But the benefits are quickly forgotten in the face of a bad case of food poisoning.

When stricken with stomach cramps, sickness or diarrhoea, most of us blame our last meal out but the reality is that half of all reported food poisoning cases are caused by what we’ve eaten at home.

This may sound a grim picture but consider this: your own food practices are a lot easier to control than others, so you can reduce your risk by following a few simple rules: How to store food properly If it looks like there’ll be surplus food, start cooling what you don’t need quickly. Ideally, you’ll get your leftovers into the fridge within 90 minutes. Here’s how: Transfer food out of a hot pan, away from the heat source so that it’s not being kept warm through the residual heat.

If it’s a big quantity, transferring it into a large, shallow dish will help the heat dissipate.

Give thick soups and stews a stir from time to time if necessary.

Don’t leave foods out for hours or even worse, overnight.

Cool thoroughly Food should be thoroughly cooled before putting it in the fridge or freezer, otherwise you risk increasing the temperature in your fridge and creating an environment where bacteria multiply. This could affect your leftovers as well as other foods stored there.

Your fridge should always remain below 5C.

What to do: Keep a stash of lidded containers so that you have something to store your leftovers in. Use freezer bags if you don’t have space to store a lot of containers.

You can also now buy bags especially for soups and stews.

Keep your leftovers well sealed and separate. Raw meat and poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, pre-packaged food and soft cheeses are among the foods at higher risk of causing food poisoning. Keeping foods separate and well covered helps to combat potential cross-contamination.

Take a look at our guide on how to store food.

If you know you’ll be able to eat the leftovers within two days, pop them in the fridge.

If there’s a large quantity which you’re unlikely to get through, portion it up and freeze it once cooled, rather than waiting for a few days then freezing it.

Reheating When it comes to eating up your leftovers, how you handle them is key to staying healthy. What to do: Use up your fridge leftovers within two days.

If you’re taking leftovers from the freezer, eat within 24 hours.

Make sure they’re thoroughly defrosted before heating, by leaving them in the fridge or using a microwave.

Reheat food until piping hot throughout.

If you’re using a microwave, be aware they do not heat evenly throughout, so take your food out halfway through cooking time and give it a stir.

Don’t reheat leftovers more than once. If you have a big pot of soup, for example, it’s better to take out what you need and reheat it in a smaller pan. Equally, don’t refreeze leftovers.

This is recommend because the more times you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning.

Bacteria can multiply when cooled too slowly or reheated insufficiently.

Foods should be heated until they reach and maintain 70C or above for 2 minutes.

Foods to be careful of Some foods, for example those high in protein, may be more prone to causing food poisoning, but the simple rule is that all leftovers need to be cooled quickly, stored properly and eaten within the recommended amount of time. Having said that, rice is particularly tricky as it can contain a type of bacteria that’s resistant to heat. The longer cooked rice is left at room temperature, the more likely it is that the rice will become unsafe to eat. Ideally only cook as much as you need but if you find you have leftovers, cool within one hour and store in the fridge.

Eat within 24 hours and if you’re reheating it, make sure it’s steaming hot throughout before serving.

Avoiding food poisoning Never assume that if something smells ok, that it’s safe to eat. Handling leftovers is only half the story when it comes to steering clear of food poisoning.

Organised by the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA), the event took place on March 28, at the Port-of- Spain Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

The team: Brandon Maharaj, chef, Sails Restaurant Pub & Grill; Aswad Forde, chef, Hyatt Regency Trinidad; Tyrone Benjamin, bartender, Nari’s On the Avenue; Anasuya Jackson, pastry chef, Jaffa at the Oval; Rondell Thompson, junior chef; Ridge Juman, alternate chef, Fanatic Kitchen Studio; Shana Rajahram, alternate bartender, The Rise Restaurant.

This team will compete against their Caribbean counterparts at the highly prestigious Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition, organised by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHTA ), which will be held in Miami from June 2 to 6. The year marks the 20th anniversary of TT ’s participation in this premier Caribbean competition.

