Food, Plants Destruction Nears 100 Under Biden Regime

Posted on June 15, 2022June 16, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Since current White House Resident Joe Biden came out of his basement to reside at his Wilmington, Delaware beach house (and occasionally in the District of Columbia), nearly 100 food plants have been destroyed, ruined or incapacitated.

Biden has spent 41.7% of his 511 days in office away from the White House, breaking all presidential records. There has even been a fake Oval Office set constructed so he can pretend he is working while he babbles through his teleprompter when addressing the nation.

Meanwhile, here is a current list of destroyed food plants from January 21, 2020 to June 12, 2022.

1. 4/30/21 Monmouth Smithfield Foods pork processing plant

2. 7/25/21 Memphis Kellogg plant

3. 8/13/21 JBS beef plant

4. 8/24/21 Patak Meat Company

5. 7/30/21 Tyson River Valley ingredient plant

6. 10/21/21 Darigold plant

7. 11/15/21 Garrard County food plant

8. 11/29/21 Maid-Rite Steak Company

9. 12/13/21 San Antonio food processing, West side Foods

10. 1/7/22 Hamilton Mountain poultry processingPlant

11. 1/13/22 Cargill-Nutrene feed mill. Lacombe, La

12. 1/31/22 Winston-Salem fertilizer plant

13. 2/3/22 Wisconsin River Meats

14. 2/3/22 Percy dairy farm

15. 2/5/22 Wisconsin River Meats processing facility destroyed by fire in Mauston, Wisconsin.

16. 2/15/22 Bonanza Meat Company goes up in flames in El Paso, Texas

17. 2/15/22 Shearer’s Foods Food processing plant explodes in Hermiston, Oregon.

18. 2/16/22 Indiana Louis-Dreyfus soy processing plant

19. 2/18/22 Bess View Farms

20. 2/19/22 Lincoln premiere poultry

21. 2/22/22 Shearer’s Foods potato chip plant

22. 2/22/22 Fire destroys Deli Star Meat Plant in Fayetteville, Illinois.

23. 2/28/22 nutrient AG Solutions fertilizer facility burns

24. 2/28/22 Shadow Brook Farm & Dutch girl Creamery burns

25. 3/4/22 294,800 chickens destroyed at farm in Stoddard, Missouri

26. 3/4/22 644,000 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Cecil, Maryland

27. 3/8/22 243,900 chickens destroyed at egg farm in New Castle, Delaware

28. 3/10/22 663,400 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Cecil, Maryland

29. 3/10/22 915,900 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Taylor, Iowa

30. 3/14/22 Wayne Hoover dairy farm, barn full of cows burns

31. 3/14/22 2,750,700 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Jefferson, Wisconsin

32. 3/16/22 Walmart Distribution Center burns for 76 hours in Plainfield Ind.

33. 3/16/22 Nestle Food Plant extensively damaged in fire and new production destroyed Jonesboro, Arkansas

34. 3/17/22 5,347,500 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Buena Vista, Iowa

35. 3/17/22 147,600 chickens destroyed at farm in Kent, Delaware

36. 3/18/22 315,400 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Cecil, Maryland

37. 3/19/22 Walmart Food Distribution center catches fire in Plainfield, Indiana

38. 3/22/22 172,000 Turkeys destroyed on farms in South Dakota

39. 3/22/22 570,000 chickens destroyed at farm in Butler, Nebraska

40. 3/24/22 Major Fire at McCrum Potato Plant in Belfast, Maine.

41. 3/24/22 418,500 chickens destroyed at farm in Butler, Nebraska

42. 3/25/22 250,300 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Franklin, Iowa

43. 3/26/22 311,000 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

44. 3/27/22 126,300 Turkeys destroyed in South Dakota

45. 3/28/22 1,460,000 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Guthrie, Iowa

46. 3/29/22 Maricopa, Az. Food Pantry burns down 50,000 pounds of Food destroyed in Maricopa, Arizona.

47. 3/31/22 Rio Fresh Onion factory damaged by fire in San Juan, Texas.

48. 3/31/22 76,400 Turkeys destroyed in Osceola, Iowa

49. 3/31/22 5,011,700 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Osceola, Iowa

50. 4/6/22 281,600 chickens destroyed at farm in Wayne, North Carolina

51. 4/9/22 76,400 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

52. 4/9/22 208,900 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

53. 4/12/22 89,700 chickens destroyed at farm in Wayne, North Carolina

54. 4/12/22 1,746,900 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Dixon, Nebraska

55. 4/12/22 259,000 chickens destroyed at farm in Minnesota

56. 4/13/22 Fire destroys East Conway Beef & Pork Meat Market in Conway, New Hampshire.

57. 4/13/22 Plane crashes into Gem State Processing, Idaho potato and food processing plant

58. 4/13/22 77,000 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

59. 4/14/22 Taylor Farms Food Processing plant burns down Salinas, California.

