This is a website/blog from a family who writes on the message board with me. It is absolutely chock full of GREAT information that, in my opinion, EVERY parent should read! Take a look, the information is stunning....when you think your children aren't exposed to mercury, think again!
http://www.freewebs.com/mercurybabies/
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Gearing up to remove some pesty mercury
Not much is going on right now, we are just gearing up to begin chelation. That involves making sure we have the right supplements all in place first. Considering we had to add a handful of things to his already large daily regimen of pills, we are taking it slow and adding them one at a time to watch for reaction. He tends to be ultra-sensitive to everything so we have to be careful about overloading him with anything too fast. We have already noticed good changes since adding a few of these new supplements which support the liver and lower copper. His hair test showed high copper and copper symptoms mirror mercury symptoms. Today he went to the museum for a school field trip outing and the whole time he was attentive, quiet, raised his hand to answer questions, he was focused and interested...he was a perfect child!! He lasted all day like this and only got a little hyper (normal child hyper) tonight before bed. We are ELATED!!! The fact that we are starting chelation so far ahead of the game has us really hoping for a quick and very successful process. Many people have watched their non-verbal children start to speak through chelation, the effects of removing mercury can be utterly amazing!! That is an extreme case though. One of the members of a message board I belong to told us that they were able to remove supplements completely and have no more diet restrictions after chelation. I will never again take normalcy for granted and if we end up there again, every normal day will be a gift! I have high hopes, wish us luck!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)
So going back to where this whole thing started for us....SPD was how we came to this place in our lives. It indicated something was off with our son and threw me into an OCD (yes, I have it, but generally it just fuels my research, he he he) fit of looking for answers. I was not satisfied with accepting that he just had SPD, I needed to find out why and ultimately, how to relieve him of it. Jenny McCarthy has really shed a lot of light on the biomedical route of recovery for much more severe children and what I noticed is that many of the things we were dealing with were VERY similar to what happens to autistic children, just on a much less severe level. So are we preventing him from being diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome? I don't know, but my gut tells me that, if we let him just continue the way he was going, by the time he got into grade school, there would be some sort of diagnosis like ADHD and/or Asperger's. I believe in my heart of hearts that we are preventing that! And just for the record, ADHD/ADD is in the autism spectrum...meaning they all share in the same neuro-disconnects! The autism spectrum varies considerably.
So what is SPD? And not in medical technical terms? It is not in and of itself an ASD, but it certainly is shared with those who are on the AS. What does that mean though? As far as I am concerned, it's not about the label, it is about WHAT is going on in their little bodies! SPD is a disconnect between the sensory nerves and the brain. So for example, for the average person, a warm food is tolerable, but to someone who is sensory deffensive, that warm food might be HOT and truly feels that way to them. Their brains do not properly organize and read the senses. Most people have some sensory issues, but not to the degree that they effect your everyday life. In the end, what it all comes down to is do these issues consume you or your child? Do they effect your way of living? A child who is bombarded by everything that makes them either sensory "defensive" (feeling a lot of pain all day) or they are sensory "seekers" (needing to bounce, jump and crash), they feel completely disorganized and tend to lash out emotionally. I know that when I have a canker sore, a little tiny painful annoyance that is underlying everything I do all day, I have constant irritation and I become moody in my response to things, it exhausts me. Imagine how these kids feel? They don't feel right either, they are irritated by the world around them and then their parents and teachers are telling them they aren't acting appropriately and they aren't feeling what they feel...."That isn't hot, it's warm!!" Well to them, it's hot and they aren't being justified or understood. Nor are they being taught how to compensate for what they are feeling. Could you see, if your husband constantly told you how you should feel? Or maybe he does and you understand their frustrations?!?! ha ha ha
Since SPD is neurological, I decided to research further into what causes it and found that all of my search results brought up "autism", probably because the more severe cases do involve autistic kids and interestinly, our son shared a lot of similar traits; although he wouldn't be categorized with autistic children, because he is highly social and can read body language. But keep in mind that there are a LOT of layers and overlap there. Just because he is social doesn't preclude him from sharing many traits with an autistic child. It's just not that black and white. The "diagnosis" doesn't need to be there for there to be similarities. When he was younger, I noticed hand flapping and rocking a LOT! While those traits lessened or went away, they were replaced with others, like inscesant lining up of toys, but don't all kids do that?! The constant nagging feeling in me that something wasn't quite right needed to be dealt with and I must say, I wish I addressed it earlier. I let everyone (including doctors AND my own husband) tell me that our son was perfect, that I was over analyzing. Look where we are today....need I say more?
