Finding out you have a food allergy can be devastating.

Finding out you have a food allergy can be devastating. I think my first thought was, "What does that mean?" You ask your doctor and he says just avoid that food. It's just a skin test. They aren't entirely accurate.

I am going to attempt to give you ideas and recipes on how to avoid corn. It can be quite the challenge.

Sorry that my blog is evolving into a little bit of everything in life.



Saturday, September 18, 2010

September 17 Shopping

My husband went with me shopping yesterday.  I had a really good time.  I don't think he will go again.  We went to the farmers market.  There were more vendors there than the 1st time that I went.  I think because it's cooler now.  I checked out the Kroger.  OMG  It's the biggest Kroger I have ever been in.  It's almost as big as a costco, but it is really a Kroger.  They have all kinds of specialty items for all ethnics.  I went to check it out because I found on the internet they carry Kosher food.  They really do and I saw a lot of Jewish people in the store.  So I am expecting them to have the KFP items in Feb or Mar.   Yeah!!!!  If I can just make it through the winter!  So there was a hydropontic gardener at the farmers market!  Neat!  I got spinach, swiss chard, green onions, and they gave me the fresh rosemary!  From another vendor I got fresh unwashed green beans with no pesticides!  Also, butternut squash, and yellow summer squash.  I am trying some NY steaks from the grass feed beef guy.  I am excited to get food.  It's a long trip so I don't go but every couple of weeks after my husband gets paid.  I got Redmond salt, and it doesn't bother me!  All the other salts I have tried haven't worked.  I will be sending a lot of food home with my mom.  She likes that idea. 
I took my empty glass Circo Vodka bottle to Earthfare.  I had them weigh it before I got some of their bulk unfiltered apple cider vinegar to try.   I noticed the bulk tea I have been using without a problem comes from Frontier.  I used some jelly jars for the tea instead of their bags.  I got Earthfare eggs.  They didn't seem to bother me when I got them before.  I am trying another fair trade bulk coffee.  I used another jelly jar for that. 
I canned 15 pints of pinto beans yesterday before we left.  They have to cook for 75 minutes!  I know it's going to be worth it.  I will be able to open a can of ready to eat food!!!!  yeah!
Thanks for everyone's support!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Doctors don't always know corn derivatives

When you go to the DR they are suppose to fix you, so you can go on like every one else! Yes this sucks! :-)
I hate hearing the commercials about the new beverage: creamy, double, mocha, latte, split, icy, grande, fruit, smoothe, expresso, ice cream, iced coffee, dream! Yeah it's in our dreams! What the heck! I haven't had a commercially made food it 20 years. You can ask my kids! I make everything from scratch: bread, pancakes, waffles, crepes, cakes, cookies. Haven't been able to eat anything with whey or milk in 20 years. No bakery or milk items. Now I think the lactose intolerance has been corn related. Perhaps I can make real ice cream after 20 years. I resently have been able to tolerate real butter in small quantities. We'll see.
I can't be a food taste tester!

Kosher For Passover

I took the below information from this web site.  http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=101 It's very interesting. They say to look for KFP foods in February - March. Hope I can find them in my area.  If you have an online resource please post.

