On my Way 2 gluten free

on my way

2011-12-22T11:38:00.000-06:00

I have several exciting changes happening.

First I am giving up on being 100% gluten free. My son just started only eating gluten free substitues of the same non nutritional foods. I am still being gluten free as much as possible.
Next I am learning chartucerie. I am getting a whole pig and learning from there.
I am expanding my jam and jelly business to Etsy
I am finishing my degree in holistic nutritional consultation
I am working hard on losing weight, both myself and my boys
Learning more gardening skills and hoping to expand into a summer business
I am going to learn how to build something...anything
Last but not least I am getting rid of 50% of the STUFF in my house

This is kinda like my New Years resolutions but they are really just goals.

snowapalooza

2011-02-20T12:52:00.000-06:00

This post is a little slow but I was busy shoveling and then forgot. We ended up with 14 inches in 10 hours. The best part was my kids knew there would be no school so they stayed at grandmas. It was like a mini vacation in the middle of the week.

My poor dog wanted to go out but could not figure out how.

Next I need to feed my rabbits. First I have to find them. They were covered extra well and had extra straw for a nest but I still wasn't sure what I would find. Of course Jordan thought he would help so I am glad they were all alive.

Next I needed some walkways. To the rabbits, for the dog, and to the neighbors.

When I was done it looked like hamster trail but for people.

I found the whole event entertaining. I did hire someone, or I should say my parents did, to come and plow our driveways because the snow was taller than my snowblower. I am forever grateful but I still got a really good workout.

birthday time

2011-02-18T09:42:00.000-06:00

Easiest cake ever. I did this one for their joint party.

He will make me a carpenter yet!

2011-02-17T21:49:00.000-06:00

My brother is helping me redo my house in his spare time. I have weird and crazy ideas stuck in my brain and somehow he turns them into reality.

Since I am getting away from anything in a bag or a box I store in glass jars. I believe the contents are pretty so I wanted them on display for aesthetics and convenience.

This is what I started with. An empty corner in my kitchen.

This is what I ended up with

It is beautiful isn't it. I spend most of my time in this room and I am so happy to be able to have something more modern than my 60's kitchen cabinets.

We started with a sheet of plywood and designed from there. On one wall we made it deeper because I wanted to put 1/2 gallon jars. That cabinet holds 16 1/2 gal and 4 quarts

I love the look of the dowel rods.

Now to figure out how to do the big shelf. I got a little sidetracked by a fly. Where has he been hiding all winter.

We used a little child labor for muscle. See I knew you kids would come in handy.

Jordan had the camera so see if you can find Wall-e

I am so happy with how this turned out. I still need to stain it. Now TIM onto the next project!!!!

Where have I been?

2011-01-24T13:14:00.000-06:00

I wondered where I have been lately. I am so behind on posts. I will be updating my blog in the next couple of weeks.

back yard garden

2010-07-11T21:55:00.000-05:00

Ok last time was my front yard here is my backyard.

raspberry bushes originally planted to keep Jordan from escaping over the fence

ok this bed really doesn't look that great everything is falling over

anyways LtoR:

garlic, cilantro/coriander, thyme, rosemary, sorrel, tarragon, parsley, lemon balm

L to R:

oregano. dill, daffodil, parsley

aloe plant, cherry tomato

strawberry bed with asparagus and echinacea

blueberry bushes (kinda it is really a squirrel buffet)

apple trees (more squirrel food)

rabbits

momma rabbit under the lilac tree

my actual garden space

this year I only planted tomatoes in this space I have 33 plants

they are much taller now and it looks like a good crop

especially exciting since last year the blight and cold weather took all toms.

compost barrels are hidden under the lilac bushes

now you have seen the edges now lets see what is in the middle

ok that is it for now. I have another garden space at my neighbors that is full of green beans

and another plot at a farm 12 minutes away

Front yard gardening

2010-06-15T14:01:00.001-05:00

I have several gardens this year. Here are the ones in my front yard.

This is the salad garden: chiogga beets, european spicy mesclun, salad burnet, arugula, salad bowl(green and red), romaine(cos) and assorted flowers.

Here is my bird bath. It is surrounded by Yarrow(makes great tea), kale (flowering and regular), red cabbage, borage, and a blue flower.

Next is my strawberry tower. This was in my brain and my brother helped me build it. This would work better but the squirrels seem to enjoy sitting in it and digging.

Next is my 2 planters on either side of the garage. They each hold a sweet potato plant and a habanero plant.

Next is what the neighbors probably call a mess but it is one of my 3 herb gardens.

Left to right

chives, red cabbage, catnip, borage, lovage(6+ feet tall), sweet woodruff, chocolate mint, hyssop, sage

There is another mint bed squeezed in front of the garage this one holds orange mint and clematis

I have some planters one each step and several lining the driveway but no pictures yet. I only wish my neighbors would cut down their huge annoying and ugly pine tree so that I could use more of my front yard. I have a full front yard and almost everything is edible but it doesn't look like it would be.

I am one PROUD mama!!!!

2010-05-24T21:41:00.002-05:00

Today my little boy graduated primary school. He is going on to 5th grade and a new school next year.
The school had an award ceremony today. My sons (notice plural) both received Eagle pride awards which is for a student who excels in a variety of skills. They do their best academically, socially, and are kind and compassionate. I am so proud out of approx 30 winners from the entire school both my boys were winners.

Jeffrey also was a top reader. He ranked #5 out of all 4th graders. He read an amazing 234 books in 4 years. Four of the books were Harry Potter. Are you impressed ......well..you should be.

They both came home with more awards from their teacher . Jordan received an extra effort award and perfect attendence for 4th quarter. He would have got one for the year but we went on a cruise. Jeffrey also received one for honor roll., one for perfect attendence 4th quarter, and one for citizenship.

I LOVE MY BOYS AND I AM ONE PROUD MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jordan's party

2010-05-24T21:16:00.001-05:00

Jordan had an early birthday party so he could invite his school friends. We had his party at Open Bible play area. I love that place it is like a secret. It was a small party he had 4 friend his brother and two cousins. One boy A. was out of control. His mom didn't do anything about it either. The bright part was N. who is one of Jordan's favorite friends.

OK can anyone guess what the cake was? Anyone? Really you can't guess! Take a look

You got it right it is a gluten free spiderman cake. I have to admit I am getting good at it.

The party was fun. Now about Jordan's friend N. He was the most caring 7/8 year old I have met. My son was buried in the balls because he likes the feel of it but his friend was concerned that the boys were being to loud. I am almost positive that if Jordan said yes N. would have made everyone be quiet. Another impressive incident was when 3 boys were playing catch Jordan so they could throw him in the ball pit and A. joined in and upset Jordan. He was giving him a wedgie. The other boys let go except A. because they could see Jordan had enough. N. grabbed A's arm and said "Leave him alone he can only take so much." I love that little boy. He protected my son in first grade from a bully and he always acknowledges my son when he sees him in public. Jordan's aid also showed for the party and N. ran up to him to inform her that Jordan was playing with him. I hope next year that Jordan gets to keep both Mrs. Cline and N. in his class.

Now lets eat cake!!!!

Banana nut bread jam

2010-05-14T16:53:00.000-05:00

Banana Nut Bread Jam

10 ripe bananas, pureed (approximately 3 cups)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

4 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cups toasted walnuts, minced

1 package powdered pectin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix bananas, walnuts, lemon juice and powdered pectin in large pot. Stir while bringing to a full boil. Add sugars all at once. Stirring continuously,

heat until full boil. Boil hard for 1 minute.

Ladle jam into jars leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Process in a boiling water bath (BWB)

for 10 minutes. Adjust time according to altitude.

Makes about 6 half pints

Once upon a time

2010-04-29T21:06:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time there was a lonely squirrel named Scrat. He was sad and very hungry

He looked left for ?

He looked right

Then he saw something. Is it an acorn? Is it a friend?

Scrat doesn't care he is so happy

Scrat and his best friend, hamburger lived happily for many months. Scrat still believed that he was missing out on something. One day he saw a new and strange object.

He sniffed it

He licked it

Scrat knew then that he was in squirrel heaven.

THANKYOU GRANDMA FOR MY ACORN

Swimming at Starved Rock

2010-04-04T19:15:00.001-05:00

We decided for Easter we would go hiking at a local state park Starved Rock State Park is about 2 hours from our house and then we were going to my brothers for the night.

The boys climbed the giant steps

We did some fake running

the boys and wall-e found some sand

we found some wildflowers

then we found a great canyon with a waterfall

this is me dropping the camera and running because Jordan fell in

It just turns into more drama after that. There was no way out of the pond and I was to far away. The first guy to help slipped and fell in so his friend bent to help him and he fell in. If you are keeping count there is 2 grown men, Jordan and Wall-e in a very cold pond with no way out. I am now at the top and Jordan is screaming and the two men can't swim. A third man takes off his coat and bends over to grab a hand and slips right in. Unfortunately his keys fell out of his pocket and went for a swim also. I couldn't catch anyones attention so they sunk. The father put Jordan on his back and swam out the other end with him. The people at the top grabbed a tree branch and pulled Jordan out. The two men who couldn't swim inched their way around to see if they could get pulled up the cavern also.

At this point my son is screaming I killed my best friend and I realized wall-e went in also. So still in the water is walle and the only keys to a families car. The family has 5 kids and the father has a cut on his head. I empty my pockets and jump in. I search for walle-e and the key. The water is freezing and very mucky. As I am diving underneath to find the keys I can hear Jordan yelling Mom is dead so my dog, Patty decided to check on me and fell in herself. In the water is a dog with a leash attached sitting on my head and me treading water with jeans, sweater, and tennis shoes. Finally I get the dog to swim to a log and a 5th guy comes down the hill to save the dog. I give up at this point but my legs are so cold that I don't have the strength to walk up the wall while holding on to the tree branch so there is no way I am getting out. I crawl along the ledge that is barely big enough and make it up the other side.

At this point you would think our drama would be done but you are wrong. Jordan won't walk out so we had to carry him. Luckily I had clothes in the car so I was able to change him but no shoes. The father of the family decided that since they couldn't drive their car they were going to pack up and leave. We ended up giving his wife and 4 girls a ride home to Plainfield and the 1st 2 guys and their wife gave the father and his son a ride.

My brother was able to run to the store after church and get a new walle for us. A really good thing since Jordan was still crying that he killed his best friend.

Happy Easter we only ruined 3 families day at the park

P.S. Jordan was never close to drowning. His head never went under water he managed to stay on the water shelf

It is a BLUE day!

2010-04-02T11:02:00.001-05:00

Today is Autism awareness day and everyone is supposed to wear blue. This has mainly been formed by Autism Speaks which I am not fond of, but any awareness for autism is good in my opinion.

