Wednesday, November 10, 2010

File This Under "Parenting Lessons: Pork"

Ever since I got my job, I've figured out some of what needs to be taught to my children:

1) You can't fly
2) Be nice to people
3) Wash your hands upon returning from the grocery store
4) Don't lean so close to the pond
5) Bring a sweater to the movie theater

But I'm frequently stymied by the number of things I don't realize need teaching, until it's too late.

In case this one has escaped you, add it to your parenting manual: Do not lick raw meat.

I had a huge pork loin thawing on the counter. Mid-day, I noticed it had been "handled". It was resting on a potholder that I didn't put there, and was covered by another potholder. I couldn't imagine why anyone felt the need to cover it, but whatever. Later, when I was removing the plastic wrap to marinate the thing, Cayna walked up to me at the sink and said, "We licked all the ice off of that for you."

Cringe. Shudder. Eyes widen as I informed Cayna that raw meat is NOT something we should make a practice of licking. (The plastic wrap was of small comfort. Those things are oozing at the butcher's counter... how clean can they be?)

Trichinosis is a disease resulting from infestation with Trichinella spiralis, occurring in humans, caused by ingestion of infested, undercooked pork, and characterized by fever, muscle weakness, and diarrhea.

Forty-eight hours later, and no signs of trichinosis. What a relief! On to the next lesson.

3 comments:

Baby-Mama Runner said...

If it makes you feel better Trichinosis is very unusual in the modern pork supply. Undercooked bear meat is another story. Natalie can still remember her venture into raw foodism when she took a bite of raw bacon before I could scream, "NOOOOOOOO!" Not nearly as tasty as the cooked variety.

Las Vegas Mama said...

uh oh! :/ i will make a point of teaching this one to the girls, stat!!!

littlecbsmom said...

That is absolutely hysterical! There is one place where my very picky eaters could be a plus???? NO WAY would they ever think to do such a thing since they don't eat anything normal and cooked anyway;)