Two days ago my daughter, Ava, turned two months old. In these past two months I have gone through – and still am going through – this enormous transitional period that all mothers go through after the birth of their child. This period of time can be even more life altering if they are breastfeeding and staying home with the child, as I am.

I feel compelled to speak truthfully about how I feel about these first two months with Ava, specifically involving breastfeeding – or I will use the more inconspicuous term ‘nursing’. I’ve heard from so many women, read in so many magazines and on so many websites, that nursing is such a beautiful thing and can be this amazing time for you and your baby to bond and just bask in the extraordinary sense of love between mother and child. I would like to admit I feel none of that what-so-ever.

I plan on nursing my daughter until she is at least one year old, so I have quite a way to go with this. I just can’t fool myself into thinking that I love the act of it and how much time it takes every day. I am glad to give her the perfect nutrition for her to grow healthily – not to mention all the money I am saving by not having to buy formula. However, I am a person that draws a lot of satisfaction out of my days by simply getting things accomplished. And when you are exclusively breastfeeding…good luck getting even your basic responsibilities done sometimes.

This all plays into the general misconceptions that are fed to mothers about how they should feel about their child and all that it entails. It is supposed to be magical from the moment of conception until you keel over from old age basically, right? Each stage of their life is supposed to hold illusive keys to your happiness. I find that is half true. Each stage holds its own wonder, yet it is often riddled with difficulties.

I must admit Ava’s infancy has been infinitely easier than J.J.’s, as he cried inconsolably ALL the time – probably due to sensory issues. Ava is a good baby, but she does love to be held all the time and loves the comfort of nursing on top of having a very healthy appetite. Those are the extent of my troubles with her…just her wanting to be loved really. So what is my problem? I’m a person, a complete and separate person with my own wants and needs…and I can’t help but feel discontented at times when my sense of being a complete person seems to be lost in the process of being a mother.

If I live the average life expectancy, or hopefully longer, then my current sacrifices of self and time are minute compared to the grand image of my life and those of my children’s. And I love my children more than myself…so I will continue to do what is best for them, even if that means losing a few pieces of myself in the process. 

As of late, my son has been wanting to stay within his own little bubble of familiar and comforting subjects - which right now is primarily geography, although he also loves to talk about the solar system. He has not taken kindly to being corrected if he pronounces a country's name wrong or told that he needs to be doing something different, new, and, challenging. He just wants to recite the countries in alphabetical order by continent ALL day long. It's great he can do that...but he's mastered it already, so my husband and I have been telling him he needs to move on to greater things - and he needs to stop driving Mommy and Daddy crazy by interrupting conversations by insisting we watch and listen to him recite the aforementioned countries in order. 

This morning I read an article on the Autism Support Network's website about not setting the bar too low for those with Autism. It highlights that sometimes people, namely parents and teachers, can sometimes fall into the trap of not giving children on the spectrum challenges and opportunities for them to do better or to learn new things. Too often are children, whether on the spectrum or not, praised for their mediocre efforts, even when they could have done much more. 

The article really hit home, considering the current battle with J.J. over learning to set aside his comfort tasks, such as naming the countries in the world, in order to learn new things - even if it is in the same subject area. Instead of just naming the countries one-by-one, why not learn more about each country? Instead of reciting the order of the planets over and over again, why not learn more about the properties, elements, etc. about each one? Why not learn about the rest of the dwarf planets, the moons, or the asteroids? What are asteroids exactly? Why makes a celestial body an asteroid, dwarf planet, moon, or meteroid? These are the questions we are encouraging our son to ask...just on his own "level". We understand that even though he is an intelligent five year old, there is only so much he fully comprehends about the subjects he so loves. With that being said - memorization of facts about his favorite things is what sparks his interest into learning more and what begins the road to new information and new understandings for him. Sometimes it just takes a bit of pushing and prodding to get him to move on from one set of facts to another. 

My husband and I expect a lot out of our little boy, but I assure you we are not being tyrannical or unreasonable. He is young, but he is capable of great things. We've realized this for quite some time, which is why we never stop expecting more. The moment we become lenient on these things, J.J. slips into his comfort zone - and once he is there...it is very difficult to pull him back out again. 

