Category Archives: Food

Chips…mmmmmmmmmmmm

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Yes, salty (and some sweet) chips.

You know that one kitchen gadget that you hang on to forever, and use maybe once every 5 years, but can’t seem to let go of? I happen to have one, and it’s called the Presto ChipShot. I asked my Grandma for it as a Christmas gift back when I was like, 18 (yes obviously I have had a thing for food/kitchen way beyond the recent discovery of it)? I’ve hung on to it ever since, and it has made a grand re-entrance into my kitchen life 🙂 You could probably find one eBay for $5, but it’s $5 well spent.

I randomly saw some Taro Root at the commissary last weekend, so I picked some up and thought it’d be fun to do something with them (I cannot believe all these years, the giant “Elephant Ear” plants my mom has planted, are Taro Roots? I learn something everyday). I bought four, they were a whopping $1.42 total. I left the skin on, washed them well, let them dry and then put them through the chipshot with the krinkle-cut attachment. Holy SHMOLY it only took about 5 minutes. I had these awesome krinkle-cut taro root slices. I placed them on dehydrating trays, and Seth sprinkled them with seasonings, 4 different flavors: salt, salt and pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon/sugar. In about 24 hours they were dry, but I left them in for 48 hours, and they have the perfect crunchiness! Highly recommend the plain old salt flavor.

Now I have the perfect crunch salty chips for guac, that are: corn, grain, soy, msg, dairy, and awful crappy oil, free. Yay!

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“Natural Flavors”

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In my quest for health and wellness, I’m trying to understand everything I put in my body and what’s an issue for me. I don’t eat a lot of things that have an ingredient list, but one thing I do consume a lot is hot tea. I love it, I think it’s beneficial for my health, and has antioxidant properties.

I ran across a huge sale on Tazo teas recently and was thrilled, so I stocked up! I bought several boxes and have been enjoying them, but upon further investigation, I’d like to know in the ingredients what they include in “natural flavors.” My first thought is if you add something back in, it isn’t natural, and second, this ingredient (I don’t like calling it that, it’s more like a category) can include a whole mess of stuff. So I emailed Tazo.

My email to Tazo on January 31:

Hello!

I am an avid tea drinker and LOVE Tazo teas, however, I am discovering some allergies to certain spices/additives. Can someone please provide a breakdown of the “natural flavors” listed in most Tazo teas, or what makes up that category? I know that “natural flavors” typically encompasses different things. I realize they may vary by kind, but I really appreciate your help.

Thanks so much,

Linds Swanson

Their reply on January 31:

Hello Lindsay,

Thank you for taking the time to write.  Your search for enlightenment into the world of Tazo is to be admired.  With this first step on the path, may you find answers you seek.

While we understand that some customers may have a need to know specific ingredient information prior to consuming a product, unfortunately we are unable to provide more in-depth information than what is currently available in the ingredient statement. If there are concerns about this product possibly containing an ingredient that you do not wish to consume, we would recommend that product not be consumed.

Thanks again for writing us.  If you ever have any questions or concerns in the future, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Tazo!

Brian

A Tea Enthusiast Advisor

Seems pretty corporate to me, no? Honestly, I guess I wasn’t that shocked, but as soon as my Tazo teas are gone, I’m not buying anymore. Things like this are frustrating for me, when I’m trying to pinpoint and solve issues with my health and body (do the “natural flavors” include nightshades?). Furthermore, if you won’t tell a consumer what you’re putting in a product, it’s a red flag for me. I think I have a right to know what I’m eating and drinking, right, especially when I’m paying for it?

So long, Tazo!

Digestion, Diabetes, and Paleo

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Some people thing I’m crazy for being as passionate as I am about food, constantly reading, researching, and trying to understand my body; and furthermore, becoming even more strict as of late. I’m sure I annoy plenty. Not that it matters what anybody thinks, but I thought I’d shed a little insight about what has fueled this passion in me. Indulge me.

