Here is what we had the last two evenings for dinner:
Breakfast: Fried Eggs Turkey Sausage
Chocolate Chip Waffles
Yum! These waffles are very sweet so I just put dairy free butter on them - no syrup. You may not like them if you prefer regular waffles. My kids love this one; they also love the turkey sausage. I fried the eggs in the dairy free butter.
Waffle Mix: 2 1/4 cup of All Purpose Flour Mix (see day 2)
1/4 cup & 1 tsp. of Sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
Mix together with a wire whisk.
To make waffles: Combine Waffle Mix, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 large egg, 2 tblsp. veggie oil, 1 1/2 cups rice milk, 1 tblsp. vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup GFCF chocolate chips. The original recipie included 1 mashed bannana but we left this out. Mix with a wire whisk.
Spray organic olive oil spray on a waffle iron and cook.
A cheaper alternative to GFCF chocolate chips are Ghirardelli chips.
Last night I picked up an organic rotisseri chicken from EarthFare. Thursday nights are "Kids eat Free" with a deli purchase (the rotisseri chicken counts) and all three kids meals were free. They do have GFCF options now (Soy Chicken Nuggets) but we had to supplement at home cause they were kind of gross. The sides were good and the big kids love it! I will use the rotisseri chicken for sandwhiches, wraps, or just by itself with some fruit & veggies.
I am planning to try some GFCF desserts this weekend....will keep you posted!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Easy & Quick Dinner Ideas
One of the toughest things about home-made cooking is the time it takes! I desperately wanted to get back to something quick & easy. Through trial & error; we developed a list of dinner items that everyone in the family enjoys. My kids like it and it is quick & easy for me!!! Here is what we have on our list so far:
Foil Baked Fish
Organic Veggies (microwaveable bag)
Sliced Fruit
I use Tilapia or Salmon. I throw some frozen cutlets into warm water to thaw (about 5 min) and place them on some foil. I preheat the oven to 415. I take some thin slices of lemon and squeeze about 1/2 a slice on each piece of fish. I then shake on some seafood seasoning and wrap each piece in a foil pocket. It bakes for 20 min. While the fish is cooking; I prepare the veggies & fruit. From start to finish; it takes about 30 min. and the family loves it!
Tacos
Organic Corn Chips & Salsa
Sliced Fruit
I use a Taco Kit called Garden of Eatin. I brown a 1 1/2 of All Natural Beef from EarthFare (its about $10 for 3lbs.) and use the kit. We use Organic Lettuce, Daiya Cheese for Caleb, organic sliced tomatoes, and organic salsa (about 2.50 from EarthFare). The organic corn chips (about $3 from EarthFare) and the salsa are actually huge favorites at our house. The entire meal is on the table in 30 min. or less!
Other menu items are:
Maple Glazed Pork Chops Sunday Roast & potatoes
Mexican Meatloaf Organic Rotisseri Chicken
Breakfast Home-made Pizza
Spaghetti & Meatballs
I will get you our favorite recipies as we go. My older kiddos did alot of screaming & nashing of teeth when they first heard about our diet efforts. Just the IDEA of eating healthy was horrible to them! So, I put them to work in the kitchen and each Sunday they help me plan what that week's meals will be. This has been an unexpected blessing! We get more family time together and they are excited to eat what they have cooked. Now I hear them telling their friends how yummy healthy foods are....its such a shock:) I do promise the older kids that they can eat "trash" once a week; they get to pick. I find that their request for this meal is becoming less and less as we go!
Please feel free to add your comments & suggestions too! I am still on the hunt for a good Mac & Cheese and sugar cookie recipie. Have a great day and I will continue to keep you updated!
Foil Baked Fish
Organic Veggies (microwaveable bag)
Sliced Fruit
I use Tilapia or Salmon. I throw some frozen cutlets into warm water to thaw (about 5 min) and place them on some foil. I preheat the oven to 415. I take some thin slices of lemon and squeeze about 1/2 a slice on each piece of fish. I then shake on some seafood seasoning and wrap each piece in a foil pocket. It bakes for 20 min. While the fish is cooking; I prepare the veggies & fruit. From start to finish; it takes about 30 min. and the family loves it!
