Bread making machines

If anyone can make use of a Bread maker (for the price of postage) I have a redundant one..Only used it half a dozen times and can't get on with it..I prefer the 'old fashioned' way...

 

This is the next small French white loaf - fresh from the Breadmaker. Same ingredients but less water and a 4 hour bake instead of 6 hours. A better rise but I think just another 10 ml of water next time will do it. It smells butterly divine...


cost 50p max,
Jenny

 

made this tonight, mmmmmm Thank you! Hopefully my daughter will like it at lunch tmor. Thanks again for sharing!

Spoke to my daughters GP on Friday, told me there's no more tests or investigation needed, that nothing showed up. That her issues are psychological (she's 5!!!!)
I spoke to our health visitor today who actually listened to me,20 months of various medical people fobbing me of, finally someone listened and agrees that what my baby girl is experiencing is not right! She's appalled that we've not been referred to paediatric and dietician. She's trying to get us referred. But she thinks it's diet related, possibly dairy.

So home baked bread is def the way forward, no matter what!

 

I'm sorry to hear you've been fobbed off Snowbaby. Don't let it rest there, perhaps ask to see another GP. I've been through this sort of thing with a different problem and you have to keep pushing until someone sits up and takes notice. I eventually got a diagnosis after five years!

Meanwhile, my younger daughter has numerous food allergies and has learnt how to cope. If it's any help PM me and I may be able to put some pointers your way.

 

My slightly extended family (which includes two doctors - both consultant physicians and one also qualified in homoeopathy the other also qualified in acupuncture - so a proper mix of Eastern and Western medicine!) use Applied kinesiology to test family members, particularly young ones, for allergy sensitivity - to both foods and things like washing powder. There are plenty of such mild-to-severe allergies in Mrs K's side of the family. I think the AK test is hogwash, but they do seem to have identified some things which those family members now avoid and no longer have any symptoms. It is certainly a whole pile easier than doing a full blown exclusion diet to determine which things cause reactions.

First link in Google says it is hogwash, but describes it quite well:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html

Here's what Wikipedia says:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_kinesiology

from my limited & sceptical understanding the photograph on the Wikipedia page is incorrect. My understanding is that the tester must have NO direct skin contact with the person being tested (we put a tea towel, or similar, over the child's arm if they are not wearing long sleeves).

So:

Child puts their arm out, parallel with the ground, wrist/elbow rotated so that palm is facing down. You press down on their wrist (with no direct skin contact) to gauge their strength (i.e. how strongly they can resist you pushing down on their arm). (This is BEFORE they eat anything that they might be allergic to)

Child then puts a piece of the food to be tested in their mouth, chews it without swallowing, and then you repeat the arm strength test (make sure palm is orientated the right way). The child will have zero resistance if they are allergic to the food material.

Its a simple, and as black-and-white, as that. I've seen it done, indeed I have been the tester myself on occasions ... but I still have no belief in it either. Sorry!

Mind you, I had no belief in Acupuncture either. That family member used to treat me for stiff neck & headache (work stress/tiredness combined with "stopping work" at long weekend etc. - I'm sure you know the type of scenario) and my headaches went away, but I also took Neurophen at the same time. This was on multiple occasions - usually whenever we went to stay with them for a long weekend after a week jetting around the world for work etc. Anyway, I never knew if the Neurophen alone would have cured them ... then I had a more significant illness which was cured instantly by Acupuncture - I passed out during the treatment (so something was going on!) - and I started to be much more appreciative of Acupuncture after that!

Homeopathy - the jury is still out for me on that one, but that family member treats our dogs and cures them. But I think the dogs know a good placebo when they suck one though

 

Thanks you guys! My HV phoned me back this morning, she spoke to a dietician and they are thinking milk or wheat intolerance. She's off to talk to my daughters gp. I've got an appointment tmor morning with the gp. I'm hopeful my girl will get decent help now

I know what you mean Kristen, I need to see it to believe it but I'm open and will try things!

 

My considered opinion, having been on the sidelines, is that given that it is non-invasive, and trivially simple to do, therefore you might as well

 

I'm back to square one, on my own. GP stands by his decision, no referral, no further investigation. Just get on with it.

 

In other news, the bread went down well today!!

 

I'd put in writing that if his decision is subsequently found to be wrong you will hold him liable.

 

P.S. We have private medical insurance, and as such we see the GP's job as just being to diagnose sufficiently to make an informed referral (not for a common cold, or an infected finger obviously!). Never had a problem with them doing that, but I don't know if it comes out of / is reflected in their practice's budget if they make an NHS referral [and thus are disincentivized to do so]?

 

I'm not sure. I'm exhausted, her current issues consume my every waken moment.
I've decided to refocus on life and having fun with her for a bit. She starts school in 5 weeks (wahhhhh! My baby is going to school! I'm going to be so lost lol!) so I need to focus on fun with her before she's away for 6hrs a day, 5days a week!
And I need to perfect my bread baking. Need to get my money's worth from my Panasonic! Lol

 

We use a Morphy Richards breadmaker that we're happy with. It also makes jam, one jar at a time. It is one of the five appliances to which I grant worktop space, along with slow cooker, electric chopper, kettle and one-cup coffeemaker. What first endeared the breadmaker to me was its recipe for cinnamon raisin bread, which MrK (correctly) observes is like having hot cross buns year-round.

 

Sorry to hear you haven't got any further Snowbaby. My daughter is allergic to all dairy, beef and anything that contains it, also alcohol and gelatine. There are numerous foods that contain gelatine and also medicines, particularly capsule type tablets. She can't use anything for washing that is formed as a gel either, I mean for laundry and personal hygiene, like shower gels.

Does your daughter show visible signs when something hasn't agreed with her?

So you're going to be a clock-watching mum? I bet you miss her more than she misses you, that's usually the way it happens!

 

Hi Snowbaby
This is the link to the guidance document Doctors have when investigating food allergy/intolerance. May be worth a read to see if it gives you anything to support your case for a further investigation referral.
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg1...ernative-testing-for-food-allergy-in-children
I think it's a splendid idea to enjoy your last few weeks of " freedom" together, having fun. Knowing that they are loved and being happy is an enormous advantage when embarking on a big transition, like starting school. Have a really happy together!