CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES WILL HELP!

First an editorial note: Somehow my blog posts are appearing on Facebook (not sure how I figured that out). For anyone interested, they are being pulled from my blog at http://www.enduromom.blogspot.com/.

Okay, with that out of the way I will get to the business at hand - Chocolate Chip Cookies. More importantly, Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. Saturday is loooong run day and so I feel entitled to eat anything I want (a little counter productive, I know, but a girl's gotta live a little). And besides I came home from a very cold, very icey/slushy run today with a bad attitude and cookies do indeed help as advertised.

So before getting to the recipe I just have to air my bad mood. Some people might say that my running is "dangerous". But really I try everything I can to be safe, I wear bright orange (a real fashion feaux pas in my opinion), I run against traffic, I switch sides when rounding a blind curve. Really, I have no ill will, just out doing what I have to do in order to get my cookie. But the roads are really bad - hardly any shoulder to run on and the sidewalks are simply impassable. I am only on a busy road for a 1/2 mile to get to a quiet neighborhood where it is safe to run down the middle of the road. So on this half mile of treachery I have encountered all manner of extremely rude hand gestures, people who play chicken with me, the ones who intentionally hit the puddle to watch me get a shower. I've gotten an occasional wad of litter tossed at me and had people open the window and swear at me. And we live in a really, really super nice place (not being sarcastic either). I am getting the vibe that people think I am doing something seriously offensive? I guess I may make them slow down and cost them an extra minute of travel time? But today was the absolute level worst. A woman approached me, while talking on her cell phone and smoking a cigarette and somehow managed to roll down her window, flip me the bird and flick her cigarette at me. And, she had two kids in the back of the car. I ask - who was steering the car? She clearly had her hands full - and which one of us was being more dangerous on the roads?!!

Okay so I earned my daw-gone cookie today! Here is the recipe for what we think is one mighty fine chocolate chipper:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is very sensitive and will not come out well with substitutions.

1 ¾ C Featherlight Mix (Bette Hagman) which is listed below
½ C. Sorghum flour
¼ C. Flax seed meal (ground flax seeds)
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
½ C. Butter or margarine (unsalted)
½ C. shortening
¾ C. white sugar
¾ C. brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
Choc. Chips
Nuts if desired

Featherlight Flour Mix (I usually make up a big bag of this and keep it on hand):
3 Cups rice flour (1 part)
3 Cups Tapioca Flour (1 part)
3 Cups Corn Starch (1 part)
3 Tablespoons Potato flour (1 teaspoon per cup)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Have ready but not greased 2 cookie sheets (I use parchment paper on them).

In a medium bowl, blend the flour mix, sorghum and xanthan gum. Set aside. In the bowl of your mixer cream the butter, shortening and both sugars. Add baking soda, salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the dry ingredients and beat well. Still in chips and nuts.

Spoon the dough onto the cookie sheets using approximately 1 ½ teaspoons at a time (I use a cookie dough scoop to help get a uniform size for carb counting). Bake for 9-10 minutes.

We count each cookie (approx. 2”) at 10g. of carb.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE . . .

...the more they stay the same. Isn't that how the saying goes? I heard somewhere that over the course of 7 years we regenerate every cell in our bodies, so after seven years we're literally an entirely different person. My mother says that "people never really change". And what about nature vs.nurture? Before my kids were born I was a big advocate of nurture . . . if I just don't let them watch TV, if they just never eat meat, if he plays with dolls and she plays with trucks, etc. But within their first few weeks of life nature reared her head. I am always shocked by the strength of genetics. Can there really be a gene for liking mint chocolate chip ice cream and pineapple? And the mysterious gene that accounts for that big sigh all three of us make right before we fall asleep? So how do we reconcile our nature with our nurture? This is not rhetorical, I don't know the answer.

I finally joined the times and ventured onto Facebook. That's what got me thinking about how things change, or not. Within minutes of signing on, my computer was suggesting all sorts of people that I might know. From my neighbor down the street to my favorite college gang to my mother-in-law's best friend (no kidding!). Okay this whole scene is a little scary. But I embrace the technology and jump in. I can't help but be a bit rattled by the ecclectic mix of people. Honestly, I'd never invite these people to a party together (although there was that "Wedding" back in '94 - but that stands as a case and point).

