tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697808987873506992024-03-05T01:45:35.415-08:00Gluten Free in the CountryTales from the kitchen and other placesDebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-22289472874900375432010-04-12T10:16:00.000-07:002010-04-12T10:27:42.540-07:00Two-year Olds Can Put on their Own Boots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZazlk8bVgusCTxH4qOzZcFH1NjkjDrJrMLPlh9HeCf7hiOE1zVOMlu4NPgRWYJ09P0u59fwZX2vY0ygkzDoaB-W_XhKXUz7KMfOvFgfxFZbSDP4eR8dUGVdx9nDh3eUgM2KmB7YxtOc/s1600/swinging.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459303628914028450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZazlk8bVgusCTxH4qOzZcFH1NjkjDrJrMLPlh9HeCf7hiOE1zVOMlu4NPgRWYJ09P0u59fwZX2vY0ygkzDoaB-W_XhKXUz7KMfOvFgfxFZbSDP4eR8dUGVdx9nDh3eUgM2KmB7YxtOc/s320/swinging.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">It's a beautiful day here in the Willamette Valley. For all of you out-of-state folks, I'm talkin' about Oregon. It rained last night, the grass is almost neon green and the sun is shinning in that almost summer kind of way. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm trying to get old photos scanned (for my husband's family no less!). Gee...I must be some kind of saint. Anyway Joshua, a.k.a. "Little Man" is no dummy. He's already fetched his boots and put them on. Surprisingly, they're on the right foot most of the time, although I never know whether he's left his socks on or not. We have a beautiful piece of property to explore, but alas! there's no fenced-in yard. That means I'll be donning my boots as soon as I can and be outside with him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I never know what direction I'll head in. Lately he's into picking up spiders running all over the ground or opening the door to the chicken coop. Then there's goat poop that he seems so interested in or mud puddles begging to be splashed in. It's not that I don't let my boys get muddy - I just like them to be outside more than a few minutes before they're covered in it. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm not sure how pioneer women managed it all and without a washing machine, no less! Maybe they had more time since there were no cell phones, email, or television. Hmmm...</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Blessings!</span></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-77272532225597766202010-03-30T16:58:00.000-07:002010-03-30T20:37:28.527-07:00Chickens and a Job<span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello,</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I hope this post finds you well and not in shock that something is actually new on here:) What's new? </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Chickens!</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">We got 15 baby chicks several weeks ago - 12 Rhode Island Reds and 3 Black Australorps. Needless to say they were a big hit with the boys. Nathan did a good job of feeding them and being calm around them so that they would get used to him. Joshua was allowed little time with them seeing as how he's two and they would be squished to death if he got ahold of them. </span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454581599672101250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFbt4yACPkdXI72_1Fl8Y7yCliW79wJEztZuS3bXmdgcMYqd2fZx9gjBwi6PTVlb0JDbeWwqvjs153in2cxexT0DtCC49aeNk8JV-DuG1ZLou7Ah35ywWM8HrLQbsfZu0dn0BQ5f3hVM/s320/baby+chicks.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">They're now in a coop that my husband built. It was far more involved than what he thought it would be. Poor man. It's actually referred to as a chicken tractor. Right now it is in front of the house in case we need to turn the heat lamp on for them. Eventually it will be hauled to pasture by the tractor and moved around once a week or so. It's semi-free-range I guess. They get to feed off the land and yet stay alive in their protective space. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454582649449071554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjM0RA97S32o2MTA4SiZ_kPOOLVzIMoD48Z8k0HApOMsZAtQhokMfBz0gx6tGnUyoK64VEYI8k9JAEEMAqb8FWJsAaAh6srky09quHGwWwtfxed9s6eKSoP9JUihk2whzYM6Mh1ifH4g/s320/chickens2.jpg" border="0" /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>A Job!</strong></span> <div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm pleased to post that I've received an official position teaching 5th grade with a local charter school. Woohoo! I've been subbing for this one and a sister charter school this past year and absolutely love it. It is wonderful to know ahead of time that I have a fulltime job this coming fall. Now I have to really get my act together and get some things nailed down before heading back to work with two small boys to take care of also. I'd like to find more of a pattern in the cooking/putting food up department. And...I'd love to catch up on some scrapbooking and things like that. I'm thankful that my husband is such a great help. I couldn't even imagine doing this without him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Blessings!</span></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-30755336363104736412009-12-02T19:50:00.000-08:002009-12-02T20:01:32.599-08:00Chickens<span style="font-family:verdana;">I buy a lot of eggs. I'm sure you do also if you bake gluten free. I remember the first time I began cooking GF and how strange the recipes seemed. Not only were there at least eight ingredients, but rarely did I only need two eggs. Now, three to four eggs per bread and other baked goods is the norm. Even when a recipe calls for two eggs I frequently add a couple more whites whipped to give it lift and some more protein. I don't really know what it's like to buy a dozen eggs at a time. Those days are long gone.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">My husband and I are researching chickens. We would like to have some next year and since we have some pasture land to let them "range", why not? We are getting our "chicken questions" answered such as: How many eggs will a chicken produce each day? Do we need a rooster? </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">And - What kind of chickens are better than others? </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">My husband is going to build a "Chicken Tractor". Actually it is a wired pen and hen house in one that you can move from spot to spot with a tractor (or pull it if you're strong enough). This lets the chickens free range which produces better eggs and the chickens are happier and more stress free. It is also fully enclosed to keep out predators. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We have a couple of goats (not to change the subject) and they are allowed a large area to roam and graze. My friend has a couple of goats that she has to stake out. The difference in our goats is quite amazing. Ours are probably twice the size and very healthy. It only makes sense that animals do better when not penned in. No, I'm not a PETA zealot, just making an observation.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Anyway, will post some pics one day if we get our chickens. It will be nice to know our eggs are really fresh.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Blessings,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-60174022579161569152009-11-20T18:19:00.000-08:002009-11-20T18:29:24.197-08:00Check With Your Local Butcher First<span style="font-family:verdana;">My father-in-law offered to bring the ham this year. Last year, he bought a smoked turkey from a specialty store. It listed "smoked flavoring". I called the company, and one of the workers said he couldn't verify it was gluten free. I looked online, and any smoked powder I could find also had barley in it. I hate barley- it hides. Needless to say, I had to go buy a small ham so my little guy could feel included last year.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This year, I went online to search for some gluten-free hams. I suddenly thought about checking with a local butcher that we bought a side of beef from last year. He actually smokes the ham with apple wood and no extra powder is included. He went and checked a couple of other ingredients and was so thorough because as he said, "Hey, those things are important". He then explained to me that his daughter has a peanut allergy.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, it was $1.99 a pound for fresh, local ham. Can't beat that - and I got to support a local business man. Not only am I happy with the ham purchase, I found out that his ground beef is lower than what I've been paying at Costco and it is certainly far superior to that as well. So...check with your local butcher first!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-27427969450718131122009-11-15T11:04:00.001-08:002009-11-15T11:19:23.584-08:00Yes, I'm Alive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Clq-YPuPPliucZvGA4waSoQXJMsxeqGohpHfYMH_HOSgGA-by0cvhFwUeRL1KVURdzdDZ6pl2UAN8YRmSpdFQqS_gBGxgwByjAfFYQ3h9w873JQ0C3QF0oD7MJPHienZfdXRQLGQm3o/s1600-h/Reesvisit1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404411391590501138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Clq-YPuPPliucZvGA4waSoQXJMsxeqGohpHfYMH_HOSgGA-by0cvhFwUeRL1KVURdzdDZ6pl2UAN8YRmSpdFQqS_gBGxgwByjAfFYQ3h9w873JQ0C3QF0oD7MJPHienZfdXRQLGQm3o/s320/Reesvisit1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm still in the land of the living although it seems like time has been suspended as far as my posts are concerned. As you can see from the above picture, I have an angel keeping me very busy nowadays. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">All is well here and I continue to try new gluten-free recipes. I wouldn't say I've done any innovations in the kitchen and therefore haven't posted. I will tell you I think Carol Feinster's French Bread recipe is "to die for", or "to live for" as some put it. It has a huge amount of yeast in it, and I stayed away from that for awhile. I think yeast spins my son up (you know, the yeast/gut theory) and so I've avoided it. However, I couldn't get out of my head the fact that yeast dies at a certain temperature. I don't think he has an intolerance to the actual yeast protein or makeup but rather the fact that it can grow in numbers in the gut as it feeds on sugars. I tell you, it's like he's been drunk at times because of being so silly, loud and impulsive. I do think that items like breadsticks that don't cook as long are a problem if he eats too much of it, but the french bread seems to be fine (that's the only yeast item I've been making) and we're all in heaven. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">What else is new? I've been subbing this year, as I wasn't able to get a teaching position. The few jobs that have been open attracted 100-200 applicants each. It was hard to even get an interview! I did stumble across subbing for a charter school in the area. I've been so impressed with it - the small class size, the respectful students and friendly staff. Now I know I would like a job there as opposed to some of the other schools I applied at. Hopefully a position will open up next year. They seem to be real pleased with my work and that feels good. For now, that is bringing in some extra change and working out real well.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Other than that, I can't wait for Thanksgiving, because we're having quite a few family members here for that. It will be nice to know that I don't have to stress for my son what is on the menu!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I know that people reading this blog can appreciate that!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Take care and hope to post a few recipes with pictures soon!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">God Bless You,</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie </span></div></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-87184307487493301272009-07-21T12:48:00.001-07:002009-07-23T09:27:51.962-07:0099 Random Facts About Me1. I have been married for 19 years.<br />2. My middle name is Lynne.<br />3. I'm 5 foot 3 inches.<br />4. I have two boys named Nathan and Joshua.<br />5. I love living in the country but hate having to drive so far to get anywhere.<br />6. I am a licensed teacher.<br />7. I went to Jamaica on my honeymoon.<br />8. I've never worn braces.<br />9. I wish I owned a better camera.<br />10. My favorite movie is "It's a Wonderful Life".<br />11. I'm a Christian.<br />12. I have two sisters.<br />13. I was once in the Air Force Reserves.<br />14. I have a sweet tooth.<br />15. One day I'd like to vacation in Hawaii and take my family to Disney World.<br />16. I'm an adoptive mom.<br />17. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">waitressed</span> for 17 years before becoming a teacher.<br />18. I could eat beans, rice, and cheese almost everyday and not grow tired of it.<br />19. I hate the dentist.<br />20. I floss in the morning, not at night (I know its gross, but at least I do it everyday!).<br />21. Bright, tall zinnias are my favorite flowers.<br />22. I love tomatoes - I even love the smell of tomatoes.<br />23. I get obsessed with picking blackberries on our property.<br />24. The happiest days of my life were bringing each of my boys home, my wedding day, receiving my bachelor's degree, and getting my first teaching job.<br />25. I like corny humor.<br />26. I only yard-sale now for my boys. I'm tired of junk for myself - I want new things now.<br />27. As soon as I can afford plastic surgery, I'll have a neck-lift.<br />28. I have the most wonderful husband in the world. He still thinks I look 26!<br />29. My husband is blind (just kidding!).<br />30. I drive a mini-van.<br />31. I never paint my fingernails but always have polish on my toenails.<br />32. I don't "text".<br />33. My favorite holiday is Christmas.<br />34. I can't stand hot weather.<br />35. I like to collect rocks.<br />36. The one thing I miss most about "regular" food is the flour tortillas.<br />37. If I could do things over again, I would have gone to college sooner and worn more sunscreen.<br />38. I'm proud to be an American.<br />39. I look more like my father than my mother.<br />40. I love birds and always have a hummingbird feeder full.<br />41. I like to know my neighbors.<br />42. I am a combination of a very shy and outgoing person.<br />43. Really functional things around the house make me happy.<br />44. For the last three years I've been without a dishwasher.<br />45. My hands are always dry for some reason.<br />46. I've never eaten eggplant.<br />47. I love to smell a baby's scalp.<br />48. I have extra time on my hands right now (which is why I'm sitting here writing out this list!)<br />49. Decorating with bright colors doesn't appeal to me, but I do like splashes of red.<br />50. I wear glasses now to read.<br />51. My elderly in-laws live on the property with us.<br />52. I live in a fish bowl:)<br />53. My sister has a low thyroid and so do I.<br />54. I used to make cards for others in my spare time.<br />55. Did I mention I have two small kids and don't have spare time anymore?<br />56. I love coffee.<br />57. I compulsively check to see if my keys are in my purse before getting out of the car.<br />58. I am most thankful for God's goodness to me and faithfulness.<br />59. I wish I could meet some of the blog authors that I like.<br />60. I buy Trader Joe's rice noodles, but prefer Tinkyada.<br />61. I love to shop at Costco.<br />62. Pie is my favorite dessert - especially a la mode.<br />63. I get easily distracted.<br />64. I get easily distracted.<br />65. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons.<br />66. I like to watch emergency room TV shows, Antiques Roadshow, Good Eats, and Mystery Diagnosis.<br />67. I have one dog, two barn-cats, and two goats.<br />68. There's a wood stove in my house.<br />69. I was born in Torrance, California.<br />70. I like to play cards.<br />71. I'm left-handed<br />72. I was 28 when I got married.<br />73. I suffer from sensitive, dry eyes.<br />74. My least favorite chore is cleaning out the fridge.<br />75. I eat dessert almost every night.<br />76. I hate ironing.<br />77. History is my least favorite subject.<br />78. I want to have a couple of steer and chickens one day.<br />79. Modern furniture does nothing for me.<br />80. I highlight my own hair.<br />81. Jazz makes me feel irritable.<br />82. I used to work out with weights (used to!)<br />83. I can sew but don't like to.<br />84. After my parents divorced, I attended 8 different high schools.<br />85. I eat my oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar, and milk.<br />86. Genesis is my favorite book in the Bible.<br />87. I used to play the flute.<br />88. My birthday is May 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span>.<br />89. My favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.<br />90. I only buy cotton sheets.<br />91. I like to wear bright colors.<br />92. Right now I'm reading "A Land of Sheltered Promise" by Jane Kirkpatrick.<br />93. The only ticket I've received is for fishing without a license.<br />94. I love denim dresses and skirts.<br />95. I like to organize things in baskets.<br />96. I plan out out a monthly dinner menu.<br />97. I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">natrally</span> good speller.<br />98. I wear my gold hoop earrings almost every day.<br />99. I like to make lists!Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-46607279173820384152009-07-20T16:38:00.001-07:002009-07-20T16:42:54.747-07:00Get Your Dogs!Okay, just got a comment on a previous post about the Costco hot dogs. So...once again I am writing about them. I just called the Costco Corporate Office and I was told that their Kirkland Signature Hot Dogs which the representative said are sold in all food courts ARE gluten free. I know that the last time Nathan and I checked at our local Costco, I was told by a food court employee that they were not. I know I looked at the list of ingredients at that time and the only thing it could have been hidden under was the "spices" listing. So...did they have a different dog between the Sinai brand and this one or did they change the ingredients in their Kirkland Dogs? Anyone else care to chime in? I'd love to be able to eat a hot dog there with my boys when we go.<br />Thanks!