This that life musings - fall adventures - Chocolate-Raspberry Ice "Cream" Birthday cake {#dairyfree}

This fall has been a whirlwind more so than I remember;  well, at least it feels that way.  I truly have felt overwhelmed with too many things on my plate.  Yes,  it is true the perpetual rat race just never seemed to stop leaving me feeling beyond exhausted. You know, when there is not enough time to listen to your family and always being preoccupied with some aspect of work be it volunteer, in my business, or on my blog.  So it was time to reassess things a little bit and take a small step back from blogging.  No,  don't you worry my friends I am not leaving the blogosphere but have decided - at least for the time being - on taking time off on the weekend.  Now that I got this out let me fill you in what has been going on these past several months.  Yes,  it really has been months - true recipes have been posted but adventures took a complete back seat.

Both girls are doing great and it is hard to believe that Alena just turned 11; yes, it seems just like yesterday that she was toddling around and we were learning to adjust our diet.  Let me just tell you that  these parental units have come a long, long way and the journey is incredible…

Alena is in 5th and MiaRose is in 3rd grade and this year both of them joined the Junior Cross Country team.  They ran in three different city wide meets and I think both of them enjoyed it; well, truth be said Alena more so than MiaRose but both and did a great job.

We took a trip to the pumpkin patch in Hood River again this year, and in October Ron treated us to a fun little get away to Timberline Lodge up on Mt. Hood.  We stayed in a bunk bed room - yes,  two bunks total of four beds - the girls swam like fish in the pool, we read by the fire, and just had a wonderful relaxing time.

Halloween came and went with lots of fund as well as plenty of dairy free treats for both girls actually way more than they could eat.

And yes,  Alena turned 11 years old;  she wanted to celebrate at home and we had a little sleep over party for her including the favorite games of Topfschlagen and Musical Chairs.  Oh, and cake of course there was cake - she asked for a chocolate raspberry vanilla ice cream cake.  She asked and I delivered…not to toot my own horn but it really was super yummy and hence zero leftovers…Do you want to hear about the cake?  Yes? Maybe?  Well, let me just tell you.  It's super easy but it does take time.  I usually start about a day before we need it :)

Chocolate Raspberry Ice "Cream" Cake

•  1 box of dairy free Brownie Truffle Baking Mix {I used Trader Joe's}    
•  2 Eggs (according to package)
•  1 stick Earth Balance (Vegan Butter) or Olive Oil
•  1  pint Raspberry Sorbet
•  1 - Quart Vanilla Soy ice "cream" 
•  1 - pack frozen raspberries (for decoration)
•       Dairy free Chocolate sauce (for decoration)

1.  Bake brownie crust according to instructions 
2.  Once the crust has cooled down place a catering, or aluminum foil between the crust and the side of the pan.     
3.  Place raspberry sorbet into the fridge - or out on counter to soften.
4. Once the crust has completely cooled down, spread the softened sorbet over the crust.  Cover with aluminum foil and place into the freezer for at least 2 hours; or until firm. 
5. Soften vanilla ice "cream" and spread it on top of the frozen sorbet.  Cover and return to freezer for at least 2 hours; or until firm. 
6. Decorate the top of the cake with raspberries and chocolate sauce
7. Cover and return to freezer for at least one hour or until firm. 
8. Remove about 30 minutes before serving

Things & Red Pepper Corn Chowder #Vegan #Dairyfree

How is everyone?  All is fine here - I just have been in a - for lack of better words - little "lull"; you know just part of life, right?!

Time here seems to just fly by - please tell me that everyone is feeling like this.  How can it already be April? I love spring but at times it all just runs a little too quickly for me; it probably has always been as fast but I never paid as much attention to it.  My hair keeps getting more grey strands and the girlies are growing by - as you say - leaps and bounds.  No longer are they little girlies, but big girls…Wow!!! It is all good and I am certainly not complaining to see our girlies grow into little ladies.  Now please do not tell them that I referred to them as little…especially Mia Rose would be super upset :)

We have had another visit to our metabolic clinic, another blood draw, and Alena - now that she has turned ten - has had her first bone density scan.  Our visit was - as usual - great; the fantastic news is that new guidelines will be coming out allowing a lot more cheeses and casein will be okay. I cannot wait to see them..both of the girls GALT levels were good {YAY} however the Vitamin D was off the chart as in off the chart low :(.  That certainly was not the result we wanted to see but we are boosting Vitamin D with daily drops and another draw next month will {fingers crossed} show increased levels.  

