After the long hiatus…

Looking forward again
Looking forward again

What has happened? It’s been almost 2 years since I last posted anything about our journey…really? Two? Yep. I had to double check. Since then, surprise baby number 5 has become a rampaging toddler and mess-maker extraordinaire, breaking all of his siblings’ records for getting into things.

Along with managing my 5 little monkeys, I have stepped into the children’s ministry director position at our church, sent my beautiful girls to public school, and as of December have left the open fields surrounding our small rental to buy our first home less than a mile away and enjoy a fenced-in backyard in town. Jackson loves it and made the adjustment amazingly and gleefully. But he misses his favorite “tall trees” as well as our dear friends who live there. We follow the tree tops and visit when we can. Continue reading “After the long hiatus…”

Head-Banging Isn’t Fun


About a month ago, Jackson started hitting his head again. He hasn’t done that since his “catatonic stage” when he first showed signs of withdrawing and regression, pre-GFCF diet. The bumper of the van, the corner of the dresser, every doorpost in the house planted their mark in the middle of his forehead, and before long, the school was sending notes home asking about the giant purple bruise on his head. We, of course, were disturbed by this self-injurious behavior and interrupted the head-banging as soon as possible, but after one or two hits, Jackson looked like the loser in a boxing match. Continue reading “Head-Banging Isn’t Fun”

Saturday morning GFCF waffles


We’re up at 6 am on this fine, Saturday morning! Jack has rejected my offer of a GFCF nut and fruit protein bar, so I guess it’s almost time to get off the computer and make our traditional Saturday morning fare: waffles.

Waffles have become an almost every day staple. I make a big batch and throw them in the freezer so I can pop them in the toaster and have a super quick, easy breakfast or snack for Jackson.

I have played with this recipe a ton using all different combinations of flours including nut, ground seeds, rice, corn, potato, amaranth, in addition to the ones listed below. I’ve tried all different kinds of milk and eggs substitutes too including homemade almond milk, ground flax seed. I usually wait a bit before throwing it on the waffle griddle and adjust the wet ingredients as needed since some of the flours absorb more liquid than others. Waffles are great for people wanting to try alternating flours to avoid developing food sensitivities.

These are great for hiding some of the fruit and veggies Jackson won’t eat by themselves like squash, sweet potato, fruit puree or sauce, and pumpkin. I think they improve the taste and texture too!

GFCF Waffles
1 c. Garfava bean flour
1/4 c. corn starch or potato starch
1/4 c. rice or tapioca flour
1/4 c. Quinoa flour
1/4 c. ground flax seed
1 TBS sugar or 1/2 c. fruit to sweeten
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs, beaten
1/4 c. canola oil
1 c. almond, soy, or rice milk
1/2 c. pumpkin puree, apple sauce, or one banana

Pour batter into waffle iron or on griddle as pancakes! Cook to desired crispness! Enjoy!

I’ve always wanted to be a science researcher, so my kitchen has become my lab. Some experiments turn out, and some don’t go over so well…but my waffle iron has become one of my most valuable pieces of lab equipment! Soooo…happy experimenting! Please post a comment if you come up with a good combination!

By the way, we’ve just launched another website, AutismInterventions.org, to demonstrate to other parents what we’re doing with Jackson. It will be less bloggy and more broad, aimed at giving parents of autistic kids practical ideas to help them communicate. We’re working with the experts at Jackson’s school to put together an Early Intervention eBook to sell on that site as well. All in all, we’re excited. So check out the site and sign up for the newsletter if you get a chance. Thanks!

Bread: the last GFCF stronghold

You cannot be born into this family and not be able to eat bread. Bread has been one of the hardest delights for Jackson to let go of. I enjoy making homemade cheesy breadsticks, tear off bread, monkey bread, muffins…yeah…now my mouth is watering. Since Jack has been on the GFCF (Gluten Free Casein Free) diet, though, I haven’t wanted to torture him with the rapturous smells of fresh baked goods he will not be allowed to taste–unless he happens to fish some leftover crumbs out of the trash, swipe them from his brother’s highchair tray, or lick them off the floor. Bread seems a little cruel. And the $5 GFCF breads I’ve bought so far have all ended up crumbled on the plate as Jackson licks the peanut butter off the undesired slices or moldy because I forgot to stick them in the freezer or freezer burned because I forgot to take them out. Continue reading “Bread: the last GFCF stronghold”