A Scoop of your Interest: October 2007

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Should The Government Tell The People What To Eat?

Roberto Carlos Alvarez-galloso

Since when did the Government have a right to dictate what to eat, drink, wear, or even smoke? At the present time, we are living in a federal republic, which is eroding into a communist state with trappings of a medieval absolute monarchy. Instead of a Thought Police or a Block Committee, the Television and the Government is there to dictate what should be eaten, worn, or how to live.

The State should withdraw from regulating what the citizen eats. It is the citizen and not the government that recognises what is convenient for the individual. If people want to eat healthy, that is their choice. If a person wants to gradually die from clogged arteries, clogged veins, and other diseases associated with eating unhealthy food that is his/her choice.

The State has no moral right to dictate what is good or bad, when students of public schools have meals that are anti nutritious and downright toxic. The same applies to astronauts in space or the member of the armed force serving in Korea, the Middle East, or any other place.

The individuals, and not the State, should be the protagonists of their health and their healthy relationship with their physician, nurse, and social worker, without the excess interference of a state that prides itself in gluttony (excessive taxes, excessive regulations, and excessive gossiping).

If the State cannot protect personal information, it cannot dictate food. If the State insists on passing repetitive laws on immigration with TPS (Temporary Protective Status), instead of obeying laws already in place (or reducing the duplicate, triplicate, quadruplicate laws), it has no right to dictate food.

In closing, the state reminds me of a Basque legend called Gargantua, which ate and ate until excessive obesity arrived. The cure became a great ball of flatulence and manure. The State in its present form will end up in a great ball of flatulence and manure, which would make the Kyoto Protocol cringe.

Five Most Expensive Junk Foods

Jessica Dickler
CNNMoney.com Staff Writer

With the finest ingredients and astronomical prices, these ordinarily 'cheap' eats are anything but.
1. Macaroni and cheese with white truffles

Price: $95

Kraft may be the cheesiest, but the macaroni and cheese at LA's Mélisse restaurant is definitely the priciest. That's because chef Josiah Citrin spares no expense grating a hefty portion of white truffles over his fresh tagliatelle, smothered in parmesan cheese and brown butter truffle froth.

This glorified version of the kids classic can't be found on the children's menu, or among the restaurant's standard fare for that matter. Mélisse only makes it available during the white truffle season, which is October through December.

2. Philly cheesesteak

Price: $100

It may not end the war between Geno's and Pat's but cheesesteak lovers will want to sample another local favorite, from the Philadelphia steakhouse Barclay Prime. In this upscale take on the classic, Kobe beef is substituted for top-round chuck and accompanied with butter poached lobster and shaved French black truffles.

As for the cheese, or "whiz wit," as they say in Philadelphia, that's melted Taleggio imported from Italy, a far cry from the standard provolone. The sandwich is served on a homemade brioche bun finished with house-made mustard, along with a small bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne.

3. The DB "Royale" double truffle burger

Price: $120

Celebrity chef Daniel Bouloud gave this all-American dish a fancy French makeover and a couture price tag. His version of the classic ground beef burger is stuffed with red wine-braised short ribs (off the bone), foie gras, a mix of root vegetables and preserved black truffle. Hold the ketchup though, the pièce de résistance is a double helping of fresh black truffles on top.

This burger, if you can call it that, is served on a homemade toasted parmesan and poppy seed bun with a touch of fresh horseradish, oven roasted tomato confit, fresh tomato, red onions and frisée lettuce. And, of course it comes with a side of French fries -- or pillows of pommes soufflé if you prefer.

Foodies should note that the Royale is only served at DB Bistro Moderne in New York City and at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie in Las Vegas during the black truffle season, which usually runs from late December through the end of March.

4. Golden Opulence sundae

Price: $1,000

First dates looking to impress or sweet-sixteens in search of something special strike gold, quite literally, at Serendipity 3, the legendary New York City eatery where celebs are often spotted. The restaurant's golden opulence sundae is covered in 23-carat edible gold leaf and is also rich in flavor thanks to Tahitian vanilla ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla beans and chunks of rare Chuao chocolate from Venezuela.