Autism speaks is way to big and they only believe in medical and genetics. The top officers make 6 figures which I find ridiculous. It is almost as if Autism is the new Cancer as far as a money maker for officers. As a mom who has used biomedical and seen extreme improvements I really believe this should be funded more. How much does it really cost a parent to take their child off of dairy for a week. You will know whether this will improve constipation or not within 3 days.

I put my money behind TACA which is volunteer and parent run and all money goes towards educating parents.

Generation rescue is another really good one. This is Jenny McCarthy and Jim careys charity. They give grants to families to start them on the biomedical journey. Each grant is 2500 and covers a DAN doc and necessary supplements and testing for 6 months.

My other favorite is Lend 4 Health. Tori Tuncan is an amazing woman. She started a lending blog for people like me. I received a loan to get Jordan a Dan doc and I have already paid it back. The 5th of every month is cinco de linco where it is requested that you loan $5 to a child. These are interest free loans and they have all been paid back. Autism treatment is expensive and insurance covers none of it so help out after all it is just a loan.

Tonight the Empire state building will be lit blue.

Kefir

2010-03-26T10:40:00.001-05:00

I learned all about kefir grains at the westin price conference in the fall. I finally ordered some and they finally came.

The grain came in a baggie with maybe 10 grains and some starter milk. The grains look like very tiny cauliflower with the consistency of tapioca.

add the grains to a quart jar and fill with milk. Let this sit for 24 hours and strain. Please make sure that no metal touches the grains it will kill them. The first couple of time I had to wait more than one day because I didn't have enough grains but now it is done in a day.

I like it plain but you can add fruit to it and make it like a smoothie. I have added maple syrup or honey also but today it is just kefir and frozen raspberries.

If anyone would like some grains I have a bunch to share just let me know

If you wait a few days until the whey separates then you have kefir cheese. This can be used on a salad and the whey can be used to ferment vegetable or the liquid is good in soup or anywhere water is used. I have also heard that it makes a great face wash.

leg of goat

2010-03-25T12:47:00.001-05:00

If you remember last fall I butchered a goat. You can read about it here. I had a leg left so I make a roast.

I made up my own recipe

1 leg of goat
1 orange
1 meyer lemon
1 c. kombucha ( I had it so why not)
cover with onion (about 6)[my moms fault she uses onions on everything]
sea salt
pepper
thyme
rosemary

I cooked it in the oven at 350 for 4 hours

This was so good and tender. I enjoyed it but my boys didn't. No surprise there they don't really enjoy any meat.

what is this mom?

2010-03-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

We were taking a back road tour and came upon something fascinating. J&J want to know what is this mom.

I stopped the car to take a closer look I thought I would surprise the boys

they still aren't sure but very curious

go ahead open it

it is an outhouse. Can we use it mom. Boys will be boys.

here is the old building that the outhouse is behind it is either a church or school

lets take a closer look Mom!!

then they see something else they don't know what it is

I got it started for them by priming the pump they were astonished when water came out so they had to try it themselves.

my babies

2010-03-20T12:06:00.000-05:00

Hopper and Lucky had some babies. I have learned a lot about bunnies. We had a hard start and lost several babies.

Here they are at a day old

a week old getting cuter

here they are at 10 day they have their eyes open but no use of back legs yet

here they are today 15 days old

the little black one has a funky eye so I am going to try the eye drops that we had to get for lucky and see if that clears it up.

March can jam-----lemon garlic and rosemary jam

2010-03-19T20:38:00.001-05:00

I still need to post pictures but here is what I did.

I found a recipe for garlic jelly and adapted it a little

1/4 c. garlic cloves
2c. distilled vinegar
1 meyer lemon
1 T. dried rosemary
5 c. sugar
3 oz of liquid pectin

I roasted the garlic clove in the oven 375 for 45 minutes

Take the vinegar and bring almost to a boil with the lemon and rosemary. Take off heat and put a lid on to steep until the garlic is done. (be aware that this step will make your eyes water)

strain the vinegar
take the vinegar and garlic cloves and blend in food procesor. this is the point where it is either jam or jelly. For jelly strain and just use juice I left the cloves in and made jam.

add sugar and bring to a boil

add pectin and bring to a hard boil for 1 minute stir constantly

fill 5 half pint jars with jam. Leave 1/4 inch head space
Process in hot water bath for 5 minutes.

This is pretty good but I would like to have fresh rosemary on hand and put a sprig in each jar. I might also zest the lemon also and leave in the jar.

Do I smell spring?

2010-03-10T11:13:00.002-06:00

Look closely

Do you see them?

Here let me get closer

These little gems are garlic sprouts. I planted them last fall.

Potatoes

2010-03-09T23:11:00.000-06:00

One potato

Two potato

Three potato

Family of potatoes

but best of all king potato

KING WALLE!!!!

this says it all

Snow oh snow where did you go?

2010-03-06T22:34:00.001-06:00

This is what happens when snow falls off the roof

takes out the gutters and cable lines and starts to melt

You hire the kids to move it away from the wall to the basement and this is what you get

a bunch of kids playing in the snow

and water dripping off the roof

well. . . . good thing tomorrow is Sunday so I can do the rest

pizza with company

2010-03-06T22:26:00.000-06:00

Nothing is ever easy with a kid who is gluten free but when you add in company you have pizza 5 ways.
First I made the crust from scratch. I made a 100% whole wheat crust for the big pizza. It was good but 2 of the kids don't normally eat anything wheat so they didn't like it. I divided the dough into quarters and let the kids decide what to put on their own. First I used a jar of spaghetti sauce(homemade) because we are out of pizza sauce. I actually prefer this or we use homemade salsa instead. My goal was to gross out the kids and expand their horizons so my quarter was
Kmom-spinach, home canned turkey, anchovies, and pineapples.
K-pepperoni, pineapple, and sausage
J3-pepperoni and pineapple
J1-pepperoni (he was the only one who tried mine and liked it)
added cheese after the picture and this is what we ended up with

Next J2 pizza

start with a gluten free crust

add toppings

homemade gf sauce

gf nitrate and nitrite free and filler free bologna (or sausage if you are talking to my son)

follow your heart cheese (cassein free but not soy free)

bake pizza and enjoy

Baby rabbits----oh my!

2010-03-04T11:45:00.001-06:00

Tons of excitement before school today. Hopper gave birth to 9 babies. All are alive but I haven't seen her feed them yet. I am just going to leave her alone and see what happens. I am so excited myself I hope she turns into a good mama. I really don't want to feed her babies every 3 hours.

Making GF hot dog buns

2010-03-02T12:23:00.002-06:00

I am on a roll my son is actually trying a few new smells and shapes. WoooHooo!!!
I made these french bread type rolls

Dry Ingredients: Yeast Mix:

2 c. rice white rice flour 2 T. sugar

1 c. tapioca flour 1 1/2 c. lukewarm water
3 t. xantham gum 2 T. yeast
1 1/2 t. salt
2 t. egg replacer

Wet Ingredients:
2 T. butter or sub ( I used ghee)
3 egg whites (beaten)
1 t. vinegar

1. Proof the yeast mixture until foamy
2. mix together dry ingredients
3. mix seperate bowl wet ingredients
4. add yeast mix (after 15 mins) to dry ingredients---blend in
5. add wet ingredients and beat on high for 3 minutes
6. form loaves on greased and cornmeal cookie sheets or special bread loaves
7. cover and let rise 20- 25 minutes
8. preheat oven to 400
9. bake for 40-45 minutes
10. enjoy

I love my laptop lunchbox

2010-02-28T22:47:00.002-06:00

Not the most exciting lunch but my son loved it. This was the first time I allowed him to take cheese to school. I am allowing him small amount of cheese once a week. Next step is to make my own cheese.

The laptop lunchboxes are pretty cool! They are BPA free and can be configured many different ways. Some of the containers have lids and I have a larger one that takes up half. I have now run out of juice boxes so I pack a water bottle in the box. The lid of the box comes down so the food doesn't move around. My son can drop kick it accross the room and it will all still be intact.

What is in my fridge?

2010-02-20T14:52:00.002-06:00

Do I need to clean this out or what? I am surprised with what accumulates.

Isn't the finished product beautiful. I am doing well at getting most plastic out of my life. Did you notice all the canning jars in my fridge? The top shelf is gluten free mixes the bottom shelf is homemade juice.

Here is a picture of my pantry. Once again notice all the canning jars. I am so organized. Well at least the fridge and pantry are.

Look what I found!

2010-02-19T23:05:00.001-06:00

I found a canner, 2 qt. canning jar, 1 qt. canning jar, 2 small jars with lids, and 2 oil lamps for $6.

update: canner leaks a little so this one will be used for jelly jars and from now on used outside.

carrots: tigress can jam

2010-02-19T22:43:00.002-06:00

This month is carrots. I found a recipe a year ago that I have been wanting to try so I am excited by the challenge forcing me to do it.

I am making Carrot Cake Jam

Yes you heard me correct carrot cake in a jar.

First thing, and hardest thing is to find a vegetable peeler. I don't usually peel anything so where could it be. I never did find one but I went to my neighbors and borrowed one. It is 7p.m. and they already think I am nuts but I have a peeler.

I add all the main ingredients to the pan it smells like I am baking a cake instead of canning jam.

I bring to a boil and then let everything simmer for 20 mins. I had to do it longer because my carrots were still tough.
Next add liquid pectin--boil 1 min

Then add sugar

A lot of sugar. Where did the jam go? I'll give it a stir.

Keep stirring. . . . . . . . . . Oh there it is! I found it!

Bring it to a hard boil and let it boil for 1 minute. Then fill the Jars
10 min process in BWB

Carrot Cake Jam

makes 6 1/2 pints

1 1/2c. shredded carrots

1 1/2 c. diced pears

1 (14oz) can crushed pineapples, undrained

3 T. lemon juice

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. nutmeg

1/2 t. clove

1 pouch liquid pectin

6 1/2 c. sugar

Add all ingredients to pan except pectin and sugar. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 mins.
add pectin and bring to a boil
add sugar and bring to a hard boil for 1 minute
fill hot sterilized jars
process for 10 minutes

I enjoyed this recipe although I think it has to much sugar.

Where is my support group?

2010-02-15T17:27:00.001-06:00

OK I am quitting coffee. There is support for drugs and alcohol and sex and cigarettes but what about me? I have no sponser to call at 2 in the afternoon when I really want a cup of coffee. How am I supposed to learn to drive without coffee nearby. I don't know what to do?

I know I sound a little crazy. It really hasn't been that hard but I won't lie and say it is easy either. A few advantages I have noticed so far are being able to go to sleep by 10pm instead of 1 am. The downside to going to bed early is getting up early. I have noticed that in the morning I have less stiffness in my joints though. I nice side effect I didn't expect. I also am not binge eating as much.

