For a lot of the more recent speculations, the
sample size is too small, and there's that
placebo effect that has to be ruled out.

Placebo could be in effect with the pharmaceuticals as well... I'd not
argue it wholesale, but I do come to my position from empirical
evidence, in situations I've been involved with.... I'll agree it may
not hold for all, but then, that also applies to pharmaceuticals...

The placebo effect is everywhere, but with
the commercial drugs they've been studied in
double-blind experiments (supposedly) to
maximize the chance that the bulk of the
perceived benefit is actually due to the
medicine; there are bunches of natural
remedies where the research has not shown
any real benefit and many more where there
hasn't been any large-scale research at all.

That sounds like somewhat hopeful news, actually... :)

Well, people aren't hovering over waiting for me
to imminently croak any more.

That sounds quite (to quote you, even) heartening... ;) Reassuring, as well... :)

I suppose. I'm still not planning past 70,
an attitude that might have come from the
Bible or perhaps some other reading, that
number being cited as well in the scientific
literature when I started reading both, around
1960.

My position is based on a couple things.
One, there are tons of places with Michelin
stars that are much appreciated for the
appearance and presentation of the food
and tons of other places, perhaps even next
door, where the food is better, but there's
less attention paid to plating, decoration,
white gloves, and so on. Two, my own cooking
does decently by the taste standard but
could never compete in the form department.

I do tend to agree with your position... function much the more
important... I don't mind having form as well, though... ;) But if one
or the other, Function for sure... ;)

I don't mind form but am suspicious of it on its
own. A perfectly beautiful plate, except from
the most regimented conditions in kitchens run
with clockwork (one desn't say military) precision,
is going to have other issues, either temperature
or its heat-lamp-like remedies.

Carp Gefilte Fish
categories: KfP, main, starter
servings: 12 to 18

4 lb carp, ground
2 carrots, peeled and grated
- or 1 md raw beet, peeled and grated
1 onion, ground
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tb horseradish, white or red
1 cooked egg, mashed
1 ts salt
Basic Fish Sauce

In blender whip up onion, eggs, and vegetables.
Combine with ground fish and all seasonings.
Mix well and set aside.

Prepare Basic Fish Sauce - water, onions,
carrots, celery, and seasonings to taste -
and heat to boiling. Form fish mixture into
balls (wet hands with cold water), and drop
carefully into 8 qt pot one at a time. When
broth returns to a boil, lower flame, cover
and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hr, depending on
size of balls.

Remove balls from liquid, arrange on a
large serving platter with a slice of carrot
on each, and pour on a bit of the sauce if
you want an aspic. Chill.

chabad.org

Fish Sauce
categories: KfP, ingredient
yield: 1 batch

Fish bones and heads, washed
1 potato, peeled and sliced (optional)
2 onions, sliced
1 ts salt, more as desired
3 carrots, whole or sliced
sugar (optional)

Place all ingredients in a large pot and fill
one-third to one-half full of water. There
should be enough water to cover the fish to
be added later. Bring to a boil.

chabad.org
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Quoting Michael Loo to Nancy Backus on 04-04-18 09:25 <=-

For a lot of the more recent speculations, the
sample size is too small, and there's that
placebo effect that has to be ruled out.

Placebo could be in effect with the pharmaceuticals as well... I'd not
argue it wholesale, but I do come to my position from empirical
evidence, in situations I've been involved with.... I'll agree it may
not hold for all, but then, that also applies to pharmaceuticals...

The placebo effect is everywhere, but with the
commercial drugs they've been studied in
double-blind experiments (supposedly) to maximize
the chance that the bulk of the perceived benefit
is actually due to the medicine;

I've actually been a part of a few of those double-blind clinical
trials, and still don't know if I had the real drug or the placebo...
one seemed to help, another made things worse...

there are
bunches of natural remedies where the research
has not shown any real benefit and many more where
there hasn't been any large-scale research at all.

I've seen those reports... some seem credible, others not as much...
And, true, there hasn't been as much large-scale research...

That sounds like somewhat hopeful news, actually... :)

Well, people aren't hovering over waiting for me
to imminently croak any more.

That sounds quite (to quote you, even) heartening... ;) Reassuring, as well... :)

I suppose. I'm still not planning past 70, an
attitude that might have come from the Bible or
perhaps some other reading, that number being
cited as well in the scientific literature when
I started reading both, around 1960.

Psalm 90 does state "the days of our years are threescore years and
ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
But then, Moses, who penned that, lived to be 120.... :) And I think
that that is the only place in the Bible that actually states anything similar... :) (It's a verse that I memorized, as part of that psalm,
when I was rather young, pre-teen at least...) As I am now in my
seventieth year, and the body is running down, I have a better
appreciation for the caveat therein... ;)

My position is based on a couple things.
One, there are tons of places with Michelin
stars that are much appreciated for the
appearance and presentation of the food
and tons of other places, perhaps even next
door, where the food is better, but there's
less attention paid to plating, decoration,
white gloves, and so on. Two, my own cooking
does decently by the taste standard but
could never compete in the form department.

I do tend to agree with your position... function much the more
important... I don't mind having form as well, though... ;) But if one
or the other, Function for sure... ;)

I don't mind form but am suspicious of it on its
own. A perfectly beautiful plate, except from
the most regimented conditions in kitchens run
with clockwork (one desn't say military) precision,
is going to have other issues, either temperature
or its heat-lamp-like remedies.

Indeed.

ttyl neb

... When did my wild oats turn to shredded wheat? :-(

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