Newbie needing help , leaving on 18 day trip

[Gabes-Apg]

THis link talks about the customs rules regarding foods

http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/infoc ... ations.htm


I would ensure that you have copies of your doctors letter regarding medically diagnosed food intollernces attached the article with the foods in it, as well as carry extra copies.

[Gloria]

Tex,
Funny you should post that first link...I just found it last week and it was very informative. I bookmarked it immediately. I will quickly investigate the other links.

Joe,
My husband came to the U.S. when he was six years old, and has some German language skills. I mostly use Google to translate the websites.

I think that with a dictionary he'll be able to translate and converse adequately once we're there. Food ingredients can be tricky, but I don't plan on buying anything premixed. I also don't want to eat out - it's too risky at the stage I'm in.

Gabes,
Sometimes my food suitcase is inspected when I travel in the U.S. and sometimes it isn't. I put rice and other GF flours in it. When they see that it's all food, they let it pass, but flour might cause problems. I depend heavily on my GF flours to make muffins, pancakes and cooked cereals. My weight loss would be greater and I would be hungry all the time if I couldn't eat them. Do you think my flours would cause a problem? I usually make my waffles, pancakes and muffins ahead of time and pack them in the food suitcase.

I have no idea what an esky type container is.

Gloria

[Gabes-Apg]

Food Shopping in Munich
Sarah N Walker

If you go into the average supermarket in Germany, you might get the impression that Germans don't care so much about food at all. The selection seems slim, the quality questionable. Honestly, nothing could be further from the truth. Germans don't have one-stop shopping. There are many places to shop, but each has its specific purpose or strength. This is an attempt to give you an idea of where you can find the things you are looking for when making a picnic or staying in a rental.

http://www.slowtrav.com/germany/munich/ ... opping.htm


Health Food Stores
Basic
www.basic-ag.de
This chain with large, modern stores has two locations in Munich: one near Isartor and the other in Schwabing. They offer a large selection of food and other products.

Reformhaus Vitalia
www.vitalia-reformhaus.de
This is the largest chain of health food shops in Munich. They are bright yellow, usually quite small, and offer traditional heath food items and some bakery goods. The one located on Rosentalstr. next to Viktualienmarkt has an excellent vegetarian Imbiss (food stand) in the back of the store, weekdays from 11-2. Many senior citizens and local business people (including myself) eat there regularly.

dm
www.dm-drogeriemarkt.at
This is what we would consider a drugstore (without drugs, of course—they are at the chemist's). Dm has a very nice selection of health food products from the brand All Natura, including non-perishables like tea, cereals, spreads and baby food.

Biomarkt Stemmerhof
www.stemmerhof.de
Daily until 19, Saturdays until 16
The Stemmerhof is a reconverted farm complex located in Sendling. The farmhouse and its adjacent barns and stables have recently been updated and turned into a nice commercial area, housing a cafe, organic grocery store, and flower and garden shop, among other things. Nearly all of the businesses are connected by an environmental theme. To get there take the U6 to Harras and walk three blocks to the intersection with Lindwurmstr., or take the 66 bus two stops. Look for the steeple of the Sendlinger Church, which is right across the street. For drivers, simply park in one of the two lots on the grounds.)

[tex]

Gabes,

Sorry, I shouldn't have butted in - I didn't know if you would have time to check the board at mid-day, or not.

Tex

[Joefnh]

Gloria that's great your husband can speak German. Fortunately English is quite commonly spoken there, especially in the stores an other public venues. My offer to translate would only really be helpful if a website was only in German, the Google translation while good, has a hard time with the technical German words.

Gloria I hope you do end up going and that your trip goes smoothly


Gabes its amazing how you can pull together that much information so quickly. Has to be the APG effect.



Best wishes on your travels Gloria

--Joe

[kimtg68]

Gloria, your husband being able to speak German will definitely come in handy. When I was in Europe traveling my husband spoke german and it helped. We found that even though English is spoken in many area's if they see you at least attempting their language they are more apt to open up in English and help you out. Good luck:)

[Gloria]

Wow - you've all given me a lot of information! Thank you so much!

Tex,
All opinions and assistance are always welcome on the board. I appreciate having the links you gave me.

My DD and granddaughters (ages 2 and 5) are still here until Wednesday and don't give us much spare time to research. They don't go to bed until we do. I don't make impulse decisions and don't feel we can decide tonight.

I hope we can get some time tomorrow to research some more, but there will probably be roofers and drywall people here in additon to the tree removal service sawing and removing the main trunk of the tree. This has been a hectic week , and DH and I are still not feeling great.

