Fall is when the party is called Oktoberfest...

one of my fellow expat German friends invited us to her family's Oktoberfest party this weekend.  You know, it is fall when the Oktoberfest parties start :)  -  This should have been the perfect time for the girls to wear their Dirndl's but you know what?  They did not want to wear them!  Can you believe that?  Usually they always wear them.  To school, to the playground, to parties...but no, not to the Oktoberfest. Is that not funny?! Oh well, it really is no big deal.

This Oktoberfest was a family event.   Children playing, decorating Lebkuchen Hearts with frosting {not "safe" for the girls to eat but still fun to decorate :)}

What should I do next...

...perfect

while the adults enjoyed some grown up conversation, as well as some beer.

Hello...

 It was fun party and you know what was really fantastic?  There were Brezel's (Pretzels) from Fressen and they are...dah daaahhhh yup, dairy free :) So exciting to have "save" Brezel's for the girls to eat, something that in Germany is such a rarity.  Usually there is always a little bit of butter in them.  Not in these as they are made to appeal to the Portland market and are vegan.  {Yay for Portland, friends!} It makes my heart sing.  You know, it is the little things in life. As for other food, there was Bratwurst from Edleweiss - here in PDX - which is also "safe", and we just skipped the sides.  Who said that Bratwurst with a Bretzel is not enough?!

Look at the Brezel...

...yum!!!

And yes,  before you ask yourself there was no "safe" dessert for the girlies something I had already anticipated.  So just in case,  I brought along a box of Newman's Own O's and kept the entire family happy....

Jamison Fountain fun...

to add to our fun camping we went straight to Jamison Square - http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=1140&action=ViewPark - to spend a few more fun hours before heading home.

The girls jump in the water to cool off, and have a fantastic time.  Take a look at them....

Another nice thing about Jamison Square is that there are several food options around.  I walked over to Laughing Plant Cafe - http://www.yelp.com/biz/laughing-planet-cafe-portland-6 - to pick-up lunch for all.  Quesadillas for three of the girls - twice with "unsafe" cheese for our friends, and with vegan cheese for Mia Rosie.  Alena - always the bean lovers - chose rice and beans.  One thing I really like about this restaurant - and probably Portland in general - is that it is so easy to have "safe" as well as vegan options.

We ended the trip with a walk to Cupcake Jones -  http://www.cupcakejones.net/ - where vegan/safe choices now await our girls :) - Take a look at the choices...

and the girlies enjoying them :)

Bread, sausage, and vacation

We moved from Tuttlingen to Ludwigshafen at the Lake of Constance (Bodensee) a week ago.  The apartment we are staying at is gorgeous. Views of the lake from every window, and only a short walk to the Strandbad (beach). You can take a view right here ->  http://ferienwohnung-seesicht.de/ It is so comfortable here and we really feel at home now.  One of the things however that come with changing location and can be a little challenging is to find a new "safe" bakery, and butcher.  On the first workday at our new location I set out on the quest to "safe" food for the girlies.  I went to next larger town which is Stockach, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockach.  It did take me a while to find a "safe" baker and butcher.  The first three bakeries I stopped at did not have any lactose free/dairy free products.  I am not sure, if they were just not willing to check into but I certainly did not want to take a chance. Same story at each of the bakeries I finally was on my way to the health food store but found it closed.  I took a chance and ask one more person, who then told me to check out one more bakery.  Voila!!! Even the Bretzeln are safe :)  http://www.ainser.de/, and right next to the bakery was a butcher who also only uses dextrose in their products and not lactose?  I call that a double score :)  http://www.metzgerei-bechler.de/


 It took me more than a couple of hours,  but so worth it.  I think the lesson when traveling in Germany is to find a bakery that indicates they are "Bio", "Bioland" I say that because the other day we took a day trip to Radolfszell and there we found a "Bio Baecker" whose breads, bretzels, etc. are also all "safe" - yay!!! http://www.bioknoedel.info/

Here is one more vacation picture of the girlies from our day trip to the Pfahlbauten -> http://www.pfahlbauten.de/

Urban hike on a sunny Sunday

Yesterday it was three more sleeps to the last day of school, and four more sleeps until we leave for Germany.  Yikes - where did the time go?!  Anyways, we were just so glad that it was finally a sunny day again.  You certainly know by now that we really like to be outdoors - so it was the perfect day for a hike, but we really did not want to drive anywhere. So we planned to walk from our house to Burgerville - a guilty pleasure before our trip to Europe - stop at the playground and back.  Just so you get an idea of distance, it is about 45 blocks from our house to Burgerville.  So it is a good distance for the girls.

Our butterfly Alena led the way as we strolled through the neighborhoods, admired the flowers and gardens.

