Ginger & mock Peanut Dressing

With the 90 degree heatwave we've been having here in northern Colorado, I haven't been wanting to use the oven at all. One way I like to fill up without cooking anything is by having salad with lots of nuts and seeds. In this salad I threw in some chopped apples, sesame and Hemp Seeds, and walnuts. And I don't mean a sprinkle, I mean a handful of nuts and seeds per serving. Also, I have a theory that if the salad dressing is super yummy, then my kids will eat it. Usually I'm right ;-)

This dressing is great on salad, for spring rolls or as dip for vegetables.

Ginger & mock Peanut Dressing:

Puree:

1/4 cup Sunbutter

1/4 cup almond butter

2 to 4 tbsp honey, depending on your taste

1/2 cup water

2 tsp gluten-free tamari sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp ground ginger

1/4 cup coconut oil, liquified

Note: Leftovers will solidify in the refrigerator due to the coconut oil. Bring the dressing back to room temperature by heating it slightly before using it again.

♥, Kelly

do-it-yourself Cream of Buckwheat

Despite having just gone to Costco, I couldn't find anything for breakfast this morning. We ate almost everything that came in our Door to Door Organics box already, and no one was feeling in the mood for smoothies. Mornings in Colorado can be kind of cool, since the temperature drops so dramatically at night, like it does in the desert. We felt like something warm to eat.

I looked in the pantry, but didn't have any Ponoco, Cream of Buckwheat, our usual favorite. I did however, have buckwheat groats from iHerb. Remembering Stephanie's post on hot millet cereal, where she ground millet in her blender, I decided to try it myself with buckwheat, and it came out perfectly.

Do-it-yourelf Cream of Buckwheat:

Add 1 cup of buckwheat groats to the blender and blitz until finely ground.

Note: If you don't have a Vita-Mix or BlendTec, I would do this in a coffee grinder.

Add to a medium size pot:

2 cups coconut milk

2 cups water

Bring to simmer.

Whisk in the ground buckwheat.

Continue whisking for a few minutes or until the porridge has thickened.

Remove from heat. Add:

1/4 tsp sea salt

12 drops vanilla liquid stevia

2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil

I topped mine and the girls with my favorite coconut sugar and organic cherries that I got frozen at Costco. I just warmed them quickly in a bowl of hot water.

Andy topped his buckwheat with walnuts and a little maple syrup—that was really good too.

♥, Kelly

"Buckwheat is actually not related to wheat at all. Buckwheat is a bush-like plant, which comes from the same family as rhubarb. Buckwheat flour is made from the triangle-shaped seed, or fruit, of the plant. The seed is similar to a sunflower seed, with a small seed inside a hard outer hull. This tiny seed is what the buckwheat flour is made from. This seed may be tiny, but it is mighty powerful when it comes to nutrition.

Buckwheat has a high concentration of all the essential amino acids, which even whole-grain wheat can’t claim. Buckwheat especially contains high levels of lysine, threonine, tryptophan and the sulpher-containing amino acids. Our bodies cannot make most of these amino acids, so we have to get them through our food sources." -Delicious Gluten-free Baking

Recovering Ashley

This month everyone is talking about gluten, because it's Gluten-Free Awareness Month. Some of my friends have shared their own personal stories, and I had this little birdie on my shoulder lately telling me that there is something I should share too. Only it isn't my story, it's Ashley's story, or the abridged version anyway ;-) To go into every detail would most certainly be an entire book, not a post on a blog.

There is a huge piece of our family equation which I almost never discuss. Deep breath... Autism.

Why? Because aside from the few (occasionally painfully noticeable) symptoms of autism remaining in Ashley, we are a crazy-happy bunch. And we have so much to be happy about. For one thing, Ashley has recovered extensively from autism.

How has she recovered so much? Well, since Ashley lost her health insurance (two and a half years ago), and therefore lost her occupational and other therapies that were covered by health insurance, I can say without a doubt that she has come so far because of biomedical treatments. And only because of biomedical treatments. That isn't to say that her therapies were unhelpful, just that in the last two and a half years she has recovered with biomedical treatments alone.

Biomedical treatments are another way of saying holistic treatments. That is, you look at the individual, and the whole system of the individual. We did this with our naturopathic doctor (N.D.) and two different DAN! doctors. DAN! stands for Defeat Autism Now, and when you find a great DAN! doctor (we actually saw a few we didn't like first) they believe two things: Autism is treatable, and autism is preventable.

