Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a tradition celebrated by Americans all over the world. Increasingly, friends of American expatriates also join in the celebration. Soon it would be Christmas.

Many questions may confound aspiring homecooks when preparing a turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I tried this delicious and simple creation using turkey fillet; a good alternative to a whole turkey to try out this festive season with no fear of left overs. It's enough for a small family and some guests. Just roll turkey breast meat with pistachio and stuffing and roast for an hour and retains its succulent texture.

It is interesting to compare the festive dishes of Australians, Canadians and Americans. Which is your favourite?

Did you know that in Chinese culture, winter soltice is a time of feasting on meat, a rarity on the dinner table for commoners during ancient times, and glutinous rice balls in sweet soup or savoury stock.

Besides feasting, Thanksgiving is about reflection of the year passed and planning for the year ahead, being grateful to what we have, and helping those who are deprived. Hopefully, the time has not been spent in vain.

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Canberra Floriade Show

Every spring, Aussies from interstate make their pilgrimage (at least once in a few years) to view the gorgeous display of tulips blossoms and other spring flowers such as poppy, pansies, roses and bonsai. The show lasts for six weeks from early September to mid October.

Entrance is free which makes the few hours drive worthwhile. If you're into horticulture, the "show bag" is good value for money.

If time permits, you should explore the restaurants in Canberra city. I believe they must be of world class standard at a the centre where diplomats and officials congregate. Our hotel staff recommended Dickson where movie star Jackie Chan's parents used to own a restaurant. On arrival, we found heaps of Asian restaurants and fast food at Dickson and resorted to asking the local shopkeepers. We shortlisted and checked their menus and narrowed down to Jimmy's Place which serves authentic Chinese cuisine. We were told that another restaurant across the street which was very well presented would have charged more for basically the same sort of food.

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Tests later may show cancer that would regress

Researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, suggest that some of the cancers detected by mammography may have spontaneously regressed had they not been discovered and treated.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=43391

A somewhat controversial and inconclusive study by Norwegian researchers may not make tests for cancer redundant but it is something females should be aware of. The coincidence is uncanny. 

Last week, I was chatting with a lady friend, bouncing ideas on my belief that cancer cells could at times grow or go into remission naturally. This raises questions on whether aggressive intervention and treatment are always suitable for every patient diagnosed with malignant tumour. 

Even those who are at risk of developing cancer are advised to be treated with drugs or low dosage of chemotheraphy. In the cases of some friends, now deceased, the cancer cells spread more rapidly in spite of or due to surgery and radio or chemo theraphies. 

There are still many unknowns in this area. To the individual patient, it could be a matter of trial and error, if not stabbing in the dark. 

Some scientists I have spoken to are not convinced current treatments are calibrated to yield beneficial and effective results for patients.  The course of treatment and recovery can be quite painful and undignified too.