This is my standard frosting recipe - it's my Mommy's recipe but adapted to deal with food allergies.
1/2 C Earth's Balance margarine melted
1/2 tsp sea salt
4 C powdered sugar (I buy 365 organic from Whole Foods b/c it doesn't contain corn starch)
2 tsp vanilla
non-dairy milk as needed
Mix all except the milk, add milk as needed to achieve desired consistency. The key is the bit of salt - it makes it extra yummy! Enjoy on whatever cake you like. If you want to color this frosting, try natural food coloring from India Tree or you can substitute fruit juice concentrate for the milk to add tint and flavor.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Yummy Carrot Cake - recipe from about.com
Gluten Free Carrot Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Ingredients:
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups light olive oil OR your favorite vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour mix (I use 3/4 C sorghum, 3/4 C white rice and 1/2 C tapioca)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans)
• 3 cups freshly grated carrots
Use two round 9-inch cake pans, one 9x13 pan or 36 muffin cups for this recipe. If using round cake pans, lightly grease and place a circle of parchment in the bottom of the pan for easy removal. Use paper lining cups if making cupcakes.
1. Cream sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl with an electric beater or stand mixer. Add oil and vanilla and beat just until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl combine gluten-free flour mix, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until blended.
3. Stir in grated carrots and nuts. Pour the batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake in preheated (350) oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. For muffins, reduce baking time to 30-35 minutes or until they pass the toothpick test. Cool on a wire rack.
5. While cake or muffins are cooling, make frosting.
6. When cake is cool frost.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Ingredients:
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups light olive oil OR your favorite vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour mix (I use 3/4 C sorghum, 3/4 C white rice and 1/2 C tapioca)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans)
• 3 cups freshly grated carrots
Use two round 9-inch cake pans, one 9x13 pan or 36 muffin cups for this recipe. If using round cake pans, lightly grease and place a circle of parchment in the bottom of the pan for easy removal. Use paper lining cups if making cupcakes.
1. Cream sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl with an electric beater or stand mixer. Add oil and vanilla and beat just until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl combine gluten-free flour mix, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until blended.
3. Stir in grated carrots and nuts. Pour the batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake in preheated (350) oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. For muffins, reduce baking time to 30-35 minutes or until they pass the toothpick test. Cool on a wire rack.
5. While cake or muffins are cooling, make frosting.
6. When cake is cool frost.
Vanilla Birthday Cake
This is my standard birthday cake after trying, and failing, with a number of different recipes. Top it with whatever you like - the cake can handle it :) Nobody knows it's gluten or dairy free unless I tell them..or they see me eating it :)
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups white rice flour
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise - yes, mayonnaise - use the real stuff
• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and rice flour two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans.
2. Mix the white rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and xanthan gum together and set aside.
3. Mix the eggs, sugar, and mayonnaise until fluffy. Add the flour mixture, milk and vanilla and mix well. Spread batter into the prepared pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Cakes are done when they spring back when lightly touched or when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool completely then frost and decorate!
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups white rice flour
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise - yes, mayonnaise - use the real stuff
• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and rice flour two 8 or 9 inch round cake pans.
2. Mix the white rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and xanthan gum together and set aside.
3. Mix the eggs, sugar, and mayonnaise until fluffy. Add the flour mixture, milk and vanilla and mix well. Spread batter into the prepared pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Cakes are done when they spring back when lightly touched or when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool completely then frost and decorate!
Some Random Advice for Halloween
Last year, I posted a big rant about Halloween on Katy Autism Support's board. This year, I'm determined to make better choices. Here's what I've learned after lots of Halloweens' with a sensory sensitive kid:
Costume: Costumes need to fit correctly, not touch ankles, not be too tight around the collar, and not involve anything that goes on the head. So, this year - Lambert asked to be Jengo Fett and yep, the costume comes with a mask. I'm not a crafty sewing kind of Mom so I get our costumes at Party City - what can I say? Anyway, he is currently swearing up and down that he will wear that mask but I'm going to be prepared this year. This year, I will be armed with face paint...just in case. In Lambert's world, face paint is absolutely acceptable while headwear is a little shady :) Since I never know what kind of day it might be, I will make sure he's actually completely costumed, as opposed to running around in a random jumpsuit and crocs.