The result of the bone density level was not as expected and it really did throw me for a loop questioning myself…I was so surprised because both girls eat quite a bit of cheese, Alena drinks at least two large glasses of fortified Chocolate Almond Milk everyday, takes a supplement and still the bone density was not were it should be.  The metabolic clinic however told us that they were not surprised since the Vitamin D level is so low.  The good news is that there another ten years to build up Alena's bones.  So boosting Vitamin D, more {soon} cheeses, and running {Ron started to take both girls with him} should bring us there.  Fingers crossed…

Now are you ready to hear about some delicious Red Pepper Corn Chowder?  Courtesy of delicious frozen corn, you are able to bring summer to your table anytime of year now.  I made it on a particular grey, cool, and rainy - albeit spring - day; it certainly brightened everyone's mood plus it is super easy, quick, and satisfying.

Red Pepper Corn Chowder

• 2 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, cleaned and diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 - 2 large red pepper(s), seeds removed and diced
• 4 C diced potatoes  
• 1 bag frozen corn
• 5 C water {or more}
• 1 vegan bullion broth
• 1/2 untreated lemon; zest & juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Green onion diced for garnish

1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot.  Add onions, carrot, and celery together with a pinch of salt.
2. Sautee until onions begins to turn translucent.
3. Add pepper and sauté for another minute or so.
4. Add potatoes together with the corn and stir it all up for another minute
5. Add water, as well as the bullion cube.  Bring to a slow simmer, and cover.
6. Simmer for about 20 - 25 minutes until potatoes are soft
7. Using a hand blender, puree the soup to desired consistency.  When blending be very careful not to burn yourself as the liquid will splatter.
8. Add lemon zest, together with lemon juice and pepper. Adjust salt to taste.

Garnish with diced green onion; serve with a large side salad and some crusty bread!

Almond Lemon scented Chocolate Chip #Cookies {#Dairyfree} & 2014 spring break

Here we are at the end of spring break and yet I have not filled you in about any of our little adventures.      The break has just flown by and it is hard to believe that school will be back in session on Monday.  Our highlight this spring break was our two night beach get away; yes a mini vacation at the amazing Oregon Coast.  When we go, we usually get a vacation home but this time we stayed for two nights at a hotel right on the beach in Cannon Beach.  Yes, literally there was nothing but a strip of grass as well as a seawall between us and the beach.  Heavenly…plus the whether - yes, it gets cold and rainy at the Oregon coast - was almost like summer.  Clear blue skies and sunshine inviting us to explore the tidal pools around Haystack Rock. In addition - and this was the highlight according to MiaRose - there is a nice pool which the kids enjoyed daily, plus great sea food. So yes,  our mini spring break get away was a huge success.  Take a look at some of pictures….

There were no further big adventures besides the girls tagging along to the Senior Center where they got to play Bingo while I saw clients at the Senior Law Clinic. Yes, the girls as well as the seniors enjoyed each others company :)

So now let's talk Chocolate Chip Cookies - one of my usual go to recipes are my Everything but the Kitchensink Cookies packed with oatmeal, seeds, raisins, and chocolate chips they are so good.  However MiaRose has decided - after having been a raisin lover for years - to despise raisins and she will not eat anything with raisins. I could have made the cookies without raisins but then there was the lack of oatmeal issue as well.  Yup, time for a new cookie and this is how this one came about.

Almond Lemon scented Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 stick Earth Balance {or other "butter"} cut into chunks
• 1/4 C sugar {regular white granulated}
• 1/2 C light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp almond extract
• zest of 1 untreated lemon
• 1 egg
• 1 C + 2 Tb flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips {check label}

 ***Preheat oven to 350F***

1. Cream "butter" with sugars and salt in a kitchen machine until well blended,
2. Add almond extract together with lemon zest mix for about a minute
3. Add egg and mix for about another minute
4. In a separate bowl mix flour with baking soda
5. Add flour/baking soda mixture to the wet ingredients.  Mix for about a minute until well combined.
6. Add chocolate chips to the dough
7. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Using two teaspoons drop balls of dough onto the baking sheet
9. Bake for about 10 minutes; and let them cool down

                                                                            Adapted from Marthas Stewart Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy!

