STRESS CHEMICALS CAN BE ANGER CHEMICALS

It appears that chemicals that are released into the brain during times of stress also lower the threshold for acts of violence which, if acted out, release more stress hormones into the brain. This conclusion is based upon a study of the behaviour of rats’ brains when certain areas are stimulated.

The researchers, publishing their findings in Behavioral Neuroscience, noted that human brains function similarly to rat brains. They speculate that their findings explain why someone who has had a bad day at work may take it out on family members. They also note that the cycle can be broken by pro-active measures to combat the stress response, either through a relaxation procedure or through medication.

REDUCE KNEE PAIN WITH ACUPUNCTURE

In the largest study of its kind, research at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, determined that acupuncture treatments were effective in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis. The study, reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, involved 570 persons over 50 years of age with arthritis in the knees, who participated in the research for six months. One control group received “sham” acupuncture treatments. The other control group received the Arthritis Self-Help course, developed by the Arthritis foundation and a proven method for helping arthritis sufferers.

Differences between the groups were clearly visible by the eighth week of the study. By the end of the program, those receiving true acupuncture treatments had experienced a 40 percent gain in knee function and a similar reduction in knee pain.

MULLEIN HELPS MAN AND ANIMAL

Forest fires south and west of Vernon have been 85 per cent contained with the help of diligent workers from Alberta. More than 20,000 people had been evacuated to Vernon but now have permission to return to their homes as the fires move north. Heat records are still being broken in this area and people are being advised to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary to go outside. Road workers should apply sunscreen every two hours (to avoid sunburn that could lead to skin cancer.) Drinking plenty of water is important, especially for those working on the highways.

A letter to the editor of Venture Inward tells of an experiment with the tall Mullein plant that has a sheaf of small yellow flowers at the top. See “The Herb Book by John Lust,” available at your Library. Edgar Cayce - fondly remembered as “The sleeping Prophet,” had recommended it for treating melanoma. A reader from Hunt, Maryland, tells of an experience that helped both man and animal. “An older friend in his 60’s had been diagnosed with skin cancer on his nose, and surgery was set for six weeks in the future. I read the article to him on the phone. He immediately went to his health food store and started using mullein daily. Six weeks later and time for his surgery, they found him to be free of skin cancer.

But something else happened. I thought about my sweet ancient female cat who had an inoperable tumor in her right nasal passage for two years and the last 6 months had a discharge that made it difficult to breathe. Still with a quality of life, affectionate, and eating well I decided to try Mullein on her. I gave her 3-4 drops twice a day in a feeding system with a little water. Almost immediately the nasal discharge ceased and easier breathing ensued. She still has the tumor but has improved quality of life and now runs around chasing her toys.”

HONOURED WITH AN INTERNATIONAL KNIGHTHOOD

In the July, 2009 issue of the Senior Connector, published in Kamloops, B.C., a front page article gives a brief story about Helen Krueger, who spent 52 years in Africa as a teacher, tooth extractor, and international mentor. Her book cover pictures her tooth extraction procedure as the patient sits on a small stool which serves as a dental chair. Huge trees above bring the cool breeze of shade on a hot day. Her patient has been suffering with an infected tooth for days. During the procedure, two of her lady friends look on for comfort since no anaesthetic is provided. A swish of salt water is used as a disinfectant. All three handsome black ladies look lovely in their beautifully patterned robes. Creative artists, the women of the community can weave their own fabric and sew their own clothes. The nearest dentist is 30 miles away but there is no way to travel except walking and no money to pay the dental bill if they could get there.

Helen said that on one occasion the lady was so grateful to finally be relieved of her toothache and the suffering she had endured for days she insisted that she had a little gift for her. She came running back holding an egg. Helen said it was a warm egg so she gave it back to her client and said, "Put this precious gift back under your hen and it will soon give you a cute little chick."

