National Do Not Call Registry Closed Today

Howdy, I'm enjoying the Southwest Desert Autumn.  Temperatures could stay below 90 degrees (F) today if we are lucky.  Night temperatures may get below 70 degrees (F).  Some leaves are turning yellow.  I think they turn color because they finally burned out in the summer heat and lack of moisture.  It's just a theory.
Life is good.

It was an excellent day until I got an unsolicited call from an unidentified phone number.  I was expecting a call from out of state, so I picket it up.  There was no answer, but they did not hang up.  There were a few clicks.  I told "them" I was on the Do Not Call Registry and if they called back I would report them.
In the past I have found taking the time to report repeat offenders to the National Do Not Call Registry deters future calls.  
A quick visit to the National Do Not Call Registry now reads: 

Due to the Government shutdown, we are unable to offer this website service at this time. We will resume normal operations when the government is funded.

Debido al cierre del gobierno no podemos ofrecer este servicio telefónico en este momento. Nosotros reanudaremos el funcionamiento normal cuando el gobierno este fianciado.

Yep, you get it in English and Spanish.  You paid your taxes, but the site is down.  

Got a buck?  Donate to Southwest Desert Blogger on the secure DONATION button at the top of the Home page that links to PayPal.  Be the first to donate.  Let me know what articles you like.
I published a comment from a reader today asking if anyone else has trouble getting the Omega VRT350 Juicer pieces apart for cleaning?  If so, what do you do?  You can guess my answer...
RETURN IT FOR A REFUND or roll the dice with an exchange.  Sounds like the parts are not manufactured correctly.  Normally, a juicer comes apart for cleaning:)
Thanks for that question.  If anyone has other advice for that SouthWest Desert Blogger reader, just send it.

Waiting for your donation,
Southwest Desert Blogger

The NEW 2013 Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer Ultimate

Howdy from the cool 98 degrees late September Southwest Desert,
I recently got the new Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer Ultimate at that big box store I lovingly call "CostLo".

The big change is that this Jack LaLanne Juicer does not require the Crescent Tool or "key" to lock the Filter Blade in place.
Improvement?  If you are one of the many who has lost the key, this change solves your problem.
Down side:  I think the old key lock blade juicer was more efficient and slightly less noisy*.*My opinion, may not be scientific fact. [*=disclaimer aka CYA]
Up side:  Two less parts, i.e, no key and the new combined Filter/Blade.  There used to be the a 2 part Filter and Blade that was locked together with the key.  Now both parts are one piece that snugly fits into the "Receptacle" which receives the juice and has a spout by which the juice flows into your jar or glass.

The most recent model with a key had a magnet on the key so I just stuck it on a metal appliance when not in use.  However, I know folks lost the key, rendering the old model useless, and found my post directing them to where to order a new key online.  The parts for the Jack LaLanne are cheap.  I advise you get 2 keys if you have the key model juicer.

Overall, the Jack LaLanne's is an affordable, entry level juicer, suitable for the first time juicer who signed up for a little juice fast or feast, any juicing newbie or seasoned juicer who wants a clean, pulp-free juice.  I use mine daily.  I find that this juicer is not as efficient with greens, especially baby greens, but it is good for most other fruits and vegetables*.  *My opinion, may not be scientific fact.

The juicer I purchased at "CostLo" came with a 190 page full color Recipe Collection Book.  The Recipe Book has General Guidelines for juicing that include special suggestions for juicing Carrots, Leafy Greens (roll them up in a bunch, [like a cigar] feed into chute, and follow by a juicier fruit or veg such as cucumber, celery, or tomato), juicing Citrus, Melons, berries, etc.

The Recipe Book also has charts of fruits and vegetables ideal for juicing, those that have large juice content, those that are more challenging, and those not to juice! -- For example, DON'T juice banana, avocado, and coconut, though they are whole foods that can be eaten or, in the case of banana, avocado, added to smoothies. 
The Recipe Book has a "Juice and Pulp Yield Per Produce" chart and recipes for using pulp!  The JUICE RECIPES are the bulk of the book and there are over 100 color photos of beautiful juice presentation ideas.

With tax, I paid less than (close to) $100 for the Juicer, complete with Operating Manuel, Quick Start Guide, Instructional DVD, Recipe Book, and very good quality cleaning brush.  Plus, "CostLo" has a great return or exchange policy.  Always be sure you can return a juicer for full refund before you buy!  I learned this rule the hard way with one of those high priced juicers:(

If you don't have the $400 many of the other trendy juicers cost, the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer is a serviceable, affordable, juicer you can use every day, with excellent instructions and information for the beginner or seasoned juicer.
*I do not sell juicers and no one pays me to write these reviews.  I purchased this juicer at full price from the store just like anyone else.  I hope this information helps you.  If you have any questions, just ask.  If this saved you some time or money, consider a donation on the secure PayPal DONATION button near the top of the blog.  Thanks for your support.

Enjoying that under 100 degree cool September weather in the Desert,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c) 2013

Got Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer Crescent Tool?

