I've added some sites and fixed links that weren't working.
All of the links I have listed in the sidebar are worth reading - so check some or all of them out.
Showing posts with label Misc.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Misc.. Show all posts
Friday, February 06, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Lend 4 Health
I was asked quite some time ago to write about this website by more than one person. My lack of writing about it does not have anything to do with not thinking it is a fantastic idea, rather it is just an indication of just how busy I have been.
From their website: Lend4Health facilitates community-based, interest-free "micro-loans" as a creative funding option for individuals seeking optimal health. Currently, Lend4Health is facilitating loans for the "biomedical" treatment of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Other health issues may be included on Lend4Health in the future.
Check it out - look at the pictures of the children on there and consider loaning one of them a small amount. If you are in need yourself - this is the place - autism is expensive - this website can help.
http://lend4health.blogspot.com/
From their website: Lend4Health facilitates community-based, interest-free "micro-loans" as a creative funding option for individuals seeking optimal health. Currently, Lend4Health is facilitating loans for the "biomedical" treatment of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Other health issues may be included on Lend4Health in the future.
Check it out - look at the pictures of the children on there and consider loaning one of them a small amount. If you are in need yourself - this is the place - autism is expensive - this website can help.
http://lend4health.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Gluten Free Beer
I have finally found a gluten free beer to enjoy. I don't drink beer all that often, but when I come in from working in my garden all hot and sweaty I like a good cold one. While I'm not celiac like Andy I definitely do much better when I don't consume gluten.
Redbridge is made by Anheuser Busch and should be available most everywhere. It is made from sorghum and tastes pretty darn good.
I won't be letting my son have one for many many years but it is nice to know that when he grows up if he wants to have a beer with his friends he will be able to.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
What a cool website
I just stumbled across this website and thought it was worth sharing with everyone.
It's called Wish Upon a Hero.
From their website: No wish too large. No hero too small.Wish Upon A Hero was first conceived by founder Dave Girgenti shortly after the September 11th attacks on New York City. From his home in NJ, Girgenti watched as thousands of people posted pictures of missing loved ones throughout the city. He thought there had to be a faster, more organized way to connect people in need. That was the moment in which the idea was born.
Cast a wish
Wish Upon A Hero is completely free to its users, allowing everyone who registers the opportunity to cast up to three wishes at a time. Because Wish Upon A Hero is designed to help everyone, wishes can be big or small, elaborate or simple, based on financial need or just asking for a simple favor.
Be a hero
Wish Upon A Hero is a unique venue for any individual, organization, or company looking to make a difference in someone’s life, or the lives of countless people. Heroes come in all ages and from all walks of life. All of us, from our nation’s most powerful corporations to individual philanthropists, and those with limited financial means, can be someone’s hero:
A man who buys uniforms for his town’s little league team.
A plastic surgeon brings his skill to the aid of an uninsured breast cancer survivor.
A national appliance retailer that donates a refrigerator to a single mom with a newborn.
A groundskeeper at Yankee stadium who helps a woman fulfill her father’s lifelong dream of throwing a single pitch across home plate.
A group of 8th graders that rally behind a fellow student whose home was lost in a fire.
A woman who writes to a man in Seattle to say, “I think I’m the sister you’ve been looking for since we were separated 21 years ago.”
A female soldier stationed in Iraq who says, “yes, I will.”
Once a wish is granted, the hero can choose to remain anonymous, or be formally recognized on the Wish Upon A Hero website
So - if there is something you need - go and post a wish. Or, grant a wish and be someone's hero. What a great concept!
It's called Wish Upon a Hero.
From their website: No wish too large. No hero too small.Wish Upon A Hero was first conceived by founder Dave Girgenti shortly after the September 11th attacks on New York City. From his home in NJ, Girgenti watched as thousands of people posted pictures of missing loved ones throughout the city. He thought there had to be a faster, more organized way to connect people in need. That was the moment in which the idea was born.
