page 46 ...a report citing a study by Dr. Thomas C. Chalmers, of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, which compared two groups that were being used to test the theory that ascorbic acid is a cold preventative. "The group on placebo who thought they were on ascorbic acid," says Dr. Chalmers, "had fewer colds than the group on ascorbic acid who thought they were on placebo." page 56 The placebo is proof that there is no real separation between mind and body. Illness is always an interaction between both. It can begin in the mind and affect the body, or it can begin in the body and affect the mind, both of which are served by the same bloodstream. Attempts to treat most mental diseases as though they were completely free of physical causes and attempts to treat most bodily diseases as though the mind were in no way involved must be considered archaic in the light of new evidence about the way the human body functions. -- Norman Cousins, "Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient"
Plums - Dragon Ears
While driving to Salem and back last week we noticed the plum trees are in bloom. Their delicate pink blossoms reminded me of the tree in my yard in Medford where I grew up. The plum tree is always the first to bloom so in honor of a most welcomed spring; I've chosen Plums this week.
Plums are in many of the ancient myths of China and Japan, one of which is a tale about a Dragon. In this story a dragons ears were cut off as punishment, and when the blood soaked into the earth a Plum tree grew. Plums appear in several Chinese and Japanese myths. Plum trees were considered to be one of the "five renowned fruits of antiquity," the other four are peaches, apricots, jujubes and the chestnut.
The plums sweet taste conjured images of paradise. In Chinese myth plums and peaches symbolized immortality and longevity. It is believed Lao Tzu, the founder of Chinese Taoism was born under a plum tree, and thus Chinese people revered him as an Imperial ancestor and a God. In Japanese folklore the plum trees along with the peach and the pine are the three trees of life.
In myth the plum tree grew on the island of Penglai or Horaizan, and had a golden trunk, and golden branches, silver roots and luscious fruit.
The Japanese planted Plum trees primarily for the blossoms. They are the first to bloom in spring, these trees's start to bloom while snow is still on the ground; it is the early and long lasting bloom that represents resurrection. This symbolizes the immortality of the earth as well as natures awakening after a long winter.
At the base of the plum tree a fungus or mushroom grows that is also connected to immortality and is said to stop aging. In myth the Plum tree shares a bond with the nightingale and the butterfly. The nightingale and the plum tree are harbingers of spring. The butterfly, which feeds on plums, symbolizes first resurrection then immortality. The cocoon represented a temporary "death state," the emergence of the butterfly resurrection.
There are over one hundred and forty different kinds of plums only five varieties mass-produced; The European, Damson, Japanese, American and Ornamental Plums.
These can all be used for canning and for making jellies and jams. The European plum is most commonly dried for prunes.
Plums are used to make Slivovitz, which is a wine brandy made in Sirbia. Plum brandy is one of the only expectable wines to drink during Passover due to the fact it is not distilled, therefore, it's kosher.
Nutritionally plums are high in vitamin C; they also contain riboflavin, and possum. Plums are low in calories, 36 in a medium size plum. Dried plums become prunes; prune juice is famous as an aid for constipation. If you have high cholesterol, apples and plums will eliminate it. Plums are a great source of dietary fiber like cellulose and Pectin. What doctors don't you is that pectin removes cholesterol from the blood and flushes it out of your body.
Basically what happens is the pectin molecule grabs the cholesterol molecule and throws it out, kind of like being kicked of a public establishment. Oh, a word of warning. I can't imagine why anyone would do this, but ya never know, never chew and eat too many plum pits, they contain amygdalin. This is a compound that breaks down into hydrogen cyanide in the stomach. This can cause cyanide poisoning.
So tonight in celebration of spring and plums, Rick and I are going to spring into spring with Spring rolls, Plum sauce and a bottle of Plum wine.
Crystals Plum Sauce;
Put all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth then boil in pot on stove 1 minute
1 30 oz. Purple plums in heavy syrup, remove pits
4 TBLS. Balsamic vinegar
2 TBLS. Brown sugar
1 TBSP. Sriracha Hot chili sauce
2Tbsp. Orange liqueur (Triple Sec)
Spring Rolls, makes 20.
2-oz. Dry soy vermicelli, soak 30 minutes in warm water then drain
Brown 1 LB. Ground turkey, set aside to cool
Chop 3 leeks
2 heads Bok Choy
1 clove garlic
6 oz. Small shrimp, canned or fresh
1Tbls. Soy sauce
1 TBS. Oil
3 TBLS. Fish sauce
3 oz. Bean sprouts
Pinch black pepper
4 beaten eggs
20 egg roll wraps
1 quart vegetable oil
Heat oil to 350 in deep fryer, mix all ingredients together and strain excess liquid. Then follow rolling instructions on package and fry. Drain on paper towels.
These are actually healthy! Enjoy!
To reach Crystal Hayes email crystalhayes@peak.org
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