Chocolate Brownies (Grain/Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free & Legume/Soy Free)

Chocolate Brownies

What could be better than a quick yummy Chocolate Brownie! I made these with my Sunbeam Mixmaster but you could easily do them in the Thermomix.

Into a large bowl add
8 Eggs
375 grams Nuttelex
1 & 1/2 cups White Sugar
2 tsp Pure Vanilla
1 cup Pure Organic Cocoa (or Cocao)
1 & 1/2 cups Potato Starch
1 tsp Allergy Friendly Baking Powder

Mix well until combined. Pour into two lined 18x28 cm slice tins. Bake in a Moderate Oven (175) for 30-35 minutes. It is better a little undercooked rather than overcooked.

Frosting
3 tabs Nuttelex
3 tabs Pure Cocoa
1 tab Pure Maple Syrup
1 cup Pure Icing Sugar
1 tab Filtered Water
Combine all the ingredients into a small bowl and mix till well combined and creamy. Add a little more water if needed to bring mixture together.

Frost while Brownie is still warm. Frosting will spread better as it warms.

Will keep in Pantry for a day or two but I like to keep it in the fridge. If you have a smaller family than I do you may like to halve the recipe or freeze one slice and frost it later.

In my house it disappears quickly!

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Driveway Art

I LOVE Gerni's!

When I was growing up on the farm one of the jobs I loved to do was to hose out after the milking! If you are not a Country kid like me this may sound a little gross but I loved using the high pressure hose and hosing out all the cow poo. It was more to do with the negative ions from the water flow and making something lovely and clean after all that mess than it was to do with the cow poo but it was a necessary activity and one I enjoyed.

I found it relaxing and an escape into my own little world, the noise blocking out all other external happenings. These days since I no longer have the privilege of a Dairy Farm to play about, a Gerni has become my new found friend!

There is something to be said about the effect of Negative Ions. You would think Positive Ions were the ones with a Positive effect but in truth the Negative ions are proven to increase serotonin levels which makes you feel happier, relieves stress and increases energy levels throughout the day.

Negative ions are abundant when there is falling water. Being near any flowing or falling water will have a positive effect. What flowing water does is split positive or neutral ions and create negative ions. Think about how being at the beach with the waves crashing in makes you feel good or being near a waterfall in the mountains or taking a shower. Next time you are there you will know why that is.

There are other great benefits too. Negative ions help eliminate dust, spores, pollens and other allergens floating in the air. Household appliances like computers, TV's, microwave ovens and refrigerators, emit positive ions. While outdoors, whenever warm, dry wind blows or when there is pollution, there’s an abundance of positive ions. Maybe a Water fountain is a good idea for us all!

Back to the Driveway Art!

A couple of years ago I did a Welcome Home artwork on my parents driveway after they had been on a trip to America to visit with my sister and her family. My intention was to finish the cleaning process with the Gerni a couple of days after they came home but they loved it so much they wanted to keep it. Of course I was more than happy to let it stay!

Then I did another when some dear friends were returning after a couple of years away. And once their tenants moved out I moved in with my Gerni! They had a great big long driveway so plenty of room to play! I think the neighbours thought I was a little mad but I had fun!

I'm always keen to play with Art. It can take whatever shape or form that you can imagine. I have even done a little dust artwork on my husbands work ute!

The first Artwork on Mum & Dad's driveway faded over time creating a new clean or should I say dirty slate so that I could once again get busy creating. Mother's Day and my Dad's birthday are only a couple of weeks apart and since both my parents haven't been able to do much garden work with health issues I organized a family working bee. It was a great afternoon with all the family working hard in the garden. Amazing what some cardboard boxes, mulch and pruning can do! I also had some fun before everyone else arrived creating a new driveway artwork. I did offer to just clean it but Mum wanted it pretty! Thanks Mum!

With a little imagination anything is possible!

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Allergies continued!

Allergies!

What a drama they are! It seems to continue to become more difficult with reactions to things that I had been able to eat still happening.

At Christmas time I made some lovely Cocoa Butter Chocolates and in just a few added a Hazelnut. They were yum and we enjoyed them after Christmas lunch. A couple of weeks later (after the Allergy Specialist had informed me that I had no 'True' food allergies) while sitting with my family I ate one of the Hazelnut Chocolates and immediately started coughing and feeling very alarmed. We found a doctor and after two injections and much distress, I was informed that I had an Anaphylactic reaction to Hazelnut! Very bizarre since I have enjoyed a variety of nuts all my life with no adverse reactions whatsoever! It was a scary experience, one I hope I never have to go through again! I now carry an Action Plan and a Epipen which in itself is both a comfort and a little alarming!