What does that translate to? Autism is triggered, either in the womb or thereafter. In Ashley's case it was triggered after she was born. Ashley suffered two near death vaccine reactions, and after the second one she completely stopped developing. Between the ages of one and two were the worst. She couldn't sleep (she didn't sleep through the night until she was 3), and all day long she: shrieked (oh, the shrieking...), flapped her hands wildly, banged her head on the floor and the wall, and did self-stimulating repetitive behavior—mostly opening and closing drawers and pushing a toy back and forth (for hours).

What didn't Ashley do before she was two years old? She didn't talk, respond when spoken to, or physically move (she occasionally scooted on her behind, but neither crawled nor walked). She didn't touch most objects, feed herself, or swallow solid food. Ashley had severe sensory processing disorder (she was hypersensitive to touch, motion, and noise). I made her food, pureed it, and spoon fed her (no quick task for a baby between the ages of one and two). During that time we were working around the clock with multiple therapists (occupational, speech, physical), some of whom will always be dear to my heart.

Many of Ashley's symptoms of autism went away with gluten-free / casein-free diet alone. She stopped flapping her hands, banging her head, and freaking-out constantly. She also discontinued her self-stimulating repetitive behavior. All of this with diet alone. But there were other problems...

Prior to January, 2009, or until Ashley was 4 and a half, she mostly just labeled objects (cat, dog, cup, etc.) and echoed speech (Me: "Ashley, do you want a drink?" Ashley: "Drink.") Until the last year or two Ashley was plagued with candida and other bad bugs that caused constant diarrhea. Additionally, her N.D. and DAN! doctors have found her to be in need of (through urine and blood tests) a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids (namely omega 6 in her case, which is interesting since omega 3 is what people usually assume they need most).

I have been giving Ashley around 15 supplements a day for about three years now. Some supplements with food, some in food, some away from food—throughout the entire day. I know 15 supplements a day sounds crazy, but I'm used to it. Sometimes I do it without realizing. Did you ever arrive in your car at home, and suddenly not remember driving there? It becomes automatic. Furthermore, much like the reaction Ashley has to gluten and casein, Ashley's reaction when I run out of her vitamins is equally traumatic. Both cases result in her not talking, but shrieking instead. Bottom line: Diet and supplements are crucial for her.

A few of you may remember about a year and a half ago I posted that, "Miracles do happy—My daughter can talk!" See, when we tested Ashley to find out if she was carrying mercury, aluminum and other toxins or heavy metals (two years ago), her doctor told me, "I've never seen so much mercury [in a person] before." That's when we decided to chelate (detoxify) Ashley. And when she finished her first round of chelation... Ashley could talk. And I mean like out-of-nowhere—full sentences! The only analogy I can think of that would be similar is when someone wakes from a coma. Her awakening from autism was that instant and dramatic.

However, the type of chelation we did (DMSA skin cream) was not without side-effects. We used the cream six days a month (split into two groups of three). It was really terrible in the last month (we did a round of three months). During the last three days Ashley regressed. Meaning: Some symptoms of autism came back and were quite pronounced. Namely, Ashley couldn't use her words (notice I said words. Remember, she didn't speak in sentences yet). She screamed instead, hit, and threw things.

I still felt like the DMSA cream was worth it though, when after that last day of treatment she came out of the regression and spoke to us for the first time. She was 4 and a 1/2 years old.

We tested Ashley again, and sure enough noticeable amounts of mercury, aluminum and other poisons had been excreted. Thank God.

However, our doctor explained the situation (based on the tests), and said we had removed, "the tip of the iceberg." She also said that since we had last chelated, there was a new product, a super antioxidant, created by a famous doctor, that our doctor herself had been taking. The doctor who created it (Boyd Haley) had also taken this supplement for two years. It was proving extremely safe in studies, not to mention very effective at helping the body to do it's job of detoxifying.

So we are currently on our second round of this antioxidant, called OSR (in addition to all the other supplements Ashley needs), and we have seen even more progress, with zero side-effects. The DAN! docs have found even greater success by combining OSR with IMD, so we have been giving Ashley that as well. We (finally) successfully treated the candida and other dysbiosis with Biocidin. The symptoms of autism that remain are decreasing, and who knows, she may one day have no symptoms left at all. I know it's possible. =)

I believe a person's success is not measured only in academic achievement, but also in well-being. In Ashley's case, helping her become well has not been simple, but we did it, and it was worth all the effort. What I want most for Zoe and Ashley is to be healthy and find their passion, whatever it may be. We are all born with gifts, and it's my job to help them find those gifts.

