I hate Cancer.

It's official. I hate cancer. It really is the pits and it's nondiscriminatory. That's what I hate most about it. No one's in the clear. When my softball coach, Hugh died of cancer, it stunk, but he chewed tobacco forever. When my grandma died of cancer, we weren't surprised because she smoked for over 60 years. They are such bummers, but I could see them coming.
When my dad had cancer the first time, it blew my whole family out of the water. He truly is our rock. And I mean it....solid, quiet, unmoving, always there. That's him. We weren't suprised when he totally kicked cancer's butt the first time. That's what he does. But its a huge bummer that it's back. Why can't cancer just leave us alone. The jerk!
But, I will say this. He will totally win again. I have no doubt. He received a Priesthood blessing from our friend, Rick Kinoshita. He was told his body would be made whole and would come through with little ill effect. When I heard that I just lost it. I have faith in the will of our Heavenly Father. I know that he loves us more than we can imagine. If it was my dad's time to go, I know it would have been okay. The lord takes care of us that way. But, I am so glad my dad gets to fight and, I'm sure, win.
I hope cancer gets the message this time and decides to stay away from the whole Berg family.

Gluten Free Banana Muffins

This is for my sister, Charity, who's son Wyatt is pretty sensitive to gluten. They have had quite a journey with this little guy. We've had different paths but taken the same approach.
This banana muffin recipe is one my sister, Kate, adapted from one that my mom adapted from our neighbor of 30+ years. The Webster's home was a haven for me. It was nice and quiet. Mary seemed always around and so kind.
I always start with the wet ingredients:
6-8 bananas smashed
3 eggs (I have been using Shelf Reliance egg powder with great results)
1/2 cup oil
1 t vanilla
I add the dry and mix after all is in:
3 cups of gluten free flours (I use 1 cup of each; buckwheat, soy and tapioca.)
1 c white sugar
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda (my sister Kate omits this and it turns out find, I'm not brave enough, yet.)
1 pkg vanilla pudding mix
Mix to just combined. Don't overmix, it ruins fluffiness.
Add 3 cups whole oats and 1 cup chocolate chips. Stir to just combined.
Drop spoonfuls in greased muffin tins.
Bake 18-20 minutes @ 375. If using mini muffins (my kids looooove), 12 minutes.
I just made these last week and I used chocolate pudding instead of vanilla, worked great. Like a dessert.

Worst of Enemies, Best of Friends

This was a long day with these boys. They fight so much but are fiercely protective of each other. It warmed my heart to see this sign of friendship with each other. Kids are so nice when they're asleep.

What a Woman Wants Expo

I did an expo in April in Orem. Heidi Johnson is the cute blonde who worked with me for the afternoon. It was a fun time. A great chance to talk about Shelf Reliance and learn about food storage from so many experts out there. I hope to become one.

Gluten Free Pancakes

These pictures are of the gluten free pancakes that I gave the recipe for in March. I added frozen blueberries and always add a mashed up banana. They are fabulous. They are fluffy and brown just like regular pancakes.

Bridge Builders

My mom and dad came from extremely difficult, impoverished upbringings. They suffered abuse, cruelty, my dad hunger and cold. These two young kids from backwoods found each other, found the gospel of Jesus Christ and raised a loving, intact family. I have always been sure that before we came to this Earth my parents stepped up and said they would bring us all together, my folks, my brothers and sisters and now more than 20 grandkids.
For Mother's Day, I shared how I felt about my mom. I am thankful for her love of animals, her optimism, her kindness, her intelligence, her love of music, her thoughts on alternative medicine, her green thumb, her cinnamon rolls and regular rolls, her love of my dad and her love of Christ. I expressed my gratitude for her bringing the gospel to all our lives. This morning when I read this poem I thought how aptly this sums up my feelings for my parents.

The Bridge Builder

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side

And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,

"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide --
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pit-fall be,
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

Will Allen Dromgoole

I love you guys. Thanks for everything.

Normandy's Prayer

I am so grateful that my family has developed the habit of daily scripture study and family prayer. It never fails that when I'm finding it hard to find strength that one of my kids inspires me. Today in her prayer Normandy said, "We're thankful for parents so that we can learn from their mistakes." Nothing gets past these guys.
Most times I feel like I could be such a better parent but I know this is exactly what I should be doing and I'm grateful for this opportunity to raise these kids.

