We have just enjoyed a holiday in Arizona. The cold and snow of winter greeted us on our return home. I feel fortunate to have had a summer respite in the midst of the long, cold and snowy winter that persists on the Prairies.
We experienced, for the first time, life inside a 55+ trailer park. Now we know why it is so popular with many of our snowbird friends. The climate, the many choices for activities and the socializing keep the residents active mentally and physically.
The park we were in listed a three-part philosophy:
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- Physical fitness and the encouragement of better health.
- Mental stimulation and educational opportunities.
- Spiritual enrichment.
These excellent goals seem easier to accomplish when the climate encourages getting out and about, and organized programs are just a few steps away.
Some of the activities included dancing (line, folk, square or round), clogging, swimming, water exercises, shuffleboard, billiards, walking, various crafts, lapidary (stones), silversmithing, computer club, darts, woodworking, choir, orchestra (including a kitchen band), cards, tennis, softball, horseshoes, golf and hiking.
My first activity was to go on a hike. The sheet said to meet at the recreation centre by 8:15 a.m., bring water and a lunch and wear sturdy shoes. It was to be an eight-kilometre hike in the mountains. Approximately 18 people gathered and car pools were organized for the one-hour drive to the starting location. Being in my 50s, I thought I shouldn’t be in over my head, as most would be older than I.
Yes, most were older than I but that was no indication of ability. The group moved along the mountainous trail with speed and ease. Most could manoeuvre the steep and sometimes rocky ascents and descents with great balance and sure-footedness.
Brief conversations with fellow hikers as we walked along admiring the desert plants and scenery provided some insight into their positive attitudes.
Comments included “my first hike was last year and I’m hooked on it,” “I walk or hike six out of seven days, even in the summer at our home on Lake Michigan,” “on Mondays we do the long hikes, 10 or 11 miles,” “I had heart surgery last spring but I’ve fully recovered,” “we’ve been married 54 years” (both were on the hike).
The leader was a gentleman in his 80s. He kindly whittled a walking stick to help me down the steep descents. Sitting in a car the previous three days and not being on a hike for a couple of years told the tale. It was then I decided I better shape up.
A chocolate business
Dear TEAM: I would like to sell chocolates to the public. I would like to know all about spoilage, emulsifiers, what you have to put into the candies’ centres to prevent bacteria growth and keep them from crystallizing, etc. What is the food health standard for marketing these? If you can’t help me, perhaps you could direct me to someone who can. – M.B., North Battleford, Sask.
Dear M.B.: Saskatchewan Food-talk has food processing and marketing information to help individuals with a product idea. It is a good place to start.
Write to: Saskatchewan Foodtalk, Department of Applied Microbiology and Food Science, Agriculture Building, 51 Campus Dr., University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask., S7N 5A8, 306-966-5029 or fax 306-966-8898.
Poppy seeds
Dear TEAM: I am writing to find information on poppy seeds. What kind of poppy seeds do you use in baking cakes? What is the name of the poppy to plant to get the edible seeds? How many plants does it take to get enough seeds for a cake? When do you harvest them? Do you have to roast or process them before you use them in baking? Is there a recipe for a lemon poppy seed cake or muffins? I hope you can help me soon, as it is time to get the seed and get ready to plant. – A.T., Tappen, B.C.
Dear A.T.: Some varieties of poppy produce seeds that are suitable for baking and some do not. Seed catalogues and seed stores may sell a baking variety. You can also try germinating the seeds purchased for baking from the grocery store.
If you grow a variety that has a large head, it will take just a few plants to get enough seeds for baking. A good growing season will fill the heads with more seeds than if growing conditions are poor. Thinning the plants will produce bigger heads.
Harvest when the seeds will shake out of the head. If you wait too long the wind will blow them out on the ground. Not all plants ripen at the same time.
To harvest, cut off the heads and screen the seeds through a sieve. Try not to get any of the stem or to smash the head as they produce dust. Spread the seeds on a pan in the house to dry. The seeds will go from black to grey when dry. They will have a sweeter taste if they are not processed or roasted. Store in a cotton bag or glass jar. A bitter taste will develop if seed is stored in plastic. They may be frozen in plastic bags, either whole or ground.
It is a matter of personal preference whether you use whole or crushed seeds in your baking. A blender or coffee grinder can be used to crush the seeds. If crushed too much they will be too fine and like dust. Poppies grow best in a damp climate.
You can add poppy seeds to any of your favorite cake or muffin recipes. As the seeds are bland in taste they go well with a flavored cake such as lemon.
Lemon poppy seed cake
1 white or lemon 510g
cake mix
1 package lemon 106g
instant pudding
1 cup water 250mL
1Ú2 cup vegetable 125mL
oil
4 eggs 4
1Ú3-2Ú3 cup whole 75-150mL
or ground poppy seed (to taste)
Heat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease two medium or three small loaf pans. Blend the dry cake and pudding mixes with the other ingredients on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for two minutes. Pour into pans. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until done.
Submitted by Mary Mirosovsky.
Cooking for guests
George and Kasandra O’Bertos entertain and cook for guests from all over the world at their vacation ranch near Tisdale, Sask. Kasandra has created the cookbook, Horsing Around in the Kitchen, using recipes requested hundreds of times by enthusiastic guests.
Excellent photos and “ranchy” titles, captions and cartoons make this an attractive and fun cookbook to have. For example, try Howdy Bean Soup, Bucking Bronco Pancakes or Howling Coyote Meat Sauce. There is a section on Bucks, Ducks and Things that Swim (fish and wild game, including buffalo).
To order, contact: Centax Books and Distribution, 1150 Eighth Ave., Regina, Sask., S4R 1C9, 1-800-667-5595 or fax 1-800-823-6829 or Barrier Chaparral Western Vacation Ranch, Box 502, Tisdale, Sask., S0E 1T0. Price: $19.95 plus shipping and handling and GST.
The good things in life
Dear TEAM: What is the vitamin content of a carrot and a potato? – T.K., Warburg, Alta.
Dear T.K.: To answer your question, I turned to my public health nutritionist.
- Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, one of the antioxidents.
- Potatoes are high in vitamin C.
- Both vegetables are complex carbohydrates, free of fat and cholesterol, low in calories and sodium, high in dietary fibre, and suppliers of the mineral potassium.
Safeguard the children
I would like to introduce an invaluable medical resource for parents, grandparents and others who are involved in the care of children.
With the Children’s Medical Emergency Handbook, by the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, hospital emergency room specialists provide practical, easy-to-follow instructions on how to handle the most common children’s emergency situations, so you can begin treatment immediately.
Copies of the book are available at bookstores or from: The Leader-Post Carrier Foundation Inc., Box 2020, 1964 Park St., Regina, Sask., S4P 3G4, 306-565-8240. Cost: $24.95 each, plus $3 shipping and GST. Make cheque or money order payable to the foundation.