The expensive Immuno Cap ISAC test that I had done, of which I expected to show my Pollen Food Allergies and help me determine a few more problem areas, was entirely disappointing and only showed my Dust Mite Allergy. I talked to the Pathologist who did the testing. He was helpful and told me not to despair as I am not alone and that the number of Adults with Food Allergies is on the increase especially in the last 5 to 10 years. He also said that just because I did not come up with allergies on the test does not mean I don't have them. Through my research I had already come to that conclusion but was grateful to hear it from him as well. There are several different Allergy Responses and the Allergy Tests only test for the most common IgE Allergy response. Which it seems I do not have. That should not have come as a surprise to me since my family has a tendency to do everything the hard way and have the most rare of conditions making nothing ever easy or within 'normal' ranges.

I still need to find a Allergy Specialist who is willing to help me! In the mean time I am not game to eat anything nut related and am still reacting to new things the latest being Quinoa.... that changes everything! Now I need to rethink my flour options and work out how to cook with only Potato Starch, Arrowroot Starch and Coconut Flour! It's never simple!


What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.
Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction, which often involves more than one body system (e.g. skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular). A severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis usually occurs within 20 minutes to 2 hours of exposure to the trigger and can rapidly become life threatening.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

Mild to moderate allergic reaction

•Tingling of the mouth

•Hives, welts or body redness

•Swelling of the face, lips, eyes

•Vomiting, abdominal pain

Severe allergic reaction- ANAPHYLAXIS

•Difficult/noisy breathing

•Swelling of the tongue

•Swelling or tightness in the throat

•Difficulty talking or hoarse voice

•Wheeze or persistent cough

•Persistent dizziness or collapse

•Pale and floppy (young children)

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Pikelets (Grain & Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Legume & Soy Free)

Pikelets have always been a family favourite!

Growing up on the farm I remember standing on a chair and cooking Pikelets in the old farm house kitchen. My Mother made award winning Pikelets and taught me all the tricks of the trade! It not easy to replicate those delicious Pikelets with Grain Free flours, although they are a little different and best enjoyed hot they remain a family favourite!

Pikelets 
(Grain & Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Legume & Soy Free)

In a small mixer bowl add
3 Tablespoons of White sugar
2 eggs
Beat together until thick, creamy and pale.
On a low speed gradually add
3 cups Grain, Nut & Legume Free Flour mix
3 teaspoons Bicarb Soda
1 1/2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1 1/2 cups Coconut Milk
Mix well and gently stir in
1 Tablespoon of melted Nuttelex
Let sit a few minutes to let it thicken slightly.

Heat a frypan to a medium heat. Pour in a 1/8 cup of mixture cook until bubbles appear then flip to cook the other side.

Enjoy with your favourite topings! I love just a little Nuttelex on its own or Home made Plum Jam and thick coconut cream.

You can also refrigerate the mixture and enjoy some hot the next day!

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Grain, Nut & Legume Free Flour Mix

There are many differing mixes of Gluten free flours available but none which work for me. Most incorporate rice, corn/maize and various forms of legumes including beans, soy and peas. Nut flours/meals are also popular. I am allergic to all of those as well as guar gum which is also legume. Tapioca Starch is sometimes labelled as Arrowroot as they are very similar in their use but not in their plant family. So if you react to Tapioca like I do make sure you check that your Arrowroot is Arrowroot!

This is the flour mix I have come up with that I use as a general purpose plain flour mix.

To make Self Raising Flour add 1/2 teaspoon of bicarb soda and 1 teaspoon of Cream of Tartar per Cup of Flour.

I start by using the method described here to make Quinoa Flour.


In your Thermomix (or blender or if you don't have either a big bowl and then mix together!)
Add
300 grams of Quinoa Flour
300 grams of sulphur free Arrowroot Starch
600 grams of sulphur free Potato Starch
Using the Thermomix spatula through the hole in the lid
mix on speed 10 for 20-30 seconds
Tip into an airtight container.
I keep mine in the freezer - an old habit from living in north Queensland.

I also use Coconut Flour sometimes on its own and sometimes added to the above flour mix.
Just depends what I am making!

Links to Recipes using Grain, Nut & Legume Free Flour Mix
Mock Fish (Potato)
Kisses
Pikelets

Gluten Free Company Sulphur Free Potato & Arrowroot Starch available from...
Wray-Organic-Supermarket-Cafe-Newmarket
www.wrayorganic.com.au
Flannerys Chermside
www.organicsaustraliaonline.com.au

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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

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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!

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