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Quarantine Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch: 1/12/21
Johanne wrote: "I once worked with a girl with citrus allergy who went into anaphylactic shock with the smallest amount of citrus. Couldn't eat at restaurants because she reacted if it had been on the cutting boar..."I had a camp counsellor like this. She also had the precursor to the modern epi-pen for bee stings. I can get migraines that quickly from certain solvents, etc, but my epi-pen level reactions are to things I eat (nuts and penicillin are the two I can go into shock with, but since the nuts started when I was over 40, I have no idea if I'll get any more).
As for too much caffeine--it makes me talk as fast as an auctioneer (very close to it if not quite that fast--I have never been recorded). I can only handle it in chocolate because it's quite weak there.
My plan is to take a second dose of Zyrtec (I can do this when I get a wasp sting) 12 hours after my normal dose and go in with double the amount, then to sit the 30 minutes because that's not always enough to stop all reactions.
Meli wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I'm going to a local high school - shades of the polio vaccine memories from my childhood."That's wild to live through both those events!
Congrats on the vaccine! My gma got her..."
The Sabine polio vaccine became available in 1955....and immediate mass efforts to vaccinate startec - children primarily, maybe only. In 1961 an oral version became available and again massive effort to vaccinate....and boosters required. The last polio dose I remember was the oral sugar cube - standing on line with my sister and mother at a local school. Not long after that, polio became one of the vaccines given to babies.
Theresa wrote: "Woot! I am scheduled for first dose of vaccine on January 20! NYS opened to anyone over 65 this week, each day more centers are being opened and the website updated so I was able to get through tod..."Congrats, Theresa!
Jenni Elyse wrote: "He jokes that the way he wants to go is by eating a plate of popcorn shrimp. I just look at him with disdain when he says things like that. ..."Sorry, Jenni, but that did make me laugh (it's the way it's worded; obviously this is not a funny thing). However, that is a very very scary allergy - just walking into a grocery store. I'm so sorry you and your husband have to deal with that.
It’s okay. He would be glad you laughed. His number one goal in life is to make people laugh.
More news and updates from my corner of the world.So, the double cooker experiment was most interesting. And I have to say, tooting my own horn, or tooting the horn of the pot, that the two dishes were delectable and succulent. The chicken with the white wine and cream sauce, with mushrooms and two kinds of onions was in short incredible, and I thought it was restaurant quality. Same with the honey glazed vegetables. I wolfed down half, and Scott had the other half, and he loved it. And he can be hard to please. Jaden managed to remove himself from the xbox, and he had a bite of the chicken and also pronounced it very good. There is some left over. Veggies too...
But speaking of Jaden, he got into Hofstra today!!! Also submitted his very last and almost forgotten application to UMASS today, and his camp counselor application yesterday. So that is two yesses, and another seven to wait on. Things are good here in the Friedman house.
In more good news, Dandy had a physical yesterday, and the doctor said if they didn't know she was sick, they would never know it. It's kind of miraculous, but we'll take it. Fantastic news!
In Book related news, Jaden is reading City of Thieves, and he's actually responding to it rather favorably. He likes it. Shain is reading Beartown, and at the beginning he's feeling a little meh. But I have high hopes he will enjoy it.
I loved the Black Swan of Paris. Am about to review it as a five star review! If I missed anything, I will be back tomorrow. Starting the 9th house.
Just wanted to share for those who knew about it that my daughter's cancer treatment continues to have great results. Her blood test levels are very close to normal. She will probably need to keep having treatments for some time, since the doctor says it would recur without that. She has been feeling good. The most frustrating thing is that she has to be very careful to stay isolated as much as possible, since her immune system is weakened. Hopefully she can get a vaccine whenever it gets to adults with medical conditions.
Robin - now that is the absolute best news. Good day for many of us, but for your daughter I and we are holding steady with the prayers!
Jenni Elyse wrote: "It’s okay. He would be glad you laughed. His number one goal in life is to make people laugh."Good to hear he's got a sense of humour!
