For some people winter in the southern part of our country is something to be endured. It makes them tired, grumpy and at the more extreme of the scale, depressed and SAD. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) also known as Winter Depression or the Winter Blues.  The jury is inconclusive as to what actually causes this. One theory is a lack of serotonin causes it. Serotonin is synthesized extensively in the human gastrointestinal tract (about 90%) and the major storage place is platelets in the blood stream. 

Major sources of serotonin can be found in walnuts and hickory. Other sources of serotonin can be found in pineapples, kiwi fruit, plums, tomatoes and banana.
The other theory is that a lack of melatonin, which is produced in the pineal gland (located in the brain and also by the retina, lens and gastro intestinal tract is the cause. Production of melatonin by the pineal gland is under the influence of the hypothalamus which receives information from the retina about the daily pattern of light and darkness. Melatonin is also synthesized by various plants, such as rice, and ingested melatonin has been shown to be capable of reaching and binding to melatonin binding sites in the brains of mammals. Another treatment is light. The best way  to manage SADS if you or someone else you know is susceptible to it, is to maintain a diet rich in the above foods and spend at least half an hour outside so you can get some natural light (even if it looks a little over-cast it’s still good) and of course that old favourite EXERCISE. Exercise increases the ‘feel -good’ hormones endorphins – of course- so does dark chocolate!

 Is it really bad to eat food that’s been dropped on the floor?
Does ‘blowing’ the germs off really work?
Is it still ok if you pick food up in less than 5 seconds?
 For some, the issue might not be “How much bacteria might now be on that biscuit and will it really make me sick?” but rather “Was that really the last Tim Tam?”
Within reason, our bodies are designed to protect us against bacteria. Saliva and stomach acid fight infection, and the natural responses of a healthy immune system will protect most people against a minor germ invasion. More people will get sick from under-cooked meat and un-washed hands than eating food that’s been dropped onto the floor.
Television’s  MythBusters (Discovery Channel October 2005) found just as much bacteria after two seconds as on food left for six seconds. I found it hard to find any seriously credible scientific study on the issue so if you find yourself in this situation ask yourself – “Am I feeling lucky?”
This month’s featured recipe is:
Mushroom and Walnut Risotto
Ingredients
1 tbsp dried porcini mushrooms
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
225g/8oz chestnut mushrooms, sliced
350g/12oz Arborio rice
150ml/¼ pint dry white wine
1.2 litres/2 pints hot vegetable stock
5 leaves of spinach (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped roasted walnuts
1tsp ground sea salt
25g/1oz butter
salt and freshly ground black pepper
freshly grated parmesan cheese,
to serve. Method
1. Soak the mushrooms in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain well. Heat the oil in a large, heavy based saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Fry over a gentle heat for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the mushrooms and fry for a further 2-3 minutes, until browned.
2. Stir in the rice and coat in the oil. Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring, until the liquid has been absorbed. Add a ladleful of the stock and simmer, stirring again, until the liquid has beenabsorbed. Continue adding the stock in this way, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is plump and tender.
3. Roughly chop the soaked mushrooms and stir into the risotto, along with the parsley, butter and salt and pepper.
4.’ Dry fry’ walnuts until you get a pleasant aroma of nuts from them. Toss in the ground sea salt and stir through risotto.
5. Wilt spinach over steaming water and shred. Add to risotto.
Serve with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.From the ‘Doh’ file.  This is actually quite cute.
I was in a café recently where a young boy (about 2-3years) and his sister (approx 4-5 years) were out with their mother. The younger brother was pretending to ‘cut’ the table with the butter knife. His sister, looking very stern, took it away and admonished him severely– “Don’t play with that –it’s sharp, you might de-caffeinate your fingers!” Definitely a future Occupational Health and Safety representative in the making!
(If you have any similar anecdotes let me know.)