The Kitchen Think: Food Poisoned? Tweet It!

August21

Have you ever been food poisoned?Foodbornechi

A few years back, GP and Drew got so sick on our holiday in California that they couldn’t fly home with the rest of us. It took them a good three days to recover.

We knew exactly what they ate and where they ate… but besides calling the restaurant, there wasn’t anything we could do about it. Twitter has changed all that… at least in Chicago.

Earlier this year, the Chicago Department of Public Health, using the Twitter handle @Foodbornechi began monitoring tweets from Chicago diners with the words “food poisoning.” Volunteers then contact the victims and encourage them to fill out a form and report the incident.

This could help “connect the dots” in the race to trace the source of a specific outbreak or help pinpoint restaurants that may be unknowingly spreading foodborne illness.

Think this is a good idea? Let me know. Critics say while a lot of people scream “food poisoning!” if they get sick after a meal… the last thing eaten isn’t always to blame. Did you know you can get sick from food poisoning up to TWO WEEKS later! (That’s According to the Centers for Disease Control).

Still, I think Twitter is a great idea. May not make your stomach stop hurting… but it might make you feel a little better to vent your anger.

And, who knows…you might just help a fellow diner avoid a potential problem down the road.

The Kitchen Think: Girl Scouts Get Social

February7

You go girl!mtc_thinmint_abc

Tomorrow is the first annual National Girl Scout Cookie Day  and this year the gals in green are working social media like a boss.

✔ Twitter: @girlscouts #onemorebox

✔ App: available for iPhone or Android

✔ YouTube: How to Buy Cookies (really?)

✔ Facebook: Enter the One-Day Only Contest!

✔ Pinterest: Pin Your Cookie

✔ Blog: Updates On GS Cookie Day

See what I mean… I’m not exaggerating!girlscoutscookietruck

And if you happen to be in New York City, look for the Girl Scout Cookie Food Truck. Again… no joke. They’ll be tweeting exactly where they’ll be selling all your faves: Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos and Samoas.

Wonder if they’ll also have that new shitake mushroom-infused cookie, Mango Crèmes? (No, I’m not kidding…)

Not quite sure about that one yet…

mtc_mango_abc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi…
I’m Christina Chavez

I was a TV journalist for many years, but with a house full of kids I decided to come off the road, go to culinary school and follow my passion for cooking. Mama’s High Strung is all about food… everything from creative recipe ideas to some really cool kitchen gadgets and cooking tips. I live in Chicago, but I love to travel and write about my food discoveries! You can reach me by email: mamashighstrung@gmail.com