Why You're Never Failing as a Mother

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Baking for Callum Review: Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Baking Mix (Dairy, Soy, Corn, Peanut & Tree Nut Free)

Trader Joe's Gluten Free Brownie Mix is amazeballs. I've read tons of bad (and older) reviews of these brownies online and all I can figure is that recipe has been changed or they were left in too long. Even my picky husband agrees -- fantastic flavor, perfect texture, and only a hint of that gluten free taste.

The first time I made them I left them in a handful of minutes too long and made delicious little rocks. Remove them as soon as a toothpick comes out clean, not a minute longer. I substitute applesauce and Canola Oil for Vegetable Oil, each time a little less oil for a little more applesauce, and they are still so good that next time I will try ditching the oil altogether.

What you will need for brownies:
1 bag of TJ's Gluten Free Brownie Baking Mix
1 egg
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil (or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce and/or Canola Oil)
1/4 cup water

High Altitude: No directions provided. For my home, approximately 5,500 feet above sea level, bake time increased by 5 minutes.

Bon appétit!

Also included on the bag a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies I have not tried.

What you will need for cookies:
1 bag of TJ's Gluten Free Brownie Baking Mix
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp xanthan gum
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup gluten free chocolate chips
1/3 cup raisins or craisins
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)


TJ's Gluten Free Brownie Mix Ingredients: Organic Evaporated Can Juice (Sugar), Sweet Brown Rice Flour, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Tapioca, Flour, Arrowroot Flour, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Baking for Callum Review: Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats (Dairy Free)

My husband had refused to accept baked goods made from rice into his heart. (And couscous. He is really bothered by cous cous.)

That was until I made Kellogg's Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats.

"They taste the same!" my husband exclaimed with little boy delight. Uh, yeah. The nice people at Kellogg's tweaked and tweaked until the ingredients were simply three: brown rice, sugar, and salt!

The funny thing is I had never made Rice Krispie treats for my own family and probably never would have if it weren't for my search to find an easy little something sweet for Callum.

The recipe is on the box. Note: the box is yellow instead of blue. It took me like 3 stores to figure that one out in my sleep-deprived state, so you're welcome. I sub Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks for the fat. The best part is that all the ingredients needed (cereal, butter substitute, marshmallows*) have enough of a shelf life that they can be kept on hand for unplanned celebrations so our little guy is never left out. Of course they can be frozen for up to 6 weeks, too, if you don't eat them all. Ha, as if!

*Some marshmallow brands do contain gluten.

Cooking for Callum: Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers (Free of the Top 8 Food Allergens)

A mother can only cook two dinners a night for just so long! Our youngest, Callum, has multiple food allergies and a severe gluten intolerance. At 16 months, he'll still eat just about anything we put in front of him, as long as it doesn't try to kill him, and he hasn't seen it yet that week. (Callum's Cardinal Rule: No leftovers!) The other challenge in finding Callum-friendly fare is that it must pass the test of four other family members, including our very picky Olive, and have ingredients I can pronounce. My goal: omit basic allergenic foods without whack-a-doodle alternatives.

This recipe, my friends, passes all our tests!

Cooking Light's Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers

(Don't forget the gluten free chicken broth and soy free alternative to cooking spray.)

We pair it with Trader Joe's Frozen Brown Rice (3 minute microwave pouch is my bff) and French Green Beans. Maybe there's wine for mom, too.

While this recipe predates our little guy, it still has his name all over it. One night back in September of 2010 I made this, one of my absolute favorite quick and easy meals, and found it so repulsive that I dumped my share onto my husband's plate and proceeded to have ice cream for dinner. It was my husband's "What's up with you?" and the kids "No fair!" that prompted me to test for pregnancy the next morning. Hello, Callum!

Bon appétit!

Callum's Turkey Meatloaf (Dairy & Gluten Free)

A mother can only cook two dinners a night for just so long! Our youngest, Callum, has multiple food allergies and a severe gluten intolerance. At 16 months, he'll still eat just about anything we put in front of him, as long as it doesn't try to kill him, and he hasn't seen it yet that week. (Callum's Cardinal Rule: No leftovers!) The other challenge in finding Callum-friendly fare is that it must pass the test of four other family members, including our very picky Olive, and have ingredients I can pronounce. My goal: omit basic allergenic foods without whack-a-doodle alternatives.

This recipe, my friends, has passed all our tests and become a family favorite!


CALLUM'S TURKEY MEATLOAF
Dairy & Gluten Free

For a family of five with two growing boys, I usually make a double recipe. If we're lucky (and have enough sides) there may a measly slice or two left for my husband's lunch the next day.

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1-1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (we use Lea & Perrins which is gluten free)
1/3 cup fat-free reduced sodium chicken broth (clicky here for a list of gluten free brands)
4 tablespoons ketchup, divided
1-3/4 pounds ground turkey, 97% lean
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs (I make ours from Udi's Gluten Free Soft & Hearty Whole Grain Bread)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onion. Stir for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute. Add Worcestershire sauce, broth, and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. Stir. Transfer to a large bowl and cool.

