This column was written on April Fool’s Day. Some people write that day off as a pain.
But have you heard the phrase, laughter is the best medicine? Dr. Andrew Weil’s weekly Wellness Bulletin reports many studies suggest that laughter is indeed a powerful tool. It has been proven that a simple giggle can boost your immune system and lessen pain, and during tough times, humour can go a long way in reducing stress. So share a joke or two for your health.
The magic of music
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When a stressful situation threatens to disrupt your inner peace, forget the sounds of silence and turn on some tranquil tunes.
In a recent study, participants were exposed to stressful stimuli and then allowed to relax with either soft and slow music (not heavy metal) or in silence. The participants whose relaxation phase included listening to music reported a greater calming effect than the participants who relaxed in silence.
Now, that’s not only music to your ears; it’s music for your mind.
Skin like leather
Dr. Weil also informed readers that as we age, so does our skin, especially our face. Many people believe that wrinkles are something we have to live with, but 90 percent of wrinkles are due to sun exposure. We can help ourselves deal with aging:
- Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Ultraviolet rays can damage skin, reduce elasticity and promote wrinkles. Always wear sun block with a protection factor of at least 15 but preferably 25 or higher. It’s also smart to wear a hat and sunglasses to help shade your face.
- Don’t smoke. Scientists suspect that smoke causes more wrinkles by increasing a protein in the skin that destroys collagen.
- Eat a healthy diet. People who eat foods rich in skin-protective antioxidants, such as leafy greens, legumes and nuts, are less likely to develop wrinkles. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil and the omega-3 fatty acids found in flax and hemp seeds, walnuts and salmon can help combat fine lines.
More fruit, less cancer
How much fruit do you offer in your home? Evidence suggests that the more fruit children eat, the greater protection they’ll have against developing cancer in their lives. Research from England found that people who ate the most fruit as kids were 38 percent less likely to develop cancer, compared to those who ate little or no fruit.
Researchers studied records compiled in the late 1930s for survey information on diets of their subjects and then used health records to track more than 4,000 participants.
Investigators credited the antioxidants and fibre in the fruits for the protection. The study results were published in the March 2003 issues of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Bread recipes
Dear TEAM: Thank you for the many tips and suggestions to make homemakers more aware. We often try the recipes and have clipped many more to try someday soon. Some time ago you had a number of bread maker recipes – we enjoyed all of them. I’m looking for a recipe for rye or spelt flour bread to make in the machine. Here is the recipe for a multi-grain bread that I make a lot.
Multi-grain bread
Measure in order given into bread machine pan.
11/3 cups water 325 mL
2 tablespoons 30 mL
powdered milk
2 tablespoons 30 mL
shortening
2 tablespoons honey 30 mL
1 teaspoon salt 5 mL
1 cup seven or 250 mL
nine grain cereal
(I often add two
tablespoons, or 30 mL,
gluten powder)
1/3 cup flax seed 75 mL
1 cup whole wheat 250 mL
flour
2 cups white flour 500 mL
1 teaspoon yeast 5 mL
Place pan in bread maker. Select Dough setting. Close lid.
When beeper sounds to indicate dough is completed, put it in a five by nine inch (12 x 22 cm) loaf pan. Let rise for 30 minutes. Bake in 350 F (180 C) oven for 40 minutes. Cool. Freezes well.
This also makes excellent buns. Form about 12 buns and let them rise 45 minutes. Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 25 minutes.
I prefer to bake the loaf in a regular pan in the oven as opposed to the bread machine pan, and generally do that with any bread recipe. It makes better slices for toast or sandwiches. I do use the complete cycle for convenience or fresh bread for breakfast. I’ll often mix up a loaf when making an oven meal and bake it at the same time.
The gluten powder can be purchased at most health food stores.
– R.S., Fort St. John, B.C.
Dear R.S.: Thank you for sending your hearty bread recipe. I enjoyed it with jam this morning. I will have to try your method of baking the bread in the oven rather than the bread pan. I have included two of my favourite recipes.
Dill bread
My favourite with sandwiches.
11/4 cups water 300 mL
11/2 tablespoons 22 mL
powdered milk
2 tablespoons butter 30 mL
2 tablespoons sugar 30 mL
11/2 teaspoons dillweed 7 mL
1 teaspoon salt 5 mL
1/8 teaspoon white 0.5 mL
pepper
3 cups white bread 750 mL
flour
2-3 teaspoons dry 10-15 mL
yeast
Measure ingredients into baking pan in the order given. Insert baking pan into baking unit, select the baking setting, and start.
Rye bread
Good with soups and salads.
11/4 cups water 300 mL
11/2 tablespoons 22 mL
powdered milk
2 tablespoons brown 30 mL
sugar
2 teaspoons caraway 10 mL
seeds
11/4 teaspoons salt 6 mL
3 cups all-purpose 750 mL
flour
2/3 cup rye flour 150 mL
2-3 teaspoons dry 10-15 mL
yeast
Measure ingredients into baking pan in the order given. Insert baking pan into baking unit, select the baking setting, and start.
SARS update
Health Canada will continue to do everything it can to keep Canadians informed about severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, and will continue to work with the provinces and territories so that medical officers are fully informed and appropriate steps are taken to mitigate risk.
If you want information on SARS, contact Health Canada’s information line, 800-454-8302.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
