These meatballs are still a work in progress, but here's where I'm at. As is, they are amazingly yummy and the quinoa adds a lot of nutrition.
1 - 1.5 lb boneless lamb shoulder
1 organic red bell pepper
1 organic zuccini squash
1/4 yellow onion
1/3 cup cooked quinoa
salt
1/4 cup ketchup (we use 365 organic because they don't have corn syrup)
Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 organic red bell pepper
1/8 yellow onion
SAUCE
Put pepper and onion through the grinder. Set aside.
MEATBALLS
Preheat oven to 350. Trim fat from lamb shoulder. You're going to grind the lamb twice, and as you put it through the second time, you're going to grind all the vegetables (except for those listed in sauce). Mix in the cooked quinoa, ketchup, and a dash of salt. Roll into little meatballs. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet, pour 1/2 of the sauce over them. Bake for about 5-8 minutes. Then turn them over and bake for another 5 or so minutes.
They are really yummy. And my very picky son actually likes them.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Recipe Quinoa Cupcakes
This recipe at first tasted like peanut butter cupcakes to me, although I'm not sure what a peanut really tastes like anymore given that I won't even touch them.
These are extremely flaky - but travel great.
1 cup Ener-G Tapioca Flour
1 1/2 cup Ancient Harvest Quinoa Flour
1 1/3 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup extra light olive oil (we use Bertoli)
1 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 350. Cream coconut oil and brown sugar. Stir in the 1/3 cup olive oil. Stir in apple sauce and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Then add to the wet mix, stirring until well combined. Finally mix in the chocolate chips.
Pour into cupcake holders (we use the 'if you care unbleached ones' that we put into a metal cupcake dish.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
These are extremely flaky - but travel great.
1 cup Ener-G Tapioca Flour
1 1/2 cup Ancient Harvest Quinoa Flour
1 1/3 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup extra light olive oil (we use Bertoli)
1 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 350. Cream coconut oil and brown sugar. Stir in the 1/3 cup olive oil. Stir in apple sauce and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Then add to the wet mix, stirring until well combined. Finally mix in the chocolate chips.
Pour into cupcake holders (we use the 'if you care unbleached ones' that we put into a metal cupcake dish.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Shelton's Turkey Burgers
Amidst all the home prepped meals - I never thought I'd get so excited about a turkey burger. We tried the Shelton Turkey Burgers (available at Whole Foods) and I briefly fried in pan and bam - pretty much instant meal.
I called the company - and they we're extremely helpful and knowledgeable about their product.
Turkey Burgers - manufactured on shared lines with Beef. The lines are broken down and sterilized and between beef runs and turkey runs.
They also have Ground Free Ranged Turkey (Aka Turkey Chub...hmmm). We haven't tried it but it's basically a tube - hence chub, I guess (must be industry lingo) of ground turkey that is produced on lines that are exclusively turkey.
I haven't tried their other products but here is their website.
Shelton's Poultry Products
I called the company - and they we're extremely helpful and knowledgeable about their product.
Turkey Burgers - manufactured on shared lines with Beef. The lines are broken down and sterilized and between beef runs and turkey runs.
They also have Ground Free Ranged Turkey (Aka Turkey Chub...hmmm). We haven't tried it but it's basically a tube - hence chub, I guess (must be industry lingo) of ground turkey that is produced on lines that are exclusively turkey.
I haven't tried their other products but here is their website.
Shelton's Poultry Products
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Lundberg Rice Noodles
We eat their rice noodles. We've had, on one occasion, a bright yellow noodle tumble out of the box - and we've been eating it for the last year. I immediately called, and got a the same info as below.
Dear Denise:
Thank you for taking the time to email us. It is very important to us to hear from our consumers with their comments, concerns, and suggestions.
Our brown rice pasta is made in a facility that contains corn and is made on shared equipment with corn. We do our best to prevent cross contamination, but we could not guarantee that there would be none. In addition, there is dairy in the facility in the form of powered cheese, but it is not on the same equipment as our brown rice pasta. There are none of the other allergens you listed in the facility or on the line.
