Tuesday night's pork roast turned out fabulous; I was a little worried, when I put the recipe in the slow cooker that morning. It was an apricot glazed pork loin, (which sounded yummy to me)and called for a whole onion, a jar of apricot jam, two tablespoons of dijon mustard and a can of chicken broth. Once the mixture was in the slow cooker, it smelled overwhelmingly of the onions and dijon mustard, and I was very worried that it would be way too oniony (like my chicken casserole of a couple weeks ago). But after 8+ hours of cooking, I came home to a sweet-but-tangy smelling sauce and a tender, juicy pork roast. Threw a little cornstarch in the sauce to thicken it, and we had a main course that was to die for! The only downside is that I'm sure it was not Weight Watchers' low cal guidelines; but we didn't have any potatoes or bread that night, just a healthy helping of steamed green beans to go with the pork, so hopefully that did help somewhat!
The other "pork" that's been NOT so fabulous this week is that dang H1N1, or swine, flu. Working in a health system (in a building that is connected to our hospital) we are on the front line for all the CDC breaking decisions, updates, etc. Our county health department is receiving small shipments of the vaccine in weekly, and hospital staff are one of the first phases to be vaccinated. Since we see infants in our office, we were in phase two this week. With the shortage, there wasn't enough vaccine for all of my staff to be vaccinated yet, just the ones that have the most contact with patients. I've heard so much discussion of the H1N1 and the vaccine - the discussion in my hair salon last week was predominantly that they would NOT be getting the vaccine, because who knows if it is safe, it hasn't been tested enough, etc.
I shared my thoughts on the subject with them, and suggested that they might check out the Greene County and the CDC website. This flu vaccine is made very similarly to every other year's seasonal flu vaccine, and the risks and outcomes of contracting the H1N1 flu (particularly for children/teens and immuno-compromised) FAR outweigh the possible and minute risks of the vaccine. I've taken the seasonal flu vaccine for the last several years, although I've never been one of those who has sworn by it. The reality is, the CDC looks at the multiple strain possibilities each year and then gives an educated guess at which one will be the most common. Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they don't.
But the secondary illnesses (in particular, pneumonia) that can follow the H1N1 virus are affecting children and teens, which is something that rarely happens with the seasonal flu virus. So, as soon as I can get the vaccine for Jace, the better. Chances are that he won't get terribly sick if he does get the H1N1 virus, but I'd rather get him the vaccine for added protection against getting it at all. What are your thoughts? Lemme hear your thoughts on what you've decided and why.
Today was our 17th annual Pink Ribbon Rally at the local mall, and it was a great event, with several breast cancer survivors telling their story and some great entertainment by a local musician. Tonight we're heading to friends Carl and Pam's for dinner; it will be a Cajun feast, with several other couples. Paige is in town and hanging out with us this afternoon, and Neil/Jace are looking forward to a parent-free evening of movies and pizza!
1 comment:
THANK YOU NANCY!!!
I am about blue in the face from explaining to people the reality of the H1N1 vaccine. What people don't realize is that had this strain come along a little sooner, it actually would have been included in the seasonal flu shot. And if it's still around next flu season it will be.
Luke and I will definitely be getting our H1N1 vaccines (once they are available to us) because Isaac is too young to get one. I have actually contracted with the local health department here to assist them with their H1N1 clinics. I'm still waiting to hear when that will be.
I wish people would educate themselves about the vaccine instead of just going by what other people are saying. There are so many untruths out there about it. One of my pregnant friends told me her OB told her not to get it because it hadn't been tested on pregnant women! Unbelievable and untrue! I sent her the record of the clinical trial for the vaccine on pregnant women and encouraged her to rethink her decision. I felt that was very irresponsible of her OB though.
OK, I'm done with my tangent! I'm just really glad that you touched on this topic and provided factual information about it Nance!! :)
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