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, December 1, 2012

Corn Free Baking Powder

There is corn starch in traditional baking powder, and beside I think they charge to much.  Here's my recipe.

I use Arm & Hammer baking soda. When I was first starting with this I used vinegar as my acid. I am now using Mc Cormick or Frontier cream of tartar. 1 tsp baking powder is basically 1/4 teaspoon baking soda to 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar. If you are using vinegar instead add about 1 teaspoon and just stir in at the end of the recipe. I found I needed to add a bit of sugar to counter the vinegar.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Drying Celery

I grew celery for the first time. I dehydrated it. Chop off white bottoms. Cut into 6 inch pieces. Blanch 1 minute. Chop into 1/4 inch pieces. Dry between 115 - 135. I dried the leaves not blanched. I read a suggestion to just freeze the leaves, but they were really big, so I dried them.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Finding corn free food - Tree Squirrel

My first tree squirrel first shot to the head! I guarantee it's corn free!

Beef Sausage

I just added this to my recipe page along with Kristy's recipe of livingitupcornfree
Ground Beef
In my coffee spice only grinder I powdered dry Sage, Fennel Seed, Rosemary, Oregano. Add Salt, Powdered or minced Onion, minced Garlic, 1/4 cup water. Mix together and refrigerate over night.
I use McCormick Fennel seed, Real Salt. Home Grown: Powdered green onion, garlic, sage, rosemary, and oregano. These spices are pretty easy to grow.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

No Longer a Consumer of Ready to Eat Food!

Just wondering what it would be like to post a screen shot of my Facebook post.

Fruit Leather and Apple Chips

I've been making apple chips and apple sauce. I have 9 trays for my Nesco Professional Dehydrator. I can dry about 7 apples at a time. It takes around 12 hours to dry apples about 1/4 inch thick. I use the medium blade on my mandolin. I have left over applesauce from last year. I found that I can make fruit leather with it. I only have 2 fruit leather trays. I start drying the apples after a couple hours the apples have shrunk enough that I can rearrange the trays to gain 2 empty trays. I put the fruit leather insert on them and 1 pint of apples sauce fits per tray. I let it dry over night and then have wonderful fruit leather and didn't waste any food!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Acetaminophen is bad

I only use BC powder, not Goody's, I avoid acetaminophen, acetaminophen is bad for your liver. Its deadly if you overdose. I've known how bad acetaminophen was over 20 years ago. I avoid it at all cost because I've known someone that died by OD, but she only wanted to scare her husband.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol_toxicity
Paracetamol toxicity is caused by excessive use or overdose of the analgesic drug paracetamol (called acetaminophen in North America). Mainly causing liver injury, paracetamol toxicity is one of the most common causes of poisoning worldwide. In the United States and the United Kingdom it is the most common cause of acute liver failure.[1][2]

Monday, May 14, 2012

Processing Cornish Cross Chickens

We processed the 6 cornish cross chickens on Saturday.  It took about 3 hours.  We also processed Crockpot the rooster.  He's a year old.  His skin was tough.  I may have to cook him 24 hours to be able to eat him. 

The Cornish Cross Chickens at 8 weeks.  No official weight, but I would say close to 10 pounds.  Glad we got them done because its been raining ever since and there would have been no way we could have gotten them dry.  It rained all day yesterday, today, and its suppose to rain most of tomorrow.  We would have probably had to put a tarp over the cage shown below as well as added some shavings and straw to get them dry.  Thank goodness they are in the freezer instead!  :-)

First they are placed in the restraining cone, so they will drain properly.  We tape the legs together.  If you have trees you could tie their feet and hang them in a tree.  With a sharp knive, cut the juggler vein on each side of the neck.

Missing a picture of the large canner pot on the camp stove heated to 150 degrees.  The chicken is scalded for 50 seconds or until the feather pull out easily.  Then pluck.  We set the chickens on the end of the table next to the garbage can to pluck them.   

Chill after they are plucked, then cut off the head and loosen the throat and crop so you can pull it down through the carcass.  Pinch and cut a hole in the body cavity above the rectom.  Gently loose the insides, pull out and then cut around the rectum.  Cut the gland off that is on top of the tail.

