Food and Gluten Cross-contamination?

What is cross-contamination?
Cross-contamination is when a substance that causes great discomfort to an individual because they are sensitive or allergic to that substance.

This makes eating out at cheap burger joints or pizza places almost impossible, even low end restaurants or buffet bars. This has improved in the last few years in my experience.

As I have been traveling more for our businesses, I find I can get away with snacking on good food (veggies and fruit leather) as long as I eat one really good hot meal Preferably a 10 oz Steak, steamed veggies with REAL butter, a sweet potato with REAL butter and cinnamon and a good salad consisting of veggies red wine vinegar and Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) plus a big glass of water with some of Lemon essential oil or Metabolic Blend. I find do so much better. I usually can find coconut wraps and use those to surround a 6 oz can of tuna that has EVOO, vinegar and 6 drops of Cilantro Essential oil. This makes a good travel meal and tasty detox meal. The breakfast of choice is scrambled eggs and turkey bacon or chicken sausage OR a huge steak and veggie omelet. Beverages are Herbal tisanes and Yerba Mate from South America. I keep my sugars low, except for whole fruit and the fruit leather. I make or find safe snack bars. I do find at convention centers once I explain and ask, 'can you guarantee gluten-free, corn-free, and white potato-free and no cross-contamination' most places have no problem with me bringing food and drink I can consume safely. You will notice not a lot of grains or grasses (Rice, Amaranth, etc) either, I do eat them on occasion but I keep them very low becase they do not always agree with my body.

Something I saw in an LDS Tech Newsletter, an individual wrote in about the Sacrament stating that only those with Celiac* really worry about having a completely gluten-free experience. Something that should be understood is that a Gluten-intolerant* person can have Celiac or they may not. You can be both*. I learned this through Danna Korn, founder of Raising Our Celiac Kids and speaker at many Gluten-Intolerance conferences, when presenting in West Jordan, Utah over a decade ago now.  I know from experience that the lifestyle can be maintained. But it does take vigilance in your food preparation and the items you use on your body. everything is important. That is what started my journey to making y own body care items. My food journey in reality began with Eat Right for Your Type by Peter J D'Adamo -The Blood Type diet, I experimented upon the word and took out the obvious sources of wheat and gluten for two weeks and felt absolutely wonderful. But I will save that story for a later date. I now eat more along the whole foods and GAPS diet, or maybe just more Paleo. I have done my best to reduce processed foods as much as possible. For us Growing a garden is key to that lifestyle because we can then preserve our own food for our use.

Where exactly am I going with this a very real area of concern. Food seems to be the center of most Church Activities. It is somewhat discouraging to participation in activities when you know there will be nothing there for you  or that it will be cross-contaminated in the preparation process.

It would be like telling the many diabetics in church that 'I am sorry you can't have sugar, but we really can't be expected to meet your dietary restriction.'

Think would you tell the parent of a child with a peanut allergy, 'I am sorry your child will die from consuming or being in the room with peanuts, but we cannot meet those restrictions we are serving peanut butter cookies to all the kids.' How would that really go over?

This is how a person with food allergies or restrictions feels...

I have personally donated the supplies and helped my aunt prepare gluten-free french rolls for 100 people, because they had 3 sisters who were gluten-free. It was pleasure for me to do that because I knew what it meant to those 3 sisters.

How hard is it to separate naturally gluten-free from gluten items? Not very hard it is a matter of thinking it through and planning, and being very clear about the procedures necessary in Preparation and serving. I am very blessed to have children that know first hand the results of 'a little won't hurt you'.  They act as centurions watching preparation and telling me don't eat you will get sick.

The solution is setting aside a Gluten-free and food allergy table being clear that is for those with that issue. Because like at home sometimes our 'free' food looks better than the other 'normal' food. Have plain cut up Fruit and veggies with a plain sour cream dip or safe home made hummus. At the very least share the menu so that person can bring something to eat. OR have the activity and save the time of eating until the end, so they can quietly duck out.

Something else for those who think hand sanitizer cleans up gluten from the bread or other gluten items- sorry no dice there- Only soap and water properly remove the gluten. Please let those who prepare our Sacrament know this. That little speck of a crumb you drop from your finger on that cracker can cause anaphylaxsis-been there done that-don't want to do it again. that is why I am so anal about Sacrament Prep and have been requested to hold mine in my own hands now.

As always, comments and questions are welcome.  I am willing to discuss the matter.

*includes Dermatitus Herpetiformis-includes skin contact with gluten, which results in breakout of acne like looking bumps but are painful and leak clear fluids. It does not make one look pretty.

(Insert Name) made me think...

** Now the disclaimer-I used to think the way another dressed or the lack of dress made me think a certain way. I have since through study and lots of prayer figured out it is totally my choice what I think and I take responsibility for my own thought and actions. **

I am a bit concerned with the thought that I can make someone think something by the way I look. and It is therefore my fault because they are thinking that way.

I remember being taught in Young Women that the way I dressed influenced the way a young man thought.
Where does this leave the responsibility? It leaves it totally on the young woman.
Where is the young mans responsibility to control his thoughts? It does not sound like he has any. It sounds like he can be in any state of dress and it is OK.

