Still being a Medical Mystery (tour)

but this tempting treat may lure me back into the kitchen for a smidge. Just need the energy to make it (the continual challenge...)

http://glutenfreegirl.com/gluten-free-chocolate-bundt-cake/

CVID

CVID is Common Variable Immune Deficiency, I have it, and it tends to play one of my life's defining roles, along with my faith, kitchen time, and other more private pieces.


Here's a quick introduction to CVID:

'One person out of fifty-thousand has it. It's rare. For comparison, one in thirty-one-thousand has cystic fibrosis, one in seven-hundred has multiple sclerosis, and seven in one-hundred have diabetes. It's probably congenital, though symptoms tend to first appear in adolescence and early adulthood rather than at birth. It affects the B-cells and to a lesser extent T-cells, and makes the body unable to create certain antibodies (IgGs) against capsular bacteria and certain other microorganisms. People with CVID get lots of chronic and severe respiratory infections, and tend to get joint pain, digestive problems, and debilitating fatigue. Many vaccines, including the pneumonia shot, fail to produce any antibody response: they don't work for people with CVID.'

From a well written and accurate rant by Z.A. MacCallum

"Love doesn't sit there like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all of the time, made new." - Ursula K. Le Guin

Almost back in the kitchen...remaking me as well as making bread and tea!

Baking Powder tips

While rummaging the internet I found a starch-free baking powder. Yes, a gluten-free, corn-free baking powder.

Follow this link to the Starch-Free Bakewell Baking Powder:

http://www.newenglandcupboard.com/bakewell-cream.php

They also have a safe "Baking Cream" that is vegan and starch free. The original is advocated by King Arthur Flour Company.

Since the smallest amount these products come in is 8oz, here is David Lebovitz's blog post on how to test if baking powder is still good:

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/11/how-to-tell-if-baking-powder-is-still-good/

Perhaps order a package of each and split with friends? I am...once I can be active in the kitchen again. Will have a firm answer by Nov. 22nd on when and how my wrist will be fixed. Until then witcherly ideas and confections will keep circling 'round in my noggin.

Happy Baking!

TBD

Wrist issues still prevail, despite the valiant efforts of physical therapist. Will try to take some photos of the crabapple liqueur and plum spiced brandy and post the recipes.

Bacon Salt

This just jumped to the top of my weekend "To-Do" list:

Home Made Bacon Salt

http://lifehacker.com/5838933/make-your-own-bacon-salt

Back in the Kitchen now

Thanks to physical therapy I'm getting back into the kitchen. My dominant hand sprain back in February (remember winter? ice? snow?) was actually a wrist and forearm fracture. (oops) No wonder it took over six months to heal!

A friend gave me a case of crabapples, planning on crabapple liqueur, brandy, pie and maybe a tart.

Stay tuned and stay cool...