Gooey Butter Cookies (GF, Low Carb)

Gooey Butter Cookies

Living in MO has got us lovin' some gooey butter cake. The cookies were one of the kids' birthday requests a few years ago. The easiest recipes include yellow cake mix as the main dry base. Keto, low carb, low sugar food items have come a long way. Not all of them are great. As I was looking through sugar free cake mixes I was pleasantly surprised by Duncan Hines' ingredient list, notably that there are 10 or so ingredients in their boxed yellow mix. This is not typical of the majority of American shelf products. As you might have noticed, healthier options are more expensive, and you generally get less in a package. For example, Dolly's DH cake mix is 15.25oz and $1.97 (12.9c/oz) at Walmart. The keto cake mix I bought is 10.6oz and $5.92 (55.8c/oz). Ridiculous. In any case, I adapted a simple gooey butter cookie recipe to add more almond & coconut flour to balance out the full amount of butter and cream cheese. They aren't as "cakey" as regular cake mix-based but are chewy and yummy! You can also reduce the butter and cream cheese by about a 1/3 to just use the cake mix if you don't have those other dry ingredients.

Ingredients (2 doz)

• 8 ounces cream cheese (full package/room temp/softened)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (room temp/softened)
• 1 large egg (room temp)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 box Keto yellow cake mix
• 1 cup fine almond flour*
• 1 Tbs coconut flour*
• 1/4 tsp baking powder*
• 1/2 to 1 cup powdered sweetener (I used allulose/monk fruit confectioners blend)

*Again, these are added to stretch the recipe up to a standard yellow cake mix amount, but not necessary.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 (F). Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Using a stand/hand mixer, combine the wet ingredients well until smooth.
3. Gradually mix in the cake mix (and optional addl dry ingredients) until well combined. 
4. Set aside a shallow bowl of the powdered sweetener.
5. Scoop and roll 1.5in balls with your hands, and then roll in powdered sweetener.
6. Place on cookie sheet about an inch apart, and gently press down into little patty/disc shapes. Since these are gluten free they won't puff up as much as flour cookies. You can also fit more onto the cookie sheet because they won't expand as much. 
7. Bake 10-15 min until starting to brown. 
8. Remove from oven, let cool and dust with more powdered sweetener if desired.

Here's a standard gooey butter cookie recipe: https://lilluna.com/recipe-tip-of-the-week-gooey-butter-cookies/

Peanut Butter Blossoms (High Protein - GF, Low Carb)

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms are my favorite cookie at Christmas! I am always looking for lower carb & sugar alternative recipes. One of my favorite nutritionists is Maria Emmerich, and this year her recipe was popping up all over my group feeds. I adapted some of her ingredients to what I had on hand, but linked her recipe at the bottom of this post if you want to try those.

Ingredients (1-2 doz)

• 1 cup natural peanut butter (I like Costco's organic creamy; make sure it doesn't have added salts and oils)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup PB powder (100% peanut powder)
• 1/4 cup unflavored Collagen Peptides (I used Vital Proteins that you can find at Costco or most health stores).
• 1 scoop of Vital Performance chocolate protein powder (the original recipe uses only protein powder vs PB and CP, so this will add some of the extra bulk, sweetener & salts)
• 1/4 cup granulated sweetener (I used monk fruit/allulose blend as they don't have the cooling affect of erythritol)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• (Optional: 1/4 tsp vanilla extract)
• Dark chocolate chips (I used Lily's dark chocolate baking chips)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 (F). Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl combine peanut butter and egg (and vanilla if preferred).
3. In a large bowl mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and then add the pb/egg mixture. Use a stand or hand mixer for adequate blending, mix until fully combined.
4. Using a tsp or your hands, scoop out dough and form into balls. Place 1in apart on baking sheet. This will make 1-2 doz cookies depending how large you make them.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes and check for light browning. 
6. Remove from oven. Gently press the back of a rounded measuring tablespoon (or other small rounded spoon) into the top of the cookie to make an impression for the chocolate chips.
7. Immediately place 3-4 chocolate chips into the impressions on the cookies. (This takes the place of traditionally pressing Hershey kisses into the dough)
8. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes. The chocolate chips should melt enough to stick to the dough.

You can find Maria's original recipe here: https://mariamindbodyhealth.com/flourless-protein-peanut-butter-blossoms/

And more low carb desserts on my Pinterest board: https://pin.it/1S9Oc45qx

Blueberry French Toast Casserole (GF)

This is a combination of a couple different French toast breakfast casseroles that I found and were shared with me. I wanted a sweet breakfast for Christmas that would bake while opening gifts. I love cooked blueberries. I used mostly organic, gluten and sugar free ingredients, but of course you can use any of your similar items on hand. I specified the products I used in the ingredients and tips along the way. Fresh cranberries or apple would be a nice substitute for blueberries.

A note about the bread: Gluten free bread is a little more dense and dry (I keep it in the fridge), so I think it worked out great for a recipe like this. Note there is usually some kind of sweetener in gf bread, and it's a carb, so that isn't completely sugar free. But you can find low carb breads now at Costco to make this actually low carb. The ones I've found just aren't gluten free.

Ingredients

• 6 slices of crusty bread torn in pieces (I had Costco gf multi-grain on hand; good use of the heels! And I tore the pieces as I went in the baking dish vs dirtying a bowl to keep them in!)
• At least 1 cup of fresh blueberries (personal preference; the more the merrier for me)
• 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese - cubed (this is optional: I left this off half of the casserole for lactose free family member using 4 oz.; I used Greek cream cheese, but any will do. Again, I just cubed with a knife as I added to the dish.)
• 5 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cu whole milk (I get Organic Valley lactose free)
• 1 Tbs sugar free maple syrup (optional: I used Pyure brand)
• 1/2 cu Swerve or other granulated sweetener
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon (or eyeball it like I do)
• Butter or coconut oil to grease baking dish

Optional topping

• 1/4 cu flour (I used Paleo baking flour)
• 1/4 cu Swerve brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cu melted butter

Instructions

1. Grease baking dish and preheat oven to 350.
2. Layer half of the bread pieces on the bottom of the dish. Add blueberries in an even layer. Add cubed cream cheese in an even layer. Top with the remaining bread pieces.
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sweetener, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour evenly over the casserole.
4. Cover and put in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours.
5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven for 350, and take the dish out of the fridge. I get a little nervous about baking cold dishes in the oven, so I let it sit on the stovetop while the oven preheated.
6. For the topping, mix ingredients in a small bowl, refrigerate until ready to use. You can also use a fork to mix the dry ingredients with cold, cubed butter if you want to wait to make this at the end.
7. Bake the casserole uncovered for 35-45 minutes. Remove after 35 if adding topping, or just continue baking. It will get brown before it's completely set. Just keep an eye on it.
8. Optional: Remove topping mixture from fridge, break apart with a fork to be able crumble.
9. Remove casserole from oven, sprinkle topping evenly, and continue to bake until fully set and knife comes out clean. The 8x8 was pretty full, and I used a lot of blueberries, so it was on the longer end to cook through. 
10. Serve warm. Top with some maple syrup!

