Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Christmas 2011

 










      For Christmas this year, we had ALL of our kids, their spouses for those who are married, and all 7 grandbabies here.  That makes a total of 21 of us!  We had our traditional breakfast, (which we started when I was a child with my dad after my parents were divorced at the age of 7), which consists of Ritz & Club crackers, different kinds of summer sausages, and a myriad of different flavored cheeses and make little sandwiches out of it all.  Then, of course, the traditional eggnog and milk for those who don't want that.  Those of us at home have opened presents first as soon as we all wake up, usually around 7:00 - 7:30, and then once the older children and grandbabies get here around 11:00, which is when we eat our traditional breakfast all together.  Once we have eaten, then we open the remaining presents with the older kids and grandbabies. It is always so fun to watch them open their gifts!!  Then we spend time helping the little ones put together their gifts, play with their new toys, visiting with one another, laughter, and just being together. 

This year we chose a non-traditional Christmas meal together.  I made our 3 meat chili (with no beans), little wieners in BBQ sauce, little smokies wrapped in bacon, and brown sugar covered over them and baked in the oven at 350* for 30 minutes.  And then, Doug's mom's infamous Ham & Cheese Sandwiches that she used to make years ago.  And of course, our yearly fudge, and different pies to choose from.  :+)

Friday, December 23, 2011

MSG Allergies

MSG
Monosodium Glutamate


Many people are plagued by symptoms that they can't explain simply by eating or drinking something that they normally eat, but suddenly they are showing significant signs as I did...beginning by my face breaking out into a bright red rash, itching terribly, feeling flushed, having the rash spread down my neck into my chest area.  One minute I will be sweating no matter how cold it is outside and will have a fan blowing on me in the dead of winter, and then suddenly I will be freezing and getting out of bed to put socks on because I am soooooo cold.  Another thing is I get extremely thirsty or have a dry mouth.  I 99% of the time have something  to drink with me.  I commonly have difficulty concentrating and poor memory (which I now know is called "fibro fog.")  I hate that feeling, knowing that I put something somewhere, but cannot for the life of me remember where that was.  UGH!  I also struggle with obesity...a fact that is embarrassing and a daily struggle for me.  It makes me feel weak, or like a failure which I know are "feelings" from Satan, and NOT the Lord.  I also have symptoms like a diarrhea, pain in my joints, muscles and tendons, bloating, horrible cramps especially during "that time of the month," terrible headaches, & my migraine headaches are intensified too.  Some days I walk around with my sunglasses on in the house.  But I have to because the light, any light, makes my head hurt worse.  I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about a year or more ago.  It used to be what I called my "Mono Stuff."  Many, if not all of these symptoms, also are much the same as what I have with my Fibromyalgia, BUT they can also be intensified when you learn of an allergic reaction to MSG.   

MSG has has many, many different names that all stand for MSG.  Ones you commonly don't give a second thought to.  Ones like...Soy Protein, Broth, Bouillon, Citric Acid, Milk Powder, Modified Food Starch, Cornstarch, Pectin (used in canning), Corn Syrups, Soy Sauce, Whey Protein, or Whey, Malt Extract, Gelatin, Caramel Flavoring...and so many more.  I have finally printed off a list for myself because there are so many to remember, and laminated it for carrying it in my purse. 

My eating habits have had to change.  It has NOT been easy for me!  I try hard to not have a bad attitude about it, but I do struggle sometimes.  My friend is also allergic to Wheat & Gluten, but I am not, and yet I feel sooooooo limited on what I can eat, that I cannot imagine what I would be like if I could have no breads (especially my homemade breads which consist greatly of wheat flour and gluten), and only eat 99% veggies and fruit.  I already cannot eat some of my favorite things...like Doritos, frozen pizzas or say Pizza Hut (though I can eat homemade pizza with 100% all Natural sauce and no sausage or pepperoni), Taco Bell, regular peanut butters, chip dips, regular Ranch dressings, no more Miracle Whip (only Real Hellman's Mayo), etc. 

This is a poison that is being put in so many foods that we Americans eat and are feeding our children daily.  How many others are out there who have allergies to MSG, or wheat, or gluten, or...things that are making them sick, but there has been no "diagnosis" for.  Think about it.  Spread the news and start asking the right questions! 
Starting to have an MSG reaction, and beginning to get flushed & red faced, and the rash spreading down my neck.  It generally happens within 10 minutes of eating something with MSG.

                                             Patricia, Pat, Me (red-faced), Michelle & Paula -  our AWESOME Connect Group!  :+)