So what is SPD? And not in medical technical terms? It is not in and of itself an ASD, but it certainly is shared with those who are on the AS. What does that mean though? As far as I am concerned, it's not about the label, it is about WHAT is going on in their little bodies! SPD is a disconnect between the sensory nerves and the brain. So for example, for the average person, a warm food is tolerable, but to someone who is sensory deffensive, that warm food might be HOT and truly feels that way to them. Their brains do not properly organize and read the senses. Most people have some sensory issues, but not to the degree that they effect your everyday life. In the end, what it all comes down to is do these issues consume you or your child? Do they effect your way of living? A child who is bombarded by everything that makes them either sensory "defensive" (feeling a lot of pain all day) or they are sensory "seekers" (needing to bounce, jump and crash), they feel completely disorganized and tend to lash out emotionally. I know that when I have a canker sore, a little tiny painful annoyance that is underlying everything I do all day, I have constant irritation and I become moody in my response to things, it exhausts me. Imagine how these kids feel? They don't feel right either, they are irritated by the world around them and then their parents and teachers are telling them they aren't acting appropriately and they aren't feeling what they feel...."That isn't hot, it's warm!!" Well to them, it's hot and they aren't being justified or understood. Nor are they being taught how to compensate for what they are feeling. Could you see, if your husband constantly told you how you should feel? Or maybe he does and you understand their frustrations?!?! ha ha ha
Since SPD is neurological, I decided to research further into what causes it and found that all of my search results brought up "autism", probably because the more severe cases do involve autistic kids and interestinly, our son shared a lot of similar traits; although he wouldn't be categorized with autistic children, because he is highly social and can read body language. But keep in mind that there are a LOT of layers and overlap there. Just because he is social doesn't preclude him from sharing many traits with an autistic child. It's just not that black and white. The "diagnosis" doesn't need to be there for there to be similarities. When he was younger, I noticed hand flapping and rocking a LOT! While those traits lessened or went away, they were replaced with others, like inscesant lining up of toys, but don't all kids do that?! The constant nagging feeling in me that something wasn't quite right needed to be dealt with and I must say, I wish I addressed it earlier. I let everyone (including doctors AND my own husband) tell me that our son was perfect, that I was over analyzing. Look where we are today....need I say more?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Want to shout to the whole world!
I just thought I would share my excitement. The more I think about all the possibilities and all of the changes we have seen already in our biomedical journey, I just want to scream with joy at the top of my lungs, sharing it with the whole world!! Sound crazy? That is really how excited I am. When I think back to the days of tantrums and screaming and even just the days of watching Grayson shrug his shirts all day or pull on the waistbands of his pants, because they bothered him or swatting at his head (which we have learned how to manage and remove completely!!) I just can't get over how real this all is. We are REALLY healing him and watching the miraculous changes before our very eyes. Sure, we still have tantrums and mood swings, probably because we have a long road of mercury removal still ahead of us, but the changes have been nothing shy of a miracle thus far! For ANYONE who thinks they might even POSSIBLY be dealing with something similar I encourage you with all of my heart, and then some, please for the sake of you and your children, try making some changes to see if you see results. Even if they are minimal, chances are that means you NEED to treat biomedically. Yes, it's hard work and yes, some days are frustrating (ok, many) but the rewards are immesurable! Dave and I couldn't be happier with where we are headed and how far we have come already in just half a year. Our goal is to have Grayson compeletely healed and eating normal foods, sharing normal play dates and minimizing his frustrations by the time he is in Kindergarden. We hope to have all of this behind us and focusing on normal everyday kid stuff like birthday parties and play dates!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
What now? Mercury!!
I mentioned how we had a hair elements test done on Grayson to determine, if we are dealing with a heavy metal toxicity. The results are very confusing to decipher, because it's not clear cut. Mercury "hides" out in tissues, organs and the brain so tests are often inconclusive of ACTUAL mercury unless the test is done shortly after your encounter with this nasty stuff! So what that means is the hair elements test tells us what is going on with the mineral transport in his body. If he is normal and shows high metals then it IS pretty cut and dry, the metal being noted is high. When the minerals are derranged, skewed....it is indicitive of past mercury poisoning which never left the body. Mercury pushes the elements all around and into the hair in varrying degrees. So the jist of his report shows high metals - copper, nickel, antimony, cobalt and zirconium, chances are these ARE actually high and need to be reduced. His low elements are - calcium, sodium, andadium, molybdenum, boron, strontium, and rubidium. The result? Probably that he cannot metabolize mercury and is holding it all in his little bitty body! Mercury is the most toxic substance on this planet and it is coursing through his veins, the very veins that feed his brain! No wonder things aren't checking out completely with his health!!
