Today was one of those days when my son refused to nap and I felt my patience draining from me faster than I care to admit. It doesn't help that yesterday he also refused to nap. This lack of napping wouldn't be so bad if he actually functioned well without one, or was one of those children whose energy begins to fade the more tired they become.
Not my son. No, my son becomes louder and more hyper the more tired he gets. Jumping on the bed. Coming downstairs to say hi. Zooming his cars along the wood floor in his room. Singing at the top of his lungs.
By the time he finally fell asleep, much later than his usual naptime, I was exhausted and so was my husband. We both knew that he would then be wired until much past his regular bedtime as well.
And so he was. He just went down a few minutes ago. At 10pm. His regular bedtime is 7: 30.
What's that you say? At least he should sleep in tomorrow.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
Maybe until 8 o'clock or 8:30 if we're lucky, but most likely it will be before 8 am. Rise and shine. Good morning Mommy! Get up!
So, I think I'll call it a night. Curl up in bed with Outlander, my current read, and make it an early evening.
I'm going to need all the energy I've got tomorrow.
Don't forget, the weekly menu plan will be posted sometime tomorrow (depending strongly on the State of the Nap). Check the Menu Plan tab for previously posted plans.
Happy Saturday!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake Mixes Available in Canada
I may be late to the party on this, but I've been looking for a while now and only found them today: Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake Mixes (Devil's Food Cake and Yellow Cake). I have a habit of checking for new gluten free products each time I go grocery shopping, just to see what's available.
Today I found them in the regular bakery aisle. I brought home the Devil's Food Cake mix from the U.S. on our recent vacation, but I'm excited to have another gluten free option on the shelves for consumers in Canada.
As I always do when checking out a new product, I checked out the company website to learn more. What did I learn? Well, that the two mixes currently gracing store shelves are but two of many gluten free products available. Many, but not all, are available in Canada as well as the United States. I'm hoping that over time, more and more products will become available north of the border. It also states that the mixes are processed in a dedicated gluten free facility. The website also has tips and recipes, which I found useful.
Additionally, there's a product locator, where you can type in or choose a product as well as your postal code (it actually has the postal code option, not just the zip code) and the site will tell you what stores in a certain radius carry the product. Unfortunately, Canadian stores aren't currently supported using the product locator function. Which makes it difficult for me to ascertain precisely which of their products are available in my area for purchase, and where to get them.
So unless I stumble across a new product on my regular grocery runs, Betty Crocker (and parent company General Mills) will be missing out on potential sales from customers like myself. Customers who will actually go out of their way to shop at a different store to buy a particular gluten free product. If I could see which of their over 250 gluten free products are available at grocery stores near me, the company would make significantly more money from me than they do now.
I know that it often takes time for products and services to migrate to the Great White North, so I'm hoping that my discovery today of yet another product lining the shelves means that their website will eventually be updated to allow me to search for (and ultimately purchase) more of their gluten free offerings.
Hopefully it's sooner, rather than later.
Today I found them in the regular bakery aisle. I brought home the Devil's Food Cake mix from the U.S. on our recent vacation, but I'm excited to have another gluten free option on the shelves for consumers in Canada.
As I always do when checking out a new product, I checked out the company website to learn more. What did I learn? Well, that the two mixes currently gracing store shelves are but two of many gluten free products available. Many, but not all, are available in Canada as well as the United States. I'm hoping that over time, more and more products will become available north of the border. It also states that the mixes are processed in a dedicated gluten free facility. The website also has tips and recipes, which I found useful.
Additionally, there's a product locator, where you can type in or choose a product as well as your postal code (it actually has the postal code option, not just the zip code) and the site will tell you what stores in a certain radius carry the product. Unfortunately, Canadian stores aren't currently supported using the product locator function. Which makes it difficult for me to ascertain precisely which of their products are available in my area for purchase, and where to get them.
So unless I stumble across a new product on my regular grocery runs, Betty Crocker (and parent company General Mills) will be missing out on potential sales from customers like myself. Customers who will actually go out of their way to shop at a different store to buy a particular gluten free product. If I could see which of their over 250 gluten free products are available at grocery stores near me, the company would make significantly more money from me than they do now.
