What's in the BOX?

So, I had been practicing recipes for Jack's birthday cake, when I stumbled upon these beauties at the health food store. Hooray for mixes in a box! I paid $6 for the cake and $4 for the frosting, which isn't too bad for the time and effort it will save. I was excited about the product so I went to their website at www.cherrybrookkitchen.com . They have some great products. Check them out here.

CuPcAkEs!

I have been practicing cake and cupcake recipes because J's birthday is quickly approaching. I totally winged this recipe, and they were great! I just need to perfect the frosting/glaze. I didn't get a photo, because they were eaten before I could get my camera.

I will make them again soon.

Here is how I did it;

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, blend 1/4 cup water, 2 tbs canola oil, and 2 tsp baking powder. Slowly add in 1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour, 1 cup sweet sorghum flour, 1/2 cup white rice flour, 1/2 cup potato starch, 1/2 cup corn starch, 1/3 tbs xantham gum, 1 cup raw sugar, 1 cup honey, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup oil or shortening, 1/2 cup hemp or rice milk, and 1/2 cup pear or apple juice.

Mix until the texture is sticky, but pourable.

Oil a cupcake pan and then fill each cup 3/4 of the way, bake for about 18 minutes (or until they pass the toothpick prick test), and enjoy!

Scream Filled Nights

I am writing this entry to the parents who are considering taking their child off of medication without doctor's consent, and I am writing this to myself, because I know that I will think about taking him off again.

I don't know if anyone goes through this as often as I do, but I am constantly deciding that Jack does not need his acid reflux medication. I HATE giving him medicine, I don't know why! I think that I like to pretend that he doesn't need it. When you do not see the effects of the disease for a while, it is hard to believe that it still exists. Anyway, I quit giving it too him two weeks ago. We decided to watch for changes in his eating habits or behavior. Within a day, J's behavior started to get worse. He was screaming nonstop and he wouldn't sleep through the night. I made excuses like, "he must be really tired", and then when he wouldn't sleep, "he must be overstimulated". As the week went on, the excuses continued, but when he began refusing to eat, I knew that I was in trouble. So we started him on it again. Poor guy, I guess I should listen to the doctors.

Could it be? PaNcAkEs!!!

Today, with the help of D, I made pancakes for the whole family... gluten, egg, dairy, soy, FREE! They were great, you just have to eat them quick or they become chewy. 

J ate 2 whole pancakes!

Here's how I did it;

To make about 10 pancakes;

Put 1 cup brown rice flour, 3 tablespoons tapioca flour, 

1/3 cup potato starch, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, 

1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 

1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp xanthan gum into a large mixing bowl.

With a whisk or a fork, stir the dry ingredients.

Now, in a small bowl, mix 3 tsp egg replacer and 

4 tablespoons warm water until the powder is dissolved.

Mix the egg replacer liquid into the bowl with the dry ingredients. 

Mix in 2 cups water and 3 tablespoons canola or safflower oil.

Stir or whisk until well blended and a just a few lumps will remain. Heat a 

griddle or a large, well-oiled skillet over high heat. Spook batter onto skillet 

and cook until the bubbles form. Flip, and continue cooking until golden brown on bottom. Serve immediately with condiments of your choice. 

Enjoy!

Master of the Playground

It is so wonderful to see J playing and feeling just like all of the other kids on the playground. He looks truly satisfied.