HOUSEHOLD ARTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 31 May 1923, Page 6

HOUSEHOLD ARTS.

Feeding a Family.

ADDRESS BY MRS A. G. STRONG.

A lgrge number of people indicated a desire to learn something of how to feed a family by attending the address which was given in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night by Mrs A. G. Strong, teacher of domestic arts at Otago University. And they were well repaid for leaving their comfortable firesides on such a cold night. The address, which was profusely illustrated, was given under the auspices of the W.E.A., and Mr Joseph Donnelly (president) occuthe chair. Mr Havelock Williams showed the illustrations.

Mrs Strong spoke for nearly an hour and a half, and told her story in an interesting way, taking her audience on an imaginary journey' from Bathtubville to Dreamland, calling en route at such attractive stations as Drinlcwater, Orange Valley, Hot Soup Springs, Spinach Green, and the Milky Way. Mrs Strong stated the case for a rational and properly-balanced diet in a most effective way, giving reasons which have been well authenticated by scientific men, from the foods which she advocated, and supplying figures to show how the best foods could he obtained at the minimum cost. Like others who have spoken on the subject Mrs Strong advocated milk and green vegetables as the two main, types of food. She roundly condemned the practice of destroying one fourth of tlie food content of wheat by making it into white flour instead of using it whole; and she was equally emphatic in stating that the best of tlie potato was lost when it was peeled, as the mineral matter was all next to the skin. Another practice which she condemned as wasteful and foolish was that of throwing away tlie water in which vegetables were cooked, as this contained more useful food than was left in the vegetables, and this water ought to be used for making soup and gravy. At her school at Otago University nothing would induce the girls to throw away the water in which vegetables were cooked, as they knew its value too well. Even cabbage water was excellent for soup. Care should be taken not to put too much water with the vegetables to boil them, and it was better to boil them quickly for a, short time than slowly for a long period. There was a tendency to boil vegetables too long, thereby taking most of the goodness out of them. Cabbage provided more vitamines than any other vegetable, and in order to get. its full , value it would be better if it was eaten raw. This was done by many people (Including herself) by shredding it fine and eating it. as part of a salad, in which form it was excellent.

Mrs Strong went through the full list of foods in common' use to show the chemical constituents and the body-building and life-sustaining value of each, her remarks being illustrated by pictures of cattle and rodents, which demonstrated the results of feeding on different diets. Milk, fruit, vegetables and' cereals, she said, made up almost a complete diet. Various meat dishes were also shown oil the screen, and the value of each was explained. Three meals a day were advocated, and no more. The stomach should not be overloaded, and it was. a mistake to eat too much fat or carbohydrates. The lollie-eating habit should be checked, and more fruits and green vegetables should be eaten. In concluding an admirable address Mrs Strong advocated the formation in Timaru of an organisation of housewives, the. same as existed in Dunedin. " - '

On the motion of Mr Fred Barkas Mrs Strong was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.