Pink Sauce

Unlike some other food bloggers, I am not a great cook.  My mom and sister are both amazing cooks.  I can follow a recipe.  

But lately I've been in this experimenting mood.  It's been kind of weird.  And most of my experiments end up... let's just say it's classified.  

Friday, however, I had a couple of tomatoes that wanted to use.  But, I wasn't sure exactly how.  So, out of the blue I decided to make spaghetti sauce out of it.  And to my surprise it actually went (mostly) right!

What I did was I blended up the tomatoes with some rice milk and water in a blender.  Now I didn't blend it up too well because I wanted tomato chunks in the sauce.  I put the mixture into a pot and put it on simmer.  

Then I added spices: garlic, salt, and basil.  I just added it until it tasted right.  (Sorry I was just experimenting so I didn't get any measurements.)  

It tasted great, but I was faced with a problem.  The sauce was more like a soup, I needed some way to thicken  it.  Being the 21st century girl I am, I googled "how to thicken sauces"  and found a very helpful website: 

http://www.wikihow.com/Thicken-Sauce

It had seven different ways to thicken a sauce, but in the end I used a mixture of two different ways.  

At first, I started with the "Reducing Method" where you basically simmer the water away until it's thicker and the flavor is more concentrated.  (When you do this, make sure you stir occasionally so that the bottom doesn't burn.) 

It worked, but it was really slow.  And I was hungry, so I decided to hurry it up by using a different solution to help it along.

The second solution was called "The Flour Method".  I added tapioca flour, but I'm sure regular flour, or rice flour would work too.  What you do, is you add flour (it gives you an estimate of how much on the website, but I eyeballed it).  Now, I didn't do exactly as the instructions called for.  I just added the flour and turned up the heat.  

It did have a flour-like taste, so I added more spices.  And it seemed to work out just fine.  If I use this method again, I'd turn the heat up higher so the flour would dissolve better and give less of the flour taste.  

It was a great sauce, considering it was my first time ever doing something like that.  Funny thing though, it was bright pink.  From the flour and rice milk I guess.  I wonder if all tomato sauces are really pink and they add food coloring to make it the traditional red?  

Another method I didn't try (simply because I didn't have it on hand) but would in the future was the "Pureed Veggie Method".  Apparently it thickens without adding a taste.

Anyways, that was one of my successful adventures in the kitchen.  What's cool about being able to make sauces, it that once you become an expert you won't need to buy sauces from the store anymore.  And you can control the ingredients making it more PKU friendly, like I did with the rice milk and tapioca flour.  

Thanks for reading!  Sorry, I didn't think to take pictures as I was experimenting.  Maybe next time!     

      

A "Pintresting" Post (pun intended)

I haven't written a blogpost in forever.  I'm really sorry to everyone.  Excuses are just that (excuses), so I won't offer any but I have a goal of posting once a week for the rest of the school semester.

Okay, so today's topic:

Pintrest has been regarded as many things.  A place to waste time.  A place where you can find some really neat projects that you wish you could do.  A place to put all your project ideas before you start them.  

Well, I want to talk about 1 way that Pintrest can actually be a help to PKU'ers.  

Hint:  Have you ever wished you could make something else instead of your basic 10 recipes that you make all the time?

Well, using Pintrest you can actually find a lot of PKU proof recipes.  

I have 118 pins in my "PKU Friendly Food" board.  It's currently my largest board.  And the great thing about it is, a lot of PKU'er Pinners have a PKU -proof board.  So pretty easily you can go and look at all these great recipes.    

I've Pinned recipes that aren't strictly PKU because I can see an easy way to change it so it does become PKU-proof.  

Now, the question really is whether you're going to try those recipes.  Or if they'll be sitting there forever.  It takes a little bit of dedication to actually cook something up from Pintrest.  But, if you're tired of the same old PKU-proof dishes it's a great way to add variety.  

Make a goal.  "I'm going to try 1 new dish a week."  That's not too hard is it?  Then buy the ingredients.  (I go to the grocery store every other week, so to save on cost I would choose 2 similar dishes.  That way I don't have to buy as many ingredients.)  Cook the meal.  If you like it, write it down or print it out.  If you don't, delete it.  You don't need to keep nasty recipes around.  

If you're finding it hard to get yourself to cook a new meal 1x a week for whatever reason.  Choose a day of the week and make that night "new recipe night".  If it becomes a habit to make a new dish, it won't be as hard to get around to it.  

In conclusion (since I always feel as if I'm just throwing things around and rambling): Do you ever feel like you eat the same things over and over again?  Especially as a PKU'er when you're options are limited anyways?  Well, Pintrest actually has a lot of recipes that are PKU-proof or can be adjusted really easily.  You can find them on other people's PKU boards or you can search PKU in the search bar.  If you're having a hard time actually making the foods, make a goal.  Make 1 new dish a week.  If you need to make that new dish on the same night every week, that way it becomes habit.  And you won't have a problem anymore.  :)  

Geez, that conclusion was tons better than the rest of the post.  The only reason I'm not rewriting this post all over again, is because I promised myself I'd post today, and I don't really have the time.  So, I'm sorry again for rambling and for not posting forever (even though I warned you it would happen).       

