Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We had a blast celebrating as a family and seeing most of our extended family.

Now we have a week to relax and do fun stuff before we go back to normal routines.

We’ll still keep plenty busy. My husband wants to take the kids on a few outings. I’m not sure yet if little one and I will join. Today I will likely visit my grandma. It could be the last time I get to visit her. Her health is failing quickly. Tomorrow I have to do blood work to check my thyroid and vitamin D levels. Little one has her four month check up this week as well.

After a very generous Christmas I’ve got kitchen gadgets and dishes to play with! So I’ll be spending plenty of time in the kitchen working on new recipes.  I’ve got some of our new beef bones in the crockpot right now for broth. I’ll probably do a couple rounds of that. I also want to do some cleaning since the kids got so much new stuff. It’s time to purge a little.

I’ve been gradually adding cultured foods into my diet. I’m now taking fermented cod liver oil daily. I’m also drinking water kefir daily. So far I seem to be doing ok with them! I hope that continues.

Last week we tried pears for my son. I think it went well. So this week we move on to rice!  If he tolerates rice it will really give us so many more options for him.

Next week I’ll be posting my 2015 goals. I’ve got a lot I want to learn in the new year.

I found a source of cheaper bulk gluten free grains. I’m still trying to decide how much to order. As you’ll see in my goals next week (spoiler alert) I am consider adding some properly prepared gluten containing grains into our diet.  Stay tuned for more details.

Last week I posted a couple fun recipes – baked cinnamon sugar donuts and baked pumpkin french toast. I’ve got a couple new recipes coming this week.

Here is our menu for the week. I’ve got lots of delicious and nourishing foods planned. I’m really looking forward to our ham dinner on New Year’s Day.

Sunday
L- beef vegetable soup, crackers w/ cheese
D – ham and cheese sandwiches, veggies w/ dip, smoothies
*soak flour for sweet bread, make muffins, strain broth, make broth, soak quinoa

Monday
D – chicken nuggets, quinoa, roasted cauliflower
*strain broth, soak rice

Tuesday
D – roast chicken legs, squash, rice
*make sweet bread, make broth, soak flour for muffins

Wednesday
D – TBD soup, muffins
*bake muffins, clean

Thursday
D – ham, scalloped potatoes, beans, strawberry applesauce
*soak flour for donuts

Friday
D – bacon, donuts, roasted cauliflower, fruit salad
*soak flour for pizza crust

Saturday
D – pizza, smoothies
*make crust, make sauce, clean

Merry Christmas! I really can’t believe Christmas is this week already. But it’s here. I think I’m ready.

We started our Christmas celebration over the weekend with my in-laws. We all had a great time, got some wonderful gifts and ate lots of good food.

I’m looking forward to a relaxing week now that we are on Christmas break.  Though we still have plenty to do. Two speech therapy appointments, grocery shopping and family parties. The kids might have some fun outings with Daddy as well.

As far as I can tell the grape introduction went well for my son last week. So this week we move on to pears.

I have plenty to keep me busy in the kitchen this week.  I want to make a batch of soaked graham crackers, soaked noodles and elderberry syrup. I would like to finally make and can a few rounds of spaghetti sauce. I need to get all of our tomatoes out of the freezer to make more space. I’ve got chicken broth going right now and will hopefully do beef broth later this week.

For our family party I need to make hummus. I haven’t decided yet if I’m making another special dessert this week. We’re still working on what we’ve got from the weekend – blueberry cake, ice cream, pie, cookies.

I might also make a freezer meal or two for my grandpa.

Last week we got our 1/4 cow. The freezer is pretty packed now. And I’m excited to try some beef! We’re starting with steak today.

Last week I also received a huge box of goodies from Sami’s Bakery. So we should be stocked on bread for a while.

If you missed last week’s posts I shared some fun recipes – kettle corn granola, hot cocoa waffles and nightshade free nutrient dense pizza sauce.  There are more delicious recipes coming this week.

It was odd this week planning meals and not having to worry about everything being prepared in advance or thinking about what could be packed in lunches.

Here is what’s on our menu. I hope you have a blessed Christmas and enjoy lots of great, real food!

