Michi8

Another thought...have you ever tried Pho (vietnamese soup)? You can make it with rice noodles (precooked and added to the broth before serving), and the meats are thinly sliced and added to the (very) hot broth just before serving (the broth cooks the meat).

Michelle

What about making "wonton" soup without the wrappers. I know it wouldn't really be the same, but you could try making "meatballs" of the ingredients without wrapping them up, and simply put them in the broth. It would look more like Italian wedding soup, but should have the same flavour of wonton soup.

Michelle

brizzo, since you're having issues with your skin, have you done any allergy testing to see if there are other allergy triggers? What about patch testing for chemical sensitivities/allergies?

One of my major symptoms is skin itchiness & sensitivity...I get hives, eczema and what the dermatologist thinks may be psoriasis (have to go back during a flare up to confirm). I know I'm allergic to a number of things and just confirmed with patch testing that I'm allergic to nickel, chromium and cobalt. Those things are in all sorts of products we use daily, including vitamin supplements and foods. For the nickel allergy I was given info about which foods I need to eliminate if my skin isn't improving from avoiding obvious nickel products...that includes foods stored in metal cans, jars, etc (coffee is on the safe list in terms of natural nickel content, but pre-ground coffee is often stored in metal cans.)

Michelle

You could also do a casein trial, using some soy cheese that has casein. Many of those do so it won't be hard to find. Lots of other stuff has it too, but that's the first thing that came to my mind.

Wow! I had no idea. I just checked out Yves Veggie Cuisine soy cheese slices and casein is the second ingredient listed...before soy!!! They also warn on the package that there may be lactose as well.

I'm absolutely stunned that a product that many of those avoiding milk may choose has casein in it. I guess it's yet another case where you have to read labels to know what you're eating!

Michelle

Are there any tests for casein allergey vs lactose intolerance?

You can do a lactose challenge. Don't know if the lactose preparation is free from casein though.

Michelle

Maybe one day in the future I'll try a little of those folgers again. I wonder sometimes what-all is in ground coffee...it might be better to just grind your own beans. But it's true what the others have said: I know lots of people (celiac or not) who just cannnot drink coffee without it tearing up their stomachs.

Coffee can just be hard on your system...it's quite acidic. It's one of the items doctors recommend cutting out of the diet when someone experiences stomach/GI or bladder ailments.

You could try a milder roast to see if it is any better.

Michelle

I've switched to organic coffees, but used to have trouble with certain brands of coffee... some companies actually dust their lines with flour to keep the beans moving along... (was told this after calling one company after being in the bathroom for two days straight after trying their coffee)

If a company dusted with flour, wouldn't it need to be on the ingredients list? I doubt many coffee companies do that anyway...coffee beans don't have a tendency to clump together anyway, and flour would negatively affect the end product.

Michelle

My 20 month old son is now gluten and dairy free. I have been watching for other food allergies and intolerances because of his eczema. I have noticed that when he eats peas, he often has stomach issues and recently is getting diarrhea shortly after eating them. I know peas are related to the peanut family. I have never given him peanut products yet. Do I need to be concerned about this or could it just be that he has trouble digesting peas? Thanks!

Peas and peanuts are both legumes. It is possible to be allergic to all legumes, and it's also possible to be allergic to only one or two. It's also possible to outgrown these allergies. I was allergic to peanuts (outgrew it as an adult) and disliked eating peas as a kid, but wasn't allergic to them and have always loved pea soup. I also have no problems with any beans.

I recommend getting allergy testing done eventually. I believe that, unless an allergy is severe, most allergists will want to wait until your son is a bit older. Definitely worth talking to your family doctor or paed. and looking into your options. And avoid peas in the meantime. Probably best to wait until about 3 yo to try peanuts.

Michelle

I know from reading everyone's posting on here, that getting a negative blood result is normal. I had a doctors appointment today where my doctor told me that my blood work was inconclusive. What does that mean?? Now i have to have a biospy done, and i cant help but wonder, why do i even bother.

Has anyone gone through all the testing to still get a negative result?? And how long does is take to get results back from a biospy?? I am from Canada, so this may vary.

I wasnt expecting the news i got today, and I am just really fed up.

Also, she wants to order a Cat Scan... why??

Any feedback would be great.

Thanks

Don't know about the Cat Scan. I had negative blood results as well, but had sufficient symptoms and family history of GI issues to warrant a gastroscopy, biopsy and colonoscopy. I'm still waiting (impatiently) for my gastroscopy (scheduled for the end of November) and my colonoscopy is scheduled for March. The wait times in Central Alberta are quite long. Once I have the tests, the results should be back in about 2 weeks. I'll be going gluten free the minute I'm done my gastroscopy...although now I'm wondering if I'd need to keep eating gluten until I'm done my colonoscopy?! Yikes!