I am typing this as it is snowing outside and I really want a cup of coffee. I do have an empty cup sitting on the table. The cup is so pretty to look at I am not getting rid of them. I almost think I like the mugs as much as the coffee to put in them.

soccer fun

2010-02-13T18:39:00.001-06:00

Jeffrey had a soccer game today. I get a kick out of him. He loves to be goalie. Personally I couldn't take the stress, even as a mom I hold my breath the entire time. Fortunately he is good at it.

Jordan on the other hand has no desire to play any sports. He is obsessed with wall-e at the moment so he sits with his toy and ignores the world. At one point he was laying under my legs. He is so funny though one of my friends was there and he walks over to her puts his head in her lap and says hi Trey's mom. Luckily she thinks he is adorable, as do I.

day 3 no coffee----almost

2010-02-13T13:10:00.004-06:00

I am on day 3 but not quite perfect. I had a cup of instant coffee for breakfast yesterday.. That stuff is real nasty. Today I decided I really like the coffee but I am not going back. I miss holding a hot mug of something. Enter Teecino you will see my favorite flavor in the link. No caffeine made from carob, barley, chicory root, dates, orange peel, almonds, and figs. You make this just like coffee except it has no caffeine.

Waiting for Wall-e

2010-02-12T08:00:00.018-06:00

If you remember my Tom and Jerry saga from this summer this is just like it but replace with Wall-e

I promised Jordan when he got all of his spelling words correct I would buy the wall-e wii game. Now so you don't think !wow! that is a good gift, it has been close to 3 months since we have accomplished this task. Bravo, he did it last week. The search begins: first gamestop-no luck, next blockbuster-no luck, then farm n fleet-no luck, finally back to gamestop and we got a different game. I guess I should have planned better but they had plenty last time I checked.

As soon as we got home I got on the internet and ordered the game. We are still waiting and he is starting to drive me crazy. My son has some OCD issues. I hope it doesn't show up today though because they are going to their dads and he would drive me crazy before he left.

Please Amazon gods send my game on Monday, I BEG you!!!

Bad habits are hard to break

2010-02-11T14:26:00.001-06:00

I have a problem that has gotten out of control. Get your minds out of the gutter it isn't illegal just addictive. Coffee, caffeine, sugar COFFEE! I have been trying to stop my coffee habit for months now. I always have an excuse. I will wait until the creamer is gone because it was so expensive. Creamer is gone but there is still coffee and I wouldn't want it to go stale. I buy more creamer and the insanity starts over.

Lucky for me I woke up with a head cold this morning. I drank herbal tea for breakfast and decided I might as well start my coffee free existence today. What did I do? Am I really going cold turkey?

NO!! I almost made it though. I resisted the coffee until 2 p.m. but I had such a headache that I figured I would try just one cup. I was smart though and had a cup of instant java. YUK!!!!! It did the trick though. I feel better and did not enjoy the cup of java so one was all I had.

Hopefully my kids will find something to occupy their time while I let loose on the world in a caffeine withdrawal haze.

Pinewood derby

2010-02-06T11:47:00.000-06:00

It is that time of year again. I need to realize that I am not supermom but I do try my best. I had a really hard time cutting the cars out all I had is a dremel. I worked on them for a week and they looked pretty bad. Luckily Uncle Fred saved the day. We took the cars out to him and he cut them with a bandsaw. Bless you uncle Fred.

Jordan is waiting for his car to race. He won the first 3 races and after the first race he asked me who won. I told him he did, he was so excited after every race from then on he had to ask unfortunately he lost the next 6. We ended up in 3rd place. Look at that trophy!!

Jordan and his car

Third place not so bad he was so happy

Now it is Jeffrey's turn!

1st Place

BOTH MY BOYS WITH CARS AND TROPHYS

Giant snow sculptures

2010-02-05T12:55:00.001-06:00

a worm on a mushroom?

a walrus

skull-the shading was great

Our favorite 2 turtles

this was pretty cool. Of course we had drama because we always have drams. I planned ahead and had the boys pack all of their snow gear just in case. When we got there it was set up so you could just drive through. We drove through and all I heard from the boys in the back "lets get out, Let's get out, let's get out, let's get out." I decided to drive through a second time and this time we parked halfway through. I told the boys to just get out. We walked about 50 feet and Jordan was complaining the whole time I need my boots. If I was smart I would have just let him have his way. I gave in and we went back to the car for boots. He walked in a snow bank for 10 minutes and then all was good.

The boys wanted to build one too but I am still waiting for my snowman to be built so we will have to see.

School lunch

2010-02-04T13:09:00.003-06:00

I invested in a laptop lunchbox. I love this lunchbox. Of course so far my meals have been very boring. Then again my son is a very boring eater. We have been on a grilled cheese jag for close to 4 months. I am bored but I do know what I am going to make every day.

Eat a Rainbow!

2010-02-04T11:46:00.005-06:00

This one is NOT gluten free

No not one of these

but one of these

I made this cake for Jeffrey and Kinseys birthday. The outside is very deceiving I left it plain white and just wrote their names on it. I got the oooooohhh when I cut into the cake. It was fun to see everyone eat the cake differently. Some ate it by layers. The littlest one picked the layers and stacked on his spoon then ate.
All in all what a fun cake. No this was not my idea. I was sent a link from my good friend Ann earlier this summer. I have been drooling to make this since then. Go to whisk girl for the recipe
http://whisk-kid.blogspot.com/2009/08/say-it-with-cake.html

This cake is definately not gluten free but I am going to try and adapt the recipe so stay tuned.

spectrum or not?

2010-01-25T16:07:00.003-06:00

I received the best call a mother can have today. Jordan's OT called and she doesn't believe that he is on the spectrum anymore. Deb has been with us since Jordan was 2. She was the first one to tell me she believed he had autism. She was the one who suggested I try coromega(cod liver oil). She also was the one who would push my son the most. Sometimes he would hate to see her walk through the door and other times he would be thrilled. In her opinion my son at 2 had severe autism at 5 he had moderate and at 7 is off the spectrum. Her opinions were usually correct because he would be scientifically tested later and it was just how she guessed.

Now I am not saying my son is cured. He still is delayed and will always have extreme sensory issues but he is able to understand now. He understands language and what is real and what is a joke. He asks the "wh" questions and can answer most questions asked of him. His attention span is still very short but we are working on that.

Oh yeah he has finally learned to tie his own shoes!! It has been a big day for us today.

Now my next challenge is to wean him back onto dairy. I have a farmer friend where I can get raw milk and I will be making Kefir and cheese for him myself. I am going to keep him gluten free at least until this summer because I have seen so much progress on the diet. I don't believe we will ever go back to eating anything processed. There is just to many chemicals in the food NOBODY should be eating those chemicals.

New Year

2010-01-01T11:27:00.005-06:00

Today is the first day of 2010!!! I intend to enjoy this year.
Goals for this year.
1. continue to heal my son (I am close)
2. garden as much as I can
3. blog more
4. can as much as I can ( I joined a can jam)

supplement update

2009-12-23T22:20:00.002-06:00

Again this is really just for me
they are all gluten free, dye free, casein free, and filler free

2 capsules of super nu thera
carnitine fumarate
acetyl carnitine
zinc picolate
enzymes
vit D3
oil of oregano
co q 10
vit c
fish oil
pro bio gold (probiotic)

Time to Kombucha

2009-12-23T21:52:00.008-06:00

I have learned how easy it is to make kombucha so here I go.
First you need a scoby or mushroom. I aquired mine at the westin price conference from an amish family.

step 1: make tea I used 3 qts of water 4 tea bags and 1c. sugar.
step 2: cool to room temp
step 3: add scoby (that is what is floating in the tea)
step 4: cover with a breathable cloth (beware fruit flies love this)
step 5: wait 2 to 3 weeks to stop fermenting

step 6: take scoby out and strain
all done

of course I wanted fruit flavors so I fermented a second time
this bottle is sweet cherries from the freezer

next I just added the plain kombucha back and let ferment for a couple days. I then strained and put in the fridge.

we did 2 flavor and one plain

left to right
plain, cherry, raspberry

I liked the cherry best. Jeffrey liked the raspberry. Jordan not so much.
Health note do not take more than 4 oz it is a very strong probiotic

It has been a year

2009-12-02T22:23:00.003-06:00

I started this blog a year ago so I would have a place to keep my thoughts and maybe help someone else out who was just beginning their journey. Jordan went dairy free the day after Thanksgiving and gluten free 3 weeks later.

I have learned a ton the entire time. My life has changed dramatically over the course of a year. In the first month he lost 8 pounds but over the course of the year he gained 16 more. That is an amazing amount of weight for him. Of course he is still skinny but I can't count his rib bones anymore. I have to point out that he has never been ill if he catches a cold it is for a day at the most.

We all started reading labels and I was shocked at what I was feeding my kids. It is amazing to me how many new words they use now for MSG. I decided to cut out all food colorings and flavorings. So now we are gluten free, dairy free, color free, MSG free, and not free but seriously cut back on corn, nitrates, sugar, and yeast. I learned so much over the year that I decided to go back to school and I am working on my holistic nutrition degree.

We have changed our lives a lot over the year and my blog will be changing also. In my research of food I have become more local and sustainable. I tripled my garden, learned how to pressure can. I made some great farmer friend where I learned how to butcher a cabrito and harvested honey from a hive.

corn dogs

2009-10-05T21:38:00.002-05:00

If you remember I posted earlier that my son loves corn dogs. That was actually the last time we had them so I thought I would try it again. This time instead of deep frying them I thought I would bake them. WRONG WRONG WRONG Yup you guessed it mister picky wouldn't even touch them. He would not do anything but smell them and gag. I guess when you find something that works don't change the formula. You would think that after 7 years I would have figured this out.

We are in the middle of a food jag. He wants waffles and sausage patties for breakfast and a grilled cheese for lunch. This has gone on for almost 2 months about the time I stock up again he will be done with his jag. I know I am not supposed to only give one food because the proteins start to get through the intestines and that causes a food intolerance but I am just a mom trying to get her kid to eat.

squash pickles

2009-09-15T14:10:00.002-05:00

I had to figure out what to do with some of my squash and since our cucumber bombed this year I decided to make pickles. Please don't tell Jeffrey that they aren't cucumbers. I am hoping that he won't notice. I followed the recipe trail from the Dervaaes blog to Emeril.

