Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome

I had my follow up appointment with the Allergy Specialist. I find doctors so frustrating! Why can they not give you the information you are looking for!

After a long chat about allergy related issues (mostly his story and his grandmother's story) he says well there were three things that did come up on the Skin Prick Test (most did not react at all due to medication... as I was told after the test!)

Orange and Orange allergy can be because of a LTP Allergy. Other things in the list of LTP (Lipid Transfer Protein) are Kiwi, Peach/Plum/Nectarine/Apricot, Green Beans, Apple, Hazelnut, Tomato, Corn, Cherry & all types of Melon.

Ragweed Pollen with related allergies to Curcurbitaceae (cucumber, zucchini), all types of Melons & Bananas.

Dust mite allergy he didn't say much on.

Suggested staying off these foods for a week and then testing the ones that I am not sure of (as opposed to the ones I know I am allergic to being Orange, Kiwi, Green Beans, Apple & Corn)

Being the Researcher that I am. I came home and promptly spent hours on the computer researching LTP Allergy, Ragweed Allergy & Dust mite Allergy.

I find it interesting that in trying to discover the cause of my food related allergies I have said to the doctors I have been to that I am not so worried about the Hay Fever type allergies as them I can live with. Seems I was wrong and oddly they did not think to correct me! It is typical for Pollen type Allergies to Cross-React with Fruits and Vegetables sometimes referred to as Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome. This is well documented. There is also a specific although expensive blood test for these allergies - this I was not told either!

I have been reading many many Medical Papers from all around the world and info from many Allergy Specialists. I will try to give an over view of what I have read as well as providing links to articles should you like to read them yourself. I am sure there are many other frustrated allergy people out there whom this would relate to!

Click here to read more on Multi Allergies & Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome

Read More

Christmas Altered Art

Christmas!
The season of celebrating Christmas is upon us. 
I wonder how do you and your family celebrate Christmas & what does Christmas mean to you?

In my family we love to remember the Birth of Jesus Christ who came to save us and bring the message of love and forgiveness from God the Father.

Remember those who have lost precious loved ones and are finding Christmas a difficult time & find someway to brighten the day of someone less fortunate!

I have been busy drawing a Christmas greeting from me to you! 

May your Christmas day be filled with Love & Laughter!

Read More

Mock Fish

Growing up we always referred to 'Potato Hash Browns' as 'Mock Fish'.
Mum always said it was because in the war years they couldn't afford fish so they made 'mock fish'!
I still like to keep to the tradition of "Mock Fish'.

Owning a Thermomix has made this a lot quicker than the old way of grating the potatoes and invariably some of your knuckles as well!

My Recipe is Quick and Simple and great for my Multi Allergies!

I make in batches as it works better that way and you won't get the browning while it's waiting to go into the pan.

Mock Fish
3 Medium Dirty Potatoes (Golden Delight are good) Peeled & Cubed to about 2/3 cm pieces
1/4 cup of Grain, Nut & Legume Free Flour Mix
1 egg

Add the Potatoes into the Thermomix first followed by the flour & egg - seems to work beter that way! (If you want to make more do it in batches as if you try to do more potato at once the Thermomix will clog)

It's important to note that this takes seconds and not minutes so watch what you are doing.
I leave the MC (measuring cup) off the top so that you can see in.

Slowly turn dial up to 4-5 (No higher or it will turn to mush)
Watch through the lid and when it looks fairly even consistency turn off.

Under done is better than over done. You will get the hang of it in no time!


Heat a Frypan with a little Coconut oil to Medium Heat.
Spoon Potato into a hot pan and push into shape with a spatula.

Makes 4 nice sized Mock Fish.


Cook both sides till nice and golden turning over in between.



To make another batch just rinse the bowl under running water
being careful to not wet the bottom.

Eat with just salt, or coconut cream and sweet chilli or salsa or
whatever your allergies allow!

Read More

Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Lava Cake has got to be one of my favourite finds!
Using only a few ingredients and no Flour of any type.
It's quick and simple and great for a quick after dinner treat!

Recipe converted from here.