I have to say that I am somewhat relieved that we found mercury to be the problem and I must say that I expected it. Why would I be relieved that our son has mercury poisoning?? Well, because it also means there is a way to cure him. It means that the food allergies, the never ending yeast problems, the SPD, the behaviors....they all have a reason and a cure!! If it was just genetic, then there wouldn't be much we could do for him other than possibly medicate for symptoms like ADHD and OCD down the road. Instead, we are going to remove the metals, be it no easy feat, and we are going to put our son back on the track to healthy and normal, if there is such a thing, ha ha.
Chelation (key-lay-shun) is the method of removal. It can be a very long (like years) process and it involves plenty of supplements (yes MORE than he is already on, like SEVEN more) dosed 4 times a day and a metal removing agent dosed every 3 hours day and NIGHT! GULP!! The good news, if there is any during this process, is that we chelate for about 3 days on and at least that many or more off, so we do get a break....but, we repeat that process until he shows no additional benefit to the protocol. Like I mentioned earlier, that can be years. Only time will tell, there is no way to even guess so I will avoid having any expectations other than to work hard at getting him healthy.
Since he has high copper (copper is synergistic with mercury) and one of the chelating agents (ALA) drives copper higher during chelation, we need to focus on bringing that down a bit first. To do that, we will need to give him: taurine, milk thistle, molybdenum, zinc and possibly glycine four times a day. He needs to avoid high copper foods like shellfish, nuts and avocado...more foods to avoid, the list is getting longer. Then we will begin the process of chelation with DMSA and possibly ALA, if there are no reactions to either, and we will add in additional supplements: vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and mixed carotenoids all spread out about 4 doses daily since chelation can diminish antioxidants.
Soooo, wish us luck! Once we begin, I will keep you all posted. And who knew that when I began this blog that I would truly have something to post progress on besides just the diet. I am thrilled to have gotten to the bottom of it all, but weary of the process we plan to embark on. Mobilizing mercury into the blood stream is risky, but it's necessary.
I have to say that I am somewhat relieved that we found mercury to be the problem and I must say that I expected it. Why would I be relieved that our son has mercury poisoning?? Well, because it also means there is a way to cure him. It means that the food allergies, the never ending yeast problems, the SPD, the behaviors....they all have a reason and a cure!! If it was just genetic, then there wouldn't be much we could do for him other than possibly medicate for symptoms like ADHD and OCD down the road. Instead, we are going to remove the metals, be it no easy feat, and we are going to put our son back on the track to healthy and normal, if there is such a thing, ha ha.
Chelation (key-lay-shun) is the method of removal. It can be a very long (like years) process and it involves plenty of supplements (yes MORE than he is already on, like SEVEN more) dosed 4 times a day and a metal removing agent dosed every 3 hours day and NIGHT! GULP!! The good news, if there is any during this process, is that we chelate for about 3 days on and at least that many or more off, so we do get a break....but, we repeat that process until he shows no additional benefit to the protocol. Like I mentioned earlier, that can be years. Only time will tell, there is no way to even guess so I will avoid having any expectations other than to work hard at getting him healthy.
Since he has high copper (copper is synergistic with mercury) and one of the chelating agents (ALA) drives copper higher during chelation, we need to focus on bringing that down a bit first. To do that, we will need to give him: taurine, milk thistle, molybdenum, zinc and possibly glycine four times a day. He needs to avoid high copper foods like shellfish, nuts and avocado...more foods to avoid, the list is getting longer. Then we will begin the process of chelation with DMSA and possibly ALA, if there are no reactions to either, and we will add in additional supplements: vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and mixed carotenoids all spread out about 4 doses daily since chelation can diminish antioxidants.