60. 4/14/22 Salinas food processing plant

61. 4/14/22 99,600 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

62. 4/15/22 1,380,500 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Lancaster, Minnesota

63. 4/19/22 Azure Standard nation’s premier independent distributor of organic and healthy food, was destroyed by fire in Dufur, Oregon

64. 4/19/22 339,000 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

65. 4/19/22 58,000 chickens destroyed at farm in Montrose, Colorado

66. 4/20/22 2,000,000 chickens destroyed at egg farm in Minnesota

67. 4/21/22 Plane crashes into and destroys General Mills

68. 4/22/22 197,000 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

69. 4/23/22 200,000 Turkeys destroyed in Minnesota

70. 4/25/22 1,501,200 chickens destroyed at egg farm Cache, Utah

71. 4/26/22 307,400 chickens destroyed at farm Lancaster Pennsylvania

72. 4/27/22 2,118,000 chickens destroyed at farm Knox, Nebraska

73. 4/28/22 Egg-laying facility in Iowa kills 5.3 million chickens, fires 200-plus workers

74. 4/28/22 Allen Harim Foods a chicken processing company based in Delaware killed nearly 2 million chickens

75. 4/28/22 110,700 Turkeys destroyed Barron Wisconsin

76. 4/29/22 1,366,200 chickens destroyed at farm Weld Colorado

77. 4/30/22 13,800 chickens destroyed at farm Sequoia Oklahoma

78. 5/3/22 58,000 Turkeys destroyed Barron Wisconsin

79. 5/3/22 118,900 Turkeys destroyed Beadle S Dakota

80. 5/3/22 114,000 ducks destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

81. 5/3/22 118,900 Turkeys destroyed Lyon Minnesota

82. 5/7/22 20,100 Turkeys destroyed Barron Wisconsin

83. 5/10/22 72,300 chickens destroyed at farm Lancaster Pennsylvania

84. 5/10/22 61,000 ducks destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

85. 5/10/22 35,100 Turkeys destroyed Muskegon, Michigan

86. 5/13/22 10,500 Turkeys destroyed Barron Wisconsin

87. 5/14/22 83,400 ducks destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

88. 5/17/22 79,00 chickens destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

89. 5/18/22 7,200 ducks destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

90. 5/19/22 Freight train derailment Jensen Beach FL

91. 5/21/22 57,000 Turkeys destroyed on farm in Dakota Minnesota

92. 5/23/22 4,000 ducks destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

93. 5/29/22 200,000 Chickens killed in fire in Minnesota

94. 5/31/22 3,000,000 chickens destroyed at Forsman egg farm facility in Stockholm Township, Minnesota

95. 6/2/22 30,000 ducks destroyed at Duck farm Berks Pennsylvania

96. Irrigation water canceled in California (the #1 producer of food in the US) and storage water flushed directly out to the delta.

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**From award-winning Texas author Cynthia Leal Massey.**

What Does the Bible Say About Health and Alcohol?

Posted on May 29, 2022May 17, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

What do the Scriptures say about liquor? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 20:1, TLB. “Wine gives false courage; hard liquor leads to brawls; what fools men are to let it master them, making them reel drunkenly down the street!”

Will using alcoholic drinks really affect me adversely? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 23:29-35, TLB. “Whose heart is filled with anguish and sorrow? Who is always fighting and quarreling? Who is the man with bloodshot eyes and many wounds? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new mixtures. Don’t let the sparkle and the smooth taste of strong wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like an adder. You will see hallucinations and have delirium tremors, and you will say foolish, silly things that would embarrass you no end when sober. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And afterwards you will say, ‘I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.”

What is the result of over-indulgence in food and drink? It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 23:20-21, NIV “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”

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The Dress Code to Enter Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ

Posted on May 22, 2022May 11, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Now this is a place for good ol’ red blooded Americans and patriotic country music lovers from around the world to enjoy.

The Johnny Cash Bar and BBQ is located at 121 Third Avenue South, right next door to the Johnny Cash Museum in Nasville, Tennessee.

The food, drink and decor is impressive. We especially like posted dress code and house rules.

DRESS CODE & HOUSE RULES

No extra long t-shirts or hoodies that hang below pockets.
No excessively low or baggy pants/shorts such that a person’s undergarments or buttocks are exposed.
No athletic style pants/shorts (sweats, nylons, joggers, etc.)
No sleeveless shirts to be worn by men after 8PM.
No large chains.

No clothing that management considers vulgar, offensive or otherwise likely to cause a disturbance.
No motorcycle club or gang affiliation displays of any kind.
Sandals and flip flops are permitted, but not recommended.
Footwear must be worn at all times.

No outside food or beverages.
No large bags, backpacks, suitcases or gym bags after 6PM.

*Management reserves the right to deny admission to anyone suspected to be intoxicated or deemed likely to cause a disturbance or for any other reason at its sole discretion.

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As Food Costs Reach All Time Highs Use Smart & Easy Shopping Tips

Posted on May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Food prices have seen about a 20 percent increase in prices, the highest cost increases since the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) began measuring it three decades ago.

Their Food Price Index is bleak enough, but the United States forecast (USDA) indicates much more increases will follow.

Tips for Grocery Shopping

Note: As a 25-year executive for the highest rated grocery chain in America, writer Jack Dennis was over the Facilities Management Division of H-E-B FOOD/DRUGS. The Texas based retailer is prominently known for their friendly people, clean facilities and good prices.

The Tuesday Benefit

If you want to shop on the least crowded day of the week, pick Tuesdays. Often you may find discounts on meats, chicken and packaged produce that are close to their expiration date. We select such items that are freezeable at a cost of 25% to 50% off regular prices.

Never Shop Hungry!

Plan your grocery shopping trips to take place after a meal, or at least an hour or two before the next one. If you shop when you’re hungry, you’re much more likely to come away with food and snacks you didn’t plan on buying.

Even if the price increase is subtle, the yearly cost for your weekly supermarket trips will be substantially more. If you depend on restaurant take-out and delivery, the price surges will be even more eye-opening.

Keep your mind and body focused on the food you need. Don’t fall victim to the traps of grocery store marketing and product placement.

🔹Make a list of the items you intend to purchase to keep you on track.