Pickled Squash
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2001
Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
0 min
Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Intermediate
Serves:
Approximately 4 pints of pickles

Ingredients
10 cups sliced squash,zucchini or yellow summer squash (I cut them as spears)
2 cups sliced onions
Kosher salt, for sprinkling vegetables
2 cups white vinegar
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons pickling spice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional

Directions
In a large pot or bowl, layer sliced squash and sliced onions, and sprinkle each layer generously with kosher salt and let sit for 1 hour. Drain well.
In a large non-reactive pot, combine vinegar, sugar, pickling spice, and crushed red pepper and bring to a boil. Add squash and onions and return to a boil.
Divide vegetables between sterilized jars and ladle enough pickling liquid over vegetables to come within 1/2?inch from top of jar. Wipe rims of jars clean, cover with lids and screw tops in place. Process jars in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Remove jars from water bath and cool. Jars should seal as they cool. Any jars that do not seal should be refrigerated and consumed within 2 weeks.

3 day weekend

2009-09-07T08:03:00.002-05:00

Yippee a long weekend. I can relax and finish my school work, right. Nope not me I have to find things to do that of course could have waited.

On Saturday after working all day at market I came home and decided to rip out the carpet in the living room/playroom. This really did need to be done it smells really bad. My littliest daycare baby spits up on an hourly basis and it just smelt. Well mom and I get in there and rip out the carpet. step one done. Now step 2 replace floor. Hahaha we have noithing to replace it with. I just swept it really well and we are going to put the blue mats down until I can get the floor done.

On Sunday I run into Rockford. Jordan need supplements and some gluten free food. I also end up getting 4 doz sweet corn and several pounds of concord grapes so I guess Monday will be a canning day.

What an opportunity!

2009-09-01T08:52:00.002-05:00

My neighbors at market from K-Lee bar farm raise dairy goats and with fall approaching they were going to need to butcher some goats or have to buy hay. They offered to let me help. Now would be the time to stop reading if you get squeamish.
http://kleebar.wordpress.com/

I woke up Sunday both a little excited and a little nervous about butchering day. I was really going for the experience but came home with a goat that I butchered. I almost feel guilty but what a great way to get meat that I know has no chemicals added and fed and treated humanely.

When I arrived Lisa already had one skinned and hanging there I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't gross me out. My theory is after 7 years of extremelly gross bathroom issues with my son I can do anything now.

We started our goats I didn't enjoyed the amount of innards at first but by the end I wanted to dissect them. The skinning took me a good 40 minutes I can't believe how fast others can do this. I learned a lot about anatomy and very fascinated, next time if I get invited again I am bringing an anatomy book so I can name the parts.

I have to say this is a skill I am happy to announce that I enjoyed learning. Yesterday I worked with the kidneys to see what I could do. This is where the chef in me came out. I marinated them in lemon juice for a while to pull out any impurities and soften. Next I tried them 3 ways. I tried them raw and I actually enjoyed them, I tried them in a rice dish but I was out of rice so I used quinoa again not bad, and then I tried one cut in half and I skewered it and bbq it. The bbq version was my favorite. They are very rich and tasty.

Today I am playing with the heart. I am also soaking in lemon juice then I am going to cut in half and flour the slices so that I can quick saute and then I am going to let them simmer for a good hour with carrots and onions and celery all from my garden.

The liver is next on my list. I am eating some for dinner tonight and then I am going to freeze the rest so that I can grate some into Jordans muffins so he can get some extra iron and minerals.

Watch Jeffrey dive!

2009-08-27T21:55:00.004-05:00

He was a little afraid to do this but I am pretty impressed with his skills.

Road trip, Disney, and a cruise!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-27T21:17:00.008-05:00

check out how small the boys are they fit in buzz's shoes

What a week! I am pleasantly exhausted. Grandma and I drove 1500 miles with 2 boys and survived. I am not sure how our parents survived road trips when I was young we must have played the grocery game a million times. Traveling with children today is easy. All I needed to pack was 2 gameboys, a dvd player, and some favorite toys and they pretty much ignored us the entire time. We just had to remember to throw a few food scraps at them every 2 hours or there would be hell to pay.

Disney is an awesome experience for someone on the gfcf diet. I ordered a hot dog no bun and the girl asked me if it was because of food allergies. Before I could blink she had called a manager and we had a new hot dog with a gf bun. Jordan was thrilled to be like everyone else. The next day we ordered a gf pizza but it was Amy's so real cheese I decided to let it go. They do carry tofutti ice cream though. The guest assistance pass is unbelievable and my brother also appreciated not having to wait in line with his barely 3 year old.

We went to the beach in between disney and our cruise and it was a great relaxing afternoon. Of course we had done the pool in the morning so maybe sun was becoming an issue.
a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_et1Y-0vlWKk/SpdB1u32PkI/AAAAAAAAAHk/ZCijOjg1ZZU/s1600-h/cruise+007.JPG">

The cruise was unbelievably great. They went out of their way to take care of my son. They made him gf pizza every night. They didn't have the cf ability so I decided to just let it go the gluten free was what was the most important. I did notice more hand flapping and parifial eye movement but that could be because we were away from home for 10 days. This is the longest that Jordan has been away from home without making himself physically ill.

Jeffrey and I went snorkeling in Cozumel and Jordan went with aunt Tami, Kinsey, and grandma to touch dolphins.
Both boys and all the adults had wonderful experiences.

Tom and Jerry Saga

2009-08-09T07:13:00.004-05:00

J is awesome at the computer. When he is at grandma's (which is a lot) he surfs the web. Tom and Jerry are his obsession at the moment. He has found a Tom and Jerry game that he would like to buy for the gameboy. He counted his money and figured not quite enough. Well... two weeks ago we had a garage sale and when he counted the money he made he knew exactly what to buy. I helped him go online to purchase a game from a seller on Amazon. He immediately went outside to wait for the mailman, remember it is only Saturday. We finally got him to come in by informing it would be here by next Saturday. I gave the games a whole week just in case there were any problems.

He drove me nuts all week. He practically attacked the mail lady every day. Around Thursday he was starting to get sad and lathargic. I emailed the seller to see when it was mailed so I could have a definate date, they were very nice, and we figured it would be here by Sat. On Sat I come home from work and there is a package in the mailbox I recognize the sellers name so I don't open it, big mistake. J opens the package takes one look at it and says "That is dumb" The game we got was for playstation2 it was tales of the crypt. Not really all that appropriate for a 7 year old. I emailed the seller immediately and they responded right away with a sorry please return and we will send again.

Well it is Saturday again and I am getting nervous. The boys are going on a 2 day car trip in 4 days and the game really needs to get here. I get home from work and there is another package in my box. This time I open it just in case. Tom and Jerry have arrived and the seller threw in a bonus game so now we have 2. I din't want to tell J yet because he needed to do a little work first. Of course the minute he saw me he started asking for the T&J game over and over and over and over and over again. I give! I tell him the games are here but he can't have them until we pack his suitcase. Well that didn't work, he starts hyperventalating and really stressed so I give again and he opens the package. We now have one happy little boy who really wants to get his work done so he can play.

Finally I say he can play and he was glued to his game until bedtime. I have to say other than the length of time(which really wasn't that long but J was driving me nuts) this seller was awesome! They responded to my emails, they resent the game with an extra, and they refunded my money (which they didn't need to do)
All that really matters is that Jordan is happy and he is!

You gotta luv my mom!!

2009-07-26T22:10:00.002-05:00

I know the spelling is bad but the statement is very true. My mom did a trip to whole foods. My freezer is now fully stocked with everything Ians. I am trying to only use it when I don't have any time but my son really loves this food, it reminds him of the crappy food he used to eat.

We are going on a cruise in 22 days. I am very nervous about the whole gfcf diet on a boat. I have filled out the special form and I just hope that they get something for my son to eat.

Change in probiotic

2009-06-29T17:13:00.002-05:00

I have substituted three lac for the pro bio gold. It is supposed to help with yeast more and since that is a major issue I'll take any and all help.

I have given up on getting my son to eat anything. He still wants to eat what he ate before I have just substituted gf ingreds. Will there ever be a time in my life when I get to cook normal food and my boys will eat it.

strawberry rhubarb muffins

2009-06-25T18:14:00.002-05:00

This recipe is copied directly from the glutenfreegoddess blog
Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins Recipe

These tender little muffins are the perfect bite for a morning snack or afternoon pick-me-up. Wrap and freeze in foil for easy take along treats.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease or line a 12-muffin pan with paper liners.

Whisk together the dry ingredients:

1/2 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/4 cup arrowroot starch
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup organic light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Make a well in the center of the dry mix and add in:

1/4 cup light olive oil
Ener-G Egg Replacer for 2 eggs mixed with warm water
1/2 cup warm vanilla hemp milk, more if needed
2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla

Stir in and beat by hand until smooth.

Add in:

1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup chopped rhubarb

Stir to mix in the fruit. Spoon the batter into 12 muffin cups. Make the streusel topping.

Streusel Topping Recipe

1/4 cup organic light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons Spectrum Organic Shortening, as needed

Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in a tablespoon of the shortening and mix until you have grainy crumbs. Add another tablespoon of shortening if you need it. Tou want a light, sandy crumble.

Spoon the streusel topping onto each muffin.

Bake in the center of a preheated oven for about 18 minutes or so, until golden and firm. If your fruit was cold it will take longer to bake, up to 25 minutes.

Cool briefly on a wire rack, then lift the muffins out of the pan to continue cooling.

These are lovely warm from the oven.

Makes 12 muffins.

UPDATE: These are really good. I had them tested any no one could tell they were gluten free. Of course the one person who it mattered with didn't like them. He liked the cupcake just not the strawberries in it. "mom next time make these no fruit O.K."

birthday and parade

2009-06-16T23:43:00.003-05:00

We woke up to a rainy day. Of course I still had to do market in the morning we were surprisingly steady. I almost sold out but not quite. We had to go to a parade first. I was a little nervous about the candy but we had a chat and Jordan understood that he had to ask before he could eat any. I was armed with my gfcf guide that named the brands not just the type. He asked about every piece and didn't get upset when I said NO. He just would look for another.

The birthday party was a successful. I served Tacos. I used ground beef, turkey, and venison. I used the taco seasoning recipe from myo spice mixes at gfcfrecipes@yahoo. The toppings were lettuce and olives. I made refried beans from whole pinto beans and I made my version of spanish rice. We also had a fruit tray and chips. No one really complained about the lack of cheese. I made my birthday cake using the same recipe as earlier post except I used coconut oil instead. I gave up and used food coloring for red and black. The colors ran on my cake so it wasn't my best but spiderman has been done 4 years in a row now.

gluten infraction

2009-06-08T08:24:00.002-05:00

On friday Jordan ate 10 pringles. Yes I know wheat starch. Now I am not sure what caused the mood breakdown it could have been infraction, the fact that he didn't sleep well or no more school. Anyways the boys were very naughty all day. There was hitting and screaming and crying that came to blows about 5pm. I was not having fun! Anyways Jordan did a few things that I didn't realize I hadn't seen in a while. He was crying uncontrolled and spent a long time in his hidey cubby spot.

supplement update

2009-06-08T08:20:00.003-05:00

I am doing this for myself so I know what we are taking and how much
1 tsp super nu thera
1 tsp cod liver oil
cal mag chewable 2x
co q 10 2xday
carnitine 2xday
enzyme 3x day
vitamin d3
zinc picolinate
b-12 shot every 3 days
pro bio gold probiotic daily

b-12 and b-day

2009-06-03T09:29:00.002-05:00

I know it has been a while and I have some updating to do. I will do this later I was at autism one lots to tell. but today

We did our first b-12 shot last night. I did it first on myself then jordan while he was asleep. It really is no big deal he felt it but it didn't hurt. Oh my gosh do I feel good today. I wonder what I would feel like if I had a full dose instead of a 50lb kid dose. He woke up so excited and hyper. I am not sure whether it was because of his birthday, the fact that he was going on a field trip at school, or the B-12.