As I gather around me the "walls" of people from every corner of my life, I think - do they all know the same person? Are there any parts of me that have been the same for more than 7 years? And although I have never referred to myself as an athlete (and I don't know if I ever will) I can't help but think of how swimming and running have been a common thread through my life. Those dating back 35+ years might remember that 5 year old kid on the swim team who won every time because there was no one else racing in the 6-and under group. Maybe we carpooled together, standing in the freezing cold outside of West Hill High School after swim practice while our wet heads turned to ice. Or maybe it was the chubby 14 year old who discovered that running on the track team in the "off" season was the ticket to fitting into the bathing suit in the "on" season. I remember taping Latin passages on my walk-man to listen to on long runs (my lame attempt at homework on the run). My old college friends might remember how I headed out for a run every time I decided to kick bad habit X, Y or Z? I can't really remember if I ran consistently during college, but when I drive down Park Ave. in Worcester distinct memories of plodding along snow covered sidewalks to the park come flooding back. So I guess I did. After college Meg (my faithful Golden Retriever, aka Eukie or Phestus) and I moved to Boston where I had no work. It was there that we took up running full time. Again, I don't remember how many miles I was doing and I never entered a road race or kept a workout log - but I do remember how beautiful the Arboretum was at dawn. And I remember I once found a $20 bill on the street and it actually doubled my entire net worth! That's when I knew it was time to get a job. And I remember planning my run so that I could order a pizza before I left the house, then tuck a $10 bill in my shoe - and pick up said pizza before rounding the corner for home. Oh - those were the days. The days before heart rate monitors and even high performance "cool max" clothing - back when we still wore cotton!

Those cells change over slowly though. I grew up, I got a job, got married, had kids. Those who know my most recent set of cells are the ones with the quizzical looks when I say I am heading to the gym or out for a run. I too identify with my most recent set of cells - the ones that do not run, unless being chased, the ones that float very well, but do not swim and the ones that actually cried the first time I saw a bike after giving birth, at the very thought of the pain. But this recent foray onto Facebook and back to the past reminds me - we are not necessarily who we become, but rather who we've always been. Rather than referring to myself as a non-runner or non-swimmer, I am reminded that it was a hiatus. Okay, it was a bit long (probably two entire cycles of cellular change). I still am that swim team kid, and I still am the slowest kid on the track team who needs to run in order to fit into my bathing suit.

As usual, I am very long in coming to the conclusion . . . but here it is - if there is something that you "used" to do and you want to do it again - go for it!! It's not gone, you've still got it in there somewhere. And if there is something you've "always" wanted to do - for goodness sake, DO IT! And, do it soon, none of us knows how long we've got to get it all done.

Today when I head out for my run I'm going to leave the ipod at home. I'm going to try to reconnect with some of those sketchy memories: The warmth of swimming in the winter in a glass enclosed pool, was it at the YMCA? The burn in my sinuses when I learned to do flip turns. The sting of my upper lip when I hit the wall for fear of opening my eyes under water. Eating Jello powder (via the dip & lick finger method) as fuel for swim meets at Twin Lakes. The joy (and agony) of running on the beaches of Nantucket with a dear friend whom I've sadly lost touch with. The stupidity of running through the streets of Worcester alone at dusk (and the first time I saw a dead body!). The excitement of running through the streets of Boston and being a super-fit 20-something. And I'll remember that I am indeed who I've always been - just with a lot more life experience, a heart rate monitor, high performance cool max clothing and many memories (and a few more pounds).

MUFFINS SO GOOD - YOU WON'T MISS THE GLUTEN!

