Canada's Food Guide Needs to be Rewritten

“The next time you visit your doctor or nutritionist,

and they pull out a copy of Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide

you might want to pause for a minute.”

The foregoing statement is from Maurice Crossfield...a writer, translator, mechanic and 'jack-of-all-trades; also the Editor-in-chief of Harrowsmith's Spring and Fall editions. Residing in Quebec's Eastern Townships, he further states, “Canada's Food Guide needs to be rewritten.”

According to Maurice Crossfield, last spring, the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released a new report: Obesity in Canada: A Whole-of-Society-Approach for a Healthier Canada. The report stated that help is needed to reduce the country's alarming obesity and chronic-disease problems. “Fruit juice, for instance, is presented as a healthy item when it is little more than a soft drink without the bubbles. Canada's Food Guide has been at best, ineffective, and at worst enabling the rising levels of unhealthy weights and diet-related chronic diseases in Canada. But the Senate committee examining obesity found that the guide hasn't kept up with the times...and that our knowledge of food has changed. There has been an increase, also in the rate of several chronic conditions: Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers...and therefore increased demands on the health care system. According to the report, fat made up about 40% of our daily calories in the 1970's. By 2004, that had decreased to 31%, yet obesity nearly doubled for adults and tripled for children over the same period.”

Each year, 48,000 to 66,000 Canadians die from conditions linked to excess weight. The proliferation of both fast food and processed foods, coupled with the overwhelming use of electronic devices, have led to an environment where it is all too easy to eat poorly and remain inactive, Low-income-Canadians often rely on unhealthy foods because these items are cheaper.

Highly processed foods, like instant noodles, soft drinks and salty snacks,

now make up 62% of the Canadian diet.

Did you know there are 56 different names for sugar alone...

and manufacturers are not required to identify these when used?

(Many sugars are added to 'processed' foods.)

In the last 40 years, everyday tasks like housework or mowing the lawn, have been hired out or taken over by machines. Meanwhile, kids might be on the local soccer team, but they spend much more time in front of screens...and a lot less time participating in unstructured activities due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation put it simply:

Don't Just Cut the Fat ~ Cut the Crap!

* * * * * * * *

William Li, MD:

Fruits, vegetables, herbs, beverages made from teas and coffees

and even seed-generated substances, like cacao, contain natural substances ~

bioactives ~ that are sometimes as powerful as the drugs we develop

in terms of preventing and intercepting diseases.

Quotes About Beneficial Fruits and Vegetables

“Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it!”

“7 Days Without Fruits and Vegetables...Makes One WEAK!”

“If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple...you're not really hungry:

You're Bored!”

“Bigger Snacks ~ Bigger Slacks!”

“If it's from a plant: EAT IT. If it's made in a plant: DON'T!”

“When diet is wrong, medicare is of no use.

When diet is correct, medicare is of no need!”

(Ancient Ayurvedic Proverb)

Maria Acosta stated, “The obstacles with kids I work with are huge.

They're growing up on pre-packaged and frozen foods. In our culture, the spotlight shines so intensely on products that are high in Sugar, Salt and Fat. This spotlight should move to

FRUITS and VEGETABLES.”

“Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice: toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.

Take Care of Your Body ~ and It Will Take Care of You!”

(Author unknown)

Red Fruits and Vegetables:

Strawberries are anti inflammatory. Watermelon is 92% water. Cranberries are beneficial to the eyes. Raspberries are rich in minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, iron and magnesium. Cherries are brain food. Red Apples are anti-toxidants. Rhubarb is high in calcium. Red Grapes are anti-aging. Pommegranits are 'heart-health'. Tomatoes build strong bones. Beets guard against cancer. Red Cabbage is rich in Vitamin C. Radishes are rich in folic acid. Other Fruits: Peaches are rich in potassium, fluoride and iron. Pineapples help fight arthritis. Kiwis increase bone mass. Oranges help master great skin and vision. Blueberries protect your heart. Mangoes protect against several kinds of cancer.

Eggplant's peel can fight against cancer and aging. Cucumbers can help reduce constipation. Lettuce can help increase bone mass. Onions can reduce high blood pressure. Carrots can help the body maintain connective tissue, teeth & gums. Broccoli protects you from cancer. Yams help maintain your night vision. Artichokes are a great source of fiber.