Lost your Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer Crescent Tool?  That's the search term of the week.  I've seen it before, so here is what you do if you lost your Crescent Tool:
1.  go to www.powerjuicer.com/costco
2.  order your part
3.  while you are at it, maybe you should order 2 in case you lose it again:)
4.  notice how much cheaper these replacement parts are than the replacement parts for the OmegaVRT350HD... a whole lot cheaper!  Not only did you save a bundle buying the JackLaLanne's Power Juicer, but cha-ching$$, you save another bundle on replacement parts and shipping.
Glad I could be of help,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c) 2013

USLIFECARE Robo Calls?

Four (4) calls arrived today from caller ID USLIFECARE 971-256-5690 .  These were the times the calls came in:
9:54am
12:38pm
5:26pm
6:19pm
I answer the phone, and there is no one on the line!  Just silence.  What is going on?

I have put in 3 complaints to the DO NOT CALL registry, online.  If you are being bothered by weird calls, maybe you should start getting proactive by filing a simple written complaint on the Do Not Call Registry site.  It is simple and only takes a few minutes.  And if you keep bothering me USLIFECARE, I will post the latest phone number your calls come from.

Hot under the collar even though the temps are still winter cool,
SouthwestDesertBlogger
C. (c) 2013

Got Telemarketers?

If you have pesky telemarketers or recorded callers calling, get informed at the Do NOT Call Registry.
You can learn how to email or call in complaints, who CAN call you (Politicians, of course!, charities --is there a similarity?-- people you do business with, and surveys -- what!!! why???)

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry

Get proactive.  If you are not part of the solution, it has been said you are part of the problem.

Wishing you peace from unwanted callers,
(shall we take a survey of that thought?)
Southwest Desert Blogger
C (c)2013

Got USLIFECARE calls? 2143965675

I am on the Do Not Call Registry.  Why does caller ID "USLIFECARE"  keep calling me and triggering voice mail, then leaving no message?  What's your deal USLIFECARE?   Stop harassing me.

Do you get persistent weird callers?  Do they phone you at random times of day and night?  What's up with that?  You phone me and trigger my voice mail, then hang up, I will publish your phone number.
USLIFECARE (214) 396-5675.  They called 2/8/13 @ 6:40pm, 2/7/13@ 6:31pm, 2/6/13 @7:13pm.  They used to call from this number:
(206) 743- 0981  2/5on am and pm, 2/4, 1/31, etc.  See previous post.

Leave me alone USLIFECARE!
Southwest Desert Blogger 

Got Telemarketers?

I am on the Do Not Call Registry List.  Why do I get all these pesky calls from USLIFECARE (206) 743-0981 ?  They let the call go to voice mail, then do not leave a message.  Here is a list of times I have recorded USLIFECARE calling:
12/29/12 at 2:17
1/26/13 at 2:27
1/29/13 at 10:34
1/30/13 at 11:32 and 5:12
1/31/13 at 4:54
2/4/13 I picked up and requested to be taken off their call list by pressing #2 when prompted. Then, on 2/5/13 at 10:28am I got another call from USLIFECARE!!! Then another at 2:35pm!!!! Then another today,
2/6/13 at 3:10pm!!!!  They just trigger the voice mail and do not leave any message.  I have to listen to the time and date stamp and silence, and delete or save.

So USLIFECARE, why do you phone my number?  What is it about the Do Not Call Registry that you do not understand?  I tried calling one of my Senators.  He had a prompt on his phone menu to press 2 if I wanted to speak to a member of the Senator's staff.  I pressed 2.  It rang and rang and rang and rang and rang and rang... You get the idea.  No one ever answered.  Hey Senator, need someone to answer your calls from constituents?  Give me a call.  Feel free to leave a voice mail.

Sincerely yours,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2013

Grow Sprouts?

I have a sprout tower, 4 trays plus bottom water collector dish and top cover.  Here are my winter sprout growing tips:

Cover the sprout tower, or jar if you use the traditional jar and screen method, with a tea towel to keep the spouts warmer if your house is chilly.  The towel will also keep the seeds in the dark during sprouting stages.  You may want to let them have a day of light to increase their green chlorophyll content when they have tiny leaf buds.

Start with the best quality sprout seed you can get.  Even if your seed is organic, rinse it and clean out any visibly damaged seed.  I also rinse my seed a few times after soaking.
When you are soaking the sprout seeds at the beginning of the process, keep them covered and dark as they probably would be in nature.  Don't forget you have soaking seed or sprouts to water!  That's why I like to keep them on the counter, covered, instead of in a dark kitchen closet, where they may be forgotten.  Even in the dry desert, this time of year I can get away with watering my sprouts twice a day, morning and night.  I try to time the watering to 12 hours apart.  When I am off schedule  my sprouts have been forgiving.

