Bad Manners and Brimstone

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I do this with fresh squeezed lemon and lime as well. I buy a lot when the price is good and then squeeze em and freeze em.

How long do they keep their flavour? My MIL routinely buys a net of lemons or limes and cuts them into slices, then freezes them to use in G&Ts. The problem with this is that the slices become leathery, and after quite a short while all the flavour except the sourness evaporates.

Per https://www.ruralsprout.com/preserve-lemons/, here's a good way to Freeze Lemons:

Freezer Lemons
An easy way to preserve whole lemons, lemon slices, lemon juice, & lemon zest is to simply pop them in the freezer.  Although frozen lemons retain their mouth-puckering taste, when thawed out they can become a bit mushy.  Toss them into your chosen recipe when they are still somewhat frozen and they will be much easier to work with.

Whole Lemons
Freezing lemons whole is a snap. Just thoroughly wash and dry the lemons before putting them in the freezer.
When ready to use, whole lemons can be grated with a cheese grater. Use an oven mitt to protect your hand from the icy cold lemon as you grate away.
Once the entire lemon is in small bits, transfer these to a glass jar or plastic bag and place it back in the freezer. Use it by the spoonful to flavor dishes and drinks.

Lemon Slices
Freezing lemons slices is much the same as freeze preserving peas and berries.
Slice up the lemons and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Space them out so that none of the slices are touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer overnight.
When the slices are completely frozen, toss them in a jar or bag and put them back in the freezer.  ***

Lemon Juice
Freshly squeeze lemon juice with your favorite press, manual juicer, or machine. To get the most juice from the fruit, warm up the lemons to room temperature and firmly roll them on the countertop. Strain out the seeds and pulp.
Lemon juice can be poured into small cups or an ice cube tray. Place them in the freezer overnight. Once frozen, they can be removed from cup or tray and placed in a plastic bag. You can also use mason jars to freeze lemon juice, just leave some headroom at the top of the jar before freezing.

Lemon Zest
Zest up your lemon peels with a zesting tool.  Avoid zesting the pith, with is the bitter white part just beneath the yellow rind.  Place lemon zest in a plastic bag and pop it in your freezer.


*** In my experience, you need to use *2* good quality freezer ziplock style bags (together).

Put the food in the 1st bag, push all the air out (as much as possible), seal the bag, & then add to a 2nd bag (remove air & seal). 

Less air & 2 freezer bags seems to keep most food from freezer burn & helps retain the most original flavor.


I also keep my frig & freezers a bit colder than average, which seems to help with everything staying good longer & I have less food waste because of this.

ETA:  I apologize that I *completely missed* the whole no-carb, etc. update from the OP...  so my amendments to the original menu won't work, but she won't be eating them (so no issue for the OP).  I definitely think she should be 100% responsible for bringing her own meal now though...  She's being a PITA (& her "diet" sounds like a mishmash of a few of the latest trends & not all that balanced).

For most Vegan subs (on the cheap - less than $10 US), you can pretty much just replace butter with Earth Balance or coconut oil, milk with Almond/Nut Milk, & leave off the cheese &/or meat (put it to the side & allow people to add). If there's eggs, there are a bunch of typical pantry items for subs that are also vegan & easy (applesauce, etc.).  This allows for most recipes to be made like 'normal' & with minimal inconvenience & cost to the cook.  I wouldn't purchase the fancy replacements, like the Field Roast unless I knew that more than 1 person would eat it.


As a person who has a food allergy, it's challenging to eat at someone else's home when they don't have any restrictions (& aren't used to accommodating for them).  I can't have any dairy products, so everything I make is dairy free...  with all the new products, it gets easier every year.  I make DF substitutions for dairy products in everything, including all of my family recipes & no one can even tell (including my family, who still eat dairy regularly & have eaten the recipes the original way).

You are a nice person who wants to make your guest feel welcome...  even though she's being kind of a pain, IMO.  🧐

I do think she should volunteer/offer to bring a vegan dish (or 2) to help you out - especially since she's eating vegan *specifically for weight loss* & I would think she would be counting calories/portions.