The girlies were pretty happy when we reached or destination and they got to indulge on their Hamburger Kid's Mean {yes, it is "Galactosemia" safe}.  They even got to drink a rare soda as a treat for the fantastic walking job....

On the way back up, yes it is uphill to get back home, we first stopped at a playground with lot's of monkey bars before walking back.  Luckily we found a couple of swings on the way....

Since it really is a very good distance for the girls to walk we stopped not only for foot massages

 but also at the food carts on Division in search of treats.  We were so excited, because we found an ice cream cart that only sells vegan ice cream.  What about that?!  Is that not absolutely awesome?! All 100% vegan and galactosemia safe for our girlies.  Whoo-hoo, plus 100% delicious - yay, yay, yay that was such an unexpected happy surprise when the owner told us that ALL of his ice cream is vegan. Check it out ->  http://oregonice.com/

Alena enjoyed a scoop of Marionberry, while Mia Rose enjoyed Mango-Pineapple. Yum, yum, yum...

Oh, and yes we did take the bus for the remaining 20 blocks back.  We had lot's of fun in the sun :)

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful day.  Certainly almost everyone must have had one here in PDX as it was just a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine.  Perfect to just hang out, or go for a hike, or bike ride - or like me just hang out.  I had a lovely day,  Ron did everything while I relaxed and read my book on a lawn chair in the back yard. Total bliss!!!

And yes, Ron also made breakfast, as well as dinner it does not get much better than that...

Ron and I toasted with delicious Gruet Rose and Lemon Sorbet.  The girls joined us with a big glass of lemon sorbet...

For dinner Ron made steaks on the grill, oven potatoes, and - you know we love it - salad...

The girls gave me a big smile.

And Ron even recorded a cover song for me...

Thank you so much!!! Signed with a singing heart, the mothership...

Girls only weekend

Ron loves to run and every year he goes to Eugene to run a 1/2 Marathon while we stay up here in Portland.  This year was Ron's turn to drive and since we are a one car family we enjoyed lot's of walks.  Good thing that a) it did not rain the entire weekend and b) it was not too hot yet.  The girls and I had lot's of fun.  So glad, we live urban and have so many great places to walk to.

So on Saturday we took a stroll down to Porque No for lunch - then stopped at the pet shop on the way to the playground.  On the way home from the playground we stopped at Stumptown Coffee on Division met this cute dog, while the girls enjoyed a vegan soy hot chocolate, and vegan soy vanilla steamer.  Chocolate for Alena - Vanilla for Mia Rosie....

On Sunday we took a walk down the hill to the food carts on Belmont.  Hot Dogs for the ladies, and an amazing dessert of Coconut Lemon Saffron Sorbet - creamy coconut milk ice "cream" for Alena, and Passionfruit Peppercorn Sorbet for Mia Rose.  That was the most amazing ice "cream" ever.  So good - http://fifty-licks.com/flavors/coconut-lemon-saffron-sorbet Wow - incredibly good!!!

Then on the way back up the hill  we stopped at the playground for some time on the playground before heading back home.  Yay for living in such a great city :)

The Galactopdx Store...

yes, I added a store to my little Blog.  I added the store as a page->  http://astore.amazon.com/galinpdx-20
You may wonder, why I added it.  The first and to me the most important reason is, that there are many products that we use in our everyday life that are - for us - Galactosemia safe.  When Alena was first diagnosed, I was wondering what will our little baby girl be eating when she gets older?  Will I be able to buy anything read to eat in the store, are there treats we can get in a store?  I think that I am probably not the only mother wondering about these things, so that is why I put this little storefront together.  I also realize, that in Portland we are very lucky and find a lot of these items.  So this is another reason why I put this storefront together.  There are many other products we use, but those are some of the basic items.  Items that are not available through Amazon include Whole Soy Yoghurt, Tofutti cream cheese, and sour cream, ice "cream" treats from Tofutti, So Delicious, Tempt, etc.

And yes,  there is a small percentage that I get from a sale from this storefront. Thank you! I sincerely hope, that you find this storefront useful.  Please note however, that these are the products WE USE. I do not claim that these are appropriate foods for anyone else with Classic Galactosemia. Always check with your dietician, metabolic clinic, and use your own judgment.  When you receive the products always double check the label.

Saturday Night Pizza

Saturday's are almost like a weekday in our house. The girls go to German Saturday School - Sophie Scholl Schule - while I work. We get back home a little after one and meet Ron for lunch out. So by the time dinner comes around I am too tired to cook. Good thing we had some frozen pizza left. Trader Joe's frozen Roasted Vegetable pizza it is dairy free and delicious...

