Paul for Congress

When you shop for natural balanced dog food, what should you look for when choosing the best product for your canine friend?  In general, the best natural dog foods achieve balance through the food ingredients they contain.  However, you need to know what to search for before you’re able to find truly natural and healthy options for your pet.  Most dog foods are marketed as ‘nutritionally balanced’ or ‘nutritionally complete,’ indicating that the constituent food ingredients have been supplemented with nutrients at the levels recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which is essentially a pet food industry regulated entity.   Although these recommended nutrient levels are based on individual research data collected by the National Research Council (NRC), these data cannot possibly reflect the actual needs of every pet, as even identical twins may exhibit metabolic differences based on environmental factors alone.  How can laboratory-based nutritional studies, or even laboratory-based feeding studies, compare to real life scenarios if even the qualities of the water supplied to the animals differs from lab to lab and home to home?  Moreover, most laboratory studies are conducted with ‘purified’ diets, which are a far cry from present-day commercial dog foods.   As well, the quality of nutrients added to attain the AAFCO established levels to allow dog foods to be marketed as ‘complete’ or ‘balanced’ are often of such low quality that they may actually pose risks to, rather than support, your dog’s health.  Many of these supplements are manufactured in China, where manufacturers may have low quality assurance and are often subject to little oversight.

A natural balanced dog food is composed of real food ingredients that supply the nutrients that your dog requires to maintain good health—just as nature intended.  Of course, supplementation with nutrients often becomes necessary when low-quality food ingredients are used, as is often the case in most so-called ‘balanced dog foods.’  Both non-certified and feed-quality ingredients alike contain low levels of nutrients, as well as a variety of toxic chemicals from agricultural and manufacturing processes.  Not surprisingly, pet food manufacturers balance these ingredients with added nutrients to provide at least some nutrition for your dog.  Moreover, the long shelf lives of most balanced pet foods—designed to accommodate consumer convenience—require the addition of preservatives, which in the best case are ‘natural’ (albeit often derived from cheap, genetically modified plant materials with high pesticide and other chemical residues).  In general, the bioavailability of all these added nutrients may be a far cry from optimal, as many of the supplemental vitamins and minerals may be not bioavailable.  Bioavailability of added nutrients is especially low in cases where pet foods or their ingredients have been treated with high heat, which can destroy most vitamins and all enzymes, and may denature all amino acids.

A true natural balanced dog food contains ingredients that are rich in the nutrients your dog requires.  High quality, organic, humanely raised animal-derived ingredients and properly grown, certified organic plant material are much richer in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients than conventional (and significantly less expensive) ingredients.  Although natural balanced dog foods are necessarily more expensive than most conventional dog foods, they are unquestionably healthier for your dog.

Feeding your dog natural balanced dog foods gives you the unique opportunity to provide real food for your dog and reserve supplementation—with high quality nutritional supplements that are truly healthful and bioavailable—for times when such supplementation is required (i.e., after injury, during pregnancy, or to mitigate the effects of particular breed-associated chronic diseases that may occur in older dogs).  Ideally, natural balanced dog foods are either fresh or frozen, but may also be dehydrated for convenience.  But be careful: not all dehydrated natural balanced dog foods are created equal!  Even dog foods labeled ‘natural’ and ‘balanced’ may contain otherwise good quality ingredients that have been subjected to high heat before being mixed with other, lower quality, ingredients and dehydrated.  Given current laws governing the pet food industry, you, as your dog’s true guardian, must do your homework before serving him or her a natural balanced dog food!

Eric Taylor
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/natural-balanced-dog-food-683622.html

This is a new series (1-30) of Verse No. in the Bible versus the Quran.

Verse No. 30 in the Old Testament says: And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Verse No. 30 in the New Testament says: They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

Verse No. 30 in the Noble Quran says: and if ye are in doubt concerning that which we reveal unto our servant (Muhammad), then produce a Surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.

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The verse No. 30 in the Old Testament is Genesis 1:30

In the article 29, Genesis 1:29 says: Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;

Consequently, the Bible determines man’s food; it is every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.

In the verse Genesis 1:29, Herbs and fruits must be man’s food, including corn, and all the products of the earth; it seems likely that the Bible is in favor of the vegetarians.