There is nothing better than muffins. I've rambled on long enough so I will get straight to it with the recipe. But a couple of tips - often gluten free baked goods have a gritty texture to them. I have found that this is from using flours that are not finely ground enough. I purchase finely ground rice and sorghum flours from Authentic Foods (http://www.authenticfoods.com/) and this has totally eliminated the gritty texture from my baked goods. I have served these muffins to many gluten eating friends who have said they are as good as any muffin they have had. Give them a try!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (or Banana Bread):

½ C. brown rice flour
½ C. white rice flour
¼ C. Tapioca flour
¼ C. Potato starch flour
¼ C. Flax seed meal (Bob's Red Mill, Golden)
2/3 C. Sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 C. Canola Oil

2 tablespoons milk (can use almond milk as sub)
2 Eggs
1 Cup mashed banana
1/3 cup nuts optional (we sub choc. Chips)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients. Mix in oil. Then add wet ingredients.

Beat the mixture on medium speed for 3 minutes. Add nuts and chips if desired. Pour into greased loaf pan or lined muffin tin. For loaf bake for 55-60 minutes for muffins bake 22-25 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted near center comes out clean.

Blueberry Muffins (variation on the theme)

Same as above but make the following substitutions:

Instead of bananas, use 1C of Greek blueberry yogurt (or plain if that is all you have)

Instead of chocolate chips, use frozen blueberries.

Top with sprinkle of sugar.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins (another variation)

Instead of bananas use 1 C. plain (or vanilla) Greek yogurt

Instead of chocolate chips use diced apple

add a couple of dashes of cinnamon.

Top with a sprinkle of sugar and or cinnamon.

If you love these muffins as much as my kids do, you can mix up batches of the dry ingredients into zip lock bags. Might as well, while you have everything out. Then when it is muffin time, simply choose which type you're going to make, throw in the wet stuff and mix it up. One other tip is to really fill those muffin cups up - don't skimp. This recipe should make 12 generous sized muffins - so, no batter left over, just fill 'em right up!

Enjoy!

THE SECRET TO TOTAL HEALTH IS . . .

I won't keep you waiting for the answer. It's REST!

I was standing in line at the grocery store, only half thinking when I saw that very headline on a magazine. It kept coming back to me over and over again for the next several days. I just could not quite reconcile this news. Worse yet, I could not remember what magazine it was on. This makes a big difference as to whether or not I have to accept this as truth. I pondered this for several "unrestful" nights. Then suddenly, in the mail, my free copy of Outside Magazine showed up. And there it was, right on top of this month's issue: The Secret to Total Health is . . . Rest? So now I had my source but I let it sit on the kitchen table for a week or so before reading it. This morning I bit the bullet and read the article. Much to my delight, the gist of the article is about working the appropriate amount of recovery time into your workout regimen. I am very, very lucky to work with a top-notch coach to whom I am eternally grateful. She knows all about stuff like recovery time - she builds it into my workout plans. I am spoiled rotten - I don't have to think about anything - I just follow the directions as she has detailed them on the calendar. This is the easiest part of my life. So do I get my total health pass? I think not . . .

I think there is more to this rest issue, and I'm not gettin' it. Yes, every third week I have a "recovery" week in my workouts and I drink my "recovery" shakes. But I have not gotten a good night's sleep in three years. I don't know if I have gotten this blog out to enough parents of diabetic children yet to be able to enlist your help on this, but if you are out there and reading this and you've got the answer to a good night's sleep - please, I beg of you -share!

I have had an ongoing battle with my daughter's endocrinologist (mostly the nurses) since she was diagnosed. They tell me that I HAVE to sleep through the night. There are a couple of things in the way of this happening. First and foremost is that lovely little book with pink panther on the cover - it's like the instruction manual you get when you leave the hospital with your newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic. One night I was in bed reading the book and I came upon a section that referred to "Dead in Bed Syndrome". This is an instance when the type 1 diabetic dies in his/her sleep. According to the book this is very, very rare. But I'm like, ummmm, we're already dealing with rare here - I mean what were the odds that my kid was going to have type 1 diabetes and celiac disease? Why should I believe that she's not going to be the rare one to "you-know-what" in bed? Ok - never sleeping again!! I mean really is there a parent of a new born infant anywhere that doesn't at some point stand over the crib listening for the sound of their baby's breath and worrying about SIDS?

