Saturday, April 24, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
What is the difference between the glutamic acid found in protein and the potentially harmful manufactured glutamic acid we refer to as MSG?
The following article was written by Jack Samuels and may be found at http://www.truthinlabeling.org
Easy, Fluffy, Whole Wheat Bread
1 1/4 C water
1 T vinegar
1 T oil
1 tsp salt
2 3/4 C bread flour
1/4 C potato flakes
1/4 C gluten
1/4 C sugar
1 T yeast
Mix and knead the dough, allow to rise or 12-15 minutes. Let rise until double, 1- 1 1/2 hours. Place in greased bread pan and put in a warm place to rise. If you can get it to overflow the bread pan, by putting it in a warm but not hot oven, it will taste so good. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, until golden brown and sounds hollow when lightly tapped. If using a bread machine, place ingredients in order as stated in bread machine manual.
Here's the recipe's source with video at everydayfoodstorage.net
Whole wheat bread without vital wheat gluten
1 Tbsp yeast
1 1/3 C warm water
3 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 T vinegar
1 T oil
1 tsp salt
2 3/4 C bread flour
1/4 C potato flakes
1/4 C gluten
1/4 C sugar
1 T yeast
Mix and knead the dough, allow to rise or 12-15 minutes. Let rise until double, 1- 1 1/2 hours. Place in greased bread pan and put in a warm place to rise. If you can get it to overflow the bread pan, by putting it in a warm but not hot oven, it will taste so good. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, until golden brown and sounds hollow when lightly tapped. If using a bread machine, place ingredients in order as stated in bread machine manual.
Here's the recipe's source with video at everydayfoodstorage.net
Whole wheat bread without vital wheat gluten
1 Tbsp yeast
1 1/3 C warm water
3 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg
Friday, April 16, 2010
Doughnuts (or Cinnamon Rolls)
1 C sugar
1 C cooked, mashed potatoes
1 tsp salt
1/2 C+ 2 TB melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 C warm water
3 TB yeast (dissolved in the water)
1 C warm milk
7 C flour
Mix,and knead ingredients. If dough is stiff, add more warm milk to make a soft dough.
Let rise 1/2 hour. Roll out 3/4 inch thick and cut with donut cutter.
Fry in oil that sizzles when water drops into it. Medium-high temperature. (Don't let it get too hot, it can catch fire) (Don't let little ones help cook these). When donuts begin to get golden, turn them. When light golden on other side, take out and cool on paper towels. Can roll in sugar or dip in a glaze.
For cinnamon rolls:
Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. (4 tsp cinnamon and 1 c sugar).
Roll up like a jelly roll. Use dental floss to cut in 1/2 in thick rolls. Melt 1/4 Butter in jelly roll pan and sprinkle 1/4 cup brown sugar over melted butter. Place cinnamon rolls on pan. Let rise until double. Bake in 375 degree pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. While hot, spread with mixture of powdered sugar, 1-2 tsp frozen oj concentrate and a little water.
1 C cooked, mashed potatoes
1 tsp salt
1/2 C+ 2 TB melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 C warm water
3 TB yeast (dissolved in the water)
1 C warm milk
7 C flour
Mix,and knead ingredients. If dough is stiff, add more warm milk to make a soft dough.
Let rise 1/2 hour. Roll out 3/4 inch thick and cut with donut cutter.
Fry in oil that sizzles when water drops into it. Medium-high temperature. (Don't let it get too hot, it can catch fire) (Don't let little ones help cook these). When donuts begin to get golden, turn them. When light golden on other side, take out and cool on paper towels. Can roll in sugar or dip in a glaze.
For cinnamon rolls:
Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. (4 tsp cinnamon and 1 c sugar).