Chocolate Lava Cake

1/2 cup (113 grams) Nuttelex
170 grams 70% Lindt Chocolate
3 large Eggs, separated
1/3 cup (65 grams) Coconut Sugar
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/8 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1 tablespoon Coconut Sugar

Melt Nuttelex & Chocolate together in a small bowl.

In a second bowl beat Egg yolks with 1/3 cup of Coconut Sugar & Vanilla.

In a third bowl beat Egg Whites till thick, add Cream of Tartar & 1 tab Coconut sugar and mix together.

Combine melted Nuttelex & Chocolate with Egg yolk mix. Add about 1/3 of the Egg White mix and gently fold through. Add remaining Egg White mix and gently fold through till just combined.

Grease small oven proof dishes or you could use tea cups. Gently divide mixture between dishes being careful not to knock any air out.

 Bake in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes or until risen and cooked around outside but still moist in the middle.

Serve with whipped Coconut cream and sprinkle with a little more chocolate.


Enjoy with family & friends!


You could easily change around some of the ingredients to suit your individual Allergy requirements as I have done here.

I use 70% Lindt Chocolate which does have a little sugar and also has the typical 'may contain traces of ' warning. As of yet I haven't found any easy alternative though I'm sure there must be one!

More recipes still to come!

Read More

Quinoa ("keen-wah")

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)  is an ancient seed originating from the Andes and the Inca people. It is closely related to species such as beets & spinach. Quinoa is a small seed which comes in White, Red or Black. It grows to 1-2 meters high with beautiful big flower heads that contain the seeds.

Quinoa's protein is of an unusually high quality. It is a complete protein, with an essential amino acid balance close to the ideal. Quinoa's protein is high in lysine, methionine and cystine. Quinoa is rich in manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, Vitamin E, B6, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine and has more calcium than cows milk, is an excellent anti-oxidant, rich in dietary fibre and has a very high iron content. It also has a low glycemic index level and is completely gluten free.

Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and has a mild, slightly nutty flavor.

Quinoa has a coating of bitter residue of saponins, a natural occurring plant-defense. The Saponin has a very bitter flavour so its best to rinse the Quinoa well under running water to remove as much as possible of the saponins. Wash and stir 3 or 4 times in water, or wash till water is clear. Never soak Quinoa before washing. The bitterness will be absorbed by the seed and you will never get the bitterness out. The first 2 washes are very important - the first wash will be dark and frothy; the second wash is not as dark as the first. The water will get clearer with every wash. 

I purchase Tasmanian Organically Grown Quinoa from Honest to Goodness

When my Quinoa arrives I place the bag in the Freezer for 3-5 days to kill any bugs that may be in there. After that you can safely store in the pantry. 

Quinoa Flour

 

I grind my own Quinoa Flour. That's one of the added benefits of being a Thermomix owner! It also saves a lot of money since it is one of the few Flours that I can use. 

First rinse Quinoa under cold running water until it runs clear. I do this by using a muslin cloth lined mesh strainer over a bucket in the sink. That way I can tip the water onto the pot plants so as not to waste any! As above it will take a few washes for the water to be clear.

Spread the rinsed Quinoa onto paraflexx lined Dehydrator trays. Dry the Quinoa using your dehydrators recommended settings. If you don't have a dehydrator you could do this in an oven on a very low temp.

I have a Excalibur Dehydrator from Excalibur Australia.

While the Quinoa is still warm add to Thermomix bowl to just below the highest blade.

Grind on Speed 10 for 3 minutes or until a nice fine flour. I allow a little cooling time between batches. Tip the Flour into a bowl and let cool before putting into a airtight container.

Quinoa Flour is best mixed with other flours or starches.

Cooking Quinoa

I use my Thermomix to cook Quinoa. First rinse well as detailed above.

Fill Thermomix Bowl to the 1 litre mark with Filtered Water.

Put the Quinoa in the Rice basket and then into the TM Bowl.

Cooking time depends on the amount of Quinoa.

Cook on Varoma 15 minutes Speed 4. Check the Quinoa and stir a little.

