Monday, July 28, 2014

"El Dia de Felicidad de una Madre" (Spanish Version)




 
¿Qué significa ser una mamá de una hija de "necesidades especiales" ...
 
 
     Desde que mi hija fue diagnosticada con autismo hace varios años, pasé por varias etapas "pensar que no era cierto, tristeza y luego el modo de acción". Mi hija Angelina tiene autismo y yo lo sé y lo acepto, pero sentí que tenía que probar varias cosas para ayudar a mi hija. Como pueden leer mis posts anteriores he intentado varias cosas, pero al final he intentado "medicina alternativa". Creo en mi corazón que era la mejor decisión que he tomado con Angelina. No es algo que "el seguro médico" cubre, por lo que en realidad tengo que gastar de mi bolsillo, pero valio la pena porque mi hija ha progresado mucho. No estoy diciendo que ella esta 100% perfectamente bien, porque nunca hay un 100% en la vida. Si usteds ven mi hija ahora y comparar cómo era antes, puedo decir honestamente que para mí es una gran diferencia.
 
      Angelina está con "Medicina Alternativa", en la que ella está completamente "libre de gluten", también acompañando de su "Terapia de Comportamiento Aplicado Análisis" (Terapia ABA), además de la terapia del habla privada y terapia del habla y terapia ocupacional en la escuela también. Una gran cantidad de personas y cosas juegan un factor en el progreso de mi hija, pero desde que ella ha sido totalmente no comiendo nada de gluten (que es la levadura y harina), su comportamiento ha cambiado y también a cambiado muchas cosas con ella. Con su "Doctor de Medicina Alternativa", como muchos llaman "DAN Doctor", también le estoy dando sus vitaminas también.
 
       Todo esto es lo que estoy pasando con mi hija y sé que es un proceso que no se progresa en un dia nada mas.
 
      Pero, hoy día cuando llegué a casa y me fui a mi habitación, mi hija Angelina dejo en mi almohada un sobre que ella hizo que decía "Angelina" con un corazón en el centro, y "mamá", si usteds ven la imagen que dibujó es una cinta amarilla en el medio y se ve como un regalo. Cuando lo abrí, ella tenía otro papel doblado en el interior con una imagen de SpongeBob y todos los personajes de los dibujos animados de ese personaje.
 
      Al ver esto me hizo reír con una gran sonrisa en mi cara y tan orgullosa como madre. Tan orgullosa porque puedo ver que mi hija está progresando mucho y eso complete mi día y queria que todos lo vean.
 
      Ahora Angelina incluso me pide que le lea cuentos antes de dormir, pero al final ella lo lee y le ayudo con algunas palabras que no entiende. "Ella puede leer"!
 
     Eso me hace muy feliz y se que es un proceso que lo tengo que tomar "dia por dia" de Angelina, pero me siento muy orgullosa de verla hacer todas estas cosas positivas. Simplemente me hace muy orgullosa y muy feliz, completa mi mundo.
 
     Yo amo a todos mis tres hijos en igualmente, pero quiero expresar mi felicidad con Angelina porque ella es una niña con "autismo", y sólo viendo su progreso me hace tan feliz. Es la misma felicidad si veo a mis dos hijos hombrecitos, Jean-Pierre y Philippe progresar en sus colegios o en sus vidas.   


"The Happiest Day of a Mom..."

 
 
 
What it Means to be a Mom with a "Special Needs" daughter...
 
 
     Since my daughter was diagnosed with autism several years ago, I went through several stages "denial, sadness and then action mode". My daughter Angelina has autism and I know it and accept it, but then again I felt that I had to try several things to help my daughter. As you can read my previous posts I tried several things, but in the end I tried "alternative medicine". I believe in my heart that it was the best decision I ever made with Angelina. It is not something that "medical insurance" covers, so I actually have to spend out of pocket but it was so worth it for me because my daughter has progressed so much. I am not saying that she is 100% perfectly fine, because there is never a 100% in life. If you see my daughter now and compare how it was before, I can honestly say that to me it is a major difference.
 
