My mother saw a segment on Good Morning America saying we should all have a supply of non perishable food and water.  It has really upset her.  Does anyone know if this is true?
120969
"Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt recommended over the weekend that Americans start storing provisions such as canned tuna and powdered milk as the prospect of a bird flu outbreak approaches the United States." <http://www.worldmagblog.com/blog/archives/023196.html>  Actually he said to put it under your bed.\n\nA really good defense is to wash your hands frequently and always before touching your face.
444840
Well, dengue is a fad here. I noticed you put it in infectious but its not an infectious disease. Anyway, there is really no food to bring that back up, just tell them to eat healthy, hearty meals. They really can only put platelets, and its quite disturbing. Sometimes, people in severe stages need 10 bags but they live through, don't worry!
308160
True Story:   I stayed at home in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina, had plenty of supplies, food, water, cat food, etc.  There were 6 other people in my apartment building who also stayed.  3 of them were just as prepared as I, the other 3 had decided at the last minute to ride out the storm and thus had very little supplies.  When the flooding began, and we realized we were going to be stuck for a while, the 3 with no supplies immediately ate and drank all they had.  The other 3 kept to themselves and didn't share anything.  I took a hard look at what I had and decided it would be in my best interest to at least appear social, in case things got nasty later (these people were drug addicts with no drugs and becoming irate) so I gave them some of what I had and I pretended it was ALL I had.  I saw how they had been so wasteful with their own stuff.  I hoarded most of my food and water and never let them know just how much I did have.  Two days into the flood, they looted a bed and breakfast down the street, and they looted a pharmacy for drugs.  They shared the food from the B&B with me, because they thought I had shared my last with them.   After a week, I was forcibly evacuated onto a bus.  I carried with me the food I thought would be portable, crackers and tuna fish.  The other people on the bus had been removed from a hospital and hadn't eaten in three days.  I gave them everything I had, walked up and down the bus aisle in the dark, handing out crackers and holding out cans of tuna for people to dip into.  I'll never forget that trip.  So, to answer your question, the idea of charging money never entered my head.  My only concern was how long my supply would last.
353744
Has anyone ever considered what taxes are used for?  (besides padding the politicians wallets?)  Where do you think that the money for disaster relief comes from, where do you think the money for housing and food programs comes from, where do you think the money to pay for our emergency services comes from?  We all have a part in paying for those things.  And for those people that complain about having to take care of those that aren't able to do so for themselves at any point in time in their life.  I pray that you never find yourself in such an unfortunate situation.  So many have gotten there by no fault of their own.  There are doctors and lawyers and successful business people that were at the top of their game, but unfortunate circumstances - illnesses, natural catastrophes, etc have left them with nothing and trying to start their lives over again.  Don't be so quick to judge - someday someone just may be passing judgment on you.
310052
There is one major problem with those shows-this idea, after a few days, that they may starve to death and immediately need food (or especially protein).  These are healthy, well-fed people, and could easily survive weeks without any kind of food-I've gone about my normal business for 3 weeks at a time without any food, and had no ill effects whatsoever.  The human body stores an enormous amount of spare energy, even in relatively lean people- Especially the idea that a person would need *protein* in this limited period of time is ridiculous.  If a person watched these shows and then found themselves in a survival situation, they would become unnecesarily panicked about finding food, and may put themselves in danger searching desperately for anything edible.  As long as you have water, can stay warm (or cool-but if you have a water supply that's less important) and don't panic and injure yourself, the odds you will survive are extremely high, food or no food-you are more likely to get poisoning (even if its just making you vomit) or injure yourself trying to find food.  You are better off not eating than eating something bad-even vomiting can significantly dehydrate you, exhaust you, and make you even more panicky.
587205
I agree with you. On my way to work every day, I stop at a mini mart to get a morning paper and a Dr. Pepper. And every day, at 11am, there's guys-big strong strapping your fellows, buying their 40's and drinking them behind the store. What kind of person is already drinking at 11am on a Monday? \n\nWhen my hubby and I first got married, we ate PB&J on white bread and vienna sausages most days. I had a weekly grocery allowence of $50.00 for two people and two cats. One day while buying mac & cheese, I was behind two women buying ten live maine lobsters...with food stamps. You wanna talk about some body getting pissed off!?! I don't know who was more angry, the cashier or me. \n\nAnd for the record...my hubbs and I are not min wage earners. He is an electrician, I am a disc jockey. We work. Every one should. Even those with disabilities have SOME ability to contribute something. \n\nWelfare sucks.
556168
Now you've got me scared and for good reason too.\nWhat can we the consumer do about this anyway?\nIt's all up to us the consumer as our own government doesn't seem to give a hoot about what we eat or put on our skin or what we feed our beloved pets either.\nThis is as shameful as it can get and to think that no one cares to do anything about any of this is even more scary.\nI for one appreciate you bringing this to my attention now.\nWouldn't it be a wonderful world if our own government would research and define what's safe and not safe for us to eat and use?\nI would have never guessed that I had eaten road kill or worse or given my dog or cat that and worse. Everything listed is totally disgusting by any ones standards but unfortunately not our own governments, shame on them for not protecting us as we have trusted them to do so, shame on them!!!!\nAgain I thank you for bring this to my attention.