Sunday
B – coffee cake,  yogurt, mixed fruit, cinnamon raisin bread w/ peanut butter
L – pan grilled steak, roasted potatoes, peas
D – pizza, salad, misc. leftovers
*soak flour for noodles, soak flour for graham crackers, roast squash, make broth

Monday
D – squash and ham soup, bacon sandwiches
*make noodles, make graham crackers, strain broth

Tuesday
D – spaghetti, beans, garlic toast
*make/can spaghetti sauce, soak flour

Wednesday
D – pan seared salmon, seasoned rice, broccoli, pearsauce, rolls
*make breakfast cookies

Thursday
D – at party
*make hummus, make elderberry syrup, soak flour for muffins

Friday
D – pancake muffins, sausage, beans, pears
*make meal for Grandpa

Saturday
D – cp roast beef, potatoes, carrots, onions
*make beef broth

It’s almost Christmas!!! Are you ready? I’m sure not.

Thankfully we don’t have as busy of a week as usual in terms of outings. But there is so much to do at home. We already start celebrating this weekend and will have family over. I’m not done with my shopping and haven’t even started wrapping.

So this week will be shop for presents, shop for food, wrap, clean and bake. We are also getting our 1/4 cow this week. At least I managed to get the freezers cleaned over the weekend to make room for that. It will be so nice to have a supply of beef again!

Last week we introduced green beans for my son. So far so good. That means we are moving on. He requested grapes this week. It will be quite a treat for me if I’m able to give my child raisins again!

Yesterday my son and I made a batch of gf df gingerbread cookies. That will be our Christmas cookie for this year. Now I just have to figure out what other Christmas treats I’m making. I’m trying to keep it minimal since my kids don’t need any extra sugar. I’m also trying to make sure most of our grains are properly prepared…which is hard do with desserts.

I also need to make granola bars. I’m going to try creating a soaked version. I have to make a bit of vanilla frosting for my daughter to use at school when they decorate cookies. If time allows I’d like to try making noodles as well.

If you want to keep up with our regular health updates and my latest research be sure to follow me on Facebook. I’ve been learning a lot lately!

Last week I posted recipes for salmon salad, broth burgers and beef stroganoff. They’d all be perfect for this busy week before the holidays!

This week I’ve got some delicious treats and last minute Christmas gifts on the blog. Don’t miss them.

My menu this week is has been tricky since I don’t have a lot of time to cook and we don’t have much meat in the house. It’s also very challenging that there are no noodles, rice, etc. that my son can eat. And he won’t eat quinoa or potatoes no matter how hard we try. So making a meal for all of us is tricky. Here is what I’m thinking for now. What’s on your menu?

Sunday
L – squash and sausage soup, soaked carob spice bread
D – salmon cakes, peas, buttered noodles
*soak oats, make soaked bread, wrap presents, make mayo

Monday
D – brats/hot dogs, broccoli, fries
*make granola bars, make gf bread?

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – crockpot salsa chicken or honey mustard chicken over rice
*bake coffee cake

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) -cp seven layer dinner
*make vanilla frosting

Thursday
D – scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, beans
*make desserts, clean

Friday
D – meatloaf, roasted potatoes, roasted cauliflower and brussels sprouts, strawberry applesauce
*make jello, peel/chop carrots, soak peas, boil eggs

Saturday
B – hard boiled eggs, toast, yogurt, fruit, coffee cake
L – cp split pea soup w/ ham, crackers w/ cheese
D – roast chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls, jello, carrots, corn pudding
*make broth

I’m getting off to a slow start this morning with my big girl already up and a bit of a rough night with both girls. I hope I’m ready for another busy week.

This week is speech therapy, Kindermusik, a party at a friend’s house, my mom’s group and the church Christmas program. I’m hoping to squeeze in a trip to the health food store as well.

Of course there about a million things to do yet for Christmas. I need to start planning my menus for our family and for when guests are here. I need to write our Christmas letter and mail cards. There is still shopping to do as well.

We will be getting a 1/2 side of beef very soon…and my freezer is packed/unorganized. So I need to get that in order as soon as possible.

This week we are trying green beans with my son. We actually started last night. He couldn’t get enough! I hope he tolerates them well and we have one more vegetable he can eat so we have more variety. For now we’re sticking to just butter in terms of dairy. We’ll try other forms of dairy again later after introducing a few other foods.

I had to come up with a lot of prepare in advance meals this week with all of our coming and going. Even today we have Christmas program rehearsal after church and the program itself in the evening. So no time to cook at meal times today.

I’m trying to get back on track with soaking my grains after a not so good trip to the dentist last week. Hopefully that will help my vitamin/mineral absorption again. No eggs, no dairy and a little one that nurses a lot means my nutrient stores are very depleted and impacting my overall health. So I’m adding reminders to my menu to soak grains.

Be sure to check out last week’s posts. I started my simple supper series with sloppy joes and pumpkin pasta. I also shared a delicious dairy and egg free egg nog. This week I will be continuing my simple supper series.