Exhibit 1: here is a look at what happens to me, as I progress throughout each day. By the end of the day after dinner, my abdomen is so distended that I can barely breathe from the pressure underneath my lungs and diaphragm. Sometimes, it’s painful and other times it’s not, it’s completely random. I don’t know about you, but (a small) part of the reason I exercise regularly is to not look as though I’m pregnant.Belly

Exhibit 2: this is what’s happened the last two nights:Digestion Effects 1Digestion Effects 2

See those giant spikes? Not cool. Both nights, I had a super healthy dinner (as always). Each night I ate, did a few things around the house, and went to bed a few hours later. Not until the middle of the night, did my food finally show up and digest. Why? No idea.

From the digestion standpoint: why doesn’t my digestion work? Why am I sometimes miserable, other times not as much? Why is it painful sometimes, and not other times? Why does what I eat, sometimes just sit in my stomach and not do anything for hours, and other times motility is fine? How much of what I eat is actually even being digested? These and so many other unanswered questions have remained for the last 16 years, following every diagnostic test and procedure (and 1 unnecessary surgery) possible, many different “diets” plus trying every OTC, prescription and sometimes supplements ever created. Yet, here I sit, with no answers. So, where does that leave me? Food.

From the diabetes standpoint: the digestion issues listed above, complicate the hell out of it. I can rarely if ever rely on my digestion (or lack there of), which adds a whole other dimension to diabetes management. Fun times (sarcasm).

Hopefully this sheds some light into why I have gone Paleo (to heal my gut, NOT cure my diabetes as that won’t happen, ever), and why I’m venturing even deeper into food, because really, what other choice do I have? I’ve had chronic digestion issues for 16 years, and then was diagnosed with auto-immune type 1 diabetes (now 6 years. Are they related? Probably, after all, a large majority of a person’s immune system is in the GI tract-and mine has been completely bludgeoned for years). Sometimes, when you’re doing everything right, and then diabetes slaps you in the face, it’s a reminder that not only am I diligently trying to heal one thing, but I also have to manage another thing that happens to be greatly affected by the first. A very vicious cycle.

So long, Nightshades Follow-up

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Here’s a follow-up post to my effort at being nightshade free for 15 days now, including the positive things I’ve noticed and one mishap.

I’ve remained nightshade free except for inadvertently going for Thai food the other night with my husband. He’d had a really long day, I was hungry, neither of us felt like cooking that night, so we ran out quick. Once we got there and sat down, I was quickly reminded that I wasn’t eating anything on the menu-grrrr. Just didn’t think about it.

I ended up getting a pumpkin curry, and didn’t eat the bell peppers (they were the obvious nightshades), however, I know there was chili pepper, and probably paprika included in the curry. I was bummed, and probably more so because within 10 minutes, I was literally crawling out of my skin and my stomach had inflated to the size of a big balloon :-/ I guess, for me, maybe there is something to them. Sigh. So now I’ve restarted the no nightshades, and I’m doing fine with it (was doing fine before too), although I’m bummed that I accidentally ingested them. I will say that my joints and inflammation is almost non-existent excluding nightshades from my diet; both my massage therapist and chiropractor noticed unsolicited that mobility and tissue feels completely different to them.

I had planned on starting the full AIP today, however I’ve delayed that for a couple of reasons: 1) I still have some non-AIP foods at home that I’m not willing to let spoil, or throw away (like Kale, other leafy greens, nuts), and 2) I still need to do a little research on what is and is not included so I have a better understanding and will be successful with it (like which spices are seed based, etc.).

I’ll keep you posted 🙂

Mmmm, bleached oil! Healthy.

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Do you know how the oils in your pantry are made?

There are no vegetables in vegetable oil, but because it doesn’t contain animal fat, it can by default be called “vegetable oil.” Corn oil, eeewww. Canola oil? What the hell is a canola?

http://youtu.be/omjWmLG0EAs

So disgusting. Eat real fat!!