Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 18 February 1915, Page 57

Domestic

By Maureen.

Drinking at Meals.

In most cases it is now held that food digests the better if a moderate amount of fluid, preferably water, is taken with the meal, say a glassful or two. On the other hand, it is not wise to use too much fluid.

It. is true that” formerly it was supposed that no fluids should be used with meals, but the idea has been proved wrong. • Only in one class of cases is it true ; those in -which the digestive juices of the stomach are very much weaker than normal. In addition to the fluids

used with meals additional fluid should always be used

between meals. The average normal daily amount should be at least three pints, and usually two quarts a day would be still better.

Madras E

Required: Six hard-boiled eggs, one ounce of any

cream cheese, one ounce of finely chopped or ground nuts, one teaspoonful of chopped chutney, rich salad

dressing to moisten, salt and pepper. Boil the eggs for at least .12 minutes, so that the volks will Ik

powdery, not sticky. Shell the eggs, and cut them

round in halves, scoop out the yolks, and mix them while still hot with the cheese, nuts, chutney, salad dressing in sufficient amount to well bind and moisten

the mixture, then season it somewhat highly. Fill the

empty halves of white of egg with this past

Alum in Foods

The- much-mooted question of the effects of alum

compounds on the' nutrition and health of man forms the subject of a recent report by the Referee Board of the United States Department of Agriculture. The

conclusions of the board are supported by the results of three sets of extensive experiments on human sub-

jects, conducted by members of the board. . Although alum is used in making pickles, preparing maraschino cherries, etc., the amount that thus, enters into human diet is very small compared; with' that consumed in baking powders hence the attention of the board was directed chiefly to the ■ effects of alum baking powders. It appears that ‘ a saline cathartic residue results from the reaction of every known form of baking powder now commonly employed/ and when such powders are used in large quantitiese.g.' when a person subsists mainly on baking powder biscuits, as may happen in camp life —the cathartic effect would be noticeable and ultimately injurious. On the other hand, the amount of such powders used in an ordinary domestic diet is found to have no such effect, and does not in any way impair the nutritive value of foods. ‘ In short, the board concludes that alum baking powders arc no more harmful than any other baking powders, but that it is" wise to be moderate in the use of foods that are leavened with baking powder.’

Household Hints.

lo keep a coffee-pot sweet put a tablespoonful of baking-soda into it. Fill it two-thirds full of water and let it boil for an hour. Then rinse very thoroughly. If this is done about once a week the pot will always smell fresh and clean.

If a. small piece of camphor is procured and placed a. bowl or glass of water it will be found to float oil

flic surface, and when lighted will prove a. good nightlight, especially as camphor is a good disinfectant, and its smell not at all disagreeable.

To exterminate ants from the larder, wash the shelves, then dip a. small paint-brush in a little pur© carbolic acid and smear along the edges of the shelves and bottom of the door. This will not leave an unpleasant odor, and will drive the ants out.

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