Tryptophan Hangover

 As a rule, I don't drink.  Not that I'm not against having a frothy adult beverage socially, however through the wisdom that comes with age and some past experiences where universal forces have taken over and spun me in directions that aren't altogether happy, I am what we can classically coin as a Coffee Totaler.  

That being said, there is a ramification to the over indulgence in a full course Turkey dinner.  That force started early this morning as I began waking.  It made me reclose my eyes and go back to sleep in hopes I was just having a bad dream.  I woke a little later, it wasn't a dream.  My head was pounding, my eyes were teary, I had that whooshing sound in my ears that made it hard to concentrate, I was in the throws of a full blown Turkey Hang Over.  

I saw in the morning ABC news that claims it isn't the Tryptophan in the Dead Bird that gives us the sleepies, and or other symptoms of self indulgence, it's the eating to much thing that creates the agony, the pain.  I disagree.

The pain in my brain feels very much like a chemical implosion.   It sits with the memory of past badness's I've experienced in the past due to other types of to much.  But no, it is the Food.  So I looked it up and I found out that Tryptophan is used to calm the aggressive behavior of quarrelsome individuals.  It is used in conjunction with certain antipsychotics to calm the behavior of rowdy psych patience.  It makes the individual sleepy and less aggressive.  hmmm. 

Ok, the ABC news people are smart, they research, they understand things, but why and how did they pass this one up.  It didn't take me more that one search to find the information.  Is there a Thanksgiving conspiracy in the works?  Are the majority using this kind of meal as a way to manipulate the masses?  No, it couldn't be.  

Although I really don't believe that, my brain hurts.  So, I've taken an Excedrin Migraine pill and turned the lights down low.  Maybe the meal will pass.  

Peace and Balance,

John  

The After Party.

We indulge, we share stories, we make up lies, and musically share them at the table.  Children giggle, and old men holler, "Someone stop that dog!" Then a rule about dropping a piece of bird on the floor is made up.  How many seconds was that again?  

Like a Roman army food is ate, and ate again in hopes that there will be a second piece of pumpkin pie.  On the screen, big in some houses not so big in others, the national game is playing to the occasional hoots and hollers of fans pandering from the arms of couches all over the country.  The only disturbances to these subtle peace's are the occasional snores of sleeping grandfathers and chuckles of grandmothers.  "Score." is heard on the distance, "I have five bucks on that game." Then the wind blows in silence.  

Later, after a third piece of pie, an old Doris Day movie can be watched on TCM.  Laughter, and music followed by children crying about going to bed, "There's no school tomorrow, Mom."  

Finely she says, "I said to bed!"  The final word.

Finely the dishes are put up, the food is wrapped, and one last piece of pie. The evening is yawning, and the tired comes.  

I hope all Had a good, good day.

Peace and Balance,

John 

The Potato

The potato is one of the main staples in the United States.  It is a root that is native to the Americas and the secret additional part of the Three Sisters plus one,  maize, beans, squash, and potatoes.  Generally when you think of Native American food you think of the Three Sisters, Maize, (Corn), Beans, and Squash of all kinds, but what is left out that actually occupies a greater portion of the pot is the potato.  

The potato wasn't actually a staple in Ireland until the English brought it back from the Americas.  The English couldn't figure the potato out and gave it to the Irish in hopes of getting rid of a problem, the potato.  The Irish figured it out and the rest is legend.  Ireland became so enthralled with the potato that several excellent dishes were developed and the potato for many generations became the main crop of the Misty Isle.  This is one of the main causes of the potato blight.  Over planting, and poor farming technique.  Pretty soon, no potatoes which cost many lives and started a migration that eventually lead to the fact that there are more Irish folks in the United States than there are in Ireland.  Followed the potato home.

Potatoes are fun food.  You can do so much with a potato, and create many wonderful dishes of goodness.  One of my favorites is a potato hash that I've mastered through practice and taste testing.  Take 6 or 7 potatoes, peel them and chop them into bite sized chunks and place in a preheated frying pan with good slab of butter.  Add a few dashes of Garlic salt, Basil, Kosher salt, and Black Pepper, and let begin to brown.  Chop up a couple of large white or yellow onions and add to the potatoes.  Let cook together.  When the spuds start to brown add a chopped up Kielbasa, of your own choice and cover.  This takes about 45 minutes to cook.  The last few minutes uncover to let brown more and release the steam.  Serve with salsa or ketchup or whatever catches your fancy.  Eatem up yum.  

Potatoes are also very good for you.  The Starch in a potato helps to regulate cholesterol levels, it helps maintain proper sugar absorption, and helps keep caloric regulation normal.  However, that's not an excuse to over indulge in the potato because to much of a good thing is no longer a good thing, ya know Vern.  

So to you I say during the Native American Heritage Month, enjoy your potatoes, with a good helping of the Three Sisters, Maize, Beans, and Squash, your health and your bod will appreciate you.

Peace and Balance,

John