Monday night dinner...

and finally another dinner picture.  Yay!!! -  We are slowly but surely wiring our way through the "Family Meat Pack" in our freezer, and I took out a package of pork cutlets late Saturday.  I can think of a  couple of things to make with the cutlets, and one of the is a schnitzel. But you know what?  I really, did not in the very least feel like a) making Schnitzel today, nor b) eating schnitzel.  Yup, it's true this German did not feel like making Schnitzel :)  Ron thought that was pretty funny. In any case, so I had this idea of making "Geschnetzeltes".  My Grandmother used to make it.  Pork cut into fine strips, with curry, and veggies.  Why not, right?! So my first idea was to make it from scratch using curry seasoning but then I found at New Season's a curry sauce that would be perfect.  http://sukhis.com/products/home-chef/curry-sauce-home.php - I have to admit the I was a little, just a tiny bit, hesitant.  We had the Korma Curry Paste and it turned out delicious. Instead of the "cream" I used soy creamer which worked out fantastic.  To prepare, I first sautéed an onion, and 1/2 of a red pepper. Then added the pork, and added the spices along with water about five minutes later.  Served it with rice, and - I know, I know boring - mixed baby green salad.  It was delicious...

Here it is - today's photo is actually courtesy of my dear husband as I had a work meeting.....but I made the dish :)))

New breakfast item on our menu :)

when shopping yesterday, I found non-dairy frozen Toaster Pops by Amy's. I got it as my girls get tired of the same old foods :) In any case, the girlies ate them for breakfast today - along some banana slices. The verdict? Yummy!!! Both girlies loved them and they are Galactosemia safe. Whoo-hoo always fun to find new food items....oh, and before I forget, here is the link just in case :))). http://www.amys.com/products/product-detail/details/000184

They are back ...frozen cheeseless roasted veggie pizza

Yes, that's right! We accomplished all if our grocery shopping for Xmas yesterday. Trader Joe's used to have a frozen cheeseless roasted veggie pizza -which the girlies loved - which sadly was discontinued. I have been checking back for it ever since, just to be disappointed. But yesterday guess what?! Well, I already blew the answer - they are back!!! Yay - just a great item to keep on hand for those nights or days when a quick meal for the girls is needed...

But now guess what was for dinner last night?! Yup, pizza :)

Gulasch was our Friday Dinner

oops, I fell asleep with the ladies last night - so it is a belated dinner post. Not to worry, this should be the exception to the rule, now that I am back in the "swing of things". In any case - Gulasch is not fast, but easy to make and so delicious. I always make a lot so that we have left over. I find t amazing how six ingredients make such a fantastic dish. Onions, paprika, beef, water, salt, and potatoes. OK - make it seven ingredients because there is also a splash of Olive Oil which I use to soften the onions....

I serve it - just like my Grandmother did - with crusty white bread and pickles (not salt or dill pickles, but in vinegar). I buy Hengstenberg brand from Germany at WorldPlus Market. http://www.hengstenberg.de/de/rh.php/produkte/gurken - only in German - Grrman stores also carry them, and I found them on the web as well...I have posted the recipe before. Please let me know if you would like it and I would repost in the comments...Happy day, all!

I just bribed the kids...

...what?!  Yup! We overslept this morning  and woke up at 7:40. The first bell at school rings at 8:35 and the tardy bell at 8:45;I had to be downtown for a meeting by 9:30.  Let me tell you, it was not the most pleasant morning.  Ron and I made breakfast for the ladies and then it was a race against time.  Could we make it to school before the tardy bell rings?  I retreated to a new trick,  I promised the ladies cupcakes if we made it to school on time...yes, I bribed them :)

And guess what?! - Wow! Everybody got their shoes, coats, and backpacks on. The trip to school was a race against time, but I kept reminding them "cupcakes if we get to the classrooms before the tardy bell..." It was a very, very close call.  Mia Rose was in her room on time, and yes, Alena also got to her room just right before the tardy bell rang.  Whoo-hoo - the promise of cupcakes worked...and I also made it downtown in time.

On the way home, I stopped at Saint Cupcake to pick up two delicious Vegan - Galactosemia safe - Cupcakes for our girlies. Chocolate-chocolate, and carrot - I let the pictures tell you the rest

Look who had a Birthday

Here is our beautiful birthday girl. There is no school this week at the Portland Public School System so we had the day to ourselves to celebrate and have fun.  And fun we had!!!  We started the day with Brownies - not the perfect breakfast food but it's a once a year occasion and Alena loves chocolate. By the way, I admit to making them out of a box.  Yup - not my usual thing but these are so good and free of milk :)  I used the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix and they turned out beautiful and full packed of delicious sweet chocolate flavor.