Hood River

We are home visiting the Hood. This is the view from my parent's back yard. It truly is amazing.
We are home visiting my parents. The kids and I are staying in the house I grew up in. It is so nice to be home. I loved attending church yesterday. It felt like putting on an old sweatshirt. I am so grateful for the folks in Hood River. When my family was struggling and tired, we came to Hood River reluctantly. We were greeting with open arms. We were loved and taken care of. We healed here. I am so amazed that these folks who really knew me (some since birth) still loved me, warts and all.
It is bittersweet because we know we will leave soon. But we will try to soak in all the HR loveliness that we can before heading back to Zion.

Fearless Thou Shalt Be

Fearless, Thou Shalt Be 

 

In the wake of yawning decadence,
In the arms of dreadful pestilence
In the eyes of hopeless impudence,
Fearless Thou shalt be!
When the time is ripe to cast the sword
When the time is prime to spread the word,
When evil’s ugly head is reared,
Fearless Thou shalt be!
When it’s time to do the best things right,
When it’s time to hold your stance and fight
When you don’t look back to dread your plight,
Fearless Thou shalt be!
When evil’s deed is unvanquished
When all good seems to have perished
When good almighty’s left ravished
Fearless Thou shalt be!
For darkness comes before the light
Victory comes as the hero’s right
Tarry not, Stand up and fight!
Fearless Thou shalt be!

Pineapple Fried Rice

When you are living a gluten-free lifestyle, it's hard to find places to go out to eat. I found that even dishes that I assumed were safe would cause a reaction in Cash or Trav. I also found that I would take my whole family out to eat, spend $40-50, referee the whole time, waste tons of food and come away saying let's never do that again. Here is a dish that is gluten-free and tastes like a restaurant would serve. It's also cheap and easy to make. Enjoy!

• Pineapple Fried Rice

  8	oz pineapple chunks, drained or fresh (I actually like canned better for this dish)
  3	cups cooked rice (keep it on the dry side)
  1/2	cup onions, thinly sliced
  3	cloves garlic, finely chopped
  1/2	can of diced green chilis
  1	egg
  1	can of peas or 12 oz frozen
  1	small carrot, grated (about 1/4 cup)
  1/4	cup raisins
  1/2	cup raw cashews
  3	scallions, finely sliced
  1/3	cup fresh cilantro
  2	tbsp fish sauce
  2	tsp. curry powder

  Directions
  1. Drizzle 1-2 Tbsp. oil in a wok/large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, and chili, cook for about a minute.
  2. Spread veggies to sides of pan. Crack egg in middle of  wok and stir quickly to cook (like making scrambled eggs).
  3. 1. 1. 1. 1. Add the carrot (if using), peas, cashews. Stir-fry 1 minute in the same way, adding more stock if needed.
  4. Now add the rice, pineapple chunks, and raisins. Add the fish/soy sauce and  curry powder and mix well. Gently stir-fry to combine over medium-high to high heat until the rice "dances" (begins to make popping sounds) - about 3 minutes.
  5. Top with cilantro and green onions.
     
     

Gluten Free Bread

This is the loaf that I just pulled out of the oven. Can you believe gluten free bread that turns out so high? I had to raise the upper rack because the loaf raised so much. This is from the recipe that I posted in March. I used tapioca flour, soy flour and cornstarch. All bought at Winco in their bulk section. I also used Shelf Reliance powdered milk. I'm super excited for Cash to see this. He has been asking for days for Gluten-Free bread. Yay!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

1/2  c hot water
1/2 c cocoa powder
1/2 c softened butter
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2/3 c each of 3 different gf flours
1 large package chocolate pudding
1 1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c milk (your choice)
1 T vinegar
Mix water and cocoa and set aside. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and beat all together. Add cocoa mix and vanilla and blend. Add dry ingredients. Mix. Add milk and vinegar and mix. Blend just until smooth. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes (may take longer for gf).