It is a lot of hard work to keep J.J. challenged sometimes...because it also keeps me challenged as his mother and teacher. I have to learn what he wants to learn so that I may have conversations with him about the things he loves, and correct him when he is wrong about something (the will and pride in this boy is surprising!). I must then figure out - "What next?" I have to decide whether he is ready to learn the next level in a subject, or if the effort would be best used to review what we've learned, or if we should apply the time and effort to a different area altogether. 

It would be much easier to stick strictly to our homeschool curriculum. It would have been easier to do kindergarten instead of moving on to first grade. It would be easier to let him have much more free time every day so he may recite whatever information he pleases to no end. But that wouldn't help J.J. one bit. I would be enabling J.J. to be lazy and take advantage of the way things come easily to him so often...and then when he becomes an adult he would inevitably fail at many things in life because he would not know how to handle challenges put before him. So it is my job to, in a sense, be tough on him. I have to keep him challenged in a way that allows him to progress, but also to thrive with the new challenges, tasks, and information.

It's not being mean. It's called Love. 

It is remarkable how much a simple daily existence can get in the way of writing even a five minute blog post. I mean I've been quite busy...but I live simply at the same time. Almost seems like an oxymoron, yet in certain situations one must work hard to achieve a simple - yet fulfilling - life. 

My husband spoke up the other day and encouraged me to get back into writing, as it serves a grand purpose of release for me. So I figured I would take his advice and share what I've been up to since I last updated my page.

I am still (very) pregnant...37 weeks now and waiting for my daughter, whose name will be Ava, to arrive at any time. I had my son at exactly 37 weeks, so I have to admit I expected that to happen with my daughter as well. However, Ava seems like she is a little more determined to incubate longer than J.J. was at her gestational age. In the past few days I think I have finally come to terms with that fact and it is, of course, best that she develops more before she meets the world. My husband and I (mostly my husband) have been very very busy trying to get her bedroom ready for the grand arrival, as well as securing all the little "baby things" one needs to have around when they have a new family member. I've been asked several times what the "theme" or "color scheme" is in Ava's room, and I believe I disappoint everyone when I tell them her walls are a warm grey and all her furniture is white. If I were more clever in the moment, I would make up some story about ingraining her impressionable brain from day one with a mind-set of minimalism and simplicity in decor...but I have never been one to be witty on the spot. Days later, yes, but in the moment, no. 

Nathan and I are not parents with intents of depriving our children of anything fun in life, but I will admit we are very strict and "strange" when compared to most when it comes to what we want our children surrounded with and exposed to. Which explains the minimalist backdrop in Ava's room. The color will mostly come in through all the knitted toys I am in the process of making for her room. Perhaps we are scrooges, but we didn't want to have to repaint/redesign her room when she gets too old for the baby theme or if we eventually sell the house. So our children must suffer our frugal and practical natures. 

In September I was able to quit my job and become a full-time wife and mother, which sounds incredibly dull to most women these days, but I quite enjoy it. I've reached a point in my life where I have gladly and willingly put certain things aside in order to simply care for my family in many ways. And it is precisely those many ways I care for my family that have kept me from this blog. However, I would like to begin sharing again all the ways we live simply and friendly in this busy world. I promise to write again soon. In the meantime, I have a science lesson to teach, laundry to do, and dinner to cook before I call it a day.

When school let out for me more than a month and a half ago, I had in mind that I would be blogging like crazy.... yet I have found that most days I feel I have not much to say. Even my personal writing has slowed considerably in recent months. Yet this is a natural progression of the ebbs and flows of passions, I think. I have many interests, many passions, and sometimes I focus on one and set down all others for a matter of time; and other times I do a little of everything. 

Lately, I have been knitting a lot, and reading when I have a chance. However, reading has not happened nearly as much as I would like considering I have a huge summer reading list! I just can't seem to keep my eyes open when I have opportunities to read... Reading is almost the equivalent of a food-source for me. I can't live without it! Yet when I am 7 weeks pregnant with next to no energy to do much other than the daily tasks life requires of me - the relaxing activity of reading is something that gets set aside. 

