Looking for a White Christmas & Whole Foods Recall

Looking for a White Christmas & Whole Foods Recall plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

On this eve of Christmas Eve a lot of thoughts are of travel and of course the picture postcard image of a White Christmas. Meteorologist Brad Rippey says that half of the U.S. should get their wish.

RIPPEY: Snow covers already on the ground from the northwest and the northern plains on through much of the midwest and into the northeast, excluding coastal New England. And we expect to see some new snow on the 23rd and 24th stretching all the way from the midwest into the middle Atlantic states.

Whole Foods Market is recalling raw milk cheese over an outbreak of E. coli in Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Minnesota. Sally Jackson Cheeses, based in Oroville, Wash., is believed to have sickened eight people. Last week, the cheesemaker, which makes cheese out of raw milk from its own cows, goats and sheep, pulled all of its cheese off of the market. E. coli was found in at least one sample of Sally Jackson Cheeses. None was sold in its stores in Oregon though potentially contaminated cheese was distributed in the state. For 30 years the company has specialized in crafting raw milk cheese that are considered superior in taste to pasteurized cheese by certain foodies.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

It’s hard not to turn into Pat Benatar when out doing last minute Christmas shopping, you know, “hit me with your best shot”! But instead of setting my square jaw into a “don’t mess with me look“, I decided to try a different tact, smiling. Most people will smile back.  Others will completely ignore you, and some will look at you like you’ve gone round the bend. Whatever other people’s reaction, it does seem to take the edge off on a personal level. Some suggest treating yourself this time of year with a day of spa pampering to relieve stress. Of course the “relieve the stress” part goes right out the window when you get the bill. Lighting candles, playing Christmas music, and making homemade holiday goodies works well for some, or curling up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Besides smiling at other shoppers, I have found one of the best stress relievers for me is to take just a few minutes to watch the squirrels and chickadees race around the bird feeder in our backyard, watch my grandson play with the electric train set, or just relax on the deck, even though it’s covered in snow, and remind myself of what matters most, family and friends. So, smile everyone and Merry Christmas. 

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.