Some things to be aware of:
  • Kosher labeling in general cannot be used as a guide to determine whether a product does or does not contain milk.¹
  • Kosher for Passover does not mean "milk-free" or "safe for your child". 
  • Kosher labeling does not address cross contamination issues, therefore it's possible that traces of allergens may be in Kosher foods, just like any other manufactured foods. As always, be sure to read the ingredient statement on every item purchased and contact the manufacturers to determine its safety just like any other food you would buy.
  • Kosher for Passover foods often contain eggs and nuts. In fact, eggs and nuts abound during Passover.
  • If you do want to purchase Kosher for Passover foods, shop early and go often as the availability varies in the weeks leading up to Passover.
  • Do not confuse the "P" in Kosher for Passover for "parve" which means "neither meat nor milk". For instance, a product labeled OUP doesn't mean 'Parve', it means "for Passover consumption" and it still may be dairy. Parve foods are available year 'round but may or may not be Kosher for Passover. Be careful when reading labels; at least one Kosher certifying agency uses the symbol "P" as parve, not Passover, which can cause further confusion.
  • Many Kosher for Passover products contain potato derivatives such as potato starch and/or potato syrup which are used to replace the corn syrup or corn starch in the ingredients. Oils are generally replaced with cottonseed oil.
  • Some of these items are available year ‘round though most are not. Some ketchups, soups and sugars are sold Kosher for Passover throughout the year, for instance.
  • Kosher for Passover foods are not inexpensive. The prices may be as much as double or more the cost of comparable groceries. Be sure to factor that into your budget when stocking up.
  • Kosher for Passover foods are not health foods. They often contain sugars and hydrogenated oils. There is often little nutritional value compared to its usual non-Kosher for Passover counterpart. Make sure that you are comfortable with the nutritional labeling for any product you purchase.
What foods should I stock up on before Passover?
  • Kosher for Passover foods that KFA members have found helpful include:
  • Margarine (made without dairy, and soy and corn)
  • Chocolate chips (made without milk or soy)
  • Whipped topping (made without dairy, and soy and corn)
  • Flavored syrups, including vanilla, chocolate black cherry, strawberry and raspberry (made without corn)
  • Potato crisps
  • Coating mix for baked chicken
  • Bullion
  • Soup/dip mix
  • Candy (made without corn)
  • Bubble gum (made without corn)
  • Marshmallows (made without corn and soy; but made with egg white or fish gelatin)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Fruit leather
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Olive oil cooking spray (made without soy lecithin)
  • Soda (made without corn)
  • Gelatin (made from egg or fish or non-animal-based vegan sources)
  • Pudding mix
  • Corned beef
  • Pastrami
  • Hot dogs (soy- free)
  • Chocolate syrup (made without dairy, and soy and corn)
  • Coca-Cola and other sodas (uses cane sugar and is made without corn)
  • Fruit snacks
  • Cottonseed oil
  • Cake mixes (wheat-based cake mixes that are made without dairy and corn)
  • Duck sauce
  • Chocolate spread (made without dairy, and soy and corn)
  • Artificial mustard (made without mustard seed)
  • Frozen foods, like frozen latkes (potato pancakes) (made without dairy, soy, egg and corn)
  • Ice cream (dairy and non-dairy alternatives), sherbets and popsicles.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Don't get corned by your facial tissue!

Use a handkerchief.  I bought fabric at Wal-mart.  Wash it maybe twice it has corn starch in it.  Measured to cut into squares and did a rolled him on my surger.  They are 20" square because I was going off the size of the fabric and didn't want to waste any.  They are a bit big.  I will make them smaller when I make more.  They are also useful to have in your purse.  I went to the post office to pick up my mail.  I know there was something on the envelope.  I touched my face and was ichy.  I wet the corner of my hankie and cleaned my self up.  You can also use them to dry your hands on after using a public bathroom.  Watch out for the soap in the public bathroom.  I am finding not to have a problem with the large rolls of toilet paper in the public restrooms.  I think it is mainly made by Georgia Pacific the makers of Northern.

How does an ingredient get removed during manufacturing?

I was wandering around http://www.cornallergyadvocate.com/ when I came across this article about Amy's Macaroni and Cheese.  I had to share my comment!

Love your site! I am laughing about your Amy’s article. I just can’t help it. It seems every company has the same reponse.
“If some corn ingredient was used somewhere in the processing
of an ingredient and it was not labeled, it is because the
use level is very low (considered incidental) and could have
been removed during the manufacture of the ingredient.”

I can’t even imagine how an ingredient could even possibly jump out of a boiling pan of water! Or how when I baked the cake the fruit in it disappeared. Perhaps their comment is beyond my knowledge. Some how I don’t think so, because when I ingest your product I get a reaction.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Yes I get paranoid about food and ingredients!

It's just not fun getting into something that’s going to make you feel yucky for even a few minutes, hours, or to feel bad for days, or to have to go to the hospital! The hospital cost money! If you use your Epi-pen that cost money too and if you use it you also have the hospital bill too. I hate the paranoid scared feeling. You can't exactly explain it to your family, friends, or co-workers, if you’re lucky like me your spouse eventually understands. The other day I got a prescription refill and it was different. I had to call the pharmacist. He got on the phone and he called me by my first name. I told him it didn't say shake well, like the last one, but I had shaken it. It tasted different. He reassured me it was ok, and apologized for it not saying to shake it. I think that's bad. Yes I get very paranoid especially when it has ingredients that I can't see, or know, or understand. I don’t always know what my reaction will be like and I just don't want to be sick. It just doesn’t work for me.

