Slashfood

Is Roadkill Safe to Eat?

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 19th 2011 4:00PM

Several news sources have recently pondered, is roadkill safe to eat?

The answer? Well, sort of.

On the pro-roadkill eating side:
If an animal was recently killed but otherwise healthy, the meat is actually much fresher than what you might find in a grocery store, explained Steve Rinella of the Travel Channel's "The Wild Within" on HuffPost Food recently (see his video of finding and preparing raccoon roadkill, after the jump). Daniel Klein of "The Perennial Palate" has a similar philosophy in this video, in which he prepares venison tartare from a deer collected from the side of the road that was "still steaming."

Even PETA basically agrees with both men. The animal-rights group advises, "If people must eat animal carcasses, roadkill is a superior option to the neatly shrink-wrapped plastic packages of meat in the supermarket."

Most recently, Food Safety News interviewed several roadkill-eating enthusiasts and gathered that there are a few good general rules of thumb to follow, such as the fact that eating roadkill in the winter may be safer since the animal is essentially refrigerated upon its death. Rinella adds that for raccoons, when the blood has not yet coagulated and the hair is not oily, those are both good signs that the animal was recently killed and therefore okay to eat.

Filed under: Health & Medical, Online

Celebrate Earth Day at a National Earth Dinner Near You

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by Jessie Cacciola, Posted Apr 19th 2011 3:00PM

Photo: Earth Dinner

We're all for putting things into the ground on Earth Day (April 22), but we also really love eating what comes out of it. For the third consecutive year, non-profit Chefs Collaborative is hosting fundraising Earth Dinners on dates surrounding Earth Day, where chefs from 65 restaurants (and counting) across the country will serve up the best that our early spring harvest has to offer -- think ramps, fiddleheads, and all your regional in-season produce.

Proceeds will benefit the national chefs' network Chefs Collaborative, which works to build education around sustainable practices through events like this. What's more, dairy conglomerate Organic Valley is sponsoring the events and will be matching donations up to $10,000.

"Chefs in cities and towns across the country have really stepped up to the plate to hold delicious dinners in celebration of Earth Day -- and in particular, to put a spotlight on sustainable and organic choices," said Melissa Kogut, executive director of Chefs Collaborative, in a statement.

Filed under: Events, Eco-Friendly

Dukan Diet Book, A Celeb Smash, Hits U.S. Stores Today

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by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 19th 2011 2:00PM

The Dukan Diet Photo: Amazon

The Dukan Diet reportedly has Kate Middleton and J. Lo slenderizing. But is this high-protein, low-carb, four-phase diet really anything new? Calling Atkins and South Beach!

Now you can find out what all the hype is about. The English version of the decade-old French weight-loss bible The Dukan Diet: 2 Steps to Lose the Weight, 2 Steps to Keep It Off Forever, by French physician Pierre Dukan, MD, hits stores today, April 19.

Our friends over at Everyday Health asked nutritionist Kelly MacDonald, RD, to review the Dukan Diet, and lay out the pros and cons. Among them: "Though you may see rapid initial weight loss, it will mostly be from water and, later, from muscle mass. You'll also likely experience fatigue, moodiness, and other symptoms because the diet is so severely lacking in carbohydrates."

Click here for the whole Dukan Diet story from Everyday Health.

Filed under: Health & Medical, Celebrities

Organic Valley Accused of Violating Organic Egg Standards

COMMENTS 34

by Clare Leschin-Hoar, Posted Apr 19th 2011 1:00PM

Photo: Saul Loeb, AFP / Getty Images

Organic Valley, the nation's largest name-brand marketer of organic eggs, is being accused of misleading consumers about the living conditions of its California hens, and for violating federal organic standards, according to a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The bombshell was dropped by the California-based organic watchdog group Cornucopia Institute, which says the hens at the Petaluma Egg Farm were confined in screened "porches" and not allowed to forage naturally in pastures with direct sunlight.

"The federal organic standards clearly state that 'year-round access for all animals to the outdoors' is a requirement," says Mark Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst with the group in a release on their website.

