Photos ©Howard Dratch 2008. Casino on Carnival cruise.
What effect will the recession have on gambling habits?
The "good life" could change; but the growing world taste for sushi will not. Here in parts of Mexico it is a passion. Mexico takes to finger-foods.
Frutero - worker in greengrocery - Chetumal,MX ©Howard Dratch,2008.
There have been few posts here recently, less pictures and I am removing the advertising for now because I have not been keeping it up-to-date. Lizard Stew is, shall we say, taking a break with hopes for a come-back. Most blog entries will be on my major blog, 7 Color Lagoon.
The reasons for neglecting my communication with the world are that I have been overly busy with the insane labyrinth of Mexican red tape and legal obtuseness involved in selling my house. It has almost gone to contract -- even if more Mexican inefficiency has even caused that to be done twice -- yet again. Hopefully there will be a preliminary contract in the next weeks. The Kafka-like maze of other legalisms are being navigated and will, I hope, soon be over.
Therefore, please not that the house is nearly in contract and I am considering it sold. However, until the final closing and transfer has been accomplished, please send me your name to be included in the list of those who have expressed a strong interest in it and want to be informed of any change.
The second reason for leaving my writing and photography behind is more serious. I lost my ikigai. Honest.
The journal, Psychosomatic, as reported by Reuters recently, published a Japanese study of over 43,000 Japanese from 40-79 years old. They were asked, "Do you have ikigai in your life?" 59% replied in the affirmative; 36.4% said they weren't sure and almost 5% said "No".
Ikigai is translated as "joy and a sense of well-being from being alive." Something more than joie de vivre it would seem and, interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a word in English to convey the feeling, set of feelings, attitude, mind-set that the concept conjures.
During the 7 years of the follow-up 3048 of the participants died. Of those 90 of the 186 who died from "external causes" were suicides.
The results show that those who lacked ikigai were more likely not to be married, unemployed, with disabilities limiting their physical function, in more pain, felt more stressed and were in poorer health overall.
The result after all those elements were factored into the equation was that those people who don't grab pleasure from anything that happens by, who don't revel in the sheer act of living nor enjoy the benefits of relationships, affection, company and family; were 50% more likely to die from any cause. They were 60% more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases (mostly stroke according to the study but that could be a result of the lower heart attack risk inherent in Japanese diet) and 90% more likely to die from "external causes" -- like suicide.
I found the article interesting and the impetus to look around and see where I dropped my ikigai or where to find some more of the stuff. Spending some time yesterday with a new rose bud might have helped. Looking toward a new start for the new year in a new place might also be helpful.
The blended cocktail of the tropical variety has never been something tempting for me. I have still not had a good marquerita because I haven't bothered. A good tequila reposada with fresh juice, fresh lime and a tiny bit of salt on the rim of the glass does fine. Mezcal the same way is even better -- as long as it is fine Mezcal and I skip the worm.
But it may be time to try out my new blender that works hard on the fruit, yogurt and juice breakfast drinks after reading the article today in the New York Times. The article, "Blender Drinks Are Back" is entertaining and, in the heat of steamy Mexico, filled with tempting thoughts. The photos by Andrew Scrivani of the drinks themselves are almost good enough to drink -- especially this one of a Cartagena Limeade.
Check it out at The Times. Then treat yourself to a look at Scrivani's food photography at his site. The thought of the drinks is pleasant; the photography is what really captured my attention.
The NY Times is reporting some progress in the FDA’s search for the source or sources of the current tomato epidemic from salmonella-contaminated tomatoes eaten raw.
The agency warned consumers over the weekend to avoid certain raw red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes and products containing them. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and those sold with the vine still attached are not associated with the outbreak, officials said.
Tomatoes grown in the following states, territories and countries have not been associated with the current outbreak: Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, the Netherlands and Puerto Rico..
The latest outbreak of food-borne illness -- Salmonella yet again -- has been in tomatoes. Last week CNN reported on at least 40 persons sick from eating raw tomatoes. The fruits came from Texas and New Mexico but they had not then isolated which farm. “Lab tests have confirmed 40 illnesses in Texas and New Mexico as the same type of salmonella, right down to the genetic fingerprint.” they reported from the CDC. They had reports from at least 40 people from 3-80. All had eaten raw tomatoes.
The story enlarged from there and I didn’t totally follow it. It is not a new story: contaminated foods, illnesses, even deaths. The fact is that food that is eaten raw and which has not been disinfected (not merely washed) is dangerous. Even in the more advanced societies trucks are dirty as are storerooms and there is always the possibility of pickers or handlers not following proper sanitation procedures. It is negligent to believe that foods will be free of disease or contamination. Last year it was “pre-washed” packaged spinach, meat that has not been properly cooked has often killed.
There is also the fact that food commodities have become global. Your salad may have come from Chile, Mexico, Peru and Texas (where it may have been handled by Mexicans, Peruvians, Hondurans, Guatemalans or Texans all of whom might have forgotten the simple rules of food handling or who may be carrying a potent disease (this is how hepatitis is transferred, too).
Since I am beginning to take far more interest in my cooking again and planning to turn “Lizard Stew” into more of a food & cooking blog I thought to start with the real basics: clean your food, the plate will take care of itself.
It is a simple process. Wash food in clean water. Soak in a disinfectant solution for the prescribed amount of time. Iodine and other chemical-based solutions like the Mexican Microdyne are readily available. A highly dilute chlorine solution (Clorox without fragrance is a favorite) can be used and is readily available. A few drops per liter for 20 minutes should do it and, with the chlorine solution, the food should then be rinsed in potable water. Food is cleaner and keeps better after cleaning.
Here in Mexico which is justifiably famous for food-borne illness there are still pockets of people -- even expatriates -- who cling to the notion that their food is perfectly safe. A blog from expatriates in the very clean city of Mèrida, state of Yucatan published a glowing recommendation of the tomatoes from Yucatan and how safe they are. I do believe that the farmers near there may very well take care and use potable water to rinse their produce. Even so the fruit joins produce and meats in trucks that may have been used for other purposes (garbage, animals...), is stored in warehouses or storerooms behind the supermarket or little fruteria, handled by stock people, other shoppers, is walked over by rats and other vermin in the quiet of the night. Do you really want to eat it raw without disinfecting it?
There is also the option of cooking into salsas, sauces, dishes (even beyond pasta) and perfect fresh tomato sauces simmered with basil and olive oil. Eat well; stay safe.
Photos © Howard Dratch, 2008.
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Health
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I will be posting to this blog again, finally. This incarnation will be dedicated now to cooking and food as well as health care links and articles.
However, since I am advertising my home everywhere else, I am adding this notice of its sale:
My home is on the shore of the Lagoon near the Hotel Laguna and the Cenote Azul. It is a beautiful, light-filled house with high ceilings, terraces, views of the Lagoon of the Seven Colors from every room. There is a covered terrace the width of the house with grille and bar area, a massive, cement dock that will berth larger boats and a ramp on the 1100 square meter, walled property which is proerly titled.
The street side has a massive lap pool, gardens and fruit trees encircled by flowers and tropical birds. There is a 2 room, 2 bath casita and a whole-house generator.
The house has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths on two floors. The price has been reduced to $US369,000. Contact me at hfd@7colorlagoon.com. It is sited perfectly on the most beautiful cove of the 35 mile long lagoon, far enough above the water to be protected from any possible rise in the lagoon. The house and I weathered a direct hit by Hurricane Dean last August without damage. 
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