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

(Recipe adapted from Gayle Ferguson's)
3 c grated carrots
2/3 c each of 3 different gluten free flours
1 large package vanilla pudding
2 c sugar
4 eggs
2 t baking powder
2 t baking soda
2 t cinnamon
1 1/2 c oil
1/2 t salt
1 c chopped pecans
1 t vanilla
Mix sugar and oil. Add carrot and eggs and mix well. Add dry ingredients, nuts and vanilla. Mix well. Bake at 350 degrees for  45-60 minutes (longer for gf). Top with cream cheese frosting.

My son, Thor

I stayed awake for hours last night worrying about the future and what it holds for my family.

I learned two lessons from my son Thor in about 10 minutes this morning.

Thor gave the prayer after scripture study. The first thing that struck me was, "We're thankful for our challenges so we can be perfect when we get to heaven." I'm sad he's learning it early, but what a wonderful testimony. It makes me feel like maybe I'm succeeding in being optimistic when I still feel like crawling back in bed.

Then he said, "We're thankful for the day and the night so that we don't have just one lo-ong day." We can always find things to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for Thor. He has been a joy from day one. Heavenly Father sent him to me when I needed him most. I've always been so grateful for the mellow, snuggly baby (so unlike my others) that nourished my soul when it so badly needed to heal almost 9 years ago. 

God is good.

Grandma's Tollhouse Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe that I've adapted was the recipe of my mom's best friend's Grandmother. Joan Pratt was an amazingly kind, intelligent, wonderful woman who lost her battle with cancer last summer. We feel her loss and hope her family will recover from losing their mother and friend.
I get told all the time that these are the best cookies EVER. I never even told them they were gluten-free. Every time I bake them I think of Joan.

1/4 c each of 3 different gluten free flours (I use cornstarch, sorghum flour and white rice flour.)
1/2 t salt
1/2 c butter flavored shortening
1/3 c brown sugar
1/3 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t hot water
1 c quick oats (must be quick, whole oats make it runny)
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 c pecans (for me, these make the cookies)
1 c chocolate chips
Cream together shortening, sugars, eggs, and soda dissolved in water. Add the flours, pudding mix and salt. Mix. Add nuts, chocolate chips. vanilla and oatmeal. Drop by rounded teaspoons (I love my pampered chef cookie scoop) onto cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Kisses

I have used the chocolate kisses with the easy recipe that I posted previously for peanut butter cookies. But this cookie recipe that I've adapted has a better texture.

1/2 c butter softened  (I alternate with butter-flavored shortening depending on what I have on hand)
1/2 c peanut butter (I use chunky)
3/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
2/3 c each  of 3 different gf flours (I use white rice flour, tapioca flour, and cornstarch.)
1 small package of vanilla pudding
1 t baking soda
3 T sugar
40 chocolate kisses, unwrapped.
In mixing bowl, beat together butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy. Add flour, vanilla, and soda; mixing until thoroughly blended. Shade dough into 40-45 balls. Roll balls in 3 T sugar. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until light golden. Immediately top each cook with a candy kiss. Press down till cookie spreads out but doesn't separate. Remove from cookie sheet and put on rack to cool.

Super Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

I took these cookies to a Christmas Party so that Trav and Cash would have a dessert. Little did I know that the desserts were being judged. There were things like cakes, pies, decorated cookies, etc. But these little babies that took me 5 minutes to put together tied for 1st place.

1 c sugar
1c peanut butter (I almost always use chunky in baking)
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 c chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make into small balls. Press with fork. Bake for 10 minutes.

No Bake Cookies-An easy, quick go-to cookie

In the past, people with gluten issues haven't been able to have Oatmeal. There is a new school of thought that  says oatmeal is fine. Oatmeal has properties similar to gluten, but not the same. They still worry a little about cross contamination. If you are new to this diet or very sensitive (like my nephew Wyatt) you want to make sure to get Gluten-Free oats. But we are old hats at this and even bulk oatmeal at Winco doesn't cause any reactions. Thank Goodness.
These cookies along with rice crispie Treats are a must-have in Gluten-Free household.
No-Bake Cookies
Combine
2 c sugar
1 cube butter
1 t vanilla
1/2 milk (I've used every type of milk out there.
4 T cocoa
Boil for 1 minute (set timer, if too short, cookies will be runny, if too long, cookies will be rock hard.)
Take off burner and add
1/2 c peanut butter (I've used almond butter or can omit)
3 c quick oats (must be quick or won't set up well)
1/2 c coconut
Mix together until blended.
Drop by teaspoonful on waxed paper.
Wait till set to eat (hard to do).

