Herbs, Spices and Herbalists – part 3: Cloves …

Seeing as we’re nearing Autumn … with plenty of apples to be found … there are many herbs or spices I could choose from … but the clove came to mind – the aromatic flower bud that in fact I’d associate with Christmas – oranges stuck with cloves for a perfumed pomander ball, bread sauce made with a clove studded onion, or pierced into the baking ham …

Roast Pork with apple sauce

… or at this time of year apple sauce with cloves … delicious with roast pork, or cold sliced pork …

Clove bud flowering

The evergreen tree of the myrtle family is native to the Spice Islands and the Philippines, but now is grown elsewhere … Sumatra, West Indies, Sri Lanka, India and even Brazil. 

Mauritius - centre of air travel ...
as it was a stopping off point for those
early discoverers or seafarers

Pierre Poivre (1719 – 1786) was a French horticulturalist, who worked as a missionary in China and Vietnam … who is remembered for introducing the clove and nutmeg plants to Mauritius and Reunion.  

Very early Oil of Cloves
bottle found in Coventry

The Persians, Arabians and Egyptians spread these little aromatic buds around the Mediterranean ports … until in 1511 the Portuguese discovered the plants for themselves … the Dutch soon gained monopoly of the trade.  However in 1797 Sir Joseph Banks introduced the clove to Britain.

It seems the oldest medicinal use was in China where it was reported that they were used for various ailments as early as 240 BC.  A Chinese leader in the Han Dynasty required those who addressed him to chew cloves to freshen their breath.

Bread Sauce with cloves - (they
need to be removed before eating)

More recently archaeologists have found cloves in a ceramic vessel in Syria, with evidence that dates the find to about 1720BC. 

Medicinally however cloves are used for flatulence, for most liver, stomach ailments, as a stimulant for nerves - amongst other 'sufferances'.  Clove oil is a tried and trusted friend for troublesome toothaches.  Each culture has its own uses for the clove …

Dried Cloves

As I mentioned for culinary purposes many a dish is not complete without the addition of these highly scented little brown ‘nails’ (cloves) derived from the Latin clavus.

Pickling Spices with cloves centre stage

Marinades, curries, pickles – all use cloves … while in Pickwick Papers, Dickens describes a mulled claret and clove-scented punch as being part of the traditional Christmas fare.

Almost ready for picking and drying

The dry, unopened flower bud can be used to flavour a wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes …. used whole or ground to impart a strong sweet but spicy and peppery flavour – which does need to be used in moderation to avoid over seasoning.

The Moluccas - Spice Islands
situated in South East Asia - forming an
archipelago within Indonesia

So those ‘nails’ from the Moluccas (Spice Islands) give fragrance to so many recipes – far too many to write about … while offering healing remedies for anyone interested in traditional routes … 

Ham studded with cloves

It's a little early for Apple Day (often 21st October) ... but the fruits are nearly ripe (especially here in the south) ... and so I look forward to a few delicious meals using cloves ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Mesothelioma Awareness Day - Heather Von St James who lives on with the silent killer of Steve McQueen ...

Who would think this vibrant looking woman has a life-threatening disease … her story is well worth a read and will give us all a greater understanding into Asbestos Induced Diseases.

Mesothelioma is rare … but there have been a few notable patients (c/o Wiki) … Steve McQueen, the well-known actor, was diagnosed after perhaps being exposed in the US Marines, or from the insulating material in the racing suits the drivers wore.

As Heather explains so poignantly, hers came about because she loved her father and wrapped herself up in his jacket when she was a youngster and he was home.  It manifested itself over 25 years …

Asbestos Mountains as drawn by William Burchell

I hope that you will read more of her journey at Mason’s post (and all the other participants) and particularly Heather’s own.

Blogging as we all know opens our eyes to so many things – we learn so much – and this is another facet … an appreciation of others’ illnesses and the conditions they have to cope with.

 

Fibrous Tremolite Asbestos
on Muscovite

We can get inspiration and admiration from their stories and raise awareness that each and everyone of us can be kind, considerate and thoughtful to others: we don’t know what’s going on – there could be a ‘Heather Journey’.

I gasp and cry as I read of people with major illness and of their families who remain positive, and intend to live their life to fulfilment – completely and utterly …

… this has to help with the future memories – of how they and their families never let the disease stop them – and how their get and go attitude gives impetus to Awareness days and sends out threads of knowledge to more of us.

 

Heather and Cameron

I wish Heather and her family all the very best and express my admiration for them … long may she live, before her inspirationally moving legacy kicks in.

