Written by June 3-5 Riverton Arts Festival
June 9-12 Springville Art City Days
June 11-12 Scottish Highland Games
June 12 Ogden Arts Festival
June 17-19 SummerFest in Logan
June 23-27 GrooveFest in Cedar City
June 24-27 Utah Arts Festival
June 25-26 South Ogden Days
June 25-27 Tooele Arts Festival
Utah’s Shakespearean Festival starts up toward the end of the month
Posts in category Historical Archive
June Festivals 2010
Ode to Mothers Day 2010
Mothers Day Toast
Please lift your glasses high to honor mothers
Everyone’s first love
Who risk their lives giving birth
who respect the heart-thoughts of their children
Who know mother is not smother
To mothers – who always believe we can and will improve
Who love us deeply enough to let us go
Who end every phone call with “I love you”
Who never give up hoping for our happiness
We thank them for their strength
We honor them for their suffering
We forgive them their mistakes
For in becoming aware of their limitations
We learn to acknowledge our own – To mom’s and their love
Here are several drink ideas for the Toasting!
Champagne Cocktail or Punch
2 C tropical fruit punch drink
2 C orange juice
1 C peach schnapps
1 bottle Champagne – chilled
Combine the first 3 ingredients and chill, to serve stir in champagne and serve
Makes about ten 6oz servings
Cotton Candy
2 oz vanilla vodka
2 oz light ruby red grapefruit juice
1 oz 2% milk
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice & shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a 5oz martini glass.
Rouge
2 oz pear or peach nectar
1 tbsp raspberry or pomegranate schnapps
4 oz white rum
Tonic water
Ice cubes
Have two tall glasses 1/2 full of ice. Mix the liqueurs in a shaker – add two cubes of ice & shake for 30 seconds – Divide between the two glasses, fill the rest with tonic & garnish as desired. Fresh frosted raspberries are gorgeous as garnish – a lime slice or pear sliver can be pretty, too
Pet Health-July 2009
Been worried about West Nile Virus in your Pet?
According to the CDC there is good news for dog and cat owners!! West Nile virus does not appear to cause extensive illness in dogs or cats. Results of 2007 show of 507 reported cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) disease among nonhuman mammals, 471 (93%) occurred in equines, and 36 (7%) occurred in other species (squirrels [27], canines [five], and unspecified species [four]). Equine cases were reported from 320 counties in 35 states and Puerto Rico; Texas reported 20% of all equine cases. The number of reported WNV-infected equines peaked in mid-August.
In addition, there is no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission of WNV virus. Because WNV virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes, dogs or cats could be exposed to the virus in the same way humans become infected. Veterinarians should take normal infection control precautions when caring for an animal suspected to have this or any viral infection. It is possible that dogs and cats could become infected by eating dead infected animals such as birds, but this is undocumented.
I recently spoke with my vet, Dr Katherine Borrett and she recommended bringing in your pets at dusk & dawn when mosquitoes are the most active. She also stated that a light spray of fly/insect repellent is ok for pets – “you don’t want to saturate them, but if its marked safe for people then its safe for pets.” Ms Borrett said that the season usually peaks in August/September for cases of WVN, although there has been one confirmed equine case in Davis Co. so far this year.
West Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats – FAQ’s
Q. Can West Nile virus (WNV) cause illness in dogs or cats?
A. Experimentally infected dogs* showed no symptoms after infection with WNV. Some infected cats exhibited mild, nonspecific symptoms during the first week after infection–for the most part only showing a slight fever and slight lethargy. It is unlikely that most pet owners would notice any unusual symptoms or behavior in cats or dogs that become infected with WNV.
Q. How can my veterinarian treat my cat or dog if they are/may be infected with WNV?
A. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Full recovery from the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive (managing symptoms, if present) and consistent with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.
Q. Does my dog/cat becoming infected pose a risk to the health of my family or other animals?
A. There is no documented evidence of dog or cat-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. The evidence suggests that dogs do not develop enough virus in their bloodstream to infect more mosquitoes. Cats develop slightly higher levels of virus in their bloodstream, but it is unclear if this would be enough to infect mosquitoes. It is very unlikely that cats would be important in furthering the spread of the virus. *
If your animal becomes infected with WNV, this suggests that there are infected mosquitoes in your area. You should take measures to prevent mosquitoes from biting you (use repellent and wear protective clothing.)
