"depression" news and stories

In this day of budget-minded cooking, it's helps to get advice from someone who's been there, done that.

Enter Clara Cannucciari, a 93-year-old great-grandmother from upstate New York. Her "Great Depression Cooking with Clara" videos have become a recent hit on YouTube and beyond.

"They're tasty," Clara says of her recipes. "They're good."

The series began as a project by her grandson, Chris Cannucciari, who posted the first "Cooking with Clara" video in 2007. The first recipe was pasta with peas, and episodes have included egg drop soup, peppers and eggs, and a dish known as the "poorman's meal" consisting in large part of potatoes and hot dogs.

Yesterday, I posted about curing the recession blues by daydreaming of sumptuous feasts à la Alice B. Toklas. As I wrote, I was reminded of an old southern joke my father told me years ago that is now among my favorites. So, if fantasy isn't your bag, how about a little humor to lighten the mood? The joke goes something like this:

Old Man Clackett was getting pretty long in the tooth. Sensing that his dying day was near, he figured it was time to confess his wrongdoings to those he'd sinned against.

"Maw Clackett, you come on in here," he called to his beloved wife of 61 years. "I got to talk to you."

Maw Clackett wheeled into the room. "What are you carrying on about, Paw?" she asked.

"It's time I told you about my old pebble jar, Maw. You see, every time I was unfaithful to you I put a pebble in this here jar." He showed her the jar, which held three pebbles.

"Well, old man, I reckon that ain't too bad. To tell the truth, I got a jar of my own. Every time I stepped out on you, I dropped a bean down in it." She wheeled over to her dresser, opened the top drawer, and pulled a jar out from under the clothes.

Old Man Clackett winced. He hadn't expected this. "Well then, let's see it, woman."

Punchline after the jump...

The fatty acid Omega-3 has been the topic of discussion ranging from a treatment for prostate cancer to treatment of mood disorders. Although numerous wide-reaching studies have shown positive and negligible results, grants for studies and participants roll on.

Why? It has been proven that Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly as found in fish like mackerel (highest content/weight ratio) and salmon, prevent and aid those who have cardiovascular disease. When you start throwing the human heart into the fray of what's good for it, and there's a compound isolated proven to help keep it healthy, there will be no shortage of interest. What's good for the heart may good for all the heart supports: the brain, the rest of the vital organs, the health of our blood itself.

The problem with relying on fish for our daily intake of Omega-3 is that today's fish have much higher levels of mercury than those that our ancestors ate. So, where can you get your Omega-3?

Source

It's no secret that certain prescription drugs definitely result in unwanted weight gain -- I put on 60 pounds in six weeks once. It came off easily once I demanded that my physician address the issue and take it seriously. Why treat a serious disease in such a way that one doesn't care about nutrition or longevity?

While we at Slashfood aren't here to give medical advice, we can speak from our own experiences. Based on the link above, the best ways to combat weight gain that is a side effect of a prescription medication are to: 1) drink lots of water, 2) try, try, try to avoid bad fats, and 3) go easy on carbohydrates that provide little nutritional value. As always, you are in charge of your body and what goes into it.

Source

Research from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center suggests that levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, commonly found in fish, may have effects on depression levels, personality and behavior. A recent study examined the blood levels of omega-3s in 106 healthy volunteers and found that those with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more likely to be impulsive, have a negative outlook and report mild or moderate depression. The results were based on "three accepted tests for depression, impulsiveness and personality," according to a UPMC press release. The release also reminds that the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish per week.