Roll up like a jelly roll. Use dental floss to cut in 1/2 in thick rolls. Melt 1/4 Butter in jelly roll pan and sprinkle 1/4 cup brown sugar over melted butter. Place cinnamon rolls on pan. Let rise until double. Bake in 375 degree pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. While hot, spread with mixture of powdered sugar, 1-2 tsp frozen oj concentrate and a little water.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What's in the kitchen: sulfites
Some people are allergic to sulfites. The specific symptoms that result can vary considerably, from a severe anaphylactic reaction to asthma, abdominal symptoms, eczema, or headaches. It is added as a preservative to foods such as dried fruits and is also in medications. This is why doctors often ask for allergies to any medications. Sulfa drugs can intensify an MSG reaction.
What's in the kitchen: monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Even if there's no ingredient listed on the nutrition label with the name "monosodium glutamate," the product will still always contain monosodium glutamate (free glutamic acid) if it has:
Summary of MSG Ingredients (*ingredients in parentheses OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing):
-whipped topping
less than 2% sodium caseinate.
(less than 2% natural and artificial flavor, Xanthan and guar gums)
also contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, HFCS
-Family Canning Vanilla Pudding
sodium caseinate.
(maltodextrin, dextrose, soy lecithin, natural and artificial colors, xanthan gum)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-Family Canning Chocolate Pudding
sodium caseinate.
also contains hydrogenated soybean oil, blue 1
-Family Canning Hot Cocoa
sodium caseinate.
(lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, carrageenan)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-Stuffing Mix
hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(dough conditioner, maltodextrin, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil, BHT
-Add Hamburger Lasagna
autolyzed yeast extract.
(enzymes, soy lecithin, natural flavors)
"No Artificial Ingredients or Preservatives. NO MSG Added."
-Red Beans and Rice Mix
yeast extract.
(malted barley flour, soy sauce, dextrose, natural and artificial flavors)
-Ranch Dressing
monosodium glutamate.
(less than 1% natural flavors, Xanthan gum, natural and artificial flavor, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate)
-Horseradish sauce
hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast.
(Xanthan gum, artificial and natural flavors, citric acid)
also contains HFCS
-White Gravy Mix
hydrolyzed corn gluten and soy protein.
(disodium inosinate and guanylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soy oil
-Onion soup mix
hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(maltodextrin, yeast extract, natural flavors, disodium inosinate and guanylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and/or soybean oil
-marshmallows
gelatin.
(dextrose)
-Chicken Bouillon
hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(disodium inosinate and disodium gunaylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soy oil "No MSG Added (Contains naturally occuring glutamates)"
-Beef Bouillon
hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(natural flavors)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil
-Seasoned Bread crumbs
monosodium glutamate.
(soy lecithin)
also contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening
-Turkey gravy mix
monosodium glutamate.
natural and artificial flavors
-Au Jus mix
hydrolyzed soy protein and corn gluten, autolyzed yeast extract.
(disodium guanylate, maltodextrin, dextrose, natural and artificial flavors, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-Hollandiase mix
hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(maltodextrin, dextrose, citric acid, cellulose gum, disodium inosinate)
-Alfredo sauce mix
sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(soy lecithin, dextrose, maltodextrin, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-sugar free gelatin
gelatin.
(maltodextrin)
also contains aspartame
-Top Ramen seasoning mix
hydrolyzed soy, corn and wheat protein, monosdium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed wheat gluten.
(maltodextrin, soy sauce powder, disodium guanylate and inosinate)
-canned Chili
2% or less textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed soy protein.
(2% or less flavorings, citric acid)
-Vegetable with beef stock soup
less than 2% monsodium glutamate, hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat proteins.
(dextrose, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, citric acid)
also contains high fructose corn syrup
-cream of chicken
less than 2% hydrolyzed soy, corn, wheat gluten proteins, autolyzed yeast, natural flavor, monosodium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(broth, less than 2% soy protein concentrate, disodium inosinate and guanylate, dextrose)
-cream of celery
soy protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(dextrose, maltodextrin, natural flavlor, soy lecithin)
-Chicken Noodle
less than 2% hydrolyzed corn and soy proteins, yeast extract.