My little (okay, huge) neurosis aside, what about high and low blood sugar in the night? This is where I need help from other parents. Even when we think we've got things under control, say 5 out of 7 nights a week we're all set, then there are the other 2 nights - one of which will be like last night. We check at 10 pm, blood sugar is off the charts high. We ponder what went wrong, maybe a bad carb count, who knows, we give insulin and go to bed. 12:30 am I check again to make sure the blood sugar has come down - uh oh, it hasn't, it's still sky high. Now I ponder - is there a problem with the pump? Maybe there was more fat in dinner than we thought and the carbs were delayed? Should we wake her up and go through the dreaded "protocol"? No, let's just try one more time, maybe it was just dinner, oh and she had been swimming earlier which meant being off the pump . . . oh but that's exercise that should bring her down - well let's just give more insulin and see what happens. Okay, back to bed, stare at the ceiling, worry that if I fall asleep I won't wake up again to check her and make a decision about what to do. Repeat over and over in my head "check at 2:00, check at 2:00" so that I'll be sure to wake up. Repeat this for an hour. Oops, dozed off for a half hour and now it's 2:00 am - so I go check my poor sleeping little pin cushion. Dang - still high! Now I sit on the edge of the bed, watching my precious child sleep and I ponder again - I hate leaving her high for extended periods of time. The health risks are terrible. I could wake her up and change the pump site but then I have to buy her a stuffed animal (that's the deal), but money is tight and she's got too many stuffed animals, I'm not thinking rationally, it's 2:00 in the morning for Lord's sake. What is going on? Is it the pump? The site? Is she getting sick? I know that I should now follow the "protocol" which calls for me to wake this child up (or just shove the needle in without waking her up, but I promised her I would never do that), give her insulin by syringe then replace her pump site (which is like another shot). She'll freak out - I'm tired. I don't know, I give her one more dose of insulin and decide to stare at the ceiling for another hour. I doze off and dream that we rechecked and her blood sugar is now 160 (great!). I wake up confused, was that real or did I dream it? It's now 3:30 am. I drag back in and check her again. Down a little but still very high. Now I have to ponder again . . . if it is down a bit that means that the site and the pump should be working so if I wake her up and replace them it could be for naught. Final decision time - She's been this way all night I might as well let her get her sleep and we'll deal with it in a few hours, when she wakes up. I get back in bed, it's 4 am, guess what . . . I can't sleep! I toss and turn until 5:30 and then I doze off for about an hour before I have to get up and get lunches made, back packs packed, well you know the drill.

I might as well round out the picture, for anyone that might happen upon this that does not have a diabetic child but wants to know in graphic detail what life is like for us. The other side of the coin is the fear of low blood sugar over night. This can be caused by too much insulin, not enough food or perhaps exercise that took place 6 hours earlier in the day. If blood sugar drops low enough a diabetic can experience seizures and become unconscious. We don't know exactly how low one has to go to hit that awful place - there is no set number. But in our minds we believe that anything below 40 is getting pretty dangerous. I'm told that the child will "probably" wake up feeling uncomfortable if they are having low blood sugar. But on many, many occasions we have gone in for our routine middle of the night check and found her sleeping along peacefully with blood sugar of 47! And this is like Russian Roulette - we have no idea what we're going to get on any given night. But really, I should be getting a full night's sleep - please tell me how?!

Maybe her total health depends on my (lack of) rest. My total health is going to depend on that Artificial Pancreas hitting the market. I'm told it's within reach, let's all just hope it is soon. In the meantime I'm going to grab another cup of coffee and head out for a swim.

Newsflash: As I was typing this the school nurse called to tell me that her blood sugar is now completely normal. So, it was a good guess last night, glad I didn't wake her up! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

CALLING ALL CYCLISTS - JDRF RIDE TO CURE DIABETES

Today is the coldest day of the year. When I left home for work this morning my car thermometer read 12 degrees below zero. Brrrrrr!

What better to think about on such a frigid day than a nice long bike ride on a late summer day? My bike (Sally) is perched on the wall awaiting just such a ride.