Update poop, rabbits, and sleep

2009-05-12T19:10:00.004-05:00

We are doing better now. The diarrhea had stopped. I got the privilege of seeing the stretchy strings of yeast in his poop. No I didn't take a picture but only because my toilet wasn't that clean. I really have my own issues with poop. My kids find it perfectly normal for me to have my head in the toilet to see what it looks like. Pretty pathetic I know. The worst part is I have a home daycare and I can tell by looking at the poop who forgot to flush. I even know my dogs poop from my moms dog. According to Jeffrey he thinks I should get a life and find something better to obsess about. I just keep reminding him that in the olden days doctors diagnosed a sick child by looking at their poop. Insert rolling of eyes here.

The rabbits are getting bigger and have dug their way out but they are to well fed to run away. Yesterday I couldn't find the boys even though I could here them and they were in the rabbit cage. A really good place for them.

Jordan went on a field trip today to a farm. No there was no pigs! I got the biggest laugh out of that. The school sent home a note specifying that there was no pigs on the farm. The funniest part is we are a farming community how stupid people really act when they buy into the media hysteria. According to Jordan "no pigs allowed" I asked him if there was pigs on the farm and I guess that is what he was told. Of course his aid called during the trip because everyone was having ice cream and he wanted some. Now why couldn't they tell me this ahead of time I had ice cream in my freezer that he could have brought along. I caved because I know it only takes 3 days to get out of his system compared to the months it takes gluten.

We are still having sleep issues. Every night about 4 am he wakes up screaming so I let him get in my bed. I am trying to figure it out. I put him back on Melatonin and I will give it a week to see if this makes a difference. It could just be because grandma and grandpa are going on vacation for 10 days and he doesn't think they are coming back. We printed up their itinerary and have it all mapped out so we will be OK unless they decide to stay longer. They can't stay longer though because I need them to watch the kids Sunday so I can go to autism one. They aren't seeing their dad very often anymore and he moved to a new house so I have the feeling that he thinks they are just going to disappear.

Violet Jelly

2009-05-12T18:38:00.007-05:00

It is spring here and we are making violet jelly for the first time. Different than I expected but it is gfcf but definately not sugar free: My older son was so excited that he is going to take it to school tomorrow he also has conned me into trying a dandelion flavor next.

1 qt violet flowers (no stems) this is fun for the kids to do
fill the jar with boiling water and let set for 12 to 24 hours

when the water is added it is a ugly blue color never fear it will be pretty in the end

add 2c of violet juice to a pan
juice in 1 lemon (watch it turn pink)
add 1 box pectin and boil hard 1 minute

add 4 c. sugar and bring to a boil 1 minute

pour into hot jelly jars and process for 10 minutes

Its been a while boy am I frustrated!!!!!!!

2009-05-09T17:36:00.004-05:00

What fun I have been having! Lets see what has been going on. We have had weeks of diarhea. The sleep has been sporatic and I am burning out. I am frustrated with the diet. I saw a difference right away and now I am not so sure. I think I was at school 3 times this week. It was actually a relief to go tent camping in the rain because I didn't have to read labels or time the medicine.

What do I do? I see improvements everyday but he still is the pickiest eater. All this diet has done is just take his five foods and sub them with a new 5 foods. Any and all new foods I can get him to try which is an improvement but he always and I mean always gags and spits it out.

An explosion!!!!!!

2009-04-28T10:20:00.003-05:00

I got another call from school at 1 to come get Jordan because his stomach hurt. I didn't want to bring him home but....jordan had other ideas. We got home and I gave him an enzme and probiotic and he said he felt better. Later we were at grandma's and he was very lethargic and cold he just wanted to sit on our laps and cuddle. Next thing we know he lets out a huge string of farts and said "I feel better" and "excuse me" About 30 minutes later he runs down the hall and yells "I did it" Which means mom I pooped come wipe my butt. My goodness is was a huge pile of mush almost as big as a cow pie. He felt much better. I gave him a bath later with epsom salts and he got out halfway through and did it again. This one must have been what was left it was mostly water.

bedtime was easy no crying and he went right to sleep. He slept through the night and was asleep every time I checked on him. Well this morning he woke up happy and goofy. No crying that he didn't want to go to school. So far so good they get out at noon and I haven't had a call yet.

mom my head hurts

2009-04-27T12:20:00.003-05:00

Jordan was doing pretty good all weekend until sunday night at bedtime. They were at their dad for 6 hours so I figured he was just wound from that, his brother always is.

Put him to bed and had to listen to him tell me how I don't like him anymore and grandma doesn't love him. This is his new thing he thinks he is bad and that no one loves him. I calmed down those fears and left his room. Immediately the scream crying started. I let it go like you would with a baby and about pulled out all my hair. Finally I checked on him and he said his head was going woosh woosh I wasn't sure what that meant but typically when he complains his head hurts something is wrong. He is also doing this fake little cough. I gave in and put him in my bed which is what he wanted to begin with. I heard his coughing for a while and then he went to sleep. Later when I went to bed I didn't want to wake him so I didn't turn on the light and climbed in bed. Immediately I felt something wet on the tail of his stuffed animal and my butt was wet. I turned on the light and guess what, no he didn't pee it was worse, he had thrown up. Lucky me I did smell it but it didn't register. I am so glad I put my hand down first. YUCK! This is when I love having kids. but it was my own fault he did say his head felt weird. Good news it did look like his dad fed him food that he was supposed to.

I am still trying to figure out what is the sleep issue I thought we got rid of those with dairy removal. I guess this is from the yeast dying. I just wish it would hurry up and die.

Biscuits FINALLY!

2009-04-26T10:03:00.004-05:00

I did it I made biscuits. Of course they were drop because I don't roll out anything. My son finally thinks I can cook. It took a lot of ingreds so I am not sure if it was worth it. I used brown rice, sorgum, amaranth,and tapioca. It also called for sugar which we need to cut out so although he liked them I will keep looking for a recipe.

We are having sleep issues again. I might have to go back to giving melatonin at night again. I haven't needed that since we took dairy out but.... My son seems to be extra afraid of the dark they already use nightlights but it isn't enough. I tried 2 nightlights still not enough. I had to leave the hall light on which I hate to do because you can see right in my house then. Solution by grandma get a 15 watt bulb and leave his light on all night. Well I did that and he did stay in his bed and didn't cry but when I did a bed check at midnight he was sitting straight up in bed. He wasn't making any noise just awake and he lost his pillow.

Finally yeast die-off

2009-04-24T09:14:00.003-05:00

I got my call from the school on wednesday to come get him. I knew it was coming he seemed a little off at breakfast. Anyways we had finished flagyl on tuesday and I just assumed it wasn't working but I am happy to say I was wrong.
At school he came late into class and was upset that everyone was ahead of him, usually this isn't an issue. He was mean to his aid that he decided he was naughty and changed his clip from green to orange. His aid just let him go because it wasn't worth a fight. O.k. I know you are wondering what is a clip. The school do a behavior chart like a stop light. Green=good; yellow=warning; orange=better be careful you are gonna be in real trouble and then red=BAD. As you can see he skipped yellow and went right to orange. The only thing he did was tell his teacher she was mean and didn't like him anymore. Well after that it only went downhill. He was crying uncontrollably and biting himself. That is about when they called me. I calmed him down and he seemed ok the rest of the day.
Thursday I kept him home from school just in case. He was fine and very happy to be at home. Finally at 4pm he pooped. Long and skinny with black sandy flecks. Lots of dead yeast.

Best Yellow cake ever

2009-04-15T09:24:00.006-05:00

This is what the recipe said and I have to agree
I got this off recipe circus a gfcf yahoo group
original recipe: autism recovery network by B.L. olson

Ingredients:
4 eggs room temp
1/2 c. milk of milk sub (I used rice milk) room temp
2t. vanilla (I used furst mcness)
2 1/4 c. GF flour sifted (I used Bette Hagmans original)
1 1/2 c. sugar
2t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
3/4t. xanthan gum
1c. shortening softened (I used smart balance)

Adjust oven to lower middle 350 degrees.
Grease 2 rounds and then flour also (I used a small pan and did the rest a cupcakes)

-Beat eggs, milk, vanilla. Measure out 1 c. set aside
-Combine dry ingredients in mixer on low for 30 ( I use the whip paddle)
-While mixer is still running add butter in small pieces one at a time. Mix until pea size. Takes about 30 to 40 seconds.
-Add reserved 1C. of egg mix and turn mixer to #6 beat until light and fluffy about 1 minute.
-Add remaining egg mix in a steady stream.
-stop mixer and scrape sides and bottom
-beat on #6 until look slightly curdled 15 seconds

Divide batter and cook 20 to 25 minutes (my cupcakes were done but the cake took another 10 minutes)

I topped the cake with strawberries from my garden that I found in my freezer they still tasted good.

Bette Hagmans Original Flour Blend

2C. rice flour
2/3 c. potato starch
1/3 c. tapioca starch/flour
use a whisk to blend and store in an airtight container

This cake was so good my kids forgave me for not being able to make biscuits. I served this to my parents who are not gf and they couldn't tell the difference

Nystatin is NOT fun

2009-04-14T14:45:00.002-05:00

O.k. we have to take 5ml of nystatin twice a day. What a nightmare!!!! This stuff tastes awful. It is compounded in a xylitol base which makes it sweeter and it still sucks. First dose I didn't know better so I gave it to him in a med cup for him to drink and he immediately spit it out. Next I syringed it in but I had to hold him down sit on his legs and force it in. Again he spit it out. Next this is after 20 minutes I put in juice and he drank it. Now I am sure you are probably wondering why I don't always put it in juice well....let me tell you.

Second dose I put it in juice he refused it. Not only did he refuse the Nystatin but every other supplement we are giving him. I finally got all of them down and then after an epsom salt bath he had to take his probiotic. Big surprise I showed him how to swallow a pill and he did it on the first try. I just don't get it.

