you
Saturday, August 29, 2020
AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
PAIN IS NOT
ALWAYS
WHAT IT SEEMS P27
Saturday, August 29, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
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Treats for cold days
FROM JAPAN with Miya Komatsu
I
n cold weather, I feel like eating nice hot and crunchy deep-fried food. Yes, we can go to fish and chip shops. But usually
we can’t get Japanese food there, so I need to make it myself. I know you probably don’t want to deep-fry at home and possibly don’t have a deep-fryer, but I just shallow fry mine in a frypan. It doesn’t use as much oil and is easy! This month, I would like to share two of my husband and my favourite recipes and an easy cream
caramel in a mug. Enjoy!
Miya Komatsu is a Japanese-trained chef and nutritionist who has made Ashburton her home. She has been living here for over 14 years.
Tatsutaage
400g firm fish (I use sea perch, but you can use other kinds of fish as well), cut into large bite-sized pieces 2T soy sauce 2T mirin (sweet cooking wine) 1/2t minced ginger 3T cornflour
– In a medium bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin and ginger to make a marinade. – Add the fish and marinate for about
half an hour. Remove the excess marinade with a paper towel. – Add the cornflour and coat the fish. – In a frypan, heat an inch deep of oil over a medium heat. Fry the fish until golden and crispy. Serve with lemon wedges. Miya’s hint You don’t like any fish? No worries, you can use chicken or pork instead.
TATSUTAAGE
Pork mince patties 2 servings PHOTO MIYA KOMATSU
Cream caramel in a mug Caramel 1T sugar 2t water Custard 1 egg 2T sugar 120ml milk 1/4 t vanilla – Caramel: Mix the sugar and 1t water in a mug. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Add the remaining 1t
– – – – –
water to the caramel. Be careful, it’s hot. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix and whisk egg and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add the milk and vanilla. Mix well. Pour egg mixture into the mug over the caramel. Put in the microwave and heat for 1 1/2 minutes. Pull out from the microwave and wrap with tinfoil. Set aside until cool, then chill in the fridge. Serve with whipped cream and fruit.
Patties 300g pork mince 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1 egg 1T tomato sauce 2T breadcrumbs, mixed with 2T milk Pinch of nutmeg Salt and pepper, to taste For crumbing 1 egg 4T flour 1/4 C water Panko breadcrumbs, as much as you need – In a large bowl, combine all pattie ingredients. – Mix well and divide into four burger pattie shapes.
– To crumb, mix the egg, flour and water in a medium bowl. – Dip the patties into the mixture and then cover with breadcrumbs. – In a large frypan, heat an inch deep of oil over a medium heat. Deep-fry mince patties until golden brown and fully cooked through. – Transfer to paper towels and let the oil be absorbed. Served with green salad etc.
Miya’s hint I use the batter mixture instead of dusting with flour and egg wash for crumbing, because it’s simply easier and quicker. I learned this method when I was working in a big kitchen in Japan.
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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, August 29, 2020
The iron issue
M
any women may be unaware that they are suffering from an iron deficiency of some degree, whether it be mild or severe. Here are a few possible indicators of iron deficiency showing up in your health and a possible reason to get checked.
Pale complexion Lacking in colour in your normally rosy cheeks can be an indicator of iron deficiency. Looking pale and no colour, unless naturally pale in skin tone can be a standout sign of low iron levels.
Extreme tiredness Fatigue and feelings of exhaustion can be a sign of iron deficiency, but it’s often overlooked as there can be many reasons for fatigue and tiredness. Other associated symptoms are grumpiness, not being able to focus on tasks and feelings of weakness.
A change in flow A flow that becomes heavy may be a sign of iron deficiency. An excessive loss of blood during your monthly flow, having to change period wear more frequently, can be a sign of low iron levels. A perpetuating cycle can occur when iron stores are insufficient to replace blood loss.
Cracked lips and pale gums Those who are deficient in iron may appear to have dry, cracked lips, with cracks also showing up in the corners of the mouth, which mouth ointment may not fix. As well, if there is a lack of colour on the inside of gums and lips, it could also be a sign that someone is low in iron.
NATURALLY YOU with Jane Logie
Restless leg syndrome A proportion of people with restless leg syndrome could have low iron levels. Restless leg syndrome is when you have trouble controlling your legs or they are moving while you’re sitting still.
