Chat June 20-27 - Page 2

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

Haven't found a list yet. But starch granule diameter might be a clue:

potato 35 (I think the units are microns)
arrowroot 22.9
garbanzo beans 20.3
sweet potato 18
wheat 16.5 (different source says 20-35)
sorgum 16
corn 14.3
tapioca 13.8
oat (similar to rice)
rice 5.5

Shape probably also matters - corn starch has a funny shape compared to most other starches, and it's well recognized as hard to digest. Wheat, barley, and rye have a lentil shaped starch (round and flat). Arrowroot, chickpea, and potato are oval. Oats, rice, and sorghum are polygons.

So what I take away from that is DS has trouble with larger starches and funny shaped ones .

ETA: OMG, I'm searching the internets for starch granule diameters. Seriously, this needs to stop !

Let's see, from that list most of the top ones are out including garbanzo and potato but arrowroot is in. We haven't tried sorghum because I hear some find it hard to digest, so haven't made the effort. Sweet potato, tapioca, oat and rice are all definitely safe. There could definitely be something to this. The bad ones on that list all cause bloody poop. Of her other reactions, it's only stone fruit that also does that. I wonder if that is another clue?

Hi panserborne! (I just got the urge to call you thinking bear...) it's great to see you! How are things in your part of the world?

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by Mammo2Sammo

Sorry Chlobo. Altering your diet and losing convenience foods really sucks. What oils are Safe?
Positive vibes being sent your way.

Yes I also think Mo is a major issue. I want to scream about on rooftops with regards to asthma, but asthma is so serious so it worries me to recommend it. What is also tricky is keeping the balance of folate and Mo. It is easy fie me to have an asthma attack if the balance isn't right, and I haven't been able to figure out the right balance.
Keep in mind that cigarette smoke depletes Mo stores (you need it to detox the chemicals) so many of us could of been set up with poor stores from childhood. I know that is what happened to me.
Mo is a seritonin raiser - so anxiety and depression can be signs of a problem.

I'm not sure what's safe but safflower and sunflower are out. So I think I'm going to use Olive & Canola.

I grew up with second hand smoke. Maybe I should look into Mo a little more.

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by Kino

Carrots, apples, seeds, and nuts carry well. Other things are a bit trickier, but it's not unusual for me to carry a whole meal on me.

Technically I can eat Kettle Chips Organic ummm Salted? Can't remember the exact name, but they only had three ingredients if i recall correctly. I don't do well with starches or cooked foods though so I let them go.

From the last thread I have celiac so no I can't do gluten at all. I have no doubt I'll regain things like potato relatively soon.

Unfortunately, all the potatoe chips are cooked in safflower and/or sunfower which are out for me. Even ones labeled "olive oil" they primarily use the others with only token olive oil.

Also sadly, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflowers seeds are also out. Pecans weren't tested. Walnut looks ok at the moment.

I did manage to find one "crunchy" food. Plantain chips in palm oil. I dare someone to burst my bubble.

[mtn.mama]

Yay, Panserbjorne is with us! Does this mean you're open for official inquiries of the homeopathic nature? Actually, I've been thinking about giving you a call.

I think Taslyn is ready for a new FE remedy. The last one worked WONDERS for her. Its really settled in and she's become a social creature, far less rashy, and way more comfortable in her own skin when under scrutiny by non-family eyes. THANK YOU. But now she is OBSESSED with nursing. She talks about it constantly, is sometimes distractable and sometimes unconsolable- and also is tending toward staying up very late, waking far too often and then sleeping in.

I need help, I feel like putting her out with the chickens so I can get some rest. On top of this, the percentiles are dropping for both height and weight, and I get concerned when I see single digits right around the corner. She started eating really well after we started cranial sacral therapy but its dropped off. Our CST will be back from traveling in a few days though, and I hope she will help us straighten this out.

Otherwise, things are going well up here. I'm finding it really fun to dream up some gluten-dairy-soy-corn free meal for potlucks, and then clearly label it as such, and see how many people are grateful to find something safe to eat. I feel like we've got alot of the pieces put together now and just need to stick with a wise plan and continue on our journey.

I'm so grateful for all the help and information that I've found on this forum.
You ladies rock!

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

Hah. This shows how out of it I really am. I didn't realize it had been 2 weeks already.
LC appt went really well. Marius even showed off, latching on and drinking 18mls "from the tap" in less time than it took him to get 2mls last weekend. He went from 7lbs 3 ozs last weekend to 8lbs 14ozs this weekend. :

WTG Marius!!!!!!

