Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

Harlan Levy. Courtesy photo

By Harlan Levy

Hey readers: Do you like and eat a lot of broccoli, the healthiest vegetable? For decades I tried to avoid this plant that to me tasted liked ruffage. Then a few years ago my wife started roasting it in olive oil, and I couldn’t get enough of it! I even savor this green health food with butter and potassium salt.

So here’s a broccoli food “hack”: The buds on broccoli and cauliflower form natural crevices that are the ideal home for tiny bugs, dust, and dirt. To clean these vegetables, fill a bowl with 8 cups of cold water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Soak for five minutes to allow any hidden bugs to float to the surface, then place in a colander under cold water to remove any remaining dirt.

Now on to my main topic …

It’s important to soak and rinse broccoli to get rid of any tiny bugs. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Vitamin D

In the wake of my Dec. 29 traumatic fall off a Westfarms mall escalator, fracturing two lower vertebrae (lower thank God), my doctor recently diagnosed me with serious osteoporosis and told me to take Vitamin D softgels daily.

I researched Vitamin D and, from Goodrx.com I found the following:

• Facts: Vitamin D helps regulate your muscular, nervous, and immune systems. Your body makes Vitamin D when you’re exposed to sunlight. You also get it from fatty fish, mushrooms, and vitamin D-fortified milk or cereal. Most people get enough vitamin D, but if your Vitamin D levels are low, they may recommend a vitamin D supplement – available over the counter (OTC).
• Interactions: Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone health. But vitamin D supplements (like the softgels I take) can interact with other medications, including atorvastatin (Lipitor) which I take nightly for maintaining low bad cholesterol, cholestyramine (bile acid sequestrations like Prevalite), and phenytoin (seizure medications like Dilantin, Phenytek). Other Vitamin D drug interactions include orlistat (weight loss medications like Xenical, Alli), digoxin for heart disease and AFIB (Lanoxin), and waster pill hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide).

In most cases you won’t need to stop taking your medications because oof Vitamin D interaction, but tell your physician your full medication regimen before starting Vitamin D to check for interactions.

Vitamin D treats osteoporosis but may unfavorably interact with other drugs. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

Farmers markets

The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Food and Standards Division just sent out food safety tips ahead of farmers market season:

Licenses: In Connecticut, “cottage” food sellers must obtain a Cottage Food Operator (CFO) license through DCP. Cottage food products must be made in a home kitchen. Cottage food businesses are not allowed to sell potentially hazardous foods, including eggs, meat, poultry, and dairy.

Cannot sell: salsas, tomato and other spaghetti sauces, focaccia bread with roasted vegetables, fresh or canned cooked vegetables, and:

• Pickled Vegetables
• Hot sauce
• Apple sauce
• Beverages
• Ice cream
• Fire ciders
• Acidified foods
• Dehydrated meat and poultry products
• Fresh fruit or vegetables
• Chocolate covered fruit
• Pepper jams, Mango jams
• Relishes
• Soups
• Syrups
• Extracts
• Whipped cream frosting
• Cream cheese frosting
• Buttercream frosting
• Elderberry syrup
• Flan and tres leche cake
• Candy or caramel covered fruit
• Infused oils

Now you know.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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