Soooo, wish us luck! Once we begin, I will keep you all posted. And who knew that when I began this blog that I would truly have something to post progress on besides just the diet. I am thrilled to have gotten to the bottom of it all, but weary of the process we plan to embark on. Mobilizing mercury into the blood stream is risky, but it's necessary.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
It DOES get easier, promise
We have been doing this allergen-free diet for 5 months now and it is really starting to feel like second nature. It's so ingrained in me to flip over a new food and read (AND RECOGNIZE - YEAY) ingredients to avoid. I love that things are feeling normal to me, even as abnormal as they would be for many others. It goes to show you that stepping away from your comfort zone and pushing yourself beyond what you THINK you are capable of can force you to grow. What conjured up fears and anxiety just 5 short months ago, now feels like second nature. I couldn't even imagine things any other way! In fact, the other day, we considered letting Grayson eat some rice, since we know he did ok with a bit of rice flour in a GFCF brownie, but after a momentary pause by Dave and I....we said, "naaaah, why bother, we have so much else to offer him." Not to mention, the foods he eats on a regular basis now are healthier for him and they have shaped his current flavor palate, why interfere with that? Besides, if a kid gets a flavor of something s/he once craved (rice was not one of those for Grayson anyway) you are opening the door for new battles. He is so used to eating specific foods and every morning, he watches me eat wheat toast with coconut oil on top. He takes note, mentions that I am having toast that he can't have, and moves on like it's no big deal. He handles his limitations wonderfully and since we started this so early, I know we will never have problems with him feeling like he is missing out on something. We are learning to duplicate things that other kids can have, like cookies, muffins (he thinks they are cupcakes, he he he), frostings, and even some (although dense) breads! We are getting there and he is happy. Happy child = happy mommy!
I belong to the Yahoo GFCF group (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GFCFKids/) and am SO glad to be a part of such a diverse, knowledgeable, and caring group of people! I learn more through them than I learn anywhere else. I am thrilled to also be a part of a product trial with a member who is creating her own GFCF (and many more allergen-free) line of mixes. She mailed the sample boxes out two days ago and I am all but wringing my hands when the mail comes, hoping to find that gem of a box on my doorstep! I'm like a kid in a candy store waiting for the package, I can't wait to get started with a possible product that will be tasty for Grayson and easy for mommy! It will eliminate the need for always baking from scratch and I will give my left arm (I need my right) to anyone who can do this for us! I don't even know entirely what we will be testing, but I will be happy with anything. I will update when we have received it! I hope to have a great new product to recommend to you all. That same Yahoo member (Chef Amy, as I know her) provided our group with a list of GFCF candies to consider for Valentines Day and Easter, so I thought I would share it here:
Gluten/Casein-free candies
*Smarties are Gluten and Casein free and no chance of cross contamination of
GFCF made on their own line, and no soy. Smarties candy necklace may contain
Gluten, be careful.
*Skittles are GFCF
*Starburst are GFCF
*Tootsie Rolls - The only GFCF products are dots, cotton candy and double
bubble.
*These products all have casein in them, but are Gluten free:
Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Crows, Charms Jr Mints, Charleston Chews,
Cella's Andes, Sugar Babies, Sugar Daddy,
*The following is a list of U.S. Wrigley products that are free of any
wheat, oat, rye or barley gluten:
Wrigley's Spearmint® gum, Freedent® gum, Doublemint® gum, Extra®
gum, Big Red® gum, Eclipse® gum, Juicy Fruit® gum, Winterfresh® gum, Orbit® gum,
Orbit® White gum, Hubba Bubba® gum, Altoids® Sours, Altoids® Mints, Altoids®
Gum, Lifesavers® and Cremesavers®. All of these products are Dairy free except
for Cremesavers and Altoids with the dark chocolate, all the rest are Casein
free.
*Just Born, Mike and Ike's candy, Sours and Hot Tamales are Gluten and Casein
free.
All their products are casein free except for peanut chews and anything
with chocolate.
*Farley's & Sathers Candy Company - Heide®, Jujyfruits®, Now and Later®, Super
Bubble®, Rain-Blo®, Fruit Stripe®, Sweet Stripes®, Bobs®, Trolli®, and the
rights to sell Chuckles® under license.
Super bubble is GFCF. It may have egg in the product. Now and Later candy is
GFCF but could have egg in the product.
Juicy fruits in the theatre size is GF. Could have cross contamination
with milk, wheat, soy. Rainbow gum is GF.
*Wonka Inc -
Almost all of the current WONKA candies are gluten free, except the
WONKA® Bar. However, we strongly recommend that consumers always read the
ingredient statement for the most current information.
*If a WONKA product is certified Kosher, the certification mark will be on the
packaging label. Please look for an O with a U in it. If the
product contains dairy, there will be a D next to it.