This is what you end up with.
 Its bigger than my large stock pot!
We chilled them in an ice chest overnight covered with ice, and blocks of ice that we previously froze.  The next day we put them in the freezer.  It took several hours for them to fully freeze.  For these 7 chickens we had about 4 - 6 ice blocks.  I froze water in a large plastic container and emptied into a grocery bag.  This took a week or so.  You must plan ahead.  We also had several quart sized milk jugs with ice frozen in them.  I also saved the ice out of my inside frige ice maker several times.  Ziploc has 2 gallon size bags, which is what I used to freeze these giant birds.



Thursday, May 10, 2012

No More Tummy Issues

My DH went on an overnighter for work and then had a stomach bug. I realized that I haven't had a stomach bug for quit sometime. I'm guessing because I don't eat out. You never know what your going to get from pre-made food. I'm really feeling sorry for him, but glad its not me.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Grass Feed Beef 735 lbs

Grass feed beef went to the butcher! Will let you know how much meat I get out of that and how long it last the 2 of us.

The butcher said dressed out the meat is 305 lbs. It will age 11 days, and be cut up on Monday, May 21st. It will be cut up 1st of the day before any other meat touches the saws or grinders. That way it won't be contaminated by any other meat. It is totally grass feed!!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Meat Birds

The meat birds are now 5 weeks. We put the outside now that the weather is nicer. It was great to have the garage back!



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Ducks are out!!

The mallards are 4 going on 5 weeks. I love them, but tired of cleaning their inside cage now twice a day. They are out in their pen. DH and I put them into their doghouse for about 10 minutes. Other than that they need to figure out how to get out of the elements. I am installing a tarp for shade. Today it was 78 tonight it's suppose to be 55. They should figure out if they should get in their dog house.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Late April 22 cold

Got strawberries ripening. Covered and artichoke!!! Plus a couple squash plants. Hopefully the okra will make it. The tomatoes and peppers are in the house. Space heater is keeping the living room above 70. The basement with 1 month ducks and meat birds is below 60.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Chicken and Duck Update

The Cornish Cross Meat birds at 4 weeks.  At least I think its 4 weeks.  We bought 6 of them from Tractor Supply.  This is a trial run.  At 2 weeks I had problems with 3 of them not being able to stand.  I cut back their food.  They get just enough to fill their gullets in the AM, and PM.  They general eat for 10 minutes.  I watch and adjust the amount of food as needed.  Generally I watch their gullets and give them just enough.  At noon I give them a bit more.  This approach has been working great for a small flock of 6.  Don't know if we'll try for the large 25 flock.  I am feeling better about them than I did 2 weeks ago.  So we generally have 2 to 5 weeks for processing.   We are just going to keep this up until they look like they have had enough of life.  They cannot sustain life due do to the amount of body growth.  They get to large to stand any length of time. 





This is their cage in the garage.  It is getting ready for its daily cleaning while they go swimming.  There's a video at the bottom of the page of them swimming.

You can see my dog is very curious of the ducks.

We are going to put in a temporary fence post cage this weekend out back for them.

Mallards went swimming yesterday

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Cornish Cross Meat Bird Update

Wow its only been 2 weeks! 
I read several articles on how to raise these stupid birds. Now 2 weeks later 2 of them have leg problems. They can't even stand. Apparently it’s because their bodies are growing faster than their bones. I guess I fed them too much. I have cut back on their food. This morning it looks like I might have a third bird with leg problems too. My husband and I decided that we won't ever raise these stupid birds again. We will get some fertile barred rock eggs and incubate them ourselves. Barred Rocks are a good sturdy meat and egg bird. We will raise about a dozen and cull the flock for meat chickens as needed just like in the old days. When we want a chicken for dinner we'll got out to the yard and get a fresh one. I will update on the progress of the cornish cross birds. After reading a few more articles on what to do with birds with bad legs, we will process them early if they have any further problems getting around, so far they are can waddle over to the food and water.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Eating my ducks? Yes!

I just wanted to encourage others to think about raising your own food. I have chickens for eggs, and roosters are meat. We currently have a rooster called "Crockpot". DH named him. :-)

We got 4 mallard ducks, and 6 Cornish cross meat chickens. I think anyone could raise a few meat chickens even in town because you process them at 6 - 10 weeks. By the time the neighbors complain, they will be gone. :-) Here are my postings.


