini-backlash. Studies on the effect of isoflavones and cancer risk are mixed.

Almond

Strengths: Low in fat; half the calories of 2 percent milk, rice and soy drinks. Contains vitamins A, D and E, and is free of lactose, a milk protein called casein, cholesterol and gluten. Offers "the health halo of nuts," meaning it has some health benefits of almonds, said Kara Nielsen, a trend analyst with the Center for Culinary Development. Good with desserts.

Weaknesses: Eating whole almonds gives you more health benefits, said Gidus, the team dietitian for the Orlando Magic. Just 1 gram of protein per 8-ounce serving compared with the 8 grams in all varieties of cow's milk. Not an option for those with tree-nut allergies.

Coconut

Strengths: Its fat is considered a "good fat" and is easily metabolized by the body. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which may also have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Turtle Mountain's new refrigerated coconut beverage, unlike most canned coconut milks, is fortified with calcium, vitamins A, D and B12 and magnesium. Free of cholesterol, soy, gluten and dairy. Pairs nicely with chocolate chip or molasses cookies. About half the fat and calories as canned coconut milk and a more subtle flavor.

Weaknesses: 5 grams of saturated fat per serving. There's an ongoing debate about whether saturated fat can be good for you.

Hemp

Strengths: Contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Also has magnesium and manganese. Enriched with calcium and vitamins A, B12, and D, riboflavin and folic acid.

Weaknesses: The hallucinogenic reputation of hemp. (Though for some people, this might be a strength). Eating products made from the hemp nut will not—we repeat, will not—result in a positive drug test for marijuana. About half the protein (4 grams) of all varieties of cow's milk per 8-ounce serving. Separates in coffee.

Oat

Strengths: More fiber than other milk alternatives. Low in fat; slightly more protein than rice and almond milk. Enriched with vitamins A, D, E, B12 and calcium.

Weaknesses: The flavored varieties can be high in sugar. Better to eat whole grains than drink them; may contain gluten.

Rice

Strengths: Easy to digest, low in fat and enriched with calcium and vitamins A, D, B12. Lactose-, dairy-, soy- and cholesterol-free.

Weaknesses: Higher in carbs; just 1gram of protein per serving. Some don't like the watery consistency.

Goat

Strengths: A complete protein with essential amino acids, it's easy to digest and often suitable for those with lactose intolerance. Contains fatty acids. Has 15 percent more calcium and more vitamin A and D, potassium, copper and manganese than cow's milk. Goats are not treated with growth hormone.

Weaknesses: Has less folic acid and vitamin B12 than cow's milk; also a little less zinc. People still think goat milk will taste "goaty." Actually, it's similar to cow's milk.]]> Cow's milk may be the ideal beverage for baby cows, but it just doesn't sit well with some Americans. Dairy allergies, lactose intolerance and an interest in healthier beverages have all sparked a proliferation of alternative milk products.

The new "milks," however, are milk only in name. (Would you buy "soy juice"?) Most come from nuts, seeds, grains and legumes. They don't taste like cow's milk and usually have less protein.

The benefits? With the exception of goat milk, they are all free of lactose and casein, the protein that causes an allergic reaction for some. In most cases, alternative "milks" have less sugar, cholesterol, fat and calories than whole milk. Nearly all are "fortified or enriched to contain the nutrients to make them comparable to cow's milk," said Orlando registered dietitian Tara Gidus, a spokeswoman for the National Dietetic Association. And most can be stored, unopened, for a year without losing flavor or nutritional value.

Still, if you can't give up the flavor of real milk but are one of the approximately 30 million to 50 million Americans who are lactose intolerant, there's another option: Lactaid, or milk that has had the lactose (milk sugar) removed.

I've listed the pros and cons of milklike beverages, which should never be used as a replacement for breast milk or infant formula. And always check labels, because brands vary.