<br />DebbieDebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-26410147010602282972009-07-17T15:20:00.000-07:002009-07-23T19:50:31.799-07:00Shrimp and Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">It's time for "What Can I Eat That's Gluten Free?" </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">hosted </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">by Linda </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">at </span></strong></div><div align="center"><a style="COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.glutenfreehomemaker.com/2009/07/corn-bread-pizza-what-can-i-eat-thats.html"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">The Gluten Free Homemaker</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">. </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Click the link and play along!</span></strong></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359557829242239378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8b7263me6j7bmwKzyPSLj-i3Z8CObMHltkdSjt-x2v_cXwV1hubBYhPNbxCa5JxRu3jnbgdMekeNsuk_igSRcyi1eEgmk-fLmgZUhLmAsRNSWJeSLFWM2A1_OeN9tfrIvVZtIly_I1xM/s320/kabobs.jpg" border="0" /><br />While I was at Costco a few days ago, I saw they were selling small peppers by the bag. I don't normally fix peppers for anything. My husband can't stand them. He says it's because of the many years he ate in the chowhall while in the military and green peppers were a filler for everything.<br /><br />Despite my dear one's taste buds, those peppers gave me the urge to buy some shrimp and make kabobs. I suppose you can skewer just about any meat or veggie. I'm personally not fond of tomatoes cooked in this fashion so I limited my "victims" to peppers, lemon-herb chicken, shrimp, onion (ooo, I love cooked onion), and pineapple chunks.<br /><br /><strong>This is what I needed for about 24 kabobs:</strong><br />3 large chicken breasts, cut up in small cubes and marinate in lemon-herb sauce (recipe below)<br />If you can cut the chicken when it is still a little frozen it is SO much easier!<br />40 or so large, raw shrimp<br />1 can of pineapple chunks<br />15 small peppers<br />one onion cut in wedges<br />Skewers<br /><br />Before "skewering", thaw out your frozen shrimp and marinate the chicken pieces 1-2 hours before grilling.<br /><br /><strong>Lemon-Herb Marinade:</strong> (This is what I needed to coat the chicken pieces. Make up at least 2 times this amount if wanting to cook 4 whole chicken breasts)<br /><br />1 large lemon squeezed into a bowl (yes, fresh is really better!)<br />2 tablespoons olive oil<br />1 tablespoon sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon Tabasco<br />1 teaspoon thyme<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 tablespoon minced onion<br /><br />Cook over a low-heat grill. I can't stress this enough, because overdone kabobs aren't real tasty. I served these tasty Bobs with rice and a salad of spinach leaves and fresh tomato.<br />Enjoy!<br />Debbie<br /><strong></strong>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-42981750042330218172009-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:37:52.701-07:00My Little Corner of the World: Good Things<span style="font-size:130%;">Let us remember to crave the simple, good things in life...<br /></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358693787971535954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKy09lBsjTSipNEQdMXF7R9Jn2ShMeTXYijEYtQTxDzAkRjjD6hbgodfNF3d2u1VrbBsIcs7sX_EsBUvt091ttn5V-cwX1PZa_Hy0E3BOjeGqhIxjDzHFR7YqgQU5TT5aGl-td5gyBZ4/s320/apple.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">...and to share with those in need.</span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358694163673490322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rUwMmZ6WUi2BKLKIjdx-z_x9ZCHlZB3CS_OJvOeTwcMuGfSRScMuy0SNOaGeuFHKEzScw8vrUtTimYygFwrgEavUJKxR0sO20BwGal-BkKpetZtpGJ5PTABopnbPEiJup4dPO9qPrIw/s320/apple2.jpg" border="0" />Blessings,</p><p>Debbie<br /></p><p></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-67672461640555421202009-07-02T08:07:00.000-07:002009-07-22T20:03:40.952-07:00Fish and Teeth<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love being a mom to boys. Sure, I would take a girl too. However, I've learned many new things about the world of testosterone. For instance, I can tell the difference between a backhoe and an excavator. I also know how to identify a Deinonychus or Brachiasaurus dinosaur should one ever come stomping across the field. I've also learned that boys are little men wanting to find their place in the world of guns, knives, and fire. Being a mom of boys requires me to overlook what might seem a scary situation. I remember the day Nathan quickly opened the kitchen door and asked in an out-of-breath fashion,</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Mom, where's Dad?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I don't know"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"I need to find him. I'm going to shoot and kill him."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"Why would you shoot your dad?"</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"So I can marry you!"</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Can't we all be married? That way you don't have to shoot your dad."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Oh, okay. I'll go shoot something else."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Okay, I know some of you are alarmed at this exchange my boy and I had. I'm not, however. He still claims he is going to marry me and I'm still charmed by it. (If he continues to say that when he hits puberty then I'll call the psychologist). Still, his dad asks with a chuckle, "Why do I always have to die in his little scenarios?"</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This past week was a fun one. Our church had a campout over the weekend. I'm sure we'll go next year, but it didn't work out for this one. Victor still was able to take Nathan to the fishing derby held on Saturday morning there. Nathan caught one of the few fish that were biting then.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353881929030721218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z-_iZSWSmsUEiRXoPpeEtzMRpaiezHo26KrFmmIkzxbqCAD0wyjDyJzHDxer-RZRyzuX3P3KE_LrkHqeedcZ5O5Jui1LpMe3iXsTDA6jJoF9bbp-hEpqo-k_lww4MQoY2WV0oPVKWZo/s320/fishderby.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Is this a cute boy, or what?</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">He also noticed a loose tooth on the bottom rack for about a week. While he was eating his lunch at summer school it fell out. He actually spit it out on the grass because he thought it was "a nut that wouldn't chew". I quickly fished it out of the grass. After all, it is his first one. He's rather proud of that hole in his mouth. I've noticed he spits on me more now while he's talking...</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353882540336202402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ49bF6gPmw3ofeOzSLlF4-x_ItjQo2ZaW1fBH7SUubBAEuVazSkyHVohDi0HSwNbH7f3TDAzc2jZKuphU31fa9N16Tqm1o93hO09JvVz1uqdWR4ECpeC9GYpz5O5lKDys_F1IYlJxpec/s320/firsttooth.jpg" border="0" /> ...and, he's always talking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">What moments do you especially remember in the lives of your kids?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Blessings,</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Debbie</span></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-92043954901940662562009-06-29T16:36:00.000-07:002009-06-30T19:59:49.994-07:00"Regular" Recipes and a Little Inspiration<span style="font-family:verdana;">It's feast or famine with me and baking. In fact, I'm a lot like that with most things. I have moments of great accomplishments and being a busy bee. Those are punctuated with moments (and days) of feeling very lazy. Well, I can't be too lazy with two little boys, but you know what I mean. I get them fed, dressed, make dinner, do the dishes, read a story and play a bit, but beyond that I try my best to do nothing.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've been in the "feast" stage of baking lately. I'm wanting to make new things (and some old things). I also want to encourage you to stop by a "regular" good blog and get some ideas there as well. If you are well versed on what ingredients are GF or not, then you might be able to modify some things and come up with a new GF dish. Remember to use a GF mix of some sort or make sure to use starch and not just flour. For instance, if the regular recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups flour, then you might use 3/4 cup rice flour and 3/4 tapioca flour. Or, you might use 1/2 cup sorghum flour, 1/2 cup corn starch, and 1/2 cup tapioca flour. Such is the life with GF Baking - you have to be willing to experiment. And what ever you do - write down how you modified the recipe. If it's a winner, you want to replicate it! Don't forget to add xanthan or guar gum - I always add about a teaspoon unless I want some "chew" - then I add a couple of teaspoons. The xanthan gum doesn't just help hold it together, it helps it to rise as well!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">I found a great recipe that I was able to modify. It was on the "Not GF Blog" I have listed on my sidebar: <em>Mennonite Girls Can Cook</em>. It's called </span><a href="http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/2009/01/raspberry-slice.