A Special Christmas Memory

I like to remember the cute things the children have said over the years and usually it's their grandmothers who remind me of them. A few weeks ago while decorating for Christmas, I remembered a few years ago carefully placing all the pieces of the Children's Nativity set on the table and I left the room. Later, I walked back into the room to find them all laying down in a big pile. I pretended to not know what had happened, but I had a good idea that my son had been playing with them just like I had intended. I acted surprised to see them in such disarray and asked, "What has happened to the Nativity?" My son looked concerned and looked up at me with his big, brown eyes and seriously replied, "The glory of the Lord was so bright that they all fell down!" I just laughed. I hope you have precious memories of Christmases past and that you will make new memories that touch your heart.

Luke 2: 8-14

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Date bars from dad with love

(Today I would like to introduce to you my sweet husband, Scott. I am grateful to have him as my husband. Chronic illness affects the lives of everyone in a family, and recovery is much faster and greater when you have a supportive spouse who willingly completes you in your weaknesses. Thank you, Scott!

He has delighted us with his newest kitchen creation. I know you will enjoy it as much as we have. These are SOOO good!)




And now for something completely different. This is the dish's husband here. A few weeks ago, I mentioned to one of my co-workers how much our boys love LaraBars. She is a native of India and, after trying some of one I brought with me, stated that her mother made very similar treats for her as a girl.

Well... a few days later she brought some homemade bars to work, and I prevailed on her to supply a recipe. It is a very simple recipe, and the boys have not stopped asking for more (once they ate them all up inside 48 hours). These were made with pecans and coconut, but the recipe is a great starting place for creativity. We're envisioning variations with apples, cocoa, dried cherries or berries, and other types of nuts. Our youngest needs to avoid cinnamon, but this could be a nice change from the spices, too.


Coco-Pecan Date Bars

1 pound dried dates, chopped
2 cups pecan halves
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cardamom


Dice the dates, set aside in a metal mixing bowl (what I did) or the top half of a double boiler. Put the nuts, coconut, and spices into the food processor and chop coarsely. Empty the nut mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons warm water to the dates and heat gently over boiling water, stirring often. Once the dates start to soften, put them into the food processor and blend them into a paste. Our processor is rather small (4-cup) , so I had to move the dates around some to get them mixed properly. Combine the dates with the dry mixture (a sturdy spoon works, but so do hands). Once mixed, spread into a 9" square baking dish, pat flat, cover and put in the refrigerator at least one hour.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

A little over two years ago on a Sunday morning our family went to church. Upon walking in the sanctuary, I noticed a strong odor of new paint and carpet. My husband turned to me and asked, "Are you alright, because I smell a strong odor?" I was keenly aware, but I wanted to be there. As long as I can remember I've always loved being in church. I told him that I was okay.

At the time I didn't know how much danger I was in. The chemical toxins from the new paint and carpet caused me serious cognitive impairment. My brain couldn't process how to find the books in the Bible. I had great difficulty concentrating and could not comprehend the message, but I stayed anyway.

I had problems with foggy brain in the past, but nothing like this.

I told my doctor about what happened and he got a serious look on his face and explained to me that my detox pathways were like the hard drive of a computer that was operating at full capacity. He said, "You should have gotten out of there!" Thankfully I didn't have a seizure or some serious problem while there.

I learned that multiple chemical sensitivity can happen silently in your body and you may not be aware of it. The detox pathways must have adequate vitamins and minerals to function properly. For example, magnesium alone is required for over 300 enzyme reactions to take place in the body. Just a few months before this episode, organic acid testing revealed that I was deficient in many B vitamins and I had started supplementing these along with many other supplements. This test revealed many issues that I could not possibly tackle all at once.

Now I was beginning to understand some of the issues that must have caused my chronic fatigue. The puzzle pieces were coming together faster than I was ready for them. I found out that the best treatment is avoidance along with proper nutrition to support my bodies' detox. This avoidance is the most difficult, because our world is continually emitting toxins everywhere. It also means I could not attend church. I was determined to spend my time in praise and worship anyway.