Candy: Now, I'll just start off by saying that I am a sanity loving woman. As such, I never, EVER give my kids anything that is artificially colored or flavored. Why? Because my children's sanity dissolves within minutes of consumption and, therefore, mine within the hour. So, it's considered an "allergy" at my house and that's how it's going to stay. Mix that in with a gluten intolerance and pretty much any trick or treat candy is out the window. Do we skip that time honored tradition of taking candy from strangers? Heck no! We trick or treat until are so overstimulated we're dueling strangers with our costume weaponry. However, when we get home, the kids trade in unacceptable treats for a big old bag of goodies I ordered from www.naturalcandystore.com. Sanity at the mere price of $25/kid - a bargain in my book.
Trick or Treating: Remember when I mentioned that whole dueling thing? Um...not a joke. I fact, last year, Lambert whacked an unknown man in the package (with his sword...) while I was admiring his darling baby dressed as a ladybug. So, what does this mean? Go EARLY! Be one of the first trick or treaters on the scene to avoid the crowds. Get kids back before the street is totally mobbed, put them in front of a movie and station a parent outside with candy for the rest of the crowd. Therefore, you can avoid all that noisy doorbell/shouting stuff being heard inside. When kids are in bed, sit outside together and enjoy the evening. And, for God's sake, keep the swords away from the kid with Autism! :)
I hope all these tips helps us all have a happy and indulgent Halloween. Stay safe!
Costume: Costumes need to fit correctly, not touch ankles, not be too tight around the collar, and not involve anything that goes on the head. So, this year - Lambert asked to be Jengo Fett and yep, the costume comes with a mask. I'm not a crafty sewing kind of Mom so I get our costumes at Party City - what can I say? Anyway, he is currently swearing up and down that he will wear that mask but I'm going to be prepared this year. This year, I will be armed with face paint...just in case. In Lambert's world, face paint is absolutely acceptable while headwear is a little shady :) Since I never know what kind of day it might be, I will make sure he's actually completely costumed, as opposed to running around in a random jumpsuit and crocs.
Candy: Now, I'll just start off by saying that I am a sanity loving woman. As such, I never, EVER give my kids anything that is artificially colored or flavored. Why? Because my children's sanity dissolves within minutes of consumption and, therefore, mine within the hour. So, it's considered an "allergy" at my house and that's how it's going to stay. Mix that in with a gluten intolerance and pretty much any trick or treat candy is out the window. Do we skip that time honored tradition of taking candy from strangers? Heck no! We trick or treat until are so overstimulated we're dueling strangers with our costume weaponry. However, when we get home, the kids trade in unacceptable treats for a big old bag of goodies I ordered from www.naturalcandystore.com. Sanity at the mere price of $25/kid - a bargain in my book.
Trick or Treating: Remember when I mentioned that whole dueling thing? Um...not a joke. I fact, last year, Lambert whacked an unknown man in the package (with his sword...) while I was admiring his darling baby dressed as a ladybug. So, what does this mean? Go EARLY! Be one of the first trick or treaters on the scene to avoid the crowds. Get kids back before the street is totally mobbed, put them in front of a movie and station a parent outside with candy for the rest of the crowd. Therefore, you can avoid all that noisy doorbell/shouting stuff being heard inside. When kids are in bed, sit outside together and enjoy the evening. And, for God's sake, keep the swords away from the kid with Autism! :)
I hope all these tips helps us all have a happy and indulgent Halloween. Stay safe!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Pizza!
This is just food I will not live without. Friday nights, you will find me making homemade pizza and knocking back a Red Bridge gluten free beer or two. It's kind of a pain but man, is it GOOD!
Here's how it goes:
Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust: I get this through a subscription service from amazon.com. It's about $2.50/pkg delivered to my door every month - yummy and easy!
Prepare crust as directed, spread evenly with wet hands on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake 10 mins at 425. Top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings - bake 8-10 mins at 425.
Some words about cheese: I can't eat cow cheese - I have an asthma attack, it's bad news. My oldest son can't deal with cow's milk, he gets kooky. Neither of us, however, is bothered by goat or sheep cheese. Yes, there is casein in those cheeses. However, it's a shorter chain form that does not break down to an opioid peptide. So, while it's not casein free, it doesn't get anyone in my family like cow cheese does. So, give it a try and see how it goes for your family. If you absolutely CAN'T deal with animal cheese, you can try Daiya. I didn't hate it but my kids did.