I know the Young Women no longer swim at Girls Camp and at youth activities. They don't swim at camp or told to bring capri and t-shirts with sleeves to wear in the water at those youth activities. But here is what I don't understand why can a young man go around in just his swim trunks with no top. Simply put it is a double standard.

What this teaches is that Young Men and Men are not able to control their thoughts and it is always the Young Woman's and Woman's responsibility to keep them on the straight and narrow in their thinking.

I believe when we hit Judgement day. I will be judged on my thoughts alone, not what anyone else chose to think. I know this. I can say it with confidence after I have had somethings happen in my life that I choose not to discuss openly. Those who need to know, know and understand.

A great book that started my healing process was And They Were Not Ashamed by Laura Brotherson. Can you imagine what it must feel like to hear in Genesis that we were created in the image of our Heavenly Parents and pronounced very good. But in the next breath we are told we are defective and our bodies are sinful because they MAKE other think naughty thoughts.
This is just not true.

Our bodies are in the image of our Heavenly Parents-the body is good and beautiful.

Our bodies come in different shapes and sizes. Is that bad? No.
Sometimes because of the care or lack of care or medicines or other enviromental factors there are differences. Considering I know this first hand you see the body building pictures in prior posts. That was a result of very careful planning and care of exercise and what I put in my mouth. Really a huge influence was my thought process about that phase. I used a lot of guided imagery and visualization.

What does that have to do with thoughts?
What we think makes a huge difference in our outcomes. I have been chosen to no longer input huge amounts of media from many sources into my CPU (My brain). GI-GO (Garbage in-garbage out). I am choosing to read more classics. Listen to audios that centered and focused more on true principles. I am choosing to watch that which uplifts the souls as a whole.

My workout music used to consist of music I listened as a Young Adult in high school. Notice I said 'used to' I now listen to audios or books on tape or use my homemade 'treadmill desk' (a board across the part that stick out) to compose papers or reading a book. I have found by using those instead of the music I learn so much more the uptake in my mind is wonderful. I remember more it seems and I process it better, making better connections.

I have found that words in general affect us. Anyone who sees my big mug  notices the words Gratitude, love and joy. I am adding peace. Why? Because It affects the way I feel. I need the positive to counteract the negative that comes in.

It has been said that we need the following ratios of Positive comments to counteract a negative comment:
Positive: Negative
3:1 to move forward
2:1 languishing
1:1 depression
6:1 flourishing
5:1 required for a successful marriage

Words may have more influence than what is seen.

WE need to see others as people, not objects. A couple good books on this is Leadership and Self Deception and The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute. If you would like to get copies ask and I will send you links for both.

What we need to do is focus on the persons heart, not what they are wearing.
There are so many beautiful hearts that are hidden beneath burkas or abayas or bikinis or knee length shorts and dresses or T-shirts with sleeves.
Look at them with the Saviors' heart. Love them into fellowship.

Remember our culture is not the only culture, look at the changes within the Church over the last few years and the way programs are able to be modified to meet the needs of a worldwide Church versus just those in Utah. Because Utah is not the Church. We are a very diverse people and it is beautiful. True principles always prevail.

Crockpot food storage meal-Canned Venison Vegetable stew

Take four cups of Vegetable stew, brand of choice, place in slow cooker. 

Take a quart of canned venison with liquid. Drain liquid into meauring cup add water to total 8 cups of liquid, this makes a broth.

Add meat to top of dry Vegetable stew blend, thenpour in 8 cups of liquid (combined broth and water)

Heat until it smells deicious and veggies are rehydrated fully. 

I put the crockpot on high, will check in an hour.

Venison stew if what for dinnner tonight, for the family. Now to go hunt down my meal.....

Gratitude for the closing year.

I am full of gratitude for all I have been blessed with in the past year.

My wonderful neighbors who have been a great comfort to me when I need to ask a question and receive wonderful advice.

I am full of gratitude for Bear, our old black Labrador mix dog, who passed away this Year, for his loving protection and service to our family.

We are grateful for Landon, Our German Shepherd, our new protector and guardian in training.

We are grateful for Koka, our Black Labrador-Blue Healer mix dog, we love her energy and happy smile when chasing a ball. (Please do call before you come over so we can keep Koka from kissing you and Landon from trying to play fight with you.)

I am grateful for my husband who loves me and our children whom we love dearly.

I am grateful for Dorothy (Sister Fidler) being on her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Spokane, Washington.

I am grateful for the return of Joseph (Elder Fidler) from his Mission Spanish Speaking in Los Angeles, California in August and the old neighbor and friend who let him use a phone to call me to tell me I was running late......

I am very grateful to a humble young mentor who has challenged me to read more. Through that reading I pray there has been a noticeable change in my heart towards others, Especially my husband.

I am thankful for the progress in my health and the small steps that are compounding over time into big changes. Which I hope will be inspiring, because I am focusing on the good days.

I strive for everyday to be a good day, even when my body is in open revolt.

I fully hope and pray your new year is one of great personal growth.

May Heavenly Father bless and grant all of your worthy and righteous desires this coming year.

