Brief insight - 'Food for a happy and calm household' seminar

I was lucky enough to have attended a fabulous seminar on 'Food for a happy and calm household' last Thursday (21/3/12) with Louise D'Allura from 'Meal Planning Your Way' http://www.mealplanningyourway.com/- Brilliant!!

The seminar provided an insight into additives in food and their effects on our health. For any parent struggling with behavioural issues, eczema, asthma and of course intolerances/allergies this is definitely a workshop for you!! I learnt so much about the CRAP that can be found in some of our everyday packaged food choices, especially food that is believed to be good for you!!! Thankfully though, Louise also demonstrated that there are just as many good alternatives available without having to change your diet and family favourites too much!! The most confronting part of the night though for me was learning that most of the 'additives that should be avoided' are found in  'Tim Tams'... Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Now I never considered them to be 'good for you', however now I understand much better why!! :( On the night I also purchased a copy of the book 'Additive Alert' http://www.additivealert.com.au/ which is what a lot of the seminar content touched on.... Both the seminar and the book have been a great investment - definitely suggest for people to consider, you will be shocked!!

Tania Hubbard from http://www.taniaspantry.com/ was also the guest speaker on the night which was such a fabulous bonus as she shared how to cook her coconut flour muffins.... awesome!! I actually made a batch of them after dinner tonight!!

I don't think my photo does them much justice!! I will be sending this batch to school with K tomorrow to keep in their freezer. Quite often K's Childcare Centre cooks muffins on site to share with the kids so by providing these, K can enjoy muffins too!!

One of my goal's now in life is to help 'normalise' K's food so she doesn't ever feel left out or punished!! Another is to make sure the food choices I make for my family are the most informed possible!! My latest goal is to share with everyone else what I learn and experience to possibly make it easier for others!!

BIG TICK FOR ALL THREE THIS WEEK!! YEH!!

Jess xx

Zucchini Slice - simple and yum!!

Had a real desire for Zucchini slice tonight and found a simple recipe that was easy to modify into 'Gluten Free Grain Free'.... you could also leave out the cheese to make it 'Dairy Free' too....

Zucchini Slice is always better the next day so will be a great addition to the lunch box for us all tomorrow!!

INGREDIENTS
2 large grated zucchinis
1 large grated carrot
5 eggs
1 cup of almond meal
1/2 cup of tasty cheese
1/2 teaspoon curry powder (I used 'pure food essentials - curry powder')
Salt and pepper as desired
1/4 parmesan cheese for the top

- Add the grated zucchinis, grated carrot, eggs and almond meal in a bowl and stir thoroughly
- Add curry powder with salt and pepper and stir
- Place mix in baking dish lined with baking paper
- Cook for around 20-30 mins at 200 degrees, or until golden brown on top.
- YUMMO!
 

Most people love to add bacon to their Zucchini Slice but unfortunately most contain Gluten, but just as importantly Sodium Nitrate/ Nitrite (250/251), amongst other yucko additives, which react very badly with K. 

We have found an AWESOME Butcher on the Sunshine Coast - QSM Butcher in Nambour - who does a fabulous 'Preservative & Nitrate Free' Smoked Bacon... however we had run out!! Hoping to get more on the weekend!! :)



 

 





Cross Contamination - reality check

K's nappy rash is still an on-going battle and as a result, has forced me to look further into why???

K's on going symptoms include a rash that by the end of the day is painful, red, split and weeping. Unusually, the bulk of the rash sits at the top of K's bottom (at the base of her back) instead of the normal 'nappy rash area'. I have tried various creams and lotions to assist with protecting and healing the area during the day with little result. However by the next morning, the rash has settled. The red colour is gone, the split looks almost healed and she is no longer in pain.....however the symptoms  return as the day progresses.... WHY???

I started to consider all the usual offenders for 'skin irration' -  the nappy itself, wipes, nappy creams, bathing soaps etc. Made changes, however no real improvement. So once again I started to consider her diet, but where??

In summary, K has intolerance's to colourings, preservatives, drinking milk/soy, all types of grains and is severely gluten intolerant/celiac. So what is it that I am missing or not doing?? So i started researching 'nappy rashes', pictures of similar rashes, causes of skin irritations etc and then all of a sudden it hit me..... Cross Contamination - what a twit!!!!!

Overall, my little family have become 'gluten free, grain free'. However of late, there have been a number of times when we have had bread in the house, particularly when we have guests or haven't had enough 'gluten free, grain free' bread for everyone else to eat. Perhaps as things were going so well, we became a little complacent .... accidentally using the same knife to butter other bread and then K's bread? using the same breadboard that has been exposed to things that create a negative response in her? using the same toaster? I guess the chances of contamination are endless when its not in the forefront of your mind!

Following is a link to a website that provides a great insight into 'cross contamination':

http://accustomedchaos.com/celiac-disease-101-what-is-cross-contamination/

So tomorrow we make changes in the hope we have found the solution to her rash! Overall the changes will include:
- K ONLY butter
- K ONLY breadboard
- Use of the grill to 'toast' her bread, allowing easy ability to clean and prevent contamination
- Removal of any remaining gluten or grain products from the house

We still don't want to discourage anyone visiting our house from eating the food and bread of their choice, however will ensure that from now on the correct practises are in place.

The reality of these changes is that even if it is not the cause, it should still be happening...  so nothing lost! I plan to also have a discussion with K's childcare to ensure they have a clear understanding of the practises required to ensure K is not exposed unnecessarily as well.

Would love to hear if anyone else has ideas??

Cheers
Jess