Wheat Free Wednesday

So, I decided to go ahead and try this out. Though I am sure it is not helpful to those that currently read my blog, perhaps it will draw other readers. If nothing else, perhaps it will motivate me to try new recipes.

I ordered a cook book last week. And, this week I received one from my dad and Paulette. The latter is entitled the gluten, wheat & dairy free cookbook.

It's got some pretty cool stuff in it! I'm looking forward to trying out some of the recipes!

As for this week...I found a recipe in the Dover Post for Baked Oatmeal. It sounded pretty good...but it called for both eggs and milk. So, I decided to test out some substitutes.

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Here is the recipe:
Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil or unsweetened applesauce
3/4 (or less) granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder (YES … tablespoon)
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon


Directions

Combine oil (or applesauce) and sugar in a large bowl and stir well to mix thoroughly. Mix in eggs, milk, salt, baking powder and oatmeal. Stir again to mix well. Stir in raisins. Spread batter into a lightly greased 9-inch-deep dish pie plate. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

To bake: Preheat oven to 350-degrees, remove covering from pie plate and bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm cut into wedges.

I tweaked it to fit Treavor's Allergies...as well as my own paranoid food issues. I used applesauce not oil. Actually, I used Santa Cruz Organic Apple/Apricot Sauce. In lieu of the white refined sugar, I used 1/4 cup organic blue agave nectar. I used two packets of unflavored gelatin and four tablespoons of warm water in place of the eggs. I used 3/4 cup of Vanilla Flavored Rice Milk. And, because of the preservatives in most quick cooking oats, I used "O" Organic Quick Oat which I found at Safeway. I also used Organic Raisins.

Finally, I reduced the oven temperature to 325. I did this because I had substituted the agave nectar for the sugar. Note: I also reduced the liquid (rice milk)to compensate for the 1/4 cup of extra liquid I was adding!

The results were MUCH BETTER than I expected!!! It was very good!!! Both of my children enjoyed it! Give the recipe a try!!!

For the full article that was in the Dover Post, click here.

Fun Food Friday

I've been having problems with my internet all week. My friend Jason--The Cable Guy--has been on Guard duty for the last few weeks, so he couldn't fix it. I had to cheat on him. I called Comcast to come and fix my cable internet. When I called, I told them, "Jason said I need a new modem." They sent a service guy out with a new modem...but it still took nearly two hours for him to get it straight. About three minutes to change the modem and an hour and a half on hold waiting for Comcast so he could complete the set up. So much for technology....

Anyway, here's a funny little creation I made Jecilyn for breakfast. It was just something I threw together quickly. She loved it!

Yesterday, I ordered an allergy-free cookbook. I thought maybe I could feature some of the recipes in Fun Food Friday. But, maybe I'll add "Wheat Free Wednesday" It's very difficult to feed my little guy. It's hard to find things...and with my crazy schedule, I don't really have time to make EVERYTHING from scratch. Heck, I don't even have time to go to the grocery store to buy the ingredients....Hopefully, when Jeff gets back, I'll have a little more time. Jeff likes to cook. So, maybe we will start knocking out some great new recipes. I'm looking forward to getting the cookbook. I'm getting tired of eating salad and chicken every day. One would thinkg that I'd start to loose weight...but I haven't.....UGH!

I love you, Mom.

I do not really have any words...it has been a year since "the angels came and got Nanny so she could live in the stars." That's what I told Jecilyn. She talks to my mom whenever she sees stars in the sky. And, every so often she asks if Nanny can come to see her. She tells me that if we send her a Hot Air Balloon, then she can just come here. I don't know where she gets this stuff. I guess she believes that Nanny is Somewhere Over the Rainbow...And, I suppose she is right....

Last year Jeffrey at Jeffrey Was Here posted a memorial for my mom on his other blog. I'm working on embedding it into this site...but, for now, you'll have to follow a link. The music link isn't working on his site...so to hear music with the slideshow, click below.




Then, click here

Beautiful Butterflies

While the kids and I were in Florida, we took a trip to Butterfly World. We went with Chris and Rhonda. My dad wasn't able to join us...but he did send us with his credit card! Thanks Cappy! We enjoyed it!

Here are the photos!

Happy Birthday Rhonda!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. We are so lucky to have her in our family. She's such a great person. Although Chris and Rhonda have only been married for almost two years, Rhonda has been part of the family for much longer. She and Chris were friends for nearly 10 years before they FINALLY got together. My mom was thrilled! She had always thought they would make a great couple.

My mom used to tell the story about Rhonda coming to visit them in the Turks & Caicos before Chris and Rhonda started dating. My dad apparently asked my mom what they should do about the sleeping arrangements. My mom claims she replied, "Well....I guess...I'll have to.....poke holes in the condoms. I'm going to get that girl one way or another."

...And she did. And, apparently she also poked a few holes. Rhonda is due on October 5th. It's a girl. Her name is Stella Blue Victoria. We can't wait to meet her!

This photo is from Rhonda's Baby Shower. Actually, it was a Blessing Way. You can read more about Blessing Ways by clicking here.

Happy Birthday, Rhonda. We are all deeply thrilled to have you as part of our family!

Chug a Chug a Choo Choo!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A few weeks ago Liam, Aidan, Jecilyn, Treavor and I went to the Wilmington & Western Railroad. It was a fun time! And very inexpensive! Check it out!

Fun Food Friday

This was something I whipped up in a hurry. I scrambled 2 eggs. Put them in the pan, and then flipped them like a pancake...and then made a face. I used baby carrots for the mouth and nose, grape tomatoes for the eyes and tongue, bologna for the ears and hair, and broccoli for the hair bows.

I thought it was a great creation. Especially because I just kind of threw it all together. Jecilyn, however, was not impressed. She said, "NO! I don't want a FACE. I just want an egg...." She made me take it all apart before she would eat it. Oh well. Bottom line, she ate it!!!!

Have a great day!

Now it's fixed!!!!

I've been having some problems with my blog! I didn't know how to fix them...and didn't see the point of posting things that wouldn't show up. But, as you can see, I've got it under control now!!!

I'm in Florida visiting my dad. It's been quite an eventful trip. I nearly didn't make it out of the Philadelphia Airport. More to come on that soon. For now, suffice it to say DO NOT EVER FLY USA3000! I've got to put Jecilyn to bed. We're hoping AUnt Rhonda feels up to going to Butterfly World tomorrow!

Sunny Days!

I'm so behind with all of my pictures! Mostly, because my computer was on the fritz. I'm back with a vengeance---but that's a story for tomorrow. Today, I'm posting the pictures from our trip to Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA. As you'll see from the photos, we had loads of fun!

For more information on the Here's to the Heroes Program, click here.