The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Top vegetarian restaurants in the nation

What are America’s best vegetarian restaurants? The Vegetarian Resource Group offers this list:

• Blind Faith Cafe, near Chicago

• The Chicago Diner

• Amitabul, Chicago

• Millennium, San Francisco

• Zen Palate, New York

• Candle 79, New York

• HanGawi Restaurant, New York

• New Harmony Vegetarian Restaurant, Philadelphia

• Singapore Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant, Philadelphia

• Kingdom of Vegetarians, Philadelphia

• Sublime Natural and Organic Restaurant and Bar, Fort Lauderdale

• Café Flora, Seattle

• Kaya’s Kitchen, New Jersey shore

• Twisted Tree Café, New Jersey

• Real Daily Food, Los Angeles

For information about vegetarian restaurants in your area, see the “Vegetarian Journal’s Guide to Natural Food Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.”

If you’d like to add your favorite vegetarian restaurant to the Vegetarian Resource Group’s listing, click here.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: Stork Craft drop-side cribs that can entrap and suffocate infants

More than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo, are being recalled by Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia.

The recall involves about 1.2 million cribs distributed in the United States and nearly 1 million in Canada.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges parents, grandparents, and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and don’t attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby.

Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side, the commission advises.

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break or deform, or parts can fall off. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts.

All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When detached, a space is created between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to suffocation.

Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

The commission, Health Canada, and Stork Craft are aware of 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the U.S. and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in death.

Included in these incidents are 20 falls from cribs; 12 in the U.S. and eight in Canada. Fall injuries ranged from concussion to bumps and bruises.

The recall involves drop-side cribs with plastic hardware, but doesn’t include cribs with metal rod drop-side hardware.

See the commission’s announcement for information on how to identify the recalled cribs.

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Major retailers in the U.S. and Canada sold the recalled cribs including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com. The cribs were sold from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

For additional information, contact Stork Craft toll-free at 877-274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com.

Class action lawsuits are being filed in Canada against Stork Craft Manufacturing, ConsumerAffairs.com reports in its article “Stork Craft Facing Wave of Lawsuits.” The article also discusses flaws in Canadian consumer protection laws exposed by the crib recall.

To learn about other recalls, visit www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

New breast cancer recommendations offer helpful advice to baby boomer women on what to do about breast cancer screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revised guidelines on breast cancer screening recommend against universal screening mammography for women aged 40 to 49, recommend every other year screening for women 50 to 74, rather than annual screening, and recommend against teaching breast self-examination.

I believe the new recommendations provide valuable information for baby boomer women as they access their breast cancer screening needs.

Among the groups that agree is the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
 
For over a decade, the coalition has had the position that over-emphasis on the importance of breast cancer screening, despite a lack of strong evidence, has been elevated to such a degree that some even equate screening with prevention.

The coalition hopes that the task force revised recommendations will put screening and its limitations into proper perspective.

"We hope that policy makers, the public, and the health care community will take the time to carefully analyze the basis of the revised recommendations,” said coalition President, Fran Visco in a statement in response to the task force’s recommendations. “Women have been given different messages for years, but unfortunately those messages were not based on strong evidence."

"Women deserve the truth even when it is complicated,” Visco added. “They can accept it."

Everyone deserves to know the facts and has the right to make informed decisions regarding their health care. The coalition encourages women to make informed decisions regarding screening based on the actual evidence.

To learn more about the myths and truths concerning breast cancer and screening, and to find out how to take action against this disease, visit the coalition’s StopBreastCancer.org.

The coalition is an organization working to ending breast cancer through grassroots action and advocacy.

The Breast Cancer Fund also has raised questions about radiation as being implicated in breast cancer causation. See the articles “Do Chemicals and Radiation Cause Breast Cancer?” and “Preventing Breast Cancer: 20 Risk Factors.”

The Breast Cancer Fund is an organization that works to identify – and advocate for elimination of – the environmental and other preventable causes of breast cancer.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What were your best and worst consumer experiences this week?

Which consumer happenings cheered you this week and which ones made you want to scream or weep?