Love, Kelly

Helpful links:

Got Questions? VIDEOS with answers here.

Generation Rescue, Conferences, Support

Some of my favorite books:

Children with Starving Brains

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics

The Call to Brilliance (not an autism book)

Cheese Importers, goat & sheep cheese, tea, jam, houseware & more

There is a European style marketplace in Longmont, CO that is so cute I want to eat it up. Cheese Importers has a refrigerated room, which houses the best collection of sheep and goat milk cheeses* I've
ever seen.

Started in 1976, Cheese Imports is local family business, which is now run by son, Samm (below), and daughter, Clara. Read more about their history and mission by clicking here.

Outside the shop are inviting bistro tables and chairs, fountains and flowers. Upon entering, you may feel as though you've left the country, and entered France, Italy, or Spain. To say that it is charming would be an understatement. I could spend all day here.

The first arrangement you see is French provincial linens: napkins, bread baskets, pot holders, aprons, and bags in vibrant colors and patterns, for which the region is known.

There are also plates, bowls, glasses and mugs in every shape, size and color. One of my favorite table items are the knives, spoons and forks with colored or patterned handles. I bought two forks on my visit before last, which are blue with small flowers.

I have my eye on these great kids books... I'm thinking Zoe and Ashley's birthdays are coming up...

Every nook and cranny of the shop is a new delight. Above are some of the teas and tea accessories (I'm loving those teapots on the top shelf). Below are some of the jams, with my favorite, as you know, St. Dalfour, front and center. St. Dalfour is 100% fruit, no added sugar of any kind.

Today I bought an organic balsamic vinegar from Italy (the one on the top far right in the photo below).

I'm thinking olive oil is next on my shopping list...

Lets step into the refrigerated room now...

Olives anyone? They're making my mouth water...

Samm helped me select some goat and sheep cheeses* this afternoon.

French brie, French goat logs...

Local goat cheese...

California goat cheese, Purple Haze, one of my all-time favorites...

And by the register are gluten-free goat milk and roasted buckwheat caramels. They are out of this world.

Cheese Importers is located at 33 S. Pratt Parkway, Longmont, CO.

See their website: Cheese Importers for more information.

*Sheep and goat milks are much more similar to human milk than milk from cows, and easier to digest. They contain only trace amounts of the allergenic Alpha S1 casein protein. Our family tolerates sheep and goat milk without trouble, but I suggest you consult your naturopath doctor or nutritionist.

Related reading:

Food Archaeology: Dairy

Red Frog Coffee, local, fair trade, organic, gluten-free

You know how the girls and I love to hang out at coffee shops, right? Well there's a new local coffee shop in town, and it may be the best tasting coffee I've ever had.

The tables inside and out offer great atmosphere. Formerly a Starbucks location, Red Frog Coffee is easy to get to from the biking and walking path, or by car. It's located in the beautiful Harvest Junction shopping center, at 15 Ken Pratt Blvd (119), Suite 200, in Longmont, Colorado. How convenient is that?!

Owner, Emily, uses locally roasted Kind Coffee, from Estes Park, CO. It's fair trade, organic, and absolutely delicious.

And, guess what else? Emily confirmed, gluten-free options are on the way!

Check out the website for more information: Red Frog Coffee

Click for more about Kind Coffee, and what fair trade means.

♥, Kelly

Easy Oven Omelet, gluten-free, dairy-free

Andy and I have been so busy lately, working on our next books. He is nearly finished with his book on his grandfather's port battalion in WW2 (519th Port Battalion), which I have been working on as well (editing), and I am nearly finished with my second cookbook—Yay! After my day with the girls and working on recipes, I have been finding it difficult to make dinner. Today I made the same test recipe three times to make sure I had it right. Phew. Lately, all I want in the evening is something quick and simple. Okay, I admit, I also want it to taste really good too—I'm kind of crazy about delicious food ;-) This evening when I looked in the fridge all I had was barely enough ingredients to make this yummy oven omelet.

