At church in Kira's preschool class they filled out a questionaire (the adults wrote it down)
I love my dad because-I love to hug him when he goes to work
I love my daddy because- he loves to hug my mom
I love my mommy because- my mom loves me
I thought I would ask Enzo the same questions.
Enzo was a little harder.
I love my dad because- he works
That was about all I could get out of him, still pretty cute!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Mimi is Coming!
Yeah, Mimi is coming to visit! The kids are so very excited and so am I. I know it may sound silly but I miss my mom. We usually talk at least once a day if not a couple times a day. We are going to take her to our stomping grounds and hopefully go swimming at the hotel too. Well she just got here so I will write about her stay later.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Pancake Saturday
As you might have guessed it we love our Saturday morning panckaes! I try to make them every Saturday morning as a tradition I wanted to start with the kids. Once we went gluten free it took many, many recipes to find the best GF pancake recipe in my opinion and many others in our household that were not gluten free. They were great. But then sadly we went into allergy mode again trying to figure out what the kids are now allergic too and have gone off all dairy, eggs and corn. The last few Saturdays have been back to the drawing board and many mishaps of egg free pancakes. :(
They are definitely not the same without egg. I found one recipe online and I changed it drastically to make it GF and DF (Dairy Free). It was the probably the second best but nothing in comparison to my favorite and as Eric told me his too. I tried using a 1/4 cup of mashed bananas as a substitute for each egg but it of course was too banana-y.
I have been researching all of these possible allergens and what kind of symptoms and degrees of intolerances. Now allergic reaction is different than intolerant, which I knew but not the degree of difference. Allergic means an immediate reaction to the food. Whereas intolerant is more a slow effect, maybe an half hour after you eat or so or even maybe later that day depending upon your intolerance.
I did not know this but as I was researching egg allergies/intolerance I found out that you can be allergic to the gas that is let out as the egg is being prepared! Meaning if I am scrambling eggs for Eric's breakfast I could get a hay fever reaction! What?! How crazy is that, just from the gas of the egg.
It has been since the 19th of May since we have been off Dairy, Eggs and Corn, a little over three weeks. I pretty much know that the kids and I are intolerant if not allergic to dairy and I am okay with that. We have made subtle changes in order to make it work. I was looking for a butter replacement. Well all of the vegan butters had corn in them and I tried goats milk butter which was not bad but oh so expensive. It was about $7 for two cubes of butter, Ouch! I even tried making my own olive oil and canola oil butter. It was not hard at all. All you do is mix a small amount into a ziploc container, I used the 1/4 cup size, the smallest one, put it in the freezer overnight to solidify it and then you keep it in the refrigerator after that. The only thing I did not like was the harshness of the olive oil. I mean we really only need butter for our toast and pancakes everything else I have substituted cold pressed oils for. Then I started thinking what about Coconut oil...it is always in a solid form, Ah ha! By George I think she has got it. So a bought a jar of coconut oil from New Frontiers the health food store in SLO, which I love, it is like Whole Foods but smaller and cozier with a great deli. The coconut oil is perfect and you hardly need any in order for our rice bread toast to be buttery. Kids did not even think twice about it...sweet.
Butter dilemma solved.
Now to the eggs, so today I decided to make our beautiful pancakes with eggs. I made those pancakes with oil instead of butter and put in the eggs required. Oh did I miss them, they were so fluffy and light and airy..as the kids say now "yummy in my tummmmy!" Now I was not quite sure how the reaction be, would it be like the Wahoo's incident last year when he had gluten on accident and projectiled vomitted everywhere? Would it be later on in the day with his first bowel movement? Nope, it was about a half hour after we ate and his nose was running like a faucet! I mean uncontrollably running. Clear snot coming out ALL day long. Poor bub, he started saying, "momma, nose, nose, runnin, help me." I would not have even thought it was the eggs except for reading about the hay fever reaction, are you kinding me. Clearly he is not allergic per se, but why would I torture him with a runny nose because I need my fluffly pancakes. Yet another wah wah Wahaa.
Of well so much for that experiment, on to the next Corn!
Wish me luck!
***As I was proof reading this Enzo can storming out of his room with his fireman's hat on and knight sword looking for me (it is 11:30 p.m.) I love that he takes the time to get ready to look for me even in the middle of the night. Too cute!
They are definitely not the same without egg. I found one recipe online and I changed it drastically to make it GF and DF (Dairy Free). It was the probably the second best but nothing in comparison to my favorite and as Eric told me his too. I tried using a 1/4 cup of mashed bananas as a substitute for each egg but it of course was too banana-y.