When the Quinoa is cooked it will have puffed up some and a tiny white spiral will appear encircling the grain. If its not yet done replace lid and cook on Varoma for a few more minutes or until it looks cooked. 

Leave sit in the Thermomix with lid on to keep warm till ready to serve or place into Thermoserver. Cooked Quinoa will keep in the fridge for several days.

Quinoa Information
Honest to Goodness - Australian Organic Quinoa product info
Kindred Organics - Quinoa
Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council - Quinoa
Quinoa Recipe Books by Rena Patten

Read More

Coconut

Coconut has become a much loved product in our house! It is a great Dairy substitute as Coconut Milk & Cream and also a useful Flour, a Delicious Sugar Alternative as Coconut Sugar & Coconut Syrup and a lovely Oil to cook with.

I buy Coconut products from Honest to Goodness & The Coconut Shop

The Coconut from Honest to Goodness is Sulphur & Additive Free Organic Coconut. The bigger the bag you buy the cheaper it becomes. I get through mine but you could easily share with a friend or two.

I make Coconut Cream & Milk from my Organic Shredded Coconut in my Thermomix. Then place the left over Coconut into the Dehydrator to dry and once dried back into the Thermomix to make Coconut Flour. That way you are using all of the Coconut and not wasting any of the goodness.

Thermomix Coconut Cream & Milk

I like lots of Coconut Cream. So I use a higher Shredded Coconut to water ratio.

Using good quality Filtered Water
(I have a Pure Water Systems Filter)
Fill the Thermomix Bowl to the 1.5 litre mark.
Carefully add Shredded Coconut till the bowl is almost full and lid will still fit on.
Blitz for 10-15 seconds on Speed 10
Cook 15 minutes Heat 100 & Speed 4
Blitz for another 10-15 seconds on Speed 10

Place a muslin cloth over a Mesh Strainer and sit on top of a Medium Saucepan (1-2 litre)

(I use a unbleached muslin baby rug cut in half and doubled over to make a square)

Pour the Coconut mixture onto the Muslin and let cool a little

Coconut Cream & Milk separating

When it's cool enough for you to handle fold up sides of muslin bring together and wring to squeeze out the lovely coconut milk.
Pour the milk into a jug and let sit to separate.
Meanwhile process the coconut another two times...

Without rinsing the Bowl add Filtered water to the 1 litre mark
Add Coconut pulp back to the bowl
Cook 8-10 minutes Heat 100 Speed 4
Blitz 10-15 seconds on Speed 10
Repeat draining on squeezing process.

The milk will separate into a thick white creamy layer over top of a thinner Milk. I carefully ladle the Cream off the milk. You can use the two together depending on what you are making some things call for the thicker richer cream.

This will keep for a few days in the fridge. If you don't think you will use it all in time freeze some in BPA free ice cube or ice block trays. When frozen you can remove from trays and put into freezer bags to take up less room in your freezer.

Spread on Dehydrator Sheet ready to Dry

The Coconut Pulp that remains can be used straight away, kept in fridge to use in the next
day or so or freezer for a little longer storage. There are plenty of ways to use this coconut... make macaroons or toast to roll homemade Marshmallows in... the options are endless! You can also make Coconut Flour!

Coconut Flour

Using the Coconut Pulp that remains
Spread evenly onto Dehydrator Sheets.
The time it takes to Dry depends on your dehydrator and the heat settings you use. I just keep a close check on it making sure to break up any lumps so that it is completely dry.

While still warm from Dehydrator tip into a clean & dry Thermomix Bowl
Blitz on Speed 10 until it is a nice fine Coconut Flour about 30 seconds.

I keep my Coconut Flour in the Freezer.


Coconut Butter Thermomix Tutorial

Links to Recipes using Coconut Milk, Cream and Flour
Pikelets


Information on Coconut and it's Health Benefits and Uses
Dr Oz - Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut Research Center
Cyndi O'Meara - Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut Storage

Read More

Allergies!

My Sister & I in Fancy Dress!

Camping with the aid of Cow Skulls

Floating in the Dam with Julie

Cow & Old Wagon in the Hay Barn

Uncle Bill & Dad at Dip Yards

My pet Calf Sharnie

Allergies! The most frustrating and inconvenient of things!