Brittle nails/hair loss A symptom of iron deficiency can be weak and brittle nails that break easily. If iron deficiency persists over a long period of time, hair loss can occur. To maintain healthy hair and nail growth, iron is an important nutrient.
Re-occurring infections People lacking in iron can be more susceptible to infections due to the immune system not working efficiently. Low iron can leave a person more susceptible to catching colds and flus more often than usual.
Breathlessness Struggling with your breathing after or during strenuous exercise may be an indicator that someone is suffering with low iron levels due to the lack of oxygen getting to the organs. Getting tested can be a great way to find out if iron deficiency is a problem for you or not. It is often a condition that can go undetected for a long time, because many of the signs and symptoms are put down to everyday stress. With the compliments of Jane Logie, a medicinal herbalist, clinical nutritionist and chef from Methven
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Spaghetti bolognaise with spinach his is a great meal for the whole family, to help lift any low iron levels that could be causing a selection of health conditions. 6T olive oil 500g mince 2 onions 4-6 medium-sized garlic cloves 2 large carrots, grated 12 mushrooms, sliced 4 bunches spinach, washed and thinly sliced 2 400g tins chopped tomatoes 1 tomato can of cold water 1 120g tomato paste 1/3 C sweet chilli sauce (or tomato sauce) – optional 1/3 C light soy sauce (instead of stock) 1t salt 10-12 shakes white pepper
– Heat the olive oil in a large-sized pan on a medium to high heat. When hot add the mince and chopped onion, season the meat on both sides in the pan, turning with a spatula. – Lower the heat and let the mince
– – – –
–
–
and onions brown. Add the garlic, mushrooms, and carrots, then the chopped tomatoes and cold water. Add the chilli or tomato sauce and soy sauce, mix through. Let the dish simmer for around 2030 minutes on low, until the mince is cooked and tastes ready. Lastly add the sliced spinach and the tomato paste. Season to taste. If too thin add a sprinkle of cornflour to thicken and if too thick add a little hot water. This dish needs to be of a medium consistency, to have with fettucine noodles especially. When the tomato and spinach have cooked through and the mince dish resembles the correct consistency, serve hot over the pasta, steamed rice or mashed potatoes. Dried parmesan can be added on top and a little sprinkle of finely-diced tomato and parsley for garnish.
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Saturday, August 29, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
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19
What does the Cancer Society do?
he Cancer Society is an independent non-government organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the community through support, information, research and health promotion. Daffodil Day is the flagship appeal of the Cancer Society and culminates with a street appeal on the last Friday in August. The society is a non-government organisation reliant on donations and bequests. Your donation helps the Cancer Society provide free support services and information, fund important scientific cancer research and implement health promotion initiatives to reduce the risk of certain cancers. The Cancer Society is the largest funder of cancer research in New Zealand, after the Government, and the Canterbury-West Coast branch supports the Cancer Society Tissue Bank – a leading research facility at Christchurch Hospital. The Cancer Society offers a range of free
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information and support services to people affected by cancer and their families. These services include: Cancer Information helpline 0800 CANCER (226 237), cancer information, publications, fact sheets and library services. The services are provided by health professionals and
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include emotional support, support groups, practical assistance, accommodation services and limited financial assistance. Staff work
alongside a team of trained volunteers to provide practical help with transport, home visiting and baking.
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Health promotion
he Cancer Society also works to reduce people’s risk of certain cancers by making the places where we work, live and play healthier. These sorts of changes are achieved by advocating to policymakers, local councils and community leaders to create healthier public policy and environments.
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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, August 29, 2020
G Cancer is no respecter of age, no respecter of what else is going on in your life. For George Sparks, life had never been better, until he discovered he had stage four melanoma. He shares with reporter Sue Newman the journey of hope he and his family have been on since his diagnosis in September last year.
