Gluten Free Thanksgiving recipes

Photo credit to Food Network

For those of you in need of some gluten free recipes, please check out Gluten Free Thanksgiving recipes. I was surprised at how delicious some of them looked. They have some great dishes so you can make something for everyone. Check out Gluten Free Thanksgiving recipes for more information. The Food Network also has great options. You can find them here.

What the heck is animal rennet and why is it in our cheese?

My daughter is a vegetarian and has been for many years. She is very aware of what she puts in her body. She is always reading the ingredients of everything I buy. A few months ago she started reading the ingredients of the cheese we bought from Costco. Underneath the ingredients, almost as a warning she read "Contains no animal rennet". Below is a picture of the back of the package. 

 

Okay ewwwww what's animal rennet I asked. We decided to Google it and below is what we found. 

The definition from Wikipedia

Rennet /ˈrɛnɨt/ is a complex of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach, and is often used in the production of cheese. Rennet contains many enzymes, including a proteolytic enzyme (protease) that coagulates the milk, causing it to separate into solids (curds) and liquid (whey). They are also very important in the stomach of young mammals as they digest their mothers' milk. The active enzyme in rennet is called chymosin or rennin (EC 3.4.23.4) but there are also other important enzymes in it, e.g., pepsin and lipase. There are non-animal sources for rennet that are suitable for consumption by vegetarians.

I would not suggest looking into everything you eat if you have a weak stomach. The stuff that is added into our food is just gross. I think sometimes it's just better not knowing. 

What do you think about using animal rennet in our food?

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Save up to 20% off your bill at Olive Garden now until August 2nd

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Goodbye PF Changs, I will miss you.

As we enter into a new year, most companies are raising prices and lowering portions. I didn't see this coming from my local PF Changs. They usually have large "family sized" portions. If you come with a large group you can always try something new by sharing a meal. That's just not possible now. The meal portions have been cut by more than a quarter. The alcoholic drinks are much smaller and the appetizer was only big enough for two when you can usually share with four people. We came in for dinner around 7:30pm. There was a small wait. Once we were at our table we waiting a long time for drinks and our appetizer. It seems that the staff has been cut as well. The food tasted great but I did notice more green onions then meat added to the Mongolian Beef to make it look larger. For dessert we ordered the banana spring rolls and they were just sad. I counted 5 strawberry slices, 3 blueberries and 1 raspberry along with one scoop of ice cream. We asked to share the dish with the table because some of our guests have never tried them. We were not given any plates to do so. I guess they are also saving on dish washing as well. Overall I don't think the change will be profitable for them. The staff is stressed, the portions are small and the prices are higher. This is nothing like the PF Changs I'm use to. I hope they can figure out a comfortable medium soon. This was one of my favorite places to dine out at. I will have to say goodbye for now and I will miss you. If you decide to change your ways, perhaps I will give you another chance. 

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BOGO Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner with 2 drinks at Mimi's Cafe

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Order Domino's Pizza online and take 50% off menu price pizzas.

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Kroger's FREE Friday download coupon is Idahoan potatoes

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BOGO Entree at Mimi's Cafe - FREE Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

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This is a great deal at one of my favorite restaurants. 

The breakfast entrees are amazing. 

Hurry this offer expires on 09/28/2014

BOGO lunch or dinner at Mimi's Cafe

Here is a great deal I want to share with all of you. Please print out the coupon below to buy one lunch or dinner entree and get one lunch or dinner entree FREE with the purchase of two beverages. This is a great deal at one of my favorite restaurants. Hurry this offer expires on 09/07/2014