 

Fluffy Fudgy Brownies (GF, SF, Low Carb, Keto)

I had some yummy, fudgy brownies recently that added coffee. I didn't have some of the flour blends that it called for, but I thought it was an interesting addition. I left it in, but other than adding some extra moisture, I couldn't tell that it was in there much. The flax meal helps with the moisture too. Add in some chocolate chips for extra fudginess and pecans for extra texture! This batch made enough for an 8x8 square baking dish plus extra for another personal dessert ramekin. A 9x13 would be good too, they'll just be a little thinner.

Ingredients

- 1 cup melted butter (yep that's two sticks)*
- 1 to 1 1/4 cup Swerve or other sweetener (Erythritol base, has a mild taste. I used 1 cup.)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- Splash of leftover coffee (optional, just adds extra moisture)
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup ground flax meal
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking dish or two smaller baking dishes.
2. Mix the butter or oil, sweetener, vanilla, eggs, splash of coffee with a mixer or whisk.
3. Combine the flours, flax, cocoa, baking powder and salt, and add to the wet mixture. Combine well, but don't over-mix.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes.
5. Allow to cool completely. Enjoy!

* I melted the butter in the dish while it was preheating. Poured it out into my mixing bowl, and used what was left to grease the dish with a paper towel. You could also use light olive oil. Do not use EVOO. You'll thank me.

Peanut Butter Faux-nola

I used to love those Nature Valley peanut butter granola bars. I wanted one when I saw some of their bars today. I've dabbled in some Paleo granola recipes that use maple syrup and honey, but since I'm trying to lessen the sugar and increase the fat, I made something new...

You can use any kind of nut butter you like, I just bought a new can of sugar free pb from Aldi. You can also add any of your other favorite crunchy things (chia seeds, different nuts, sunflower seeds, pepitas). This is an easy no-bake recipe that serves as a yummy fat/protein snack. With the average granola bar you'd have at least 20g of carbs. A serving size of these is about 20g of fat instead and 4 net carbs, less than 1g of sugar.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup pecan pieces
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup nut butter
1/4 cup flax meal
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbs melted butter or coconut oil*
20 drops liquid stevia**

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients well in a small mixing bowl with a rubber spatula. I used a simple square tupperware for the mixture. You can put parchment paper at the bottom for easy removal later.
2. Freeze for atleast 30 minutes.
3. Break or cut apart, and enjoy.

*Coconut oil will be more firm than butter once frozen.
**You can substitute another sweeter of choice, I just had liquid stevia on hand. It doesn't need much.

The nutritional information below is approximate, not exact, based on a bar that is 1/8 of the mixture.

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup (Low Carb)

It's a low-key Friday afternoon, and it's also 18 degrees (with the wind chill feels like 3). That makes me want to make something warm and yummy. I love trying to new things in the Instant Pot that I got for my bday; I had some broccoli to use up and some frozen homemade beef broth, so broccoli cheese soup it is. I'm following low-carb, so that means no carrots in this batch. You could always add them in if you like. I would've topped with bacon crumbles, but someone (who shall remain nameless, not me) ate the leftovers from this morning.

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients

3 Tbs butter
1 medium onion (finely diced)
2 tsp garlic powder or two minced cloves
4 cu broth of choice (I had homemade that was nice and gelatinous)*
About 6 cups or two small heads of broccoli chopped
1 tsp dijon (optional for extra flavor)
1 tsp paprika (optional for extra flavor and coloring)
4 cu shredded cheese of choice (cheddar or cheddar/jack blend)
1 cu coconut and/or heavy whipping cream**

Directions

1. Defrost broth if needed. Mine was in a freezer bag, so I set my IP to saute, took out the whole block of broth, and put it in the IP to defrost while I prepped veggies. You can also do this in a sauce pan since you'll want to remove the broth anyway to make the rest of the soup.

2. Dice onion and chop the broccoli. I pulsed the broccoli in a food processor to get smaller pieces.

3. With the IP on saute Normal, melt the butter. Add the onion, and saute until translucent (2-3 min).

4. Deglaze the pot with a little broth. Add the broccoli and rest of the broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. Cover and Seal the lid. Pressure Cook at high manual for 7 minutes. Quick release when finished, and turn off the pot. Mix in paprika and dijon if using.

6. Stir in the cheese until melted. Then add the cream. Season to taste.

7. (optional) I used my immersion/stick blender to make it a smoother texture. I kept it near the edge of the pot, angled slightly to blend. I put it in the center, but got more splatter. If you prefer the chunks of broccoli, you could also remove half of the soup, blend it, and add it back in. Blending helped thicken the cheese up too, so there weren't any remaining strings.

* Beef broth has a deeper, very distinct flavor. If you want a more mild broth, go with chicken.

** 1/2 cup each would also be good.

Peanut Butter Mug Cake (Low Carb/Sugar Free)

When you just need a night-time sweet snack, but don't want the sugar and carbs...Disclaimer: this is not low fat, but low carb.

I've been trying different sugar alternatives (Stevia drops for my coffee, Swerve-Erythritol/Stevia for baked goods, etc.). This time it's a Monk Fruit/Erythritol blend. It turned out pretty good because it's not a strong, fake sweet flavor. Also, I keep my peanut butter in the fridge after initially stirring up so it doesn't separate, which is why I warm it up with the coconut oil. You can leave out the coconut flour for more moist cake, sub in cocoa powder. I was going for more thick.

Ingredients

1. 1 Tbs coconut oil or butter (melted)
2. 2 Tbs natural peanut butter (with no added sugar)
3. 1 egg
4. 1 Tbs coconut flour
5. 1 Tbs sweetener

Directions

1. Soften peanut butter and coconut oil in large round-bottom mug (i.e. soup mug) in microwave for 40 sec.
2. Add other ingredients, and mix well with small whisk.
3. Microwave on high for 1:30. Let sit to cool for a couple minutes.

You can throw in a few sugar free chocolate chips for extra yumminess.

Enjoy your guilt-free treat. :)

Total Carbs=14.5g
Net Carbs after fiber & sugar alcohols=6.5g

Sour Cream Lemon Bread (gluten-free, keto-friendly)

Keto (meaning ketogenic) is referring to a low carb, no sugar, moderate protein, high nutritional fat way of eating. I've been following it for almost two months to further reduce my inflammation, get my brain off using sugar/glucose from a high carb diet for energy, and instead use nutritional and stored fat. It's not easy, especially when I want a bready/sweet treat. So...

I had some sour cream to use up, tweaked a sour cream bread recipe I found for low carb ingredients I had on hand, and without using almond flour (nuts trigger my inflammation). Super easy, moist and yummy!

Ingredients

1/2 cu coconut oil or room temp butter
3/4 cu granulated sweetener (I used Swerve sugar substitute, can also use Stevia for a 0 total carb count)
2 large eggs
3 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs lemon zest
1 cu coconut flour
1/4 cu ground flax meal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cu sour cream
Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Combine and mix coconut oil, sweetener and eggs in stand mixer.

