The What's For Dinner Tonight Chat

[Cookingpapa]

Good Morning Dinner Pals...."Bubble Girl" checking in.

 

So...for the past 16 months I have been wondering if I'd ever have to put the stinking epi-pens we carry everywhere since my first anaphylactic reaction to sunflower seeds back in November 2011 to use - hoped I never would, but better safe than sorry.

 

On Easter afternoon I was feeling great - happily cooking and baking up a storm for the family -- when out of no where my abdomen swelled up - huh - wtf I think to myself - had only had fresh vegies and freshly baked chicken thus far that day -- then my breathing started getting bad --- double huh -- hubby dismissed as just another strange reaction as I took my first benedryl -- within 10 mins my throat swelled up and it was official -- the second anaphylactic episode is FAR worse than the first - I gasped epi pen - hubby ran and got it and stabbed me - it was our first time so I wasn't even sure he did it right -- but there was a spot of blood on my white pants so he knew he got me -- throat opened up pretty quickly - so I added second benedryl -- five mins later throat started swelling again so off we went to emergency -- hubby drove very, very fast and stuck me a second time in route.  A couple very long hours later I'd had a total of three doses of epi, four benedryl - two pills plus a couple shots thru the IV - three breathing treatments, a couple bags of fluid and an EKG to make sure the epi wasn't giving me a heart attack - fun times

 

I was not going to post, but thought it important to remind folks -- if they are having "allergic" type reactions - even small ones, but are testing negative to food allergies - talk to their doc about getting an epi-pen -- had we not done this back when I had my first bad allergic reaction to an "intolerance" -- well - let's just say I am very thankful we had them and everyone in the family knows where they are and how to use them.

 

The scariest part was not anything above -- the scariest part is we still have no idea what triggered it.  Allergist is going to run yet another set of blood and patch tests -- hopefully we'll find something this round.

 

When in doubt - carry epi-pens!

Terrifying story. As I read through it, I kept remembering what happened just a few days ago with my son. We haven't discovered the trigger yet, but it is after he ate one of my protein bars. The ingredients are terrible on those things and any one of those 50 ingredients could have been the trigger.

 

It sounds like subsequent anaphylactic shocks get stronger and stronger and we will have to train his kindergarten teacher on how to give him the shot in case it happens when he is in school.

 

He was all evening in the hospital because his blood pressure would not come down. I guess that was the effect of the epi shot.

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Cookingpapa, sorry you had to go through that. My son was 4 when he had an anaphylactic reaction and I know it can be a scary time.

We got a practice epipen, so we got used to it, and could show teachers, family and friends how it works. We also practiced with him, so he knows the routine, to reduce panic should we need to use it. He practiced on us and teddy too.

We were lucky, we knew it was almond. He had skin prick tests done of nuts and common allergens. Maybe you could take a wrapper along and test for the most likely suspects. His almond one was very clear.

We have 2 epipens and antihistamines on us at all times and an emergency bag in his classroom, available for instant access. We also have inhalers as he is asthmatic too.

Good luck getting it all sorted

[GottaSki]

Terrifying story. As I read through it, I kept remembering what happened just a few days ago with my son. We haven't discovered the trigger yet, but it is after he ate one of my protein bars. The ingredients are terrible on those things and any one of those 50 ingredients could have been the trigger.

 

It sounds like subsequent anaphylactic shocks get stronger and stronger and we will have to train his kindergarten teacher on how to give him the shot in case it happens when he is in school.

 

He was all evening in the hospital because his blood pressure would not come down. I guess that was the effect of the epi shot.

 

Scary stuff -- I had read and heard that each anaphylactic episode can be worse than the last -- very scary no matter our age, but must be terrifying for a little one.  My BP was thru the roof from the epi - it did go back to my normal BP within a few hours -- but the whole episode does knock the stuffing out of you.

 

Mindwarp is right -- we had practiced in our family too -- I had got a bit lax with carrying two pens -- no more -- I no longer switch between purse and backpacks...the two pens are in my bright orange backpack (or in my riding jersey if I'm on my bike) - everyone in my family knows where they are and my new MedAlert bracelet is simply going to say EPI PENS in pocket OR orange backpack -- just in case I cant talk and need to have a stranger's help. -- practice made our first emergency go much more smoothly -- sure hope there is never another!

[Cookingpapa]

Another good reminder for me,,, to get a medi alert bracelet. We're having him tested on Wednesday, so hopefully we will find out the trigger soon.

 

Scary stuff -- I had read and heard that each anaphylactic episode can be worse than the last -- very scary no matter our age, but must be terrifying for a little one.  My BP was thru the roof from the epi - it did go back to my normal BP within a few hours -- but the whole episode does knock the stuffing out of you.