🔹Plan your meals. Prepping a batch of meals will save on time, money, and unneeded calories.

Pick The Shortest Line

No one likes waiting in a long line at the checkout stand. Experience shows it is best to choose the line with the least amount of people in it, regardless of how full their carts or baskets might be.

At H-E-B and some other chains, checkers are graded by their IPMs (Items Per Minute) across the checkstands. It takes at least a minute or two to check someone out, even if they’re buying just a couple of things. Each item only adds about 3 seconds to the total checkout time, so a cart full of items doesn’t actually take that much longer to scan.

Look Up (And Down)

Only about one-third of in-store purchases are generally preplanned. Believe me when I say grocers and product experts know where shoppers look and even which patterns their gazes follow, in order to find the optimum position for products and to drive sales.

There’s a time tested adage in the grocery industry: “Eye level is the buy level.” These shelves are prime real estate at stores, but not every manufacturer can afford to stock their products there. When you’re shopping, be sure to scan the higher and lower shelves too.

When you see items on a supermarket shelf, you are actually looking at a planogram. These are diagrams that indicate the placement of products to maximize sales.

Get Cheese Sliced

Some of the best prices on cheese are on large blocks of it, but if you’re using it for sandwiches or burgers, slicing it at home can be a hassle. Instead, head over to the deli counter and ask if they’ll slice it for you.

Be Sure About Savings

If your grocery store has a 10 for $10 promotion on an item or items, be sure to check the original price of the item. While it probably won’t be that much more than $1, you definitely want to be sure it wasn’t less.

Use Meat Department Services

The meat department at your store may offer free services that many customers don’t even know about. Most butchers are willing to slice, tenderize, trim, and even grind cuts of meat for you. All you have to do is ask.

Compare Seafood Prices

When checking out the offerings at the seafood counter, look at the small type on the labels. If a product is labeled “previously frozen,” it’s worth it to head to the frozen section of the store to compare the two prices. Occasionally seafood is slightly cheaper when still frozen, so it’s an easy way to save some cash.

Coupons

Of course, couponing is still a good idea as long as it is for an item or brand you need. Don’t forget to check in-store and online coupons.

Check The Clearance Shelves

Keep an eye out for your grocery store’s clearance section and visit it often. The marked down items you’ll find there are not necessarily about to expire—the store or the manufacturer may be discontinuing them.

Don’t Assume Bulk Is Cheaper

You know what they say about assumptions, and it’s just as true when it comes to bulk pricing. While larger quantities do often cost less, that isn’t always the case—for instance, produce items like peppers, apples, and avocados are often cheaper when purchased individually than in pre-packaged bags.

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Pringles Can Hacks (& Things You Don’t Know About the Snacks But We Are Telling You Anyway)

Posted on April 24, 2022April 26, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

How many chips are in a container of Pringles?

The cans say there is “about” five servings of 16 chips, which means 80 Pringles. When we tested four cans of Original Pringles we counted two cans with 79 chips, one with 80, and the last one had 78.

However, a can of Sour Cream and Onion chips had 82 and can of Pizza-Flavored had 81.

Pringles has 25 different flavors in the U.S. and even more internationally, when combined you can make 318,000 unique flavor stacks. Of all the varieties, the top-selling flavors are Original, Cheddar Cheese, Barbeque and Sour Cream and Onion.

When Fredric Baur, the inventor of Pringles potato chips died at age 89, per his wish, his cremated ashes were placed inside an original flavored Pringles can for burial.

In 1956, Baur, a trained chemist, used a geometric formula to create a saddle-shaped chip that would not break when individually stacked inside a cardboard cylinder in-a-can invention.

Besides a burial urn, here are other uses for Pringles cans:

Store other foods inside. Chips aren’t the only food that will travel safely inside a Pringles container. You can also safely pack a sleeve of crackers, some spaghetti or other noodles, dried beans, and more inside this handy can.

Flour, sugar, and breadcrumbs are other products that can be transported via the Pringles container. The sturdy cardboard will protect the food, and you won’t have punctured bags or spilled products On your roadtrip, in the tent or inside a RV.

Make a cell phone speaker. Cut a slit near the bottom of the Pringles can. Make the slit large enough for your cell phone to sit inside. Remove the lid. The can will amplify your cell phone’s speaker.

Store plastic bags. Cut a small (one-inch diameter) hole in the Pringles lid. When you need a plastic bag, simply reach into the hole, and pull one out.

Office or hobby supplies. A Pringles can will also corral those office supplies like pens, scissors, paper clips, and glue sticks. Hobby supplies like beads, wire, artists’ paintbrushes and more will also fit inside.

Hair accessories holder. Use a Pringles can to keep hair ties and elastic bands together. Just put them around the outside of the can. Clips, ribbons, and bows can be stored inside the can, as well.

Makeup organizer. You can cut down Pringles cans so that your makeup brushes, comb/brush, and other tools are easily at hand. Tape a series of cans together so they’ll stay securely upright.

Necklace holder. Put weights in the bottom of a Pringles can. Then wind a rubber band around the can, near the top. Hang necklaces and bracelets from the rubber band. Simple! And handy, too!

Bird feeder. Use a darning needle to poke and thread a string through the top of the Pringles can. Tie the ends of the string together. Then use a spatula or butter knife to smear peanut butter all over the exterior of the Pringles can. Then roll the prepared can in birdseed. Hang the bird feeder from a nearby tree or garden flag holder.

Keep paint rollers fresh. When painting, you can slip a Pringles container over the paint roller at the end of the day. The next day, the paint in the roller will be ready to go.