3. Add remaining ingredients, mix until smooth.

4. Bake in a greased or parchment lined loaf pan for 40-50 minutes or when toothpick comes out clean. Let cool. I liked the parchment to just lift it right out.
(Approx. 290 cal, 25g fat, 2g protein, 6g NET carbs after fiber and sugar alcohols of swerve).

For more info. on keto, go here: https://www.ketovangelist.com/the-ketogenic-diet/ttps://www.ketovangelist.com/the-ketogenic-diet/

Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

I have a recipe of Shrimp Faux Fredo that is a coconut milk base. But since I'm incorporating keto/low carb/higher fat, I experimented with a new sauce that is more conducive. Spaghetti squash has about 1/5 the calories of spaghetti. 10g carbs per cup (-2g fiber = 8g net carbs), where spaghetti is about 30g carbs (my whole day's worth of carbs). Plus you won't have that carb hangover and over-stuffed feeling. The cream cheese in the recipe acts as a thickener since I didn't want to use cornstarch or other thickeners. Other than my son, who will try anything, I'm the only one of the family who likes spaghetti squash. When I spotted one left at our farmer's market I had to grab it. Here's my preparation from tonight that the boy eagerly assisted with. The alfredo makes it bearable for the rest of the fam. :)

Ingredients:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• Olive oil, salt and pepper
• 1 package bacon (oh yes)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 6 Tbs butter or ghee
• 3 Tbs cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cu heavy cream
• 1/4 cu veg/chicken broth (if your sauce needs to be thinned out)
• 3/4 cu grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cu frozen peas
• 2 lb medium raw shrimp
• Another 2 Tbs butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds (I use an ice cream scoop), season with salt, pepper, and spread olive oil on the inside. Place inside-down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Also cook your bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 
3. Roast for about 25 minutes. The skin of the squash will look light brown and start bending. Set aside and cool for easier removal. Watch the bacon until it's cooked to your liking. Set aside on a paper towel lined plate.
4. Melt butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat, cook the garlic until fragrant.
5. Add the cream and cream cheese, whisking gently until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Reduce heat to low, whisking occassionally, while you cook the shrimp and peas. If it seems too thick for your liking add some broth.
7. Cook peas per package instructions. I bring about an inch of water to a boil in a sauce pan and let the peas cook for about 10 minutes.
8. In another saute pan, melt 2 Tbs of butter over medium heat and add the shrimp. Cook just until they all turn pink.
9. Add the parmesan to the sauce, whisk until incorporated and smooth.
10. The spaghetti squash may still be warm, so use tongs or an oven mitt to hold while you scrape the inside out with a fork into a dish. I used half of the squash for our dinner and reserved the other half. 
11. Combine the shrimp, peas and spaghetti squash, then add all of the sauce. Mix gently. Add salt and pepper to taste.
12. Top with crumbled bacon and extra parm.

Enjoy!

Chicken Pot Pie (low carb, gluten free, nut free)

I've been trying to stay low carb, sugar and gluten free (meaning, no conventional flour or starchy vegetables), but also not shying away from real fats (like butter, cheese, heavy cream - which is lower in sugar than regular milk). So I modified a low carb pot pie recipe that I found to make it a "pie size" plus a 16 oz ramekin for Dh's lunch the next day. The filling and crust do not use any wheat flour or cornstarch. It isn't a flaky crust, but more of a thin breading (reminiscent of the Bisquick pot pie topping I used to make). The original recipe calls for almond flour in the crust, but (1) I don't have any, and (2) nuts tend to give me headaches. A general rule of thumb also, use less coconut flour than almond. I cooked a whole chicken in the crockpot this week, so I had the meat ready to go! *Disclaimer: Low carb doesn't mean low fat in this recipe  :)

Ingredients:

For the filling:

• 3 Tbs butter
• 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
• 1/2 cup celery (chopped/2 ribs)
• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper (to your taste)
• 2 cups of cooked chicken (cubed/chopped small)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock (I prefer the full flavor of veg.)
• 2 Tbs Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (white cheddar, sharp; I had a Mexican blend on hand)
• 1 cup frozen peas (thawed)
• 1 cup frozen green beans (thawed; mine were large green beans, so I snapped them into smaller bits while they were frozen)

For the dough:

• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 3 Tbs cream cheese
• 1/4 cu coconut flour (the original recipe called for 3/4 cu almond flour if you have that instead, but almond flour is higher in carbs)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (this isn't necessary if you want a more mild crust)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat the oven for 375F.

For the filling:

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic and a little salt and pepper. Saute until soft and before the garlic burns  :)
2. Add the chicken to the pan, gently stir together, and heat through.
3. Stir in the the heavy cream, stock and mustard. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer until the mixture thickens (5-7 min).
4. Stir in the cheese until melted.
5. Stir in the peas and green beans.

For the dough:

1. In a large microwavable bowl, combine mozzarella and cream cheese. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir to combine. Microwave again for 30 sec-1 min. Stir again.
2. Using a non-stick silicon spoon, mix in the flour, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. If it gets stringy, reheat for 30 sec and stir again. You can also gently knead with your hand to make sure the grease is incorporated.
3. If you are making a separate "left-over" ramekin, remove a small handful of dough now. Flatten into a disc between parchment paper. For the rest of the dough (or if you just make a big crust), roll between two sheets of parchment paper into a large circle.
4. Lightly butter a 9 inch pie dish (and optional ramekin), distribute the filling, and top with the flat dough.
5. (Optional: Place on a baking sheet for any bubble-over). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Here is the original recipe if you really like your carrots. This recipe calls for making 4 small individual pot pies. http://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/chicken-pot-pie-low-carb-gluten-free/

Shrimp Stir Fry

Shrimp Stir Fry

I love shrimp. I love food. I love flavorful, pretty food. This stir fry was too pretty to not take a picture. This fed 3 kids, 3 adults, plus a leftover serving for lunch.

Note: If there's a certain brand I like I noted it. I also like to use the same pans for different steps to reduce dishes, so this was all done in steps in a wok. I just ate the stir fry, but the rest of the fam put this on top of some brown basmati rice that I found at Aldi! Cauliflower rice is another option, which I've found in the fresh and frozen aisles of Trader Joes.

