Spanish Rice with a Twist

Spanish Rice with a Twist

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 pound of chicken breast tenders/chick thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
  
• 1/2 small can of roasted garlic tomato sauce/you can use just plain too
• 2 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp season salt
• 3/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp onion powder/salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cube chicken boulion
• 1 - 14oz can of corn drained
• 1 - 14oz can of black beans drained

Toast rice at medium heat till browned in a large skillet.
While toasting rice bring water to a boil in separate pot.



Once rice has been browned add tomato sauce and mix well.



Then add boiling water and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
The key to good rice is letting it simmer down without
stirring it.



While the rice is cooking I cook about a pound of chicken thighs
(dark meat is usually more tender) cut into 1" pieces in light olive oil
and season to taste (cumin, seasoning salt, garlic salt and onion powder).
Set aside until the rice is done.



Once the rice is done mix in chicken, black beans and corn.
The spices are approximates because I usually season to taste.
This recipe makes ALOT so we usually make it with
some Guacamole, salsa and tortillas. There is plenty left over
for lunch the next day.

Enjoy!!
Elisha & Charlize

Black Bean Pork Chops!

Black Bean Pork Chops! YUM!




This is quite possibly one of the simplest recipes
I have ever made. I hope you enjoy it as much as
we do at the Wilson household.

4 boneless pork chops thick cut
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, with liquid
1 cup salsa (I make fresh)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Season pork chops to taste. I use seasoning salt,
garlic salt, onion powder and cumin.
Select a frying pan large enough to hold
all four pork chops in a single layer.
Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat.
Brown pork chops on both sides.

Pour undrained beans and salsa over pork chops
and season with cilantro. Bring liquid to a boil,
reduce heat to medium-low, and cover.
Simmer until pork chops are cooked through,
about 20 to 30 minutes depending on chop thickness.
If unsure of time, cut a pork chop in half to
verify there is no pink left.


Fresh Salsa

1 Can of Hunts diced tomatoes with Roasted Garlic
1 Cup of Cilantro
1 Jalapeno (I take out the majority of the seeds)
1/2 tsp of cumin
1/2 tsp of seasoning salt
1/2 tsp of garlic salt
1/4 tsp of onion powder

Mix together in a blender. All the spices/seasonings
above are approximates. I usually do it to taste.

These pork chops come out so tender that even Charlize
loves them. So I usually cut it up into bit size pieces for her.I serve it with a vegetable and some red potatoes.

We hope you enjoy!!

Elisha & Charlize

Coming Soon

Coming Soon!!!!


Sorry I haven't posted lately.
It's been busy around here lately.
We went to the Sierras in California to visit
my dad and it was wonderful.
Coming from the AZ heat it was a treat
for us cause we had sunshine and rain.
There is nothing like the fresh air of the
mountains combined with the fresh smell of rain.

I will be posting a recipe or two this week so be on the look out.



See ya soon!
Elisha & Charlize

Moist and Yummy Dairy and Egg Free Cake

Moist and Yummy Dairy and Egg Free Cake


I made this cake for Charlize's birthday and it was a hit.
Yesterday I decided to make her some cupcakes
with the same recipe and oh man are they yummy!
Thank you to my friend Robbi for finding this recipe for
me. I was so worried that Charlize wouldn't get the same
experience as the rest of us when it came to delicious cake.
Boy was I wrong!




1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cold water (ice cold -
put ice in it to make it really cold)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
(read ingredients carefully only some
semisweet chocolate chips are dairy free)
1 tub of Frosting (I used Duncan Hines Whipped
Fluffy white - Be sure to read the ingredients on
the one you end up buying.)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.*

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar,
cocoa powder, and baking soda. Mix well with a
fork, then stir in oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract.
When dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened,
pour in cold water and stir until batter is smooth.
Stir in chocolate chips and pourbatter into
prepared pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes*,
until a toothpick inserted in center comes out
clean. Cool on a rack.

4. Once completely cooled frost to your liking and serve.


*If you make cupcakes bake for 20-25 minutes or until
a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.



Enjoy!
Elisha & Charlize

Reading Between the Lines

Reading Between the Lines


Sometimes the hardest thing about living with an
allergy is learning how to read ingredients labels.
It has become somewhat of an art learning to
decipher what is actually in the ingredients.
Hopefully the lists below will help you decode
the ingredients.