Amy wrote: "In more good news, Dandy had a physical yesterday, and the doctor said if they didn't know she was sick, they would never know it. It's kind of miraculous, but we'll take it. Fantastic news!..."Yay! That's wonderful! <3
Robin P wrote: "Just wanted to share for those who knew about it that my daughter's cancer treatment continues to have great results. Her blood test levels are very close to normal. She will probably need to keep ..."And that is also great news, Robin!
@Robin - that is fantastic news!@Amy - good for Jaden! Loved the cooking review. Excited on the book front too.
I’m glad to hear that, Robin. Yay for Jaden, Amy.
Great news all around! I am happy for you <3
Happy to hear about it all!And seriously considering getting a slow-cooker...
@Amy, I am so happy for Jaden and your family.@Robin, It's great that your daughter's treatments have been successful. I hope she can get the vaccine ASAP.
My dad should be able to get the vaccine very soon. Fingers crossed.
Meli wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I'm going to a local high school - shades of the polio vaccine memories from my childhood."That's wild to live through both those events! "
😂 yes us wild and crazy people over 60 have lived through a lot of firsts
Robin P wrote: "Just wanted to share for those who knew about it that my daughter's cancer treatment continues to have great results. Her blood test levels are very close to normal. She will probably need to keep ..."Wonderful news Robin!!!!
Been a bit MIA the last few days ... my eye infection is back and it's a chore to try to read the computer screen.My ... LOTs of news here ...
Love my comfort foods, too, Theresa. Love reading cookbooks, and occasionally will try a new recipe. Later I'll go downstairs and actually write down the names/authors of my favorite cookbooks. But I DO have Joy of Cooking, Fannie Farmer, NY Times, and Mastering the Art of French Cooking. (I've made a couple of recipes ... lots of steps in those I've tried, but the results were wonderful.)
CEVICHE - one of my favorites, with fresh, firm fish (tilapia works pretty well). I used to make it with scallops but since Hubby developed his shellfish allergy (yes, another one) I only make it with fish.
ALLERGIES - I have multiple reactions to medications, but none to food. Hubby is allergic to shellfish and bee/wasp stings. No severe anaphylaxis (so far), but he does have EPI pens (in the bathroom, in the kitchen, in the car). I have friends with some severe allergies and it's always a challenge getting together. When we're able to once again, I'm sure it will be just for a cup of tea and conversation.
AMY - post that chicken crock pot recipe in our recipe box! And congrats to Jaden. We've all been pulling for him and we just know he will be successful.
ROBIN - such good news re your daughter's treatment. Hang in there. She should be near the top of the list for this next round of vaccines.
VACCINES - Theresa, so glad you're on the list! Still NO news here in Wisconsin. The last time I checked the state's health dept website they were still in phase 1A (healthcare professionals and nursing homes) and buried in the bureaucratic mumbo jumbo was a statement that they expected it would take MONTHS to complete this phase. I notice that CDC has changed guidelines somewhat, so perhaps Wisconsin will open up to those 70+ soon.
JOANN - So sorry your procedure was XLd. When I was working my chief job was to argue with insurance companies over authorizations and then over payments! I'm sure your doctor's office has someone on hand to handle this. But it's frustrating for both you and your doctor.
Congrats on the vaccine! Things are moving a bit slow here in WA and we are still waiting to hear on when my 74 yo mom will be able to get it. I'm hoping soon, but our per capita rates are so low I'm not hugely worried about it.
The cooking challenge here is to find more low sodium recipes. My fiance saw a heart failure specialist, who we both liked, and I feel he will be able to help so my fiance can start feeling better. There is construction working going on in the neighbors yard and they managed to cut through our internet line. Fortunately it is now repaired but it is still very noisy. @Robin excellent news about your daughter
@Amy, great news about Jaden.
No news about any family members getting vaccinated yet. My grandmother and mom should be the first. My fiance would be in the next group due to his heart condition.
@Rachel, a low sodium diet is hard, but doable. My husband has hard to control high blood pressure. We have been following his dietary recommendations for 6 years now. Unfortunately, I no longer have the low salt cookbook that I used at first and can't pass that on to you. You'll learn which foods have high sodium content and learn to avoid them, just like we do. Adding flavor without using salt is key.
