Discussions can be posted here about mediator release testing (MRT), as offered by Oxford Biological Technologies, in conjunction with the LEAP program, which is claimed to determine a relative level of sensitivity to various foods and chemicals by measuring an increase in the ratio of liquids to solids in a blood sample that has been exposed to a specific allergen.
I have been doing better! I finally found a way to make the sunflower butter using sunflower oil (quite a bit). Only sea salt added. It has helped me to gain a couple of lbs. I also recently gave up potatoes and that has helped a lot which makes me . I am eating Quinoa, buckwheat cereal, and Chebe bread ( no milk or eggs). They are kinda funky but it seems to agree with me and gives me some calories. I think the tapioca helps to bind a little too! I am going to try to use arrowroot for the egg substitute next time. EnerG egg replacer has potato starch in it. Gloria, have you used arrowroot? Or anyone else? I have also been able to eat some ripe olives. Every little bit helps!
I'm not able to eat tapioca, so I also don't use Ener-g egg replacer (because it contains tapioca).
I use arrowroot all the time. I tested it first by making pudding with arrowroot as the thickener. It's tricky to make because you can't cook the arrowroot - you have to add it after the mixture boils and then turn off the heat before adding it. It also doesn't have the creamy texture that pudding with cornstarch has, but I eat it anyway. Plus it's a pretty easy way to test it.
I also use arrowroot as an egg replacer in my muffins, pancakes, waffles and yeast bread. Sometimes I mix it with warm water until it is the consistency of an egg white; sometimes I just use it as one of my two starches in my GF flour mix.
The cheapest price I've seen for it is at Whole Foods. I buy a 20 oz. bag for $5.99. If you buy it in little jars, it's very expensive. I've also seen it online in the 20 oz. bags.
I haven't noticed any problems using it and it works very similarly to tapioca starch.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Great update Pat. I've been wondering how you've been doing. Just curious-how do you make sunflower butter from oil? It's good to see the tapioca agreeing with you. I just recently started using Bob's Redmill arrowroot but haven't tried it as an egg replacer. Let us know if you have success with it. It sounds like Gloria has used it as an egg replacer in baking with success.
You most surely are on the right track now that you've gained a few pounds and are feeling better!
Kelly
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things~ Joe Paterno
So glad that you seem to be on the right track - gaining a couple of lbs. is HUGE for us half starved people . It seems like you and I are in the same boat when it comes to Norman, but as has been said before, when you go so many years with MC untreated by diet, it will take a long time to heal from all the damage. I'm satisfied as long as all the other nasty MC symptoms are in check, Norman will show up when he is good and ready .
Keep up the good work!!! My next experiment will be to make almond milk - I'm so inspired by Gloria and everyone else on that band wagon!!!
Wishing you continued success.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
I don't make the sunflower butter from oil but with oil. I roast plain sunflower seeds first in the microwave with a little oil on them. 1 minute stir then another minute on high. Then I put 2 cups of the sunflower seeds in my Vita mixer. It is old but still works. I add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup sunflower oil and blend away. It is not like peanut butter but it helps me feel full and gain weight.
Kari,
Yep, Norman will appear when he's good and ready. I am bored with this limited diet but I will survive. I plan to stay the course because I feel so much better. I don't have so much urgency and fewer BMs and they are thick mush right now. The volume is better too. I also had to quit Imodium (again) because I was having cramping from it. I guess I didn't need it. Yea!!!
Pat,
Congratulations on the progress you are making and for gaining a couple pounds. Gaining weight and feeling better is an awesome victory. Good for you.
Take care,
Connie
The first time I made it, I threw it out because it had the consistency of slime. I've since realized that arrowroot gets that way after heating it. Once it cools, it has the consistency of Jello. It tastes a little like Jello made with milk.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
The pudding sounds yummy but since I can not tolerate any sugar or sweetener at this time I guess I will have to put that one on the backburner. Thanks any way.
Good news! It sounds as if your gut is starting to heal and that you are getting a little more variety. Your patience is starting to pay off. BTW, I have no problem with either tapioca or arrowroot. Isn't life grand when we are making progress? Have you found any sweeteners yet that you can tolerate?
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
I am so glad to hear that you are making progress and able to add some things back into your diet. This sounds so much better than just a few months ago. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jan
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. - Saint Francis of Assisi
Thanks all for your kind words and support. I made almond butter today. It is delicious! Will see tomorrow how I do. Fingers crossed! (I couldn't find the emoticon)
and that has helped a lot which makes me 
. I am eating Quinoa, buckwheat cereal, and Chebe bread ( no milk or eggs). They are kinda funky but it seems to agree with me and gives me some calories. I think the tapioca helps to bind a little too! I am going to try to use arrowroot for the egg substitute next time. EnerG egg replacer has potato starch in it. Gloria, have you used arrowroot? Or anyone else? I have also been able to eat some ripe olives. Every little bit helps! 
It sounds as if your gut is starting to heal and that you are getting a little more variety. Your patience is starting to pay off. BTW, I have no problem with either tapioca or arrowroot. Isn't life grand when we are making progress? Have you found any sweeteners yet that you can tolerate?
too.