Furthermore, Genesis 1:30 determines also the food of all the animals and all the birds, the verse says:

And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

This indicates that the food of all the beasts of the earth, all the birds of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life are the green plants.

It is clear then that the green plants are the food of all the animals and all the birds.

Because birds have a high temperature and use lots of energy, they need to eat a lot of food, compared with their weight.

Birds eat different foods. Some birds eat green plants. Other birds eat fish, insects, small reptiles and mice. Birds of prey eat mammals and other birds. Some birds are scavengers and eat the bodies of creatures that have died.

But the Bible in Genesis 1:30 determines the food of the birds, that is “every green plant”.

As for the beasts, every kid knows what they eat.

But the Bible too decides that the food of ALL the beasts is “every green plant”.

However, and to be honest, in Ezekiel 39:17 God will have birds and beasts eat human flesh and drink human blood…

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The verse No. 30 in the New Testament is Matthew 2:5

The verse No. 29 in the New Testament is Matthew 2:4

In the articles 26-29, Matthew 2:1-4 say:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

In this article, Matthew 2:5 says:

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

This is the second prophet who is unidentified and not mentioned by name; Matthew 2:5 mentions without his name. The first prophet is found in Matthew 1:22

————————

Verse No. 30 in the Noble Quran is 2:23,

Chapter 2 is Surah AL-BAQARA (THE COW),

Verses 2:1-5 are talking about the believers. (articles 8-12)

Verses 2:6-7 are talking about the disbelievers. (articles 13-14)

Verses 2:8-20 are talking about the hypocrites. (articles 15-27)

The address of verses 2:21-24 is general to mankind.

In articles 28, verse 2:21 says:

O mankind! worship your guardian-lord, who created you and those who came before you, that you may have the chance to learn righteousness(so that you will be cautious)

In articles 29, verse 2:22 says:

Who (Allah) made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and (who) sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.

In this article, Verse 2:23 says:

and if ye are in doubt concerning that which we reveal unto our servant (Muhammad), then produce a Surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.

The meaning of verse 2:23:

And if you are in doubt, in uncertainty, concerning what Allah has revealed through the Archangel Gabriel unto His servant, Muhammad, whom you accuse of fabrication of the Quran, that it is from Allah, then bring a Surah like it, then produce a Surah like it in its eloquence, fine arrangement and its bestowal of knowledge of the Unseen.

And call your witnesses, seek help from those other gods that you worship, it is said that this refers to their leaders that they follow, besides Allah, that is, other than Him, so that it can be seen, if you are truthful, in your claim that Muhammad speaks it from himself, that Muhammad invents the Quran.  So do this, for you are also fluent speakers of Arabic like him. When they could not do this, Allah said… (See next article).

A Surah of the Quran is a chapter (a passage) with a beginning and end made up of a minimum of three verses)

It is fruitful to know that Chapter 108, Surah AL-KAUTHER (ABUNDANCE) is composed only of 10 Arabic words.

It follows that Allah challenges mankind by producing 10 Arabic words like it (like the Quran) in its eloquence, fine understanding and its assignment of knowledge of the Unseen.

As far as I know, this is the First Linguistics Challenge in the History of Mankind.  No author (s) in the history of mankind has the courage to generate a challenge like that. Thousands of scholars came from the Western countries to the East, they have studied thoroughly the Arabic language, some of them wrote books and encyclopedias in Arabic. However, none of them tried to produce 10 Arabic words to beat this unbeaten challenge.  Also, they did not tell the people in the West about this unbeaten challenge.  Have you ever heard about it?

==========

Verse No. 30 in the Old Testament, the New Testament in four different versions of the Bible; and in the Noble Quran in Four different Translations

Verse No. 30 in the Old Testament

Genesis 1:30

New International Version:

30] And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

New American Standard Version:

30] and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.

English Standard Version:

30] 30And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

King James Version:

30] And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

————————

Verse No. 30 in the New Testament

Matthew 2:5

New International Version:

30] In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

New American Standard Version:

30] They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

English Standard Version:

30] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

King James Version:

30] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

————————

Verse No. 30 in the Noble Quran

Chapter 2:23

Surah AL-BAQARA (THE COW)

QARIB: if you are in doubt of what we have sent down to our worshiper (prophet Muhammad), produce a chapter comparable to it. call upon your helpers, other than Allah, to assist you, if you are true.

