Pop Quiz, Hotshot

1. You are in charge of a week-long event for children. The snacks have been preplanned, taking the dairy allergy of one of the children into consideration. On the last day, a family informs you that they are ordering pizza for everyone. You say:

a. "Thank you so much, but snacks for the week have already been provided. I'm sure there's another way you could contribute, though, if you'd like."
b. "Thank you, but we have a child with food allergies here. Let's talk to her mom and see if there's something we can order that's safe for her."
c. "Ok."

If you answered "c" to question 1, proceed to question 2. Otherwise, skip to question 3.

2. The mother of the allergic child hears that large quantities of the allergen are arriving for the other children to eat, and her child will not be able to participate. She asks you, the program director, about this. You say,

a. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think about that. What can I do?"
b. "I had nothing to do with it. You'll have to take it up with [family who ordered the food]."

3. The family who ordered the pizza listens to the mother's story and promptly orders a dairy-free pizza with the child's favorite topping because they:

a. are compassionate
b. are nice
c. have a son who had food allergies as a child
d. all of the above

4. You are the father of event participants, but you were not a helper during the week. You come to the snack area for food and see two pepperoni pizzas, 1/2 of a mushroom pizza, 1/2 of a sausage pizza, and a bacon pizza with no cheese. You take a piece of the no-cheese bacon pizza. A mother who is helping points out that that is the dairy-free pizza for people with dietary restrictions, like her child. You:

a. Apologize and eat the other pizzas instead.
b. Apologize and don't take more of the children's pizza.
c. Explain that bacon is your favorite topping and take another slice.

5. You are the mother of the dairy-allergic child. A grown man keeps eating pieces of the dairy-free pizza meant for your child. You:

a. Explain, again, who that pizza is for.
b. Yell at him while beating him about the head with a spatula.
c. Say, "Excuse me," wait for him to move, and stand guard over the pizza for the rest of the evening.

So Tired

I'm helping with our church's VBS is this week from 6-8:30 every evening, which is kicking my tail and making the kids tired and out of sorts. Scott: "Don't you love Jebus?"
But the snacks are all dairy-free, thanks to the lovely woman in charge. She even asked the children if any of them had any food allergies of which she wasn't aware. Little Boy: "I'm allergic to my sister."

My Pay It Forward Prize made it to Mimi All Me--on her birthday! You can see a photo of it and enter her contest here.

I was talking with my dad about beets, and he said, "I like to think of myself as being someone who likes beets."
I feel exactly the same way. We get some in our weekly share of vegetables from our CSA, and I don't know what to do with them. What do you do with beets? I mean, besides bake them in cake.

Killing Me Softly

Dear Food Allergy Researchers/Medical Professionals:

Let me start by saying I appreciate all of the work you do. I don't know where we would be without you. I am so glad you are trying to find cures for food allergies. I try to follow your advice as closely as possible. You're the experts, right? But here's the sad truth: you are killing me.

Oh, I don't mean you are literally killing me. But part of my heart dies a little death each time the advice you give changes or the research you do produces a different result. I know we're all grasping at straws in the dark (or something) here. And I'm willing to take on some of the responsibility. But good lord, could I do with some consistency right now, not to mention a little less mommy guilt. Let's recap.

My thoughts, circa 2002-3, based on your research and advice:
Did I cause or exacerbate my eldest child's dairy allergy by eating large amounts of dairy while I was pregnant? Was her "colic" really a reaction to the dairy I ate while nursing? Did I seal the food allergy deal by feeding her solids too early? How the holy heck am I supposed to introduce one food at a time when so many baby foods are mixed or have fillers like CORNSTARCH*?

My thoughts, circa 2006-7, based on your research and advice:
Will my son have a food allergy too? Is it true that 60% of siblings of a food-allergic child have a food allergy--not necessarily the same one? Ok, I can feed him only breast milk for the first six months of his life if this means he won't have allergies. I'll wait to introduce the family's allergens (wheat, dairy) until he is 9 months old and a year old, respectively. Other common allergens can wait till he's 12-months old, too. Sure, that will be a challenge, but whatever helps him avoid allergies--even though no two experts/resources will give me exactly the same answer--is worth it.

My thoughts, circa 2008:
Well, our self-made allergen-avoidance plan seems to have worked with my son, who is 2 1/2 and appears to be food allergy free. I guess we'll just follow the same plan with his baby sister, who is nearing her six-month bir--WHAT?!

I have to go lie down. Call me when you have this all figured out, and I'll figure out who's to blame.

Sincerely,
Nowheymama

*Corn is a very common allergen.

Non-Recipes

My sincere apologies to those who are fasting for my writing about food, but I want to write these non-recipes down before I forget them.

Slow Cooker Chicken

I'm sure this is not revolutionary to many of you, but it is to me. Take one whole chicken, rinse it and pat it dry, and season it all over with the seasonings of your choice. (I used Aldi's chicken seasoning, Emeril's Original Essence, and salt.) Stick it in your slow cooker with a chopped up onion. Do not add ANY liquid. Cook on low heat 6-7 hours, at which point you will have very tender chicken and flavorful broth.

Now, you can eat the chicken as is, OR you can debone it and shred it and mix it back into the broth that you have thickened with flour, or cornstarch, or arrowroot, or whatever. Serve the chicken/gravy mixture over biscuits or waffles, OR put it in a pie crust (brush the top with egg white if you like) and bake it for 30 minutes at 425 degrees.

Non-Dairy Pesto

I made this the other day and didn't measure a thing, so here are my vague directions. Blend together in your food processor:
1 part basil
2 parts parsley
1 part walnuts (or other nut)
1 clove garlic
salt
pepper
olive oil (enough to make the pesto the consistency you want)

When you put it in a container to refrigerate it or freeze it, drizzle a little more olive oil on the top so it doesn't discolor.

I Want...

...a copy of Charlotte's book, The Great Big Veg Challenge. Congratulations on reaching Z for zucchini, Hume family!

...to see what everyone won in the Pay It Forward contests.

...to win this.

Recap

My Pay It Forward prize is on its way to Mimi All Me! My mom came by for a bit, so I ran out to the P.O. and grocery store ALONE. I was in such a hurry that I didn't photograph the prize OR write a note. Hopefully Mimi will enjoy the prize and pick up my photography slack.

The newest edition of the Living With Food Allergies Blog Carnival is up at Go Dairy Free. Go check it out!