Travel Tools. We use a few select tools when traveling in our car or a RV–a tire gauge, a channel lock, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. An easy way to keep these few, but necessary, tools together and within reach is to store the tools inside a Pringles can.

Children Fun. Kids love doing this. Remove the bottom of the Pringles can. Use waterproof tape to securely fasten the lid onto the can. Gently place the lid end of the can into the water. Look through the bottom of the can to see what’s underneath the water’s surface. Here’s more ideas:

Holidays

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Why Are America’s Food Processing Plants Suddenly Exploding?

Posted on April 22, 2022April 22, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Is it normal for the United States to experience so many disasters in such a short period of time at major food processing facilities? Since January 1, 2022, America has seen fires, explosions, and plane crashes in plants and distribution centers.

April 21: A plane crashed into a General Mills plant in Covington, Georgia. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that an unidentified small plane crashed within a mile of the runway of the Covington Municipal Airport.

On April 13, a major food California processing plant, Taylor Farms, burned almost completely to the ground.

Also on April 13, a plane crashed into Gem State Processing in Heyburn, East Idaho at about 8:35 a.m. They processed potatoes.

April 11: New Hampshire’s East Conway Beef and Pork experienced a major plant fire.

On March 31: The Rio Fresh onion facility in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas suffered a severely damaging fire. Local media outlet KRGV reported the site employed 300 people and that “hundreds of thousands of warehouse space and structure was damaged from the fire.”

March 28: Maricopa Food Pantry, a local food bank in Arizona, lost 50,000 pounds worth of food in a fire that occurred just 15 minutes after their food bank closed. Company President Mike Connelly described the blaze as one “40-50 feet in the air, just pure black smoke,” that “engulfed the entire neighborhood.”

Also in March, at least 2500 people had to be evacuated in Salinas, California where a four-alarm fire ravaged a food processing plant. Officials feared a possible explosion and hazardous plume of ammonia. A shelter in place order was mandate for about 35,000 people near the Taylor Farms facility.

On March 22: Shearer’s Foods potato chip plant in Hermiston, Oregon was destroyed after a boiler explosion and its subsequent fire annihilated the facility. The boiler was fueled by natural gas and that the company supplied potato and corn chips throughout the western United States. Seven employees were hospitalized in the blast. The facility unemployed nearly 400 people.

March 16: A Walmart distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana where over 1,000 employees shipped food and other supplies all over the region. The fire destroyed the massive 1 million square foot operation.

March 16: A Nestle facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas caught fire on March 16 remained shut down for weeks. The Jonesboro Fire Department said it found a fire inside a “large piece of a production line cooler” at the plant.

The number of food processing plants experiencing such disasters appears to be high, but In the U.S. there were approximately 1,410 warehouse (not just food processing) fires per year between 2014 and 2019. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), these fires caused an annual average of two civilian deaths, 20 civilian injuries, and $159 million in direct property damage.

NFPA indicated there was an average of 22,900 fires per year in storage occupancies for the period 1994-1998. “The leading cause of these fires was intentional fire-setting (arson). Other top fire causes include open flame, embers, or torches, which includes hot work activities such as welding and cutting; electrical distribution equipment such as fixed wiring, transformers, and circuit breakers; other equipment such as fuel-powered and electric-powered equipment.”

“Chemical reactions between incompatible chemicals have also been known to ignite warehouse fires. These top fire causes in warehouse environments consistently remain near the top of the list year after year.”

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H-E-B Partners With Texas Parks and Wildlife to Conserve and Protect

Posted on April 8, 2022April 8, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

As far as I can remember, H-E-B Food-Drugs, a San Antonio based company in Texas has consistently been a strong proponent and practitioner for the environment. I retired from this outstanding retailer in 2009 as head of their Facilities Management Division and saw first hand how they are regularly recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

🔹In 2021, H-E-B recycled more than 636 million pounds of cardboard, plastics, office paper, food waste, metal, and truck tires.

🔹Among its endeavor to minimize waste in 2021, H-E-B recycled 54 million pounds of food into animal feed and compost and recycled 17.5 million pounds of plastic.

🔹That same year, H-E-B’s recycling efforts saved the equivalent of 11 million trees, 1.6 million barrels of oil, and enough energy to power more than 83,000 homes for an entire year.

As part of H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future mission, and with support from Field & Future by H-E-B brand products, the retailer is partnering with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and their efforts to conserve wildlife, habitats, and natural resources in Texas.

H-E-B is a longtime partner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability along with Field & Future by H-E-B will support efforts such as:

🔹coastal conservation along the Texas Gulf Coast,

🔹Black Bear restoration in West Texas,

🔹the establishment of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas, the state’s newest state park expected to open in 2023.

Field & Future by H-E-B, which the company launched last year, is an environmentally minded brand of household, personal care and baby products designed to be clean and green.

The brand is made with recycled or recyclable content, biodegradable formulas or plant-based ingredients, and without over 165 harsh chemicals. Currently, there are nearly 100 Field & Future by H-E-B products on shelf, including dish soap, body wash, bath tissue, baby diapers, as well as trash bags and bags for recyclables, which are made from up to 65 percent and 30 percent post-consumer recycled plastic from H-E-B facilities, respectively.

“H-E-B is an iconic Texas company, and this new partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, our official non-profit partner, is incredibly exciting,” said Texas Parks and & Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith. “It’s fitting that the Field & Future line of products will benefit conservation projects across Texas, and we’re deeply grateful for this new partnership.”

