31 for 21: Information

Our granny from CA is visiting right now. She always comes to visit in October, and it is one of the busier months. Not a problem, tho, she's easy-going :). Tuesday was prep for the Buddy Walk at Bounce-U, and today Granny took us roller skating. Ya know, we gotta exercise to stay skinny, so we can bake sweets ;).

Two pretty kids born this morning.

Today (well, tonight) I thought I'd share some links. There's three main subjects on this blog right now: Recipes (mostly sweet ones, of course), Gluten-free and Down Syndrome. My recipes are gluten-free, but besides that I don't really post about gluten-free. I've mentioned The Gluten-Free Homemaker before, because she has some good articles she's written - not to mention her recipes and carnivals. Gluten-Free Information Round-Up is a post she did highlighting several articles.

My oldest sister, Qadoshyah, runs the Down Syndrome blog. She has a so much information there, plus the book? Yeah. Guess what? Her blog was rated as a Top Special Needs Site - 2nd in the Down Syndrome category.

Myself and Lulu, my calf.

~ Hanunyah

31 for 21 is a blog challenge to raise Down Syndrome awareness 1 blog at a time. The challenge is to blog everyday the whole month of October (31 days) to raise awareness for Down Syndrome (aka Trisomy 21). This is the 6th Annual 31 for 21 Challenge.

Holidays, Blog Design, Cookbook

With the rush of the upcoming holidays, people are running around getting ready, while here I sit peacefully - enjoying the new barn that was just finished, the cool weather, the aroma of roasted tomatoes ready for salsa, and I may wander into the kitchen to make some quick chocolate banana muffins.
    Thankfully, it's because we don't celebrate Christmas. For more on that click here.

On another note, I've figured out how to re-design my blogs on our old computer. Slowly but surely, I am making progress. With some help from my web-designing sister (who reads HTML - yikes!), I am getting it to be a little easier to navigate for you (and me ;) ).

And . . . COOKBOOK?! Well, I know there are many gluten-free cookbooks are out there. But, I know why - everybody has their favorite recipes, and cookbooks are pretty well-liked. Because it's nice to have one place where everything is. So when is this cookbook going to be ready? No dates. Whenever I stop creating recipes? No, because I think that will be awhile (if God continues to bless it). Just like there are often "Revised" or second editions to books, it is likely that when I come out with one cookbook, eventually there will be another.
   Books take work and time. I know a few bloggers who are writing their second cookbook, and it takes many trial runs, creating, and organizing. My mom has encouraged me to make a cookbook, but we'll see when I can get it out.


~ Hanunyah

Triple Cute Blog Award

Michelle from The G-Free Wifey gave me and 6 other bloggers the Triple Cute Blog Award! Thanks Michelle!!

When you receive the award you're supposed to pass it on to 7 other bloggers . . . there's soooo many great blogs out there, but here just a few. Check out these great blogs!!

Heather Eats Almond Butter
Sandi's Allergy-Free Recipes (Check out her blog! She has some creative recipes that are gluten & white sugar free)
The Gluten-Free Homemaker
Ginger Lemon Girl
Got Down Syndrome
Life on the Ranch
Good Goats


~ Hanunyah

Instant Oatmeal Packets

~ This is my 100th post on this blog! ~

This is a good substitute for the packets in the store. To be sure this is gluten-free, use gluten-free oats and read the labels of the variations you use.

Instant Oatmeal Packets (Gluten-free, and Dairy-free if not using some of the variations below)
From: The Dollar Stretcher Family


3 cups quick oats
salt (optional)
small sized zip bags



Put 1/2 cup oats in a blender and blend on high until powdery. Set aside in a small bowl, and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 cup oats. If you're using a food processor, you can do the 1 cup of oats in one batch. Put the following ingredients into each zip bag: 1/4 cup quick oats, 2 Tbsp. powdered oats (or oat flour), and 1/8 tsp. salt. Store in an airtight container.


~ To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water - for thinner oatmeal, use more water. ~

Variations:

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp. chopped dried apples.
Sweetened Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar or 1 packet 'Equal' artificial sweetener.
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. brown sugar & 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Oatmeal w/ Raisins & Brown Sugar: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. raisins.
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 Tbsp. dried fruit
Fun Fruit Oatmeal: To each packet add 6 or 7 pieces of 'fruit snack' type dehydrated fruit.
Confetti Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 tsp. decorative cake/cookie sprinkles.
S'More Oatmeal: 

To each packet 

add 6 miniature marshmallows and 1 Tbsp. chocolate chips.

Exploding Oatmeal: 

To each packet 

add 1 tsp. sugar, and 1/2 tsp. 'Pop Rocks' candy to each packet. This one is fun for celebration days, such as birthdays.

Update - July 27, 2011: Here is what I have come up with the last 2 times I made this. I may add more if I make up more.

~ My Variations ~

These are flavors I've come up with. Since it is eaten up so fast, I mix it in a big bowl and put it back in the oatmeal container. My brothers and sisters like it in cold milk, so they just scoop out what they want out of the container.

Seeds and Spices Oatmeal: Add poppy seeds, flaxseeds, a little nutmeg, a little ginger, and cinnamon. I made up this flavor and my sister who has been eating my Instant Oatmeal for breakfast every morning said it was really good. She likes this one better than the Maple Nut/Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavor I made today (below).

Maple Nut/Brown Sugar Cinnamon: Add brown sugar, cinnamon, finely ground walnuts and maple extract. I can't taste this since I'm on the GAPS diet, but it smells really good!

~ Hanunyah

Link Parties:
Gluten-Free Wednesdays @ The Gluten-Free Homemaker
Food on Friday @ Carole's Chatter