Soy

Strengths: The most protein-rich non-dairy milk; 1 cup contains 30 milligrams of isoflavones, a phytoestrogen that may play a role in lowering disease. More omega-3 fatty acids than 2 percent milk. Most, but not all, are fortified with calcium, riboflavin and vitamins A, D and B12.

Weaknesses: Soy is so prevalent in the food supply that we're seeing a soy mini-backlash. Studies on the effect of isoflavones and cancer risk are mixed.

Almond

Strengths: Low in fat; half the calories of 2 percent milk, rice and soy drinks. Contains vitamins A, D and E, and is free of lactose, a milk protein called casein, cholesterol and gluten. Offers "the health halo of nuts," meaning it has some health benefits of almonds, said Kara Nielsen, a trend analyst with the Center for Culinary Development. Good with desserts.

Weaknesses: Eating whole almonds gives you more health benefits, said Gidus, the team dietitian for the Orlando Magic. Just 1 gram of protein per 8-ounce serving compared with the 8 grams in all varieties of cow's milk. Not an option for those with tree-nut allergies.

Coconut

Strengths: Its fat is considered a "good fat" and is easily metabolized by the body. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which may also have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Turtle Mountain's new refrigerated coconut beverage, unlike most canned coconut milks, is fortified with calcium, vitamins A, D and B12 and magnesium. Free of cholesterol, soy, gluten and dairy. Pairs nicely with chocolate chip or molasses cookies. About half the fat and calories as canned coconut milk and a more subtle flavor.

Weaknesses: 5 grams of saturated fat per serving. There's an ongoing debate about whether saturated fat can be good for you.

Hemp

Strengths: Contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Also has magnesium and manganese. Enriched with calcium and vitamins A, B12, and D, riboflavin and folic acid.

Weaknesses: The hallucinogenic reputation of hemp. (Though for some people, this might be a strength). Eating products made from the hemp nut will not—we repeat, will not—result in a positive drug test for marijuana. About half the protein (4 grams) of all varieties of cow's milk per 8-ounce serving. Separates in coffee.

Oat

Strengths: More fiber than other milk alternatives. Low in fat; slightly more protein than rice and almond milk. Enriched with vitamins A, D, E, B12 and calcium.

Weaknesses: The flavored varieties can be high in sugar. Better to eat whole grains than drink them; may contain gluten.

Rice

Strengths: Easy to digest, low in fat and enriched with calcium and vitamins A, D, B12. Lactose-, dairy-, soy- and cholesterol-free.

Weaknesses: Higher in carbs; just 1gram of protein per serving. Some don't like the watery consistency.

Goat

Strengths: A complete protein with essential amino acids, it's easy to digest and often suitable for those with lactose intolerance. Contains fatty acids. Has 15 percent more calcium and more vitamin A and D, potassium, copper and manganese than cow's milk. Goats are not treated with growth hormone.

Weaknesses: Has less folic acid and vitamin B12 than cow's milk; also a little less zinc. People still think goat milk will taste "goaty." Actually, it's similar to cow's milk.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-409.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:03:03 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-409.html ...but probably aren't.

Step aside, blueberries, spinach and broccoli. It's time to give some unsung superfoods a chance.

Many of us tend to eat what we know and what we can pronounce and prepare. But mixing things up helps add more healthful micronutrients and phytochemicals into our diets, said Mary Russell, director of nutrition services at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Trying little-known foods also gets you into ethnic grocery stores, farmers markets and local markets that focus on sustainable, local food, Russell said. "That's where you can learn from others how to buy, prepare and use unusual foods."

To help steer your cart in a new direction, try incorporating these five healthful foods that you probably aren't eating—but should be—into your diet.]]> ...but probably aren't.

Step aside, blueberries, spinach and broccoli. It's time to give some unsung superfoods a chance.

Many of us tend to eat what we know and what we can pronounce and prepare. But mixing things up helps add more healthful micronutrients and phytochemicals into our diets, said Mary Russell, director of nutrition services at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Trying little-known foods also gets you into ethnic grocery stores, farmers markets and local markets that focus on sustainable, local food, Russell said. "That's where you can learn from others how to buy, prepare and use unusual foods."