Here is what’s on our menu. What’s on yours?

Sunday
L (prep ahead) – cp pork chops, baked potatoes, carrots
D (prep ahead) – turkey salad, carrots, celery and broccoli w/ veggie dip and hummus, apple slices
*make hummus, make pesto, soak quinoa

Monday
D (prep ahead) – cp chicken meatloaf, quinoa, broccoli
*clean

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – cp roast chicken, potatoes, spinach
*soak flour, make broth

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – cp sausage and vegetable medley, eggnog bread
*make eggnog bread

Thursday
D – tacos
*make broth, soak flour

Friday
D – hot cocoa waffles, sausage, roasted carrots
*clean, strain broth

Saturday
D – salmon cakes, french fries, beans
*make gingerbread cookies

Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving? Are you getting sick of turkey? We had a wonderful time with my parents and enjoyed our meal plus leftovers for a couple days. Now I’m ready for a turkey break.  I do still have turkey broth going in the crockpot right now…round three!

It was so nice having my husband home all week last week with no big plans. I got quite a bit accomplished. But the best part was having a relaxed schedule and getting so much snuggle time with my kiddos.

This week it’s back to our normal routine, back to school and work. We have stuff going on every day again. It’s grocery week, but I don’t have time to shop. The fridge is already empty, so I’m going to have to be creative to keep everyone well fed.

Now that Thanksgiving is over we’re thinking about Christmas.  We’ve started our shopping, we hung the lights. We still have to get the rest of the decorations out. And of course start some Christmas baking! 

I had hopes of creating a dairy free cheesecake this week…but after more experimenting I’m pretty sure my little one reacts to eggs.  A dairy free egg free cheesecake would be a challenge. Especially since I’m picky about the texture of my cheesecake. So we’ll see if I feel like experimenting with that. I might also try to create a dairy free egg free eggnog (kind of an oxymoron).

I also need to make cookies for church and make a meal for a friend that recently had a baby. I want to start some homemade teacher gifts as well. I continue to experiment with gluten free bread. Maybe someday I’ll get it just right.

We are still stuck on dairy for my son.  I want to try the other foods, but I can’t do it until we know his dairy status and get his body back to normal. Right now I’m only giving him small amounts of butter and goat’s milk yogurt. I’ll see how he’s doing in a few days and see if we need to go back to totally dairy free for a bit.

Last week I shared some delicious pumpkin recipes – pumpkin spice graham crackers and pumpkin bread.  This week I’m kicking off a new series – my simple supper series. The holidays are such a busy time of year. Everyone needs some meals that come together quickly but are still healthy.

Here is what’s on our menu this week. What are you eating?

Sunday
L – beef stroganoff
D – chicken taco soup (from freezer)/turkey soup
*make granola, clean, make eggnog

Monday
D (prep ahead) – cp sweet and sour meatballs, mashed potatoes, broccoli
*make gf bread

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – pasta fagioli soup, garlic bread
*make gfdf noodles

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – cp steak, baked potatoes, carrots
*

Thursday
D (quick prep) – sloppy joes, chips, peas
*make cheesecake, make hot cocoa mix

Friday
D – granola pancakes, bacon, roasted vegetables
*clean

Saturday
D – turkey pot pie, applesauce
*bake cookies

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s hard to believe we’re closing in on the end of November.

This week will be different from our usual routine. My husband is on vacation (yeah!). My daughter only has two days of school. And we don’t have a single doctor/therapist appointment!  It will be wonderful.

We still have Kindermusik and dance. Plus I get to meet up with some fellow bloggers.

We are still working on dairy introduction for my son.  So far he has tried butter, sour cream, yogurt and cheese. The final step is milk! I’m debating about whether or not to take that step this week. Cheese was a little uncertain. But I will probably at least try it one time to see what happens.

This week I will finally finish dealing with all of our squash. I only have three small butternut squash left that I’ll use in meals this week. I still have quite a few apples to work through. I hope I’m able to do that this week since I’ll be home a lot more and will have help with the kids.

I’ve got yet another loaf of gf bread rising already this morning. Plus I have crispy pecans going in the dehydrator.

Other than that it’s Thanksgiving food preparation. We aren’t do anything big this year. My parents and my younger brother are coming to our house.

Last week I posted recipes for beef stew and REAL “Kool-Aid.”  Check back this week for some amazing pumpkin recipes! You won’t want to miss them.

I’m looking forward to a week with lots of family time and not so much running around. Here’s what’s on our menu. What’s on the menu for your Thanksgiving feast? 

