Welcome Wednesday – Say Hi to Lindsay Greb McPhail from Earth Monkeys!

I often get the question from parents “How do I get my kid to eat his veggies?!” So far idle threats and giving the evil eye haven’t worked so today I’ve invited Lindsay from Earth Monkey Moms to give us some sneaky tips on getting more veggies into our kids.

The greatest secret I’ll never tell my kids…

I have never been accused of being a domestic diva. In fact, everyday when the clock strikes 4 I almost break out into a cold sweat… in a panic I try to decide what to make my monkeys for dinner. When you combine little kitchen know how with 3 very picky monkeys (well four if you include the daddy monkey) and a very restrictive GFCF diet on top of everything… you get a recipe for a prepackaged processed feast with little food value or nutrition. Over the years though I have perfected a few meals that are EASY to make, something everybody loves… and let’s just say, pack a hidden punch of veggies and vitamins… [insert wicked mommy laugh here]. I’m not saying it’s ok to lie to your family… but sometimes in the name of avoiding scurvy it’s a necessary evil. So without further ado… here is my fave dinner recipe my kids will never know is good for them:

Loaded Spaghetti:

 1 Jar Organic Marinara
 1 Small Can Tomato Paste (it’s a lot but hides the green color)
 1 15 oz Can of Butternut Squash Puree (or if you’re betty crocker you can make your own☺)
 2 Cups of Spinach
 2 Tbs water
 1 lb of lean ground beef or turkey
 Gluten Free pasta or Chips

Brown meat in a pan with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder to taste. While meat is cooking put butternut squash puree, spinach and water in blender on high until all chunks are gone. When meat is browned add spinach mixture followed by tomato paste and marinara. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Put over GF pasta or chips. It’s really yummy and filling and loaded with nutrients.

Secret Veggie Loading Tips:

 Invest in a good blender (we use a vita mix)
 Find ways to incorporate pureed veggies in meals your kids already love
 If your kids have aversions to new colors and textures just add a little at a time
 DON’T LET THEM SEE YOU MAKE IT … at least the first time☺☺
 Check out books like the Sneaky Chef and deceptively delicious to find sneaky ways to modify meals (of course you will have to further modify recipes if your family is on a GFCF diet)

Lindsay has been married to the love of her life for 11 years. She’s a stay-at-home mom of three boys and is the co-founder of Earth Monkeys, a green baby gear company. She spends her time raising her little ones, two who have been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and running her company and blog from her home. This past September, the McPhails were chosen to be the recipients of a home makeover from ABC’s hit show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. She’s excited about the awareness the show will bring to autism and about the chance to reach out to millions of other ‘mother warriors’ with a message of hope and encouragement that they are not alone in their struggles.

Follow Lindsay!

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Autism Night Before Christmas

by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned……

Christmas Gift Guide for Kids with Autism – Part 1

Sometimes children with autism are difficult to buy for, especially for extended family who may not know your child’s interests as well as you do.

So I’ve been looking around for some great gift and stocking stuffer recommendations in case you’re stuck on what to put under the tree for that special boy or girl.

I’ve found quite a few great gift ideas so I’m going to break the list up into 2 or 3 separate posts over the next week.

Click on the images to be taken to websites that sell these products.

Quick Snap Shoe Lace Clip (as seen on Dragon’s Den)

These clips make wearing shoes with laces a snap! Now kids can ditch the velcro and wear shoes with laces and not have to worry if they can’t tie them up. Quick Snap Shoe Clips eliminate the need to tie up shoes and once they’re fastened your they give a comfortable, consistent tension every time you wear. I love this product because it gives kids who have trouble with shoe laces the freedom to choose from any shoes, not just the velcro ones. Shoe clips fit any size shoe, even adults!

Twilight Constellation Night Light – Turtle & Ladybug

Twilight Turtle and Twilight Ladybug are awesome bedtime companions. They project a starry night onto bedroom walls and ceilings that is calming and comforting. Choose from blue, green and amber light. And the best part, it has an automatic timer shut off!

Giggles Fun Dough – Allergen Free Play Dough!

As much as we try to stop it, kids inevitably put their hands in their mouth. When your child has a food allergy or intolerance this can be a big concern.
With that in mind two moms have created an allergen free play dough! Giggles Fun Dough is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, corn free, nut free and free from artificial dyes. It’s 100% natural.
It’s currently available in Snowball White and more colours will be available in January. This is a brand new product (you’re one of the first to know about it!) So for now it’s only available by email. But their online store will be up and running in the New Year.
In the meantime, try it out and see what you think! This would make a great stocking stuffer for that sensory seeking child in the family too.
You can order it at GigglesFunDough@gmail.com.

