Dairy-free Dark Chocolate Mint Truffles

One of the next things on my list is to find a few Christmas goodies we can all have.   It's really no fun to try to keep 4 boys out of a counter full of special treats for everyone else.  Being a huge chocolate fan, I started easy.  These are dairy-free and, depending on what kind of chocolate you use, gluten free, soy free, corn free as well.

Dairy-free Chocolate Mint Truffles

11 oz good quality dark chocolate (I used 85% Lindt bars - they are soy, corn and dairy free).  How dark of chocolate you use is completely up to you.  Enjoy Life makes chocolate chips that are very allergy friendly and safe and are not as dark.
1/2 c coconut cream (top of can of separated (ie. do not shake) full fat coconut milk
1/2 tsp peppermint extract (optional - can omit and substitute vanilla)
up to 1 T sugar if desired

For rolling:
Powdered sugar (preferably organic - usually corn free)
Flaked coconut
Crushed candy canes (would not be corn free)
Baking cocoa (this WILL make them darker)
Sprinkles or sugar
Chopped nuts

Heat coconut milk.  Break chocolate into small pieces and add to hot milk - if using chocolate chips, no need to break them smaller.  Add sugar as desired (using the 85% I found it was a little dark in this application and I added about a tablespoon) and peppermint extract.  Stir until smooth.  Let cool on counter, stirring periodically to keep from separating.  When cooled, refrigerate until firm.  Scoop out cooled and hardened chocolate and form into small balls, rolling in your choice of toppings.  Place in small candy papers.  Makes about 30 candies.

Nut free "peanut butter" cookies grain free dairy free gluten free egg free

Have to post this here so I can find it - I just dug through 6 months of facebook posts to find the link!  My sister found this recipe and introduced it to us this fall when she was visiting.  I KNOW it sounds crazy, but I swear, they are GOOD.  We tried several versions - including tahini.  Believe it or not, the tahini ones were my favorites!  These can also be made with peanut butter, sun butter  or almond butter.    The only thing you need to watch is that it is the ALL NATURAL version.  No added oils, etc.  The original is here:

http://www.texanerin.com/2012/04/grain-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-bites.html

They worked great for us - particularly for Ben who is ridiculously hard to find snacks to take to preschool.  The only downside is I ate more than my fair share.  You know, because they're almost "healthy".

Not Peanut Butter bites

• 1¼ cups canned chickpeas, well-rinsed and patted dry with a paper towel
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste - usually you'll find it in the peanut butter aisle)
• ¼ cup real maple syrup (or honey) 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• a pinch of salt (unless you're using a nut butter that has it already)
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips (Enjoy Life is completely allergy safe or regular Nestle mini chips if small amounts of soy are tolerated) or flake off a Lindt 80% bar for another soy dairy corn free option
• Preheat oven to 350°F.  Combine all the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, in a food processor and process until very smooth. Scrape the sides and process again til smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.  Important: do NOT eat the dough.  It tastes awful. LOL  No idea how it works, but I swear when you bake it they taste good!  The mixture will be very thick and sticky.  Wet hands and form into 1½" balls. Place on a piece of parchment paper. Press down slightly on the balls to form a cookie shape as they won't rise much.  Bake for about 10 minutes. The dough balls will still be very soft when you take them out of the oven. They will not set like normal cookies.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the fridge) for up to 1 week.

Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner recipes

Someone asked me recently what we do for special dinners like Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Easy.  We eat a traditional meal.  Just in a non-traditional way. Our Thanksgiving meal included turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, cranberries and rolls with butter and jam.  All allergy free.  This year I actually cooked and forced it on everyone and no one seemed to know what was allergy free and what wasn't.

Dairy free mashed potatoes with gluten free, corn free gravy:

While there are several substitutes for milk in mashed potatoes (nothing, chicken or turkey stock...), this is what we prefer.  This is going to sound a little weird, but you need a can of full fat (important) coconut milk.  Canned coconut milk separates to form a thick "cream" on top and a watery section on the bottom.  Do NOT shake your can up.  You want to skim off the thick "cream" on top.  Believe it or not, this gives the best non-dairy creamy mashed potatoes we've tried.  Add salt as desired.  For gravy we have people allergic to both wheat and corn, so most traditional gravy recipes are out.  Instead, the best sub we have found is garbanzo bean flour (no really!).  I felt like most other starches made a "slimy" texture - we've tried potato starch, rice flour, tapioca flour, guar gum, among a host of others.  Since corn has one of the best gravy textures I tried to look for a starch that would be similiar.  Garbanzo bean flour is awesome!  It gives a very "normal" gravy texture and has great flavor in gravy (while the beans are a little strong for my taste in a lot of dishes, here it serves to accentuate the meaty flavor).  I mix it with a little water to form a thick paste as use until desired thickness is reached and flavor with salt, pepper and garlic.

