Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--10. Coffee & "Creamer"

Coffee Mug
from
Chase's Calendar of Events








What is in that cup of coffee?
A morning cup of coffee used to be so reliable and simple: boiling water, instant coffee, creamer. To find out why that morning cup of coffee suddenly tasted so different, so acidic, monthlynotesstaff quickly 'wiki-researched' coffee and creamers.

The previous blog on 'Coffee' did not answer the 'change in taste to acidic' question when drinking name-brand coffee and creamer products, frequently purchased in the past. Differences in water acidity where grown or processed could be factors.

Creamer or Lightener:
The name "creamer" refers to the use of non-fresh forms of milk, evaporated, canned, condensed or sweetened condensed milk, added to coffee, tea, or other hot, or now even cold, beverages.

Evaporated milk, the prototype for real 'creamer', is 'dairy creamer'.
Evaporated milk is fresh, homogenized milk from which 60% of the water has been removed. The milk product then is chilled, stabilized, packaged, and sterilized at 240-245 degrees Fahrenheit (130-135 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes. Vitamin D must be added in the US. Evaporated milk has a slightly carmelized flavor and darker color due to the high heat process.

The shelf-life of evaporated milk is 1 year to 15 months, depending on the amount of sugar added and the proportion of fat in the product. The US Code of Federal Regulations specifies the content of milk fat (not less than 6.5% by weight), non-milk fat solids (not less than 16.5% by weight), and total milk solids (not less than 23% by weight).

Carnation, an original producer of evaporated milk, is now owned by Nestle and licensed to Smuckers of Canada. PET, also now owned by Smuckers, also produces evaporated milk.

'Non-dairy coffee creamer' is a liquid or granular substance which can be substituted for milk or cream in coffee, tea, or other beverages. 'Non-dairy creamer', which does not contain lactose, is made for the lactose-intolerant. Outside of the US, many countries require the use of the term 'lightener' or a term other than 'creamer' which implies the presence of real cream in the product.

The first coffee creamer, 'Pream' was made in 1952 from dehydrated cream and sugar. Pream contained milk protein which prevented the powder from dissolving easily.

In 1958 Carnation developed "Coffee-Mate Non-Dairy Creamer". Carnation replaced most milk product with dried vegetable oil.

Common ingredients in non-dairy coffee creamer today include vegetable-based fats. There are also non-dairy, non-fat coffee creamers and whiteners. Other ingredients are sodium caseinate, from the milk protein casein, which does not contain lactose,
corn syrup, sweeteners, and flavorings.

A possible source of the more acidic tasting coffee & creamer is dipotassium phosphate, added to adjust the acidity of coffee. 'CoffeeMate' Hazelnut lists this additive quantity as 'less than 2%'.

For 'dairy creamer' another source of acidity could be whey or 'milk plasma', the liquid left after milk is curdled and strained, a by-product of the manufacture of cheese and casein. 'Acid whey' or 'sour whey' is made during manufacture of 'acid' types of cheese, for example, cottage cheese.

'Sweet whey' or 'sour whey' is produced during the manufacture of rennet, an enzyme added to make hard cheeses, like cheddar or swiss.

As a food additive, whey is thought to increase lactose intolerance. Others note its effect on reducing blood sugar spikes in Type II (Adult Onset) Diabetes Mellitus by increasing insulin secretion.

Wikipedia notes another Whey Acid Protein (WAP), a pseudogene NOT found in ruminants or humans, but a major milk protein found in certain mammals like monotremes, marsupials, rodents, rabbits, pigs, and camels. WAP contains 2-3 4-disulfide core domains, with 2 cysteine compounds, possibly associated with anti-bacterial activity.

The current interest in raw milk, considered to be 'organic', and more popular than homogenized or pasteurized milk among the 'natural food' crowd, may make the discovery of what is making that morning cup of coffee & cream more acidic tasting more difficult. 'Organic' foodies believe there is less asthma and allergy among those who drink raw milk.

Pasteurization, a heating process related to 'the germ theory' for control of highly contagious bacterial illnesses, has been utilized since the 1890s. In 1938 pasteurization was noted to reduce milk-borne illness due to raw milk bacteria. These bacteria include TB (tuberculosis, mycobacterium bovis), Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli 0157-H7), Listeria, Salmonella, Yersinia enterocolitis, brucellosis, and Chryseobacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, headache, vomiting, and exhaustion.

Another source of acidity are changes in the product as major company label products are made in small 'franchise' factories using modified processes and packaging. There may be differences in the acidity of water used in factory processing, in water provided to animals in 'dairy creamer' production, and possibly the water used in making that morning cup of coffee.