Utah

If you've ever been to Utah before, you know what I'm talking about when I talk about Utah moms. I don't know how they do it, but they go to the grocery store with full makeup, heels, and 5 kids in tow. It's quite amazing.
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I am an oregonian through and through. If you've been to Oregon, you know we wear sweats and tennies and beanies and vests. We are laid back and dressed for a barbecue all the time.

At first, I was a little intimidated. I thought maybe I should put my crocs away and bust out the boots. But that is so not me. Here I am with the kids at the BYU Museum of Art (Carl Bloch's exhibit-that will be another post. It was mind blowing. It really touched me.) I decided to be who I am. A loud and proud Oregonian. I may look like a tourist here but I'm trying to redefine being a Utah mom.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

These muffins taste like you are biting into a cloud, they are so fluffy. I won a blue ribbon at the fair a couple of years ago with these.
1 cup each of 3 different gluten free flours (I use tapioca flour, white rice flour, and cornstarch.)
2 t baking soda
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
4 eggs
2 cups flour (I have used organic sugar, it turns out great.)
1 can (15 oz) pureed pumpkin
1 c oil
1 small package pudding mix (vanilla or pumpkin, I've used chocolate too)
1 c chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients and combine just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake in greased muffin tins for 20-25 minutes.

Bragging Rights

I just wanted to brag a little about our Stake Women's Basketball. We totally won the regional tournament. What a great group of ball players. But even better than that, they are all wonderful women. Here are our victory poses. Not bad for a bunch of old moms.

My Dad

I knew we would be leaving Hood River soon when I took this picture of Steel and my dad. Dad was holding Steel when I realized that they looked very much alike. I always wanted a child that had eyes the color of my dad's. They are a deep, deep blue all the way through. They are mesmerizing. I think Steel probably looks exactly like Dad's baby pictures. I know he looked just like mine.

We miss Grandpa like crazy.

Whenever I bring up my dad in conversation, the people that know him always comment, "Your dad is so great." or "Your dad's awesome." Stuff like that. I kid you not. Every time. I can only say it's true. He is great. They just don't make men like him anymore.

We are so grateful to the Lord for letting us keep our Dad and Grandpa when he beat cancer 2 1/2 years ago. Interesting note: Dad called to say he had cancer the day that I found out that I was pregnant with Steel. When he called to say it was not the typical prostate cancer, but the "killer kind," that's the day that I got morning sickness and it lasted until 22 weeks.

How can anyone describe my dad?

He's definitely a good ole boy. He's as masculine as they come. When I was little, the only time he would cry was when he watched Little House on the Prairie.

My dad did it all. He worked tons of hours doing construction to pay for his 7 kids. He ran a little dairy farm for a while. We never had anyone come in to do any work around the house. He maintained all the cars, appliances, did all the remodeling, trimmed the horses hooves, you name it. He's a self-proclaimed, "Jack of all Trades, Master of None."

He's a friend to everyone he meets. I can't say that he likes everyone because he is a very good judge of character. But he doesn't pass judgement on people very often. Sometimes his redneck tendencies surface. {Seriously, my sister gave him a "You might be a redneck if...." calender for Christmas one year. It got to where it wasn't funny because they all fit Dad.}

The greatest thing I would like my sons to learn from their Grandpa Dennis is his love for his fellowmen. He lives to serve. He is never too tired, never too busy, never disinclined to help anyone in need. He always listens and only rarely gives advice when not asked.

My dad traveled all over the state of Oregon watching me play softball and then basketball. He coached all of us kids for years in either sport. He would take me to the gym and rebound forever or to the baseball diamond and hit grounders forever. Only a couple of time did he drill me during batting practice. ( I didn't realize it was on purpose until he couldn't control the giggles anymore.) He was always the best fan in the stands. I am grateful for the time he took to support me even if he was wearing a green turtleneck and red suspenders or an orange plaid shirt and rainbow suspenders. I could always pick him out in a crowd.

My dad has always been a lady killer. All my friends talked about how good looking he was. Wherever we went women flirted and he flirted back. But as kids, we always knew his loyalties lay with my mom and it was just good, clean fun.