We had a nice trip to KY, although it rained a lot. But the family picnic day was sunny, so we were able to swim with all of the cousins. Even me, who left my swimsuit at my in-laws' house by mistake. That's right, children! Mommy chlorine bleached her new navy shorts for YOU. Don't you forget it.

I managed to be strong and turn down almost everything my in-laws offered us (they are in the process of moving to Florida) because I want to overcome the clutter in our house. "No thank you, I don't need clothing, toys, furniture, candles, Christmas decorations, wall hangings, or a TV. A full set of Lenox china?! With eight place settings?!? Well... Ok... to pass on to your grandchildren."

But other than that, I was strong. I said no. Until Scott told me that his mom was getting rid of her entire cookbook and recipe collection, except for one small recipe binder. If you can turn down a box of cookbooks with titles like The Glorious Goober Cookbook by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, you're a stronger person than I am.

You Could Still Be a Winner!

If you are Mimi from Mimi All Me! Congratulations, you've won a package of dairy-free goodness! Just send me your address, please.

Now I'm off to do all of the laundry from our weekend away.

One of These Things is Not Like the Others, and Neither is the Other One

So much to write about, so much packing to do before our first trip as a family of five! Gack. In this issue you'll find: a cereal review, a contest, and an anniversary note.

But first, have you read about the possible relationship between milk allergies and recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH)? Holy crap. And milk allergies are now the most common food allergy. We're number one--um, whee?

And now it's time for a Go Dairy Free product review!

***

Artisan Inspiration Granola


Photo courtesy of Nutritious Living

Everyone in our family liked this granola, even me with my dislike of raisins and the kids with their dislike of non-uniform cereal. Although the granola is dairy free, vegans and those avoiding wheat and nuts need not apply. It is a fancy, fancy granola filled with dried cherries, raisins, dates, cashews, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, wheat flakes, and other good stuff. I was surprised to see corn syrup listed in the ingredients, but it's not high fructose.

Ingredients: Whole rolled oats, raisins, whole white wheat flakes, whole barley flakes, turbinado brown sugar, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, mixed fruit juice concentrate (pineapple, pear, apple, peach), dried sweetened cherries (cherries, sugar, sunflower oil), corn syrup, sweetened dates (dates, dextrose), cashews, sesame seeds, dried coconut, pumpkin seeds, honey, maltodextrin, flaxseed, barley malt extract.

Suggested retail price: $4.49/11 oz. box

For more information, visit Nutritious Living.

This review written for Go Dairy Free.

***

Group Effort: Pay It Forward Contest

In case you haven't heard, Swistle suggested starting a bunch of Pay It Forward contests, and many bloggers are following her lead because we want to be just like her when we grow up. And because it's fun.

So, I am going to give away a prize to a randomly chosen person who comments on this post between now and midnight on July 4. I will be out of town when the contest ends and will not name a winner until Tuesday, July 8. The winner must then give away something on her/his blog, and on it goes. If you would like to participate but don't have a blog, you can give something away on mine.

Swistle wrote lots more about the contest rules on her blog, and she is keeping a running list of all of the contests as well.

I haven't chosen all of my giveaway items yet, but the box will include some Artisan Inspiration Granola! How's that for tying it all together? [Edited to add: Unless of course someone in your house has a severe allergy to one of the items in the cereal and you don't want it. I'll just think of some other yummy thing.]

If you want to participate, leave a comment telling me a typical lunch you make for yourself or your kids.

***

And finally, a happy, happy tenth(!) anniversary to Scott. Yay, us.

The Magic Box Wants Me to Buy Things

Nothing like a weekend of severe thunderstorms complete with hail to make a family gather in front of the magic box and be bombarded with commercials. "You need those, Mommy!"

My top and bottom commercial picks:

This commercial for Benadryl Perfect Measure (click on "watch the TV spot") cracks me up every time. For YEARS I carried that very baggie filled with a leaking bottle of Benadryl, a semi-crushed, sticky measuring cup, and tissues and/or paper towels to soak up the drips. I can't tell you how many purses I baptized with Benadryl over the years. I know they are appealing to a very specific audience with this ad, but that audience is ME. And we do love the new perfect measure spoons so, so much. I can take one in my pocket or hand one to another adult who is watching K without getting medicine everywhere. I don't have to buy an entire bottle of Benadryl for each separate location (church, school, Gramma's house, etc.) When she gets a little older, she can keep one in her own pocket. They are AWESOME.

Have you seen the new T-Mobile commercial that makes fun of the Hatfields and the McCoys? I can't find a link to it. I know it's just a stupid commercial, but it kind of ticks me off. I find it interesting that in these days of extreme political correctness it's still Ok to joke around about feuding "hillbillys." Also, it's just weird to see an ad that makes fun of your husband's and children's family--with really, really bad Southern accents, no less. If you ever meet us in person, "Better make sure there aren't any McCoys around! Heh, heh," has been done. To death.

But enough about my weekend of TV viewing! You want to hear about more cereal! And the Pay It Forward contest! And my anniversary! I'm on it.

Cereal?

We eat a lot of cereal at our house. Hot cereal, cold cereal, just right cereal. Our two-year-old son greets me every morning not with "Good morning," but with "Cereal, Mommy-o? Cereal?" So trying out some cereals for Go Dairy Free seemed a natural fit.


Image courtesy of Cinnabon Cereal

Cinnabon Cinnamon Crunch

With its tiny cinnamon roll shape and lots of sweetener, this is what's known as "dessert cereal" in our house. But the sweeteners are turbinado brown sugar, fruit juice concentrates, and honey. Our son enjoyed it, but our daughter said it was "too spicy." It does pack quite a cinnamon punch that may be more suited to adult palates. (Too bad because these little cinnamon rolls are perfect for dairy-free tea parties.) Both Scott and Alisa will tell you that I am a salt addict (true, that), but Scott agreed with me that this cereal's flavor would definitely benefit from some salt.

Be careful: there is also a Cinnabon Caramel Pecan Crunch that does contain dairy and pecans.

Ingredients: Whole oat flour, whole brown rice flour, turbinado brown sugar, fruit juice concentrate (pineapple, pear, apple, peach), wheat flour, wheat starch, Makara (R) cinnamon, honey, canola oil, natural flavors, calcium carbonate.

This product is processed in a facility that uses dairy, soy, wheat, peanuts, and other nuts and seeds.

Suggested retail price: $3.49/12 oz. box.

This review written for Go Dairy Free.

Stay tuned to hear about Artisan Inspiration Granola!