Top Ten Calcium Foods: Raw milk, Yogurt, Kale, Cheese,

Sardines, Broccoli, Okra, Almonds, Bok Choy and Watercress.

God's Pharmacy is Amazing!

A slice of carrot looks like a human eye and it greatly enhances blood flow of the eyes.

A tomato has 4 chambers and is red just like the heart.

A walnut looks like brain and helps develop transmitters enhancing brain functions.

Grapes hang like a cluster that has the shape of a heart.

Beans, kidney shaped, heal and maintain kidney function.

Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas.

Celery specifically targets bone strength and looks just like bone.

Citrus fruits look just like mammary glands of the female.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 29, 2017

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Hamilton. Ontario's Amalgamation

In 2001, the new City of Hamilton was formed including

The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth...Ancaster, 
Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook and Stoney Creek...
effective January 1 of that year.

Since then, much dissatisfaction has arisen among Hamilton's 5 surrounding towns: many promises made not delivered..additional taxes imposed...lack of recognition to these specialized towns of individual culture. Many residents today, realize they are no-better-off with this amalgamation and thus desiring to return to their former individuality. They regret, also that a 'new city name' was not given to Hamilton's metropolis of now over 500,000. To show greater inclusiveness, a flashy new title name would create more interest.

Temiskaming Shores included New Liskeard, Haileybury, Dymont and North Cobalt.

Cambridge, incorporated in 1973 included Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Blair.

Even Windsor's diverse population ranges from rural farmland to densely built-up areas.

Amalgamation is the Root of all Evil

In a recent submission to READERS WRITE of The Hamilton Spectator,

an Ancaster resident writes:

In 2016 alone, Hamilton officials spent $40 million on consultants for reports...that frequently they ignore. I think this money would more than cover any costs of de-amalgamation in all of these towns. Hamilton is now on track to spend even more on consultants in 2017.

This dysfunctional city is just too big to govern properly with its current council. In every case, where amalgamation has occurred, there are no savings at all for the taxpayer...there are just no economies of scale, from getting bigger...in fact, there seems to be no financial accountability now...and city staff has adopted excessive spendthrift ways.

De-amalgamation has already occurred successfully in some jurisdictions

where local communities got their identity back...and continue to thrive.

The sky did not fall.

Ancaster does pay a lower rate of taxes based on area rating. We get less service, and therefore pay a lower rate...but we still pay more than our fair share to the city, which is now really on 'life support' and only propped up by suburban tax revenue.

I would like the smug supporters of amalgamation to consider this scenario:

In the near future, Hamilton gets amalgamated with Burlington and Oakville

to form a 'super city'...ostensibly for savings,which will never ever materialize.

Hamilton loses its independence...and has a couple of reps on a super board

located in Oakville.

How are you liking amalgamation now?

Les, from Hamilton submitted the following to Readers Write titled

“It's time Hamilton had a new name”

“The author of the foregoing is quite right in the erection of name signs...and in changing the name of Hamilton to something new. Since the amalgamated city took over the previous county...and since the two local school boards still use the word in their names, let us call our city WENTWORTH.

It is a historic name...and when it was wiped out by the Harris Progressive Conservative government in the forced amalgamation, many were upset! There doesn't appear to be anywhere else in the province with the name...so it would be a good fit.

“It would also get us away from some American comments

that we named our city after Alexander Hamilton, one of their famous fathers,

instead of one of our original landowners from a previous century.

The one downside of losing the Hamilton name

is that we would no longer be the largest city, town, borough or whatever,

on this planet thusly named.”

Merle Baird-Kerr...written May 16, 2017

Comments are welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inekate@gmail.com

Not Made in China (or USA)!

Recently I published an article (on my blog) “This is How Big Walmart Is” with amazing facts.  Today I forward to you significant products  manufactured in Canada...from one of my readers.

Wonder what will happen to 'The Donald'

when he cuts off the American supply of French Fries?

NOT MADE in China (or USA)...but Canada!

Did You Know Most of the World's French Fries Come from New Brunswick? New Brunswick-based McCain Foods makes one-third of all the frozen French Fries produced in the world...and many come from a $65-million state-of-the-art potato processing plant that's in Florenceville-Bristol. The small town in western New Brunswick has taken on the moniker 'The French Fry Capital of the World.' Not surprisingly, this is the location of the Potato World museum...and the heart of the mid-July National French Fry Day celebrations.

