Can I just tell you something that has been really bugging me lately...? About a week ago on Facebook an acquaintance wrote something like the following post: “I love my kids, but I hate being a mom.” That post has seriously bothered me all week! I think what made it worse is someone commented under her post and said something along the lines of “You should feel blessed! What about all the women that can't have children?” where this poster replied, “Ya, they're called Aunts.” Wow. Completely heartless. I don't care if she was trying to be funny. It wasn't. I've taught elementary school for 7 years, I'm an aunt, and a sister but you know what...there is NOTHING like being a mom. When my husband and I got married we choose not to do any sort of birth control. Kids could come as they would. As time went on, and I didn't get pregnant, I started to get a little worried. Let me tell you, the threat of not being able to have kids makes you even more grateful when they finally do come. (Ironically, going off wheat helped my body be able to get pregnant but that's a different story for another time.) So, I've thought a lot about this facebooker's statement: “hate being a mom” all week and it's done something to me (besides ticking me off). It's made me so sincerely GRATEFUL that I AM A MOM. AND it's actually helped me see things in a different light. And maybe I share this story with you in hopes that it might help you be a little more grateful too. Is being a mom hard? Yes, totally. It's a job that you can't clock out of. There's times where you wish you could have slept in a little more or you wish someone else would make dinner or do the laundry etc. There's times that you get angry when your kids won't listen to you or frustrated when they leave their toys out... And don't even get me started on delivering a baby. Aside from all the negative you could ever brainstorm, the reality is nothing beats being a mom. Nothing beats a giant smile from your 1 year old or a “anaconda squeeze” from your 3 year old. Nothing beats the sound of your child saying the word “Mom.” And all the little things I used to get so annoyed with before this week have turned into something to smile about. Because you know what, my kids won't be kids forever. These times are treasured memories in the making. Being a mom is one of my greatest blessings in life besides being married to my husband. It is truly a gift from God. So to this mom's post- I say to her I hope you were just having a bad day and realize what a treasure you really do possess (and that you'll think before posting and trying to get a simple laugh or comment on facebook.) ;) Be thankful. Be grateful. God has blessed you with so much. And remember this: "Perhaps the most significant of all classrooms is the classroom of the home. It is in the home that we form our attitudes, our deep held beliefs. It is in the home that hope is fostered or destroyed. Our homes are the laboratories of our lives. What we do there determines the course of our lives when we leave home." Your kids are learning from you even when you're not teaching them. So, let's try our best not to screw that up. ;) Whew. Thank you, for letting me vent a little. I feel better. With that said, here's a great recipe for your little ones. (Psst- Are hot dogs the healthiest? No, so we don't eat them very often but when we do, this is a fun recipe my daughter LOVES. And that's the power I have as a mom- I can help brighten her day.) If you haven't tried my Gluten Free Quick Rolls you really should! They are fast, easy, and taste super good just fresh out of the oven. They're very versatile as well. I make hamburger buns, a loaf in the bread machine, and hot dog buns. One of my readers even uses them for bread-sticks too! Making hot dog buns is a little more tedious than making rolls because I don't have a scooper that makes that perfect hot dog shape. So, I usually have to wet my fingers and shape it out. Rolls on the other hand are quick and easy with an ice cream scooper! Scoop and wha-bam. Done. So, I wanted to create a fun little meal for my daughter that was as tasty as a hot dog but quicker for me to assemble. The result is this next recipe: Gluten Free Hot Dog Rolls
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Serve warm. Goes great with ketchup and mustard. Note from jalene: Grapeseed Oil has a higher cooking temperature than Olive Oil so it is highly recommended for this recipe. It also has a very minimal flavor so it will not affect the taste of your rolls. It is healthier than Canola Oil or other alternatives so we highly recommend only using Grapeseed Oil for this recipe.