Veterinarians should take normal infection control precautions when caring for any animal (Including birds) suspected to have this or any viral infection.
Q. How do cats and dogs become infected with West Nile virus?
A. Dogs and cats become infected when bitten by an infected mosquito. There is also evidence that cats can become infected with the virus after eating experimentally infected mice. *
Q. Can I become infected with WNV if a dog with the virus bites me?
A. Preliminary studies have not been able to detect virus in the saliva of infected dogs. This suggests that dog bites pose a low risk, if any, of transmission of WNV from dogs to other animals or people.
Q. Is there a vaccine for cats or dogs?
A. No.
Q. Should a dog or cat infected with West Nile virus be destroyed?
A. No. There is no reason to destroy an animal just because it has been infected with West Nile virus. Full recovery from the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive and consistent with standard veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.
Q. Can I use insect repellent on my pets?
A. DEET-based repellents, which are recommended for humans, are not approved for veterinary use (largely because animals tend to ingest them by licking.) Talk with your veterinarian for advice about the appropriate product for use on your pet.
Since there are an estimated 68 million companion dogs and 73 million pet cats in the United States alone, evaluating their response to WNV infection, assessing their potential to serve as amplifying hosts for this virus, and obtaining some estimate of the clinical consequences of infection are important concerns. There are some natural alternatives, see
Natural Cat Lover?s Gift Basket
They have conducted experiments with domestic animals – to see the results of one CDC sanctioned study:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol10no1/02-0616.htm
Birds
West Nile virus has been detected in dead birds of at least 326 species. Although birds, particularly crows and jays, infected with WN virus can die or become ill, most infected birds do survive. There is no evidence that a person can get WN virus from handling live or dead infected birds, but it is recommended that persons should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animals. Use gloves or double plastic bags to place the bird carcass in a garbage bag or contact their local health department for guidance.
Horses
West Nile virus (WNV) has impacted thousands of horses since 1999, with some regions reporting over 30% of the horse cases dying or euthanized due to poor prognosis. There are currently two vaccines approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in horses. A summary of West Nile cases in horses can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/wnv/2008_equine_west_nile_virus_final.pdf Fortunately Utah had no confirmed cases last year.
Our Health-July 2009
Its proving to be a banner pest and insect year here in Utah. Grasshoppers, bed bugs, japanese beetles and of course mosquitoes are making there numbers known here in our little four letter state. Your local abatement districts have all kinds of information, but are asking Utahan’s to eliminate any extra standing water as its becomes a haven mosquito larva. West Nile virus (or WNV) is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite. 
Here’s the Good News! Most people who are infected by the the virus experience no symptoms or mild, flu-like symptoms. Those at higher risk of developing potentially serious conditions are the elderly and those with lowered immune systems. However in some cases, particularly among persons 50 years of age and older, it can cause serious neurological diseases such as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis.
The West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and has since rapidly spread across the North Americcan continent into all 48 continental states, seven Canadian provinces, and throughout Mexico. In addition, WNV activity has been detected in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador.According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 15,000 people in the U.S. have tested positive for WNV infection since 1999, including over 500 deaths. Many more people have likely been infected with WNV, but have experienced mild or no symptoms. Statistically, a person’s risk of contracting West Nile is low, and less than 1% of those infected develop serious illness from the virus.
Five Common Myths about West Nile Virus
Myth #1: There’s not much I can do about West Nile virus.
Truth: There is a lot that you, personally, can do to reduce your chance of West Nile virus infection.* Reduce the number of mosquito bites you get. Make a habit of using insect repellent with DEET when outdoors. Spray repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Get the details about safe repellent use.
* Prime mosquito-biting hours are usually dusk to dawn. Pay special attention to protection during these hours, or avoid being outdoors.
* You can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so check your yard once a week: get rid of containers that aren’t being used, empty water from flower pots, change water in bird baths and maintain clean gutters.
* Make sure window and door screens are in good condition. Have an older neighbor or family member? See if they need help installing or repairing screens.
Myth #2: Kids are at the most danger of getting sick from West Nile virus.
Truth: People over 50 are at the highest risk for developing severe West Nile disease.