SHAKIR: and if you are in doubt as to that which we have revealed to our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful

PICKTHAL: and if ye are in doubt concerning that which we reveal unto our slave (Muhammad), then produce a Surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.

YUSUFALI: and if ye are in doubt as to what we have revealed from time to time to our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.

==========

It is very premature to ask this question:

Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?

Wait and you will see.

Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/in-the-bible-the-food-of-all-birds-is-green-plant-683307.html

Owning a dog or cat is, for many people an important part of their life. It is also said that animals always remain loyal to their owners. This is among the many reasons why dog and cat ownership is increasing over time.

Dogs and cats remain the most popular pets for most people. Both have their own unique characteristics. Each has their own needs and should be treated accordingly. One of the most important parts of animal care is their diet.

Most pet owners think that the best food is always the most expensive and thus a premium dog food or premium cat food when considering price alone. While some of the better food is also expensive in comparison to supermarket brands, this is not always the case. It is important that dog or cat owners have a good knowledge about the brands and formulas available which are optimal for both their pet and budget.

It may be difficult for even the most highly informed pet owner to make the right decisions. To avoid mistakes when choosing a premium dog food or premium cat food it is best to do business with a merchant who is responsible committed to customer service. Sometimes the search is difficult,  but not impossible!  

Your best results will be obtained dealing with a pet shop which has an excellent track record of customer service and satisfaction. A shop which offers nothing less than the best quality dog and cat food. For this,  you can trust a proven name i.e. Washington Pet.

There are many reasons this name is recommended for premium cat food.  Some of the reasons are stated below.

a)      One stop shop for pet lovers:  It is a shop meant for all pet lovers. The services and products offered by this shop are not confined to premium dog food but here one can find all the essential products and accessories related to all kinds of animals.

b)      Preferred products:  this is one of the things which are not easy to find at other shops. For premium dog food you can choose from best brands like Blue Buffalo, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Innova, Fromm, Eagle holistic, etc. For premium cat food you can select from the same brands. Most are available in both dry and canned form. 

c)      Easy to shop: it is a site which is highly supportive to the user. It doesn’t matter whether you are searching for premium cat food or anything else. With Washingtonpet you can navigate and shop with ease.

Vikram kuamr
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/shop-at-washingtonpet-for-premium-dog-food-and-premium-cat-food-680800.html

The demand for health and food drinks is surging high in Philippines due to various factors such as its growing young affluent population, rising disposable income and rising consumer awareness regarding health and safety concerns. At present, Philippines has emerged as one of the rapidly growing food and drinks industries in the Asian region over the recent past, according to the new research report, “Philippines Food and Drinks Market: Emerging Opportunities”

The country exports foods to several countries, including the US, Europe and some Asian countries. However, the ongoing financial turmoil is forcing the country to look at alternative destinations such as the Middle East and Africa. In line with this, it is striving hard to get a share of highly lucrative global halal food industry, explains the report.

This report is an in-depth study that evaluates the past, current and future market trends in the food and drinks industry of the Philippines. This report has been made to help clients in analyzing the opportunities, challenges and drivers critical to the growth of the industry.

The research provides detailed overview of the consumption patterns of the Philippines in various food segments like consumption of milk, fruits, vegetables, meat etc. The beverage segment talks about the type of beverages, their sales and consumption patterns among the Filipinos.

It also offers an insight into various emerging segments in the Philippines food and drinks industry. Some of these include halal food industry, organic food, food exports, processed food etc.

The report provides five-year industry forecast (2009-2013) on various food and drinks segments. The forecasts are given on:

Consumer expenditure, Meat, Fruit, Vegetable, Fish, Milk Coffee, Alcoholic drinks, Soft drinks, Bottled water and Wine market

For vast range of market reports please visit:  http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/Philippines-Food-and-Drinks-Market-Emerging-Opportunities.html

Contact us:

Bharat Book Bureau
Phone : +91 22 2757 8668 / 2757 9438
Fax : +91 22 2757 9131
E-mail : info@bharatbook.com
Website : www.bharatbook.com

bharatbook
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/driving-factors-for-the-growth-of-food-and-drinks-market-in-philippines-and-the-industry-forecast-724621.html

Baby food…with allergy concerns and wanting to save a bit of money there is no easier way to put your mind at easy than making homemade baby food.