Thank you for your time and interest,
Consumer Response
Lundberg Family Farms
Dear Denise:
Thank you for taking the time to email us. It is very important to us to hear from our consumers with their comments, concerns, and suggestions.
Our brown rice pasta is made in a facility that contains corn and is made on shared equipment with corn. We do our best to prevent cross contamination, but we could not guarantee that there would be none. In addition, there is dairy in the facility in the form of powered cheese, but it is not on the same equipment as our brown rice pasta. There are none of the other allergens you listed in the facility or on the line.
Thank you for your time and interest,
Consumer Response
Lundberg Family Farms
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Bertoli Olive Oil - Shame on You
This is an email I received after filling out an online form. In the form I requested info on their Light Tasting Olive Oil. I also listed all the allergens we are avoiding.
I must admit it's a really disappointing response - which really - to me does not answer or address my questions.
Hello Denise,
Thanks so much for writing!
It is important to know that Unilever takes a proactive role in managing
all food allergy issues.
Unilever also follows good manufacturing practices. These are
established procedures to identify potential risk areas to prevent
"cross contact" between allergen and non-allergen foods.
Filling lines are not necessarily cleaned/washed after filling one type
of sauce (e.g. Old World Style Plain, then Marinara), but will be
flushed between varieties (e.g., Old World Style and Chunky Gardenstyle)
Every precaution is taken to protect against components of one product
mixing with another, and to ensure accuracy of ingredients listed on the
label.
Unilever has both accurate labeling and good manufacturing practices.
Unilever focuses of the eight most common allergies identified by both
U.S. FDA and the Food Allergy Network. These allergens are eggs, milk
and dairy products, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish
as well as any ingredient that may contain gluten.
Unilever takes great care to be certain that the ingredient statements
of all of our products are accurately labeled and are in full regulatory
compliance as outlined by the FDA/USDA guidelines.
As always, if you cannot determine whether the product contains the
ingredient in question, you should not use it.
Kind regards,
Your friends at Unilever
dfp
Then when I called their information number I was told by the woman on the phone that if I wanted more information than the limited info she was providing, I would need to have my doctor (YES, THAT'S RIGHT MY DOCTOR) write a letter to some Unilever department. She could not tell me anything in regards to sesame, but simply seemed to read off the above email. If you've ever asked your busy doctor to do anything like this - you can imagine the feat that these people at Unilever are requesting.
We use Bertoli, but I am looking for an alternative. The don't value their customers as far as I am concerned.
Any reco's in olive oil - someone mentioned Trader Joe's California Olive Oil - can anyone confirm?
Thanks
I must admit it's a really disappointing response - which really - to me does not answer or address my questions.
Hello Denise,
Thanks so much for writing!
It is important to know that Unilever takes a proactive role in managing
all food allergy issues.
Unilever also follows good manufacturing practices. These are
established procedures to identify potential risk areas to prevent
"cross contact" between allergen and non-allergen foods.
Filling lines are not necessarily cleaned/washed after filling one type
of sauce (e.g. Old World Style Plain, then Marinara), but will be
flushed between varieties (e.g., Old World Style and Chunky Gardenstyle)
Every precaution is taken to protect against components of one product
mixing with another, and to ensure accuracy of ingredients listed on the
label.
Unilever has both accurate labeling and good manufacturing practices.
Unilever focuses of the eight most common allergies identified by both
U.S. FDA and the Food Allergy Network. These allergens are eggs, milk
and dairy products, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish
as well as any ingredient that may contain gluten.
Unilever takes great care to be certain that the ingredient statements
of all of our products are accurately labeled and are in full regulatory
compliance as outlined by the FDA/USDA guidelines.
As always, if you cannot determine whether the product contains the
ingredient in question, you should not use it.
Kind regards,
Your friends at Unilever
dfp
Then when I called their information number I was told by the woman on the phone that if I wanted more information than the limited info she was providing, I would need to have my doctor (YES, THAT'S RIGHT MY DOCTOR) write a letter to some Unilever department. She could not tell me anything in regards to sesame, but simply seemed to read off the above email. If you've ever asked your busy doctor to do anything like this - you can imagine the feat that these people at Unilever are requesting.
