So, a while back I posted a cheese sauce recipe, but in my search for the perfect easy mac and cheese , I've discovered the obvious.
Take shredded cheese and mix it in hot noodles. Ta-da! Mac and cheese. I can't believe I've never thought of this before.
That's really it right now. I'm going to make some pasta. With gluten. Just for me.
Thanks for reading,
Anne
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Little Updates
As our Year of Gluten Free Living draws to a close, I am getting increasingly paranoid that we haven't been gluten-free ENOUGH, and that some kind of microscopic crumbs that touch his food here and there will seriously skew the results. J will be having another upper endoscopy come February, and I just really want things to be definitive. I don't want my precious little boy to have to suffer through an ounce more of medical intervention than he absolutely means, especially because of some sort of failure on my part.
For example, we don't use a separate toaster for his bread. Over the year, he's probably had 6 bagels toasted in the coffee shop's toaster, too.
I'm also not hyper-vigilant about cross contamination as far as processing facilities. All the anecdotal research I've done on this said that you just have to find out what your tolerance is as far as gluten. The problem with that is, he's basically non-symptomatic. As I may have mentioned before, he's never had any GI symptoms related to gluten, and no behavioral symptoms either. The only way the possible celiac was discovered was through blood tests and biopsies sprouting from the bloody stool. And remember, it was a polyp which was causing the bloody stool, not celiac.
So let's all hope I don't screw it up for the boy.
Thanks for reading,
Anne
For example, we don't use a separate toaster for his bread. Over the year, he's probably had 6 bagels toasted in the coffee shop's toaster, too.
I'm also not hyper-vigilant about cross contamination as far as processing facilities. All the anecdotal research I've done on this said that you just have to find out what your tolerance is as far as gluten. The problem with that is, he's basically non-symptomatic. As I may have mentioned before, he's never had any GI symptoms related to gluten, and no behavioral symptoms either. The only way the possible celiac was discovered was through blood tests and biopsies sprouting from the bloody stool. And remember, it was a polyp which was causing the bloody stool, not celiac.
So let's all hope I don't screw it up for the boy.
Thanks for reading,
Anne
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Feels like Fall
We've been having beautiful weather the past few days here in Baltimore, and so we spent most of the day outside today.
j has been playing that he's Batman ever since he got his cape in the mail. He finds the cape too cumbersome to wear all day, but I've been calling him Batman allweek, and he refers to me as "Mighty Mouse", as I am providing the voice for the superhero version of his imaginary friend, Mousey.
Mousey is a palentologist, rocket scientist, and every other wonderful thing J wants him to be. He's the perfect imaginary friend, as I'm not required to set a place at the table for him, and J doesn't blame things on him. Sometimes James plays with Mousey, sometimes he IS Mousey. He's very versatile.
C is mastering coordinating her hands. She fights with toys when she's sitting up, trying to get the best parts in her mouth. She's very focused and determined, as all babies this age agre. She also shows no signs of rolling over early, which I'm happy about. Once she starts getting mobile, things are going to get tricky.
So that's it for today. Thanks for reading.
-Anne
j has been playing that he's Batman ever since he got his cape in the mail. He finds the cape too cumbersome to wear all day, but I've been calling him Batman allweek, and he refers to me as "Mighty Mouse", as I am providing the voice for the superhero version of his imaginary friend, Mousey.
Mousey is a palentologist, rocket scientist, and every other wonderful thing J wants him to be. He's the perfect imaginary friend, as I'm not required to set a place at the table for him, and J doesn't blame things on him. Sometimes James plays with Mousey, sometimes he IS Mousey. He's very versatile.
C is mastering coordinating her hands. She fights with toys when she's sitting up, trying to get the best parts in her mouth. She's very focused and determined, as all babies this age agre. She also shows no signs of rolling over early, which I'm happy about. Once she starts getting mobile, things are going to get tricky.
So that's it for today. Thanks for reading.
-Anne
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I Heart the Chart
Recently, I've pulled back from society in an effort to stop being so grumpy. We've been so busy that I felt like I was always in a hurry to go somewhere, or come home, or something like that, and I was snapping at J. A whole lot.
Luckily, my plan has worked, and things are going a lot smoother. C screams like she's burning to death every time we're in the car, so cutting back on driving has helped my attitude, too.
Today I made a chart for our day. We had one last year while we were overseas, and it was very beneficial for us. No times, just an order of events. J actually asked me about a week ago if we could have another chart, and since I feel like the insane chaos of the newborn stage has passed, I can at least attempt to put the rythym back in our days. Until she starts teething, of course.
On the cooking front, I decided that parsnips are not worth the effort. You have to take out the woody center in order to cook them, and it either takes forever, or you waste a whole bunch of the flesh. They're tasty, but I'll just stick to eating them at my mother-in-laws house. They taste better there anyway.
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Luckily, my plan has worked, and things are going a lot smoother. C screams like she's burning to death every time we're in the car, so cutting back on driving has helped my attitude, too.
Today I made a chart for our day. We had one last year while we were overseas, and it was very beneficial for us. No times, just an order of events. J actually asked me about a week ago if we could have another chart, and since I feel like the insane chaos of the newborn stage has passed, I can at least attempt to put the rythym back in our days. Until she starts teething, of course.
On the cooking front, I decided that parsnips are not worth the effort. You have to take out the woody center in order to cook them, and it either takes forever, or you waste a whole bunch of the flesh. They're tasty, but I'll just stick to eating them at my mother-in-laws house. They taste better there anyway.
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
October at the beach
I took the kids to the beach today, taking advantage of the awesome wether. We met another family there and had a wonderful time.
The only bad thing is that C HATES the car. She's basically either screaming or sleeping when she's in it. I usually end up stopping at least once to double check that she's not hungry, poopy, or being blinded by the sun. Our best bet is to try and coordinate long drives with her sleeping times. Going somewhere close, however, just plain stinks.
J said, while we were leaving the beach, "I had fun at the beach, but this part isn't much fun." He meant the baby yelling herself purple. I agree.
J had gymnastics this afternoon, and he did really well staying with the group. He won't go on the trampoline, or the balance beam, but I've told him he had to stauy with the group. I am so proud of him. He's so charming and lovely and friendly. He's constany meeting new children and asking to go to their house and stuff. This keeps us very, very busy.
Ok, back to the debate. Thanks for reading,
-Anne
The only bad thing is that C HATES the car. She's basically either screaming or sleeping when she's in it. I usually end up stopping at least once to double check that she's not hungry, poopy, or being blinded by the sun. Our best bet is to try and coordinate long drives with her sleeping times. Going somewhere close, however, just plain stinks.
J said, while we were leaving the beach, "I had fun at the beach, but this part isn't much fun." He meant the baby yelling herself purple. I agree.
J had gymnastics this afternoon, and he did really well staying with the group. He won't go on the trampoline, or the balance beam, but I've told him he had to stauy with the group. I am so proud of him. He's so charming and lovely and friendly. He's constany meeting new children and asking to go to their house and stuff. This keeps us very, very busy.
Ok, back to the debate. Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Howdy strangers
So, I had the baby. She is beautiful, and a joy, and I love her to peices.
I had a scheduled c-section July 11, and everything went really smoothly. All in all, a much easier start than with my son, and things have been pretty easy ever since.
I have not been cooking much inthe three months since her birth, as dinnertime coincides with baby fussy time. Also, H has been working most nights, and J never protests to a dinner of yogurt and bananas.
I learned that our best bet is to have the big, healthy meal in the early aftenoon, and that way we can stay late at the playground and just have a snack-type diner. It also helps that he's well fortified for all the social interaction.
J has really made huge leaps in the social area, easily maknjgn new friends and playing elaborate group games. Sometimes he's the leader, sometimes he's in the follower group, and he doesn't seem to mind switching back and forth.
So much has happened since the last time I posted, that I couldn't possibly list it all, so I'll just talk about today.
I made beets to take to the beach today.
Take 4 medium beets. Stick them in glass pan with an inch of water and cover with foil. Put them in a 375 oven for 90 minutes. Poke with fork. If they give easily, take them out. If not, give them another 30 minutes.
Let them cool a bit in a bowl on the counter, then slip the skins off. J likes this part, and today proceeded to paint his face in beet juice like war paint. Good thing, too, becasue there was some serious friction at the playground later.
Cut them into eights, and put half a chopped red onion, a tablespoon each of balsalmic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and lemon juice, and stir. Sprinkle with dill and salt to taste. Good cold or at room temperature.
Don't be alarmed when you pee purple later. It's the beets.
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
I had a scheduled c-section July 11, and everything went really smoothly. All in all, a much easier start than with my son, and things have been pretty easy ever since.
I have not been cooking much inthe three months since her birth, as dinnertime coincides with baby fussy time. Also, H has been working most nights, and J never protests to a dinner of yogurt and bananas.
I learned that our best bet is to have the big, healthy meal in the early aftenoon, and that way we can stay late at the playground and just have a snack-type diner. It also helps that he's well fortified for all the social interaction.
J has really made huge leaps in the social area, easily maknjgn new friends and playing elaborate group games. Sometimes he's the leader, sometimes he's in the follower group, and he doesn't seem to mind switching back and forth.
So much has happened since the last time I posted, that I couldn't possibly list it all, so I'll just talk about today.
I made beets to take to the beach today.
Take 4 medium beets. Stick them in glass pan with an inch of water and cover with foil. Put them in a 375 oven for 90 minutes. Poke with fork. If they give easily, take them out. If not, give them another 30 minutes.
Let them cool a bit in a bowl on the counter, then slip the skins off. J likes this part, and today proceeded to paint his face in beet juice like war paint. Good thing, too, becasue there was some serious friction at the playground later.
Cut them into eights, and put half a chopped red onion, a tablespoon each of balsalmic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and lemon juice, and stir. Sprinkle with dill and salt to taste. Good cold or at room temperature.
Don't be alarmed when you pee purple later. It's the beets.
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sprouted squash
I have mentioned before my extreme love for roasted squash. I can only eat it pureed, however, or in soups, not chunks.
In case I didn't mention it, here's what you do.
Wash a whole squash. Stab it deeply five or six times. Very satisfying. Set it in a roasting pan that's only a little bigger than the squash, if you can, and cook for at least an hour at 375. Larger squash takes longer, and I think I once had to go 2 hours.
The nice thing is, if it's undercooked when you cut it open to check, you can just toss it back in the oven until it's done. This happens to me almost every time.
I bought this one and let it sit on the shelf about a week before I cooked it, and when I opened it up, I saw the seeds had sprouted. I called my Mother-in-law, ho would know about these things, and asked her if the sprouting would poison me and the boy. She said it probably was picked in the fall, and here we are 6 months later, so that's why it had sprouted. But no poison.
We did the usual scrape, fork-mash, drown in butter treatment, which is the best. I've also used olive oil, and occasionally maple syrup, but butter is best. Massive doses of iron and vitamin A, all good things.
I attribute butternut squash to my son's awesome non-anemic state. I swear all the other kids his age are anemic. He likes meats, too though, so maybe that's it.
So yeah, eat seasonally, or your food might look like it's infested with worms. Still tasty, though!
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
In case I didn't mention it, here's what you do.
Wash a whole squash. Stab it deeply five or six times. Very satisfying. Set it in a roasting pan that's only a little bigger than the squash, if you can, and cook for at least an hour at 375. Larger squash takes longer, and I think I once had to go 2 hours.
The nice thing is, if it's undercooked when you cut it open to check, you can just toss it back in the oven until it's done. This happens to me almost every time.
I bought this one and let it sit on the shelf about a week before I cooked it, and when I opened it up, I saw the seeds had sprouted. I called my Mother-in-law, ho would know about these things, and asked her if the sprouting would poison me and the boy. She said it probably was picked in the fall, and here we are 6 months later, so that's why it had sprouted. But no poison.
We did the usual scrape, fork-mash, drown in butter treatment, which is the best. I've also used olive oil, and occasionally maple syrup, but butter is best. Massive doses of iron and vitamin A, all good things.
I attribute butternut squash to my son's awesome non-anemic state. I swear all the other kids his age are anemic. He likes meats, too though, so maybe that's it.
So yeah, eat seasonally, or your food might look like it's infested with worms. Still tasty, though!
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Set the Table
I tried this about a month ago and it didn't take, so I'll try again.
J likes to (usually) set the table. Here is the diagram I made for him. Yes, I KNOW the fork is technically in the wrong spot, but when I made a new one, and tried to switch it, he wouldn't let it go. And really, it's about continuity with a three-year-old, isn't it?
I don't really believe in chores for kids this young, or really ever, in a normal "stars n the chart, stuff you have to do every day/week whatever" sense. We have sort of general household rules, where we clean up after ourselves, but almost always with help, and take care of our things, but there's never any real negative consequence. He just can't play with something new until whatever he's finished with gets put away. It's mostly about space, because if there's Legos everywhere, there's no ROOM for the castle! So he's really good about putting things away. Of course, there's exceptions for massive block structures and works in progress.
Anyway, I think children are far more capable than most people give them credit for. Up until very, very recently, my kid was the only one of his peer group who drank from a regular glass and used regular, although slightly smaller, silverware. He also eats only at the table, with a special "popcorn on the couch" exception, and takes his dishes to the counter when he's done. He's obsessive about using his napkin, although gets upset when all the cloth ones are dirty and has to use paper.
The table-setting began as a way to have him occupied while I was cooking, at those times he can't help due to splattering grease or tight time constraints. I felt he was old enough that he didn't need the TV anymore to keep him busy, and also he's always been a helpful guy.
Now, if he's playing in the yard or in the middle of some project, i don't stop him and make him set the table. The whole point is to help him improve his focus, which is phenomenal anyway, so stopping him in the middle of something to do a non-essential chore would be counter-productive.
So give your kid something useful to do! You might be surprised how capable they are.
As a bonus, it will be extra handy when his sister shows up in July. At which time, he'll of course cease to be helpful, and I'll be extra thankful for Little Bear again.
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
J likes to (usually) set the table. Here is the diagram I made for him. Yes, I KNOW the fork is technically in the wrong spot, but when I made a new one, and tried to switch it, he wouldn't let it go. And really, it's about continuity with a three-year-old, isn't it?
I don't really believe in chores for kids this young, or really ever, in a normal "stars n the chart, stuff you have to do every day/week whatever" sense. We have sort of general household rules, where we clean up after ourselves, but almost always with help, and take care of our things, but there's never any real negative consequence. He just can't play with something new until whatever he's finished with gets put away. It's mostly about space, because if there's Legos everywhere, there's no ROOM for the castle! So he's really good about putting things away. Of course, there's exceptions for massive block structures and works in progress.
Anyway, I think children are far more capable than most people give them credit for. Up until very, very recently, my kid was the only one of his peer group who drank from a regular glass and used regular, although slightly smaller, silverware. He also eats only at the table, with a special "popcorn on the couch" exception, and takes his dishes to the counter when he's done. He's obsessive about using his napkin, although gets upset when all the cloth ones are dirty and has to use paper.
The table-setting began as a way to have him occupied while I was cooking, at those times he can't help due to splattering grease or tight time constraints. I felt he was old enough that he didn't need the TV anymore to keep him busy, and also he's always been a helpful guy.
Now, if he's playing in the yard or in the middle of some project, i don't stop him and make him set the table. The whole point is to help him improve his focus, which is phenomenal anyway, so stopping him in the middle of something to do a non-essential chore would be counter-productive.
So give your kid something useful to do! You might be surprised how capable they are.
As a bonus, it will be extra handy when his sister shows up in July. At which time, he'll of course cease to be helpful, and I'll be extra thankful for Little Bear again.
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wheat is the enemy! And Barley, and rye, and non-Irish Oats
So, by the way, due to two genetic blood markers and a duodenal biopsy that showed "moderate to marked" changes, we are gluten-free for at least a year. Celiac is apparently back on the table for my kid, who other than those two bits, has NO symptoms. And is huge.
I'm so frustrated. However, no gluten is world's easier than no dairy eggs fish or nuts. And, I finally learned to make my own cheese sauce. Great for noodles or broccoli.
Cheese Sauce!
2 TB Butter
2 tsp rice flour
1/2 c milk
1 cup (or more, to taste) shredded cheese. I just use extra sharp cheddar, but gouda or paremsan in there is good too
Salt and pepper to taste.
Melt the butter on medium, add the rice flour to, and whisk until thick, probably no more than two minutes. Then add the milk, keep whisking. Add shredded cheese. Whisk some more. Ta-daa! cheese sauce!
Thanks for reading,
-Anne
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Buddha hand lemon
Ok, here it is. And now that I have my phone photo flikr stream and my blog all tied up tidy, my life will be easier! And new baby due in July, so I've been really, really, lazy. Ta!
Friday, January 4, 2008
I Hate Leftovers
Holy crap I hate leftovers. I'm usually pretty good about just making exactly what we will eat, but then I roast a chicken.
I tell myself,"Oh, I'll just make a sandwhich, or some soup, or ooooh, hash!" And then half a chicken will sit in a ziplock bag for two weeks until I btoss the gooey mess into the trash in a cleaning frenzy.
I won't even eat leftover pizza. Just the garlic sauce.
And this is why I'm having another child. So someone will eat the rest of the food.
I tell myself,"Oh, I'll just make a sandwhich, or some soup, or ooooh, hash!" And then half a chicken will sit in a ziplock bag for two weeks until I btoss the gooey mess into the trash in a cleaning frenzy.
I won't even eat leftover pizza. Just the garlic sauce.
And this is why I'm having another child. So someone will eat the rest of the food.
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