Watching the open market displays on various food shows, in particular the foreign shows, with all the fruits and vegetables, breads, and even meats and fish that are out in the open air where everyone can handle the food and compare it, I wonder — are there no bacteria or sanitation problems in those countries?

Here in our little corner of the world we take into consideration the moving belt at the check out counter and the handles on the shopping carts. The food items themselves may be even tainted. 

We also think about how many hands may have handled the food. Even if there is an outside hide or covering on the food items, like what we find on citrus fruits, that too needs to be washed. 

Even after we wash them, we wonder if we are doing a good enough job. I like to use white vinegar and water as it kills bacteria. Put together a mixture of one part vinegar to 10 parts water and use it to wash your fruits and vegetables. Then rinse them with clear water, and wipe the items with paper towel or allow them to air dry.

Is the air, the dust, the fingers and food cleaner in other countries? Rarely. I don't know, but I will keep on washing and cleaning. I hope that I am doing a good enough job.  

I know people who won't eat "finger foods" at a fair or exhibition, or allow their children to accept samples given out in the grocery stores. Is this sensible or nonsense? You be the judge.

Have germs taken over our lives? Can we get "germ-a-phobia” - knowing there are germs and bacteria everywhere? Have we become too concerned?

My grandfather often remodeled cow barns. He would have lunch and munch on his sandwich or cookies without a thought of what his hands had touched, and he was healthy as a horse. Perhaps there is an immunity built up over the years.

Some people travel to foreign lands, and immediately become sick. My cousin Jim Hanson, though, has traveled to 78 countries throughout the world, and has never become ill from food. 

He says that he doesn’t shy away from local food, but does take some ordinary precautions. He eats food that must be peeled, like bananas. He does not eat raw vegetables, like salads and tomatoes. He drinks soda or beer if it is bottled and the carbonation in the bottle indicates that the bottle hasn’t been opened. 

He never orders drinks with ice in them (the ice may be made with tainted water). That being said, he will eat street food from vendors, but watches to see if professional people order it first. These precautions are not just for foreign countries, but also apply to street foods from carts in American large cities and at sporting events.

Do you look at the railings that are located on stairways and think about how many germs are lurking there? Wiping the shopping cart handle is a good move, but have you ever thought about the belt that moves your groceries to the check out person and how many germs may be deposited there?

Do you bump the door handles with your hip instead of your hand? What do you do when you go to push open the doors; do you do it with your hands?

Is there anything dirtier than money? We hear about money laundering, but that laundering is not the kind you do with soap and water. Think of all of the hands and pockets that money has passed through.

My mother knew a gal who would even wash her hamburger. Meats and foods that can be properly cooked should not be washed. 

The heat that is used to cook the items will take care of germs, but great care should be taken in cleaning the areas where meat products could come in contact with other foods, such as counter tops and especially cutting boards. Also, don't forget to always wash your hands.

Even the paper receipts and plastic bags we get when we buy our groceries and things have germs and bacteria on them. What about paper products, especially those that have been recycled? What is the story there? Using disposable towels, even in your bathroom, makes sense unless you have a stack of fingertip towels that can be used for single use.

Another food for thought: do you know what you are eating? Sugar isn't just sweet for us. Germs love it too! Sugar in your body sends out chemical signals that drive bacteria to it like a moth to a flame.

Some foreign honey isn't honey at all. It is a substance that can be made from sweeteners and water. Believe it or not, some foreign processed food actually contains excess products that should be disposed of as garbage, but they choose to dispose of them in the product instead. In other words, they get rid of it, saving cost.  

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405. 

• Thursday, June 28th: Warren & Bonnie Nelson, Jenny (Broskoff) & Chris Dutton, Danielle (Wagner) & LuVerne Zacharis, Amanda (Reese) Beavens, Shane Reese, Margaret Dobberstein, Zack Kromminga, Sara Hoyt, Sara Jensen and Noah Peterson.

• Friday, June 29th: Donald Hope, Nate VerHey, Courtney Haugen, Jacob Peterson, Brenda (Janka) Tschann, Jane (Jensen) Bratten, Berniece Whelan, Barb & Dale Mrotz, Brent & Valerie Christensen, Brent & Michelle Meiners, Wally & Marge Wobschall.

• Saturday, June 30th: Tammy & Jeff Busho, Susan (Schmidt) & Jon Anderson, Ann & Brent Wiersma, Nate & Kristine VerHey, Julie Vanden Heuvel, Robin Eder, Nathan Robertson, Donna Reichl, Steve Jensen, Barb Wright, Lorrie Kelly and Roger Shaunce.

• Sunday, July 1st: Keralyn (Paulsen) Powers, Eugene Hagen, Mary Edwardson, Linda O'Neil, Joanna Ruth Vermedahl, Maureen Wayne, Jill Hanson, Chris Ihrke, Jason Churchill, Marjorie Otterson, Deb Schimek, Rachel (Eaker) Lee, Gary Carlson, Tristan Bangert, Robert Christensen, Roger & Joyce Wayne, Heather (Krause) & Dion Quiram and Frank & Marilyn Cuden.

• Monday, July 2nd: John & Wendy Schultz, Delbert & Judy Karsjens, Leslie (Gatton) & David Hecker, David & Sidney Skroch, Christopher Matthew Wacek, Mary Ann Ewing, Stacy Shaunce, David Beck, Chad Ritz, Wilma Arbogast, Melissa Quaintance and Tony H. Seykora.

• Tuesday, July 3rd: Danika Marie Jensen, Lorry Pelzl, Amy Storlie, Amy Walterman, Cynthia Nelson, Sara & Chris Ihrke, Rachel & Michael Schmidt, Phillip & Karen Briggs.

• Wednesday, July 4th: Happy 4th of July!  Bethany Miller, Carlie Sevcik, Pam Nelson, Trina Churchill, Ellie Rose Meiners, Brent Meiners, Brian Meiners, Denise & Scott McGowan.

Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile!

With each passing year, grow stronger, wiser and richer in spirit. May the year be filled with new discoveries and God Bless America!