Please meet Fabian - #Galactosemia around the World #Germany {#Newbornscreening}

Welcome to the fourth Galactosemia around the World post.  Fingers crossed - that we all get to meet more people from around the world who are living with Classic Galactosemia.  Classic Galactosemia is a rare metabolic disorder which must be treated immediately by eliminating Galactose {a long milk sugar} from the diet.  Treatment must start as soon as the baby is diagnosed as otherwise the consequences can be deadly. For treatment babies drink non-dairy formula, as galactose is present in breast milk.  Treatment by elimination of Galactose from animal sources for individuals with Classic Galactosemia must continue for life. One of the tricky part about the diet is that the many regional differences in allowed foods.   Unfortunately not only treatment of this disorder varies greatly throughout the world, and even in the United States but also the detection through newborn screening.  In this series we have  met Lisa from Italy in November, we met Skadi from Berlin in December, and in January we Kai from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.  Today please meet Fabian from the Hessla region in Germany.  Please contact me if you are interested in being featured {germanpdx (at) gmail . com}

Now, please meet Fabian a happy and healthy three year old.  He lives his parents Katharina and Sven in the Hessla region of Germany and will become a big brother later on this year.

Katharina's pregnancy with Fabian was without any issues and he was born in 2010 by scheduled C-Section.  Newborn Fabian nursed without any problems right after birth, he did however spit up a lot.  Katahrina was told that spitting up by her baby was not an issue.  The newborn screening test was performed 36 hours after birth.  While filling out the paperwork for the test Katharina remembers telling her husband  "I never heard of any of these obscure disorders…"

 On day three of life Fabian became jaundiced.  Again, Katharina and Sven were assured that this was not unusual and were told "all boys turn yellow".  The test of Fabian's Billiruben test however reveled that his levels were highly elevated and he was immediately moved to the Nursery floor.  Katharina and Sven did not understand what was happening.  They were told, that with treatment under the lights Fabian's Billiruben levels should come down.  This did not happen and by day 4 of life Fabian was lethargic.  He no longer ate, his Billiruben levels increased, and his liver as well as kidney functions went - for lack of better term - crazy.  Katharina pumped breast milk, and Fabian was fed by GA tube.   His health deteriorated and by evening Fabian was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).  The physicians contacted pediatricians at specialized University clinics in Hannover, Heidelberg, and Gießen - they did not know what could be wrong with him.  Fabian was supposed to be put on dialysis on day 5 but he was too ill.  Katharina and Sven were told to stay the night with him.  Nobody knew what was happening and why Fabian's organs were failing.  Katharina and Sven held their baby the entire night - Fabian was so very ill. Then on day 6 Fabian's newborn screening results were called into the hospital. The test result revealed a positive reading for Galactosemia.  The physicians were astonished.  In medical school they had heard about Galactosemia, but none of the physicians in this hospital had never seen a patient with this disorder.

Fabian's feeding was immediately switched to a Soy formula; he improved almost immediately and after 4 additional days in the PICU he was transferred back to the regular Nursery where he stayed for another week.

Today Fabian is treated by the Metabolic Clinic of the University of Gießen and his GALT levels are currently tested on a quarterly basis.   In his diet Fabian is allowed to eat all vegetables, fruits, legumes,  cheeses that are aged at least for 3 weeks and also items containing clarified butter (Butterreinfette).  Katharina has found the dietician at their Metabolic Clinic in Gießen as a great help.  However, find the exchange with other parents the most helpful.  Katharina and her family met our friend Ulrike with her family (Skadi's family) for a weekend where they had many questions answered.  Katharina would like to thank Ulrike for all her support and help :)

Fabian goes to Kindergarten (Preschool) and Katharina made sure to educate all the teachers as well as other parents about Galactosemia and which foods he is not allowed to eat. At snack time the teachers make sure that the kids do not share any food.  Birthday's are always a big deal and children bring treats from home; to make sure that Fabian is included Katharina connects with the other parent and determine whether or not he can eat the specific treat.  If needed Katharina makes him a "safe" version of the treat. It is amazing that Fabian, even so he is only three years old, is well aware that he cannot have milk.