Cast a wish
Wish Upon A Hero is completely free to its users, allowing everyone who registers the opportunity to cast up to three wishes at a time. Because Wish Upon A Hero is designed to help everyone, wishes can be big or small, elaborate or simple, based on financial need or just asking for a simple favor.
Be a hero
Wish Upon A Hero is a unique venue for any individual, organization, or company looking to make a difference in someone’s life, or the lives of countless people. Heroes come in all ages and from all walks of life. All of us, from our nation’s most powerful corporations to individual philanthropists, and those with limited financial means, can be someone’s hero:
A man who buys uniforms for his town’s little league team.
A plastic surgeon brings his skill to the aid of an uninsured breast cancer survivor.
A national appliance retailer that donates a refrigerator to a single mom with a newborn.
A groundskeeper at Yankee stadium who helps a woman fulfill her father’s lifelong dream of throwing a single pitch across home plate.
A group of 8th graders that rally behind a fellow student whose home was lost in a fire.
A woman who writes to a man in Seattle to say, “I think I’m the sister you’ve been looking for since we were separated 21 years ago.”
A female soldier stationed in Iraq who says, “yes, I will.”
Once a wish is granted, the hero can choose to remain anonymous, or be formally recognized on the Wish Upon A Hero website
So - if there is something you need - go and post a wish. Or, grant a wish and be someone's hero. What a great concept!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Applegate Farms Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs
Sorry about the bad picture - I really have to get a better camera. These are the current hot dogs that we are buying. Andy will only eat Chicken Hot Dogs - when I occasionally buy the beef, he won't eat them - I, however, like the beef variety - I think it's just that chicken the beef is a little spicier. You really want to try and avoid nitrates with your child if they are on the autism spectrum. I keep these in the freezer and just take them out and use them one at a time so they don't spoil. When I get home from the grocery store, I open the package and spread the hot dogs out on a cookie sheet so they are not touching and put them in the freezer to freeze - that way they freeze individually and you can just take one out of the freezer without chizeling one out of a package or thawing a whole package and having part of it go to waste. If you eat a whole package of hot dogs at a time, then that isn't necessary. Just make sure that once they are frozen you pack them in a freezer container - don't leave them open in the freezer or they will get freezer burn.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I've been tagged for Meme!
GFCF Mommy tagged me in a game of meme. What a fun idea and a great way to learn about each other.
The rules for this meme game are:
1. Let others know who tagged you.
2. Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
3. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
4. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.
Here are my 8 random facts:
1. I am on my 3rd marriage
2. I was raised in Warrens, Wisconsin - population 350 at the time
3. I graduated from Tomah High School in 1976
4. I raised dairy goats while married to my first husband
5. I graduated from UW-LaCrosse in December of 1982
6. I lived in Arizona from December of 1982 through October 1994
7. I moved to Minnesota in 1996 where I met my current husband
8. I am currently in graduate school studying for a Master's Degree in Holistic Health and Nutrition Education.
I hereby tag:
This Mom
Bea at Miracles do Happen
Angela at Angela's Kitchen
Alex at Recovering Jonathan!
Stephanie at A boy named Shay
Amy at A Day in the Life
Irish at Sometimes Holland feels like Hell
Michelle at Little-man D!
I can't wait to see if they all play along and see what random facts we can all learn about each other.
The rules for this meme game are:
1. Let others know who tagged you.
2. Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
3. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
4. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.
Here are my 8 random facts:
1. I am on my 3rd marriage
2. I was raised in Warrens, Wisconsin - population 350 at the time
3. I graduated from Tomah High School in 1976
4. I raised dairy goats while married to my first husband
5. I graduated from UW-LaCrosse in December of 1982
6. I lived in Arizona from December of 1982 through October 1994
7. I moved to Minnesota in 1996 where I met my current husband
8. I am currently in graduate school studying for a Master's Degree in Holistic Health and Nutrition Education.
I hereby tag:
This Mom
Bea at Miracles do Happen
Angela at Angela's Kitchen
Alex at Recovering Jonathan!