To help steer your cart in a new direction, try incorporating these five healthful foods that you probably aren't eating—but should be—into your diet.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-408.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:56:56 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-408.html When life gives you lemons, don't just make lemonade.

Try using the versatile, zesty fruit like this:

Astringent. Squeeze some lemon juice into a glass jar, and dab some onto your face every morning, said New York City makeup artist Kimara Ahnert, whose clients includes Gwyneth Paltrow and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash it off with warm water followed by a moisturizer.

Deodorizer. Place a dried lemon slice under each seat of your car to freshen your vehicle, or hide it in your teenager's stinky shoe, said Elaine Giammetta, president of The Gourmet Girl Inc. If you're the one who smells, rub a slice under your arms (unless you've just shaved). Sucking on a lemon wedge can also help with bad breath, but save it for social emergencies; the strongly acidic lemon juice isn't good for tooth enamel.

Cure a hangover. Drinking a glass of hot water with lemon juice first thing in the morning -- or if you've had too much alcohol -- can help purify the liver, said Tony Burris, an herbalist who practices acupuncture in Boise, Idaho. Rubbing a lemon wedge into your armpit supposedly can also help ease the symptoms of a hangover, according to "Healing Remedies" (Ballantine Books, $16), by Joan and Lydia Wilen.

Cold fighter. For a sore throat, mix lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of sea salt and warm water to create an acidic environment that's hostile to bacteria and viruses, said Theresa Cheung, the author of "The Lemon Juice Diet (St. Martin's Griffin, $13.95.) Swallow what you've gargled to get an immune-boosting shot of vitamin C, she said.

Nutrient booster. Adding lemon juice to green tea can increase the amount of catechins available for the body to absorb, according to some research. Catechins are antioxidants believed to help decrease the risk of heart disease. Adding lemon peel to your tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer.]]> When life gives you lemons, don't just make lemonade.

Try using the versatile, zesty fruit like this:

Astringent. Squeeze some lemon juice into a glass jar, and dab some onto your face every morning, said New York City makeup artist Kimara Ahnert, whose clients includes Gwyneth Paltrow and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash it off with warm water followed by a moisturizer.

Deodorizer. Place a dried lemon slice under each seat of your car to freshen your vehicle, or hide it in your teenager's stinky shoe, said Elaine Giammetta, president of The Gourmet Girl Inc. If you're the one who smells, rub a slice under your arms (unless you've just shaved). Sucking on a lemon wedge can also help with bad breath, but save it for social emergencies; the strongly acidic lemon juice isn't good for tooth enamel.

Cure a hangover. Drinking a glass of hot water with lemon juice first thing in the morning -- or if you've had too much alcohol -- can help purify the liver, said Tony Burris, an herbalist who practices acupuncture in Boise, Idaho. Rubbing a lemon wedge into your armpit supposedly can also help ease the symptoms of a hangover, according to "Healing Remedies" (Ballantine Books, $16), by Joan and Lydia Wilen.

Cold fighter. For a sore throat, mix lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of sea salt and warm water to create an acidic environment that's hostile to bacteria and viruses, said Theresa Cheung, the author of "The Lemon Juice Diet (St. Martin's Griffin, $13.95.) Swallow what you've gargled to get an immune-boosting shot of vitamin C, she said.

Nutrient booster. Adding lemon juice to green tea can increase the amount of catechins available for the body to absorb, according to some research. Catechins are antioxidants believed to help decrease the risk of heart disease. Adding lemon peel to your tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer.]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-407.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:50:31 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-407.html The next time you're in the hospital, take a picture of your "delicious" meal (if you're up to it) and submit it to Hospital Food, which provides a glimpse of what people are eating in hospitals around the world.

Renaud Dehareng of Belgium created the site after visiting a friend in the hospital who was depressed over the quality of his meals. In just five days, his site has had 60,000 visitors.