      Angelina is being treated with "Alternative Medicine", in which she is completely "Gluten-Free", also accompanying her "Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy" (ABA Therapy), in addition to private speech therapy outside and speech therapy and occupational therapy in school too. A lot of people and things play a factor for my daughter progressing, but ever since she has been "Gluten-Free" her behavior has changed and so many things have changed with her. With her "Alternative Medicine Doctor" as many call "DAN Doctor", I am also giving her vitamins too.
 
      Saying all this is what I am going through with my daughter and I know it is a step by step process. But, today when I got home I went to my bedroom and my daughter Angelina left in my pillow an envelope she made that said "Angelina" with a heart in the middle and "Mommy", if you see the picture she drew a yellow ribbon in the middle and looks like a present. When I opened it, she had another paper folded inside with a picture of SpongeBob and all the cartoon characters.
 
      Seeing this made me laugh with a big smile in my face and so proud as a mother. So proud because I can see that my daughter is progressing so much and that is something that makes my day and world to see. Now Angelina even asks me to read to her bedtime stories, which in the end she read and I help her with some words she doesn't understand. "She Can Read"!!! That makes me so happy because even though it is a day by day process with Angelina, I can say I feel so proud to see her make all these positive things. It just makes me so proud and so happy, it completes my world. I love all my three children the same, but I express my happiness with Angelina because she is a child with "Autism", and just watching her progress makes me so happy. It is the same happiness if I see any of my two boys Jean-Pierre and Philippe, do in their every day progresses in school or life. 





Saturday, December 7, 2013

Crema Volteada Recipe (Flan) "Dairy-Free"




Caramel (bottom layer) Instructions:
  • In the saucepan, combine 1 cup of white sugar, 1/4 cup of cold water, and 1/4 tsp. of lemon juice. Including a little lemon juice is one way to help prevent your caramel from crystallizing and seizing up as it cooks.
  • Heat in medium/high until it turns brownish, but not too brown.
  • Remove from the saucepan and pour it quickly in your pan (that you will be using to make the flan) "evenly spead the caramel and let it cool 5 minutes".
Flan Ingredients:

  • 16 oz. of unsweetened Coconut Milk
  • 16 oz. of Coconut Creamer
  • 2 cans of condensed Coconut Milk (I included the recipe in my previous post)
  • Vanilla extract (as you desire to pour)
  • 8 eggs
Flan Instructions:
  • In a large bowl add the 8 eggs and beat until they are all mixed up.
  • Add the 2 cans or 16 oz. of condensed coconut milk. "stir a little"
  • Add the 16 oz. of Coconut Creamer. "stir a little"
  • Add the 16 oz. of Coconut Milk.
  • Add the Vanilla extract
  • Mix everything together and when ready pour it in your baking pan.
* When you pour the flan ingredients you should already have put the caramel in the bottom "first"*

  • Preheat oven 350 degrees and when ready put in the oven. Make sure to have a bowl 1/2 filled of cold water and put it in the bottom rack of the oven "under" the flan pan. Fill it half so it can bowl and won't drip in the bottom of the oven. It just makes the flan more moist if you put a bowl filled with water.
  • Bake it for 1 hour 30 - 2 hours depending when you see it done.

    **when the top of the flan is brownish, that means it's done** 
    If you take it out when it's too white, then you will have the flan too soft.








Thursday, December 5, 2013

Recipe for "Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk"

 
Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or sweetener to your taste. The recipe works best with anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 cup of your sweetener of choice.
Ingredients
  • 1 can of unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, honey or light agave syrup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional but adds good flavor)
Instructions :
  • Place the coconut milk, sweetener of choice, and brown sugar (if using) into a saucepan and whisk gently over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. This will help the solid bits of coconut milk melt and incorporate with the sugar.
  • When the mixture is just beginning to bubble around the edges, reduce the heat to the lowest flame/setting.
  • Set a timer for one hour (you may need to go a bit longer depending on your stove) and simmer uncovered, whisking every 5-10 minutes to release steam and aid in evaporation.
  • The mixture will reduce by about half and should be quite thick. You will also notice that it is a darker color. Remove from heat, stir thoroughly and pour into a glass jar or container. Cool in the refrigerator. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • Use as needed in recipes or to stir into coffee or tea.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

List of "Goya Products" that don't contain gluten and others that might

Here is a list of "Goya Products" that are gluten-free and others that might contain gluten. I personally love this information because I am Hispanic and use some of these products in my household.