[chlobo]

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

Yay, Panserbjorne is with us! Does this mean you're open for official inquiries of the homeopathic nature? Actually, I've been thinking about giving you a call.

I think Taslyn is ready for a new FE remedy. The last one worked WONDERS for her. Its really settled in and she's become a social creature, far less rashy, and way more comfortable in her own skin when under scrutiny by non-family eyes. THANK YOU. But now she is OBSESSED with nursing. She talks about it constantly, is sometimes distractable and sometimes unconsolable- and also is tending toward staying up very late, waking far too often and then sleeping in.

I need help, I feel like putting her out with the chickens so I can get some rest. On top of this, the percentiles are dropping for both height and weight, and I get concerned when I see single digits right around the corner. She started eating really well after we started cranial sacral therapy but its dropped off. Our CST will be back from traveling in a few days though, and I hope she will help us straighten this out.

Otherwise, things are going well up here. I'm finding it really fun to dream up some gluten-dairy-soy-corn free meal for potlucks, and then clearly label it as such, and see how many people are grateful to find something safe to eat. I feel like we've got alot of the pieces put together now and just need to stick with a wise plan and continue on our journey.

I'm so grateful for all the help and information that I've found on this forum.
You ladies rock!

Glad to hear the FE worked so well. I've still got to schedule an appointment for ADam. Time got away from me.

Adam will go through spurts of eating/growing and then stop for what seems like a long time. We are already in the single digits so I'm more or less always concerned.

BTW, can you tell me more about the OAT test? Did you think it was accurate? I"m thinknig of it for my 5 yr old and possibly myself. I just don't see how I could get a sample from DS.

[Theloose]

starch thread

[mtn.mama]

Originally Posted by chlobo

Glad to hear the FE worked so well. I've still got to schedule an appointment for ADam. Time got away from me.

Adam will go through spurts of eating/growing and then stop for what seems like a long time. We are already in the single digits so I'm more or less always concerned.

BTW, can you tell me more about the OAT test? Did you think it was accurate? I"m thinknig of it for my 5 yr old and possibly myself. I just don't see how I could get a sample from DS.

Yeah, the OAT is awesome! Can you get Adam using a Baby Bjorn Little Potty? If you put him on right after sleeping you might be able to catch a pee.

[lil_miss_understood]

Okay, call me lazy if you want but....
Does anyone have an easy way to shred carrots? I've been dying for carrot muffins but I'm too tired to shred carrots forever. I don't have a food processor. I do have a blender.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

Otherwise, things are going well up here. I'm finding it really fun to dream up some gluten-dairy-soy-corn free meal for potlucks, and then clearly label it as such, and see how many people are grateful to find something safe to eat. I feel like we've got alot of the pieces put together now and just need to stick with a wise plan and continue on our journey.

I'm so grateful for all the help and information that I've found on this forum.
You ladies rock!

There is a lady with Celiac disease who's also dairy free in DH's Toastmaster's group. I wasn't informed that the one function DH took us to was a potluck (he didn't know it was a picnic, apparently) so I didn't take anything, but DS1 was able to eat what she had brought. She was so excited when she found out that we're gluten, dairy and egg free.

[earthmama4]

Mind if I join in? I always think of you mamas first when my LO is having any issues because I always seem to find my answers here! I have been trying to piece together our puzzle since November and its still confusing. I wish I could do a full MDC allergy/intolerance consult.

I have a couple questions - what is Mo? (I am the DD of two heavy smokers and have asthma so that intrigued me...)

Also, what is the oat test? I guess it has to do with poo

Just in case you don't know me/remember me...I am the mom of a wonderful 7 month old who had a bunch of intolerances through BM starting day one of life. He got alot better when I started adding nourishing foods in addition to using the ED...which led me to Traditional Foods. He still reacts to milk and wheat, possibly gluten. He's eating solid foods but they are really constipating him so we are doing some extra fat and I've pulled a few things. I also just bought Nourishing Traditions and ordered some good CLO at the HFS. And I gave DS a taste of fermented veggie juice and he liked it! :

Oh, and Jaqueline, I use a Salad Shooter to grate things. They run about $30-40 http://www.saladshooter.com/ I don't think you can order them from that site but it give you an idea what they are. I used mine all the time back in my grated cheese days. Now I think I'll use it for shredding veggies for fermenting.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by earthmama4

Mind if I join in? I always think of you mamas first when my LO is having any issues because I always seem to find my answers here! I have been trying to piece together our puzzle since November and its still confusing. I wish I could do a full MDC allergy/intolerance consult.

I have a couple questions - what is Mo? (I am the DD of two heavy smokers and have asthma so that intrigued me...)

