Parent Teacher Night

Tonight we met Mrs. Fulford.  She will be Kennedy's 1st grade teacher at Calvary Chapel School.  Mrs. Fulford will be a great teacher for Kennedy because she has a sister with Celiac Disease and understands colitis.  We are very lucky.  Outside of the room was some of Kennedy's artwork.  They are reading this week about Curious George and had to write a poster on what they would be curious to know about.  Kennedy wants to know how motorcycles work.  CUTE!

Karleigh has Mrs. Mathews for her 5th grade teacher.  She seams like a great teacher.  Karleigh had to create a business.  As you can see her store will have it all.  Just looking at all of the stuff she will be selling at her store I can see what has affected our lives over the last 2 years.  I love my girls!

King Arthur Flour Brownies Rock

King Arthur Brownie's are awesome!  I made a batch of these tonight for Karleigh's 10th birthday and we loved them!

Gluten Free Taco Pizza

Ingredients


Mix one box of pizza crust.  I use Bob's Red Mill.

 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

 3/4 cup water

 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix, divided

 1 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste

 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

 1 (16 ounce) can fat-free refried beans

 1/3 cup salsa

 1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 pound ground beef
 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Mix ingredients as listed on the pizza crust box.  Select the dough cycle. Check your dough after it has been mixing a few minutes. If it is too dry and not mixing, add water 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is mixing and has a nice dough consistency. You want the dough to be pliable but not sticky.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine tomato paste, water, and 3/4 of the package of taco seasoning mix. Stir in chili powder and cayenne pepper; set aside. In another bowl, mix refried beans, salsa, and onion; set aside. In a large skillet, cook ground beef until evenly brown; drain excess fat. Season with the remaining 1/4 package of taco seasoning and a small amount of water. Simmer a few minutes, and then remove from heat.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

4. When the dough cycle is finished, remove the dough from the machine. Divide the dough in half, and pat into two 12 inch pans. Spread a layer of the bean mixture on, then a layer of the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with seasoned beef and top with cheddar cheese.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Turn pizzas halfway through baking.

6. Trow on some lettuce, chopped tomatoes, guacamole, crushed tortilla and sour cream.  Mmmmm good!

Karleigh and Kennedy's first day of school

Karleigh and Kennedy started school today at Calvary Christian School.  Karleigh is going into the 5th grade and has Mrs. Mathews.  Kennedy is going into the 1st grade and has Mrs. Fulford.  This school year is going to be good.

Grass fed beef

YEAH!  I found grass fed beef at the Boise Co-op for only $4.99/lb.  We tried it tonight and it is awesome.  Aderspring Ranch

Beef from grass-fed animals has lower levels of unhealthy fats and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are better for cardiovascular health. Grass-fed beef also has lower levels of dietary cholesterol and offers more vitamins A and E as well as antioxidants. The study found that meat from animals raised entirely on grass also had about twice the levels of conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, isomers, which may have cancer fighting properties and lower the risk of diabetes and other health problems.

FINALLY! Really good bread and bagels!

FINALLY!  The best gluten free bread and bagels!  I never thought that there would be a GF bread that wouldn't taste gritty!  We have found a piece of heaven!  Dr. House recommended this company and we went to the Boise Co-op and bought some.  We made bagel sandwiches and the bread was so soft!  I also made french toast with the bread and it was excellent.  I will be ordering the bread, bagel and muffins from their website.  http://udisglutenfree.com/

Kennedy's Test Results

Today Kennedy had an appointment with Dr. House and we finally got the results of the Comprehensive Stool Analysis and Parasitology.   Looks like a lot of the probiotics are working well for her.  One of the major things we found is that she is not digesting carbohydrates.  Dr. House wants Kennedy to take a Pancratic Enzyme 30 minutes before each meal to help with digestion.  Another area she is lacking is fiber which is hard with a gluten free diet and having an allergy to flax seed.  We will try to work on getting more fiber from fruits, veggies and beans.  We do feel like we are finally getting somewhere and know that we are doing everything possible to get her back on track.   I had told Dr. House that it was sometimes hard to go to birthday parties and other events and eat out of a cooler.  She looked at me and said,  "Just because children are running around eating cake and ice cream does not mean that on the inside they are healthy."  Wow!  That was one of those light bulb moments when it totally made sense!  How true is that? 

First Roller Derby Practice

Made it to my first roller derby practice.  We left Cascade early so I could be in Eagle by 9:30 a.m.  Practice was from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and it was warm.    By the end of practice I thought that I was going to die!  It isn't easy being a roller girl, but I do think that it will be a lot of fun!

Gluten Free Idaho Dutch Oven Lasagna

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
23 ounces spaghetti sauce
9 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
3 eggs
2 1/4 cups cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 large potatoes sliced thin
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
3/4 cup hot water


Preheat the Dutch oven. Brown the ground beef. When done remove the beef to a large mixing bowl. Add the spaghetti sauce to the beef and mix well. In another bowl, add the cottage or ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese (reserve a few ounces for later), eggs, and oregano, and mix well.