But he wasn't only about sports, he stressed education for us. He expected us to be the smartest and to get the best grades. I always did because I didn't want to disappoint him.

My dad has a great voice. He sings bass in the choir. He is always asked to emcee church events and narrate programs. We dubbed it his "church voice" because it would drop an octave. We loved it.

My dad didn't come from a great, supportive family. He had a loving mom who did all she could to take care of her kids. He had always made sure we would never judge her. But his father was behaved atrociously towards him family. I am in awe that my dad could be raised like that and still give his children a stable home and a loving environment to grow up in with no cares in the world. Truly a testament to his character.

My dad has tons of sayings that he repeats repetitiously. He says things like, "age before beauty, but I got you beat both ways," when you talk about getting old, "better that the alternative." when you say what's up? "sun, moon, stars...." How are you doing? "About 5'9" (a lie, maybe in cowboy boots). "First I wished I could sing, then I wished you could." When he passes gas, "Works pretty good since I got it fixed." During pinochle when you don't know what to play, "this is where the cheese gets binding." "Diamonds are a gorilla's best friend (to tune)." The list goes on and on...

It has been hard for my family to be far away from Grandpa Dennis. Normandy, in particular, felt the loss the hardest. We love him and are grateful for getting the chance to have him as our family patriarch for as long as the Lord sees fit.

Best Gluten-free Bread

I have had this bread turn out for me every time. It's great. It actually looks like real bread.

GLUTEN-FREE Bread

just over 1 cup each of 3 different gluten-free Flours (I like cornstarch, soy flour, sorghum flour)

2/3 cup dry milk powder

1 Tablespoon xanthan gum

1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1 3/4 cups warm water

2 1/4 t yeast

2 Tablespoons oil (your choice, canola, olive oil, etc...)

2 large eggs

1. In a small bowl, combine water (water needs to be warm, not room temp and not hot) and yeast. Stir.
2. Add dry ingredients to mixing bowl, combine.
3. Add yeast mixture, oil and eggs.
4. Using an kitchen aid, mix dough with bread hook for five minutes on medium-high speed.
5. Lightly grease a bread pan.
6. Spread batter evenly into the pan.
7. Cover with dish towel and put in oven on warm for 1 hour.
8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Bake dough for 55 minutes.
10. Allow to cool before cutting.

Timing

Almost the whole time that I have been I mother, I have been plagued with inner ear trouble.
For the majority of the time, I can successfully manage the demands of our family. But for months at a time, I cannot perform even the simplest tasks without waves of dizziness and vertigo. Although this is tough on me physically, I always fully recover. It is my emotional and mental state that takes a beating. I have gone through the gamut of emotions from betrayal, frustration, anger, anguish, you name it.
Last summer, when I was visiting my in-laws I came across a collection of essays by Dallin H. Oaks. I was significantly moved by his essay on Timing.
"Someone has said that life is what happens to us while we are making other plans. Because of things over which we have no control, we cannot plan and bring to pass everything we desire in our lives. Many important things will occur in our lives that we have not planned, and not all of them will be welcome. The tragic events of September 11th and their revolutionary consequences provide an obvious example. Even our most righteous desires may elude us, or come in different ways or at different times than we have sought to plan."
He talks about we need to not only say, "Thy will be done" by "Thy timing be done."
While we're waiting on the Lord...."So what should be done in the meantime? Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ prepares us for whatever life brings. This kind of faith prepares us to deal with life's opportunities--to take advantage of those that are received and to persist through the disappointments of those that are lost. In the exercise of that faith we should commit ourselves to the priorities and standards we will follow on matters we do not control and persist faithfully in those commitments whatever happens to us because of the agency of others or the timing of the Lord. When we do this, we will have a constancy in our lives that will give us direction and peace. Whatever the circumstances beyond our control, our commitments and standards can be constant."
I truly believed that if I could muster up enough faith I would be healed of my afflictions. This has always been the case, but I wanted it NOW. How could I raise my family? How could I do my calling? How could I even go to church? I couldn't. And it didn't matter how much I pleaded and begged the Lord? He has a plan for me in mind. Mine is just to trust in him.
"Faith and trust in the Lord give us the strength to accept and persist, whatever happens in our lives. I did not know why I received a "no" answer to my prayers for the recovery of my wife of many years, but the Lord gave me a witness that this was His will, and He gave me the strength to accept it. Two years after her death, I met this wonderful woman who is now my wife for eternity. And I know that this also was the will of the Lord."
I decided that if these physical limitations are what the Lord has in mind for me, who am I to shun them. The very fact that Lord is refining me by fire means that I am worthwhile. It also means that I have a lot to learn. I am grateful that I can now say, "Let it be according to thy will."
" The most important principle of timing is to take the long view. Mortality is just a small slice of eternity, but how we conduct ourselves here--what we become by our actions and desires, confirmed by our covenants and the ordinances administered to us by proper authority--will shape our destiny for all eternity. As the prophet Amulek taught, "This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32). That reality should help us take the long view--the timing of eternity."

