New Year and some revelations

I had severe food allergies growing up.  As in, I ate nothing with Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Chocolate or much refined sugar in it until I was 17.  Seriously.  I had my first taste of ice cream when I was 17 as I was introducing foods into my diet to test my tolerances.  It was weird.  I had never tasted ice cream (real ice cream) before.  The kicker?  My dad worked at a dairy.. how fun was that?  He would bring home cheese, butter and cases of yogurt and ice cream that I could not eat.. nice.  Except that I don't remember caring much because I had never had it.

I was the kid who had a fruit cup at birthday parties, or my mom would make gluten free cupcake with carob chips.. ackkkkk.. gaaggg..

I had allergy shots each week, one in each arm on a Tuesday after school and again on Friday after school.  Twice a week for 14 years.  I developed some tolerances to food and now those tolerances have again eroded.  I have given up these foods several times in my adult life, only to succumb back to their siren song and pretend I can live with the effects. 

This last week, it has gotten nearly intolerable.  The itchy is back, I am completely bloated and my gut is in tatters.  My skin is so dry and flaky and horrible, I almost can't stand it. 

What to do??? well research of course.  I am thinking that I need to do another elimination diet and will probably have to give up wheat, dairy, gluten and chocolate.  I am hoping that I can still tolerate soy and corn though, but I will most likely have to moderate those.  This blog will probably change focus just a little bit, and I am going to really try and document this process as I will need to keep track of how I feel each day and what foods do what.  Who knows?  maybe someone else somewhere will find it helpful.  Stay tuned, as I have to plan a little for this.  Hope everyone is having a lovely year of the dragon so far.

Menu Plan Monday.. First time for everything

I love Menu Plans.  Most of the time though, something happens and I don't complete what I plan for the week.  I am going to see if we can execute a menu plan.. and to keep me on track I have decided to link up with I'm an Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

We are still in the Trailer.. We are very close to being able to close on the first house we bid on back in May.  I will post on that in the next couple of days as I am still fearful of jinxing this..

Okay.. so on to Menu Plan Monday


Monday:  (Tonight)
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Cooked Corn
Leftover Biscuits

Tuesday:
Baked Chicken Tenders with BBQ sauce
Macaroni and Cheese
Cooked Carrots

Wednesday:
 Beef Burritos
Rice

Thursday:
Tuna Casserole
Garlic Bread
Green Beans

Friday:
Leftovers and hopefully starting to move out

Saturday:
Pizza (Take out) since I am still hoping to be moving

Sunday:
Rotisserie Chicken
Roasted Potatos
Salad
Rolls
Corn on the cob

This is my plan... and I really really hope that I stick to it.. for more reasons that wanting to follow the plan.

Lunches will be made each day this week as well and some of the things we will be having:

Ham and cheese wraps (today and Wednesday)  My son's Favorite lunch item

Roast Beef and Chedder Hoagies (Tuesday)

Tuna Sandwiches on Hoagies

I hope you check out more of the menu plans out there, I know that I did and WOW I am impressed with the creativity and planning  skills that some of you have!

Here is my Monday photo :

This is a picture of my Son Rowing.. it was his first season this last year and he fell in love with the sport.  As soon as we are moved and settled he will be joining up again with his team in Lake Stevens.  It is awesome to watch these boys glide across the water.. and it improved his fitness and also really helped his dirtbike riding for endurance and upper body strength!
Enjoy!

Happy Monday all!

Foodie Friday

I am participating in

Foodie Friday Hosted by the Great Designs by Gollum.  Be sure to check out all of the fabulous participants!

I grew up eating Braunschweiger. Some call it liverwurst.  I was always told it was Braunschweiger and we ate it on crackers or just cut us a slab and ate it.  Liverwurst just never sounded as appealing to me.  Many years ago, a really great guy and a great friend introduced me to a sandwich.  This is a sandwich that would change my opinion of things.. it rocked my world.. It made me salivate and for Liverwurst???  Really?  Yes.  I make this sandwich when I want something to eat that is filling, and fabulous and makes me happy.. sooo happy.  It takes a little preparation and the recipe below is for two sandwiches.. so you can increase or cut in half if you are the only eater.  I always make two even for myself.. it is that good.

This recipe is one that is definatly different and it is something that I absolutely love.  My family doesn't care for it as much as I do and some of my friends, but try it and you just might find that you love it too!

You will need:

4 Large Slices of Good Sourdough Bread

1 small package of Liverwurst or Braunschweiger

1 Small head of Romaine Lettuce

1/2 Yellow Onion

1 Clove Garlic

4 oz Cream Cheese  ( I use a little bit more.. like about 5-6oz for two sandwiches)  room temp

1/2 stick Butter or Margerine... ( I use Butter)

Now for the directions:

I roughly chop the onion... Not Huge.. but not a dice either.  I also mince the garlic at this time.  Next you want to mix the garlic with the cream cheese in a small bowl and set it aside.  Next I chop some Romaine.. I like a bit of Romaine on mine.. and I like mine Sliced.. if you like chopped, then chop, if you like sliced, then slice.  Whole leaves just don't have the same texture for this sandwich.... so Slice and or Chop.  Set this aside.  Melt the Butter in a nice skillet or saute pan.  Throw the onions in and let them cook a bit.  I like them soft and a little browned.. Not caramelized completely, just a little browned and soft and yummy!  While those are cooking away, Slice up some of the Braunschweiger.  I use about 4 slices for each sandwich.  I lay all eight slices on a cookie sheet and place in the oven to Broil.  You have to watch these puppies.. I broil for about 3 minutes on each side.. enough to get them sizzling and enough to crisp them up.. it may take 3-5 minutes per side.. just watch them so they don't burn.  I also Broil my Sourdough Bread.  Doesn't matter if you Broil the bread to toast it before or after the Braunschweiger, just make sure it gets toasty on both sides.

Once you have the Braunschweiger cooked, the bread toasted and the onions are cooked and softened.. it is time for assembly.  Oh the Assembly.. Oh by now I can hardly contain myself.. it is soooo good!

Take your Sourdough Toast.. and slather the Cream Cheese garlic mixture on each piece.. then add some of those onions on one side.. then the Braunschweiger on top of the onion, then the Romain on top of that.. stick those two pieces of bread together, slice and DEVOUR!  Oh Lord these are good.. and I am going to make this this weekend.. then I can post some pictures.. Hmmmmmm NUMMY.

Enjoy!  and be sure to check out the other great links and recipes!