The other names for milk:

Ammonium/calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium caseinate
Casein/caseinate/rennet casein
Curds
Delactosed/demineralized whey
Dry milk/milk/sour cream/sour milk solids
Hydrolyzed casein, hydrolyzed milk protein
Lactalbumin/lactalbumin phosphate
Lactate/lactose
Lactoferrin
Lactoglobulin
Milk derivative/fat/protein
Modified milk ingredients
Opta™, Simplesse ® (fat replacers)
Whey, whey protein concentrate

Milk is made up of two different types protein.
Casein and Whey are the two types of protein
you find in milk. People who have milk allergies
are sometimes allergic to one or both of these
proteins. If you are allergic to both proteins then
you may also have issues with a lot of Soy products.
A lot of Soy products have whey which is why some
Dr.'s may suggest you not drink soy milk until you are
able to be tested for specific allergies. My daughter
isn't allergic to whey but is intolerant to it. Like how
some people are Lactose intolerant. When she drinks
milk the combination of the Casein and Whey cause her
to have a severe reaction. Lips swell, airway closes,
hives and projectile vomiting. Once we mistakingly gave
her margarine thinking it would be safe only to find out
it has a small amount of nonfat milk in it. She broke
out in hives. Below are some other possible sources
of milk.

Possible sources of milk:

Artificial butter, butter fat/flavour/oil, ghee, margarine
Baked goods and baking mixes e.g., breads, cakes, doughnuts
Brown sugar, high-protein flour
Buttermilk, cream, dips, salad dressings, sour cream, spreads
Caramel colouring/flavouring
Casein in wax, e.g., fresh fruits and vegetables
Casseroles, frozen prepared foods
Cereals, cookies, crackers
Cheese, cheese curds, cottage/soy cheese
Chocolate
Desserts, e.g., custard, frozen yogurt, ice cream, pudding, sherbet, yogurt
Egg/fat substitutes
Flavoured coffee, coffee whitener, non-dairy creamer
Glazes, nougat
Gravy, sauces
Kefir (milk drink), kumiss (fermented milk drink), malt drink mixes
Meats, e.g., canned tuna, deli/processed meats, hot dogs, pâtés, sausages
Pizza
Potatoes, e.g., instant/mashed/scalloped potatoes, seasoned french fries/potato chips
Seasonings
Snack foods, e.g., candy, fruit bars, granola bars
Soups, soup mixes
Tofu
Wax coated fruits and vegetables





The other names for eggs:

Albumin/Albumen
Conalbumin
Egg substitutes, e.g., Egg Beaters ®
Globulin
Livetin
Lysozyme
Meringue
Ovalbumin
Ovoglobulin
Ovolactohydrolyze proteins
Ovomacroglobulin
Ovomucin, ovomucoid
Ovotransferrin
Ovovitellin
Silico-albuminate
Simplesse ®
Vitellin

Possible sources of eggs:

Alcoholic cocktails/drinks
Baby food
Baked goods and baking mixes, e.g., breads, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, muffins, pancakes, pastries, pretzels
Battered/fried foods
Confectionary, e.g., candy, chocolate
Cream-filled pies, e.g. banana, chocolate, coconut
Creamy dressings, salad dressings, spreads, e.g., mayonnaise, Caesar salad dressing, tartar sauce
Desserts, e.g., custard, dessert mixes, ice cream, meringue, pudding, sorbet
Egg/fat substitutes
Fish mixtures, e.g., surimi (used to make imitation crab/lobster meat)
Foam/milk topping on coffee
Homemade root beer, malt drink mixes
Icing, glazes, e.g., egg wash on baked goods, nougat
Lecithin
Meat mixtures, e.g., hamburger, hot dogs, meatballs, meatloaf, salami, etc.
Orange Julep ®, Orange Julius ® (orange juice beverages)
Pasta, e.g., egg noodles
Quiche, soufflé
Sauces, e.g., béarnaise, hollandaise, Newburg
Soups, broths, bouillons

I am still working on putting up a list of Fast Food without Milk and Eggs. Check back soon!

Elisha & Charlize

Dairy and Egg Free Carrot Raisin Bread

Dairy and Egg Free Carrot Raisin Bread

Yesterday I made Charlize some Carrot Raisin bread and it was a hit. Not just with her but with Daddy and I too. You could almost put some cream cheese frosting on it and make it a carrot cake but then it wouldn't be dairy free now would it.