Here's my take on a shrimp stir fry: 

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb thawed, raw shrimp (I get the "Gulf Shrimp" USA caught and packaged from Walmart)
• Oils of choice (EVOO, butter, coconut - I used a combination)
• 1 large head of broccoli (cut into florets)
• 1 can pineapple chunks (save the juice)
• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 package baby bella mushrooms (sliced)
• Salt, pepper to your taste
  
  Sauce
• Reserved pineapple juice
• 1/8 cu coconut aminos (or gf soy sauce, note coconut aminos are sweet, not as salty)
• 2 Tbs arrowroot powder (or corn starch)
• 1 tsp minced ginger or paste (I like getting the tubes in the produce section)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to your taste

Instructions

1. If you're cooking rice, start that first. Brown basmati takes about 40-50 minutes.
2. Preheat wok or large saute pan to medium with approx 2 Tbs EVOO and 2 Tbs butter. This might seem like a lot, but we're cooking the broccoli first, which will absorb much of it. Add the broccoli florets, stir and coat well with the oil. I like using a wooden spatula or spoon. Cover the wok and let cook about 5 min. They'll be bright green and pretty  :)
3. Add your peppers and mushrooms. Stir well. Cover again for 3-5 min.
4. Add your pineapple chunks, combine well. You might need to add a little more oil at this point if the pan seems to be drying out. I used 1 Tbs coconut oil. 
5. As the veggies continue to cook, make your sauce.
6. In a separate bowl combine pineapple juice, coconut aminos, ginger, approx 1 tsp salt, pepper, 2 tsp garlic powder or to taste), and arrowroot powder. Whisk well, add sauce to veggies, combine. 
7. Make a large well in the center of the veggies, add the shrimp. Cover for a couple minutes at a time, checking the shrimp. When they begin to turn pink, stir with the veggies. When they all turn pink they're done. 
8. At this point either serve, or turn off heat and cover until you're ready to eat. Letting the sauce sit and thicken made it better, though.
9. Top with fresh cilantro and lime. Mmm. Enjoy!

*Note - I've found that the steam from covering keeps more of the moisture in for cooking vs open stir-frying. Also, arrowroot will make the sauce slimier than with cornstarch, but once you add the shrimp it'll even out. You can also add some more coconut aminos if needed.

Shrimp Faux Fredo

Shrimp Faux Fredo

I call this a faux fredo because it doesn't use fettuccine or your typical cream sauce. The base is spaghetti squash and coconut milk (cream). Since I've overhauled many of our dinner meals to include healthier alternative ingredients, my husband has been on board (for the most part). He hates spaghetti squash, but this dish was husband (and 2 out of 3 kids) approved.  It's a mash-up of some different coconut milk alfredo recipes adapted to include parmesan cheese, because...cheese. It served 3 adults and 3 kids, plus leftovers for my lunch.

Note: If there's a certain brand I like I noted it. I also like to use the same pans for different steps to reduce dishes. In the directions you can cook your shrimp and spinach together. In the picture I cooked them separately.

These are the inspirations: http://pin.it/sKEDofu and http://pin.it/MvW7ky9

Here's my version: 

Ingredients

• One medium sized spaghetti squash
• Olive oil, salt and pepper for squash
• 2 lbs medium shrimp + 2 Tbs butter or olive oil
• 1/2 bag baby spinach (or more if you like)
• 1 package Coleman nitrate free bacon (Costco)
  
  Sauce
• 4 Tbs grass-fed butter (Kerrygold unsalted)
• 2 cans Coconut milk cream (I used the SoDelicious cook ready brand)
• 1 cu vegetable or chicken stock
• 2 Tbs corn starch
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (or more for your taste/thickness)
• 1 Tbs dried parsley
• 2 Tbs lemon juice
• 2 tsp minced garlic or powder (minced you'll cook with your butter, powder can be added later)
• Salt, pepper and garlic to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds (I use an ice cream scoop), season with salt, pepper and spread olive oil on the inside. Place inside-down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Also cook your bacon on a separate parchment lined baking sheet. I crumbled a whole package for the 6 of us.
2. Roast for about 20 minutes. When you see the squash skin browning/bending it's ready. Set aside and cool for easier removal later. Keep an eye on your bacon during this time as well, remove when it's to your texture liking.
3. Melt butter (& minced garlic) in a deep saute pan over medium heat, mix in coconut milk. Add the cornstarch to the chicken stock in a separate bowl, mix well, then add it to the pan. Mix all with a whisk. Add parsley, salt, pepper (garlic powder) Bring to a light boil, whisking occasionally, then reduce to a simmer. Add the parmesan and lemon juice. Mix well and continue to simmer while you cook the shrimp.
4. In another saute pan melt butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add your shrimp, season to taste. As they start to turn pink on the bottom, turn over and add your spinach. Cook down until shrimp are cooked through and spinach is to desired texture.
5. Your spaghetti squash skin is probably still warm, so use tongs or oven mitt to hold while you scrape the insides out with a fork into a dish. Pour squash into the sauce pan, coating all of the squash. Add your shrimp and spinach combining lightly. Top with crumbled bacon.

The Unseen and Light at the End of the Tunnel

I had forgotten what it was like to go a day without pain and worry...

Things started snowballing over the last few years with stress, brain fog (really since I had my third child in 2010), thinking I had ulcers from stomach pain (eggs made it worse, plus bananas and ibuprofen damage), anger, depression, you name it. 2011 is kind of a blur. I probably had no business driving or being out in public, let alone with my kids. Lexapro helped over the next couple years, although I was really living in neutral to get by...Then the last couple years I've dealt with chronic sinus issues, tension headaches, migraines, dizziness/lightheadedness, ear and jaw pain, plus constant heartburn. There were factors of course that compounded all that, but I was an emotional, exhausted mess.


When everything really kicked in and hit me the hardest was July 2014-ish. I was driving and felt like I got smacked in the head with a bat. I was having the worst headache of my life, my face, nose, back of my head, everything hurt. I went straight to urgent care thinking it was a crazy sinus infection. The doctor concurred based on my symtoms and sent me home with antibiotics. Those didn't work, so I waited a couple weeks, went to my regular doctor and got a Z-Pak. Those didn't work, so on and so on...that fall I had horrific back pain that I thought was a pinched nerve (ortho and xray said otherwise). I couldn't stand without sweating and getting nauseous b/c of the pain, but chiropractic and physical therapy, plus some Naproxin, relieved that nightmare (except for it tearing up my stomach, basically ibuprofen x10).

Over that time, even up to now, I've been to every doctor I could, got every scan I could, changed doctors to get more opinions, gotten bloodwork done and redone looking for a diagnosis. I was taking ibuprofen around the clock, upped my coffee thinking caffeine would help, GERD med every day and trying different meds to manage the stress and emotional issues that came along with trying to cope, self-diagnose and worrying about every lump and pain. I got a septoplasty last May to correct my deviated septum in the hopes that it would alleviate my sinus pain. I wish I had never gotten it. I got a bone density scan to make sure the prescription proton pump inhibitor I had been taking for 3 years wasn't causing osteoporosis (which it can). I was not enjoying motherhood like I wanted to, enjoyed the time with my kids, been able to utilize my time efficiently. I just wanted to keep my eyes closed all day.

In January 2016 I had enough of getting no answers, decided to finally see my friend Cori for some holistic nutritional help. I jumped into the Autoimmune Protocol plan (which if you have any autoimmune issue - diagnosed that you take meds for OR undiagnosed, chronic issues I highly recommend it) to restart my nervous and digestive systems (among other things). It's basically stripping down and out everything processed, any grains, dairy, legumes, eggs, nuts, it goes on. I thought it would be extremely difficult to cut out so many things, but I was more desperate to feel well, and drive somewhere without getting nauseous from pain resonating from my eyes to the back of my head.