Summer

"Spring turns to summer,
warm, beautiful summer,
and Sally sees the hay cut
in the fields.
She hears the cowbells
in the green pastures.
She smells wild roses.
She touches fat puppies,
and their fur is soft.
She tastes wild strawberries
warm in the sun."
--Tasha Tudor (1915-2008), First Delights: A Book About the Five Senses



Crisp Topping

1/3 cup dairy-free, salted margarine
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar

Cut ingredients together with a pastry cutter. Sprinkle on top of sweetened fruit. Bake at 350 degrees for twenty minutes.

Baby Quilt and Freezer Jam

Here's Helen on her new "banket," as Eli calls it. You could have one, too!



And here's a rather moody photo of the freezer jams I made the other day.

Karen at Avoiding Milk Protein sent me a very nice email mentioning the many dairy-free chocolate sources she lists on her site. She's right, of course. There is a lot of DF chocolate to be found; I just wish more of it was in my local grocery store with easily discernible labels. So I will continue to rant.

Entomology

It's Barbara Kingsolver's Fault

Everyone has given me such lovely post ideas, and what have I been doing? Running around town to the farmer's market, the grocery store, and the hardware store, not to mention signing up for vegetables from our semi-local organic farm. Our porch is filled with vegetable plants that I'm trying not to kill. (Hot tip! Shop ridiculously late in the planting season and all plants are 50% off! Also, 50% dead!)

Yesterday, I actually bought some canning supplies because I could hear our refrigerated produce rotting. (Freezer canning. I'm not totally insane. Yet.) I gripe a lot about our pitiful local grocery store's lack of dairy-free items, but they do have quite a supply of canning materials. (They're right next to the dog food, if you're wondering where to look.)

I guess the children and I will be spending the afternoon planting flowers and vegetables! In the 90-degree heat! Ah, togetherness. (Darn you, Barbara.)

Moving On, With Lemonade

Good grief, Nowheymama. Snap out of it! It's summer! The Lutheran/Catholic VBS is entertaining your child for free this week! Babies are coming! And people are dealing with more important things than your sinus infection. (Go leave Sue a supportive message!)

Our local paper ran some summer beverage recipes today in honor of Father's Day. "Here's your made-from-scratch mojito, Dear." HA! However, one of the recipes is for homemade lemonade concentrate from the cookbook Slurp. No more will I purchase lemonade made with corn syrup or slave away over one measly pitcher of lemonade only to have it disappear in minutes. Let the summer of healthy healthier snacks begin!

Homemade Lemonade Concentrate from Slurp

6 organic lemons [I'll take what I can get at our local grocery.]
4 1/4 cups water
2 1/4 cups sugar

"Wash the lemons well and cut them into thick slices. Put these in a large saucepan with the water and sugar. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool. Keep covered in the fridge for 24 hours. Strain, pour into a clean jar, cover and refrigerate.
You now have a concentrate that needs to be mixed with water: one part concentrate to three parts water. Serve with lots of ice.
Yield: 20 servings when diluted according to directions."

Help

I'm ill and also fresh out of inspiration. Please take a moment out of your busy end of school/ beginning of summer schedules and give me a topic or ask me a question. Or just say "hi." Whatever. I'm miserable, and I need some distractions. Is that pitiful enough?

Here's a reposting of Rhubarb Dump Cake to enjoy.



Rhubarb Dump Cake

2 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 package (4-serving size) raspberry gelatin
1 package yellow, dairy-free cake mix
1/2 cup dairy-free margarine, melted
1 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 inch pan. Spread the rhubarb in the pan. Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the rhubarb and the cake mix on top of the gelatin. Pour the margarine over the cake mix and the water over the margarine. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

K is for Kiwi

At least, that's what we decided. Katherine had to bring a food that begins with the first letter of her name to the ABC Picnic at school today. She chose kiwi. Eli, Helen, and I stopped by to help K. make a plate of dairy-free foods. There were some fun choices, like Meg@n's mini marshmallows and Sp3ncer's Swedish fish. W1ll's mom made 22 individual watermelon fruit cups in tiny Ziploc containers. Go, W1ll's mom!

Eli was pitching a fit as we left, and our neighbor and good friend H., who is a kindergarten teacher, stepped out into the hallway saying, "That sounds like Eli!" Is our town that small, or is his fussing that distinctive? Probably both.

And it doesn't hurt my feelings AT ALL that I'm the only one who commented on my guest post at Mommy Daisy's. Glad I could up her blog traffic like that. Oy. Speaking of blog traffic, I deleted all of the NH pics from my vacation post because I'm tired of people coming here for Old Country Store images. Go to their website, dudes. Also, have fun with your Star Wars birthday parties, and quit sending me emails about how I can make my "weener" bigger.

Pieces of Nothing

I'm guest posting at Mommy Daisy's while she's on vacation. She offered me the chance to rant, but that doesn't seem to be in the spirit of her sweet blog, so I posted about vacation instead.

I won the Preeclampsia Quilt Raffle at Cerebral Palsy Baby! Whoo! Shannon really inspires me with all of her beautiful handiwork, DIY house renovations, and the way she raises awareness for such a worthy cause. Of course I will be giving the beautiful baby quilt to Helen. It's nice that not everything she has is a hand-me-down.

Has winning the raffle stopped me from entering giveaways? No.

We greatly enjoyed the program at Katherine's school yesterday, "The Year of The Very Busy Kindergartner." I had one of those loser parent moments when the kids were singing the ABCs (complete with dance moves) and I realized that Eli was singing along--correctly. When did he learn the ABC song? Did Katherine teach him? Sesame Street? I have no idea.

I gave Teacher and the two classroom helpers Borders gift certificates in their cards. (There is a Borders outlet at the outlet mall close by, so they won't have to drive far.) I figure they can buy books for the classroom or for themselves. I struggled with the notes I wrote, but I feel pretty good about them. I thanked them for seeing Katherine as a person, not just as "the allergic kid." I'm going to give her bus driver a gas card, which is a little lame, but it's for Sheetz, so he can use it for gas or coffee or whatever.

Our refrigerator is leaking water. We have someone coming to look at it today. Boy, do I not want to spend money on a new fridge. Or on fixing the old one, really. Scott told Katherine we don't need one; we'll just bury her soy milk in the backyard to keep it cold.

Presents for You

Hey, thanks for listening to me whine. Allow me to repay you with a link, a giveaway, some cookies, and a cake.

First of all, the Living With Food Allergies Blog Carnival is up, and there are some great topics this time. Check it out!

