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A few notes on eggs

 

I am a true fan of the egg.   Our chickens here at Locust Grove generously provide us with lovely brown organic eggs every morning.  Many of my recipes include whole eggs which are an affordable way to provide the dietary cholesterol necessary for healthy brain development, high quality protein, choline, lutein for retinal function, as well as a plethora of vitamins and amino acids.

  

It is well worth noting that egg allergies are not uncommon in children under the age of five.  Research has shown that in most cases the allergy is to the proteins in the egg white.   Often this is simply the result of an inappropriate response from an immature immune system. 

 

If you have been told your child is allergic, it is worth testing to find out if the allergy is to the whole egg or just the egg white.  If you find that your child's allergy is to the white alone you can substitute an egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water for a whole egg in any of my recipes.  Most of the valuable nutrients in eggs are located in the yolk and delicious baked goods are an easy way to get protein and vitamins into the picky eater in your home.

 

It is also worth noting that research shows that most children outgrow egg allergies after age five.  So if your child tested allergic as a toddler and they are now school aged it may be worth having them retested. If they are still showing an allergic response the following are some egg-free alternatives.

 

  • The easiest is Ener-G® Egg Replacer mixed as directed.
  • In baked goods a half of a ripe banana = 1 egg (if your results are too dense you may wish to add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and a 1/2  teaspoon vinegar to help it rise).

For more information on eggs and nutrition click below  

GF/CF ingredients on a real budget

 

I suppose this is the time to confess that my dear brother has oft referred to me as "her royal cheapness".  I do so prefer the term frugal.  That being said, I know from personal experience that one of the most difficult challenges facing families on GF/CF diets is the expense.  Prepackaged, prepared GF/CF food can be exorbitantly priced compared to its gluten and casein-laden counterparts and is a strain on our already stretched household budgets.  Adding insult to injury, too often we discover that our investment in prepared GF/CF foods is neither palatable nor appreciated by our families.  It is at this stage that so many of us simply give up on the diet. 

 

My goal was to provide families with recipes that are mistaken as "regular" food.  Now that the recipes are available where do you find ingredients that you can afford? 

 

If you scan the GF/CF pantry section of my cookbooks you will discover  that the majority of the ingredients I use can be found in your average supermarket. 

 

Those that cannot (usually flours and such) can be purchased at health food stores - though that is not usually the most cost effective way to buy them.  I have found the best prices for flours manufactured in dedicated facilities (factories that do not manufacture anything with gluten or casein in the facility - thus avoiding trace cross-contamination) are by the case at vitacost.com and amazon.com.  If the GF/CF diet is to prevent anaphylaxis then ingredients made in dedicated facilities are a must.  This is something that your doctor can help you determine. 

 

If you are simply looking for inexpensive, quality ingredients then The Cheese Shop in Stewarts Draft, Virginia is your best choice.  Everything comes carefully packaged and labeled in clear plastic bags.  The price difference is substantial and even with shipping is the better deal.  6oz of xantham gum in a small plastic jar at your local health food store will cost you around $8.99 - that same 6 oz. without the fancy package or advertising campaign costs $3 at The Cheese Shop.  You do the math.  

 

If you do not happen to live in close proximity to Stuarts Draft, Virginia then I would recommend you check out their website. They try to keep most of their GF/CF ingredients listed however if there is something that you are looking for that is not on the website they take phone orders as well.