Experimental Cookery Maja Blanca

“Use of herbs as medicines dates back to the beginning of civilized man. The earliest known written records of herbal medicines were inscribed on a six thousand year old clay tablet written by the Sumerians, who lived on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now known as Iraq”(History).

Mexico has many environmental problems which stem from significant pollution from factory discharge and waste dumping. Their main threat is deforestation and other natural habitat losses which can effect biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. An influential religion in Mexico is Roman Catholicism with eighty-eight percent of the population being this specific religion. Their diet is high in legumes, dietary fiber, and cholesterol which can affect their bodies in different ways. Those consuming the traditional Mexican diet pattern also had high BMIs and waist circumference values but did not differ significantly compared to other groups.

During this project, I learned how to make a common Hispanic dish. I also learned about different herbs that are common in Mexican culinary practices (epazote being one). After completing this project, I would say that I wish my culture was more similar to what I learned. My culture doesn’t put as much spice and flavor into the food as the Hispanic culture does. I can apply what I learned and connect more with the Hispanic culture by trying out new spices when I cook. I think the knowledge I gained from completing this project will help me appreciate other cultures’ foods more. Refried beans are a very common dish, but I don’t think most people realize how long it takes to make them. I know I didn’t until I started this project. I feel good

Herbs have been used throughout the ages not just for their culinary benefits. In the use of magick and healing certain herbs and plants are used for their spirits or characteristics.

We believe that this is a basket with some açaí berries in it. This basket of grape-looking things, (what seems to be açaí berries), demonstrate the idea of food. This suggests that the ancient Aztec civilizations were able to grow or forage things to eat. We think that these things are açaí berries, because they are purple-ish black, small and round, the way açaí berries are supposed to look. Açaí berries are found in Mexico. We believe that the Aztecs may have had to move across a large area of land to collect and pick these berries, because the berries are in a basket, an easy to handle container. Moving across a big area of land requires a container to hold the berries, and in this case, a basket is what they used. This also shows that

Herbal remedies-aromatic plants that may be used by people from all ethno cultural traditional backgrounds as one method of restoring physical health. (Africa)

The earliest use of medical marijuana came from ancient China. In 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor, Shennog, wrote a book that included cannabis (marijuana) as a treatment for many conditions. He thought cannabis was helpful for constipation, gout and rheumatism. In the same way, researchers found a second century ancient Egyptian text called the Fayyum Medical Papyrus that is believed to contain the earliest record of using cannabis as a treatment for tumors. Lastly, the ancient Greeks used cannabis to dress wounds and sores on their horses after battle. They also gave it to humans for ear pain and inflammation. The use of cannabis as medicine dispersed throughout Asia, the eastern coast of Africa, Middle east and finally to America.

Good chicken fajitas marinade can be hard to come by on the supermarket shelves, so I always make my own. Making your own marinade is extremely easy and gives you control over the spices and ingredients you eat. My two fundamental rules for producing a good chicken fajitas marinade are: 1) always use fresh ingredients, and 2) the longer you marinate the better.

1.) Choose a food related topic that you want to test and write a purpose statement.

Egyptians used the absinth plant to treat various ailments. Romans and Greeks also used it to create a potion that was steeped in wine and was rumored to heal stomach bugs. (Wormwood=worm-wode, or a cure for worms.)

When it comes to food choices sometimes it is not based on if one likes the food or not.It could be a matter of religion or culture.Like an example would be me i am of mexican culture and i grew up eating mexican food.Now that is a part of my life.Also religion plays a big part of ones food choices.I am not so sure of how big religion affects the food we eat in the united states but i know in places like the middle east it plays a really big part of ones food choices.

I choose the “Food for a community” from National Geographic. This article talks about “La Rejunta”, which is an important tradition feast of Milpa Alta in Mexico. This event is for the pilgrims preparing for the long walk to the holy cave of “El Señor de Chalma” on January 3rd. Majordomos are the people who organize this feast each year, and they start to prepare all the food and drink like tamales and hot chocolate one week before Christmas. Various ingredients required for the meal come from the local area. To be chosen as the majordomos is considered a great honor in this community; that is why the waiting list is full until 2046.

The early Polynesians specifically chose Calophyllum Inophyllum due to the various uses and benefits it has. The tree is used for medicinal use, creating shelter, leisure purposes, and creating wood products for everyday use. Calophyllum Inophyllum is of medicinal value, the oil from the nuts was traditionally used by the Polynesians to heal wounds and cure various skin ailments such as ringworms, swellings, and itch. At the same time, its oil was used as a cosmetic either as a skin moisturizer or hair oil. It is rough, therefore, used to remove wound slough. A decoction of the tree’s leaves was used to treat eye ailments. In some countries, the plant is presently used to heal osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The seeds of Calophyllum

- Used in Central Asia for at least 3000 years; used to treat gout, rheumatism, malaria, appetite loss and poor memory ("Medical Marijuana - What’S It Good For?").

Coriander was cultivated in the mainstream in Greece and Rome from at least the 2nd millennium BC. It was used in Greece and Rome as a spice and as a herb. From there, it