I have been researching all of these possible allergens and what kind of symptoms and degrees of intolerances. Now allergic reaction is different than intolerant, which I knew but not the degree of difference. Allergic means an immediate reaction to the food. Whereas intolerant is more a slow effect, maybe an half hour after you eat or so or even maybe later that day depending upon your intolerance.
I did not know this but as I was researching egg allergies/intolerance I found out that you can be allergic to the gas that is let out as the egg is being prepared! Meaning if I am scrambling eggs for Eric's breakfast I could get a hay fever reaction! What?! How crazy is that, just from the gas of the egg.
It has been since the 19th of May since we have been off Dairy, Eggs and Corn, a little over three weeks. I pretty much know that the kids and I are intolerant if not allergic to dairy and I am okay with that. We have made subtle changes in order to make it work. I was looking for a butter replacement. Well all of the vegan butters had corn in them and I tried goats milk butter which was not bad but oh so expensive. It was about $7 for two cubes of butter, Ouch! I even tried making my own olive oil and canola oil butter. It was not hard at all. All you do is mix a small amount into a ziploc container, I used the 1/4 cup size, the smallest one, put it in the freezer overnight to solidify it and then you keep it in the refrigerator after that. The only thing I did not like was the harshness of the olive oil. I mean we really only need butter for our toast and pancakes everything else I have substituted cold pressed oils for. Then I started thinking what about Coconut oil...it is always in a solid form, Ah ha! By George I think she has got it. So a bought a jar of coconut oil from New Frontiers the health food store in SLO, which I love, it is like Whole Foods but smaller and cozier with a great deli. The coconut oil is perfect and you hardly need any in order for our rice bread toast to be buttery. Kids did not even think twice about it...sweet.
Butter dilemma solved.
Now to the eggs, so today I decided to make our beautiful pancakes with eggs. I made those pancakes with oil instead of butter and put in the eggs required. Oh did I miss them, they were so fluffy and light and airy..as the kids say now "yummy in my tummmmy!" Now I was not quite sure how the reaction be, would it be like the Wahoo's incident last year when he had gluten on accident and projectiled vomitted everywhere? Would it be later on in the day with his first bowel movement? Nope, it was about a half hour after we ate and his nose was running like a faucet! I mean uncontrollably running. Clear snot coming out ALL day long. Poor bub, he started saying, "momma, nose, nose, runnin, help me." I would not have even thought it was the eggs except for reading about the hay fever reaction, are you kinding me. Clearly he is not allergic per se, but why would I torture him with a runny nose because I need my fluffly pancakes. Yet another wah wah Wahaa.
Of well so much for that experiment, on to the next Corn!
Wish me luck!
***As I was proof reading this Enzo can storming out of his room with his fireman's hat on and knight sword looking for me (it is 11:30 p.m.) I love that he takes the time to get ready to look for me even in the middle of the night. Too cute!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Yeah, We Love the Dentist!
Quick update, the dentist appts went wonderfully. My experience was superb and I could not be more pleased. I do not know if it is because we are out of Orange County and the vanity thing is not as prevalent but there was no pressure for anything, no one asked if we wanted to whiten our teeth, nothing like that. We were in and out and the dentist was great. He actually is from Lake Forest down south, how funny is that. No cavities or anything and they said to see them in a year... none of this every four month crud.
As for the kids, they were peaches! Kira was such a big girl and got her x-rays, teeth cleaned and had the dentist exam them throughly and not even a blink or wimper from her. Enzo was a little more cautious and it took a little more coaxing to get him in the chair. But as soon as he saw how Kira, big sis, did then he got right up there. It helped that I bought two Thomas the tank engine trains, Rosie and Rhenas for bribes too. But on the whole they were great and will be back in December for another checkup!
Praise the Lord!
As for the kids, they were peaches! Kira was such a big girl and got her x-rays, teeth cleaned and had the dentist exam them throughly and not even a blink or wimper from her. Enzo was a little more cautious and it took a little more coaxing to get him in the chair. But as soon as he saw how Kira, big sis, did then he got right up there. It helped that I bought two Thomas the tank engine trains, Rosie and Rhenas for bribes too. But on the whole they were great and will be back in December for another checkup!
Praise the Lord!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Dentist
Okay today I am going to the dentist and tomorrow the kids are going. It is hard to tell your kids not to be afraid of the dentist when you are...not really afraid I just prefer to stay far, far away from them. So I am trying to be brave and tell them that we are going to get our teeth tickled.
Now I never used to have any fear of the dentist, in fact I was his best client. Not because of cavities but because my teeth were so slow coming in that they were slow coming out. I had ALL of my baby teeth pulled except for ONE! That is right folks I was a pro at going to the dentist. I then followed that with SEVEN years of braces and you guessed it headgear!! But today I must admit I am oh so thankful for the fine dentists and orthodontists that made my smile what it is today.
