Chickens

I buy a lot of eggs. I'm sure you do also if you bake gluten free. I remember the first time I began cooking GF and how strange the recipes seemed. Not only were there at least eight ingredients, but rarely did I only need two eggs. Now, three to four eggs per bread and other baked goods is the norm. Even when a recipe calls for two eggs I frequently add a couple more whites whipped to give it lift and some more protein. I don't really know what it's like to buy a dozen eggs at a time. Those days are long gone.

My husband and I are researching chickens. We would like to have some next year and since we have some pasture land to let them "range", why not? We are getting our "chicken questions" answered such as: How many eggs will a chicken produce each day? Do we need a rooster? And - What kind of chickens are better than others?

My husband is going to build a "Chicken Tractor". Actually it is a wired pen and hen house in one that you can move from spot to spot with a tractor (or pull it if you're strong enough). This lets the chickens free range which produces better eggs and the chickens are happier and more stress free. It is also fully enclosed to keep out predators.

We have a couple of goats (not to change the subject) and they are allowed a large area to roam and graze. My friend has a couple of goats that she has to stake out. The difference in our goats is quite amazing. Ours are probably twice the size and very healthy. It only makes sense that animals do better when not penned in. No, I'm not a PETA zealot, just making an observation.

Anyway, will post some pics one day if we get our chickens. It will be nice to know our eggs are really fresh.

Blessings,
Debbie

Check With Your Local Butcher First

My father-in-law offered to bring the ham this year. Last year, he bought a smoked turkey from a specialty store. It listed "smoked flavoring". I called the company, and one of the workers said he couldn't verify it was gluten free. I looked online, and any smoked powder I could find also had barley in it. I hate barley- it hides. Needless to say, I had to go buy a small ham so my little guy could feel included last year.

This year, I went online to search for some gluten-free hams. I suddenly thought about checking with a local butcher that we bought a side of beef from last year. He actually smokes the ham with apple wood and no extra powder is included. He went and checked a couple of other ingredients and was so thorough because as he said, "Hey, those things are important". He then explained to me that his daughter has a peanut allergy.

Well, it was $1.99 a pound for fresh, local ham. Can't beat that - and I got to support a local business man. Not only am I happy with the ham purchase, I found out that his ground beef is lower than what I've been paying at Costco and it is certainly far superior to that as well. So...check with your local butcher first!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Debbie

Yes, I'm Alive

I'm still in the land of the living although it seems like time has been suspended as far as my posts are concerned. As you can see from the above picture, I have an angel keeping me very busy nowadays.

All is well here and I continue to try new gluten-free recipes. I wouldn't say I've done any innovations in the kitchen and therefore haven't posted. I will tell you I think Carol Feinster's French Bread recipe is "to die for", or "to live for" as some put it. It has a huge amount of yeast in it, and I stayed away from that for awhile. I think yeast spins my son up (you know, the yeast/gut theory) and so I've avoided it. However, I couldn't get out of my head the fact that yeast dies at a certain temperature. I don't think he has an intolerance to the actual yeast protein or makeup but rather the fact that it can grow in numbers in the gut as it feeds on sugars. I tell you, it's like he's been drunk at times because of being so silly, loud and impulsive. I do think that items like breadsticks that don't cook as long are a problem if he eats too much of it, but the french bread seems to be fine (that's the only yeast item I've been making) and we're all in heaven.

What else is new? I've been subbing this year, as I wasn't able to get a teaching position. The few jobs that have been open attracted 100-200 applicants each. It was hard to even get an interview! I did stumble across subbing for a charter school in the area. I've been so impressed with it - the small class size, the respectful students and friendly staff. Now I know I would like a job there as opposed to some of the other schools I applied at. Hopefully a position will open up next year. They seem to be real pleased with my work and that feels good. For now, that is bringing in some extra change and working out real well.

Other than that, I can't wait for Thanksgiving, because we're having quite a few family members here for that. It will be nice to know that I don't have to stress for my son what is on the menu!!

I know that people reading this blog can appreciate that!

Take care and hope to post a few recipes with pictures soon!