478881
Prissy, I am an American and I appreciate that you clarified your question because there is some truth in what you say.\n\nAs an American, I know that I was not spoiled growing up.  I do appreciate a lot of things and I'm sure many others do too.  There are some of this younger generation (my adult sons are included in this) that do not appreciate much and expect more than they actually deserve.  These are children who watch the exploits of television and young stars like Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie (who is anorexic, starving herself on purpose) and others.  They feel it is their right to have everything their heart desires.\n\nI grew up with six brothers and sisters.  My parents were not rich but we weren't poor, so we were taught the value of a dollar.  For Christmas, we were allowed two items and that was it.  We did not get name brands and it didn't bother us not to have what every child in the neighborhood had (we learned to be happy with what we had).\n\nWhen I went to Africa earlier this year, I saw people who did not have much and were content with that.  They did not set their eyes on "bigger and better."  They were thankful to God for the little they had - very humble people.\n\nI do wish we would bring back those values because at one time, we did have it.  I am tired of hearing people put Americans down as if we are the only country with these kinds of attitudes.  I think Prissy's question clarified more of a parental point and asking about standards.  \n\nSo for those who quickly point out how greedy and selfish Americans are, look in your own backyard.
208210
No they are not , because they use money givin to them to help fix building problems and thier own supplys to keep it running . And whatever is left might help some with gas , bills , $25 gift cards excetra . And when you go to get food they don't give enough for how many you have in your family , they make it very complicating to even get help , because of people who lie to get more have ruined it . But they ruined it because thier family was starving . I think that if rich people dug deep into thier own pockets , go door to door , or watch at grocery stores and watch the people around you , you can tell if a person is really is in need or not - take the time to turn and say QUIETLY  " I know you need more than that and I am able to help your family , no strings attached " I would start crying if someone said that to me , and I would take the help - other than going to a food bank . They don't even give food that goes with any of the food they have givin , but they expect you to make 3-4 meals for 5-8 people out of nothing but canned foods mostly . I could go on and on - sorry !
138639
I work in a salon w/all girls so I hear it all from: I lost my workout shoes, its that time of the month- so I need chocolate and junk, or - what sounds better that fruit cup or that cupcake(encouragement from another co-worker).  I don't have time to  eat good food in this profession so snacking on junk is what happens when you got 1 minute to stuff your face. Bathing suit season is still a couple months away. In one breath -my boyfriend bet me $50 if i get my body like Jessica Simpson in 6 weeks in another breath when the diet fails- guys like thicker girls anyway.
479257
You realize how grossly overpopulated China and Taiwan are, right...? Well, back then, they didn't exactly have a lot of money. Most were destitute families who had too many kids because they figured they'd get the extra hands for help. They obviously had to feed them, and that's where the importance on food is placed. They were always told to finish all their food... sometimes, they were told to not drink water at all so that they had enough room in their stomach for all the food. THEN, they could drink (what my mom told me... yes, I Asian if you can't tell from my avatar). Food wasted in that time was a really bad thing to them... and that's carried on for a long time, especially in places like China where there are still very poor people. \n\nYou may not get this because you grew up in the US (assuming) where you were adequately fed and didn't have to worry about such things. It may be unnecessary in your opinion, but for them, it was way different. \n\nBy the way, this whole placing importance on food is applicable mostly to the older generation, not usually the ones here. I was always fed properly, and I was born here, sooo...
491951
I just read in some ones Answers that it was illegal to feed the homeless in Fl. That is horrible I really am shocked Florida should not be allow to do that. I think Fl should be in trouble for that.
154623
I don't know what's available in your area, but in mine there are soup kitchens, shelters, outreach programs...  One of the churches here even provides the homeless with a directory of what's available, with hours of operation and what to expect when they go in.  There are a lot of people who are concerned with this issue.  If you look, you may be surprised to see how much is available.
416622
This goes into an interesting area.  There is a book out there called the Warrior Diet.  It talks of this very style of eating.  It can be healthy but you have to do it right.  This was basically the diet of natives and other hunter/gather societies.  Our bodies are probably more adapt at this diet then the crap we have forced into over the last 70 years.  I would change it up from apples to other nutritious fruits.  Read the Warrior Diet and get a better prospective.
23086
Just a little FYI.  ANY food that comes from plants, such as flour, corn(even canned) pancake mix, bread, etc. will have small traces of bugs in it.  Disgusting, I know, but this is mandated by the US FDA.  A certain percentage of bugs and debris are allowed into our food.  I don't remember what the percentage is right now, though.  I saw this on dateline a while back.
169091
I have heard her commercial.  Whenever I hear it, I must ask myself, If she is so sincere about helping people beat depression why does she make her set of tapes so expensive so the average person can not get them?  If she was such a "caring, compassionate person" Why does she not offer the program for free, or at least at a more reasonable cost.  \nI am currently dealing with a case of depression, and quite frankly, I think it would get worse if I shelled out all that money and it did not work.  \nYa know what, since I am also going through what you are currently going through, if you want to e-mail me and vent to a compassionate ear you can at jam961@yahoo.com\nI will not charge you a single penny, and who knows, it may do you some good to talk about your problems.
426165
They didn't have free lunches when I went to school.  When it did start it was a horrible embarrassment to admit you needed the help.  The requirements were much stricter then.  It was 1 meal.  Lunch.  Now they have breakfast too.  My mother worked in the cafeteria and was there through the changes.  She said more food is thrown out by the people getting the free food.  (Of course if it's as bad as it used to be I can't be too surprised. )  We all got the same thing.  There wasn't choices, or salad bars ,or fix your own taco day etc. There are people that need it and there are plenty just taking it because it's free.  I would never begrudge a child a meal so I'm glad they have the program.....I just hate to see it abused.