Did You Know Carleton Place Makes the World's Best Baseball Bats?

In 2012, more than 100 Major League Baseball players chose to swing Canadian maple wood bats...better known as the “Sam Bat”. Sam Holman, founder of The Original Maple Bat Corporation, invented the bat by choosing maple wood, a harder wood than the traditionally used ash. So, if you see a professional player with a little logo on their baseball bat, that's one of the 18,000 sluggers produced each year in Carleton Place, a half-hour drive from Ottawa.

Did You Know Saskatchewan Makes Most of the World's Lentils?

Mmmm, Lentils! Whether home or travelling abroad, order some lentil soup...and odds are you're getting a little taste of home. Canada is the largest exporter of green lentils in the world ~ about 1.5 million metric tonnes annually, with 95% of it coming from Saskatchewan.

Did You Know Scarborough Makes Most of the World's 'Halls'?

If you pick up a pack of Halls, you'll be getting another little taste of home since they are made in Scarborough, Ontario. The plant at Bertrand produced more than 6 billion pieces of “medicine” for the U.S. last year, enough that if you lined them side-by-side, they would circle the earth at the equator approximately 3.4 times.

Did You Know Winnipeg Mints Coins for Over 60 Countries? Canada produces currency for more countries than you can imagine! The Royal Canadian Mint produces coins for 60 different countries, including Centavos for Cuba...kroner for Norway...and pieces for Colombia. Currently, the mint can produce over 20 million coins a day.

Did You Know Hamilton Makes the World's Swedish Fish?

Those chewy Swedish Fish sure weren't made in Sweden! More than 5 billion of the colourful little candies are produced in Hamilton, Ontaro every year ~ that's all of the Swedish Fish consumed in North America. Every day, about 13 million of the little fish are produced at a factory in Hamilton, which also makes all Maynards Candy for Canada...and key brands for the U.S. including Sour Patch Kids.

Did You Know Toronto Makes the World's Best Racing Bikes?

Using the same tools and techniques as Formule One teams, Toronto-based Cervelo builds what have been called the world's fastest and lightest bikes. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, athletes riding Cervelo bikes won 10 medals, while in 2008 Carl OS Sastre rode a Cervelo bike to win Le Tour de France.

Did You Know Winnipeg Makes Most of the World's Scratch Cards?

Walk into almost any corner store in the world for an 'instant win' lottery ticket and and there's a good chance your scratch card was printed by Winnipeg company Pollard Banknote. Founded in 1907, Pollard now has facilities throughout North America, however a significant amount of its lottery scratch cards are still made in Canada.

Did You Know the World's Best Cymbals Come From New Brunswick?

Where do the cymbals used by Rush...Keith Harris of the Black Eyed Peas...the Philadelphia Orchestra...and marching bands around the world come from? The small village (population 300) of Meductic, located along the Saint John River in southern New Brunswick. SABIAN cymbals are sold in 120 countries around the world.

Did You Know Trenton Makes Tons of Dinos?

No, they don't make dinosaurs like in Jurassic Park, but close. Research Casting International, the leading company for constructing dinosaur remains (casting, restoring, mounting, repairing) is located in a 45,000 sq. ft. airplane hanger-sized building in Trenton, Ontario. The company has created more than 750 of the mighty beasts for museums around the world.

Did You Know Kelowna Makes Most of the World's Water Slides?

When you slip down one of those clear tube water slides on a Disney Cruise, you're likely using Canadian design and technology. Canada's Whitewater West Industries Ltd. is the largest water parks attraction company in the world. Their Kelowna, B.C. facility, FormaShape, makes thousands of water slides each year.

Did You Know Peterborough is the Custom Aircraft Capital of Canada?

Flying Colours Corps. of Peterborough, Ontario doesn't make airplanes, but they sure make them special. Entertainment systems, corporate logos, iPad-holders, custom exterior paint, upholstery and they've even added a permanent bed in an aft cabin. Everything is custom made in-house, from the leather seats and wood trim to the side walls ~ for customers from across the globe, including much of Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Asia and India...etc.

Did You Know B.C. Makes Tons of Submarines?

Atlantis Submarines, of British Columbia, actually owns more submarines than many countries...but these ones are used for tourism. The Canadian company initiated the world's first commercial tourist submarine in the Cayman Islands in 1986. More than 10 million people have since experienced underwater adventures in their 48 and 64 passenger submarines in the Caribbean and Pacific. The subs they operate in Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Aruba, St. Martin, Cozumel, Curacao and Guam were all made in Canada.