* Relatively few children have been reported with severe West Nile Virus disease. By contrast, most of the deaths due to WNV during 2002 were among people over 50 years old. Half of those deaths were among people over 77 years old.
* It is always a good idea for children to avoid mosquito bites, but it’s also important for adults – especially older adults – to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Click here for suggestions on how to avoid mosquito bites.
Myth #3: It’s only people who are already in poor health who have to worry about West Nile virus.
Truth: Healthy, active older adults who spend time working and exercising outdoors have been affected by severe West Nile virus infection.
* Being over 50 is a risk factor for developing severe West Nile disease if infected with the virus. There is a risk of getting mosquito bites while leading an active life outdoors. This doesn’t mean you have to stay inside – it does mean that it’s important to use repellent when you go outside.
Myth #4: Repellents containing DEET are not safe.
Truth: Repellents containing DEET are very safe when used according to directions.
* Because DEET is so widely used, a great deal of testing has been done. When manufacturers seek registration with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for products such as DEET, laboratory testing regarding both short-term and long-term health effects must be carried out.
* There are products with different strengths (percentage of DEET) available. The longer the protection you need the higher percent of DEET needed.
* Repellent with DEET can be used for both adults and children, according to directions
* Click here for much more information on using repellents safely.
Myth #5: As long as my area has a mosquito control program, I don’t have to worry about using repellent.
Truth: Mosquito control activities don’t eliminate every mosquito, so personal protection is still important.
* Public activities, such as using products to kill mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes, are one part of control. Personal protection, such as using repellent, keeping window screens in good condition, and control of household breeding sites are other important steps.
* Collaboration between the community, the family and the individual is needed to achieve the best prevention of West Nile virus infection.
Common Questions and Common Sense
Q. How does mosquito repellent work?
A. Female mosquitoes bite people and animals because they need the protein found in blood to help develop their eggs. Mosquitoes are attracted to people by skin odors and carbon dioxide from breath. The active ingredients in repellents make the person unattractive for feeding. Repellents do not kill mosquitoes. Repellents are effective only at short distances from the treated surface, so you may still see mosquitoes flying nearby.
Q. Which mosquito repellents work best?
A. CDC recommends using products that have been shown to work in scientific trials and that contain active ingredients which have been registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as insect repellents on skin or clothing. When EPA registers a repellent, they evaluate the product for efficacy and potential effects on human beings and the environment. EPA registration means that EPA does not expect a product, when used according to the instructions on the label, to cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment.
Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, CDC believes that these have demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature. Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others:
-
DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
Picaridin (KBR 3023)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD – p-menthane, 3,8 diol)
If you are of the Organic Preference you might be interested to note this:
Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil 4 fl oz: C
Oil of lemon eucalyptus [active ingredient: p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant- based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET. Note that the label for products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus specifies that they should not to be used on children under the age of three years. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a sustainable resource.
EPA recommends the following precautions when using insect repellents:
* Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label.) Do not use repellents under clothing.
* Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
* Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays, do not spray directly on face—spray on hands first and then apply to face.
* Do not allow children to handle the product. When using on children, apply to your own hands first and then put it on the child. You may not want to apply to children’s hands.
* Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary for effectiveness. If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more.
* After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again. (This precaution may vary with different repellents—check the product label.)
* If you or your child get a rash or other bad reaction from an insect repellent, stop using the repellent, wash the repellent off with mild soap and water, and call a local poison control center for further guidance. If you go to a doctor because of the repellent, take the repellent with you to show the doctor.
Our Health-June 2009
The Importance of Calcium
More and more our children are being left behind when it comes to health. They’re getting fatter, lazier, and now, according to new research, they’re not getting enough calcium. This according to the study: Increased Calcium Improves Children’s Bone Health Sunday, February 01st, 2009 | Author: Organic Health News
New findings, published in the August edition of the journal Bone, came to the conclusion that “Increased dietary calcium/dairy products, with and without vitamin D, significantly increases total body and lumbar spine BMC in children with low base-line intakes.”
In this latest research, Michael Huncharek, Joshua Muscat and Bruce Kupelnickb analyzed the data from a total of 21 clinical trials. Totaling more than 3,800 children, the researchers set out to determine how the intake of dietary calcium would affect bone mineral content in children.