I know that it often takes time for products and services to migrate to the Great White North, so I'm hoping that my discovery today of yet another product lining the shelves means that their website will eventually be updated to allow me to search for (and ultimately purchase) more of their gluten free offerings.
Hopefully it's sooner, rather than later.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Could Goat Cheese Be a Go? Part II
A few days ago, I wrote THIS POST regarding my most recent effort to introduce dairy into my son's diet (on my family doctor and specialists' advice). I gave him a slice of Goat's milk firm mozzarella as a snack.
And guess what?
NO REACTION!
This is an excellent first step! Obviously this doesn't mean that we're in the clear when it comes to dairy, even of the goat variety, but it does give me some hope that he will be able to at least tolerate small amounts of it.
So what are the next steps?
Good question.
I think for now, I'll stick to goat's milk products, and limit it further to harder cheeses such as firm mozzarella or cheddar. I think I'll incorporate it into one meal a week for now, and see how things go for the next few months.
I may sound paranoid to someone who doesn't have a child with food intolerance/allergies. But I remember the bloating, the pain, the lethargy, the rashes, the pure misery of my little boy when he wasn't well, and I don't ever want to experience that again.
So it will be one step at a time. Or should I say, one slice at a time? (Sad, I know, but I still giggled writing it.)
And guess what?
NO REACTION!
This is an excellent first step! Obviously this doesn't mean that we're in the clear when it comes to dairy, even of the goat variety, but it does give me some hope that he will be able to at least tolerate small amounts of it.
So what are the next steps?
Good question.
I think for now, I'll stick to goat's milk products, and limit it further to harder cheeses such as firm mozzarella or cheddar. I think I'll incorporate it into one meal a week for now, and see how things go for the next few months.
I may sound paranoid to someone who doesn't have a child with food intolerance/allergies. But I remember the bloating, the pain, the lethargy, the rashes, the pure misery of my little boy when he wasn't well, and I don't ever want to experience that again.
So it will be one step at a time. Or should I say, one slice at a time? (Sad, I know, but I still giggled writing it.)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Introducing Goat's Cheese to a Dairy Free Child
If you've read my blog in the past, you'll know that my son is both gluten free and dairy free. What's never been clear is if the dairy intolerance is something entirely separate from the gluten issue, or whether he was having difficulty digesting dairy because of intestinal damage caused by the gluten. What was clear, however, was that he reacted badly to dairy products. So on the advice of our doctor, we cut out dairy entirely.
He's been tested for a milk allergy and the test came back negative, but just like any allergy testing, since he was so young (less than 2 years old), the testing is not necessarily accurate. So, both our family doctor and our gastroenterologist suggested that we should try and introduce dairy products back into his diet, one product at a time, beginning with goat's milk products. Apparently hard cheeses are easier to digest than soft ones, and goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk. Sometimes those who are lactose intolerant are able to tolerate goat's milk cheeses quite well. The suggestion was to incorporate a bit of goat's cheese into a recipe, and see what happens. We are also to get him allergy tested for dairy once a year, unless he ceases to react negatively to dairy products at some point.
So....tonight we gave him a slice of firm mozzarella made from goat' milk. I had originally put some in Monday night's pasta dish, but but he decided he wasn't in the mood for pasta.
Go figure.
Instead, tonight I offered him a small slice of cheese as a snack. Fingers crossed.
It would be fantastic if he could eat goat's milk products. We're managing fine without dairy, particularly since there are many dairy substitutes on the market, but it would be nice to have one more option in his diet. Particularly when eating out.
But if not, well, then that's OK too. We'll give it a try in another 6 months.
