Sarah Josepha Hale, painted by James Reid Lambdin (1807-1889). Richard’s Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire.

 

 - Northwood, a Tale of New England by Sarah Josepha Hale

 

Sudden fame from the publication of Northwood earned Sarah a position as editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1837. The publication was the most influential women’s magazine of the time period. With Sarah at the helm, the magazine’s subscribers increased from 10,000 to 150,000 by 1860. The magazine featured poetry, engravings and articles by influential American men and women. With Sarah at the helm, Godey’s Lady’s Book tackled more challenging content like social reform and women’s rights. She even went so far as to publish a piece on how corsets could be harmful to a woman’s health.

 

In 1846, Sarah began to campaign for a national Thanksgiving holiday. With trouble brewing between the North and South, Sarah believed that a Civil War could be avoided if there was designated holiday in which all Americans could celebrate the blessings of the nation. Her position as editor of Godey’s served as the perfect platform to spread the word of this new holiday that would be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. She featured stories of family gatherings, editorials, and recipes that promoted the New England style of celebrating Thanksgiving. She also wrote numerous letters to the President of the United States and state governors. The holiday was not adopted before the South seceded from the Union in 1861, but this only caused Sarah to increase her efforts, working harder to help bring the nation back together. Just after the Union’s victory in Gettysburg, Sarah finally caught the attention of President Abraham Lincoln, and her efforts were answered. On October 3, 1863, President Lincoln declared that the last Thursday in November would be recognized as a “national day of Thanksgiving,” with an emphasis on the day being celebrated by all Americans, both in the North and the South. Every president since has followed suit.

 

 

Pour the mashed apples into a mixing bowl and allow to cool. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

 Line 2 pie dishes or pans with the 2 uncooked crusts—I use my All Butter Pie Crust for this dish (recipe can be found on The History Kitchen). Roll the outer edge of the crust over to create a neat ridge at the edge of the pie dish. Scallop the edge, if desired.

Pour half of the apple pudding into each crust to make two puddings.

Place the puddings into the oven and bake for 80-90 minutes, or until the pudding no longer wiggles in the center and is browning in places around the outer edge of the crust.

Err on the side of cooking it longer, rather than shorter—if you undercook the pudding, it will turn out quite mushy.

If the crust is browning faster than the pudding is baking, cover the outer crust edge with a layer of foil, leaving the pudding exposed in the center.When the pudding is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and allow to cool. Decorate the top of the pudding with candied lemon peels

As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America:

 Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author

of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

GERD 101: What You Should Know

 

After dinner you’re experiencing some painful heartburn, it almost feels like a burning in your chest. You start to feel some regurgitation. This might sound all so familiar if you find yourself suffering from GERD. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “GERD happens when a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly, thus allowing stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it.” GERD affects up to 1 in 5 or more of adult men and women in the United States, but many times the disease goes unrecognized.

 

What symptoms are associated with GERD?

 Sensation of food stuck in the throat

 Feeling like you are choking or like your throat is tight

 Acidic or sour taste in the mouth (acid indigestion)

 Difficult or painful swallowing

 Chest pain.

 

So, what can you do to ease the symptoms or get rid of GERD all together? According to Dr. J. Robert Evans, a Gastroenterologist and Heartburn Surgeon, “Treatment is usually aimed at reducing the acid. Antacids such as TUMS, Rolaids and Mylanta neutralize acid. H2Ras such as ranitidine decrease acid production.” Dr. Evans notes that, “Stopping reflux may require surgery to tighten the lower esophagus, or non-surgical techniques such as TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication).”

 

According to Rebekah Langford, RD, CDN, a clinical dietitian who works at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, “those suffering from GERD may be get great relief out of knowing that symptoms can be greatly alleviated by simply changing the food one eats. Below are her recommendations:

 

What Foods Should I Avoid to Eliminate GERD Symptoms?

 Peppermint/spearmint

 Chocolate

 Alcohol

 Caffeinated beverages

 High fat foods, including: 2%/whole mile, cream, high-fat cheeses, high-fat yogurts

 Fried meats, bacon, sausage, salami bologna, hot dogs

 Other friend foods such as donuts, French fries, etc.

 

What Foods Should I Include in my GERD Diet?

 Switch to low-fat/fat-free dairy products

 Purchase lean meats, poultry and fish

 Any grains without added fat

 Fibrous fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes

 Limit fat intake to 8 teaspoons a fat a day

 

“It’s important if you suffer from GERD to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which will aid in improving your GERD symptoms”, says Langford. Langford suggests after eating remain upright for at least 2 hours before lying down or reclining. Losing weight, even just 5 pounds, can also dramatically reduce the severity of your symptoms.