Wheat fee, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Corn Free, Pork Free, Shellfish Free........

 Stevi and I went to a specialist today to try to pinpoint her allergies.  The tests came back positive for 100's of allergies, some small, some very serious.  Yes she did test positive for the allergies to wheat and gluten...easy once you know.  Not for us.  Not only is she allergic to wheat and gluten which seems to be in everything, she is also allergic to any tree nut, soy and corn (which is in most gluten free items), pork and shellfish.  So allergic in fact, the Dr. gave her another prescription for an additional epipen, and an inhaler, both of which she must have on her at all times, and she is now on prednisone to help with her hives and itching.  As of now, she needs to stop taking all antihistamines for at least 72 hours and Monday we go back and she will be getting the allergy scratch test since the blood tests are not as accurate as far as which allergies are deadly and which once are just going to be irritating to her.  Monday will take about two hours and we should know exactly which ones are life threatening to her and which ones she may just have an intolerance to, as of now  she is to stay away from ALL gluten, wheat, soy, corn, shellfish, nuts, and even salmon, which includes all bi-products and possible cross contaminations.  She will be put on a '504' at school which is for all students with any life threatening diseases, allergies or health issues.  There have been a lot of tears, me and her and Daddy, try shopping with a 15 year old and looking at the boxes and essentially putting everything back on the shelf.  Next time you shop, or go to your cupboard  try to find 3 things within 5 minutes... bet you can't.  She can have beef, chicken, rice, potatoes and all fresh fruits and vegetables, except corn...sounds easy, but it isn't.  Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks must all be eaten this way.


After her Dr. appointment she was starving of course so I took her to PF Chang's, they have a Gluten free menu.  But all gluten free cooking contains soy or corn of some sort in the sauces.  We told the waitress and she was AMAZING!!!! She went and got a print out of the menu eliminating all of her allergies and brought the manager to us.  The only thing she could have was the Budda's Feast with steamed white rice.  But the manager took one look at her disappointed face and said, "We can steam some chicken for you so it doesn't touch the grill and steam the rice and vegetables so we don't risk it coming in contact with any other ingredients..."  So that is what we had, the waitress and the manager came over more than a few times to ask how it was, if she felt OK and the waitress actually sat at our table and talked to Stevi about how hard it must be and some of the diets she has had to be on herself.  Then out of the blue she asked Stevi..."CAN YOU HAVE HONEY?!"  "Yes" Stevi replied.  She said.." I'll be right back I have a special treat for you!"  She left and came back proudly holding 2 smoothies for us that she had made in the back, by herself with honey and fresh berries.  Not only did she make them herself, she didn't charge us and again the manager came over and asked if it was good.  The best service I think I may have ever had with genuine concern and kindness.  The waitress' name is Asshlee Lanskey, she is a beautiful young black woman from Alabama and she has  just moved here.  If you go in to PF Changs' please ask for her and  you will be treated well with a smile and nice sweet conversation.  When you have special needs like that, a lot of servers would fake it or even be put out... I am still speechless at the care we were given and the kindness to a 15 year old girl who is having a difficult time realizing that this is going to change the way she eats for the rest of her life.  Thank you Asshlee... from now on, if we are able to go to dinner, we will be dining in your section. 

Sunday Ice cream recipe for Family Fun!

Homemade Ice Cream 
Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients: 
1/2 pint (250ml) double (heavy) cream 
1/2 pint (250ml) sour cream 
6 oz (150g) cream cheese 
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
3/4 cup granulated sugar 
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 
2oz (50g) grated milk chocolate 

Place the cream cheese into a mixing bowl and beat until soft and smooth. Slowly add the sugar and then beat in the sour cream followed by the double (heavy) cream. 

Add the vanilla extract and lemon juice and mix until thick and smooth. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. 

Take the chilled mixture and beat until creamy then transfer the complete mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

This Diet Rocks!