He's been tested for a milk allergy and the test came back negative, but just like any allergy testing, since he was so young (less than 2 years old), the testing is not necessarily accurate. So, both our family doctor and our gastroenterologist suggested that we should try and introduce dairy products back into his diet, one product at a time, beginning with goat's milk products. Apparently hard cheeses are easier to digest than soft ones, and goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk. Sometimes those who are lactose intolerant are able to tolerate goat's milk cheeses quite well. The suggestion was to incorporate a bit of goat's cheese into a recipe, and see what happens. We are also to get him allergy tested for dairy once a year, unless he ceases to react negatively to dairy products at some point.
So....tonight we gave him a slice of firm mozzarella made from goat' milk. I had originally put some in Monday night's pasta dish, but but he decided he wasn't in the mood for pasta.
Go figure.
Instead, tonight I offered him a small slice of cheese as a snack. Fingers crossed.
It would be fantastic if he could eat goat's milk products. We're managing fine without dairy, particularly since there are many dairy substitutes on the market, but it would be nice to have one more option in his diet. Particularly when eating out.
But if not, well, then that's OK too. We'll give it a try in another 6 months.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Review: Atlantic View Hotel in Dewey Beach, Delaware
Let me begin by saying that I absolutely loved our brief stay in Dewey Beach. After spending 5 days in Washington for a family wedding, my husband, son and I were looking forward to a few days of relaxing on the beach. We originally chose Dewey Beach for its proximity to Washington and because there is a family bonfire every Wednesday night in the summer. It sounded like a quieter alternative to nearby Rehoboth Beach while being close enough that visiting Rehoboth was only about a 5 minute drive.
Where is Dewey Beach? Dewey Beach is located on the Atlantic coast of Delaware. It's about 10- 15 minutes from Lewes, the first town in the first state. Click HERE for a map of the area.
The Atlantic View Hotel claims to offer "the best views and easiest access to the beach of any hotel in Delaware." I can't speak for all of Delaware, but I can attest to the fact that the hotel does sit directly beachfront, and is surrounded by private residences, not other hotels. Their motto is "Friendliness and Cleanliness", and we saw the words "Simpler Hotels" in several locations.
The Hotel: The hotel really does remind me of a smaller, simpler establishment than newer hotels, but it still had many of the amenities one would expect from a larger chain. It really is just steps from the hotel door to the beach, and the hotel offers beach chairs at no additional cost. Just let the front desk know how many you're taking for the day, and inform them when you bring them back. Simple!
An important note however is that the hotel has stairs only, so accessibility could be an issue. I'm not certain if ground floor rooms are fully accessible or not. Atlantic View Hotel is located on a small street off the main highway. This makes getting around easy to navigate. Rehoboth Beach, the outlets, Lewes, and other attractions are all a short drive away.
Amenities:
Oceanfront and with an outdoor pool open from 10am until dark
Free parking and free beach chairs
Rooms: We did not have an ocean view room, and our room only had one king bed. We booked the room quite late, and it was the only vacancy available. The hotel had a no vacancy sign posted when we arrived. Our son alternated between sleeping in the play pen we brought and between us on the bed.
The hotel does offer a variety of rooms with various sleeping options, we just booked too late. We booked this vacation on a whim, but next time I'll book in advance. That being said, the room itself was lovely and the private balcony was a nice touch. The room had a small but modern bathroom with a hairdryer and Bath and Body Works toiletries, a table and two chairs, air-conditioning, a TV with many channels, a fridge and microwave, a king size bed and a balcony. We knew it would be a bit tight with our son there as well, but it was roomy enough for two people.
Prices fluctuate depending on the season. When I booked I thought that the price was high since it isn't a big chain, but after staying there I feel the price is reasonable. The hotel manages to have instant access to the beach, while still keeping the pool area relatively private. The common sundeck allows everyone to have a beach view, and stays open until 11 pm. Having a fridge and microwave in the room allowed us to keep fresh food for our son and slashed our additional food costs considerably.
Hotel Service and General Observations: The hotel is kept in good condition, and the view from the 4th floor sundeck is incredible. The pool is small but warm, and there are plenty of lounge chairs. We spent most of our time at the beach, but we did swim in the pool a few times.
The lobby is small, spacious enough to check in but not much more. The breakfast was limited, but still offered french toast, pastries, scrambled and hard boiled eggs, yogurt and fresh fruit, coffee and juice, bagels, toast, etc.