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Gluten Free on the go can be tricky! Especially when we're talking about school lunches. Let's face it, if you're new to gluten free (or even if you're a pro) it's really hard to find a good kid-pleasing sandwich substitute! Let me introduce you to a yummy solution! Peanut Butter & Jelly Waffle SandwichesI simply used my Husband's Favorite Waffles Recipe made on a regular waffle maker (not a Belgium-style) and then slathered on my favorite organic peanut butter & jelly. Walla! The waffle is such a great unsweetened base you could also do sausage and an egg instead of pb&j or even deli meat and cheese. The waffle is also freezable so you can cook up plenty at one time for a whole week's worth of lunches! Enjoy ;) (Gluten Free, Dairy Free) Created by jalene Ingredients:
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If you haven't seen this combination before you're probably thinking I'm crazy... But trust me, it's actually quite delicious! Let's be honest though, chocolate has a way of making everything a little better don't you think? ;) This is a great way to sneak some healthy food in your kid's dessert. Just don't let them watch you make it! But why avocados you ask? They're simply incredibly good for you and have some surprising health benefits. Among other things, can you believe they help prevent birth defects and cure bad breath? Crazy I know! Those are just 2 out of the 15 amazing things they can help do. (Click this article for the other 13 benefits.) Enjoy! Avocado Chocolate Pudding(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Can be Vegan) Adapted by jalene from a recipe by fearlesshomemaker.com Serves 2 Ingredients:
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Well, it's the final countdown! I'm due in 9 days but we'll see when this little precious baby girl wants to come... Until then I'll only be posting 2x a week instead. Hopefully you understand... ;) Man, I feel like there's so much more I need to get done before I deliver...like picking a name for example. I'm drawing blanks people! Audrey hasn't been any help either. ;) Her suggestions have been "toothbrush" or "makeup" (of course with her giggles following...). Audrey's name just came to us as soon as we found out she was a girl but for some reason I can't decide on this one! Any suggestions!?! This next recipe is really fun. It's a healthy way to have a corndog because it's baked and not fried. Kids (and adults) LOVE them! In fact, the first time I made them my nephew and husband practically were besides themselves that there was only a couple per person. I should have double batched it! So word to the wise, if you have a big family, you may want to double or even triple the batch! PS- The base of this great recipe is my Cornbread Muffin Recipe- just slightly altered to be more salty than sweet. Gluten Free Corndog Muffins(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nitrate Free, Egg Free) Created by jalene Ingredients:
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I turned this meal into a finger foods! Audrey loved it. I served raw organic carrot sticks and my oven baked french fries with my muffins. (We also had a green salad but I wouldn't suggest fingering that...) ;) Enjoy! Have you ever felt guilty eating too many mini-muffins?! I usually start thinking "Man, how many of these darn things have I've eaten already...I should stop!" But with these muffins, it was the first time I didn't hear that little voice! I kept hearing, "Whew! These are so good for you! Have another!" Ha ha. I secretly LOVE this next recipe! Well, it's not quite the secret anymore I guess. ;) They are so packed full of health, it's great! The best part, my little 2 year old ADORED them! I even used them as bribery for her to finish all of her brussels sprouts at dinner! (Which I had to snicker to myself because she would still be getting her veggies as she devoured these babies...ha!) These muffins could work great in the morning as a quick on-the-go breakfast or even as a after school delight! Enjoy! (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free) Adapted by jalene from a recipe by weelicious.com Makes 30-36 mini muffins Ingredients:
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Sometimes I forget to post the quick little things we eat if we need a fast snack. This next one is a great in between meal for those hungry little eaters. You could even turn it into a meal depending on what you serve with it! We love to throw in avocado or replace the ham for cooked chicken. Whatever combination, it's sure to please! Ham and Cheese Quesadilla(Gluten Free, Can be Dairy Free) Created by jalene Ingredients:
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My sister-in-law has been in town and she has the cutest little boy just 5 months younger than Audrey. (Be sure to check out the funny video below of them.) My sister-in-law's son is gluten and dairy free also so she has been picking my brain for the types of meals I feed Audrey. Since my husband and I mostly eat gluten free and dairy free, Audrey eats what we do. I simply chop it up for easier chewing. However, there are some occasions when we do have a little dairy in our meals and on those days I need something quick and easy to throw together for Audrey. This next recipe only takes 5-7 minutes from start to finish. It's a great meal to sneak in a lot of vegetables. I categorized this meal as a "Kid Meal" to the right but you can also try this for adults. Simply leave the noodles whole. You'll be amazed how the carrot and spinach just blend right into the sauce. Fortified Spaghetti (Toddler Version) (Gluten Free, Dairy Free) Created by jalene Ingredients:
Tip from jalene:If you start adding in food when a child is young they are more likely to eat it as they get older. If your child is having a hard time with "weird" vegetables talk about the food you are giving them. For instance, if you know your child may have an adversion to "green things" in their spaghetti teach them about the powers of spinach! Use Popeye if you need to! (If you need some help of the benefits of spinach see HERE.) Often letting a child know what a vegetable will do for them (spinach-strong bones & immunity, carrots-better eye sight) will encourage them to eat it. Audrey & her cousin...(Ps- It was a windy day. You may want to adjust your volume accordingly.) He throws the ball while she runs the bases. Hilarious!
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