Mother’s Day, Hot Milk Cake and Genetics

Mother’s Day, Hot Milk Cake and Genetics

This Mother’s Day, I honor my maternal heritage: I am Connie Lee, daughter of Jimmie Dee, daughter of Jimmie Corrine, daughter of Minnie Mae; mother of Jade Lee-Mei.

5 generations

I inherited my grandmother’s love of baking, and I have her handwritten dessert recipes. I feel a connection to my maternal lineage when I bake from her old, brittle recipes even though she passed away when I was a young girl. I have her china and silverware, which I treasure and serve her cakes on.

hot-milk-cake

The genetics that flow through me include more than a love of baking. Some conditions, like cancer, can have a genetic connection. That is why it is important to know your genetic history. This Mother’s Day, if your family gathers to celebrate the wonderful women in your life, find out your family’s medical genetic history. Here is a link to a family cancer history form that is from Dartmouth that you are free to download and use. 

Woman’s genetic counselors can help you understand your genetic risks for certain diseases, such as cancer.  Genetic counseling can lead to the earliest detection of diseases. If you are concerned about diseases that run in your family, talk to you doctor about genetic counseling.

I share this favorite recipe I inherited from my grandmother.

sliceMaw Maw’s Hot Milk Cake

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 stick margarine (I use butter)
1 cup milk

 

Directions: Beat eggs, add sugar. Sift four and baking powder, add to mixture. Add vanilla. Heat milk and butter. Add last. Put in greased and floured tube pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done.

This makes a very moist cake. The texture is slightly sticky. Enjoy. Goes well with vanilla ice cream, a good cup of strong coffee and family.

________________________

I’m the Living with Cancer blog editor. My name is Connie and I work in Woman’s Marketing Department. Follow this blog and our posts will arrive in your email.

We are always looking for stories related to your cancer journey. If cancer has touched your life and you would like to write about your story, let me know. Email me at webmaster@womans.org

Leave a Reply