a new year, hip hip hooray. great news in that carolee is pregnant!!!! she has had abit of trouble conceiving and I reckon the whole nourishing traditions must be some kind of help, considering how fanatical carolee seems to be about it.
ed, diane's husband, is on a kick with fermenting sodas. they are becoming hard core about it all with the big huge glass bottles beginning to take over the kitchen. I shall let diane write about it more if she wants. the plus side is that it has made me begin to do it as well and i have to say i do not drink plain water now. as with all this food it is subtle the effect on you and hard to know if it is doing zimbangle wonders or not.
diane is all into a fiber guy but as i know nothing about him that is about all i can write about him. i jsut know that he lives in rutherford and that ed is now pally pally with him.
i am feeling a little low with the new year as it is traditionally a time in australia when everyone has their summer holidays and means a lot of time at the beach and catching up with friends you have not seen for a while. i know this is all going on whilst i am here in passaic and it hurts my heart a little bit.
i am trying an experiment and getting the dogs onto this nourishing traditions diet. i probably should have done it a long time ago but as is the case with me, it takes a while to sink in. poor little oscar (our dog) has some kind of skin condition which is just awful for him. he is red all over and has little sores around his body. i am hoping the milk as well with the ground up organ meat shall help somewhat. i shall keep you posted.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Friday, December 21, 2007
Sick and ill informed
I have just spent an awful week with Marisol having a stomach bug, meaning that she has been throwing up everything that she has been putting into her stomach. She has lost alot of weight and it has just been abit trying on all accounts. Diane was very helpful with her advice. On the first day I was not so worried, she was throwing up and I thought she would get over it. When she started dry reaching I got worried.
I tried to heal her homeopathically and I am not sure it worked, that is, I do not think I know enough about it to diagnose her correctly. What I realised was one little flimsy book and a bit of common sense can only get you so far, it is knowing how the body works in a factual sense that would give me a degree of confidence in myself and not having to feel I have to rely on an outer source.
I was worried as she kept throwing up and took her along, regretfully, to the doctor. The doctor was pretty unconcerned and said as long as she has tears and saliva in her mouth then it is a bug, you dont know what it is, and should be cleared in 24 hours though sometimes can last 5 days.
I am on day 6 and she just threw up, though the first time all day. It is just awful and I feel powerless to help her. I relented after day 4 and gave her some over the counter anti nauseas medicine which stopped her throwing up through the night, as she was getting critically dehydrated. anyway these are details with the point being really that nothing makes sense and that I guess to continually try to be informed so that when you are sick, or rather for me, when Marisol is sick, I feel a little stronger in my sense of understanding that I do not have to feel like running to the doctor because that is what happened in my moment of weakness and utter despair.
I am not saying that a doctor is not a good thing, I am so thankful for them, I just wish I had more of an understanding of the medical field so I could really know whether she is in dire straights or whether it is simply a bug and let her sip some ginger tea and sit it out.
Who knows....
I tried to heal her homeopathically and I am not sure it worked, that is, I do not think I know enough about it to diagnose her correctly. What I realised was one little flimsy book and a bit of common sense can only get you so far, it is knowing how the body works in a factual sense that would give me a degree of confidence in myself and not having to feel I have to rely on an outer source.
I was worried as she kept throwing up and took her along, regretfully, to the doctor. The doctor was pretty unconcerned and said as long as she has tears and saliva in her mouth then it is a bug, you dont know what it is, and should be cleared in 24 hours though sometimes can last 5 days.
I am on day 6 and she just threw up, though the first time all day. It is just awful and I feel powerless to help her. I relented after day 4 and gave her some over the counter anti nauseas medicine which stopped her throwing up through the night, as she was getting critically dehydrated. anyway these are details with the point being really that nothing makes sense and that I guess to continually try to be informed so that when you are sick, or rather for me, when Marisol is sick, I feel a little stronger in my sense of understanding that I do not have to feel like running to the doctor because that is what happened in my moment of weakness and utter despair.