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Raspberry Slice".</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> (This site also has a category of GF recipes also). I made up some gluten free graham crackers first for this recipe. I actually needed close to three cups for the base. I'm not sure how it would have turned out with the 1 1/4 cups they called for but it seemed too greasy to set up and harden. I also didn't have any raspberries, so I used some fresh strawberries and frozen blackerries. Be careful when adding the frozen fruit to the jello mix. It will set up real quick. You'll need to catch it before it sets all the way so you can spread it over the cream cheese layer. I also used a couple cups of cool whip for the topping. It was really delicious and I highly recommend it. It was fine the next day also so this is one you can make slightly ahead. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353318327924412834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFCWLIkdTAA71jg9kRL-Tk_cYbn5smb49C-lmuoVDiG5KepB8Rfei2rEYMnhHAMC86Zi3TLQephsJEq7SsCAZXytBL58wmNOPR3MrWvBZn9C0PTVQNQGNPjU_kYNLUsS9B1I1PgD5eVA/s320/raspberry+slice.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">What "regular" recipes have you modified and been successful with?</span></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-33067457262435131412009-06-25T08:47:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:32:41.905-07:00Back to "Perfect"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRh85BOr_piWEP0Jf6P-pfvvgN50wMYGJjKj3u36cdFa0m0V_eXq3YTVGhipeE4oEi8DeSfWWTSulKV9ah4M4sX2O_fBdOkoMr0iltwX5Mn27JHV7cKjZO7FELnt8oJ5ByfR4GKgtp4I/s1600-h/easter+hat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351297980224519538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRh85BOr_piWEP0Jf6P-pfvvgN50wMYGJjKj3u36cdFa0m0V_eXq3YTVGhipeE4oEi8DeSfWWTSulKV9ah4M4sX2O_fBdOkoMr0iltwX5Mn27JHV7cKjZO7FELnt8oJ5ByfR4GKgtp4I/s320/easter+hat.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">My son, Joshua had Kawasaki Disease several weeks ago. Check out the post </span><a href="http://glutenfreeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2009/05/kawasaki-disease.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kawasaki Disease </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">for the story if you don't know about it. Yesterday he had his second echocardiograph and his heart is back to normal which means Joshua is now even more perfect than before (except for his screeching)! That was an answer to prayer! I used to take my kids to a family doctor and made the decision to take them to a pediatrician (an awesome one I might add). If you have been considering whether to stay with your family doctor or change so your kids can have a pediatrician - make the change!! I have been so glad I did. Pediatricians are generally better because they work with kids, know kids and all the strange diseases and ailments that are peculiar to them. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">We went to the Children's Hospital in Portland yesterday for the echocardiograph. What an awesome facility! Let me tell you, if you are down and out and disgruntled about this or that, then just visit a children's hospital for awhile. You will see children in wheelchairs, unable to communicate their needs. You will see children with ballcaps on and noticeably short hair or no hair underneath. It's a big dose of reality to see what some people are dealing with in their lives. There are also angels there, you know. I saw a senior couple who were probably in their mid to late sixties. I do not know whether they were a foster family, respite care, taking care of their grandchild or what the situation was. The boy in the stroller they were taking care of was so malformed. They loved on him and showered him with attention, human touch, and kindness. Many people in their lives receive awards for this or that. I don't know if these folks have ever received one, but I do know that what they do is far beyond what any medal can commendate for. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Let us be thankful!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-75662793165046919412009-06-23T17:44:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:33:35.692-07:00Job Hunting and GF Mixing<span style="font-family:verdana;">I finally have applied for my Oregon teaching license. Since I have one from California there were some new requirements to complete. I needed to take a multiple subject mastery test and complete so many hours of my instructional assistant position I've been working in at my son's school. Too bad I didn't request a newer application. I would have found out that they've moved those requirements to the next level up in order for out-of-state applicants to get in the teacher pool much quicker. Ugh!! I could have had my license several months ago:( </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Anyway, my license is "pending" while they approve my documents of this and that I've sent them. This has allowed me to fill out applications for four different districts in my county to apply for a teaching position. But why oh why am I a day late and a dollar short when it comes to these things? I found out after my latest hand cramp and filling up my tank with expensive gasoline that there is an online service that all the districts subscribe to. Could have done it all at home! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have to remember though that God is always on time regardless of my shortcomings. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">My first job teaching was acquired two weeks before the school year started. I found out later that the large district I also applied to somehow lost my application. That's why I never was called all summer. But...that left me free for the one I received - in the nicest school, the closest school, the highest paying district, the grade I wanted, the track I wanted, and a slew of acquaintances and dear friends I shall always count myself blessed to know. I remember after I saw my new classroom I came home and cried while sitting on the couch. God was so good to me, and I think He was chuckling a bit over the surprise he couldn't wait to show me. Anyhow, right now there is only one position for an elementary school position in the whole county, and it is first grade (not my thing). If I had to put food on the table I would go for it, but I'm not that desperate:) If anything comes up it will probably be in August. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I've been challenged recently while reading in the book of Joshua about setting up a memorial. It is a way of remembering what God has done. So, I have a picture of me teaching in the kitchen sink window. Since I spend so much time there I figured it was a good spot:) I will wash and "remember" that He is capable of making sure I'm in the right place at the right time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On a different not, I love it when I discover something that makes me work "smarter" and not harder. (Usually it is by accident - ha ha!). Such was the case while making up some more GF mix. I like one of Carol Fenster's versions:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 1/2 cups sorghum</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 1/2 cups corn starch</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 cup tapioca starch</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">(if you make her french bread I love to add the 1/2 cup of cornmeal which she has deleted on her latest version of this mix. I'm not sure why because it makes the french bread taste better.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">When I mixed this up last time I noticed that my Bob's Red Mill bag of sorghum is 4 1/2 cups. I thought about making up three times this amount. I also noticed that my EnerG Foods Tapioca Starch I buy (12 boxes in a carton) is 4 1/2 cups. Woohoo! The Argo Cornstarch I use is 56 Tablespoons which is roughly 3 cups. I wondered whether it would be a big deal to interchange the tapioca and corn starch. Well, I haven't been able to tell a difference in my recipes. This allows me to open all three boxes/packages and just pour them in a big bowl to whisk together. I've easily made up an amount three times of this mix. No measuring and less mess. Made me happy. Of course, you may not use these products or have a different mix, but just see if a couple of the items are the right amount for multiplying you mix. Then maybe you only have to measure out the third ingredient. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">From now on I vow to stop a minute and think about what I've "always done" and just see if I can come up with a better way to do it. You never know - I just might start working "smarter" and that would make up for all the brain cells I seem to have lost since becoming a mom and being sleep-deprived. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Have a wonderful day!