So yes, if you caught that and you don't know me personally, you are finding out that I am "with child." So far, I am off to a great start, although it does not feel as such. I am always tired, always sick to my stomach, and hardly any food sounds appetizing at all... which is not a good thing when there's a little person relying on you to take in extra nutrients. Even so, I am pulling through and I am very happy for the opportunity to have another child. J.J. is very excited about the prospect of having a little baby in the house and assuming the role of "big brother." He loves to help out, and I can just imagine him wanting to get the baby's pacifier, blanket, etc... My caring little goober head will, I'm sure, do an excellent job throughout this journey. He already supports me in helping me with my prenatal yoga and pilates, doing them along with me, and informing me often that the baby wants to grow up and my "belly is going to get huge!" 

Nathan, my husband, is also quite excited about our expectant stance in life. He, more than I, was eager to spread the news to everyone. :) I am oh so very fortunate to have such a loving and supportive husband to share this, and all other life experiences, with. 

::Sigh:: Much excitement in life can be summed up in rather few words, as one cannot begin to describe the strange yet exhilarating process of cultivating another human life in ones' own body. The thought of it continues to baffle me, and I believe always will. 

In other areas of life, the garden is doing well. We are in a time of transition - out with the early spring crops and in with the summer. So we have not much fresh produce to flaunt at the moment, except for our continuously delicious snow peas. They have been a fantastic producer this year that even J.J. enjoys. 

Back to reading for a moment, I began reading The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka this morning. Fukuoka was a Japanese farmer who developed and advocated for a no-till, non-invasive, and "do-nothing" way to farming and the production of food. It took several years for him to get his nature-inspired system to its peak production levels as he experimented with ways he could get away with doing less and letting nature take the lead and run its course. The basic core principals of his "natural farming" methods include no tillage of the soil, no use of prepared compost or fertilizers, and no use of pesticides or herbicides. Once Nathan and I are able to get our hands on some land and produce food on a larger scale, these are the methods we hope to implement. As for now, there is only so much we can do here in our neighborhood, as we have to keep in mind we will need to sell this house someday. I think letting nature run wild is a beautiful and invaluable thing...but for some reason I don't think many buyers will share that sentiment about their potentially future lawn. 

Until next time, I wish you all beautiful days. :)

There are many times in life when one must pause for a moment and think about victory. I'm not speaking of winning a big game or getting a bonus at work...not those sort of victories. I'm speaking of the smaller victories that make each day worth pushing through, especially if you have been wondering what all your hard work is producing.

I am celebrating a few recent recent victories. First, the success of several of our (my family's) plants. This is only our second year growing a veggie garden, yet we have seen great rewards each year. We have set our goals quite high this year and acquired seeds for a vast variety of plants, some for vegetables we have never eaten but feel we must give a chance.

In the past two weeks, we have harvested a good amount of dwarf bok choy, lettuces, spinach, and radishes. We have three raised garden beds that my husband constructed out of repurposed fence boards and they have proven to work quite well. We have learned to accept and appreciate certain things about our home and its property, even if it is not the country home we dream of. For example, we have a corner lot which gives us considerably more yard space than most in our neighborhood, so we have dedicated our entire side yard (which gets full-sun and thus is the perfect place for a garden) to growing our own food. This acceptance is in itself a victory for a married couple that thrives too much, at times, on instant gratification. The success and harvesting of the foods we grow is another great victory.

J.J. Eating Spinach

Another wonderful victory is that of our picky-eating little buddy eating fresh greens and other things. J.J. loves to eat spinach plucked right out of the garden. We grow everything organically, so we will simply get a leaf or two, brush off the dirt and give it to him. He also enjoyed devouring some pak bok choy flowers from the plants we are letting go to seed. They taste a bit like fresh broccoli, so hopefully we can get him to eat broccoli in the future! I am amazed and appreciative of J.J.'s willingness to eat fresh food in this way. It seems as though he is more willing to do so when he sees that it came from our garden. I assure you we have tried giving him several fresh fruits and vegetables in the past but he has refused to eat them. Our garden has opened more doors for us to provide a good diet of raw food for our son, and that alone is reason enough to continue to grow our own food.