Here is Heather’s site - and there is an amazing video by Heather, her husband and daughter ... very well worth a watch.

Here is Mason’s site: Thoughts in Progress - Mesothelioma Awareness

Our UK site gives a good overview – politics intervenes – I won’t pass my comment … but I am interested in seeing the narrative.  From this site can be found links to the Australian, Canadian and South African sites – while the main .com is the American web page.

 

Cameron, Lily Rose and Heather

So please spread Awareness of Mesothelioma to all who might be interested or need to be made aware of the disease.  It is a hidden killer …

Here is Heather’s wonderful blog post that puts “TheImportance of Support” into context … I can relate to this and can definitely think of another disease that took a small life, where this post totally resonates.

Please support Heather – you know I’m not good with social media aspects – but please all of you who are ‘experts: poor or good!’ … do what you can to spread the word.

Thank you,

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Bones of Good Contention!

After so many of your comments about the ‘horror’ of having bones in your meal – be it fish pie or other … I thought I really needed to address the goodness of ’dem bones!!

Star Gazey Pie see here

Most of the information in this post will have come from PaleoLeap … and really enlightened me … so please pop over and look at all the goodies found in ’dem (our) bones.

The classic statement … do not judge a book by its cover: is so appropriate to bones.  Locked away inside that hard shell is a wealth of essential nutrients …

You need more bones, onions, leeks ... for a good bone broth

• Anti-inflammatory and gut-healing proteins

• Healthy fats, and

• A wealth of minerals just waiting to be used.

Wild animals always go for the bones … but we – after our evolutionary changes - need to utilise our clever human brain to devise ways to access the boney goodness.

from the Colon Club
www.coloncancersupport.colonclub.com 

My mother always used to have a stock pot on the go … bones and joints would go in and the resultant stock would be used for soups, sauces, gravies … waste not want not – was definitely a maxim when I was growing up.  

Where bones went to after that – not on the compost heap, and we had no dog … perhaps into the chicken run … just not sure!

That broth made from the bones continues to help strengthen our skeletal system … and heals us in times of fever …

T-bone steak .. with a
little marrow

The best roast … is the joint roasted on the bone ... all the goodness is sealed in … the resultant pan juices are an added luxury … while the bone will give that broth a rich dark glow of luxury.

We all know what Chicken Soup for the Soul can do … two years ago when I was malingering with a mighty virus and felt ‘frot’ … when I eventually got myself out to buy some fodder – the first thing I did was buy a whole chicken, some leeks, an onion, a couple of carrots, some potatoes … with the much needed goal of making Chicken Soup for the Soul …

… a one pot chicken wonder pot … and I did feel better!  Whole chicken, all the veg chopped and added, half fill with water and gently simmer til done … the meat will come away from the bones … but there’s that lovely jelly-like stock … all good for the body system: lots of servings with no extra work …

Our digestion is helped with bone broth …

Roasted Leg of Lamb with the marrow
from the leg bone showing

As the site says ... bone marrow is criminally delicious – I’d agree … it wasn’t around much when I was growing up – but came back into fashion ... and is really so tasty.  It’s also full of essential nutrients.

Minerals too are found in bones ... we all need calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous, while fish bones also contain iodine.  All these mineral goodies are in the bones or, on cooking, are leached out into the stock … which is why it is so good … or the roasting pan dishes are just superb and make excellent gravy.

There are other benefits … the proteins are anti-inflammatory … helping with wound healing … the fats are good too – we need some fat … it melts down and we can use it for thickening sauces, gravies etc …

Using those bones can save us money, and they stretch a joint into a few meals … or as in this verse:

Vicarage Mutton:

Hot on Sunday

Cold on Monday

Hashed on Tuesday

Minced on Wednesday

Curried on Thursday

Broth on Friday

Cottage Pie on Saturday

Check out the Paleo Site … and any of those early cookery books where recommendations for invalid cookery always suggest chicken soup … and it certainly was what I craved when I was struck down two years ago with that very nasty bug …

Fresh vegetables and meat bones ready
to be made into stock

So those bones are essential to us – they keep us alive … while we can trace our early ancestors, as their bones reveal so much about their history …

This post I wrote nearly 5 years ago goes into the detail re the investigations made to establish the whys and wherefores of skeletons found in Stirling Castle … what they ate, where they came from, and their ‘job’ … from their muscle development …

Roasting bones with marrow

The questions asked in the comments were also very enlightening and I had to do some homework!  But add to the post … 

The Paleo site ... "Eat This: Bone Broth"

Positive Letters post: "Stirling Castle Skeletons - Who are They?" 