Now, it wasn't just food, but herbal supplements, sleep and water were all pivotal changes I needed to examine and change. I also wasn't exercising consistently. I still don't, but it's improved :) Actually, on AIP you're not supposed to do a ton of strenuous exercise, but to just not be stagnant, which is easy to do when you feel crappy all day every day.

AIP isn't meant to be a lifelong solution, some people successfully reintroduce things like eggs and nuts, but I am completely more aware of my body, how my body reacts to foods. I can count on one hand the amount of times I've taken ibuprofen in the last 6 months. What started with one to two migraines a week, has gone to maybe 2 or 3 since starting this journey. TMI but Aunt Flo is a thousand times more tolerable, lighter and shorter. Most people who go through AIP transition to Paleo, which I wouldn't call a diet because it's really just about eating real food and making conscious decisions with what you put in your body. If I do have that brownie, that bday cake, eat out, I'm just more aware. It's also made me use more ingredients and foods that I've never bought or tried to cook before (YAY for spaghetti squash). I like cooking even more than I did before, and trying new recipes as alternatives for my sweet tooth (YAY for raw cacao and maple syrup).

My most recent hurdle is functioning without the Prilosec. I had started it years ago when I first noticed heartburn symptoms, eventually upped to the Rx Dexilant, then higher dose Rx omeprazole, last month went back to otc Prilosec; but that was kind of my crutch to still be able to have coffee and chocolate when I want because I wouldn't have the heartburn afterward. Since I stopped taking it this month I still have the occasional heartburn, but I know why! That coffee I had this morning gave me that esophageal burn til lunch, but then the salt and garlic I had in my cabbage/kale saute didn't help. I thought I was doing good by choosing the coconut ice cream tonight, but it had chocolate. This was an uncomfortable day. I might to do a restart on those fronts and cut them out :-O. Next hurdle will be getting off Cymbalta. Work in progress...

I'm so thankful I knew who to go to, that I didn't have to keep starting over with new doctors to find something that they'd never physically see on a scan. I feel "lighter" mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and unburdened by the unknown I was trying to find. Every day is different, I still struggle with choices, I cheat :-P I get pains, I'm not 100% YET, but I'm so much more encouraged and feel like I'm out of the pit I was in. Thank God for peace, encouragement, answered prayers, and for friends and moms who have prayed for me.

If you have "invisible" pain, or an unnamed autoimmune issue I totally recommend looking up Sarah Ballantyne, Ph.D. (a.k.a. The Paleo Mom) @thepaleomom for scientific and dietary resources. 
http://www.thepaleomom.com/about-sarah-2
www.facebook.com/thepaleomom

If you don't know where to start, Cori will help you out too  :)  
www.facebook.com/good4thesol
www.good4thesol.com

I also starting adding recipes and things to an AIP/Paleo Pinterest Board.
www.pinterest.com/lcclifton

Don't give up on yourself. It's been a while since I'd seen that jaw and collar bone.  ;)

Beef and Lentil Stew

Kid and Husband Tested and Approved
The not-so-picky eaters gobbled it up. The picky eater had a number count to eat, but she was sick and not that hungry anyway. That's my story, and I'm stickin to it because it really is good. We've all gotten tired of the celery and carrot bases, as well as the go-to soup filler, potatoes. Dh isn't keen on cooked carrots anyway, so this was a welcome soup change with petite diced tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Notes: 
This serves at least 6. With our family of little people there was a ton leftover. Great the next day and hubby's lunch.

Total time could be around 2 hrs, so give yourself time for simmering and deeper flavor. If you don't have that much time, cook the beef longer at the beginning, add the onions and other wet ingredients and lentils, bring to a boil and simmer at that point. I removed the beef to cook the onions to give them more room and less interruption and stirring of the meat. It's not necessary for time's sake (and dirtying more dishes).  :)

For the flour in this recipe I used unbleached all purpose, but you can sub GF flour blends or individual ones like masa harina or arrowroot (these would be smoother for coating vs an almond flour). The purpose is to add a thickening agent, and it keeps some moisture in the meat while browning. You can also wait and add cornstarch the last 10 minutes (1 Tbs cold water mixed with 1 Tbs corn starch). Skip this altogether if you want more of a brothy soup and not a thick stew.

For the spinach you can use frozen, just be sure to thaw and squeeze out the water. Fresh is pretty and rustic, but whatever you have works.

For the garlic, I had already minced in a jar, which is about 1 tsp to a fresh clove. You can use powder if that's what you have on hand. I'd say about 4 tsp or to your taste.

Ingredients

3 Tbs olive oil
1 1/2 lb beef stew meat 
1 tsp each salt and pepper
Approx 1 cup flour to coat the beef
2 (14) oz cans petite diced tomatoes
1 small yellow onion diced
6 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp celery seed
2 bay leaves
6 cups vegetable stock
Approx. 12 oz lentils rinsed
Fresh baby spinach leaves - added at the end, roughly chopped, or just hand tear as you add.

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl combine flour, salt and pepper, add the beef and mix to coat.


2. Heat 2 Tbs (or turns of the pan) oil in a large stock pot over medium/high heat, shake excess flour from the beef as you transfer to the pot. Brown evenly turning 2 or 3 times (approx 8 min).


3. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon, set aside in a bowl, cover.


4. Add and heat the other 1 Tbs of oil to the pot, add the onion and garlic and saute until onion is translucent (approx. 6 min).


5. Add the beef back to the pot, tomatoes in juice, oregano and stock. Bring to a boil.


6. Reduce heat to medium/low, cover and simmer approx. 40 min stirring occasionally.


7. Add the lentils. Remember they will expand a bit, so you can add some water or more stock at this point, to preferred consistency. Cover and continue to simmer another 30 min or until lentils are tender.


8. Stir in the spinach and simmer another 5 minutes to wilt. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Yellow Squash Bread

Kid-tested and approved! My lo thought it was banana bread. The squash in this recipe can be subbed with zucchini, carrot or a banana.

The GF blend that I have says it can be subbed cup for cup in recipes, but I have not found that to be true with my regular recipes. It is a brown rice, arrowroot blend with xantham gum added. From pancakes to corn bread, they come out mushy. For true GF you could try 3/4 cu coconut flour and 3/4 cu almond or similar. You need a little bit of a dryer blend, which is why I used half AP flour. I did a batch of all AP, and it's just more dense. The GF additions usually add moisture and sweetness.

