Monday, May 3, 2010

Baking Adventure #22


How many of you have heard of Lyme Disease? What do you know about it? Most people only know one thing: That it originates from ticks.

Some wonderful people have been banding together in support of Lyme Disease Awareness and have declared the month of May: Lyme Disease Awareness Month. In honor of this month, they have decided to paint May "Lyme" green and put together some amazing PSA ads. (You can view them here: http://www.youtube.com/user/lymenaide) If caught early enough, Lyme Disease can be treated pretty easily with antibiotics. However, sometimes the symptoms don't show up for months or even years and can ultimately lead to serious, long-term health problems.

Now, you're probably asking yourself why I have decided to partake in this cause. Aside from the fact that I love seeing younger generations banding together and making a difference, this particular cause hits close to home. An old friend of mine's sister has been battling Lyme disease for 3 years now. She is an absolutely beautiful girl and had the world at her fingertips when this horrible disease took its toll on her body and turned her world upside down. She is on the road to recovery but the battle hasn't been easy. (You can read more about Teri on John Raser's Causes page of his website: http://gospeedraser.com/causes/ and his blog: http://gospeedraser.com/golf-blog/)

I have never personally met Teri but I went to grade school with John, and through the world of the internet, we have been able to stay in touch. If Teri is anything like her brother, then this girl is beyond amazing, and my hope is for this blog post to raise awareness of the horrible disease that has affected their entire family.

So without further ado, it's time to paint the month of May Lyme with a scrumptious little baking adventure...


Key LYME Pie


I got this recipe from a website shown to me by a client. ThePioneerWoman.com has some incredible looking recipes and the Key Lime Pie was the first one I decided to make. The ingredients were minimal:


Then came time for some crust making. The recipe on the website calls for a food processor to turn the graham crackers into crumbs... well, I don't have one of these, so I crushed them the old fashioned way with a plastic ziplock bag and a heavy wooden mallet.

After the graham crackers were crumbled, it was time to add the sugar and melted butter.

Press into the pie pan (ungreased).

And bake in the oven for about 5 minutes and let cool.

While the graham cracker pie crust was cooling, it was time to make the filling! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was to find REAL key limes at the grocery! For never having even seen them in person nor knowing how much they would cost, I was a little worrisome. HOWEVER, my favorite grocery came to my rescue and they were only about $2-3 for an entire bag!

[Please notice the Key Limes are on the right and regular limes on the left.]

When first attempting to squeeze the juice out of the key limes (yes, squeeze by hand b/c I do not have a juicer... I seriously doubt these little boogers could fit in a juicer anyway), I only got three, maybe four, drops out of it...

The recipe called for 1/2 cup of key lime juice so that certainly wasn't going to work! After putting my thinking cap on [Elementary school throwback], I remembered the PERFECT kitchen utensil for crushing small things with little holes in it: my garlic crusher!!! It was a perfect fit and thus allowed for mega juicing of the key limes!

TIP: This recipe also calls for a large amount of key lime zest. Make sure you zest the limes prior to juicing.

Once the 1/2 cup of juice was obtained, I blended the 2 egg yolks, lime juice, lime zest, and can of sweetened condensed milk with my hand mixer.

Then poured into the prepared Graham Cracker crust.

And baked in the oven for approximately 20 minutes. [The recipe says 15, but mine needed some extra time in the oven to make sure it was no longer "jiggly" in the middle.]

Once the Key Lyme Pie is baked, allow it to cool on the counter for about an hour and then pop in the fridge. I chose to let it chill in the fridge overnight because I love icebox pies EXTRA chilly, but to each their own.

Once cool enough, enjoy the Key Lime-y goodness. I guarantee you won't be able to just have one slice. There's something about the combination with the super tart key limes and the sweet graham cracker crust that just makes it irresistible.



***If you are interested in reading more about Lyme Disease or simply donating to or supporting the cause, below are two websites dedicated to the fight against Lyme Disease:
In addition to spreading awareness with this simple blog post, I will donate $0.50 for each person who comments on this blog post during the month of May to help the cause (up to $100). So please comment and feel free to donate or at the very least repost the above links to your friends and family! Together, we can help those affected by Lyme Disease.***

UPDATE: So this pie was SO good and such a hit that I decided to make another one for Cinco de Mayo. I changed the crust recipe slightly: used 16 graham crackers instead of 18. There was no overflowing mess of crumbs this time when pressing into the pie pan and it was equally as thick and delicious!