In our changing US economy, the same brand-name products may not be as reliable shopping trip after shopping trip. Take a magnifying glass to the grocery store, read the labels, and take the time to purchase wisely.

Email mkrause54@ayhoo.com or mkrasue381@gmail.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs posted by mary for monthlynotesstaff on 'Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware: 10(Coffee &) Creamer' at http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com on www.google.com. See the monthlynotes blog list on http://monthlynotes18.blogspot.com for other blogs at http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com through http://monthlynotes20.blogspot.com.

Graphic: Coffee mug, from Chase's Calendar of Events

Reference: www.wikipedia.com

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--9. Coffee & "Creamers"

Coffee Mug
from
"Chase's Calendar of Events".








What is in that morning cup of coffee?

A morning cup of coffee used to be so reliable and simple: boiling water, instant coffee, creamer. To find out why that morning cup of coffee suddenly tasted so different, so acidic, monthlynotesstaff quickly "wiki-researched" coffee and creamers.

Coffee:
Like many other products on US grocery shelves and coffee shops, coffee too now carries additional labels. Organic coffee refers to coffee beans grown without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

In 2006, 67,000 metric tons of organic coffee was sold from a total of 6,900,000 metric tons of coffee beans sold worldwide. During the "Green Revolution" in the 1970s and 1980s, $80 million was sent to Latin American plantations by the US Agency for International Development.

75% of 'organic' coffee is grown in Latin America, in Peru (South America), Mexico (Central America), and Ethiopia (Africa).

'Organic' is one of 3 certifications of "organic coffee". In the US, 'organic' means the coffee beans are (1)grown on land without synthetic pesticides or other prohibited substances for 3 years, (2)sufficient buffer exists between organic and the nearest traditional crop, and (3)sustainable crop rotation plans exist to prevent erosion, depletion of soil nutrients, and pest control. The goal of organic agriculture is to stimulate the natural development of disease control and pest control.

'Shade-grown' is another category of organic coffee. To increase coffee production in the early 1970s, 'sun' plantations were developed. Coffee beans grown in the sun are smaller and easier to harvest than 'shade-grown' coffee beans.

'Shade-grown' coffee preserves trees and forests not plowed down for 'sun' farms. Preserving forests should help reduce soil erosion and preserve the natural habitat for birds and other species. Birds eat insects crawling on coffee plants, a natural form of pest control. Another goal of 'shade-grown' coffee farms was to reduce the 20% decline in migratory bird populations of redstarts, black-throated green warblers and yellow-throated and solitary vireos noted in 2006, believed to be due to loss of forestation with 'sun' farms.

'Shade-grown' coffee is fertilized by decomposing leaves and bird droppings. Another environmental issue is water. More water may be available to 'shade-grown' coffee plants. About 140 litres of water is required to produce 1 cup of coffee. This is a problem in Ethiopia, Africa, where there is a water shortage.

The 3rd category of 'organic coffee', 'fair trade coffee', is an economic issue. Small farms could not compete with large 'sun' farms. The 'Fair trade coffee' label requires coffee pickers to be paid $1.26 per pound of coffee beans, instead of $3.00 per day for 100 pounds of coffee beans.

Despite sales of 'organic' coffee to more affluent socially or environmentally concerned consumers, 10% of coffee bean farms have reverted to conventional production because of price competition.


Read the next blog "Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware: 10.Creamer or Lightener" on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com on www.google.com.

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs posted by mary for monthlynotesstaff on http://monthlynotsthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com through http://monthlynotestwenty.blogspot.com) on www.google.com.

Graphic: Coffee mug, Chase's Calendar of Events.

Reference: www.wikipedia.com

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--8. Telephone Book Troubles

The 1950s
black
rotary dial
desk telephone.
from Chase's Calendar of Events.





What the black rotary dial desk telephone represented to most US citizens was a triumph of technology. With the US telephone system came an ease of communications, talking to family and friends 'just like being there', finding and doing business. Early choices included a party line, a group of neighbors sharing the use of a telephone line at reduced cost compared to the private line routed to each home or apartment.

Later came the court-ordered 'break-up' of 'Ma Bell" into the 'Baby Bells' came the cellular telephone networks and less reliance on the 'land line' telephone network.
Whether to protest large network charges and fees, many directly related to governmental fees, or to create an industry from an affordable "utility", the US telecommunications infrastructure has been irrevocably changed.

The old system was a truly affordable 'natural monopoly' controlled by AT&T, Bell, General Telephone, and a few other large suppliers who leased or shared the basic infrastructural items, telephone poles, lines, grids. Most could afford telephone service with free unlimited local calls and charges for long distance.