Please meet Skadi - #Galactosemia around the world #Germany {#Newbornscreening}

This is the second post of - hopefully - many others; last month you were introduced to Lisa from Italy. With this series I want you  to meet people from around the world who are living with Classic Galactosemia.  Ten years ago, Classic Galactosemia was something I had never heard about and when Alena was diagnosed it was obscure.  And yes, I wanted to know what with this disorder was like. Once we learned about the treatment {=diet} and the regional treatment differences it got even more confusing.  Not only treatment varies greatly, but also detection through the newborn screening tests varies.  Now without any further ado, please meet Skadi and her family.

Skadi lives in Germany's capital Berlin with her Mom, Dad, and little sister.  I first met Skadi's Mom Ulrike via the internet back in late 2006.  At this time, I am not sure if we originally met through the German Galactosemia support group or just by chance online.  All of us met in 2008 in Berlin where Skadi with her family showed us many of the great sights of the German capitol.

Now are you ready to get to know Skadi and hear her story as told to me by her Mom, Ulrike.

First picture of Skadi and her Daddy

Ulrike had an easy pregnancy with Skadi and she was born on a Wednesday in Berlin, on Friday the hospital performed the heel prick {newborn screen}.  Mom and baby Skadi went home to join Dad on Saturday.   They went on to enjoy the weekend but on Monday - not quite three days after the heel prick -  they received a call from the Charite Hospital where Skadi was born.  Ulrike was told that the newborn screen for Skadi had come back with a positive for Galactosemia.  They were asked to return to the hospital immediately as the clinicians wanted to run additional tests right away.   At the hospital Skadi was immediately admitted and additional tests were run.  The tests were not conclusive as to whether Skadi had Duarte or Classic Galactosemia. On Tuesday the family was sent back home and Ulrike was told to alternate breastfeeding with Soy Formula.   On Wednesday - Skadi was exatctly one week old - Charite Hospital called again and asked they return to the hospital.  They have received a conclusive positive for Classic Galactosemia and Skadi was readmitted to the hospital.  She became jaundiced and was transferred to the Pedicatric ICU.  Her food was changed to Soy Formula. Her condition improved and after about a week Skadi was able to come back home.

At first - like probably most of us - Ulrike was upset as she had never heard of this strange disorder called Classic Galactosemia.  Through the metabolic clinic at Charite she was put in touch with another family whose child also had Classic Galactosemia.  That mother was able to give Ulrike much of the information she was longing for.  What was life, the diet for kids with Classic Galactosemia like? Today both families remain friends.

Skadi is now a healthy 2nd grader; she loves to sing, dance, draw, and make crafts.  You know, a regular girl...

Skadi and her Mama in 2013

When not eating at home, Skadi always asks if the food is safe for her, just like our kids she knows exactly what she cannot eat.  She does - just like all kids - get sad when there is no treat that is safe for her but gets over it quickly just as long as no comments such as "oh, that poor child" are made. Skadi is managed through metabolic clinic at Charite Hospital in Berlin; her diet includes - just like our kids - all fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and cheeses. In regards to diet, Skadi's metabolic clinic now allows cheeses that have aged for only three weeks.

Are you interested in being featured?  If so, please contact me by sending an email to germanpdx (at) gmail(dot)com

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Ice "cream" cake #Dairyfree & Birthday Party

Another year has passed by so quickly and our big girl just turned nine years old.  It is hard to believe how fast time is running...Alena wanted a real Birthday party this year complete with cake, games, craft, and dinner.  A party like the ones I grew up with - parents entertaining us with fun games, and crafts.

The hostess

For the 2012 Birthdays in our family {I just remember that mine was not included} I have been making - as you may already know - Ice "Cream" Cakes.  It started with Mia Rosie - Vanilla/Raspberry - then Ron - Vanilla/Peach - and now Alena.  Alena however is a complete chocolate lover. No question...so her selection was Chocolate/Blood Orange.  It turned out great {however I think vanilla is much prettier} and everyone loved it.  Oh, and I cheated as the actual cake was baked from a box.