It is so very important to your baby’s growth that he be fed the most nutritious food available.  Don’t forget, over the next few years your baby is growing at a very rapid rate.  Babies develop in the first 3 years both physically and intellectually and we want to help maximize that development in any way we can.

Processed baby food have added sugars, starches and water.  Using this ingredients is in no way bad or harmful to baby but they dilute the vitamins and nutrients in the food.  Baby food is then cooked at a very high temperature so that they can be stored in jars at room temperature.  The cooking process kills bacteria so that storing the jars is not an issue.  The problem with this is that vitamins and nutrients are killed in the process

It is so simple and takes no more than 30 minutes a week.  Why not give your baby a great start with homemade baby food.  You will have full control over what goes into the homemade baby food. You will be assured of the freshness and quality of the ingredients.   Homemade baby food allows you to combine flavors, control textures and be in control of you baby’s diet.  Homemade baby food put you in control of your baby’s eating habits, simply and easily.

The Homemade Baby Food Kit by Fresh Baby shows you how easy making homemade baby food is.

Here is a simple way to make homemade baby food -

sweet potato puree

1) wash, peel and chop one sweet potato

2) place sweet potatoes + 2 tbs of water in a microwavable dish and cover.  Microwave 8-10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.

3) Puree, add 1/4 -1/2 cup water to make a smooth texture.

4) Spoon into So Easy Baby Food trays and freeze.

This homemade sweet potato puree for baby stays fresh in the freezer for 2 months.

To serve, take frozen cubes from the freezer, defrost, warm and serve….don’t forget to check the temperature of the food before serving.

petiteposh
http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/homemade-baby-food-723693.html

Threat of Junk Food

Junk food is all over the place. They are one of the curses of our current lifestyle. These food substances have low or no nutritional worth. Junk food is primarily fast food that is rapid to get ready and simple to eat. Most people are ignorant that junk food is devoid of nutrition and harmful to a well life. Junk food appeals to both youthful children and adults because they are simple to get ready and tasty. These products are also extremely promoted throughout advertisement. A study by the Liverpool University reveals that kids who eagerly go behind junk food TV commercials will approximately double the amount of unhealthful snacks and sweets they consume. Supermarkets shelves are stocked to the hilt through junk food, you can not close the eyes to them even if you desire to. Formula 101 Super food Meal substitute is a great method to fight the threat of junk food.

People have a preference junk food as it can be prepared in a jiffy. Some food items, like chips wafers, burgers, and pizzas get delivered at doorsteps because people do not wish for to expend time cooking, or their working hours do not let them to go into the kitchen. For an easy preparation of a healthy breakfast, a scoop of method 101 super food meal substitute can be mixed well with water or juice.

Every trick in the book is used to make them irresistible. Junk food is made appetizing with the lavish usage of oils, salt, and sugar. Artificial colors are added to chocolates, colas, and flavored drinks. Artificial coloring is harmful to the body as they can play havoc with the digestive system. Food coloring also causes hyperactivity in children, making them inattentive and fidgety. Formula 101 super food meal substitute has no preservatives, artificial flavors, or artificial coloring. All that method 101 super foods contain is natural and it also tastes good, unlike several inedible concoctions or health drinks.

Junk food substance, similar to hamburgers, pizzas and fried chicken contain saturated fats. People who snack on high-fat and sugary junk food put on weight and continued consumption may even outcome in fatness. Fatness leads to quite a lot of heart problems and other diseases. Cakes, soft drinks and lollies hold insane amounts of sugar, which leads to hurt teeth and rise in body weight. This method 101 Meal substitute contains super food ingredients such as Barley grass powder, Wheat grass powder, Acai berry, chlorella and more. So, put back greasy burgers and aerated drinks with this wonderful food combine.

