National Mincemeat Day

By Diane Forrest,

Every year when the holidays are near I think about mincemeat pie. I don't know why, I guess it’s from reading all those Charles Dickens stories.  While I have never had mincemeat pie, my neighbor, who was from England, used to eat it a lot growin up.  One would think that it being a pie would be a dessert, but in fact it is a main course. the following is a recipe from the 16th century:

Pyes of mutton or beif must be fyne mynced & seasoned with pepper and salte and a lytel saffron to colour it / suet or marrow a good quantitie / a lytell vynegre / pruynes / great reasons / and dates / take the fattest of the broath of powdred beefe. And if you will have paest royall / take butter and yolkes of egges & so to temper the floure to make the paest. (sic)

The tradition of mincemeat pie started in the 11th century.  The Christmas pie came about at the time when the Crusaders were returning from the Holy Land. They brought home a variety of oriental spices. It was important to add three spices (cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) for the three gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi. In honor of the birth of the Savior, the mince pie was originally made in an oblong casings (coffin or cradle shaped), with a place for the Christ Child to be placed on top. The baby was removed by the children and the manger (pie) was eaten in celebration. These pies were not very large, and it was thought lucky to eat one mince pie on each of the twelve days of Christmas (ending with Epiphany, the 6th of January).

Today, you can find mincemeat in jars, but reports are not as favorable as homemade mincemeat.  Below is a recipe that is easy and delicious.  So today, on National Mincemeat Day, why not try a practice run and serve this at your holiday gathering.

Mincemeat Pie

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups diced cooked beef
• 4 cups chopped apples
• 1 1/2 cups raisins
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle juice
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1 large orange, peeled, sectioned, and cut into bite-size
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup sorghum or molasses
• 1 cup beef broth

Directions

1. Combine the cooked beef, apples, raisins, sweet pickle vinegar, pineapple, orange, salt, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, sorghum and 1 cup beef broth.
2. Store in the refrigerator or freeze until ready to use.
3. Pour in unbaked pie crusts and  Bake at 350 for 45 mins to an hour. 
4. Makes 2 pies.

Ultrasound...

By Diane Forrest, RN

One of the complications of my husband's injury was forceful leg spasms.  His leg would jerk every 5 seconds.  This would shake his whole body and was extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing to him.  One morning when he got up we noticed that his lower leg was all red and swollen.  Since he was paralyzed, he had no feeling below his waist, so he felt no pain.  There were no physical signs of injury, so we decided to get an x-ray to rule out any broken bones.  We went to the hospital, and the x-ray was negative for any fractures, so the doctor ordered an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot.

This diagnosis never entered our minds, and the thought of having a blood clot terrified my husband to the point where he thought the end was near.  He laid there for an hour waiting for the technician to perform the ultrasound.  When the machine was brought into the room the technician put the transducer gel on his leg, and then applied the transducer to his leg.  The transducer is the wand that is applied to the skin.  -The transducer probe is the main part of the ultrasound machine. The transducer probe makes the sound waves and receives the echoes. It is, so to speak, the mouth and ears of the ultrasound machine. The transducer probe generates and receives sound waves.  These sound waves are then sent to the computer where the waves are processed to form an image on the screen, allowing the technician to view the area being scanned.

After meticulously scanning the entire area we were relieved to discover there was no clot in his leg, and the swelling was only edema caused by his leg always hanging down because he was sitting in his wheelchair.

Ultrasounds can be used to diagnose all types of problems, but the most recognized use is to on pregnant women to examine the baby for any signs of complications and to determine the age and sex.  It is a painless non-invasive procedure that poses no danger and causes no side effects.

Two years after my husband's initial scare, he did acquire a blood clot, and it was found immediately with the use of an ultrasound examination.  The fast diagnosis allowed for immediate treatment, and the clot was dissolved without any complications.

October is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, and the purposes is to inform you that if you are pregnant, or having blood flow problems or even suspect a kidney stone, an ultrasound exam is a painless inexpensive exam to consider.

National Greasy Food Day

By Diane Forrest,

This month many states are experiencing their state fairs.  This is a time where people can display their livestock, crafts, produce, where bands play, people dance, kids can ride rides and everyone eats!  The sights, sounds and smells at a state fair are indescribable.  Each year there is something new to try, and the food is no exception.  It seems the latest trend is to see what new food can be fried.

You can find all types of fried food at a fair.  From corn dogs and funnel cakes to fried Twinkies and fried coke.  There are fried shiskabobs and fried vegetables and enough grease to float a ship.

People don't eat like that all the time; however fats are necessary in the diet.  Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported in conjunction with fats. Fats are also sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement.

Fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function.

Fats also serve as energy stores for the body. They are broken down in the body to release glycerol and free fatty acids. The glycerol can be converted to glucose by the liver and thus used as a source of energy.

Today is National Greasy Food Day.  The South is known for its fried food, fried chicken and catfish are staples here.  Served with hot buttered biscuits and mashed potatoes and gravy you could clog up your arteries in no time.  Although we don't eat like that every day, today is a perfect excuse to drop the diet and dig into some fries or onion rings.  Don't go overboard, but enjoy something greasy today.

Halloween Safety Month

By Diane Forrest,

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise

If you go down to the woods today

You better go in disguise

This was from a song that was written in the 1930's.  I remember it from an old black and white cartoon with I think Felix the cat?  Not sure about that, but the song is called Teddy Bear's Picnic.  The cartoon showed this cat carrying a jack-o-lantern walking through the woods.  His knees were shaking; the trees had come alive, and were watching him, for a little girl, that was pretty scary.

