GOT MILK?

When my third son was a youngster he’d often run in when playing outside and ask for a glass of milk. At first I thought nothing of it but when it happened over and over again, I began to wonder why he always wanted milk and never water. One night when we were watching television his behavior became clear to me. A commercial was on showing a bunch of cows with the message, “the cows are marching on towns because children are not drinking enough milk”. Turns out that every time my son heard a cow moo he’d run in for a glass of milk; he was certainly doing his part in keeping those cows out-of-town!

I just recently heard that the American Dairy Association is changing their latest ‘Got Milk’ advertisements to something more effective. In my opinion, they ought to revive that old ‘cows marching’ advertisement because I know for a fact it had a huge impact on the younger crowd.

We’ve been programmed to believe that milk is a necessary part of the diet, but is it? We’re advised to give whole milk to children up to age 2 for nerve and brain development and after that one or two percent milk. Milk has vitamins A, B and D as well as Calcium, protein, and phosphorus. We’re told a child needs 3 servings of this wonder food until the age of 8 when the need increases to 4 servings until age eighteen for strong bones.

But what if your child doesn’t like milk or is allergic to it, is he/she doomed to have weak bones?  Not by a long shot! There is yogurt, cheese, fortified orange juice, broccoli, white beans, and some cereals. There is also soy milk, fortified rice, coconut and almond milk. When my daughter was a toddler she was allergic to milk so her doctor prescribed liquid calcium to be given to her in juice.

Many studies have been done which show that milk does not make stronger bones. The countries which consume the least amount of milk actually have stronger bones and the least amount of fractures. Milk seems to grow cancer cells and has been linked to prostate cancer, also to an increase in the risk for type 1 diabetes. It is a well-known cause of acne and it causes digestive distress in 75% of the population because of lactose intolerance. This is true for several of my children, grandchildren and myself as well.

One scientist recently protested to the FDA that there is no biological requirement for cow’s milk by the human body and he was told, “yes, we know, but the dairy lobby makes it difficult to make science into policy.” Really? REALLY? So the food pyramid is based on politics? Alrighty then, that’s good to know.

Adults certainly don’t benefit by drinking milk but some people like to drink it, my husband for one. I guess the bottom line is this: if you like it and you can digest it then by all means drink it in moderation if you so desire. If however, you or your child don’t like it or can’t digest it, don’t fret because milk isn’t a magic fairy food that leads to bones of steel and eternal health. There are many foods in nature’s pantry that have the same nutrients and will protect the body in the same way. 

BUT, if you take a notion to dip a freshly baked cookie [or perhaps a Oreo] in a glass of milk, try dipping it in a glass of almond milk as I do; pretty dang good, even if I do say so myself!

THE RHYTHM OF THE EARTH

The wind has been blowing gale force all day, which brings thoughts of living in Alaska; thankfully it’s a south wind so there’s no problem with staying warm today. It’s even too windy to fly a kite if I were so inclined. It’s entertaining to see birds, even large crows, try to fly against the wind…almost an impossibility. After struggling valiantly they finally give up and fly with the wind, altering their destination I suppose…if they even have a specific destination.

A front is pushing through and it’s awfully hard on these old bones, even my teeth ache. It’s interesting how the weather affects our bodies. The barometric changes in air pressure cause swelling in body tissue which in turn cause increased inflammation and pain. Many people can tell when the weather is going to change, especially if they are troubled with rheumatism, or have an old wound, such as a broken bone. The tide affects our bodies as well; our bodies are 70% water so some persons think that’s the reason although there’s no scientific proof of this. There’s no doubt however [ask a policeman or emergency room attendant] that the full moon affect homicide rates, suicide rates, outbreaks of insanity, emergency room admissions, and birthrate; this is called the lunar effect or being under lunar control. A woman’s body follows a lunar cycle so it doesn’t seem too far off to think the moon could have a say in childbirth as well. At any rate, more babies are born during a full moon than at any other time. The full moon is also blamed for werewolf-ism ….but that’s a fairy tale for another time. This earth is more than just a place to live, we are linked to it and its rhythm in more ways than most of us realize.

I don’t subscribe to the big bang theory, as appealing as it might be to some. No, it’s comforting to me to know that our creator made a special place for us to live, connected to everything around us. We are part of the whole equation; nothing truly belongs to us but everything here is for our use be it for food, raiment, shelter, or simply to gladden the eye. As I feel this weather change in my body I am thankful, not for the pain, but for my body’s connection to this earth and for a loving Father who gave me the opportunity to be here.

COUNT ME IN!

