Special Diets

My daughter is allergic to everything. Okay not everything, but I learned very early that she couldn't have peanuts, tree nuts (I'm actually allergic to those myself too), dairy or eggs. Soooooooo, what else is left? Tons of things. I have been modifying my way of cooking for a long time, even before she was born. I love all types of foods and I have a respect for all types of diets. Because of my daughter's allergies, I have picked up a bunch of vegan and vegetarian techniques as well. I should make it clear that we are not vegetarians, I guess technically I am a pescetarian, but I don't even go into all that with most people unless I have to. My daughter proclaims weekly that she is going to stop eating meat for the sake of the animals but will have a hamburger at a restaurant the moment I'm not looking. As for me, I still eat seafood and eggs and dairy occasionally, but I do avoid the other stuff. I would love to follow a completely vegan diet, but it isn't that easy. Additionally, I find that when I am not eating any meat at all, my skin suffers. If anyone has any insight on this one let me know. Any way, I digress, I LOVE meatless recipes that fool everyone else though, and tonight's trial is brownies. I got the recipe from http://www.theppk.com/ a site that I love by the way and I've tried it tonight with all of it's steps. The brownies are good, and my daughter approves. I will admit though that I baked them in the wrong kind of pan (it should have been 9x13) and I wish they tasted more buttery. The next time, I may substitute softened Earth Balance for the oil and add a pinch more salt. I will say though that they rose very well and as long as you don't have a deep aversion to the "tofuey" taste that comes with many vegan recipes then you will likely love this. The brownies are very moist and fudgey, but be sure to use the right size pan, lest you have to cook the brownies to death to get them done. (I speak from experience :) I will keep you posted on my quest for veganism and just a healthier lifestyle in general. My daughter gave her tummy rub approval.

Overly Overwhelmed

OMG, I have been feeling like I can't get my hairline above water. Have you ever had one of those months? Not one of those days, not one of those weeks, but one of those months. There are so many things going on in my life at this one moment. Some great, some not so great at all. There are more bills than money, more work than time, more demands than supply, just more. I am trying not to have thoughts about giving up some of the things that mean so much to me, but truthfully, I have to look at those things now. Wow, they say that busy people get things done, soooooooo, my guess is that based on how my January is going, I should have Rome built by February easily. I'll keep you posted.