Thank you to everyone who has commented and reposted the link to this blog so far. The comments and stories are beyond humbling! Keep them coming! Together we can make a difference... EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

87 comments:

  1. Thank you SO much for working to spread awareness and give a voice to Late Stage Lyme patients like myself. It gives us so much hope. Your compassion is amazing...please keep doing what you're doing, and know that you're making a huge difference!

    Love,
    Candice

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  2. Thank you very much for helping raise Lyme awareness. :)

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  3. Thank you for spreading the word aboy Lyme. My son and I are both sufferers, each day is a struggle. Awareness is key, thank you, I don't wish this disease on anyone.

    Ann

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  4. Hey, that looks like a great recipe to try...thanks for sharing with us - and thanks for spreading Lyme Awareness!

    Lyme has debilitated my once very active dad & in less than 3 years has put him in a wheelchair.

    Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong until it was too late & the disease had already taken hold. There is so much misinformation & LACK of information in the public, we are trying hard to shed light on this epidemic.

    Thanks again for supporting Lyme patients who so desperately need it.

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  5. Ashley, you are such a doll for supporting Teri and our family and the MILLIONS of victims of this horrible disease that destroys lives. Thank you so very much for helping spread awareness of a disease that so misunderstood! That recipe sounds incredible... will have to try it!

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  6. Pint-Sized Baker...you sure did a great job on this photos with posting recipe. I see a Publix pie pan (maybe you are in Florida :) Anyways, I am grateful for what you have done here to help promote Lyme Awareness. Thank you, Janulee

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  7. What is the difference between limes and key limes. And how did they get associated with lyme disease?

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  8. I have been witnessing so many suffer, both in my own family, my dear friends the Raser family and new freinds who I have met through the lyme network. I applaud all those that are working so hard to shed light on this horrific disease. Thank you for bringing such a creative yummy way of getting the word out to help educate people.

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  9. I am definitely trying that recipe, and thank you so much for spreading awareness!

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  10. I love this Ashley! What a wonderful way to raise awareness for an awesome cause!

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  11. I love it - thanks for helping spread awareness!

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  12. Being in Connecticut, I know many individuals with Lyme (including myself and my mom). Thank you for spreading awareness and deliciousness!

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  13. I am so going to try that! This comment is for Lyme Disease!!

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  14. Thank you for doing this. I have been suffering from Lyme for several years. My beautiful daughter was recently diagnosed. Hoping, wishing for a rapid recovery from this horrible, epidemic, illness. Looking forward to making your pie.

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  15. Thanks for mentioning Lyme. I've never had Key Lime Pie but it sounds delicious! That's a great idea using the garlic press.. I could have used that for lemons in the past!!

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  16. Thank you for bringing this cause to others' attention. My aunt died of Lyme in 2002 at age 57. I had no idea at the time, that I, too, had it. I was finally diagnosed in October, 2009 and am undergoing treatment. My 17 year old son also has Lyme. It's a devastating disease.
    Thank you for the recipe!

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  17. Thank you. One, for that great recipe and, two, for helping to spread awareness. It is greatly appreciated.

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  18. YUMMY, that looks wonderful. Love Key lime stuff.
    Also thanks so much for the lyme awareness. I have been suffering for about 7 years now but only diagnosed 2 years ago.
    I so hope they find a cure and soon.

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  19. Thank you for doing this! Before my lyme got bad, I was baking all the time. One day soon I hope to try this recipe :)
    We all appreciate this!

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  20. Thanks for spreading the word about Lyme. I just wrote a post about how desperately I need some no knife recipes (because my kids and I shake too much to make cooking a safe activity), and now I'm thinking. . could I just bake my way to a nourished body? Maybe!

    tillingmama.wordpress.com

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  21. Thank you for helping us fight this horrible disease
    Lymes has robbed my son of over half his life
    He doesn't remember a time when his body didn't
    hurt!!!! Has Neuro Lymes and all that comes with it
    He's only 20 and has a beautiful soul

    thank you, again

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  22. Thank you for spreading Lyme Disease Awareness!