The Cornucopia Institute has filed a legal complaint with the USDA over the matter. The current dust-up may be prompted by the USDA's National Organic Standards Board meeting scheduled for the end of April, where the board is expected to address whether "porches" meet the definition of access to the outdoors.

Filed under: Food News, Food Politics

Chocolate Seder: New Tradition or Bad Idea?

COMMENTS 1

by Jason Best, Posted Apr 19th 2011 12:00PM

chocolate milk at seder Photos: Getty Images

The Old Testament talks about a promised land filled with milk and honey. Apparently, they forgot about the M&Ms.

While in preparation for Passover, the most observant Jews will painstakingly remove all traces of leavened grain (chametz) from their homes (an ancient custom that commemorates their forebears' hasty flight -- they left so quick that they didn't have time to wait for the bread to rise). But one temple has gone in a pretty unorthodox direction. They've organized a "chocolate seder" for its youth group, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Gone are the regular staples of the traditional Passover meal, like matzo, parsley dipped in saltwater, and bitter herbs. Instead, the kids scarfed down green M&Ms and graham crackers slathered in marshmallow fluff after reciting an opening prayer: "Blessed art Thou, Eternal our God, Ruler of the Universe, creator of cocoa beans of the tree." Jugs of chocolate milk replaced the traditional wine.

"People get so caught up with the food and all the rules of what you are and aren't allowed to eat," the temple's rabbi, Amy Feder, told the Post-Dispatch. "What's neat about the chocolate is it's a reminder that the foods that we eat at Passover are symbols."

To which a ghost chorus of ancient elders replied: "Oy, vey!"

Filed under: Newspapers, Holidays

Taco Bell Meat Lawsuit Withdrawn

COMMENTS 5

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 19th 2011 11:00AM

Taco Bell Photo: soundman1024, Flickr

Remember the lawsuit filed against Taco Bell that claimed the fast-food giant's seasoned beef was, well, less than all beef? Turns out, the lawsuit's been dropped, reports the Associated Press.

Taco Bell always contended that the lawsuit was "absolutely wrong," the AP reports. And the company spent a total of $7 million dollars in advertising to drive the point home that their seasoned meat is 88% beef.

Guess it worked. Beasley Allen, the law firm that filed the suit, said the marketing and product disclosure that Taco Bell offered changed their minds, and they withdrew the suit. Apparently all they wanted was for chalupa-loving customers to know that 12% of the meat in their sandwich was beef-free.

Read the whole story at The Huffington Post.

Filed under: Chain Stores / Restaurants

Spice-Rubbed Brisket with Roasted Vegetables: Recipe of the Day

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by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 19th 2011 10:00AM

Spice-Rubbed Brisket with Roasted Carrots and Parsnips recipe Photo: New Media Publishing / Flat Art Studios.com

Whether you're celebrating a Passover Seder or just love tender, delicious meat, this brisket is a sure thing. KitchenDaily contributor Ruth Cousineau rubs the beef with a mixture of paprika, salt, cinnamon and pepper, and roasts it with parsnips and carrots for a hearty, fragrant meal.

Get the recipe for Spice-Rubbed Brisket with Roasted Carrots and Parsnips.

Get a menu and recipes for the World's Easiest Seder.

Filed under: Holidays, Recipes

How to Eat to Beat Seasonal Allergies

COMMENTS 2

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 18th 2011 5:00PM

allergies Photo: Getty Images

We're just as sick of spring allergies as the next guy. And we know how much your Claritin, your funky nasal spray, and the supreme gift to all allergy sufferers, antihistamine eye drops, mean to you. But also eliminating a few foods from your diet may make your allergy symptoms a lot less annoying.

Medical News Today offers solutions from Dr. Fred Pescatore, author of The Allergy and Asthma Cure, who says that the key to getting through allergy season is to reduce the inflammation in our bodies. That means, if you have a yeast or mold allergy, cut the aged cheeses and stick to low-yeast foods. Fight congestion during grass season by cutting back on dairy products and grains.

"Refined sugars, flours, and processed food all trigger inflammation, so steer clear of them," Dr. Pescatore says.

Filed under: Health & Medical