Sunday we start again: supernuthera-med cup liquid (refused)
flagly-syringe (fought me)
Nystatin-liquid in juice (drank under duress)
cal/mag-chewable (no problem)
enzymes-chewable (no problem)
carnitine-capsule (in juice with nystatin)
coQ10-capsule(with nystatin)
I am officially not having any fun!
Today is easter and I didn't buy any candy. I stuffed the eggs with change and dollar toys they didn't miss the candy.

Monday no school but they went to grandmas and I never saw them again. I just went next door during medicine time and that was it.

Today: what a fight at breakfast to get everything done but He wants the Nystatin in a syringe and he will just drink it.

It is grandmas birthday today so we have to make a cake.

DAN doc

2009-04-13T11:24:00.002-05:00

I absolutely love my DAN. We had to leave the house by 6 for an 8:30 appt but it was worth it. She really didn't add in supplements that I wasn't already doing but she did put him of Flayl for 10 days and then 2 months of Nystatin. It was nice to go to a Dr. and have them have a clue what I am talking about.

The Pharmacy drama: I was going to use the inhouse pharmacy but the pharmacist talked my into trying to get them through the local cvs first because they of course don't take my insurance. I drive 3 hours to get to my local CVS and they tell my they can't compound so I had to call and have the Nystatin shipped to me.

One bonus was Jordan got to have a real pizza that came in a pizza box and everything. There is a new pizza place called pizzafusion 10 minutes from the DAN. We had to wait 30 minutes for them to open but it was next to whole foods so we used our time wisely. He ate the entire pizza I guess it was good. Expensive but worth it.
http://www.pizzafusion.com/

Now all I have to do it take him in for his blood work, not to happy about this and let his hair grow long enough that I can take a sample.

I was bamboozled

2009-04-06T20:37:00.002-05:00

Check out our 1 rabbit- oops we came home with 2 but aren't they cute?

My First DAN appointment

2009-04-06T19:53:00.002-05:00

I am so excited and a little nervous but I finally have an appointment. I am researching the results of my test. I am compiling the questions I need to ask so that I can keep the hourly cost down because as you know insurance doesn't cover.

The results to my OATS test were sent to my ped and she was not happy. I kinda find it funny. Jeffrey had to go in for a wart removal and she had all the test results. She is convinced that this test is from a supplement company trying to take my money because only medicine is approved. I brought to her attention that since Jordan went off dairy within 24 hours he was pooping and sleeping through the night and she said of course. [Speaking of poop I had to stop typing to go wipe a butt we still don't have that mastered but it is better than cleaning underwear] The funny thing is I think she is aware because when I mentioned excess yeast she mentioned probiotics not a medicine. She is like the typical doc who needs the scientific proof first not just some crazy mom who believes in what she is doing.

Sink or Swim week/ OATS results

2009-04-06T19:40:00.004-05:00

We had spring break last week and my plan was to serve whole foods only and offer nothing else. I am sure you can see were this is going. Yup Jordan won. I had a great variety on every meal and there was always something I knew he would eat. No surprise he only ate the familiar food and would sit for hours rather than eat anything else. What a long week no wonder I didn't have time to blog.

I still haven't mastered biscuits and he wants them so bad. Last night he told me to quit making cookies instead of biscuits. We still have the gag reflex with everything. I try to put new food in his mouth and he just dry heaves.

OATS RESULTS: No surprise we have yeast issues and a few other things that I am still researching.

Oats test in the mail

2009-03-19T09:00:00.002-05:00

Finally!!! The doctor called at 4 yesterday and we ran over to get the form. Of course it wasn't filled out correctly. All she had to do was sign it and add her phone number and put an I99 number. No number. I give it back for her to add a number and she goes off on her receptionist which of course I can hear. "I signed it what more does the mother expect" I comment to the other recptionist that maybe it was time I found a new doc and she went back and I heard her say "You know the mother can hear you and she isn't happy" The nurse came out then and asked exactly what I want and then she did it for me. I don't think it is the correct number and I am going to ask the girls in my biomedical group for the correct number and just do it myself.
One good thing though I was pissed enough and never really liking her to begin with so I am calling other DRs in town and getting a new one. I just really hate to start over. I checked with Dr. Usman the Dan dr and I am on her waiting list maybe eventually I will get in to see her.
Well we took the test today. He loves to pee in a cup, go figure. I am just waiting for Fed ex to come pick it up. Nothing like having a cup of pee in the fridge.

Still waiting!

2009-03-18T10:36:00.002-05:00

I took the paperwork in for the DR. to sign on Monday and she still hasn't signed it. I am hoping it means she is doing her own research and not just being difficult. I will call her again in a minute. Luckily Jeffrey needs to go in so I will ambush her in person.

Next week is spring break. I have a weeks worth of gf recipes including new food everyday. It is going to be a feast or famine week.

He can swing

2009-03-15T20:52:00.002-05:00

We were outside working in the yard today and I looked over at the boys and they were swinging. I was shocked Jordan was swinging all by himself. I asked him how did you learn to swing his answer "mom you taught me, remember" I have been teaching him for 3 years with no success but now that his fog is lifted he just knows these things. I am so proud. Next we are going to ride a bike without training wheels. We tried today and he really wasn't interested he would rather run behing his brothers bike than ride his own.
food today; breakfast; menudo snack: apple lunch:hotdogs and chips and (broc) Dinner: bacon, eggs, sausage

Nachos

2009-03-12T23:01:00.002-05:00

I know I am supposed to be cutting out dairy but we had nachos at the school today. I decided to let Jordan try cheese. He hasn't had any since thanksgiving. He kept asking me "really mom I can have this it won't make me sick" I am thinking about allowing cheese back in the diet. I will never go back to letting him have a glass of milk but cheese is a whole different enzyme breakdown.

On the bright side he is talking more and in complete sentences. His poop is becoming bright(carrot color) orange and I am hoping it is from the super nu thera but wondering why it took this long to materialize.

I think we are over the insane giggling for no reason. I know I know a classic sympton of yeast overgrowth but one thing at a time.

I got my Oats test coupon in the mail today now I just have to get my doctor to sign off on it. I live in one of the few states where I need a docs script.Jordan is also having a hard time falling asleep again. He layed in bed almost 2 hours tonight.

I have been fully funded!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-10T13:17:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it I got my entire loan from lend4health and I am now a proud member of autism action plan. I joined in the live chat last night. I got to ask a question and the doc answered it. I am starting on the 12 week plan. I have done most of week one already so I am going to start week 2 tomorrow. I would like to get the recommended dvd from Julie matthews I already have the book.

http://www.nourishinghope.com/cookingtohealDVD3.html

Still waiting for my coupon from great plains for an OATS test.

We bought bologna for Jordan's eggs this morning, wow there was no tears in my house how awesome.

An egg change

2009-03-09T14:29:00.002-05:00

I spent the weekend pumping water out of my basement so I didn't make it to the store to buy bologna. Who knew eggs were unedible without bologna. I guess in Jordan world that is the only way to eat them. After 15 minutes of crying and telling me that he was sorry that I hate him he took a bite and then another and then another. Why is there so much drama involved in everything we do.

I have a feeling that it is the high B6 dose that has made him feel better not the gf diet. I am ordering more super nu thera tonight.

school yeah right

2009-03-05T22:43:00.002-06:00

Today started out on a high note. The boys ride to school was cancelled. It was a beautiful day today 43 degrees and not windy. The walk to school isn't that far we used to walk it everyday before I got a new baby. I practically had to throw the boys out of the house. Jordan went crying and screaming down the road, poor Jeffrey he gets screwed so many times. After about 10 minutes and them only making it 3 houses and one of the neighbors yelling at Jeffrey to get his brother to stop crying I called Jordan home. Needless to say no school for Jordan today.

He spent most of the morning hitting himself in the head or biting his arm because he thought he was a bad boy for not going to school. I don't know what is going on. I am afraid he is regressing. I really hate regression because every time it happens it is right after a really good spell.

I can't figure out if we got something wrong lately or if this is normal. I am out of super nu thera so maybe that is it. He will only eat eggs so maybe that is it.

On a good note we found a waffle that he likes. Vans fozen waffles -- yum.

The Perfect Pizza Crust

2009-02-27T20:30:00.002-06:00

I only wish. Tonight I tried Lisa Lewis's version it was not bad but not great. It was easy to spread out but not very fluffy. We have tried bobs again it was fine but not my favorite. So far the clear winner is 365 which is a whole foods brand. No surprise the closest WH is 2 hours away. I need to find a way to duplicate that recipe. Stay tuned for future winners.

Blue and Gold banquet

2009-02-25T10:55:00.002-06:00

This is the big awards banquet for cub scouts. Of course it is a potluck but with a twist the pack provides pizza. I have to say this is a really dumb idea. We spend all of our money on pizza that is delivered an hour before we are even ready to eat so it is cold. I guess I can rant about that another day. The real challenge for me was gf friendly food. I made pizza for Jordan he loved it. I only got a few questions from people what it was. One father wanted the recipe I was impressed. I also made fake or real jello it depends on how you look at it. I use gelatin and 100% fruit juice. It was just as good but not as colorful but it was chemical free. I have another food to add to the list of edibles.

My first TACA meeting - awesome

2009-02-23T22:12:00.002-06:00

I woke up today very excited. I am going to my first TACA meeting. The closest one is 80 miles away. Luckily I like to drive but we are having a snow storm today. We have 4 inches already and it is very windy. The boys are going to their dads. I am leaving extra early. The drive was no fun but I made it and what a treat that was. The topic tonight was diets. There was food to try and I learned a ton. One mom mentioned that she gets a great cookie mix at target. I of course stopped at Target before I headed home. The mix is for a sugar cookie company name was cherrybrook farm. I will let you know how it was after I make it. It is just nice to know there is a cookie mix that I can get relatively easy in the next town. I brought home several fruit bars for Jordan to try. I might as well give it up he is still very picky.

lend 4 health

2009-02-15T16:25:00.007-06:00

In case you were wondering what this is I am going to explain. Jordan needs medical attention and it is always a lot at a time. This company loans me interest free loans for a period of time that I pay back and any and all investors get there money back. I am asked frequently how can we help. This is a way and you get your money back through a third party so there isn't that funky money issue between family and friends. This loan this time is for an online DAN doc. A Dan doc runs 125 to 200 an hour. I am on a waiting list but they are talking another 6 months and the closest one is 2 hours away. The DAN Doc that runs this is wonderful I have read his books and listened in on his webinar. I have managed to get some of the tests for free due to studies and I really think this online doc is for me. He can write the necessary permission slips for tests and I get get the supplements I need with his prescription. It also has a huge parent forum which as you know most parents are better informed than the regular medical community.

gluten infraction

2009-02-15T16:25:00.005-06:00

I was not sure if gluten free was working until last weekend. The school called me on Thursday Jordan was crying because some mother brought cupcakes to school and he really wanted one. Jordan's class has a no birthday food policy so why this even was allowed beats me. They said he was so upset so I decided there was no time like the present to test his tolerance. He ate the cupcake at 2:30 and by 4 he was hyper but not really anything major.