Drawing to Dream

Since the beginning of October I have been going through lessons in The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards and the companion exercise workbook. Why am I reading and actively doing these exercises?

 I am doing these to bring back my imagination. Why? because I need imagination to be able to DREAM! I have found that over time in being in the adult world I have lost my ability to dream and imagine actively. I have not read many fairy tales, since childhood. I seem to have become very serious. This may because I had to grow up fast and accept many things that in my youth that others my own age seemed oblivious to. 

I love to read and read alot. The Work and the Glory by Lund, Harry Potter Series, Twilight Series, and currently The Divergent Series. These books are whenI need a break from all of the other serious (Scriptures, Complimentary health care modalities-herbs, Essential oils, energy work, Nutrition, Fitness, people skills,  Medscape CME articles, finance, leadership, farming, gardening, sewing, and learning new skills all over in general) books, but they are dystopian society (Society is at the fork int he road and has to choose freedom or Force Shift) type books. But I hit periods Where I can read 20 books in a month but then the next I will only read 5. Why? I get overwhelmed with life and my responsibilities in life. This is why I am so deadly serious at times. That is why I may not smile a lot. I appreciate those who say you need to smile because. In all truth I am happier than I have ever been . But that message obviously has not reached my face. Our move to the country has given me back the simple pleasures in life. We do not have cable or Sateleite TV. Netflix is DVDs on demand. We have the internet, yes we can acces those silly cat videos on you tube. We listen to a lot of audio subscription material (in the background) that I have downloaded to my iPod-This is our radio. We have chosen this over the radio itself, not because we do not like music. But because we want to be in control of what the input to is to our thinking i. What does this have to do with drawing?

My thinking has has everything to do with drawing. If I can draw what I see in my minds eye; If I can draw what I dream about each night...then I can make that dream come true. My dreams have to be so real I can feel, see, taste, smell, and hear it all right down to the most minute detail.

I will add some of my initlal drawings so you can see my progress. ***

The inspiration came to re-start the drawing journey to begin vividly visualizing the future and knowing that I must continue to learn. I loved to draw as a child. I still do. I use most of my drawing as a Personal Trainer to illustrate exercises, but you know what stick figures are ok, but not as good as muscle flexing movement in pictures. I use pictures to decipher and understand concepts that are not clear. The most recent one was "3 x 3 x 3 and you are free", became vividly clear as I drew it on the white board. Yes, we have white boards, I use them to draw out many things like our gardens. This allows me to play with it-taking in watering, lighting, etc. It allows me to take abstract ideas and make picture that my mind can understand. Because I want to be able to literally draw out what I see in my mind. I want to write my story in vivid detail with pictures from the beginning of time through all Eternity. Will you 'draw' your story with me?

 

*** I will add these later....

Cheesy Veggie Pizza( Gluten-free, corn-free, potato-free) December 7, 2014

Tonight's dinner ....

This prepared freezer crust has allowed me to enjoy pizza again. It has tapioca starch, milk, eggs, canola oil ( I do not use canola oil and corn oil in my normal cooking, I use olive oil, 100% butter or other oils) cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese ** contains milk products and eggs

This crust is enough for one meal and a midnight snack.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. I stick my pan in the oven to preheat too.

Take the crust on card board out of the wrapper saving the label above for cooking directions.

Take a can of Kirkland signature tomato paste and spread on crust.

Now take and dress with the amount of veggies you want. 

I used mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Take a cheese block and grate as much or as little as you like.

Now take the pizza and cardboard, slide the pizza onto the pan. 

Keep the cardboard for after it finishes cooking to cut the pizza on.

Cook 10-15 mins, until cheese is melted and crust is brown.

Remove from oven by sliding into card board with a spatula.

Place the pizza on the counter cut and enjoy!

Thanksgiving 9 days and counting...

We are preparing for our dinner after Thanksgiving. 

The holiday menu ismenu is gluten-free, potato-free, corn- free:

Whipped sweet potatoes

Rice stuffing

Green beans

Veggie tray

Yogurt based dip/ dressing

Fruit tray

Cheese cake dip

Pumpkin pudding

Fresh whipped cream

Home made ice cream

Mulled Apple cider or raw milk or water

We have cleaned out the fridge to hold parts of this. We are scrubbing the kitchen and  disinfecting it. 

To ensure a clean safe environment. 

We are asking that no one bring in outside food. We appreciate offers, but would like to avoid cross- contamination. It is not worth being sick and feeling like a truck has run you over, not being able to digest food for over a week and spending quality time on the porcelain throne. It is better to avoid such situations if it maintains quality of life.

Please consider if you are one who is blessed with food allergies or other dietary issues sometimes it is better to bring your own or avoid the food portion of the event. This helps keep others from feeling awkward from your interrogation about ingredients or cooking methods. I do not want to burden others with these things, because they have so much to deal with already. I appreciate that my mother(-in-law), Nancy and sister-in-law, Barbara have always made the effort to accommodate my dietary needs. Thank you both it means a lot to me because I know you care.

These are our family strategies for maintaining high quality of life during the holidays. I will have to write a follow on pieces about travel and eating out, explaining why you get what you pay for.