GFCF Sugar Cookies

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Here is a Sugar Cookie Recipe that has had much trial and error in the test kitchen... This is so yummy that NO ONE will know they contain no wheat or dairy!! Enjoy!!1 Cup Earth Balance Spread1 1/2 Cup Sugar2 Eggs3 Cups Brown Rice Flour2 teaspoons Xanthan Gum1 teaspoon Baking Soda2 teaspoons Baking Powder3 Tablespoons Almond Milk - Original FlavorCream Earth Balance and sugar. Add eggs and whip on high. Mix dry ingredients in...

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Jenny McCarthy Offers Hope To Mothers: Part 2!

I wrote a post about Jenny McCarthy offering hope to some mothers a couple of months ago... Yes, I understand that was risky. You either love her or hate her, right? Well, it turns out, some thought that opened me up to a debate on vaccinations. The post really wasn't supposed to be about vaccinations... it was about hope, hope that so many in the anti-Jenny camp rape mothers of. Hope that our children CAN function normally... I understand, our kids...

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Exceptional Beyond Labels… One Year After the Autism Diagnosis

It is a quiet Halloween morning…. As I sit here, I reflect on how today marks the one year anniversary of Sahara’s formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although I thought this would be an emotionally charged day, I feel quite content… and even optimistic.SAHARA...When Sahara was 5 months old, like many others on the autism journey, we suspected a hearing loss. The pediatrician nonchalantly dismissed our concerns, but there was always this...

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A Self-Awareness Challenge... promoting peace around and withinn you

A dear friend of mine initiated a challenge to her friends on facebook; consciously being positive until the end of the month. No bitching, no complaining, no gossiping, no criticizing, no negative self talk….simply having positive thoughts, actions, and words until the end of the month. Today was day 2 for me; and I made it through a brief phone call with Jim’s former employer, shopping at wal-mart, and talking with creditors on the phone today!!...

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Yesterday I Hated Autism

Yesterday I hated autism; I love love love my daughter, but autism… I wanted it out of our lives forever. It is like a bad rash on your ass… You know it is there, but others cannot see it and don’t know it is there. Yes, they can suspect something is wrong, but unless you let them in on your little secret they don’t know. Sometimes it burns and itches like hell… all you can do is complain about this annoying circumstance you find yourself facing,...

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National School Lunch Week Is A Farce

IF "Healthy school meals contribute to academic achievement and more productive days in the classroom", then why does the same organization making this statement offer processed, over priced non-nutritional garbage to our youth for lunch? It is national school lunch week, and I am disgusted with the contents of our lunch selections. This week alone the menu consists of:Monday:Cheese Nachos or Hot DogSeasoned CornAssorted Fruit (not fresh)MilkTuesday:Johnny...

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My Name Is Not Autism!

We have have been excelling in just about every aspect of this thing in our lives called autism; making progress with leaps and bounds. Yes, I know we have a long way to go, but it is in those seemingly small triumphs (like hearing a pronoun escape those lips) that we continue to aim for the monumental finish line. This is a race I not only got roped into without consent, but it is also one I will finish with vigor!As we propel forward I have changed...

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A Reflection of Us...

We met when we were just 18 and 20 years old; like most other young adults we were young and full of ambitious dreams. One of our favorite past times was camping; we spent many clear nights under the stars and moon laughing and chattering about our future together. Never once did the word “Autism” enter our starlit dreams and midnight conversations. No, instead we painted an ideal about our life together and our future children… They would be...

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In My Opinion... This Doesn't Lay to Rest the Connection

“Latest autism figures should dispel any fears about the MMR jab being linked to the condition, say experts.” This article jabs my buttons… Autism rates back MMR jab safetyBy Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News One of the arguments that many (including myself) have used about the autism/vaccine connection is that you just don’t see 1 out of 100 adults walking around with autism. Yes, there ARE some, but those numbers just are not as staggering...

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GFCF Cinnamon Zucchini with Sweet Dumplings

This recipe was inspired by my mother-in-law's zucchini pudding. I know it may sound bizarre at first glance, but... this is so yummy served warm with a scoop of Vanilla Rice Ice Cream! AND it will make your home smell heavenly!!2 cups Zucchini, peeled and chopped in 1 inch pieces 20 Red Seedless Grapes halved 4 teaspoons Cinnamon 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar 2 TB Earth Balance Buttery Spread- Original 1 cup Sugar 1 cup White Rice Flour 2 teaspoons...

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Reflections About My Daughter Being Hit By A Car

My youngest daughter was struck by a car over the weekend on the 13th anniversary of my father’s death!! She was riding her bike on the sidewalk in front of our house when a teen on a cell phone backed out of her driveway without looking. The driver kept backing up after hitting her; pinning Sahara under the bike and car. She didn’t stop until my husband hit the trunk of her car while yelling, “STOP… MOVE FORWARD!" Had she gunned the car or had...

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What Spirituality Means to Me

To me spirituality is how you define and express your relationship with the source (commonly known as God). God is the universal life force that animates and organizes all of creation. This life force resides in each of us, in all things, and all places. This source is pure love and light; and vibrates at the highest resonance. It is how we remember to tune into the source and stay centered in the light that brings us our spirituality. I believe...

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A Hidden Treasure.... Indian Run Falls

As I have said before, I love the metro-parks in the Central Ohio area. Here is another hidden treasure that is in our backyard that I had no idea existed until yesterday. Indian Run Falls, Dublin Ohio. Although we really ventured there to see the waterfall, it happened to be dry yesterday. Without realizing it, we ended up hiking on the limestone shelves that should have been rushing with water. We were in the middle of the path of a waterfall,...

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My Spiritual/Healing Journey

Many of you know I have been on a spiritual/healing quest for the past decade or so… well, last night was momentous occasion for me. After our aura and chakra class, Reiki Master Dave Scarbrough attuned me to Level 3 Reiki! Dave is a wonderful soul with many gifts and much love to share. I highly recommend Dave as a mentor on your spiritual/healing journey! You can find him on my face book list of friends or contact him directly at reikidaveohio@yahoo.com...

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How Well Do You Know Me?

So, I was recently told by a friend that I don't share much on face book, my blog or twitter about who SUSAN really is... Yes, we know your political and autism stance, but who is Susan? My response was that that was a calculated move... But in order to appease this person here is a simple trivia question....I am sitting the waiting room with 3 other moms at Children's Hospital this morning. Each of us have a child in the social skills group. After...

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Mothers, Will You Unite With Me?

Today is 9/9/09 and the voices of our children are about to be heard. I invite you to advocate for the one out of 100 children that are diagnosed with autism. I invite you to be the voice our children do not have. I invite you to be the straw that got the nation to listen!Nothing ruffles my feathers more than when mothers start to ostracize each other because they have different perspectives on the etiology of autism. Instead of getting into heated debates we should be reaching out and saying, “We agree to disagree, now let’s get things done.”Let...

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ATTENTION FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO RESIDENTS AND RIDGEWOOD PARENTS!!

Verizon Wireless and the resident of 4243 Dublin Road have taken action to request a variance to allow for the construction of a 120 foot telecommunication tower facing and residing next to the driveway loop where we wait in line to pick up our children at school and in close proximity of the playground. The applicant is proposing to lease a 40' by 60' area which will contain a 38' by 58' fenced area where a telecommunication tower and tower equipment...

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