God Bless You,

Debbie

99 Random Facts About Me

1. I have been married for 19 years.
2. My middle name is Lynne.
3. I'm 5 foot 3 inches.
4. I have two boys named Nathan and Joshua.
5. I love living in the country but hate having to drive so far to get anywhere.
6. I am a licensed teacher.
7. I went to Jamaica on my honeymoon.
8. I've never worn braces.
9. I wish I owned a better camera.
10. My favorite movie is "It's a Wonderful Life".
11. I'm a Christian.
12. I have two sisters.
13. I was once in the Air Force Reserves.
14. I have a sweet tooth.
15. One day I'd like to vacation in Hawaii and take my family to Disney World.
16. I'm an adoptive mom.
17. I waitressed for 17 years before becoming a teacher.
18. I could eat beans, rice, and cheese almost everyday and not grow tired of it.
19. I hate the dentist.
20. I floss in the morning, not at night (I know its gross, but at least I do it everyday!).
21. Bright, tall zinnias are my favorite flowers.
22. I love tomatoes - I even love the smell of tomatoes.
23. I get obsessed with picking blackberries on our property.
24. The happiest days of my life were bringing each of my boys home, my wedding day, receiving my bachelor's degree, and getting my first teaching job.
25. I like corny humor.
26. I only yard-sale now for my boys. I'm tired of junk for myself - I want new things now.
27. As soon as I can afford plastic surgery, I'll have a neck-lift.
28. I have the most wonderful husband in the world. He still thinks I look 26!
29. My husband is blind (just kidding!).
30. I drive a mini-van.
31. I never paint my fingernails but always have polish on my toenails.
32. I don't "text".
33. My favorite holiday is Christmas.
34. I can't stand hot weather.
35. I like to collect rocks.
36. The one thing I miss most about "regular" food is the flour tortillas.
37. If I could do things over again, I would have gone to college sooner and worn more sunscreen.
38. I'm proud to be an American.
39. I look more like my father than my mother.
40. I love birds and always have a hummingbird feeder full.
41. I like to know my neighbors.
42. I am a combination of a very shy and outgoing person.
43. Really functional things around the house make me happy.
44. For the last three years I've been without a dishwasher.
45. My hands are always dry for some reason.
46. I've never eaten eggplant.
47. I love to smell a baby's scalp.
48. I have extra time on my hands right now (which is why I'm sitting here writing out this list!)
49. Decorating with bright colors doesn't appeal to me, but I do like splashes of red.
50. I wear glasses now to read.
51. My elderly in-laws live on the property with us.
52. I live in a fish bowl:)
53. My sister has a low thyroid and so do I.
54. I used to make cards for others in my spare time.
55. Did I mention I have two small kids and don't have spare time anymore?
56. I love coffee.
57. I compulsively check to see if my keys are in my purse before getting out of the car.
58. I am most thankful for God's goodness to me and faithfulness.
59. I wish I could meet some of the blog authors that I like.
60. I buy Trader Joe's rice noodles, but prefer Tinkyada.
61. I love to shop at Costco.
62. Pie is my favorite dessert - especially a la mode.
63. I get easily distracted.
64. I get easily distracted.
65. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons.
66. I like to watch emergency room TV shows, Antiques Roadshow, Good Eats, and Mystery Diagnosis.
67. I have one dog, two barn-cats, and two goats.
68. There's a wood stove in my house.
69. I was born in Torrance, California.
70. I like to play cards.
71. I'm left-handed
72. I was 28 when I got married.
73. I suffer from sensitive, dry eyes.
74. My least favorite chore is cleaning out the fridge.
75. I eat dessert almost every night.
76. I hate ironing.
77. History is my least favorite subject.
78. I want to have a couple of steer and chickens one day.
79. Modern furniture does nothing for me.
80. I highlight my own hair.
81. Jazz makes me feel irritable.
82. I used to work out with weights (used to!)
83. I can sew but don't like to.
84. After my parents divorced, I attended 8 different high schools.
85. I eat my oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar, and milk.
86. Genesis is my favorite book in the Bible.
87. I used to play the flute.
88. My birthday is May 18th.
89. My favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
90. I only buy cotton sheets.
91. I like to wear bright colors.
92. Right now I'm reading "A Land of Sheltered Promise" by Jane Kirkpatrick.
93. The only ticket I've received is for fishing without a license.
94. I love denim dresses and skirts.
95. I like to organize things in baskets.
96. I plan out out a monthly dinner menu.
97. I'm a natrally good speller.
98. I wear my gold hoop earrings almost every day.
99. I like to make lists!

Get Your Dogs!

Okay, just got a comment on a previous post about the Costco hot dogs. So...once again I am writing about them. I just called the Costco Corporate Office and I was told that their Kirkland Signature Hot Dogs which the representative said are sold in all food courts ARE gluten free. I know that the last time Nathan and I checked at our local Costco, I was told by a food court employee that they were not. I know I looked at the list of ingredients at that time and the only thing it could have been hidden under was the "spices" listing. So...did they have a different dog between the Sinai brand and this one or did they change the ingredients in their Kirkland Dogs? Anyone else care to chime in? I'd love to be able to eat a hot dog there with my boys when we go.
Thanks!
Debbie