In lieu of Hershey's syrup and a maraschino cherry, this sundae is drizzled with one of the world's most expensive chocolates, from Amedei Porcelana, and then adorned with candied fruits, gold covered almonds, chocolate truffles and marzipan cherries.

The dish also features a dollop of sweet Grande Passion caviar served with a mother of pearl spoon and a gilded sugar flower. The whole shebang looks as good as it tastes, served in a Baccarat crystal goblet (yours to keep) with an 18-carat gold spoon (not included).

5. Nino's pizza with caviar

Price: $1,000

There's no pepperoni or mushrooms (not even of the truffle variety) on the world's most expensive pizza, but this personal 12-inch pie is topped with four different types of caviar, including black Russian Royal Sevruga, as well as thinly sliced lobster tail, creme fraiche and chives.

New York City restaurant owner Nino Selimaj began proffering this slice of heaven at his Italian namesake restaurant six months ago, and has since sold several of them at his Upper East Side establishment. Be sure to call ahead if you want to try one too.

France Ready For England During Saturday's World Cup Semi-Final

France will be at full strength for Saturday's World Cup semi-final against England at the Stade de France, team manager Jo Maso says.

The only player in the squad who is not fully fit is scrumhalf Pierre Mignoni but he will be before the end of the week, Maso told reporters at France's training camp outside Paris.

Mignoni, who missed Saturday's 20-18 quarter-final win over favourites New Zealand in Cardiff because of a torn right thigh muscle, is France's second choice at scrumhalf behind Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

Flanker Serge Betsen, who left the Cardiff pitch early in the first half after being knocked out, is able to resume training.

Prop Olivier Milloud, who was substituted at halftime on Saturday with a sore neck, will be back in training on Wednesday.

"It was a very physical match against New Zealand," Maso said. "The bodies are bruised but the souls are not. It's always easier to recuperate after a victory." Captain Raphael Ibanez confirmed France were ready to confront England.

"In training this morning I didn't hear a single player complain that he was tired or hurt," the hooker said.

France will name their team on Wednesday.

Your Child's Age Immunization He or She Should Have Received
Vaccine Type	Birth	2 Mo(s)	4 Mo(s)	6 Mo(s)	12 Mo(s)	15 Mo(s)	4-6 Yrs
Polio vaccine(OPV/IPV)		X (IPV)	X (IPV)	X	X* (OPV)		X (OPV)
Diphtheria TetanusAcellular Pertussis (DTaP)		X	X	X		X	X
Haemophilus InfluenzaeType b (Hib)		X	X	X		X
Hepatitis B(Hep B)	X	X		X
Measles/Mumps/Rubella(MMR)					X		X
Varicella (Chicken Pox) (VAR)					X*
* 12-18 months

Alternative Schedules for Hib and Hep B
Vaccine Type	Birth	2 Mo(s)	4 Mo(s)	6 Mo(s)	12 Mo(s)	15 Mo(s)	4-6 Yrs
Haemophilus InfluenzaeType b (PRP-OMP)		X	X		X
Hepatitis B(Hep B)		X	X	X**
** 6-18 months

Disease	When the Child Can Safely Return to the Center
Bacterial Meningitis	When the Health Department indicates it is safe.
Chicken Pox	One week after the rash begins, or when all chicken pox are scabbed over.
Diarrhea	When he or she no longer has diarrhea.
Shigella, Giardia, Campylobacter, Salmonella	When your physician or the Health Department says it is safe.
Diphtheria	When your physician tells you it is safe.
Hepatitis A	1 week after the illness begins.
Measles	5 days after the rash appears.
Mumps	After the swelling subsides (or 9 days after the swelling begins)
Pertussis (whooping cough)	4 week after intense coughing begins, or 5 days after antibiotic treatment begins.
Pneumonia or epiglottitis orinfectious acute arthritis	If not due to H-Flu, when your physician tells you it is safe.If due to H-Flu, when the Health Department tells you it is safe.
Rubella (German measles)	5 days after rash begins.