*Buttons below to explore all the exciting flavors -
Wonka® Bottle Caps® The Soda Pop Candy®
Wonka® Gobstopper Everlasting GOBSTOPPER®
Chewy GOBSTOPPER®
Wonka® Runts Fruit RUNTS®
Chewy RUNTS®
Wonka® Laffy Taffy® LAFFY TAFFY®
Sparkle Jerry Cherry
Wonka® Laffy Taffy® Rope Candy LAFFY TAFFY® Banana Rope
Wonka® Lik-M-Aid® Fun Dip Original LIK-M-AID® FUN DIP
Wonka® Mixups® Assorted MIXUPS®
Chewy MIXUPS®
Sour MIXUPS®
Wonka® Nerds®
Wonka® Pixy Stix®
Wonka® SweeTARTS® Giant Chewy SweeTARTS
Giant Color Changing SweeTARTS
Mini Chewy SweeTARTS
SweeTARTS
SweeTARTS Gummy Bugs
Wonka® Shockers
Wonka® Tart 'N Tinys® TART 'N TINYS®
Chewy TART 'N TINYS®
I belong to the Yahoo GFCF group (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GFCFKids/) and am SO glad to be a part of such a diverse, knowledgeable, and caring group of people! I learn more through them than I learn anywhere else. I am thrilled to also be a part of a product trial with a member who is creating her own GFCF (and many more allergen-free) line of mixes. She mailed the sample boxes out two days ago and I am all but wringing my hands when the mail comes, hoping to find that gem of a box on my doorstep! I'm like a kid in a candy store waiting for the package, I can't wait to get started with a possible product that will be tasty for Grayson and easy for mommy! It will eliminate the need for always baking from scratch and I will give my left arm (I need my right) to anyone who can do this for us! I don't even know entirely what we will be testing, but I will be happy with anything. I will update when we have received it! I hope to have a great new product to recommend to you all. That same Yahoo member (Chef Amy, as I know her) provided our group with a list of GFCF candies to consider for Valentines Day and Easter, so I thought I would share it here:
Gluten/Casein-free candies
*Smarties are Gluten and Casein free and no chance of cross contamination of
GFCF made on their own line, and no soy. Smarties candy necklace may contain
Gluten, be careful.
*Skittles are GFCF
*Starburst are GFCF
*Tootsie Rolls - The only GFCF products are dots, cotton candy and double
bubble.
*These products all have casein in them, but are Gluten free:
Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Crows, Charms Jr Mints, Charleston Chews,
Cella's Andes, Sugar Babies, Sugar Daddy,
*The following is a list of U.S. Wrigley products that are free of any
wheat, oat, rye or barley gluten:
Wrigley's Spearmint® gum, Freedent® gum, Doublemint® gum, Extra®
gum, Big Red® gum, Eclipse® gum, Juicy Fruit® gum, Winterfresh® gum, Orbit® gum,
Orbit® White gum, Hubba Bubba® gum, Altoids® Sours, Altoids® Mints, Altoids®
Gum, Lifesavers® and Cremesavers®. All of these products are Dairy free except
for Cremesavers and Altoids with the dark chocolate, all the rest are Casein
free.
*Just Born, Mike and Ike's candy, Sours and Hot Tamales are Gluten and Casein
free.
All their products are casein free except for peanut chews and anything
with chocolate.
*Farley's & Sathers Candy Company - Heide®, Jujyfruits®, Now and Later®, Super
Bubble®, Rain-Blo®, Fruit Stripe®, Sweet Stripes®, Bobs®, Trolli®, and the
rights to sell Chuckles® under license.
Super bubble is GFCF. It may have egg in the product. Now and Later candy is
GFCF but could have egg in the product.
Juicy fruits in the theatre size is GF. Could have cross contamination
with milk, wheat, soy. Rainbow gum is GF.
*Wonka Inc -
Almost all of the current WONKA candies are gluten free, except the
WONKA® Bar. However, we strongly recommend that consumers always read the
ingredient statement for the most current information.
*If a WONKA product is certified Kosher, the certification mark will be on the
packaging label. Please look for an O with a U in it. If the
product contains dairy, there will be a D next to it.