Shelf Reliance

I'm super excited tonight. I just went to a Shelf Reliance party to get pointers for my first party next week. I cannot believe how yummy the food is, how easy it is to use and how easy it is to get. I was surprised to see how much free stuff they give away to their hostesses. I think the earning potential as a consultant is pretty amazing too considering this stuff sells itself. Who doesn't need food storage? I know I haven't been that great about stocking up. Not any more....

Check it out @ lehi.shelfreliance.com.

Steel aka Goose

Yay! Steel slept through the night last night.

After months of constant ear infections and virus after virus, he finally made it through the night. Trav took him to my basketball game and had him running around to tire him out. He fell asleep around midnight. I put him at the foot of our bed. Sometime in the night he was up by us on the pillows and when I woke up he was at the foot of the bed again with his head inches from the edge. But we left him there because he was still sleeping. We made it. I wonder how it will be to go through a day with a full night's sleep. I wonder if I'll like him more because he didn't scream half the night away. It was my night to take him, too. I'm hoping for a great day. Good job, Steel.

We call Steel the Goose. Grandpa Dennis likes to torture little babies. He sits them up and them runs his fingers up their spine to tickle them. This worked really well on Steel. He would wiggle and squirm and Grandpa would laugh and say, "This one's goosey." And it stuck.

Steele has had ear infections from 3 months on. He's had tubes that haven't stopped the infections. The ENT wants to take out his adenoids but I'm too nervous for that right now. He's on an antibiotic currently and had to have a nasty rocephin shot Saturday. Poor guy. He dragged his leg around for days.

But, he's been a joy to have. We waited a long time for Daddy to realize we had Steel waiting. (We had to gather our courage after Cash.) He's loving and kind. He listens and minds for the most part. He's super affectionate. He's says, "Hug, hug." and wants me to hold him and snuggle all the time. He's strong willed. He is very persistent when he wants something and he usually gets it.

He just turned 2. I can't believe it. He loves to dance. He points to Trav's iphone and says,"Mo,mo dance." Trav blasts hip-hop and steel busts it. He break dances on the ground. He shuffles his feet and turns and claps. He's amazing. I can't believe he comes from a Berg. Maybe he got it from Granda Neecie who can Charleston like a fiend. Trav's got great moves but I have no rhythm.

We're super lucky to have this little Goose. We love him and are grateful he slept through the night. I'm sure there are many more sleepless nights for us but they are worth it. (I can say this because I'm currently not exhausted.)

Gluten Free Carrot Muffins

I like to consider these healthy because of the carrots and apples with some protein because of the pecans.

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

2 cups grated carrot (I use my food processor)

1 large apple, peeled and grated (again, with the food processor)

2/3 cup each of 3 different gluten free flours

1 package vanilla pudding

1 1/4 cups granulated whitesugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup coconut

3 large eggs

3/4 cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients, along with the grated carrot and apple.Mix. Add dry ingredients,stirring just until moistened. Drop by spoonful into greased muffin tins.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Gluten-free usually takes longer.

Makes 18 standard-sized muffins.

Can top with cream cheese frosting.

Gluten Free Pancakes

Best Gluten Free Pancakes Ever!

4 eggs

3 C milk (I've used soy, rice, coconut, dairy, instant. You choose.)

4 t vanilla

6 T melted butter (I've used oil when out of butter)

1 1/2 cups each of 3 different gluten free flours*

1 1/2 t salt

4 t baking powder

2 T sugar

Combine eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.

Stir in butter.