Just moments ago I registered for the JDRF Ride for a Cure. I will be participating in the Killington, VT Century ride (100 miles) at the end of August. If you are a cyclist or would like to become a cyclist or even know someone who is a cyclist, you've just got to check out the JDRF Rides. They offer an amazing adventure of a lifetime in destinations like Sanoma and Death Valley, CA or White Fish, MT, Killington,VT or Tuscon, AZ. JDRF pays for all travel, accommodations, bike shipment, coaching, etc. All you have to do is fundraise for a great cause and pedal, pedal, pedal. And you choose the distance, doesn't have to be 100 miles. For more info, check out: http://www.ride.jdrf.org/

Or perhaps you'd rather let someone else do the riding? That's cool - I'm happy to take care of that part. Perhaps you might just consider a little donation to the cause? No donation is insignificant - even just $5 makes a very sincere contribution. So, would you please consider clicking on my personal pledge page and just dropping a few bucks in the pot? Also, feel free to check in over the next several months and see how I'm doing both with raising the bucks and pushing the pedals.

My personal pledge page: http://ride.jdrf.org/rider.cfm?id=8602

Thanks! And for all of you in the East, keep warm!!

CHINESE NEW YEAR!

The Chinese New Year is on January 26th this year. And, it is the year of the ox. I am going to take this as a particularly good omen as I share many qualities of the ox. I don't really mean that in the totally self deprecating way that it sounds, honestly! I have heard many light footed (and light weight) runners refer to themselves as "running like a gazelle". Well, I run "like an ox". I'll tell you one thing - you'll never hear about anyone hitching their carts to the mighty gazelle!You can't plow your fields and feed a village with a gazelle. Oh don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against the gazelle, they are beautiful for sure. Just saying I've spent a long time being an ox who wished she was a gazelle. You can't make an ox into a gazelle (nor a gazelle into an ox). Better off just to accept the things that are great about being an ox and maximize on that.

These days I can pretty much take any topic and turn it into a metaphor for running (as evidenced by a simple post about the Chinese New Year). So, I guess my Chinese New Year's resolution will be to stop being envious of the gazelle (for there is no year of the gazelle, after all). I will never be one. I can not train my way into being one or diet my way into being one. Heck, I don't think I could even nip and tuck my way into it. So I've got to throw on the old yoke (size XL) and embrace my inner ox! The ox is strong, the ox is powerful and the ox is a worker. All worthy accomplishments. So this year I shall be happy to run like an ox. Happy year of the Ox!

Okay, running aside (for the moment) . . . with the coming of the Chinese New Year several people have asked me for my dumpling recipe and so I thought it would be useful to post it here as well. So, for this week's recipe installment I serve you up Chinese Vegetable Dumplings (steamed, please - no need to be more oxy than necessary!):

Steamed Veggie Dumplings - Gluten Free, of course:

Pasta Wrapper: (also good for plain pasta or ravioli)
1 C tapioca flour
1 C rice flour (white superfine, if you can get it)
2/3 C potato starch flour
1/3 C Soy flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp olive oil
4 eggs
1/3 C water (or more if needed to make nice smooth dough)
Mix dry ing. together. Make a well in the center of the dry stuff. Dump the wet stuff (slightly mixed together) in the well and mix it in with a fork. Add the water a little at a time to form dough. Knead it into a smooth dough. Let sit for 10 min. Then divide into 4 pieces. Put 3 in the fridge while working with 1. Take about a golf ball size piece of dough and roll it out. Put a glob of filling off to one side (not too close to the edge). Fold the other side over and crimp shut. It may help to wet the edge a bit to make sure it seals shut.

Filling:

I usually just kind of wing this part, but I know most people want some guidelines, so here are some rather loose guidelines - feel free to improvise on this part.

1 cup shredded napa cabbage

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup sliced shitake mushrooms

1 Tbsp minced ginger

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 tsp. sesame or peanut oil

a few splashes of GF soy sauce.

Place dumplings in a steaming basket on top of large cabbage leaves to steam. Or put gently into a pot of boiling water until they are all floating to the top (about 8+ minutes). These freeze very well. I usually steam them first, then freeze. Then just add frozen dumplings to boiling water and extend cooking time a bit to account for defrosting time.

Enjoy!

