FOOD:2020-2021 Foreign objects in food. & oddities

 Really kind of tired of finding sharp objects like the plastic thing in French cut green beans.

Went to Whole Foods and got 2 bags of their cut green beans. and what happens. The end of the second bag there was this weird looking item. Looked like a tiny pine cone. So while I did not eat the "cone" I did finish the bag of beans. I figured it the first part of them didn't kill me I was good. I took photos of it in its frozen state. Then after a couple of days of it sitting on the wrapper on the counter waiting for me to be civil in an email to the company it became more recognizable as acorn cob. After posting it on facebook one woman explained that when the plant crops they burn what remains when they are ready to plant something else. And it is likely a charred corn cob piece.

Still this is happening more frequently and is annoying at the very leats.

my note on line
I purchased two bags of your  365 cut green beans in the frozen department. First bag fine. Second bag on the last serving was a "thing" that looked like a tiny pine cone. I figured I lived through eating the rest of the bag and I was hungry so I ate the beans but not the foreign object. I took photos  when it was frozen. Then let it sit on the counter until I cooled down enough to write. Once defrosted it looks like a corn cob piece that is charred

bar code 0  994282 405 73   1

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December 31 2020

well after many emails and giving them the same information over and over again and 3 different customer service representatives- they will be sending me a coupon in the mail. They wanted to email me one- told them I do not have a printer.

we will see how long THIS takes.

received the gift card in the mail and used it on the 17th when I did Hyannis errands. Bought my soymilk and a bar of soap that was over 4 bucks. 76 cents left on it so I said to the clerk to give it to the next customer. I think the soap is rosemary mint or something.

January 13 2021

opened a bag of organic carrots I bought at Star Market. It was the gnarliest bunch I have ever seen. over the week ate all but the tiny stump one and one other- got cut up for the bunny rabbits below

 

file this under my oddity January 29th 2021

I wanted to cook  some Yukon Gold potatoes. Cut them into quarters and arranged them in the pan- accidentally arranged in a pleasing pattern. Couldn't figure out if it was OCD or anal. LOL But surprise! the skins came off easily cooked like this. so there is a plus and not just weird.

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FOOD: INSTANT POT

 Or as I now refer to it as an Instant Flop

I will start off stating yes my fault but manufacturers should always include extras when some pieces are so freaking tiny they could blow off the counter or go down the drain. Still no clue what happened.

I had successfully made orange beets using the Slow Cooker feature. It was a hit or miss guessing game so I set it at 2 hours. They were fine- but could have boiled them in a sauce pan for an hour... so be it. I got the Instant Pot FOR the slow cooker feature, which they tell you later is not like a slow cooker. It does have a stainless steel pan that takes the place of the crockery I dread.

Just for our amusement I will include the correspondence from "Jonathan" here. I had gone to their website and stated my problem

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December 15 2020
Thank you for contacting us! [ ref:_00DE0YMzT._5004W1afIN1:ref ]
Hello Cynthia,

Thank you for contacting us at Instant Brands.
December 18 2020
Hello Cynthia,

Thank you for your response.

We have noted your preferred means of correspondence. Please know that the float valves for the Duo Nova Mini are currently on back-order. We will happily place you on the back-order list, and as soon as our inventory is replenished, we will send you an email along with the shipping confirmation.

If you would like to be placed on the back-order list, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Jonathan H.
Instant Brands - Customer Care
1-800-828-7280
support@instantpot.com
Monday – Friday ~ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT

Need help placing your order? Reach out to our Customer Care Team for quick and friendly service. We can be reached at 1.800.828.7280. Mention code TENOFFIB for 10% off your order when placed through our Customer Care Center.