 Thanks for reading my blog.  :) I'll see you again soon.

  

  

A Little Story

This time I'm going to tell you a little story.


One day, when Cassandra was just an 11 year old girl she and her mother went to a meeting for girl's who were about to turn 12 in her church.


It was as fun as a meeting could be, but the best part were the refreshments.  (Of course it was the best part!  Refreshments always are!)  Cassandra was delighted when she saw that it was pink lemonade and cookies.  She grabbed a cookie and grabbed a lemonade.  And because she was a growing 11 year old girl, she ate them very quickly. 


As she was drinking the lemonade, she thought, "this tastes kind of tangy."  Her mom noticed the taste too and became concerned.  "Is this sugar free?"  She asked a couple of the leaders.  No one knew why she would ask such a question but they went and checked. 


It did. 


Very concerned now they went home and Cassandra was placed on a 3-day (for that is the time it would take to level out her Phe levels) no-Phe diet; which consisted mostly of applesauce and lemon pudding. 


And Cassandra was okay.  (Thanks to her mom.)


Now, you're probably asking "Why were they serving little 11-year old girls sugar-free lemonade???"


Here's the reason.  One of the other 11-year old girls had diabetes.  And in the effort to accommodate for her diet, they forgot about Cassandra's.


Sometimes, diets clash.  People forget.  Or they don't connect certain foods to Phe.  Or maybe they just never understood the diet in the first place.


So you need to responsible for yourself and read labels whenever possible.  I learned it the hard way. :P  The only people who will really understand your diet are: you're parents, your dietician, and you.  (And of course other PKU'ers.)


I don't mean to come off preachy.  But it's true, and it needs to be said.  Your diet relies on you to take care of it. 


But, don't worry.  Because you're not totally alone.  There are people willing to help, just remember that they don't know everything about the diet, and most likely there are times when they'll forget all about it. 


So be responsible!  Drink your milk!  And count your Phe!  And smile, because life is good! 

A PKU Connection

I feel like I say this a lot.  But... sorry about the month-long absence.  I'm currently working 2 jobs and taking a summer class, and it's really hard to find the time to get on.

Anyways, recently my sister (who also has PKU) and I were at a family party.  The food being served was Mexican, which typically is a huge "NO" for PKU'ers.  (It's all meat, beans, and cheese.)  But, there was enough things that we could eat that my sister and I filled our plates.

She turned to me and said something, that I thought was quite important.  She said:

"It's easier with a friend."

 I heartily agreed.  And I do now.  It's nice when people try and learn your diet.  In fact, it makes you feel quite special.  But, nothing can replace a fellow PKU'er.

It's important to be in contact with someone who truly sympathizes.  Someone who knows all the ups and downs from experience.  Someone who can give you ideas and solutions, that they've tried themselves.

I'm lucky.  My sister and I are a couple years apart, so I've had her to talk to almost my whole life.  But, if you don't have a sibling with PKU there are other ways you can connect with other PKU'ers.

Facebook is a big one.  There are several facebook groups with PKU'ers from all over the world.  There are PKU groups supported by the clinic you attend.  (Ask your dietician for information.)  You could go old style and get a penpal. 

At the very least, you've found my blog.  And you can connect to me.  :) 

But, why is it easier when you connect with other PKU groups?  (Besides the sympathy...)

People naturally look for others like them.  That they have something in common with.  So that they can connect.  Like in a high school lunch room; we naturally congregate into cliches.

People need people like them.  And PKU is a trait of ours that we try and find a group to connect with over.
If you can't connect, then that trait becomes less desirable.  Less important.

From what I've seen (and I am far from any professional) people with PKU that doesn't have a support group behind them or at least a person to talk to... they tend to fall away from the diet.  I'm not quite sure why.  But, if I have to guess... I would say that they hide the "odd trait" in order to fit in better. 

Why do you think support groups actually work?  Or exercising groups?  You've connected to people over a trait, and don't want to let them down.

I feel like I'm rambling.  But when I condense it all to one sentence, it boils down to this:

It's easier with a friend.  

Just like my sister said.  :)  I'll try to get on and post again within the month.  But if I don't... I'm terribly sorry.  Like I said.  I'm insanely busy.  Thanks!!!

 

      
      

What Every Child Needs

As I've probably mentioned before, I am in college studying Deaf Education.  (For those who aren't exactly sure what that is... It's just Elementary Education but in American Sign Language.)  And Deaf Education, actually is hot debate in the Deaf world right now.  Whether it's better to mainstream students or to send them to a Deaf School.


Yes, I know this is a PKU Blog, but humor me for a moment. 


One of the arguments for Deaf Schools is the fact that kids need a role model.  They need an example of someone like them, who has grow up successfully and done well.  That way they know, that they can be successful and happy too. 