THE MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Camryn Speaking to a crowd of 4,000 at the 2008 JDRF Walk for a Cure

If you ask my daughter what she wants to be when she grows up she will tell you that she wants to be a motivational speaker. How does an eight year old know what a motivational speaker is? Well, when she was 6 and only had diabetes for few months she was asked to speak at her first JDRF walk. She could not yet read so had to memorize her comments. She's a pretty shy kid so we had our doubts about her climbing up on stage and perching on that little milk crate so that she could see over the podium. But along with the local Mayors and public officials she hopped right up there, flashed her dimples and made our jaws drop. In the last couple of years she has been asked by JDRF to speak several times with her largest venue being at this year's Walk. But her real career decision came when she delivered an address that she mostly authored herself, to a smaller group of about 200 at a luncheon. Somehow she knew exactly when to pause and shyly flash a smile while waiting for the crowd to laugh at her perfectly delivered line. At the end of her speech there was a standing ovation (we had to explain what that was to her afterward) and one gentleman in the crowd was so moved by her that he approached the podium and handed her $50 as she was stepping down. And as she tells the story, "when that 50 bucks hit my hand I thought . . . now I'm motivated to speak". So begins the journey of a motivational speaker.

I'll tell you the honest truth, I hate public speaking. Scares me to death. Maybe I'd get up there, if held at gun point, but I'd be coming down on a stretcher! Not her though - she loves it, she was born to be a poster child. Oh, how I just wish it wasn't this poster! But Camryn is a lemonade making factory!!

When I saw the call for applications for the JDRF Children's Congress I knew this would be right up her alley. Every two years JDRF Government Relations sends a couple of child delegates from each state to Washington DC to meet with lawmakers to push for funding for research, better health care for diabetics, etc. These kids meet one on one with their state reps and also sit in on a Congressional hearing in which some will have the opportunity to testify.

We got notice yesterday that out of the 1,500 applicants Camryn has been chosen as one of the delegates from Massachusetts. We're taking the show on the road - to Washington, DC. She was thrilled when she heard the news and in her quiet and understated way she said: "Mommy, I'm so happy to get to be a part of it". I said - "a part of Children's Congress?" She said, "no, a part of the cure!" Then she said, as she walked away "oh, and I'll be needing a power suit, I think gray will work". Where did this kid come from?

Truth be told, I don't really believe in silver linings and you know what, I want my blessings straight up, hold the disguises. But this kid has built character that some will never see. We can't credit her parents, they would have preferred it to be a different way. Can we credit diabetes? I hate to credit anything to diabetes (except a lot of sleepless nights, heartache and worry) and can't bring myself to say a nice word about it.

But bless her heart, she's already achieved what she wants to be when she grows up (and I haven't even figured out what mine is yet!).

The Biggest Loser

We're in the final count down here . . . just an hour until the new season of The Biggest Loser premiers on NBC. We're not a big TV watching family and when we do, we avoid the major networks and try to opt for the Science Channel and my personal favorite - Discovery Health where I can divert my overwhelming interest in a bedtime snack by watching a gruesome autopsy! But I digress . . .

Okay, my entire family is hooked on The Biggest Loser. Right now the kids are gathering up all their stuffed animals and arranging them around the TV getting ready for screen time. It is inspirational to watch people change their lives through diet and exercise. It is somewhat educational, although a little too much education in the foul language department . . . bleeeeep . . . last season. But most of all I've discovered that they are all in LOVE with Jillian Michaels, the infamous trainer of the "black" team. You know who she is. . . you can't log on to a web-site with out her popping up and asking you what your weight loss goal is.

Last night at the dinner table my son proclaimed that if he could get a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation (which thank God he can NOT!) it would be for just one short workout with Jillian. Now mind you he's 8 - so he does not have the ulterior motives that others might have. He's a purist. For the holidays I bought my love sick family the Jillian Michaels, 30 Day Shred DVD. And let me just put in a plug here in case this blog should find it's way to Jillian and she decides to grant my son his wish. This is no sloucher work out. I have never really held these 20 minute video workouts in high esteem but this thing is the real deal. I workout a considerable amount and I'll even fess up and tell you that I have hired a coach to keep me on the right "track". So, I thought I was getting into decent shape but when I gave it a try Jillian made me feel it for sure. Usually when my family "shreds" I opt for a ride on my stationary bike so I can enjoy the show. But, I'll tell you, this gang is devoted - they shred every day.