Chocolate Blood Orange Ice Cream Cake
1 box of dairy free Vanilla or Chocolate Cake {I used Trader Joe's Vanilla & added 2 Tbs chocolate}
   Soy/Almond/Hemp Milk
   Egg
   Oil or vegan margarine
2 - 14 oz containers of Ciao Bella Blood Orange Gelato
1 - Quart So Delicious Chocolate Velvet Ice "Cream"
1 - organic untreated orange
6 - marshmallows cut in half

1. Bake cake according to instructions and use your preferred milk substitute, as well as "butter'
    substitute.  Keep 1 container of Gelato on counter to soften
2. Let cake cook down and place a "Tortenring" {catering?}, or aluminum foil between the cake/and
    the pan. It should go all the way to the top of the pan, it will make it easier to remove the pan at
    the end.
3. Spread softened container of gelato on the cool cake.  Cover with aluminum foil and put in
    freezer for at least 3 hours; or until firm.
4. Soften chocolate ice "cream" - spread 1/2 of the container of soft ice "cream" on top of gelato.
    Cover and return to freezer for at least 3 hours; or until firm.
5. Repeat step 3
6. Repeat step 4. Let cool for about an hour, then decorate the cake with orange slices and
    marshmallow. Cover and return to freezer for at least 2 hours or until firm.

Remove 30 minutes before serving!!!

And the party?!  All the kids had a lot of fun.  First there was the ice cream cake;

next a game of "Topfschlagen" {it literally translates to "hit the pot". The eyes of the player are covered, then a pot is hidden with a little gift underneath and the player gets on his knees with a wooden spoon to find the pot}, followed by  the "Mummy" game {kids are in pairs of two and one person wraps the other in toilet paper},

The Mummy Game 

and finally Musical Chairs.

Musical Chairs

For the craft we made Santa's - some kids made Elf's.  I had prepared the craft by covering empty rolls of toilet paper with red felt {I used a glue gun}, and also glued the "head" on top.  The kids decorated, using low heat glue guns, the craft with eyes, beard {cotton balls}, hat, buttons, belt, etc.

And finally the Birthday girls choice for dinner - Wieners...


   

Weekend #Fun and #Food

We are having a long weekend here in Portland.  No school this past Friday, and neither on Monday.  I have to say, that all of us are enjoying it.  Yes, I did work on Friday morning but the girls were able to enjoy some PBS Kids Television time, and by late morning we headed off to OMSI for the Grossologie  Exhibit {it is a lot of fun}. On Saturday both girlies were invited to a Birthday party.  We usually go to German Sophie Scholl Schule every Saturday morning but it is too much for me {and for the girlies} with two things going on.  So this week we decided - shame on me - to take a "mental health" Saturday morning and skip school.  It honestly felt so good, not having to drive out to the suburbs and take the time of {I usually work when the girls are in school}.  I think that my body really needed that time of relaxation.  Plus I took time to make a Saturday morning breakfast of "Eggs in Toast" with Pomegrante. - take a look :) Now if only the girls would really like eggs...

The girls had so much fun at the Birthday party.  It was at a gymnastics studio with cake and treats afterwards.  I offered - as I usually do - to bring cupcakes for the girlies, but the Mom of the birthday girl had already taken care of it.  Two special vegan cupcakes for our girlies while the rest of the kids had birthday cake.  We were told by the parents that all of the kids ended up wanting to have cupcakes instead of the birthday cake.  Honestly,  I am so excited that it is not the other way around.  You know, our kids being sad about not having birthday cake.  It is a good thing.

Today - Sunday - we spent some time at the Oregon Zoo.  You know the thing about Oregonians?!  We - yes, I do consider myself an Oregonian after ten years in this beautiful state - go out even if it rains; the rain does not hold us back.  The really nice thing about going to the Zoo in the rain is that you do not have to beat the crowds :)

Alena reading about the life cycle of Salmon

Mia Rosie and Ron 

Oh, and there even was a treat of "Elephant Ears".  All those years I always assumed that the batter contains whey, but it is safe.  Whoo-hoo; I know, I know the old saying about assume...ha - we ordered it without the butter and voila both girlies had a sweet treat...

Alena enjoying her portion of the "Elephant Ear"

And yes, it has been getting really cold by now {40's F}, it is rainy, grey, and just beautifully cozy.  So for dinner it is Spaghetti Bolognese.  This is the recipe of one of my very best friends and it just delicious, comforting and warming.  What a beautiful weekend this is...