(less than 2% soy protein isolate, soy lecithin)
"No MSG Added"
-Fish crackers
less than 2% autolyzed yeast extract.
also contains less than 2% red 3, blue 1
-Reduced sodium chicken gumbo
less than 1% corn and soy proteins (hydrolyzed), yeast extract.
(chicken broth, less than 1% natural flavor, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, soy protein isolate, citric acid)
"No MSG Added"
-Savory beef barley vegetable soup
less than 2% corn and soy proteins (hydrolyzed), yeast extract.
(citric acid, natural flavor)
"No MSG Added"
-yogurt
gelatin.
also contains food dyes
-Cup of noodles
monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed soy, corn and wheat protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(maltodextrin, citric acid, natural flavors, disodium guanylate, disodium isonate)
Furthermore, the following ingredients OFTEN contain free glutamic acid or create MSG during processing:
Get a printable list of MSG foods to avoid here.
Finally, here's an appendix with even more ingredients that contain lower doses of MSG.
(*You will note there are lots of cans of tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes in the photo above. I read recently in the book "Battling the MSG Myth" (see my bookshelf in my widgets) that Muir Glen products are free of any adverse affects in glutamate sensitive people)
- Glutamate (E 620)
- Glutamic acid (E 620)
- Monosodium glutamate (E 621)
- Monopotassium glutamate (E 622)
- Calcium glutamate (E 623)
- Monoammonium glutamate (E 624)
- Magnesium glutamate (E 625)
- Natrium glutamate
- Gelatin
- Calcium caseinate
- Sodium caseinate
- Textured protein
- anything "hydrolyzed"
- any hydrolyzed protein
- Yeast nutrient
- Yeast extract
- Yeast food
- Autolyzed yeast
- Vetsin or
- Ajinomoto
Summary of MSG Ingredients (*ingredients in parentheses OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing):-whipped topping
less than 2% sodium caseinate.
(less than 2% natural and artificial flavor, Xanthan and guar gums)
also contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, HFCS
-Family Canning Vanilla Pudding
sodium caseinate.
(maltodextrin, dextrose, soy lecithin, natural and artificial colors, xanthan gum)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-Family Canning Chocolate Pudding
sodium caseinate.
also contains hydrogenated soybean oil, blue 1
-Family Canning Hot Cocoa
sodium caseinate.
(lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, carrageenan)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-Stuffing Mix
hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(dough conditioner, maltodextrin, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil, BHT
-Add Hamburger Lasagna
autolyzed yeast extract.
(enzymes, soy lecithin, natural flavors)
"No Artificial Ingredients or Preservatives. NO MSG Added."
-Red Beans and Rice Mix
yeast extract.
(malted barley flour, soy sauce, dextrose, natural and artificial flavors)
-Ranch Dressing
monosodium glutamate.
(less than 1% natural flavors, Xanthan gum, natural and artificial flavor, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate)
-Horseradish sauce
hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast.
(Xanthan gum, artificial and natural flavors, citric acid)
also contains HFCS
-White Gravy Mix
hydrolyzed corn gluten and soy protein.
(disodium inosinate and guanylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soy oil
-Onion soup mix
hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(maltodextrin, yeast extract, natural flavors, disodium inosinate and guanylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and/or soybean oil
-marshmallows
gelatin.
(dextrose)
-Chicken Bouillon
hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(disodium inosinate and disodium gunaylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soy oil "No MSG Added (Contains naturally occuring glutamates)"
-Beef Bouillon
hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(natural flavors)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil
-Seasoned Bread crumbs
monosodium glutamate.
(soy lecithin)
also contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening
-Turkey gravy mix
monosodium glutamate.
natural and artificial flavors
-Au Jus mix
hydrolyzed soy protein and corn gluten, autolyzed yeast extract.