On another note, completely unrelated to gardening...J.J. just got his teeth cleaned at the dentist for the first time yesterday. This is a monumental success, I assure you. We have been taking him to the dentist once a month, sometimes once every two weeks, for almost two years now.... just to get him to the point where he feels comfortable enough with the personnel, the environment, and the the sensations of the dental equipment to allow them to clean his teeth. I feel fortunate to have found a dentist that has experience with children with Autism and he is very, very accomodating. They have been wonderful, and as you can imagine, J.J. is quite familiar with every single person in that office. He has come to love going to the dentist, even though in the beginning he would kick, scream, and cry as soon as we would pass through the waiting room door to enter the area with the dental chairs.

It was once intensely overwhelming for him, but after countless visits and rewards in the form of ever-precious stickers, J.J. now deems it a supportive and enjoyable environment. It is beyond my capacity of words to describe how proud of J.J. I am. My husband and I, as well as many others in our son's life, work very hard for him and with him to ensure that he progresses through life. Yet I must also tip my hat to J.J. I can only imagine how difficult life can be for him at times, how tiring it can be to get through a normal day's sensory invasions... I have a tough little buddy that is capable of great things. And that is the greatest victory of all.

Allergy-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

6 TBS water

2 TBS ground flaxseed meal

1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp xanthan gum

1 cup organic palm fruit oil shortening

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine the water and flaxseed meal and allow to thicken for 3 to 5 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add in the vanilla and the flaxseed mixture, and beat until it is fluffy and the flaxseed in thoroughly mixed in. Add in the flour mixture and mix the batter until thoroughly combined.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough into the confectioners' sugar, rolling the cookies around the form balls. Place the balls 2 inches apart, to allow for spreading, on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 14 minutes or until the tops of the cookies no longer look wet. Transfer the baking sheets from the oven to cooling racks and cool for 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies directly onto the racks to cool completely.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

I plan to do a lot more cooking and baking this summer now that I actually have the spare time to do so. I don't think J.J. will have any problems with that, do you?

Very recently, Andrew Wakefield's 1998 study on autism has been (finally) completely retracted and it is now evident that it was a total fraud to begin with.  This news is accompanied by what I imagine is a collective sigh of relief by many throughout the Autism Community, since it has been known for awhile that Autism is in fact genetic -- it is not caused by mercury in the MMR vaccination (I will have to provide more information about this controversy at a later date).

After Wakefield's study results came out more than a decade ago, it obviously scared a lot of people...a lot of parents.  Wakefield is from the UK, but the effects also reached the US.  Parents all over were so afraid of their children "getting" autism via vaccinations, so they simply stopped vaccinating their children from common, preventable childhood diseases.  Not surprisingly, the rates of those same diseases (that could have been prevented) saw a rise.

I am no expert, nor do I claim to be, yet I am going to tell what I know through my personal research.  After my son was diagnosed in October of 2009, my husband and I were left to navigate a very confusing world of conflicting studies, evidence, opinions, and treatment options.  Luckily for us, we had amazing doctors to point us in the right direction.

The team of doctors at the Riley Child Development Center in Indianapolis, IN that worked with our family in the diagnostic process were the most wondeful, understanding, and patient medical professionals I have ever met...and I am so thankful for that.  The appointment itself was almost an eight hour fiasco with Jonathan, then three years old, crying ruthlessly throughout a good portion of it.  The doctors were patient with him (as well as with all our questions), and they brought the diagnosis in a very calm and caring fashion and they didn't send us on our way home until they had offered all the support and resources they possibly could.  For such a stressful day, it was also, in a way, a good experience.  One of the most important pieces of information they gave that day came in the form of suggested reading:  "Autism's False Prophets" by Paul A. Offit, M.D.  I heeded their advice and bought the book...which began an insatiable thirst for the truth regarding the causes and treatments of Autism.

The book offers lots of (albeit a little dry) information not only on the science and real evidence in the autism-vaccination arena, but also gives the reader a good base of information to take with them if they so choose to do other research on the subject.  Through my personal research, I have learned what sort of language to look out for (even specific words) when listening or reading to stories pertaining to Autism and whether or not it may be credible.  Which brings me to a video:  "Can Diet Reverse the Effects of Autism".

