Gilberts Gourmet Goodies

Coping with Food Allergies

Liz — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:18:07 +0000

When people hear how I developed food allergies (or at least was diagnosed with them) in my mid 40’s and how many foods I am allergic to they usually tell me how horrible it is and how sorry they are. There is nothing to be sorry about. When you going from eating a “normal” diet to being as sick as I was you are happy to have relief any way you can get it. So I was and remain grateful that my naturopath took the time to figure out what was wrong and put me on the road to a regular life again. Before she diagnosed me I was unable to function or eat without getting sick for a long time. I was still in the corporate world at that time in a position with a lot of travel and long hours so I was on heavy doses of meds that enabled me to work and take care of my family responsibilities.

Sure, when she told me that I was allergic to most of the top allergens and then some I was devastated yet relieved at the same time. I already knew I was having bad reactions to milk and to anything with caffeine in it. I had had an anaphylactic reaction to lobster 10 years earlier so I knew that shellfish was forever out of the question. Now I knew I could not eat any wheat, (or gluten I soon learned), soy, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, corn or eggs. I honestly did not know what I would be able to eat, but she put me on a very strict diet that got me back on the road to health. It started with putting protein back in my diet, cooked vegetables (raw veggies can be hard to digest and my digestive track was completely decimated) and selected fruits as well as herbal teas, water and lots of supplements.

I was scrupulously careful for at least a year. I lost over 25 pounds. Even so my gut was so bad that I would get sick regardless of what I ate for some time. But I finally started to heal and get back my health and strength, something that I am ever mindful of and grateful for. It’s been over 6 years and I’m doing great in spite of the occasional setback.

This is the first in a series of blogposts I have started about what it’s like to live with food allergies. Next time I will continue with how my family coped (or not) with my food issues. I plan to discuss recipes and lifestyles too.

I welcome any comments and sharing of experiences and ideas.

Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly Cut Out Cookie Recipes

Liz — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:24:12 +0000

Gluten-Free, Allergy-Friendly Heart Cookies

I love to roll out the Sensational Sugar Cookie Dough and make cut out cookies. They’re fun and easy to do. Just put some flour down (I use white rice flour) and a little on top of the dough. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin as thick or thin as you like – I do it to about 1/4 inch. Cut out with cookie cutters, put on parchment paper and bake in a 305 degree oven for 5-6 minutes or until light golden brown.

Cool and eat as is. Or, you can sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon sugar and bake. Or, decorate and eat. I love dipping the cookies in melted dark chocolate too. One of my retail customers buys the cookies and dips them in her own handmade chocolate. How scrumptious does that sound?

Bake Your Own Gluten-Free Cookies!

Liz — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:39:30 +0000

We currently offer two cookies doughs. There is nothing to mix. There’s no artifical ingredients, no corn syrup, no preservatives. Just scoop the dough and bake it. Yes, it’s that easy! We pack the dough in 16 ounce tubs so that you can make your cookies any way you want. Scoop out small cookies, scoop out big cookies. Make a cookie cake. Recipes are on the label and more are forthcoming.

Food 411

Liz — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:43:40 +0000

Gilberts Goodies is proud to have been listed in the “special diets” section of Food 411

You Can’t Take it With You

Liz — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:41:01 +0000

No matter what you believe about what happens after you die, everyone can agree that you can’t take your “stuff” with you. As we clean out my dad’s apartment it reminds me that so much of his “stuff” is just “stuff”. There are lots of old pictures – those I find valuable because of the sentimental meaning – there were lots of old articles, magazines and papers that had dust on them and hadn’t been read in ages. There were many books: some contemporary and some very old. Many “chachkas” – little knick knacks. Some artifacts from his earlier life when he travelled the world with my mom. We took many of those and split them up among us kids.
So yes, while “stuff” matters, for me most of it has to do with its sentimental value. There are some valuables too. But what is valuable? And what do you do with these things? Keep them, show them, sell them?
We live in a society that values “stuff”, that values “things”. We are told that we do want, should want more, more, more. That what we have is never enough. The wealthier we are the more things we should have and the happier we should be. But do all those things make you richer inside? Do they make you happier? I don’t know about that. And when is enough enough? Is it ever enough?
In the end, when you die, you cannot physically take it with you. It’s impossible. You get buried or cremated or vaulted. But your stuff stays behind. Think about it. How much of my “stuff” really matters? What will happen to it all? How much of your “stuff” and my “stuff” really matters in the end?