I have happy news! The missing box from my sister containing my favorite homemade christmas cookies was delivered this AM! I am happy dancing around the house! Was shipped from a town 200 miles away USPS 2 day priority on December 15th. We did both file lost package complaints a couple weeks ago and have been following the tracking as it sat in various distribution centers - but I do think filing the online complaint was critical to it finally arriving. She also included a loaf of quick bread made in a Nordicware holiday pan using a recipe I found a couple months ago...I was just about to make banana bread so timing perfect. Those ripe bananas can just go in the freezer for a couple days.
@Amy - post both recipes to the cookbook!
@ BC - so sorry about the eye infection! Hope it clears up soon.
@Rachel N - Low sodium is tough but really doable. The key is using other seasonings - spice and herb - to bring out and boost flavor. Books like Herbs & Spices: The Cook's Reference and Mastering Spice: Recipes and Techniques to Transform Your Everyday Cooking: A Cookbook are two I've found useful. I made a decision years ago to decrease the salt in my diet and start learning more about flavoring with spice and herbs. Maybe set up a windowsill herb garden to upgrade your seasoning in a fun way. Initially you miss salt and nothing tastes right but very quickly that stopped and in fact, I now am very sensitive to salt in foods. I not only notice when too salty - and it is actually practically inedible to me - but also insufficient salt. Salt is the best way to bring out flavor - but it doesn't need to be the flavor. Hopefully you will still be able to use salt when cooking - stews and soups just don't taste right without it. Of course, if you are making your own food using fresh ingredients, you control the salt.
VACCINES - I feel badly for all those states - which seem to be far too many - who are not handling the vaccine roll out well at all. I know just how blessed I am to live in NY which has a strong intelligent governor, committed to protecting his entire state and its residents, even those who chafe at it or disagree. He's not afraid to be tough, to be aggressive, and do what has to be done. Gov. Cuomo a/k/a Gov. Andy has been preparing his entire career for this moment and he rose to it. Unlike NYC Mayor. Just this week he started opening across the state huge vaccination centers in stadiums, arenas and conference centers, open 24/7, whose sole work is administering the COVID vaccine. Obviously he's trusting that Biden will deliver on his promise to increase and improve manufacture and distribution of the vaccine. The state website is updated daily, even hourly, to allow setting appointments. That is what every single state should be doing.
Stepping off the soapbox now. Time to eat another cookie!
Theresa wrote: "Meli wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I'm going to a local high school - shades of the polio vaccine memories from my childhood."That's wild to live through both those events!
Congrats on the vaccine! M..."
I had the oral polio vaccine, not in a sugar cube but in a pink, sweet liquid--it was the only vaccine I didn't cry for. Pain wuss that I was as a child I cried before needles until I was in early grade school.
My kids had polio vaccines by shots, or at least my daughters did; not sure about my son anymore. It's no longer necessary, but they were on the cusp, I think since one is going to be 26 and there hasn't been a case in 30 years.
ROBIN P wrote: "Just wanted to share for those who knew about it that my daughter's cancer treatment continues to have great results. Her blood test levels are very close to normal. She will probably need to keep ..."This is lovely, fabulous news :) !!
AMY wrote: "More news and updates from my corner of the world.
So, the double cooker experiment was most interesting. And I have to say, tooting my own horn, or tooting the horn of the pot, that the two dishe..."
Congrats! Jaden is going to have some tough choices, or has he already been accepted to his first choice school? Do we know what it is, or is he one of those teens that loves more than one?
I’m 42 almost 43 and didn’t get the polio vaccine. My husband was one of the last people to get it. He’s 45 almost 46. He received the vaccine through what we call the peanut butter shot. It left a circular scar on everyone’s arm about an inch in diameter with multiple needle pricks scars in the middle of the circular scar.
Don’t ask me why we call it the peanut butter shot. It’s just what my husband calls it. It’s what he remembers.
The polio vaccine is still given to children here, in a shot together with difteria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines.