Around the time of the court-ordered break up, life began to move faster for many Americans, who moved from home to college dormitory or travelled for jobs. The cellular phone system provided the mobility many telephone users sought. But it came at a higher cost: phone + network + call charges.

Initially, a very private system became a heavily monitored or 'eavesdropped' system, especially during the Bush administrations use of telephone monitoring to investigate terrorism. What began as a national defense issue has been misused by many to snatch business ideas, snoop on US citizens at home or at work, as well as to too aggressively bill collect.

The telecommunications loop has grown larger, nationally and internationally, with cell phone, automated, and internet phone calls. But paradoxically, the usable loops may be becoming smaller.

The major land line and cell phone technology suppliers, AT&T, Verizon, and others,
are in many areas decreasing the number of telephone books or discontinuing telephone book publishing.

The rationale, that telephone users mostly call a select group of family, friends, or businesses, or that listing are available on the internet, is not convincing. People seeking products or services and businesses using the phone book as basic advertising may be very disappointed by internet telephone search websites.

Internet telephone search websites are expensive, requiring a subscription payment of $20 or more in advance or a $2.99 fee for each request. Also these websites are not as complete or up-do-date as the old telephone book.

On a recent trip one source complained that only 1 or 2 year old telephone books were available in businesses or libraries. Even current phone books contained many old or uncorrected entries.

Phone numbers for old friends, now possibly not listed or using cellular phones, could not be found. Business listings were out of date.

A search for laundromats in the Cleveland, Ohio area proved frustrating. Gone were the old 'Ma Bell' recordings that the 'number had been changed to ...', 'this number has been disconnected', or 'service has been discontinued'. A drive to addresses listed led to a closed or new business at the address listed.

In the Erie, Pennsylvania area, rental car/truck listings were old and outdated. Calling an '800' number also was difficult. No local current phone numbers or addresses could be found for some old phone book listings. There was no helpful inquiry system for a range of possible rates or vehicles available. Yet an automated system asked the customer to begin the rental reservation process. How can a consumer rent a car/truck if the shop cannot be found? A live operator sometimes was not available or could not clarify the problem. How to make a reservation if it is not known if a vehicle is available? What if the reservation somehow became a bill charged to the customer?

In the rush to sell information and make more profits from the telephone system, the infrastructure has been damaged. The ability to buy or sell, outside of a computer automated billing system, is often lost, making the telecommunications industry and the economy more frustrating and more chaotic.


Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs posted by mary for monthlynotesstaff on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com through http://monthlynotes20.blogspot.com)

Graphic: from Chase's Calendar of Events, 2002.

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--7. Internet Hackers & 'Cloud Computing'

An unusual
cloud formation over
Washington, DC, 2002.

"Jousting in the Clouds",
An Original Photographic
by mkrause, 2002, 2011,
mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com.



Can Internet Hackers Be Blocked From PC Files?

Julian Assange and wikileaks have been in the news recently for US defense leaks. If the US government cannot protect its classified files from access by Internet hackers, can the average PC user?

A monthlynotesstaff source complains that wifi usage places PC files at risk.
PC scans done at Internet Cafes, Verizon at the Borders coffee shops, possibly AT&T at Starbucks or Fedex Kinko's, motel stay wifi connections may expose you and your computer to hackers.

This source reports the significant rearrangement and loss of easy access to numerous internal (hard drive) files of original photographs and graphics. At first the files appeared to have been taken and replaced by network news file photos. The files were later found in other computer files. The network news files appeared on the 'Recently Changed' file. The news photos cannot be deleted easily or possibly at all, or moved to the "Recycle Bin".

This may be evidence of a serious problem with the concept of the 'stream of data' known as 'cloud computing'. Individual PCs through some type of internet virus are being hijacked for use as servers for Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks like Yahoo and its affiliates, possibly Google, or even cable networks scanning electrical outlets in businesses.

Even good, well-known security programs cannot maintain a 'firewall' preventing data leaks from the individual PC. Part of the problem is the software design. New programs require not only the CD bought in the store, but also Internet access to install and run the software program purchased.

There is a need for immediate research into this problem. New types of software may have to be developed to maintain a computer industry and products users want to purchase. Perhaps software contained on your PC only, networks of PCs, partially or fully open or closed Internet circuits, and other options may make the computer industry too unwieldy for the average computer user to navigate.

These phenomena may create new challenges for newspaper and book publishers, and other print media companies now moving into electronic formats.


(Read more on this and other topics on "Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware" on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com on www.google.com.)

Graphic: "Jousting in the Clouds", An Original Photographic by mkrause, 2002, 2011, mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com. An unusual cloud formation over Washington, DC, 2002.