Eric on the other hand has never had a cavity, never needed braced and really has no teeth or gum issues. I pray that the kids get his genes when it comes to their teeth. Please God, please!
So I do not know what happened, it must have been the hygienist that ripped my gums up that one time...or the fact that the last time I went to the dentist they sucked almost two grand out of my pocket for what was supposed to be a cleaning! Hum, well today I am going to suck it up and be a good patient even though I REALLY do not want to go.
Anyone else not like the Dentist? Or is it just me?
Now I never used to have any fear of the dentist, in fact I was his best client. Not because of cavities but because my teeth were so slow coming in that they were slow coming out. I had ALL of my baby teeth pulled except for ONE! That is right folks I was a pro at going to the dentist. I then followed that with SEVEN years of braces and you guessed it headgear!! But today I must admit I am oh so thankful for the fine dentists and orthodontists that made my smile what it is today.
Eric on the other hand has never had a cavity, never needed braced and really has no teeth or gum issues. I pray that the kids get his genes when it comes to their teeth. Please God, please!
So I do not know what happened, it must have been the hygienist that ripped my gums up that one time...or the fact that the last time I went to the dentist they sucked almost two grand out of my pocket for what was supposed to be a cleaning! Hum, well today I am going to suck it up and be a good patient even though I REALLY do not want to go.
Anyone else not like the Dentist? Or is it just me?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Things to Do in the Central Coast With Kids
I feel a little scattered brain still trying to get as situated as possible for our a stay with my husband's family. It is hard living out of some boxes and 97% in storage, but we are making it work. I realized I am so blessed with so many great things to do up here. My Mother in Love bought us a membership to the Atascadero Zoo as well as a membership at the Children's Museum in Paso Robles and we all love them both. I am trying to get us out of the house and out more. I am such a home body but I know the kids do better when we are doing things. Plus we do not have any therapy yet because they are transfering all of the paperwork up here. So it is nice not having a set schedule to follow too.
A mother of twins that we met at the zoo told us about this gymnastics class that is twice a week and only $5 a session without sign-ups and you show up whenever. So we are trying that out today. I researched other gymnastic programs and all of them are about $60 to $80 a month plus registration fees. Plus they are more scheduled and I would hate to miss one and loss money.
We also took advantage of the Drive In Theatre in SLO. There was a double feature of "Up" and "Night at the Museum Part 2" Kira could not wrap her mind around the idea of watching a movie in the car. I think she was thinking we were going to watch the little dvd player in the car. So when we parked and opened up the back of the van, I made a bed in the back. The previews started and she was amazed to see the big screen. I think she liked snuggling in the back watching it. She of course stayed up and watched both and Enzo looked at me within ten minutes of the second movie and said "night night" and laid down. I nursed him for about a minute and he was out. For $12 we had a great fun night with the kids and a fun memory.
That is all they are letting me write, as they are now both awake. I will have pictures as soon as I find my wire to download.
A mother of twins that we met at the zoo told us about this gymnastics class that is twice a week and only $5 a session without sign-ups and you show up whenever. So we are trying that out today. I researched other gymnastic programs and all of them are about $60 to $80 a month plus registration fees. Plus they are more scheduled and I would hate to miss one and loss money.
We also took advantage of the Drive In Theatre in SLO. There was a double feature of "Up" and "Night at the Museum Part 2" Kira could not wrap her mind around the idea of watching a movie in the car. I think she was thinking we were going to watch the little dvd player in the car. So when we parked and opened up the back of the van, I made a bed in the back. The previews started and she was amazed to see the big screen. I think she liked snuggling in the back watching it. She of course stayed up and watched both and Enzo looked at me within ten minutes of the second movie and said "night night" and laid down. I nursed him for about a minute and he was out. For $12 we had a great fun night with the kids and a fun memory.
That is all they are letting me write, as they are now both awake. I will have pictures as soon as I find my wire to download.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Homemade Gluten Free Rice Torillas
Made rice tortillas last night so that we could have Tuesday taco night.
They were so good! I ran out of rice flour so I ground a rice mux my Father-in-law hade made of brown rice and wild rice. I found the recipe on Gluten Free Cooking School blog. I changed a few things but the idea was the same.
