Health Tips for July 16

Health Tip: Keep Your Kitchen Clean

Proper food storage and preparation are important ways to prevent food-borne illness, as is keeping your kitchen germ-free.

Here are suggestions for a clean kitchen, courtesy of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:

* Each week, wash all sponges, dish rags and towels in the washing machine with hot water.
* Make sure all cooking utensils are clean before you use them, and wash them thoroughly immediately after cooking.
* Keep all kitchen counters and surfaces clean before and after preparing food. Clean them with a solution of one teaspoon of bleach to one quart of water.
* Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before working in the kitchen, especially when handling food.

Health Tip: Wash Fruits and Vegetables

While it's important to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables each day, it's also crucial to wash them before eating.

Here are some guidelines, courtesy of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension:

* Wash any raw fruit or vegetable before peeling, cutting, eating or cooking.
* Try a fruit and vegetable wash that is designed to remove bacteria and pesticides.
* Soak and wash produce in distilled water for one to two minutes.
* Use a vegetable brush to scrub any produce with a thick skin.
* Wash any produce that you grew yourself, or that was grown by someone else.
* Thoroughly wash your hands and any cutting or preparation surfaces before preparing fresh produce.