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  23. Thank you ... Thank you... from a Maryland Lymie !! Your pie is going to get made this weekend !! Jules

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  24. Thank you for helping spread awareness. I have had Lyme for a long time and was even in remission for almost 7 years. Now the battle continues and I don't know what I would do without all the support I've found through FB first, then link to wonderful people like you.

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  25. We definitely need more people like yourself in this world. Thanks so much for helping the Lyme community build awareness and aid us in our much needed funding in attempts to change the way we see, treat and act on this disease. Thanks again and the pie looks decadent!

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  26. Pint-Size Baker,

    Thanks so much for the Lyme/lime recipe! Very clever timing for Lyme Awareness this month! I think you've inspired me to bring a pan of Key Lime/Lyme Bars to my school staff lounge along with a copy of a Lymie friend's personal struggle with this dreaded disease. Perhaps it could be an informative lunch break, eh? Hope my dessert turns out as well as YOURS looks! :-) Thanks again, Baker! P.S. Great tip about the garlic press for key limes! BRILLIANT! I will be praying for you. ♥

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  27. I love Key Lime Pie!! Great idea for this Mother's Day...and thank you for helping spread Lyme Awareness!!!

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  28. We so appreciate you spreading the word about Lyme Disease. Love Key Lime pie. Looking at your pictures I wish I had a slice RIGHT NOW!!!

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  29. Thanks for sharing your story!

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  30. thank you for promoting the month of lyme! my mother went undiagnosed for over 15 years and it did amazing amounts of damage to her body not to mention the 15 years of doctors telling her it was "all in her mind!"

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  31. thank you for spreading Lyme awareness!! :)

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  32. Thank you for raising awareness!!!!!

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  33. amazing, my brother when undiagnosed as well, they tried to blame it on PTS syndrome.

    Thanks for the key lime pie recipe. Unfortunately, there aren't too many places to buy key limes in Alaska...argh!

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  34. I think what you are doing is wonderful and your recipes are great! Both my Mom, me, two close girlfriends of mine, my Great Aunt, and more around me suffer from Lyme Disease, please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!!! =)

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  35. Your recipe sounds divine. Thank you for caring enough to get the word out about Lyme disease!

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  36. This is great what you are doing to help spread the word about Lyme!!

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  37. WOW! What a terrific post! Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous Lime Pie with everyone for Paint May Lyme Green! You inspire! Hugs, Shar

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  38. Keep up the great work!!!

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  39. Thanks for your support. I'm new to Lyme awareness but have been sick for about a year now and from what I have learned I have a long way to go!

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  40. Lyme Disease is so misunderstood. It is a dreadful disease that lots of us suffer with, and with no hope of a cure. Thank you for donating to this cause and spreading awarenes.

    Lots of love and appreciation,
    Amie

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  41. You are such a doll! I can't wait to try this recipe! Key Lime pie is my favorite. Although I have had Lyme for 10 years and I am not supposed to eat these types of foods..I sneak around once in awhile and cheat :) Thank you so much for supporting the thousands of men, woman and children who have Lyme. Your efforts to help raise awareness are appreciated. I have a site on Lymerevelations.blogspot.com that I just started. It can give you an idea of what each day is like for someone with Lyme. Thank you again! :)

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  42. You are doing so much good....my family thanks you!

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  43. A big WOW all around for the pie, the Lyme Disease mention, the donations, and the number of comments on your blog. It is so great to see people comming together to support an important cause. You're an inspiration. Many people with Lyme can not eat gluten or dairy how bout try out a wheat and dairy free receipe next time?
    Thank you so much!!

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  44. Recipe looks awesome!! I'll just dream about eating it for now...
    Bless your heart for supporting Lyme awareness!!

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  45. Oh Key Lime pie is the best, my mom lives in Florida and has the limes growing in her yard, and made some for me, now one of my favorite. FYI you can buy bottled key lime in the store, so you don't have to squeeze all those small lymes.
    Great thing you are doing for Lyme Awareness month, I too have lyme disease, just found out in Feb after 10 yrs of being sick and being told it was all in my head and see my shrink, grrrrr.