At the Taste of the Caribbean competition, teams from all around the region will vie for honours including: Caribbean Culinary Team of the Year, Caribbean Chef of the Year, Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year, Caribbean Bartender of the Year, Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year and Best Caribbean Chef in the category of beef and seafood.

Last year the TT Culinary Team “trumped” its Caribbean counterparts by winning the Caribbean Team of the Year an unprecedented six times as well as five other Gold medals and two silver medals.

Those collecting awards and prizes included Brandon Maharaj, Chef of the Year Rondell Thompson, Junior Chef of the Year Anasuya Jackson, Pastry Chef of the Year Tyronne Benjamin Bartender of the Year Jordan Cox, TT HTI student, Best Rum Drink Shana Rajahram, Best Vodka Drink Naomi Lovell, Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Most Creative Menu (Junior and Senior Chefs)

While it’s easy to go overboard in the Easter feast, it’s all about balance.

Yes, you are allowed your Cadbury Creme Eggs, but use these tips to keep you from completely falling off your diet plan.

Start with the real breakfast of champions: You may not be able to control what’s served at the brunch table, but you certainly can control what you eat when you wake up.

Make a giant green smoothie or juice, to load up on nutrients and filling fibre.

Drink plenty of water: Place thin cucumber and lemon slices in your water glass for a liver-detoxing and digestion-aiding beverage.

Fill up on veggies: Before you dive into the cheese plate or Easter basket full of candy, munch on a plate full of veggie sticks or salad.

The fibre will fill you up, so you are less inclined to overindulge in the bad stuff.

Remember your serving sizes: Serve half of the plate with veggies, a quarter with grains, and a quarter with protein. If you prefer stricter measurements, forget the cups and teaspoons, and use your hand as a measuring cup. One thumb equals one serving of cheese. An open palm equals one serving of meat. A closed fist is one serving of fruit or vegetables.

A cupped hand is one serving of grains.

Enjoy bread and candy last: After you’ve filled up on veggies and protein, then enjoy the bread and butter, jellybeans, or chocolate-covered caramels. While it’s tempting to inhale five or six candies in one sitting, slow down and thoroughly savour each bite.

(www.popsugar.com)

According to a release from the Police Service, officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau, the Air Support Unit and members of the Northern Division Task Force, all under the supervision of Inspector Teewarie conducted the exercise which was carried out at Wharf Trace, Maracas.

Police found a camp-site with 15 kilos of cured marijuana, 14,600 fully grown marijuana trees, approximately 4,000 seedlings, two 600 gallon water tanks and ten plastic barrels.

In an unrelated case, traffic exercises conducted by police in South-Western Division led to the arrest of 16 people who were later charged with driving under the influence.

According to a police release, an exercise was first conducted in San Fernando between 11 pm last Friday and 5 am on Saturday. During that exercise, 65 people were given breathalyser tests. Of those people, 11 were arrested and charged for driving under the influence. The other five were among 30 drivers who were tested during an exercise conducted in Penal. The exercise conducted in San Fernando was co-ordinated and supervised by Cpl Baran and included officers of the San Fernando Traffic Section while the Penal exercise was led by Sgt Gosine and included officers of the DUI task force.

All persons charged appeared in court yesterday

Addressing the award recipients, Minister Gopee- Scoon defined Bowles as, “an exceptional role model for all entrepreneurs who are seeking to carve out their niche in this dynamic business atmosphere.” She commended the company on its global reach and said, “Based on the company’s Seven Year International Strategy, the Herbarium Limited was also able to achieve its goal of going global by 2017.

With the increased interconnectedness of the global community, THL has not limited itself to the local market but has increased its competitiveness and expanded beyond the shores of Trinidad and Tobago.

“THL’s investment in research and development ensures that the company’s cosmetic products meet the standards and requirements of target markets such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

This adherence to international standards and commitment to innovation are worthy of emulation by other local manufacturers as we seek to strengthen our country’s overall competitiveness.” The minister commended staff commitment and drive in sharing the organisation’s vision. “The staff at THL represent the most important business resource.