On Death and Dying

Liz — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:56:43 +0000

From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran:
You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one.

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then you shall truly dance.

I MISS MY MOM

Liz — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:23:25 +0000

It’s been 24 years since she died but the ache does not ever go away. I miss my mom. I wish she were here. I wish she could have known my kids. I wish they could have known her. I wish I could have shared the past 24 years of my life with her. I wish she could still give me advice. I think of her often and of course on mother’s day.
I remember being a child in my mom’s kitchen, sitting with my 80-something grandmother. Nanny was reminiscing about her own mom, crying about missing her mom who had died over 40 years prior. I remembering wondering what it would be like to love someone so much that you would cry over them 40 years later. I learned what that would be like 24 years ago. I think of Nanny a lot. I remember her with love and admiration.
I remember my Aunt Pearl, mom’s sister. She was a very smart, very sharp woman. Pearl talked non stop. She asked tons and tons of questions. She wanted to know everything. Her passion for life, for her children, for her family, her nieces, nephews and grandchildren was insatiable. She was a wise woman who left me with many poignant learnings and memories.
Ma is another strong, wise woman who came into my life when I met my then boyfriend who became my husband. She was a happy, spirited, fun and wise woman who cared deeply about the world. She opened her house to everyone and always made people feel welcome. I learned many lessons from her.
All of these strong women’s blood and ancestry run through my veins and in my heart. I know that they are with me and my children. I feel them surrounding me often. I love them and pay tribute to them every day.

BE PRESENT

Liz — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:19:20 +0000

I don’t know why it takes an illness to make us stop and be present – or why it is that way for me. The cycle of life starts off with birth and ends with death. Every animal, plant, insect is born and eventually dies. It’s natural but it’s not something our society embraces. It’s something I have struggled with my whole life. We may first learn about death when a beloved pet dies. If a relative we don’t know well dies when we are young we don’t necessarily feel the sting of that person’s passing. Lucky people die naturally at their home. Others die due to illness at a nursing home or in a hospital. And others die tragic deaths due to accidents or violence, which is so sad.

Today I took a long walk. I stopped at the local pond and little waterfall and I was really present. I listened to the wind whipping my face. I felt that wind. I listened to the water falling and gurgling. It was meditative. It was comforting. It was renewing. It was natural.

BE GRATEFUL

Liz — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:18:08 +0000

BE GRATEFUL. Be grateful that you can see the sky, the trees, the flowers. Be grateful that you can smell flowers, your favorite foods, perfume, food baking,etc. Be grateful that you can hear music, your children’s laughter or cries, dogs barking, cats purring. Be grateful that you can walk, that you can taste. Be grateful for the people in your life. Be grateful for all of the “little” things that we naturally take for granted. Because you never know when it might end, or when you might end up sick and/or in the hospital with a beautiful view of the park that you cannot see, with loved ones around you speaking to you who you cannot see or hear.

Earth Day Celebration – Free Fun & Food for Kids and Adults

Liz — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:38:30 +0000

If you live in Connecticut, or the Northeast for that matter, you may have heard of the now famous Earth Day Celebration at New Morning Natural Market in Woodbury, CT which takes place every April at the store’s grounds. Thousands of people from around New England, New York and New Jersey flock to the store, rain or shine, to sample vendors’ products and walk the booths that have information about everything from climate change to composting to natural medecine and a petting zoo. There are raffles for many different gift baskets too. It’s a great, great event, lots of fun for adults and kids.
We vendors who attend give out thousands of samples to the public who get to taste lots of delicious natural and organic foods and treats. This year, in addition to my normal samples, I am going to make cut out cookies for people to see and taste. I want people to know that my cookie dough exists and that it’s sold at New Morning so if they like the cookies they know that they have a choice to buy them premade or make their own.
This year marks the 16th Earth Day Celebration at New Morning. It will take place on April 24 starting at 11:00 and goes until 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. I hope you will come and if you do I hope you will stop by and sample our cookies!