Typically, when you are asking someone to accommodate your diet (& you are the ONLY person in a large group), it's a lot easier/simpler to bring food that you can eat safely & it's a lot less hassle for the host.  In my experience, even when someone is trying to accommodate your restrictions & isn't used to adapting their recipes, it's 50/50 if they will successfully accomplish it (as they are used to doing it a certain way & may not realize something violates your diet).  I have a ton of wonderful people in my life who don't mind cooking things so that I don't get accidentally 'poisoned' with dairy & they still manage to forget (they end up on auto) even when they know what to avoid...  Like adding butter to the foil when they bake potatoes... (I always ask specifically before I eat anything, just to make sure!)

Overall, it's a pretty normal practice to bring SOMETHING for yourself to eat when you have a food allergy or sensitivity/have a dietary restriction/are on a special diet, unless you are 100% POSITIVE that they can make the entire meal to accommodate your restriction/diet.

To make your menu more 'vegan' friendly (no animal products), here are my suggestions/substitutions:

Ham
Well, there isn't really a true 'Ham' sub that I've had... but Field Roast makes a Plant-Based Vegan "Celebration Roast", (https://fieldroast.com/products/#roasts-loaves) which is good.  It's in the freezer section.  My Mom is vegetarian, so I've made it/eaten it a few times (It's not very big & fits in a smallish CorningWare dish).

Green Beans
Use Vegan Butter Substitute & Put Bacon on the Side. -or- Steam a portion of the GB & add Vegan Butter or Olive Oil w/ Salt & Pepper.

Sweet Potatoes
Use Vegan Butter & Cream Substitutes -or- Take a portion of the cooked sweet potatoes out to make a smaller dish/portion w/ vegan subs.
I often make Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Vegan Butter & Plain/Unsweetened Nut Milk (typically Almond or Cashew).  Sometimes I make them with Vegan Butter & Vegan Creamer -or- Vegan Butter & Vegan Plain Cream Cheese.

Mom's Homemade Bread
The most common vegan bread types:  sourdough, Ezekiel bread, ciabatta, focaccia, & baguettes.  You will have the best luck typically looking in the bakery section vs. the grocery bread aisle (in my experience).
La Brea Bakery - French Baguette (Take & Bake) - I've seen this in quite a few grocery stores & I think I've even bought it before, so hopefully you can find it near you.
- Most of their breads are Vegan (Don't pick anything with Cheese or Honey) [https://www.labreabakery.com/faq]

Potatoes
Sauté in Vegan Butter instead.  No one will be able to tell the difference.

Pierogi
I don't know if you are making them from scratch, but if you are, here is a Vegan recipe (https://www.elephantasticvegan.com/vegan-pierogi-with-potatoes/) which sounds pretty close to the 'regular' way & a fancier version (https://www.connoisseurusveg.com/vegan-pierogies/), although you could add shredded vegan cheese instead of the nutritional yeast & white wine vinegar.  If your pierogi don't have egg in the dough (which seems to be common for store bought), finding a potato or potato/onion vs a potato/cheese is what you are looking for.
- Sauté Onions & Pierogi in Vegan Butter.

*I know there are vegan store bought versions, but they are probably going to be 'accidentally vegan' & you will have to read the ingredients.  (Mrs. T's Onion/Potato have eggs, so they aren't vegan, just dairy free). You could order them online but the ones that I found are pretty expensive...  I have no idea if they are any good (https://www.pierogiesfactory.com/search?q=Vegan).

You could possibly use Kite Hill Ravioli, as they are vegan & could be treated like Pierogi [https://www.kite-hill.com/our-food/entrees/].  *I've unfortunately never been able to find them locally, so I haven't managed to try them yet, but I've heard good things.*

Cookies
Depending on what cookies you are making, you can sub either Vegan Butter, Coconut Oil, or Shortening.
(Don't pre-melt in the microwave unless recipe specifically asks for melted...  Leaving it on the counter for 15-30 minutes to soften is normally enough to make sure it's soft, but not liquid & works perfectly.)
There won't be any difference in taste if you use the EB or Melt Sticks vs Dairy Butter.  You may want to chill your dough before baking to make sure they don't spread too much (which I also recommend even if you use dairy butter).

If you need eggs, plain/unsweetened applesauce is a pretty common sub for sweet items (there are other options too if you google).  There are also multiple brands of vegan egg subs.