*Buttons below to explore all the exciting flavors -
Wonka® Bottle Caps® The Soda Pop Candy®
Wonka® Gobstopper Everlasting GOBSTOPPER®
Chewy GOBSTOPPER®
Wonka® Runts Fruit RUNTS®
Chewy RUNTS®
Wonka® Laffy Taffy® LAFFY TAFFY®
Sparkle Jerry Cherry
Wonka® Laffy Taffy® Rope Candy LAFFY TAFFY® Banana Rope
Wonka® Lik-M-Aid® Fun Dip Original LIK-M-AID® FUN DIP
Wonka® Mixups® Assorted MIXUPS®
Chewy MIXUPS®
Sour MIXUPS®
Wonka® Nerds®
Wonka® Pixy Stix®
Wonka® SweeTARTS® Giant Chewy SweeTARTS
Giant Color Changing SweeTARTS
Mini Chewy SweeTARTS
SweeTARTS
SweeTARTS Gummy Bugs
Wonka® Shockers
Wonka® Tart 'N Tinys® TART 'N TINYS®
Chewy TART 'N TINYS®
Thursday, January 22, 2009
"FAST" food...huh?
Conjures up thoughts of speeding through a drive through window while the kids scream in the back, because you were at the grocery store, or TJ Maxx for entirely too long, right? WRONG! For those of you who share in the experience of diets like ours, you know that couldn't be further from the truth!
To me, fast foods are the kind that don't require open flour-covered cookbooks, measuring cups and spoons, and hoards of ingredients in my peripheral vision. It's anything that can be heated up quickly without having to do much more than hit one button on the toaster oven, YEAH - that's what I'm talking about!
I have been getting creative with quick and fun. Anything that is being tried for the first time requires even more creativity. How do we get him to eat such variety? The way we take the attention off of "WHAT" is being served is by putting the attention on "HOW" it's being served. I make smiley faces, I shred or cut veggies into strips for hair, make eyes, a nose and a big smiley face! Works EVERY time. He also likes dips, so anything new placed next to a familiar dip gets approval too. Don't underestimate the power of HELP. Kids love to help cook, so give them a job, something that makes them feel proud and part of the project, they are more likely to eat something they just prepared themselves. I know what you are thinking, yes, it will take you a tad longer to get through preparation, but if you are batch cooking, you are only doing this once in a while and what is better than a kid who is happy, feels confident and helpful and gets some one-on-one mommy time all while making a great meal?? My little guy smells herbs, stirs batters, dumbs ingredients, "chops", gets me utensils and measuring cups, helps clean up, taste tests (best job, of course) and he gets very into it! I also make a big deal out of his "chef"ness, ha ha ha. Whenever he eats something he likes now, he says, "Mommy, you are a good chef!" ha ha ha KIDS! Gotta love 'em! I eat up this attention, because I know in just 10 very short years, he will be more interested in girls, friends and hobbies than his mommy. Take advantage of this time you have together, it's short lived and SO precious!
Here are some of my "fast" food ideas and keep in mind that this often requires bulk prep initially, but that can be done once in a while and then I freeze the rest for easy defrosting and/or toasting.
Teeny-weeny meatballs - I use ground turkey (you can use any ground meat, even combine multiple meats), and in place of egg and bread crumbs, I use quinoa flakes and water, then I spice them the way he likes (lots of garlic and sea salt, some cilantro which is a natural metal-mover). I make these bite sized, he loves eating anything round and small and with a toothpick! EASY PEASY! Freeze them up and serve them fast! These can be eaten alone, made into a meatball sandwich, put into pastas and rices, etc.
Chicken strips - This simple recipe involves just pounding chicken breasts thin, slicing them into strips, spicing and cooking. I under cook them just slightly so they don't dry out when being reheated, but they heat up so easily in a toaster oven.
Believe it or not, pancakes and waffles are a HUGE favorite for any meal of the day. You can top them with whatever you like, even turn them into peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since bread is a no-no on this diet. We just batch cook double-batches and freeze with wax paper between each one. They are easily transportable for hitting the road in a hurry or they can be elaborate and fun with smashed raspberries and honey on top....you decide.
Muffins - These kid-favorites can be "fortified" with veggie purees of all kinds! Get creative and offer a lunch-muffin. You can toast or not and offer a spread or not. Your kids will think they are the luckiest kids in the world, afterall, who in their right mind offers their kids muffins for lunch?! he he he, sneaky! I don't know who is happier here, kiddo or mom. Another great freeze and heat idea.
Pesto - I like to make various style pestos then I store the extra in small containers in the freezer. These are good as quick pasta sauces (we reheat already cooked pasta with an oil based pesto in a pan right on the stove), spreads for sandwiches, use as a base for grain dishes. I like any combination of cilantro, basil, nuts, and green leafy veggies with tons of garlic (a natural antiviral, antiseptic, anti fungal, antioxidant), blend them in a blender and store. It's that simple!
