Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know of any stores in Brunswick, Portland or Lewiston that sell the Panasonic 2-pound, bread-making machine. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots was not able to locate a Panasonic brand, bread-making machine in this area. However, it’s possible that our readers may be familiar with places to find that brand. Other brands are available locally. Sears carries a Kenmore 2-pound for $99.99 and Williams-Sonoma Inc., 384 Maine Mall Road, South Portland, carries has a Williams-Sonoma brand, 2-pound stainless steel, bread-making machine for $149.95. You can also order directly from the Panasonic Web site at www.panasonic.com. Click on “consumer products,” then “appliances and building,” then “home appliances” and then “bread makers.”

Dear Sun Spots: What can I use in place of soy sauce? I’m sure there must be a concoction of spices that would have a similar flavor but I have no idea what that might be. Thank you for any help you can offer. – S.C., Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots found the following soy-sauce alternative recipe on the Web:

Bryanna’s soy-free sauce, a wheat-free and soy-free alternative to soy sauce or tamari, makes 1¾ cups.

Important: To replace some of the complex qualities that a good, fermented soy sauce or tamari supplies, try adding wine, broth and/or mushroom broth or concentrate to the dish, in addition to using the soy sauce substitute that follows.

1 cup water, vegetarian broth or mushroom-soaking water

2 tablespoons Marmite or other yeast extract (Vegemite, Vegex)*

2 tablespoons salt

½ cup hot water, vegetarian broth or mushroom-soaking liquid

2 tablespoons soy-free gravy browner

Dissolve the Marmite and salt in the hot liquid, then mix the rest of the ingredients in and store in a covered jar in the refrigerator. This will keep for several weeks. It can be made in a low-salt version, by leaving out the salt but this doesn’t keep very long.

*Yeast extract can be purchased at Axis Natural Foods Limited, 250 Center St., Auburn (207) 782-3348 or at other natural food centers.

Dear Sun Spots: Can vitamin D be absorbed into the body through a glass window? – S.L., Lewiston.

Answer: The following information was found at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Web site.

Vitamin D, cholecalciferol, is manufactured by the skin when it is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Skin pigmentation has an effect on the skin’s production of vitamin D. While a fair-skinned person can meet his or her vitamin D needs by exposing the face and arms to bright sunlight for as little as 45 minutes a week, a person with dark skin may need up to three hours of exposure to get the same benefit. Clouds, smog, clothing, sunscreen and window glass all decrease the amount of sunlight during the winter and supplementation may be necessary. Vitamin D is included in many, if not most, multivitamins. Vitamin D helps the body maintain healthy levels of calcium and phosphorus and is therefore essential for building and maintaining healthy bones.

Dear Sun Spots: I enjoy your column every day and have written a few times before. While making my mother’s chop suey recipe, I came up with a product for you to locate, if possible. The recipe calls for La Choy’s brown gravy sauce which I haven’t been able to find. I tried substitute molasses but it didn’t come out as well. Thanks for your help. – Frances Miller, No Town.

Answer: We hope that Sun Spots readers who buy this product will write the column with information on where this can be purchased.



This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].