Valentine's Treat

Valentine's Day. What a production! Andrew's class has 25 students, teacher, teachers' aide, and four play leaders - oh and his 3rd grade buddy who all required valentines day cards. whew! We got all the valentines and treats together in time - plus getting Adam's valentines ready for his class too.

I'm on a serious gluten-free kick these days for Andrew. So, in the spirit of valentine's, I made home-made gluten-free ding-dongs and they came out fab!

Recipe:
1 box gluten free chocolate cake mix. I used Betty Crocker.
1 1/2 bags of gluten free chocolate chips. I bought them at Sprouts.
Whipped cream
Heart sprinkles

Directions:
1. bake cake in 13 x 9 baking dish and let cool.
2. Use a heart shape cutter to cut out the cakes.
3. fill a frosting bag with whipped cream. I used a thin piping tip to infuse the whipped cream in the cake. Next time I'll use a different whipped cream as the store one I bought soaked into the cake.
4. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave and dip one cake at a time. Cover completely with chocolate. Remove and place on waxed paper.
5. Sprinkle heart shapes or whatever you choose.
6. Place in freezer for 30 minutes or so to harden.

I think you could use any shape to cut out some adorable cakes.

Gluten Free Brownies

We are still going gluten free. I have come across some challenges like the best gluten free bread for Andrew. I love the Udi bread, but Andrew doesn't like it. So, i've let him have the regular bread, eek. baby steps I guess.  I've been trying to bake at least one gluten free thing a week.  This week I made gluten free brownies and they were so good! 

My gluten free product of the day is:



This brownie mix is really good. You cannot taste that it's gluten free. The texture is just like a regular brownie. I love it and my kids love it too.

New Year, New Blog

Wow, my last entry was last May! I don't know why I fell off the radar. Work, kids, husband, life?

Quick update: Andrew is 6 1/2 and in 1st grade and doing so well. Adam is 4 in pre-k and is growing too fast. I decided to get back into the blogging world to share my thoughts and wisdom on autism, parenting, discipline, eczema, and gluten-free - to name a few.  Things that I have learned so much about and things that have helped me and my family.

Up first: Gluten-Free and the product of the day

I decided to put Andrew on a 100% gluten-free diet for two reasons. 1. to help with the behaviors associated with autism spectrum and 2. with his eczema that he has had since birth.  Gluten is found in everything bread, pasta, lunch meat, chips, anything processed. It acts as a poison to kids who cannot digest it.  It has really affected Andrew's eczema too. he scratches non-stop until there is blood and his skin is extremely dry.

I have swapped out almost everything for gluten-free. I have tried new things like pastas and breads with no gluten and they taste fine, a little different in texture but good. Udi is a great brand for breads, and quinoa pasta is awesome too.  So far Andrew has accepted our new gluten free life style and you know what? The behaviors have gone down. He's much more compliant and easy going. And the eczema - nearly gone. Amazing.

I did some research on gluten and household products too. For a long time I thought Dove was the best thing for Andrew. Lately though, he's been telling me his skin stings in the bath. I read that the makers of Dove strip the soap of glycerin the ingredient that is needed to moisturize skin. Therefore drying out his skin even more!

So began my hunt for a better soap. I read many good things about goats milk soap or anything that has glycerin in it or palm oils. I found great products at sprouts. The other thing that I have been using is coconut oil. I put this on Andrew morning and night. All over his body, then his medicated lotions for the really red spots and then albolene over his whole body to seal in everything.

It's been two weeks since we have started gluten-free, glycerin soap and coconut oil. Andrew's skin has improved so much. He is less itchy, less redness, the dry skin has gone away and his skin is actually soft!!!

Product of the day:

Coconut oil