Spaghetti Bolognese

#Serendipity Part Two - #Thankful

I start - then I stop; ideas come and go; what should I write? It is yet another November - another year went by and I have so much to be thankful for.  I should write part two of the serendipity series {well, okay one piece written and posted}, or write about being thankful?! In a way it both intertwines, but both are - at least in my mind - different.  Am I making any sense?  Yup, I am still deciding as to where this post will take me...just mind up my mind, it is time for part two.  And yes, I just gave this post a title - well of course you will see the title first but in all truth it was titled exactly at this point :)

Okay so let me back up and link in Serendipity Part One - just a brief summary Ron and I serendipitously met through friends in Chicago. We both had moved to town the same weekend {we did not each other}.  He from Wisconsin, and me from Germany. After a few years of dating, and cohabitation we got married.  We lived in Oak Park {suburb of Chicago}, traveled quite a bit and eventually moved to Portland, Oregon.  While I was in graduate school, Ron worked - you know, the grind.  Nothing serendipitous just yet...then we had Alena; she was born in late November right before Thanksgiving.

My pregnancy had followed the expected plan - delivery before exams, with time to take exams after she was born {note to self - what was I thinking?!}. She was on schedule. Everything set - we arrived at the hospital; and according to plan she was born.  So, you ask where is here the serendipity?!  Wait, wait...we brought her to the nursery on the maternity floor and on the way back, I saw a brochure from the state of Oregon similar to the one Idaho publishes {note: the Oregon brochure does not seem to be available online}.  I read it and got worried.  Ron on the other hand calmed me down pointing out how rare positive findings are.  Yup, rare - can I just point out for a second how rare it was that Ron and I even met.  Yes, and we moved to Chicago at the same time without even knowing each other...Long story short, we were on our way to be dismissed from the hospital when I remembered that brochure.  Accidentally  - yes it happens - Alena's Newbornscreen had not been performed.  She already was strapped into her car seat.  And yes,  I call it serendipity that we saw and read the brochure.  Just imagine had she not been tested!  Yes, more likely than not she would not be with us today...so this is what I am thankful for.

So why is the title serendipity and not just plain thankful?  Well, you may or may not know this but whenever there is a genetic disorder involved both parents carry the same gene.  Yes, Ron and I carry the same recessive gene.  Me the German girl, and he the Wisconsin boy.  - We met in a happy surprise {serendipity}, I read the brochure in accidental discovery {serendipity - so thankful for it}, our child is picked up by the newbornscreen {fate = serendipity}...It was meant to be :)

Now, stay tuned for Serendipity Part Three - yes, yes, yes there is a third part...Serendipity is the piece that seems to be threading through our life....And yes, we are all good.  Our kids are perfect - we are happy....Okay, I will get now off my soapbox. Thank you for reading!

Here we are...summer 2012

P.S.: Here is the link to our family story and to the Save Babies Through Screening Foundation.  Please
        share information about newborn screening with all of your expecting friends, family. It saves
        lives

#Family #Hike and #Fun at the Oregon Coast

Fun at the beach...

Finally a well deserved long weekend get away for us.  This past week was so busy, and we were all due for a break.  The girlies did not have school on Friday so it was the perfect time to go to the beach for a long weekend.  We generally go to the Northern Coast, but this time we went to Pacific City which is on the central Oregon coast.  Ahhh,  it is so relaxing just to be at the beach.  The air, the sounds, it is so rejuvenating even with the rain....  We have had unseasonably dry weather and it actually started to rain for the first time in months on Friday our first full day at the beach.  Rest assured, we still had a ton of fun...

Beach fun - October 2012 in Pacific City

On Saturday we went for a nice long hike out to Cape Lookout.  It is a cape that reaches 2 miles out into the Pacific Ocean.  It is a beautiful hike through the mystical forest, and along the steep cliff {yes, we did "white knuckle" the girlies along those passages}. The sound of winding roaring through the woods, and the ocean crashing against the beach...it is really, really mystical and you just know for a fact that faeries live there.  The girlies referred to the puddles we saw along the hike as "fairy swimming pools". Take a look at this cute snail - it seems like she is seeking shelter underneath the mushroom....

It was beautiful - both kids did a great job as it is 2.4 miles out to the cape, and another 2.4 miles {uphill} back to the trail head.  Our kids are good hikers, Mia Rose did start to fuss before we reached the cape but did a great job on the way back.  She really deserved the piggy back ride for the last 10 minutes of the hike :).

Family hike to Cape Lookout

The large plate of french fries and root beer for each girl at the Pelican Pub was well deserved :)
After lunch the girls and I have our energy back to climb to the top of the dune and play in the sand Let me just say it was sandy, but so much fun....

Having fun in the sand...