Ever since I was a very young girl just starting school I have had stomach issues. My Dad's paternal Grandmother had a disagreeable stomach and it seems to be a common occurrence in her family line. Anything from mild to severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Food Intolerance's & Allergies & Celiac Disease. I am fascinated with Genetics but I do prefer the more favourable attributes!

I grew up on a Dairy Farm but my Father and His Father and Uncle, all Dairy Farmer's, did not drink milk! When I was somewhere around 6-8 years old I took myself off milk as well as it just made me feel so ill. Gradually over the years my Dairy intake lessened. I still was having regular bouts of IBS sometimes quite severe to the almost passing out point. It always left me exhausted. Along the way I learned different things that seemed to either help or hinder.

When I was married and my babies were born, they all came home from hospital as the most happy content little Angels, feeding and sleeping happily. Until the two week mark where the Lactose content of Breast Milk takes a dramatic upward spiral and then suddenly I had not so happy babies who screamed and pulled their little legs up in pain and did not sleep well! Not so fun! Not knowing this information in the time before Internet, I struggled through. It was not until my fourth baby girl that a very helpful Chemist told me this info and handed me some lovely little 'Miracle' drops that broke the Lactose sugar down into more soluble sugars that were easier to digest. I thanked God for her knowledge! This made such a difference with a much happier baby and Mummy too.
Click this link for more information Lactaid Drops

There were not so many options for Dairy free back then and it was difficult with four young girls who were all Lactose Intolerant at best and possibly whole milk Intolerant. I just avoided dairy as much as possible and chose lower lactose when possible. The girls were on soy milk for a while until it became evident that this was maybe not such a good choice for children. Now there are much better options available.

As for me I continued to struggle along. Eventually after a few hospital trips I was given an anti-spasmodic that helped stop the episodes from progressing to the hospitalization point. I still always have them with me. This however did not help to treat the problem only the symptom.

Since my Kidney Disease become a prominent part of my life, my Allergies have become much worse. At one point I was breaking out in hives with every couple of days adding more itchy red lumps. I took myself off to the Health Food Shop to get some testing done, though I'm not real sure about this type of testing it did reveal a few things that I promptly avoided and the hives did settle down. But as before this was not a real fix. I just seem to be getting more sensitive to Allergens. A few years later I went and had some 'skin prick' Allergy testing and blood test done which again revealed quite a few more troublesome foods. That seemed to be the best testing but I was still not confident in the Dr. I have recently found a Immunologist & Allergy Specialist who seems to know his stuff so am hopeful for a few more answers.

Dairy at front, Hay Barn & our old Farm House at back

Right now my Allergies are Gluten/Grains including Rice & Corn, Legumes including Green Beans, Green Peas, Guar Gum, Carob, Soy & Peanuts, Pork, Prawns & Shellfish, Strawberries, Pineapple, Kiwi Fruit, Oranges, Linseed/Flaxseed, Cabbage, Asparagus, Sulphur, Sulphites, Benzoates, Vinegar, Latex as well as the Dairy Intolerance.


Some things I am super sensitive to and it only takes an accidental cross contamination to put me back for weeks and and to a lesser extent months!



In blogs to come I will share some of my Multi-Allergy Cooking experiences and recipes and blogs I have found helpful!

Read More

Hello!

Lynnie & Brad

It's been a while in getting this Blog up and happening! That's the trouble with being an Artist... It has to be just the way I like it and that of course takes time : )

What to Blog about? Well I like change and being busy so am always up to something so I guess you will just have to wait and see!!

Here is a little bit of my story to begin with!

Mother's Day 2000

Camping at Seaforth

Teaching Art at MCC

My Four Girls wearing 'Beartique'

Mary Kay Convention 2000

 Creative Arts Class

Girls up the Tree at the Park

Ebonie wearing wig & headpiece

Hannah, Kacie, Ebonie, Teylah & Stephie

I do LOVE to draw!

I'm sure God gave me that gift as He knew I would need it! Since being diagnosed with Kidney Disease and Chronic Pain about 15 years ago my life has changed in many ways.

