Last night there was a Heart Foundation ad on television defending the Ticks, and pointing out that they had to be earned. I think the Macdonalds ticks last year damaged them badly - and Maccas suckered them (and continues to do so) by using a golden heart, which then became a beating 'M'.

Perhaps it is time for the Heart Foundation to look for other ways of fund raising, though with cancer receiving so much publicity (Relay for Life and the overdone breast cancer pink stuff) it will be an uphill battle.

I work on the adage that if it has to undergo a test to see if it is healthy, i.e. if it is not immediately obvious, then it is a no-go zone. The processes to preserve food to give them a shelf-life are too dangerous. I live a very long way from a town with few trips so use few fast foods and grow as much food as I can myself. Though I have to say I like cheese, pasta and rice and buy them. I also became incredulous when I realised that the tick was sold rather than earned, with the buyer of the goods footing the ultimate bill. So I don't buy ticked food. It is just not healthy, money-wise or food-wise!