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Ben Braided Rivers 246 Burnett Street
George’s melanoma
eorge Sparks holds his infant daughter Macci and smiles; he’s a young man with everything to live for. Late last year George, partner Michelle and her daughter Payton were looking forward to Christmas and excited about the arrival of a new baby in April. George was about to start a new job and life was sweet. Like many young men, Hinds Fire Brigade volunteer George took his good health for granted. Sure, he had the odd freckle, mole, skin blemish and, yes, there was an odd-looking mark on his calf, but nothing worth worrying about. “I’d never really noticed it but then I did notice a wee lump, about the size of a 20 cent coin. It looked like an old-fashioned wine gum but I thought it’d just go away,” he said. The lump didn’t go away. If George bumped or scraped it, it bled, but he decided it wasn’t worth worrying about. His mother, Michelle, and his grandmother had other ideas. They pestered George to get the odd-looking lump checked. He wasn’t all that keen, but to keep peace in the family, he made an appointment believing it was a waste of time and money. The doctor took a look, took a sample and sent this away for testing. George went back to work and assumed life would continue uninterrupted. It didn’t. The test indicated a biopsy was needed and the family was told there would be a two-week wait
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for results. George still wasn’t concerned, but four days later a phone call came that knocked the family sideways. George had melanoma. From that point things started moving – quickly. There were
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more tests and the news that the lump was a grade four melanoma. There was no waiting. Stage four meant he was booked in for surgery. Hospital became the family’s world for several weeks as
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George underwent surgery on his calf, patched up with skin grafts from his thigh. He also had three lymph nodes removed. If there was ever a tough time to face stage four cancer it was then. Michelle was pregnant, George had just started a new
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Sue Lemacon
Saturday, August 29, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
battle
job, so he had no sick pay, no leave banked and they relied on his steady income to pay the rent. What they hadn’t counted on was the way his boss at Ashburton Beaurepaires reacted. “They were amazing. They
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Left – George Sparks with fourmonth-old daughter Macci, partner Michelle Pooke and daughter Payton Leckie, 7.
kept my job [open] even though I was off work for about three months all up counting time before surgery and the months after.” And they hadn’t counted on help from the Hinds Volunteer Fire Brigade’s emergency relief
for a trial drug, he describes as like chemo, but not. He’s on a regular regime of blood tests and as the months have ticked by and the drug’s effects are felt, the frequency of those continues to decline. Checks with his doctor are now four-weekly and the steadily increasing gaps between appointments are every cause for celebration, he says. “I’m feeling great, possibly just a bit drowsy after the drug infusions.” Those infusions come at a high cost, $10,000 per time, but as one of the trial users, his treatments are free. “I reckon I’d be way over $100,000 by now. My stage four melanoma was the worst you can get so that’s how I got on the trial.” Apart from tiredness, the only side effects of the trial drug are the warning that he and Michelle must not become pregnant for some time. They’re grateful Macci was already on the way when he was diagnosed. The trial paperwork on potential side effects ran to five pages, but it was still an option the couple had no hesitation in signing on for. It effectively puts George’s immune system on steroids and the danger is if it works too well his organs could be compromised. continued over page
fund. Together that meant the worst of the financial burden was taken care of and the family could simply focus on supporting George through surgery and post-surgery treatment. Eight months down the track,
George carries a wide, deep scar, about 100 millimetres long on his calf. He cannot spend time in the sun and he’s on regular checks with his specialist team. He counts himself fortunate to have been chosen as a candidate
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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, August 29, 2020
From P25 He has a CT scan every three months and if he feels at all unwell, he can no longer simply dismiss a sickness and carry on. A recent inflammation of his lymph nodes sounded a warning, but a quick check, and he was given the all-clear. The couple live with the knowledge that George’s cancer could reappear. If it does, they’re keeping fingers crossed it will be as a lump that can be removed. They’re not thinking about other options. “You can’t think about it all the time, you just get on with life. We have a good sense of humour and we just carry on,” George said. One of his surgeons started talking about lifespan, suggesting it could be 10 years, another said the future was unknown, but the trial drug is likely to see that span pushed well out. George is smiling. “I’ve got my family, my job, a newborn and I’m living every day. If I let myself get into a hole I’d never get myself out of it,” he said. He does, however, have plenty of advice for other people who might look at their bumps and blemishes and think they’re only freckles. If something looks a bit odd, don’t leave it, get it checked, George said. “I was pretty unlucky for it to get to stage four before I found it.” George’s final operation was in November and baby Macci was born in April. Lockdown was a special time for the family, a time they could celebrate being together after what had been a harrowing few months. During their cancer journey, Michelle said the amount of support they had received was humbling, not only from friends and family, the Hinds Fire Brigade and George’s employer, but also from the team at the Ashburton Cancer Society.