 

Mindwarp is right -- we had practiced in our family too -- I had got a bit lax with carrying two pens -- no more -- I no longer switch between purse and backpacks...the two pens are in my bright orange backpack (or in my riding jersey if I'm on my bike) - everyone in my family knows where they are and my new MedAlert bracelet is simply going to say EPI PENS in pocket OR orange backpack -- just in case I cant talk and need to have a stranger's help. -- practice made our first emergency go much more smoothly -- sure hope there is never another!

[shadowicewolf]

Snow day... or rather wind day. So no classes today. We're under a blizzard warning as well.

 

Who knows what i'll do for dinner.

 

About the epi-pens, confirm with the school if a student can have them in their backpack. They may not allow it and require it to be kept with the school nurse.

[GottaSki]

Good Morning!

 

Re-building the above ground pool today (we have a tiered back yard that hides the sides -- so I put in the above ground pool when the kids were little until we built the real pool -- well life and illness stopped plans for all our major home improvement projects -- kinda glad now as retirement grows closer I don't think we'll be home much and would have to keep a pool service on contract -- anyway the liner needed replacing awhile back- so we emptied and removed the old liner - it has been sitting growing some monster weeds for a couple years.  Boys cleared the weeds and dug a bit deeper so we go from 4' deep to ~5' in the center - nicer new liner and salt water system -- YAY no more chemicals!  Perfect timing as it is cloudy and 65 today for me to work outside with a predicted 81 tomorrow to warm up the water nicely.

 

Chicken Tacos for the men

Chicken, Asparagus and Baked Garlic for me

 

They finished of the apple crisp last night so I may make a tray of brownies in gratitude to my diggers

[nvsmom]

81F?  Sigh... We've got more snow predicted for this week.  It's about -10C right now. My crocuses are just starting to come up! LOL

[shadowicewolf]

81F?  Sigh... We've got more snow predicted for this week.  It's about -10C right now. My crocuses are just starting to come up! LOL

and we have 60-70 mph winds here with snow.   Yesterday was nearly 70F and now we aren't even expected to reach 20F.

[Adalaide]

Last week was perfect weather. Yesterday was chilly, with rain all day and just ick. We've got snow falling in the mountains and it I know there is a wind advisory. I haven't been out or even upstairs yet today to look out at what it looks like out there. The weather report says snow, rain and 42 today. EW! I have plans to get the last of my medical records this afternoon. I don't want to be out in that. Oh well, I guess it is what it is and this is what I signed up for by moving to Utah. Not exactly weather where I want to be thinking about things like pools.

 

My face still hurts this morning. If it keeps up like this through the day I'll repeat dinner again. Last night I did a can of turkey, made gravy and put it on mashed potatoes. I made fries for my hubby because I have some russet potatoes which make awful oven taters but good fries, and those are the only two ways he'll eat taters. So I guess tonight I'll do a can of beef. It doesn't hurt so much as it did yesterday, but enough that I don't want to be chewing anything.

[shadowicewolf]

Last week was perfect weather. Yesterday was chilly, with rain all day and just ick. We've got snow falling in the mountains and it I know there is a wind advisory. I haven't been out or even upstairs yet today to look out at what it looks like out there. The weather report says snow, rain and 42 today. EW! I have plans to get the last of my medical records this afternoon. I don't want to be out in that. Oh well, I guess it is what it is and this is what I signed up for by moving to Utah. Not exactly weather where I want to be thinking about things like pools.

 

My face still hurts this morning. If it keeps up like this through the day I'll repeat dinner again. Last night I did a can of turkey, made gravy and put it on mashed potatoes. I made fries for my hubby because I have some russet potatoes which make awful oven taters but good fries, and those are the only two ways he'll eat taters. So I guess tonight I'll do a can of beef. It doesn't hurt so much as it did yesterday, but enough that I don't want to be chewing anything.

Thats no fun. I remember my days with braces and the like. It took days before i could eat anything solid

[GottaSki]

Pool  on hold -- motor died in storage -- and since I'm waiting a few days for amazon to send me a new one -- thinking the men are going to have to expand the small deck so there is more space to hang out with our feet dangling in.  Now....I think something more fancy than brownies may help my idea move along -- what to make?  I know it will not be a Charlotte Russe - although I did purchase a nice new mesh strainer for $4 after the melt down when I found it missing -- this one is fancy with a nice handle and hooks to rest perfectly on pan or bowl -- God I am easy to please - well sometimes

 

Addie -- make lots of soft stuff -- I HATE dental issues and have had my fare share do to crappy gums from malablsorption -- love my dentist for noticing I now mysteriously have healthy gums with much smaller margins -- hmmmm -- what could have remedied this mysterious gum issue

 

Hope Spring springs North and East of me for you all very soon -- thought we killed my asian pear tree (4 types of pear grafted on one wonderful tree) last summer when nothing got watered during my amoeba impression stage    -- I've been soaking the poor thing every other day for a month in hopes it will come back -- it was just planted December 2011.  This morning it has eight flowers on it -- hip hip hooray!!!!

 

Stay warm everyone and if you are lucky enough (perspective) to still have snow - go throw a snowball or two for me please

[Cookingpapa]

We did cauliflower fritters today.