Stephanie at A boy named Shay
Amy at A Day in the Life
Irish at Sometimes Holland feels like Hell
Michelle at Little-man D!
I can't wait to see if they all play along and see what random facts we can all learn about each other.
How necessary is Xantham Gum?
I forgot I was out of Xantham Gum today and I wanted to make a batch of mini corn dogs to have ready for Andy's school lunches.
I had already started mixing the ingredients when I realized I was out of it and my van has a flat tire so I can't run to the store and get some of the expensive stuff. So I decided that it is such a small amount - it would be no big deal to leave it out - after all, what does it do exactly?
Well, I can now tell you what it does - it makes the batter thicker and stickier. You cannot make good mini corn dogs without it. I made the batter and then proceeded to cut up the corn dogs and let the batter get thicker - the oil wasn't hot yet anyway. Finally I was ready and dipped the hotdogs in the batter - and it was way too thin and none of it would stick to the hot dog. So, unable to believe a small amount of Xantham Gum was responsible, I decided that I must have only added half of the corn meal - so I added more corn meal and got a thicker batter - and some of it did stick to the hot dog - but most of it slid off after it got in the oil and made a terrible mess. My son took one look at the corn dogs as they came out of the oil and pronounced - "I'm not eating them, they don't have any of the good stuff on them!" He really likes the breading - and has been known to pull the breading off and just eat it and leave the hot dog.
So, I sealed up the hot dogs and put them away for now. I guess I will have to put off making mini corn dogs for another day.
Here is a picture of one - sorry, it's not a good picture, but they are just pathetic. A good lesson for anyone. Do not omit Xantham Gum!
I had already started mixing the ingredients when I realized I was out of it and my van has a flat tire so I can't run to the store and get some of the expensive stuff. So I decided that it is such a small amount - it would be no big deal to leave it out - after all, what does it do exactly?
Well, I can now tell you what it does - it makes the batter thicker and stickier. You cannot make good mini corn dogs without it. I made the batter and then proceeded to cut up the corn dogs and let the batter get thicker - the oil wasn't hot yet anyway. Finally I was ready and dipped the hotdogs in the batter - and it was way too thin and none of it would stick to the hot dog. So, unable to believe a small amount of Xantham Gum was responsible, I decided that I must have only added half of the corn meal - so I added more corn meal and got a thicker batter - and some of it did stick to the hot dog - but most of it slid off after it got in the oil and made a terrible mess. My son took one look at the corn dogs as they came out of the oil and pronounced - "I'm not eating them, they don't have any of the good stuff on them!" He really likes the breading - and has been known to pull the breading off and just eat it and leave the hot dog.
So, I sealed up the hot dogs and put them away for now. I guess I will have to put off making mini corn dogs for another day.
Here is a picture of one - sorry, it's not a good picture, but they are just pathetic. A good lesson for anyone. Do not omit Xantham Gum!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Updated Links
I have added more links trying to make this blog more useful.
If you know of a site that I should add to my links, please let me know - together we will all figure this out!
If you know of a site that I should add to my links, please let me know - together we will all figure this out!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Some cool new software!
I had to purchase the Food Processor Nutrition and Fitness Softward by Esha Research for my classes I am taking. It is the coolest!
I can put in what I eat on a daily basis - or my child eats - and get a print out of what nutrition we are getting - and then I can play with it and see if I changed one thing or another how that effects it. I can also search for products and find their nutritional breakdown - and they have practically every product ever made in there.
One of the things I'm having the most fun with is entering in my own recipes and finding out the nutrtional content, calories, fat, etc.
This is going to be so valuable to use when I start doing this for a living.
I can actually print out nutrition labels for the homemade jam and jelly that I make to give away now.
I can put in what I eat on a daily basis - or my child eats - and get a print out of what nutrition we are getting - and then I can play with it and see if I changed one thing or another how that effects it. I can also search for products and find their nutritional breakdown - and they have practically every product ever made in there.
