Household Discoveries and Mrs. Curtis's Cook Book

Household Discoveries and Mrs. Curtis's Cook Book, (c)1914 — the great household encyclopedia: cleaning, curing, building, baby care, and a whole cookbook bound in.

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Some Kitchen Kinks: People

Baseball and tennis for the vigorous, golf and horseback riding and wheeling for the more mature, are excellent. A medicine ball used with a variety of movements is fine for exercising the large muscles referred to. The great increase in the so-called organic diseases, namely, diseases of the heart, lungs, digestion, and kidneys, reveals the need for systematic exercise. People who are inclined to obesity, in particular, should select some helpful forms of exercise. Exercise should be taken in such a way as to be real fun, not work; it should be pleasure and not stern duty.

Bathing. The day's work should be followed by a short, refreshing bath. Nothing will prove so cheering as this. When depressed or irritable, a bath will oftentimes drive dull care away. People with weak hearts must be cautioned in using very cold water, as it is quite a shock to the nervous system. The average person, however, will find a quick, cool sponge bath decidedly stimulating. Many prefer it on arising in the morning.

If one's work causes the skin to be moist during the day, it will be more refreshing to take it at the close of the day's work, possibly, and best before the evening meal, allowing some time between.

Returning for the moment to the subject of exercise, may I hold out one word of warning? Housewives and men on farms are particularly liable when alone without help near by to often lift an object or move it which in the act demands great effort. This is exceedingly dangerous, as in efforts of strain the blood pressure increases and harm may result. Don't attempt to lift or move any object requiring great effort.

Diet. What one eats is closely related to how one feels. Most people undoubtedly eat too much. This is true particularly of people who work indoors and do not exercise much.

Such people should eat meat but once a day, as meat is only required in quantities by persons who work vigorously with their muscles. I do not believe people should be faddists in reference to eating. To eat wellcooked foods, plenty of vegetables, liberally of fruits and cereals and sparingly of meat and pastries, all well masticated when eaten, is the wisest course. It is foolish to be too fanciful in the choice of foods and to punish oneself in eating raw foods and unpalatable mixtures.

Just a simple word of counsel as to what not to eat: Any food which is tasted an hour or more after eating is being digested with difficulty. This will differ as to effects in different people. Such foods should be eliminated. Some people find radishes, onions, cucumbers, and sausage very difficult of digestion, while others thrive upon them. The latter can cat them with impunity, while the former must do without them, or uncomfortable and even serious results will follow. Salads and highly seasoned dressings should be eaten with caution.

Fatigue. This is a day when men and women are constantly overworking. Some housewives and many business men never know when to stop. Consequently, they constantly overwork and never get fully rested. They are tired and often don't know it.

They wonder why they are peevish and irritable. The truth is their blood is filled with fatigue products, their nerves are tired and insensible.

Nothing but complete rest will help.

Under such physical conditions housewife cannot be a good mother a HEALTH HINTS-WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCY 1117 nor a man a good father. Working habits must be adjusted so as to permit of rest, or living becomes miserable. The housewife should learn to regulate her working hours just as workingmen do, or health will pay the penalty.

A further and final word in reference to health: Consult a doctor frequently. Many people call the doctor as a last resort. 'This is wrong, and many a serious illness results which otherwise might have been prevented. The eyes, teeth, and throat should be examined occasionally, especially when they are sensitive, as diseases of these are peculiarly related to the depression of the whole body and affect temperament as well. This is particularly true of children.

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