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Debbie</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-54749120635314461772009-05-31T19:11:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:34:45.481-07:00Hot Days<span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm glad to report that Joshua is doing well. He had his echocardiogram a week ago at the Children's Hospital in Portland. There's no dilation of his coronary arteries which means there's no longterm damage to them. There's still inflammation showing up which is fairly normal with Kawasaki Disease. Right now is a window after the onset when he can develop an aneurysm (although not likely since he was treated so early) We are praying that it will be all resolved by his next echo. As you can see from the pictures, he is on the move again and back to a normal toddler.<br /></span><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqwoaI_N2ic8Ras3kXAz3nG0bgm_4OgA78ncLTemMqnAPvyZOYRcrUmkWokqNYa1_ORZHxldX4TAWM4YaZm425Ykqol-ewrQWRo2RiBcYgNcaD6fecjbK2jHpG0STjvgxHHDTuXoK-F8/s1600-h/flowers.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342178119032960882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqwoaI_N2ic8Ras3kXAz3nG0bgm_4OgA78ncLTemMqnAPvyZOYRcrUmkWokqNYa1_ORZHxldX4TAWM4YaZm425Ykqol-ewrQWRo2RiBcYgNcaD6fecjbK2jHpG0STjvgxHHDTuXoK-F8/s320/flowers.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyqlVziXLHQWYFiwcEKZJ0oTywf1TSGn9-4BGemytMfKSrELdjwxk0CSx4Jgkl6um0S-K9BsglBCvGfjf4IozhAd_7vfWa4L74st5pI36y7mXKDdIaJG44rAD4_zXZOkcQFSh6cj-Q9o/s1600-h/pool.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342178354249409890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyqlVziXLHQWYFiwcEKZJ0oTywf1TSGn9-4BGemytMfKSrELdjwxk0CSx4Jgkl6um0S-K9BsglBCvGfjf4IozhAd_7vfWa4L74st5pI36y7mXKDdIaJG44rAD4_zXZOkcQFSh6cj-Q9o/s320/pool.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"></p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Nathan has eight days left for Kindergarten which is hard </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">to believe. I've been working the past year as an instructional assistant at his school, so I'll be off for the summer as well pretty soon. I'm ready to apply for my Oregon Teaching License and put an application in at the local district. I know that with the budget there are no new jobs being created. Still, I'm hopeful. The Lord blessed me with a wonderful job before, and I know he can do it again. There's always someone who leaves, resigns, or another job created before the next school year starts. I do know that I probably won't get anything until right before, but I'm preparing now, getting out my teaching materials and familiarizing myself with things again. I'll certainly keep you posted on that!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, this has nothing to do with what I just wrote, but I did want to put my two cents in about the new Chex cereals that are gluten free. I was at Winco at "O' dark thirty" one morning when my bleary eyes spotted the large labeling on the front of the Honey Nut and Corn Chex. I was ecstatic!!! Yes, like I've said before, I am hopeful for all the changes that will happen in the next few years. I will be so happy if they can come up with a cure for my boy or at least some kind of enzyme intervention to allow him to "indulge" from time to time. For now, as you can see, he is just enjoying life as a young boy.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342181172968935970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQRTfCcnlNeZlzdBuDhlQe3TeJcA3I1OcaUS9WVTvPZRNgoWLmgpOsHmBFPJH4E_NHKLfx1bvGDzRUJWVuwB7dsUdhHhBwPEAhab8nq5gssf-v-wU_vBUl9QVOAdUTTb9YzWAt3rXYeM/s320/waterfight.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thanks to all of you for your prayers and for stopping by!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span></p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-24656793782168026762009-05-09T18:22:00.000-07:002009-05-09T19:03:08.960-07:00Kawasaki Disease<span style="font-family:verdana;">I've learned that there's a difference between a child that is sick and a really sick child. My son Joshua fell into the latter category just about a week ago. Once again, I've learned about a disease I never knew existed, and its name is <a href="http://www.kdfoundation.org/">Kawasaki Disease</a>.</span> <div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334007220795338146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEPgdKaXXWV5UDhPrKwitwRwlTtQDcrRqxhkwn_U_nABEODWEj6pmSWxC9UjhPaYYEHhaO4uEV4K92C57T5q7zBBYIiLLvBZiXa8fYFNeFovpqieAgMUMeZsn4tZ0Ij_YxSiVtuRNHK4/s320/KD10.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Joshua will be 16 months in just a couple of days. He came down with a fever that wasn't controlled very well with Motrin and then was extremely cranky and irritable. If I moved him the slightest bit he would start crying all over again. Then came the rash and the eyes that looked like conjunctivitis but without the drainage. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I thank God for the wisdom he gave me. Two days into the fever he was laying on the couch very lethargic and I thought, "I should be taking him to urgent care right this minute." But, I opted to hold out for an evening appointment with his pediatrician at the Mid-Valley Children's Clinic in Albany. We finally saw him at close to 9:00 that night. He stepped out of the room after examining Joshua and then brought in another doctor who also happens to have lots of experience. They both independently diagnosed Joshua with Kawasaki Disease. Although Joshua had only two days of fever, he wanted Joshua to begin gamma goblulin treatment immediately. We checked into the hospital across the street. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Over the next two hours Joshua went from bad to worse. He turned a yellow shade and his heart rate was 190! When the lab tech drew his blood he just lay there, his eyes wandering around. It was a surreal feeling to wonder if my child was going to die. The picture that I've included here is of the next day, with him looking 100% better!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">While the symptoms of Kawasaki Disease are not fatal (although they seem so at the time) the real concern is with potential heart problems, namely the coronary arteries. Kawasaki Disease affects the blood vessels and particularly the heart. Fortunately, early treatment means a very little chance of this happening. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Joshua has an echocardiogram in 2 weeks. I am praying for and expecting no problems. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I wanted to make you aware of this, and if at all possible, please spread the news about this rare childhood disease. I was fortunate (blessed is a better word) that Joshua had such typical symptoms, and that he has such a wonderful pediatrician.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'll keep you posted on his progress. We won't be going out for Mother's Day as he is still dealing with inflammation in his little body. He is too cranky and high-need for right now. However, I am blessed this Mother's Day to have my little one home with me after having spent four nights in the hospital with him.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Happy Mother's Day also to all of you out there who have loved and mentored a child.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span></div></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-13785252340927491172009-04-25T08:43:00.000-07:002009-04-25T08:49:47.446-07:00I'm Still Alive<span style="font-family:verdana;">Hello to any of you who happen to be regulars (and anyone new). I'm sure you've noticed that my posting has been far and few in-between. I know how disappointing it is to visit a blog and wonder where the owner has gone, wishing for something new to read. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Life has been busy! I've been studying for a state test and keeping up with my two young boys. I'm feeling particularly challenged these days maintaining "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">marginality</span>". My house is a mess, my car is a mess, and I'm just trying to keep up with the laundry. Hopefully there will be some time in the next couple of months to re-group, create some more dishes (and take the time to get the camera out) and to say hello again.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Just wanted you to know I appreciate you stopping by!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">God Bless You,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-19066960844447972112009-04-03T20:52:00.001-07:002009-04-03T21:04:15.187-07:00Adding a New Twist to an Old Favorite<span style="font-family:verdana;">I love the quick-bread recipe (if I don't say so myself)! Recently I was out of flaxseed which I like to add to recipes now and then. I was thinking of what else I could add to the bread and saw a bag of almonds on the counter. I buy the raw, slivered ones in the bin at Winco. I decided to try a quarter to one-half cup in the bread. I grind them in a coffee grinder and it works just fine. I think it made the bread come out moist and with a great texture. I reduced the number of eggs in my basic recipe to three and have decreased the sugar to 1 tablespoon. I've also been putting in 1/3 cup mayonnaise and 1/3 cup plain yogurt instead of the 2/3 cup mayo. Finally, I've gotten away from using the gelatin and have been adding a total of 1 1/2 teaspoons of guar gum (or xanthan gum) instead. So...here's what it looks like:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The All Purpose Quick Bread:<br />First mix:<br />3 eggs<br />1 tablespoon sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1/3 cups mayonnaise</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1/3 cup plain yogurt<br />3/4 cup milk<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />Then add:<br />1 1/4 cups rice flour<br />1/4 cup sorghum<br />3/4 cup tapioca starch<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />3 teaspoons baking powder<br />1 1/2 teaspoon guar (or xanthan) gum<br />Mix well for about one minute. Pour into greased loaf pan (batter will be more like cake batter).