Candy in Primal Wonderland page 53

[Candy in Wonderland]

It's something we use to do here in Belgium: when a baby is born we give a little birth gift to all people coming to visit (as a thank you for the presents most people bring). Most of the time it's a little box or container with "sugar beans". These sugar beans originally were sugar-covered almonds, but nowadays more and more people use the ones with chocolate filling. They look like big white beans, hence the name "sugar beans" (although they are now available in every imaginable color):


I have actually made a variation, as I filled little glass jars with mini bath-pearls (we call it bath caviar)

then I attached little sachets with sugar beans (9 in each, it has to be an uneven number for good luck) and a little card with the baby's name and date of birth. This is what they look like :

[Sabine]

Wow, I wouldn't even have known that was you in the picture! What a difference. Great job, Candy.

And...babies! Love babies.

[Judg]

Italians do something similar for almost every festive occasion. Bonbonnieri, they're called, although my spelling may be off. Usually tied into a circle of gauze and attached to a small gift. Less small if the people are well off.

It's true that there's quite a striking change in you. I'm sure you are so happy with the results.

[Candy in Wonderland]

I know, I had bonbonniere for my first wedding (in Italy) .

I am so happy with the results, but most of all I'm really happy I got my health back! I'm actually looking forward to starting our Whole30 on september 3rd, although I'm a bit afraid of the no eggs, nuts and nightshades part of the auto-immune protocol. But I'm determined to do this!

[Judg]

I hear what you're saying. I'm hoping for some big health improvements too. I've seen some, but am hoping for more, especially in the fatigue department. But first I have to learn to stop pushing myself too hard.

You married an Italian? That must have been a big cultural adjustment. It certainly was for me, and we aren't even in Italy.

[Candy in Wonderland]

My stepdad (soon to be my adopting dad, finally after 36 years!) is Italian, he married my mom when I was 5, and I'd been going to Italy on holidays ever since. So I was already accostumed . Divorzio all'Italiana isn't a joke though, took me 4 years to divorce my ex-husband...

[Judg]

Ah, that would make it an smaller adjustment then. I came from a very different background, but it was kind of fun to try to meld the two ways of doing things. Still working it out... LOL! Sorry it didn't work out for you in the end.

[Candy in Wonderland]

I'm not sorry about that at all, I'm really happy with my husband now .

[Judg]

Well then, I'm glad it's working out now.

[Candy in Wonderland]

Feeling quite primal, we had chicken stomachs as entree tonight. I liked the taste (tastes just like chicken), the texture not so much (quite tough). It's amazing to see how my picky kids will eat anything as long as it's meat: beef heart? No problemo, chicken stomachs? Yes w'll taste that! But then: noooooo, no mushrooms! Real carnivores those boys!
I've been making more whole fishes lately, instead of buying filets only. Tonight was maquerel.
Tomorrow I'll be making the leg (ham?) of a young pig, don't know how it's called...