Surgery tomorrow..............

Well, friends I'm signing off here for awhile. I have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning for my surgery. After years of being misdiagnosed with stomach issues, doctors had always told me it was nerves, depression or stress causing my stomach issues......well they were wrong. So now I have to have part or all of my colon removed. They will decided once they get in there and get a better look at things.

The one nice thing out of all this was when I had a doctor that saw my CT scan tell me that he was very sorry that I had suffered for so many years. I told him "Oh, so it's not really all in my head?" And he told me that he could see from the CT scan that it was definitely not all in my head. Another specialist had a good laugh when I told him that I was told I was depressed and that was causing my stomach issues. He said with much sarcasm in his voice "Well having chronic diarrhea many times a day for years might make a person a touch depressed." lol. The doctors also apologized for me being one of those "medical mishaps" as they call it. Where someone slips through the system and is not treated correctly. Glad there is a name for this.......lol. As our Pastor always says "Doctors practice medicine." It's all just practice........EEEKKK!!!

Fear not if things don't go well and I end up in Glory. I know that Jesus has gone before me to prepare a place for me, John chapter 14 verse 3. The book of 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 6 says "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:" 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 55 says "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Do you have this same view of your own future death? Or do you fear death? Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can remove this fear. To find out more ask me or go to NeedHim.org or call 1-888-NEED-HIM.

Love ya all,
Moe
p.s. I'm not even worried about our homeschool. We have gotten all the 4-H books out and plan to have our son read over those, sketch out his projects for the year and stuff like that. Lots of reading, cooking and enjoying time with his 80+ year old Grandpa. He plans to set up a tent in Granpa's dining room and camping out for the week.

FREE Kindle books for boys

G.A. Henty Books are now available through Amazon.com

There are many books by G. A. Henty. Search under G.A. Henty in the Kindle store.
These books are recommend by Vision Forum and we LOVE them!! More great literature for our boys.

Moe

Proud Mommy Moment!

 

Our team got awards in the following categories:

 

Programming: clear, concise & reusable code & consistently performs.

Strategy & Innovation: solid engineering practices, well developed strategy to design & build, high performing robot.

Gracious Professionalism: show each other and other teams respect at all times & recognize both friendly competition & mutual gain.

They also had the only robot that talked.

Their robot was a line painter, it followed lines and was built to paint lines straight on roadways.

 

Thanks for letting me share my proud Mommy moment  :O)

Moe

RECALL!! Gluten Free product RECALL!!

Applegate allergen alert recall
Applegate Naturals Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets Recall
Please check for any products in your freezer that may be affected. I've included a link with more information.

Moe

2 FREE Kindle Books for Gluten Free foods

Enjoy!!

33 Simple Gluten-Free Lunches

A Gluten Free Thanksgiving

Moe

Gluten Free Class Tonight & A Slight Glitch!

Well I had the privilege of spending an evening with an awesome group of people!! It was sad to see how many had suffered and doctors did not seem to be helpful for them. Hoping that each came away with some encouragement that they are not alone in this. Though at times it does feel very lonesome.

 

 As for the glitch, I had planned to make Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crusts and when I opened my box from Amazon.com.....lol, I saw flour inside the outer box, I lifted out the 4 pack of pizza crust mix and the bottom of the case was broke open. All the bags had some how popped open and were spilled all over. I'm thinking that in shipping a heavy box got put on top of it and the weight popped the bags open. It was a mess just as we were leaving to head to the class. Called Amazon.com and they shipping 2 new cases overnight to me.......yeah for a company with EXCELLENT customer service!!!!

 

Moe





Gluten Free Cooking TV Show TODAY

I am pretty excited about being on the CI Living TV show this afternoon doing a gluten free segment. I will post a link to the program tonight. I have a lot of fun things planned and have a Super Bowl Sunday Gluten Free Party theme going for the show. I am also going to be promoting some gluten free cooking classes that I will be teaching in the coming days. I am very thankful for the goodies that Hodgson Mill, Good Naber Specialty Foods, BetterBatter.org and Living Without magazine provided. They all sent samples, coupons and a copy of the Living Without magazine. BetterBatter.org and Hodgson Mill sent me full size products to play with in class too!! YIPPEE!! Thank you everyone for helping teach others about Gluten Free and how you can live well, while living without gluten.