I am not saying that a doctor is not a good thing, I am so thankful for them, I just wish I had more of an understanding of the medical field so I could really know whether she is in dire straights or whether it is simply a bug and let her sip some ginger tea and sit it out.
Who knows....
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Duckies
I have just spent the afternoon tending to my new duck. New duck meaning that I have never prepared a duck before so it was all quite exciting. Firstly their fat is so thick. Of course it makes sense as that is their insulation. By the time you take all the fat of there is really not much of a duck left. So I chucked all the fat into a fry pan and made yummy crispy duck fat along with about 2 cups of pure duck fat. I read that this is a prized fat though if anyone has any ideas with what to do with the duck fat please let me know.
Now I have two measly looking pieces of breasts, legs, and wings that look as though they would just serve one meal, if that. The meat though is this beautiful luscious red colour, even in its death the duck has some sense of regalness.
So that was my frolic for the day. - Alice
Now I have two measly looking pieces of breasts, legs, and wings that look as though they would just serve one meal, if that. The meat though is this beautiful luscious red colour, even in its death the duck has some sense of regalness.
So that was my frolic for the day. - Alice
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ranting about winter flus
Just caught up on the blogging which was entertaining to read so thought I would put my two pennies in. As winter has definately arrived so has a few colds. Our mentor, Diane, has helped me definately think deeper about health, namely modern medicine and its quick remedy 'fixes'. Maryanne is sick and I hope she gets better, Marisol has just been sick which was not pleasant and as all of us are frolic girls who love our yummy food and all that comes with it, when one gets sick, we all feel it.
Current practises seem to follow the following scenario:
Girl gets runny nose, girl feels sick, girl calls in work and sleeps, maybe girl goes to doctor immediately or maybe girl waits for a day and still not feeling better girl goes to doctor. doctor prescribes drugs which will 'make the infection disapear', girl goes home and takes pills and goes to sleep. wakes up feeling better and thinks,' wow that was awful glad I feel better'. girl gets on with life and thinks nothing more of it.
We are not in the practise of a) questioning or understanding why we get sick and also with everyone busy busy busy we are too busy to let the body run its course of the illness and simply wish to take a pill, get better and forget about it. Surely if you let the body struggle a little with the illness then the body will have to create anti bodies to fight infection hence creating a stronger immune system. Especially with babies there is the temptation to whisk them off to the doctor to give them some kind of baby paracetamol or something of that nature. I know having had Marisol feeling poorly I was very tempted to go to the doctor because they know best, yes? What are all those years of training for? Yes they know a hell of a lot more than me but do they know how healthy Marisol will be if she does not take anything but lets her body fight it off so that when she is a strapping lass of 20 she can wrestle with the lions and not have to worry about the scratches and burns?
- Alice
Current practises seem to follow the following scenario:
Girl gets runny nose, girl feels sick, girl calls in work and sleeps, maybe girl goes to doctor immediately or maybe girl waits for a day and still not feeling better girl goes to doctor. doctor prescribes drugs which will 'make the infection disapear', girl goes home and takes pills and goes to sleep. wakes up feeling better and thinks,' wow that was awful glad I feel better'. girl gets on with life and thinks nothing more of it.
We are not in the practise of a) questioning or understanding why we get sick and also with everyone busy busy busy we are too busy to let the body run its course of the illness and simply wish to take a pill, get better and forget about it. Surely if you let the body struggle a little with the illness then the body will have to create anti bodies to fight infection hence creating a stronger immune system. Especially with babies there is the temptation to whisk them off to the doctor to give them some kind of baby paracetamol or something of that nature. I know having had Marisol feeling poorly I was very tempted to go to the doctor because they know best, yes? What are all those years of training for? Yes they know a hell of a lot more than me but do they know how healthy Marisol will be if she does not take anything but lets her body fight it off so that when she is a strapping lass of 20 she can wrestle with the lions and not have to worry about the scratches and burns?
- Alice
Sunday, December 2, 2007
RUTABAGA FROLIC
Diane here, totally enjoying Maryann's Blog. Yes, the Birthday Dinner at David Drake's was wonderful, and just a small example of what Frolic Girls experience when they get away from their own kitchens.