1/4 cu room temp butter (=1/2 stick)
1/4 cu coconut oil (scoop 1-2 Tbs into a microwavable bowl, 30 seconds to melt, then measure)
1 cu light brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp lemon juice or zest (whatever you have on hand)

3/4 cu unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cu gluten-free blend of choice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
1 cu grated/shredded yellow squash (=1/2 large squash, so you can double this and make 2 batches!)
1/2 cu nuts of choice (optional)


1. Preheat oven to 350. Use some of the butter to grease a standard loaf pan.

2. Using a mixer (I used a hand mixer) blend the butter, oil, brown sugar, egg and lemon until smooth.

3. Sift in the dry ingredients. I don't have a sifter, so I used a fine mesh drainer, combined it all in there and tapped it into the wet mixture. Mix well.

4. Squeeze and drain the squash in a paper towel. (I scooped some of the seeds out before grating, optional, I just wanted more of the meat).

5. Fold the squash (and nuts) into the batter. It will be thick, you can use a rubber spatula to blend the squash in and spread into the pan.

6. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Start with 45 as mine browned well at that time. Remove and cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

*It makes a couple slices more than the picture. We ate some before I could plate it!

September 11th, Patriot Day and Homeschool

It's been so long since I've posted anything. It's been so crazy busy, and I haven't really been able to put many full thoughts together to write something worth reading. However, today I thought I'd share some resources I found to start the discussion of 9/11 and Patriot Day with the kids, specifically Jenna, whom I am home schooling right now. I started simple and gave her more information as we went.

1. The first thing I did was verbally explain to her that it IS Patriot Day today. I gave her the simplest explanation of 9/11, with basic information. She doesn't know much about New York itself, what the twin towers mean, what the Pentagon is...so some men who do not like America used airplanes to crash into the two tallest buildings in the United States. Many people died, including firefighters and police officers trying to rescue the people in the buildings. There was also an attack on the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and another plane that the brave people took back over from the men crashed in Pennsylvania. Patriot Day is to remember all of these heroes and be thankful for and proud to live in America. Something to that effect  :)  I also asked who the current President is and told her who the President was at the time.

2. All three of the kids did this activity: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Patriot-Day-ABC-Order-Activity-FREEBIE-869394. Cutting, coloring, gluing, ABC order.

3. We looked up pictures of the original twin towers and the Pentagon. By using "original" I was trying to bypass any actual attack pictures, which I did, and also saw a picture of the memorial. I showed her pictures of George W. at the site, with some firemen, when he was told of what happened at the school. She wanted to see pictures of the plane crash, that would not be happening at this time. One of the pictures of George W. with a firemen showed their emotional faces, Jenna asked what happened (as in why they looked sad). I told her that many people lost their lives, those firemen probably lost friends who were trying to save other people, and that it was a sad day for America. In the search, the side-bar also showed Bin Laden, who I explained briefly as the leader of the group of men who attacked America, and that our military and government caught him.

4. I skip-read this: http://www.classbrain.com/artfree/publish/cat_index_17.shtml. I read this next. I asked her what a hero is. She said, "Someone who saves the day."  :)  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/memorial-day/kids-poems-rhymes/the-american-hero.html. She learned what the term "civilian" is referring to and that all of the firefighters, responders, people on board the plane in Pennsylvania are heroes.

5. I read to her (and she read a few sentences) the Patriot Day Proclamation from George W. Bush September 2002. It's so long she really didn't want to read it, I did most of the reading...slowly with emphasis. That is Patriot Day and when it started.

6. I watched this with her. http://www.brainpop.co.uk/humanities/historymodern/september11th/. Animated description of the day. Now, I have conclusions of my own about why the towers fell, the Pentagon getting hit that differ from this video, but I just pointed out that this is the government's explanation of the events.

7. Next she wanted to do this one and enjoyed it, simple, fun. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Patriot-Day-printable-book-for-primary-grades-September-11-866807.

8. I printed this whole resource: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Patriot-Day-9-11-CLIP-Creative-Learning-in-a-Pinch-820814. Jenna started the word search, but took a much needed break (if you call self-initiated, self-reading in her room a break lol)

-I'm going to help her with the crossword "spiral" and math (show her how to use a calculator since we're not on multiplication yet). She played with the calculator on her own for a little bit while I was reviewing and publishing this. I gave her some shortcuts about multiplication with 10s and 11s, which she may not retain, but also using the calculator to CHECK the work not just get the answer. We also haven't gotten into "ones" on the clock, so I guess we'll start that since it's on the same page as the math wheel. :)

-Tomorrow I think we'll get into the Pledge of Allegiance. When she was in school they said it in class, so she knows it. But I found a cute printable of it that I printed on card stock, and this other sheet to break out the meaning. It's a pocket calendar and Pledge for classrooms. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Printable-Patriotic-Kids-Pocket-Chart-Calendar-and-Pledge-of-Allegiance-297639.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pledge-of-Allegiance-Reflection-September-11th-Patriot-Day-Activity-45142.

-I want to stick to the patriotic theme this week, maybe emergency response.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Emergency-9-1-1-Mini-Activity-Pack-Lesson-Plan-Ideas-658508.

Seriously, this is the most planning for her home schooling I've done in the last month. But today was very motivating.

Carrie: The Next Chapter

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, 'I gave birth to him in pain.' Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from evil that I may not cause pain.' And God granted his request." -1Chronicles 4:9-10

This verse has been a personal favorite of mine for many years. Even today it speaks new things to me. Oh how He has blessed me, enlarged my territory (area of influence and responsibilities) this year. I pray often that it would be His hands working through me because I cannot do anything in my own strength. Oh how He has spared me that I may not cause or endure pain.

The past year and a half have been a huge struggle for me emotionally. Well, really, since I had Jared. I've learned that personal struggles are not that at all, they affect those around you. For me, it's been my kids. Thank God for a rock of a husband who is understanding, patient and not easily moved by my craziness. I've felt like a shaken can of soda ready to burst as soon as one of my children did something that set me off. I seriously think my hormones were totally thrown out of whack. Call it PPD, PMDD, anxiety, whatever. Accompanied with fatigue and migraines, this did not bode well for the loving, nurturing, supportive home that I aspired to have for my family. I don't have unrealistic, perfect expectations, but something had to give. I've gotten some medicinal assistance, which has also been a struggle since I hate taking medication, but there came a time when I would do anything to stabilize my sanity and the emotional and physical security of my family.

So now that I feel half-way normal, we decided to home-school and got a puppy.  :)

The less complex decision first:

We always said we'd wait until Jared was 5 to get any kind of pet, that was the goal...until we went to Texas for Christmas and almost came home with a puppy. We didn't, and I literally (a little ashamedly) cried most of the 13 hour drive back. It's so silly now, it was just a puppy, maybe it was baby fever, I don't know. But I was eventually able to move on from the situation. THEN we decided to go to Purina Farms over Easter where a local rescue had brought puppies to play with. It was a sign I tell you! It was a good thing they didn't do on-the-spot adoptions, but I did throw out some pouty guilt to Lance about our first missed puppy opportunity.