Sunday
L – meatloaf, roasted potatoes, carrots
D – stuffed squash, applesauce
*make gf bread, make/can applesauce, make dried apples, roast squash, make crispy pecans

Monday
D – hamburgers, chips, roasted cauliflower
*make pumpkin pie, make/can applesauce, make dried apples

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – pork chops and apples over quinoa, broccoli
*make cm ice cream, make gf bread

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – tomato soup, grilled cheese
*make jello, roast squash

Thursday **THANKSGIVING**
D – turkey, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, squash, beans, cranberry jell-o, rolls, stuffing, pie
*make turkey broth

Friday
D – leftovers
*clean, strain broth

Saturday
D – salmon cakes, roasted squash, roasted potatoes
*make graham crackers

Good morning. It’s time to start a new week. I tried to do a little more than I should on Saturday (again) on top of being gone all afternoon at my husband’s orchestra concert. So I’m already feeling a bit behind and tired today.  Not a good way to start the week. We have a potluck after church today, so I won’t have as much time to get caught up and ready for the week either. I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving week when there isn’t much going on…and I have my husband home to help.

We’ve got all of our usual activities this week plus speech therapy, dentist and grocery shopping. My house could really use some TLC as well. I’ve been spending so much time on the go and in the kitchen. I need to clean!

Last week I worked my way through most of our squash and apples (canned applesauce, made two apple pies). Then I must have gone crazy because I asked my husband to go to the orchard and get more.  So they are back on my to-do list. I really want to get started on spaghetti sauce and get all of the tomatoes out of my freezer, especially before our pork and beef come. But I guess that will have to wait again until the fresh produce is dealt with.

I’m still working on a gluten free bread recipe. The batch I made on Friday wasn’t too bad. Now I have to see if I can make a larger loaf and still have it turn out.

Last week I shared an update and some tips on dealing with food allergies. I also posted another simple soup – my favorite split pea!  Check back tomorrow for the last installment of the simple soup series.

So far so good with adding dairy back into my son’s diet. So far he’s had butter, sour cream and yogurt. Next up is cheese! What a lucky boy.

Here is what’s on the menu this week. I’m finding lots of ways to use squash! It should be delicious.  I’m still trying to decide what kind of soup to make on Wednesday (soup night!). I’m hoping to make a new recipe. What’s on your menu this week?

 

Sunday
L – at church Thanksgiving potluck (I’m bringing squash)
D – stuffed squash, garlic toast grilled cheese, salad
*roast squash and pumpkin

Monday
D (prep ahead) – spaghetti squash goulash, beans, garlic toast
*make gf bread, roast squash and pumpkin, make cm ice cream

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – cp roast chicken, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach
*make broth

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – TBD soup, cinnamon bread
*strain broth, make cinnamon bread

Thursday
D – chicken and squash lasagna
*make/can applesauce

Friday
D – french toast, sausage, broccoli
*clean

Saturday
D – out to eat
*make/can applesauce, clean

Good morning. Are you ready to start a new week? I’m sure ready for a not quite so busy week! Though this week really doesn’t fit that bill.

There is still plenty going on. In addition to our usual activities we have chiro,my daughter’s first appointment with an OT and my husband’s orchestra concert. I also need to make a run to the health food store.

Aside from our busy schedule last week was challenging with the time change and all three kids having colds. It’s no fun to have a stuffy baby. I hope it’s over soon. I need to get back to full health as well. I’ve been pushing my body too hard. Yesterday I ended up with a migraine. Mama needs a little more rest 🙂

I did a lot of preserving work in the kitchen over the weekend. But there is still more to go. I need to do a few more rounds of applesauce. Plus I still have some pumpkins and squash to roast and freeze. I also have some baking projects for this week like pumpkin pie, granola bars and gf bread. 

I’m super excited about tomorrow’s post. I have an in-depth post on allergies and healing. It even includes an update from my son’s one year allergy check up! Be sure to check back tomorrow for that.  Then I’ll get back to my simple soup series. I’ve got lots of other great recipes coming as well.

Last week I started my simple soup series with squash soup and chicken noodle soup. So delicious.

 Here is what’s on our menu this week. Another week of prep ahead meals and nourishing foods. What’s on your menu?