Perhaps it's because I am from New York State (Utica and Ithaca, NOT Nyack or Sleepy Hollow, although I would like to live in the town which has a Legend and a Johnny Depp movie as it's namesake) I am very familiar with the delicious rutabaga. Back when we were Macrobiotic the rutabaga was always a part of our sauteed vegetables, which we ate for lunch and dinner, with brown rice, seaweed, beans, or the occasional fish tempura. I have always loved the bright color and sweet taste. In fact, I just had some boiled rutabaga cubes, mashed with lots of raw butter and sea salt. I only required two small pieces of Chocomaca for dessert. That's a great new chocolate with Amazon herbs in it, a nice snack and a good way to get some maca into your diet. The sweetness of the rutabaga is very good for us sweet-tooth people, and a great way to keep your blood sugar at a good level, as are all the orange vegetables. I learned that in Macrobiotics as well.
Maybe Maryann and I should take that road trip to Emerson for some local rutabagas, and find some lovely recipes using them. I have only eaten them sauteed with other vegetables, or boiled and mashed.
I HEART NY......and Rutabagas!
Perhaps it's because I am from New York State (Utica and Ithaca, NOT Nyack or Sleepy Hollow, although I would like to live in the town which has a Legend and a Johnny Depp movie as it's namesake) I am very familiar with the delicious rutabaga. Back when we were Macrobiotic the rutabaga was always a part of our sauteed vegetables, which we ate for lunch and dinner, with brown rice, seaweed, beans, or the occasional fish tempura. I have always loved the bright color and sweet taste. In fact, I just had some boiled rutabaga cubes, mashed with lots of raw butter and sea salt. I only required two small pieces of Chocomaca for dessert. That's a great new chocolate with Amazon herbs in it, a nice snack and a good way to get some maca into your diet. The sweetness of the rutabaga is very good for us sweet-tooth people, and a great way to keep your blood sugar at a good level, as are all the orange vegetables. I learned that in Macrobiotics as well.
Maybe Maryann and I should take that road trip to Emerson for some local rutabagas, and find some lovely recipes using them. I have only eaten them sauteed with other vegetables, or boiled and mashed.
I HEART NY......and Rutabagas!
No Need to Cross the Water--Great Restaurants Do Exist in NJ!
Maryann again, with a plea to everyone who loves good food: Visit one of NJ's high-quality restaurants.
When I started to get into food, my focus was on New York restaurants. No explanation needed here, but I soon realized that NJ had some phenomenal chefs hiding up its sleeve. As with all great chefs, there is a connection between the menu and the seasons. Taking it further, there is an emphasis on local ingredients.
One summer evening, while coming back from PA, Alan and I stopped at Circa in High Bridge (right off Route 78E.) I was blown away by the fresh, local ingredients, attentive but casual service, and the charming decor. One of my dishes was garnished with a nasturtium plucked from the chef's garden! The corn and watercress soup tasted of summer's finest bounty.
On Nov. 24th, myself, Alan, Lily, Jeff, Diane, Ed, and Miriam had the meal of our lives in the wine cellar at Restaurant David Drake in Rahway. To eat in a restaurant's wine cellar is a rare (and usually very expensive) experience. Thanks to Lily's connections, we were allowed to order the 3-course Prix Fixe instead of the usual wine cellar 6-course meal.
First, let me comment on the service. When most people think of "fancy" restaurants, they usually imagine service that is pretentious. True service is unobtrusive, but always present. It whispers rather than yells. Each time a course was served, several staff members came to our table, stood behind our chairs, paused, and then put all the plates down at exactly the same moment. Then someone would whisper in your ear, " That is the acorn squash risotto", just in case you had forgotten! It was so personal, and genius. I felt as if each of us had our very own server, looking out for us.
Our entrees varied between fishes and meats, each one like a work of art (Lily and Miriam will hopefully post some photos). You all must see the tirimisu Lily had--Drake has elevated this dessert to the sublime.
Phenomenal food and phenomenal friends--does life get any better than that?