Go Dairy Free's June Giveaway:
Alisa writes, "In honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week, Gluten-Free Essentials is offering up three gifts, which are free from milk, eggs, nuts, gluten, and yeast! Each winner will receive one of three gluten-free and food allergy-friendly baking mix packages: The Cookie Assortment (chocolate chip, vanilla sugar, cocoa mudslide, cranberry-apple spice and decadent fudge brownie), The Deluxe Assortment (12 mixes, both savory and sweet), or The Speedy Bake Assortment (6 gluten-free mixes for kids)."

We all know how expensive these products can be, so here's your chance to get them for free! Just sign up for the Go Dairy Free monthly e-newsletter and you'll be entered to win.



Overnight Oatmeal Cookies



This carrot cake recipe is from The Compleat I Hate to Cook Book. I made it dairy-free and replaced the raisins with apricots because I hate cooked raisins. If you like them, put 'em in. And Vivian, it doesn't have eggs!

Honest Sheepwagon Carrot Cake

1 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups water
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
1 tablespoon dairy-free margarine
2 large carrots, finely chopped (I use the food processor.)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Simmer all these ingredients together in a medium saucepan for five minutes, then cover and rest in the refrigerator for twelve hours. "Why it gets so tired is one of those little mysteries. But do it."--Peg Bracken

The next day, add:
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder

Mix it all up. Bake in two greased loaf pans at 275 degrees for two hours. Cool, then wrap in foil.
I frosted ours with dairy-free cream cheese icing. I used Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese.

Days in the Life

Tuesday
Think it's Monday all day. Wonder why the mother in charge of Friday's Summer Birthdays party at Kindergarten hasn't called me yet.
Almost miss baby's four-month appointment. What genius scheduled it for 9 am the morning after a holiday? (Answer: Me.) Let toddler get a lollipop at doctor's office. Stop at grocery store on the way home with fussy baby and lollipop juice-covered toddler. Buy baby Tylenol and $75 in other "essentials."
Come home from doctor's office to find message from Teacher. Please call her, re: I am the mother in charge of the Summer Birthdays party.
Call several irritated mothers to assign them party duties.
Remember the van's registration expires this month. Call to schedule an inspection and hear, "You weren't expecting to get in by the end of the month, were you, Honey?"
Eat the rest of the leftover carrot cake from Memorial Day picnic.

Wednesday
Daddy leaves on four-day trip at 5:30 am. It's time for our yearly visit to Leftbehindville.
Baby wakes up fussy because of four-month shots.
Get Kindergartner ready for school so Grandad can drive her. (Thank you, Grandad!)
Pay bills.
Blog.
Listen to Toddler tell story over and over of how he road on Grandad's tractor.
"Da, mooie tchra? Seat. Ride. Wheel. Hai turn. Katin turn. Nooo, Katin!!!! Nooo!!! Hai turn! Hai turn! Hai turn. Bye, mooie tchra."
["Grandad's tractor? I sat on it. I rode it. I turned the wheel. Eli had a turn. Katherine had a turn. No, Katherine! It's Eli's turn! Eli's turn! Eli had another turn. Bye, tractor."]
Eat leftover oatmeal cookies from Memorial Day picnic.
Kindergartner returns home. Feed everyone lunch. Nurse baby. Put Toddler and Baby down for naps. Decide to clean out the basement to get away from incessant Kindergartner chattiness:
"A long time ago, but not a long time ago, a little while ago, but not a little while ago, a long time ago, but not so long, Eli and I were jumping in rain puddles. Do you remember that?"
Kindergartner loses a tooth.
Take Kindergartner to swim lessons.
Talk to Daddy on the phone.
Go to bed right after the kids.
Get up in a panic to perform Tooth Fairy duties.

Thursday
Hear about Husband's delicious seafood dinner the night before.
Buy cupcake ingredients.
Bake dairy-free cupcakes for Friday's school party.
Bake dairy-free muffins for Friday's playgroup. (Toddler-watching bribery for the other moms.)
Think about ordering takeout for dinner.
Only two more days till Daddy's home....

Chrysalis Cookies

I have a very hard time being critical of allergen-free foods. So many of them are made by small, startup companies, often run by a person with a food allergy or a relative of a food-allergic person. They are trying hard to do a good thing. They are being gutsy and starting their own businesses. So I really, really hate saying, "Nice try, but your product tastes like dirt and has the consistency of sawdust."

It's like when you're teaching your kids to clean the house. Sure, they do a crappy job and there are still crumbs all over the floors they just swept, but they tried. And you want to praise them for the effort, if not the actual result. "Ok, yes, your product tastes bad, but, hey! It's dairy and wheat free, and it's so healthy! Good job, Honey!"

Fortunately, this is not an issue I had to face when reviewing Chrysalis Cookies because they are AWESOME. Twenty cookies were delivered to our house, and they were gone in less than twenty-four hours. The kids and I will eat just about any health-conscious treat, but Scott will not. When eating the Chrysalis Cookies, he said, "You know I don't take cookies lightly. I wouldn't say these were good unless I really liked them. These cookies are good."

We received a sample of each of their five flavors: Unbelievable Chocolate Chip, Old Fashioned Molasses, Granny's Chocolate Crinkles, Very Vanilla Sugar, and Chewy Cranberry Oatmeal. We liked them all. I kid you not. They are all great, with a wonderful, chewy texture, good flavors, and the perfect amount of salt.



The 1.5 ounce frozen cookie dough portions are packed in 36-count bags. You just place them on a baking sheet (the phrase you're looking for to describe mine is "well seasoned"), let them thaw so you can flatten them out a bit, bake, and EAT. I mean, "let cool, then eat."



I would love to see these cookies in every coffee shop, cafeteria, and grocery store in the country.

Chrysalis Cookies are wheat-free, dairy-free, whole-grain, Kosher cookies made with organic oat flour and no trans fats. A full list of ingredients is here. They can be purchased online for $25.99/3 dozen cookies. Food service quantities (216 cookies/case) are also available.

This review is for Go Dairy Free.

The Greek Chorus

That's me, chanting, "You can never be too careful...." Such a charming trait, no?

Here's an email from m on her son's Hershey trip:

"Hi Sarah,

Just wanted to give you the report on my son's day at Hershey, as promised. Overall, he had a great time, though not without a couple of glitches. He had one minor 'contact' reaction -- his eye started swelling up, which usually means that he touched something milky and rubbed his eye. He went right to the bathroom and washed his hands and eye and took some Benadryl, and the symptoms subsided. No other reaction the rest of the day.