We use Bertoli, but I am looking for an alternative. The don't value their customers as far as I am concerned.
Any reco's in olive oil - someone mentioned Trader Joe's California Olive Oil - can anyone confirm?
Thanks
Monday, May 26, 2008
Oils - Wesson, Mazola, President's Choice
I called the makers of Bertoli awhile back. They told me that they do not process treenuts or peanuts on the lines with the olive oil, but she couldn't tell me anything about sesame. Apparently, they have a list that only includes the basic eight allergens - sesame not included.
What other oils: olive or canola do people recommend?
What other oils: olive or canola do people recommend?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Zyrtec Liquid
So now I'm going to get on the soap box for a bit. My son has been sneezing and watering at the eyes for weeks now. We got the "must be allergies" from the doctor with a recommendation to take zyrtec. I promptly purchased, only to take home and realize that there are
Methylparaben and Propylparaben in the liquid. Wait a minute, I have spent the last several years healthing up my life and avoiding these products in my soaps and body products only now to shove them in my son's mouth?
I just sent an email to the "Customer Care" department over there at Zyrtec headquarters asking them why they put these 2 ingredients in their product? What is the necessary function? Aren't there alternatives that are on the less potentially yuk side?
I'm interested to see what they say.
I realize these are small amounts - but I can't help but wonder if these small amounts of this, small amounts of that, small amounts of something else haven't all added up to allergies as we now know them.
Here is link that briefly discusses methylparaben and propylparaben
Methlyparaben and Propylparaben
Denise
Methylparaben and Propylparaben in the liquid. Wait a minute, I have spent the last several years healthing up my life and avoiding these products in my soaps and body products only now to shove them in my son's mouth?
I just sent an email to the "Customer Care" department over there at Zyrtec headquarters asking them why they put these 2 ingredients in their product? What is the necessary function? Aren't there alternatives that are on the less potentially yuk side?
I'm interested to see what they say.
I realize these are small amounts - but I can't help but wonder if these small amounts of this, small amounts of that, small amounts of something else haven't all added up to allergies as we now know them.
Here is link that briefly discusses methylparaben and propylparaben
Methlyparaben and Propylparaben
Denise
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
Called on May 23, 2008.
Spoke with Robert.
In regards to the Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. It's kosher. Nothing else is produced on the lines with that product.
For us that was concern when I saw that they make a sesame dressing which Robert informed me is manufactured by another manufacturer at another facility.
We use the apple cider vinegar for dressings, but also to make a sweet sour honey glaze for ribs, chicken, we even add it to sauteed duck breast at the finish.
You can amend to flavor - I dissolve about 1 tbpsp of honey in a dash of hot water, then add about 2-3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar - mix.
Spoke with Robert.
In regards to the Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. It's kosher. Nothing else is produced on the lines with that product.
For us that was concern when I saw that they make a sesame dressing which Robert informed me is manufactured by another manufacturer at another facility.
We use the apple cider vinegar for dressings, but also to make a sweet sour honey glaze for ribs, chicken, we even add it to sauteed duck breast at the finish.
You can amend to flavor - I dissolve about 1 tbpsp of honey in a dash of hot water, then add about 2-3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar - mix.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Coconut Oil
Newest - 1/02/09
I used to buy Fresh Shores Coconut Oil from Mercola.com - see
I called several months back and was told by the woman on the phone that only coconut is processed / packaged on the lines for this product.
I'll be honest, I'm not sure that I completely believe her. They didn't seem totally on the ball with allergy info., but I continue to use it because my son tolerates - and also because our list of go to products is so slim that I am afraid to lose one.
But now - based a posting from NoNutz4us, I called Nature's Way - about their Efa Gold
(Nov 2008) - and the rep on the phone said they only process coconut products on lines with the Efa Gold Coconut Oil. So I buy that now - it's about $9 for 16oz at Whole Foods, but if you buy case - they give you 10% off. Yay!