Tacos
Organic Corn Chips & Salsa
Sliced Fruit
I use a Taco Kit called Garden of Eatin. I brown a 1 1/2 of All Natural Beef from EarthFare (its about $10 for 3lbs.) and use the kit. We use Organic Lettuce, Daiya Cheese for Caleb, organic sliced tomatoes, and organic salsa (about 2.50 from EarthFare). The organic corn chips (about $3 from EarthFare) and the salsa are actually huge favorites at our house. The entire meal is on the table in 30 min. or less!
Other menu items are:
Maple Glazed Pork Chops Sunday Roast & potatoes
Mexican Meatloaf Organic Rotisseri Chicken
Breakfast Home-made Pizza
Spaghetti & Meatballs
I will get you our favorite recipies as we go. My older kiddos did alot of screaming & nashing of teeth when they first heard about our diet efforts. Just the IDEA of eating healthy was horrible to them! So, I put them to work in the kitchen and each Sunday they help me plan what that week's meals will be. This has been an unexpected blessing! We get more family time together and they are excited to eat what they have cooked. Now I hear them telling their friends how yummy healthy foods are....its such a shock:) I do promise the older kids that they can eat "trash" once a week; they get to pick. I find that their request for this meal is becoming less and less as we go!
Please feel free to add your comments & suggestions too! I am still on the hunt for a good Mac & Cheese and sugar cookie recipie. Have a great day and I will continue to keep you updated!
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Good & The Bad
In my opinion; the best All-Purpose flour recipie (from Cooking for Isaiah) is:
6 cups white rice flour (Bob's Red Mill)
3 cups tapioca flour (Shiloh Farms)
11/2 cups potato starch (Bob's Red Mill)
1 tblsp. sea salt
2 tblsp. xanthum gum (Bob's Red Mill)
Its important to go organic & unprocessed on meat, fruits, veggies, and dairy. However, some of these items are ok if conventional (save some money!)
Organic: Celery Apples Blueberries
Peaches Grapes Nectarines
Strawberries Bell Peppers Spinach
Cherries Potatoes
Conventional (non-organic): Onions Avocado Banannas
Sweet Corn Pineapple Sweet Potato
Mango Sweet Pea Asparagus
Kiwi Cabbage Eggplant
Cantaloupe Watermelon Grapefruit
We shop at EarthFare but can find some items at Bi-Low & Publix. You have to watch the prices because its not neccesarily cheaper at the regular grocery. Here is a list of some basic items we keep at home that are yummy:
Vann's Wheat & Gluten Free Waffles (Bi-Low)
Village Grown Organic Microwavable Steam Bags of Veggies (Bi-Low)
Organic Tortilla Chips & Salsa (EarthFare)
Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crusts (EarthFare)
Organic Pasta Sauce (for pizza) & Daiya Shredded Mozz. (EarthFare)
Earth Balance Butter Spread tub & sticks (EarthFare)
Organic Eggs & Organic Apple Juice (EarthFare)
EnviroKidz Organic Gorilla Munch Cereal (EarthFare/Bi-low/Publix)
Rice Pasta (EarthFare) Glutino Crackers (EarthFare)
Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Bread (EarthFare - pop in toaster on lowest setting before serving; comes frozen)
Full Circle Organic Soy Milk (anywhere) Rice Dream Rice Milk (anywhere)
Organic Ketchup (EarthFare)
Some things I use alot are conventional:
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
Rice Chex Cereal
Marshmallow Creme
Olive Oil or Safflower Oil (can use regular veggie oil)
Its also important to start saving jars & have good storage items. Fresh foods go bad quickly. You can freeze things to make them last longer & give you something easy to warm up during the week
AVOID: Anything with Root Flour
Bob's Red Mill: Brownie Mix & Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Mac and Cheese (dont even try it)
Ok....gotta go for now. Will enter more tomorrow! Good Luck!
6 cups white rice flour (Bob's Red Mill)
3 cups tapioca flour (Shiloh Farms)
11/2 cups potato starch (Bob's Red Mill)
1 tblsp. sea salt
2 tblsp. xanthum gum (Bob's Red Mill)
Its important to go organic & unprocessed on meat, fruits, veggies, and dairy. However, some of these items are ok if conventional (save some money!)