It is the staff who promote the products and interact face-to-face with the public. The quality service which you provide is a significant asset’. She gave the commitment of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to continue to create an enabling environment to encourage entrepreneurial efforts for the benefit of all industries including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).” Bowles, in her address said, “We are happy to celebrate our employees’ achievement – most of whom are young females, responsible and committed to their job, always ensuring that the customer has a wonderful experience at Cher-Mere.” Despite the economic challenges, Bowles is positive the company will continue to be successful.

She indicated that over the last three years, with the contraction of the economy, there has been a slowdown in retail and wholesale activity. “The road has been challenging but we have persevered due to family support, staff and customers.

This new dispensation provides us with an opportunity to be more innovative; empower our staff and deepen our succession planning.” Present to assist in the distribution of awards was Esmond Forde, Member of Parliament for Tunapuna and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Another one such project, the Hosanna! concertfeaturing the Lydian Singers and Lydian Steel, will take place at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s on Sunday from 6 pm.

The historical landmark ob Belmont Circular Road has been in the proud community for well over a century.

In 1902, the church was blessed and formally opened by Rev Fr Vincent Sutherland, OP. The church was built in a Romanesque style by Irish architects Ashlin and Coleman who are also responsible for the design of the archbishop’s residence on Queen’s Park West.

In 2007, St Francis won a National Trust Heritage Award for best preservation. In recent times, however, the structure of the church has seriously deteriorated. The church building has been closed since December 26, 2010, as any occupation would be a severe hazard.

Despite the seemingly beautiful and sturdy architecture of the exterior, its interior and infrastructure have been severely compromised, a media release said. The beams of the church are infested with termites and the roof has several leaks when it rains, the walls have weakened as a result, there are now roots of plants growing through the roof and some unwanted inhabitants such as pigeons and rodents have infested the building.

Unless some urgent repairs have been undertaken the church building will continue to deteriorate and eventually this historical landmark may have to be demolished, the release said.

Donations toward the Restoration of St Francis church can be made to :- Acct Name: RC Archbishop of POS, Belmont Bldg Fund Acct No.

51080063201 Republic Bank Ltd For more info: 468- 4325, 797-9884, to contact parish priest and to offer any form of assistance: 345- 2093, 624-7923, email: st.francis.belmont@ gmail.com or Facebook.

He made the comments while delivering remarks at the opening of a two-day Career Re- Boot programme at the credit union’s head office at the La Joya complex in St Joseph. The programme is intended to help people who may have been retrenched assess their options; move on into other careers; or assist those who were switching careers; starting a business or interested in networking and engaging with other professionals.

Presenters at the programme are Francis Lewis, senior consultant and director, RES Consulting; Franklyn Dolly, director, Dolly & Associates and Dr Jennifer Holder-Dolly, clinical director at Dolly & Associates.

Psychologist Steve Bailey of Behavioural Consultancy in Gasparillo, said that sometimes during hardship, whether financial or otherwise, couple can be pushed apart.

Bailey said, “A relationship in jeopardy for other reasons, for example, where there was incompatibility or substance abuse and now you have a recession to bring in financial hardship into the mix, it is most likely that you will find it pushing the couple apart.” Bailey, who said he oversees many couples therapy, said that some weeks ago he visited a company which retrenched about 25 percent of its staff.

“And what happens in such cases is if there are no opportunities on the job market and someone in their late forties or early fifties loses a job, they really don’t have the kind of energy to compete with young people in the job market or may not have had the skills to go into any kind of private enterprise.

“So you find there is a lot of stress in such a situation and stresses like that is what can bring families down for sure.” However, Bailey said he could not say this is already happening, “But I take Mr Enill’s point that it can in fact happen and is probably very close to happening, where you begin to see the recession as a factor in the divorce rates.” Psychologist Marissa Morgan agreed with Bailey’s assertion, saying that in the current economic environment, once there is any additional stress such as financial burdens placed on a relationship, it will obviously have a negative impact. So there would probably be a correlation with divorce levels and an economic downturn.” She said that in general, any additional stress or would increase the likelihood of divorce and financial stress is one factor that can contribute to divorce because it adds more strain on the family relationship.