The information revealed that those children, who were not taking enough calcium at the beginning of these studies, saw a substantial increase in their total body bone mineral content (BMC). This increase measured out to be about 25x greater than that of children who had already been on a healthy diet of calcium.
Many of us would have encountered advertising on television and elsewhere, warning us of consuming a healthy diet high in calcium to ensure that we stemmed the possibility of osteoporosis. A disease of the bone, osteoporosis leads to an increased rate of bone fracture through a diminishing of our bone mineral density.
Given the possibility that there is a way to stem the risk of osteoporosis from an early age, one would imagine just why there are so many children not getting the right amount. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that each individual should consume at least 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day as part of their diet.
“The good news is that you are never too old or too young to improve your bone health.” There are many things you can do to keep bones strong and prevent fractures. At all ages, a diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, together with weight-bearing physical activity every day, can prevent problems later. You can work with your doctor to check out warning signs or risk factors. When you are older, you can have your bones tested and take medicine to strengthen them.
The Benefits of Calcium Supplements
According to work done by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 7 out of 10 boys and 9 out of 10 girls are not consuming enough calcium needed to maintain a healthy bone density. However not everyone is able to rely entirely on dairy products for their calcium intake. That is where calcium supplements come in to the equation. If you are unable to get the recommended amount of calcium from your diet, it may be wise to supplement your diet with added calcium.
Things to consider when buying a Calcium Supplement:
When purchasing calcium supplements, ensure to look for the elemental calcium content, not the total content. For instance, a pill containing 500mg of Calcium Carbonate provides 200mg of elemental calcium. Hence one pill in this example only provides 200mg of calcium, not 500mg.
Calcium is absorbed in small intestines. Not all calcium we consume will be absorbed. The amount of calcium absorbed is dependent on a number of factors such as the acidic condition in our intestines, Vitamin D level, estrogen level and the type of calcium supplement.
Different Types of Calcium Supplements
* One important factor affecting calcium absorption is how well the pill dissolves. Try buying calcium pills of US Pharmacopeia’s standards. The “USP” on the label indicates that the calcium pill meets the USP standards of supplying adequate elemental calcium and how well it dissolves in our intestines.
* Calcium Citrate e.g. Citracal or Solgar: Calcium is best absorbed in an acidic environment, hence calcium citrate is the best absorbed supplemental form of calcium. It does not require extra stomach acid for absorption; hence we may take it anytime in a day, even on an empty stomach. However Calcium Citrate usually provides less elemental calcium per pill, therefore one may need to take a relatively more numbers of pills per day depending to the needs. Cautions: people with acid reflux may not be able to tolerate calcium citrate
* Calcium Carbonate e.g. Tums or Caltrate: Most calcium pills in the market are in the form of calcium carbonate. It requires extra stomach acid for better absorption, hence it is best taken after meals.
* Dolomite, Bone Meal or Oyster Shell: These naturally occurring calcium pills may contain heavy metal or lead. At the moment, calcium supplements are not tested by any regulatory agency for lead content. Therefore, it’s best to avoid.
* Calcium Gluconate and Calcium Lactate: These types of calcium pills contain low content of elemental calcium. Hence, one may need to take a large amount of tablets to meet the calcium requirement!
* Coral Calcium: This type of calcium is marketed for more than bone health. Its infomercial claimed that it can cure 200 human
Historical Archive-May 2009
History – Moringa
Moringa is known in 82 countries by 210 different names, but the one name that fully encompasses all its attributes is “the Miracle Tree”. The indigenous knowledge and use of Moringa Oleifera is referenced in more than 80 countries and known in over 200 local languages. Moringa has been used by various societies (Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Indian to mention a few) for thousands of years with writings dating as far back as 150 AD.
Aside from the nutritional and health benefits of Moringa Oleifera, its seeds it has the full potential of producing biofuel, cooking oil, personal care products, cosmetics, aromatheraphy, perfume, industrial oil and lubricants. Its oil is comparable to sunflower and olive oil. It is much better than palm oil in terms of properties, for it has a low trans fatty acids. Twelve kilograms of moringa seeds one liter of oil can be extracted and about eight and a half kilograms of cake among others as by products.
7 times the vitamin C found in oranges
Vitamin C strengthens our immune system and fights infectious diseases including colds and flu. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are full of vitamin C. Moringa leaves have even more.
