Down Mulberry Lane

Today...

Well, it is getting colder in our parts.  I got up this morning and wasn't so sure I wanted to walk outside.  Dh looked at me and KNOWS what a sissy I am with the cold and says... that wind is going to chill you to the bone.  But, I was determined to go.  I want to keep up the walking outdoors as long as I am able.  I don't want to give up before even trying to walk.  I got the girls ready and they walked with me today.  We walked 2.5 miles at a brisk pace on a very windy day.  IT was cold.  I had gloves on; my little Paige had a blanket to cuddle into in the stroller and the older girls had coats on.  Once we got to the top of the hill however, we found that just moving kept us warm enough and I smiled that I didn't let myself skirt my walking appointment because of the cold. 

Once home, I got out the pears in the fridge and made some pear honey.  This was our second batch and I chopped it in the food processor before cooking and it turned out much nicer... I also cooked the pears down before adding the sugar, which seemed to keep the color more golden rather than browning from the sugar that began to burn after such a long cook-down of the pears.  It was quite nummy and the last of the pears made 6 more jars of pear honey. 

Then I decided to cook down the tomatoes that were in the fridge.  We had peeled two days earlier and the girls canned the tomatoes, but had a bowl left over.  I didn't really want to can these after setting so long, but I decided to cook them into sauce and let them cook down and figured the cooking time would cook out what germs may be brewing in the batch of tomatoes.  It is still on the stove as I type, and I am nearly ready to can those jars of sauce. 

We've been trying to go dairy free for a week now.  The trial is for me and my youngest daughter.  My husband and other kids are supporting me, but they are still eating milk and cheese.  Today my little one wanted hot chocolate cuz Daddy was having some.  My husband says... I'm all right for seeing if dairy is causing her problems, but what are we going to do when she's 5yo, 10yo, 15yo?  Keep telling her she can't eat milk or soy or food colorings because they bother her... I'm thinking... YES... but in his mind it is cruel punishment for a kid not to have dairy or soy or food colorings.  He thinks we should just put up with the multiple wets that she does because she cannot HOLD it.... that she'll likely grow out of it eventually.  He doesn't expect her to wet until she is 10yo, but I recall my second daughter wetting for about 8 years before she stopped and the nightly changes of the bed were so hard on me and diapers work ok for a 3yo, but an 8yo doesn't like to put on diapers!  

I think if I had a wonderful plan of going dairy free and knew that I had foods my family enjoyed it would be so much easier... but even on the meals I eat without cheese, my crew adds cheese to theirs.  Cheese is hard to hide from a 3yo as well, so the girls and Dh aren't so thrilled with some meals.  Dh doesn't like to tell the 3yo that she can't have certain foods either. 

Tonight I asked what is for supper... My menu plan ran out the night before and I need to shop and I was really scrounging to find something good to eat.  Dh says, I want food.  Then he says... I want good food.  I want milk and cheese and chocolate... my daughter adds... some red coloring number 40 would be good as well.  Oh, I know they are teasing, but I don't want this trial to be a "for nothing".  Even if it works and it helps me and my daughter feel better... I still wouldn't have the support of the rest of the crew to continue unless I find something FAST that seems to fill them up and satisfy their tastebuds. 

Please pray for us if you think about it.  This is going much harder than I thought and while I am glad that everyone is being supportive (they all said they are willing to lose a few pounds this month)... : (.  ...I so wish that I could find something that satisfied the entire family.... something that everyone can eat and something that is healthy for us all. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

ps, if you have a favorite dairy free, food coloring free, soy free, chocolate free menu item that you really like... please share if you can.  Thanks!

Not sure if I can help

8:33 PM, September 30, 2008 .. Posted by safords

I don't know what your family loves to eat... but I am known for my soups and especially corn chowder.

1 diced onion
1 cup of diced celery
a little oil to sautee it

6 cups of water
parsley
onion powder
1/4 cup ( or a little more) McKays vegan chicken seasoning
6 diced potatoes
a grated carrot
a dash of cayenne

allow to cook veggies until barely done.
add 1 1/2 cups of frozen corn

in the blender :
1 cup water
1 cup raw cashews ( because we are vegan we buy cashew pieces by the 25 - 50 lb bags and it lasts a long time, but I use it in place of the milk to make things creamy.)

Blend until very, very creamy and then add to your soup. I would taste the soup at this point and see if it needs anymore seasoning. Serve right away or put it in your crockpot to keep warm.

Last Sabbath I made this soup - I didn't have any McKays so I used some other brand and I didn't have any corn... I served it at the church picnic - in the cold, dark around the campfire. People LOVED it and didn't know it was the soup I ALWAY serve them. Just a slight change, but good.

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11:02 PM, September 30, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

This is one of my all time favorite soups, and it is wonderful in the fall, when you have fresh tomatoes and corn!!!

South of The Border Chicken Soup
(serves 4)

1 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chilli powder
2 cans (14 1/2 oz each) diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup whole kernel frozen corn
1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1 can (10 3/4 oz) tomato soup
2 cans (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth

Saute' garlic and onion in oil until onion is tender. Combine all ingredients in a large pot, or your crock pot and heat to boiling, then reduce to simmer for one hour.

This soup doesn't have alot of heat to it, but you can cracnk up the heat if wated by adding more chilli pepper and cumin if you want.


I decided to edit this to add a wonderful peanut butter cookie recipe we like. Dairy free, and gluten free. Can you believe that???

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
(makes 2 dozen)

1 egg
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar

Mix all ingredients together. Scoop level teaspoonful and toll into balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Sprinkle with additional sugar is desired. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-18 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool YUMMY!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Edited by gabbie427 on September 30, 2008 at 11:05 PM