 

I wish I could post a picture, they look yummy and they are good for you too!

[Celiac Mindwarp]

I'd settle for a recipe for those fritters

And maybe one for Mr Ski's caulirice? :)

[Cookingpapa]

Mindwarp,

 

 

Cauliflower Fritters

Ingredients
1 medium cauliflower (riced)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp chili flakes (Omit if you don't like spice)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp chopped parsley (You can also use 1 tsp dill)
3 oz (about 1/2 cup) mozzarella, in small cubes
1 oz (2 tbsp) grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs (beaten)
1/3rd cup flour (I use a mixture of almond flour and a gluten free flower mix)
1/4 cup oil for frying

Method:
1. Prepare riced califlower by microwaving cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl. To do this cut the cauliflower into florets, pop into bowl, cover in clingfilm and microwave for 5 minutes on high. Use potato masher to mash the cauliflower until it resembles rice.

Add salt, pepper, chili flakes (if using), chopped parsley (or dill), cubed mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
3. Add flour and stir again and then finally stir in the beaten eggs.
4. The mixture should resemble a thick batter now.
5. Heat oil in a shallow pan and pan fry spoonfulls of batter for 2-3 minutes on each side



 

[GottaSki]

Yum...and why can't you put a picture here?  you can't post a link to a personal blog -- but we post pics of yummy things here on occasion -- just not daily.

[shadowicewolf]

Left over pasta from last night.

[Cookingpapa]

Didn't see any pictures, so assumed I couldn't. :-)

 

Here's a picture:

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Yum...and why can't you put a picture here?  you can't post a link to a personal blog -- but we post pics of yummy things here on occasion -- just not daily.

[shadowicewolf]

We post pictures all the time.

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Mmm, looks great, thanks.

Fingers crossed not too long till I get cheese back

Stir fry pork, mushrooms, zucchini, carrot, rice.

[Adalaide]

I think I have an addiction. We had a late lunch with burgers, and I smothered mine in fried shrooms, onions and peppers with some cheese so I didn't even think about supper til late. By the time I was hungry all I wanted was mac & cheese. This is the danger in buying a 5 pound brick of cheese at Costco. I wasn't super hungry so all I had was the mac & cheese.

[shadowicewolf]

I think I have an addiction. We had a late lunch with burgers, and I smothered mine in fried shrooms, onions and peppers with some cheese so I didn't even think about supper til late. By the time I was hungry all I wanted was mac & cheese. This is the danger in buying a 5 pound brick of cheese at Costco. I wasn't super hungry so all I had was the mac & cheese.

Depends... what type of cheese?

[Adalaide]

Tillamook medium cheddar. My husband prefers a milder cheddar and I am all about the sharpest I can get my hands on so we compromise. I usually add a little something else, but was feeling too lazy to shred my mozz tonight. (Yes, even though I have the KitchenAid attachment.)

[shadowicewolf]

Tillamook medium cheddar. My husband prefers a milder cheddar and I am all about the sharpest I can get my hands on so we compromise. I usually add a little something else, but was feeling too lazy to shred my mozz tonight. (Yes, even though I have the KitchenAid attachment.)

I love that brand. I prefer medium, but sharp is a bit much for me. Mild is okay.

[Adalaide]

Tillamook is sooooo good!! And buying it in huge bricks at Costco is still half the price of the cheap cheese at any other store. I know it is just cheese and some people would talk about how it shouldn't matter, the kind of thing parents saving money lie to kids about, but it really matters what brand you buy.

[Cookingpapa]

So it was confirmed as a peanut allergy and the doctor said it is a strong one.

 

We did suspect he had a peanut allergy because when he was about a yr and half, he had a minor reaction on a plane and we thought it might be the peanuts they served and that we ate them and then touched him or he touched the food trays.

 

Then about a year ago he was at a play date and the parents of his friend called and said he ate some Ritz crackers with peanut butter filling and that we should pick him up. He was fine that evening and I started to relax about it.

 

And then he has this strong reaction to a protein bar and the scratch test shows a definite positive to peanuts.

 

I don't get it and feel stupid. I can't believe we actually relaxed about peanuts given what we now know.

 

Scary stuff -- I had read and heard that each anaphylactic episode can be worse than the last -- very scary no matter our age, but must be terrifying for a little one.  My BP was thru the roof from the epi - it did go back to my normal BP within a few hours -- but the whole episode does knock the stuffing out of you.

 

Mindwarp is right -- we had practiced in our family too -- I had got a bit lax with carrying two pens -- no more -- I no longer switch between purse and backpacks...the two pens are in my bright orange backpack (or in my riding jersey if I'm on my bike) - everyone in my family knows where they are and my new MedAlert bracelet is simply going to say EPI PENS in pocket OR orange backpack -- just in case I cant talk and need to have a stranger's help. -- practice made our first emergency go much more smoothly -- sure hope there is never another!