Hello World!

Hi Everyone!

I’m the Tall Allergic Chick. It’s nice to meet you! I’m looking forward to keeping you all informed and share my experiences with you. I hope I’m able to provide an interesting and educational resource for you!

I can’t wait to continue to build a place where people can interact with other people facing the same challenges, while others can learn more about what it all means.

Stick with me and you’ll learn the difference between someone who is allergic to food and a food intolerance, how to shop for and cook for people with food allergies, and things you never thought you would need to know.

More and more adults and children are affected by food allergies than ever before, and at some time or another, you’ll use it!

And for my tall ladies out there – Enjoy my satirical commentary I’m sure you can relate to!

If you would like to comment, share, or link to a specific post – Click the Title to Open it!

Summer 2012 – Refreshing Green Papaya Salad

Out here in San Diego, we aren’t used to humidity and lately it has been hot and really humid – even at the beach! Something that is always cool and refreshing with a kick is Green Papaya Salad! Plus, it’s another excuse to use my food processor :)

Foodista’s Green Papaya Salad

Ingredients:
400g Papaya (shredded)
4 Cloves Garlic
2-3 Green Thai chili
10 Cherry tomatoes
80g Long beans
3-4 teaspoon Fish sauce
4-5 teaspoon Lime juice
20g Dried shrimps
40g Peanuts (toasted)
3-4 tablespoon
Palm sugar

Directions:

Peel the green papaya and shred the papaya with a zigzag peeler.

Soak the papaya in water to remove the acid and make it crispy.

Crush the chili, garlic, long beans, dried shrimps and peanuts with a mortar and pestle. Mix all the ingredients together and serve.

Summer 2012 – Arugula, Fig, and Blue Cheese Salad

I’m not a big fan of blue cheese unless it’s paired perfectly. This is the pairing for me!

“Figs are the ugly stepsister to the sexier fruits of summer.  You don’t see people waxing poetic about these tasty beauties.  I have to admit that it took me a long time to appreciate their luscious sweetness and chewy texture but they have moved to the top of my list as one of my favorite new ingredients to experiment with.”

Feeling slightly adventurous? Try this summer salad Recipe from Scaling Back to boost your day!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large bunch arugula
• 1 pint fresh figs, cut into quarters
• 4 oz smoked blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts

Method:

Combine the balsamic and mustard in a small bowl and slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking, season with salt and pepper.  In a large bowl combine the greens with the figs and blue cheese, add a few tablespoons of dressing and toss lightly to combine.  Sprinkle the hazelnuts over the top and serve.

Summer 2012 – Arugula Pistachio Pesto

Pesto is one of my guilty pleasures…but now I don’t have to feel so guilty!!

Arugula Pistachio Pesto

I’m such a tease.

Little did I know when I posted my tips for homemade frozen pizza, that all you really wanted was the recipe for the pesto I used to make the “hers” version.

If I share the recipe, will you forgive me?

I’ve been kind of crazy about this arugula pesto lately. Maybe it’s a basil-deficiency in my blood stream, or summer herb withdrawal syndrome. But tossing a handful of bright green rocket into the food processor instead seemed like the right thing to do.

I’ve probably made it a dozen times. I’ve smeared it on pizza. Tossed it with pasta. Slathered it on burgers. And, of course, spread it on some freshly toasted bruschetta with goat cheese. I’ve made it with walnuts, almonds, pistachios and pine nuts… added cheese and garlic and lemon. Spiced it up with red pepper flakes. But this. This is probably my favorite version.

Even though I expect my freshly planted basil to be primed for pesto in T-minus 65 days (brown-thumb notwithstanding), I don’t see myself tiring of this bright and nutty spread any time soon.

Basil? What’s that? Who needs it anyway.

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Arugula Pistachio Pesto

YIELD: 1 cup

TOTAL TIME: 5 minutes

ingredients:

2 ounces arugula (about 2 cups, packed)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup shelled pistachios, lightly toasted
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

directions:

Place arugula in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Add olive oil, pistachios, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until smooth, about 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store, refrigerated in an airtight container, for 1 day. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Summer 2012 – Strawberry Margarita Pops

Wow, another summer for the record books!