So the point of the story is that this show has permeated my house - it's not about me telling them they need to keep moving or turn off the Nintendo or blathering national statistics at them about childhood obesity. They can see it for themselves, they can have fun with it. Mix it up a little. It's entertaining and it's fun. One very cold night in a house with kids who had extra energy to burn my daughter actually came up with the idea of a Biggest Loser "Challenge". Her idea was to see how many times each of us could run up the stairs in our house. Another great workout - that's actually harder than it sounds after the 15th time up!

To wrap it up, and get my stuffed animals set up for show time . . . Jillian, I've given you some air time here. So if this should ever come across your staff's desktop, please accept my thanks for motivating my family. And if you should find it in your heart to grant my son a little extra happiness, feel free to send him an autographed photo!

Gluten Free Tortillas

To make good on my promise of recipes - here is my first installment. When faced with the question of which food item to start with, it had to be tortillas. Once you master these you've got burritos, quesedillas, salad wraps, roll ups, little personal pizzas . . .

Admittedly these are a bit worky - but well worth the effort. To give you an idea, about an hour on your feet at the counter should yield about 15-16 decent sized tortillas. Hope you like them as much as we do!

Gluten Free Tortillas:
1 package Chebe Pizza Mix

1 package Chebe Bread Stick Mix
4 Tablespoons of Flax Meal (Bob's Red Mill, ground golden is good)
4 Tablespoons Pamela’s All Purpose GF Mix
1 Cup Milk
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil

4 eggs

Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl (preferably that of an electric stand mixer, but not necessary). Add oil and eggs to dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Add milk slowly to form a big dough ball. Knead until the dough is smooth.

Roll the dough out into a longish log shape. Work the dough into tortillas by taking a gallon zip lock bag and cutting it open on three sides (leave it zipped at the top) then cutting about 1" of dough off the log at a time, place the dough inside the plastic and roll out into a very thin, large circle. Peel gently off the plastic wrap and place in a UN-greased, large skillet over medium/low heat. You should be able to roll out the next tortilla, then flip the one in the pan and cook the other side of the one in the pan. Keep it up for about an hour then treat yourself with a big 'ole burrito!

These freeze very nicely. We generally keep half in the fridge and half in the freezer when the fridge stock goes low, we just pull out the freezer batch and stick those in the fridge to defrost. They heat well in the microwave but will become crunchy (cracker like) if baked. Not a bad idea for a little pizza, but not ideal for a burrito.

What's the Point?

Camryn's Team - 2008 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes - raised $13,000+

It is kind of hard for me to embrace this blog thing. I keep asking myself: What's the Point? I feel as though if I clarify the point right up front perhaps I can carry on in a less random way.

So here is my point:

1. To document my journey from couch potato to . . . to what? Umm, let's just say, for now, NON-couch potato.

2. To share inspiration, motivation and maybe a little strength (if I've got any to spare) with other parents of kids with chronic illnesses (specifically Juvenile Diabetes and Celiac Disease).

3. To share resources for parents of kids with JD and CD.

4. To talk about gluten free food in a main stream, everyday, kid oriented way - and put together a collection of family friendly recipes that others might find helpful.

5. Most importantly to raise awareness (and hopefully some $$) for JDRF as I train for the upcoming Century Ride for a Cure in Killington, VT on 8/28/09.

What I DON'T want to do:

1. I don't want to be condescending or "preachy". I know that my way is not the only way. I have chosen exercise as my path to health and as importantly sanity in tough times. There are many other ways, I am sure. Any path to health and sanity is a good path and none more noble than others. I am for sure not saying you should hop on a bike and pedal your way into delirium - whatever works for you is the best path.


How I'll do it:

I will try to post a gluten free kid-a-liscious recipe once-a-whatever (as in week, month, whatever I can come up with).

I will post thoughts, ideas and frustrations about life with Juvenile diabetes.

I will post my musings on family fitness and updates on my training and upcoming events and fundraising.

So if you are the head chef of a Celiac household or a parent of a diabetic child, or an overweight middle aged woman trying to get into shape maybe I'll have at least a little something that can help even just a little. At least that's the point!