Rosemary.. What does it cost in the store? $4 for a little jar.

Well it's a very prolific plant.


Once it’s established it will pretty much grow without any problems. If the plant gets to large just cut it back with a few green sprigs left, if needed. To use it just cut a few sprigs. Rinse the dust off with water, stripe the leaves off. Use whole or chop. I sometimes chop a bunch and dry it on the counter and put in a jar. I use it mainly to season chicken, but it’s good in Italian tomato dishes as well.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Quinoa (keen-wah) Pilaf

Tried Quinoa (keen-wah) finally!  Had to look up the pronunciation there's an "o".  Like the weather NOAA.

Cook the Quinoa.  1/2 cup Quiona (rinsed in mesh strainer), 1 cup water ~ Cover, bring to a boil reduce to simmer 10 - 15 minutes.  About 11 or 12 minutes.

Chop 1/3 cup onion, 1/4 cup bell pepper, 1/3 cup carrot, 1 clove minced garlic ~ Saute in olive oil.  Mix into quinoa add salt and pepper to taste.  

I had this with my fresh catfish
Coat fish with brown rice flour and salt, and fry in olive oil.  10 mins per inch.


Get a strainer!  It's one of the most used items in my kitchen.  Always rinse your rice before you cook it.  It removes starch that causes the rice to stick together. 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Chili - my non allerigic husband liked!

Brown:  1lb ground beef, 1 chopped large onion, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 3 - 4 minced garlic cloves
Add:  1 cup beans(kidney, pinto), 1 cup cooked brown rice, ½ - 1 cup liquid (bean liquid or water), 1 T pepper, 2 tsp oregano, 3 tsp basil, 1 – 2 T unfiltered organic cider vinegar, salt to taste
Simmer to desired consistency, or add water as needed.

Applesauce is easy

Peel, and core any apple.  If you use green or tart apples you will need to add sugar.  Put in pan, water in the bottom.  As the apples cook down and the sauce becomes thicker, add more water as needed to get the right consistancy.  I use a potato masher to break down the apples.  If you want a smoother sauce use a hand blender right in the pan.  Or you can transfer the sauce into a food processor or blender to get the consistency you prefer.  Taste.  Add sugar for sweeter sauce.  I also add cinnamon. 

Can or freeze it.  I prefer canning.  I use pint jars. Clean jars in the dishwasher with the dry cycle on to heat the jars.  My dish washer has a dial, so as the dishwasher completes I turn the dry cycle back on until I am ready to use the jars.  You can also boil the jars in a canner.  Put the hot sauce in the jars. Leave about 1/2 inch head room.  I slightly heat my seals in a pan of water one at a time.  Put on jar with ring.  Set aside on a towel to cool.  You will hear the seals pop as it cools.  Make sure all seals compress down.  

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Yes you can make bread in 1 hour

It's difficult to find bread without corn.  It's easy to make your own.  Bread makers are about $40, and they now have a 1 hour setting!  Recipe:  Make sure the blade is in the bottom of the pan.  Add: 1 cup warm water, 2 Tablespoons Sugar, 2 Tablespoons oil, 2 Tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 cups King Arthur unbleached flour, make a dip in the flour and add 2 packs of red star yeast.  Put in bread maker and select the 1 hour 1.5 lb loaf setting.  Take out of the maker when it's done.  Shake the loaf out of the pan to cool.  You don't have to get the beating paddle out of the bread right away.  If it's late sometime I put the loaf in the oven to cool and get it out in the morning.  Problems:  If it sinks in the middle: too wet - reduce the water or better pack your flour in the measuring cup.  If the bread doesn't seem to be rounded on top add a couple tablespoons water.
The bread slices better if it's refrigerated.  I slice in half top to bottom across the long side of the loaf.  Then lay the cut side down and cut into slices.  If you cut half the loaf at a time it's easier to use, but it tends to dry the bread out faster.  Keep in a zip lock in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 days.  You can also freeze it.  Toast the bread it stays together better.  Cook yourself a chicken breast or steak.  Slice and you have a sandwich.  Fried egg, cheese, meatloaf and what ever you can think of.

More bread maker stuff

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