It was in my praise and worship time today that I searched through many CD's but I couldn't find the music, as we say in our house, that the angels were singing, until I found this song "You Are Worthy" from the Hillsong CD "For all you've done". It is beautiful and spoke to my heart. For without my Lord and Savior, Jesus, I wouldn't have healing in my body. My ability to write and think was greatly diminished and now I can write to you and know that all I have is because of Him.

I want to share this song with you, because I know that God wants me to share my story of healing and thanksgiving to Him for all He has done for me. As the song says, "In your presence I live, and with all I have to give I will worship you, honour you, glorify Your holy Name."

Chocolate "Frosty"- Gluten, Dairy and Sugar-Free

I'm such a cold-natured girl to be eating this in the middle of December, but the boys were begging for "ice cream" after seeing my Daddy eating a Wendy's Frosty last weekend.

The Wendy's frosty is gluten-free, but not sugar-free, dairy-free or additive-free. Being a mother who does not want to disappoint her boys, I came up with this special recipe for my special boys.

I'm amazed at the taste of this. It is so much like the frosty that we had to share it with you. Even in December.


I use the Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice cream and Sorbet maker. It is so simple. The bowl stays in my freezer to be ready for these cravings at a moments notice.The machine does all the work and in 25 minutes it's ready to eat.

Chocolate "Frosty" - Gluten, Dairy and Sugar-Free

3 cups coconut milk (full fat)
2 Tablespoons arrowroot starch
1 Tablespoon 100% pure Vegetable Glycerine
3 Tablespoons agave nectar
7 drops of liquid stevia
1 1/2 Tablespoons raw, organic cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.

Pour ingredients into a Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream and Sorbet Maker. Turn on according to the directions on your ice cream maker and sit back and anxiously await your treat. Mine takes 25 minutes.

Consumer's Guide to Healthy Toys

If holiday shopping has not been checked off your "To Do List" you will want to see this Consumer's Guide to Healthy Toys. I wish I had seen this last week!

In the past, after my family opened their Christmas gifts, I would feel sick and foggy brained from all the toxic fumes from the new things. I'm hoping that my detox pathways are clearer and that this year will be much better.


Happy shopping!

Sweet Potato Casserole- Gluten, Dairy & Sugar-Free

One of my families favorite recipe is my mother's sweet potato casserole. This past Thanksgiving I was determined to remake her recipe to be gluten-free without sugar. It was a challenge, because her recipe has a lot of flour and sugar. I tried and it just wasn't what I remembered. Since I didn't have more time to keep working on it , I gave up (at least for now).

This is the recipe that I created in it's place. I'm very pleased with the taste. My boys liked it so much that it was all eaten by bedtime on Thanksgiving. I'm sure they will ask for it again very soon, because it was wonderful. This was voted their favorite dish for Thanksgiving 2008!




Sweet Potato Casserole - Gluten, Dairy and Sugar-Free

2 pounds sweet potatoes ( 3 cups mashed) (I used 4 large)
1/6 cup agave nectar or honey
7 drops of stevia liquid
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons "butter," melted (Earth Balance Buttery Sticks), or coconut oil
1/2 cup light coconut milk, or almond milk, or other non-dairy substitute

Topping:
3/4 cup pecans, chopped
2 Tablespoons agave nectar, or honey
4 Tablespoons "butter," melted (Earth Balance Buttery Sticks), or melted coconut oil
1/2 cups gluten-free flour (like Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour), or a combination of tapioca starch and coconut flour

Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes, still in their jackets, in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring them to a boil and cover with a lid. Turn down the heat, but keep them on a low boil until they are tender.

Cool and remove the peel and mash with a potato masher. Stir in the agave nectar/honey, stevia, and salt. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs, coconut or almond milk  and 4 tablespoons melted non-dairy "butter" and combine with the mashed sweet potatoes until well mixed. Pour into a greased 2-quart baking dish.

Combine the topping ingredients in a bowl and put on top of the sweet potato mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes until bubbly around the edges.

My updated grain-free recipe remake can be found here.