GLUTEN FREE
Goya Rice Flour
ingredients are gluten free but may be susceptible to cross-contamination
Goya Yuca Flour
Ingredients are gluten free but may be susceptible to cross-contamination
Goya Corn Meal
ingredients are gluten free but may be susceptible to cross-contamination
Goya Masarepa
ingredients are gluten free but may be susceptible to cross-contamination
Canned Beans & Peas
gluten free
Dry Beans, except 16 bean soup mix- has gluten (barley)
Ingredients are gluten free but may be susceptible to cross-contamination
Sazón Goya
gluten free
Seasonings
gluten free
CUBITOS-CHICKEN BOULLON
gluten free
CONSOMME-CHICKEN BOUILLION
gluten free
CUBITOS-BEEF BOUILLION
gluten free
CUBITOS-CHICKEN BOUILLION
gluten free
HAM FLAVORED CONCENTRATE
gluten free
SALAD AND VEGETABLE SEASONING



gluten free
ADOBO Goya
gluten free
SOFRITO
gluten free
ACHIOTINA (ANNATTO IN LARD)
gluten free
Spices
gluten free
FLOR DE TILO
gluten free
GROUND OREGANO
gluten free
ALL SPICE
gluten free
ANIS SEED
gluten free
WHOLE CLOVES
gluten free
WHOLE BLACK PEPPER
gluten free
GARLIC SALT
gluten free
STAR ANIS
gluten free
BAY LEAF
gluten free
STICK CINNAMON
gluten free
CHILI POWDER
gluten free
JAMAICAN CURRY POWDER
gluten free
CUMIN SEED
gluten free
GROUND CUMIN
gluten free
GARLIC POWDER
gluten free
GROUND CINNAMON
gluten free
ONION POWDER
gluten free
CAMOMILLE MANZANILLA
gluten free
CRUSHED PEPPERS
gluten free
PAPRIKA
gluten free
GROUNDBLACK PEPPER
gluten free
OREGANO LEAF 1.5 OZ
gluten free
OREGANO LEAF 2 OZ
gluten free
OREGANO LEAF 1 OZ
gluten free
GARLIC POWDER
gluten free
COMINO MOLIDO
gluten free
ONION POWDER
gluten free
BAY LEAF
gluten free
GROUND PEPPER 6 OZ
gluten free
GOYA SALT
gluten free
3 DOZEN CORN TORTILLAS
gluten free
COCONUT MILK
Gluten free
PLANTAIN CHIPS-5OZ
gluten free
PLANTAIN CHIPS-2OZ
gluten free
PLANTAIN CHIPS-LOOSE-2OZ
gluten free
PLANTAIN CHIPS-4OZ
gluten free
NO SALT PLANTAIN CHIPS
gluten free
GARLIC PLANTAIN CHIPS
gluten free
PLANTAIN STRIPS
gluten free
CREAM OF COCONUT
gluten free
GUAVA PASTE
gluten free
Cider vinegar
gluten free
CONTAIN GLUTEN
Frozen foods
Cross-contamination for gluten
Rice mixes
Cheese mixes have gluten; chicken flavored rice has wheat pasta in it; cross-contamination for all others due to machines; hydrolyzed yeast in red beans and rice
16 Bean Soup Mix
contains gluten
Flan (Ready-Made)
contains gluten
Tomato Sauce and Paste
contains gluten
FLAN (Powder)
contains gluten
FLAN WITH CARAMEL
contains gluten
RECAITO
contains gluten-has wheat flour in the ingredients


http://www.celiac.freeservers.com/Gluten%20Free%20Foods.htm

Knowledge

  Knowledge When my child was diagnosed with autism; I went thru so much anxiety and trying to look for resources on the web to see w...