In addition, a summer for the cook books too :) and according to me, here are some great summer recipes (a little late, but better than never!).

TODAY’S ENTRY:

Strawberry Margarita Popsicles – Perfectly refreshing with any appetizer or just on its own! Wake up by 10 am and have these ready for the afternoon :)

The Power of Words

I have been coaching girls volleyball since 2007 in the San Diego area.  I annually wretch and complain throughout the season to my loved ones…mainly about what I refer to as, “Non-Volleyball Related Things”. This is usually related, but not limited, to players misbehaving (expected), parents misbehaving (I hate conflict), general scheduling issues. I just love the game so much, that I hate to let emotion interfere with it.

As I looked forward to the end of our 5 1/2 month season, pushing the team’s athletic/mental abilities, I came to the stopping point that I get to every year. Do I want to do this for another year? Those of you who know me expect this every year and also know the outcome…

I LOVE VOLLEYBALL and my volleyball family! Being able to coach somewhere where I can help young ladies build character, integrity, and at the same time, compete athletically is extremely valuable to me. I am grateful for SBVC and for my players and their amazing and supportive parents/grandparents this year. THANK YOU!! Below are a few of the reasons (some easier to read than others) why I find it nearly impossible to not continue my “volleyball career” with [the non-profit] Solana Beach Volleyball Club. Long story short, this is the best end of the year coach’s gift I have received yet. To have the parents take the time to write a few sentences is so much more meaningful than that thank you card with everyones names signed on it.

Thanks Team – You kept a smile on my face for days!

Minor Injury via Mandolin Accident in the Kitchen

Well it’s tough typing with my left hand only, so I’ll keep it brief.

Keeping what’s left of my thumb (and there’s quite a bit left) elevated and on ice – 15 on, 15 off!

space ship thumb

Lollipops | Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut Free

Yummy Earth Certified Organic Lollipops are not only awesome for excluding high fructose corn syrup and allergens, but they taste delicious! I picked a bag of these up at our local Sprouts grocery store as an afterthought.

As I read the bag: 100% vegan, tree nut free, GMO free, pesticide free, soy-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, no MSG, no artifical dyes, 100% natural fruit flavors, casein-free…I thought,

“Is this too good to be true?”  - Well, it’s not! These are really tasty, and even kid approved. At 22 calories per sucker, you can rest assured these are not full of sugar too!

Immune System Booster | Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a liquid substance extracted from the fruit and seeds of grapefruit, a sub-tropical citrus tree that grows in abundance throughout many countries. The extract from grapefruit seed was first documented for its medicinal uses in 1972 by Dr. Jacob Harich, a physicist who noticed its traditional use as a disinfectant in a multitude of countries.¹ Many traditional societies, from South America to Europe, to Asia have used the extract to clean the skin, hair, and home surfaces. These societies also valued the extract as a powerful anti-viral and bacterial.5

The Health Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) has very high amounts of disease-fighting, free-radical eliminating antioxidants and phytonutrients called bioflavonoids. One of these powerful bioflavanoids (plant antioxidants) include the chemical component hesperidin, a well-known natural immune-system stimulator and booster.

4 Chemical analysis of grapefruit seed extract shows additional antioxidant constituents including Vitamin C, sterols, tocopherols, citric acid, liminoids, and other trace minerals. Perhaps most exciting in regard to GSE’s health benefits is its anti-cancer potentials. Studies done on the compounds in GSE’s seed and pulp have found that these bioactive agents may be able to inhibit the occurrence of colon cancer. 6

A recent study done by Microbiologists from the University of Georgia found that GSE was a very effective non-toxic disinfectant. Sadly, commonly-used disinfectant have high levels of toxicity and are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. The same study found that GSE demonstrates a “wide spectrum of activity,” including antiviral, antimycotic, and antiprotozoan capacities against many bacteria and viruses, including E.Coli.¹ It was also found to be an effective cleanser as a a pre-surgical soap.¹

Another recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grapefruit-seed extract was effective in killing over “800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.”² No other naturally-occuring anti-microbial can come close to these results.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is associated with the following potential health benefits:

• Powerful natural antiseptic.
• Antiviral and anti-fungal agent.
• Possible anti-cancer properties.6
• Promotes the healing of wounds and scar tissue.
• Possible cholesterol-lowering properties due to the presence of the flavanoid naringin (a well-known plasma lipid reducer and plasma antioxidant activator).7
• Excellent remedy for toenail fungal infections.4
• Treatment for sinus, vaginal and topical skin infections.
• Evironmentally-friendly fruit and vegetable wash for removing toxins.³
• Effective preventative for Candida and other forms of yeast infection.4
• Inhibits the formation of harmful intestinal organisms, including Giardia, without reducing levels of healthy bowel flora.4,5
• Acts as a natural preservative for cosmetics.
• Can replace chlorine in swimming pools, public baths, water and sewage treatment centers, and it also used as a general water-purifying mechanism.5
• May reduce chances of developing coronary heart disease in high-risk patients due to high pectin content in Grapefruit seed extract.8
• Possible anti-biotic activity.
• Aids to alkalize the body, and is one of the world’s most alkaline forming foods, helping to stabilize acidic pH levels, a central component for health rejuvenation.
• Great general immune system booster.

Other Home-Friendly Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract

An excellent extract to have on hand while traveling into foreign countries, GSE acts as a natural germ-killer and an effective preventative mechanism for food borne illnesses that cause diarrhea and dysentery. It is also useful for our pets, and can be applied in both internal and external infections of the skin, including fleas. It is also highly useful for the modern eco-conscious gardener, and can used to remove fungus and mold from tools and supplies. It is also a great bug and plant spray. Grapefruit seed extract can be used to clean surfaces and even sprinkled into soaps for an added anti-microbial and viral effects.

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Click Here to View the Original Article written by the Global Healing Center

St. Patrick’s Day Recipe | Braised Vegetables w/ Herbs and Guinness

One thing I learned from this, is what an oblique cut is – Seems like a lot of work when you can just irregularly cut the veggies about the same size?

Cooking with beer is so much fun! I came across this recipe by Chef David Walzog and modified [added too much/bought the wrong stuff!] and stuffed it into my dutch oven.

My method is in green.

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees…

Ingredients

Vegetables and herbs:

• 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch oblique cuts (Used 2 x-large)
• 2 turnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch oblique cuts (Used 1 x-large)
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch oblique cuts (Used 15 baby carrots, halved)
• 2 Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch oblique cuts (Used 2 x-large Russets)
• 1 rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1-inch oblique cuts (Used 1 x-large)
• 10 cloves garlic, peeled (15 cloves, slightly smashed from peeling)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

For the spice mixture:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Espelette pepper (Used 1 1/2 Tbsp Chili Flake + 1 Tsp. Ground Cayenne Pepper)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (Next time will cut in half)
• 4 ounces whole butter, melted (Used 2 sticks)
• 6 ounces stout, such as Guinness (Used 8 oz.)

Preparation

Place all of the vegetables [and garlic] in a large mixing bowl. Add the melted butter, chopped herbs and sliced garlic. Season the vegetables with spices, salt and ground black pepper. Add this to an ovenproof baking dish that has a lid. Pour on the stout. Place the lid on the baking dish and put into a 375-degree preheated oven. Allow this to cook for 45 minutes (Stir and recover for 15 min and let rest for 15 min) or until the vegetables are soft.

Local Art | San Diego

There’s nothing better than local art – especially when you get to buy it from the artist! We thought that Harry Holiday was just a friendly face we saw as we shopped around the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market in San Diego, but little did we know we would be taking a piece (or pieces) of him home with us last Sunday. All that I know about Harry Holiday, is that he’s nice and he’s from Ocean Beach.

Harry sells prints for $10 each or 3 for $20 – so we opted for the 3 because we loved them and hey, it was a hell of a deal!  We picked up the framed from Craig Frames Inc. online for around $20 each, including shipping. All of the frames arrived safe and sound, and it was easy for me to unroll the prints and mount them.

Now to choose the wall they will call their new home…