Also, what is the oat test? I guess it has to do with poo

Just in case you don't know me/remember me...I am the mom of a wonderful 7 month old who had a bunch of intolerances through BM starting day one of life. He got alot better when I started adding nourishing foods in addition to using the ED...which led me to Traditional Foods. He still reacts to milk and wheat, possibly gluten. He's eating solid foods but they are really constipating him so we are doing some extra fat and I've pulled a few things. I also just bought Nourishing Traditions and ordered some good CLO at the HFS. And I gave DS a taste of fermented veggie juice and he liked it! :

Oh, and Jaqueline, I use a Salad Shooter to grate things. They run about $30-40 http://www.saladshooter.com/ I don't think you can order them from that site but it give you an idea what they are. I used mine all the time back in my grated cheese days. Now I think I'll use it for shredding veggies for fermenting.

Yes, we do mind. Go away. You're not allowed to have allergies.
Seriously, welcome (again). I do remember you, though not well.
Mo is Molybdenum, a mineral.
I think the OAT test is a urine test, but Lisa (mtn. mama) can answer that better.

The Salad Shooter reminded me.... What I need is a Family Grain Mill!!

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by earthmama4

Mind if I join in? I always think of you mamas first when my LO is having any issues because I always seem to find my answers here! I have been trying to piece together our puzzle since November and its still confusing. I wish I could do a full MDC allergy/intolerance consult.

I have a couple questions - what is Mo? (I am the DD of two heavy smokers and have asthma so that intrigued me...)

A bunch of people have started threads for themselves and then we can try to brainstorm for you.

Molybdenum is used in an enzyme that is responsible for detoxing something related to smoking. Nicotine, probably It's also used in an enzyme that processes sulfites into sulfates, so being deficient can bring on food sensitivities.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by whoMe

Molybdenum is used in an enzyme that is responsible for detoxing something related to smoking. Nicotine, probably It's also used in an enzyme that processes sulfites into sulfates, so being deficient can bring on food sensitivities.

I don't know why but I thought it was arsenic that it was used to detox. Chances are you're right though.
I'm a little delayed but thank you everyone for cheering for Marius' weight gain. He's latched on at every feeding today and seemed to be eating some but then would go to sleep until I unlatched him and gave him the Haberman. I found that he has to work harder at the Haberman than at the bottle the LC gave me, so I'm still using that until I can convince myself that the annoyance of the SNS really is worth it (which I know it is because it will eventually get him back to breast, but... I'm just so tired and cleaning the stupid thing is a PITA.)
Oh! And here's my attempt at being positive today:
I went to dig in the deep freeze for chicken and "found" a "lost" bag of my pre-made meals.: I thought I had gone through all of them (though I had kind of thought that they'd gone really fast considering I had about 25 made). So, now I have a few more days of just throwing something in a pot or the oven to warm up quickly and relaxing (or getting something done, which is more likely knowing me ). I can't tell you how happy that made me.

[mtn.mama]

Yes, the OAT is a urine test known as the Organic Acid Test. Mine was done at the Great Plains Laboratory. It examines metabolic by-products and tells you how your body is doing nutritionally as well as yeast, bacterial, oxalate related, glycolusis, krebs cycle, neurotransmitters, pyrimidines, fatty acids, toxic indicators, amino acids, etc. Then it interprets the data and gives your recommendations for improvement.

JR, I didn't want to say Family Grain as my answer... because I know how much you want one. Today I grated 4 cups of carrots in about 20 seconds. Sorry. I thought of you the WHOLE time.

I'm feeding us and my Dad and Ben's mom and Dad tonight. Our menu is bbq pork ribs, german potato salad, fresh greens and the healthy-family.org carrot cake which is SO delicious.

I'm trying to plan a gluten free extravaganza as a kickoff to a traveling monthly potluck. There sure are alot of people on the bandwagon these days...

[mtn.mama]

JR, I wish we were neighbors so I could cook for you. I LOVE cooking special food for special mamas.

You guys, I knowingly glutened myself (and it was kind of worth it). I did it for an emotional boost because I was feeling spent and just wanted to be normal for one hour. I went out for pizza with T and B and my Dad at this awesome place in Anchorage called Moose's Tooth- a real treat. I felt fine during and afterward until about 24 hours later when I started running to the outhouse. Another 24 hours has passed and I guess we'll see what happens next. Its sure cleaning me out anyhoo. TMI I guess. The very cool thing is that Taslyn hasn't reacted at all. And I've never popped positive by scratch test, patch test or IgG bloodwork for any gluten, grain or starch. But here we are. The weird thing is that sometimes I tolerate it fine and sometimes I don't. This is the clearest rxn I've had. We're 23 months wheat free (most of the time) and 21 months gluten free (most of the time). Ho hum.