On a more positive note - Norman was back today. Yeah!

Gloria

[Gabes-Apg]

In australia it is esky
in newzealand it is chilly bin

portable insulated container for keeping food and drink cool


in australia we have small lunch box size ones and then we have bigger ones that you take camping (and even bigger ones that you have on the back of your ute if you are having a big weekend away with your mates)

they are insulated plastic.

[Charlotte]

Once again, I can't thank everyone enough...Tex, Gabes, Joe and all others. This is the best and most compassionate use of the internet that I have ever encountered. People helping people to have the best health possible in the most incredible way! Bravo, Charlotte

[adelie]

One little trick I've found in order to get through the initial airline travel with prepared foods I want to keep cold is to freeze some items in 3-oz premie baby bottles. Finding the 3-oz bottles was a bit of a challenge. In the US, Target carries 3.5-oz bottles. Family Dollar carries the 3-oz bottles. I cut around the base of the nipple so I just have the ring left for the water-tight seal. I'll put carrot mash, "milk" or anything else that freezes well in the little bottles and when I get to the airline security, I pop my little frozen bottles in my 1-quart liquids bag and then back to my cooler after security. They seem not to scruitinize as long as it looks like a food substance in a baby bottle. Actually, I use the little baby bottles all the time now. They don't leak like other containers, are pretty resiliant to being dropped, are easy to clean and are just the right size for any "food accessory" I might need for a meal out. Most of the airport food vendors will be willing to give you ice for a cooler, but I've found it best to bring my own bags/containers if I don't want leaks.

I have friends who are mothers that travel and say they've also been able to go through airports pretty easy with the 2-bottle size Playtex Fridge-to-go:
http://www.playtexbaby.com/Bottles/Frid ... -Tote.aspx
It has two integrated freezer panels which do contain a small amount of gel, but the airlines generally let them through. The folks I know who have used these generally have baby food or medication in them. The freezer panels in this case are pretty good too.

Karen

[ant]

Gloria and Charlotte (and welcome from Hong Kong Charlotte).

Here is my latest revised "to the chef 'card'" in case anyone wants to copy and adapt for their particular needs.

To The Chef…. I suffer from 2 diseases (Celiac & Microscopic Colitis) causing multiple food intolerances.
CAN EAT:
• Rice boiled/steamed or fried in olive oil, rice (not wheat) noodles.
• Grilled, fried or baked (unprocessed) meat, fish, shellfish: these can be seasoned/marinated with salt, pepper, herbs, garlic, dried coconut, onions and any vinegar (except malt vinegar) – but NO soy or Worcester source or MSG. Only olive oil (not other vegetable oils). Balsamic oil if pure, but not when artificially coloured since that contains gluten.
• Any well cooked (peeled) vegetables EXCEPT beans, peas, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers
• Any cooked mushrooms.
• Cooked fruits (fruits with skins peeled)
• Olives and nuts (except peanuts and cashew nuts)
• Herbs, salt and pepper
• Wine, coconut milk (no guar gum added), green tea, pure coco and black coffee.
CAN EAT IN SMALL AMOUNTS:
• Cane Sugar, glucose, fructose, pure maple syrup, honey.
CANNOT EAT
• Gluten (and similar) – wheat, rye, oat, corn, semolina, and other seed based flour, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta, cuscus, tapioca, beer, malt vinegar. (Can have rice cakes, rice flour and pasta, water chestnut flour)
• Dairy – milk, cream, butter, cheese.
• Beans, peas, guar gum, peanuts (legumes) – including Soy, Soya e.g. Tofu.
• Eggs and Nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes and peppers).
• Raw vegetables including salads – vegetables should be well cooked.
• Cashew nuts and peanuts.
• High fructose corn syrup, aspartame
• Vegetable oils – except Olive Oil, which is fine.

Bon voyage!!, ant

[Gabes-Apg]

Adelie's suggestion is perfect both the bag and the containers - if you have the letter from your doctor and the items are in smaller sized containers (under 150mls)

i used to use small size baby bottles to carry milk for my coffee (if going to cafe's) as they are the only container that do not leak
now i use them to take rice milk to work for my cereal.

gloria - it is a little bit overwhelming at the moment and a huge adventure to embrace. I am pretty certain once you sort out food for transit and food for when you get there, you will be able to enjoy the trip.
it is all possible, hope you get the time to research and things are not too stressful at home.

I had about 2 weeks to plan for the trip to France.