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By JANET K. KEELER, Times Staff Writer deconstructing hangover remediesNew Year's Eve is rife with overindulgence of the alcoholic kind. It's likely that more people wake up (or go to bed) Jan. 1 with a hangover than any other day of the year. Of course, you can avoid the queasy stomach and throbbing head if you call it quits before the lampshade goes on your head. But even if you don't drink to the point of stupidity, one glass of red wine more than you're used to can cause trouble the next day. A dietary supplement called Hangover Prevention Formula is expected on the market sometime next year and will cost $25 for 10 capsules. Until then, here are some more pedestrian remedies from the December issue of Real Simple magazine and not one of them involves the hair of the dog that bit you. WATER. Lots of it. It'll clean your system and combat the dehydrating power of alcohol. PEDIALYTE.
Replenishes sugars and fluid-balancing electrolytes, which is what it does for sick children suffering from dehydration. Look for it in the medicine aisle. BLAND CARBOHYDRATES. Mashed potatoes, rice, white bread, bananas absorb any alcohol left in the stomach. They also provide sugar and fight nausea. ALKA-SELTZER MORNING RELIEF. Contains caffeine and aspirin, which offer energy and headache relief. Frequent overindulgers should watch their aspirin intake or they might have more stomach problems. PEPTO-BISMOL.
It won't do anything for the headache but it will ease stomach discomfort, replenish electrolytes and quell heartburn. constant comment"The cocktail party is probably America's greatest contribution to the world of entertaining." -- Martha Stewart. this web site cooksWhy wait for Tuesday to start your new healthy lifestyle when you've got the Blonz Guide to jump start your resolutions today? Ed Blonz, California educator, journalist and nutritionist, has put together this mega-link site that directs viewers to hundreds of government, university and media sites about food and health news. The links to food resources and associations cover everything from the almonds to wine. The Blonz Guide might motivate you to start whittling the 10 pounds you gained this month. cooking classMayonnaise left on the buffet table for more than a couple hours can go bad and make your guests sick. If you're serving a mayo-based dip, just put out a small bowl and replenish it as needed. lucky foodThere are many foods thought to bring good luck if eaten on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Many cultures believe eating something in the shape of a ring brings luck because the ring symbolizes "coming full circle." Does a Jell-O mold count? How about a Krispy Kreme doughnut? In the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring good fortune and they are typically served with pork. The pig is a symbol of prosperity. In Mexico, a spicy stew of hominy and pork called pozole (po-ZO-lee) is commonly served on New Year's Eve. In Norway and Sweden, revelers eat rice pudding to greet the new year and in Venezuela and Cuba, 12 grapes, signifying the months of the year just past, are eaten at midnight. successful toastingSome tips if you're tapped to lead the glass hoisting, courtesy of www.geocities.com. Be prepared and keep it short. One minute is great. Three minutes is maximum. Keep it light, politically correct, complimentary, sincere and tasteful. Tipsy toasts are a no-no. If you've had too much to drink, let someone else do the honors. Don't try to be funny if you're not naturally funny. Avoid the trite, the political, the put-down and the off-color. - Compiled by Janet K. Keeler, from staff and wire reports
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From the Times Taste section From the features wire |