The rescue idea stuck with me. When we got home I started looking into local rescues that had puppies. It was really more like window shopping because I knew we wouldn't actually take the time to go to any of them. Well, last weekend we were on the way to the park with some cranky kids, we took our usual route past Wal-Mart and Petco where I glanced and saw an interesting red and yellow sign out front. I couldn't read it, but my curiosity was struck. We pulled in, and it was adoption day. The kids always love to see animals, so this would be a good pit stop. There were a bunch of puppies. Some of them looked familiar, so I asked where they were from. The woman gave me the name and city, and I immediately knew they were one of the places I bookmarked online. Another sign I tell you! We got to hold some for a donation, we walked around a little, but the kids were still itching to go to the park before it got dark. The adoption was also cash only, so we couldn't do anything right then. We had a little bit of time to really think about it. Lance said ok. By the time we left the park we had enough time to get cash and go to back to Petco before she packed up the puppies! I knew exactly which one I wanted, and of course Jenna was OVER THE MOON. She's been wanting a dog for at least 2 years. She had one in mind, but said she didn't care what color it was, she just wanted a puppy. And that was that. The puppy still had to get spayed, which the rescue took care of, so we had a few days to prepare the house some. What I wasn't prepared for was the sleep deprivation of potty training. It's been a week, though, and I can say we have adjusted pretty well to our new addition, Lyla.  :)

Now the more in-depth decision, though, not a tough one.

For the last few months I have been researching, discussing, praying and contemplating homeschool for Jenna. It wasn't until I went to a homeschool expo this last weekend that I could actually say the words, "I'm going to homeschool her next year." For some reason I had stuck to, "I'm thinking of homeschooling..." Even though I had known in my heart for some time that that was what we were going to do, I couldn't say the words. My brain and the realization of everything that meant as far as CHANGE and ADJUSTMENT hadn't really caught up. I ran into a friend, told her I was "thinking about it" and that I had purchased some things. She immediately said, "Well you're not really thinking about it then." It hit me. I was PLANNING! The decision was really made, I just never said it out loud. You would think being at a conference like that where everyone was FOR homeschooling, a safe place, I'd be able to just say it. What was I so afraid of? From that moment on, when I'd stop at a vendor, I was simply a "first-timer." I am still saying, "We'll see how the year goes."  :)

Why was it so difficult to finalize the decision? Now this might sound dramatic, but the more I realized we have the freedom to teach our children in any way we want, the more intimidated I got. I feared ruining my child. It's one thing to stay home, being able to influence them, pour into them, then send them to school. It's quite another to be their main influence, 24/7, sole provider of education, the enrichment of their mind for the rest of their life! (insert exaggeration, but just a little). Aside from the facts and figures of learning is the character side. My character, behavior, mannerisms, are on full display, all day, to affect her, her character, her actions, her spirit. Talk about pressure.

A thought came to me this weekend that I really hadn't dwelt on until I had those 5 1/2 hours walking around, looking at tons of materials, listening to seminars, my brain functioning for one purpose: The ONLY reason we ever moved to Missouri was for me to be able to stay home (aka to afford for me not to work). I'm not referring to God's purposes for us being here and the "big picture", just reasons in my finite mind. Although, maybe homeschooling is one of them, now that I think about it. Well, five years ago (wow, it's been that long?!) staying at home held a little different meaning. I only had Jenna, endless amounts of time with her, I could teach her, rock her for 2 hours if I wanted to, go where-ever we wanted to, we didn't quite know what the future held for our family, I was lonely, isolated, you SAHMs know the drill. At the time homeschooling wasn't even a speck of a thought in my mind. The automatic thought is "school." Default. "Normal." Christian, public, those choices were discussed, but that was the extent of it.

I really believe I was supposed to be at that expo. It gave me some peace. I went to two seminars that were exactly what I needed. I wrote out the highlights below and believe this information can help many other moms, parents, PEOPLE.

My own comments are in brackets  :)

1.  The first was with Matthew Stevens, a former school teacher-turned homeschooler-turned curriculum author and speaker. He had a life-long battle with anger, resentment and pride. [Don't we all in some way?] He quoted a friend, former pastor and a speaker, Dr. S.M. Davis many times. He began with this, "The single biggest problems that fathers and mothers have is not the children; it is the parent's own impatience and anger." And Rev. James Martin said, "We're only as spiritual as we are in the home." [Ouch. I also think I needed to hear this one before appreciating the next!]

The Catastrophic Effects of Anger and the Hope in Humility in the Home

When we encounter someone, do they see Christ or just an angry person that says they're a Christian? Pride is all about our image. We very often can control ourselves outside the home because we want a good image. Inside may be a whole other story.

• Vengeance is not yours. We're getting angry because we've been crossed. We're taking vengeance. We feel like we have the authority to dish out and lash BACK. As we are training our children, it cannot be in a vengeful way.
  
• Romans 12:19 - "Never take your own revenge...'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord."
  
• Man's anger is never righteous. God is holy; his anger can be righteous because he is sinless.
  
• James 1:20 - "human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
• Romans 8:23 - (paraphrase) "We groan for the day our bodies will be redeemed." They aren't yet. Our anger will never be for God's glory.
• We justify angry outbursts because they "are someone else's fault." When you look at the other person, don't think of it as an attack on you. You are having a reaction.
• Proverbs 22:24 - "Do not associate with a man given to anger."
• Our children are learning our ways. Our outbursts produce rebellion. [I can attest to this first-hand! Jenna is always immediately reactive and worse when I am sarcastic, inpatient and angry.]

Anger the Destroyer

•  Biblical description:
  
• Broken walls allow the enemy to come in and attack. Proverbs 25:28 - "He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls."
  
  
• Heavy/unbearable load. We are foolish to get angry. Proverbs 27:3 - "Stone is heavy and sand weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier and more intolerable than both of them."
• Think about the weight your children and spouse carry around b/c of your anger. To live knowing and expecting it. 

• An overwhelming flood. Anger can undo 5 weeks of progress in 5 minutes. Proverbs 27:4 - "Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood."

Pride Causes Anger

• Something in our world went wrong. Proverbs 21:24 - "A proud and haughty man - 'Scoffer' is his name; He acts with arrogant pride."
  
• We tend to be more angry if we are struggling and dealing with sin in our life. There is guilt in unconfessed sin (ie. Cain, Balaam, David).
  
• Put away bitterness, wrath and anger. Ephesians 4:29-32 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.
  
• Parenting without anger.
  
• "My children will only respond to anger."
• Children are only responding this way b/c that's what anger TRAINED them to do. [This reminds me of the puppy's reactions to my tone - aka training!]
• You must retrain yourself and then them.
• Patiently teach them over and over. [They are children after-all!]
• We REact out of disobedience. We should be training them to follow God's law, not what is for our own good.
• The offense isn't against you, but God's law. They need to be reminded they've been created for God's glory. [We need to teach them what that means in respect to their behavior.]

• Spanking. Never administered in anger; only after the child has been patiently taught repeatedly.
• Because we love God, he disciplines us.
• Proverbs 22:8 - "He who sows [puts in] iniquity [wrong doing, unfairness] will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail." It doesn't prove productive, only failure [when unfair, sinful].
  