Of course the world was simpler back then.  We didn’t have the fears that lurk today.  Going out on Halloween night was a fun occasion.  We would dress up in our costumes, and were only allowed to go our street.  Nearly every house participated in handing out treats to the witches and ghosts, and we were never afraid of what would be in our bags.  Well except from the stomach ache from eating as much as we could.  The world is a little bigger now, and there are some necessary precautions that you need to know to be able to have a safe, happy Halloween.  I have listed them below:

• Always use common sense;
• Young children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult;
• Never trick-or-treat alone. Have at least 2 buddies go with you;
• Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is;
• Make sure that you are wearing a flame retardant costume;
• Wait until you get home and your parents check your candy before you eat it;
• Be very cautious of strangers;
• Accept treats only in the doorway. Never go inside a house;
• Be sure and say thank you for your treats;
• Don't play near lit jack-o-lanterns;
• Visit only houses where the lights are on;
• Walk, Do not run;
• Walk on sidewalks and driveways;
• Cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk;
• Take a cellular phone and watch with you if possible;
• Carry a flashlight;
• Wear costumes with reflective markings, and bright colors;
• Costumes should not drag the floor; and
• Costumes should be made of flame-resistant material.

These days many area schools and churches and even malls host Halloween events to keep Halloween fun and safe for families.  This year have a wonderful night of making memories with your children, but remember to be alert and stay safe!

Happy Halloween!

Respiratory Therapy ...

By Diane Forrest, RN

When I started nursing classes, they began a new pilot class for respiratory therapy that same year.  We learned to work together then, as we would be working together in the future.  I have to tell you these people are amazing.  These people do so much more than just hang oxygen around your neck and give out inhalers.  In the hospital they take care of newborns that are sick, they set up oxygen tents, perform breathing treatments and monitor the oxygen levels in the blood.

They treat young children with pneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis and SARS which is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which is contagious and can lead to death.

They also apply a Ventilator to the extremely sick, and monitor the machine and its effectiveness.  They are a part of the code team and are one of the first to arrive to start life saving measures.

They also participate in Sleep Disorder studies as well as perform suctioning techniques and CPT (chest physical therapy). That involves cupping your hand and clapping against the lungs to break up secretions in cystic fibrosis patients.

The lungs are essential for breathing, and breathing is necessary for life.  When there is a problem breathing, the Respiratory Therapist steps in, performs the treatments and care necessary to allow adequate breathing.

If you have ever been in a position to require their services, you know how invaluable they are.  So this week, Respiratory Care Week, remember to show your appreciation to those you know who work in this field, and what an important position they have in the area of saving lives.

National Bologna Day

By Diane Forrest

My Bologna has a first name

Its O-s-c-a-r

My Bologna has a second name

It’s M-a-y-e-r

Oh I love to eat it every day

and if you ask me why

I'll say

Cause Oscar Mayer has a way

with B-o-l-o-g-n-a

How's that?

I remember when I was a young girl going fishing with my daddy.  The best part of the trip, besides catching the fish, was eating the lunch we packed.  We would get the thick sliced bologna with the red strip around the edges, white bread and mayonnaise.  Never has anything tasted so good, sitting in a boat, on the lake, a pole in the water, and a bologna sandwich.

There is a song by Alan Jackson called I still like Bologna, you can watch it here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0mjcMgRmyE

It talks about the digital world and how things can be complicated at times, but sometimes the simple things, like bologna sandwiches are better, and can't be replaced by modern technology.

Bologna is an American sausage, fashioned after the Itallian Mortadella which was named after the city Bologna.  Mortadella is made from a finely hashed/ground pork sausage containing visible cubes of lard.  American regulations state that it must be finely ground so that there is no visible pieces of any portion.  Bologna can alternatively be made out of chicken, turkey, beef, pork, venison or soy protein.

So today, on National Bologna Day, why not fix yourself a bologna sandwich and remember the days of your youth.

Drug Prevention Week

By Diane Forrest,

I remember a long while watching the Academy awards several of the stars had red ribbons on their clothes.    It was later learned that those ribbons represented Aids Awareness.  That started an explosion.  There are different colored ribbons for almost every disease.  Click here for a list of ribbons and what they represent: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awareness_ribbons

While you may think of Aids when you see a red ribbon, this week is red ribbon week, and it is to make you aware of Drug Prevention.  You might say this was the pioneer of ribbon wearing.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life.

It all started in 1985 when Special Agent Kiki Camarena, who was an 11-year veteran of the DEA assigned to the Guadalajara, Mexico, was on the trail of the country’s biggest marijuana and cocaine traffickers. On February 7, 1985, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the dangers of drugs and the international scope of the drug trade.

Shortly after Kiki’s death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Kiki’s high school friend Henry Lozano launched “Camarena Clubs” in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifice made by Kiki Camarena.  These pledges were delivered to First Lady Nancy Reagan at a national conference of parents, and in 1988, the National Family Partnership (NFP) coordinated the first National Red Ribbon Week with President and Mrs. Reagan serving as honorary chairpersons.

Ways to participate in red ribbon week include, sponsoring essay and poster contests; organizing drug-free races; decorating buildings in red; handing out red ribbons to customers; holding parades or community events; and by publicizing the value of a drug-free, healthy lifestyle.

For more information click here:  http://www.redribboncoalition.com/index.php/history