Anti-Constipation Salad

© jb katke

What a find!

It is a hidden treasure that brings a giggle to surface. Although, to some it may be helpful and that is why I’m sharing it today.

The recipe will be included in case you are unable to read it from the picture. What made me smile was my father’s note at the bottom of my mother’s recipe. I can hand this down to my children, but only I recognize the handwriting of my parents.

I’m not sure where Mom got it, but it wouldn’t surprise me is it was from her mother. As far back as I can recall in my child mind. Grandpa Andrews never left the house. By that, I mean going anyplace.

His three-acre yard was his tramping ground. Grandpa always had a garden and lots of fruit trees—cherry, pear, and snow apple. Today snow apples are unheard of, you could liken them to a McIntosh. Even they are rare find in the produce department of the grocery store because they bruise easily. Biting into a snow apple, the skin was a perfect red and the inner apple, snow white. Thus, the name.

Grandpa stayed home due to an ailment that I never understood, but it had to do with the bathroom. Methinks it was constipation. Grandma Andrews was forever making stewed prunes and Aunt Jane that lived with them constantly made bran muffins.

For those interested, here is the recipe:

Anti-Constipation Salad

One heaping Tablespoon shredded raw potato with skin on

Two heaping Tablespoons shredded raw apple (peeled)

One heaping Tablespoon finely chopped seedless raisins

One Tablespoon vegetable oil

One Tablespoon lemon juice

Mix well and let stand about an hour before eating.

My father’s note at the bottom of the recipe:

“2 hours before bedtime”

Who Am I Now?

©jb katke

It rarely happens.

Cooking is not my thing, so when a person asks for a recipe, I’m always surprised. And pleased. My daughter Naomi asked for my recipe for pork chops. For the most part cooking does not run in our family blood.

I do have a few good recipes though. Most all come from someone else’s culinary expertise. Copying recipes from another kitchen is no problem to me. Call it survival of the fittest. We have to eat—preferably a meal that is palatable.

©jb katke

A friend gave me a magnet for my refrigerator that says, “Many people have eaten my cooking…and gone on to live normal lives.” She knows me well.

I had a sister-in-law was known for her cooking. It was her identity. 

There was a time when I was into quilting. That could have been my identity at the time. But I took a lengthy recess from it. Today I dabble at the sewing machine, going through the motions of quilting.

I’m not sure what my identity is anymore. When the children were little I was the parent or guardian of (name of child.) I was a morning person back then. Not so now. Bedtime is something I look forward to, so I cannot be identified as a night owl. Currently, I think of myself as an early afternoon person. My favorite mornings start off slow—admittedly it does not give me much time to get things done.

This I can say with certainty though. I am a Christ follower. Jesus helps me get my days in order. He brings me peace and a purpose to keep on keeping on. Most of all, a satisfaction at the end of the day.

You can have the same experience. Have a conversation with him about your concerns and see what he does for you.