One evening when I couldn't sleep and I was feeling fat I saw this on TV.  Looked good, bought it. I have done the  exercises that are awesome.  Yes you do get all those videos, but I never tried the Turbo Slim diet.  I started it on Wednesday.   It is easy to follow and I have not cheat.  I have consistently lost 1 lb. a day.  7 Lbs. in the week I have been doing it.  I actually love getting on the scale!  I would like to loose 8 more lbs. before my photo shoot with Michele and I get a cheat day on Saturday.  The diet says by the 10th day you won't crave anything bad because this diet is designed to regulate your blood sugar.  I really can't think of anything I am going to treat myself to Saturday!  I think maybe a little dark chocolate but that isn't really that bad!  If any of you are looking for a great diet and workout program it is amazing, sorry veggies but there is lean meat, I imagine you could substitute or maybe they have a diet for vegetarians, as if you need one!  I go to lunch with my long lost friend Niki today and I chose PF Changs because I know I can get Buddha's Feast or a lettuce wrap..... weird but I am diggin' on it!

My new obsession

I'm a dork!  I used to hate her now I love her!  I am obsessed with her web site.  I have tried the menu's and they are not only delicious but so easy to follow and tell you which steps to follow in order so it is all timed perfectly.  Humor me and play along, check it out, Liz and Amy I think you guys will especially love it!  MarthaStewart.com  

Menu Monday

• Sunday- Shrimp Scampi with Pasta, Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes and Olives
• Monday- Chicken Parmigiana with Angel Hair Pasta, Steamed Broccolli and homemade tomatoe sauce.
• Tuesday- Chimichurri Flank Steak with Black Beans and Brown Rice with Homemade cilantro and parley sauce.
• Wednesday- Beef Kebabs and Creamy Brown Rice flavored with lemon, sour cream, paprika and parmesan.
• Thursday- Skinny General Tso's Chicken with a salad topped with Carrot-Ginger dressing and brown rice.
• Friday- Oven baked fish and sweet potato fries with a salad.
• Saturday- Ginger-Lemon Chicken Skillet with bow tie pasta and mixed veggies.

Funfetti Cookies with homemade frosting

I had a box of funfetti cake mix in the pantry, so I decided to make cookies with it and some homemade frosting to put on top.

FUNFETTI COOKIES

• 1 package Pillsbury Funfetti Cake
• 1/3 cup Crisco pure vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• High Altitude above 3500 ft- 1/2 cup flour to dry cake mix.

1. Heat oven 375 Combine cake mix, (flour if needed), oil and eggs in large bowl, stir with spoon until thoroughly moistened.  Shape dough into 1" balls placed 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  Flatten to 1/4" thickness with bottom of glass dipped in flour.
2. Bake 6-8 mins. or until edges are a light golden brown.  Cool 1 min. remove from cookie sheets.
3. Spread frosting on warm cookies.  Immediately sprinkle each with candy bits.  Let frosting set before storing.  Store tightly in covered container.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 1 6 oz. package cream cheese
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

Beat together cream cheese, vanilla and butter until fluffy.  Slowly add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until the frosting is the right thickness to spread on cookies.  Keep in refrigerator until serving.

Buttery Spritz Cookies

One of the ways I have decided to save money is by baking a batch of cookies each week on Sundays.  I have to admit, they are much better than buying stale cookies at the grocery store.  This week we made Buttery Spritz Cookies and Stevi is going to decorate them after they cool with writing frosting.  I had everything I needed in the pantry so they didn't cost me a dime this week.

BUTTERY SPRITZ COOKIES:

• 1cup of butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

•    In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and extracts.  Combine flour and salt.  Gradually add to creamed mixture, mix well.  Tint with food coloring is desired.
  
• Place shaped cookie dough 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets.  
• Bake @ 375 for 6-8 mins. (11 mins at my high altitude) Remove to wire racks to cool.

The recipe says it yields 7 1/2 dozen, my cookies are big so I only got 2 dozen out of mine.