Later that night Jordan was biting himself which is something we haven't seen in a month. Jeffrey and Jordan were playing the wii and Jordan kept getting so upset and tried to bite Jeffrey several times. He also was crying uncontrollably. At one point he was hiding under the kitchen table, also something that had been gone. He went to schoolon Friday and I am not sure how he was there but that night he played what he calls hide and seek. It is really where he hides in a cubby that is part of our coffee table he only hides when he can't handle what is going on in his world. I just let him do it because I knew he needed it.

Saturday night his cousins came to visit. He did play with them but he seemed less tolerant than I had been seeing lately and when they went home he was very hard to console.

It took until Monday before I thought that he was over the agression that the one little cupcake had given him.

I sent the school a list of candy that was acceptable for his aids to give him. I really wish that they would quit giving him any food but it is ingrained in everyones brains that a kid is deprived if we don't give them sweets. Valentines day party at school went very well. I made gf cupcakes and he took them to school. The only mishap was before he went to school somehow a couple of cupcakes were dropped on the floor and the 13 mo old was very happy to eat it and so was the dog. Luckily we still had 4 left. I tinted the frosting with raspberry juice so it was a pretty pink. After school I let him eat 1 piece of candy and then threw the rest away and he hasn't asked for any yet.

We Have Corn Dogs!

2009-02-03T11:44:00.009-06:00

I did it we have corn dogs. My son wanted corn dogs so bad so I started researching how to make it and finally decided to just use BRM cornbread mix. It worked. Here is what I did. I dried the dogs and rolled them in cornstarch.

Then I tried dipping them in the batter. Didn't work to thick. I broke the dog in half. So I then just rubbed it on the dog and threw in the fryer

see how happy my son is.

Well I had a bunch of batter left so I started thinking. First I just made hushpuppies then I had some frozen dogs and diced them up and threw them in the batter. Success. My son had them for breakfast today and took them to school for lunch. I like the idea of dogpuppies because they are easier to make and a great snack size. all in all a good experiment.

shredded cheese

2009-01-27T11:27:00.002-06:00

I found a recipe for shredded cheese: I am going to try this tonight

This cheese was created for those who cannot or prefer not to eat dairy or who would like traditional recipes like lasagna, but for religious reasons are bound from combining dairy and meat. A very mild cheese that goes well in italian recipes, this most closely resembles whole-milk block mozzarella. It should shred easily by hand, but you may want to freeze it until very firm (but not solid) for easier handling. This recipe makes 3-4 c (about a pound) of non-dairy mozzarella. Variations for nut-free individuals are included in the recipe.
5 tsp agar powder or 5 tbsp agar flakes
1/2 c water
1 1/2 c water OR almond milk
1/2 cup macadamia nuts OR soaked blanched almonds OR 1/4 c tahini +2 Tbsp coconut or palm oil (or shortening)
1/4 c nutritional yeast
2 Tbsp quick grits or quick cream of rice
1/8 tsp garlic powder or very small clove garlic, crushed
3 Tbsp Better Batter Gluten Free Flour
3 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped green onion
2-3 tsp salt

Instructions
In a blender, combine water or almond milk, nuts or tahini and oil, grits or cream of rice, garlic, flour, lemon juice, onion and salt. Blend for 5 minutes or until smooth.
In a saucepan, mix agar and water and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.Add liquid mixture from blender to saucepan, and simmer until thick and bubbly, about 3 minutes.Pour into blender and blend until very smooth.
Use immediately OR mold for shreddable cheese.
To mold: Oil a 4 c (1 qt) square container. Pour hot mixture into the container, gently banging the container on the counter to expell air bubbles. Allow to cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, for best taste.This recipe should yield a firm cheese that can be shredded and will melt under heat.
To store shredded cheese:Please toss lightly in 2 tbsp of potato starch or cornstarch and seal in an airtight bag or container.

"Am I a man"

2009-01-15T20:04:00.004-06:00

This seems crazy but since Jeffrey had a birthday a couple of days ago we are all gung ho about being a man. My son won't quit asking questions which is great BUT the questions he asked are cute on a 3 year old not so cute on a 6 year old. "Mom are you a man" No I am not. " Are you going to turn into a man." No honey I am not. "Then why do you have hair on your mouth?" After I pull myself up off the floor I realize that I must have missed a few. Gotta love the innocence of my kid.

We took Jeffrey and his little friend to the local childrens discovery museum. I love that place. They have a wall of clear pcp pipes hooked up to a fan. The kids put scarves and nerf balls in there and watch them fly. I want one in my own house. My other favorite is the educational pinball machine.

It has been so cold here lately that we had 2 snow days due to cold weather. Let me tell you how bad that is. To cold to send the kids outside and I have extra mouths to feed and we are out of toilet paper. I do send my son next door for some and he comes back with a half roll. I guess he just took it out of the bathroom.

tests and supplements and parties

2009-01-12T16:30:00.004-06:00

Let me start with the party. I happened to be in Chicago anyways so I stopped at whole foods and bought several things. I tried Ians pizza bread and added meat and more cheese to it. I called chuck e cheese and got permission for him to bring in his own pizza and they even heated it up for him. Oh my gosh let me tell you he loved it. All he talks about is the pizza and how he wants more. Of course I only bought one since they were 5.99 and the store is 2 hours away. Oh well I can always order from co-op by the case.

Received a call from the nurse today all tests came back fine. His urine was tested for glucose and proteins everything was fine. Let me tell you about getting the urine in the first place. I sometimes forget that my son is very literal. We talked that morning before he went to school that we were going to go pee in a cup that night. I tried to make it seem fun and not scary so I mentioned that he better not pee on my hand. Of course he thought that was funny. We went to the lab at 6. He kept looking at his pants when it dawned on me that he had to pee really bad. I asked when he peed last and he said before breakfast. O.K. that was 11 hours ago. He said he couldn't go because I said he had to pee in a cup. Sometimes I forget. Oh yeah I am sure you were wondering if he peed on my hand. Let me put it this way my hand, the wall, the floor,and the cup.

mac n cheese

2009-01-07T17:18:00.005-06:00

We are trying mac n cheese tonight. I got the recipe from http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/best-vegan-baked-mac-cheese.html

hers looked so yummy. I had to leave out the herbs, wine, crumbs, and tomatoes. Jeffrey really liked it but Jordan just kept smelling it. He didn't react badly but no real eating involved. He ended up just eating a banana and chips.

Last Saturday I made muffins. I used the gluten free pantry mix. Jordan just kept pointing to the picture on the box. I guess mine didn't look the same. I have a challenge coming up this weekend. The boys have a birthday party to go to at my least favorite place, that mouse place and I won't be there. Take a kid with major sensory issues, sight and sound, and make him act normal yeah right. I finally got their dad to take them to the kids museum instead. I am going to have to make pizza and cake for them to take. I hope their dad only feeds them what I send.

Where did the agression go?

2009-01-04T15:38:00.002-06:00

I am at a crossroads with this gfcf diet. I was not sure it was doing any good. I saw immediate results with taking dairy out but not so sure about gluten. I am at the point of frustration Jordan is not eating and he is so lethargic. Then my mom called and asked how the boys were getting along during the break from school. Well this made me think. There hasn't been any fighting. Hmm I wonder! I started to think. Has Jordan screamed for no reason lately? NO! Has Jordan bitten his brother? NO! Has Jordan hit his brother? NO! WooHoo this is working!! The only really bad behavior has been when we play games and he loses but instead of screaming he just looks really sad and tries not to cry.

I should be getting my shipment from kirkmans this week. This should be fun trying to get him to take supplements. I bought all flavors liquid and powder in trial size he is bound to like something. Here is a starter guide that is a good place to start. http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/ download and read the beginners manual.

10 days and counting

2008-12-31T22:11:00.006-06:00

Fun fun fun we are at day 10. This gluten free is alot harder than cassein free. I have not been able to get Jordan to eat anything. He is craving sugar now so I assume we probably have a yeast problem also. He will only drink orange juice. I know not the best but I am able to put a scoop of tru-fiber from master supplements (great product) and 250 mg of carnitine in it. I need to get him on a good calcium and a b. He is getting his multi from hero nutritionals the gummy bears not the best but he does ask for them. I put in an order from Kirkman labs. I love that they have trial size of most major supplements I am going to try all flavors of super-nu-thera and see which one he will take.

Today he must have been craving gluten because that was all he wanted. He begged me for waffles and I made them using bob's all purpose mix the minute he smells them he literally gags. This is the 5th time I have tried I guess it is on to a different mix maybe it was the garfava flour that was to much. Everyone else in the house ate it. Poor Jeffrey he thought I was going to sneak him different food and lucky boy is also gluten free. The kiddos in my care are also gluten free and I see a difference in them. the baby is so happy. I have a feeling both girls are Celiacs but their mom just has them on acid reflux medicine. I don't believe any baby should have to be on reflux medicine at 6 weeks old. The older one is still on it and she is 3. Something else that a Dr. missed but us parents just say oh well they know best.

Todays lunch consisted of gf hotdogs and a banana and veggie chips. Jordan was the only one that got a bun but a 4-pack cost $5.99. Me and Jeffrey had out mouths hanging open from shock but Jordan ate the whole thing. This was a tapioca rice bun. Either he was really hungry or he is starting to give in.

new favorite snack; air popped popcorn sprinkled with nutritional yeast. Taste like cheese without the cheese.

oh yeah the bathroom is all figured out he goes now with no problem he just doesn't like to wipe his own butt. I am not complaining I am doing a happy jig. Jeffrey asked me tonight that since Jordan is finally going would I please quit praising him on his beautiful poop. I guess maybe it was taking over my life.

Happy New Year it should be a healthier one

Chicago here we come

2008-12-31T07:35:00.015-06:00

Mom and I took the boys in to Chicago to do the holiday thing. Now remember at this point we are only CF. We went on Saturday because Sunday was going to be really cold. We made the mistake of taking the Ohio exit to go downtown because that goes right past some cool looking restaurants including the rainforest cafe with a huge frog on the roof. Any guesses where Jordan wanted to go. Of course Jordan is a broken record so I had to keep distracting him and a little bribing to keep him on task. We went down to Macy's the old Marshall Fields. They still had the windows and the big tree but they were not as good. It was especially noticable when we went in and the decorations weren't there. You used to walk in and feel that you were in an exclusive store.

We mailed a letter to Santa.

The highlight of the store was the escalators we did 8 floors and the boys thought that was the best ever. The boys took their picture in front of the big tree and then we went back down the escalator.