3/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup rum or orange juice
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground allspice (if you don't have allspice substitute with equal parts ground cloves, ginger and nutmeg)
1/4 cup apple sauce (I use Trader Joes organic apple sauce with cinnamon)
1 cup finely shredded carrots (about 3 large)
1/4 cup cooking oil
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional - I don't add the nuts)




Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan; set aside. I use Earth Balance buttery spread. In a small mixing bowl stir together the raisins and rum or orange juice; set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and allspice. Make a well in center of dry mixture; set aside.

In another medium mixing bowl combine apple sauce, carrots, and cooking oil. Stir in raisin mixture. Add carrot mixture all at once to the dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in walnuts (optional).




Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55 to 60 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan.



I hope you enjoy this bread as much as we have been. You can also make this into muffins but change the cooking time to 15- 20 minutes 2 1/2 inch muffin cups.

Enjoy!
Elisha and Charlize

Egg Substitutes

Egg Substitutes for both leavening and binding agents

You may use the following as a leavening agent to replace eggs in any baked good recipe:

Leaven means to raise (as bread) -

• 2 tablespoons carbonated water and 2 teaspoons baking flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 tablespoon vinegar (add vinegar separately at the end for rising)
• Dissolve 1 teaspoon yeast in 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 heaping tablespoon of soy flour and one tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon bean flour and 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder mixed with 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons gluten flour or unbleached white flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons corn oil, 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 2 tablespoons water

You may substitute the following as binders in a baked good recipe:

Binders mean to stick together -

• 1/2 large mashed banana
• 1/4 cup apple sauce or pureed prunes
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons water, 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Combine one packet of unflavored gelatin with one cup boiling water - 3 tablespoons of this mixture equal one egg
• 1 tablespoon apricot puree
• 1/4 cup of soft tofu
• 1/4 cup soy milk

These substitutes are for one egg. So if your recipe calls for more than one egg you will need to double or triple the substitute you are planning on using.

My husband and I have used bananas and apple sauce when making bread for our daughter and it is delicious. My husband makes an amazing apple bread that our daughter LOVES. I will post that delicious recipe in a few weeks. I am going to try making her some Zuccini bread in the next few days so be on the look out for that recipe too.

Have a great day!
Elisha and Charlize

Dairy and Egg Free Pancake Recipe

Dairy and Egg Free Pancakes

You might be thinking I bet these don't taste so good but they are surprisingly good! I have never been a huge pancake fan but I really like these. They are not as cakey as usual pancakes either.

1 Cup Flower
1 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tsps Baking Powder
1/8 Tsp Salt
1 Cup Rice Milk
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1/2 Tsp Vanilla
Earth Balance - Dairy Free - Lactose Free - Vegan Buttery Spread

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. Combine the Rice Milk, Vegetable Oil and Vanilla with the flour mixture till smooth. I use about a tablespoon of Earth Balance per batch of pancakes but this will defer depending on the skillet or griddle you use.

When the edges of your pancakes start to brown its time to flip them.

Because of the slight difference in these pancakes you will just need to watch them to determine when they are browned to your liking.



I also make these tasty Sausage Links for a little added protein.



Add your favorite syrup and enjoy. We use Aunt Jemima Original. Some syrups have butter flavor that contain butter so be careful what you use.

Be on the look out for a list of the foods that are dairy and egg free at most fast food establishments.

Enjoy!
Elisha & Charlize

Welcome to Loving Life With Charlize

For those of you who know my daughter you know that she is, besides the best little girl ever, allergic to all dairy and eggs as well as intolerant to soy. We found out that she was allergic to milk the hard way and ended up in an ambulance in Ojai, Ca. on our way to the emergency room. You see she isn't just lactose intolerant she has an anafalaxous to eggs and milk. Since then we have had to figure out how to make food for her that don't cause an allergic reaction. I will say that I have to thank God that she isn't allergic to gluten. I highly respect the parents that do have children who are allergic to dairy, eggs, soy, gluten and nuts. Cooking for our daughter is tough enough.

So recently we found out that one of our co-workers has a daughter that is allergic to dairy just like Charlize. The likely hood that her daughter is allergic to eggs too is high too. I was so glad that I was able to help her through what I know to be a stressful time of trying to figure out what the heck to feed her little one. That is how this blog came about. I have been toying with the idea of putting together a book for parents like myself. I decided this would be a better way to get the information that I have compiled out there quicker. Hey you never know, I still might that book together. Anyhow, I hope that this blog helps someone along the way.

Look out for some yummy recipes and helpful allergy information in the next few days.