I just realized that I’m getting vaccines mixed up. I did get the polio vaccine. The one my husband got the I didn’t was the small pox vaccine. And it’s not the peanut butter shot, the MMR is because it’s so think and creates a lump. Sorry.
Jenni Elyse wrote: "I just realized that I’m getting vaccines mixed up. I did get the polio vaccine. The one my husband got the I didn’t was the small pox vaccine. And it’s not the peanut butter shot, the MMR is becau..."I also got the smallpox and have the scar. But I am old...
Oh you guys want the recipe? I’ll have to come up with it. I think I’m gonna make it again this weekend because I still have a ton of ingredients left over. And then I will have to figure out what to make next in my snazzy little PBT double crockpot.
Yes, the smallpox vaccine is the one with the scar. Isn’t that a plot point in Outlander? I think I had a polio vaccine in a shot and then a booster by sugar cube.
Yes, it is a plot point in fact!!!! Good catch! Lynne would be very proud of you.
I love to eat but I hate to cook. We have a decent variey of restaurants for take out in my neighborhood but I do miss eating out.Theresa, that's so great. And what better day. Two things to celebrate. I'm a teacher so I'm eligible but have not been able to make an appointment. All places I called were booked. I guess I'll have to keep trying!
Sallys wrote: "I love to eat but I hate to cook. We have a decent variey of restaurants for take out in my neighborhood but I do miss eating out.Theresa, that's so great. And what better day. Two things to cele..."
Keep trying. More and more places get added every day. I have friends in Brooklyn and Queens who can't seem to get an appointment but they also seem to be targeting specific treatment locations that are part of their healthcare systems. I just scrolled through the list until I came to a vaccination site reasonably near me in Manhattan...it is a high school. Those vac only centers are operating 24/7. If the Javits Center had already been open for vaccinations, I would have gone in the middle of the night.
Clinicians are on the list for the end of phase one. I am eligible around February 1st.....
I've signed up through my employer and they are planning on arranging the vaccines for us at work, but date is unknown. I should be towards the front of it as I am over 65.
Just learned that lawyers and judges are in group 1d...so if I had not been 65, I would still have been eligible sooner than later.They have to get court system up and running in person again. Thus prioritizing lawters and judges.
Theresa wrote: "Jenni Elyse wrote: "I just realized that I’m getting vaccines mixed up. I did get the polio vaccine. The one my husband got the I didn’t was the small pox vaccine. And it’s not the peanut butter sh..."I got it twice and I was born in a different decade. The second time was before we went to Germany and it was required, but that scar, beside the first one, was smaller.
However, over the years that scar has basically vanished somewhere during my adult years (I still had them both in university), and it's not the only scar that has done this. Ironically, I still have the one chicken pox scar, which is on my face--you'd have thought it would be the other way.
ETA--that reply sat there for over 2 hours while live and a lesson intervened ;)
Theresa wrote: "Just learned that lawyers and judges are in group 1d...so if I had not been 65, I would still have been eligible sooner than later.They have to get court system up and running in person again. Th..."
This makes sense. I know someone who has a trial date on Zoom and there is no way the judge can read their body language as well this way, so it won't help.
Karin wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Just learned that lawyers and judges are in group 1d...so if I had not been 65, I would still have been eligible sooner than later.They have to get court system up and running in ..."
Virtual is a disaster for trials. As far as I know there have been no jury trials in NY...which causes issues with criminal trials which mandate trial by your peers.
Hubby had a dental appointment at the VA on Friday .... hygienist told him "We've gotten a shipment of vaccine and will start vaccinating those over 70 tomorrow at 7:15a." He left the house this morning at 3:00 a.m. to get in line. He was # six in line. He stood outside in the freezing rain/snow until let into the building at 7:30a (by which time, he says, the line was "blocks long ... all old men like me.") But he got his first dose (Pfizer) and an appointment for his second dose.
Meanwhile the Wisconsin Dept of Health website still says they are working on phase 1A (healthcare providers and nursing homes) and will NOT go to phase 1B until they have finished 1A. I'm not holding my breath .... I still think I'll get it in March.