Those of you who have been following my posts for a while know I started as a sprouts in the jar traditionalist.  I used the cotton "cheese cloth" and rubber band over the mouth of the jar to strain the water out of the sprouts after watering.  I propped the jar on the side of the sink for a while to let the water drip out.  After a while, you can set the jar on its side, on a counter, and wrap it in a clean cloth or tea towel to keep it warm and dark.  The seeds grow pretty well if drained, yet kept moist.  You may modify watering frequency for your climate and time of year.  I find I need to water more often in the summer.  I also find that the seeds like to stay close together the first day or two, away from the screen.  It seems to help them stay moist in little groups.  Judge your climate.  You may need keep moisture controlled differently than I do.

Most important of all, clean your sprouting jars or trays very thoroughly between crops.  Hot water and pure soap, a brush to get in corners or crevices (cheap toothbrush or dish brush may do), a clean cloth to clean the surfaces... Because the water drips down through the 4  trays of sprouts in my tower, after the soap and hot water, I clean the sprouting tower with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball or little piece of paper towel to be sure there are no lingering evils.  If there is any discoloration in the corners, I use a toothpick to rub it out.  I also use a toothpick to dislodge any tiny seeds stuck in the tray water drip holes.  When all that is cleaned and rinsed, dry it or let air dry, and you have a clean start.

Glass jars are usually dishwasher safe.  Some plastic sprouting equipment is not.  Feedback from users of some brands of sprout towers and trays report that the equipment can withstand a few washings in the top level of the dishwasher, but after several dishwasher episodes, the sprout equipment may start to lose its quality.  Check manufacturer cleaning instructions for your particular brand.

I cannot stress the importance of keeping your sprouting equipment very clean.  It is your food you are growing.  If the sprouts look bad in any way, or smell bad, or if you are in doubt for any reason, do NOT eat them.  Just toss them, clean you equipment very well, and try again.  Even the old Southwest Desert Blogger has had a few bad batches.  Chalk it up to learning, and do better next time.  I have seen bad sprouts in the store on several occasions, so I happens to pros too.  If you see bad, slimy, or brown tipped sprouts in the store, report it to the produce manager so they can remove these potentially dangerous items from the shelf.

Check other internet sources for sprout safety, growing, and cleaning tips.  

Sprout on,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2013

End of the Unknown Caller, Sprouts, and New Year

I cracked the code of the Unknown Caller.  It was a collection company trying to find someone who I do not know.  I told them to take my number off their dang robo calling system or I'd notify various offices of the government.  Yep, the federal government of these United States.  Enough of the rant.

Been thinking of all you Southwest Desert Blogger readers.  I wanted to republish my Holiday Haiku, originally published around this time 2011!  Time flies.  I am not comfortable with this new fangled Blogger blog system... can't find a darned thing since they changed the system..  It is too frustrating, so I haven't been posting.

Now that it is cold in the Southwest Desert, i.e., in the 50s or 60s (Fahrenheit) by day and around freezing some nights, I am sprouting everything in sight: green peas, beans (mung, aduki, chick pea), red lentils, clover, alfalfa, radish, broccoli seed,and sunflower seed.  I have been letting the bean type sprouts grow to about 1/4 10 1/3 inch then clean any unsprouted or broken parts out and store in the fridge.  They continue to grow slowly.  I add them to salad, soup or broth such as miso, and you can sprinkle some on just about any dinner food, even pasta. 

I make a quick warm drink / broth of hot water, a spoon or 2 of tamari or shoyu (soy sauce to you) to taste (not too much!) a bit of sliced or diced garlic and ginger to taste (don't overdo it, can use powders), and a little helping of bean or lentil sprouts all in a small bowl or mug. You can add a little slivered or thin sliced green onion for color and flavor.  You can use Bragg's liquid aminos instead of tamari.  It's a quick and easy warm up.

I'm enjoying my 4 tier sprout tower.  It saves counter space compared to the sprouting in jars on the counter method.
Some folks sprout in the closet-- I mean put the jars of sprouts in the dark kitchen closet until they are grown enough to turn green in the light.  Just don't forget you left them in the closet or you'll find dried, hard, shriveled seeds there in the spring;)(:

We made it through that Mayan 2012 business, so let's have a Happy and Safe New Year.  You know what I mean?  Have fun...but not too much.  Maybe you can lassoo one of those Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons who's been coming to your door to drive you around tonight.  They can give out literature while you are in the bar.

Happy New Year from
Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c) 2012

(301)223-0073 What's your scam?

Today I got 2 calls from this phone number:  (301)223-0073  UNKNOWN NAME.
Yesterday I got 2 calls from that number.
A couple of days before that I got 2 calls from that number.
And 2 calls from that number the day before that...
And a call the day before that...
The phone calls just trigger my voice mail, but never leave a message.  If I answer the call and speak, I get no response.  What's the scam? 
OK UNKNOWN NAME, I'm closing in on you.  I know you are a landline from Williamsport, Maryland.
I know your phone carrier and your zip code.  I know others regard you as scam or spam.  So, just quit the sophomoric misbehavior.
If you Southwest Desert Blogger readers wonder what you get when you phone that number, just go ahead and try.  Let me know.
Let me know if you know anything about this or if you have some of this weirdness going on on your phone.
Is the Federal NO CALL LIST working for anyone out there?
Peeved,
Your Southwest Desert Blogger