Breaded fish bites - but not with bread! We use corn chips or cereal flakes that are safe for Grayson, I smash them to pieces, literally, and add spices and a little flour (amaranth or quinoa for added protein)...then use almond milk and a touch of arrowroot starch to bind the flakes to the chicken. We prepare these in bulk, as well. Salmon is a favorite of Graysons. He dips it into his favorite honey mustard dressing. Be sure to choose low-mercury fish like salmon, cod, tilapia, etc.
Turkey/ham/chicken wrapped avocado - This recipe offers the use of toothpicks AND dip, what kid could want more?? I take Applegate Farms sliced uncured deli meats and brown them quickly in a pan on the stove so they are almost crispy like bacon (some kids may like this cold, but mine likes everything cooked apparently), then wrap it around a slice of avocado, cut them into bite sized chunks, stick a pick in them, they are done! Choose any dip you like, we use honey mustard. This isn't a recipe you would freeze, of course.
Those were the main dish ideas, here are some side/snacky ideas:
Crunchy chick peas - these bite-sized balls are a hit here! Just take garbanzo beans (we use canned and just rinse them) toss them in an oil of choice and spices (again, the garlic and sea salt is a favorite, but we also do a sweet version) then bake them on 350 degrees for 50 min, YES that is 5-0. They will get crispy and rattle around. Who needs potato chips when you can have the protein boost of these tasty, portable bits! Toss them in a snack baggie for a snack on the road! Add them to your own "trail mixes" with nuts, raisins, GFCF chocolate chips, seeds....get the point?
Salads - Any left over grain side can be used to make a cold salad during the day just by adding dressing! Veggies and grain stir fry = ensalada! We also use green salads a LOT, I chop them up small (kitchen shears rock!) with all of his favorite veggies, plus a chopped up piece of pear and then he can scoop it up with a spoon, no fighting with big annoying leaves! Remember to top your salads with nuts or seeds (providing you can have them, of course!), in fact, walnuts offer much needed Omega-3's.
Sweet potato fries - Everyone loves fries, need I say more? I have a recipe for a zesty topping that you brush on before the last 5-10 min of baking (switch to broil and put them in the middle of the oven and WATCH them, they burn fast) Here is the list of ingredients, you toss them together in a sauce pan, bring to a boil over medium heat then simmer and cook for about 10 more min while the potatoes are baking in the oven (skin-side down wedges) on 350:
Honey garlic sweet potato wedges
1/3 cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup
1/3 cup GF Soy sauce (or Braqq's Liquid Aminos)
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp each finely grated lime zest and lime juice (Grayson can’t have this - we use citric acid instead)
6 cloves garlic, minced
To me, fast foods are the kind that don't require open flour-covered cookbooks, measuring cups and spoons, and hoards of ingredients in my peripheral vision. It's anything that can be heated up quickly without having to do much more than hit one button on the toaster oven, YEAH - that's what I'm talking about!
I have been getting creative with quick and fun. Anything that is being tried for the first time requires even more creativity. How do we get him to eat such variety? The way we take the attention off of "WHAT" is being served is by putting the attention on "HOW" it's being served. I make smiley faces, I shred or cut veggies into strips for hair, make eyes, a nose and a big smiley face! Works EVERY time. He also likes dips, so anything new placed next to a familiar dip gets approval too. Don't underestimate the power of HELP. Kids love to help cook, so give them a job, something that makes them feel proud and part of the project, they are more likely to eat something they just prepared themselves. I know what you are thinking, yes, it will take you a tad longer to get through preparation, but if you are batch cooking, you are only doing this once in a while and what is better than a kid who is happy, feels confident and helpful and gets some one-on-one mommy time all while making a great meal?? My little guy smells herbs, stirs batters, dumbs ingredients, "chops", gets me utensils and measuring cups, helps clean up, taste tests (best job, of course) and he gets very into it! I also make a big deal out of his "chef"ness, ha ha ha. Whenever he eats something he likes now, he says, "Mommy, you are a good chef!" ha ha ha KIDS! Gotta love 'em! I eat up this attention, because I know in just 10 very short years, he will be more interested in girls, friends and hobbies than his mommy. Take advantage of this time you have together, it's short lived and SO precious!
Here are some of my "fast" food ideas and keep in mind that this often requires bulk prep initially, but that can be done once in a while and then I freeze the rest for easy defrosting and/or toasting.