Once cooled, add basil and oregano. Stir. Add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, egg white, and remaining salt and pepper to mixture in bowl. Mix well.

Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with non-stick oil or soy free alternative. Mold turkey on foil into loaf form, and brush with remaining ketchup. Bake at 375 for one hour or until meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees. Allow meatloaf to stand 5 minutes before serving.


Another favorite ground turkey dish: Sloppy Joes!
Be sure to check ingredients on tomato paste, as some are not pure tomato and use wheat as a filler. (Walmart's Great Value brand, I'm looking at you!)

Wednesday night we'll be trying From Scratch to Plate's Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup. I'm so excited because it's the first creamy soup recipe I've found that doesn't use nuts as a thickener and looks like something everyone will enjoy. I love me some slimy mushrooms, so they'll be jumping into the pot, too, along with a bit more veggie. Just don't tell Olive!

Bon appétit!

Homemade Costumes of Holidays Past: Dipsy

Me & My Teletubbie Hubby, 2009

Late October here is hot during the day, and cold at night. We bake at the school carnivals, and then freeze trick-or-treating. I would have loved to add sleeves and pants for a full-body effect. Bonus: since it is not sized, we've been able to loan it out to friends. Yay!

Sewing Notes:

I started with the adult tomato costume pattern from Simplicity 6192 (© 1983) for the body.

While the tomato pattern called for felt, I chose fleece and backed the lower half with iron-on interfacing for a little stiffness. I ended up using two panels instead of three, and still had to shave down the width. The television screen is pleather. The simple elastic waist allowed us to stuff 25 gallon plastic bags full of packing peanuts for girth. Lightweight, but "HOT!" according to my husband. And, of course, fun for hugging.

I'm also seeing Angry Bird potential here.

I used Simplicity 2829 (© 2008) for the skull cap. (I believe this pattern is still available in stores, although I was not able to find it on their website.) Dipsy's aerial is stuffed with venti-length Starbucks straws taped together.

Next time, 2011's Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. To be continued...

Coupon!

Save 10% when you buy 4 or more in-stock & ready to ship items, including sale and clearance. (Sorry, no special orders.) Use code "10off4" during Etsy checkout.

xo Heidi

300 Fiesta Sale

Modern Olive hit 300 sales on Etsy this week. Wheee! Celebrate this weekend with coupon code FIESTA15 for 15% off on in-stock and ready to ship items. Valid through Sunday 8pm MST.

Thank YOU!

Garden 2012: Carrots

I got a little overzealous weeding this morning and accidentally pulled these little guys as well. Hooray color!


Now that they come in purple Olive has decided that the oranges ones must be okay, too. Score!

Colored Eggs Inspiration

Dyeing Easter Eggs the Natural Way

Internetless

I will be without internet at home Wednesday through next Monday while we change carriers. Yes, I know, my husband and I are the last two people on planet Earth without smart phones. What can I say, that's how we roll.

While I will not be able to play convo tag, my husband will collect any orders from work and your goodies will still ship next business day if received by 4pm MST. He's cool like that.

Happy (early) weekend!

xo Heidi

Inspiration for a Rainy Day

Make a rainbow.

A Little Bit About What We Like to Call "Fuzzy Underpants"

I will continue to update this post as I have new information on sizing and better pictures. I also have some fabulous customer pics I hope to dig out and post soon. Last update March 22, 2021.

SIZING:
The measurements listed were provided with the pattern and were taken with the soaker laying flat. When measuring remember to measure on top of the item you wish to cover.

Small: Rise 15"/Waist 13-15"/Thigh 7-9"
Medium: Rise 17"/Waist 15-17"/Thigh 9-10"
Large: Rise 19"/Waist 17-19"/Thigh 10-11"
Extra large: Rise 20.5"/Waist 19.5-21.5"/Thigh 11-12"

The rise is measured from the top edge of the waistband on the front to the top edge of the waistband in the back.

Size small with a rise of 15 inches.

Depending on where your child falls in the range for a particular size, the waistband may fall above, at, or below the belly button. The rise is high enough for boys, but may be too high for girls* when being worn over low rise pants and skirts. (Olive never seems to mind, but the waistband sometimes shows.) See pictures under sizes below.

For measuring thighs I like to go up as high on the leg as possible, though the actual soaker may sit slightly lower depending on what's underneath.

Fleece does have some stretch, but not as much as you'd find in a knit. Most of the fleece I've used (the only exception so far being Plaid Cucumber) has gotten stretchier over time, yet has also retained it's original shape and size.

Newborns
During the newborn runny poop stage the legs bands on a fleece soaker will not add a significant second barrier to help against runny poop leg leaks as well as a cover with elastic and/or gusseted legs unless they are fitting snugly. Fleece soakers are still an option, but it will be the job of the diaper underneath to contain it all. My favorite bullet-proof newborn diaper against such leaks is the Kissaluvs fitted. (I have both the older version, purchased for Olive in 2008, and the newer version, purchased for Callum in 2011, and they are both super awesome.) Another favorite diaper, sized for 10+ lbs, is the Sustainablebabyish Snapless-Multi Fitted.