Enill, a former Energy and Finance Minister, said that during a recession, overall economic activity is expected to slow down and, “This is never pleasant. But it is a relatively routine part of the economic cycle. A recession also impacts family life. You have the notion, ‘I love you, but…’, coming into play.” Enill said a recession seems to be having a definite impact on family life as studies have shown that in some instances birth rates will drop as people delay having children in the face of economic troubles.

The decision by TKR to select Khan in the 2017 CPL draft seemed to be an excellent one, as the young spinner tormented the West Indies batsmen during the West Indies/Pakistan T20 series, which concluded on Sunday.

Khan, who is 18 years old, won the Player of the Series award after taking 10 wickets in the fourmatch T20 series which Pakistan won 3-1. Khan played three matches at the Queen’s Park Oval during the series, and Borde said it augurs well for him.

“It was great for him to get an opportunity to bowl at the Oval in a competitive enviroment in which he will be playing in a few months time,” said Borde. “He now has had a chance to assess the wickets, boundary distances, direction of wind and run-ups.

Hopefully this will work well for us in the tournament. Shadab is a special talent.” Khan was one of the standout players in the Pakistan T20 Super League earlier this year, grabbing nine wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 6.61.

Borde explained that it was a collaborative effort in selecting Khan. Borde said, “The coach, captain, technical team and scouts all saw him in the Pakistan League and after discussions with senior players, it was felt that he would be ideal for the team, its general plans and what the wickets offered here in the CPL.” Borde said it was difficult to see the West Indies batsmen struggle against Khan, but said it was great to witness the Knight Riders new signing succeed. “From a West Indies point of view, it was tough to watch as he made life very hard for our players. From a TKR perspective it was great to see him perform so well in an unfamiliar enviroment.” Khan is one of five spinners on the Knight Riders squad with Sunil Narine (off-spin), Nikita Miller, Brad Hogg and Khary Pierre (left-arm) also selected in the 2017 CPL draft. Borde said the spinners will provide a competitive environment when selecting a starting 11 and it gives captain Dwayne Bravo options.

“The variety, experience and quality in attack will give the captain options based on the various factors that arise in team selection and that is always a plus,” Borde said. “Competition is good.”

As such, it expressed hope that, “The authorities responsible for facilitating these services will urgently and publicly address alternative plans to effectively transfer goods, services and people between the islands.” The chamber also said the Galicia’s withdrawal, “Comes as no surprise to us”, because since December 1, “It had been well documented that the vessel was scheduled to operate on a route in the Mediterranean in May 2017.” The chamber’s comments follow recent statements by Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan that while negotiations with International Shipping have not been going well, he was surprised the company gave two weeks’ notice, rather than 30 days, of its intention to withdraw the Galicia from service effective April 14.

“At that time,” a chamber release stated, “All assurances were given that provisions for appropriate and effective sea transport would be established. (Sinanan) clearly articulated that he appreciated the value of the cargo services of the Superfast Galicia and the ferry services of the TnT Spirit and Express to the people and to business in Tobago.

He also indicated that he would ensure that there would be no inconvenience on his watch.”Speaking yesterday, Sinanan assured that interim plans are being put in place to transport bulk cargo to Tobago from April 15, while the long term plan is to purchase a cargo ship that would be dedicated to the Inter-Island route. Sinanan is scheduled to discuss all of this with stakeholders, including with officials from the Tobago House of Assembly, at a meeting tomorrow

I usually hear her surname incorrectly pronounced as “Mo-ra-see”.

This is wrong and very unprofessional. A quick Google search would link you to a YouTube video with the correct pronunciation of the name. The proper pronunciation is “Mo-ra-chay.” The name being Italian should be pronounced as such.”

John Salazar Morvant