In reading and typing the foregoing, my knowledge about Canada

has been richly increased....trust it does likewise for you!

Merle Baird-Kerr...May 8, 2017

Comments appreciated: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Walmart's World

My initial introduction to WALMART was in Bentonville, Arkansas where my son was working on assignment several years ago. After a business day, we stopped at a Walmart store...from where he purchased a watch for me (made in China)! Then we wandered over to the grocery section. This was a surprise: although we had a Walmart store where I live in Burlington, I'd not entered their doors...believing it was a department store. It was a pleasantry to discover that it stocked a huge grocery section. Then, I decided to pay a visit, when I returned home, to Burlington's Walmart.

The owner of this enterprise was Sam Walton

whose family resides in Bentonville (interesting to read his business climb to history!)

Burlington now has two stores...these being only a mini-dot on the Walmart-World-Map!

Many thanks to Tom for submitting the following history-line

This is How Big Walmart Is!

You don't have to be from U.S. to know of Walmart...the largest retail chain in the world. It is owned by the Walton family (possibly the richest family in the world). It has been around since 1962 and has since grown to unbelievable proportions. Over the years, they have opened stores all over U.S., Canada and Mexico. And it doesn't stop there. The Walton family and the Walmart Corporation own many other retail chains in 28 different countries including: China, Germany, India, Brazil and U.K.

So What Makes This Such a Big Deal? Well the fact of the matter is that Walmart is so big, it's disturbing. When you hear about the size and the numbers that are attributed to Walmart, it's hard not to think about things like 'monopoly' and 'exploitation'. I'm willing to bet that neither you nor your loved ones who shop there, know all of this:

• Globally, Walmart says it employs 2.3 million people and it's very likely it employs even more than that. That huge number of people is more than America's active military personnel (1.43 million) and almost the size of the Chinese army (2.29 million).
• There are around 4,672 Walmart stores in the United States, more than double the number of stores in other food retail chains. There are even more Walmart International locations...over 6,363 as of 2017. More than 90% of its international stores operate under other names such as Asda, Bodega, Aurrera, Seyiu, Best Price, Trust-Mart Hypermarket and Todo Dia.
• The net profit of Walmart, after taxes and paying preferred dividends, was around $13.64 billion in 2017. And that's only profit, not sales!
• Out of the 10 richest Americans, four are members of the Walton family. They're worth more than $30 billion each, just six members of the family combined would hold more wealth than the bottom 40% of the American people.
• Walmart's CEO, Douglas McMillon, is presumed to be paid 1,034 times more than the average Walmart worker. That is by far one of the biggest top-to-bottom differences in America.
• Walmart says it's visited by almost 140 million shoppers a week in their U.S. Stores. That's the equivalent of about 44% of the American population.
• Since Walmart is one of the biggest U.S. gun retailers, it's no shock that it's a frequent scene for shooting incidents. On average, there are 70 shooting incidents a year at Walmarts across America.
• The Walmart Corporation and Foundation has donated $1.4 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world last year, which makes it one of the most charitable companies in absolute terms. And yet, this is less than 0.1% of the net worth of the Walton Family Foundation and rumoured to actually be a legal loophole to avoid taxes.

Additional Walmart Facts:

Canadian Mailing Address

Wal-Mart Canada Corp.

1940 Argentia Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5N IPN

Walmart Shopping Online...Grocery Pick-UP

Ad Match: We'll match the advertised price of any competitor

Walmart Rewards Master Card

Recent Advertised Promotion: When you Buy select items from Walmart

you help Food Banks Canada feed families in need.

Give a little love to your local community.

Did You Know?

(The following information I read several months ago)

Walmart Container Ship crosses from China to U.S. in just 5 days.

The “Emma Maersk” part of a Danish shipping line was shown in a photo.

What a ship!!! No wonder 'Made in China' is displacing North American

made goods big time!

These ships were commissioned by Wal-Mart to get their imported goods from China.

These monster ships each hold an incredible 15,000 containers and have a 207 foot deck beam! The full crew is just 13 people on a ship longer than a U.S. Aircraft Carrier, which has a crew of 5,000. With its 207 foot beam, it is too big to fit through the Panama or Suez Canals.