We stopped on the toy floor to use the bathroom. Jeffrey has a thing about horses and thought the stuffed one was really cool.

Any guesses where we went next. Surprise we went to the frog restaurant. I have to agree it is pretty cool. On the best days Jordan is already hard to feed. Now I have to find something no dairy. They have chicken tenders shaped like animals. I really didn't think he would eat them because they were not the correct shape so I got him a banana also. He surprised us all and said they were yummy. I guess if he gets hungry he will try it. Jeffrey of course had shrimp. Mom practically had her mouth hanging open she was so surprised.

We hopped in a cab for one last surprise. We took they to Navy pier and the children's museum. I love that place.

All in all we had a fun day. Of course the ride home was a nightmare it was double of what it should be. It got really windy and with all the snow already on the ground we had major whiteouts. FUN FUN FUN!

Family christmas party

2008-12-14T12:07:00.005-06:00

What an interesting day! The boys and grandma went to have breakfast with the Grinch. They served green scrambled eggs and ham and donuts. Jordan was so excited he even let them put some eggs on his plate. He sniffed it and tongue tip licked it and then decided it had to go. Grandma removed it from his plate but he did eat some ham not much but enough to consider it a new food for him. Jeffrey of course decided he wasn't going to try anything. Sometimes I wonder which one of my kids have food issues. I can't wait until we get all the crap out of the house the boys are gonna starve for a few days and then maybe they will start to eat healthy.

We drove to my brothers house 2 hours away with grandma and grandpa. I am not sure why but grandpa thought it would be a good idea to have a limburger sandwich before we left. Jordan walked into the house and said eww what is that smell? He smelled grandpa's breath and made him go brush his teeth after telling him that he was in so much trouble. Well you can see where this is going major gassy car ride. You have to remember Jordan has extra sensitive taste and smell sensories. Yup it was a long car ride.

When we get to my brothers the first thing Jordan asks for is some milk. They tell him we are out and he says OK. I brought along a can of Menudo in case he wouldn't eat anything else. I know this is a weird food for a sensory child. He loves this and luckily it is GFCFSF unfortunately is it $3.50 a can. When mom and dad go away for the winter I am going to make a big batch in their house. That way their house will smell not mine. He did eat some jello which I haven't taken away yet but I will. I have found that agar powder in juice will make a jello like dish I am going to try that but at $34.00 I think I will wait a bit on that.

I stocked up on yummy earth lollypops and drops to send to school because for some reason they want to keep giving him treats. I understand that speech teachers like the suckers because it get the mouth ready but come on the kids don't need any more crap.

Oh yeah if you were wondering about the party it went really well. I did notice that Jordan played better with his cousins. Usually when we go there he just finds a toy and plays with that and other than chasing them around he plays alone. This time he really did interact. He got the game for his gameboy that he really wanted so he is happy and doesn't need anything else for christmas. Unfortunately we left his blanket behind. Mark is going to bring it christmas eve but I am not sure we can wait. He did OK without it but it is a heavy blanket and gives him extra sensory input while he sleeps. I already gave a way my xray blanket that I got from the dentist so I need to find something else heavy but soft. I might be making a large rice filled blanket today.
bk: eggs, ham, donut(not gf) and juice
lunch and dinner: Menudo, juice, jello

School calls I come a running

2008-12-12T18:37:00.007-06:00

I get a call today at 3 Jordan had an accident and they don't have anything to clean him up. I have mom come over and watch the babies and rush to the school expecting a foul smelling mess. I get there and he has nothing in his underwear and only a little in his butt. Needless to say I am a little annoyed he has his own aid why couldn't she do it. The principal was gone and no nurse so the secretary said they weren't allowed to touch the kids. Give me a break. Yesterday the aid asked me if it was ok if Jordan leaned on her at the end of the day because he is just to tired to sit up. I hate that our world has come to this.

I talked to his aid about the field trip. I walked into school and just trapped her. It was about time we met. I asked about his lunch and the hot chocolate. She was on top of it. I feel so much better about her I really like his aid and his special teachers I am not so sure about his regular teacher. His mainstream teacher is very nice but she is a bit of an airhead.

I catered to Jordan's craving for pizza tonight. I used regular crust and galaxy rice cheese and pepperoni. He happily ate it. Next time I make pizza I am making a GF crust.

brk: cold cereal not GF, rice milk, and juice
lunch: bologna sandwich with smart balance lite spread, an apple, and juice
snack: raisins
Dinner: pepperoni pizza with rice cheese and juice

I know I know to much juice I am working on this also.

So long to glorious poop

2008-12-10T18:06:00.003-06:00

Sorry to say it took almost a week before he would poop again but he sure managed yesterday. Luckily we were snowed in so the kids were home from school. The consistency was very soft. I haven't seen one like that in years. I have no idea how to get him to go. He believes that he is supposed to keep it in. He keep apologizing for not keeping it in.

Today at school they went on a field trip to a tree farm. It was a very cold day but the sun was shining and he said he had fun. He said the dog that was there ate his lunch. I am upset because he has an aid. Where was this aid? To top it off they offered all the kids hot chocolate. Luckily he declined but come on last I checked hot chocolate has some kind of dairy in it. He has a Dr note that says he is not to have dairy. I swear the school is so uninformed and no matter how many times I try they just don't want to meet with me.

Poop wonderful glorious poop

2008-12-03T20:30:00.001-06:00

He did it by himself on the toilet without me telling him to go and no skid marks in his underwear. (sorry long run on sentence) Very excited I have been waiting 6 1/2 years for this. He was actually giggling on the toilet because it didn't hurt. If this is what dairy free is I like it.

It's Snowing

2008-12-03T18:44:00.000-06:00

Yippee we love snow here! It is so fun. Luckily I invested in a snowblower last year.

I actually tricked Jordan into having some rice milk on his cereal this morning. He didn't eat much but he didn't spit it out either. I guess that is progress. He was so funny. He wants to know when I would have enough money so that we could buy some milk. We are all telling him that we can't afford milk. He saw grandma with some money and begged her to please buy him some milk. Believe it or not he seems to be taking it well.

Perception is everything though. Jeffrey had cereal that he wouldn't eat because he thought I poured coffee creamer on it. It just happens to be the place I am hiding the milk. Once he figured that out he ate it just fine.

The nurse called today with Jordan's labs of course the lab didn't do all the tests so they need me to come back in. This is not the first time they did it wrong. I usually just forget about doing them but luckily this time it was an urine test. I just have to figure out how to get him to walk into the lab. I think I will try the hospital instead of the clinic.

Doctors, bandaids, oh my

2008-12-01T20:55:00.000-06:00

Day 4 of no dairy. It may be wishful thinking but he is sleeping better. I slept a whole night, well almost my older son woke with a sore ear.

Jordan had his appointment with the allergist today of course Jeffrey decided he was sick and needed to see a Doc. I really liked the allergist he never told me I was stupid or wasting my money looking into biomedical treatments for my son's autism. I think I got the tests that I needed of course after he gave me the lab sheet I reviewed and made him add casein and gluten to the posibilities. It was kinda like my duh moment but I realized something I am strong enough to demand what I want. The Peds had already gone home and since Jeffrey cried through the entire appointment the allergist looked in his ear and said it did look angry in there. He didn't give me anything which is fine since I wouldn't fill it anyway. I am using good old fashion garlic oil drops. The kids hate it but I don't care it works.

Next comes the oh my part. Labs for Jordan. I have been through this before fun, fun, fun. I used to cry my way through them. They tried sitting him in a chair first not a good idea. Then it was on the table with me and 2 nurses, not good. Next we had 3 nurses and me laying on him such fun. He was squirming so much and so upset that he gave himself a bloody nose and screamed really loud but my favorite part is what he said. "I don't like you and the pins, you not nice." I know torturing your child is bad but I was so proud that as upset as he was he was telling me exactly what he thought.

Believe it or not homework was done relatively quickly tonight he had to write 6 words and only dropped his pencil 4 times on the floor.

Every night I get to hear from my broken record son I want a rattouille game.

Jump start with DAN

2008-11-29T08:03:00.000-06:00

I got my call from jumpstart which is the nurse affialiated with a Dan Dr. This call came on Tuesday and we decided that I would start NO DAIRY on Friday because Thursday was Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was disappointing all Jordan wanted to do was play on the computer he didn't really run around with the kids.

Friday what a day. I want milk was first thing I heard. I had already hid all the milk so I just told him we were out. It seemed to work. Of course Jeffrey wanted cereal for breakfast the boy never wants cereal so I had to listen to him whine also about the lack of milk in the house. Which is really funny because jeffrey hates milk. The boys then went to grandma's to play with their cousins and she hadn't hid the cheese or yogurts yet. Luckily the milk was already put in coffee creamer containers. We distracted him all day from dairy unfortunately we just gave him gluten foods but I guess one step at a time. Three weeks dairy free then during christmas no more gluten. By afternoon he seemed o.k.

I woke up this morning to a cock a doodle do. It was my son telling me to get up. He got in bed with me and we had a conversation it was wonderful . He seems to be talking better already and when he asked for milk I just told him we were out.

Where do I begin?

2008-11-21T08:59:00.001-06:00

Let me start by saying Hello. I am a mom of 2 boys 8 and 6. My younger boy has PDD-Nos. I finally got the people in his life to agree to follow my lead and have my child go gluten free and cassein free. I believe that even with all the bumbling I will do my son will be better at the end of the day. I am keeping this blog so I can see what I have done and where I have been.

Jordan finally got his shadow at school this week. It is so nice to not have to spend 2 hours trying to get him to focus on a simple worksheet. I have decided to go cf first over christmas break because then I will have total control.

I have been adding rice milk, very little to the bottom of his milk cup for every meal. He can smell and taste the difference but watches me pour the milk in his cup so can't quite figure it out.
I sent my mom to Whole Foods this week. Which is no small task considering the closest is 1 1/2 hours away. Luckily there is also a Trader Joes there also. I had her get some hemp milk which is good but not really worth the drive when I can get almond milk in the next town 30 mins away. I also had her see if she could find a cereal that had colors but no dyes or preservatives. She found Fruity Bunnies by Annie's. Now I know that it isn't considered gf because of the oats but it is better than fruit loops. Anyways I showed him the box and made a big deal about this new cereal that I found. He just looked at me like I was nuts. Now you have to know we have a rabbitt and the box has a picture of a rabbit on the front. I hear out of his mouth "Mother (why he calls me that and not mom I don't know) why are you making me eat food for the rabitt." After I quit laughing I had to roll my eyes now what. I was happy that he asked a why question but come on. He ended up taking a tiny tip of the tongue lick before he decided it wasn't any good. That sucks since the cereal was $3.99. I tried feeding it to my older son but I guess everyone was on a yuck kick. Luckily I have a home daycare and they will eat anything.