The Chef and the Alzhemier's

On tonight's news there was a story about this long-time chef. She's 75 now and beginning Alzheimer's. One day she forgot home to make an omelet. She has turned to food for a cure. She has a shake every morning that she believes is warding off symptoms.


Here's a epicourious article on Alzheimer's prevention: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/news/alzheimers-prevention

Salt

I was watching "Mankind: The History of All of Us" the other day when Anthony came on. I was very excited. He was just explaining how cooking separates us from other animals. I was waiting five episodes, when he shows up to explain salt collection. Apparently, salt was collected in the Sahara by Africans and traded for gold. They only mentioned spices. But, spices, like the silk and other objects they did mention, were very important in trade.This is all explained very well in The Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage.
So there's that food. Here's another thing. I had two years of US history in HS and only one of world. I do remember learning about the Slik Road in 7th grade.But, as I was watching this documentary series, I was shocked at some of the things I did not know. Did you know that during the Dark Ages, Muslims kept math alive in Spain? China invented interchangeable parts? Russia was named after the Vikings called RUSS?
And a couple weeks ago, we went to Medieval Times restaurant, a place where Americans seem to glorify the middle ages. The Swiss thought differently. He knew what the medieval times were. So what if there were princes and princess? That was the one percent and most knowlegde from Rome and Greece had been lost because of the invasion of barbarian tribes.
This isn't just a problem with learning history, but also with learning history that is being made right now. Our news programs seem not only to be a vehicle to scare Americans shitless (Bowling for Columbine) but to hide us from many things happening elsewhere. It is strangely like we're still as isolated as we were 250 years ago.
And I didn't know about salt.
 

A trend

Yes, at the end of this gastrovist I would like to write a book or two. I have always wanted to write books- for the past few years it's been non-fiction, but I did take a writing workshop in 10th grade. My story was more of a soap opera than a novel- which should give you a sense of why I haven't written anything. I don't like having to fill in all the details,  edit, proofread, make sure it makes sense.  It's the reluctance of sticking with the long-term goal.
I think I touch on ADD in a post. And most stories.

Skip here: I've been noticing many trends in turn-of-the-cenutry cookbooks, one of which is the inclusion of recipes for the sick. I have not taken any folklore classes, but I have taken anthropology ones and anyway friend who did told me what it was. Thus, a folkloric part of my brain wonders what happened.  Am I missing current versions of this or, as I suspect,  are we just too used to popping pills we don't notice or care?

There has been a backlash though,  you can get a fair amount of literature on our dependency on pills. Some of my friends have tried to decrease their drug intake. Then there's Eastern/ Alternative medicine.

On Saturday, Matt made a home remedy for headaches. I was shocked and awed, I thought it was really cool. I can't remember the last time I used a home remedy.  I have, however,  been using a lot of alternative techniques. But, we're talking about American folk home remedies through, and the only one I can think of is honey and lemon for a sore throat..

My mom has several home remedy books that I keep meaning to read. The problem is that pills can be much quicker and, lets face it, never rely on a disgusting concoction. 

Actually,  using chemicals might be more effective,  but at what cost? Yes, I do hear my environmentalist voice talking, but it applies to drugs in our bodies too. It takes time to mix up remedies of your house or your body,  but its always time vs money..or health. Some home remedies cost more, some cost less.  I also think that it says something about our society,like so many other things pushing us to go more and more a long the path of a individualistic society. 

A strange fusion

Libraries are struggling, which is why they have undertaken so many new programs lately. One such program is seed libraries. Get this: it promotes heirloom varieties! So, I think we might all benefit from it. I am not a gardener, and thus have not tried these programs. In fact, I do not know of any libraries in my area that are doing this. Then again, I live in built-up suburbs around a big city. It is very important to have genetic variation in all species and to preserve some of those varieties that make a dish a little more authentic. As far as I gather right now, one borrows the seeds from the library and gives seeds back of the plant that they have grown. Don't you want to go back to our roots and produce a genuine product rather than buying it at the store?