Taxing Situation

BS”D

I just finished typing what seemed like hundreds of numbers into Excel. The result was a sum of $417.72. This represented the amount spent on gluten free specialty foods in the past tax year (see http://www.celiac.com/ for details on deductions). Lillie was diagnosed last March, so it doesn’t represent an entire tax year. In some cases, I had diligently circled the items on my receipt before throwing it into a flowered blue shoe box labeled “Gluten Free Groceries 2009”. In some cases I went through a couple of feet of grocery tape trying to decipher register shorthand like, “TNKY BR RICE LASAG”, and I remembered the quite good vegetarian lasagna I made with Tinkyada Brown Rice Lasagna Noodles. I was also struck by how many times “B & J DUB MDSLDE IC” (Ben and Jerry’s Dublin Mudslide Ice Cream) appeared on the receipts. This “stress” food was for me. Reviewing the receipts reminded me of the effort I put in yearly, weekly and daily to accommodate my the gluten and allergy free diets of my children.

After reviewing the receipts, I decided I needed to pray harder. I always pray for cures to my children's ailments. But I realized perhaps I should be more focused. The most realistic thing in the short term to make my life easier would be for Rosie to outgrow at least one of her allergies. Lillie is in it for life with her disease. I’ve been told “they” are working on a pill to manage celiac, and “cheer up”, it should be available around the time my daughter starts college (she’s 5). My hope was boosted though when I was talking to an adult celiac recently who spoke with Dr. Alessio Fasano , who is actively working on this project. He told me Dr. Fasano said the pill that would allow celiacs to safely consume gluten is in stage 3 of testing. Ignorantly I asked how many stages there are in the approval process. He answered 4. That was the most hope I had had in a long time. Although I know that final FDA approval once a drug is deemed “finished” by its developers can take 10 years. I discussed with this gentleman ,who has lived with the disease for about a decade, whether or not he would take the pill, since he manages the disease quite well with a diet. My concern is that there have been quite a number of prescribed drugs in recent years that have been taken off the market due to very serious side effects (even after all that extensive testing). He said he’s a patient man and would wait and see about 10 years if any side effects or detrimental outcomes result from long term use of the drug. His wife added that she would like him to take the drug, as it would make her life easier, referring to meal prep, of course. It’s a slippery slope, but this conversation did bloom my optimism.

After looking at our years worth of processed gluten free food items, I marvelled at all that’s available,, and reflected on those items that are naturally gluten free. I can’t declare a golden ear of sweet corn, locally grown, or a crisp green bean still standing at attention when cooked just right as a tax deduction. But, I can take pleasure in these items as they nourish the body, and reflect on how simplicity can be nourishing for the soul as well. G-d put many naturally gluten free items on this earth for us to enjoy. Not all things gluten free must be complicated.

I like my vegetables just fork tender, vibrant in color and not drowned in heavy sauces. A few sprinkles of sea salt, a drizzle of golden olive oil, perhaps, are all most vegetables need in my opinion. Enjoy the bounty that spring and summer brings, and enjoy what’s simple.

I love to use Ziploc brand Zip n' Steam bags to prepare vegetables. You can cook, marinate and store vegetables in these little gems of steamer bags. The package suggests putting an entire meal in the bag (i.e. protein and vegetable) and transporting the bag to work to cook in the microwave come lunch time. This is an excellent idea for the gluten free eater. No worry about cross contamination, as each bag is fresh, and contained to avoid any nasty drips or spills you may find in your office microwave. This can work well when going to someones house for a meal as well. No hassle cooking!

I’ve made vegetables as well as salmon in the bags and both worked well. I have an aversion to cooking chicken in the microwave as I find it always comes out rubbery-- but it could work with these bags. The recipe pamphlet included in the package claims you could make an omelet in the bag. I just had to try that. My goat cheese and mushroom omelet was indeed edible, if not terribly attractive. It reminded me of something I once received in an airplane meal. But cleanup was easy, as promised.

The following recipe works well for green beans as well.

Asparagus Au Vinaigrette

1 bunch fresh asparagus, checked for bugs, rinsed and patted dry

1 1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 clove fresh garlic, crushed

sea salt, to taste

fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Using a steamer bag, stove top, or electric vegetable steamer, steam asparagus according to manufacturers directions.

Open bag, or remove asparagus from steamer container and allow to cool. Note: For extra crisp and green vegetables, plunge just cooked vegetables in a large bowl filled with cold water and ice.

In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over asparagus (this may be done in steamer bag). Cover and shake container until asparagus is coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves: 4