Banquet Pot Pies (Warning)

On Oct. 10, 2007 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) discovered that the Banquet Pot Pies with the code "P-9" on the side of the box was causing salmonella.

Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most people recover within a week without treatment, but serious complications can occur. Infants, elders, and people with weak immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from salmonella.

The USDA, CDC, and state health officials are investigating at least 139 cases of salmonella in 30 states that were reported this year and that may be related to the pot pies. At least 20 people have been hospitalized in connection with the outbreak, according to the CDC.

ConAgra, the manufacturer of the pot pies, is cooperating with the investigation. The company reminds consumers to cook the pot pies thoroughly as instructed on the packages.

"The cooking instructions for these products are specifically designed to eliminate the presence of common pathogens found in many uncooked products," ConAgra states in a news release.

So far, health officials haven't proven that the pot pies caused the salmonella cases. But based on interviews comparing foods eaten by patients and people without salmonella, the CDC calls the pot pies "the likely source" of the illness.

It's not clear from the USDA's report whether the people who ate those pot pies and fell ill cooked the pot pies thoroughly. The Missouri plant where the pot pies were made has voluntarily halted its operations because of the reported illnesses.

Japanese Create Transluscent Frog

Japanese researchers have succeeded in creating see-through frogs. They have created these frogs to observe blood vessels and eggs, organs, underneath the skin so that people do not have to perform dissections.

“You can see through the skin how organs grow, how cancer starts and develops,” said the lead researcher Masayuki Sumida, professor at the Institute for Amphibian Biology of state-run Hiroshima University.

“You can watch organs of the same frog over its entire life as you don’t have to dissect it. The researcher can also observe how toxins affect bones, livers and other organs at lower costs,” he told AFP.

This is just absolutely amazing! What will they come out with next? Is it just me or does it seem sort of scary in a way? This is just awesome though, it is hard to believe that this frog is actually living. Such an incredible creation.

IMVU

IMVU is another 3D chat community that has a really cool 3D world. You start off by making a screen name and then picking which room best suits your style. After you have everything set up you can go to the online store for IMVU. The online store is listed on your IMVU chat box as the "IMVU Catalog." From there you will see that you have 1,500 of what they call promo credits. They will give you up to 6,000 promo credits. Although, when you first start IMVU you will receive only 1,500 promo credits unless you chat everyday. If you decide to chat everyday, they will give you credits afterwards, then you will have up to 6,000 promo credits. The only way to have credits after your promo credits would be to earn them or buy them with a credit, debit, or paypal card. They will also let you pay for credits by using money orders or checks. In my opinion, I do not care too much for having to buy anything for a 3D avatar, but maybe that is just me. I just prefer earning them. If you sign up with IMVU, they will show you how to earn promo credits. I think that IMVU is alot of fun though and you may think so too. There are several fun things you can do on IMVU. They have a 3D world very similar from what I was explaining on my previous blog ZWINKY <--- They have a place called Buck Stars Coffee Shop, lol. I think that is funny because it looks just like Star Bucks but the names are backwards.

Another cool spot on IMVU is the Ferris Wheel. It is like actually being on a real Ferris Wheel. I hope that this blog has been helpful for those of you that will consider giving IMVU a chance. If you want an IMVU account then just click the pic. up above with my invite and we can chat sometime.

I have got to have one of these!

Well, it all comes down to this. I have to have one of these new Apple iPhones! The Apple iPhone is not just your regular everyday cellular phone. It is so much bigger and better than any phone I have ever seen or heard about. (click here to get an Apple iPhone.)

The Apple iPhone is a camera, music player, video player, internet browser, and phone! in other words, the Apple iPhone is a bad mama jama! It is very slim and sleek at just 11.6mm thick, 2.4-inches wide, and 4.5-inches tall.

The Apple iPhone is a widescreen iPod that features touch screen controls that allow you to enjoy all your content, including audiobooks, music, TV shows, and movies. You can select and listen to voicemail messages in whatever order you want — just like emails, this phone rocks!

Although, Apple iPhones are only available on Cingular and the prices range from $499 for the 4 GB version and $599 for the 8GB version. But, still these phones rock my socks, I have to get one of them one day!

