Daelyn Fortney's Blog

Quorn Turk'y Roast

2009-12-11T22:52:50Z

Tofurky isn't the only vegetarian turkey-substitute option for the holidays. Quorn Turk'y Roast is a meatless, soy-free product made from all natural ingredients. The roast is high in protein and has 77% less fat than roasted turkey breast. Its texture is remarkably similar to its meat counterpart. The 16oz vegetarian fare makes a perfect centerpiece for holiday meals.

Turk'y Roast cooking time varies between 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on if the roast has been defrosted or if it's being cooked frozen.

Quorn products are made with mycoprotein which is a nutritious and high protein member of the fungi family. It contains all 9 essential amino acids and is naturally low in fat.

Quorn has been sold in the UK since 1985 and is the number one selling meat free brand in Europe. The US was first introduced to the products in 2002. The items are vegetarian but not suitable for vegans.

Slaughterhouse workers fell ill from exposure to pig brain mist

2009-12-02T19:55:35Z

The Mayo Clinic Foundation has determined that 24 slaughterhouse workers who fell ill from 2006 to 2008 were experiencing an autoimmune response caused by the inhalation of pig brain tissue mist.

The study, published in the Lancet Neurology, found that all 24 workers who had worked near high powered air compressors used to extract brains from pig heads, developed polyradiculoneuropathy which is a painful inflammatory disorder affecting the peripheral nerves and the spine nerve roots. "The neurological disorder described is autoimmune in origin and is related to occupational exposure to multiple aerosolised porcine brain tissue antigens. The pattern of nerve involvement suggests vulnerability of nerve roots and terminals where the blood--nerve barrier is most permeable. "

Mayo Clinic neurologist James Dyck told Wired Magazine, "When you're breathing in pig brain tissue, your body develops an antibody against it. There's enough overlap between pig brains and human brains that it was a problem."

All of the patients have improved since being removed from the slaughterhouse environment and being treated at the Mayo Clinic. It was determined that other workers in the factory had antibodies in their systems indicating exposure to the aerosolized pig brains but did not develop any sickness.

In 2007, the factory shut down the pig brain processing center and no new cases of polyradiculoneuropathy have been reported. Read the whole story here.

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Vegetarians Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman star in Brothers

2009-12-02T01:07:46Z

Vegans Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman headline in Brothers, a movie about a complicated and unexpected love triangle. "When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home--with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family."

Tobey Maguire is best known for his role as Peter Parkman/Spider-Man in the Spider-Man movies. Maguire has been a vegetarian since 1992 and went all-out vegan last year. In recent months, Maguire penned a letter to Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi addressing his concerns about unhealthy school lunches. He encouraged Pelosi to add healthy lunch options to an upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. The actor writes, "My wife and I just had our second child, so this issue is tremendously important to us. Vegetarian school options are supported by the American Medical Association and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Let me ask you please to ensure the Child Nutrition Act provides more fruits, vegetables, and healthy vegetarian foods. Young people deserve healthful food, and I can't imagine a better investment in the future of our country."

Natalie Portman, who has been a vegetarian since childhood credits Jonathan Safran Foer's book Eating Animals for her recent decision to switch to the vegan diet and lifestyle. Portman writes in an article for The Huffington Post, "The human cost of factory farming -- both the compromised welfare of slaughterhouse workers and, even more, the environmental effects of the mass production of animals -- is staggering." She continues, "Factory farming of animals will be one of the things we look back on as a relic of a less-evolved age." The Academy Award nominated actress is best known for roles in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, The Professional, and Closer.

Brothers will be in movie theaters Friday, December 4 Read the whole story here.

Consumer Reports: Most chicken harbors harmful bacteria

2009-12-01T23:20:34Z

A new study released by Consumer Reports finds that most chicken "harbored salmonella and/or campylobacter, the leading bacterial causes of foodborne disease." The organization analyzed fresh whole broilers which were purchased in stores throughout the country. Two thirds of the broilers were found to be contaminated with dangerous bacteria.

The report reads, "Each year, salmonella and campylobacter from chicken and other food sources infect 3.4 million Americans, send 25,500 to hospitals, and kill about 500, according to estimates by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." Consumers are advised to be mindful when preparing raw chicken and cook the meat to at least 165° F.

This study is just another reminder that consumers need to be cautious when eating animal products. In addition to the recommended precautions noted by Consumer Reports, vegetarians and animal activists advise the complete removal of chicken from consumers' diets. Read the whole story here.