Organic: Celery Apples Blueberries
Peaches Grapes Nectarines
Strawberries Bell Peppers Spinach
Cherries Potatoes
Conventional (non-organic): Onions Avocado Banannas
Sweet Corn Pineapple Sweet Potato
Mango Sweet Pea Asparagus
Kiwi Cabbage Eggplant
Cantaloupe Watermelon Grapefruit
We shop at EarthFare but can find some items at Bi-Low & Publix. You have to watch the prices because its not neccesarily cheaper at the regular grocery. Here is a list of some basic items we keep at home that are yummy:
Vann's Wheat & Gluten Free Waffles (Bi-Low)
Village Grown Organic Microwavable Steam Bags of Veggies (Bi-Low)
Organic Tortilla Chips & Salsa (EarthFare)
Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Crusts (EarthFare)
Organic Pasta Sauce (for pizza) & Daiya Shredded Mozz. (EarthFare)
Earth Balance Butter Spread tub & sticks (EarthFare)
Organic Eggs & Organic Apple Juice (EarthFare)
EnviroKidz Organic Gorilla Munch Cereal (EarthFare/Bi-low/Publix)
Rice Pasta (EarthFare) Glutino Crackers (EarthFare)
Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Bread (EarthFare - pop in toaster on lowest setting before serving; comes frozen)
Full Circle Organic Soy Milk (anywhere) Rice Dream Rice Milk (anywhere)
Organic Ketchup (EarthFare)
Some things I use alot are conventional:
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
Rice Chex Cereal
Marshmallow Creme
Olive Oil or Safflower Oil (can use regular veggie oil)
Its also important to start saving jars & have good storage items. Fresh foods go bad quickly. You can freeze things to make them last longer & give you something easy to warm up during the week
AVOID: Anything with Root Flour
Bob's Red Mill: Brownie Mix & Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Mac and Cheese (dont even try it)
Ok....gotta go for now. Will enter more tomorrow! Good Luck!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Getting Started
I first started this whole process by doing some research. I learned about organics, additives & preservatives, and how this could all relate to a kiddo on the Autism Spectrum. Here are the main points I learned:
1. You would not BELIEVE all the *#@! we put into our bodies when we eat out or "pop" something into the microwave! It makes sense: restaurants are in the business of making money. So, the quality of food they buy is often so poor that the general public can't even purchase it at the store! Plus, they need it to last as long as possible in order to cut costs & ship it all over the country. Thats why its often loaded with chemicals & preservatives. They use these same chemicals & preservatives in "quick fix meals" for the same reason. You could make a huge difference in your health by just cooking with fresh ingredients at home! Many of these chemicals are linked to all kinds of diseases and behavioral issues in adults & children.
2. Everyone is different and so are their allergies! I decided to try the process of elimination to test and see what foods Caleb was sensitive to. This works by eliminating one thing from the diet (we did dairy) for a week and then reintroducing it to see what happens. REALLY EYE OPENING. I actually thought about what allergies run in our family to help decide what to try first. I also did this while waiting for my gluten-casein free cookbooks to arrive in the mail.
3. Some people have a major allergy to gluten (celiac disease) and this can be found by a blood test. These folks cant have any gluten ever. Others just have a sensitivity to it and the effects can vary (it probably wont show up in a blood test). These types of allergies can change with time but can also cause some pretty serious side effects.
4. Food allergies can help explain picky eaters and food addictions. These folks only want to eat what gives them that "high" and they will reject the more healthy foods that do not. The high experienced may not just be a sugar rush but an actual chemical reaction in the brain. These chemical reactions can explain irrational behavior and a child's inability to function normally.
A GREAT resource for education and a beginning cookbook is "The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook" by Dr. Pam Compart and Dana Laake.
So, the process began with Almond Milk, Earth Balance Organic Butter, and Daiya cheese (I think this is gross but Caleb eats it) I actually ended up switching to Soy Milk because I noticed a rash with the almond milk and no reaction to the Soy. I also started using organic fruits, veggies, and meats.
I lost 8 lbs. in two weeks myself just by joining in the process!
PS....Lactose Free does not equal Casein Free. Its actually got to say Dairy Free or Casein Free.
I will provide a list tomorrow of basic foods that are yummy and those not to waste money on!
