M.I.A - updates and recipes

Just after starting this new blog Annabelle decided to give up napping unless it was in the car or laying in bed with mommy watching some Disney.  This took away all the "extra" time I had to write, come up with new recipes, clean, or really anything not involving her.  Since she doesn't play on her own yet when she is awake, I'm playing with her.

We started feeding therapy at an outside clinic after school once a week back in November.  She has given us some wonderful ideas on different things to work on.

One of my favorite is taking candy, gum, anything that may be difficult to chew and tie it into Tulle (tutu material).  Then Annabelle has a knot to hold on to and can work those muscles for chewing without the dangers of swallowing too early and choking.





We also bought a new "P chewer" for Annabelle.  She has been walking around chewing it like it's her job.  I don't know what made her love it now when before she wanted nothing to do with it but it's so great for helping strengthen those jaw muscles for eating and talking :)



I have a couple new recipes I've made over the past few months.  We are now trying a thicker chopped food for the start of meals then finishing with a puree for the calories when she tires from the chewing.  I've also been working on using the P chewer or the NUK brush to help move food over to her teeth when it gets stuck on her tongue since she is not laterally moving food on her own 100% yet.

Another great DF resource I reference often is http://weelicious.com/category/dairy-free/.  I'm also going to start a DF board on Pinterest along with all the other therapy ideas, ideas for Annabelle, and food for Annabelle.

Quick recipe before Annabelle wakes up for another busy day, enjoy!

Broccoli Cheese Bites 

16 oz. package of chopped broccoli or cauliflower (frozen or fresh steamed)
1 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese (I used Trader Joe's vegan mozzarella)
1 cup of breadcrumbs (homemade or Panko breadcrumbs will keep it dairy free)
3 eggs
salt & pepper

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Form small patties and put on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake at 375F for 25 minutes, turning the patties after the first 15 minutes.
Let cool, blend in blender, use a quick chop or knife to make the right consistency

Recipes

These are a little random but a few more of Annabelle's favorites.


2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin
1 box spice cake mix

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper
• Mix your pumpkin and cake mix together in a medium bowl until there are no more lumps.
• Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 13-15 minutes, until edges start to golden.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes on your baking sheet. Transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.

Banana peanut butter Ice cream

Ingredients

1 banana
1 tbsp peanut butter

Directions

• cut banana into slices and freeze
• Put frozen banana into food processor or blender, blend until becomes smooth (it will take a few minutes)
• (optional) Add peanut butter, duocal, other fruit, chips, nuts, etc and blend 

Perfect Pancakes 
*Bisquick recipe 

Ingredients

2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs

Blender Add-ins:
1/2 cup fruit (blueberries, raspberries, mango, banana, kiwi, pineapple, etc)
2 tbsp peanut butter
Syrup
chocolate chips (Wegmans does have dairy free)

Directions

• Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat or electric griddle to 375ºF; grease with cooking spray, vegetable oil or shortening. 
• In medium bowl, stir ingredients until blended. For each pancake, pour batter onto hot griddle.
• Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook other side until golden brown.
• Put pancake, 1/4 cup of milk (Soy, almond, hemp all work well), and add-ins into food processor, blend till desired consistancy.

NOTE - I only do one pancake at a time so I can make different flavors each morning.