Check out this link as a start to finding the NJ restaurants that care about where the food comes from:
http://www.buyfreshnwj.org/WebPages/FSLocal%20Restaurant%20List.htm
Save your pennies, and visit one of these places. Fine dining is not for some elite group of people. It should be an enlightening, not intimidating, experience. Choose a high-quality NJ restaurant, and you'll have an experience to savor.
When I started to get into food, my focus was on New York restaurants. No explanation needed here, but I soon realized that NJ had some phenomenal chefs hiding up its sleeve. As with all great chefs, there is a connection between the menu and the seasons. Taking it further, there is an emphasis on local ingredients.
One summer evening, while coming back from PA, Alan and I stopped at Circa in High Bridge (right off Route 78E.) I was blown away by the fresh, local ingredients, attentive but casual service, and the charming decor. One of my dishes was garnished with a nasturtium plucked from the chef's garden! The corn and watercress soup tasted of summer's finest bounty.
On Nov. 24th, myself, Alan, Lily, Jeff, Diane, Ed, and Miriam had the meal of our lives in the wine cellar at Restaurant David Drake in Rahway. To eat in a restaurant's wine cellar is a rare (and usually very expensive) experience. Thanks to Lily's connections, we were allowed to order the 3-course Prix Fixe instead of the usual wine cellar 6-course meal.
First, let me comment on the service. When most people think of "fancy" restaurants, they usually imagine service that is pretentious. True service is unobtrusive, but always present. It whispers rather than yells. Each time a course was served, several staff members came to our table, stood behind our chairs, paused, and then put all the plates down at exactly the same moment. Then someone would whisper in your ear, " That is the acorn squash risotto", just in case you had forgotten! It was so personal, and genius. I felt as if each of us had our very own server, looking out for us.
Our entrees varied between fishes and meats, each one like a work of art (Lily and Miriam will hopefully post some photos). You all must see the tirimisu Lily had--Drake has elevated this dessert to the sublime.
Phenomenal food and phenomenal friends--does life get any better than that?
Check out this link as a start to finding the NJ restaurants that care about where the food comes from:
http://www.buyfreshnwj.org/WebPages/FSLocal%20Restaurant%20List.htm
Save your pennies, and visit one of these places. Fine dining is not for some elite group of people. It should be an enlightening, not intimidating, experience. Choose a high-quality NJ restaurant, and you'll have an experience to savor.
In Defense of Rutabagas
Maryann here.
With the farmers market now closed for the year, I get a terrible sense of dread (despite the fact that I didn't go every Saturday--I just like knowing it's there!)
While surfing around online about local food, I found this article about the unloved rutabaga:
http://www.nj.com/food/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-0/119441812095980.xml&coll=1
I for one am willing to have a go at these big funny root vegetables (I know the frolic girls are all game too). I learned that NJ grows very few of them, and some farmers sell them from out of state. The ones in supermarkets are waxed to help keep the moisture in.
Alas, there is a local purveyor---Old Hook Farm in Emerson. As the above article mentions, their rutabagas are unwaxed (and even have the leaves still attached). I just called to verify that they are locally grown--and the woman said they're grown right on the farm in Emerson!
The farm also has a big store carrying various organic groceries. Sounds like a road trip is in order.
With the farmers market now closed for the year, I get a terrible sense of dread (despite the fact that I didn't go every Saturday--I just like knowing it's there!)
While surfing around online about local food, I found this article about the unloved rutabaga:
http://www.nj.com/food/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-0/119441812095980.xml&coll=1
I for one am willing to have a go at these big funny root vegetables (I know the frolic girls are all game too). I learned that NJ grows very few of them, and some farmers sell them from out of state. The ones in supermarkets are waxed to help keep the moisture in.
Alas, there is a local purveyor---Old Hook Farm in Emerson. As the above article mentions, their rutabagas are unwaxed (and even have the leaves still attached). I just called to verify that they are locally grown--and the woman said they're grown right on the farm in Emerson!
The farm also has a big store carrying various organic groceries. Sounds like a road trip is in order.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)