Deep-fry (zhà), a well-known technique where the food is fried in a pool of hot oil, which both cooks it and creates a crispy exterior, is used throughout the “Frying” chapter in my cookbook “The Chinese Way.” When deep-frying, I use a thermometer, aiming for 350 F to 375 F. Another ...
DEAR DR. ROACH: What’s a Zenker’s diverticulum? My 74-year-old friend was diagnosed with it, along with “cricopharyngeal achalasia.” I’ve never noticed any swallowing difficulties before. — S.W. ANSWER: A Zenker’s diverticulum is an outpouching of the esophagus that extends posteriorly toward the spine, at about the level of the thyroid. The muscles there are relatively weak, and a swallowing abnormality can lead the inside of the esophagus to go through the muscular layer around the esophagus, leading to a blind pouch. The cricopharyngeus muscle is the primary ...
It is Labor Day, so everyone is home today. We washed the laundry, and it is drying nicely on the lines. Daniel Ray is mowing. He mowed my sister Verena’s yard before he started on ours. I pulled the red beets from the garden. We didn’t get a big crop of them. Hopefully, we will have enough to make plenty of pickled beets for church lunch this winter when we host the services. It usually takes around 3 quarts each time. I made breakfast omelets for a late brunch, then I made white gravy to put on top of the omelet. I make each one with whatever they want in theirs. I had bacon, ...
Q. I have taken duloxetine for three years for severe fibromyalgia. I am a nurse, so I was reluctant to start it, but my physician said that “It is the best medication we have on the market for your pain.” I looked it up and didn’t find any information about withdrawal concerns, or I would have declined. This drug hasn’t helped my pain, but I started to have random foot and hand movements. Coming off the med is hell. I take Dramamine twice a day to help with the nausea and dizziness. I also have brain fog so bad, I can’t find the words I want to say. People talking to me ...
DEAR HELOISE: I strongly agree with Michael I’s response to the original letter. He’s spot-on — a walker is for walking only. As a retired physical therapist with 42 years of experience, much of it being in home care, I’ve seen many near disasters when observing people use a walker as it pertains to standing. One of the first things to teach someone when using a walker is not to use it when it comes to standing. We’re supposed to teach them alternative, safe ways. With all due respect, I didn’t like your attempt at a humorous response of using a walker to quickly exit a ...
There’s surely something paradoxical about the statement that bridge is a relaxing game, when the fact is that you can’t ever afford to relax — if you want to do well. Take this hand, for example, where West leads a heart against three notrump. Declarer plays low from dummy and wins ...
