What to eat and when

by Susanna Cocroft

FOOTNOTES:

[15] For treatment of pimples, see Let’s Be Healthy, by Susanna Cocroft.

CHAPTER XI
RECIPES FOR FOODS FOR INVALIDS AND SEMI-INVALIDS

The purpose is not to give such recipes as are found in ordinary cookbooks, but simply to suggest foods useful for invalids, for semi-invalids, or for chronic, abnormal conditions of digestive organs.

Water. Pure and carbonated; mineral waters containing iron, sulphur, lithium, etc.

Hot drinks should be served at a temperature of from 122 to 140 degrees F. When water is used as a hot drink it should be freshly drawn, brought to a boil, and used at once. This sterilizes and develops a better flavor.

Cold water should be thoroughly cooled, but not iced, unless ice water is sipped very slowly and held in the mouth until the chill is off. Water is best cooled by placing the receptacle on ice rather than by putting ice in the water.

Fruit Juices. Under fruit juices are: grape juice, apple juice, currant juice, pineapple juice, orangeade, and lemonade.

They are especially grateful to fever patients and are often used to stimulate the appetite. They are particularly valuable for the acids which they contain, which aid the action of the kidneys and the peristaltic action of the digestive tract; they also increase the alkalinity of the blood.

Apples contain malic acid, lemons citric acid, and grapes tartaric acid. The ferment in the ripe pineapple juice aids in the digestion of proteins.[16]

Lemonade. Wash and wipe a lemon. Cut a slice from the middle into two pieces to be used in the garnish before serving; then squeeze the juice of the rest of the lemon into a bowl, keeping back the seeds. Add sugar and boiling water; cover and put on ice to cool; strain and pour into a glass.

Fruit Lemonade. To change and vary the flavor, fresh fruit of all kinds may be added to strong lemonade, using boiling water as directed above.

Egg Lemonade. Beat an egg thoroughly, add 2 tablespoonfuls of sugar, 2 tablespoonfuls of lemon juice, and gradually pour in one cup of cold water. Stir until smooth and well mixed. Serve thoroughly cold. This drink is very easily digested, the lemon having partly digested the egg; 2 tablespoonfuls of sherry or port may be added.

Bran Lemonade. Mix one-quarter cup of wheat bran with 2 cups of cold water. Allow this to stand overnight and in the morning add the juice of a lemon.

Pineapple Lemonade. Mix one-half cup of grated pineapple with the juice of 1 lemon and 2 tablespoonfuls of sugar; add one-half cup of boiling water, put on ice until cool, then add 1 cup of ice-cold water. Strain and serve.

Grape Lemonade. To 1 cup of lemonade, made as directed above, rather sweet, add one-half cup of grape juice.

Effervescing Lemonade. To the juice of 1 large lemon add a lump or two of sugar which has been rubbed on the rind. Pour on it half a pint of cold or ice water. Add half a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda after it has been placed in the tumbler.

Orangeade. One orange, 1 teaspoonful of sugar, three-quarters of a coffee cup of water. Wash and wipe the orange. Squeeze the juice into the sugar. Add the cold water which has previously been boiled. Strain.

Apple Water. Slice 1 pound of apples, put in a jar with one-fourth of a pound of brown sugar. Pour over apples and sugar 1 gallon of boiling water. When cool put the apples through a colander. Bottle but do not cork. Keep in a cool place. May be poured over toasted bread.

Mixed Fruit Drink. Mix one-quarter cup of grated pineapple, the juice of half a lemon, the juice of half an orange, 1 cup of boiling water, and sugar to taste. Put on the ice until cool. Strain and add more cold water and sugar according to taste.

Pineapple Juice. Pour one-half cup of pineapple juice over crushed ice and serve in a dainty glass. This is especially helpful in cases of weak digestion and in some throat troubles—as stated above, the pineapple aids protein digestion.

Lemon Whey. Heat 1 cup of milk in a small saucepan, over hot water, or in a double boiler. Add 2 tablespoonfuls of lemon juice; cook without stirring until the whey separates. Strain through cheesecloth and add two teaspoonfuls of sugar. Serve hot or cold. Garnish with small pieces of lemon.

Wine Whey may be made in the same way, using one-quarter cup of sherry wine to 1 cup of hot milk.

Grape Juice, Apple Juice, and Currant Juice are tonics and make a dainty variety for the sick room. They should be used according to their strength, usually about one-third juice to two-thirds water. They should be kept cold and tightly corked until ready to serve.

Grape Lithia. Add 4 ounces of Lithia-water to 1 ounce of grape juice and 2 teaspoonfuls of sugar.

Grape Nectar. Boil together 1 pound of sugar and one-half pint of water until it begins to thread. Remove from the fire and when cool add the juice of 6 lemons and 1 quart of grape juice. Let stand overnight. Serve with ice water, Apollinaris, or plain soda water.

Tea Punch. Pour boiling lemonade, sweetened to taste, over tea leaves. Allow the liquid to stand until cool. Then strain and serve with shaved ice and slices of lemon. This makes a delicious cooling drink for hot weather.