<br />Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />If you try it this way, let me know what you think!!</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-906928185009984352009-03-08T17:55:00.000-07:002009-03-08T17:56:49.406-07:00Costco Hot Dogs - What's Up?I read recently that Costco hot dogs that have been sold in the food court have been changed to a brand that contains wheat. I haven't confirmed this with the company yet. I just sent them an email to let them know I am saddened to hear about this change since it is a highlight for Nathan to get a hot dog (without the bun, of course). I'll keep you posted as soon as I receive a reply from them.<br />DebbieDebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-48984869790632099022009-03-07T16:22:00.000-08:002009-03-07T16:59:09.104-08:00Walking, New Shoes, and Sunshine<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs0yaTnwkKUqxQrp7pCVOf5pCFyLQTD9ryiPsJ3vYnZNF0SO2NS_SwnLjHLmcaCPoCCeqW1T7i1EZ3nitl8WHEyXYPtWBgQ-l579RA7ltIco_cXHGKW3foM-I9KfL6O-PBHA60Fl3drE/s1600-h/spring4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310609245581427698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs0yaTnwkKUqxQrp7pCVOf5pCFyLQTD9ryiPsJ3vYnZNF0SO2NS_SwnLjHLmcaCPoCCeqW1T7i1EZ3nitl8WHEyXYPtWBgQ-l579RA7ltIco_cXHGKW3foM-I9KfL6O-PBHA60Fl3drE/s320/spring4.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">A few days ago we enjoyed some glorious sunshine. It was the kind that lets you know springtime is near even if the light breeze is cool. Joshua is officially walking now. He takes to it more often than crawling although he is still easy to throw off balance. He's enjoyed his slip-on softy shoes until now. However he donned some shoes with soles to go outside this day. He did pretty good considering we don't actually have a yard yet here - just lots of bumpy, rolling ground. He was so excited to be outside, he didn't put too many things in his mouth. Nathan was a pacifier boy and as long as that was in, I didn't worry so much about him going outside. Joshua will be a challenge - my back is sore just thinking about being humped over and following him everywhere he goes this summer. He is so ready to go exploring though - and I love the wonder I see in his eyes. Enjoy the pictures of my two boys who will go exploring many times together (and hopefully keep each other out of trouble!).</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span></div><div> </div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310608314166694034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cy3ngwSv_6Yt06l8SQPB9as39DGhvmXKogtZdv_phFJ2oSJqOrzZ3BT_cbHo3Y7elphw3dr_6vX4KUGNN4vwrKkBaUHA1VMAldNxase1xV0Z5Pg-Xuy7DSA4b7_t-5rfefSNNzzhtXc/s320/spring3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310607965477368818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf6VAdg7xWllrSYbm5iIbkeeD-or7j_Z14Oyat_L4U9sMKf2QAe2boC6ECMUdWcVBFCRTGCaB30Ea6OOb4PKrcvBcACIOa0kb7tnt4y91Y_LXvhG441oPz3Zcyd8H1IlWS3TMS8hg_8g/s320/spring.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310609419297264626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-s9T-PBsqQDOfd_yieWi2EVDq5tIEgTNhVKiy9bxG6I6KQ2FAb8hubmVam4XhPdbqvZPWo2bYx0U7GbDC4FwLz_w3XCIQDqdzj-WFslaGkFf0zgFgjOvoo42zp0p2agqg-tvAFv1FG4/s320/spring6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310608143105967858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEQwv1MOiFy4ABJDTE2yzoArz35PTC1R9Ucu41AzxfiDN2cL46kTaeQNv9l2rFN-qqc1pIEaLNPIsl2Lgi7x7OCJf2d2vcqDTYyUg67cFOVcdkjZ3Y19vOSQBLsAVRu6xWbKVrHEsR5A/s320/spring2.jpg" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-39546181938380784412009-02-16T08:13:00.000-08:002009-02-22T14:28:48.214-08:00Sloppy Hearts<span style="font-family:verdana;">I decided to make Sloppy Joe's on Valentine's Day. Yes, I used to celebrate Valentine's Day with my husband over a filet mignon (just the two of us). However, things have changed and while my oldest son is a pretty good eater and not too picky, I do try to create dinners he will love as well. Although I must say, he would have been just as ecstatic over a great cut of beef. My son is 5 and a carnivore just like us:).</span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305750777296482466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkPNXwHQes_hSmbLT-1BEepMPl56mw5BK3PoSii3oF7VutmyXEGWKotQUSAYw8cKQgcbVEBRU62zoQrpLPVsI75pkPt6liu2AtzxeGu1zr0yv5ZbgEBS1HXmffvilBsnqMVHRFCbqPGc/s320/sloppyhearts.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Instead of making burger buns for this event, I decided to make it more like a casserole and add biscuits on top - heart shaped ones, of course! I only wish I had taken a picture of the dish as it came out of the oven so you could see the hearts. Of course, you can use a regular biscuit cutter or any shape you like. We didn't eat it all the first night and I was skeptical about how well it would fare overnight. I almost took the biscuits off the top so they wouldn't get soggy. But, being the lazy-bones that I am at times, I decided to put the lid back on the casserole dish and put in the fridge. To my delight, the biscuits didn't get soggy and it reheated great. In fact, I think it was one of those dinners that tasted better the second night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Below is a basic recipe for making a Sloppy Joe mix and Carol Fenster's Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe. If you never make Sloppy Joe's with the biscuits, at least try her recipe for them. I used to think a good biscuit recipe was a bit like the Holy Grail. These are hands down the best I've ever eaten (GF, that is!).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">By the way, I would have taken a picture of the entire casserole when it came out of the oven, but we had already carved our way through half of it when it occurred to me, "Hey, this would make a good post!" So, I scooped one heart out of the pan and took this shot.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Happy Eating!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Debbie</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Sloppy Joe Mix</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dice 1 onion and cook with 2 pounds of ground beef</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Add 1 clove garlic and cook a few minutes more</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Mix the following and then add to the above:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 1/2 cups ketchup and 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (or just 2 cups ketchup)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 Tablespoon brown sugar<br />2 Tablespoons cider or red vinegar<br />2 tablespoons prepared mustard<br />1 teaspoon Italian seasoning<br />1 teaspoon onion powder<br />1/2 teaspoon pepper </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Cook until warmed through.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Spoon mixture in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish and top with a generous amount of cheese. I think I used about 2 cups of a colby/jack mixture.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>Here is Carol Fenster's Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">White rice flour for dusting and rolling</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">3/4 cup Carol's Sorghum Blend (1 1/2 cups sorghum, 1 1/2 cups potato or cornstarch, 1 cup tapioca starch)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">3/4 cup potato starch</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">4 teaspoons sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 Tablespoon baking powder</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 teaspoon xanthan gum</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 teaspoon guar gum (You don't need both of these gums but she claims it works better like this)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1/2 teaspooon baking soda</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1/4 cup shortning</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1 cup buttermilk</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2 tablespoons milk (for brushing tops if making just the biscuits to eat without the sloppy joe mix)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Mix dry ingredients, cut in shortening and then add buttermilk. Dough is very soft. Use plenty of rice flour to dust counter top or block. Turn dough out and pat down into 1 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters or biscuit cutters. I used a heart shaped cutter (about 2 1/2 inches wide). </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After cutting out the biscuits into heart shapes, I laid them on top of the cheese, distributing them across the top of the dish. I baked them at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. (After the first few minutes, I brushed the tops with melted butter.) The sloppy joe mix was bubbling up from underneath after 15 minutes, and I was concerned that the biscuits would get soggy before they cooked all the way. I turned up the heat to 400 degrees and baked them for another 5 minutes. That did the trick! Scoop out of the pan with a heart biscuit on top and enjoy</span><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">If you are just making the biscuits then follow these directions after cutting out your biscuits:</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Place the cut out biscuits on a nonstick baking sheet and placed in a 375 degree preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Brush the tops with milk before placing in oven.