C
What is cancer?
ancer is a disease of the body’s cells. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells which normally grow and are renewed in a controlled way, and we remain healthy. However, sometimes this control is lost. This may be due to an abnormality in the cells, such as a genetic mutation or exposure to a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) and the cells start to multiply unchecked instead of just renewing themselves. A solid group of these cells is called a tumour or growth. Tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumour cells stay in one place in the body and are not usually dangerous. Malignant tumour cells may travel through the lymphatic system (the body’s drainage system) to lymph nodes or through blood to other parts of the body. This spread of a cancer from one organ
to another organ or part of the body not directly connected with it is called metastasis or metastatic cancer. Cancer actually refers to about 100 different diseases as cancerous cells can arise from almost any type of tissue cell. Cancer is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person, however factors can lead to an increased risk of developing cancer such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, alcohol consumption, some viruses and some environmental or genetic risk factors. Cancer, unlike many other diseases, can develop at any stage in life and in any body organ. Each person’s cancer has a different cause, diagnosis method, prognosis, treatment and
care need. New Zealand has an increasing number of people diagnosed with cancer mainly because of population growth and people living longer. Most cancers occur in older people, but because of screening programmes, improved detection and treatments, fewer people now die of cancer in New Zealand. Every day 60 people in New Zealand hear the words “you have cancer”. Each year almost 21,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand and more than 9000 die as a result of cancer. There are over 100 different cancer diseases. The five most common cancer diagnoses are colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and lung cancer.
Saturday, August 29, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
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Things Fashion we love we love
‘
Hush Puppies Sabine
was $199
now $109
Physical activity is medicine. Your mind and body thrive on even just a little bit of physical activity every day COLOURPLUS
P
The pain conundrum
ain is a funny thing and is not at all straightforward. What complicates things is that everyone feels pain differently. Pain is felt not when the sharp pin pricks you (for example), but when that electrical signal gets to the brain and the brain perceives it as pain. Pain is a signal to you that you are in real or perceived danger so that you know you should move, change, run away, etc, if needed. For example, if you stand on a pin, you feel the pain and quickly step off, ideally before you have put your full body weight on it. You might then check your foot and there is truly little damage there, it might not have even have drawn blood and that is because the degree of pain doesn’t always equate to harm. You felt a sharp, high amount of pain because your brain perceived danger and to make you get off it fast, not because it had done much harm. We feel pain based on several factors, depending on past experiences, what you expect to feel, your beliefs and emotional state, to name a few. Therefore, everyone has different pain tolerances and levels – it is an individual thing. Now that we know a little of what pain is, let’s talk about how pain can get worse, even if your injury is getting better and what you can do about it. Pain is there to tell you that you are, or your body thinks that there is potential for danger and is very good at convincing us to do less exercise and activity by resting. Now don’t get me wrong, rest is beneficial, particularly for 48-72 hours after injury, but, if good and normal movement is not encouraged and returned, that inactivity can have a negative impact on your pain, function and recovery. Inactivity can have negative impacts
PHYSIO LAID BARE with SHAUN CLARK
because physical activity levels have been found to be an important signal or indicator for your brain and body to know whether to amplify or diminish pain signals. Less activity (injured or not) makes pain signals stronger and decreases our body’s internal pain-relieving mechanisms. There is a lot of different chemicals and neurotransmitters involved, but basically, less activity means your brain feels pain stronger, but also you have less of the feel-good hormones etc that would normally help you feel better. It just so happens that getting active doesn’t just help you lose weight or get fitter or stronger, it is also an effective pain reliever. It is therapy for a heap of different things including 26 different chronic diseases including dementia, depression, back pain and cancer (based on lots of solid research). Don’t let pain sideline you. It is real, it isn’t in your head. Pain IS perceived by your head and so we need to listen to pain and take it into account, but not let it control us. Pain does not always equate to damage or the amount of damage, as you know, as we can have pain without any damage. Physical activity is medicine. Your mind and body thrive on even just a little bit of physical activity every day. Shaun Clark is principal physio and director at PhysioSteps Ashburton and Selwyn and has experience at the Commonwealth Games and World Rugby 7s. The team are experts in musculoskeletal pain and injury rehab.
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YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE | Saturday, August 29, 2020
FREE Lime fall
Daltons Premium Strawberry prize pack
W
e have one pack to give away valued at over $70, containing 2 x Daltons Garden Time Strawberry Mix, 1 x Daltons Garden Time Strawberry Fertiliser, 1 x Daltons Organic Bio-Fungicide Powder and a pair of comfortable Red Back gardening gloves from Omni Products www.omniproducts.co.nz.