As for the Kosher Mart -- He called me at 3:30 on his cell to report that it was closed. He was a little panicked, as he was quite hungry. It turned out that they close early on Friday for the Jewish sabbath. Luckily someone at the nearby food service was able to help him out.

I wrote them an email thanking them, and suggesting that they post the closing hours on the website. They said they would.

I guess the moral is: No matter how conscientious you are, things can go awry. Have a backup plan -- even if it's just an extra sandwich in the cooler back in the car."


Thanks for the report, m. It's a good reminder to have a backup plan. And a cell phone!

Get Well Soon

Beck is sick, and two of her children have the chicken pox. On a happier note, she wrote a lovely column about her daughter's dietary restrictions and started a gluten-free recipe/discussion page. Go check it out!

I am sending Beck a batch of virtual beet brownies. I found this recipe in our local paper the other day and altered it to make it dairy free, but I haven't tried it yet.

Chipotle Beet Brownies

1 jar sliced pickled beets
1 box brownie mix
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile powder
1 cup dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray. Drain beets, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Combine beets and reserved liquid in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth; set aside.
Combine brownie mix, oil, eggs, pureed beets and chile powder in a large mixing bowl; stir 50 strokes with a spoon. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 28-30 minutes as directed on brownie package. Remove from oven; cool. Frost or dust with powdered sugar.

Amusing? Sometimes

Karen at Avoiding Milk Protein asked me for some summer travel tips, and m is concerned about her 13-year-old dairy-allergic son's upcoming trip to Hershey Park--without his parents. So let's talk amusement parks, shall we?

Go to the website of the amusement park you will be visiting and look for allergen information, usually somewhere under food/restaurants. More and more locations are posting this information on their sites. Print it out and keep a copy for reference at the park. HOWEVER, you never know how often the information is updated. Or maybe they ran out of the hot dog buns listed on the site and had to substitute with another brand. You just don't know, so you still need to be on the alert at the park.

With that in mind, look for contact information. Using the Hershey Park website as an example, yes, they do list the ingredients of some allergen-free foods online. They also provide contact information for those with questions about allergens. Use this contact information. Personally, I like to use email because then I have everything in print. Explain your situation, then ask whatever questions you have, such as:
May we bring allergen-free food with us into the park?
Who do we ask at the restaurants to let us see ingredient labels?
Who do we contact if we run into a problem at the park?
Etc.

Even if some of these answers are provided on the website, I like to have them with me in print in an email from a high-ranking employee of the park. Then if I run into any resistance, I can pull out the "permission slip."

This is an especially important technique for parks that don't have as many allergen-free options. We have been allowed to bring food for Katherine to various locations that don't usually allow outside food and have never been questioned. But I had my email copies with me just in case someone asked. In these instances, I had to dig around on the websites a little more to find someone to write to. Sometimes I've used the generic "contact us" address and my email was forwarded to the appropriate person. A reply may take awhile, so as soon as you know where you will be going, start writing.

Traveling with food-allergic children is stressful. Sending them off on their own is even more stressful. So until all amusement parks become as forward-thinking as Holiday World, write those emails. Write them before to ask your questions, and write them after to say, "Thank you."

Guerrilla Cooking, With Bonus Baby Content

Here is another obscure cookbook from my collection. It was written by Mel Walsh, another Peg Bracken devotee. We had the Mexican Spaghetti (minus the cheese) for dinner last night.

Mexican Spaghetti

"Use this on the nights when you're tired and you don't want guff from anyone about the menu. The all should like this, and if they don't, tell them it's their turn to cook tomorrow night. "--Mel Walsh, Guerrilla Cooking: The Survival Manual for People Who Don't Like to Cook or Don't Have Time to Cook

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound ground round
1 small onion, chopped
11 oz. can Mexican-style corn [I use frozen corn.]
1 cup chopped ripe tomatoes, either fresh or canned
2 tablespoons chili powder [I use one T. so the kids will eat it.]

"Put the pasta pot on to boil. Meanwhile, brown the beef and chopped onion in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Stir so they won't stick. Drain off any fat. Then add the corn, drained tomatoes [I don't drain them.], and chili powder. Stir. Simmer with the cover on so the juices don't evaporate.

When the pasta is cooked, drain and put it into a serving dish. Pour the meat sauce over the pasta. If desired, sprinkle with grated Monterey Jack cheese. [We don't, obviously.]

Serve with a green salad topped by avocado slices."




And here is our almost-four-month-old baby girl (*sob*), whose baptism was this Sunday. We dressed her in a ridiculous tutu-like outfit from her great-great aunt because, what better time to wear such a thing? The service was beautiful, even the part where Eli tried to escape from Gramma and she managed to catch him by the tip of his tractor boot. Good reflexes, Gramma!

Breads From Anna Piecrust Mix

Breads From Anna Piecrust Mix

Gluten and Yeast Free
Corn, Dairy, Soy, and Rice Free

Ingredients: Tapioca Flour, arrowroot, millet, maple sugar, potato starch, Montina(TM) (perennial bunch grass, achnatherum hymonodies), chick pea flour, navy bean flour, pinto bean flour, salt, xanthan gum, cream of tartar, baking soda.

I made our piecrust with plain soy milk, apple cider vinegar, and canola oil. The directions on the package didn't have all of the baking information I needed to make a fruit pie, so I went to their website for additional baking tips.

The crust was very easy to mix up and roll out, even for me, the non-baker in the family. Because of its crumbly consistency, it was a bit tricky to place in the pie pan, and it did crack during baking. (See photo.) One thing I appreciated about this gluten-free piecrust is that it wasn't sweet, so it could be used for savory pies as well as dessert pies. However, most tasters didn't like the bitter aftertaste of the crust.

www.glutenevolution.com
Breads From Anna Piecrust Mix
$4.35/package

This review is for Go Dairy Free.

Wanna Read a Story?

A Kindergarten Tale:

D. accidentally spills his cheese crackers at snacktime. They land near Katherine, who wisely doesn't touch them. M. and L. come over and clean up the spill. (D. helps, too.)
M. says, "We just saved Katherine's life!"

For more Food Allergy Awareness Week stories and blog posts, check out this week's Living With Food Allergies Blog Carnival at Check My Tag.

Recipe for a Blog Entry

Take these popular blogging topics:
Food Allergy Awareness Week
The rising cost of food
Being frugal
Cooking without allergens

Mix them all together, and you get Nowheymama's Summer Resolution (I can make a resolution any time of year, thanks.) : I am determined to make more of my family's snack foods from scratch.