Here are my best and worst consumer experiences this week:



My best consumer experience: Balancing my checkbook

My paycheck came in this week and so did my mortgage payment. I balanced my checkbook.

I sat down and paid my bills. Then I balanced my checkbook again.

There wasn’t much money left. A good thing to know to keep from getting overdraft charges.

I belong to a credit union and have an overdraft protection plan. The fee for checks is only $2, but I still want to avoid a series of those charges.

Many banks are hiking overdraft fees along with other fees and interest rates.

Some banks charge as much as $39 when customers overdraw their bank account by even a few dollars.

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My worst consumer experience: Trying to figure out Verizon’s cell phone offers

When I learned that my cell phone is on the high end of the scale in terms of the radiation it emits, I decided it’s time for a new cell phone. See the article “Are You Using a Cell Phone That Emits High Levels of Radiation?” for information about cell phone ratings by the Environmental Working Group.

I checked out the iPhones, and disappointedly, they’re also on the high end of the scale. Beside, if I bought an iPhone, I’d have to deal with AT&T.

Verizon has given me good service, so I’d like to stay with them.

When I saw I could get a Blackberry for free if I signed up a two-year Verizon contract, I was excited. And, more importantly, the BlackBerry in the ad was on the low end of the radiation emissions scale.

When I called Verizon, my hopes were dashed. You have to pay a $30 monthly charge for a data package if you get a BlackBerry. That would make my cell phone costs about $75 a month, which is too costly.

Verizon should certainly put this information in its ads. It felt like “bait and switch” advertising.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Journalist

A Veterans Day 2009 look at what veterans need

America has 23.2 million veterans. About 10.9 million of them are baby boomers.

On this day that we stop to remember the contributions of our service men and women, what’s being said about veterans and their needs on Veterans Day?

President Barack Obama said that there have been times in the past when America didn’t stand by its veterans. Obama pledged that this wouldn’t happen again:

That is my message to all veterans today. That is my message to all who serve in harm's way. To the husbands and wives back home doing the parenting of two. To the parents who watch their sons and daughters go off to war, and the children who wonder when mom and dad is coming home. To all our wounded warriors, and to the families who laid a loved one to rest. America will not let you down. We will take care of our own.

And to those who are serving in far-flung places today, when your tour ends, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you will be home in an America that is forever here for you just as you've been there for us. That is my promise – our nation's promise – to you.

Veterans for Common Sense, a veterans’ advocacy organization, said that today’s observance offers the opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health needs of service members, veterans, and families:

Of the two million U.S. service members deployed to the two war zones since 2001, researchers at Stanford University estimated 500,000 or more Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are likely to return home with mental health conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder…

As more and more service members deploy to war and redeploy home, the scope of the health care crisis among our veterans continues to worsen…

Our list of concerns included the need for more military mental health care providers, the need for universal, mandatory medical exams before and after going to war, and the need for a stronger anti-stigma message to encourage our soldiers and veterans to seek care.

An article in the Christian Science Monitor, “Veterans Day Highlights New Efforts to Help Homeless Vets,” said veterans have a high rate of homelessness:

An estimated 131,000 former members of the armed services are homeless – with vets twice as likely as non-vets to be out on the streets. With high unemployment a nationwide problem, vets face higher-than-average jobless rates as well.

New initiatives by President Obama, by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and by members of Congress focus on improving living standards for veterans.

On Veterans Day and throughout the year, we need to think through and take action on ways the federal government, local and state governments, veterans groups, community groups, foundations, religious organizations, educational institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and Americans citizens can improve the lives veterans.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist 

Leftover Halloween candy: What to do with it

Several people have asked me what to do about candy that didn’t get handed out at Halloween.

Here are my suggestions:

Return it to the store. If you have an unopened bag of candy and the receipt, most grocery stores will refund your money, if you return Halloween candy promptly.

Throw it out and make crafts with the wrappers. You and your family don’t need empty calories but more nutritious foods. See www.marthastewart.com/ for craft ideas.

Give it to a food bank. Low-income people don’t need empty calories either, but it might be better to have a few little candy bar bits than go hungry. Many food banks are short of food donations during the Great Recession.