It is strictly transpacific with cruise speed of 31 knots.

The goods arrive four days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots)
on a China-to-California run.

91% of Wal-Mart products are made in China.

So, this behemoth is hugely competitive even when carrying perishable goods.

The ship was built in five sections which are floated together, then welded.

The command bridge is higher than a 10-storey building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously unloading the entire ship in less than two hours!

Cargo capacity ~ 15,000 Teu (20 cubic feet)

First trip ~ September 8, 2006.

Construction cost ~ U.S. $145,000,000 + Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom which reduces water resistance and saving 317,000 gallons of diesel per year.

* * * * * * * * * *

Writer's comment: The foregoing facts absolutely 'blew my mind'!!!

(They have not been verified or substantiated by the writer of this article.)

Merle Baird-Kerr...compiled May 6, 2017

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@mail.com

Being a Mom Can Be Tough!

The officer at the driving licence counter asked a lady:

What is your occupation?

The woman, seeking a renewal of her licence, seemed puzzled , so the officer said, “Ma'am, are you employed, have your own business or...”

“Oh yes!” The woman replied, “I do have a full-time occupation. I am a mother!”

The officer rolled his eyes: “We don't have 'mother' as an option for occupation. I'll write it down as 'housewife'. That takes care of all questions.

This had happened long ago and was forgotten. Years later, when I (the woman in the story, if you hadn't guessed) went to get her licence, the public relations officer was a somewhat pompous woman.

“Your occupation?” she asked in a rather authoritative tone. I just had a moment of inspiration and replied, “I am a researcher in the field of child-development, nutrition and inter-personal relationships.”

The lady officer stared at me in amazement.

I calmly repeated my statement and she wrote it down verbatim. Then, unable to conceal her curiosity, she politely asked, “What exactly do you do in your profession, ma'am?”

Feeling good about having described my occupation so calmly and confidently, I replied, “My research projects have been going on for a number of years (mothers NEVER retire). My research is conducted in the laboratory as well as in the field. I have two bosses (one is God and the other is my entire family). I have received two honours in this field (a son and a daughter). My topic is considered to be the most difficult part of sociology. (All Moms will agree). I have to work more than 14 hours every day. Sometimes even 24 hours are not enough and the challenges are tougher than many other professions. My compensation is in terms of mental satisfaction rather than money.”

I could see that the officer was thoroughly impressed. After completing the licencing formalities, she came and opened the exit door to see me off.

I was welcomed by my 5-year-old research assistant at home.

My new project (6-month old baby) was energetically practising her 'music'.

I had earned a small victory over the government red tape today.
 I was no longer 'a housewife'. Instead, I was now a highly placed functionary 
in a service vital to mankind ~ motherhood!

'Housewife.' Isn't it a great title?

Fit to be added to the nameplate on the door?

By this standard, grandmothers deserve to be called 'senior research officers'...and great-grandmothers qualify as 'research directors'. Aunts and other ladies of that age group can be called 'research facilitators'!

(My thanks to Tom for the foregoing submission)

Eric Grey's Philosophy

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater!

If you give her sperm, she will give you a baby!

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So, if you give her any crap...be ready to receive a ton of shit!

First Grade Drawing

A Grade One student handed in a drawing for her homework assignment.

The teacher graded it and the child took it home. She returned to school the next day with the following note from her mother:

Dear Mrs. Davis,

I want to be perfectly clear on my child's homework illustration.

It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint

surrounded by male customers with money.

I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter

how much money we made in the recent snowstorm.

The drawing is of me selling a shovel!

Sincerely, Mrs. Harrington

Of interest: the child's drawing of 'stick people' does show a long-handled shovel

held my Mommy...surrounded by 7 stick-buyers holding money in their hands.

Her printed caption says: “When I grow up, I want to be like Mommy!”

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 1, 2017

Comments welcomed: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

European Metropolis! What City is This?

Recently, one of my blog readers submitted to me a document: What City is This? Introductory words, loaded with a dozen or more photos included Muslims kneeling in a busy street with daily prayers...desolation and destruction and loads of garbage in residential areas...heraldry of achievements as violence occurs...appearance of several spotlights on each floor of apartments.

It is MARSEILLE, France's 2^nd largest city! And do you know what is the 2^nd language spoken in Marseille? Well, yes: it's French. 