"We don't go to hospitals for gastronomy of course....but sometimes the food is so bad that the patient feels very bad too," he wrote in an email.

When my first son was born, my husband nearly missed the big event because I sent him to Whole Foods so I could avoid the hospital fare.

With my second son, I walked to Whole Foods myself (after my water broke) to make sure I had something decent to eat after the delivery. It was worth it.

What should hospitals be serving?]]> The next time you're in the hospital, take a picture of your "delicious" meal (if you're up to it) and submit it to Hospital Food, which provides a glimpse of what people are eating in hospitals around the world.

Renaud Dehareng of Belgium created the site after visiting a friend in the hospital who was depressed over the quality of his meals. In just five days, his site has had 60,000 visitors.

"We don't go to hospitals for gastronomy of course....but sometimes the food is so bad that the patient feels very bad too," he wrote in an email.

When my first son was born, my husband nearly missed the big event because I sent him to Whole Foods so I could avoid the hospital fare.

With my second son, I walked to Whole Foods myself (after my water broke) to make sure I had something decent to eat after the delivery. It was worth it.

What should hospitals be serving?]]> http://www.ironton.net/thread-406.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:14:32 -0400 http://www.ironton.net/thread-406.html Why isn't ice cream on this list?

Chocolate, of all things, has made insurance.com's list of the 10 Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While Driving. The reason? It melts on your fingers, coating the steering wheel. When you try to clean it off, you end up swerving.

Neither insurance companies nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keep food-related accident data. They say it's too hard to track. But if people are really eating the following foods while operating a two-ton piece of machinery, maybe they should be.

The top offenders:

1. Coffee. Coffee is hot and will spill. Count on it.

2. Hot soup. Same threat as coffee. We shouldn't have to say this but, like coffee, don't hold the cup between your legs. (It is in a cup, right?)

3. Tacos. Just pull over. "Any food that can disassemble itself will leave your car looking like a salad bar," says insurance.com.

4. Chili dogs. Drippy, sloppy food wrecks your clothes, a significant distraction.

5. Hamburgers. Grease, ketchup and mustard coat your hands, clothes and steering wheel. Slippery steering wheels are hard to turn.

6. Barbecued food. You should know better. Licking your fingers won't help.

7. Fried chicken. Another greasy food disaster. Where are you going to wipe your hands?

8. Jelly or cream-filled donuts. Messy center will ooze out.

9. Soft drinks. They could spill or the carbonation could hurt your nose, says insurance.com, though most people manage to drink soda without incident.

10. Chocolate. M&M's do melt in your hands.]]> Why isn't ice cream on this list?

Chocolate, of all things, has made insurance.com's list of the 10 Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While Driving. The reason? It melts on your fingers, coating the steering wheel. When you try to clean it off, you end up swerving.

Neither insurance companies nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keep food-related accident data. They say it's too hard to track. But if people are really eating the following foods while operating a two-ton piece of machinery, maybe they should be.

The top offenders:

1. Coffee. Coffee is hot and will spill. Count on it.

2. Hot soup. Same threat as coffee. We shouldn't have to say this but, like coffee, don't hold the cup between your legs. (It is in a cup, right?)

3. Tacos. Just pull over. "Any food that can disassemble itself will leave your car looking like a salad bar," says insurance.com.

4. Chili dogs. Drippy, sloppy food wrecks your clothes, a significant distraction.

5. Hamburgers. Grease, ketchup and mustard coat your hands, clothes and steering wheel. Slippery steering wheels are hard to turn.

6. Barbecued food. You should know better. Licking your fingers won't help.

7. Fried chicken. Another greasy food disaster. Where are you going to wipe your hands?

8. Jelly or cream-filled donuts. Messy center will ooze out.

9. Soft drinks. They could spill or the carbonation could hurt your nose, says insurance.com, though most people manage to drink soda without incident.

10. Chocolate. M&M's do melt in your hands.]]>