The video was sent to me by someone I love and who I know loves Jonathan very much, and I know this lovely individual was only trying to help.  So they will remain unscathed throughout my arguments to follow and I find no fault in them what-so-ever for sending this video.  Unless you are chin-deep in the Autism community and researching it, then one probably wouldn't see and hear things the way I did while watching the video.  I strongly encourage you to watch the video before reading any further, as it forms the base of what I will build the argument upon. I'm going to dissect it and explain why I find certain things deplorable.

The video begins by offering hope to all those affected by Autism and putting forth this life-changing treatment administered by Dr. Kenneth Bock.  Yet, as they introduce Dr. Bock (before 30 seconds have even passed) they mention his book and put a brief picture of it up on the screen.  This brief reference is very important.  The title of the book is "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics:  Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies".  This is the first red flag to be aware of, since this "autism specialist" places Autism in the same category as asthma and allergies.  Next, Autism is not an epidemic.  Yes, the rates of diagnosis are rising.  Yes it seems to be more prevelant in today's society...but that could be for a number of reasons.  One is that it may be diagnosed more now, so of course the rates are going to seem like they are rising.  People who would have once just been considered odd or quirky are now diagnosed as on the high-functioning end of the spectrum.  The Autism Spectrum is so incredibly wide, and the extent to which it effects those diagnosed varies greatly.  Also on the flip-side, others severely affected may have been considered schizophrenic or simply mentally handicapped years ago rather than Autistic.  The umbrella has grown, and more people are finding themselves underneath it.  There is also the question of environmental effects on the developing brain of fetuses and infants...but we will address that a little later.

Back to the video, as the reporter speaks to the mother about her son's lack of sleep as a baby (roughly at 40 seconds to 1 minute), if you pay attention to the bottom of the screen they put in text "Son diagnosed in '06 & Recovered" and then "Food for a Cure?".  Whoa...watch that language around this lady.  The words recovery and healing are thrown around throughout the rest of the interview, so these are important to consider.  Dr. Bock does mention that he is not proposing a "cure"...although that is how this interview has presented it.  Also, he must be a smart enough man, being a doctor and all, to realize that the word "cure" when applied to those on the spectrum has suffered severe backlash in recent years...so it would be advisable to claim you are NOT proposing a cure, which he seems to take into consideration.

But what is wrong with "recovery" and "healing"?  Personally I put those in the same category as "cure".  It is suggesting that there is something "wrong" with the child, and they need to "recover", be "healed", or be "cured".  If I were a child (or even adult) with Autism and I heard someone tell me they have a diet that might help me recover from Autism, I would find that quite an insult.  "They want me to recover from who I am?"  This sort of perception of Autism really took hold after Wakefield published his aforementioned study saying that vaccinations, specifically MMR, caused Autism.  This created the notion that those with Autism are "damaged products" and "unhealthy".  This sparked a lot of doctors to find cures and/or ways to heal these precious individuals.  This is not Autism, and this is not the way to perceive it.  Autism is very specifically a disorder with a genetic, neurological difference in how the brains of these individuals function and process information.  That is why so many on the spectrum also have sensory processing problems, or specifically SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder).  How they view, experience, and interact with the world is different than their NT (neurotypical) counterparts, but the most important thing to remember is that it is genetic.  There are as many as twenty possible genes they have pin-pointed now, as far as I am aware, that may be associated with Autism. 

To speak specifically about the gluten free/casein free diet -- it does, in all fairness to Dr. Bock -- seem to work for some children.  When I say "work", I simply mean that it seems to alleviate some gastrointestinal distress and/or behavioral difficulties associated with the wide world of Autism.  However, it is very subjective and all parental testimony reporting the changes within the child.  (There is also the question if the diet was administered at the same time as other treatment, which then makes it difficult to determine whether it was the diet or other treatment which created the results).  There is no scientific evidence to date that suggests the special diet helps the symptoms of Autism, and some doctors don't recommend trying it unless it is deemed necessary simply because a gluten free diet may lack fiber and certain nutrients. 

With that said, I understand why some parents try the diet.  My husband and I are very fortunate that Jonathan is doing well.  He can speak and communicate, and function somewhat "normally".  Not all children respond to the treatments available to them as Jonathan did.  Not all individuals with Autism ever speak.  Not all individuals with Autism may be able to live independently as an adult.  So, when considering what those parents must be feeling (since a parent just wants their child to do well and live a good life), I can certainly understand why they might grasp at any proposed cure or healing method.  I'm sure in their minds it is not so much they want to change the essence of who their child is, but simply they want their child to be able to function in the big wide world that is not always friendly or accomodating to those considered different than the norm.  Unfortunately, some doctors feed upon the desperation and reap substantial financial rewards for their proposed treatments that may cure the affected individual.

Also, as more and more people on the spectrum are able to speak out and advocate for themselves, they are expressing they find it hurtful and frustrating that others believe them to be damaged and in need of a miraculous recovery and/or pity them.  Most of those that are able to speak for themselves say they do not want to be changed, and despite the difficulties they may have in life because of Autism, it is a part of who they are and in some cases, has helped them get to their current place in life.  I hope that as my son grows older and more aware of the stigmas he's going to have to grow up against, he will take pride in his differences and accept himself.  The road is bumpy at times with him, but he is a wonderful and sweet boy that I would never want to change.  Autism is a part of who he is and what makes him the Jonathan we love...just as my husband is tall and loves art and music, and as I am blonde and love everything about the written word.  It is simply who we are. 

As usual, I have modified the recipe just a bit to accomodate what I had in stock in my kitchen. Even so, they still turned out very moist and delectable.

Blueberry Muffins

1 cup gluten-free vanilla rice milk *

1 tsp cider vinegar

3 TBS water

1 TBS ground flaxseed meal

2 cups Betsy's Baking Mix **

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 TBS baking powder

1 tsp xanthan gum

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup liquefied organic refined coconut oil (stir before measuring if not completely liquid)

1 cup fresh blueberries ***

*I used plain soymilk.

**Betsy's Baking Mix is:

3 3/4 cups garbanzo bean flour

2 1/4 cups potato starch

1 1/2 cups tapioca flour

Makes enough for 3 cakes.

However, I used 1/2 cup of soy flour and 1 1/2 cups of brown rice flour in this muffin recipe.

***I used frozen blueberries.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners (I used vegetable shortening instead).

In a small bowl, make "buttermilk" by combining the rice (or soy) milk and cider vinegar.  In another small bowl, combine the water and flaxseed meal and allow to thicken for 3 to 5 minutes.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the baking mix, sugar, baking powder, xanthan gum, baking soda, and salt until well combined.  With a spoon, create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

In another bowl, thoroughly combine the "buttermilk" mixture, the thickened flaxseed mixture, and the coconut oil.  Add the combined liquid ingredients all at once to the well in the dry ingredients and stir until combined.  Fold in the blueberries.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins.  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean.  Let cool in the tins on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.  Remove the muffins from the tins and cool them completely on the cooling rack.

Store the completely cooled muffins in an airtight container and refigerated for up to 3 days.

I can't tell you how amazing it is to have homemade gluten free treats such as this.  Gluten free flours are often a pain to work with and you can end up with a disappointing product if you don't have a good mixture.  Unfortunately it is all about experimenting and figuring out what works best with all the different recipes there are.  Luckily for me, I have found some guidance in the way of cookbooks and cooking blogs to help lead the way in what mixtures do well.  Hopefully I can be of some help to other celiacs out there in the world by making this information more available.

Eat well and be healthy!

We've had quite the ice storm today, so my family and I have been stuck in the house.  What better to do than bake some goodies?  I absolutely love this granola recipe I found on the Tangled Nest blog.  

I will be forever grateful that Bob's Red Mill sells certified gluten free rolled oats and gluten free steel cut oats.  I wish they were organic, but I'll take what I can get!  Hopefully we will be able to grow some of our own oats this year to lessen the impact of the price of the special gluten free oats. 