 The First is ARABIC!

“Give them Paradise...and they will turn it into a garbage bin.” Omar Gaddafi said in a speech that there is no need to invade Europe...because in 20 years, Europe would be Muslim!” Are any of the readers of this e-mail foolish enough to think it will stop in Europe?

(The foregoing message mightily disturbs me

in that I have long time friends living near Cannes and the seacoast.)

“We must not allow this to happen to America or Canada!

Can someone tell me why we recognize these warring Muslims as a religious organization when they subscribe to their own set of laws in opposition to our Constitution. It is a way of life AND government as much or more than a religion?”

As requested by the sender of this document to me, I have forwarded it to others who are sympathetic to the past, present and future attacks that are today heavily prevalent in our world. To them I wrote:

How criminal!

I've known a few Muslims locally (and there are many more) who are well educated and cultured) who are assets to our country. However, the minority who are the 'shit disturbers' are vastly growing in numbers!!! Am so happy I'll probably not be around when EUROPE is totally dominated by MUSLIM-ITIS! I'll wish that in Heaven (with God's help) I could control this dilemma!

Response from One of my Faithful Readers

“That's an idea of the problem going on in France right now. The running joke is that France should form a a two-state solution. Historically, the only solution that has ever worked is to drive all the Muslims out. For 1500 years, they have occupied and taken any country foolish enough to take them in. Bangladesh was once part of India.

In an effort to negotiate peace, India severed it into its own country.

Same with Pakistan ~ once part of India...

but the Muslims took it over and India allowed it to secede.

“Norway decided to deport the most troublesome Muslims ~ about 40,000 of them and peace seems to be restored. But this only prolongs it. Those willing to live peacefully, still have large families and raise their children in the Mosque...and even if that generation lives peaceably, they will outnumber the indigenous by simple breeding.

“They took over Europe before and it went on for hundreds of years

until the Europeans drove them out.

“I've known friendly Muslims too. And the news media will make the silly 'peaceful majority' argument. But as Brigitte Gabriel so aptly put it, “The peaceful majority is irrelevant.” The peaceful majority of Germans went along with Nazi atrocities. The peaceful majority of Japanese went along with Imperial Japan in WWII. And that is always the case.

“The French are fed up with this...and are electing a strong right-wing nationalistic government. Germany will soon do likewise. Germany is in a particularly bad situation because of what happened in 1938. But if Germany does not do now, what they did then, there will be no Germany. What are they supposed ot do? Surrender their country?”

Comment from this Blog Writer:

A few days ago, I viewed on TV the dramatic film: “Judgment at Nuremberg”...and noted from the German populace how they placidly accepted the Nazi rule (without refusing and refuting the German orders...fearing for their lives.) It's a great movie, representative of the Nazi theory to rule the world!

* * * * * * *

Richard M. Nixon stated, “In the long term, we can hope that religion wilil change the nature of man...and reduce conflict. But history is not encouraging in this respect. The bloodiest wars in history have been religious wars.”

“Lebanon was at one time known as a nation that rose above sectarian hatred; Beirut was known as the Paris of the Middle East. All of that was blown apart by those who sought power and wealth. If women had been in charge, would they have been more sensible? It's a theory!” (Roger Ebert)

Peace is not absence of conflict...it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. (Ronald Regan)

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed, by so many...to so few.” (Winston Churchill)

What is the one country in the Middle East that has not been attacked by ISIS?

One: that is Iran. That is more than happenstance, I'm sure. (James Mattis)

Merle Baird-Kerr...written April 29, 2017

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

Eating in the Fifties, Forties, Thirties

When asked how they managed to stay together for 65 years, the woman replied,
“We were born in a time where if something broke...you fixed it.

Never throw it away!”

How things have changed! That's how it was when I was a kid! The good old days...and yet we survived because at least the food was sane...wholesome...and not full of chemicals.

Curry was an unknown entity.

Olive oil was kept in the medicine cabinet.

Spices came from the Middle East where we believed that they were used for embalming.

Herbs were used to to make rather dodgy medicine.

A pizza was something to do with a leaning tower.

The main vegetables to use were: potatoes, peas, beans, carrots and cabbage.

Condiments consisted of salt, pepper and vinegar.

Coke was something that we mixed with coal to make it last longer.

Rice was a milk pudding...and never, ever part of our dinner.