Donate it. You may be able to find a doctor’s office, nursing home, or homeless shelter that will take it. Or find a dentist who is participating in Halloween Candy Buy Back program, which buys candy for $1 a pound and sends it to servicemen overseas.

Stash it and dole it out to the kids for treats. My daughter does this for her twins, now 5½. It works well. They eat surprise treats, a few a day, for a couple of months after Halloween.

Take it to work or send it with another family member to his or her workplace. At work, you usually can get rid of any type of leftover food.
 
Make cookies. You can create cookies with peanut butter cups, bake Baby Ruth Cookies, make s’mores, or put bits of chocolate bars in your favorite chocolate-ship cookie recipe.

Make other dishes. You can create biscuits filled with tootsie rolls, a Peanut Butter Crunch Milkshake, Snickers Smoothies, Hot Chocolate Peanut Butter Toast, Poached Pears With Chocolate Peanut Caramel Sauce, or Eggs on a Snowy Log.

Use it for art projects. You can make a make a mosaic with hard candy. Use stiff icing to stick the candies in.

Create decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Make a piñata for Thanksgiving or an Advent Calendar for Christmas.

Store it and use it later or next Halloween. The National Confectioners Association’s “How to Store Halloween Candy” offers the following information on candy storage:

Chocolate. Dark chocolate can be kept for one to two years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time – no more than eight to 10 months.

Hard candy such as lollipops, hard mints, and butterscotches. Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature in a cool, dry location.

Soft candies such as gum drops and jellied candies. If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be covered away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored in this manner, the candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging hasn’t been opened, soft sweets will last about 12 months.

Candy corn. If opened, candy corn should be stored under the same conditions as soft candies and will last about three to six months. Unopened, packages will last about nine months.

Good luck utilizing your stash of Halloween candy. Let me know your disposal method.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Flickr photo by Matt McGee

What are the most dangerous times to drive?

More than 40,000 people are killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes every year. That’s about 110 people daily throughout the nation.

Motor vehicle traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for all Americans between 2 and 34 years of age, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What times are the worst for traffic accidents?

Forbes magazine calculated the most dangerous times to drive using crash reports from the administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Study. Its researchers also examined studies from the University of California at Berkeley’s Traffic Safety Center.

Knowing when the most fatal traffic collisions occur can help consumers make decisions on when to stay off the roads.

Time of day also is important when considering traffic safety because other dangerous factors increase at night: drunk driving, speeding, and driving without a seat belt, the Forbes article reports.

Most dangerous times to drive:

• Daytime hours. An average of 6.6 people are killed between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., with another 6.6 killed between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. These are the highest daytime rates.

• At night. Midnight to 4 a.m. have the highest number of fatalities when calculated as a percentage of the amount of people on the road; 5.87 per 100 million people.

• Day of the Week. Saturday has the highest total number of fatalities, with an average of 158 each Saturday.

• Month. August had the most total deaths on the road in 2008 with a total of 3,612.

• Day of the year. July 4, Independence Day, is the most dangerous day of the year to drive. In 2007, 926 people were killed in auto accidents on July 4.

• Holiday weekend. Thanksgiving is the deadliest holiday weekend on the road, when daily totals are averaged over a several-day period around the holiday.

Other activities that can increase your risk of having a fatal traffic crash:

• Cell phone usage. Using a cell phone while driving nearly quadruples the risk of crashing.

• Speeding. In 2006, 32 percent of fatalities were directly related to speeding.

• Seatbelt unbuckled. Fifty-five percent of traffic fatalities in 2006 didn’t wear a seatbelt. Seventy-one percent of those fatalities occurred between midnight and 3 a.m.

• Driving drunk. More than 12,995 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2007. Alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was four times higher at night than during the day – 36 percent versus 9 percent.

• First day after a snowstorm. The first snowy day of the year is more dangerous for drivers than other snow days in terms of fatalities. Fatal accidents were 14 percent more likely on the first snowy day of the season compared with later ones.

Drive safely, especially with winter weather beginning to descend upon us.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Journalist

Facts and figures on Halloween 2009

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils, and hobgoblins.

Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. When I was young, we made costumes out things we had around the house. Pirates, gypsies, and ghosts were some of our creations. Sometimes, since we did a lot of sewing in those days, we’d make special costumes.

When my kids were young, boxed Halloween costumes began to appear. They were made of thin, cheap material, but they expanded the costume possibilities significantly.

About the same time, rubber masks that looked like famous people were being sold. I remember seeing the masks of presidents Carter and Reagan and being amused.

Today, costumes are better quality and cost more. And the types and kinds available are astounding.

This year, consumers plan to spend an average of $21 on costumes, which includes children’s and pets’ costumes, reports a National Retail Federation survey. They’ll also spend $18 on candy, $15 on decorations, and $3 on greeting cards.

In total, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56 on Halloween, down from $67 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion.

 Nearly one in three – 29.6 percent – consumers say the state of the U.S. economy will impact their Halloween spending plans.

Of those who will be affected, the largest majority – 88 percent – plans to spend less overall. Others say they'll be buying less candy – 46.5 percent; using last year’s decorations without buying new ones – 35.4 percent; making costumes instead of purchasing them – 16.8 percent; reusing last year’s costumes – 15.8 percent; and not participating in as many Halloween activities such as haunted houses or fall festivals – 26.4 percent.

Here are other facts and figures on Halloween 2009 from the U.S. Census Bureau

Trick or treat

36 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2008 – children 5 to 13 – across the United States. This number is up about 65,000 from a year earlier.

111.4 million


Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2008 – all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.

93%


Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood safe, according to a U.S. Census Bureau Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States survey. In addition, 78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night. 


Jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin pies

1.1 billion pounds

Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states in 2008. Illinois led the country by producing 496 million pounds of the vined, orange gourd. Pumpkin patches in California, Pennsylvania, and New York also provided lots of pumpkins: Each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $141 million.

Where to spend Halloween

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

• Transylvania County, N.C. – 30,187 residents

• Tombstone, Ariz. – population 1,566

• Pumpkin Center, N.C. – population 2,228

• Pumpkin Bend, Ark. – population 307

• Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. – 15,711 residents

• Cape Fear in Chatham County, N.C. – 1,170 residents

• Skull Creek, Neb. – population 271


Candy and costumes

1,233

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2007, employing 38,794 people, and shipping $13.2 billion worth of goods. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 143, followed by Pennsylvania, with 115.

466


Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionery products in 2007. These establishments employed 18,250 people and shipped $6.6 billion worth of goods that year. California led the nation in this category, with 70 establishments.

23.8 pounds


Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2008.

2,011


Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2007.

I hope Halloween 2009 is one of your best ever. Good luck in buying or creating a great costume, if you're going to a party or if you plan to entertain trick-or-treaters.

My next post will be on "What Do You Like to Serve for a Halloween Party."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are the top 10 risky foods regulated by the FDA?

Leafy greens, eggs, and tuna are on the top of a list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Those and seven other foods account for nearly 40 percent of all foodborne outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated food.

That's no reason to forgo salads, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which wrote a report on risky foods, nor pass up tomatoes, sprouts, and berries, even though those foods are also on the list.

But the consumer advocacy group says the presence of so many healthy foods on such a list is why the U.S. Senate should follow the House and pass legislation that reforms outdated food safety laws.

The FDA is responsible for regulating produce, seafood, egg, and dairy products, as well as packaged foods such as cookie dough and peanut butter – nearly 80 percent of the food supply.

More than 1,500 separate outbreaks were associated with the top 10 riskiest FDA-regulated foods, causing nearly 50,000 reported illnesses, reports CSPI. Since most foodborne illnesses are never reported, these outbreaks are only small part of a much larger problem.

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CSPI identified 363 outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce, romaine, spinach, and other leafy greens, contaminated with E. coli, Norovirus, or Salmonella, and causing 13,568 cases of illness. Manure, contaminated irrigation water, or poor handling practices are all possible culprits in those outbreaks, CSPI’s research shows.

The FDA doesn’t currently require farms and processors to have written food safety plans, nor does it provide specific safety standards for growers – even the largest companies – to meet.