Mix in dry ingredients. Add flours last. Watch thickness when adding flours. Gluten free flours are tricky with thickness. May need less, usually more. Mix until just blended.

Can add mashed banana ( I add 2 every time). Can add blueberries or chocolate chips.

When cooking on griddle, make sure to flip as soon as golden to ensure fluffiness.

* I use cornstarch, tapioca flour and soy flour because I can get it bulk at Winco. White rice flour works but it takes alot to get thickness and that makes pancakes tough. I use some buckwheat flour for protein. My favorite flour is sorghum. It makes really nice baked goods but it's more expensive.

Sweet Potato Curry

Sweet Potato Curry

(adapted from Rachael Ray's Sweet Potato Curry in a Hurry)

2 1/2 cups brown rice

1 T olive oil

1 large sweet potato, cut into slices and the halved

salt and pepper

2 T curry powder

2 lb boneless chicken, cut into bite size chunks
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoon cornstarch
2 1/2 t chicken boullion

2 1/2 C water
1/2 cup milk (dairy, soy, rice, coconut, almond, your choice)
1/4 cup prepared mango chutney
1 can peas
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Prepare rice according to instructions. I use the microwave and my Pampered Chef microwave cooker for 30 minutes).

Preheat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. I use my electric frying pan.

Add the sweet potato to the skillet.

Season with salt, pepper, and curry and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned.

And add the chunks of chicken.

Season with salt and pepper and cook, browning slightly for 3 minutes.

Add the onions and bell peppers and toss to combine.

Add the corn starch and continue to cook for 1 minute.

Add the boullion and water, your choice of milk, and mango chutney.

Bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes or until the chicken and potatoes are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Add the peas and cilantro and simmer for 1 minutes to heat the peas through.

Serve over the rice.

Gluten Free Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Gluten Free Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup cream cheese
2/3 cup pureed pumpkin
1 1/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup of milk
4 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch of salt
2/3 cup each of 3 different gluten free flours*

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup chocolate chip

Directions:

1. Preheat your over to 375F.
2. Mix together butter, cream cheese and sugar on med-hi speed. Add pumpkin. Mix.
3. Add eggs and 1/3 cup of milk. Mix.
4. Add vanilla, cinnamon, salt, flours, baking powder and cocoa powder. Mix. Be Careful to mix until just blended. Muffins, especially, get tough with blending.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Fill greased muffin tins.
7. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
8. Eat plain or top with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!

*I use corn starch, tapioca flour and soy flour because I can buy them bulk at Winco.

Travy

The more I leared about gluten intolerance, the more I realized that we, as Cash's family, probably needed to lay off gluten as well. I decided early on to have a gluten-free house so Cash didn't feel singled out. But, what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. But I started to notice symptoms in Trav that were symptoms of Celiac. Ever since I knew him his fingers hurt so bad. He's a big, strong man and I always teased him because he was such a pansy when it came to his hands. Come on, he's a college football player. When he had his life insurance exam, he was very anemic and had high blood pressure. His hair fell out in droves. He was diagnosed with arthritis in his knees. He had tummy troubles, I won't go into those. So, I finally talked him into seriously doing the diet. It was hard because at work they liked to take 2 hour long lunches and eat super yummy gluten filled food. But he did it.

Withing a week or so, his hands stopped hurting. When I had Steel, he actually let me squeeze his hands. When he got reexamined for life insurance, his blood pressure was normal and he wasn't anemic anymore. His hair actually started to come back in a little. His tummy troubles cleared up. And his acid reflux, which he took prescription medicine for tapered off tremendously.

And to top it off, he lost 25 pounds in a month. This is a great lifestyle for us. I decided to go gluten-free while nursing Steel so that he wouldn't be exposed before 5 months and I made sure to expose him to gluten between 5 to 7 months so that he had the best chance of being able to handle it.

What a blessing to know how to fix our family.

Shelf Reliance

I started selling Shelf Reliance products because we are not able to have the same food storage as everyone else. We will not survive on the major staples. We need vegetable and fruits. We need to think outside the box. And Thrive does. I can't believe the quality, the price, or the ease.

Food storage delivered to your home at Wal-Mart prices but with great quality.

I'm sold. I love it. And, since we move so much, freeze dried or dehydrated are lightweight and easy to move. Yay!