Next the girls were allowed some rare playtime with my iPad before we went for our second breakfast at Alean's favorite restaurant Jam on Hawthorne.  Guess what she ate?

Yup, vegan chai pancakes and a slice of bacon.

The next stop was for a pedicure and manicure before

we headed to Playdate PDX with a couple of friends for some well deserved playing time.  For some reason I did not take any pictures there - what was I thinking! - but here is the link.  So fun,  and they do have Galactosemia friendly foods.  The girls all shared a couple of warm Pretzels which were safe for everyone.  Just in case you like to know more about Playdate PDX - I highly recommend it for a fun time - here is the link http://www.playdatepdx.com/.

Alena chose Bridgeport in Northwest Portland for dinner - both girls enjoyed their Pizza Dogs while their friends had cheese pizza, and quesadilla.

We ended the day as it began.  With chocolate brownies....

Saturday afternoon diversion...

...Yummy cupcakes from Saint Cupcake because sometimes you just need a treat! Is this Vegan Cookie and Cream cupcake not fantastic looking? Alena assured me that it tasted just as good.
Mia Rose is at a Birthday party this afternoon and I stopped at Saint Cupcake to pick up a treat for her. They are serving vanilla cake at the party so I got a vanilla cupcake for her to match the others. And how can I stop at Saint Cupcake to just get one? There were four different vegan options today. Vanilla with vanilla or chocolate frosting, chocolate with chocolate or vanilla frosting, red velvet, and cookies-and-cream. Each one of them amazing - and there are even more Galactosemia "unsafe" cupcakes. Delicious! Take a look - here is the link http://saintcupcake.com/

A Simple Sunday Night Dinner...

...plain pasta with olive oil - as neither girl likes tomato sauce - served along a mixed salad with the usual homemade vinaigrette for the girls. Pasta with tomato sauce, and salad for the parental units. This is one of the few dishes where I give in and let the girls have a slightly different plate then us...I choose not to fight a "you have to eat your pasta with sauce" battle ;)

Oh, and I almost forgot. The ladies also shared a delicious dessert of yummy vegan carrot cake - they both love carrot cake - from Sweet Pea Bakery here in Pdx. All vegan - all safe for our girls :))) Here is the link -> http://sweetpeabaking.com/

Thursday Night Dinner...

...for the family because the mothership went out for dinner. Yes, it is true I went out all by myself to have dinner with a couple of friends, in any case, this is what the family had for dinner. Panfried chicken skewer, pasta, and sautéed beet greens with garlic. There was even dessert. Almond Bites - they are delicious both girls love them and they are safe. Here is the link http://www.tastethedream.com/products/product/5077/745.php

Sunday dessert...

> ...vegan mini cupcakes from Cupcake Jones. Are they not absolutely gorgeous?! I am just so thrilled that they now also have vegan options. Yay :) The girlies assured me that they were just as delicious. In case you are interested, here is the link http://www.cupcakejones.net/
>

Sunday meal(s) and excursion...

...it has been nice and dry in Portland this August, but we have not had any really hot days. Today we woke up to cloudy skies and we decided to go on a day trip to our - see previous post :) - mystery location. It is kind of a drive so we brought along a picknick and also the camping stove. We took our lunch break at a wayside/interpretative center which also had a fantastic playground. Whoo-Hoo - happy kids, and happy parents.

For the picknick we brought along a couple of cans of lentil soup, which Alena - our legume/bean fan - loved, quinoa corn salad, roasted veggie salad, bread, salami, and cookies for dessert. Safe salami besides Coppa is a pretty hard find, however New Seasons carries a Venetian Brand Genoa Salami which is lactose free!!! Yay - and it is delicious :) slicet super thin yummy! The cookies we brought were the Newman's Own, Dairy & Wheat free O's - everyones favorite -> http://www.newmansownorganics.com/food_newman-os.html#

Oh, and yes there was also dinner. We got home late so pasta of last resort it was. Pasta with sauteed sweet onion, fresh green beans from our garden served with plenty of grated Parmesiano Regiano. Simple, plain, and good!

Saturday Night Dinner - Salmon for...

...the adults and grilled hot dogs with french fries and salad for the ladies. Yes, you got it right! We had dinner guests tonight and Ron made the most delicious planked Salmon on the BBQ. Today we served delicious Pacific Coho Salmon to our guests in our little house here in Portand, Oregon. Along side I made - proven to be delicious :) - oven roasted baby potatoes with rosemary, and a nice salad of mixed greens. Hemp Vanilla Bean ice cream for the ladies, and a choice of "Cherry Garcia" for our guests :) - An overall successful Saturday night for all

Here is the link to the Hemp ice cream. It is delicious, and creamy -> http://livingharvest.com/products/ice-cream - Enjoy!!!