Drastic Measures

What would it take for a corporation to understand that Customs compliance is important, should be a priority (if not a top priority), handled in a proactive manner and is to be taken seriously?

To answer this question, let me take you on a personal journey of mine that began back in February of 2022.

Admittedly, I am a foodie. (The Customs and Cooking BLOG says it all!) 
Sitting down to a great meal with family and friends is something that I enjoy immensely. Yet, food can have many negative connotations as well! Too much food is alarmingly dangerous. Food without the proper nutrients can have adverse effects on ones health.

Back in February, I was quite a bit overweight and being monitored by my GP for hypertension and the on-set of diabetes. Yes, there is quite a bit of personal information, but I wanted to outline why my last posting was in mid-July and I am only restarting now.

As soon as I was prescribed my fifth medication, I put myself on the list for Bariatric Surgery. That is what I define as a DRASTIC MEASURE and what it took for me to take my health seriously.

I prepped for close to seven months. During that time I lost over 30 lbs. The surgery took place towards the end of September.

Now, almost two months later, I have dropped close to a total of just under 100 lbs. I am off all medications and I am feeling amazing!

DRASTIC MEASURES!!! Sometimes, we all need that lightbulb moment.

So what am I eating these days? Here is a list (not recipes) that I go to...
- cottage cheese (1% or 2%)
- hummus
- plain yogurt (no sugar added) -- not vanilla but plain
- non-sweetened natural apple sauce
- fish (mainly plain baked salmon)
- protein drinks (like Boost)
- water (lots and lots of water)
- various vegetables (raw or steamed)
- meatballs in a tomato sauce (recipe below)

The interesting thing is that my portions are tiny, yet I feel full, but more importantly satiated and feeling great.


From a Customs Compliance perspective, as an importer and/or exporter, it is not IF the corporation will be audited by a Customs authority but WHEN. (Have I mentioned that in a previous BLOG posting?)

When an importer is audited, in any one of the three key compliance data elements that Customs looks at (HS, Origin, Value), and Customs finds an anomaly that results in duties, taxes and penalties owing, the importer is confused as to how and why this could happen?!?

From a Customs perspective, the DRASTIC event is when an importer or exporter is required to remit significant amounts of funds for non-compliance. This reactive measure sometimes cannot resolve all issues.

Just like my DRASTIC MEASURE was Bariatric Surgery because I realized that the amounts of medication I was taking was a road to disaster, monetary assessments to importers and exporters usually dictate that DRASTIC MEASURES be taken to initiate compliance.

My suggestion is not to wait until it is too late!!!
The same measures can be taken to align an organization with compliant practices in a proactive manner, and in this scenario, those MEASURES may not have to be so DRASTIC.




Shout out and thank you again to all those that read the BLOG.
I will make every effort to have consistent posting for the foreseeable future.



Meatball with tomato sauce recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs. of minced meat
- 3 eggs
- one cup of breadcrumbs
- one medium/large onion (diced)
- salt and pepper to taste
- garlic powder (one teaspoon)
- half a cup of ketchup
- one large can of tomato sauce
- one cup of water 

Except for the water, mix all of the above ingredients together.
Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a meatball. (Should yield about 25-30 meatballs)
Place in a pot and cover in tomato sauce
Add the one cup of water into the pot

Bring to a boil, lower to medium heat, and allow to simmer for about 45 to 60 minutes.

Serve with spaghetti or rice.

ENJOY!!!

(I chose this recipe because, as I am now back to eating solid foods, this is a perfect example of using portion control and not doing anything DRASTIC. Two or three meatballs is a perfect quantity for a nice dinner.)
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

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