I was a very active Mumma of four beautiful little girls (they are still beautiful though no longer so little). I was very involved in Church and School and always had a house full of children. I taught Creative Arts classes with a cheeky bunch of sweet girls that I adored. I also had my own Children's clothing line called 'Beartique' so was always sewing and out and about showing my range of clothes to other lovely Mumma's and their georgeous little ones. Sewing Wedding Dresses for dear friends and an asortment of Wedding things including my very first Decorated Wedding Cake (all 5 tiers of it)! I was also a Mary Kay Consultant which was great fun with an amazing company. Cooking, Entertaining Friends, Camping at Seaforth & Gardening.

Life was great!

Then one day the pain came and never left! Kidney Disease they told me. Kidneys riddled with Calcifications in the tinyest of tubules up high in the kidneys. This is not normal! (But what is normal?) Those calcifications are called Nephrocalcinosis... sounds impressive hey! They cut their way through (ouch) and eventually make their way into the collective system of the kidney where they hopefully pass as a normal kidney stone would... that is painfully!

So they tell me I have enough to last a lifetime, oh joy! I figure you may as well see the funny side so tell my doctors that I am 'Permamently Stoned!' It seems most of us with Chronic Illness have a good sense of humour... helps you survive the tough days.

My life was forever changed! It took me a long time to accept that this was how it was going to be. It's not a joyous event to be told you will have pain till the day you go to be with Jesus. (Though the being with Jesus with a healthy 'body' will be beyond every expectation!) I grieved for my girls and the happy go lucky Mother that I had been, for my Husband and the active, capable, supportive wife I was, for my family and my friends and not being able to be there to help them or just be with them, and for myself as I didn't know how I would ever cope and didn't want to lose myself under all the medical ailments.

I am still that same person but sometimes its harder to see through the veil that chronic pain brings. 

2006 Cousins

Deb, Kim, Lynnie, Mark, Mum & Dad

It took a while to find the Medical Specialists that I needed and in doing so another change was coming! Much to my husbands dismay it was advised we move to Brisbane. My dear Mother and I were just a little excited at the thought of me being 'home' or at least closer to my family home where my parents still lived and not too far from my sister and her family and my brother and his wife. But that meant leaving Mackay and all our wonderful friends and the only 'home' my girls had known. It was a tough move for all of us.

A two week stay in the Pain clinic at the Royal Brisbane Hospital helped me to understand a little more what Chronic Pain was and things I could do to help me get through it. This is where the drawing really comes into play! I thank God every day for the gift of Drawing! There are things we can do to try to block the pain signals getting to the brain or just to distract ourselves from pain. I can absorb myself in drawing and be in a quiet place of worship with my Lord and this brings me much joy!

Mackay friends at the Harbour Park

Life is still Great, just different! My girls are all growing up. Only one year left of being a School Mum. Brad has gone from being a Cabinet Maker to a Carpenter and now a Building Supervisor. To our delight, Brad's parents are now close enough to visit regularly. I LOVE being closer to my family and have been super excited to welcome more nieces and nephews to the family and be closer to see them grow and enjoy the cousin's being together. Love it that Brad and I and our girls have been able to make special memories with my Mum & Dad and sister and brother and families. We miss my other sister and her family who are in America, such a long way away, but are thankful for facebook and being able to see the family grow and welcome new family members and even a new generation coming soon! Just a little excited to be a Great Auntie!

Auntie Betty & Nanna 2003

I am still passionate about Cooking, Entertaining Friends, Gardening, Camping & Sewing and have added a few quieter activities too! I have started up Crochet after many years. My beautiful Nanna taught me when I was 9 years old. She also taught me that it's never too late to start again!

Family History has become a new passion and I loved spending many hours with my Nanna listening (and secretly recording) her fascinating life stories. She is very much missed! I have added many names and stories to the family tree that is ever expanding and have also loved doing some digging for some special friends.

I always loved Photography and Art and have been able to enjoy a few Art courses and a renewed passion.

I thank God for the beautiful people who He has given us to call Family and Friends, that make the days brighter and fill our hearts with love and happiness!

Read More