Michelle

Greetings! I was just reading in this section for the first time, and found the posts regarding rice paper wrappers. I was wondering if the same was true for wonton wrappers. Does anyone know if they are gluten free too? My kids would be thrilled if we could make wonton soup. Perhaps even find a chinese food restaurant with wonton soup that has no gluten in the fillings. That would be very exciting for all of us!!

AFAIK, wonton wrappers are made with wheat flour.

Michelle

Yep, I know. I was planning on nursing him until he turned 1, but considering our family GI issues, I may have to extend that a bit. I haven't decided yet.

I was planning on trying him on solids around 6 months (if he's ready - later if he's not), and wasn't sure what I should start with. Any suggestions ?

I'm a big proponent of extended nursing. There are definite benefits to nursing longer than one year...especially for a child that has health issues (whether it's allergies, intolerances or what have you.)

6 months is a fine time to start solid foods, but I know a few moms who waited until 9 months or later...it depended on their child's interest in food. My eldest loved all sorts of foods, my middle son hated anything mushy and all solids would come back up just like breastmilk did, my daughter preferred having whatever we ate (I used a baby food grinder to prepare foods.)

There is some controversy about starting with grains as a first food. Apparently all grains are hard on the gut, and that fruits and vegetables are a better choice for first foods...with grains coming into the diet much later. Of course, YMMV. If you choose to start with a grain, rice is probably the easiest on the tummy. I liked starting with a cereal that had nothing but rice in it (not fortified with any iron, minerals or vitamins) and mixed with breastmilk.

There is some info how and when to introduce foods to an allergic baby here (this is the guide given to me by an allergy nutritionist when I had my first baby):

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Finally, try making your own baby foods and freezing portions in an ice cube tray. That way you get the best, freshest foods and you know exactly what goes into them.

Michelle

For further information pregnancy & listeriosis, check out this fact sheet from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Open Original Shared Link It goes into good detail on what to avoid and how to prepare foods for safe consumption.

Michelle

There are lots of deli meats that are safe to eat! I never buy prepackaged meat. I always just read the ingredient list for the meats in the deli, if you can't see it, have the attendant show it to you. If you are particularly sensitive, have them wipe down the slicer and put on new gloves. Don't deprive yourself!

The risk isn't gluten (although I'm sure that's an issue with some deli meats as well). The risk is listeria, and the general recommendation is that pregnant women heat/cook luncheon meat before consuming and avoid unpasteurized cheeses. Listeria can easily be spread from product to product through handling or even just proximity in the deli display case. There have been cases of prepackaged meats being recalled due to listeria contamination as well. This is a listeria recall from July 2006 for hot dogs: Open Original Shared Link

Michelle

I really enjoyed the British version! When the US version started, I wasn't too keen on it, because it was pretty much just a copy of the original, but it's developed into a really good show now.

Michelle

Should I be afraid to go to someone house where they have a staph infection?

the person is on antibiotics now, and the sore is almost healed. But I am afraid of catching staph from just being in a home where someone has it.

this person isn't the greatest with making sure she washes her hands, and I'd be very paranoid the whole time.

I know sometimes I scratch my skin. Well, I'm itchy still sometimes, and will accidently scratch an almost healed spot off of myself. Couldn't I easily catch staph then?

Staph germs are all around us, apparently it also frequently lives on the skin or in the nose of a healthy person. I doubt that you would contract a staph infection simply from being in the home of an infected person, but you need to go with your own comfort level...if it is a real concern, then wait until they are healthy again.

Here is some more detailed info on Staphylococcus aureus: Open Original Shared Link

Michelle

If a man gets yeast in the foreskin, canesten cream is used to treat the area - same as the ladies. I would imagine the guys would steal some from their significant other rather than stroll into the drugstore and buy their own

A tip about yeast infection meds: the Canesten cream is exactly the same stuff as many other antifungals on the shelf...it's also sold as a jock itch med, or for treating athlete's foot. Clotrimazole is the active med in those creams...and the "men's" version is actually much cheaper than the stuff marketed to women. Look for a generic brand for the best price.

Michelle

Remember too, that you need to avoid unpasteurized cheeses as well (same listeria risk) and any items (cheese, meats, etc) at the deli counter that may come in contact or be cross-contaminated...listeria can be transported from item to item as it gets handled. I don't know if it includes the salads too, but you may want to keep it in mind just in case.

Michelle

A friend of mine has a 2-year-old who shows classic signs of celiac: fussy, watery bms, little to no weight gain, off the bottom of the charts for height, etc.

Of course, I've been suggesting a gluten-free diet. But she is looking into other food issues, and she may be on to something.

First, she took him off soy, and noticed some immediate improvement (but not all the way) with diarrhea and the cramping, and a small improvement in weight gain.

She took him to the pediatrician today, who asked how much juice the kid is drinking.

Apparently, he's been drinking about 30 ounces of juice a day.