One of the things I'm having the most fun with is entering in my own recipes and finding out the nutrtional content, calories, fat, etc.
This is going to be so valuable to use when I start doing this for a living.
I can actually print out nutrition labels for the homemade jam and jelly that I make to give away now.
Friday, June 01, 2007
The price of GFCF
Eating GFCF certainly is more expensive - I don't think anyone will argue with that.
In the past I have never really kept track of the cost because it was just something we had to do. While I knew you could deduct the price difference of the foods, I also knew that getting enough to actually write off on your taxes was probably not going to happen - you are only able to claim a percentage of your medical and only if you itemize (which we do). But last year between the dentist and specialists we had a lot of medical expenses and could have claimed some of them if we had added the food on, but I hadn't kept track.
So this year I started saving my grocery receipts and tracking the cost in an excel spreadsheet. I missed January - I didn't start until Feb. 1 when I realized how close we were to being able to claim some medical expenses last year.
I am only tracking the foods that we buy that are GFCF. Not the extra cost of the foods that have nothing artificial in them or are organic - that's not legal unless you have to buy them because that is the only choice. I am sure if I tracked that cost as well it would be huge. I am tracking total costs because I believe that doing this diet as a family is beneficial therapy for my son and the reason that he eats so well. If we got audited I think I could get the doctor to sign for that. Dan thinks we should only track the foods that only Andy eats and a third of the ones that we all eat.
In order for the costs to be tax deductable, you do need a medical reason to be buying the more expensive foods. Just doing the diet because others have told you it helps autism isn't enough. You need a signed statement from your doctor.
This morning I updated my spreadsheet and so far this year between Feb. 1 & June 1 - the price difference comes to $328.95! That's a lot of money in 4 months and like I said that doesn't count the organic fruits and veggies.
If you are not keeping a spreadsheet, I suggest you do - the price difference might be more for some of you. I did it fairly - I didn't compare it to generics - I could have put the price of bread as a lot more, but I priced the bread in the store that we would have bought if we were able to buy regular bread and it wasn't the cheapest. I did the same with all products. Some things I would have bought generics, but many I wouldn't have.
In the past I have never really kept track of the cost because it was just something we had to do. While I knew you could deduct the price difference of the foods, I also knew that getting enough to actually write off on your taxes was probably not going to happen - you are only able to claim a percentage of your medical and only if you itemize (which we do). But last year between the dentist and specialists we had a lot of medical expenses and could have claimed some of them if we had added the food on, but I hadn't kept track.
So this year I started saving my grocery receipts and tracking the cost in an excel spreadsheet. I missed January - I didn't start until Feb. 1 when I realized how close we were to being able to claim some medical expenses last year.
I am only tracking the foods that we buy that are GFCF. Not the extra cost of the foods that have nothing artificial in them or are organic - that's not legal unless you have to buy them because that is the only choice. I am sure if I tracked that cost as well it would be huge. I am tracking total costs because I believe that doing this diet as a family is beneficial therapy for my son and the reason that he eats so well. If we got audited I think I could get the doctor to sign for that. Dan thinks we should only track the foods that only Andy eats and a third of the ones that we all eat.
In order for the costs to be tax deductable, you do need a medical reason to be buying the more expensive foods. Just doing the diet because others have told you it helps autism isn't enough. You need a signed statement from your doctor.
This morning I updated my spreadsheet and so far this year between Feb. 1 & June 1 - the price difference comes to $328.95! That's a lot of money in 4 months and like I said that doesn't count the organic fruits and veggies.
If you are not keeping a spreadsheet, I suggest you do - the price difference might be more for some of you. I did it fairly - I didn't compare it to generics - I could have put the price of bread as a lot more, but I priced the bread in the store that we would have bought if we were able to buy regular bread and it wasn't the cheapest. I did the same with all products. Some things I would have bought generics, but many I wouldn't have.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Andy went to the gastro today
The visit was not at all what I had expected.