Make sure that you be familiar with junk food items for what they are and stay away from consuming them as much as you can. All food substance has an assortment of ingredients, which are typically listed on the package. If one of the first two ingredients in the roll is a form of sugar or oil, after that it is measured as junk food. Any food that has high fructose corn syrup is also known to be a junk food. , alternate junk food among the method 101 Super food Meal substitute to show the way a hale and hearty and happy existence.

Read more on Lifestyle and Home Remedies

getallabout
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/unk-food-is-primarily-fast-food-718747.html

<br>In this era of globalization, <b>fast food</b> has been the latest food habit of regular food lovers. The fast food can be prepared and serve in a short span of time. Therefore, it is widely appreciated by children and people of all age groups. </br>

<br>In India, Delhi is widely known for its crispy <b>fast food centres</b>. It is the major centre of attraction for all the fast food lovers. There are many fast food centers which are present in all corners of Delhi. They are well known for their delicious fast food preparation which are available in different flavors. Chandni Chowk is one of the well known fast food centre in old Delhi.</br>

<br>In the recent past decades, <b>fast-food restaurants</b> in Delhi have been a popular choice among many people. These restaurants serve all the popular fast food items at any point of time. They are widely appreciated for organizing official and cultural parties, events and workshops.</br>

</br>In Delhi, <b>fast-food restaurants</b> have become very creative in their pricing strategies, menu selections, locations, and marketing schemes. In response, Haldiram, Evergreen, Bikaner, McDonalds, Nirulas, Dilli Darbar, Pizza Hut, etc have become some the famous fast food restaurants in Delhi. Pizzas, Burgers, Macroni, Pastas are some the popular fast food items served in these restaurants.</br>

<br>During the festive eve, fast food centres and restaurants are the special place of attraction in Delhi. Visitors from all over the world enjoy the festive party with the fast food. Looking at the popularity and demand of fast food, <b>night clubs in Delhi</b> also serves the fast food to the late night party lovers.</br>

<br>In the present day and age, the rapid growth of the fast-food centers have been driven by the fundamental changes in the eating habits of the people of all the age groups. Delhi is also well – known for its traditional food. Hence, Delhi is considered as one of the best hub for <b>snacks, sweets</b> and fast food centers in the world.</br>

Vivek Kushwaha
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/fast-food-centre-in-delhi-721228.html

Most people feel reassured by the pictures of smiling veterinarians and dog breeders paying tribute to the commercial pet food they feed their dog. Or perhaps, you’ve been convinced by your own vet that the food they sell is sure to be nutritionally balanced.

For your dog’s sake, be a bit suspicious. Don’t be convinced by anyone (including me) that what they are trying to sell you is necessarily in your dog’s best interest.

Instead, it may be in their own best interest if they gain a sale from convincing you.

If you’re having a problem getting your head around the idea of raw dog food, then I suggest it’s your problem, not your dog’s.

Dogs evolved on a diet of raw food over millennia. Humans have only recently taken an interest in making dog food.

Do you really imagine, for one moment, that humans have been able to change the domestic dog’s digestive and immune system in fifty odd years?

You may well say that humans have had an impact on the way dogs look, with all the different breeds. Yes, that’s true. But have you also noticed that pedigree dogs are also the most unhealthy? What I call a Heinz 57 dog, is normally much healthier.

So in breeding a selective type of dog, humans have gone against nature, by isolating one or more traits, until the breed becomes what the breeder wants.

And so it is with food. Humans tinker about with food, under the guise of ‘science’. I call it junk science, because there’s nothing scientific about commercial dog food. The word ‘science’ has come to be revered by the majority. Just as the word ‘natural’ is currently enjoying popularity.

So a clever commercial dog food manufacturer will incorporate the word ‘science’ and/or ‘natural’ in the advertising, to lure you in.

That doesn’t mean there’s anything of quality within the packet or can. It could be anything. You have no way of knowing how the food was prepared or what is in each pack.

Raw dog food, on the other hand, contains all the nutrients essential to a healthy dog.

I appreciate that it may take you time to get your head around the idea, because you’ve probably been brought up on the idea that commercial pet food is the healthiest way to go.

If that was true, how cum that dogs health invariably improves when a switch from commercial to raw dog food is made? The only way you’re really going to find out for sure is to try it out yourself.

