Thursday, November 29, 2012

Meet Elizabeth Gordon
The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook
If you've been recently diagnosed with a food allergy, you'll want to get to know Elizabeth Gordon, author of The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook. Ever since she was diagnosed with gluten and egg allergies back in 2004, Gordon has been at the forefront of creating allergy-free recipes she can enjoy, including versions of her favorite comfort foods. Every recipe found in her book is free of gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and eggs, but Gordon doesn't sacrifice taste or texture. Recently, we got a sneak peek into the author's kitchen, and we've got three knockout recipes from the book for you to enjoy!

Parents: What three items are always in your pantry?
Elizabeth Gordon:
  • Superfine rice flour, sorghum flour, and potato starch: I'll count that as one ingredient. This is the blend I use in most of my baked goods.
  • Powdered vanilla rice milk
  • Organic palm fruit oil shortening

Parents: What three items are always in your fridge?
EG:
  • So Delicious coconut milk kefir
  • Applesauce
  • Xantham gum. If you're baking gluten-free, you need it.

Parents: Is there anything you used to eat that you haven't been able to find a suitable substitute for? Anything you miss?
EG: Omelets. I miss eggs. But the upside of an allergy is that it forces you to think outside the box and try new things.
Parents: Any advice for folks recently diagnosed with food allergies?
EG: Don't panic. I felt like I would never be able to eat real food again. I was completely overwhelmed. I felt like I was just told "this is what's wrong with you, have a great day." There was no guidance at the time. But there are so many resources now. There are countless books with helpful information and recipes, plus fantastic products. Really, just by changing the way you think about food ever so slightly makes all the difference. Instead of "Oh, my gosh, how will I eat cereal?" I think, "Oh, well, I don't have to have cereal for breakfast."
Parents: What's your favorite recipe from the book?
EG: The whoopie pies! I made them for a segment I did recently and I literally turned my back and the crew had eaten all of them. I think that's a good sign.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Hey fams and friends vote for my baby girl Aryana...Hopefully she wins!!!
t.meredith.ly
Vote for your favorite babies and toddlers everyday on Parents Photo Faves! Want to see your cutie as one of our weekly winners? Upload your photo today at http://www.parents.com/enternow !

Friday, November 23, 2012

A FEW TIPS:

Did you know that if you have a headache, you bite on pencil lightly and it relieves your headache :)
Also if you take some papaya and some oatmeal mix them together, until its texture is like a cream you can put it on your face for a couple of minutes, then wipe of w/ a cloth and it feels nice and clean and soft. Try it???? It really helps

Monday, November 12, 2012

  

 A Nature Craft That Rocks  

A Nature Craft That Rocks

On a recent camping trip, my family collected some cool rocks near a creek bed. We used crayons to turn them into eyes, noses, and mouths that we could arrange into faces and switch around like Mr. Potato Head. The kids added moss and sticks for hair and other body parts. We had so much fun decorating the rocks and making silly faces! Before we left the campsite, the kids arranged the faces on tree stumps as a surprise for the next campers. Be creative :) have fun!!!

 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

 
 

Pinecone Birds

Believe it or not, these adorable google-eyed creatures were once ordinary pinecones. Who knew nature could be so much fun?
 
What You'll Need
  • Pinecones

How To Make It

  1. Glue google eyes onto small pom-poms and let them dry. Help your kids fold chenille stems into legs and feet and glue them onto the pinecone.
  2. Cut out a triangular beak from orange or yellow foam. Glue on the eyes and the beak; let the creature dry completely before beginning a fun game of make-believe with your kids.

Have fun!!!