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs posted by mary for the monthlyntoesstaff on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com through http://monthlynotesfifteen.blogspot.com) on www.google.com.

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--6. Internet "Viruses"

Is it an avian internet virus
on the Information Superhighway?
Even in the age of cyberspace,
the paradox of
life in juxtaposition
persists.
An Original Photographic,
copyright by mkrause,
2002, 2011,
Hot Springs, Arkansas, 2002.


Viruses and Viruses

Life presented 2 simultaneous challenges in April, 2010. Struggling with the discomfort of human influenza virus symptoms is difficult. But suddenly while trying to connect to wifi Internet over coffee and a breakfast roll at an 'Internet cafe', the computer too fell ill with an Internet virus.

Paralytic but repetitive, the virus froze the PC screen between the Internet and any and every file requested. The Internet Service Provider name or symbol, Yahoo or Y!, flashed across the screen. Then there were 4 repeated screens of possible 'look-alike' manufacturer (hp) and 'Microsoft' security tool ALERT. The screen informed the PC user that the PC was "seriously infected, being hijacked, damaged, perhaps irrevocably", with the threatened "loss of private data". The virus blocked attempts to contact Yahoo Help.

At first the virus appeared to be a very aggressive security update sales screen series. But it was not possible to advance to the next screen to buy the security update. Over the next day or so, wonderng how the virus had moved or deleted the security products already installed on the PC, it was difficult to decide on a new anti-virus security product. The virus also blocked download of a Microsoft security update at a computer learning center.

An associate at the center was able to "google" the security tool ALERT named on the screen. Other websites described a similar virus which had been noted more frequently by PC users since December, 2009. The virus was freezing more and more computers more frequently in March and April, 2010.

Some users successfully had removed the virus with a number of techniques, including "re-booting" without the purchase of additional security software. Others found the virus resistant to removal or noted that the virus recurred days or weeks later.

One screen revealed the virus as a 'hybrid trojan-BNK.win32.keylogger.gen' virus which had contaminated Internet Explorer, version 7. The viral attack did occur days after problematic attempt to update to Internet Explorer 8 on google and a review of IE update on Yahoo.

Customer Service at the new security software described the virus as an 'extremely experienced' Internet virus. This company suggested the PC be taken to a computer technician to be 'wiped clean', followed by software re-installation.

Luckily, the virus seemed to weaken its hold on the PC and allowed some contact with the Internet over the next few days. The PC seemed to clear the virus with the addition of an inexpensive 'Defender" security software CD program, which the PC may have confused with "Microsoft Defender", installed before the viral attack.

Previously convenient 'Internet Shortcuts' to Aol and Yahoo had been damaged leading the PC user to wonder if the cable internet service provided objected to wifi Internet users.

Subsequently, a new Norton 360 CD software program was installed, with some difficulty and delay over the next 2-3 days. Later, the new security program worked relatively well and the virus seemed to have cleared.

It is sometimes hard to tell if the PC is being disrupted by a 'hard sell' by software, cable, computer repair techs, or even the Internet cafe staff where you may spend too much time hunched over your coffee and computer. But that's life in cyberspace.

(Read more on these and other topics in 'Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware' on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com) on www.google.com).

Graphic: An Original Photographic, copyright by mkrause, 2002, 2011, 'The Paradox of Life in Juxtaposition', Hot Springs, Arkansas, 2002.

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@google.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com through http://monthlynotesfifteen.blogspot.com) on www.google.com.

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--5. Bank account rates

Only a few years ago, banks were competing for accounts and deposits by offering free (no monthly charge) basic bank checking and savings accounts. That is now changing.

Basic bank account rates now are increasing at some banks. It is important to read bank notices and check monthly statements. That "totally free" checking account with no required minimum balance opened a few to several years ago may have changed.

US banks traditionally have advised customers to keep money in the bank, to save. It may now not be possible to do so.

At one regional bank, 'totally free checking' is no longer free. To avoid monthly checking account charges of $8.95, customers must now maintain a minimum monthly balance of $1,000 or make 10 debit card transactions (purchases or bill payments) within the monthly bank statement cycle.

Some banks now also deduct 'inactivity charges'. At one bank, a $5.00 'inactivity charge' is deducted for maintaining balances less than $1,000, without other transactions within a 3-month period. After a 3-month period of inactivity, a small balance may quickly be depleted by monthly inactivity charges.

It now may be more difficult to find a bank where it is possible to maintain a small checking account balance for local check cashing, deposits, bank checks or money orders, rolled coins or change, or other banking transactions.