Well. That would give me diarrhea, too! (Not to mention heartburn!) The pediatrician told her--no more than 8 ounces a day of juice, maximum.

The reason I'm posting this is, we are all so quick to assume that it's a gluten problem. I know I tend to forget that there could be other equally simple food issues going on!!!

Wow! Not only can that much juice be hard on the system, it's full of sugar (and somewhat empty calories) and a big risk for dental caries!

Michelle

Glad to hear you had a successful thanksgiving!

Michelle

I think our son IS ready, just being lazy.

Is it laziness, or is it just something that he has control over? Parents don't often "win" a potty training battle because it really is up to the child whether they use the toilet or not.

Before my second son decided to use the toilet 100% of the time, he would choose not to poop in his pull up when he was away from home, but there was no way he was going to use the toilet (yet)...he would always wait until he was at home to poop (in his pull up.) He was fully able to control when & where he went, and I couldn't force him to do otherwise.

Michelle

What about overnight? Naps?

(and I am pretending that its impossible for him to get gluttened durring this, that would destroy any chances!)

You can get cloth training pants with a waterproof outer (Motherease makes a wonderful terrycloth training pant with a built-in waterproof cover.) They work well for daytime, but don't hold as much liquid as diapers, so don't work as well for naps. If your son is ready, then you could try elimiating diapers and pullups completely, and letting him go bare-bottomed until he learns to use the toilet consistently.

IME, I've gone through potty training with two boys, and they were completely different in how training went. First son was dry at night first and then daytime followed once we stopped using diapers/pullups at night. He trained at about 3 yo. Second son was capable, but refused until he was good and ready. we continued with pullups, and he decided to stop wearing them at 3.5 yo, just as he was starting preschool (he knew he had to be using the toilet to go to school.) He never had an accident day or night. There was no way either boy was going to train on my schedule...it was completely up to them!

My daughter trained at 2.5 yo because she hated diapers. I told her that she needed to use the toilet then...and so she ran around sans underpants, and we kept a potty in the room where she was hanging out. Didn't take her long to get the hang of it, and she quickly learned to stay completely dry at night too. Again, the process was totally up to her...there was no way I could push it until she was ready.

Michelle

Tiff, I swear, you attract the dumbest doctors! (including mine, I guess)

I can't believe he doesn't think you can reach your cervix!! This is why I have a female ObGyn only policy

Ciminey.

I start NFP/FAM next week...AAACK!!!

FAM is actually quite simple...you'll get used to it quickly. I used FAM before and during the years DH & I had our kids (don't need any such methods now ) I especially liked knowing exactly what was going on with my body/cycles...and knew each time I was pregnant (all three pregnancies were planned) based on fertility signs rather than needing to take pregnancy tests. FAM also helped to time for conceiving our daughter (after having two boys.)

Michelle

(revealing my total non-techno saviness, here)

Can someone tell me what is a listserve? do I write to that email address and ask for something?

A Listserv is like a newsgroup or forum, but all communication is done via email. Members become part of the group, and posts are sent to all members via email.

Michelle

I'm having a party tomorrow, and along with the loads of other foods I'm making, I'd like to roast pumpkin seeds. I also think it will help the whole apartment smell delicious and cozy. What do I have to do once I cut the pumpkin open and shell out all of the gook inside?

You'll want to then separate all the seeds from the strings, and rinse them well before preparing to bake. I don't have a specific recipe for you to try...I made mine last year from a basic recipe I found online. If you do a Google search for pumpkin seed recipes, there should be all sorts of recipes to try. I found one recipe from Martha Stewart for Sweet & Spicy pumpkin seeds: Open Original Shared Link

Happy Roasting!

Michelle

Hi there, I just found out that I'm pregnant (7 weeks, 4 days) and this is my first pregnancy at age 39, so I'm very anxious.

My question is: I have felt intermittent nausea for several weeks - is this normal? I thought the nausea would be pretty constant, and at times, I feel pretty good.

Thanks for any feedback

Congratulations!

It is completely normal to have nausea off and on. You are still very early in the pregnancy yet...you could see the nausea get a bit stronger yet, and more constant, or it just may go away...such an individual thing!

Do keep snacks around to help keep nausea at bay. It's can be especially helpful to have a snack before getting out of bed so that you don't get up feeling hungry and woozy. Finally, you may find that nausea is related to particular foods. I found, when I was pregnant, that I had to avoid foods I normally loved because of stong tastes and smells (especially broccoli)...stuck with very bland foods with my boys. For my third pregnancy, a girl, I craved strong foods, especially pickled ginger, salmon and curries.

Michelle

I'm going to go gluten free after the biopsy, regardless of results. My blood work was negative (and so were my son's) but there are too many symptoms, and a long family history of GI issues to just let it go...when I saw the GI, my history & symptoms were enough to recommend the gastroscopy and biopsy.

Michelle