The hotel is kept clean and the windows in the stairwell provide a nice breeze. The service was friendly as well and free parking is always a plus.
Verdict: This hotel is a keeper. A beach vacation is all about proximity to the beach, and this hotel has it. The fridge and microwave provided reassurance that gluten free options would always be available for my son. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The lack of elevator is the only drawback for those with limited mobility. My husband and I have already talked about going back at some point in the future, and this hotel would be our first choice for accommodation.
Where is Dewey Beach? Dewey Beach is located on the Atlantic coast of Delaware. It's about 10- 15 minutes from Lewes, the first town in the first state. Click HERE for a map of the area.
 | |||
| Beach behind hotel |
The Atlantic View Hotel claims to offer "the best views and easiest access to the beach of any hotel in Delaware." I can't speak for all of Delaware, but I can attest to the fact that the hotel does sit directly beachfront, and is surrounded by private residences, not other hotels. Their motto is "Friendliness and Cleanliness", and we saw the words "Simpler Hotels" in several locations.
The Hotel: The hotel really does remind me of a smaller, simpler establishment than newer hotels, but it still had many of the amenities one would expect from a larger chain. It really is just steps from the hotel door to the beach, and the hotel offers beach chairs at no additional cost. Just let the front desk know how many you're taking for the day, and inform them when you bring them back. Simple!
An important note however is that the hotel has stairs only, so accessibility could be an issue. I'm not certain if ground floor rooms are fully accessible or not. Atlantic View Hotel is located on a small street off the main highway. This makes getting around easy to navigate. Rehoboth Beach, the outlets, Lewes, and other attractions are all a short drive away.
 |
| Hotel photo taken from the beach. Note the top floor sundeck. |
Amenities:
Oceanfront and with an outdoor pool open from 10am until dark
Free parking and free beach chairs
Free in-room Wi-Fi
Continental Breakfast, Vending Machines, Coffee and Chocolate Chip Cookies in Lobby all day
Private Balconies and a common 4th floor sundeck facing the ocean for those without an ocean view room (like us)
Mini-fridge and microwave in room
 |
| Hotel Pool |
Rooms: We did not have an ocean view room, and our room only had one king bed. We booked the room quite late, and it was the only vacancy available. The hotel had a no vacancy sign posted when we arrived. Our son alternated between sleeping in the play pen we brought and between us on the bed.
The hotel does offer a variety of rooms with various sleeping options, we just booked too late. We booked this vacation on a whim, but next time I'll book in advance. That being said, the room itself was lovely and the private balcony was a nice touch. The room had a small but modern bathroom with a hairdryer and Bath and Body Works toiletries, a table and two chairs, air-conditioning, a TV with many channels, a fridge and microwave, a king size bed and a balcony. We knew it would be a bit tight with our son there as well, but it was roomy enough for two people.
Prices fluctuate depending on the season. When I booked I thought that the price was high since it isn't a big chain, but after staying there I feel the price is reasonable. The hotel manages to have instant access to the beach, while still keeping the pool area relatively private. The common sundeck allows everyone to have a beach view, and stays open until 11 pm. Having a fridge and microwave in the room allowed us to keep fresh food for our son and slashed our additional food costs considerably.
 |
| Our room |
Hotel Service and General Observations: The hotel is kept in good condition, and the view from the 4th floor sundeck is incredible. The pool is small but warm, and there are plenty of lounge chairs. We spent most of our time at the beach, but we did swim in the pool a few times.
The lobby is small, spacious enough to check in but not much more. The breakfast was limited, but still offered french toast, pastries, scrambled and hard boiled eggs, yogurt and fresh fruit, coffee and juice, bagels, toast, etc.
The hotel is kept clean and the windows in the stairwell provide a nice breeze. The service was friendly as well and free parking is always a plus.