Before heading back home on Sunday we walked on a stormy out on the beach...oh yes, our batteries are now recharged...

It is windy out...can you tell?

Serendipity - Part I {Post # 1000}

I have thought long and hard about this title; is serendipity really the correct word?  Well, it is for sure a fun word - to say, to read, and to write.  I just read that it is one of the hardest words to translate...

So this will be part one of three {at least that is what I figure at this time}...Oh, and the other title I was contemplating was "Randomness" but honestly I like "Serendipity" so much better.  Okay - so this will be our family story...

One of Ron's old friends from Chicago was visiting Portland last week. One of the first things - honestly -  he said was "Do you know how random it is that you guys know each other?".  He was referring to Ron and I... Yes, yes I know many things that happen in life are due to random, serendipitous, unexplained circumstances.  This is the first time I heard the story...

Ron's friends in Chicago - this is ions ago - went downtown when Michael Jordan's Restaurant {now defunct} first opened.  They waited in line, and  started talking with one of my friends.  Yup, this is how it all started.  Ron's friend got the phone number of my coworker.  That was it.  Neither of us was there.  Long story short, our friends went out a few times and a couple weeks later I met with my friend at a restaurant downtown.  Also there were her new friend and - yes you guessed right -  Ron.

I am sure you all have a story similar to ours - but I never realized just how serendipitous our - Ron and I - meeting each other really was.  Oh, just to add a little more that that.  Ron and I moved to Chicago the exact same day. Yes - me from Europe, and Ron from Wisconsin.  Granted, we lived in different suburbs.

Here we are on our honeymoon...

Little did we know, that we also share the same recessive gene...but that will be in Part 2...

Oktoberfest this time at Oaks Park

Who does not love fall? Right?!  The air is crisp, the sky is blue and {we are lucky} the sun is shining.  Perfect time for Oktoberfest :) Truth be said,  I am not that much into Oktoberfest but it is very popular :)  Anyway, I was volunteering at the Kinderplatz at the Oaks Park Oktoberfest and as Ron was running a 1/2 Marathon I brought both girlies along.  They were pretty content to try out all the crafts

we were offering - Schultueten {School "cones" German children get on the very first day of school},

color in paper hearts, and make crowns.

 They did tire of it so,  luckily there were another couple of volunteers who did an amazing job of entertaining the girlies.  My lucky girls even got to go on the rides :)   {thank you they had so much fun}

I know this is hardly ground breaking, or news worthy or anything like it.  But you know what?  When Alena was little, I did not know whether she would do all these things.  What would she eat?  Well,  I did do some planning.  I packed a couple of slices (cheese less) pizzas, and a couple of slices of Zwetschgenkuchen - just in case :)   We were prepared for that there would be no food for them. Well, you know it is just something we have learned to do over the years, but you know what?!  There were sausages from Edelweiss and we know they are "safe".  Yay!  But why am I telling you this?  Well, am telling the little story to show that our kids are just like all other kids.  You may have to prepare a little more but in the end, there is no difference.  Yes, food may or may not be an issue.  Is it really a big deal?  Especially since so many times you will be able to find "safe" foods for them?  In any case,  we all had a great time!  Prost!

Zwetschgenkuchen {Italian Plum Tart}, Ratatoullie, Children's Museum, and Farmer's Market

this is how we spent our last Wednesday of the 2012 summer break.  Yes, the title is in reverse order :)
I know, it is summer and we love to spend time outdoors however the first words out of Mia Rosies mouth in the morning were "Mama can we gehen zu the Kindermuseum heute?" {in perfect "Genglish" translation:  Mama can we go to the Children's Museum today?}.  So how, could I resist!

We packed it all into one day and met Ron for lunch on the Farmer's Market before heading to the Portland Children's Museum.  Both girlies had their - usual - sausage for lunch.  I did not buy any of the beautiful produce as we just had our CSA share delivered on Tuesday.  But take a look at this beautiful produce - and yes, the produce I have/had at home was just as gorgeous :)

Portland Farmer's Market - August 29th, 2012

Here we are at our next stop, the Portland Children's Museum...