My personal website is lehi.shelfreliance.com. Sign up for the Q today and have food storage delivered right to your house. Super easy!

Our Journey

When I was pregnant with Cash, I could tell he would be a mover and a shaker. He never ceased to move. On one hand, I was reassured by his movements....I never had to do a kick count. On the other hand, having 2 other kids, I knew what I was in for. If this baby never slept and was still inside me, we were really in for it when he came out.

And sure enough, bright and early in the morning on GW's inauguration day, Cassius T was born. He came into the world squirmy and sad. On his first day, the only was he would calm was to listen to daddy's voice. He spent the first days in the hospital on Daddy's chest.

Cash didn't sleep more than 2 hours at a stretch for the first 18 months of his life. He liked 20 to 45 minutes catnaps mostly. We took him on a cruise and he slept soundly for the first time when he was 8 months old. When I woke, I thought for sure he was dead.

Cash had his first ear infection at his 2 month well child check. He was so miserable all the time it was hard to tell when he was sick. He had what Daddy calls crocodile skin, eczema, everywhere but on his face. He was anemic and had to have iron supplements. He was a sad sight to behold.

We were so tired the first year that it was all we could do to get through it. Seriously, North Korea could learn a thing or two about torture from this guy.

As I started to feed Cash real food, I started to notice a trend. He would break out after eating. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. I was very conscious that most of our bodies do not handle dairy well and steered clear. But I was a newbie to world of allergies and intolerances and I had no clue.

I remember feeding Cash one day at my mom's house and I told her that I was feeding Cash bread and to remember for me if he had a reaction. Sure enough, he did.

Trav's sister has been diagnosed with Celiac. I knew she couldn't have gluten but I didn't know about celiac. I didn't know that it could be inherited. I didn't know that if you were Scandinavian you had a higher chance. There was a lot I didn't know. So, I decided to learn.

I took Cash to his pediatrician and said I thought he might have celiac and he said, "you don't want him to have celiac." He wouldn't do any testing. Too hard of a diet for kids.

I changed pediatricians. I told him I thought Cash may have Celiac. We tested him to see if he had any genetic markers. None. I didn't know at the time that these don't always show up. I also didn't know that just because he doesn't have full blown Celiac doesn't mean that gluten is good for him. It was at this point that my mother-in-law told me not to have him diagnosed. Because he could never get life insurance or health insurance if he was. Wise.

We had Cash allergy tested. The test came back borderline for grass. Meaning a welt, but no redness. I didn't know that it is common for gluten intolerant people to have a cross reaction with grass. All the things I've learned....

I took Cash to a chiropractor who I heard cured allergies (really grasping at straws here, totally desperate.) The guy said Cash wasn't allergic to wheat, he was gluten intolerant. Angels sang and the sun came out. The guy could have been a quack but I think he was a messenger. And he cured me of my dust allergy. Wink, wink.

So, began out journey towards being Glutenators.

I had tons of support from my husband and my family. Trav could remember how sick his sis was before her diet change. We were so tired, I don't know what we wouldn't have done.

I read everything I could get my hands on about celiac, gluten intolerance, food allergies and food intolerances. This was not a death sentance. This was wonderful. A way to get my son back.

My life was obsessed with Cash. I didn't leave him, I didn't hate anyone enough to subject them to him. I worried about him constantly. If I didn't respond to his needs immediately, I mean now, he went what I called "Catatonic." His eyes would gloss over and he would revert into himself. It freaked my out. So what Cash wanted, he got. Regardless of the toll it took on everyone. He itched and he scratched. He oozed from his wrists, behind his knees, his ankles, and his armpits. Everyday, twice, I bathed him. Coated him with high powered creams and followed that up with prescription lotion. He was on antibiotics constantly for ear infection. And then I gave him probiotics to try to build his gut back up. He never slept. Rarely smiled. He would hit his head repeatedly and had started to do repetitious motions. Flipping the light switch on and off forever, things like that.

A week and a half into the diet, Cash's skin started to clear up. We still don't have it all the way clear all the time, but we're had it all the way clear for some time. Progress. My boys have a grass allergy, btw. 3 weeks into the diet, Cash slept through the night. Hallelujah! Glory Be!

We haven't looked back.