</span> </p>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-19537653343220257152009-02-10T17:19:00.001-08:002009-02-10T17:32:47.009-08:00Hop on Pop<span style="font-family:verdana;">My son Nathan is in Kindergarten. It was a wise move on my part to enroll him in public education rather than homeschool him for several reasons:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">He is a social beast and has one brother who is not talking yet.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">He will do better in a very routine, predictable environment.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">I would have picked up the bottle by now if I were his teacher.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:verdana;">Over the months I have been so amazed to see the work he has brought home. I get so happy seeing the letters and words he has printed, to hear him count to 50, and to tell me a poem he has memorized. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Of course, there are things that aren't so happy and fuzzy-warm. -Like hearing him tell me he couldn't find a friend to play with yesterday or to know he missed out on a birthday cupcake and ate his "Pamela's" chocolate chip cookie instead. He has only confessed to one "time-out" so far which means he is at the very least not telling "the whole truth".</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Nathan has loved books since he was an infant. My whirlwind tornado of a boy has always wanted to sit and be read to. I am blessed! We have always made it a point to visit the library often and bring home a gaggle of books. I tried a couple of months ago to see if he would read for me, but he would jump ahead and just wasn't ready to look at the words and sound them out. Today though, I picked up a reader pamphlet he brought home from school. He was ready to sound out the words and read it to me. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>Hop on Pop</em> came out next. Yes, he still missed words and doesn't want to look at the ending consonant at times, but he was able to read the majority of lines. I feel sorry for anyone who didn't get thrilled to pieces when hearing their child read to them for the first time. I am in amazment. I assumed he would and could read, but it is still a wonderful, shocking (in a good way) event in my life. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I jumped up and down and he did too.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Life is good.</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-64097048880835635262009-02-03T18:33:00.000-08:002009-02-04T14:48:22.524-08:00Monthly Menus<span style="font-family:verdana;">Since I live about 40 minutes from Winco or Costco I only do my major shopping once a month. One thing that's helped me plan better is a monthly dinner menu. I've been making one up for the past four months.<br /><br />What's that, you say? Well, I make a table on my computer with 7 columns and 4-5 rows. I head each of the columns with the day of the week and each square of the grid stands for a day of the month. I fill in those squares with dinners I want to make for the month. (Of course, this doesn't have to be done on a computer but I've come to love "cut and paste".) I also try to write in what the side might be, if any and if we will have a green salad or something special with it. I've saved onto my computer the template or chart for filling in. That way I don't have to create a new table for it each time. I also save each month that I do. Who knows? I may just be able to one day pull out one I've already created, make a couple of changes and be good with it!<br /><br />I know it sounds like a lot to do the whole month at once, but for me it is easier to sit down once a month and fill this in rather than weekly. I usually start a few days before the month's end and of course, I don't have to fill it in all at once. Here are some ways I've found ways to make it easier and more useful:<br /><br />I've made a separate list of all the dinners I like to fix along with the ingredients I need. I've got a list of about 30 different chicken dinners and 20 beef or pork ones. It looks something like this:<br /><br /></span><ul><li><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Parmesan Chicken: chicken breasts, mayo, artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese.</span></strong></li><li><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Malibu Chicken: Chicken breasts, ham, swiss cheese, mayo, mustard</span></strong></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">I can go to these lists when I need ideas of what to fix. I'm also trying to put in my monthly dinner menu at least one new recipe to try.</span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Filling the chart in is not as daunting as it might sound. For instance, does your family like spaghetti once a week? If so, fill that in for all the Friday nights if that works for you. I have my husband's folks over on Saturday nights. His mom loves chicken and so I go to my chicken list for choices to fill in those blocks with.<br /><br />Don't forget left-overs! Each week for my family needs about four choices. One of those is usually only good for that night - like quesadillas or tacos. With the other three choices of the week I make sure I have prepared enough for left-overs. For example, when the in-laws come over Saturday night, I make sure I have made about 1 1/2 times what I will need. This ensures dinner is already ready on Sunday night for just us and that makes me happy!<br /><br />There are other ways to simplify what it takes to fill in the chart. If you like slow-cooker meals, then plug those in on Tuesday nights and perhaps soup on Thursday nights. Do you like casseroles? Then think of four and plan those to be fixed on a certain night of the week. Doing things this way takes the thinking out of it somewhat.<br /><br />I also pull out my calendar before preparing the monthly dinner chart. If I have a late appointment one night, then that is a night to make sure leftovers are available. My husband is great at breakfast and taking care of the kids, but he doesn't want to be the one making the dinner. Reheating leftovers saves everyone's sanity.<br /><br />I certainly need to shop for produce a couple more times for the month. If there's a meal that requires something special, then I write that in and highlight it. For instance, I'll be making a dish with cilantro the third week of this month. I have that highlighted so that when I go produce shopping I'm not just getting the usual things like more lettuce, tomatoes, and apples. I'll have looked at that highlighted spot for some time and <em>hopefully</em> remember;)<br /><br />I decided to share this with you, because it has actually worked for me. I can see what's "on tap" the night before and get out of the freezer what needs to be thawed out, if anything. I have also spent some time on Saturday mornings looking at what lies ahead for the week. I might have the gumption to cook up any chicken that might need to be diced up and cooked for a casserole or chop up the onions that I might need in any recipes that week. I can also get any of the dry mixes ready for any gluten free rolls or cornbread that might be listed to go with a meal. That's a real time saver for me.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What works for you in the food preparation department? How do you simplify gluten-free cooking and life on the go?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">May God Bless your week!<br />Debbie</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-23068873461006643032009-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:002009-02-03T15:22:56.662-08:00Pancake Recipe RevisionI've always loved pancakes and my son does too. I usually make a double batch and freeze what's left over. That makes an easy breakfast because I can just put them in the toaster - same for waffles! I think the favorite here is to add chocolate chips and I recently bought some beautiful strawberries from Costco to add on top. I LOVE strawberries fresh and ripe! I'd really love blueberry pancakes as well but the men in my life aren't crazy about them.