And I'm excited to report that my chicken endeavor is really taking off. We're collecting more than a dozen a day usually and more meat chicks arriving this week, plus guinea eggs to stick under my setting hen. I have more people interested in ordering than I can provide for, and now folks want goat milk too (after more than a dozen years of no buyers). Its turning into a nice little income and I'm having fun. I'm SO thrilled that T loves scrambled eggs and they are safe for her now!

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by mtn.mama

Does this mean you're open for official inquiries of the homeopathic nature? Actually, I've been thinking about giving you a call.

I think Taslyn is ready for a new FE remedy. The last one worked WONDERS for her. Its really settled in and she's become a social creature, far less rashy, and way more comfortable in her own skin when under scrutiny by non-family eyes. THANK YOU. But now she is OBSESSED with nursing. She talks about it constantly, is sometimes distractable and sometimes unconsolable- and also is tending toward staying up very late, waking far too often and then sleeping in.

You can email anytime and we can set something up. Often this is what happens. You see a major shift and then something else comes up. It doesn't usually take too long to weed through it, but it is quite possible she's ready for another blend. I'm happy to help!

[deditus]

Hey mums - I'm mostly a lurker - I'm dairy free, gluten free, egg free, and corn free with sulfur/sals issues.
Anyway I could use some support from other allergy moms right now, I just found out my g-pa passed away and we live 10 hrs away from our family. We were planning on going home in 3 weeks anyway (driving), and my family is trying to plan the memorial service so everyone in the family will be able to attend. I may have to leave early with dd and dh can fly out during our regulary scheduled vacation. Obviously it is hard to travel and stay with family when you have allergies to deal with, much less be grieving at the same time. So if anyone has any great travel tips/recipes I would appreciate ideas. I am planning on taking Kathy's buckwheat pancake mix since we eat that weekly anyway and taking safe sausage and bacon, trail mix, sardines, Mary's Gone Crackers, hummus and veggies, and that's as far as I've gotten. I also got some puffed rice to make "granola bars". I can give my MIL a shopping list, as her hfs has a whole gf room and the employees are helpful with ingredients for other allergens. I think I will be working my butt off the next week or two trialing recipes for mixes, anything I can make ahead would be helpful. Luckily, MIL can afford to buy us more premade stuff than we would normally buy. And that's as far as my wanting-to-be-home-with-my-family mind has gotten.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by deditus

I am planning on taking Kathy's buckwheat pancake mix since we eat that weekly anyway and taking safe sausage and bacon, trail mix, sardines, Mary's Gone Crackers, hummus and veggies, and that's as far as I've gotten. I also got some puffed rice to make "granola bars". I can give my MIL a shopping list, as her hfs has a whole gf room and the employees are helpful with ingredients for other allergens. I think I will be working my butt off the next week or two trialing recipes for mixes, anything I can make ahead would be helpful. Luckily, MIL can afford to buy us more premade stuff than we would normally buy. And that's as far as my wanting-to-be-home-with-my-family mind has gotten.

I'm sorry for your loss.
It's kind of funny that you posted this... I was just thinking to myself yesterday that I should start a thread asking for people's favorite allergen-free homemade pre-made mix recipes but wasn't sure if there'd be an interest.
Thread is here.

[lil_miss_understood]

Oh yeah, Lisa, I was talking to DH about you yesterday (sort of). He was saying that we should buy a small plane so that getting to the city would only take half an hour rather than driving and I mentioned that Ben flies (he does right? Am I remembering things wrong?). I was teasing DH that "we don't live in Alaska so we really don't need to own a plane". Then he was saying that maybe we should move to Alaska- but then we couldn't have a garden and so on, so I was saying "That's not true. Lisa has her garden in."
Your supper sounds delicious. I'm guessing the German potato salad has traditional mayo in it? I'm so jonesing for potato salad. We're having Brats tonight and I *really* want potato salad.
Thanks for thinking of me. I feel the same way about all of you when you're having hard times. Though I'd be kind of scared to cook for many of you because I still don't know enough about corn to avoid it completely, I don't think.
And speaking of mayo, ever since I found out about the whole sunflower lecithin thing, I've been wondering if there might be some way to make mayo with sunflower oil... After all, it's the lecithin in the egg yolks or soy which makes it possible with those, right? So why not with sunflower oil? But maybe you'd have to actually puree the seeds rather than just using the oil? (we need a smiley with smoke coming out of it's ears to connote thinking really hard. )