Yum. Brownies.

Last week my mom, mamo, and grandpa came in town for my 30th Birthday. Thursday night they came over for dinner and I wanted to make a quick and easy dessert. Gregory helped me make these brownies that are totally Galactosemia Friendly! Hooray!!!

Carr-ca-what????

Recently we found out . . . or just realized (oops!) . . . that Gregory cannot have the ingredient "carrageenan". We were excited to find out he can have soy milk . . . only if it doesn't have "carrageenan". I have yet to find a soy milk that doesn't contain it. Just another thing in our constant quest of learning more and more about galactosemia!

For all you geeks out there, here is the definition of this weird sounding word:

Carrageenans or carrageenins ( /ˌkærəˈɡiːnənz/ karr-ə-ghee-nənz) are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red seaweeds. There are several varieties of carrageen used in cooking and baking. Kappa-carrageenan is used mostly in breading and batter due to its gelling nature. Lambda carrageenan is a non gelling variety that assists in binding, retaining moisture and in contributing to viscosity in sweet doughs. Iota carrageenan is used primarily in fruit applications and requires calcium ions to develop a heat-reversible and flexible gel.^[1]
Gelatinous extracts of the Chondrus crispus seaweed have been used as food additives for hundreds of years.^[2] Carrageenan is a vegetarian and vegan alternative to gelatin.

First Day of Preschool!!!!

Today was Gregory's first day of Preschool and he did G-R-E-A-T!!! And no, I didn't cry! I know! I suprised myself too! He went in, we signed in, went to the bathroom and washed hands, met friends and played. We stayed for about 10 minutes and left. Teacher said he did great! So proud of my big boy! We love you Gregory!

The many faces of Gregory

4 more days until Pre-school!!!!!

This Thursday, August 11th, will be Gregory's 1st day of Preschool!!!!! And I am so excited for him! I'm sure I'll be crying come Thursday but right now I can't wait! We've got his school supplies and some new tennies. He'll be going every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:30-11:30. We'd like him to got M-F but as of right now they are all booked. See if that changes once school starts. I'll post pics of his first day but until then, please pray for an easy transistion for him! Hugs!

OT Evaluation

Today Gregory had his Ocupation Therapy evaluation at the same place that did his speech and language evaluation. Long story short, she is going to reccomend him for  some therapy. He does need help with some of his motor skill problems. She thinks he'll test lower than he actually is because his behavior issues got in the way of him actually being able to show her what he can do. She thinks that he could benenfit from some help and she'll want to do some sensory stuff with him. She could tell he is a fast learner though. I really enjoyed meeting her. I pray his insurance with cover it! So great to know he is getting the help he needs. Ü

Snap! Crackel! Pop!

Rice Krispy Treats meant Rice Krispys for breakfast! Gregory loves the way they talk to him. He's getting to be such a big boy. He can pour his own rice milk now. I just love the mess on his face. Ü

Recipe: Rice Krispy Treats

I have been seeing this in all my magazines and had been wanting to try them . . . Gregory can have rice crispy treats made with Blue Bonnet Light Margarine. So, I knew he could have these if I used the chocolate chips he can have which are the Ghirardelli Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. They didn't turn out very well. I think when you use that margarine instead of butter they just are more "flat". There was no way I could stick a popcicle stick in one. No room. So, I had already melted the chocolate so I just drizzled it all over the squares. They were okay. Gregory liked them which is all that matters! Brought them to his cousin Scout's birthday party. Got to start doing those sort of things now that he notices he can't have the birthday cake. Even though family is so good about having something there for him. His Aunt Heather made sure she had some yummy raspberry sorbet on hand! Thanks Auntie!  

 

Summer Recipes - Dessert bars on ice cream sticks dipped in chocolate

Whipping up these summery goodies and popping them onto ice-cream sticks with your kids makes any summer day a little cooler.

(Nutrition Information)

• 3 tablespoons   butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40)   regular marshmallows
• - OR -
• 4 cups   miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups   Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal
• - OR -
• 6 cups   Kellogg's® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
• 18   wooden ice cream sticks
• 1 1/2 cups   semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• - OR -
• 1 1/2 cups   white chocolate morsels
• 1 tablespoon   vegetable oil
•    Multi-colored sprinkles (optional)
• Why use Kellogg's® Rice Krispies®?
  

  

  Why use Kellogg's® Rice Krispies®?

  As the first crisped rice cereal, Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® has been bringing families together in the kitchen for over 80 years.
  To experience the timeless flavor, make your Rice Krispies Treats® squares with the original Rice Krispies® brand cereal.
  

  Where to buy

  

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

2. Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into eighteen 3 x 2-inch bars. Push one stick into the bottom of each bar.

3. In small microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate morsels and oil. Microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Dip bars into chocolate and decorate as you like. Place on wax paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate is set. Best if served the same day.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.
Notes:For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.

Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.

Bi-anual Metabolic Clinic Apointment

 

 Yesterday Gregory had his appointment he has twice a year at the C.R.S. (Children's Rehabilitation Services). This is where is team of doctors are for his Galactosemia. Tommy and I dread this appointment every time because you cannot get out of there in under 2 hours. You wait in the waiting room. Then they weigh, measure his height, circumference of his head and blood pressure. Gregory has developed this fear of doctors all of a sudden so this whole part was very traumatic for him. 

We get in the room and wait. Then the nutritionist comes in. This time we got to meet Candace. She is more new there and we hadn't met her before. LOVED her! Very sweet and knowledgeable. Has a heart for Galactosemia which is such a blessing. I have a feeling she will come in very useful in the future. And hopefully I for her. 

Then we wait. Then the geneticist comes in. There are two . . . Dr. Amato and Dr. Alek. We saw Dr. Amato. He asks all sorts of questions to us and Gregory about what he can and cannot do. It was cute . . . Gregory sat in the chair by us and "tried" to talk to him like an adult. It was really cute. So, we just talk and then he checks his eyes, ears, nose . . . all normal doctor things. Reflexes. We talk about the issues we've been having with Gregory. Side note . . . during all this his psychologist pops in and said the school district denied him be re-evaluated because he wasn't "severe" enough. But they think Gregory would really benefit from some sort of therapy for a year. They said he's a fast learner . . . like when he has the speech, he progressed in such a short amount of time. So, Dr. Amato is going to send in a letter recommending he be re-evaluated. 

That was about it . . . the appointment in January is when the nurse comes in and social worker and psychologist. Ugh! No fun. But Tommy and I are always reminded when we are there how blessed we are with Gregory. This clinic sees all children's with a wide range of things wrong. Its so sad. We are so blessed he "appears" normal, doesn't have a breathing tube and can walk. Thank you Lord. And thank you Lord that this is all covered by the state. Such a blessing! 

All in all not too bad . . . we made it out of there in just about 2 hours. Then it was home to make dinner. Ü

Sad

I am sad to say the family I met a few weeks back with the baby girl who was born with Galactosemia, are moving out of state. :( The husband got a job offer they just could not refuse. I wish them the best of luck! And we will still be in contact. My little Galactosemia group is back down to just me. :(