*Crickets chirping*

Well, I'm excited about it, and that's what matters. Here are the categories I'm thinking about:
Frozen desserts, such as soy ice cream, sorbet, popsicles
Fruit treats, such as fruit snacks and fruit leather (Remember the 70's? Of course! We all do.)
Gelatins made with fruit juice
Cracker-type items
Snack bars

Because:
I'm tired of spending so much money on this stuff. ($3.79/pint for Tofutti ice cream, Local Health Food Store? Really? $4.19/box for six EnviroKidz peanut butter bars, Local Grocery Store? REALLY?)
I think I can make these things in a healthier AND more cost-effective manner. (You won't see me making my own soy milk anytime soon, for example.)
I want a good supply of go-to recipes for school lunches in the fall.
I think this is the one area of grocery shopping where we haven't cut back much yet.

I'll share recipes and family reviews as we try different foods, and would love to hear any or all of your snack recipes.

Are you with me? Come on, dust off that ice cream maker and dig out your Mom's old Tupperware popsicle molds. Maybe we'll even invest in food dehydrators! Whee!

Email Tutorial

Remember when the Internet was "new" and Martha Stewart wrote columns about web etiquette--like how to properly address emails? No? Just me, then? Okey-doke.

Today I'm going to play Martha and offer my own email tutorial because I think it's important to praise companies when they do a good thing and to gently reprimand them when they, say, suddenly add unnecessary allergens to a product. Does it make any difference? I honestly don't know. Probably not. But at least I know I've spoken up. Besides, it takes just a few minutes to send an email to a company: no envelope, no stamp, no hunting for the address, no getting it to the mailbox before the mail carrier arrives, etc.

Letter The First:*
Dear [Company]:

I am writing to let you know how much our family enjoys [product]. My [person] has a severe [allergen] allergy, and s/he is able to eat your [product] because it is [allergen] free. Please continue to produce your wonderful [products] !

Sincerely,
[Name]

* Variations:
Write to your local supermarket to thank them for carrying certain products.
Write to a company whose product you enjoy and would like your store to carry and give them your store's contact information.
Write to a restaurant and thank them for the allergen-free items on their menu.
Write to a potential vacation spot you love and ask them about their allergy policies.
Write to a show that is allergy sensitive. (I wrote to Sesame Street to thank them for the "soy milk for sale" sign in Hooper's Store. Katherine was really excited about it.)

Yes, some of these messages could be delivered in person, but the company can use your wonderful letter (known in the airline industry as an "orchid letter") as an example of how awesome they are, making it more likely that they will continue to carry your item. You will almost always receive a thank you for your note.

Now it's time to let your passive-aggressive tendencies shine.

Letter The Second:
Dear [Company]:

Our family has enjoyed your [product] for many years. Sadly, we are no longer able to use [product] because you have changed the recipe and added [allergen]. My [person] is severely allergic to [ingredient] and cannot eat it. We will miss using [product] and hope that you will reconsider changing the recipe back to its original form.

Thank you for your time,
[Name]

You will almost always receive a response that cites the months of consumer research the company did to come up with their "new and improved" recipe. You will often also receive a coupon for the altered product, encouraging you to "try it again." This might make you want to beat yourself over the head with your laptop, but at least you tried.

Now get writing!

Food Allergy Awareness Week

This week, May 11-17, is the The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's eleventh annual Food Allergy Awareness Week. FAAN's website states: "This week is devoted to food allergies. There are lots of ways to get involved—visit a local ambulance provider to learn about epinephrine, hang posters, have a fundraiser, talk to legislators, everything helps." Other suggestions for getting involved are here.

One of my favorite FAAN programs is the Be a PAL: Protect a Life from Food Allergies program, which has easy steps for nonallergic children to help their allergic friends:
"Anyone can be a PAL by following these five easy steps:

1. Never take food allergies lightly.

2. Don’t share food with friends who have food allergies.

3. Wash your hands after eating.

4. Ask what your friends are allergic to, and help them avoid it.

5. If a friend who has food allergies becomes ill, get help immediately!"

PALs can be thanked with a free certificate from the website.

Me a Whiny Girl

Friends of my parents tell this story of their 4-year old son and 2-year old daughter talking in the back of the car:
Daughter: You a whiny boy.
Son: No I'm not! I don't whine! Mom, [Daughter] said I'm whiny! Tell her I'm not! Tell her to stop!
Daughter: You doin' it now.

Today I am a whiny girl. I have a sinus infection. Whah, whah. Poor me. It's rainy and overcast. Bleah. So this morning the little ones and I will go to playgroup where Eli will parallel play and I will sit in the corner with Helen and try not to infect anyone. And tonight I will cheer myself up by serving everyone Beck's Chocolate Surprise Cake* (There are beets in it! Shh!) and watching Juno with my husband.

I will also be cheered up by the thought of my reader panel idea being published in the July/August issue of Wondertime. I'll be published! And they're paying me $75! I'm the next Catherine Newman! HA HA HA HA HA HA.

*Substitute dairy-free margarine for the butter, and bake it in an 8"x8" pan at 325 degrees.
[Edited to add: I ended up with enough batter to fill a 9"x13" pan, so that's what I used. We frosted it with dairy-free cream cheese icing, and everyone liked it a lot.]

Take a Letter

THIS MESSAGE WILL SELF-DESTRUCT FAIRLY SOON.

Ka-blam!!!

Angel Food

Have you all heard of Angel Food Ministries? Lately, I've been reading lots of blog entries and talking to people about their food and gas cost concerns. I thought this program was something that might help. According to their website, Angel Food Ministries is "a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and contributing to benevolent outreaches in communities throughout the United States."

Angel Food is open to anyone--regardless of income. For $30 a month, you get ~$65 of food. A month's menu may include:

• 4 lb. IQF Leg Quarters
• 4 oz. Beef Back Ribs
• 1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
• 2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
• 1.5 lb. Bone in Pork Chops (4 x 6oz.)
• 1 lb. Ground Turkey
• 18 oz. Stuffed Manicotti (Cheese)
• 12 oz. Smoked Sausage
• Betty Crocker Seasoned Potatoes
• 7 oz. Cheeseburger Dinner
• 16 oz. Green Beans
• 16 oz. Baby Carrots
• 2 lb. Onions
• 1 lb. Pinto Beans
• 1 lb. Rice
• 7 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
• 10 ct. Homestyle Waffles
• Dessert Item

Are some of these items problems for people with food allergies? Yes. But anything your family can't eat could easily be shared with someone else or given to your local food pantry.