Teeny-weeny meatballs - I use ground turkey (you can use any ground meat, even combine multiple meats), and in place of egg and bread crumbs, I use quinoa flakes and water, then I spice them the way he likes (lots of garlic and sea salt, some cilantro which is a natural metal-mover). I make these bite sized, he loves eating anything round and small and with a toothpick! EASY PEASY! Freeze them up and serve them fast! These can be eaten alone, made into a meatball sandwich, put into pastas and rices, etc.
Chicken strips - This simple recipe involves just pounding chicken breasts thin, slicing them into strips, spicing and cooking. I under cook them just slightly so they don't dry out when being reheated, but they heat up so easily in a toaster oven.
Believe it or not, pancakes and waffles are a HUGE favorite for any meal of the day. You can top them with whatever you like, even turn them into peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since bread is a no-no on this diet. We just batch cook double-batches and freeze with wax paper between each one. They are easily transportable for hitting the road in a hurry or they can be elaborate and fun with smashed raspberries and honey on top....you decide.
Muffins - These kid-favorites can be "fortified" with veggie purees of all kinds! Get creative and offer a lunch-muffin. You can toast or not and offer a spread or not. Your kids will think they are the luckiest kids in the world, afterall, who in their right mind offers their kids muffins for lunch?! he he he, sneaky! I don't know who is happier here, kiddo or mom. Another great freeze and heat idea.
Pesto - I like to make various style pestos then I store the extra in small containers in the freezer. These are good as quick pasta sauces (we reheat already cooked pasta with an oil based pesto in a pan right on the stove), spreads for sandwiches, use as a base for grain dishes. I like any combination of cilantro, basil, nuts, and green leafy veggies with tons of garlic (a natural antiviral, antiseptic, anti fungal, antioxidant), blend them in a blender and store. It's that simple!
Breaded fish bites - but not with bread! We use corn chips or cereal flakes that are safe for Grayson, I smash them to pieces, literally, and add spices and a little flour (amaranth or quinoa for added protein)...then use almond milk and a touch of arrowroot starch to bind the flakes to the chicken. We prepare these in bulk, as well. Salmon is a favorite of Graysons. He dips it into his favorite honey mustard dressing. Be sure to choose low-mercury fish like salmon, cod, tilapia, etc.
Turkey/ham/chicken wrapped avocado - This recipe offers the use of toothpicks AND dip, what kid could want more?? I take Applegate Farms sliced uncured deli meats and brown them quickly in a pan on the stove so they are almost crispy like bacon (some kids may like this cold, but mine likes everything cooked apparently), then wrap it around a slice of avocado, cut them into bite sized chunks, stick a pick in them, they are done! Choose any dip you like, we use honey mustard. This isn't a recipe you would freeze, of course.
Those were the main dish ideas, here are some side/snacky ideas:
Crunchy chick peas - these bite-sized balls are a hit here! Just take garbanzo beans (we use canned and just rinse them) toss them in an oil of choice and spices (again, the garlic and sea salt is a favorite, but we also do a sweet version) then bake them on 350 degrees for 50 min, YES that is 5-0. They will get crispy and rattle around. Who needs potato chips when you can have the protein boost of these tasty, portable bits! Toss them in a snack baggie for a snack on the road! Add them to your own "trail mixes" with nuts, raisins, GFCF chocolate chips, seeds....get the point?
Salads - Any left over grain side can be used to make a cold salad during the day just by adding dressing! Veggies and grain stir fry = ensalada! We also use green salads a LOT, I chop them up small (kitchen shears rock!) with all of his favorite veggies, plus a chopped up piece of pear and then he can scoop it up with a spoon, no fighting with big annoying leaves! Remember to top your salads with nuts or seeds (providing you can have them, of course!), in fact, walnuts offer much needed Omega-3's.
Sweet potato fries - Everyone loves fries, need I say more? I have a recipe for a zesty topping that you brush on before the last 5-10 min of baking (switch to broil and put them in the middle of the oven and WATCH them, they burn fast) Here is the list of ingredients, you toss them together in a sauce pan, bring to a boil over medium heat then simmer and cook for about 10 more min while the potatoes are baking in the oven (skin-side down wedges) on 350:
Honey garlic sweet potato wedges
1/3 cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup
1/3 cup GF Soy sauce (or Braqq's Liquid Aminos)
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp each finely grated lime zest and lime juice (Grayson can’t have this - we use citric acid instead)
6 cloves garlic, minced
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