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News Flash: Raw Cookie Dough Really Isn’t Safe To Eat

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raw cookie dough

Almost everyone has eaten raw cookie dough at some point in their lives. Although we’ve been told it isn’t safe, many of us roll our eyes and give it a taste anyway. However, many people don’t realize munchie raw dough could cost you your life.

CDC: Raw Cookie Dough Can Be Deadly

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention use the holiday season every year to remind bakers and the like that eating cookie dough isn’t safe. Tasting any kind of unbaked product can make you sick.

A relatively surprising number of recalls have been made recently due to salmonella contamination. It is important to remember that cookie dough is subject to this type of bacteria as well. Flour used in cookie dough can contain bacteria and raw eggs can potentially carry salmonella.

Bacteria in Flour?

There has been no flour recalls this year because flour is a raw agricultural product, to begin with. This means the flour hasn’t been treated for any germs (like E. coli). Some harmful germs contaminate the flour while it is still in its grain form and it eliminated when it is cooked. The CDC cited a 2016 outbreak of E. coli linked to ingesting raw flour that made 63 people sick.

Because flour has a long shelf-life, it is possible you may have some of this flour, which has since been recalled, still in your pantry. It was sold under the Gold Medal, Gold Medal Wondra, and Signature Kitchens brand names. Check your flours and throw away any recalled products before baking this season. If you have stored flour in a container and threw away the package, it is a good idea to throw it out just to be safe. Then wash the container with soap before storing new flour in it.

Safely Handling Cookie Dough

Even though it is tempting, munching raw dough is a huge no-no, according to the CDC. Here are a few tips from the agency on safely handling raw cookie dough.

  • Do not taste any form of raw dough (cookies, tortillas, pizza, biscuits, etc.)
  • It isn’t a good idea to let kids play with or eat raw dough.
  • Bake off all dough before eating and follow the recipe or packaging for proper temperature and cook times.
  • Make sure you clean up thoroughly after handling raw dough. Deep clean the bowls, utensils, countertops, and other surfaces. Then wash your hands thoroughly before doing anything else.
  • Do not make milkshakes that contain raw flour or raw cookie dough. *
  • Always keep raw foods away from already-cooked or ready-to-eat food.
  • Refrigerate any products containing raw dough or eggs until they’ve been cooked.

* Ice cream containing cookie dough sold in stores has been treated to kill any harmful bacteria.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

If you’ve already tasted some raw cookie dough this season – don’t worry. You’ll probably be fine but it isn’t a recommended practice. If you think you may have contracted a sickness from it, you will likely know within four days.

E. coli food poisoning symptoms may vary from person-to-person. Generally, they include severing stomach cramps, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and vomiting. These symptoms are usually seen within three to four days after swallowing the contaminated food. Recovery time usually takes about a week but, in some cases, people develop a serious type of kidney failure that can lead to death.

Salmonella food poisoning shows up a bit sooner (six to 48 hours after swallowing the contaminated food). Most people experience diarrhea, fever, and cramps. Usually, people are able to recover within seven days without any type of medication or treatment. Both of these types of food poisoning can be especially serious in older adults, infants, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

To ensure this doesn’t happen to you or your family, simply skip out on eating raw cookie dough, scraping the bowl clean, or anything like that. It is best to wait until your holiday treats are fully cooked before giving them a taste.

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Coping Techniques That Are Actually Adding To Your Holiday Stress

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holiday stress

The average adult in the United States is expected to spend $885 on Christmas this year. Many people begin to feel the financial impact and stress of the holiday season right around this time of year. However, many folks are trying to cope with holiday stress in ways that actually make it worse.

Unhealthy Coping Techniques

Being stressed out during the holidays is inevitable for some. Between finding the perfect gift, sticking to a budget, and trying to remain in the holiday spirit, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Because of this, many people head straight towards coping techniques to manage the stress of the season. However, some of the most popular coping techniques are actually adding to your holiday stress.

  1. Having a drink before bed. Plenty of people have a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage before bed. Although this can help you wind down, it will also disrupt REM sleep. To get the best night’s sleep possible, skip the booze.
  2. Binging on carbs. The holidays are typically full of good, carby foods. Loading up on these foods will cause energy crashes and add to your holiday stress more than you know.
  3. Don’t skip the gym! Many people find the hustle-and-bustle of the holiday season a good reason to skip their regular workout routine. Working out will help naturally boost your energy levels and it is a great way to beat stress. Skipping it will actually make you feel less energized.
  4. Stopping for an extra coffee. Too much caffeine will always leave you feeling drained and, when accompanied by stress, it can make you feel really sick.
  5. Making everyone else a priority. Although the holiday season is usually about finding gifts for others and lending a helping hand, you can’t make everyone else top priority all the time. It is important to continue practicing self-care and considering your needs.
  6. Don’t overschedule yourself. FOMO (fear of missing out) often leads people to overscheduling themselves during the holiday season. However, scheduling yourself for too many events will only add to your stress.
  7. Stop trying to catch up on your sleep on the weekends. You need to get regular sleep every night. Don’t try to run all of your errands and catch up on sleep on the weekends. This irregular sleep pattern will make you feel lethargic.
  8. Trim your social media use down. It is easy to fall into a comparison trap when you are scrolling through social media, especially during the holiday season. Instead, unplug for a little while and spend quality time with the people that mean most to you.

Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

Instead of hitting up these harmful coping techniques, consider doing one of the following to battle your holiday stress.

  1. Spend some time outside. It is easy to spend every day inside during the holiday season, especially if you live in a colder area. Bundling up and going out for a walk can be great for your mental health. Be sure that if you’re not able to soak up some sunshine you should take a Vitamin D supplement.
  2. Add some citrus into your life. Citrus smells can help combat stress, anxiety, and depression. Put an orange or lemon essential oil into a diffuser in your home and you’ll start noticing a difference in your overall mood.
  3. Stick to a routine. Don’t let the holidays throw off your regular routine. Stick to some parts of your day, like waking up at the same time, hitting the gym, and what time you eat. Having this basic routine will help you find some normality during the busy time of year.
  4. Get regular exercise. If it’s too cold to get outside for a walk, schedule some time to go to a workout class with friends or hit the gym. Working out is one of the best natural ways to beat stress.
  5. Take some time for yourself. The holiday season is typically about other people so it is easy to let your personal needs go under the radar. The best gift you can give yourself this year is maintaining your self-care throughout the holidays.

Lastly, remember that the holiday season is about spending time with one another. The best present you can give someone is your presence. Don’t let your finances stop you from having a happy holiday season.

Readers, how do you cope with holiday stress?

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Alcohol Is Killing More People Than Opioids

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alcohol is killing more

Alcohol is killing more adults in the United States than the opioid epidemic, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. The surge in alcohol-related deaths is new and, for many, it is surprising.

Deaths From Drinking

The opioid epidemic has gotten quite a bit of news coverage. However, it turns out the drinking epidemic may be more harmful to the U.S. population. Opioids kill around 72,000 people each year. Alcohol kills 88,000. All in all, drinking leads to 2.5 million years of potential life lost.

Over the past decade, the number of alcohol-related deaths has increased by 35 percent. Surprisingly, the demographic being affected by the alcohol epidemic is young women. Among this group, alcohol-related deaths rose by 67 percent, compared to only 27 percent for men.

Alcohol Is Killing More Women

The National Institute on Alcohol and Abuse and Alcoholism says women are more susceptible to these types of deaths because they generally weigh less than men. This makes women feel the effects of alcohol faster and those who drink excessively are prone to liver damage, heart disease, breast cancer, and possible pregnancy complications.

The Institute has also found that 9.3 percent of women said they drank alcohol while pregnant. Another 51.1. percent drank alcohol in general, compared to 61.3 percent of men. Twenty-two percent of those surveyed said they engaged in binge drinking in the past month, compared to 32.1 percent of men. Only 5.4 percent of female drinkers and 7.4 percent of men received help for an alcohol disorder.

Researchers did have some good news to uncover in the report though. Overall, teen drinking deaths are on the decline (down 16 percent in 10 years). However, deaths attributed to drinking for people between the ages of 45 and 64 have increased by 25 percent.

Who Cares?

Although it seems like women are drinking less than men, overall, they are still experiencing a higher rate of mortality associated with drinking. It is important to note that most of the alcohol deaths included in the report are not instantaneous. Many of them develop over time.

Location is also a factor. At the top of the list for most alcohol deaths is the District of Columbia, followed by Georgia and Alabama. Other states on the list are general places with lower alcohol control policies (Nevada, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Wyoming).

The bigger question here is, with alcohol-related deaths on the rise, why do Americans still feel that drinking in excess is acceptable? Psychologist Benjamin Miller noted, “Culturally, we’ve made it acceptable to drink but not to go out and shoot up heroin,” he said. “A lot of people will read this and say ‘What’s the problem?’”

Readers, what do you think about the latest report? Are you surprised alcohol-related deaths are on the rise?

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Here’s How To Get Help With Your Medical Bills

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places that help with bills

About 26 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 struggle to pay their medical bills. That is 52 million people who don’t know how they will cover the costs of simply maintaining their health. If you feel like you’re drowning in your medical debt, there are places that help with bills. Let’s take a look.