Verdict: This hotel is a keeper. A beach vacation is all about proximity to the beach, and this hotel has it. The fridge and microwave provided reassurance that gluten free options would always be available for my son. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The lack of elevator is the only drawback for those with limited mobility. My husband and I have already talked about going back at some point in the future, and this hotel would be our first choice for accommodation.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan
Monday: Gluten Free Penne in Tomato Sauce with Shredded Chicken & Spinach and Topped with Goat's Milk Mozarella
(Our doctor suggested that we try giving our son some goat's milk cheese to see if he can tolerate it. This is the first try. Fingers crossed!)
Tuesday: Pulled Pork Simmered in a Tangy Sauce and Cabbage and Carrot Oil and Vinegar Coleslaw with Corn Bread for Mopping up Juices
Wednesday: White Fish Stew with Olives and Capers Served Over Rice
Thursday: Homemade Chicken Broth with Shitake Mushrooms, Broccoli and Ginger
Friday: Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Caps with Zucchini, Walnuts and Onions on a Bed of Garden Grown Swiss Chard and a Side of Cucumber Sticks and Cherry Tomatoes with Hummus Dip
Saturday, August 13, 2011
15 Hours on the Road.
We arrived home at 4am this morning. The drive from Delaware to Toronto is only about 9-10 hours, but we stopped just outside of Wilmington to visit an old friend of my husband's who just had a baby girl this week. We had originally planned to stop somewhere along the way, but we got to driving, and our son was relaxed and well behaved so we decided to just drive the whole way straight.
When we arrived home at 4am, as my husband and I staggered in through the door, my son went running for the family room.
"Ready for bed?" I asked.
"No. I'm not tired" he replied.
Sigh.
He had slept for about an hour in the car. That's it. No nap. He should have been snoring by the time we got home.
Not my son.
We finally got him down, and tumbled into bed ourselves. For almost 6 whole hours. He woke up at 10, bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to play.
I wasn't ready to get up, but I was happy to be home.
And I came home with some new products to try! Bob's Red Mill White Cake Mix and Shortbread Cookie Mix. Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake. Gluten Free Rice Crispies. Looking forward to trying them out and letting you know how they taste.
Menu Plan goes up tomorrow.
Happy Saturday Night.
When we arrived home at 4am, as my husband and I staggered in through the door, my son went running for the family room.
"Ready for bed?" I asked.
"No. I'm not tired" he replied.
Sigh.
He had slept for about an hour in the car. That's it. No nap. He should have been snoring by the time we got home.
Not my son.
We finally got him down, and tumbled into bed ourselves. For almost 6 whole hours. He woke up at 10, bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to play.
I wasn't ready to get up, but I was happy to be home.
And I came home with some new products to try! Bob's Red Mill White Cake Mix and Shortbread Cookie Mix. Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake. Gluten Free Rice Crispies. Looking forward to trying them out and letting you know how they taste.
Menu Plan goes up tomorrow.
Happy Saturday Night.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
5 Things on a Friday: Heading Home Edition
Note: I'm actually posting this late Thursday night. Since it's almost midnight, I'm not bothering to set up a posting time for tomorrow morning. This is my Friday post.
We're leaving for home today, and although I'm looking forward to checking out my garden and sleeping in my own bed, I'm taking a lot of great memories home with me. Here are just a few:
1- Sometimes the opportunity to live out one of life's simple pleasures presents itself and shouldn't be passed up. Dining at Lidia's in Pittsburgh was one of those things.
2- Seeing my son's face when he got to see his "Abuelita" (his grandmother) and his Tio Jaime who live in El Salvador made the 11+ hour car-ride to Washington worth it.
3- Getting dressed up in a fancy dress and dancing the night away with my husband at the wedding.
4- Enjoying the weekly community bonfire on Dewey Beach, roasting marshmallows and watching the children experience the magic that is staying up late to laugh and dance with the lapping of the waves in the background.
5- Spending sunset on the beach, searching for seashells, digging in the sand and letting the waves wash over my feet. And enjoying it all with family.
One last thing- we were treated to a show when a traveling school of dolphins swam by not too far from shore, leaping and frolicking in the water, chattering to each other the whole time. That memory will last a lifetime.