Eggs were linked 352 outbreaks and 11,163 illnesses; tuna to 268 outbreaks and 2,341 cases of illness; and oysters to 132 outbreaks causing 3,409 illnesses. Outbreaks involving potatoes don’t often make headlines, but they’re linked to 108 outbreaks and 3,659 cases of illness. Cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts, and berries round out the top 10 list.

The data come from CSPI's Outbreak Alert! Database, which includes outbreaks from 1990 to 2006, using data collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources.

"As consumers, we don't have the power to check on these products," said Kathleen Chrismer, whose 9-year-old daughter Rylee Gustafson was hospitalized for a month after becoming seriously ill from eating spinach salad contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. "Without a better system to protect us, we are totally at the mercy of the next outbreak."

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Beware of ads with teeth-whitening claims

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely wary of pervasive online ads offering the promise of a whiter, brighter smile. 

The BBB has received a recent onslaught of complaints from consumers who thought they were signing up for a free trial of teeth whitening products but were repeatedly billed for products and services they didn’t want.

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The ads for teeth whiteners can be found on popular sites such as FoxNews.com, CNN.com, and ABCNews.com. The ads typically link consumers to phony blogs and fake news sites that are designed to look like impartial third party endorsements of the products. The phony endorsements then direct the consumer to a main Web site that claims the product sold is “As seen on” ABC, Forbes.com, CBS News, CNN, and USA Today – and includes the logos of these news outlets.

“From the complaints we’ve received, it’s obvious that many consumers are unfortunately letting their trust in respected news outlets influence their level of trust in the products being advertised on their Web sites,” said Steve Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

“While it may be true that advertisements for the teeth whiteners were placed on major news Web sites, reporters for USA Today or CNN did not write stories about the efficacy of the specific products being sold.”

The Web sites for various teeth whitening products claim to offer a no-risk, money back guarantee, free trial of the product. To sign up, customers must provide a credit or debit card number to cover shipping. 

Complainants to BBB state that they’re billed before their trial ends and continue to be billed after they have told the company they want to cancel. Complainants also may find mystery charges for other companies and services that they didn’t realize they were signing up for with their “free” trial.

BBB has identified several companies that are behind the teeth whitening ads and Web sites online including:

Dazzle White, White Smile, Teeth Smile, and Dazzle Smile – The BBB serving Edmonton has received 450 complaints in the last 12 months from consumers in 47 states, five Canadian provinces, and the United Kingdom, about Dazzle White, White Smile, Teeth Smile, and Dazzle Smile. Complainants report being billed as much as $79 for the free trial and are charged for several other services – such as a weight loss program.

Ivory White – The BBB serving Denver has received 611 complaints from consumers in 46 states. Complainants say they were charged as much as $78 a month for their free trial. Other related companies include Ortho White and Bella Brite, which are mounting complaints as well. All three companies have been asked to add more disclosure to their Web sites regarding the free trial offer. The BBB has not yet received a response to these requests.

Advanced Wellness Research – The BBB serving West Palm Beach has received thousands of complaints from consumers regarding Advanced Wellness Research’s acai berry supplements and has begun to receive complaints from consumers about their teeth whiteners sold under the names of Max White, My Whitening, Gleaming White Smile, and many others.

BBB offers the following advice to consumers on purchasing teeth whitening products online:

• Beware of supposed third-party endorsements. Be extremely cautious of any ad that links to a blog or Web site news articles. The blogs and supposed news articles were likely created by the company and aren’t the unbiased endorsement of real consumers or reporters.

• Always read the fine print. Many Web sites offering a free trial of a teeth-whitening product don’t disclose the billing terms and conditions or don’t have such details prominently displayed on their Web site. Before giving the company any credit or debit card information, review the Web site fully and be aware that free trials typically result in repeated billing.

• Check the company out with your BBB first.  Before signing up for any free trial, review the business’ Reliability Report™ online at www.bbb.org to see if the BBB has identified issues with the company.

• File a complaint with BBB if you feel you’ve been ripped off. Consumers who feel they are being deceived by a business selling teeth whitening products online can file a complaint with their BBB at www.bbb.org.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist