Friday, December 28, 2012

My First Gluten-Free Bread


Ever since Gerritt was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity this fall & after learning that eliminating gluten may be a healthy choice for many people even if they are not gluten sensitive, I've been looking for good gluten-free bread recipes. The gluten-free bread from our local gluten-free bakery left us less than impressed so I've decided to take matters into my own hands. A toast with raw walnut or pecan butter & honey is a frequent snack at our house for children and I. I needed to find a recipe fast.
Luckily, while browsing the blogosphere during my late night quiet "me-time" sessions, I stumbled upon the gluten-free honey oat bread recipe by Yammie's Gluten Freedom. The recipe was simple enough with no dough kneading & bread machine required. I went to the grocery store the following day. After all, not every pantry happens to be stocked up on rice, tapioca and oat flours, not to mention xanthan gum.


I followed Yammie's recipe with the exception of substituting olive oil with melted extra virgin coconut oil (to preserve its health benefits, olive oil should never be heated) & adding a handful of raisins. Unlike dry, crumbly, cardboard-like gluten-free bread I've tried in the past, this recipe delivered moist, chewy & flavorful bread for the whole family to enjoy. The bread was gone in less than a day, proving that eating gluten-free can be delicious!

A variety of alternative to wheat flours - essentials of gluten-free baking

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Murphy's Law

Sick Sophia with her pink blanket & baby tiger

Of course, just as my Mom left for much needed vacation in Mexico, all 3 of my children got the flu. Cleaning up vomit & diarrhea, keeping everyone hydrated & pumping breast milk for Jacob for the past 2 days, I hardly had a minute to myself. Luckily the kids tolerated the flu well. Sophia who initially complained of fever & chills & spent her time by watching cartoons & snuggling on the couch with her blanket & "baby tiger," started to feel better on the 3rd day.



Gerritt & Jacob also bounced back quickly. I knew the children were on the road to recovery when they organized a group play using the Tonka truck. The truck was big enough to allow them to take turns sitting in it. Although the thought of the truck potentially flipping over with one of the kids ending up on the ground crossed my mind, I didn't stop them. I felt they could use some laughter after the last couple of miserable days.



I kept a careful watch as they pushed each other around the living room. Even Jacob surprised me with his strength by pushing Gerritt all by himself. Goodbye flu, hello happiness!



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A Moment In Time

Sophia & I on December 12, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Jacob was taking a nap & Gerritt was in preschool while Sophia & I happened to be at home on 12/12/12 at 12:12 pm. Sophia was playing & I was rushing to finish cooking the chicken soup before going to pick up Gerritt from preschool at 1 pm. Lucky for us, my Mom lives with us so I've asked her to grab the camera to make our own family history. Just a moment in time - never to be repeated again...

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Camping


My children's latest favorite pastime includes "camping." Although they've never camped before, they insisted on doing just that in babushka's bedroom today. After I helped them with erecting the tent, Gerritt & Sophia brought pillows & their favorite stuffed animals inside. They knew enough about camping to pack their backpacks, wear hats & to ask I turn off the lights so they could use the flashlight. Of course, there is no fun in camping without food so pizza we baked for dinner came in handy. The kids had their dinner inside the tent & the adults got some peace & quiet. :-)



Monday, December 10, 2012

Santa Photo


After waiting in line for over 30" Gerritt, Sophia & Jacob met Santa again this year. I quickly put Jacob on Santa's lap before he had a chance to turn around & realize that the reason he could see me was because I WASN'T the one holding him. My Mom was clapping her hands, I was making Jacob laugh & the photographer was ringing his bell. Santa was smart enough to be quiet. Jacob was trying to figure out how to react to all the attention. The 3-second delay gave the photographer just enough time to snap a picture. Loud crying which followed let us know Jacob wanted to be as far away from Santa as possible. Another memory made & mission accomplished!