Allergy Testing....and Pineapple Fried Rice

 As you are all well aware it has been some months now since I have posted. It has been one hectic "ball of flames" surrounding my life as of late. The holidays came, and left, as quickly as they appeared. The weather this year left me fairly depressed and unmotivated as several members of the family, were and are, also dealing with health issues. Our family  doctor is now on maternity leave with his wife, and we were just informed he will not be returning to the practice we have been going to for years. Hence a search for a new physician begins. Before he left he did suggest that since its been years, and I mean "YEARS" since my last allergy testing,  that I be tested. With that being said, I visited the Allergist for just some preliminary tests...He tested me for the basics. Wheat, cat, dog, goldenrod, ragweed, grass. The allergy test to "wheat" came back NEGATIVE this time around. Yes negative. But.....I do still have a positive reaction to grasses, although it's not as strong as it once was. And we all know that wheat "IS" a grass. So my dilemma here is...Do I still try and maintain a GF diet as well as trying to maintain a eating plan for my Stage 3 kidney disease as well? This all seems a little daunting to me at the moment.

I have still been working on a gf flour blend for you all,  but also free from flours in the grass family, so also safe for kidneys. Yet most nut flours, and flours that are not in the grass family, seem to have high phosphorus and potassium amounts. So I guess it's back to the drawing board.

So until I can come up with a new plan of action I will be posting some recipes that are not in the "BAKING" category, but are safe for those of you who are not only living a GF lifestyle  but are also trying to eat healthier for your kidneys. If you have any tips that you  personally have tried please leave a comment, as I would love to hear from you. So here is my most recent recipe for you all to try in the meantime.

Until next post, ENJOY, n God bless!

                                                                    Pineapple Fried Rice

1/2 cup dry whole grain rice

2 T olive oil, divided

2 ( 8 oz) cans drained pineapple chunks

1 diced large green pepper,

2 scallions, green and white parts, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large eggs, beaten

1 T reduced sodium soy sauce

2 T lime juice, fresh

1.    Cook rice according to directions on package, usually about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool or use "rice" from my Miracle Noodle Merchant to the right of the site. EXCELLENT!

2. Heat 1 T of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pineapple and bell pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add the scalliano and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Set aside.

3. In  a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the eggs and cook, stirring frequently, until the eggs are scrambled.

4. Add the rice and vegetables to the pan. Add the soy sauce and lime juice, stirring to coat. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

 Note:Per serving (using regular rices)

calories  519

protein  13g

total fat  19g

 saturated fat 3.5g

total carbs 76g

fiber 5g

cholesterol 186mg

phosphorus 215mg

potassium 586mg

sodium 368mg

sugar 29g

Grass Free flour blend update

 Well 2024 has come to an end and a brand new year has arrived. There is snow in the fields across the way, and a cold chill in the air. I loved the winter season as a child. Sled rides, building snowmen, snowball battles. Such fun, now memories....those times I leave for my grandchildren to enjoy now.

I would rather spend my time indoors on such days reading a good book, talking on the phone with family n friends, or baking in the kitchen. There is something about the aromas that fill the house on cold snowy days that relax me, even take me back to memories in time.

The smell of fresh baked bread, cinnamon rolls, and fresh baked cookies from the oven. As you all well know by now I have a sweet tooth. But it's not just the taste of sweets that I enjoy. It is the labor of love that goes into it. It's the warmth of the oven and the smells that flow throughout the house making it feel more like a home. It's the joy it brings watching the faces of my family as they enjoy the sweets and homemade goods that came from the works of my hands. The kindness of sharing.  Love. That's it....Love....is the enjoyment I see.

 I am so close to the finalization of my flour mix. I just made the most delicious pancakes this morning, I myself was amazed! Fluffy, nice rise, and of course delicious. I wanted to make pumpkin pancakes but  the recipe called for pumpkin puree and I of course only had pumpkin pie filling....Yes there is a difference in the two as far as the thickness goes, and I am really trying to do it right the first time..

I am looking to add a few more companies to my blog from which you can shop. I just bought some much needed new cookie sheets and I absolutely love them. Cookies come out the way the recipe describes them, and I couldn't be happier. I'm on the lookout for a new griddle as I have been making the trial pancake recipes in a skillet, so if you have any suggestions on one please drop me a note. 

Trial and error, trial and error...but the best thing as of late is that almost every recipe has been spot on using the flour blend. I really can't wait to share. Oh, and don't forget that you may also be seeing a cookbook in the coming year!

Till next time. Happy 2025

Sharon

Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength."

Christmas Cookie Bake Off

 The other day several members of our family had a Christmas cookie bake off. My niece and her daughter were in visiting from Chicago, and since we don't see each other often a  cookie bake off was scheduled during their stay.

I haven't made many Christmas cookies lately as life has been pretty hectic. Being as there are no little ones living at home any more, and my husband being a diabetic I am pretty much the only one here that eats sweets. What a treat it was.

Since my niece and her family do live  a GF lifestyle, as her son does indeed have celiac disease, it was my opportunity to try my blend  on someone other than myself....It was a big hit! Not only did everyone love the sour cream cookies, but the chocolate walnut crinkle cookies were everyone's favorite! And to believe I had almost cancelled because the rush of the holiday season had tired me out both physically and mentally... Not only did I have a great relaxing time, but I had the opportunity to "TEST" my gluten free, grass free" flour blend on others, and get a positive feedback.

I still have a good amount of recipes to test the blend on, but I hope you will be patient with me while I still do some "tweaking". Just like my crafts that I sell at local craft fairs, everything has to be up to my own personal expectations! I am almost there, I promise...

Until next post...Have a Happy and Blessed New Year everyone!

Isaiah 9:6 -7  For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government  will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.