As I've thought about this, I've realized... this goes for everyone.  Every single child needs a role model.  Some one to look up to.  But for now (because you're right this is a PKU Blog) I'll apply this idea to PKU'ers.


Imagine.  You're a child with PKU.  You know there are people out there with PKU like you.  (The doctor told you so.)  But, you've never met another PKU'er.  You have no idea that in some places there is a strong community.  And you have no idea what PKU'ers are capable of, simply because you've never met another PKU'er.  Let alone an adult.


But, imagine.  You have met PKU adults.  You know PKU won't hold you back, because it hasn't held them back.  They follow their diets diligently, making you want to follow yours.  If only to be just like them.  If your a girl, you know PKU Pregnancy is nothing to fear.  That it's possible.  Because you've seen your role models go through it. 


Which picture is better? 


I think that the second one is better.  The first one is more prone to loneliness and the feeling that PKU is holding you back.  That it's hard, and it's a curse.  I'm not saying that it's a definite thing.  But, if in my head it seems more likely.


The PKU community where I live is young.  The activities focus on the young kids, helping them make friends.  Which is great.  They honestly need friends.  And occasionally they'll have a young adult activity.  But, it's not their focus.  I'm lucky.  I have my sister who also has PKU.  But, until I was 14 I had never truly seen PKU adults. 


I'm sure they were there.  I just didn't focus on them.  But, until PKU camp.  I had no idea what a PKU lifestyle would look like when I was an adult.  What it would be like.  It was a mystery.  There were times, when I didn't think having a family was even possible.  I didn't know a lot about PKU Pregnancy.  I had never met anyone who had experienced it.  The idea was really scary to me.


I think, and this is just my opinion, but I think that all PKU communities would be wise to have the kids and the young adults really get to know each other.  I'm not sure how.  But, I am sure that every child needs that example to look towards.  I think with this bond, kids would be able to stay on their diet easier.  Because they have a clue what it will be like when they grow up. 


And they won't be afraid.

Tradition!

Recently on a PKU facebook page that I facebook-like called "International PKU Recipe Database", there was a question asked I answered it.  BUt I would like to share some further feelings about this subject.  

Here's the Question:

I'm a mom to a 9 month girl with pku what do I do for Easter meals and baskets?

The question is a very good one, sometimes I think that we forget that before we had to deal with our diets that our parents had to.  The whole idea of a strict diet for life is pretty intimidating.  Before us, they had no knowledge of PKU.  And yet, they still learned and dealt with it for most of our childhoods.  ...But that's really a topic for another day.

Now, to answer the question.  Most hard candies (excluding sugar-free) are free in Phe.  And usually there are low-Pro Chocolate Bunnies for sale at one of the PKU food websites.  And peeps are good too!  It's not hard to fill an Easter basket full of goodies.  

When it comes to Easter meals (or really any holiday) if you want to have a traditional meal, just take a special PKU-proof recipe and serve once a year on that holiday.  It becomes a tradition.  And your child will know to expect it on that holiday.  It doesn't matter if the recipe seems "unconventional" for the holiday, if it's a tradition... it's a tradition.   

And traditions are some of the best parts of any holiday.  

Have a great day!  

Belated Birthday!!!!

Oh My Goodness!  I can't believe I forgot!

On February 28th, 2011 I wrote my first post.  That means that on February 28, 2014 was my blog's 3rd birthday!  I feel like a bad mother for forgetting it.  (In my defense however, it was during my writing hiatus when I was busy from dawn until dusk with my Practicum.)

But it feels unreal that my blog could really be 3 years old.  How long to most blog's last?  I'm not sure.  I think a significant number of them are missionary blogs, and teenager drama-filled online journals.  (Tow totally different things by the way!)

Here's a cupcake to celebrate!!!

If my blog were really a child it would be in the adorable but mischievous stages of toddler hood.  I'm sure of it.  

Anyways, enough about that.  Let's look at some stats:

9,076 views in all time history!  Around October 2011 there was this incredible jump that has remained consistent through the years.  I mean it's really impressive. 

There's what my chart looks like for those that are interested.  It's this little chart that keeps me going, telling me that people actually look at my blog and care.  (I honestly have no idea why that spike in Oct 2013 occurred...)  

And here are the top 5 posts of 2014.

Top 5 Posts (As reported in 2014)

1. Happy PKU Awareness Month (March 2011)- 601 page views
2. A PKU Story- 234 page views
3. The Tigger Theory- 226 page views (though I think that people looking up Tigger might accidentally stumble across this one) 
4. PRISM301- 147 page views
5. New Favorite Recipe- 143 page views

Anyways, happy 3rd Birthday Blog.  I can't believe I've made it this long.  And hopefully I'll still be blogging to celebrate a 4th.  :)

P.S.  Sorry about being absent for the past 2 weeks.  My computer contracted a pretty serious virus, and I've been making treks to the library to get homework done.  In fact, that's where I am now typing this.  It's just been a real hassle.  But hey, that's life!  And have a great day!