- Cake -
Honestly?  If she's trying to loose weight, she would probably skip the cake anyway.
A bowl of fresh fruit [Strawberries, Blueberries, Pineapple, Raspberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, etc.] (with a small bit of sugar, if needed) is a perfectly acceptable sub for the Tres Leches Cake.

- Ratatouille -
Just make sure he doesn't sauté anything in butter & that any cheese is on the side (& not added prior to serving).


Substitutes - All Vegan

- Butter or Margarine -
Melt Organic Vegan Butter Spread or Sticks (My favorite!) [https://meltorganic.com/our-products/]
Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread or Sticks (I typically use the Soy Free in the Pink Container/Box, but the others are also fine.) [https://www.earthbalancenatural.com/spreads]
Miyoko’s Creamery European-Style Vegan Butter [https://miyokos.com/products/vegan-butter]
Kite Hill Butter Alternative [https://www.kite-hill.com/our-food/butter-alternative/] *I've never had this, since they don't seem to carry it in my local stores, but based on everything else they make, it's probably delicious.*

- Coconut Oil as an Alternate Butter or Margarine -
Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil [https://store.nutiva.com/products/organic-virgin-coconut-oil]
* Any brand that is organic, extra virgin, & refined is typically vegan safe. *

- Shortening (also as an Alternate Butter or Margarine) -
Spectrum's Organic All-Vegetable Shortening (http://www.spectrumorganics.com/product/organic-all-vegetable-shortening/)
Nutiva Organic Vegan Shortening

- Cream / Heavy Whipping Cream / Coffee Creamer -
* The key is to make sure whatever you choose is 'PLAIN' & 'UNSWEETENED'.  There are other cream/creamers, but they are often 'Plain' but will be sweetened... which is not very tasty when making potatoes (or another savory dish). *

Silk’s Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative [https://silk.com/plant-based-products/creamer/dairy-free-heavy-whipping-cream-alternative/]
Nutpods Original Unsweetened Dairy-Free Creamer [https://www.nutpods.com/products/original-11-2oz]
Nutpods Oat Original Unsweetened Dairy-Free Creamer
Califia Farms Unsweetened Better Half Creamer [https://www.califiafarms.com/collections/shop-all/products/unsweetened-better-half-1]

- Cream Cheese -
Kite Hill Cream Cheese Alternative [https://www.kite-hill.com/our-food/cream-cheese-style-spreads/]

- Sour Cream -
Kite Hill Plain Cream Cheese Alternative [https://www.kite-hill.com/our-food/sour-cream/]
Kite Hill Plain/Unsweetened Greek Style Yogurt [https://www.kite-hill.com/our-food/yogurts-greek/] *This works really well as a sour cream alternative!*
Forager Plain/Unsweetened Cashew Yogurt [https://www.foragerproject.com/product/organic-unsweetened-plain-dairy-free-cashew-yogurt/] *This also works as a sour cream alternative, but it's not quite as thick.*

~ I don't recommend the Tofutti Sour Cream or Cream Cheese...  It's funky. ~

- Cheese -
Violife - ANYTHING! Their cheese is almost identical to dairy (taste/texture), IMO & you can use as a 1:1 sub. [https://violifefoods.com/us/our-products/]
Field Roast Chao Cheese (Shreds, Slices, Block, & Frozen Mac & Cheese) [https://fieldroast.com/products/#chao-slices] *Commonly carried @ Target*
Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta Alternative [https://www.kite-hill.com/our-food/artisanal-delicacy/]
So Delicious Shreds [https://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/dairy-free-foods/cheese-alternatives/shreds/] *Use about 1/3 to 1/2 of what you would normally use for dairy cheese, as it gets weird if you use too much.*
Miyoko’s Creamery Cheeses - They make a variety & I use their Mozzarella & their Brie occasionally. [https://miyokos.com/pages/products]

- Milk -
I drink/use for cooking "Plain & Unsweetened" nut (or plant based) milk.  Most of the time I use Almond or Cashew as they work well for cooking.  I typically avoid soy & only use oat if I'm planning on using it for something sweet.  I've actually used Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk for baking Blueberry Banana Bread (it was an accidental purchase) & in my Granola Cereal for breakfast.