 

 





Have a wonderful day!
Moe

I Can ____________ in 2013!

Well 2013 is upon us and in thinking about how 2012 went, I need a word to help me get through this new year!  My word for the 2013 year is CAN.

 



• I am going to think of all the things that I CAN do to improve my health.
• Think on things that I CAN eat (that is hard to do with numerous food allergies).
• On the bad days, how CAN I make it better?
• On the good days what CAN I do?
• How CAN I impart wisdom and knowledge into my only child?

I'm pretty excited about this list and CAN hardly wait to add more to it!
CAN you help me?

Happy New Year,
Moe

My Favorite Gluten Free Recipes from 2012

Here is a run down of my favorite recipes that I've made in 2012, thought this might be helpful to those planning Super Bowl Sunday Parties!!  Lots of easy snacks for us to enjoy and bring to parties. No one will ever guess these are gluten free!
ENJOY!
   
Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets/Chicken Wraps

Use the directions on the back of the Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix box for Fried Vegetables with one change, cook until the chicken is done.

Ingredients

5 Tbls. Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix

1 egg

2 Tbls water

extra Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix (to dredge meat in)

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut up into nugget pieces or into strips for Chicken Wraps

gluten free oil for frying

Make batter by mixing 5 Tbls of Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix with egg, then add water and stir. Dip chicken into batter and then roll in dry Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix. Place in hot oil and fry for 3-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165. Drain and serve hot or let cool and freeze for quick and easy meals.

For Chicken Wraps, use large washed lettuce leaves to wrap chicken strips in, add gluten free toppings to your liking (cheese, salsa, mayo etc). Wrap lettuce around chicken and serve.

 Country White Gravy

back of the Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix box

This is so wonderful to dip the gluten free Chicken Nuggets in, reminds me of the good old days of gluten eating at DQ Chicken Strip Baskets! lol.......

2 Tbls butter (or non dairy margarine)

2 Tbls Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix

1 cup milk (reg, soy, almond)

Melt butter in skillet and then add seasoned coating mix, stir until smooth. Blend in milk and simmer and stir until the gravy is desired thickness.

Gluten Free Fried Mushrooms

Use the directions on the back of the Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix box for Fried Vegetables.

Ingredients

5 Tbls. Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix

1 egg

2 Tbls water

extra Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix (to dredge veggies in)

gluten free oil for frying

White button mushrooms or you could use zucchini, okra, eggplant, onions, cauliflower, green tomatoes, broccoli, chunks of cheese (be careful as cheese likes to melt in the oil, but they still taste good!)

Make batter by mixing 5 Tbls of Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix with egg, then add water and stir. Dip veggies into batter and then roll in dry Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Seasoned Coating Mix. Place in hot oil and fry for 2 minutes or until browned. Serve hot, these do not freeze well as they turn soggy. My guys do like the leftovers cold for breakfast.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Preheat oven to 350.

Ingredients

2 eggs

2 cups peanut butter (I use natural peanut butter)

2 cups sugar

2 Tbls gluten free Vanilla (the more the better!)

If using natural peanut butter, add it first to the mixer and get the oil all mixed in, other wise if using regular peanut butter just add everything at once.

Mix all together and spoon out on to cookie sheet. I use my small cookie scooper, then using a fork mash the cookie down and sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake 8-10. Freeze, these are so good right out of the freezer!

Makes about 2 dozen large cookies and tons more if you make them smaller

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Using the above recipe add Gluten Free Chocolate Kisses (use dairy free if needed) to each cookie after they come out of the oven and let cool.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Using the above recipe add a bag of Gluten Free Chocolate chips to the mix. (use dairy free chips if needed).