With Earth Day around the corner, H-E-B Partners (employees) across the state are committed to taking their own steps to beautify Texas. Leading up to and following Earth Day, Partners will volunteer at outdoor events, tree plantings and community cleanups. Many H-E-B stores across the state also will host in-store events to celebrate Earth Day with their customers and communities.

Throughout the year, H-E-B works to champion sustainability initiatives throughout its own operations and across the Lone Star State.

In 2021, H-E-B became part of How2Recycle, a program that places clear, easy-to-read labels on products to let customers know if the packaging can be recycled, which parts are recyclable, and importantly, how to prepare material for recycling to reduce contamination.

The How2Recycle labels are already on more than 1,700 H-E-B branded items, which include H-E-B, Hill Country Fare, H-E-B Select Ingredients, H-E-B Organics, and Central Market.

Furthering its commitment to supporting sustainable efforts within the community, H-E-B gifted $135,000 to support the creation of a community recycling center in Ingleside. Slated to open in the summer, this will be the city’s first ever recycling center, which will service several communities near the Gulf Coast town.

“We know H-E-B and our customers have a shared commitment in protecting the land, water and air of Texas for generations to come,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. “As H-E-B works to reduce our packaging footprint and increase packaging recyclability, we also look for ways to support community access to recycling. We’re excited to partner with Keep Texas Beautiful and the City of Ingleside to make recycling available for the first time for 65,000 Texans.”

H-E-B customers also can support sustainability efforts through its annual donation campaign that benefits EarthShare of Texas, a nonprofit that supports more than 70 respected conservation groups. From April 13 through May 24, customers can donate $1, $3 or $5 online at heb.com or in store at checkout, which will benefit the nonprofit organization. From the donation campaign, more than $1 million has gone to support the nonprofit.

Since 2012, H-E-B has contributed more than $20 million to over 500 environmental organizations in land and water conservation, habitat and coastal preservation, and community cleanups. This includes giving more than $2 million in grants to organizations such as Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Conservation Fund, and the Nature Conservancy in Texas.

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Smart Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Posted on April 5, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Our bodies are unique and incredible, especially our immune system that helps prevent illness and diseases to conquer our bodies. Having a healthy immune system is crucial for everyone . The best and most natural way to fight infections and avoid getting sick is to boost your immune system.

Dodie, a retired RN, has over 35 years of immunology, neonatal care, teaching, operating room and school nursing experience.

Here are 7 easy ways to supercharge your immune system:

1. A Good Basic Diet

Many of us are guilty of eating an unhealthy diet, eating foods that contain way too much sugar anf salt, which has the effect of restraining the immune system’s cells. These cells are responsible for carrying out attacks on harmful bacteria looking to invade our bodies.

2. Your Liver is a Large and Major Organ for Detoxifying Your Body

Detox is a must for boosting your immune system. Eating certain foods will help your liver excrete stored toxins can help repair a damaged immune system.

3. Probiotics

These beneficial bacteria in the stomach play a crucial role in building up the immune system. Probiotics can boost T-cells, the white blood cells that pretty much power the immune system.

5. Garlic

This flavorful member of the onion family is a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production. The immune-boosting properties of garlic seem to be due to its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin and sulfides.

6. Juicing Veggies or Making Green Smoothies

Boost your immune system with delicious and highly nutritious smoothies and fresh vegetable juices. When you build a smoothie out of a variety of healthful ingredients, you are on the right track to having an immune system that functions well. Many of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are found in you smoothie ingredients are needed by your immune system.

7. Draining Toxins From Lymph Nodes

By doing body weight bearing exercises such as walking, running, or jumping on a mini-trampoline

6. Supplements: Magnesium, enzymes, and Vitamins (See more below)

Nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, and the minerals iron, selenium, and zinc are essential to fight infections or viruses. Have a look at some nutrition that can help you boost your immune system fight off the Corona Virus.

It is advised to take at least these vitamins regularly to keep your immune system strong an healthy all year round. (See breakdown of Vitamins below.)

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Vitamin A

It maintains the structure of the cell in the respiratory tract, gut, and skin. Being your body’s first line of defense, it forms a barrier, fighting infection. It also helps in making antibodies which again helps in fighting infection.

It is mostly found in cheese, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, and vegetables such as green leafy veggies and yellow-orange veggies like pumpkin and carrots. Vitamin A helps to boost your immune system fight off the Coronavirus.

B vitamins

It is the combination of B6, B9, and B12, which contribute as the first response once an infection is recognized. They prevent the cell from getting infected and damaged.

Vitamin B6 is found in legumes, cereals, green leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

Vitamin B9 (folate) is found in legumes, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables and is added to commercial bread-making flour.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is found in animal products such as milk, curd, cheese, fortified soy milk, etc.

Vitamins C and E

While fighting an infection, your body experiences oxidative stress which leads to the production of free radicals that can penetrate cell walls damaging tissues and causing inflammation.

Vitamins C and E help cells from oxidative stress. It also helps in cleaning up the cellular mess and enhance our immune system.

You will find Vitamin C in oranges, lemons, berries, limes, kiwifruit, broccoli, capsicum, and tomatoes.

While you will find Vitamin E in nuts, green leafy vegetables, and vegetable oils. All of these vitamins help to boost your immune system to fight off the Coronavirus.

Vitamin D

Some immune cells require vitamin D to help to destroy pathogens that can cause infection. It also helps against acute respiratory infection. Perhaps, staying in exposure to the sun is recommended for at least 2 hours daily.

Although vitamin D is mostly produced by sun exposure, food sources including mushrooms, and milk.

