Ranch Seasoning Mix

A road trip staple of ours is seasoned oyster crackers. I don't think we have taken a road trip in ten years without them! It's simple ... oyster crackers, a little oil and the ranch seasoning packets that you buy at the store. Shake, shake, shake and devour!

In the past 5 years or so, two of my sister-in-laws have suffered from migraine headaches and after a lot of trial and error it seemed to be that cutting MSG out of their diet was the trick. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer that is commonly found in Chinese foods, canned veggies and soups and many processed meats. However,once you become a 'label reader' you see MSG in lot of things from crackers, chips, pre-made sauces, seasoning mixes.

In 1959, the FDA determined MSG to be 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (whatever that means) and because of this we are lucky enough that manufacturers have to list it on their ingredients list. However, to this day, MSG remains a controversial ingredient. MSG Symptom Complex or the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome is now the term for having too much MSG. Symptoms can include: burning sensations, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, headaches or sweating. Usually, these symptoms go away a few hours after eating MSG, but for my sisters, the headaches are really bad and just not worth to pain. MSG can be bought by itself and is sold as the seasoning, Accent.

I hate making things that half the room gets to enjoy and the other half has to watch people enjoy. After learning more about MSG, it was a simple decision that I would have to find a way to make my oyster crackers without the seasoning packet. Now, I love using my ranch seasoning mix in sauces and dips as well as my oyster crackers!

Ranch Seasoning Mix

Makes 1/4 c

2 T Parsley
2 t Dill
2 t Onion Powder
1 t Garlic Powder
1/2 t Pepper

Mix spices together ... yum!