(disodium guanylate, maltodextrin, dextrose, natural and artificial flavors, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-Hollandiase mix
hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(maltodextrin, dextrose, citric acid, cellulose gum, disodium inosinate)
-Alfredo sauce mix
sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(soy lecithin, dextrose, maltodextrin, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil
-sugar free gelatin
gelatin.
(maltodextrin)
also contains aspartame
-Top Ramen seasoning mix
hydrolyzed soy, corn and wheat protein, monosdium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed wheat gluten.
(maltodextrin, soy sauce powder, disodium guanylate and inosinate)
-canned Chili
2% or less textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed soy protein.
(2% or less flavorings, citric acid)
-Vegetable with beef stock soup
less than 2% monsodium glutamate, hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat proteins.
(dextrose, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, citric acid)
also contains high fructose corn syrup
-cream of chicken
less than 2% hydrolyzed soy, corn, wheat gluten proteins, autolyzed yeast, natural flavor, monosodium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(broth, less than 2% soy protein concentrate, disodium inosinate and guanylate, dextrose)
-cream of celery
soy protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(dextrose, maltodextrin, natural flavlor, soy lecithin)
-Chicken Noodle
less than 2% hydrolyzed corn and soy proteins, yeast extract.
(less than 2% soy protein isolate, soy lecithin)
"No MSG Added"
-Fish crackers
less than 2% autolyzed yeast extract.
also contains less than 2% red 3, blue 1
-Reduced sodium chicken gumbo
less than 1% corn and soy proteins (hydrolyzed), yeast extract.
(chicken broth, less than 1% natural flavor, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, soy protein isolate, citric acid)
"No MSG Added"
-Savory beef barley vegetable soup
less than 2% corn and soy proteins (hydrolyzed), yeast extract.
(citric acid, natural flavor)
"No MSG Added"
-yogurt
gelatin.
also contains food dyes
-Cup of noodles
monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed soy, corn and wheat protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(maltodextrin, citric acid, natural flavors, disodium guanylate, disodium isonate)
Furthermore, the following ingredients OFTEN contain free glutamic acid or create MSG during processing:
whey protein concentrate
soy sauce
soy sauce
enzymes
pectin
carageenan
And
citric acid
- Natural pork flavoring
- Bouillon and Broth
- Natural beef flavoring
- Stock
- Whey protein
- Whey protein isolate
- Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)
- Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s)
- Maltodextrin
- Natural chicken flavoring
- Ultra-pasteurized
- Barley malt
- Protease
- Protease enzymes
- Anything enzyme modified
- Enzymes anything
- Malt extract
- Malt flavoring
- Soy protein isolate
- Soy sauce extract
- Soy protein
- Soy protein concentrate
- Anything protein fortified
- Anything fermented
- Seasonings (the word "seasonings")
Get a printable list of MSG foods to avoid here.
Finally, here's an appendix with even more ingredients that contain lower doses of MSG.
(*You will note there are lots of cans of tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes in the photo above. I read recently in the book "Battling the MSG Myth" (see my bookshelf in my widgets) that Muir Glen products are free of any adverse affects in glutamate sensitive people)
What's in the kitchen: Is there anything left?
Well, is there anything else left in my kitchen after searching for aspartame, nitrites, BHT/BHA, hydrogenated fats, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and BPA? Here's the list:
Think there's food problems in other countries? I think we've got one right here! A shortage of real food on the market, and an abundance of psuedo-food. I guess my friends that baulk at eating processed foods were right.
Looking at this list, how many people on any given day (do you think) are eating a clean diet that doesn't cause cancer, obesity, heart problems, and/or neurodegenerative disease?
*enriched and vitamin enriched foods have been found have sufficient MSG to be MSG-reaction triggers in highly sensitive people
(Wondering why I don't have any fruits or vegetables listed? Click here.)
