Gluten Free?

Awhile back I sought out help for Anneli and her eczema. For as long as I remember she had rough dry skin that would break out in itchy rashes now and then. I had some thoughts of it being a possible food allergy but was clueless, except for a 200+ dollar allergy testing from a doctor, how to go about finding what allergy she might have if any. My sister introduced me to this wonderful website forum welltellme.com where you can find countless information on health, nutrition,  and how-to's.  I posted some of the symptoms Anneli was having and I got quite a few responses, one woman told me the three main food allergies are wheat, dairy and soy. Pretty sure it wasn't dairy since we do very little dairy in our home, I decided to cut wheat out of her diet. And realizing it's not really fair for her to go in it alone I made the plunge myself. We have now been wheat-free, gluten-free for almost two months. Anneli's skin smoothed out, no more rough dry skin! She seems to be doing really well with it, her being only 2 helps alot, she isn't really aware of all the things she isn't eating that others eat. Yes, it can be challenging. Outtings and eating out can be difficult, I've learned to plan ahead. I haven't tried my hand at gluten-free baking yet, but I have been experimenting with making pancakes. Our little farmers market has a stand that sells freshly ground buckwheat.So after a few experimental batches I came up with this:

"Soaked" Buckwheat pancakes
1 cup buckwheat flour
1 cup oat flour, I ground rolled oats in a coffee grinder.
enough plain yogurt to wet the flours
1 Tbsp honey (don't use if child is under 1)
1 tsp salt
1tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 Tbsp warm water
1 egg

coconut oil or butter for frying

Soak flours in the desired amount of yogurt, I use mostly yogurt and add just a little water till I get the desired consistency. Soak flours in yogurt mixture 7-12 hours, or overnight. This process breaks up the phytic acid. Phytic acid bonds with iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in the intestinal tract, blocking their absorption. It also makes the buckwheat more palatable, since us westerners are use to a white bread diet.
When ready to make your pancakes, mix in honey, salt, dissolved baking soda. Seperate egg white from yoke, add in yoke, beat egg white until fluffy(this makes fluffy, light pancakes) and fold into your pancake mixture. Heat skillet, add butter or oil. Ladle batter onto hot skillet, cook until brown and lots of little bubbles form, flip and brown the other side, cook all the way though. Serve with maple syrup or other of your choice. Enjoy!

Summer Begins!

We have had very hot humid weather here for the last few weeks. Thankfully the last few days have cooled off (high 70s) and we have been enjoying some refreshing rain. HA! I don't know if I would have ever caught myself saying that when I was living in Oregon. 

Anneli is filled with such joy and often has a smile on her face.

Anneli looks like she is posing for the camera

These girls make the silliest faces

Butterfly wings

The girls went to a birthday party down the street recently and brought home these adorable butterfly wings. Anneli has been fluttering around the house in them ever since.

Family Visit

We had a wonderful visit from my mom and sister and her two little ones recently. We all crammed into our little apartment, which was a bit cozy. We were all sleep deprived but we did squeeze in a fair amount of fun with 4 kids all needing naps. Here are a few highlights from their stay with us.

Martin and Iya

Anneke in the sandpit at the Children's Museum

Anneke and Anneli at the Children's Museum

Iya and Martin in the ball pit

                                                Anneli making very silly faces

 

Anneke looking very stylish!

Iya and Martin takin a stroll

Mom, Lindsay, Martin and Anneli in the backyard

A Day at the Park

A few of the things I really have enjoyed about living in Grand Rapids is having so much to do so close to our house. I grew up in a small town that had very little to offer. We had to travel anywhere from 35 minutes to well over an hour to get to any parks or beaches. And with the weather warming up I am now venturing out and exploring my new territory. I only have to drive about 10 minutes to go to the zoo, there is a park with play equipment suited for little ones a block away, or my new favorite Meijer Gardens is about 10 to 15 minutes away. This park has a wonderful place for children to explore. They offer a sand pit, a water feature, a giant playhouse, and also plants to touch and feel and info about animals. Right now they have their annual butterfly exibit. Countries around the world send Meijer Gardens cacoons with butterflies waiting to emerge. Its a spectacular sight to see as you walk in to an indoor tropical rainforest birds and thousands of butterflies, all shapes and colors, fluttering around.  I have now been there twice with the girls and plan to go back soon.

Photo Shoot with Daddy

I have been wanting to get the girls into Hunter's office to take some pictures for quite some time now. I tried nagging a bit to no provail, never worth it by the way! I finally decided to let it go and one day Hunter says get the girls ready we're going to take some pictures! Well it was lunch time and almost nap time but I bit my tongue and just got the girls ready and we headed out the door. Anneli did really well for about 3 minutes. Then she couldn't sit still. She was having fun running around the office, I think it was a game to see if we would chase her. The baby actually did very well until she toppled over on her face onto a hard floor. But pictures were taken and they turned out absolutely beautiful. And here is what came from my listening and responding to my husband without argument or complaint.....

The only picture of Anneli and Iya sitting next to each other, after this picture Anneli had a hard time sitting in one place.

This picture of Anneli looks like a movie. Hunter is an amazing photographer and artist!

Sweet little Iya, who is 6 months and growing too fast!

Thank you to my loving husband!

Almost March and still snowing!

Yes, it will be March soon. I don't know where February has gone. Spring will be here soon...I hope. I'm currently looking out the window and see no signs of spring approaching. It's windy, cold, and snowing. I'm thankful that most of our daily routines are in our home, but longing for warmth and sunshine.