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  46. My Lyme went undiagnosed for years. After a long and frustrating process, years of antibiotics and tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, I am left with rheumatoid arthritis. Somehow I don't think my journey with Lyme is over. Thanks for spreading the word. And thanks for the GREAT recipe! I love the photos!!!

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  47. i'm so gonna make this today thank you,

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  48. Thank you , thank you , thank you thank you!!!

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  49. Thx for the info. re lyme disease. The key lime pie looks YUMMY but I do need to know if you took all the calories from it. Have a great day.

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  50. Thank you for spreading the awareness!!

    1 Tiny bit can turn your life upside down!!

    Chek yourself... Check your kids...... Check your Pets!!!

    Then eat some Key LYME Pie :)

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  51. Tahnk you for help spread Lyme awareness!!!

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  52. Thanks so much for helping paint May green for lyme disease. The recipe looks yum, although it's completly off my allowed foods from this disease, except the limes alone so I will close my eyes and turn lunch into a Key lime pie.

    For the post above regarding difference between keylimes and limes, their just a different breed, noticibly different, and what it has to do with Lyme disease is the name sounds the same, and their green- just like we are, but not with envy, with sickness.

    Thanks for everything Pint-sized Baker xo

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  53. I'd kill for a piece of Key Lime pie right now, but alas...I don't think this is a low carb recipie :(

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  54. Thank you for this great post and for your generous donation. I am recovering from Lyme, am a contributor to Lymenaide with Ashley, and am also fellow food blogger (www.affairsofliving.com). I am happy to have discovered your blog, and touched by your generosity. and I LOVE the look of this pie. Thanks again. xoxo Kim | www.affairsofliving.com

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  55. Thank you so much for what you are doing to raise awareness for Lyme Disease! I am suffering from Late Stage Lyme Disease and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and compassion for all of us who are suffering.

    You are making a difference!! Keep up the good work!! XOXOXO

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  56. Thank you for spreading Lyme Disease Awareness!

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  57. Thank you for doing this!! Lyme awareness is extremely important.
    Your recipes look wonderful and I like the pics that go with the recipe! Good idea!

    Thanks from a lymie & fellow cooking fanatic,
    ~Beth P.

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  58. Thank you from Pennsylvania and on behalf of all of the children and young adults battling late stage Chronic Lyme disease and related co-infections. Our personal journeys have led to education for prevention and early detection; it is key for success. Thank you for lending your voice to represent those who are very ill and unable to speak for themselves. Your blog is precious; love the Key LYME Pie! Whether in the woods, hiking, camping or with your pets, please do a tick check! Blessings for your gift towards research and a hoped for cure. Every gift counts. ~d

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  59. Thanks for the support and the recipe-at least Lyme hasn't robbed me of my appetite!x

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  60. Thank you so much for helping those of us with Lyme spread the word. We really hope to make a BIG difference this May, and your help is a real blessing. Also, LOVE the key lime pie recipe (it's my favorite pie & hard to find a good recipe). Maybe when I am able to cook again, this will be the one to try. (you make it look so easy!)

    God Bless You!
    Nancy A. Moore

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  61. Thank you so much for raising awareness around Lyme Disease. I've had it for almost 4 years now and its been miserable - to say the least.

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  62. Thank You So Much For Spreading Lyme Disease Awareness..My Son And I Were Misdiagnosed for over 9 years or more..Lyme Disease Takes Your Life Away And Turns It Into Pain And Suffering..If We Had Found People Like You Spreading And Educating On Lyme Awareness We Would Not Be In The Shape We Are Today..Thank You Again For Making A Difference...
    Love & Prayers..Lisa & Jordan

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  63. That looks like a yummy key lime pie, my favorite, I'm going to try the recipe, thanks for posting it.
    I've been learning a lot about Lyme's Disease through my friends on FaceBook. Nobody I know personally has Lyme Disease but my cousin has MS and I've been trying to convince my Aunt to have him tested for Lyme's Disease but even though I think I've convinced her that it is possible, she isn't making any moves to have him tested. Very frustrating. I think she's feels safe thinking she knows exactly what is wrong with him and he's had it for so long....

