Why we love our food allergies!

If you or any members of your family have food allergies/sensitivities then you may think this is a crazy title for a blog post. However, I am a firm believer that when you receive blessings you should acknowledge them. Our journey which started 3 1/2 years ago has been a challenge, but has ultimately been a major blessing and growing experience for us.

I feel that we have been extremely blessed in at least the three following ways:

1. I have learned an incredible amount of information about food allergies and good nutrition, as well as just a lot about the human body. It has been such a thrill to learn these things, and I have found it very easy to retain the information.
2. My children eat so healthy now. They love healthy food. Sometimes I'm secretely glad that I can hide behind the food allergy label when my children are offered things that are full of junk, because rather than offending people I can politely say "no thank you, my children have food allergies."
3. I have been inspired to take this experience and the knowledge I have gained to get formal education & training. I recently opened a new business here in Texas dedicated to helping people with nutrition, food allergies and other health issues. It is such a blessing to be able to help other people in their journey of life as well.

So as you can see, while this is a challenge on one hand, it is a huge blessing on the other.

Shepherd's Pie

I originally got this recipe from "The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook" by Cybelle Pascal (a favorite cookbook of mine). It has become a family favorite and is very versatile. We typically change it up a little each time we make it. You can vary the meat and use chicken, pork, turkey, ground beef. You can certainly vary the vegetables included. You can vary the sauce, it calls for ketchup, but we have used barbeque sauce and even a honey mustard once. You can vary what goes on top, it calls for mashed potatoes, we often make mashed potatoes using sweet potatoes mixed in and I even topped it once with butternut squash. Enjoy and have fun with this one.

Shepherd's Pie

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3-4 carrots, diced
4 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup hot water
3 Tbsp. ketchup (or other sauce
1 lb. ground beef, turkey, chicken, or pork sausage

Topping:
3 large potatoes, cubed (white or sweet potato combination)
3/4 cup rice milk
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt

Cook potatoes, when soft drain and mix with rice milk, olive oil & salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.

Brown meat. Saute onion in olive oil. Add celery and carrots, saute for a few minutes. Mix together ketchup with the hot water. Combine all ingredients in a 9x13 baking dish. Top with thick layer of mashed potatoes. Bake 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees until potatoes are lightly browned on top.