Bon Appetit – Just Plain Good Food
It is beginning to smell a lot like Christmas
Published December 24th, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
One of the magical things about this time of year are the smells – cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, ginger, fruit fillings and festive colors swirled around on cookies. Many of these powerful aromas stimulate memories and affect brain chemistry in positive ways.
All of these spices that add to [...]
When Stress Comes a Knocking
Published December 22nd, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Well, the holiday season is here, and yes, I say Holiday because there are over 29 holidays between now and the first week of January depending on if you are Jewish, Christian or anyone else. As many of you read this, the hustle and bustle of preparing for Thanksgiving will [...]
Are the “What If’s” fueling your stress
Published October 14th, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
August brought to a close 15 years of working in a clinical office location in my closest town. To get to this office, I traveled 120 miles round-trip three days a week, through all four seasons. More than once the highway was closed due to forest fires, high water, rock [...]
Fermenting Adventures in an RV
Published October 7th, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Recently my husband and I decided late summer was a good time to learn how to ferment drinks and vegetables. A little background: Naturally fermented beverage products called Kombucha, Ginger Beer, and water Kefir are all the rage. Even general purpose markets are now carrying some form of fermented drink. [...]
To Can or Not? A look at home canning, freezing and fermenting foods
Published September 30th, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Few things get your tongue’s attention faster than where sweet and tart meet in the heart of a ripe peach, or that zest in the seasoned grilled zucchini that came from your garden. Those generous squash or tomato plants that keep on giving have left many folks googling recipes. But [...]
Watermelon & Summer a perfect fit
Published July 1st, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD, BCHN, BCIH
Summer and watermelon are inseparable for me, as a kid riding in the truck with my dad, we would drive by fields in North Eastern Oregon with ripe watermelons. I do not think we ever went to a picnic, camping or a potluck that didn’t have [...]
Spring with a splash of Easter color
Published March 24th, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
The familiar dyed Easter egg, which annually rolls along lawns and frustrates little children armed with colored wicker baskets, is a carryover from the pagan holiday which preceded the Christian holy day. Easter has a close association with food. The word comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of light and spring, [...]
Thoughts of bread- the need to kneed
Published March 15th, 2016
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Recently, I watched the Michael Pollan documentary on Netflix ® “Cooked.” I have read most of Mr. Pollan’s work over the years and like his writing style, and subject matter. This was the first time I had seen one of his films – and it is inspiring, not only to [...]
By the Sea
Published July 8th, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
This last week I got to spend several days on the Oregon Coast – that meant enjoying the foods that are local of course.
Shellfish is one I have liked in small doses, primarily scallops and shrimp, but this year I have become a raw oyster lover, especially when they [...]
Rhubarb, oh so mouth watering
Published June 25th, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
This last week I picked up my first CSA (community supported agriculture) box from Big Lick Farms – regular at the Roseburg and area farmers markets. I filled my cooler with heads of lettuce, radishes the size of golf balls, snap peas, chard, bok choy, sweet strawberries and rhubarb.
This [...]