GF Flour Mix
1 c. Brown rice Flour
1 c. Tapioca Starch
2/3 c Garbonzo Flour
1/3 c. Potato starch
2 c. Gluten Free Flour Mix (a little different from the one I used for pancakes)
1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. salt
1 c. warm water
I mixed the dry together and then add the warm water, mixing until everything was wet. Then I scooped out about a 1/4 c or so onto lightly sprayed canola oil aluminum foil (out of wax paper) and topped it with plastic wrap and rolled it out. Then I got my skillet on medium heat. I carefully removed the plastic wrap and flopped the foil on the skillet tortilla down. I waited for it to cook a little and carefully removed the foil. Cooking about a minute and then flipping and cooking until little brown spots appeared. Now here is the trick! Once they are cooked youplace them in a plastic ziploc and keep it slightly open. This will keep your tortillas soft until you eat. So while one is cooking you can roll out the next one and repeat.
Yummy yummy. These turned out good and I made meximelts for the kids, I took Goat gouda cheese and turkey meat and made a little melt. They loved them.
I do not think it was that time consuming. it probably took me about a hour for everything. cooking the turkey, making tortillas and chopping all of the goodies for the tacos up. Not bad.
They were so good! I ran out of rice flour so I ground a rice mux my Father-in-law hade made of brown rice and wild rice. I found the recipe on Gluten Free Cooking School blog. I changed a few things but the idea was the same.
GF Flour Mix
1 c. Brown rice Flour
1 c. Tapioca Starch
2/3 c Garbonzo Flour
1/3 c. Potato starch
2 c. Gluten Free Flour Mix (a little different from the one I used for pancakes)
1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. salt
1 c. warm water
I mixed the dry together and then add the warm water, mixing until everything was wet. Then I scooped out about a 1/4 c or so onto lightly sprayed canola oil aluminum foil (out of wax paper) and topped it with plastic wrap and rolled it out. Then I got my skillet on medium heat. I carefully removed the plastic wrap and flopped the foil on the skillet tortilla down. I waited for it to cook a little and carefully removed the foil. Cooking about a minute and then flipping and cooking until little brown spots appeared. Now here is the trick! Once they are cooked youplace them in a plastic ziploc and keep it slightly open. This will keep your tortillas soft until you eat. So while one is cooking you can roll out the next one and repeat.
Yummy yummy. These turned out good and I made meximelts for the kids, I took Goat gouda cheese and turkey meat and made a little melt. They loved them.
I do not think it was that time consuming. it probably took me about a hour for everything. cooking the turkey, making tortillas and chopping all of the goodies for the tacos up. Not bad.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Casein, Corn and Egg Free Update
Alright, it has been almost two weeks off of casein, corn and egg. I actually feel really good and the kids seem better too. Eric and I had a date night on Friday and went this great restaurant in Paso Robles. Grandma Gigi watched Kira, Enzo and cousins Hobie and Zoe. They all camped out in the trailer. I did eat cheese and butter at dinner and I paid for it the next day. I had a food hangover! I felt like a bomb had gone off in my tummy all the next day. Needless to say I do not think I should eat dairy either. Enzo's BM's have been better and so have Kira's. It has made me get craftier with our menu and we are eating more whole foods than ever before. I made the tastiest Mac n Cheese yet. I have heard to use butternut squash puree in it but it was missing something. Here is my recipe for the best yet.
Best Ever Mac n Cheese
Gluten, Casein, Egg and Corn Free
One bag of Rice Noodles
1/2 can of Organic Butternut Squash Puree
2 Tbl Goat Cheese
Dash of Nutmeg
Dash of Dry Mustard
Salt and Pepper
Make the noodles as directed on bag. Drain and place back in pot. Add Butternut squash and mix until noodles are coated. Next add the goat cheese and mix until melted and blended. Add nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper to taste. My kids loved it and even Eric said it was the best I had ever made!
I have actually lost four pounds this last week? Now that could just be the move and such, but I will take it. I am feeling healthier and not a cloudiness if that makes sense. The kids are not asking for cheese all the time. Kira actually prefers avocado sandwiches now!
We are getting situated at his parents house and hiding our niche there. I love seeing the kids with their grandparents and getting to know them better..
Best Ever Mac n Cheese
Gluten, Casein, Egg and Corn Free
One bag of Rice Noodles
1/2 can of Organic Butternut Squash Puree
2 Tbl Goat Cheese
Dash of Nutmeg
Dash of Dry Mustard
Salt and Pepper
Make the noodles as directed on bag. Drain and place back in pot. Add Butternut squash and mix until noodles are coated. Next add the goat cheese and mix until melted and blended. Add nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper to taste. My kids loved it and even Eric said it was the best I had ever made!
I have actually lost four pounds this last week? Now that could just be the move and such, but I will take it. I am feeling healthier and not a cloudiness if that makes sense. The kids are not asking for cheese all the time. Kira actually prefers avocado sandwiches now!
We are getting situated at his parents house and hiding our niche there. I love seeing the kids with their grandparents and getting to know them better..
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