Places That Help With Bills

Searching for places that will help you pay your medical bills is easier than you’d think. In fact, there are usually quite a few local organizations that will be happy to help you back on your feet. Some will even provide personal financial counseling to ensure you don’t find yourself up to your neck in debt again. Below are a few places you may want to reach out to if you’re having trouble keeping up with medical bills.

Churches

Local churches are known to help people out with just about anything. They will often lend a helping hand with housing, transportation, food, and, on occasion, they will also help you pay medical debt. This usually only applies if you attend the church regularly. However, if you know someone within the church, it is possible to receive some help that way too.

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Not every city has a Crisis Assistance Ministry. However, if your city does, it’s one of the few places that help with bills. Crisis Assistance doesn’t just help you pay bills either. They help you get back on track by providing counseling to ensure that once you have recovered, you don’t end up in the position again. On top of helping with medical bills, they also help with food, transportation, and housing, as well as job placement.

Government Assistance

There are some government programs that can assist you in paying your medical bills. The U.S. government has programs to assist with paying utilities, prescriptions, and telephones. It is important to note, however, that you will need to meet certain criteria to receive this assistance. In most cases, you need to have income 135 percent or less than the federal poverty guidelines.

Salvation Army

Helping meet basic needs is the entire goal behind the Salvation Army. Although they may not be able to help pay your bills in every instance, they are a great organization to reach out to if you are in need.

Local Action Agencies

Most of these are small non-profit organizations that help with paying different bills, food, and basic necessities. These are often like Crisis Assistance or similar organizations. Search for non-profits in your area to see what may be available.

The 2-1-1 Program

United Way offers a 2-1-1 program that helps individuals locate the help they need in their immediate area. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about the 2-1-1 program here.

Final Thoughts

Each of the organizations listed above are places that help with bills, food, transportation, housing, rehabilitation, and more. If you’re ever in need, don’t feel like you are alone. These organizations were put in place to help YOU (and others) when you’re in need. Don’t hesitate to get assistance.

If you’re looking for some additional suggestions and personal finance advice, head on over to the Saving Advice forums. 

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164 Sick, One Dead in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Turkey

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salmonella outbreak

Federal health officials reported the first death linked to a salmonella outbreak considered to be linked to raw turkey. With Thanksgiving approaching, many people will be buying turkeys. Here’s what you need to know about the salmonella outbreak and how it may impact your Turkey Day celebration.

164 Sick, One Dead

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the death on Thursday morning. The individual was in California but no other immediate details have been made public. The California Department of Public Health has not yet responded to inquiries about the death either.

Outside of this tragic loss, 164 other people have fallen ill with salmonella poisoning across 35 states since last November. That’s right – the salmonella outbreak has been occurring over the past year, with the most recent case having been reported on October 20.

Tracking the Salmonella Outbreak

At this time, no products have been recalled. No single supplier has been identified as the source of the outbreak. The only place the salmonella has been found is in live turkeys, ground turkey, turkey patties, and raw turkey pet food.

CDC officials also haven’t announced any recommendation to avoid turkey. However, the agency points out that the outbreak is widespread and ongoing. “We are still seeing new illnesses being reported on a weekly basis,” Colin Basler, an epidemiologist with the CDC, pointed out.

There is generally some lag time in between when a person falls ill and when the sickness gets reported. So, it is possible even more people have been impacted.

Cooking Your Turkey Properly

Before you call off your turkey dinner, you don’t have anything to worry about! CDC officials simply reminded everyone to properly cook and handle your Thanksgiving turkey. The internal temperature of your turkey needs to reach 165°F before it can be safely consumed.  You should also wash your hands and counters after raw turkey meat has touched them.

Salmonella isn’t only found in raw meat though. In fact, it can be found in a variety of different foods. Salmonella causes about 1.2 million illnesses each year and the illness is more likely to be deadly in the elderly and infants. According to the CDC, symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Salmonella poisoning can last up to seven days.

Photo: Ivy Dawned

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Don’t Miss Your Chance! Here Are the New Open Enrollment Dates

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Open enrollment dates

Although the individual mandate for health insurance has been repealed, many people will still seek coverage through the government’s website. Here is what you need to know about enrolling and open enrollment dates for 2019.

The End of the Obamacare Mandate

Before you read on, you should know there is no longer a tax penalty for not having health insurance. This year (2018) is the last year you are required to hold insurance.

The Affordable Care Act forced individuals who did not have health insurance to pay a tax penalty of $695 per adult or 2.5% of their household income, whichever figure is higher. In many cases, paying this fine was cheaper than enrolling in the government-mandated healthcare plan.