- No lard tortilla chips
- 100% all-natural peanut butter
- Canned fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges)
- Oil (vegetable, olive)
- canned salmon (may have BHT leaching due to salt)
- tomato paste
- FAMILY CANNING carrots ("no sulfite added"), wheat, soup mix, rolled oats, dry pinto beans
- Frozen orange juice
- 100% pure (store-bought) syrup
- mustard
- eggs
- milk (not ultra-pasteurized)
- bar of dark chocolate
- dry garbanzo, pinto, black, kidney, small red, navy, and lima beans
- pearled barley, dry lentils, and split peas
- unenriched* pasta (whole wheat macaroni, fettuccine, spaghetti, rotelle)
- Rice
- Grains (rolled oats, cracked wheat, grits, cornmeal, flour, wheat, flax, wheat germ, Maseca flour, whole oats, oat bran)
- Sugar (powdered, brown, white)
- baking powder/soda
- honey
- butter (the one without natural flavoring)
- vinegar (apple, distilled white)
- dried herbs
- molasses
- nuts (pecan, walnut, cashew, almond)
Think there's food problems in other countries? I think we've got one right here! A shortage of real food on the market, and an abundance of psuedo-food. I guess my friends that baulk at eating processed foods were right.
Looking at this list, how many people on any given day (do you think) are eating a clean diet that doesn't cause cancer, obesity, heart problems, and/or neurodegenerative disease?
*enriched and vitamin enriched foods have been found have sufficient MSG to be MSG-reaction triggers in highly sensitive people
(Wondering why I don't have any fruits or vegetables listed? Click here.)
Monday, April 12, 2010
These Videos are Great
I hope you don't pass up these videos. I know I'm a geek, but I love soaking these up. Dates... FHE... free time... well...
"No MSG added" is a lie
Its illegal, but not regulated, to state "No MSG" on a label for foods that contain hidden MSG. If it is suspected that MSG is in a product that says "No MSG," the producer may be contacted directly, or the FDA has a number to call: (800)332-4010. For meat, the USDA is (800)535-4555. If it feels like the company is lying about claims of no MSG, the Federal Trade Comission's number is (800)872-8723.
In preparing for my years' supply of food storage, which is a task I've looked more deeply into this year, I thought maybe I'd look into the quality of my items. I knew in the back of my mind I probably shouldn't be using cream of chicken soup; I mean the slimy mess that comes out of the can can't be all that good for you. I'm not sure exactly what it was I was cautious of; BPA in the can, hydrogenated fats, I don't know. (I'm also looking into getting a good chili recipe and canning my own chili to avoid BPA.)
I found this great food storage recipe to replace cream of chicken soup that's got to be so much healthier (click here) at foodstoragemadeeasy.net. The three ingredients to this recipe are white bean flour, water, and chicken bouillon, and viola! Use it in place of cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and milk in recipes. I don't have a grinder so I ju
st cook and mash my beans kind of like refried beans and then mix it in.
So, I figured we'd up our fiber and reduce our monosodium glutamate intake by using this bean recipe; except, the brand of bouillon I had bought also has monosodium glutamate in it. Uggh! Maybe I'd have to make a special trip to the Food Co-op to go get it MSG free.
But, no! Lo and behold, we had No MSG added Herbox Chicken Bouillon right at WinCo. I was so happy, and snatched it up and figured the cost of throwing away my old contaminated one would be well worth the health benefits.
Come to find out, on the day of cooking: I had googled MSG and researched it and I was making my first MSG-free Shepherd's pie, and I read the back of my MSG-free Herbox, and find it has "hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract, whey powder, disodium isonate, and disodium guanylate", which all mean MSG. They can still advertise there's no MSG added under the FDA. I was devastated, but put in my own ingredients from its safe ingredient list (dehydrated onion, garlic powder and salt) and the Shepherd's Pie turned out fine.