Califia Farms Plain/Unsweetened Almond Milk [https://www.califiafarms.com/collections/shop-all/products/unsweetened-48oz] *What I buy most often.*

I will be writing to Lowe's with a very nice explanation of why last names don't always match - especially in the Military - with a nice clear photo of the "SP" (aka Spouse) that they can use as verification (instead of last name). 

This is bizarrely antiquated & I never realized it was part of their 'policy'.  I've never had an issue using it, but my last name is the same (I did consider not changing it as I was older when I got married).  I know quite a few Spouses who didn't change their names due to professional issues (if you are licensed/have a degree, it can be really expensive to change) &/or they didn't want to.  This is the first time I’ve heard of it being an issue for this or any other discount though (normally the ID card is sufficient 'proof').

Lowe's military discount being attached to your My Lowe's Store Card was a really nice update to this benefit, as you can use it to order online or if you need a special order (it automatically applies when I'm signed in online). 

Home Depot doesn't have the option to apply the discount online (which is a bummer when I would like to buy something that isn't in the store).  I don't think I was able to apply it when I did a special order -in the store- either.  I wish HD would add something similar to their system, since their prices are typically lower than Lowe's (although Lowe's will price match, I think).

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I am the spouse of an Active Duty Service Member & currently have an DoD (aka Military or Government) ID Card (the light brown one aka DD Form 1173) - it has a photo, my info, & my husbands info.  It's also my Benefits & Privileges ID card.

It is an 'official' Federal Government Issued Identification & I use it exclusively as my form of ID (instead of my DL - which was issued in a different state & doesn't have my current address...  it just causes local confusion.  The joys of a MilSpouse!).  I occasionally have to pull out my DL if a system has an issue recognizing the MilID (it doesn't want to allow the number or scan/swipe for reference on a return or similar).  I occasionally have to tell people that my DOB is on the back, but most of the time there isn't an issue (& I get a lot of "This is neat, I’ve never seen one before!").  The actual Government/Military is the only place I’ve ever had any issues ('No... We want a DL instead.' Really People?  Yes, your Government polices at work... This has happened to me MORE THAN ONCE.)

My husband will be retiring this year & I will have the same card, but the code under "Sponsor Service/Status" will change from 'USA/AD' (US Army/Active Duty) to 'USA/{Some Type of Disability/Retired Code}'.  I’m not currently sure exactly how his retirement will be coded.  I think that my husband will also be issued this card (currently he has a CAC which has a chip), even though they've been making noises over the past couple of years about keeping the CAC for 'full retirement' (aka 20+ years or other qualifiers).  The benefit of the CAC is that it allows you to login to the various systems as long as you have a PIN, appropriate card reader + software for your computer (instead of a DS Logon).  The CAC is much nicer, but if you have an issue/forget your PIN, it's a problem if you aren't close to a location that can fix it (& then the whole issue of understaffed locations for reset, etc.).  I’m hopeful that some of the issues will be resolved with the expansion of remote workers, but that is TBD.

There is a VERY easy way to verify if someone is a Spouse (vs another type of Dependent) by the code attached to the front of your card.  Under "Relationship" the code for Spouse is "SP" ("CH" for Child).  If you have to reference it in one of the Gov't/Military computer systems, all Spouses are listed as 3X/# for SM* (the 30s being the prefix/code for Spouses).  *You essentially 'exist' as an offshoot of the Service Member & they have a different prefix/code; Children & Other Dependents - also have separate prefixes/codes.

Here's my ID (with my info, bar codes, & pic redacted) to give everyone a good idea of what it looks like.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

CAC & DoD ID Card Reference
https://www.cac.mil/uniformed-services-id-card/

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I don't have one, as the spouse of a veteran.  My husband just went through an ordeal to get a new card -- you're supposed to call and make an appointment, but they don't answer the phones.   When they finally do answer the phone, the appointments were always "full".  He finally had to just show up, even though you're not supposed to.

I actually would recommend that you keep your Spouse ID current, as much as it's kind of a pain.  If something happens, it will make your life easier if you need to deal with the Government/Military/VA (& you also want to have a Power of Attorney/Updated Directives/Will).  If your Spouse has privileges/benefits it's also your only 'proof' that the post/base/privileges-benefits providers will accept that you have them (as long as you are eligible, etc.).  If you are eligible for benefits, including medical/prescription then you can also fill your prescriptions at a post/base pharmacy with no charge (which a lot of people don't know) &/or combine the benefits with other insurance & possibly eliminate copays/required large deductibles (which people also don't realize).

DoD ID CARD (GET/RENEW)

If you &/or your spouse need to renew an ID card, online scheduling is done through RAPIDS.  It's SO much easier to book an appointment time online (well, maybe not right now, as I just checked in my area & don't see anything for the next 4 months - even if I go 60 miles out - but *normally* it's typically a month or so out for us) & you can go with your Spouse (I think I just made 2 appointments consecutively the last time I did this) so that you don't need an ID Card POA* (yes, this is a real thing & it has to be the 'special' one) for your ID Card form. *The Military has a ton of REQUIRED "Special" Power of Attorney forms & you have to use those specifically for services done/changed through the post/base (ID Card, Insurance, Bank-Overseas, Registration-Overseas, etc.) as they won't accept a General POA (& it is a General PITA).  I think I've had 12? at once when my husband was deployed & we lived overseas.

You can try (& try... & try...) to call for an ID Card appointment BUT getting someone to answer (or call back if you leave a message) has ALWAYS been problematic (as ID offices are always WAY understaffed in my experience, even at large locations).  Appointments via phone are always more difficult too (they tell you nothing is available when you call in, but there are multiple available when you look online).  Most locations have a very small window for walk-ins, if they have them at all (& if they do, you could easily sit there for an entire day waiting to be 'fit in'). 

You will want to bring a Valid Government Issued Photo ID (e.g., *Not Expired* Driver’s License, State ID Card, or Passport) & certified copies of your Birth Certificate (to be on the safe side), Marriage Certificate, Social Security Number Card, & Medicare Card (if applicable).  (I bring ALL the documents so that I don't need to come back... I would rather have every possible document than have to go twice!  I have a folder full of 'certified' documents plus my Spouse's orders (current/previous), DD214 (all/if more than 1 was issued), & any other thing I think I might ever possibly need.)

DoD RAPIDS ID Card Office Online
https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/

DoD ID Cards & Benefits: COVID-19
https://www.cac.mil/Coronavirus/

Military One Source - COVID-19: Obtaining & Renewing Military ID & CAC (Common Access Cards)
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/covid-19-resources/military-id-updates-during-covid-19

To make an appointment (or login to most of the systems - including MilConnect/DEERS, the VA, &/or TriCare) you will both need to make sure you have (or register for) a Premium (Level 2) DS Logon account (it allows you to sign into most of the government/military systems).  You want to verify that your (& your Spouse's) information (address, phone numbers, email) is correct/updated in DEERS (MilConnect is the 'new & improved' front end & it's pretty decent) as all of the other sites use it for verification purposes (you may want to wait 24-48 hours for the system to update if you need to change anything, before trying to use it for other places - ID Card appointment should be okay, other places might be flaky.)

If you haven't registered for a DS Logon yet, I suggest using a login that uses only your name: 'FirstName.LastName' or 'FNI.LastName' or 'FirstName.MI.LastName' or 'FNI.MI.LastName' or 'FirstName.LastName.01' (with periods between first, middle, last, & # - # is typically only used if you have a common name). 

The systems do not like anything complicated & this is a standard format for most other stuff. (I try to make my life easier not having to remember a random login -as much as it might not be the best policy- when you have to enter it multiple places?! Ugh.).  The password is government ridiculous (& will need to be changed every X days per the policy) - so make sure you have a place to keep track of the current (& previous) versions.

DS Logon
https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/

MilConnect/DEERS
https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/

FYI:  If you are having an issue figuring out how to get the 'Premium (Level 2)' account, after you register & your account is active, you need to select the button/link "Upgrade to Premium Access" in the bottom left of the initial DS Logon screen. 

I've been using these systems (& their predecessors) for 15 years & I had the worst time figuring this out for my Dad's account (he's a Veteran & I was getting everything set up for cohesive VA access) because I think the VA only referenced it as Level 2 (or something else that wasn't listed on the DS Logon page) & it had been a long time since I had completed the process for myself & my husband.