Sea Otter Cove – A Relaxation Story

Children will love to experience belly breathing with playful sea otters and a sea child. This effective, self calming technique also known as “diaphragmatic breathing” can have a positive impact on your child’s health. Proper breathing can lower stress and anxiety levels. It can be used to decrease pain and anger. Delightful characters and easy breathing encourage your child to slow down, relax, and fall asleep peacefully.
This story is also available in eBook format for tablets and readers. It’s also included on story CD’s available from Stress Free Kids that are perfect for listening to at bedtime.
Here’s a little sneak preview of the story.

Natural Candy Stocking Stuffers

Wanting to avoid artificial flavours and dyes in your holiday candy? Or is there someone in your house with food intolerances or allergies? The Natural Candy store is the perfect solution! They carry lots of fun stocking stuffers, holiday candy and chocolate. Order soon and it will be here in time for Christmas!

Stay tuned for the second round of Christmas Gift Recommendations in just a few days!

Foodie Friday – It’s Crockpot Season!

I LOVE using my crockpot in the winter months. It fills the house with yummy, comforting smells all day and makes me feel cozy on these chilly days.

But the best part is that it is sooooo easy! Throw a few things in, turn it on and walk away. Come back at dinner time and voila! Dinner is ready.

This is a new recipe inspired by a recipe I found online this week. I’ve taken some things out, made some substitutions and I’m quite happy with the result!

I used Sorghum flour for this recipe because it has a good texture and neutral taste. You could try other gluten free flours but I’d be concerned they would change the taste and texture of the dish.

I think you will be too. Enjoy!

Winter Crockpot Steak

(Sorry, no picture this time. My family ate it all before I could snap one!)

3 lbs steak cut into cubes
2 tbsp dairy free butter alternative (I use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
1/3 cup sorghum flour
1 large onion sliced
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1 bay leaf

In a large frypan melt butter on medium heat. Place cubed steak in a bowl and sprinkle with flour. Toss to coat steak pieces completely.
Transfer steak to frypan and brown. When browned on outside transfer steak to crockpot.

Place onion slices in fry pan and brown.

While onion is browning mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl.

Once onion is browned pour apple juice mixture over onions. Bring liquid to a boil and allow it to bubble for 2 minutes so it can reduce and thicken a little.

Remove onions and apple juice mixture from heat and pour over steak in crockpot.

Cook in crockpot on low for 5 hours.

Serve over quinoa or brown rice with a side salad.

A Diversion From the Usual

Usually my posts are related to the topics of nutrition, autism, ADHD and parenting. But today I feel compelled to share this special project with you.
My husband, Tobin, is in the band Spirit of the West and they have partnered with a very special group of children in Bulembu, Swaziland. From that partnership has come an emotional and inspirational new single.
100% of the sales of this single will go to the Bulembu Foundation Child Care Program to care for the children of Bulembu who have been orphaned and abandoned due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland.
Without our help it is estimated that the people of Swaziland will cease to exist by 2050. They are the only country in the world with a negative birth rate.
Please watch this wonderful photo montage and download the single from iTunes for only 99 cents. It’s not much but it will go a long way.

Welcome Wednesday – Theatre Group Celebrates Neurodiversity

This amazing group of Victoria youth are working on their latest production which will be A Midsummer’s Night Dream. They are also competing for a grant from the Aviva Community Fund and really need your support to help move them into the Semi-Finals!
You can vote by clicking on the voting box in the right hand menu of this page.

Calling All Characters Drama Group was featured on CTV news this week. Check out it!

Foodie Friday – GFCF Gingerbread People

GFCF Gingerbread Cookies

2 tbsp Earth Balance dairy free butter (or other dairy free butter)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup canned pureed pumpkin
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup corn flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup teff flour*
2 tbsp tapioca flour
2 tsp ginger
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp each allspice, cloves, nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp xanthan gum*
4 tbsp water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl cream together butter and brown sugar.

In another bowl blend molasses, pumpkin and vanilla. Then mix this together with butter mixture.

In a separate bowl sift together flours, spices, baking soda, salt and xanthan gum.

Mix about 1/3 of flour mixture into the with butter mixture with 2 tbsp of water. Then mix another 1/3 with another 2 tbsp water and finally mix in the last 1/3 of the flour mixture.

Wrap dough in parchment paper or plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour in the fridge.

Roll out the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut out with cookies cutters.

Bake for 8 minutes, or until you can lightly touch your finger to the cookie and any indent pops back, at 350. Makes about 20 cookies, and the recipe is easy to double.

These are fairly spicy gingerbread cookies so you may want to reduce the spices by depending on your taste.

*If you don’t have Teff flour handy you can substitute with brown rice flour or sorghum flour.
*I try not to use gums in my baking but for this particular cookie I’d recommend using it because you don’t want them to be too fragile.

If you’re looking for natural, dye free baking decorations this holiday season be sure to check out the Natural Candy Store. They also have GFCF stocking stuffers!