I'm calling it an oven omelet because it doesn't have a crust, and it's baked. Also, I know from experience that these oven omelets go really quickly, and one is never enough, which is why I always make two at once. It's just the right amount for our family of 4, with a small side of veggies, bread or whatever I have on hand.

For 2 Oven Omelets:

Sautee:

1 red pepper, chopped

1/2 of a red onion, chopped

3 cooked sausage, chopped

Add two very big handfuls of fresh spinach at the end, until it is barely wilted.

(Or use about 3 cups of any sauteed veggies or meat that you like. I often use asparagus, broccoli, and marinated artichoke hearts to name a few.)

Add meat and veggies to 2 greased pie dishes.

In a mixing bowl whisk (I use a stick blender):

7 eggs

1.5 cups coconut milk

1/2 tsp Herbamare Seasoning

Pour over your ingredients in the pie dishes.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 32 minutes.

♥, Kelly

Cherry-licious Smoothies made with date sweetened nut milk

So, you know how I posted the Almond Latte-licious the other day? Well the foam is really best the day it's made. You can blend it again the day after, but you hardly get any foam. That's why I decided to use the rest of that yum-o date sweetened nut milk to make these, Cherry-licious Smoothies. We had one yesterday and another one again this morning. So fantastic. When it starts getting really hot this summer, I'll blend some of these and throw it in the ice cream machine.

I copied the directions for making the date sweetened nut milk from the Almond Latte-licious post:

Add to your blender:

3/4 cup blanched almonds

2 tbsp Hemp Seeds

water up to about the 3.5 cup line

Blend. Blend. Blend ;-)

Strain into pitcher through Nut Milk Bag or cheesecloth.

Squeeze the nut milk bag or cheesecloth over the pitcher then set the almond meal aside.

(use the wet almond meal for cookies—pages 150 & 156 in my cookbook)

Add the nut milk back to the blender with about 4 pitted dates.

(Optional: soak the dates first if they are too dry)

Puree.

To make the Cherry-licious Smoothies:

Add to your blender:

about 3 cups of frozen organic cherries (I get them at Costco)

about 3 drops of chocolate raspberry liquid stevia

Then, fill up to the top cup line with the date sweetened nut milk (recipe above)

Puree.

♥, Kelly

Almond Latte-licious

Photo by Zoe

This may look like a moo milk latte, but it isn't. It's an almond latte with foam and everything. And it rocks. I don't know if you could get the foam with a regular blender, but all you guys with a Vita-Mix or Blendtec—listen up! Here's how you do it:

Make your coffee or even tea for a tea latte.

Next add to your blender:

3/4 cup blanched almonds

2 tbsp Hemp Seeds

water up to about the 3.5 cup line

Blend. Blend. Blend ;-)

Strain into pitcher through Nut Milk Bag or cheesecloth.

Squeeze the nut milk bag or cheesecloth over the pitcher then set the almond meal aside.

(use the wet almond meal for cookies—pages 150 & 156 in my cookbook)

Add the nut milk back to the blender with about 4 pitted dates.

(Optional: soak the dates first if they are too dry)

Puree.

See that nice foam now, on the top? Oh, yea.

Pour your coffee or tea into a mug and add your nut milk on top. I like about a 1:1 ratio of coffee to nut milk/foam.

Ahhh... ;-)

PS Why use hemp? Click here to read the health benefits, or watch this video. Also, don't forget to store all of your seeds and nuts in the refrigerator.

Maggie at She Let Them Eat Cake makes Cashew Sour Cream

Maggie, at She Let Them Eat Cake made a version of Cashew Sour Cream and posted it on her website. She gave me a shout-out, so I wanted to return the favor =) Here is what Maggie had to say:

"It’s such a great recipe and I strongly suggest you try it for yourself.

It always takes me a while to try something new like this. It sits in my head for a few weeks (right now making my own sprouts is sitting in there) as I contemplate it. Finally I bit the bullet and tried it.

Cashew sour cream rocks!"

Thanks Maggie!

Birthday cake photo from a friend :-)

Look how great this looks! It's my Vanilla Bean Cake with Whipped Topping (p 32 in my The Spunky Coconut Cookbook). My friend made it and emailed me this photo, and it just makes my heart sing =)

She said, "Attached is another picture of your bean cake - this time it was my birthday cake and I put your whipped frosting from your book on it. Yummmmy."

Thanks hon! Happy Birthday! XOXO