Book Concierge wrote: "Hubby had a dental appointment at the VA on Friday .... hygienist told him "We've gotten a shipment of vaccine and will start vaccinating those over 70 tomorrow at 7:15a."..."As tough as the wait probably was, good news that he's had his first shot!
Here (I think in many provinces), the age is 75. Sadly, that leaves my parents out for now. :-( (They are 70 and 73.)
But it seems Canada is getting behind on the number of vaccines available, so vaccinating people is not going to be quick, at least for a while.
I guess Pfizer is expanding their factory in Europe somewhere, so they are cutting back (for now) on the number of vaccines it's producing.
By the way ... Hubby had ZERO side effects from the vaccine. He said he barely felt it when jabbed, and he never had any swelling, soreness, redness, etc at the injection site. He was exhausted .. but that was from the stressful experience of standing in line. Also, he hasn't slept well in the last two nights ... but then he rarely sleeps well. But he is telling everyone ... When you get the chance GET VACCINATED!
Meanwhile .... one pharmacy has announced they are taking "registrations." I registered .... they'll notify when my turn comes and I can then choose an appointment time. Not holding my breath.
Book Concierge wrote: "By the way ... Hubby had ZERO side effects from the vaccine. He said he barely felt it when jabbed, and he never had any swelling, soreness, redness, etc at the injection site. He was exhausted .. ..."I have registered with my hospital and the County-Our Pharmacy's are not quite there yet, but when they are I will sign up there too. Anyone tells me I can sign-up, I will-makes the chance of getting it sooner a bit better.
I don't expect I'll be getting a vaccine until Fall. "Young" (or am I middle-aged, yet, at 48? LOL!) and healthy, so... In any case, no where near the top of the line for any vaccines!I do hope my parents can get vaccinated sooner rather than later. But, with shortages coming in Canada, not sure when they'll be able to get theirs, either. Although I haven't asked them where Saskatchewan is at for their vaccine roll-out at this point.
Denmark had the whole population planned out for being vaccinated by end of june. But now Pfizer, as mentioned, can't deliver the promised amount of vaccines because they plan to make more vaccines later ... A bit pissed officials in EU is having some talks with them about that. It's actually a bit critical because some have had their first shot and may not be able to get the second in time + right now with how it's looking with numbers and mutations this epidemic needs to be shut down sooner than later, so it makes no sense to slow down vaccinations now to have more later (unless they are very cynical and think they can sell more vaccines that way).
Johanne wrote: "Denmark had the whole population planned out for being vaccinated by end of june. But now Pfizer, as mentioned, can't deliver the promised amount of vaccines because they plan to make more vaccines..."I thought this was mainly a US problem because of our nonexistent federal planning. There are supposed to be other companies with vaccines soon, including one that has only one shot. Then there is the bigger picture of poorer countries being outbid and having to wait years if they ever get the vaccine, which gives it more chances to mutate and come back to us. The WHO talked about that yesterday. At least our new administration is more likely to take a broader view.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Herbs & Spices: The Cook's Reference (other topics)Mastering Spice: Recipes and Techniques to Transform Your Everyday Cooking: A Cookbook (other topics)
HOW COOKING WORKS (other topics)
HOW COOKING WORKS (other topics)
Deliciously Ella The Plant-Based Cookbook: 100 Simple Vegan Recipes to Make Every Day Delicious (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sylvia Rosenthal (other topics)Sylvia Rosenthal (other topics)
Ella Woodward (other topics)
Susan Mallery (other topics)
Elizabeth Bond Ryan (other topics)
Food...."
My favourite cookbook, because my mother gave it to me (my sister got The Joy of Cooking the same year) is the 1979 edition of the Fanny Farmer Cookbook. No other is as good, IMO, because it was just on the cusp between telling you how to do things (a teaching book in the first sections of each chapter, etc) and the shortcut "cheaty" methods I personally didn't care for back then. Before Youtube it was brilliant, and this was where I learned how to make mayonnaise (during my one year stint with that in university), pie crusts, soup stocks with no Bullion etc. I still use it for some things even now.