<br /><br />Recently, I couldn't remember my pancake recipe by heart and went to look for it in my notebook that I've crammed too much stuff in. I couldn't find it and went online for <a href="http://glutenfreeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2008/08/humble-pie-and-buttermilk-pancakes_5628.html">the recipe on my blog. </a> I knew something was wrong when I made them up because this time they were too runny. Yikes! I've posted an incorrect recipe - I omitted the tapioca or corn starch for this recipe. I'm so sorry for anyone who went to the trouble to try it out and found it wasn't so great.<br /><br />Here's the correct recipe (and a thousand pardons:))<br /><br />Saturday Morning Buttermilk Pancakes<br /><br />Whip two egg whites in your mixer bowl then set aside to fold in later.<br />Mix:<br />2 eggs<br />2 cups buttermilk<br />2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />Add 1 teaspoon baking soda while mixing the above.<br /><br />In a separate bowl mix:<br />1 ¼ cup rice flour<br />¼ cup + 1 tablespoon sorghum<br />1 cup tapioca starch or cornstarch<br />¼ <strong>heaping</strong> cup ground flax<br />3 teaspoons baking powder<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1 teaspoon xanthan gum or guar gum<br /><br />Add dry to wet ingredients.<br /><br />While mixing, add 4 tablespoons oil.<br />Fold in your egg whites.<br />Yum!Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-13178241383663605622009-01-16T18:34:00.000-08:002009-01-17T20:43:20.391-08:00Oreos and Enzymes<span style="font-family:verdana;">Well, things are never dull on our gluten free adventure. My son Nathan is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Celiac</span>. He has learned quite a deal about what he can eat and can't eat. And yet...he is 5. We were visiting a friend and he went out to play. I feel so comfortable at my friend's house (her daughter has other food issues) that I don't stress too much about watching over my guy so much. However, this time he played with her daughter at a neighbor's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">playset</span> (their properties are not closed off by a fence in a certain spot). They played for awhile and the neighbor kid's mom decided they needed a treat...<br /><br />When we finally called them in because it was time to go, they were squealing all the way home on each other. I heard something about eating some yellow cheese (no, I'm not worried yet) and then I unmistakably heard something about "an O<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">reo</span>". I looked over at my son and there it was - chocolate all around his mouth. Not only had he eaten the O<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">reo</span>, but he was wearing it as well. I didn't panic - at least not visibly. I did remember that I had some </span><a href="http://www.enzymedica.com/products/GlutenEase"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-family:verdana;">Glutenease</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> in my bag. It's an enzyme that I bought some time ago - when I just thought he had a problem with gluten and didn't know what C<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">eliac</span> was. I quickly poured a cup of apple juice from my friend's fridge and poured a capsule in and told him to drink it up quick. Even though I knew we were in for a rough week, I was still hoping that it would keep him from too much discomfort. I felt a little negligent in not knowing exactly where Nathan was at and watching over him as much as I usually do. I let my guard down and my son down as well. Guilt, guilt.<br /><br />Well, Nathan has never had this much gluten since being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GF</span>. The most he's had was a bite of a cracker. That was enough for the emotional melt-downs and hyperactivity and also (can't forget) the "accident" while in Costco. A whole O<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">reo</span> seemed quite a scary ordeal although the amount of flour relative to the amount of sugar and chocolate was probably not more than the wheat flour in the bite of cracker. Anyway, Nathan has suffered a few minor stomach aches, a nightmare the first night, waking up early three days in a row and some anger flare-ups as I like to call them. You know, I certainly don't want him getting gluten because of the whole immune irritation and not to mention the greater chance for developing another autoimmune disease or lymphoma. But really, it is the behavior that is the hardest for me to deal with. Sure I don't want him to deal with an accident at school or to feel pain, but when he seems like someone else it is hard!!! I can't imagine what it would have been like without the enzyme. I think he would at least have had a couple of accidents.<br /><br />I'm certainly not saying buy some enzymes so you can eat gluten. In fact, the next time he decides he will succumb to temptation I will not so easily give him an enzyme. I really need for him to learn how bad it is for him! I will recommend an enzyme like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Glutenease</span> for anyone eating out or at a friend's house. It certainly doesn't get rid of all the gluten protein but it does help to break down a good amount of it, lessening the symptoms one might experience.<br /><br />I have had some good discussions with Nathan since all of this. We've talked about how good the Oreo tasted - and then I bought some </span><a href="http://www.glutenfree.com/Kinnikinnick-KinniToos-Choc-Cream-Sandwich-Cookies/Item957040"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" style="font-family:verdana;">KinniToos</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Wow - these are really good! I do think they could have picked a better name though:) We talked about being tempted and the need to say "no" or to find someone to help at a time like this. Gosh, it sounds like I'm trying to keep him off drugs, huh? We've also talked about what might happen in the future for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Celiacs</span> as far as enzyme therapy - on a five-year old level, that is. I'm gladly </span><a href="http://glutenfreemom.typepad.com/gluten_free_mom/2008/11/new-research-on-pharmaceutical-treatment-of-celiac-disease.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">linking a post by Gluten Free Mom </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">about one pharmaceutical company's work on an enzyme that will break down gluten. This is interesting to say the least!<br /><br />And my point? I don't really have one. Just wanted to share with you my week and some thoughts of mine about raising a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Celiac</span> kid. Oh yes, the best discussions we've had have been on being thankful. We've talked about being thankful for eyesight, the ability to run and so on and how it keeps us from only thinking about what we can't have. Thankfulness is not easy at times but it can transform our situation via our perspective on life. So, I will try to practice what I preach and be thankful for so many blessings that we have.<br />May God richly bless your week!<br />Debbie</span>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869780898787350699.post-38054006361261721602009-01-10T20:50:00.000-08:002009-01-10T21:06:25.955-08:00Happy Birthday JoshuaI can't believe a year has flown by since I brought my beautiful baby boy, Joshua home from the hospital. He has been a joy and a sweet, easy baby. God saw fit that I needed a blessing from above and he did deliver!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289895587296212290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwQx0JHwTC-2mCLZU2rEOL6SSDeR9ibh8ZEoHn7Ow9QehNTf0rPR6hBMZFguNqqHOou64CJB-mFEyDlhMLOcRO7lyFWp_IhsC8lcDCEYQ6q04WMSBfr39-V6XfUEozpMXK3-r7-8rWYs/s320/DSCN9008.JPG" border="0" />We spent the day with good friends and joy a plenty. It is amazing to know that you can still have a great spread with gluten free food - chicken, beef, taco toppings, refried beans, Mexican white rice, etc. And for the cake? I love the <a href="http://glutenfreeinthecountry.blogspot.com/search/label/chocolate%20cake">chocolate cake recipe from Carol Fenster </a>- it's a winner! I've wanted to try others, but you know how it is. When you're getting ready for an "event" you just want to stick to the "tried and true". <div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289895887406222082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HHblRu933daCRp2m_nbEgqqqiz0go6taJb8wy3Rg61lfx9TSPr2ERkYer_xLt7YLI1nJwv-yHDZNDmgCKcX-FVkFdv8w1eVQ3YCWqJEMIqJ_lGHnQvLqmhvSffKOUK7dixua6hLTOEI/s320/DSCN9010.JPG" border="0" />I decided to do the cake the night before and I'm glad I did. For some reason, I just had trouble with frosting, decorating, etc. I've reached a point in my life though (2 kids later, older, and more tired) when I can say, "It is what it is" and leave it be. It actually looked better the next day when I was more rested and just glad it was done!<br /><br /><div></div><div>I want to thank all of you for reading this blog and returning to visit even though I haven't posted in awhile. I hope to get back in the blogging groove soon. </div><div></div><br /><div>God Bless You in 2009!</div><div>Debbie</div>Debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06951992694891119012noreply@blogger.com2