Denise
I used to buy Fresh Shores Coconut Oil from Mercola.com - see
I called several months back and was told by the woman on the phone that only coconut is processed / packaged on the lines for this product.
I'll be honest, I'm not sure that I completely believe her. They didn't seem totally on the ball with allergy info., but I continue to use it because my son tolerates - and also because our list of go to products is so slim that I am afraid to lose one.
But now - based a posting from NoNutz4us, I called Nature's Way - about their Efa Gold
(Nov 2008) - and the rep on the phone said they only process coconut products on lines with the Efa Gold Coconut Oil. So I buy that now - it's about $9 for 16oz at Whole Foods, but if you buy case - they give you 10% off. Yay!
Denise
Hemp Milk
We use hemp milk basically in everything from risotto to cookies.
We drink Living Harvest Hempmilk. They have 3 flavors: plain, vanilla, and chocolate. I have not tried the chocolate.
Living Harvest shares manufacturing lines with Almond Milk producers. The woman (and I do not recall her name) assured me that they clean the lines rigorously. Despite that I still feel nauseous when I think about it. But it's the only thing I can get my son to drink that has calcium in it. It also has omega 3 and 6.
The other brand of Hemp Milk is called Hemp Bliss made by Manitoba Harvest - it doesn't taste as good. My son will not drink it. Also, it has way less calcium. I spoke with their company to a woman named Autumn. They are exceptionally nice. They only manufacturer hemp products so there are no cross contamination risks to speak of. I am planning on trying their hemp butter. I will let you guys know.
Both products are available at Whole Foods.
Denise
We drink Living Harvest Hempmilk. They have 3 flavors: plain, vanilla, and chocolate. I have not tried the chocolate.
Living Harvest shares manufacturing lines with Almond Milk producers. The woman (and I do not recall her name) assured me that they clean the lines rigorously. Despite that I still feel nauseous when I think about it. But it's the only thing I can get my son to drink that has calcium in it. It also has omega 3 and 6.
The other brand of Hemp Milk is called Hemp Bliss made by Manitoba Harvest - it doesn't taste as good. My son will not drink it. Also, it has way less calcium. I spoke with their company to a woman named Autumn. They are exceptionally nice. They only manufacturer hemp products so there are no cross contamination risks to speak of. I am planning on trying their hemp butter. I will let you guys know.
Both products are available at Whole Foods.
Denise
Ancient Harvest Quinoa Grain
I contacted this manufacturer via email. I use their quinoa flour as a wheat substitution in quinoa chocolate chip muffins. Recipe coming soon. I also use a couple tablespoons of the quinoa grain (cooked) to give my meatballs sticking power. That recipe to come soon as well.
Hi Denise,
You would not be able to have our Wheat Free Pastas, as they are Corn based with quinoa flour added.
Our Quinoa Flakes, are manufactured in a facility that also does Wheat, they do a thorough cleaning of the facility and all machinery before processing our quinoa flakes, but if you are highly sensitive it might be wise to stay away from this product as well.
What you could have is our Ancient Harvest Quinoa Grain, both Traditional and Inca Red as this is cleaned and packaged in a dedicated facility that only does quinoa.
Best regards,
Linda/Customer Service
I got this email response May 20, 2008. We all know that circumstances change for manufacturers periodically - so if in doubt, call or email again to confirm. And if you do, especially if you find changes have been made - please post here.
Thanks
Hi Denise,
You would not be able to have our Wheat Free Pastas, as they are Corn based with quinoa flour added.
Our Quinoa Flakes, are manufactured in a facility that also does Wheat, they do a thorough cleaning of the facility and all machinery before processing our quinoa flakes, but if you are highly sensitive it might be wise to stay away from this product as well.
What you could have is our Ancient Harvest Quinoa Grain, both Traditional and Inca Red as this is cleaned and packaged in a dedicated facility that only does quinoa.
Best regards,
Linda/Customer Service
I got this email response May 20, 2008. We all know that circumstances change for manufacturers periodically - so if in doubt, call or email again to confirm. And if you do, especially if you find changes have been made - please post here.
Thanks
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