I keep hearing from other parents of kids with celiac how they do annual blood tests and I have been feeling bad that we haven't been to a gastro at all. His regular ped had referred us and I wasn't sure what to expect.
But the doctor was very nice and did not order any tests at all. He basically said that as long as Andy is doing OK on the diet - let's not mess with it. Just keep doing what we are doing. Make sure he goes to his regular ped for a weight at least once a year and just see him every 2 to 3 years unless Andy starts having problems.
If Andy gets to be a teen and starts wanting off the diet - then we can do a challenge so we know 100% since Andy was never scoped. And he wouldn't even mess with the blood test - just do a piece of bread for 2 weeks and then go straight to a scope.
He said we could do a genetic test - but that won't really tell us much. All celiacs will have the gene for celiac - but so do 60% of everyone - so only if you are one of the 40% do you know anything certain with the genetic test - and since Andy has birth relatives with celiac, he probably almost certainly has the gene.
And it really doesn't matter if we call it celiac or leaky gut or a gluten allergy or gluten intolerance. The fact is that Andy does much better on a gfcf diet so let's not mess with it.
Someone else might have been disappointed that he didn't want to run tests, but I am relieved. And having a gastro validate it all makes it more real for the school and anyone else who might challenge the validity of the diet.
I keep hearing from other parents of kids with celiac how they do annual blood tests and I have been feeling bad that we haven't been to a gastro at all. His regular ped had referred us and I wasn't sure what to expect.
But the doctor was very nice and did not order any tests at all. He basically said that as long as Andy is doing OK on the diet - let's not mess with it. Just keep doing what we are doing. Make sure he goes to his regular ped for a weight at least once a year and just see him every 2 to 3 years unless Andy starts having problems.
If Andy gets to be a teen and starts wanting off the diet - then we can do a challenge so we know 100% since Andy was never scoped. And he wouldn't even mess with the blood test - just do a piece of bread for 2 weeks and then go straight to a scope.
He said we could do a genetic test - but that won't really tell us much. All celiacs will have the gene for celiac - but so do 60% of everyone - so only if you are one of the 40% do you know anything certain with the genetic test - and since Andy has birth relatives with celiac, he probably almost certainly has the gene.
And it really doesn't matter if we call it celiac or leaky gut or a gluten allergy or gluten intolerance. The fact is that Andy does much better on a gfcf diet so let's not mess with it.
Someone else might have been disappointed that he didn't want to run tests, but I am relieved. And having a gastro validate it all makes it more real for the school and anyone else who might challenge the validity of the diet.
Great Find at the Dollar Store Today
I found Sesmark Savory Thins Original Sesame Rice Crackers at the Big Dollar Store today - and they were 2 for a dollar! I couldn't believe it. I had just finished our last package of them and wrote them on the grocery list. I only stopped at the dollar store for bubble bath. I picked up 4 packages - probably should have gotten more at that price. They weren't broken or cracked or anything they were in great shape. I don't know if any other Big Dollar Stores have them - this was at the one on Robert Street in West Saint Paul.
Added more blogs in my links
I finally got around to updating my links again. I have added a few more blogs - I have more to add - I just can't always find where I have them written down - or I go there so much I think I have them as links until I actually look at my blog!
If you have a blog on GFCF, autism, celiac or FAS and want me to link to it and I haven't - just send me an e-mail or leave me a comment.
Happy reading!
If you have a blog on GFCF, autism, celiac or FAS and want me to link to it and I haven't - just send me an e-mail or leave me a comment.
Happy reading!
Friday, February 02, 2007
A great newsletter
I get a weekly newsletter from gluten free dot com that is very informative - I love their question and answer section. If you don't get this newsletter, you really should sign up and request it: http://www.glutenfree.com/signup.aspx
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Andy's Check Ups
Andy had his annual check up this week. He is finally over 40 lbs! He weighed in at 41.4 pounds and is 47.5 inches tall. He is about 50% for height and has gone up to almost 10% for weight. We are very happy.