Bred in the bone ... a saying "what's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh".  A natural propensity cannot be repressed ... it's a part of our nature. 

Chicken casserole - giving soup
for the soul

Our bones make us ... yet we need the nutrients from those animals we’ve surpassed as our brain has become bigger … and we’ve moved from being hunter gatherers into the human beings we are today.

Do not contend with your bones …!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories 

Creature Comforts: the Big C Hop … Let’s Cut out Cancer …

I missed this … I was dissolving monasteries on Monday, with Henry VIII and the Reformation swamping me … I gave a two part talk on, believe it or not, the “Dissolution of Monasteries 1536 – 1540” … so forgive my remissness for Monday’s Big C blog hop …

 

The Big C for Cancer Hop in aid
of all those will a serious illness,
particularly Melissa

Melissa Bradley has been diagnosed with malignant cancer and thirty of us bloggers are writing funny incidents about life with cancer, or as I will with terminal illness … please see Michael di Gesu’s blog for participants.

Cancer, or any degenerative illness, is always incredibly difficult to deal with for the sufferer, but in some ways more so for those around their near and dear.  What to do and how we deal with it …

I’ve learnt a great deal from bloggers about other illnesses and the day to day effects – since my mother, and uncle, were ill I’ve come to appreciate how challenging, and life changing these times can be.

The words I use are C words: Care, Concern, Compassion, Courage, Communication, Conversation … but more importantly I’d add being with your loved one along their journey … sharing and laughing as much a possible – and remembering, always remembering, to put yourself into the sufferer’s shoes (or bed, as may be more likely) … it’s not about us – it’s about them, I repeat: it’s about them  …

My mother went to St Pancras Workhouse to wait out the transfer to Eastbourne after she had sufficiently recovered to live on … we were lucky her brain was a live wire …

St Pancras Hospital

My mind matches my mother’s … probably more so … and if you want to know more about St Pancras and the workhouse … search for St Pancras and about 5 posts will pop up …

Right, back to the Workhouse … as it was incredibly hot in July 2009 I was glad we were on the north side of the building … ‘our’ room was about 15 feet tall (2.5 m) and probably that square too – room for two hospital beds.

There were trees outside keeping the room shady, and keeping any breeze that might be around out – in fact I’m not sure if we could open the windows much – and, of course, there was a large metal fire-escape staircase blocking what was left of the view …

We remained there … as my mother was always warm bodied … and I think because we remained in the room, the other lady decided to do so too …

This was the holding place for patients until they recovered sufficiently or the paperwork was completed and signed off – ours had to go to Cornwall – and could ‘go on’ … home, care home or as in our case Nursing Centre.  (We were there 3 months).

I only visited three to four times a week (usually) … as it was a 2.5 hour journey each way … plus my visit time, or two visits – depending on how things were …

 

Our other occupant was a
lady .. fairly hairy though!?

One day I arrived to be greeted with the word “XERXES” ……. uhm, uhm … I’d just travelled from the South Coast, across London by tube ... 

... a walk past the new development at Kings Cross/St Pancras Euro Star terminal, by the British Library, passed those finials on the washing lines I blogged about if you search, through St Pancras graveyard … to be greeted by mother smiling at me with “XERXES” ….

Looking down the peninsula: where
Xerxes built a canal to allow his
invading fleet in 483 BC to cross
the isthmus

Ah ha …. I twigged … the other lady was Greek, could speak no English … so this was my mother’s nickname for her!  We both laughed our heads off … her eyes twinkled and her mouth twitched with mirth, before rendering us both speechless …

We did have another hilarious day in the ward … when Mum and I were totally hysterical and became more so … uncontrollably hysterical … tears rolling down our faces … it was ‘so bad’ – the staff came running, not sure if we were laughing or crying or in total despair …

Helandariou Monastery on
Mount Athos Peninsula, Greece

… actually total despair – my stomach ached, my face had been stretched to such an extent I was more exhausted than normal … but oh so much fun was had – and oh what happy memories of my mother, despite her strokes …

That tale is still to be told … enough for now – I wish Melissa all the very best, with the best outcome … but she’s lost her job, and would be grateful for some help, while she, with her sister, travel this lonely journey … not so lonely with us there …