Remember to read any notices from your bank about checking, savings or other account changes. A small balance may quickly be depleted by monthly inactivity charges or a new monthly fee.

Call the bank promptly if you notice a change in your expected balance. Your bank Customer Service Representative may be able to help with your first problem with these changes.

What if it is not convenient to get to this bank, its branches, or to no/low cost affiliated ATMs? Then it's a good time to start thinking about using another account or shopping around to find a new, less expensive, basic checking account.

(Read more on these and other topics in "Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware" on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com on www.google.com.)

Graphic: from Chase's Calendar, 2002.

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com to comment or request a copy of this or other blogs posted by mary for monthlynotesstaff on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com through
http://monthlynotesfourteen.blogspot.com).

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--4. It May Be "Natural", But It May or May Not Be "Good for You"--Yerba Mate

"Lions At the Wall"
at the National Zoo
Washington, DC.

An Original Photographic
by mkrause,
copyright, 2002 and 2011,
at mkrause54@yahoo.com or
mkrause381@google.com


Who is not fascinated by the power and strength of these 2 lions prowling the walls of their enclosure? Natural? Yes. But few would dare breach their space.

Natural food products and supplements are a growing market within the US food and nutrition industry. But as with these prowling forces of nature, caution is advised.

It is true that most of our foods, supplements, medicines, makeups and all the other products of everyday life are derived from natural sources, plants, animals, and other organisms. But just because it is natural doesn't mean it is good for you.

Chemicals are the basis of all of these natural as well as synthetic products. Over the centuries, cooking and other chemical processes have been invented or developed
to refine the chemistry of these products to make them safer or more efficacious.

Yerba mate is a South American tea made from leaves and twigs from a plant, Ilex paraguariensis. I. paraguariensis is a species of holly. Traditional holly, with rectangular spiked leaves and red berries generally is considered poisonous in the US. Children are warned not to puncture their fingers on the spikes or eat the pretty red berries.

Yerba mate is not FDA approved. Yerba is under study in many agricultural chemistry laboratories. However, Yerba Mate can be found in the refrigerated juice case in brand name juices in major convenience stores.

Yerba mate often is referred to as simply mate, the word for "tea" in many Spanish South American dialects. Yerba mate often is translated "herb tea". Ironically, another meaning of the Spanish mate is "killed".

Surprisingly, "Minute Maid", Produced by Coca-Cola, Atlanta, GA, USA, has chosen to add Yerba Mate to its new antioxidant, 'enhanced joice drink' fruit beverages. The words 'Yerba Mate" appear on the Minute Maid label in small print under the large print 'NATURAL ENERGY' in the 'POMEGRANATE/BERRY flavored juice drink, made of a blend of pear, pomegranate, blueberry, raspberry and strawberry juices from concentrate and other ingredients'.

The other ingredients include '37-43 mg of natural caffeine per bottle for an energy lift'. The label is best read with a magnifying glass. Juice customers who have recently discovered pomegranate and pomegranate antioxidant fruit juice mixtures may reach for this product, unaware of the 'yerba mate' or 'natural caffeine' within.

Yerba mate is described as containing Potassium, Magnesium, and Manganese. Yerba is thought to have anti-obesity properties in those eating a high-fat diet, in part due to an LDL-Cholesterol lowering effect, particularly in those taking 'statin' lipid lowering medicines.

Yerba mate contains Xanthines: caffeine which is thought to be different from other plant caffeine, theobromine, and possibly small quantities of theophylline, a chemical in asthma medicine. Yerba mate caffeoyl derivatives relax smooth muscle tissue while stimulating heart muscle. Central nervous system effects are similar to other 'natural stimulants'.

2 properties raise the flag for caution: energy claims and its cancer-fighting vs. cancer-causing potential.

Energy claims involve an increased level of EXTRAcellular ATP, ADP, and AMP. Basic Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry students will recall that ATP is cellular fuel, metabolized within an intracellular organelle, the mitochondria. An increased level of extracellular AMP, ADP, and ATP may be a hint that there has been cytotoxicity or cellular damage allowing ATP to leak from cell membranes. It could be related to the experimental design. Studies available are conducted by agricultural laboratories.

Cancer data are conflicting. A 2005 University of Illinois study found that yerba mate was rich in phenolic compounds, which appeared to inhibit oral cancer cell proliferation at some concentrations while it promoted oral cancer cell proliferation at other concentrations, due in part to inhibition of a yeast enzyme, topoisomerase II. Phenolic compounds like benzene have long been known to be carcinogenic.

Yerba mate consumption has been associated with an increased incidence of bladder, esophageal, oral, squamous cell head and neck cancer, and lung cancer in South Americans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer found an increased correlation with alcohol and tobacco consumption, and large quantities of 'hot water' yerba teas.

No conclusions were drawn due to the influence of water temperature (boiling, hot, warm, cold) on the chemical activity of yerba mate and the lack of data adjustment for age, alcohol, and tobacco use. Other issues raised by Mississippi researchers include the "wood burning" preparation of yerba mate which involves a high level of cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Paraguayans celebrate August with 'agosto poty', the addition of 'the flower of August', groundsels or ragworts of the lenecio species, to the 'matear' bowl. These plants contain pyrrolizide alkaloids, potentially toxic, and known to cause veno-occlusive disease of the liver. There is one case report of the death of a young British woman who consumed large quantities of 'adulterated' yerba mate from Paraguay.

Yerba mate 'matear' are group sharing rituals where participants sit in a circle and pass around a gourd from which each sips mate through a metal straw, rebrewing the yerba mate until the water runs out. "Gracias" signals a participants' "No thank you' to more mate.

Cultivated first by the Portuguese Guarini, yerba is grown in subtropical South America including Argentina,Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Southern Brazil and in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan in the Middle East.

Swiss botanist Moser Bertoni, who settled in Paraguay in 1895, classified the plant. Jesuit missionaries cultivated the plant in Ecuador and Chile.

Because Yerba mate has a bitter, smoky, 'vegetal' taste, it is often made with lemonade, other citrus and fruit flavors or milk. It is produced under a large number of trade names, some include the word 'mate'. Trade names include Andresito, Campesino, Berao de Cotegipe, Canerias, CBSe, Cruz de Matta, EcoTeas, Mate Factor, Mate Leao, Nativa, Selecta, Te Guarani, Union, La Hoja, and many others. Check www.wikipedia.com for more brand names and information.

People with high blood pressure, heart disease, liver, and other diseases should check with their family physician before taking these and other natural additives or medicinal herbs. Side effects may include headache, nervousness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, or any other new symptoms. There is an anecdotal report of iincreased inflammation of a oral dental lesion with only one unintended bitter tasting mixed fruit juice serving. "Chronic ingestion" occurs in only 15 days.

Use caution when using any new products, natural or not. Some labels require a magnifying glass to read less organized small print ingredient lists.

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware. It is your health, protect it.

[Read more on these topics in "Caveat Emptor" on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com) on www.google.com.]

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@google.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs posted by mary for monthlynotesstaff on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot) on www.google.com.

Graphic: An Original Photographic of "Lions At the Wall", The National Zoo, Washington, DC, by mkrause, copyright, 2002 and 2011, at mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com.

References: www.wikipedia.com, www.eHow.com, report Ray Sahelian, MD on www.google.com.

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--3. Is it a Warranty or a Sales Device?--Auto Repair

"Sitting Justice",
a blindfolded woman
with a sword and
scales on which to weigh the truth
sits on a throne
in an 18th Century engraving.











Auto repair has long been a focus for regulation through warranties, state laws requiring the return of "bad parts" to customers to prove a new part was needed, state business and occupational permits.

If you are very lucky and find an honest mechanic who does good repair work, does not overcharge you, or bring you back for excessive or unnecessary repairs, good for you. If you are extremely lucky in this economy, you may find both an affordable used car and a mechanic to fix it when necessary.

Used cars bring you to mechanics and auto parts stores. Even the mechanically inexperienced driver may install his or her own windshield wiper blades and wash fluid or top off the anti-freeze or other fluids between oil changes.

Used cars also expose you to a very aggressive sales force from mechanic shops, auto parts stores, used and new car lots, ad others. As cars are traced by states through their Divsion of Motor Vehicles (DMV), privatized emissions control companies, and a variety of data gatherers, a used car owner may find oneself feeling chased from business to business with a serious walllet leak.

A relatively new set of federal regulations, created to curb the rampant car theft problem in the US, also may have increased the risk of car theft and vandalism. If your car is listed on enough lists, auto parts and auto thieves may set out to break or take the items they find listed.

These lists have been duplicated under new federal regulations to duplicate as necessary, written in the early 2000s. Such lists are provided to multiple law enforcement agencies, as part of government-subsidized programs to increase jobs in law enforcement, data entry, and computer information systems.

But back to the topic. Auto repair warranties for new and used cars are a hot new item sold on the Internet. Supplemental warranties are sold in new and used car lots.

But the actual repair shop warranty, written on the bottom or the back of the invoice, may lead to formidable frustration for the average car owner.

In this economy, there may be more franchises, more independent small businesses operating under nationally known signs. These companies use the old corporate sgns, which have instilled confidence in auto repair consumers for years, even decades, to attract business.

