Text 16835, 104 rader
Skriven 2007-06-17 07:03:45 av Glen Jamieson
     Kommentar till en text av Barbara Mcnay
Ärende: BIRD NEST 654 70616
===========================
 -=> Quoting Barbara Mcnay to Glen Jamieson <=-

 > Being a victim of osteo-arthritis, I was waiting to
 > see what MLoo would
 > say on this subject.  My own experience has, to me,
 > indicated that a
 > tropical climate has a greater beneficial effect than
 > a chili diet.
 > When both coincide it makes determination of the
 > effects difficult.

 BM> I have to agree that cold weather is not good for arthritis!

Which may have something to do with you residing in Texas?  (And my
urge to leave my home for warmer parts when Winter strikes.)
Last night the temp got down to 0 C in parts of Adelaide, and early
moring aircraft departures were delayed because of ice on the wings.
 
 > As Ti Li had apparently not experienced arthritis at
 > his advanced age,
 > when it strikes most people once they pass 65 or so,
 > but only since he
 > gave up hot food, it suggests that chili has a
 > beneficial effect.

 BM> An interesting observation.

Perhaps MLoo may wish to comment?
 
 > squatting is the result of lack of chairs, and

 BM> Oh ... didn't even think of that.
 
 > posture to be maintained for long periods.  Chairs are
 > not as
 > necessary, and so there are fewer, and the children
 > continue to squat.
 > It is a natural posture for primates; sitting on chairs is not.

 BM> For nonhuman primates, I would agree.  Not being familiar with native
 BM> Asians in their home territory, I have to ask, how much of an effort is
 BM> required to teach the babies to squat and not sit, or do they simply
 BM> pick it up as the "only" way from seeing everybody else do it?

Although Asian cities are filled with teeming millions, most with TV,
furniture and electricity, many of these people are only removed by one
or two generations from the rural villages.  Subsistence farmers who
spend every day working in the rice paddies don't have anywhere to sit
while eating their lunch or resting, so rather than sit in the mud,
they squat.

Home is usually a small bamboo hut, just big enough for the family when
they are all gathered together to eat or sleep.  Chairs, beds and
tables would take up too much space when not being used.  Sleeping mats
are rolled up and placed against the wall.  The kitchen is little more
than a shelf against the wall or in an alcove, just big enough for a
single burner kerosene stove or a small, charcoal fire, while the
cooking is done in a single pan of some type, plus a saucepan for the
rice (cooked one after the other). In some countries the cooking is
normally done outside, with the pan sitting on stones, over a wood
fire.  In all these cases the cook either stands or squats.  At dinner
time, the dishes are placed centrally on the floor, and everyone squats
around, helping themselves. (Note: this can be a painful experience to
an invited non-Asian!)

Thus the tradition of growing up squatting has developed, and is
continued even in the cities, where mechanics and artisans still tend
to work squatting on the ground.  Children follow by example.
Squat toilets are supposed to be physiologically more "natural".

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
 
      Title: Native American Prickly Pear Syrup
 Categories: Sauces, Breakfast, Desserts
      Yield: 1 Servings
 
     12    Prickly pears
    1/4 c  Honey
 
  Wash and cut each prickly pear into quarters, leaving the skins on.
  Place the fruit in a food processor and process until pulpy and
  thoroughly blended.  Press the liquid through a fine sieve; discard
  skin and seeds.
  
  Put the prickly pear juice into a saucepan with the honey and bring
  to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce the heat and let simmer 10
  minutes, until the mixture has thickened.  Remove from the heat and
  let cool. The syrup will thicken further as it cools.  The syrup may
  be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  
  Prickly pears have a sweet, tangy flavor that makes a delicious syrup,
  excellent with the Pinon and Blue Cornmeal Hotcakes and also a
  wonderful topping for the Corn and Honey Pastel Ice or Picuris Indian
  Bread Pudding.
  
  From "Native American Cooking," by Lois Ellen Frank
 
MMMMM
 

___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR]

--- FLAME v2.0/b
 * Origin: Braintap BBS Adelaide Australia (3:800/449)