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  64. Thanks for helping raise awareness on Lyme Disease -- the Key LYME Pie was a great idea!!! I have been battling lyme for 5 years now - despite the fact that I started treatment two weeks after I acquired it!!! Lyme really is a complex disease and many people do not know about it! I wish I knew all that I know about it now back then! Prevention and awareness are the KEYS!

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  65. Thank you for helping raise awareness of Lyme Disease! I was diagnosed with late stage Lyme after over 15 years of looking for a cause of my illness. Awareness is definitely key. Thanks for all you're doing. (And this pie looks delicious. I may attempt a gluten-free version of my own. The Pioneer Woman is amazing.)

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  66. May is a great month, May all who have, I say May it go away.

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  67. Thanks for spreading awereness about Lyme Disease. I for one didn't know about it until a few days ago and I think it's a serious issue people should know about. :)

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  68. Hi Ashley,
    Turn the Corner Foundation would like to feature your blog on their site. If that is OK with you, they need your permission. Can you please email me at hraser99@aol.com
    Thanks a lot for your awesome efforts to honor Teri and millions of other lyme victims with this awesome post and recipe!
    Helen Raser

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  69. Thank you for helping us. I was bit at the age of 5. At 20 diagn with lupus a d treated for 10 years. At 29 told it was MS. Finally at 30 found a LLMD who tested me for Lyme and tthen it all made sense!! Long road to recovery but by the grace of God I'm closer to remission than ever. Education about this horribe disease is so very important!

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  70. Thank you so much for spreading Lyme awareness!!! My daughters and I are fighting Lyme together. Key Lyme is one of our favorites and yours looks delicious! Love the new name!!

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  71. My friends girl has Lyme disease and unfortunetly I did not know much about it before hand. I now know more and wish there was a way to prevent it. It is a a nasty disease if not caught soon enough.

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  72. Thank you for helping all those people that really need...is very important what you are doing if everyone that could do afford to do the same a lot of people would have to be suffering now thank you

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  73. thanks for spreading awareness about lyme disease!

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  74. Hello, My husband and I both have LD. He has had it app. one year and is doing very good on the meds.
    I have had it for app. 40 yr. and have to start more meds. Nothing has helped so far.
    God Bless all of you who are trying to help those of us with cronic Lyme and all the other crap.

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  75. i have had lyme for 5 years! doing everything i can do to
    heal- mmy treatment has cost me 40,000 dollars and i am still not well- thank you for trying to spread awareness!

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  76. I went undiagnosed for 22 years; have been treated for the last 9 years, and hope to be in remission soon. Thanks for spreading awareness!

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  77. The pie looks delicious and the cause is so important. Thank you so much for helping to spread lyme awareness!!

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  78. This is such a great idea. Thank you so much for all your help.

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  79. It's heartwarming to know so many people are banding together to bring Lyme disease awareness to the forefront. Pint-size baker, thank you for your delicious and generous support!

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  80. The silent epidemic of lyme disease needs voices. Thank you for doing this.

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  81. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  82. Thanks so much for all that you're doing Ashley! (I'm erut10 on Twitter...) I got sick one year ago today, and have been sick ever since. That was after at least 20 years of health problems without any cause, but nobody knew enough to look for or think of Lyme. That's why it's so important for me to be a part of what Ashley is doing to Paint May Lyme Green, and I am so thrilled that you are taking part in it also. Thank you for helping those without a voice because they are too sick, have one.

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  83. Hello there from another sweet lover! Thanks for sharing about Lyme disease on your blog and donating - very touching. I must ask, how can you be sure a garlic press won't add an uninvited flavor to the a key lime pie LOL?

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  84. Thank you for your Lyme contributions!

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  85. Although it sounds like a recording, which is because it happens so often, I have been misdiagnosed for the past 20 years. All of the health problems, pain, short term memory loss, stiffness and more pain could have been alleviated, had I known about Lyme Disease. Thank you for your creative way of bringing awareness to this devastating disease

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  86. Thank you for trying to place Lyme Disease front and center where it belongs. With the warm weather approaching, more and more people should be protected. My daughter is living with chronic lyme disease for 4 years. Still on antibiotics.

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