I have been teased about the ducks. I think they are really cute, but I keep reminding myself food is hard to come by when you’re allergic to corn. I don't want more pets. I don't want to take care of them over freezing winter. I want meat. So they fly, and I will have to clip their wings or they will fly into my neighbor’s yard. If you know me, you will know that I already have problems with my neighbor, so I am guessing that she will call on my ducks a couple of times over the summer. It might be an interesting summer. I don't think that I can get into trouble because I can't control my birds. The home owner would have to sue me and for what? I am a responsible owner. I will know if they go over the fence. Nevertheless, I have seen their exterminator sprinkling mouse poison around their inter-fence; therefore I will be sure if my ducks go over the fence I will get quick control over them. I have been working with them every day this week to get them to know me. I am sure I will have my food following me around my yard before times up. :-)

I posted this to delphi 3/29/2012: http://forums.delphiforums.com/avoidingcorn/messages?msg=11873.1

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Dealing with Corn Allergy Daily

I was recently asked to write about what its like living with corn allergy.  Here's is the letter I submitted:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found it is nearly impossible to find food at any grocery store.  I order my staples online.  It cost just as much as going to the retail health food stores, and I don’t have to drive over 30 miles, however I haven’t been successful in finding meat.  I found someone to buy a live cow from.  They take it to a local non-USDA processor, which is willing to process it without the use of any chemicals or cleaners.  I have my own chickens for eggs, and meat.  I am currently raising 4 ducks and 6 meat chickens.  I am lucky that the corn feed doesn’t seem to bother me as it does others. 
I am growing my own garden for produce.  It is much cheaper than going to the seasonal farmers market.  This year I am planning on selling my extras at the farmers market, and perhaps being able to exchange produce with other vendors.  Most all produce at the retail establishments are washed with corn based citric acid, which leaches into the produce. 
Most all cleaning products are off limits, including laundry soap, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, lotion, and medications.  Going out to eat is impossible because even salt is contaminated.  Visiting friends and relatives is nearly impossible, partially because they don’t understand or don’t want to understand how total life encompassing this allergy is.  I find it nearly impossible to even go back to work.  I have to always be prepared with food.  Right now I am about out of beef, so my main stay meat is turkey hot dogs, which some people can’t tolerate.  They seem to be ok for me at the moment.  I eat so little that I have to eat at least every 4 hours, because my blood sugar drops.
All in all I have to say I am healthier than ever.  I am off blood pressure, and daily allergy meds.  I think this is especially trying for my spouse.   I know he use to like going out for breakfast.  He has sacrificed a lot for me. 
You can find out more about me on my blog:  http://cornallergyaid.blogspot.com/  My blog has more than corn allergy, it has information on living, and finding food too.   

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Duck Update

You will notice in the first picture of my ducks they were on shavings. WRONG! After a couple of days I finally decided to check online how to raise ducks.  It’s kind of the cart before the horse. I found out that you should use towels, blankets, or straw. They can eat the shavings, which can cause them to choke or become obstructed.  I chose towels, since I have a bunch of old beach towels.  I also thought it might be more earth friendly, and cheaper to repurpose than it was to buy straw.  I cut the towels in thirds, and surged the edges.  Each morning I remove the soiled towels, place them in a bucket, and hose them off in the yard.  I am hoping for greener grass.  I have enough towels for a couple days.  Every other day I wash the soiled towels with a bit of bleach.

During my reading, I also found out that the cage wire can be painful on their feet.  I remembered that I had an old shower curtain, and that the plastic would be heavy enough not to be a hazard to my ducks.  I cut 2 squares to fit into the cage bottom.   This gives me one replacement, which I change out when the first gets soiled enough that I can’t just wipe it down.  I cut a hole in the plastic under the waterer, so the excess water drains into a bucket below.  They really like playing in the water. They also need it to help swallow their food.

Then after a week I purchased a feeder that hangs on the side of the cage. It holds more than the lids that I was using, and isn't as messy.

