Gluten-Free Bread & Muffin Mix Reviews

Both my youngest son and I have sensitivities to wheat, so we try not to eat it as much as possible. Aaron gets eczema, and I can feel achy, sluggish, and "brain fog" if I eat too much wheat.

I also feel better if I limit carbohydrates in general, so I haven't tried too many wheat substitutions - I just don't eat flour-based foods for the most part. But for Aaron, whom we've been eliminating wheat for only a couple months, has a harder time not being able to eat things he's used to - especially bread, crackers, pretzels, and baked goods like cookies and muffins.

We have found one type of bread that we both like. It's made by Sami's Bakery (www.samisbakery.com). It's a little dry compared to regular wheat bread, but far better texture and flavor than others we've tried. The particular basic bread type our local health food store carries is the Millet & Flax loaf bread, but I see on Sami's website that they have many others types of products also. Our store keeps the bread frozen, as it is shipped from FL. I just noticed on the website that you can order directly from them, at a cheaper price than it is at our local health food store. hmmmm . . . I'll have to think about that.

Today we tried the "Gluten-Free Pantry" brand of muffin & scone mix. We made blueberry muffins with it, using frozen blueberries. In addition to the directions, I added about 1/4 cup of oats for more texture and 1/2 tsp. almond extract. They turned out great; and we also loved the extra flavor of the almond extract. We'll definitely use this mix again, and try some other their other mixes. (www.glutenfree.com).

Sometime soon, I'm planning to compare some all-purpose gluten/wheat-free baking mixes.

Sleepy Improvement

I'm so glad I was able to get out and enjoy and photograph the beautiful fall colors in late October; before all the leaves fell, and before I got "sick" again. Because since then, I've pretty much been here, at home.

The good news is that a week ago, my doctor prescribed an additional medication because I wasn't seeing any improvement, and I was losing my ability to cope. The new medication took most of my anxiety and depression away in about ONE day! One day! What a relief and answer to prayer, because I literally felt like I'd been hanging on by the very last thread, which was about to snap.

The main side effect of this medication however, is that it very calming. Sedating is probably the more accurate word. After so much anxiety and inability to relax and desperation, I welcomed sedating with open arms!

So, my past week has somewhat resembled the schedule of a 3 month old baby - wake up, take medication, eat breakfast, do a few things until med. starts to knock me out. Sleep for 1 - 2 hours, wake up, "play" a little, take medication, eat, then sleep again. I take the medication 3 times a day, at meal times. At first, I would feel the effects of the medication within 20 - 30 minutes, and then sleep soundly for at least 2 hours. As the week's progressed, I am usually awake for at least 1 hour before needing to head to bed. And my naps have become a little shorter too.

This sedation effect is supposed to go away eventually, for which I will be glad so I can function a little more normally. Our oldest 2 boys left last Tuesday with my parents for a trip down to TN to see my sister and her family. So we've only had Aaron home. But you can't leave a 5 (almost 6) year old on his own each morning and afternoon while you're sound asleep for 2 hours. S0 we've had to ask for some help with him. How thankful we are for friends who have been able to watch and entertain him. And Wednesday, grandparents and big brothers will be back, so Aaron won't have to be shuffled around.

And for now, I need to go sleep, I'm getting tired of having to correct typos every other word!

Ugh . . .

After 6 or 7 weeks of feeling well since my depression in late August & early September, I've found myself back at that horrible, anxious, depressed spot again.

We aren't exactly sure what caused the relapse, but most likely a combination of some scheduled changes in medication dosages as well a couple new nutritional supplements. Supposedly, the supplements I was taking shouldn't or usually don't interfere with most prescription meds. But my body always seems to be the exception, and it just got out of control.

There's so much we don't know about the brain, so I'm again needing to stop the nutritional supplements that have helped me with past issues, and concentrate only on getting my meds. stabilized. I'm again needing to give this completely over to God, because I worry about being on medication long-term.

The fear that comes through in my dark times can be intense and paralyzing. How thankful I am that the light of Christ lives in me, even when I can't feel it. Praise the Lord we won't need medications or have weary, sick, stressed, or depressed bodies in heaven!!

I'm so greatful for the wonderful, supportive friends and family that I have - huge blessings in the midst of the yuck. And thanks, Mom and Dad, for coming up to help again. We couldn't do it without you!

More Fall Glory

A few more glimpses of the beauty of fall in Michigan.

Last weekend was at peak color, and I was able to get a few more pictures Sunday afternoon. Although not raining, it was cloudy, but by the weather reports I knew it was my last chance. Good thing too, because just a few days later, strong rain and winds blew most of the leaves off the trees.



















I sure am glad that God gives us this time of beautiful color before the gray of winter comes.

Fall Photos

Most of October has been cloudy, cold, and rainy here in MI; ruining those bright, clear, crisp fall days that I so love. :( So when there was a peak of sunshine and no rain early last week, we took some time away from school so I could get some photos.

Actually, we did fit in some school because we drove out to a friend's house in the country who has a beautiful property with a pond. Noah had to collect some pond water for a science experiment.


(clever Noah attaching a ladle to a rake handle with duct tape, to reach the bottom of the pond!)


(jars waiting for collected water, to be used for the micro-organism experiment)






(these were all at my friend's property that I try not to covet!)



(along a country road)


(another country road)


(tree reflection in a creek at a park near our house)


(creek again)


(bush that only gets noticed in the fall, on the side of our house that we rarely go!)

Field Trip - Part 1

This past Friday, we went on a field trip with a homeschool group to the Lakeshore Museum Center in Muskegon, MI.

It's a small museum, but it had some great exhibits that the kids enjoyed (and, it's free!)

Their favorite was the Science Center, lots of hands-on, interactive things to do:


Pan Pipes


pedaling fast enough to power the light bulbs


Tornado Simulator



experimenting with pulleys and weights






Anti-Gravity Mirror (or just a fun, funky mirror!)


Another exhibit showcased local Wildlife Habitat:


wolverine


Run Bambi! Michiganders love to hunt!!


a fawn calming resting, too young to know about hunters yet!




And the Coming To The Lakes exhibit, showing what brought people to the area through the decades.


logging was one of the biggest reasons early settlers came to the area


what a early settlers' one-room log cabin may have looked like


archaeological evidence has shown that Mastodons once roamed the area


through the window of a typical local mercantile


My next post will be about my personal favorite part of the day; one of the historical buildings that are part of the Museum Center. But I figured this was enough photos for one post.

Still Calm and Quiet Around Here!

Even the dog has been well-behaved . . .



Practicing jumps and flips from the mini-trampoline on to the couch counts as P.E., doesn't it?!