1. You would not BELIEVE all the *#@! we put into our bodies when we eat out or "pop" something into the microwave! It makes sense: restaurants are in the business of making money. So, the quality of food they buy is often so poor that the general public can't even purchase it at the store! Plus, they need it to last as long as possible in order to cut costs & ship it all over the country. Thats why its often loaded with chemicals & preservatives. They use these same chemicals & preservatives in "quick fix meals" for the same reason. You could make a huge difference in your health by just cooking with fresh ingredients at home! Many of these chemicals are linked to all kinds of diseases and behavioral issues in adults & children.
2. Everyone is different and so are their allergies! I decided to try the process of elimination to test and see what foods Caleb was sensitive to. This works by eliminating one thing from the diet (we did dairy) for a week and then reintroducing it to see what happens. REALLY EYE OPENING. I actually thought about what allergies run in our family to help decide what to try first. I also did this while waiting for my gluten-casein free cookbooks to arrive in the mail.
3. Some people have a major allergy to gluten (celiac disease) and this can be found by a blood test. These folks cant have any gluten ever. Others just have a sensitivity to it and the effects can vary (it probably wont show up in a blood test). These types of allergies can change with time but can also cause some pretty serious side effects.
4. Food allergies can help explain picky eaters and food addictions. These folks only want to eat what gives them that "high" and they will reject the more healthy foods that do not. The high experienced may not just be a sugar rush but an actual chemical reaction in the brain. These chemical reactions can explain irrational behavior and a child's inability to function normally.
A GREAT resource for education and a beginning cookbook is "The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook" by Dr. Pam Compart and Dana Laake.
So, the process began with Almond Milk, Earth Balance Organic Butter, and Daiya cheese (I think this is gross but Caleb eats it) I actually ended up switching to Soy Milk because I noticed a rash with the almond milk and no reaction to the Soy. I also started using organic fruits, veggies, and meats.
I lost 8 lbs. in two weeks myself just by joining in the process!
PS....Lactose Free does not equal Casein Free. Its actually got to say Dairy Free or Casein Free.
I will provide a list tomorrow of basic foods that are yummy and those not to waste money on!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Intro. to Cooking for Caleb
By the age of 1, we began to accept that Caleb was probably going to be very different than many of his peers. Caleb seemed like the "perfect baby" the first 6 months of his life because he was so quiet and agreeable. However, the day came when we noticed he was avoiding "tummy time", that he pushed away from snuggling, he was not meeting significant developmental milestones, had reflux issues, and was having trouble sleeping. Then came the crying! Wow, this child seemed to cry constantly!
It was at this point that we began what has been an "uphill battle" with the medical community. I have since learned that there are pediatricians out there who support diet changes, vitamins & supplements; we just have not located that person in our community. We had Caleb evaluated for an early intervention program at our local health department and were able to start physical & occupational therapy right away. Were it not for these professionals (the BEST occupational & physical therapist on the planet) and some amazing supportive friends; we would still be "waiting to see what happens".
Caleb is now almost 3 years old and we have come a long way. His current diagnosis is Sensory Integration Disorder. I can not explain how many hours of research and personal proactive involvement it has taken to get where we are today! What a great respect I have for any parent of a special needs child; the amazing strength, patience, and love it takes are truely remarkable! And if you are or think you might be a parent of a special needs child; I want to encourage you to keep up the fight. Know it IS worth the effort; all the "blood, sweat, and tears", all the hard lessons learned, the heartache, and the disappointment. It is possible to survive this and to be stronger & wiser in the process!
I began research on using diet changes as a possible treatment for Caleb about 4 months ago. I discovered that about 60% of families with children on the Autism spectrum were having some success with a Gluten-Casin Free diet. This made sense to me because our middle child struggles with some food allergies and I noticed that the ONLY things Caleb would eat was pizza, mac and cheese, and the occassional chicken nugget (practically ALL Gluten & Casin). So, against medical advice, I began to slowly eliminate these things from Caleb's diet. I do want to point out the IMPORTANCE of including the vitamins they would normally get from these items in a different form (I think that may have been our doctors fear?!) For example, we replaced dairy milk with soy or almond milk. I also worked to eliminate the chemicals & preservatives after reading just how terrible the quality of food that we ingest usually is! THE CHANGE HAS BEEN REMARKABLE!