 Gluten Free Pizzelle Cookies
These are from the EZ Gluten Free blog but I have tweaked the recipe a bit below. These are so yummy and easy!! Head on over to the EZ Gluten Free's blog for step by step video instructions for making Pizzelle cookies, she has some tasty suggestions in the video too.

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups gluten free Bisquick

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup butter, melted (I used dairy free)

2 tbsp of gluten free vanilla extract

 

Add the vanilla to the melted butter and set aside. Whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined.

Add the melted butter and vanilla in a slow steady stream while continuing to whisk until well blended.

Add the Bisquick and using a rubber spatula stir everything together until just combined but don’t over mix.

Pizzelle Presses are all different so follow the instructions that come with your particular machine. Bake them on the grids for the length of time needed to achieve your preferred level of darkness. I like them a bit darker as they seem to have a caramel flavor to them.

 
   Gluten Free Chocolate Dipped Pizzelle Cookies

Melt gluten free chocolate, roll up hot Pizzelle Cookies and dip in chocolate, lay on plate in freezer to allow chocolate to harden.

Gluten Free Bacon Wrapped Olives

 Ingredients

24 pimento stuffed green olives with liquid drained.

6 slices of raw gluten free bacon

24 toothpicks

Heat oven to 450 or use your broiler.

Cut each bacon slice into 4 pieces, wrap each piece around an olive and spear with toothpick. Place on cookie sheet with sides (to catch grease). Bake for 5 or more minutes, until bacon is crisp and done. It depends on the type of bacon and the thickness.  Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Gluten Free Meringue Cookies

Ingredients

2 egg whites
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp gluten free vanilla
3/4 c sugar

Preheat oven to 300.
Put parchment paper on cookie sheet.
Beat egg whites, salt and vanilla until VERY firm, this took about 12 minutes with my old cheap mixer and about 4 min with my KitchenAid.  Gradually add sugar and mix. Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake for 25 min. They should be lightly brown. Cool on rack.
Sometimes if I have the time I will fill a cake decorater bag with the cookie mix and use a star tip to make fancy looking cookies. But they taste just as good when they are made using a teaspoon. Makes any where from 2 dozen or more cookies, depending on the size you make.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies

Using the above recipe fold in 1 cup of gluten free mini chocolate chips (use dairy free if needed).

Hope you enjoy these recipes. Let me know what you think of them.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Moe
 

New Year ~ New Ideas

The NEW YEAR can be full of new ideas for your homeschool!!

I have been given permission to share these ideas with you from Mary Beth a fellow homeschooling mom, she says that the first 3 ideas came from Chris Davis of Home School Marketplace, but the rest are her own. Long before I read Mary Beth's list I had come up with a similar listing for our homeschool and it's helped me through the years to revisit the list to make sure we are on target.
Mary Beth was answering the following question.

What curriculum do you like best and why?

1. What things did you do or learn in school that have served you well
in your adult life? (Be sure to include them in your curriculum.)

2. What things did you do or learn in school that have proven to have
been a waste of time? (Don't bother with these.)

3. What do you wish someone had taught you? (Be sure to include them.)

4. There is a reason God put these children in your home. What do you
suppose He has in mind for them that you and only you can equip them
for? (This is why your homeschool shouldn't look like everybody
else's.)

5. Imagine that you have a daughter. What kind of man would you want
her to marry? How can you raise your boys to be that type of man?
Think ahead to the day your child leaves home, whether it be for
marriage, college, work, or missions. Answer the following questions:

6. What skills, values, character qualities and faith foundations do
you want your child to have in order for you to be confident that he
is ready to face the world on his own? What can you do now to take
steps toward those goals?

7. What do you not want to regret when your children leave home?
If you look over these lists, you will see that you are well on your
way to a custom-designed curriculum for your family.

We can have a fresh start right now, if things are not working, think about how you can get things working.
How are you going to change things up in your homeschool this new year?

Moe