We're probably like most of you all, scrambling and trying to work on our grocery list for the upcoming feast. Great job for everyone who's accomplished it earlier- someday that will be me. For some crazy reason, I thought Thanksgiving was supposed to be last Thursday (yes, I really am jumping the gun on this- maybe it is the snow on the ground, Holiday music starting around Halloween- who knows). Last Monday I was trying to plan out everything, bought some Harvest Bon Bons at Chocolaterie Stam as gifts and sent then away. Well, they arrived a little earlier but better early than late!
For this Thanksgiving, we're going to be in Ames celebrating with friends. Since Adam and I both like to cook, we are easily going to be in a bind with oven temperatures and timing. One of my favorite dishes that I'm looking forward to is a sweet potato dish with our giant sweet potatoes from the farm. I'm a huge fan but Adam is a squash and sweet potato hater. I will post the recipe... along with some of our favorites.
Our Thanksgiving feast was a in limbo for a bit. On Monday I had an allergy test done because I had a severe reaction when I was in Wisconsin. I couldn't breathe and my throat was tight. It was definitely scary and was the defining moment of seriously looking into what was causing this. Before, sometimes I would break out in hives after eating or exercising (the most severe) but other times an annoying little rash. I blamed it on wheat and would try to avoid gluten - sorry wheat- it wasn't you.
Turns out, I'm severely allergic to soy/ soybeans and soy happens to be almost EVERYWHERE- breads, soups, salad dressings, candy, ice cream and more. I have other allergies to egg yolks, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, raspberries, and TOMATOES- I was very bummed about that last one and the other veggies. I mean really- we have a vegetable farm, what are the odds! Now I've turned into a little label reader, more than ever. The doctor mentioned on the less severe allergies, if I avoid them for a year or so there is a chance I will overcome them. So, it is going to be a long and difficult year without salsa, ketchup, heirloom tomato salads (the saddest thing) and snitching cherry tomatoes from the field.
It also is an opportunity- an opportunity to cook more and really focus on fresh. Even I was caught in the not enough hours in the day mode. Since soy is a major preservative, I can avoid it by cooking more- fresh breads! For the other veggies, I'm going to have to find new favorites.
We will be possibly going to Italy next year for a wedding. That might be a little more of a challenge. One day at a time...