Yes	No	Questions to ask during your visit:
		Is the center licensed? All out of home day care programs for seven or more children under 6 years of age must be licensed by the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Day Care.
		Can you drop in to see your child without calling first? According to the City and State laws, parents must be able to see their children or take them out of the center at anytime.
		Do the director and group teachers have experience and training in child care? In order to best help the children learn and grow, the director and teaching staff of licensed centers must have special training and degrees in teaching young children.
		Is there enough staff to give the children the attention they need? There should be at least one teacher and one assistant for each group of 10 two year olds, 15 three year olds, 20 four year olds, and 25 five year olds.
		Is the staff available for parental conferences? The staff should keep parents informed about their children's progress and problems. Parents should have a chance to discuss the policies and operations of the center.
		Is there a variety of activities to help the children develop and learn? Children should be involved in different learning activities during the day, such as: playing with blocks, painting, cutting and pasting, drawing, coloring, molding with dough, storytelling dramatic play, music, outdoor play, etc.
		Does the center provide meals? All centers should provide time for a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Some centers also serve breakfast and lunch. If lunch and snack are not served, parents must provide home-packed lunches and snacks and the center must have a refrigerator for storing them.
		Do the children get a rest period during the day? Children attending full-day programs must have quiet, relaxed period of about one hour a day. The center must provide separate cots, cribs or mats for each child to rest.
		Are special health exams required for the children and staff? According to the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the center must require that children be up to date with their immunization and have regular health exams. The staff must have yearly health exams and TB test (PPD).
		Are sick children properly cared for? The center must give parents specific instructions about when a sick child must be kept at home. The center must have a plan for separating sick children from the other children until the parents can pick them up.

Yes	No	Things to look for during your visit:
		Is the current license posted where you can see it easily? Look for the date and the number and ages of the children the center is authorized to care for.
		Do the children seem to be enjoying the activities they are involved in?
		Is the staff warm and friendly to the children?
		Does the staff talk to the children with respect and listen to them with interest?
		Are the children permitted to express their feelings?
		Does the staff discipline the children in an appropriate way? If the staff "puts children down" in front of others, ridicules, spanks, or doesn't give meals as a way of disciplining, mark NO. And avoid the center!!
		Are there toys and equipment such as blocks, puzzles, books, clay, or musical instruments, that allow the children to learn and use their imagination?
		Do the classroom materials, books, and pictures include examples of the different ethnic and racial groups in the community?
		Is there an opportunity for the children to choose their own activities at some time during the day?
		Does the staff eat with the children? Do they encourage relaxed conversation during mealtime.
		Are weekly menus posted in the centers that serve meals? Are fruit and vegetables, bread, milk, and meat, fish, chicken, or cheese served daily?
		Are the toys and other play equipment clean, in good repair, and within easy reach of the children?
		Is there enough space indoors and outdoors for the children to move freely and safely?
		Are the children supervised at all times both indoors and outdoors?
		Do the windows have window guards on them?
		Are emergency numbers of the following agencies posted near the telephone: Fire Department, local police precinct, Poison Control, local hospital, Child Abuse Registry, and Health Department?
		Does the center have good air circulation and is it at a comfortable temperature for the children?
		Are all child care areas at the center free of cigarette smoke?
		Is the center clean and uncluttered? Check the classrooms, toilets, kitchen, backyard, etc.
		Are the walls, furniture, and equipment free of peeling paint and other safety hazards?
		Is there at least one toilet and one sink for every fifteen children?
		Are there separate toilet facilities for adults?

A Scoop of your Interest

Outrageously Hilarious Funny Costumes

Parents, Stop The Spread Of Diseases In Your Child's Daycare

How do diseases spread?

To prevent disease and plan ahead:

How To Choose A Licensed Day Care Program for Your Kids

Start your search early:

Compare your choices:

Make a decision:

Should The Government Tell The People What To Eat?

Five Most Expensive Junk Foods

France Ready For England During Saturday's World Cup Semi-Final

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