Many of these well-known signs may be seen above "look-alike" businesses. Bankruptcies, business closings, and more informal "restructuring" have affected the large "car care" groups of companies, including those which offer store credit plans.

The driver looking for a familiar sign may be taking a bigger risk than before of visiting an "As Is" or "Car Repair at Your Own Risk" shop operating under an old, now defunct, corporate sign.

The average driver assumes the national company will provide better, more reliable service than the service station on the corner. This belief is in large part due to the well-known warranty published in newspaper, email, and postal mail ads to new and former customers, and as written on the invoice.

Auto repair nightmares can and do happen. Here's a story of a 3-month non-stop used car repair nightmare. An older van owner with a reliable, decent driving vehicle was resting the vehicle while getting some library work done. The van was driven only 5-10 miles per day, to the health club about every other day, to a Walmart or grocery store for food or a few basic items, then off to the library. The vehicle had to be moved a few blocks most days to comply with parking restrictions.

Suddenly, there was a starting problem outside the health club. Checking for obviously loosened wires or missing parts, a little more gas to 1/2 tank, a weak attempt at a jump start, then a new battery did not solve the problem.

A national repair shop offered a charging system check. Having checked the battery, knowing the alternator had been replaced about 10 months previusly, and checking the repair manual, the cutomer suspected it was a starter motor problem. The shop service writer said it sounded like a starter repair. But upon arrival, the shop would not do the charging system check. Instead the service writer said he "had been doing this for a long time" and insisted on replacing the fuel pump, a more expensive repair.

The vehicle started weakly after the repair. The fuel pump repair required taking off the new gas tank. When reconnected with an old, thin, short filler fuel hose, the hose leaked gas onto the exhaust after filling, almost stranding the owner on the interstate the evening after the repair, or worse. A "good samaritan" helped the owner reposition and tighten the fuel hose clamps to stop the leak.

The second national shop said the fuel hose was 3 inches to short and replaced it. That shop also noted the gas tank protector panel was hangng from the frame, missing bolts, and tire nuts required tightening.

The customer later noted only the bottom mechanical pump part of the fuel pump was replaced, not the vents/electrical/hose connector assembly. The shop had a writtten parts and labor warranty (90 days to 1 year) on the back of the invoice.

A few days after the second repair, the customer noted a oil/water spray on the inside surface of a tire. There was more tire noise than usual and a sensation of a stuck wheel when driving at low speed. A wheel bearing repair was done at the second national shop, a repeat of a repair done just over a year before at the same company sign at a different location. The "sticking" recurred. The shop declined to do the free (90 day or 1,0000 mile) parts and labor warranty repair as described on the invoice. Luckily, the problem resolved, after making inquiries at the local dealership.

A very cold, windy winter storm arrived. The customer went to a national auto parts store for a new battery. The battery installation guy applied what the customer later described as a vasoline-type lubricant to the new battery posts. This was noticed by the customer when the car would not start and the battery terminals lifted off the posts.

The customer cleaned the battery posts and terminals, replaced an older terminal screw, and recharged the old and new battery. The national auto parts store also had a 3-year prorate and return for replacement warranty.

The delayed starting problem persisted. There was a three day wait at the local dealership. A mechanic previously known for good work in that city seemed different on the phone. Another shop had an over the weekend delay for repairs.

The customer noticed a national gas station wih 2 repair bays. The mechanic insisted on cleaning the starter contacts ("rebuilding") rather than replacing it with a new starter, all labor charges rather than a new part plus labor. The mechanic insisted the starter contacts were dirty due to an oil leak and said it needed a valve cover gasket and oil pressure sending unit, which was done the following week.

No oil leak was mentioned at a separate oil change shop the previous week.

4 days after the second repair at the gas station repair shop, the vehicle's oil light went on, on the interstate on the way outof town. The owner pulled the van off onto the exit ramp. It would not restart.

It was a cold, wintry Sunday morning on a desolate-looking, less populated exit ramp area. The owner called 911 to see if 911 could contact the repair gas station/garage, which was not answering the telephone. The gas station also had wheel lift and flat bed tow trucks.

The gas station tow truck arrived but towed the car improperly, front wheel lift rather than flatbed, too fast, back to the station. The next day the gas station said the "motor seized". Both recent reapirs (13 and 4 days ago) were covered by a 3 month/3,0000 mile warranty.

The van owner arranged for a truck rental/auto carrier to take the van to the more trusted mechanic from whom it was purchased for evaluation. The gas station owner called the local police to take an additional $100 from the owner for the re-evaluation and tow back, despite payment in full for 2 failed repairs under warranty, the second repair only 4 days before the vehicle broke down.