With all that said, I get my sheep cheese cheaply at Phonecia on Westheimer. They have lots of cool stuff there and it's definitely worth checking it out. I like Haloumi and Romano Pecorino cheeses best for my pizza. You can also get goat and/or sheep feta there at a great price. Bear in mind, US produced feta comes from cow's milk, not goat's milk.
Enjoy a weekly tradition at your house. Long live Pizza Night!!
Here's how it goes:
Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust: I get this through a subscription service from amazon.com. It's about $2.50/pkg delivered to my door every month - yummy and easy!
Prepare crust as directed, spread evenly with wet hands on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake 10 mins at 425. Top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings - bake 8-10 mins at 425.
Some words about cheese: I can't eat cow cheese - I have an asthma attack, it's bad news. My oldest son can't deal with cow's milk, he gets kooky. Neither of us, however, is bothered by goat or sheep cheese. Yes, there is casein in those cheeses. However, it's a shorter chain form that does not break down to an opioid peptide. So, while it's not casein free, it doesn't get anyone in my family like cow cheese does. So, give it a try and see how it goes for your family. If you absolutely CAN'T deal with animal cheese, you can try Daiya. I didn't hate it but my kids did.
With all that said, I get my sheep cheese cheaply at Phonecia on Westheimer. They have lots of cool stuff there and it's definitely worth checking it out. I like Haloumi and Romano Pecorino cheeses best for my pizza. You can also get goat and/or sheep feta there at a great price. Bear in mind, US produced feta comes from cow's milk, not goat's milk.
Enjoy a weekly tradition at your house. Long live Pizza Night!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Beware of Strep
Well, after all the drama with Maxwell, it turns out he has an atypical presentation of strep. Low grade fever and lots of strange behavior. Lambert gets strep like that too but Maxwell never has. So, now we know when our kids develop into bizarre creatures with big behaviors, we take them for a throat culture. I've read about a possible syndrome called PANDAS, which is basically an autoimmune syndrome caused by strep attacking the brain. I asked out doctor about it and he was unsure about it's validity..but at least he knew what I was talking about! Have I mentioned how much I love Dr. Gonzalez? Anyway, Maxwell has a prescription for antibiotics - doctor made sure to recommend probiotics as well - yay, and we're hoping he'll be back to our distractible, charming, messy - not melty - little man. And, Lambert was flapping his hands and turning around in circles this morning so apparently he needs a throat swab too..ah, the joys of parenthood :)
On the upside, the school was receptive to changing Maxwell's disciplinary action to an "at home recovery" day rather than a suspension. So, he won't look like demon child on his permanent file...ahhh...a productive day, I'd say!
On the upside, the school was receptive to changing Maxwell's disciplinary action to an "at home recovery" day rather than a suspension. So, he won't look like demon child on his permanent file...ahhh...a productive day, I'd say!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Wrong Wall
So, my youngest son, Maxwell was suspended from school yesterday. He's 5, adorable, hilarious, messy, aggravating, and charming. No, he didn't bring a weapon to school, he didn't make a terroristic threat, he didn't physically harm anyone...he wrote on the desk...a line. When he was confronted, he lied and said he didn't do it. Somehow, things escalated from there and he had to be carried by two people out of his classroom and physically restrained for 7 minutes, with an additional 40 minutes needed until he was calm. Seriously?? Since he's started school (MDO at age 15 months), we've heard the words "brilliant", "dramatic", "handful", "stubborn", "willful", "adorable" used to describe him. He loves music, he loves to dance, his brain goes a mile a minute and he forgets what he's supposed to do in the middle of a one step directive. Because he's not the one with Autism, we always assumed was fine. And, though he's perfect, it's becoming increasingly clear to us that he is not, in fact, fine. He's been having troubles all through preschool, he's been the lovable nuisance, the brilliant pain in the butt kid but, I never thought he was the "oh no, please don't put that kid in my class" kid. All this time, I was focused on Lambert's educational needs, always assuming Maxwell would be fine anywhere we put him. The handwriting was on the wall...I was just looking at the wrong wall. So, now it's time to shift my focus, have Maxwell evaluated, provide the nutritional supports, behavior supports, etc. that we have been giving to Lambert. I don't know what is causing his problems but we'll work it out together. I just hope it's an easier road because my husband and I are tired...We'll never give up but a nap sure would be nice!
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