Whiteley Creek Homestead

For three days, Dick has been feeling a bit under the weather… that phrase could be the topic of a blog post… its origins… why it means not feeling well. We think his malaise is from a tick bite. It wasn't a deer tick that causes the bacterial infection Lyme Disease, but we have learned that regular ticks sometimes cause achiness, headache, and diarrhea, too. His appetite has been slim to nothing, but this morning he thought he felt like eating a little something. I asked him what he'd like and, without hesitation, he blurted out, "Tapioca pudding." I can't even remember the last time we had tapioca pudding. He never requests it. We don't eat it when we go out. All I could respond was, "You want what?? Where did that come from?!" Surprisingly, I had just purchased a bag of tapioca granules (quick cooking tapioca) to have on hand for thickening peach crisp that I make with fresh or frozen peaches during the summer. I sat down at my computer to find a tapioca pudding recipe. I chose one from chefmd.com because its ingredients included coconut milk, banana, and nuts… an added boost to the pudding's nutritional quotient. As it cooked, I researched the source and nutritional value of tapioca. Now I understand why Dick asked for tapioca pudding… or rather his body was asking for it. According to www.magazine.ayurvediccure.com, tapioca is a root vegetable like a potato. It is low in nutritional value, as the presence of essential vitamins and minerals is minimal. However, it is easily digestible, so it is stomach-friendly. It is a brilliant source of starch and thereby supplies energy. The tapioca pudding didn't place stress on Dick's digestive system and it supplied energy in Dick's weakened condition. Our body knows what it needs. We just need to listen and respond. If he isn't feeling markedly better in the a.m., I'm taking him to the doc for some antibiotics. Update: Doc wasn't sure that a tick caused his issues, but he does have a red area near the bite, so he prescribed antibiotics. The pharmacist recommended consuming yogurt and kefir to provide the digestive tract with beneficial flora that is wiped out along with the bad when taking antibiotics. I put my stamp of approval on that. He's on the mend. All is well once again. (Note: Scientists say that the cassava plant, from which tapioca is derived, may help cure cancer.)

 
 
Coconut Tapioca Pudding

Serves 4.

1-14 oz can light unsweetened coconut milk

¾ cup milk of your choice (e.g., almond, cow/goat milk, soy, rice)

¼ cup quick cooking tapioca

1/8 tsp salt

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 ripe bananas, sliced lengthwise in half and crosswise into ½ inch chunks

¼ cup chopped nuts (e.g., raw almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts)

In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, milk, tapioca, and salt. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring once in a while, until mixture just begins to thicken. Mixture will be thin. Remove from heat; stir in sugar until melted. After mixture has cooled and thickened, stir in bananas or garnish along with chopped nuts.