Iron, zinc, selenium

Iron, zinc, and selenium are needed for immune cell growth, among other functions. Iron kills pathogens by increasing the free radicals. It also regulates enzyme reactions. Whole grain food contains Iron.

Zinc and selenium help as an antioxidant, maintaining the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes. Zinc and selenium are found in nuts, rajma, chole, etc.

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Goettle HVAC and Plumbing services are located in Phoenix, Tucson, San Antonio, Austin, Las Vegas areas as well as regions in Southern California.

Clues You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

Posted on March 18, 2022March 19, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Drinking enough water is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Remember your body is made up of 65 percent water, about the same amount as Earth’s surface. It just makes good sense that it is an essential part of our daily life.

Sometimes keeping track of your water intake can be a challenge, but it is so important to maintain the right amount. We are constantly using our bodies’ store of nutrients that come from water and we have to continually be on top of our water intake to replace them and stay hydrated.

Fluid losses occur continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health.

Thankfully, your body has a system of telling you that it needs more water and makes it pretty easy to decode once you have some knowledge about the many ways water improves your health.

Water helps your body move nutrients and oxygen around, flush out toxins, protect your organs and regulate your body temperature. However, if you aren’t replenishing what your body uses, it will struggle to do these things.

So what are some of the most important signs that you need more water?

Symptom #1: Headaches and fatigue.

Though headaches can be a symptom of many other illnesses, checking water off your list first could help keep that headache away. Your brain is made of 90 percent water so when you’re even the slightest bit dehydrated, it affects your brain. This can make your vision cloudy, give you a dizzy feeling, and make it feel like you’re walking in fog too.

Symptom #2: Asthma and allergies.

When your body is running low on hydration, it will constrict airways and try to keep as much moisture as possible. Have you ever noticed your breath on a cold window? You lose water through breathing. So, if you’re feeling like allergies are creeping up on you and you feel dry in your sinuses, it might be because you need more water.

Symptom #3: Dry and itchy skin.

Obviously water is an essential part of keeping your skin looking young, fresh and healthy. When you aren’t adequately hydrated though, your skin suffers. Often, you will notice dry, itchy skin and sometimes people even have problems with eczema and psoriasis.

Symptom #4: Bad joints.

Your joints need fluid called synovial fluid in order to move smoothly. When you aren’t hydrated, it makes your joints achy and they can be more stiff.

Symptom #5: Bladder and kidney problems.

When you urinate, is your pee a clear, diluted color or is it a dark yellow color? If it has a dark color, you need more water. Keeping yourself hydrated is important for your bladder and kidneys because heavily concentrated urine can cause bacteria and irritation.

Symptom #6: Weight gain.

This symptom can be confusing to some because they focus on “water weight.” right? However, water provides energy to burn calories and stay fit. If you are dehydrated, your body will try to conserve energy, meaning that you retain and gain more weight.

Symptom #7: Constipation.

Water is an essential element for keeping things moving smoothly. Without enough water, your bowels can get backed up and make bathroom matters unpleasant.

Symptom #8: Heartburn.

Without the proper hydration, your stomach’s natural acid can cause many problems. Not only does this include heartburn, but also acid reflux and other issues.

Symptom #9: Premature aging.

This is one thing none of us want to happen. And with enough water, it won’t! We need the nutrients and hydration water provides to maintain soft, youthful looking skin.

Are you drinking enough water? There are plenty of easy things you can do to help boost your water intake including carrying a refillable water bottle and replacing sodas and sugary juices with water when possible. Do your body a favor! Not only will you feel better, you’ll look better too!

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Goettle HVAC and Plumbing services are located in Phoenix, Tucson, San Antonio, Austin, Las Vegas areas as well as regions in Southern California.

Southside San Antonio Seven Layer Dip

Posted on March 13, 2022March 12, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Jack and I attended the same two-room first grade school and later graduated from McCollum High on the Southside of San Antonio.

Today, we live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country but are fortunate having wonderful memories of good people, fun neighborhoods and great food.

Here is our favorite Seven Layer Dip inspired by living there during those younger years.

Ingredients

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1 large tomato, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch chopped green onions
1 small head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter.

2. Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans.

3. Top the layers with salsa. Place a layer of tomato, green bell pepper, green onions and lettuce over the salsa, and top with Cheddar cheese. Garnish with black olives.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 66 calories; protein 2.3g; carbohydrates 3.5g; fat 4.9g; cholesterol 12.8mg; sodium 178.1mg.

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Americans Seek More Wellness Opportunities as Pandemic Eases

Posted on March 6, 2022March 8, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

For those who go beyond corporate news propaganda and pay close attention, the pandemic continues to teach many of us critical lessons.

One of the most valuable knowledge gains is realizing most of the media is corrupt and dishonest. Chances are, all of us have fallen guilty to seeing a new claim and not doing our own research to confirm if what they presented is true.

This article goes beyond the political, Big Pharma, Big Tech and Academia mistruths and indoctrination to zero in on our health, wellness and nutrition.

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Jack Dennis spent three decades as an executive for H.E.B. Food/Drugs with stores, manufacturing plants, distribution centers and real estate in Texas and Mexico. He was a founder and first elected president of Professional Retail Management Association (now CONNEX). While he was Director of Facilities Management, H.E.B. was the leader in maintenance, store services, HVAC, refrigeration, energy management and food safety for cost, quality and resolvement time in American retail.

From the moment consumers experienced the toilet paper shortages of 2020 to the most recent supply chain scarcities on store shelves (along with lockdowns, business closings, controversial vaccine and mask mandates), the one thing most people concentrated on improving was their health.

