I was trying to get out and loosen up my hip and back. I just walked the hall. It wasn’t too bad. I am working to keep things relaxed. How does work and relax fit in the same sentence? Duh!
On one of my little hikes I heard voices upstairs so hopped on the elevator to see what was happening (I can be nosey, I guess). I was thinking I might get a conversation going about thankfulness. That didn’t happen but I think I picked up a few items of thankfulness.
We each received Thanksgiving food baskets on Monday. Some were thankful to get them and others were thankful for the freedom to throw them away. The “use by” date is January 2010 on the frozen food provided by Reser’s. They provided frozen mashed potatoes, frozen stuffing and frozen gravy. Some residents were thankful that they could be horrified something like that would even be given to us poor starving people (not).
They were also thankful they could take their complaint to the coordinator from housing that made arrangements to deliver the food. They were thankful they could drive her to frustration and tears as she was the dispenser of the food here and therefore it was her fault and how dare she even think she could dump this old food on us, of all people. No one considered blaming the food bank, the storage facility or Reser’s or the economy or themselves for not donating. Our messenger was responsible and therefore should have been thankful she was being set straight. Not one person considered that the food might still is useable, nor did they try to find out. Not one person considered returning it to the food back so it could be given to someone who really needed it.
As I am writing you, I have the gravy and stuffing in the microwave. To the horror of many I plan to try it and see what it tastes like. If I am sick later – it probably wasn’t very good. If I don’t write before Monday, maybe I died from some kind of poisoning. I think it is worth a try. I used to eat dirt and that didn’t kill me.
The stuffing and Gravy is finished so I added some veggies to try it out. It all tastes pretty good. Of course, it is too early to see if I get sick. The stuffing is a little spicier than I like, but still good. But remember, I ate dirt so may not be the best judge.
The food group was especially thankful that we got a small chicken with some freezer burn. Never mind their yelling about where the turkey was even though the paper commented on the food bank shortage of food for atl east the past week. They also announced that fewer turkeys would be available. No matter! “Where is my turkey?”
A group of ten will be here with no other place to go. No one seemed to be thankful that they had the money to go and buy all fresh ingredients for their own little turkey feast. I spoke to one organizer this morning asking if I did not go to Seattle, could I join them. “Of course, there is plenty of food.” Later in our conversation it was mentioned that one person from our building wanted to invite her friend from the other building and was told, “No, we can’t feed everyone.” The one our resident wanted to invite eats like a bird.
Well, I now have one more thing for which to be thankful. I am thankful I can leave all these “thankful” people and go to Seattle. I pray my back is better.
I just finished eating everything and am thankful I got the food. I am grateful for a food bank and those who contribute to the food bank. I am also thankful for Reser’s donation. I’m sorry the “use by” date was so offensive. I need the help.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow. If you are able, you would bless me by contributing to your local food bank. It is needed now more than ever.
10 comments:
I'm sorry to say that I had to stop going to my local food bank because of the gross violations of expiration dates on food being handed out. I'm talking about things well over a year, some even two years or more and no policing of the goods. I checked on line about dates and most of the goods should have been destroyed, Never, eaten. It's a terrible, terrible shame.
Funny thing, I pull stuff out of my freezer and cupboard with "best by" dates a year or two ago and eat them with no trouble whatsoever.
From what I understand, what the "best by" dates mean is that they can't guarantee the freshness of the product at the "expiry" date.
It's not that all of a sudden after the date on the package the food is suddenly poison. It really isn't as horrific as you might think....and I am a nurse!
There is a local food bank here locally that specifically asks for "expired" food to use.
Honestly, the expiry date is only a "suggestion" - not a food poisoning date!! It's a CMY by the food companies...
I guess everyone just wasn't hungry enough.... there are people in other countries that would love that food that was thrown out....that go to dumps and eat stuff out of the garbage.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/food_product_dating/
Look it up. It's not a SAFETY date.
Go ahead and eat it. And tell those picky old people not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Everyone is suffering here....and if the food banks don't have much...well...it's a sign of the times......
Here is another one...an experiment in preparing and eating past best date goods:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1392231/Food-past-use-date-Still-perfectly-safe-eat-according-Tom-Rawstorne.html
People are way too paranoid. I haven't died yet... :)
There is quite a difference between an expiration date and best by date.
It's just disappointing to get food that people know is expired and when looking up the manufacturers recommendation on it's dating and comparing with the food safety people it comes down to...garbage...don't eat it because bacteria grows and even packaged goods have bacteria which grows in the yeast packs.
There is a lot to consider before opening that container!!
Also....elderly people are nieve and gullible and need safe good and info.
Not..... Oh look! It's only 2 years old and the cans not bulging to much...it's ok to eat, yea!!!
The food banks need to be held accountable. Many coming to get food don't even speak english well or at all. They need protection.
I just ate some cheese with the expiry date : 7-7-2011
It was great!
The only thing i might not eat is expired raw chicken....especially if it smelled bad.... but everything else is game in my books.
:-) LOL!! ”game” just the word!!!
Hi Clyde,
I just love reading your blog! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family! I still remember you inviting me for either Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with you and your family one year when you were living in a cute little place near a big shop/garage and what a blessing it was. Now that I don't have any family around to share our Thanksgiving with, Greg and I and the boys have been spending it alone at our home, but I try to invite someone over who does not have a place to go, as a reminder of how others have allowed me to share those moments with their family in the past. Your blog has made me realize that perhaps next year we will make a visit to a retirement home, since there are many others who spend holidays alone without family to share it with. I am thankful that God has expanded my family to wonderful friends and other people he has blessed my life with. I am thankful for you. Miss you and hope you are doing well.
I remember when I was travelling around europe...I ended up at a family's house in Italy way out in the boondocks...a little Roman Fortress town. They hung their meat up out in their shed for weeks...I think months on end...and then ate it. No one died. Also my friend used to "season" his roast in his fridge for a month before eating it. It was great. The best meat I have ever tasted.
My husband and I are off chicken due to the hoopla about the chickens getting antibiotics that are creating a super bug strain
among chickens and the people ingest it.
I still say chicken is the only thing i wouldn't eat past expiry date. Mind you, I don't eat a lot of processed foods....
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