A police officer followed the van owner and demanded the van owner sign additional credit card receipts for a total of $100. This, despite being a situaton where no additional bill had been made, presented to, or discussed with the van owner, and the van owner's statement that both previous bills paid would be disputed through the credit card company as a civil matter.

This story signals a misuse of police. Whether this was a valid law enforcement group or simply a local uniformed group in a bankrupt city with a high poverty rate, could not be ascertained.

Used car repair not only can be expensive. Serially, poorly done repairs become a form of money theft. There may be theft by deception, telling the customer that repairs are done or done properly when they are not, vandalism, auto parts or auto theft. There may be a threat to the customer's life and liberty.

Don't fall for aggressive "sales" tactics in this meaner economy. NTB, Monro, Exxon, and other companies listed on "big name" corporate signs and group invoices may no longer be "trusted names" in auto repair business in the US.

With older used cars, find a mechanic you know and can trust--one who is not interested in selling your car out from under you for parts or whole, to evaluate the vehicle.


[Read more on the topics raised in "Caveat Emptor" on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot) on www.google.com.]

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkruse381@gmail.com to comment or request copies of blogs posted by mary on monthlynotestaff on http://monthlynotesthirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com) on www.google.com.

Graphic: Sitting Justice, an 18th Century engraving in "Law and Politics: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia, DP Strouthers, ABC-Clio, Santa Barbara, CA, 1995.

Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware--2. Is it a Warranty or a Sales Device?--Electronics

"Sitting Justice",
a blindfolded woman
holding a sword and
a scale upon which to weigh truth,
rests on a throne
in an 18th Century engraving.








For many, these are indeed "leaner and meaner" times, a phrase popularized by Former President George HW Bush in the latter 1980's. Unfortunately, the trend to de-regulation in business has stimulated new versions of greed in business. One of the most harmful to the consumer is the use of a "warranty" primarily as a sales device.

The warranty is a guarantee a product or service does what it is purchased to do. Or, if not, the consumer will get a refund or a replacement that does work at the expense of the business. Sales of cars and trucks, major appliances, electronics, and other expensive items, even automotive repairs, depend on consumer confidence in the product, and the store to provide a working product or service. Purchases are purchases, of working items or services, not donations.

Today, a warranty may be an empty promise.

"Pure profit" warranties are sold by some electronics stores. In these warranty plans, a separate vendor or affiliated company, not the actual seller of the product or service, "warranties" the item. The buyer drops down a chunk of cash or credit only to find that the product manufacturer warranties the item for the first year, the store warranty does not apply until after the manufacturer's warranty expires.

Take the example of a computer buyer. After paying for a one-year warranty, the computer does not work very well or at all, after the 14-day easy return period. Often the consumer simply has not found a helpful instruction manual or has not had the time to get the computer "up and running" in the first 14 days. The buyer, confident any problem will be resolved under the warranty, takes the product back to the store.

The repair technician tells the consumer the problem is hardware, not the software covered under the warranty, and that because the manufacturer warranty covers in the first year, the customer will have to call the manufacturer and probably send the computer to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

The cost of the warranty increases with the cost of the product. The buyer of a low cost computer has dropped about $149.99 for a useless warranty, will lose use of the computer by sending it to the manufacturer, who is totally unknown to the buyer.

If a manager does decide to offer a new replacement, the customer "uses" the $149.99 warranty to cover the stores' defective product. So the customer is told he or she must buy a second $149.99 warranty for the replacement computer.

Often the seller has a repair department. But later the customer finds but it is not a manufacturer factory-authorized repair department. The "other" electronics store, which does have a factory-authorized repair department, does not want to do a free repair for the electronics store down the street which received the money for the computer and the warranty.

So, despite the warranty, the buyer is stuck with a defective computer, even after buying the warranty.

In the computer industry, this can be complicated by having purchased a "used" computer sold as "new". The more experienced customer knows to check computer files for evidence of a "used" computer, in the store if allowed to do so, or within the easy return period, only 14 days in many electronic stores.

[Read more on the topics raised in "Caveat Emptor: May the Buyer Beware" on http://monthlynotes.thirteen.blogspot.com (http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com) on www.google.com.]

Email mkrause54@yahoo.com or mkrause381@gmail.com to comment or request copies of this or other blogs posted by mary for the monthlynotesstaff on http://monthlynotes.blogspot.com.

Graphic: Sitting Justice, in "Law and Politics": A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia, DP Strouthers, ABC-Clio, Santa Barbara, CA, 1995.