Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

As a Registered Nurse and a first hand food allergy sufferer with 2 Anaphylaxis reactions under my belt, I can tell you that one must first take responsiblity for ones own health. By accepting your diagnosis then you can move on to managing your condition rather than having your condition manage you. Second, the use of practical and common sense is essential when dealing with food allergies. While we all agree that there are too many "additives, preservatives, hormones, etc" in our foods, the consumption of organic fresh fruits and vegetables is better for your overall health and a must for those with food allergies.
Working with many Doctors, I have discussed the growing cases of childhood allergies and asthma. Some of the commpn things from multiple healthcare providers that keep coming up are: Parents must wake up and realize that taking short cuts as time savers affects our childrens long term health. Starting babies on cereal at a few weeks to a few months is too soon and their digestive systems aren't developed enough to handle yet. Giving children under the age of 2 any peanut product is putting them at a very high risk of serious allergic reaction. While most people wouldn't hand a toddler a snickers, You would be suprised how many children come into the ER due to PB&J's. Then there is the fact that peanuts and soybeans are in everything from food additives to make up. Since we no longer grow our own food, we have to be prudent in reading labels, researching food products, and using basic common sense when selecting our foods for our families. While a lot of parents opt for fixing fast and cost affective dinners out of boxes, I found it's just as fast, usually more inexpensive in the long run, to prepare dinner using fresh ingredients. While its good to be aware of what food producers are doing as cost cutters, again, we have to realistic in our choices of time and money management as well as our own healthcare. Are we just too lazy to cook? While going through the drive in may seem time saving, how are we going to learn what our children and their friends are into when they are ripping into paper bags in the back seat of our automobiles. What ARE we putting into our precious childrens body when we opt for those fast packaged boxed or frozen dinners? I love my internet, dish network, advances in medicine, and all the opportunity and convience technology has given us, But I still take time to consider what a convience really is to me. I accept responsibility for MY choices, good or bad and I honestly enjoy teaching my son the skills in buying and preparing good food. For example, I personally believe butter is better for you over margarine, but I limit the amount and frequency we have it. I know Im allergic to soybeans, so I stay away from prepacked foods, and in a respectful manner, question foods I am unfamilar with. I in no way intend my personal views as an attack on anyone elses beliefs, however I do feel that some seem to jump on the blame wagon, the why me's, and the I can't because I have..... and as a member of the health care field...these excuses, that are seen over and over have become intolerably worn out.

oooh I used to make a dish very similar to these but have lost it in all the moves I have made over the years.....Thanks Pioneer Woman!!!...the only thing I see different is I used cinnamon in the potato part...This looks soooo down home southernly good. Great with the turkey, stuffing and veggies.....it adds sweetness to the plate...I am sooo overly excited to have this recipe...I can't wait to make it...(even tho it will be Tues not Thurs...ppl are sick 365..so nurses have to work). This will make enough to take to work to share!!! I tried the sinnfully mashed potatos already...OMG!!! they are to die for. Thank goodness they work off all those calories working hard on that ranch. I would rather put in a few..ok..a lot of extra exercise instead of depriving myself of the good stuff!!

oh my....oooh my....well..nothing beats a fried oyster, shrimp, crab or catfish poboy on toasted crusty bread with a touch of mayo, brown mustard, sprinkled with La. Hot Sauce with lettuce or coleslaw on top!!! Must have extra napkins. And of course I agree with the left over turkey sandwiches, but I have to add some cornbread dressing spread over once slice of bread..it has to be cornbread dressing...not that ooeygooey white bread stuff....Great pulled pork barbque sandwiches with mayo and bbq sauce...with or without coleslaw. Of coarse theres always the old comfort food fried egg sandwich with mayo, salt and fresh ground pepper with tomato slices..fresh from the garden of course...emm sometimes tomatoes are fresh..just a tomato and mayo sandwich is all I want....but..there is one that I shall never forget..EVER...When I lived in Anchorage Ak, I used to fly down to Kenai on business and there was an authentic New Jersey Sub shop on the main road, bless my poor deprived southern heart.....excuse me while I wipe the drool off my key board. (my boss and I discovered it and being orig from NJ she authenticated it!!) and we both ordered sandwiches...The guy made one half ready to go and "fishwrapped" the other half for later...every trip down there I could never pass that shop without stopping.....and I could never wait for my short plane ride back before digging in..usually right in the gate seating area.....It's been 3 years since my last visit to the New Jersey Sub Shop..(yes, thats the real name)...and I would gladyly fly up there just to induldge one more time for that beautiful roll........I have to numbly go and strart dinner now....sigh
Deb in E. TX

Every thing I have made from her blog has turned out wonderful. I have replaced my Texas Sheet Cake recipe with her version..and the Dr's at my hospital now frequently request it!!!! My son and his friends request the Marlboro Man Sandwich everyother weekend....and I love these mashed potatoes, and my own little picky males don't know there is cream cheese in them either!!! Thanks for sharing her wonderful recipes on your site.
BTW...she is also an excellent and humorous writer on her Confessions of a Pioneer Woman blog...great stories and photos of life on a cattle ranch.
Deb in E.TX

Congrats!!!! it was definately a no-brainer even with out a contest, we all knew it, but its ever so nice to have the recognition!!!

As a registered nurse, I can tell you ladies and gentlemen, please take your rings off !! You can cultivate many undesiralble cultures in your stones and settings be it from your cooking or what your bringing in to it!. I always take my rings off when cooking because I too am a hands on type of cook.
Also a word to the wise, when shopping in the grocery stores, pick up a few extra clear plastic produce bags before leaving that department. Place your raw meats into these bags to avoid contaminating the rest of your groceries in your basket. They can still be rung up as the bar codes will register through the clear plastic, but you can avoid blood leaking from your chicken or beef onto your lettuce, toilet paper or breakfast cereal box.
Thanks, from the nurse standing behind you in the check out line, bitting her tongue.