Caleb is not cured completely. However, he can talk to us now, he can eat, he is much happier and does not cry all the time. And (this is kinda gross) his poop actually looks normal! I think I cried for a week every time he would talk to family members and we could actually understand what he was saying. To hear him say "I love my Mommy" and hug me, to hear his beautiful laugh, to watch him play with his big brother & sister......there is just no putting a price tag or regretting the work in that!
And excruciating work it is! I thought I knew how to cook; I am slowly but surely getting there. Thank God for the Internet & mom!
That brings me to the purpose of this blog: To share with you our trials, mistakes, ideas and successes so that you can be supported in your journey with a Gluten-Casin Free Diet. We have spent so much money & time in creating food that no one should have to eat! We have learned (and are still learning) about foods that have to be organic and ones that you can go "conventional" to save some money. My goal has been to create foods that the entire family will eat (2, 7, 9, and 40 ish year old) for the cheapest amount possible. And lets face it; the couponing tricks just dont work so well for this type of diet! So, feel free to join me on this journey. Please offer advice, suggestions, and ask questions! And know that I will be happy if anything on this blog is helpful to you in any way! Whether you are working towards more healthy eating, one who suffers from these allergies, or a has the gift of a special needs child; I wish you the best!
It was at this point that we began what has been an "uphill battle" with the medical community. I have since learned that there are pediatricians out there who support diet changes, vitamins & supplements; we just have not located that person in our community. We had Caleb evaluated for an early intervention program at our local health department and were able to start physical & occupational therapy right away. Were it not for these professionals (the BEST occupational & physical therapist on the planet) and some amazing supportive friends; we would still be "waiting to see what happens".
Caleb is now almost 3 years old and we have come a long way. His current diagnosis is Sensory Integration Disorder. I can not explain how many hours of research and personal proactive involvement it has taken to get where we are today! What a great respect I have for any parent of a special needs child; the amazing strength, patience, and love it takes are truely remarkable! And if you are or think you might be a parent of a special needs child; I want to encourage you to keep up the fight. Know it IS worth the effort; all the "blood, sweat, and tears", all the hard lessons learned, the heartache, and the disappointment. It is possible to survive this and to be stronger & wiser in the process!
I began research on using diet changes as a possible treatment for Caleb about 4 months ago. I discovered that about 60% of families with children on the Autism spectrum were having some success with a Gluten-Casin Free diet. This made sense to me because our middle child struggles with some food allergies and I noticed that the ONLY things Caleb would eat was pizza, mac and cheese, and the occassional chicken nugget (practically ALL Gluten & Casin). So, against medical advice, I began to slowly eliminate these things from Caleb's diet. I do want to point out the IMPORTANCE of including the vitamins they would normally get from these items in a different form (I think that may have been our doctors fear?!) For example, we replaced dairy milk with soy or almond milk. I also worked to eliminate the chemicals & preservatives after reading just how terrible the quality of food that we ingest usually is! THE CHANGE HAS BEEN REMARKABLE!
Caleb is not cured completely. However, he can talk to us now, he can eat, he is much happier and does not cry all the time. And (this is kinda gross) his poop actually looks normal! I think I cried for a week every time he would talk to family members and we could actually understand what he was saying. To hear him say "I love my Mommy" and hug me, to hear his beautiful laugh, to watch him play with his big brother & sister......there is just no putting a price tag or regretting the work in that!
And excruciating work it is! I thought I knew how to cook; I am slowly but surely getting there. Thank God for the Internet & mom!
That brings me to the purpose of this blog: To share with you our trials, mistakes, ideas and successes so that you can be supported in your journey with a Gluten-Casin Free Diet. We have spent so much money & time in creating food that no one should have to eat! We have learned (and are still learning) about foods that have to be organic and ones that you can go "conventional" to save some money. My goal has been to create foods that the entire family will eat (2, 7, 9, and 40 ish year old) for the cheapest amount possible. And lets face it; the couponing tricks just dont work so well for this type of diet! So, feel free to join me on this journey. Please offer advice, suggestions, and ask questions! And know that I will be happy if anything on this blog is helpful to you in any way! Whether you are working towards more healthy eating, one who suffers from these allergies, or a has the gift of a special needs child; I wish you the best!
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