Although we haven't tried it yet, I know many families (of various sizes and incomes) in our community have signed up for Angel Food and are pleased with it. I think it's a great idea. You can find your closest site here.

Great.

Now I'm addicted to Facebook.

Here's a cute kid photo to enjoy while I go look up people from my past.

Things You Can Find Online

A make-your-own onion soup mix recipe.

Ways to be frugal.

Fun games.

A parenting magazine right in my own backyard.

A slideshow by my husband.

Three Months

Dairy-Free Fried Chicken

Katherine was asked to submit her favorite recipe at school for a class cookbook. She chose Daddy's fried chicken. Here is the recipe as she and Daddy submitted it.

Daddy's Fried Chicken

3 eggs
1/3 C. water
2 C. self-rising flour
1 t. pepper
chicken pieces (Katherine likes legs the best.)
vegetable oil for frying

Beat eggs with water. Stir pepper into flour.

Dip chicken pieces into the egg, coat well in the flour mixture. Fry in hot oil (350 degrees) until brown and crisp. (Dark meat takes about 15 minutes, white meat takes about 10.)

Freezes well - reheat at 400 until hot and crispy.

Reuse the oil - it tastes better the second time.

Buy This Book

People often ask me what resources I recommend to learn more about food allergies. Of course I mention the many wonderful online resources, but for a print one, I recommend Food Allergies for Dummies. Not because I think the people asking are dummies, of course, but because it is such a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about food allergies. The author, Dr. Robert Wood, has a food allergy himself, so he knows of what he speaks. The text is very accessible, and it is full of information about and reviews of other food allergy books and websites.

I recommend Food Allergies for Dummies to teachers, childcare providers, and parents of allergic children or just-diagnosed individuals who are learning about food allergies for the first time. I also think this is a great book if, say, your child's friend or classmate has a food allergy and you want to learn a little about it without delving into complex medical texts.

Food Allergies for Dummies, Robert Wood, M.D. and Joe Kraynak. $13.39 on Amazon.com.

[Written for Go Dairy Free.]

On the Internets

The newest Food Allergy Blog Carnival is up at Rational Jenn's, and Karen at Avoiding Milk Protein has posted a Nowheymama interview. You can find it under "Avoiding Milk Protein News and Information." Thanks, Karen!

Also, I finally got my postpartum self in gear and officially joined WEGO Health, which is shaping up to be a great online community. Come join us!

We Was Robbed!

Photo courtesy of Menshealth.com.

I'm kidding. We had a great time at the Bake-Off. I think any of you who are eligible should enter next time.

The winners are here. A blog about the event (Complete with photos of Scott!) is here.

[Edited to add: Here's some of the "bad press" Scott's recipe received, to which I have to say: Lighten up, Dudes.]

To Do List

1. Pack for Dallas!
2. Pick a travel outfit to wear while holding an infant lap child (white shirt and mustard yellow pants?)!
3. Clean for my parents who are watching the other kids at our house!
4. Plan easy meals!
5. Write down important information that my mom already knows!
6. Worry that we will be stuck in an airport and miss the Bake Off!
7. Surf for helpful travelling-with-an-infant tips!
8. Figure out cool places to go if we have any free time! (Besides here, which is included in our trip.)
9. Plan what to say to Sandra Lee if I meet her!
10. Cook dinner!
11. Wonder what I've left off the list!

I'm a Big Chicken Person

That's what I said on my first date with a guy when he asked me what kinds of food I liked. He laughed. A lot. I hope he's gotten some mileage out of that story.

So, speaking of chicken, here's the "top secret family recipe" of one of our postpartum meal delivery people. She was kind enough to let me in on the secret, and so I share it with you. I bet you could easily replace the egg and make it egg-free as well as dairy-free.

Also, have you ever had City Chicken? (Just replace the butter with margarine to make it dairy free.) Apparently, we Pennsylvanians and our odd customs are getting some national attention thanks to our April 22 primary.

I'm off to thaw ground turkey, not chicken, for our dinner. I'm a big turkey person, too.

Firsts

Katherine took her first communion yesterday and also lost her first tooth. If I were a certain type of writer, I would compose a thoughtful, heartfelt piece about the passing of time and the many ways our little ones are growing up. I would tell you how I felt full of joy at the sight of her serious face concentrating on her thimbleful of grape juice, and I would tell you how I felt helpless at the pre-tooth loss tears. "I don't want my tooth to come out!"
And, I would tell you that a little part of me didn't want Katherine's first baby tooth to come out, either. I would tell you about my sadness over the loss of that particular little smile. But helping our children change and grow is part of our job, so I would tell you that in the morning I reminded her to sit quietly in church during the communion service, and that in the evening I gently grasped the loose baby tooth and helped her pull it out.

Tell Me All Your Thoughts on Blogs

Like many of you, I don't like blogging about blogging, but here is my secret blog confession:
I don't use one of them there RSS thingys yet. (GASP!) It just always seemed too burdensome. But I think now is the time because I'm missing too much that's going on. I need a tutorial, please. How do I do this?

Also, what other bloggy accessories can you not live without?

Seven

Hey! Where have I been? I've been here, with my lists of seven. (I'm altering the rules, Ria.)

Seven aliments of the House of Hatfield:
1. stomach flu
2. ear infections
3. sinus infection
4. thrush
5. common cold
6. diaper rash
7. RSV scare (not RSV, another virus)

Seven dairy-free recipes we've enjoyed recently*:
1. Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs (renamed "Celebration Rolls" for Easter breakfast because the marshmallow "disappears" and they're empty when you cut them open. You know, like the tomb.) Also, if you're looking for more Easter/Springtime brunch ideas, check out Alisa's recipes.

2. Fruit Pizza (made with Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese instead of dairy cream cheese for Eli's birthday)
3. Country Fried Steak and Gravy
4. Bubba's Beer Biscuits (I'm sorry, all of you Paula haters--We like her recipes.)
5.Back to School Sloppy Joes
6. Split Pea Soup (made with leftover Easter ham)
7. Lady Brownies
*Replace all butter with dairy-free margarine, of course.

Lady Brownies by Paula Deen
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil (I do 1/2 applesauce, 1/2 oil)
4 eggs
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
11/2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Blend together the sugar, oil, (applesauce,) eggs, cocoa, and vanilla. Add flour; mix. Add nuts; spread into greased 13x9-inch pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Seven books I'm reading a page of whenever I have a second:
1. The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook (Um, obviously.)
2. Birth
3. The Baby Book
4. The Soul's Code (An unlabeled gift I received in the mail. From my brother-in-law, maybe? )
5. A nonfiction political book. I'm trying to stretch, here.
6. Eat, Pray, Love
7. Felicity's Cooking Studio (This is Katherine's, but I'm really enjoying it.)