You may be worried about parasites and bacteria in raw dog food.

Neither of these are an issue for dogs, whose digestive system is very robust, with powerful digestive juices. Dogs aren’t carnivores, they’re omnivores, which means they can eat anything (as long as it’s raw), including vegetation and rotting carcasses.

In fact, you will notice that when you feed a raw dog food, fleas and worms decrease and almost disappear.

Dogs have problems with unnatural foods – those that are cooked, those that contain preservatives. Neither of these are natural. Cooking destroys many vitamins and denatures other nutrients.

I can genuinely assure you, that your dogs health will improve considerably when you start feeding a raw dog food. There may be a ‘de-toxing’ period initially, but this is normal, natural and only takes a short time to go through.

Why not try it for a month and see for yourself? What have you got to lose?

Madeleine Innocent
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/raw-dog-food-how-can-you-be-sure-its-healthy-727561.html

In spite of many thoughtful and forward-thinking updates in schools, school design, and classroom curriculum, grade school cafeterias haven’t changed significantly in the past 50 years. School kids are still either buying their lunch, which they receive on a tray (”hot lunch”); or they bring lunch from home (”cold lunch”). School lunches often include a self-serve salad bar with a nice variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain rolls; a healthy improvement over years past. However, an enormous amount of good food goes to waste: whole sandwiches, uneaten fruit, unopened cups of yogurt and applesauce, and untouched bags of chips have all been found in waste audits performed at local schools.

Unfortunately, these schools were not unique.  A comprehensive study from Great Britain recently revealed that one third of all food purchased is thrown away, of which 61% could have been eaten. Other studies have found that in the U.S., an estimated 40% to 50% of all food ready for harvest never gets eaten. The average family of four throws away nearly $600 a year in edible meats, vegetables, fruit, and grain products.

Returning to the grade school waste audit, it was revealed that 17% of the trash generated at the school was food waste and 24% was food-packaging waste.  Other schools have found that up to one third of their trash stream is comprised of food waste. Considering that the schools have to pay both for the wasted food AND the waste management, addressing how food comes to the schools and what happens to it is worth a closer look.

So what can be done to stem the tide of good food gone landfill?

Start at the beginning: reduce what is provided for lunch. While free-choice salad bar offerings are an excellent idea, kids often take more than they can eat in one sitting. Signs and classroom guidance can help everyone remember to “take what you want, but eat what you take.” Cold lunch diners can also usually bring less food and still be satisfied – read on for more details.

Pass it on: have a “no thanks” table. Anything brought from home that is unopened, such as yogurt cups, bags of chips, granola bars, applesauce cups and the like can be dropped off at a “no thanks” table where other kids can find something they like. Although there are some issues such as allergy concerns and the stigma associated with “the used food table”, they are not insurmountable. Food left over at the end of each day would be welcomed at a shelter or food bank.

Tackle the tabletop culture: use reusable containers. It has been observed that when a sack lunch is packed in baggies and disposables, any leftover food – like a whole sandwich – is seen as disposable, just like the containers it came in. The same holds true for prepackaged foods, like chips, crackers or cookies in single-serve bags. However, when lunch is packed in reusable containers, uneaten food is returned to the container and put back in the lunch box. This has several immediate and valuable benefits: first, based on the quantities that come home after school, portions can be adjusted accordingly. Second, if there is any leftover food, it usually becomes a ready-made after-school snack (assuming the lunch box has an ice pack to keep everything fresh till mid-afternoon).

It was recently revealed that milk cartons, contrary to common wisdom and due in part to the current economic downturn, usually do not get recycled when they are pulled out of the waste stream but are instead thrown out with the rest of the trash. Furthermore, kids rarely drink the full eight ounces of milk they provide, resulting in additional waste. Schools should consider investing in washable cups and a milk dispenser, both to eliminate the single-use cartons and to reduce the wasted milk. This also has its own issues, one of which is the time necessary to wash the cups after use. Again, this isn’t insurmountable, but may only be a shift in behavior away from stocking the refrigerated milk case to handling the wash. Students themselves can fill the dishwasher trays as well.