4 times the calcium found in milk
Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis. Milk provides a lot of calcium, but Moringa leaves provide even more.
4 times the Vitamin A found in carrots
Vitamin A acts as a shield against diseases of the eyes, skin and heart, diarrhea, and many other ailments. Carrots are very high in vitamin A, with Moringa leaves even higher.
3 times the potassium found in bananas
Potassium is essential for the brain and nerves. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium. Moringa leaves are even better.
2 times the protein found in yogurt
Proteins, the building blocks of our bodies, are made of amino acids. Usually only animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy contain all the essential amino acids. Amazingly, Moringa leaves also contain them all.
.75 times the iron found in spinach
Iron is an essential nutrient because it’s a central part of hemoglobin in blood which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Spinach is well known for its iron content. Moringa leaves also contain iron.
Moringa
Why Haven’t I Heard of Moringa Oleifera before?
While Moringa has been used by many civilizations with the earliest recorded date 150 AD, Moringa has only recently been “discovered” by modern science. According to Monica Marcu, Pharm D., Ph.D., “There are over 500,000 known species of plants on the planet and, to date, only 1% have been studied for medical and nutritional purposes.”
Where Can I Find Moringa?
Moringa may be the new kid on the block, where modern science is concerned, but with all its attributes Moringa will not only continue to help people who live a world away from us not only in location but also in need; it will also be integrated into many industries of the western world including food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics.
Not many people know about the health benefits of Moringa Oleifera, and it’s rare to find it in the US. The tree typically grows in tropical and subtropical climates. The Moringa tree is said to have originated in the Himalayas, today it can be found in countries like Africa, China, India and the Philippines just to name a few.
There is a US based company that has managed to turn the miracle tree into an energy drink called Zija. Zija contains all the parts found in the Moringa tree, it’s the first all organic energy drink with no sugar or preservatives added, Zija is also the first company to include the Moringa leaf in a health drink.
Pet Health-May 2009
Pet Health Archive – May 2009
Recently, The Early Show’s resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner, was asked about “home cooking” for your pets. “I cannot recommend that you cook for your pet,” she told co-anchor Hannah Storm. “They have very specific nutritional needs. If you’re going to cook for your pet, you need to formulate a diet that has all the right nutrients, plus supplements, and all in the right proportions.” Ultimately, she did sanction these two recipe’s -
The recipe for dogs:
Rice (white, long-grain, regular, cooked) 3-7/8cup
Oil (vegetable, corn) 4-1/4 tsp
Chicken (breast, cooked) 5-1/8 oz
PLUS: must add these human supplements:
1-1/8 tablets of One a Day Maximum Multivitamin/mineral supplement
3-7/8 of Posture caplet (600 mg elemental calcium)
1-3/8 tablets of generic choline tablet (600 mg tablet w/250 mg choline)
1 tsp of Morton Lite Salt Mixture
1/8 tsp of Morton Salt Substitute
3/4 tablet of generic zinc gluconate tablet (250 mg tablet w/30 mg elemental zinc)
Bake the chicken in the oven and cook the white rice without adding salt. Cut the chicken into small pieces. Place the white rice in a bowl and add the oil and the supplements. Mix well. Place cut chicken on the rice and serve.
Why is it, Turner was asked, that cats are far more affected in this recall than dogs?
It’s important to point out that we still don’t know exactly what has caused illness and death in pets, Turner responded, but we know that far more cats have gotten sick and died than dogs. It could be because they are smaller and can’t tolerate the “load” of the toxin in the food. Or their metabolism is faster than dogs, so it could be that hastens the affect of the poison. We’re just not sure yet.
Turner also demonstrated the preparation of a recipe for cats, which she said is a good example of what a cat would eat. It’s from the same Web site as the one for dogs, and includes sweet potato, salmon, and vegetable oil. But again, the food alone doesn’t contain all the necessary nutrition for the cat. So you would need to add these supplements to make it nutritionally complete: a multivitamin, calcium, taurine, choline, salt, zinc, and caltrate.
