Because Sometimes Ky is Right

This just in: peanut butter actually can kill you. Maryanne had told me about Ky's fear of stale peanut butter and I immediately scoffed at it. (Maryanne is currently, annoyingly editing over my shoulder.) Then I researched it on the internet, the great repository of all knowledge, and found out about aflatoxin and aspergillus flavus. The first is a toxin that can be and usually is found in corn, peanuts and cotton seed crops. It does not kill you directly but is one of many carcinogens in our world. The latter is the mold that grows on these foods that can produce aflatoxin. It is invisible to the naked eye in small quantities and is always found in some measure in anything containing corn or peanuts.

So does this mean that we should immediately write our MPs demanding that peanut butter be banned or at least regulated? Well, no. You see ALL foods are already regulated and legislation already exists to limit the chance that your food will kill you. In the case of A. Flavus farmers and transportation officials have to ensure that peanuts and corn are stored and transported at a proper temperature and humidity that limits the growth of this mold. In addition to this, food is only be allowed to be sold for a certain period of time. (This is the whole "best before date" concept.)

What should be done then to limit your exposure to aflatoxin? Start by making sure that you store your peanuts and peanut butter in a dry, not overly humid cupboard (if you really want to you could even refrigerate them to further hamper the molds growth). Only buy what you will need in the short term. This is one of those things that you do not need to buy in enormous bulk amounts that will last for years. Although, even if you do you will likely be okay because there are things in life way may carcinogenic than aflatoxin and it should not be high on the avoid list. With that said though do not be to cavalier about it. In other words do not knowingly buy stale peanuts.

Well, there you go; Ky is right. You should avoid that old peanut butter that has been in your grandma's cupboard since you were wee tiny.

Computer Has a Bath

Bristish Columbia and my computers do not get along. You all remember that my first original "Compy" died by having spider babies laid in the power supply. Well, B.C. decided to give my new computer a bath by having winds upwards of 110 kmh drive rain around the seals on our window in the office. Yep the rain was coming around the window and dripping onto my new computer. Luckily I had shut the computer down for the day to do cleaning around the house and to enjoy the fabulous CBC Saturday Radio 1 programs. When I saw that my computer was having a bath I quickly unplugged the computer and moved it across the office to let it dry out. I checked it out today and made sure that everything was dry. It appears to be working.

In other news when I first logged onto the internet I saw that B.C. had set up a HUGE reserve of rain forest on the coast. This was seen as a good idea by everyone, including the forestry and mining industry the native communities, environmentalists, local communities and even the government. Yep miracles can happen. Also cool fact of the day is that Polar bears are not the only white bears. Apparently there is a species of Black Bear that is all white called a Kermode bear. This is the awesomest thing ever. I think this is my new favourite kind of bear.

Well I hope that you all enjoy the article on the bear and the new sanctuary as much as I did. I know that Shannon will appreciate it.