Off to do dishes and laundry before our next pediatrician appointment....

We Heart Eat n' Park

Here's my eleventh-hour entry for the awesome Food Allergy Blog Carnival that Rational Jenn keeps up and running. I am happy to be included as a carnival...er? ...ist? whenever I remember to send in a link.

This week's theme is "Restaurants." I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize Eat n' Park, a Pittsburgh-based chain that is very allergy-aware. I thought I'd written about them somewhere before, but I can't find a link at the moment. Maybe it was on someone else's blog. Anyway. Focus, Nowheymama!

Eat n' Park is just excellent. They have had Silk soy milk on their menu for at least two years, and the staff is very knowledgeable about what ingredients the menu items contain. We usually order the salad or breakfast bar for Katherine because she can eat many of the items on either one. If we worry about cross-contamination, the server will bring a serving of a bar item straight from the kitchen to Katherine. Also, if a usual bar item is missing (like apple butter, for instance) they will bring her a serving of it at no extra charge.

I wrote to them awhile ago to ask about which of their menu items would be safe, and they sent me an email saying that they didn't want to publish any information on their website until they were absolutely sure it was correct, but they told me the items that they were certain were dairy free. I noticed that their website now has a gluten-free menu listing.

My only complaint is that the Smiley cookies (that they give to every child 10 and under) are neither dairy nor wheat free, and they don't have an alternative treat.

Anyone Else?

Centerpiece by Katherine and Gramma

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We celebrated on Saturday with boiled dinner and green cookies. Mmmm....

I answered some questions that were asked during my maternity leave in the last post, and I didn't mean to leave anyone out. So, any questions you'd like me to answer? Fire away.

I'll get you started with a fun fact. The number one search for this blog is "Star Wars birthday party." True story.



Pistachio Pudding Cookies*

1 cup Bisquick baking mix
1 small package instant pistachio pudding
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients until the dough forms a ball. Shape dough into one-inch balls. Place about two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie with a fork, as you would with peanut butter cookies. Bake until the edges are light brown, about eight minutes. Makes about two dozen cookies.

*Most pudding mixes are dairy free, and so is Bisquick. This recipe is from my junior high home ec. class, although I'm sure you could find a million variations of it online.

[Edited to add: Do NOT use sugar-free pudding mix. Just ask Swistle.]

Q&A

1. How are the preparations for the Pillsbury event going? --MyBuddyMimi

Very well, thank you! (And there is still time to vote for Scott's recipe!) Scott's even been on local TV. We'll be going to Dallas in a month so he can compete and I can laze around the hotel with only a newborn to keep me company. Aaahhh.... [Edited to add: Yet another photographer came to take pictures last night. Good thing I cleaned the kitchen.]

2. Helen's birth story? --Mommy Daisy and Saly

My induction was scheduled for 7 am on January 25, so my mom and my sister arrived at our house at oh-god-thirty (as my grandmother would say). Mom stayed with the kids, and Scott and Emily and I headed to the hospital. Because I love my particular OB/GYN, we had to travel to a hospital about 30 minutes away from our house, yet a different thirty-minute-away hospital from the one where Eli was born. So, three deliveries, three different hospitals. Anyway, we arrived and a very nice woman checked me in, saying, "In just a few hours, they'll be calling me with the registration information for your baby." Yeah....
We went to the maternity ward and after answering a billion questions, my lovely nurse, who looks like my college roommate, started the Pitocin. (Also, my doctor checked in before he went into surgery.) Aaannd, they upped the Pitocin and kept upping it all day long. By mid-afternoon, I was one or two clicks away from the highest level, and... nothing. My doctor stopped back in and prepared me for the possibility of stopping the Pitocin, letting me rest overnight, and starting again in the morning. Because of my earlier experience, this did not thrill me. The nurses and dr. kept asking if I wanted an epidural, but what little contractions I was having were not painful at all, and if I had to stay overnight, I didn't want to be coming off an epidural. So, we waited. (Emily and Scott are old pros at waiting around the hospital, so they came armed with books, movies on the laptop, and money for the cafeteria.)
Around 5:30-6 pm, my doctor came back in and checked me, and I'd made it all the way to three centimeters. He said we could wait overnight, or he could break my water. "Break it!" The contractions immediately became stronger, and yes, I wanted an epidural. The anesthesiologist was on his way in to the hospital to give an epidural to another woman; he'd see me after her. Did I want other pain meds? I decided I didn't at the last second. They tend to make me really loopy, and I didn't want to be out of it. Instead, I got to have lots of undulled Pitocin contractions. The anesthesiologist came to see me around 8ish. The night-shift nurse (who was awesome) checked me before he began, and I was at 4 cm. By the time he was done setting up the epidural, it was 8:45 pm. The nurse checked me again and said, "You're at 10 cm!" Me: "????" They hurriedly called the dr. and started bringing in all kinds of equipment and supplies. At a little after 9 I was told that the dr. was in the building and that I could go ahead and push. I pushed 2-3 times, and Helen was born at 9:17 pm.



3. Enough of this baby stuff. How about some new recipes and dairy-free content, Girlie? --Various

Dairy-Free Meat Pie (from my neighbor, Tracy, who is a saint)

1 lb+ ground beef
2/3 lb pork sausage (Tracy recommends Jimmy Dean.)
Brown meat and add a sprinkle of minced, dried onion. Drain off fat, reserving about 1 tablespoon.
Mix together with:
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon sage
black pepper
Set aside.
To the 1 tablespoon of reserved pan drippings, add:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon beef bouillon
1/2 cup water
Boil down for a few minutes into a gravy. Add the gravy to the meat mixture. Put the filling in a double-crust pie (Pillsbury refrigerated crust is dairy free). Brush the top crust with egg white and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. (Optional, of course.) Bake at 425 for 40 minutes.

Tracy delivered it to us assembled but unbaked, so we could cook it when we wanted to. We served it with applesauce and green beans. It is sooo good. I can't wait to make it myself.

I've made some new dairy-free contacts over the past couple of months, or rather they've contacted me. Say hello to WEGO Health, Whey Out Chocolate, Boys Rule My Life, and The Boy Loves to Read, who reminded me that I need to order some Mabel's Labels for the fall.