The cat recipe:
Sweet potato (cooked, baked in skin, without salt) 5/8 cup
Fish, salmon (Atlantic, wild, cooked) 2.9 ounces
Oil (vegetable or corn) 3/4 tsp
PLUS: must add these human supplements:
1/4 tablet of One A Day Maximum Multivitamin/multimineral Supplement per day
3/8 caplet of Posture caplet (600 mg elemental calcium) per day
1/4 tablet of Generic taurine tablet (1 gram tablet with 500 mg taurine) per day
3/8 tablet of Generic choline tablet (600 mg tablet with 250 mg choline) per day
1/8 tsp of Morton Lite Salt Mixture per day
1/8 tablet of Generic zinc gluconate tablet (250 mg tablet with 30 mg elemental zinc) per day
1/4 capsule of Caltrate 600 per day
Bake the salmon and sweet potato in the oven without any added salt. Once cooked, measure out the salmon and sweet potato in the amounts above and cut into small pieces. Place the sweet potato in a serving bowl and add the oil and the necessary supplement. Mix well. Place the cut salmon onto the sweet potato and serve.
For more on pets and nutrition, Turner recommends these sites:
PetDiets.com and the site of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
History of Meatloaf-April 2009
History of Meatloaf and Meatballs 
About meatloaf, meatballs and related ground meat products. Who invented meatloaf, why & when? Good question! Food historians tell us from Ancient times to present cooks have been mixing ground meat with minced bread/rice/vegetables, spices, thickeners and serving them with sauce. For what reasons?
1. To distribute meat to more people (protein economy)
2. To conserve resources (use it up, don’t throw it out)
3. To make tough meat more palatable (aid digestion)
Early ground (finely chopped or minced) molded meat recipes concentrated on sausages in skin casings, meat fritters (similar to meatballs), rissoles, hashes, terrines, and croquettes. The meat employed in these early recipes was usually already cooked, as opposed to the raw meat typically used by Americans to make meat loaf today. Finished products were typically fried, stewed, or baked (in molds or pastry) and served with sauce. Meatballs (a diminutive form of meatloaf) are known in many cultures and cuisines. Recipes evolved according to local ingredients and tastes. Middle Eastern kofta and Swedish meatballs are two of the most well known.
Some of the earliest recorded ground meat recipes are found in Apicius, written in Ancient Rome. Book II is devoted to “minces.”
Ancient Roman meat balls
“Suffed Meat Patties (Apicius 48)
Esicia omentata: pulpam cincisam teres cum medulla siliginei in vino infusi. Piper, liquamen, si velis, et bacam mirteam extenteratum simul sonteres.
Pusilla esicia formabis, intus nucleis et pipere positis. Involuta omento subassabis cum careno.
“Ground meat patties in *omentum: Grind chopped meat with the center of fine white bread that has been soaked in wine. Grind together pepper, garum, and pitted myrtle berries if desired. Form small patties, putting in pine nuts and pepper. Wrap in omentum and cook slowly in *caroenum.
“Within the section dedicated to recipes with ground meat, the Apician manual includes this curious rating: “The ground meat patties of peacock have first place, if they are fried so that they remain tender. Those of pheasant have second place, those of rabbit third, those of chicken fourth, and those of suckling pig fifth.” (Apicius 54).”
—A Taste of Ancient Rome, Ilaria Gozzini Giacosa, translated by Anna Herklotz, forward by Mary Taylor Simeti [University of Chicago Press:Chicago] 1992 (p. 89-90)
*NOTE: *omentum means pork caul fat; *caroenum means reduced wine.
American History of Meatloaf
By Dana Jacobi
Food history is full of surprises. The history of an American staple, for example – meatloaf – offers more than a trip down culinary lane. It provides a glimpse into how advances in technology have shaped the way we eat and prepare food today. I was intrigued to discover that my grandmother’s hand-cranked grinder, the kind that attaches to the edge of a table, was key to meatloaf becoming an everyday dish. Cooks relied on it, particularly in the early half of the 20th century, until butcher shops installed refrigeration units that were able to reliably store more perishable chopped meat. In fact, when my mother bought chopped meat at the butcher – well into the 1960s – she made him grind it in front of her so she was sure that he used a clean machine and that he gave her the lean ground round she asked for.