It doesn't stop there, though. My kids went to grandma's for a week (yea!) which meant more time for foodstorage planning and cleaning the house (yea for me, boo for Ben). They came home and my daughter says "chicken noodle soup is yummy." We're all glad when our kids like eating something, right, so I go to the store and stock up on four cans. Then I read the back and notice it has monosodium glutamate right in it. I went back into the store for a second round of groceries including a bag of flour and four cans of soup. I read all the labels, and Campbell's, Hy-top, everyone was full of monosodium glutamate. :(. Then, music starts singing and a light shines from heaven and I see Progresso soup. Huge advertisement right on the label that this soup is safe.
It threw me for a loop when it says in small print "*Except that which occurs naturally in yeast extract and hydrolyzed vegetable protein" I tried to comprehend. "'Naturally'... They've got to know what they're talking about. It must be okay. They say right on the can NO MSG." But as you'll learn from the truth in labeling campaign and this list here (click here), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and yeast extract are MSG. I know it may be a little confusing at this point, but its just one of the biggest food scams ever that the FDA is mistakenly causing.
In preparing for my years' supply of food storage, which is a task I've looked more deeply into this year, I thought maybe I'd look into the quality of my items. I knew in the back of my mind I probably shouldn't be using cream of chicken soup; I mean the slimy mess that comes out of the can can't be all that good for you. I'm not sure exactly what it was I was cautious of; BPA in the can, hydrogenated fats, I don't know. (I'm also looking into getting a good chili recipe and canning my own chili to avoid BPA.)
I found this great food storage recipe to replace cream of chicken soup that's got to be so much healthier (click here) at foodstoragemadeeasy.net. The three ingredients to this recipe are white bean flour, water, and chicken bouillon, and viola! Use it in place of cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and milk in recipes. I don't have a grinder so I ju
st cook and mash my beans kind of like refried beans and then mix it in.So, I figured we'd up our fiber and reduce our monosodium glutamate intake by using this bean recipe; except, the brand of bouillon I had bought also has monosodium glutamate in it. Uggh! Maybe I'd have to make a special trip to the Food Co-op to go get it MSG free.
But, no! Lo and behold, we had No MSG added Herbox Chicken Bouillon right at WinCo. I was so happy, and snatched it up and figured the cost of throwing away my old contaminated one would be well worth the health benefits.
Come to find out, on the day of cooking: I had googled MSG and researched it and I was making my first MSG-free Shepherd's pie, and I read the back of my MSG-free Herbox, and find it has "hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract, whey powder, disodium isonate, and disodium guanylate", which all mean MSG. They can still advertise there's no MSG added under the FDA. I was devastated, but put in my own ingredients from its safe ingredient list (dehydrated onion, garlic powder and salt) and the Shepherd's Pie turned out fine.
It doesn't stop there, though. My kids went to grandma's for a week (yea!) which meant more time for foodstorage planning and cleaning the house (yea for me, boo for Ben). They came home and my daughter says "chicken noodle soup is yummy." We're all glad when our kids like eating something, right, so I go to the store and stock up on four cans. Then I read the back and notice it has monosodium glutamate right in it. I went back into the store for a second round of groceries including a bag of flour and four cans of soup. I read all the labels, and Campbell's, Hy-top, everyone was full of monosodium glutamate. :(. Then, music starts singing and a light shines from heaven and I see Progresso soup. Huge advertisement right on the label that this soup is safe.
It threw me for a loop when it says in small print "*Except that which occurs naturally in yeast extract and hydrolyzed vegetable protein" I tried to comprehend. "'Naturally'... They've got to know what they're talking about. It must be okay. They say right on the can NO MSG." But as you'll learn from the truth in labeling campaign and this list here (click here), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and yeast extract are MSG. I know it may be a little confusing at this point, but its just one of the biggest food scams ever that the FDA is mistakenly causing.