We personally made several significant changes. We moved from an urban area to a less expensive home far out in the Texas Hill Country, built contingencies for essentials (water, power, communication…), started a food garden, increased our exercise, and enhanced our nutrition/supplement intake.

A heightened—and understandable—focus on health, natural and wellness products by consumers is increasing. Today, “natural and wellness” products make up a $187 billion market that is growing at 12.5%.

In fact, natural and wellness products are leading growth across consumer products in 2021.

As conventional positioned products grew 6.3% over 52 weeks in American grocery stores, specialty and wellness positioned products grew 14.1% and natural-positioned products grew 9.8%.

Lessons Learned

Remember what we learned about the dishonesty in news media, Big Tech, Big Pharma and Academia. The same strategies can be used in other media. Be cautious of convincing advertisements alerting us to the latest foods that will help us live longer and be healthier that are plastered on billboards, appearing across our TV screens, and in-between our favorite songs on the radio.

“Pomegranates cheat death.”
“Dark chocolate lowers cholesterol.”
“Almonds boost your memory.”

If we are seeing these claims everywhere, they must be true, right? Think about the disinformation the CDC, FDA, CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times dish out.

We count on nutrition science to help us make smart food choices, but when food companies paid for that research, can we trust the findings?

Beware Misleading News & Ads

In her latest book, Unsavory Truth, Marion Nestle exposes the unspoken agenda between nutrition researchers and the funding they receive from the food industry.

As Nestle so bluntly states in her books opening, “Unsavory Truth is about how food, beverage, and supplement companies fund nutrition researchers and practitioners and their professional associations, with the ultimate goal of promoting sales.”

When the experts of these scientific studies are merging with the marketing experts who emulate the results to the public, we get the uninformed and misled consumers we have today. Nestle remarks that this happens in all parts of the marketing industry, going back as far as the 1950’s tobacco campaigns. Even though industry executives were well aware of the connection to lung cancer, campaigns were still released casting doubt that cigarettes were harmful.

Current decisions we are making because of news media, government mandates and paid talking heads can be massively dangerous. Much propaganda and advertising is resulting in numerous public health issues, environmental concerns, and food insecurity.

Nestle states that, “Everyone eats. Food matters. All of us need and deserve sound nutrition advice aimed at promoting public health – not corporate commercial interests.”

It’s important to note that Nestle does make the distinction that “not all industry backed-research is biased” but, we must be cautious. Ultimately, Nestle is encouraging shoppers to vote with their fork and look at the contact information on food labels and have open conversations with the companies that make the food you’re consuming. Write letters, send emails, pick up the phone and ask to speak with someone. If we don’t do it, who will?

Like most health advocates, Marion Nestle concludes her book with recommendations for her readers to pursue. She motivates consumers to “eat your veggies, choose relatively unprocessed foods, keep junk foods to a minimum, and watch excessive calories.”

Future Survival

To survive and thrive this political and lifestyle turmoil, the wise will consider how wellness impacts our future. We really do have more choices and it’s smart to acknowledge opportunities.

One tactic to deal with product shortages is to consider alternatives and expand the breadth of products for our lifestyles.

We discovered the healthy benefits and convenience of **Green Pasture Products**.

The move toward online shopping in all its forms accelerated last year. For instance, most of our supplements and health regime such as Green Pasture Products are conveniently acquired by mail. The book we are reading now, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, is very informative. Shoppers have more options. We can get our groceries delivered at home, put in the car curbside, or packed up for in-store pickup. That’s here to stay and shoppers aren’t going to accept a retail experience where these perks are taken away.

Natural product shoppers now rely on internet ordering at nearly twice the rate of all customers and spend less at the biggest conventional outlets. That matters because it means that natural shoppers are tech-friendly, eager for convenience, and committed to spending their dollars at outlets that deliver a specialized experience they’re not getting at the Wal-Mart type big box stores.

Products with wellness attributes are performing in sales stronger than ever. Even keto branded products were up 31% over pre-2020 sales.

We are not taking it for granted that pre-pandemic times will be the future. Personally, for the most part we ignored lockdown restrictions and other government mandates. We traveled, ate in opened restaurants, turned off news, and improved our lifestyle.

During the pandemic, like so many others we have talked to, we rediscovered the joy of cooking at home–including the convenience and health benefits.

Many signs point to a different kind of workday for many office workers, which means more remote working and at-home meals. The economic situation for many workers has not fully recovered, and at-home dining is an affordable option.

Our suggestion moving forward is to build out long-term strategies but don’t forget to identify immediate opportunities as well. As we look ahead, keep these ideas in mind:

Educate ourselves about nutrient dense and functional foods
Adopt maintainable diet and lifestyles
Evaluate broader ideas and alternatives as we personalize efforts fight back and survive the turmoil.

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Unearth the Mysteries of Those Who Lie Beneath the Oldest Graveyards in the Lone Star State

Texas, the second largest state, both in land mass and population, has more than 50,000 cemeteries, graveyards, and burial grounds. As the final resting places of those whose earthly journey has ended, they are also repositories of valuable cultural history. The pioneer cemeteries—those from the 19^th century—provide a wealth of information on the people who settled Texas during its years as a Republic (1836-1845), and after it became the 28^th state in 1845. In What Lies Beneath: Texas Pioneer Cemeteries and Graveyards, author Cynthia Leal Massey exhumes the stories of these pioneers, revealing the intriguing truth behind the earliest graveyards in the Lone Star State, including some of its most ancient. This guide also provides descriptions of headstone features and symbols, and demystifies the burial traditions of early Texas pioneers and settlers.

