Sunday, July 28, 2013

Geeeeeeerms!

I have written about the glories of dirt before, but if anyone has found me offensively off-base, I've now got proof, in the name of an article called, "Some of My Best Friends are Germs," by Michael Pollan. 
http://thebark.com/sites/default/files/timescover-sfspan_0.jpg
It's OK, it's OK, dog drool is good for a baby's immunity.

Now, this is not for the faint of heart: F.M.T. Apparently, for those who have crippling stomach disorders, relief can be found with less trauma to the body than medications with a stool transplant, which can actually be done easily in the comfort of one's home.

The author of the article says at the end: 
Every morning (like I said, I am very regular), I find myself with a new appreciation for this bacterial world that we share.
Another reason to say Asher Yatzer with gratitude and thanks.      

8 comments:

Mighty Garnel Ironheart said...

http://www.jwatch.org/na31533/2013/07/25/having-pet-dog-reduces-risk-childhood-atopic-dermatitis?query=pfw-featured

Princess Lea said...

A number of autoimmune conditions comes from a lack of exposure to the germs around us. Dogs are walking petri dishes, spreading all that good stuff around. I always knew I liked dogs.

Gavi said...

I work in allergy research, and one of the main reasons for the increase in allergic diseases in the last 50 years is that we live in an increasingly over-sanitized society. While I clean my kids up when they get dirty, I have consciously avoided instilling a deathly fear of dirt in them... Maybe they'll turn out healthier for it!

Princess Lea said...

Gavi: Definitely! Take, for instance, the three-second rule: I repealed it.

Laura said...

I read that Elizabeth Taylor used to let her dogs slobber all over her kids because she thought the germs were good for them, or something like that. Ahead of her time, apparently.

I just read Pollan's cooked and made the sourdough recipe.

On a completely unrelated topic, you might be interested in the following article on hair: http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/jul/28/hair-today-straight-or-curly

Princess Lea said...

The article was fascinating! I never understood this mishagaas that only straight hair is attractive; I think curly hair is so vibrant, and when my hair is kept to its natural wavyness I get so many compliments.

I try to avoid hot styling tools as much as possible. Sure, may hair may frizz, but it makes such a difference in terms of health.

Mmm, would you recommend Pollan's book? Does he have good recipes in there, or does he talk more about the mechanics of food?

Laura said...

Pollan's book is more about process of transforming food through cooking than specific recipes. He talks about BBQ,brewing,making sauerkraut, making cheese, sourdough bread--all involved artisan processes, all slow food. In the back, there is a recipe for sauerkraut, sourdough, BBQ and I think some kind of Italian ragu (meat sugo?). That's it.

Not a book to read for recipes, but for lyrical, philosophical musings about cooking, food science, health and the politics of food.

Princess Lea said...

I've had to learn to be patient with food. That's why my kraut was always lame compared to my mother's. But even when I slow-simmer it for hours it isn't like my mother's. Sigh.