December 23, 2020 Issue, Page 12 of 26

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PG2 HOMETOWN TIDINGS GPRMC Dietician warns of food-borne : the surrounding foods really dangerous. Of about is eggs — or particularly egg shells. course, you will want to clean the refrigera- One in four egg shells contain salmonella. tor after you have done a major thaw like So when you are cracking them to make your illnesses in the holiday season this, but I still believe that taking as many precautionary steps to keep the juices from meringue or your custards , you want to have that trash can right beside you. Go ahead and cross-contaminating your other foods is a chunk those eggshellsin there as soon as you worthy step. The least exposure food has to have cadked them. Don’t put those egg- potential cross-contamination, the healthier shells back in the egg container. With that Every December, Worldwide Food For millions of Americans, a turkey or ham we all are,” explained Kauk. Although large proteins like the ham and many eggshells carrying salmonella, placin; 2 cracked, empty shell bck in there only ine Safety Month uses the last month will be the star of the holiday feast. In pre- often get center stage in the holiday creases the chances of the bacteria spreading of the year to focus on education re- paring such large meals, timing is often cen- turkey lated to food-borne illness and the tral to the success and thawing these large meal, they are also joined by a regular list of to other eggs,” Kauk said. precautions that should be taken to avoid it. proteins is among the most important steps. ingredients that are delicious traditions if Holiday celebrations such as Thanksgiv- Kara (Mackey) Kauk is thankful for the “Let’s talk about thawing your meats, es- prepared correctly, but are also laden with ing, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and extra opportunity to focus on food safety. pecially your big bird,” Kauk exclaimed. “It jeopardy because people are not aware. New Years are also famous for their potluck ‘That isn't a surprise given Kauk’s passion is an improper technique to have that baby avoid ere are some simple steps that help menus. While the yummy variety is a major the risks. One that people don’t think perk, it also often features foods that contain for healthy, safe foods. Between her fam- thawing out in your sink for longer than four ily's massive garden that stocks Sayre’s an- hours. Once you get to that four hour mark, nual farmer's market and her career as Great you have the potential to have lots of little Plains Regional Medical Center's clinical bacteria growing within your turkey that dietician and nutrition service coordinator, isn’t visible to the naked eye. So, the safe method would be to thaw it in your refrig- Peace, Kauk has devoted her life to it. Though contamination through improper erator.” food preparation and storage is dangerous Kauk also noted that placement within year round, the holidays present heightened your frig is also important. Faith 5~ Goodall risks. “You will want to do this in perhaps your “From thawing large proteins such as tur- second refrigerator. My family has ours out keys and hams to traveling with prepared in the garage and it normally doesn’t have foods to eating our leftovers and a lot more, much food in it. If you do not have a second the potential for food-borne illnesses is huge refrigerator, then clean out the bottom row during December,” Kauk explained. “We want our holidays to be fun. Nobody wants on your main refrigerator and let the tur- key thaw there. You want to make sure that to wake up Christmas morning with salmo- there is no foods below it because the juices Carter Electric Kervin Orgain - Owner + 217 W. 12th, Elk City - License #01670 - 24 Hr Service nella, Taking a few simple and easy steps can from your thawing meat can end up on it. avoid all that.” It doesn’t take very much of that to make Commercial - Residential « Industrial « 580-225-2447/800-291-1515 "Christmas gives us an opportunity to pause Rental’s and Sales yy and reflect on the important 911 South Main St, Elk City ! things around us." 580-225-1400 a. oe PRESSURE CONTROL 723 S. Merritt Rd 580-225-6922