Did someone say pizza? Count me in! For of all the many foods that I enjoy, pizza is at the top of the list. My favorite kind is one loaded with everything, or one with Canadian bacon and pineapple, or one with an alfredo sauce, or a Chicago style pizza, or a New York style pizza, or one with a thin crust, a thick crust, a stuffed crust, a french bread pizza….or even a Calzone, with is simply pizza fillings inside a crust. I guess the short of the matter is that if it bears the name ‘pizza’ then I like it.

The word pizza is documented in 997, although the origin of the word is uncertain and disputed. Pizza started out as a flat bread known to the Romans as focaccia, smeared with various and sundry things. Over 7,000 years ago the Greeks seasoned their flatbread with herbs, onions and garlic. Throughout Europe many similar pies of flatbread loaded with cheese, meat and vegetables were popular. In the 16th century pizza was known as a dish for poor people. It sold in the street and was not considered a kitchen recipe for a long time. 

On June 11, 1889, to honor the Queen  of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, the Neapolitan pizza maker created a pizza garnished with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the colors of Italy…and viola, pizza as we know it was born.

The arrival of Italian immigrants in the United States in the late 19th century to places such as New York, Chicago, and St. Louis, introduced pizza to a new set of consumers. Peddlers walked up and down the streets with a metal washtub of pizza on their heads, selling their wares at two cents a chew. Soon grocery stores and small cafes began offering pizza to their communities.

Before the 1940’s pizza consumption was mainly limited to Italian immigrants and their descendants. After World War ll Allied troops occupying Italy, weary of their rations, were on the lookout for good local food. Once they tasted pizza, bakers were hard pressed to satisfy the demands of the soldiers. These men brought their new-found liking for pizza home with them and sought out pizzerias in the Italian communities. Their families liked it as much as their returning husbands and fathers and just like that, the pizza craze was upon us. As an interesting side note here, the government is in the process of developing a pizza MRE that will have a shelf life of three years; and why not…pizza is, afterall, America’s favorite food.

Today 13%, or one in 8 Americans, eat one or two slices of pizza each and every day. I believe I could eat it every day myself although I don’t allow myself to. It’s the most popular food choice of teenagers and college students alike. Many people visit pizza parlors for a slice of this savory pie but home delivered pizza is now a large and ever-growing business. One can buy frozen pizza ready to cook, boxed mixes which require little effort to make or, as is most often the case with me since I live in a rural area, a homemade, from scratch one. I do believe I have all the ingredients to make the pizza of my choice; will it be red based or a white based? I’ll just get my crust started and then…guess what I’m having for dinner?

NOT ALWAYS SPRING

Ever notice that sometimes you feel that you can conquer the world and then at other times you feel the world has completely defeated you? The weather isn’t the only thing that has had ups and downs this winter, I’ve had some of both myself in the last few months. The thing I try to remember is that it’s not always going to be spring.

There has to be a little rain along with the sunshine; there must be some bitter to appreciate the sweet; sadness as a counterpoint to happiness; good versus bad. In other words there must be opposition in all things for us to truly live and thrive.

That being said, old man winter sure has us in his unrelenting grip and seems to have a score to settle for going so lightly on us last year….I  faintly remember chortling about it being warm and balmy all winter. This is our fifth ice storm of the season with two more forecast to finish out the week. After having all this ice I will definitely enjoy some warmer weather; in fact I will enjoy any weather [cold included] that doesn’t involve frozen stuff.

I must say it does look pretty outside but with all our decks a solid sheet of ice and with two of our three doors frozen shut, we are simply prisoners in our own home. My husband missed his doctor’s appointment yesterday because of our inability to navigate our icy deck. The sun thawed and melted the ice later in the day but it’s much worse this morning than it was yesterday. I’m thinking this issue must be rectified before another winter; that is if we don’t become like the grasshopper in Aesop’s fable of The Ant and the Grasshopper.

I can’t help it, my spirits rise and fall in direct proportion to the amount of sunshine we get. Since there is no sun today, only inclement weather, my spirits are in an epic slump. Even the knowledge that my husband is recovering nicely from his last surgery, and the fact that I have two whole bags of dark chocolate candy at my fingertips, doesn’t help a great deal.

What did I say earlier?…oh yea, that it’s not always going to be spring. Note to self: Remember this! Winter will pass in its own due time and spring will be sweeter than ever. Until then I must soak up all the music, warm fires, laughter, and chocolate that I can to see me through to sunnier times. Oh yes, and I have my daughter’s wedding reception to plan….that should give me plenty to think about and do until winter and spring passes and summer is fully upon us.