Early meatloaf recipes called for veal, which was less expensive than beef at the time. The meat in one widely published version was first cooked then chopped, blended with other ingredients, molded, then cooked again into a loaf. Recipes indicate that meatloaf as we know it today – blended with bread or cracker crumbs, egg and seasonings, then baked in a rectangular pan – gradually became popular between 1900 and the 1920s. Among the most popular early recipes were several created by the Quaker Oats Company using their product as binder in place of breadcrumbs. Binder is an essential meatloaf ingredient because it creates an even, smooth texture. In addition to whole-wheat breadcrumbs, oats or even cooked rice, it can include a generous amount of finely shredded or chopped cooked vegetables like spinach, carrots or the broccoli used in this recipe. Nutritionally smart, the vegetables help keep a meatloaf nicely moist.
Our Health-April 2009
Learn about how to help common conditions & ailments using natural methods at our Health A-Z Index!
Stress??.....Not Me!
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 | Author: Organic Blogger
Between our jobs, our family and the daily news, we all tend to experience some amounts of stress during our day. Here are some natural ways to relieve stress, sleep better and feel more refreshed.
1. Swap the coffee for some organic Green Tea. Coffee is full of caffeine which raises your heart rate and is a diuretic. It also can be over stimulating. If you still need a caffeine fix in the morning, try drinking Green Tea – it’s full of anti oxidants, rich in flavor, and contains half the caffeine that coffee does.
Gardens Produce Smiles
2. Get rid of the anger. Whether through Yoga, exercises, gardening or whatever activity you choose, find a physical activity to relieve tension and anger. Exercise, in any form, is one of the greatest natural drugs known to humankind. No over the counter relaxant can beat a good dose of endorphins.
3. Practice proper eating. Besides an obvious organic diet, make sure you’re getting the right amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat for your level of activity. If you’re sedentary, cut back on empty calories. If you work out or do a lot of physical activity, make sure that you are getting the right amount of protein to feed your growing muscles.
4. Drink a cup of chamomile. Before bed, try to have a cup of chamomile tea. The best option is brewing it yourself with actual tea leaves, as opposed to tea bags. Chamomile is a natural relaxant – it helps settle your stomach as well, and will lead you to a great nights sleep. Just below is a great deal on chamomile tea.
Chamomile Cert. Organic Tea 16 tea bags: C
Stress has become a natural part of our lives, unfortunately. With a little bit of planning and a little bit of effort, you should be able to relieve at least parts of your stress via simple, healthy and effective methods.
This post was written by Maya Richard, who is currently writing about cell Phones . She can be emailed by combining her name gmail.com.
Pet Health April 2009
Springtime brings the arrival of plants, flowers, and, among other things, insects and ticks. Although our particular area does not have a flea problem, when the weather warms it is a good idea to protect pets from ticks, especially if they visit grassy, bushy, or timbered areas. “We base the start of tick season on the mildness of the weather,” said Dr. Matt Mickas of WSU’s Community Practice Service. “A good rule of thumb is that if the grass is growing, ticks are out and pets will need tick prevention. There is a pretty large population of people that hike and do a lot of recreational activities with their pets. These pets especially need preventative treatment,as well as cats and dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
Allergies: Springtime is the start of allergy season for both humans and pets. Clinical signs of allergies in pets include chewing, licking, head shaking, and scratching. Learn more about the Native Remedies range of homeopathic, herbal remedies.
The Pets tab on this linked page has lots of info!
Holiday plants and food: Easter bunnies may look attractive to dogs and cats, including chocolate ones. Before allowing a pet to indulge, remember that chocolate can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, a caffeine derivative, which can, in large doses, cause 
seizures and potentially kill a dog or cat. More importantly, pets don’t need the extra calories found in chocolate and the risk of diarrhea. Be sure to store chocolate safely away from pets. Certain springtime flowers and plants, including Easter lilies, can be toxic to pets as well.
Health checkups: If you have not taken your pet to the veterinarian within the past year, spring is a great time to schedule your annual visit. Pets are often outside more during the spring and summer months and are more likely to encounter animals that spread disease. Vaccinations help, too.
Dental care: Oral care is an important part of keeping pets healthy. Annual physical examinations and regular dental cleanings by a vet are important to identify and prevent dental diseases. Pet owners can also learn how to examine their pet’s mouths for signs of dental problems.
Spaying and neutering: Spring is breeding time for many animals, and it might be a good time to consider spaying or neutering pets if it has not been done. Check for Utah Clinics.
Excepts from the Community Practice Service Newsletter (published four times a year by Washington State University)