Even though President Trump and his administration managed to get rid of the harsh mandate, many people are still awaiting open enrollment. This period allows them to make changes to their current coverage or find new insurance for 2019.

About Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is essentially a period of time each year when you can sign up for health insurance or make changes to your current coverage. If you miss open enrollment you won’t be able to make any changes or get coverage until next year. This enrollment period is in place for the following types of coverage.

  • Individual market health insurance
  • Job-based health insurance
  • Medicare

You can usually review, change, and start these three types of health insurance during the open enrollment period. However, it should be noted that you can change or start job-based health insurance at any time throughout the year.

The enrollment period does NOT apply to the following types of health insurance.

  • CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
  • Medicaid
  • Short-term health insurance
  • Supplemental insurance
  • Travel insurance

These types of coverage are generally available all year long and are not subject to the open enrollment window.

Open Enrollment Dates by State

Medicare recipients have a different open enrollment period than those enrolling for individual coverage. Those receiving Medicare can make changes or enroll from October 15 through December 7, 2018.

For the most part, open enrollment in the United States is available from November 1, 2018, until December 15 for individual coverage. However, some states have extended enrollment periods. View the open enrollment dates for your state below.

State Open Enrollment Period for 2019
Alabama November 1, 2018, through December 15
Alaska November 1, 2018, through December 15
Arizona November 1, 2018, through December 15
Arkansas November 1, 201,8 through December 15
California October 15, 2018, through January 15, 2019
Colorado  November 1, 2018, through January 15, 2019
Connecticut November 1, 2018, through December 15
Delaware November 1, 2018, through December 15
Florida November 1, 2018, through December 15
Georgia November 1, 2018, through December 15
Hawaii November 1, 2018, through December 15
Idaho November 1, 2018, through December 15
Illinois November 1, 2018, through December 15
Indiana November 1, 2018, through December 15
Iowa November 1, 2018, through December 15
Kansas November 1, 2018, through December 15
Kentucky November 1, 2018, through December 15
Louisiana November 1, 2018, through December 15
Maine November 1, 2018, through December 15
Maryland November 1, 2018, through December 15
Massachusetts November 1, 2018, through January 23, 2019
Michigan November 1, 2018, through December 15
Minnesota November 1, 2018, through January 13, 2019
Mississippi November 1, 2018, through December 15
Missouri November 1, 2018, through December 15
Montana November 1, 2018, through December 15
Nebraska November 1, 2018, through December 15
Nevada November 1, 2018, through December 15
New Hampshire November 1, 2018, through December 15
New Jersey November 1, 2018, through December 15
New Mexico November 1, 2018, through December 15
New York November 1, 2018, through December 15
North Carolina November 1, 2018, through December 15
North Dakota November 1, 2018, through December 15
Ohio November 1, 2018, through December 15
Oklahoma November 1, 2018, through December 15
Oregon November 1, 2018, through December 15
Pennsylvania November 1, 2018, through December 15
Rhode Island November 1, 2018, through December 31
South Carolina November 1, 2018, through December 15
South Dakota November 1, 2018, through December 15
Tennessee November 1, 2018, through December 15
Texas November 1, 2018, through December 15
Utah November 1, 2018, through December 15
Vermont November 1, 2018, through December 15
Virginia November 1, 2018, through December 15
Washington November 1, 2018, through December 15
Washington DC November 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019
West Virginia November 1, 2018, through December 15
Wisconsin November 1, 2018, through December 15
Wyoming November 1, 2018, through December 15

In states with extended open enrollment, it is important to note that if you need coverage by January 1, you will still need to enroll by December 15. Anyone not enrolled by this date will have coverage effective by February 1 or March 1, depending on your state and its open enrollment dates.

Do You Qualify For a Special Enrollment Period?

You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). If you do, this generally gives you an additional 60 days to get coverage. This exception allows you to sign up for coverage after open enrollment if you lost your insurance due to any of the following reasons.

  • If you lost your job
  • You moved this year
  • If you got divorced or married
  • You became a widow or widower
  • Individuals who aged off of a parent’s plan
  • Your COBRA insurance expired
  • You have a new baby

If you lost your insurance because you didn’t pay your premiums or you voluntarily cancel your coverage, you will not be eligible for special enrollment. You can check HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify for a SEP. Those who do not qualify for a SEP will need to wait until open enrollment for 2020 begins this time next year.

More Opportunities During Open Enrollment

Although open enrollment typically refers to health care, many employers will also allow employees to enroll in different job-based benefit programs during this time as well. Some of the benefits that may be open for enrollment and changes are:

  • Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
  • Life insurance, disability insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, legal insurance, supplemental insurance benefits, etc.

If you have specific questions about open enrollment and your options, contact your employer or visit HealthCare.gov.

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