Doctrinal question: WoW & Cooking Extracts

[jperry]

Cooking extracts--such as vanilla, anise, peppermint, etc--contain alcohol. In fact, they typically contain about 70% alcohol per volume, which is almost twice that in most liquors. Is it against the Word of Wisdom to use vanilla extract? Or is it ok to use alcohol occasionally when you are not intending to get drunk? How much is too much? Thanks for the help :)

[Guest]

Cough syrups contain alcohol as well. Are we supposed to avoid cough syrups as well?

[prospectmom]

alcohol cooks out of what you mentioned.

cough syrup used medicinally is fine with me I think it is what you think I make my own herbal cough syrup out of Elderberries. It has alcohol and is only used as a medicine

11Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with [b]prudence and thanksgiving.

this advice in verse 11 says it all to me use with prudence ..... not over use or abuse everything that is ok to drink and eat even falls under that. Do you really think eating a 32oz steak is prudent or wise following the wow. People get stuck on coffee, tea, alcohol and don't see the whole picture.

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

I don't see the word alcohol in the WOW, so what's your problem?

If you're drinking these extracts instead of cooking with them, then you've got a worse problem than not being in conformity with the WOW.

[prospectmom]

Exactly..........:}

[Wingnut]

Or is it ok to use alcohol occasionally when you are not intending to get drunk?

Well, the WoW doesn't say don't get drunk. It says don't drink alcohol.

But your use of the word "use" here is interesting -- are you talking about drinking wine in moderation, or are you talking about cooking with alcohol?

There are a plethora of existing threads about the Word of Wisdom, many of them even touching on the cooking issue. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/21724-does-alcohol-really-burn-out.html

http://www.lds.net/forums/lds-gospel-discussion/32449-cooking-eating-something-cooked-alco-ma-hol.html

http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/15966-coffee-baking.html

[LDSChristian]

I don't see the word alcohol in the WOW, so what's your problem?

If you're drinking these extracts instead of cooking with them, then you've got a worse problem than not being in conformity with the WOW.

Agreed. If you're drinking them you better be more worried about them pink flying elephants lol.

[Guest]

alcohol cooks out of what you mentioned.

No it doesn't.

[Backroads]

But doesn't the FDA require so much ethyl alchohol in the extracts?

[Guest]

But doesn't the FDA require so much ethyl alchohol in the extracts?

Yes it does. For vanilla, at least 35% alcohol to qualify as Pure Vanilla. But, you can get Natural Vanilla that contain no alcohol or no more than 3% alcohol to qualify.

Edited January 14, 2011 by anatess

[Backroads]

Yes it does. For vanilla, at least 35% alcohol to qualify as Pure Vanilla. But, you can get Natural Vanilla that contain no alcohol or no more than 3% alcohol to qualify.

Handy. I'm pretty sure I own Natural Vanilla (I"m a baking snob) so I'll have to check the ingredients when I get home.

[Iggy]

When you put vanilla/flavoring extracts in cake batter, frosting, cookie dough, etc. you are only putting in a teaspoonful or two - You are not putting in an ounce or more.

You can purchase cough syrups, liquid cold medicines that have no or very little alcohol in them. I am allergic to alcohol. That is just one of the many reasons I quit drinking- during my inactive years. Just one swallow of an alcoholic beverage, including nite-time cold medicines and my jaw, neck and shoulder muscles tighten up. I was so shocked when this happened the first time, that I never took a second swallow.

I use the soft gel capsule style cold medicine, or the Non-drowsy. When I am sick, I can sleep easily as long as I can breath. Don't need the alcohol to knock me out.

[Backroads]

Frankly, this whole thing reminds me of an issue that happened at BYU-Idaho a few years back. The business department was selling hot chocolate. Then some student went completely out of his way to research one of the flavorings... his research proved it was made at the same factory as coffee and was therefore against the WoW.

[Suzie]

Frankly, this whole thing reminds me of an issue that happened at BYU-Idaho a few years back. The business department was selling hot chocolate. Then some student went completely out of his way to research one of the flavorings... his research proved it was made at the same factory as coffee and was therefore against the WoW.

It seems like the student really had time on his/her hands. Geez.

[Backroads]

It seems like the student really had time on his/her hands. Geez.

My roommates and I found the letter to the editor hilarious enough to be hung on our wall.

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Didn't we have a thread on "Pharisees" not that long ago?

[mordorbund]

Didn't we have a thread on "Pharisees" not that long ago?

I don't remember it. Do "Pharisees" contain alcohol?

[Guest]

I don't remember it. Do "Pharisees" contain alcohol?

Need. Laugh. Button.

[Guest DeborahC]

I'm pretty sure the Lord expects us to use our brains, and not be puritanical about things.

I drink a cup of coffee when I get a migraine.. it's the only thing that will knock it out.

I don't feel guilty... :::shrug:::

[Wingnut]

I'm pretty sure the Lord expects us to use our brains, and not be puritanical about things.

I drink a cup of coffee when I get a migraine.. it's the only thing that will knock it out.

I don't feel guilty... :::shrug:::

In that case, it's the caffeine that is kicking the headache. You could get the same benefit from Dr. Pepper, Coke, or Pepsi, none of which are explicitly against the Word of Wisdom.

[pam]

Need. Laugh. Button.

I always laugh with Mordorbund. He seriously makes me laugh out loud. I love it.

[Iggy]

I'm pretty sure the Lord expects us to use our brains, and not be puritanical about things.

I drink a cup of coffee when I get a migraine.. it's the only thing that will knock it out.

I don't feel guilty... :::shrug:::

In that case, it's the caffeine that is kicking the headache. You could get the same benefit from Dr. Pepper, Coke, or Pepsi, none of which are explicitly against the Word of Wisdom.

Don't forget aspirin Wing- it is caffine that is its active ingredient.

[ADoyle90815]

The issue with extracts is that you use such a small amount, such as a teaspoon that the alcohol is no longer an issue. Extracts aren't meant to be drunk, so if someone were to drink it, they have bigger problems than violating a religious dietary law. Now, if one were using wine in a sauce or making a beer batter, then the alcohol won't completely cook out, so if that's an issue, there are substitutions that would work. In that case, someone should be careful about eating out as many restaurants cook with alcohol.

[Guest]

In that case, it's the caffeine that is kicking the headache. You could get the same benefit from Dr. Pepper, Coke, or Pepsi, none of which are explicitly against the Word of Wisdom.

I know what she's talking about. I get them too. Soda won't do it. Just not that strong enough. Mountain Dew doesn't even work and that's the strongest soda I found. Extra strength Excedrin (acetaminophen-aspirin-caffeine combo) works but sometimes I have to drink it with coffee to just stop myself from bashing my head on the wall.

[Wingnut]

...but sometimes I have to drink it with coffee to just stop myself from bashing my head on the wall.

Well maybe that's your problem: wouldn't bashing your head into the wall only make the headache worse?