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.



Monday, November 28, 2011

No Job!

The job didn't work out they chose the popcorn machine over me!
I was told he wanted to hire me at Liberty Tax Service until I showed up at the interview and he asked if the popcorn would be a problem. During the 8 week tax class I told him about my allergy. I said I can't be in a room where popcorn is being popped. He said thats too bad, he has the popcorn put on as soon as they come in. Its part of their sales. They give free popcorn and sodas. I got up and walked out, and cried all the way home yesterday afternoon, and I am still mad, and depressed. 
I suppose I could have been more proactive, and asked when he called for the interview, if he was going to get rid of the popcorn, or what. I told him they could pop it some where else, and bring it in. They just couldn't pop it in the same room, because I would be breathing in the vapor. He was sorry, but the smell was part of their deal too. I just don't understand that, you can't smell it while driving by. The guy is just ignorant. My dh is going to spread the word not to go there. This is a very small town. We have 1 grocery store, a  Walmart, a Lowes, and a few other small stores, he really shouldn't have sided with popcorn over what could have been his best employee that would have brought in well over 100 new clients.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Its a great day!  Yesterday we found out that Hubby is getting a promotion.  I got a call for a job interview.  He said he does want to hire me!  After 19 months since moving to East TN things are starting to lighten up!  Thank you Lord!

What corn free foods am I having for Thanksgiving dinner?  Prime Rib from the grass feed beef we bought this year.  I scavaged about 2 - 3 cups of broccoli from the garden, and 1 gallon of spinach.  I think I might make some fried onion / garlic quinoa, and some roasted sweet potatoes with sour cream mixed with roasted garlic, green onion powder, kale powder, and salt.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Forks Over Knives

Must see movie: http://www.forksoverknives.com/ You can watch it on netflix.

Glad I am corn allergic. I don't believe I will have the cancer or other problems eating western foods.  My family has had heart problems.  I miss my Grandpa.   He had heart disease that was 15 years ago.  I didn't know what heart disease was.  I didn't know what diabetes was.  I am (glad isn't the word) fortunate that I can learn about many topics on the internet.  I would like to learn how to explain my knowledge so others would understand and want to make a change in for themselves. 

Many of you know my mom is pre-diabetic. I am hoping I can get her to watch this movie.

Its 2011. I found out I was corn allergic in 2005. I am now 45. In 2009 I was put on a diuretic for blood pressure. My low number was in the 90s. For those of you that don't know, if your low pressure is in the 90s, thats very, very bad. In July 2010 I had to full succumb to my corn allergy. I couldn't find food, and didn't realize what I was truely allergic to, therefore like a lot of you reading this I could only eat what I could find that wasn't corn-contaminated. I am not eating flour.   I am eating mostly whole foods.  Quinoa, Whole Millet, and Sweet Potates are my main starch. 

So according to this movie Forks Over Knives we should eat mostly a plant based diet.  My mom has been told not to eat beans.  They are high in starch, which I just learned in the last year is not good for diabetics according to my mom in Atlanta.  If you take out other proteins, according to this movie, aren't legumes ok?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Embroidery Project

Wrote out my saying on paper.  Put it in back of the fabric and traced onto the fabric with pencil.  Embroidered, then pinked the back edge leaving it long enough, so that I could hot glue it to the frame. and covered the frame a fabric ruffle.  I folded the fabric in half inside out.  Surged the seam, turned out and pressed.  Machine sewed a draw string, gathered, hand stitched the ends together to make a circle, adjusted the size and hot glued to the frame.  Then hot glued a lace to cover.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Online purchases taxed by states

I just got a disturbing newsletter from my Senator Lamar Alexander.  He has decided to support legislation to require online retailers to charge and pay states sales tax.  I do not think it is right that a business would have to pay sales to to a state that it doesn't reside. 

Contact your senator and tell them NO!



  Amazon would probably have to file tax papers to all 50 states.  I rely on being able to purchase online because I can't get products locally like shampoo.  It cost more in gas to drive to Knoxville, than it is to buy online.  The local stores don't carry the vitamins that I use.  They will order it for me and charge me extra because they don't regularly carry the item.  They aren't willing to carry an item that they think only I would buy.   

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Radish / Turnip Ferment

Again Erica inspired me.  She made fermented radishes and has been exclaiming how much she likes them.  I just happen to have several radishes and turnips in the garden that I need to do something with.  So Here it is:  Radishes, Turnips, 1/2 cup onion, a few cloves of garlic.  2 tablespoons Morton Canning and Pickling Salt, Water from Houstons Mineral Water  I dissolved the salt in a cup of water, poured it into the jar and filled the jar to the top. (The lid is tilted in the picture to show the marbles in the plastic bag.)

Kristy recommended glass marbles to keep the vegetables submerged.  I put them in a plastic bag.  I purchased some plastic storage lids instead of the metal ones because they rust.  I will be capping this for 2 - 6 days. 

Personal Note:  I am taking the Liberty Tax class, and I am thoroughly brain dead trying to finish the final due next week!  I think the tax return I just did included almost every form imaginable!  Ugh...  I have to say I do like a challenge.  :-)   Then on top of all this......  I am fighting with a new computer.  Having a new computer is great after you finally get it to do what you want it to do, like stay connected to the network!  Another Ugh!  :-)  I don't know how to tell Windows 7 to not look at the other open networks in my neighborhood.  If anyone does please help!!!
Erica, I promise to get back on my embroidery project soon.  :-)  Then I am making napkins and placemats for my gf for Christmas.  Its sometimes hard to stay on task.

Reference:  http://wildfermentation.com/resources.php?page=pickles

Monday, November 7, 2011

Canning beef and broth

I have been saving the bones from my grass feed beef in the freezer.  I cover them with water in my crockpot and cook for 24 - 48 hours.  Then put the liquid in ice cube trays to freeze.   This Wednesday I plan to cut up a few sirloin steaks into stew meat.  I am hoping I have enough broth saved up to can 7 quarts of meat and broth to use as soup or stew stock over winter.

November 10th
I finally got the beef and broth canned today.  It seemed to mess up the whole kitchen and took forever.  I know its going to be worth it. 
My plan is that I could saute onion and garlic, add a jar and some vegetables.  I have frozen broccoli and green beans.  I also have dehydrated patty pan squash.  I also have dehydrated onions.  Then of course I would add salt and pepper, and maybe thyme, or rosemary.  Perhaps I will save a jar or 2 for next year so I can add some home grown white potatoes.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Looking for Winter Projects - Found 1!

My friend Ericka gives me inspiration:  cornfreelifestyle.wordpress.com sewing project

I am in search of winter projects.  I like to sew, stitch, knit, crochet.....  Erica posted her sewing project, I think its awesome.  She referenced an organic cotton fabric site:  Near Naturals  I surfed around on the site and decided to check out their blog:  http://www.nearseanaturals.com/blog/  From there I found this cool project:  http://pinksuedeshoe.com/2010/04/07/a-little-embroidered-love-note/#comment-5913  I love love love this idea.  Now I want to come up with other sayings. 

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