Flour

My dad had psoriasis.  As a young child I remember seeing a pinkish-red scaly patch on his arm one day and asking, "What's that?"  In his tell-the-truth manner, he did give its name.  When I asked if it hurt, he said, " It itches."  When I asked if I would get "it," he said I didn't need to worry.  And that was enough of "it" for me until years later when first my sister and then our daughter told me they each had psoriasis.   That made me want to learn more about it.

So how does this relate to bread baking?  I have learned from doing research that choosing to follow a gluten free diet may help relieve psoriasis symptoms.  Information found in the websites below (**) explains psoriasis and its treatment, but also suggests that some psoriasis patients may be sensitive to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye and specifically in bread items. However there is no definite proof that going gluten free will get rid of psoriasis alone, even though some people have tried this.  But please, anyone interested in following such a diet should contact your doctor first!

The good news is that there are more and more gluten free cookbooks and food products available, as well as gluten free flour and baking blends.  I have substituted the Pillsbury Gluten Free Multi-Purpose Flour Blend for the regular flour in some of my recipes and have been happy with the results. 

Here is a photo of Banana Bread substituting the Pillsbury Gluten Free Flour Blend.

Here is a photo of Banana Bread substituting Pillsbury Gluten Free Flour Blend and also artificial sweetener for regular sugar.  I made two substitutions here because some research suggests psoriasis patients should also be cautious of their sugar intake.

If you are considering a gluten free diet for whatever reason, don't be afraid to try the new baking blends.  They are a little more expensive, but worth the extra money when one's health is involved.

**www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/basics/definition/con-20030838
**draxe.com/4-steps-to-heal-leaky-gut-and-autoimmune-disease
**www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/alternative/diet-supplements#glutenfree
**www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10908/9-signs-you-have-a-leaky-gut
**www.doctoroz.com/article/could-leaky-gut-be-troubling-you?page=1



and Flower

I have been very fortunate to have the following two plant specimens in my yard for a few years now.  I highly recommend them.

In the Fall a few years ago, a friend gave me some Celosia seed in a paper bag.  She said in the spring, spread the seed in my flower bed for blooms that year.  Well, if you have never grown Celosia, you are missing a vibrant and colorful flower for your yard.  According to www.theflowerexpert.com/content/growingflowers/flowersandseasons/cockscomb , Celosia is also known as Wool Flower or Brain Celosia.  It has also been given the name Cockscomb because its wavy upright blossom reminds one of a rooster's comb.  Celosia comes from the Greek word "kelos," which means burned, and speaks to its color intensity.

A beautifully colored shrub in the Fall is Beauty Berry.  According to www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/shrub/beautyberry , this eye-catching plant is popular in landscapes because of the clusters of small violet-purple fruits that develop.  These fruits that are also an attraction for a variety of birds, first develop from clusters of small pink flowers in summer.