SOUTHERN LIVING USA

1 opossum (about 2 1/2 pounds)
2 1/2 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
Flour
1/2 cup water
4 medium sweet potatoes
2 tbsp. sugar

Trim excess fat from opossum and discard. Wash quickly inside and out with warm water; drain thoroughly. Rub salt and pepper well into the opossum inside and out. Sprinkle inside and out with flour. Lay the opossum on its back in a roasting pan.

Add water, cover and bake in 350 degree F. oven until about half done (45 - 60 minutes). Split peeled potatoes in half lengthwise and place in pan around opossum. Add more water if needed. Cover sliced potatoes and opossum and cook 30 more minutes

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:

“When eating opossum, it’s always a good idea to eat in pairs. That way one of the two can always be watching for traffic.”

Opossum should be handled in accordance with the general rules for game in the field. The blood should be drained and the entrails removed. The body cavity should be wiped clean. When hung for 48 hours, they are ready to be skinned and cooked.

Opossum meat is light colored and tender. Excess fat may be removed, but there is not a strong flavor or odor contained in the fat. Chill to firm up fat for easy removal.

If possible, trap ‘possum and feed it on milk and cereals for 10 days before killing. Clean, but do not skin. Treat as for pig by immersing the unskinned animal in water just below the boiling point. Test frequently by plucking at the hair. When it slips out readily, remove the ‘possum from the water and scrape. While scraping repeatedly, pour cool water over the surface of the animal. Remove small red glands in small of back and under each foreleg between the shoulder and rib.

Who among us haven’t bolted straight up in the night, awakened by a sudden and terrible burning sensation in the pit of your stomach? Whether you indulged in some overly spicy chili, or overdid it on those late-night leftovers, these quick heartburn remedies can soothe your fiery stomach and help you get back to a good night’s sleep!

1. The first thing you’ll want to do when you’re awakened by heartburn pain, is to stand up. This helps keep the acid at bay while you go and get a full glass of cool water.

2. Drink the whole glass of water, and follow it with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and half a glass of water. Be careful though, if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant, this can cause water retention or increase your blood pressure.

3. DON’T drink milk or suck on mints to relieve heartburn. Milk might feel nice and cool going down, but it actually contains fats and proteins that cause your stomach to secrete MORE acid, and make your heartburn even worse! Mints, while they may feel soothing, actually relaxes the small valve between your esophagus and stomach, whose purpose it is to actually KEEP acid at bay! When this valve is relaxed, more acid can seep up and aggravate heartburn symptoms!

4. This is going to sound strange, but downing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can help soothe heartburn immediately! Why give your stomach MORE acid when it already seems to have enough, you ask? Sometimes, heartburn is caused as a result of too little acid, and vinegar helps quell indigestion by giving your stomach a little extra “juice” (no pun intended!) to do its job!

5. Certain foods can cause nighttime heartburn, including: soda or beverages with caffeine (which you shouldn’t drink before bed anyway!), alcohol, garlic, chocolate (sorry), citrus fruits, tomatoes and tomato-based products. Avoiding these types of food can help ease your indigestion if you frequently find yourself awakened with that intolerable burning!

6. Eating a banana each day works as an antacid to soothe heartburn. If you’re already stricken with indigestion, eating pineapple or papaya (or drinking the juice) can help settle your stomach naturally. Some people also claim that eating a teaspoon of mustard (ick!) can work immediately.

7. Avoid eating at least two hours before you go to sleep. Those late night snacks can keep your stomach busy all night and prevent you from easing into a deep, restful sleep. You may also find that sleeping on your left side or sleeping at a somewhat upright angle can keep acid down where it belongs.

If you are awakened by heartburn on a regular basis, or the pain is severe, or if you have heartburn with vomiting, you should consult your doctor immediately, as it may be a sign of a more serious condition… such as an ulcer. Above all, avoid spicy, fatty and caffeine-containing foods before bed, and you should be able to drift off to sleep pretty easily.

Pleasant dreams!