Be in to win
Email goodies@theguardian.co.nz with Daltons Premium Strawberry prize pack in the subject heading, or write to Premium Strawberry pack giveaway, Box 77, Ashburton. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: • • •
You must provide a gardening question for the Daltons experts to answer. Please include your address and phone number in email and letter options! Giveaway entries must be received by September 4.
For more information on Daltons products visit www.daltons. co.nz
All questions supplied are entered into the draw to win a Daltons prize pack, but the Guardian reserves the right to choose which questions and answers will be published. Daltons post the prize to our lucky winner.
Craig McKenzie is this month’s winner with the following question:
Why does my lime tree flower well, then the tiny limes fall off, whereas my lemon tree has plenty of lemons?
T
here may be a couple of reasons for the fruit fall of your limes, depending on whether the citrus is growing in containers or in the ground, and how old the plants are. In general, limes take longer to commence regular fruiting than other varieties of citrus – sometimes up to five to six years after planting. During this time, they will often flower prolifically, however, small underdeveloped fruit will regularly fall to the ground. With limes in containers/pots, if the plants dry out while the fruit is small, then the fruit will automatically fall from the plant. Lemons, especially Meyer lemons, are somewhat hardier in containers and retain their fruit longer, even if the plant dries out for a short period. Overall, do not despair, fruiting will improve over time as your lime tree matures.
Saturday, August 29, 2020 | YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
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August gardening
epending on the weather in a particular year, August can either feel like the depth of winter or the first hint of spring. Flowering annuals, camellias, rhododendrons and cherry trees brighten up gardens in this cold month. It’s an excellent time for planning your summer garden!
Fruit trees Harvest time for citrus in warm, sheltered sites; late mandarins, lemons, limes, navel oranges and grapefruit. Spray pip and stone fruit trees with a final application of a copper compound before new season growth appears. This will also help prevent the outbreak of fungal diseases in spring. Feijoas can be thinned out now. These trees respond to careful pruning so they will produce more regular crops each year. Named variety feijoas, eg Apollo are cutting grown, producing a more open, large bush. The traditional seedling-grown feijoas have a very dense growth habit. Remove any inward growing branches and where
branches overlap. Maintain the ultimate height of the feijoas at 2.5-3m to allow for easier care of the tree while ensuring more than enough fruit develops.
Bulbs Depending on the weather conditions, many bulbs should now be in full flower. Daffodils, hyacinths, muscari and lachenalias all regularly flower in August. Take note of the best performing varieties in your garden as you might want to plant additional bulbs or lift and divide these bulbs later in the season.
Flowering annuals Winter flowering annuals will still be flowering prolifically, especially cinerarias which are at their absolute best in late winter. Make last plantings of winter flowering annuals that will continue flowering well into spring including alyssum, calendulas, cornflower, hollyhock, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansies, snapdragons, stock, sweetpeas, violas and wallflowers.
Roses
This is the final winter month for planting new season roses. Towards the end of the month, new growth will begin appearing on roses in warmer areas. It’s still too early to apply fertiliser, however, fresh compost can be applied around existing plants.
Vege patch Where the soil is not too wet and can be worked to a fine tilth (very fine texture), sow seeds of beetroot, carrots, onions, radish and spinach. Towards the end of the month, you can begin sowing seeds of summer vegetables in seed raising trays that are in glasshouses or a sheltered porch. This includes beans, cucumber, lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes. Always use fresh, good quality seed mix, it provides all the nutrients growing seedlings need.
Strawberries Young plants are now in active growth. As tempting as it is to leave them, remove
any early flowers as they will not form edible fruit. A light mulch of pea straw or finely crushed bark helps reduce the impact of heavy downpours of rain and keeps the young plants clean and healthy.
Ornamental trees and shrubs Azaleas, camellias, daphnes, early rhododendrons and flowering cherry trees along with other winter flowering species are all at their best in August. Garden centres are well stocked right now with new specimens, so it’s an excellent time to purchase.
Lawns A quiet month in lawn care with little grass growth in August. Note areas that have become excessively wet during winter. Aim to install additional drainage over summer months. For more gardening advice or information on the wide range of Daltons products visit www.daltons.co.nz