My favorite covers that do give you extra protection during the newborn stage are Bummis Super Whisper Wrap, Gen-Y Universal, and Wee Huggers.

Small
My best guess for small is 0-3 months, possibly 0-2 if the child is on the larger side. I do not have any personal experience using this size on my own children.

Medium
I started my son (who was still on the small side at 12 pounds) off in medium at 3.5 months. At 9 months and 18lbs even I began to size up at night to a large with his super bulky nighttime combo -- Bum Genius stuffed with the long microfiber insert, a large BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey-Bunz, and a Kissaluvs doubler. GIANT. During the day I use them with prefolds, various contour diapers, Sustainablebabyish (Overnight Bamboo and the multi-sized listed above), Imse Vimse terry, etc. At 20 months and 22lbs they are being worn with a prefold or flat underneath, and also alone as regular underpants. We always take a pair to the pool so that I can quickly get him changed out of his swim diaper without needing to lay him down.


Above, Callum in size medium @ 4 months old.
Below, size medium on Callum, 9 months and 18lbs even.


I was too lazy to change him out of what he was already wearing, so underneath Callum is sporting a medium Imagine Smart Fit Prefold and a medium Bummis Super Whisper Wrap. He is quickly nearing the limit I have seen suggest for this size when used with a diaper underneath.

UPDATE, Medium @ 11 months: While I do not have his current weight, Callum has gone through a tremendous growth spurt in the last eight weeks. Much to my surprise he is still in size medium during the day. Here he is at 11 months wearing a fairly bulky Sustainablebabyish Snapless-Multi Fitted with two inserts underneath.


(Much harder to catch compared to just two months ago...)



UPDATE, Medium @ 20 months: At 22lbs and 32.5" tall, Callum only wears a medium with a prefold or flat. If we are hanging around the house he will often wear them alone as underwear, with plenty of room to grow.



He's wearing the same exact pair as the 4 month old picture above. Made from solid anti-pill fleece, they have been washed and worn on a weekly basis for more than 18 months now and still have plenty of life left.



The thigh measurements are usually the deciding factor that pushes a customer to buy a large rather than a medium. 


Large & Extra Large
At 18lbs, Callum is almost ready for size large with a giant overnight combo. (See description under size medium.) In these pictures he is wearing them over the same combo as listed under the medium picture. Even though the legs and waist are big these work fine for added overnight protection.

Waist band folded over for belly button spotting.




They are protecting against wetness while the diaper underneath is catching solids, so the fact that the legs are loose makes no difference at all. They don't fall off because of the friction between the fleece and the diaper underneath.

My almost 4 year old daughter Olive is thin to average, currently weighs 32lbs fully clothed, is 39.5" tall, with a waist of 20", and has a thigh of 11.5". She is out of 3Ts, and has been for a few months. When I tried a large on her a few months ago, the thighs were already too tight, though I felt like she could have squeezed in if they weren't brand new and we'd really pushed it. My best guess for extra large, based on the way they fit her now, is 4T/5T. She has lots of room to grow, even on top of cloth training pants.

2XL - New in 2020

I just tried the 2XL on our youngest, Violet. Violet recently hit 5.5 years old, and is pretty slim for her age, weighing 36.2 pounds clothed in a long sleeved t-shirt and winter weight leggings, and measures 43 inches tall. Waist - lots of room to grow. Main body of the soaker - plenty of room (even before stretch) for a cloth diaper with a fairy good sized insert. Thighs - still some room to grow, but as I always find with this pattern the thighs will be the first thing she will outgrow.

POTTY TRAINING:
Fuzzy underpants, as my children call them, can be used as a cover for extra protection over cloth training pants. While not quite as absorbent as a cloth diaper, in my experience when paired with cloth training pants they will handle a single good-sized pee as long as it's not a flood. (Also great if your children, like mine, have pee trained but continue to have poop accidents. The extra layer helps keep everything contained.) After a good pee I expect to replace both the cloth training pants and fleece soaker, but their clothing YAY! stays dry.

You can find Gerber brand cloth training pants like the ones pictured below at Target stores, sold in packs of 3 for $7.99.

Can they be used alone? I never tried, but based on how they worked paired with cloth training pants I think they could handle a small pee, especially once a child has reached the stage where as soon as they realize what they are doing will try to stop themselves.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a size is not to go by weight alone since little ones comes in all different shapes.

More questions? Lay them on me! This is a work in progress.

xo Heidi


*If you sew and are looking for a lower rise pattern for potty training girls you may want to try this one. I tested it out along with a few other but ultimately didn't end up using it because I wanted covers for my son.

Pairs Well with a Cup of Coffee

Handmade Ryan Gosling

xo Heidi