He continues to be pretty healthy - he hasn't been to the doctor for anything in a year - no strep, no fevers. Nothing. We continue to hold off on any booster shots and the ped was OK with that - I am so fortunate that she doesn't give us any grief over that. None of Andy's shots had mercury in them - but there are so many other things in there - I just don't know.
But he continues to have GI problems. He had a series of rashes and tummy aches in early December. I thought I had figured it out - the only new thing he had to eat was bananas - so I was pretty sure that was it. We removed them from the diet and then last week (since he is off school) we introduced them again. No rashes and no tummy aches - nothing.
I have no idea now what is going on. Is it a new food allergy? Is he getting some hidden gluten? Was he getting something not on his diet at school? He has always had dark circles under his eyes. They are lighter now than they were when he was younger - but they never really went away and because of that I am pretty sure he has some other food issues.
Anyway, he is not being monitored by a gastroenterologist and he really should be for his celiac - so we are going to start there. And then if we don't get answers then we will go to an allergist. We made an appointment for the GI for February 21. It is such a long wait always to get in to any specialist - but this is a pediatric gastro, so hopefully it will be worth the wait.
He also went to the dentist this week for a check up (get all of the appointments out of the way while school is out). He was pretty scared - he has had a lot of traumatic experiences at the dentist in the past, but luckily the dental assistant was really patient with him. He did not want to do the X-rays - he was convinced they would hurt somehow - but eventually he cooperated. And the good news is - No cavaties this time! So we do not have to go back for 6 months. By his next visit, his molars should be all the way in and they will want to seal them - so I have to do my homework on sealants and if they are OK - always something to investigate - what ever happened to being able to trust the doctors and just let them do what they needed to do? My trust in the medical system has been totally eroded.....
He continues to be pretty healthy - he hasn't been to the doctor for anything in a year - no strep, no fevers. Nothing. We continue to hold off on any booster shots and the ped was OK with that - I am so fortunate that she doesn't give us any grief over that. None of Andy's shots had mercury in them - but there are so many other things in there - I just don't know.
But he continues to have GI problems. He had a series of rashes and tummy aches in early December. I thought I had figured it out - the only new thing he had to eat was bananas - so I was pretty sure that was it. We removed them from the diet and then last week (since he is off school) we introduced them again. No rashes and no tummy aches - nothing.
I have no idea now what is going on. Is it a new food allergy? Is he getting some hidden gluten? Was he getting something not on his diet at school? He has always had dark circles under his eyes. They are lighter now than they were when he was younger - but they never really went away and because of that I am pretty sure he has some other food issues.
Anyway, he is not being monitored by a gastroenterologist and he really should be for his celiac - so we are going to start there. And then if we don't get answers then we will go to an allergist. We made an appointment for the GI for February 21. It is such a long wait always to get in to any specialist - but this is a pediatric gastro, so hopefully it will be worth the wait.
He also went to the dentist this week for a check up (get all of the appointments out of the way while school is out). He was pretty scared - he has had a lot of traumatic experiences at the dentist in the past, but luckily the dental assistant was really patient with him. He did not want to do the X-rays - he was convinced they would hurt somehow - but eventually he cooperated. And the good news is - No cavaties this time! So we do not have to go back for 6 months. By his next visit, his molars should be all the way in and they will want to seal them - so I have to do my homework on sealants and if they are OK - always something to investigate - what ever happened to being able to trust the doctors and just let them do what they needed to do? My trust in the medical system has been totally eroded.....
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Updates
I added a few links along the side. Check them out! I still have links to add - but this is a start. Check out the links to blogs.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The little touches....
The little touches can be what makes Thanksgiving fun for the little ones. Sometimes we get so busy with all of the cooking that we forget to put fun things on the table too - even if it is just your family. I collect napkin rings and use them for special meals. I let Andy pick out the ones we use - and if he picks snowmen and there is no snow on the ground yet - that is OK. And if he picks 3 different ones for each of us, that is OK too - just makes it more fun!
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