• Discipline that works. You can be firm without being angry.
• Judicious, not judgmental.
• Emphatic [insistent], not enraged. 
• Determined, not destructive.
• Watchful, not wrathful.
  
• Spirit of displine.
• Calm
• Attentive
• Firm 
  

The Problem with Impatience

• It instigates our anger. "Patience isn't an elective in God's curriculum but rather a required course that is foundational to your advancement in many areas of life." -S.M. Davis
• YOU'VE been forgiven much.
• Matthew 18:21-35 - The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• Patient people are seldom angry. Impatient people are always angry.
• James 1:19 - "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

The Result of Impatience

• It shows a lack of true love. When I'm impatient I'm not loving. 1Corinthians 13:4-5 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered (provoked), it keeps no record of wrongs."

The Hope of Humility

1. It brings grace and honor
2. It is not an option
3. It will deliver you 

• Consider this with your children:
• Are YOU teachable?
• Are you approachable?
• Are you willing to take the time to train?
• Strive for effective communication, not with a sarcastic spirit.
• Spoken words = 7% effectiveness
• Facial expressions = 55%
• Tone of voice = 38%
• Build your home on humility.
• Admit wrongs. It's about our individual relationships with God.
• Ask forgiveness.
• Be committed.
• Ask your family for help.

Anger drives your children away.

2.  The second seminar I went to was entitled, "Eliminating the ADD Crisis" by Joyce Herzog. The premise was not to dismiss or lessen the symptoms of the child and very real struggles that families encounter with children who have been diagnosed with ADD. However, it was very enlightening to the fact that children are over-diagnosed based on their behavior as well as over-medicated for these issues. It was very much focusing on the individual child as a PERSON not a diagnosis. Remember, these are my notes, not all my opinion :)

You might wonder why I would go to a seminar about ADD since Jenna's never been diagnosed. If you've spent time with Jenna in a learning environment of any kind, you might not  :)  Let's just say much of this hit home.

Symptoms of ADD/ADHD

• Inattention [oh wait, that's me]
• Careless mistakes [me]
• Forgetfulness [me]
• Distracibility [me] and Impulsivity (blurting out, leaving their seat) [me]
• Hyperactivity

Though many experts have suggested removing all physical distractions for children with ADD, they will find a way to be distracted! In many ways were are trying to "fix" the child in a working school system. Instead try to think of the system as being broken and the child sacred. [Oooh that one got me.]

When you wonder why more boys are diagnosed with ADD than girls remember that God created men and women differently. The school system has been trying to avoid the differences.

The ADD Myth

In the 1950's psychiatry began categorizing behavioral traits. In turn, the field benefited from people being diagnosed. You can't take a blood or urine test for ADD, but the behaviors could be controlled with anti-psychotic medications. That's where the partnership with the pharmaceutical companies came in.

At this time in regards to schooling, progress and success was linked only to mastering skills. It is now linked to time in the system. *Don't buy new curriculum b/c their allotted time (or grade level) has gone by. Move on when they have LEARNED. Success and learning = progress! See your children for who they are and what they can do, not as school students at a grade level. [This was an eye-opener for me and will be a major shift for homeschooling.]

If you think of your child as "learning disabled," it defines your whole approach to the child. You know your child better than any professional. You tell them what's best for them!

Parental expectations bring about change. You can either CONTROL their behavior or EMPOWER them to take control of their behavior.

• Separate who he/she is from how she behaves. Explain that they are here for a purpose, and it isn't to throw tantrums (for example). They can return when they're ready to not throw a tantrum. But also don't assume the worst of them.

• They need to learn to control their own body. Sports are a great way to do this. Keep in mind if group sports are best, or something like karate where they must be in control. One exercise is time how long they can move only their eyes. Even if it's only for 2 seconds, praise them!! Move the time up. They are controlling body movements.
  
• Find an energy outlet! If they can't run around the house, find a place where they can. Another tip is that young children write better on a slanted surface. Some may need to stand up.

• Require early on she recognize her problem. 
• "You know, you can be a little clumsy sometimes."
• Show them what impulsive means. Mimic their behavior; "that's how it looks to me." Show them their reflection.
• Don't always focus on weaknesses. List and praise behaviors and attitudes that are good.
  
• Solutions
• Physical (Vision and Hearing)
• College of Vision and Hearing Development (covd.org)
• Find a doctor that can test vision FUNCTIONS, not just health of the eye and for vision correction. They may need vision training.
  
• Some children need to be active to learn or recite information.
  
• Diet and Exercise
• Regular balanced meals
• Do they have energy outlets? They may need a 10 min. learning time and 15 min. break. Move up to 15 min. class and 10 min. break, then a break every hour.
• Make sure they're in a controlled environment. At a small school it was a parking lot.
• Teach them control with exercise, jumping jacks, jump rope, etc.

• Use a gentle but firm touch
• One example could be that they need their back rubbed to stay focused.
• James Evans Autobiography (a good read-aloud for the family)

• Involve her in the solution! Not just telling her what to do. She's not a problem, she's a child. Involve her in setting goals.
• Give praise for any success (ie. stopping before crossing the street), behavior or academic.
• Help her think. "How did you knock down your sister? How should it have been handled? How can you improve next time? [I went and did this with Jenna that NIGHT, and it has been amazing.]
• Do not compare to siblings with what they can and can't do.
• If she is good at something you're not comfortable teaching (constructing, science experiments), find a place where she can be good at it! Channel their creative energy.
  
• Look at environmental solutions. You many need to change the structure of your home or classroom.
• Younger kids think better between 10 and 11 a.m. Use that!
• Older kids work better at night. They might prefer to read in their bed at 10 p.m. Work WITH them! Especially at home, you are in control of the schedule and structure.
  
• Learning solutions:
  
• They may not thrive using worksheets. 
• Maybe they like to highlight information or circle WRONG answers. [Jenna is very particular when it comes to me repeating directions exactly the same each time she works on a problem. If I don't, she's throws a fit. I tried to fit her into my teaching style and making her learn in different ways, when I should have been focusing on the best way SHE learns.]
  
• Spiritual solutions:
• Pray with your child and for your child.
• Praise God for them IN THEIR EARS.
• Record prayer requests and answers with them.
• Show them how important they are to God and you. 
• Accept limitations while challenging them to do their best and to make progress.
• They need positive role models with good habits they can copy.
• Dads are daughters' first boyfriends, and mom are sons' first girlfriends. Teach them what to expect and is expected of them.
• Find family time to build that bond.
• Work out consequences with them. For example, they don't want their brother to touch their things. Ask how they should handle OTHER people's things. Should they not touch their brother's things either? It is in their control.
• Get someone to watch your child so you can have a break.

This requires focus from you, even if they don't have it. 

Remind them that God accepts you as you are because you said "YES, I want to be yours." Everything else is secondary, even their hyperactivity. Help them to become who God created them to be.

God isn't done with YOU yet either. Cooperate with him, teach your children to cooperate with you.