--------------- Original Message ---------------
From: Cynthia Moore [cynthiamoore120@yahoo.com]
Sent: 12/16/2020 10:12 AM
To: support@instantpot.com
Subject: 01040284 - Thank you for contacting us!    [ ref:_00DE0YMzT._5004W1afIN1:ref ]

Hello Jonathan H.,
I cannot find my receipt. I purchased it at Macy's in Hyannis either end of September or beginning of October 2020. Pity the person who does not have a camera or a computer!Duo Nova MiniA 401 9CUbarcode875378021991903634My mailing address is 152 Commerce Park- Apt BSouth Chatham MA https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://02659.phone__;!!E3_c71tlzwn24w!qiBW84CIy6gt9ZSAsBU0SrUwJgi_2SACgYqsYYx47qwvCu5Pk9o1OYWM2JRnJdCKwg$ is 508-430-1520. Please do not call I cannot hear clearly when people call. Thank https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://you.Photos__;!!E3_c71tlzwn24w!qiBW84CIy6gt9ZSAsBU0SrUwJgi_2SACgYqsYYx47qwvCu5Pk9o1OYWM2JS4FrKcbw$ attached . I have circled  ( roughly) in red the area of where the item is missing, Float Valve and is red. I had it initially as I used the Instant Pot once to cook beets about a month ago. Now it cannot be found.Hope this complies with all your requests!ah found the credit card mention of macys purchase7 attachmentsThank you for your time and patience.Sincerely,Cynthia Moore
To ensure we are offering the best support, can you please provide the following:
- An image showing the area of concern
- An image or screenshot of your purchase receipt, displaying the date of purchase
- Your current shipping address
May we please confirm your phone number
(508) 430-1520

Thank you, and we look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Jonathan H.
Instant Brands - Customer Care
1-800-828-7280
**
December 21 2020
Hello Cynthia,

Thank you for providing all the requested information. It is appreciated.

We have added you to our back-order list, and as soon as our inventory is replenished, we will send you an email along with the shipping confirmation.

Thank you kindly, and we look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Jonathan H.
Instant Brands - Customer Care
1-800-828-7280

*****

As you can see my second problem was no receipt and of course trying to read the codes and numbers on the appliance was tedious so I took photos so I could zoom in. But a light bulb went on in my head and I went online to my credit card and found THAT receipt too a screen grab and used that.

Silly me I was expecting, after filling out the website info, to received 5 of them in an envelope some day in my mail - dream on.

 

so realizing I could not do the potatoes in the Instant Pot  AND the oven still smells and makes me cough. Took pix of the oven hoping to see if something is stuck in there that I do not see. Then took pix of the potatoes and saw faces. LOL

in the pan cooked for an hour at least. They were delicious. got 6 servings out of those 2 potatoes and froze them for later use.

now back to the pot

I had to take photos of everything to prove what I was missing that tiny little floating red cap. The Duo Nova Mini in all its glory

Now to wait and hear how the back order is doing.

oh joy.

January 4 2021

still no word from them on the back order.

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Finally got the replacement part and apparently I was missing nothing- but the manual made it look like it should be a red cap.

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March 16

 I did 2 sweets and 3 rainbow carrots. ended up too soft using the pressure cooker method but was tasty. A lot of work assembling and disassembling for cleaning. I want to give it away but no one wants it! I will, later, take photos of all the parts and explain where they go as the manual is NOT clear.

 

 you cannot see the controls unless there is a bright light, and you have a magnifier and are lower than the panel. What a horrible design

more later

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BOOKS:Street Libraries

 Not very clear photos but I am trying to take pix of all the street libraries I see along my travels. ( which are limited LOL)

Battlefield road-Sears Road

 Main Street Chatham across from Agway Nurseries- and a bench for sitting- nice touch.

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WEATHER: Yellow trees 2020

 Not stellar photos but...

headed over to Brewster to walk in a cemetery. Good grief 10 other people has the same idea- but we all distanced ourselves. I got ina  good hours walk- my favorite way walking on grass earth whatever- just not pavement! I noticed the leaves on my way to and from. We are lucky to have the changes of seasons here even though that includes freezing ass cold and bare trees. Nothing like the refreshing lushness of a Spring green tree, or the vibrant and almost sensual red leaves that change a mood in a flash of color. But my favorite is yellow and apricot. Yes I realize these are blurry- totally out of my control. I would slow down and get the camera ready and someone would  zoom up behind me. ugh. A couple of clear shots- but all in all it satisfied that yearning for a golden tree, blue sky and crisp air.

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