Traditional Cookery
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 [...]
Keifer Water and Kombucha
Published January 8th, 2019
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Fermentation is making a big comeback. Artisan bread makers are developing their own strains of yeast, kombucha makers are popping bottles of fizzy drinks at farmers’ markets. Brown glass bottles line cold drink shelves and have their own growler stations, online gurus are creating websites dedicated to specialty fermenting [...]
Traditional Culinary Herbs for Health
Published December 15th, 2018
By Tammera J. Karr, PhD
The role of herbs and spices in traditional cookery is more than flavor; herbs played a vital role in nutrition and health for past generations. The daily use of herbs in cookery supplied minerals, vitamins, and volatile compounds effective at killing pathogens and parasites. They provided expectorant, glucose-regulating, diuretic, [...]
Citrus an Imported Fall Food
Published December 11th, 2018
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Many of us grew up with citrus foods being part of the holiday season. I remember not only getting tangerines, pomegranates, and oranges in my stocking but also nuts in their original packaging. Today we wouldn’t dream of putting nuts in their shells and a hammer in the hands of [...]
Jolly Holly Traditional Festive Foods
Published December 4th, 2018
by Tammera J. Karr, PD
As with most, our family has traditional holiday foods we look forward to, on Christmas Eve, my mother would serve oyster stew, and on new year’s it was black-eyed peas and ham for good luck. Others in my family may have made tamales like my great aunt, using her mother’s [...]