Address the school culture: have recess before lunch. Many schools report that cafeteria time is frequently cut short because kids are in a rush to go to recess. The result is that many kids never eat at all, and spend the afternoon hungry and unable to concentrate. Several school districts throughout the U.S. have implemented a reverse strategy: kids go directly to recess for their mid-day break, after which they return to the cafeteria for lunch, where they stay until it’s time to return to the classroom. Reports from Montana schools indicate that “recess before lunch” programs improved student behavior on the playground, in the cafeteria, and in the classroom and resulted in less wasted food. One middle school reported a 50% drop in “plate waste” (food thrown away), and a decrease of 60% in disciplinary actions related to the lunchroom over a three year period. The teachers also reported better concentration and more effective time management with the recess before lunch program.

Finish at the end: offer composting. Some food waste is just that – inedible parts, like banana peels, eggshells and coffee grounds. Many schools have introduced compost bins to help manage these leftover bits, often in association with school garden projects.

As with any change, the usual guidance applies: find advocates among the school staff and parents; research where similar strategies have been attempted and consider whether the results would apply at your own school; consider how every step in a new program might impact classroom time, staff time, and staff resources; and communicate, communicate, communicate to students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Schools are embracing, and teaching, a refreshing environmental message, but they could drive that message home if they applied it to the simplest of everyday activities such as eating lunch. By reducing food and food packaging waste, families and schools alike save money both by reducing the loss of good food to landfills and by avoiding having to pay for its disposal. In today’s budget-conscious home and school economic conditions, that’s no small potatoes.

Nancy Myers
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/no-small-potatoes-how-to-reduce-food-packaging-waste-from-school-lunches-736569.html

When it comes to feeding your Pond fish, there is a vast array of commercially available foods. With many different companies now producing a plethora of food choices, it is important to educate yourself on the nutritional requirements of your fish. In addition to nutrition, the ability to efficiently disperse the food to your Koi or pond fish is an important function that is often overlooked. There are several commonly available pelleted formulas, including; sinking, slowly sinking, floating, and crumbles, not to mention flake food.

The most common variety of Pond Fish food is the floating pelleted formula. Floating pellets provide a unique advantage over most other varieties in that they entice fish to the upper levels of the pond, creating a remarkable viewing opportunity. By consistently providing your Koi or Pond Fish with floating foods, they will associate the surface, and often one location in particular with feeding. They will become more bold, and increasingly personable, and will often learn to accept food directly from the pond-owner’s hand. The major drawback to floating food is noticeable mainly in ornamental varieties of goldfish. By gulping at the surface, the goldfish will often engulf atmospheric air, sometimes leading to infections of the swim bladder. It is also important to be aware of fast moving areas of the pond, as floating foods are often swiftly moved into overflows, or down flowing streams.

The best choice of fish foods is often the sinking or slowly sinking variety. By sinking from the surface areas, the food is safe from flowing out of reach from the fish. It also ensures that no atmospheric air is engulfed by your Pond Fish, preventing possible infections. The sinking action of the food will also create movement, which is a major appetite stimulant in fish. It may be beneficial to begin new acquisitions on a sinking diet. The disadvantages of sinking are mainly aesthetic. The fish will not become as personable without a floating food addition, although they will still associate the location with food. It is also possible that the food sinks too quickly, possibly becoming entrapped in the substrate.

Crumbles and flake food are generally reserved for smaller pond fish and juvenile Koi. They should be fed as a first food before the fish are weaned onto a larger sized maintenance diet. When provided to larger fish, flakes and crumbles are often ignored, creating a wasteful environment.

Once nutrition is provided for, each type of <A HREF=”http://www.naturalenviro.com/sections.php?section=FishFood”>pond fish food</A> has its place in pond fish culture. It is important to consider the size of the fish, as well as the environment in which they will be fed. Larger ponds with areas of slow moving water can be comfortably fed with floating pelleted food. This will create the surface activity that is often desired. Sinking pellets are wonderful for acclimating new arrivals, or when used in fast moving streams. They will also prevent infection of the swim bladder. Lastly, crumbles and flake food should generally only be given to smaller or juvenile specimens. If chosen properly, the food selection will go a long way towards long-term health.

Casey Coke
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/types-of-fish-food-717425.html