A microwave was something out of a science fiction movie.

Brown bread was something only poor people ate.

Oil was for lubricating your bike, not for cooking; fat was for cooking.

Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves, not bags. Tea had one colour ~black.

Cubed sugar was regarded as posh.

Figs and dates appeared every Christmas, but no one ever ate them.

Hors d'oeuvre was a spelling mistake.

The menu consisted of what we were given...and was set in stone!

Only Heinz made beans...there were no others.

Leftovers went in the dog, never in the bin. (Special foods for dogs and cats was unheard of).

Fish was eaten on Fridays.

Frozen food was called ice cream and came only in one flavour ~ vanilla.

None of us had ever heard of yogurt.

Healthy food had to have the ability to stick to your ribs.

Indian restaurants were only found in India.

Eating out was called a picnic; cooking outside was called camping.

Pancakes were only eaten on Shrove Tuesday...and on that day it was compulsory.

Cornflakes had just arrived from America, but it was obvious that they would never catch on.

We bought milk and cream at the same time in the same bottle.

Prunes were purely medicinal.

Surprisingly, muesli was readily available in those days. It was called cattle feed.

Turkeys were definitely seasonable.

Pineapples came in chunks in a tin; we had only ever seen a picture of a real one.

We didn't eat croissants in those days because we couldn't pronounce them and were unknown to us.

Garlic was used to ward off vampires, but never used to flavour anything.

Food hygiene was only about washing your hands before meals.

Water came out of the tap (or well); if someone had suggested bottling and charging for it, they would have become a laughing stock.

However, the one thing that we never ever had on our table in the fifties ~ ELBOWS!

(Sydney, you're a source of information...Thank You))

Married during “Depression Years” my parents lived the experience of growing all their vegetables plus the planting of strawberries, raspberries, asparagus and fruit trees. Thanks to my father who prepared the soil for my mother's planting, growth and care! Elderberries she picked from bushes near the swamp adjacent to our farm...and how we enjoyed her elderberry pie! In late summer/early fall she preserved much of this harvest for winter meals and kept in the cool, earth-floored-basement.

NO FOOD WAS EVER THROWN OUT FROM MEAL SERVINGS.

WHAT WAS ON YOUR PLATE ~ YOU ATE!

When old enough to feed ourselves, my sister and I...must eat what we took!

We learned to begin with small servings ~ seconds were always available.

When produce was greater than our use required, it was shared with our country neighbours. Often my mother gave “ preserves” as gifts to family; my father reciprocated with hand-made wooden tools.

In mid-Victorian England, obesity was virtually unknown (except possibly in the small upper classes.)

They consumed far less salt, sugar, alcohol and tobacco than we did...and even today. They did not have hi-temperature cooking methods that today's “fast foods” demand, etc.

Eating at home, one can keep portion sizes reasonable; at restaurants, this cannot be controlled.

For Great Health Benefits: Have a “home garden” of vegetables and fruit. Plots in “community gardens” are available in urban centres. Have arrangements with a farm(s) in rural areas to purchase and enjoy pesticide-free produce.

Food Waste ~ The Next Generation?

Half the food grown last year was thrown out...SAD!
 One billion people in the world are hungry!

How are we going to feed 9 billion people by 2050? Experts estimate that we need to grow 60% more food than we currently produce. As a result, there is a “push” to constantly create more ~ more miracle crops ~ more monocultures ~ more monocrops ~ more seeds. Do the Math: If we are better about USING the food we now grow...we're already about half-way there! Much food offered to stores are rejected...due to size, colour and shape. They market “eye-peal” to shoppers! Sadly, much perfectly Good Food is discarded and dumped!

How to Stop Wasting:

If your produce starts to go soft, put it in a cup of cold water for an hour or two and it'll regain life.

Stir-frying is a great way to use up a jumble of mismatched ingredients.

Rearrange your refrigerator so the most perishable items are most visible.

You can add a couple weeks to fresh herbs by placing in a knotted plastic bag with 2 T. of fresh water.

Plan your meals in advance and with an eye to utilizing most ingredients.

Use meat and fish scrap to make a stock .(The carcass will freeze if unable to do so right away.)

Baking can use up fruit and dairy...if on the verge of expiration.

Eating Behaviour of 20,000 years ago...may be the solution in our future!

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 15, 2013

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com