Mirena

Mirena is an estrogen-free intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) that delivers small amounts of hormone directly to the uterus. Mirena is a tiny T-shaped piece of plastic that is placed into the uterus by your health care professional. Once Mirena is in place, it begins to slowly release small amounts of the hormone levonorgestrel into your uterus.

Mirena is 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 5 years (or less, if you choose). It Provides lower and steadier hormones than the pill, and it won’t cause significant weight gain, YAY! Mirena may also help shorten, lighten or even eliminate periods, and that is another YAY!
Mirena is easily removed with quick return to fertility.

Ok, I know you all are wondering if it's safe to use Mirena. Candidates for Mirena have had children, and are in stable relationships. There has not been a risk or history of having ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory disease. Mirena does not protect against HIV or STD's. Ovarian cysts may occur, and then typically disappear. Mirena had also been FDA approved.

Zwinky

Today's subject is going to be about the online chat world called Zwinky. Zwinky is a 3D community where you can meet new people, dress up your avatar, and even have fashion shows. Although, you have to have zbucks to buy all the Zwinky goods. Zbucks are made by playing games throughout Zwinktopia. Playing games will also build up your zchievements. Zchievements are what you need to unlock all the locked clothes and accessories. You need exactly 2,000 zchievements to unlock all the items. After you unlock all the items you can wear any of the clothes that are in your wardrobe.


Now I will move along to the frequently asked questions. Alot of people ask about the secret room on Zwinky. This secret room is called "The Safety Room." and it is located on the Zwinktopia map as a red and white life saver. When you click on it, it will ask you for the password. The password is "zafety." When you go into the room you can watch the safety video. The video and links in the room are very helpful.


Another really cool feature that is new on Zwinky are the Dorm Rooms. The Dorm Rooms are your very own chat rooms that you can have all your friends come to and have parties or just to sit around and chat. You can make your room private for when you don't want your friends inviting their friends to your room. You can also have it open to everyone for when you would like to meet all kinds of new people. The dorm rooms cost a little over 1,000 zbucks. When you purchase your room it wil already have a bed, table, and a couple of other things that I cannot remember right now, lol.


Well, I hope that I have been helpful, and if you decide to make a Zwinky after reading this blog then I am sadistic_marshmello. Come find me if you need any more help.

What is a troll?

Trolls are said to have descended from the giants of ancient Norse history. They are sometimes considered to be harmful and mean to humans, but most people consider them more funny and mischievous than they are evil. In fact, troll stories are used most often to entertain and amuse children rather than scare them. Trolls are said to be especially friendly to children.

Trolls are very large and equally ugly. They live in the cavities of rocks and trees and in caves. They have large feet and a keen sense of hearing and smell, which is important as they have very poor eyesight. They have tough skin and a lot of hair. They also have tails. Trolls are extremely strong yet lacking greatly in intelligence. Still, they can be conniving tricksters, and are always looking for ways to get food or shiny gold and jewels from humans.

Many times, however, trolls are caught in their own traps. Yet it is not easy to kill a troll. One story goes that if a troll comes to eat you, you must offer to feed him a lot of food first. Then, when the troll isn't looking, you put a backpack on your stomach. When you sit down to eat, you take a knife and cut a hole in the backback and shovel food into it. Tell the troll that he would be able to get food to his stomach faster if he cuts a hole in it like you did. That will be the end of that troll! It has also been said that trolls can be driven or destroyed by the mention of the name of Christ or by the symbol of the cross.

In the folklore of trolls, the humans always seem to come out on top. This may be a method of showing how capable and smart man is. Trolls are also used to explain how something came to be. For example, trolls hate the noise of church bells and are said to cast big boulders at churches. But their aim is so bad that they never hit their target. Trolls may also turn into stone if they are caught in the sunlight. These are used to explain solitary rocks in clearings.

Trolls live in harmony with and even protect nature (hence their dislike of humans). They live with their extended families and work and play together. They horde gold and jewels because they enjoy the look of them.

Grumpy or otherwise disagreeable people are often labelled as trolls, and children may also be referred as such, in a more playful manner.

Troll stories and songs are passed down from one generation to the next, and have not only survived but thrived as a part of Scandinavian folklore. Sculptures and dolls are made and sold throughout the world. Trolls are a part of folklore that is truly treasured and appreciated by its people.

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