… and particularly Michael di Gesu, who visits her regularly … and is cheer-leading her journey … the participating blogger’s links are on Michael’s page (here), while Melissa’s posts can be found at her blog … and her GoFundMe.com – to help with losing her job, and generally all the really difficult things that turn up when you’re seriously ill and have little spare of anything …

Illustration from Kipling's Just So
Stories of 1912

Cancer can be held at bay, cancer can do its damndest … but along the journey we share with our loved ones, or those we decide to connect with along their journeys … humour and laughter, smiles and love, communication and visits will help us all …

To Melissa and her sister … from us all … our stories, our positive thoughts … and our communication with life beyond the chemo walls – many hugs and hopes for your future with us …

I have called the post Creature Comforts … because we all need to remember that we are human and are living despite our situation … when thinking of others is so much more important than thinking of us … whatever the outcome, we find we’ve embraced both ….

My last post mentioned drunken elephants ... and Susan from I think; Therefore, I Yam commented about a YouTube link ...and if you want to see what rotting fruits do to poor African animals - then look across now!  

Laughter is the best medicine ... and this clip certainly does it for me ... laughter lines permanently on show .... enjoy!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Want to Make a Difference Blogfest by helping with emergency food?

This winter and then ongoing into 2014 extreme food poverty will affect many of us across the UK ... I had no idea that 13 million, out of a total population of 70 million, are on or below the poverty line ...

 

Remember to give to
others blogfest ... 

I have been aware of the recent talk and articles on food banks – there are 'baskets' to collect food in the supermarkets, and I’ve noticed a food bank sign near where I have my car serviced.

So MJJoachim and Tina’s invitation to participate in this blogfest seemed a good idea ... please join us ... so many people in our local community, locality need our help ...

I had heard of the Trussell Trust and seen/heard snippets about their work on the tv or radio ... but had not looked into the organisation or found out how the Trust got started.

Then there was a link across to The Cinnamon Network – and what they were about ... you do live and learn – well I do!

The Cinnamon Network is the catalyser here ... it was/is Christian based, but now encompasses all churches and denominations of peoples who wish to make a difference.

I quote from their About page on their website:

“Rather than come up with an idea and ask God to ‘bless it’ the approach adopted was to see what God was doing and join in. 

It was observed that local churches responding to local needs were developing successful local community transformation projects which other local churches began to replicate.

Powerful examples of this included Street Pastors which developed from Brixton, Foodbank in Salisbury and CAP debt advice emerging from Bradford.

The closest marketplace model to this approach was commercial franchising however the projects were not for commercial benefit but community benefit so they were described as Community Franchising.”

Foods recommended
for donation

TheTrussell Trust let us know why people need emergency food – because of redundancy, illness, benefit delay, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown and paying for the additional costs of heating during winter are just some of the reasons many go hungry.

So if we can donate something every time we go to the supermarket – it will brighten someone’s life ... and perhaps save a life ... suicide can be a considered alternative ... life at this stage desperately needs comfort and support.

Each food box the foodbank gives out contains a minimum of 3 days nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food ...

I saw in one of the local churches recently requests for other items specific to the needs of the community – often these will be baby foods, nappies etc ..

So at this time ... with Thanksgiving coming first, Christmas following and the New Year – let us give something to lighten others’ loads ... and then make sure we continue on ...

This country raised (pledged) over £31 million for Children in Need last week, while we also raised £33 million for the Philippines Disaster Fund ... and we will come together to help our own during the coming winter – that will be bleak for some ... small supplies of regular food will always help.

There are over 400 food banks and I expect these will grow in towns where, for now, there is no presence ... 

I found reading about these two organisations very heart-rending, yet warming ... as people reach out to help.

There are also soup kitchens and many other volunteers who are doing so much for their local communities ...

I also spotted two breadline bloggers in the Telegraph magazine, Stella ... I don’t normally buy the Telegraph – but was glad I did for the information on these two breadline bloggers ...

As the magazine quotes:  One feeds her young son and herself for less than £10 per week, another made it his mission to eat like a king on a shoestring budget when his world fell apart.

Meet the breadline bloggers whose brilliantly inventive recipes are going down a storm ...

Jack Monroe’s blog: A Girl called Jack.com  

Tony’s blog:  TheSkint Foodie.com 

 

c/o Entyce Creative
Give tins instead of tinsel

And still there are all the peoples of this world who suffer, or have, from drought, flooding, disasters of various sorts ... and now the tornado storm that has ripped through middle America ...

Let’s do what we can to alleviate others’ lives ... so they can develop a positive spirit and be inspired to help others ...

Thank you ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories