Traditional Cookery
Box of Crayons
Published December 5th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Nature is filled with color, and as I watch the vibrant changed to trees and plants, my thought turn to crayons, which lead to making choices. Do you remember when you got that first box of crayons? The first box of crayons came out in 1903 and contained eight [...]
Learning from History
Published November 28th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
This past month I have added two rare books from the late 1800s to my collection. One, of course, is a cookbook; the other is an original copy of Dr. John H. Kellogg’s “Plain Facts for Old and Young: Embracing the Natural History and Hygiene of Organic Life,” circ [...]
The Great Purge of 2019
Published November 14th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
It all began with my normal fall clearing out, note I didn’t say cleaning, that would imply the dust and cobwebs are also gone. Every year we go through our clothes and household items and bag up what we no longer like, need or ware for a local charity. [...]
New Season and New Foods for Health
Published November 14th, 2019
Fall surprised us all with a venture into winter earlier than anticipated, not only are the trees turning a crayon box of colors, the farm stands, and markets are bursting with hearty calorie-dense foods and savory immune-supporting roots. Fall is often our favorite time of year, and it [...]
History as Old as Bees’
Published April 30th, 2019
By Tammera J. Karr, PhD
It is difficult to appreciate in today’s world the value of honey and bees. Honey is a by-product of flower nectar and the upper aerodigestive tract of the honey bee, which is concentrated through a dehydration process inside the beehive. Honey has a very complex chemical composition that varies depending [...]
Time Change and Spring Fatigue
Published March 23rd, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Over the two weeks, I have heard countless clients complain over the time change. The following days have been the land of zombies in some folks minds. Additionally, spring is upon us and with that; tree, grass and flower pollen. Spring is a time of rebirth, and rebounding energy, or [...]
Edamame – green soy beans
Published February 22nd, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
On a recent road trip, we shared a bowl of Edamame with family at a restaurant – I didn’t tell my husband what it was, but waited to see if he would try something new. The brave, intrepid food explorer came out, and it want long till he was sucking [...]
Cast-Iron Cookware ~ Beyond Camping
Published February 15th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Over the last two weeks, I have been working from our RV, while my husband was busy working away from home. During these internet-phone free times, I get to thinking and exploring, both of which usually lead to spending money. This time I got to thinking about, how I should [...]
Why Change isn’t Always for the Best
Published February 12th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
How is it that for centuries our ancestors consumed large quantities of high-fat foods and never fell victim to the health challenges of contemporary generations? To answer this, we must look at the lifestyle, food and preparation methods commonly used by past generations. I have a small collection of antique [...]
Lets Hear it for Real Fat!
Published January 29th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Fats are hydrophobic. In other words, fats repel water. Even oil-based emulsions like mayonnaise rely on a third party to hold each tiny droplet of oil in suspension—egg yolk, mustard, or certain starches are common choices. Despite what some folks tell you, food fried at higher temperatures actually absorb more [...]