Yes, the girls did paint their faces with white face paint 

Back home it was time - very late start if I may add :) - to think about dinner.  We received Italian Plums with this week's produce.  Those the kind of plums I grew up with in Germany.  They are tart, yet sweet and absolutely delicious. Oh, and how I miss "Zwetschgenkuchen" - it is always one of my favorites when back in Germany.   In any case, I first started on the cake which had to go in the oven before making dinner. Please read on, for the pictures and recipe :)

Ratatouille - Zucchini, eggplant, onion, garlic, tomatoes

For dinner, the produce was transformed into wonderful, summery, baked ratatouille served alongside with creamy, comforting polenta.  Yes, I know we just had baked ratatouille a couple of weeks ago but summer is almost over and I only make it when tomatoes are at their peak :)

Dessert

Zwetschgenkuchen {Italian Plum Tart}

Zwetschgenkuchen {Italian Plum Tart}
For the dough
- 2 C of flour
- 2 teaspoons Backing Powder
- 1/2 C of sugar, plus 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 1/3 plus 1 T of stick of Earth Balance Margarine {50 gram)
- 3-4 Tbl Almond or Soy Milk
1. Mix in a bowl and knead - by hand - until it turns into a dough
2. Smooth dough into a baking pan {I used my hands as it is a little tricky to work with}
Fruit
- a little over 2 lbs {1 kg} of Italian Plums, cleaned and "butterflied" {pit taken out}
- 1 Tbl sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
3. Arrange the plums on the dough
4. Sprinkle sugar/cinamon mixture over the plums
Streusel
- 1 C of flour
- 1 egg
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 1/2 C of sugar and {optional} 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Rest of stick of Earth Balance Margarine (dough) {70 gram}
5. Mix in a bowl - by hand.  It will be very crumbly
6. Pour the Streusel over the plums

Bake in preheated oven at 360F for about 55 minutes

NOTE:  If you are not eliminating dairy, use butter instead of vegan butter

Serve with either vegan whipped cream, dairy whipped cream, or any type {vegan/dairy} of vanilla ice cream!

Almost back to school...

Two more weeks of summer bliss then we are also back to school here in Portland.  Today is a first for me as I am writing this post in participation of a Friday Fun Party hosted by Kate.  I recently found and followed Kate's Blog. This is the first time I am joining a blogger party.  In any case, the topic of today's fun party is back to school for kids with medical conditions.  In her post Kate writes about the preparations she made at her daughters - Lucy -  school to accommodate her when she is in school. Lucy is a cancer patient.  

You know, if you know me or my blog, that I do not think of our two girls as kids with special needs. Yes, they both have a rare metabolic disorder - Classic Galactosemia - which we manage solely through diet {which is why I talk so much about food :)}. But yes, at the beginning of each school year we have to prepare for school accordingly. This is our third year at this school, so the cafeteria cards of both girls clearly reflect that they do not get hot lunches. Then again, the girls know what and what not they can eat.  The office is aware, and they have a pictures of the girls up identifying them as kids with dietary issues.  

Alena and her second grade teacher

Mia Rose and her Kindergarten teacher

For the new school year, I am hoping that Mia Rose will get Alena's first grade teacher who is aware of their condition. The only other individuals  I will need to speak with are Alena's third grade teacher, and the school nurse. Well, assuming there will be a new school nurse. Alena is on an IEP, so a lot of information is contained on her plan.

Oh yes, and the most important thing to get will be.....yes, you got that one right, Popsicles to keep in the freezer at school, as well as other treats for the classroom should there be any unplanned parties.  One thing we might do this year - if the teachers and girls are up to it - prepare a little talk to the class and parents about Classic Galactosemia.  I feel that at times the girls are not invited to parties, or play dates because parents are afraid. So an explanation about the condition coupled with, no they will not fall into a coma, or metabolic shock and no - this sounds silly - it is not contagious may reduce the fear.  It should make school life easier. Well, I will keep you posted if we do it :)

One thing we have yet to get are medical bracelets. I really need to find a cute ones.  Any recommendations are highly appreciated :) Just in case - if something happens and neither of us parental units is available.

OK - now we are off to enjoy this super hot Portland day....

Read a blog post about us...

on what it is like to live with Classic Galactosemia.  - I was interviewed for this post a while back and am so excited about this article.  We would not have our healthy girls would it not be for newborn screening.  Please tell all your pregnant friends and family about the test and how it saves the lives of children. - Click on the link to read our story, and find out more about the test
http://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/blog/classic-galactosemia-a-day-in-the-life

You can also find out more about newborn screening on the Save Babies Foundation Website which is www.savebabies.org