We're leaving for home today, and although I'm looking forward to checking out my garden and sleeping in my own bed, I'm taking a lot of great memories home with me. Here are just a few:
1- Sometimes the opportunity to live out one of life's simple pleasures presents itself and shouldn't be passed up. Dining at Lidia's in Pittsburgh was one of those things.
2- Seeing my son's face when he got to see his "Abuelita" (his grandmother) and his Tio Jaime who live in El Salvador made the 11+ hour car-ride to Washington worth it.
 | ||
| My son, who told my husband to "go over there so Tio Jaime can push me" with his uncle and Abuelita |
3- Getting dressed up in a fancy dress and dancing the night away with my husband at the wedding.
4- Enjoying the weekly community bonfire on Dewey Beach, roasting marshmallows and watching the children experience the magic that is staying up late to laugh and dance with the lapping of the waves in the background.
5- Spending sunset on the beach, searching for seashells, digging in the sand and letting the waves wash over my feet. And enjoying it all with family.
One last thing- we were treated to a show when a traveling school of dolphins swam by not too far from shore, leaping and frolicking in the water, chattering to each other the whole time. That memory will last a lifetime.
Where are we going? To the beach!
Tomorrow is another travel day, this time beginning the trek home. Over the past week and a half I've been to Pittsburgh, Washington DC, and Dewey Beach, Delaware. Tomorrow we're heading back home to Canada after visiting a friend in Wilmington Delware, probably with a rest stop overnight somewhere along the way.
The last week's posts have been review heavy, and there are a few more to come. Along with another DC post will be a few posts covering Dewey Beach, of course focusing on gluten free travel as well as great places to stay and fun things to do. These reviews are all personal, not sponsored. The restaurants and other establishments I review have not provided me with free services or other type of compensation. I will always include a disclaimer within a specific post if I have received any compensation or will receive any compensation for one of my reviews.
The 100 in 2011 reading list has been updated with my latest read. For those of you new to the site, that's where I post what I've been reading this past year, with the goal of finishing 100 books before December 31st. These books are those I read for interest and/or relaxation. I was doing a lot of academic reading for my thesis this year, so many of the fiction choices have been easy reads, and for some reason supernatural/urban fantasy reads have been high on the list, much different from my usual reading.
I plan on putting together a gluten-free book list in the future, with resources for living well without gluten.
Early next week I'll have organized my new travel posts under both the Product Reviews and Gluten Free Travel categories that they belong to for easy reference.
Today and tomorrow's posts will be lighter than usual, with just a few snapshots of our time on vacation. Look for regular posting to resume Saturday, with the weekly menu plan resuming on Sunday, and more travel review posts early next week.
I'll leave you today with a few shots of the beach here in Delaware.
The last week's posts have been review heavy, and there are a few more to come. Along with another DC post will be a few posts covering Dewey Beach, of course focusing on gluten free travel as well as great places to stay and fun things to do. These reviews are all personal, not sponsored. The restaurants and other establishments I review have not provided me with free services or other type of compensation. I will always include a disclaimer within a specific post if I have received any compensation or will receive any compensation for one of my reviews.
The 100 in 2011 reading list has been updated with my latest read. For those of you new to the site, that's where I post what I've been reading this past year, with the goal of finishing 100 books before December 31st. These books are those I read for interest and/or relaxation. I was doing a lot of academic reading for my thesis this year, so many of the fiction choices have been easy reads, and for some reason supernatural/urban fantasy reads have been high on the list, much different from my usual reading.
I plan on putting together a gluten-free book list in the future, with resources for living well without gluten.
Early next week I'll have organized my new travel posts under both the Product Reviews and Gluten Free Travel categories that they belong to for easy reference.
Today and tomorrow's posts will be lighter than usual, with just a few snapshots of our time on vacation. Look for regular posting to resume Saturday, with the weekly menu plan resuming on Sunday, and more travel review posts early next week.
I'll leave you today with a few shots of the beach here in Delaware.
 | |
| This is my son's version of "relaxing" |
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