Thanks to Nestle Canada for responding to consumers’ wishes. In April of this year the company said it would no longer manufacture Nestle Smarties, Aero, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp and Mirage in a peanut and nut-free environment. Because of consumer response, and in only three weeks, on May 14, it reversed the decision and will continue to manufacture these chocolate products in a nut-free environment.
My granddaughter, Sara, is one of the many children who are allergic to peanuts. No more Smarties, while not serious, would have been difficult for her.
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There is a lesson in this story for all of us as consumers. Letting manufacturers know your wishes does make a difference.
Nestle’s senior vice-president, Graham Lute, said the company received several thousand letters, phone calls and e-mail messages from Canadians, with and without peanut/nut allergies, asking Nestle to reconsider its position.
“We have been truly overwhelmed by the emotional chord that our original decision struck with consumers.”
Because Nestle’s original intent was to allow peanut/nuts into its factory by January of next year, it had to begin changing its packaging to give consumers advance notice.
As a result, an allergy alert will temporarily appear on a limited number of product packages now in stores. The company want to assure us these products were manufactured in a peanut/nut-free environment.
The company is in the process of producing new packaging.
Eighth global marriage
A young couple from Canada, Kiran Pal and Geoff Pross, have been attracting attention from media networks such as Life, CBC and ABC. On Oct. 7, 2001, they were married for the eighth time, to each other. They are travelling the world to explore the roots of marriage. They aren’t just taking notes, but actually getting married, over and over again.
Their marriage ceremonies include (in order):
- Aboriginal wedding – Australia.
- Shinto wedding – Japan.
- Buddhist ceremony – Thailand.
- Iban wedding – Borneo.
- Gurage wedding – Ethiopia.
- Celtic handfasting – Ireland.
- Elopers wedding – Scotland.
- Aymara wedding – Bolivia.
Originally they didn’t want to get married at all, just for that piece of paper. Their families were disappointed, which made them question why a ceremony was so important.
To find an answer, the couple began their world travels in November 2000 on the West Coast of Canada. They soon realized that all cultures recognize the union of two people with a ceremony of some kind. They plan to have a legal wedding ceremony in Canada in the summer of 2002, which will incorporate the most meaningful aspects of their other weddings.
We can follow their journey and experiences on the website www.e-lopers.com. They are regularly updating the website with digital photos, short movies, journal entries and full accounts of each wedding.
When they return to Canada they plan to write a book. Their aim is to bring communities together across boundaries of nation and culture.
Bean and lentil casserole
Adding cooked lentils to your favourite pork and bean recipe can have tasty results.
The following recipe evolved from adding lentils to different baked bean dishes and coming up with this bean and lentil casserole that we enjoy.
5 slices bacon, chopped
(optional)
1 cup onions, chopped 250 mL
1 cup dry lentils 250 mL
1 19-ounce can beans 540 mL
in tomato sauce
1 14-ounce can kidney 398 mL
beans
1 14-ounce can 398 mL
crushed pineapple
1/3 cup ketchup 75 mL
1 teaspoon 5 mL
prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon 1 mL
worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup packed brown 125 mL
sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt 1 mL
1/8 teaspoon pepper 0.5 mL
In a heavy saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain off fat. Add onions and sauté until tender.
Wash lentils. Place in a saucepan with at least three cups (750 mL) water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, small roaster or a two quart (two L) casserole. Stir to mix. Heat on stovetop or bake in oven at 350 F (180 C) for one hour or until bubbly. Serves approximately eight.
Variations:
- Omit bacon and cook onions in a small amount of water to reduce fat content.
- Substitute three tablespoons (45 mL) instant bacon bits for the cooked bacon.
- Substitute chunks of wieners for bacon, adding directly to casserole.
- Substitute other types of canned beans for the beans listed above.
Updating your will
For most of us time flies by quickly. In trying to recall when a past event happened, a good rule of thumb is to double the estimate. When did you last review your will?
In a publication from Rathgeber Associates, it is suggested that our wills be checked every three years or when a major event occurs. Consider the following questions.
Since your last review have you:
- Changed marital status or been widowed?
- Gained or lost other dependents?
- Lent money to a family member?
- Bought real estate?
- Moved to a different province or country?
- Had a big change in net worth?
- Received an inheritance or major gift?
- Bought life insurance?
- Started or sold a business?
- Opened or closed an RRSP, RRIF or RESP?
- Joined a pension plan or retired?
- Considered naming new or additional executors?
If you die without a will, the court will have someone take care of your estate and distribute the assets.
Your estate might have to pay a lot more tax than necessary, your assets may not go to the heirs you intended and the distribution of your
assets could be delayed.
Are you an active member?
Are you an active member,
The kind that would be missed?
Or are you just contented,
That your name is on the list?
Do you attend the meetings
And mingle with the flock?
Or do you stay at home,
And criticize and knock?
Do you take an active part
To help the work along?
Or are you satisfied to be
The kind who “just belongs?”
Do you ever work on a committee
To see there is no trick?
Or leave the work to just a few,
And talk about the clique?
Do you come to meetings often
And help with hand and heart?
Don’t be just a member
But take an active part!
Think this over,
You know right from wrong,
Are you an active member,
Or do you just belong?
– Anonymous