Place the layers in the oven in the following order: Spread potato slices around the bottom of the oven. Spread about 1/3 of the meat mixture over the noodles. Spread 1/2 of the cheese mixture over the meat mixture. Spread the potatoes and place over the top of the preceding mixtures. Spread 1/2 of the remaining meat mixture over the noodles. Spread the remaining cheese mixture over the meat mixture.  Place remaining potatoes over the cheese mixture. Spread the remaining meat mixture over the noodles. Pour the hot water all around the edges of the oven. Place the lid on the oven and bake one hour or until done. Check frequently.

Hints: This recipe works well with charcoal (12 briquettes on bottom and 12 on top).

Crown Point Trail, Cascade

Today we took the girls on a 5 mile trail around Cascade Lake.  It was a lot of fun seeing the lake from a different perspective.  The weather was perfect and we all had a great time.

Pat's Gluten Free Biscuits

I met a lady at work a couple of weeks ago that has had Celiac Disease for 25 years!  We talked for a long time and she brought me some noodles to try and a spice cake that was awesome.  Then this week I received a recipe for her biscuits and they are great!! 
Mix the flour ingredients and keep on hand to mix up biscuits anytime.

Flour Mix
2 C. rice flour
2 C. potato starch
1 C. tapioca flour
1 C. sorghum flour
2 1/2 tsp. xathan gum

Pat's Biscuit
1/2 C. unsalted butter
2 1/2 C. flour mix
1 TBSP baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 C. plus 1TBSP cold milk
1 TBSP rice vinegar
1 TBSP melted butter

Heat oven to 450.  Place the butter in the freezer for 10 minutes.  Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.  Cut the butter using a cheese grater and mix until the mixture resembles a course meal.  Stir in the milk and vinegar.  Knead 3 to 4 turns on a lightly floured surface and pat into a 7X10 rectangle.  Cut the biscuits and place on a baking pan 2 inches apart.  Brush the tops with melted butter.  Bake on the top shelf of the oven for 17 to 18 minutes.

Future Rollergirl?

So I went to a roller derby last weekend and loved it!  Boise has a team called the Treasure Valley Roller Girls and they are awesome.  I am going to start training and hope to make the team in a couple of months.  Me and a friend went to the Nampa Rollerdrome tonight to practice rollerskating.  It is not as easy as I remember it!  Spent 1 hour and 45 minutes out on the rink and loved every minute. 

When I got home I realized that for the last two year I have been consumed with Kennedy and her medical condition.  I have been so focused on getting her healthy that I have lost myself.  I need a few hours a week to myself and I think that roller derby is just what I need.

Quick and expensive gluten free cookie mix

Sometimes I just don't have enough time to make chocolate chip cookies.  It takes a lot of time to make from scratch when you need 6 different flours. I found King Aurthur Flour cookie mix and made a batch this morning.  The cookies were good, but this price of $7.50/box is not so good.

Southwest Summer Pork Chops and Easy Mexican Rice

Southwest Summer Pork Chops


Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 6 (3/4 inch) thick bone-in pork chops
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce(make sure it is gluten free)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; rub over pork chops. Place pork chops in a large resealable plastic bag. In a bowl, combine barbecue sauce and lemon juice. Pour over pork chops. Gently rub bag to distribute sauce. Refrigerate 1-2 hours.

2. If grilling the pork chops, coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill. Grill chops, covered, over medium heat or broil 6 in. from the heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F.

Mexican Rice


Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups chicken broth

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden. While rice is cooking, sprinkle with salt and cumin.

2. Stir in onions and cook until tender. Stir in tomato sauce and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Making an unplanned trip to Utah

Kevin and I had to make an unplanned trip yesterday to Salt Lake City, UT because one of his cousin was sick and passing away from cancer.  Luckily the girls were in New Meadows with my parents so we could take off and not worry about much.  We got down to Utah just in time to say good bye to Rick.  He died early this morning due to complications from cancer.  He was only 43 years old.  Life is so precious and we don't know how much time each and every one of us have. 

On our way back from Utah we decided to do some sight seeing.  We went to The City of Rocks and Shoshone Falls.  So easy to travel without kids!

Weekend in Cascade

Sisters watching the river in Cascade.

Riding our bikes on the Cascade walk path.

Me and my girls.

Kennedy found the toy drawer at Grannie and Gramps house.

Grannie and Karleigh

                        Karleigh and Gramps hanging out on the couch!                      

Kevin and his grandparents holding hands!

Kevin's grandpa was his best man in our wedding.

 Great Grandparents and the girls.

New Pancake Mix

King Arthur flour  makes a gluten free pancake mix that we found and tried this weekend camping.  It is a wheat-free, soy-free, nut-free mix that packed in a dedicated gluten-free facility.  A little pricey, but a for a quick breakfast it was good.