I also read that they like grass. After mowing the lawn I gave them some grass clippings. They really loved the grass clippings.  I also mashed up a hardboiled egg with the shell on as I also discovered in my reading.  They like them both.  The grass clipping see to be a bit of a problem.  I can’t seem to get them all out of the towels.  I am guessing I will have grass in my washer and dryer for a bit.  I am thinking perhaps if I wash jeans after the duck towels perhaps some of the grass with come out with the jeans.  I won't want grass in my shirts or underwear.  J 

Cornish Cross Chickens
Just wanted to add that they get food during the day and are taken off at night for 12 hours.  Otherwise they will eat too much and their bodies will grow faster than their bones.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

First Salad Greens of 2012

Fresh picked red leaf lettuce and kale for the first salad from the 2012 garden.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Ducks and Cornish Cross Chickens

Today we bought 4 mallard ducks (I don't recommend mallards. Peking are meat ducks). We also got 6 Cornish cross meat chickens. The chickens are suppose to be ready in 6 weeks. Don't know about the ducks. I am excited that I'll have a meat choice.

I should comment that I have an 800 pound steer named T-Bone will go to slaughter in May. I also have a rooster named Crockpot. He'll get processed when dh feels he's ready. Yeah for some fresh cornfree meat!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Kale growing for a year

I am sure my kale will bolt with this warm weather, but the chicken's are still enjoying it until then. I think it looks
a little pre- historic. :). For the last 6 months everyone asks me what it is. It looks like little trees. After pulling the branches off through out the year this is what it looks like.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

First Signs of Spring

I'd add a picture of my lettuce sprouts popping up, but you can't see them in the picture. I also saw a few spinach sprouting too. I may reseed the peas, since I am not seeing any of those sprouting, and their germination is less than the others. It could be that it hasn't been warm enough.

What a beautiful day. It's suppose to hit 70 today. I put up my back screen door, and turned off the furnace. Good thing right now I am seeing a bumble bee on the outside.
Kitty Mae likes being able to come and go.

I let the chickens out to roam.

I took the cover off the artichoke plant.  Nobody can believe it lasted all winter.  I got it from our local hardware store, Leeper's, last year.  I have been posting its progress on their facebook page.

Soaked 4 pounds of beans last night to can 16 pints today.  They must boil an hour before canning.


Friday, February 17, 2012

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Wedges

I thought this was posted on my blog before but I can't seem to find it.  I enjoyed this sweet and sour cabbage recipe.  It is a nice variation to our plain food.

http://cabbagerecipes.org/sweet-and-sour-cabbage-wedges/

Friday, February 3, 2012

My Chickens

Here's a pic of my araucana's which lay green eggs, and the feather headed polish. 

My eggs top row large blue green araucana eggs, white medium eggs on the bottom are the polish eggs.  The polish do lay smaller eggs.  I'm partial to polish chickens.  Its fun watching them run around with their heads bobbing.  I think the wind sometimes catches their heads and tosses them around too.  Poor cute things. 

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Me at the Farmers Market? and the Vinson Watts Tomato

I am anxiously excited to join the farmers market this spring.  I am going to attempt to sell some of my garden produce as well as a few craft items.  I heard okra sold really well last year.  Okra is very easy to grow, so I will definitely put in a couple dozen okra plants.  Perhaps I will have an extra cantaloupe, and a few green peppers too.  Maybe I can sell some lettuce, spinach, green beans, beets, kale, and swiss chard.  I already started my Vincent Watts tomato plants.  I got a Vincent Watts plant from the farmers market last year.  I saved some seed and have 6 plants sprouting for this year.  Perhaps I can capitalize on the specialty tomato. 

The Vinson Watts was originally called the Evans tomato from Wilson Evans of Lee County, Virginia. Vinson Watts was given the Evans family tomato seed in the spring of 1956, and developed it in the Moorehead, KY area for 50 years into the tomato it is today.  The Vincent Watts resembles a pink beefsteak tomato.  The tomato seed was first available to the public in 2006 by the Baker CreekHeirloom Seeds.

Reference:  http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/680606/
http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/outdoors/articles/2006/09/13/20060913tomato0913.html
http://t.tatianastomatobase.com:88/wiki/Vinson_Watts

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