How to find MSG in the food label
The FDA has been petitioned by very educated and well informed people to acknowledge that MSG is a danger in our foods (this petition is very interesting, and you may read it here). However, the food industry loves to use this ingredient (its getting into more and more foods each year that used to be safe, by food manufacturers that either only care about our money or are ignorant), and it has over 40 different names. Glutamate is found naturally in our food, but when glutamate is synthesized and added to our food, it has carcinogens and mirror image molecules in it, which of course cause cancer and creates more toxins than our brains can handle, which results in irreversible brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases. Also, when its processed, its broken down, instead of ingested slowly as occurs from ingesting healthy ("normal") foods, which then floods our brains and excites our neurons to the point of death. (See more here). MSG is a drug, not a flavor enhancer or spice; its an excitotoxin and its neurotoxic. Pregnant women, children under 3, and anyone that doesn't want Alzheimer's or Parkinson's shouldn't be eating MSG.
So, what to do? Get a list of MSG ingredient names, print it off right away, and post it to your fridge! But, still, best of luck in trying to avoid it. Click here for your own MSG ingredient names list to print and refer to in the grocery store and at home.
So, what to do? Get a list of MSG ingredient names, print it off right away, and post it to your fridge! But, still, best of luck in trying to avoid it. Click here for your own MSG ingredient names list to print and refer to in the grocery store and at home.
Dr. Vincent Bellonzi
Watch Dr. Vince Bellonzi, D.C, C.C.N. talk about MSG and aspartate in this video.
Recipes
I've started my own homemade recipes, and I'd like to share how to make homemade
- granola and granola bars
- mayonnaise
- yogurt
- cream cheese
- applesauce
- ice cream
- pizza crust
- bread
- flour or corn tortillas (sopapillas, chips)
- salsa
- pitas
- hummus
- Italian tomato sauce
- salad dressing
- taco seasoning
- pudding
- doughnuts
- refried beans
- hollandaise, white sauce
- chocolate topping
- smoothies
- frosting
- substitute for cream of chicken soup
- Chili recipes
- a variety of soups
- enchilada sauce
- bagels
- breakfast cereals
- jam without pectin or gelatin
- how to get good quality flour
- popcorn
- stuffing
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not completely cook out of foods
I decided to make my first recipes using wine while I was pregnant. I was assured by a friend and my mom (both don't drink) that it cooks right out. Well, seeing how I was pregnant, that was the dumbest time to try that, eh? I wanted to be sure of how long it takes for it to cook out. Guess what I found when I googled it?
"A study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Laboratory calculated the percentage of alcohol remaining in a dish based on various cooking methods. The results are as follows:
This is a well-published study, but its still almost "common knowledge" that alcohol "cooks right out." http://www.ochef.com/165.htm. This is important for recovering alcoholics to keep in mind.
There are many substitutions for wine in recipes. See:
Alcohol substitutions in recipes.
Yahoo! Answers I
Yahoo Answers II
I think, for people like me who don't even drink wine, what's the point of putting it in a recipe if you're not attached to it, and therefore its not going to make it "delicious" to you?
wine contains sulfites
"A study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Laboratory calculated the percentage of alcohol remaining in a dish based on various cooking methods. The results are as follows:
| Preparation Method | Percent of Alcohol Retained |
|---|---|
| alcohol added to boiling liquid & removed from heat | 85% |
| alcohol flamed | 75% |
| no heat, stored overnight | 70% |
| baked, 25 minutes, alcohol not stirred into mixture | 45% |
| baked/simmered, alcohol stirred into mixture: | |
| 40% |
| 35% |
| 25% |
| 20% |
| 10% |
| 5% |
There are many substitutions for wine in recipes. See:
Alcohol substitutions in recipes.
Yahoo! Answers I
Yahoo Answers II
I think, for people like me who don't even drink wine, what's the point of putting it in a recipe if you're not attached to it, and therefore its not going to make it "delicious" to you?
wine contains sulfites
Friday, April 9, 2010
MSG-informative websites
Truthinlabeling.org is a good source to learn about MSG and the politics behind it. However, their web design is very confusing, and its not what I think is very user friendly. The reading is pretty heavy, too. But its been the most informative for me. It has links to other websites on the topic.
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