Sunday
L – hamburgers, chips, beans
D – chicken nuggets, french fries, peas, carrot sticks
*make yogurt, make mayo

Monday
D – pumpkin pasta, squash, applesauce
*roast squash, make fruit snacks

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – cp beef roast, potatoes, carrots
*make broth, skim cream, make sour cream

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – apple chicken chili, crackers w/ cheese
*strain broth, make pumpkin pie

Thursday
D (prep ahead) – cp sweet and sour stir fry soup
*make granola bars

Friday
D – pancakes, bacon, roasted cauliflower and brussels sprouts
*make gf bread

Saturday
D (quick prep) – salmon cakes, french fries, broccoli
*make/can applesauce, roast pumpkin

Welcome to November! It’s a chilly one. And it should be an “interesting” day with the time change. Any chance my kids will sleep in? I think I already hear them at 5 am!!

We had a wonderful baptism celebration last weekend. We also had a lot of fun trick-or-treating. Thankfully we had Saturday to unwind and get some things done around the house.

We’re back at it now. Somehow every possible errand/doctor appointment ended up being this week.  We have milk pick up, Kindermusik, dance, two speech therapy visits, psychologist, allergist, mom’s group and grocery shopping. I also have a chiro appointment scheduled, but I need to move it. There just isn’t time.

I’m very excited for my son’s allergy test. It’s been a year since his diagnosis. Will he still be allergic to dairy?!? I’ll be doing an update post soon to fill you in on the results.

Needless to say I won’t be doing much else this week besides running around. I hope everyone is healthy this week so we can keep up.

I’ve been working on roasting, pureeing and freezing all of our squash and pumpkin. I have about one more round of each to do. And now it’s time to get started on canning applesauce.  It’s a daunting task every year. But it’s so nice to have a shelf full of applesauce when I’m done. We’ll see if I have the time and energy to get started today…and if my little one gives me time. I’d like to make granola bars and possibly experiment with donuts as well.

Last week I shared a round up of how to use extra milk. Looks like I’ll be picking from that list again as we have a whole gallon to use up today. This week I’m starting my simple soup series! Be sure to check it out.

Here is what’s on our menu. Most days I’ll be using the crockpot since we won’t be home until dinner time. What’s on your menu this week? 

Sunday
L – cp ham steak, sweet potato fries, broccoli
D – leftover pizza, squash, apple and pear slices
*make/can applesauce, make pear crisp, soak oats

Monday
D (prep ahead) – cp meatloaf, baked potatoes, carrots
*make/can applesauce, make ice cream, make baked oatmeal

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – roast chicken, sweet potatoes, peas
*make granola bars, make broth

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – split pea soup w/ ham, bread w/ jam
*make gf bread, strain broth

Thursday
D (prep ahead) – chicken apple chili, crackers w/ cheese
*

Friday
D – egg muffins, gf df donuts, broccoli, fruit salad
*make donuts

Saturday
D – pan seared salmon, beans, french fries OR out to eat
*make/can applesauce

God Is Gracious. Our sweet Johanna is going to be baptized today! What a special thing to celebrate.

Unfortunately little one has a touch of the croup big brother and big sister had…and Mommy is sick too. I’m praying it stays mild for Johanna. I’m already feeling better than I was yesterday. So hopefully it goes quickly for her too.

This week will be much busier than I would like. We have little one’s 2 month check up, Kindermusik, speech therapy, dance, parent teacher conferences, Daddy’s work trick-or-treating and regular trick-or-treating. Plus our party today.

I also have a ton of things I want to be doing in the kitchen! We just got a big load of apples, so it’s time to start making and canning applesauce. I also have more squash to roast. I want to make my weekly batch of broth. And I have a lot of baking projects I’ve been anxious to get to.

We’ll see how much, if any, of those things gets done. It depends how much energy I have and if this sickness is short lived.

If you haven’t entered the Earthpaste giveaway yet, today is your last chance!

Enjoy your Sunday and Happy Halloween. Here’s what’s on our menu. What’s on yours?

Sunday
B – yogurt, granola. toast, pastries, bananas, grapes
L – chicken noodle soup, split pea soup, lettuce salad w/ toppings, misc. breads, cookies, bars
D – leftovers
*make fruit snacks

Monday
D – sloppy joes, peas, chips
*make granola, make gf bread, roast/freeze squash

Tuesday
D (prep ahead) – cp roast chicken legs, sweet potatoes, broccoli

Wednesday
D (prep ahead) – cp corn chowder, muffins
*strain broth, bake muffins

Thursday
D (prep ahead) – squash and sausage soup, crackers w/ cheese
*make chocolate sauce, make coconut milk ice cream

Friday
D (quick clean up) – pancake and sausage muffins, beans, fruit salad
*make graham crackers

Saturday
D – pizza
*make/can applesauce, make pizza sauce, make pizza dough