More titles by Cynthia Leal Massey.

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Goettle HVAC and Plumbing services are located in Phoenix, Tucson, San Antonio, Austin, Las Vegas areas as well as regions in Southern California.

Top 5 Plant-Based Sources of Protein

Posted on February 22, 2022February 19, 2022 by Texans Jack & Dodie

Eating enough protein is vital to staying healthy and independent in the long run. But there’s new evidence that piling protein-packed plants onto your plate can come with extra health benefits, too.

A study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that replacing just 3 percent of calories from animal protein (think red meat or eggs) with a plant protein (like nuts or beans) lowered the people’s risk of early death by 10 percent. Other research has found that plant-based diets can protect you against heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Plants also deliver nutrients such as fiber and phytonutrients that you won’t get from animal proteins. These can help stave off disease and keep gut health on point. Plus, plant-based proteins tend to be low in saturated fat, which is good for heart health.

Even if you don’t want to go completely vegetarian or vegan, plant-based proteins deserve to be a bigger part of your diet. And these picks can give you the most protein bang for your buck — and can be easily worked into the meals you’re already making.

Plant-Protein Powerhouse #1: Split Peas

These humble legumes are far from a one-hit wonder. Sure, they pack 8 grams of protein per half cup. But they also give you about 8 grams of dietary fiber in that serving, too.

Fiber helps reduce cholesterol and improves blood sugar management, which can impact heart and metabolic health. Men and women over the age of 50 should aim to consume 30 and 21 grams of fiber daily, respectively.

Another nutritional highlight of green and yellow split peas is lofty amounts of folate, This is vital for our DNA synthesis and metabolism.

In the Kitchen: Since the peas are split, they cook faster. (Plus, it eliminates the need for a pre-soak that’s needed to cook dried beans.) To get started, simmer one cup of split peas in two cups of water for about 25 minutes. Split peas can also be cooked in a slow cooker. Besides split pea soup and aromatic Indian dal dishes, use the peas to:

Make dips like hummus
Provide bulk to casseroles and veggie burgers
Add protein to vegetable salads

Plant-Protein Powerhouse #2: Tempeh

While tofu is made from soymilk, tempeh is made from fermented soybeans. This gives it about double the protein (about 16 grams per half cup) and more flavor. Tempeh has a mild, nutty, tangy taste, and a firm, ‘meaty’ texture that holds up well as a meat alternative.

Tempeh is also rich in other nutrients (B vitamins, iron, and fiber, to name a few). Plus, since it’s fermented, it tends to be easier to digest than beans. Translation: less gas.

In the Kitchen: Tempeh soaks up flavors from sauces and spices very well. So, try marinating plain tempeh patties just as you would steak or chicken. Then you can grill, bake, or pan-fry to cook. Add your tempeh to salads, sandwiches and tacos. Or you can make ground tempeh using the large holes of a box grater and create meat-free versions of these dishes:

Chilis
Meatballs
Burgers
Kebabs
Bolognese sauce

Plant-Protein Powerhouse #3: Peanut Butter

Peanuts are legumes just like split peas and beans. This means they boast a little more protein than other nut butters made with tree nuts (like almonds). In fact, they have about 7 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving.

Peanut butter is also a perfect mix of protein and healthy fats, which helps you stay fuller longer. Combined, these two nutrients can help you avoid spikes in blood sugar after a meal. This helps reduce your risk of diabetes — and the sugar crash that can bring on hunger pangs.

To get the most benefit, select a peanut butter that doesn’t include any added sugar or added fats, such as palm oil.

In the Kitchen: Peanut butter is a perfect grab-and-go protein source. Put some on toast with sliced bananas for a quick snack, use it as a dip for apple slices, or add a dollop to your morning yogurt. It also makes a great add-on to smoothies, oatmeal, and creamy sauces for stir-frys.

Plant-Protein Powerhouse #4: Hemp Seeds

Tiny but mighty, hemp seeds have nearly 10 grams of protein in a 3-tablespoon serving. They also contain all nine essential amino acids that your body can only get from food (a key part of keeping muscle mass as we age). And they’re a good source of the healthy fats called omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

ALA has been linked to lowering inflammation which can have heart health benefits.

In the Kitchen: Hemp seeds taste like a cross between pint nuts and sunflower seeds. (No— they won’t get you high like a marijuana plant.) For a boost of nutrition and flavor, you can blend hemp seeds into dips and smoothies, or sprinkle them on:

Oatmeal
Yogurt
Salads
Soups
Roasted vegetables

Plant-Protein Powerhouse #5: Chickpea Pasta

No shade to regular pasta, but noodles made from chickpeas and other legumes can give you a notable protein and fiber boost. A 2-ounce serving of chickpea-based pasta supplies about 11 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. That’s nearly twice as much protein and three times as much fiber as traditional pasta made from wheat flour.

Boil up a pot of chickpea penne or rotini and you’ll also get more of several vital nutrients such as magnesium, iron, and potassium.

In the Kitchen: These new-generation noodles have definitely improved in flavor and texture over the years. But there are a couple of important things to keep in mind when preparing any legume-based pasta.

These pastas can go from perfectly al dente to soggy in a matter of moments. So, taste test often as you near the recommended cooking time.
The noodles also foam quite a bit when in boiling water, so skim it off as needed with a spoon.
Unlike wheat-based noodles, the legume variety should be rinsed with cold water after draining to remove the starch

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