Good nutrition is like a rainbow... sort of

You ask why?  Why is there a picture of dried split peas and lentils mixed together in my bowl?

Well it all started back in elemtary school.  Really!  When one day in nutrition and health they informed us that it was very important to have a variety of food.  Then they explained how our plate should be filled with a "rainbow of colors".  I came home armed with my new knowledge and inspected dinner every night according to it's colorfulness.  My family wasn't impressed.  To this day I still get snickers when I talk about how colorful some dish of food is.  [Families can be so supportive sometimes.]

Well, I am always on the look out on how to try to add in some fiber and beans in our diet.  They are so good for you.  Good for you and cheap!  And there I was all happily browning some ground beef with onion, garlic, carrots.... and realized... I forgot to soak the beans last night!  And, no, there weren't any in a can in the cabinet either.  What to do?? 

I dug through the cabinets and there I spied them..... Lentils!!! The amazing little bean that doesn't have to be pre-cooked.  Twenty minutes bubbling on the stove and yummy dinner would be served.  So there I was measuring out those cute little (yet non-colorful) beans.  Then I spied a small amount of green split peas.  Nice little brightly colored green peas.  "I shall just mix these in with the lentils and add some nice color to the soup." I said to myself.  [bad idea #1] Then I poured them in...... and one small brightly colored split pea dropped out and rolled onto the floor.  I stooped to pick it up......

Then it happened!  "NOOOOOOOOO!"  [Flashbacks started playing in my mind.]  How could I have done this???!!!  Didn't I remember???

The kids are running through the kitchen at this point.  "Go outside!  Go outside right now and take your brother and play!.... No forget setting the table... out!"

I suddenly remembered why I hadn't used that last small amount of brightly colored green split peas.  The last major hive outbreak we had with our then 2 year old had been from him eating a dried pea off the floor.  A floor we had swepted and checked and thought was o.k.  Somehow those little floor crawlers can sniff out a crumb of food from 3 houses down... particularly if they are allergic to it!

So I had sent the children out as I swept up the floor and my heartbeat slowed down.  Then I thought, I'll just separate those peas from the lentils.  [bad idea #2]  Ten minutes later..... frustration set in.  Beans are cheap.  I took this picture, then threw them out!  The risk was not worth those few cents of beans.  Next I proceeded to rinse another batch of lentils for the soup.

Alas, who thought fixing dinner would be so stressful!
Note to self: clean out the cabinets!  And throw out things we don't use anymore.... even if it is colorful!

For you.... a yummy fall soup that is great for when you forget the soak the beans overnight.

Lentil and Beef Soup:

1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
1 chopped onion
1 tsp. garlic salt or chopped garlic (to taste... I like a lot)
4 stalks of celery, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Throw this all in the  pot and brown away. 

1 c. carrots, chopped

Throw these in as you get them chopped, and stir your meat mixture.

1 c. dried lentils
1 pinch thyme (opt.)
1 bay leaf (opt.)
4 c. water

Bring to a boil, then cut the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes or until those non-colorful lentils are soft.

Serve over some brown rice, or a baked potato (if you can) or GF corn bread.  Yum!

'Tis the season of candy!

Since there will be lots of candy being passed out in the coming week. I thought I'd give moms a chance to share their favorite allergy friendly candy. [and candy alternatives] Please post your ideas... and leave me "some love".

Here is a great list to start you off from Allergy Moms. They list 99 potentially safe candies that you can pass out on Halloween.

Remember to read every label. Some candies utilize different recipes for different sizes and flavors.

If you can handle corn syrup... an inexpensive alternative is those little packets of "fruit snacks". Or for a little more money you can go organic and all fruit and choose the new fruit leathers/snack alternatives.

One friend on an adoption forum I'm on suggested giving out those little glow sticks instead of candy. [Then you might even save some money on those nice dentist bills also!]

Help! My kid has multiple food allergies!

Well dearies... here it is. I finally have done it. I have gone and started a blog for those of use who live in the world of "let me check that label before you give it to my kid!". Maybe I should just say the world of "Please don't bother trying to feed us... we'll bring our own food!"

Unfortunately in the allergy world one does not simply have just one allergy. It would be far to easy to cope with one allergy! [sarcasm] One genetic "tendency" seems to link to other "tendencies" until all the "tendency" possibilities send moms like me into a hive induced itch thinking about it. Most people tend to have multiple allergies. Well, most people also tend to have multiple children also... with some of the same genetic "tendencies" I might add. Therefore, you end up having to deal with...

Little Johnnie can't eat eggs and wheat... Oh, Suzy can't have wheat and all gluten products... but wait Junior is sensitive to dairy... and on it goes.

How does one cook for a kid with multiple allergies?
How does one cook for a family with various allergies?
Will my kid starve before we figure out what food they can eat?
How can I cook for my whole family and not make separate meals for everyone?
Do I have to buy all those strange ingredients?
Will I ever be able to afford my grocery budget?

I have spent many hours typing or talking with other moms (and sometimes dads/grandparents) about our allergy experiences over the last decade plus, how we coped [are still coping] and things we learned to make life good for us. Many family and friends have suggested writing a book or teaching a class to share the information and encouragement that we have learned along the way.

Well, there is a book in the making and I shall keep you guys posted on the progress of that. But, here on the blog I would love to just share....
... recipes, information.... stories of other families and what they've learned...
... and encouragement!

So, sign up on the feed, follow on blogger, become a face book fan... and hold onto your hats dearies.... we are blogging baby!

Some of our story...

In a nutshell, we went through about 7 years and over 21 surgeries and a complete career change during our discovery of what was making my dear husband [and subsequently our children] sick. Part of the problem was gluten enteropathy [intolerance of gluten by the digestive system]... which led to "leaky gut syndrome"... which led to more food allergies.

We were fortunate, we caught his issues before they were at their worse. Then we made changes. And he got better.

Over the years, some of our children have struggled with other food allergies/sensitivities. One has even gone through a bout with juvenile arthritis. Each time we have learned "new" things about health and nutrition and generally eating better.

I have to say that the first 2+ years was just completely overwhelming. We threw a lot of food away. We tried many things... converting recipes, new flours, expensive snacks, "cardboard cereal" [as my children called it], etc.

This is my effort to blog about our experiences... our foods... our emotions... and maybe help someone along the way.

I love helpful comments and love to post others experiences too! I love linking to other sites that have great info!  I just love this bloggy stuff!  So leave me some love and have fun surfing...

Cornbread Girl (Teri)