The third picture was taken at the knighthood ceremony shortly before Helen left Africa for her return to Canada. Her younger sister and her husband in Kamloops had a place all ready for her retirement back in Canada. He jokes that they "helped her find her way back into the 21st century, kicking and screaming." She did long to return to Africa but now after nine years back in Canada she is very happy here. Today, in her 88th year she is recovering from surgery when her femur (the thigh bone) broke after a fall with her walker.
Another photo shows her with one of her mentors, Helene Gillenette, a close friend in Kamloops. Read more at: www.seniorconnector.com.

DOUGHNUTS BY MABEL ROLLIS DAVIS

My husband's mother made great doughnuts. They were always there at a picnic as well as for other events. From her cookbook of 19ll, here is her recipe. In fact her doughnuts were part of our honeymoon breakfast in l949 at Banff, Alberta. We had made reservations at Dorking, an early version of bed and breakfast but at that place one brought their own breakfast, or found a cafe. We had Mom's doughnuts for our breakfast. In 1956 there was a downturn and we moved to California where my husband found work at General Motors Parts Division and later worked as a technician. They spent winters with us often in California and she always brought her special doughnuts for a treat. Fat and starch boiled together is not easy to digest for me but my husband loved and appreciated them.

Recipe No. l
2 cups buttermilk; 3 eggs; Beat together well; l cup sugar, l scant teaspoonful soda. Flour to make a soft dough.

Recipe No. 2
4 eggs, 2 cups sweet milk and one of sour milk, l, l/2 cups sugar, l/2 teaspoonful soda mixed in sour milk; 2 teaspoonfuls baking powder, l tablespoonful butter.

The type of fat used to boil the doughnuts was not specified. She included a third doughnut recipe that calls for 3 eggs, l cup sugar; l l/2 cups sweet milk, 2 tablespoons lard, 2 teaspoons baking powder, with cinnamon or nutmeg to taste. Flour to make soft dough; do not knead.

ANGEL CAKE

This is my Mother-in-Law's Angel Cake from her 1911 cookbook. The last line on the page of her Buster Brown cookbook squeezes in these words, "This is the best recipe found after several. A perfection cake." It appears that while she was baking her Angel Cake, the Titanic was sinking and Heaven's angels were welcoming souls into paradise.

Put into 1 tumbler of flour, l teaspoonful cream of tartar. Then sift it 5 times. Sift also 1 glass and a half of white powdered sugar. Beat to a stiff froth the whites of 11 eggs, stir the sugar into the eggs by degrees; very lightly and carefully, adding in 3 teaspoonfuls of vanilla extract.
After this add the flour, stirring quickly and lightly. Pour into a clean, bright tin cake-dish, which should not be butter-lined. Bake at once in a moderate oven about 40 minutes, testing it with a spoom' stint. (the word "stint" is partly torn.) When done let it remain in the cake tin, turning it upside down; with the sides resting on the tops of 2 saucers, so that a current of air will pass under and over it.
Baked to perfection by Mabel Rollis Davis

SCHOOL DAYS OF OLD

Searching all evening for an anthology book that had an old fashioned recipe for a mosquito repellent, I found a package that looked like books. Indeed it was and one of them was my mother-in-laws recipe book. The other book opened the yellowed pages of her Standard School Series, size 6 x 8.5 scribbler dated February 26, l907. Her large backhand writing shows the clearly formed letters of a very creative spirit. Her "tent" shaped letter "t" confirms she has a home loving heart. The right flying "t-bars" shows speed and efficiency. She seems to be copying an assignment. It might be interesting to see what that lesson was about. Her assignment l02 years ago.

GEOGRAPHY, MICHIGAN.

l. What is the chief occupation of southern Michigan? Name 4 products.

2. Name 2 important industries in central and northern parts?

3. Name 3 minerals and what part of the supply comes from Michigan?

4. Locate St. Mary's Canal and tell about its commerce.

5. Locate Detroit, for what it is important for? Why? Name 4 many.

6. Name 4 other cities and tell for what each is noted for.

In number 5, she may have wanted to say "Name how many?"
She is obviously writing quickly.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at her "Buster Brown" 8.5 x 6.5 inch recipe book. The tattered edges of the first few pages are flying around. It's Angel Cake.