I modified the Tangled Nest Granola recipe slightly to suit my celiac disease, my tastebuds and what I have on hand at the time of creation.  Here is how I make it:

Gluten-Free Granola

6 cups gluten-free rolled oats

3/4 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted)

1 cup sliced almonds

Mix these dry ingredients in a large bowl, then place on either one high-rimmed baking sheet or two cookie sheets (as I did) and toast in oven at 300 degrees for 25 minutes, stirring half-way through.  After toasted, put back into the mixing bowl to add the liquid ingredients

In a two-cup measuring cup or in a bowl mix:

1 cup juice (I would recommend a "clear" juice.  Tangled Nest calls for apple juice, but I have used Goji Berry juice and/or Pomegranate juice and it works just fine)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 or 3 TBS honey (I use local unpasteurized honey) 

4 TBS canola oil

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix wet ingredients together well and pour over toasted dry ingredients.  Mix well, making sure everything is evenly coated.  Put mixture back onto lightly oiled or parchment lined baking sheet(s) and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, mixing half-way through.  When it is done it will be nicely browned.  You will want to let it cool before consuming, because it will gain its full crunchy goodness after it cools.  Store at room temperature in an air-tight container (preferably something pretty so you can display your creation proudly on your countertop!). 

Enjoy!

I often dream about and visualize a self-sustainable home and farm out in the country.  I see solar panels, a wind turbine, rain barrels, and a green roof.  I see a huge vegetable garden, goats and sheep acting as lawn mowers, and just an overall fulfilling and peaceful existence with my beloved fellas.  I've got big plans and a long road to get there.  Although it will take quite some time to achieve all that I dream of, there are things my family and I do now to save money, reduce our energy usage and have less of a negative impact on the earth that gives us life.  All that we do now will only help us with our future homestead.  You can do these things too, even if you don't have a dream like mine, but you want to do more positive things for the environment and your own body.  I may have to split this up into different posts since I hope to cover a lot of topics and information.

Food

1. Buy Organic whenever possible and to the extent of your purchasing power.  Organic produce and other food goods are often more expensive, which is admittedly hard to manage when you have a budget and/or multiple mouths to feed at home.  Trust me, I understand this well and my own family has a very strict budget.  However, we understand the importance and value of what we choose to buy and eat.  Even if you can't buy all organic food, but you want to start buying some, the Dirty Dozen is a list you may find helpful.  It tells you which produce items are the most important to buy organic. 
2. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies.  This may seem counter-productive in terms of cost-effectiveness, but it's just plain better for your health.  On an average day I eat at least two bananas, one apple and a ton of baby carrots.  Those are some of the cheaper produce items you can find, and it's relatively easy to find them organic at places like Kroger.  If you go to Whole Foods or other health-food stores, take advantage of their sales.  There are always sales going on at Whole Foods and I will alter my upcoming meal plans to accomodate what I was able to find for a good price. 
3. Eat more veggie or grain based dishes.  Another health related issue.  My husband and I have cut out all meat and most dairy from our family's diet for health, ethical, and monetary reasons.  We have found many delicious and nutritious vegetarian recipes, and we also take old recipes and make them vegetarian simple by cutting out or substituting the meat.  Don't believe that you have to have meat to fulfill your protein requirements...there are several grains and vegetable sources that have superior protein content than that of any meat product.  My husband and I eat a lot of beans, legumes, and grains such as millet and quinoa. 
4. Make more meals from scratch.  Boxed dinners have never been allowed in my home.  Making dinner doesn't have to be difficult.  There are plenty of easy and tasty recipes out there.  Google it!  There are a couple of sites I particularly love: Happy Foody, The Post Punk Kitchen, and Yum Universe.  Believe it or not, making meals from scratch saves money as long as you are smart about the ingredients you choose.  Besides, you then have a closer connection to what you are eating and there are no questions about what you are putting into your body to nurish it. 
5. Grow your own food.  This, I will say, sounds like a very tall order...and it can be.  Planting a garden can be very difficult, but if you plan it out you will have less problems and it gets easier with time.  There are many sites and resources available with a plethora of information about growing all kinds of fruits, veggies, and grains.  There is no wrong or right size for a garden, although I would advise you to start small.  Even if you don't have a big yard or any yard at all, you can just have a couple tomato plants or herbs on your porch or balcony...every little bit counts!  Here is a starting point if you are interested in starting your own garden (but keep in mind you could find many many more if you just google it):  Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Garden Guides, and The Backyard Gardener.

 We must eat to live, so why not eat well?