Cranberries:

This recipe was adapted from a family recipe that came from my husband's great gramma.  I'll give you both versions - though the request from everyone is now for the adapted version over the original.

Original:
1 bag cranberries
1 orange, peeled
1 apple
Sugar to taste

Revised:
1 bag cranberries
1 pear
1 bag frozen raspberries (or 2 containers fresh)
Sugar to taste

Partially thaw raspberries if using frozen.  All ingredients (for both versions) add in small amounts to food processor and blend until desired texture is reached.  Add sugar to taste as desired.

Sweet potato casserole:

This one is still in process.  I still am not fully satisfied with something about it, but I can't pinpoint what quite yet. ;-)  No one else seems to care - they think this version is just fine.

5 c boiled, mashed sweet potatoes
3/4 c desired milk (we use lite canned coconut)
3/4 c sugar
1/4 c coconut oil (if working with hot mashed sweet potatoes just add this directly to them. If working with cold, melt and add)
1 tsp vanilla

Combine and pour into 9x13 casserole pan. Top with:

Topping
1 c flaked coconut
1 c chopped nuts (optional - could also sub out for 1/2 c oats)
1 c brown sugar
1/3 c flour (regular if tolerated, gluten free if not)
2 T coconut oil

Using a fork, mix oil (cold) into flour.  Add remaining ingredients, mix and pour over top of casserole.
Bake at 325 for 30-45 minutes or until potatoes are bubbling and topping is browned.

Dessert:

I didn't get it done this year, but I'd go with Pumpkin Pie ice cream with Enjoy Life Vanilla Honey Graham cookies.  http://cornerunderthestairs.blogspot.com/2011/02/allergy-friendly-dairy-free-vanilla.html

Pamela's Gluten Free Parker House Dinner Rolls (adapted to be dairy, egg, corn and soy free as well)

Finally found a dinner roll recipe that makes a presentable roll.  These are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, corn free and soy free.  They have nothing in them.  They barely exist.  Kidding, kidding.  But it starts to feel that way when cooking for us!  These were adapted from Pamela's which is one of our favorite gluten free brands.  You can have the bags of bread mix auto shipped from Amazon for really inexpensive - it makes a decent sandwich bread and pizza dough (or we use it as flatbread) as well.  We also love their chocolate cake mix - it makes a chocolate cake that is actually passable and can be made dairy and egg free.  Their website is here for more recipes as well: http://www.pamelasproducts.com

Parker House Gluten Free Rolls (adapted)

Ingredients:

• 1 bag or 3-1/2 cups) Pamela's Gluten-Free Bread Mix
• 1 T yeast packet 
• Ener-G egg replacer made to equal 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup canned lite coconut milk 
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup warm water to proof the yeast for 10 minutes
• Additional Pamela's Gluten-Free Bread Mix or white rice flour for dusting

Directions:

Proof yeast in 3/4 c warm water.  Let set 10 min.  Meanwhile in liquid pyrex type measuring cup (or measure into microwave proof bowl), measure coconut milk and coconut oil.  Microwave 1 min or until oil is almost melted.  Cool til the 10 sec rule can be employed (old fashion yeast proofing - if you can hold your finger in 10 seconds the liquid is cool enough to not kill the yeast).  When cool enough add to yeast mixture along with remaining ingredients.  Mix in a mixer using wire whip attachment for 3 minutes on med/high.

Carefully roll the dough out of the bowl, using a large rubber spatula, into an oiled bowl. Let dough rise with a warm, damp towel over the bowl in a warm place until it is just less than double in size (about 45 min to an hour).

Gently roll the dough onto flat surface that has been liberally sprinkled with more Pamela's Gluten-Free Bread Mix (or rice flour). Sprinkle additional Pamela's Gluten-Free Bread Mix (or rice flour) on top, and gently pat down dough to about 3/4-inch to 1/2-inch high.

Cut rounds using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, and place them on an oiled cookie sheet about a 1/4 inch apart. Let raise again for an hour.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 25 minutes.

364 days ago...

A year ago we were enroute to Moscow.  Wow!  A year ago!  It's been such a long year and sooooo much has happened (and she's changed so much) that it hardly seems possible that a year ago she wasn't with us yet!  In honor of Gotcha Day tomorrow, I present Russia through Luke's eyes.

Literally the first thing he was desperate to find - he HAD to get a picture of the license plates in Russia.  Must a number thing...

And the "mustache" sign...

This is the building where we had court.

And our first stop after arriving in Tver, the police station.  See the crumbling bricks behind him.  The whole building was like that.  On another note, Esther's not the only one who has grown a lot in the past year! Apparently Luke did too!

Pork and Tomatillo Stew

1. I've had a package of pork stew meat taking up residence in my fridge the last few days and figured I better make a use for it.  I googled several pork stews and finally adapted a couple to our allergies.  The dinner table was quiet and no one complained.  Score!  That being said, I better write it down before I forget what I did...
2. Pork and Tomatilla Stew
3. 2 T olive oil
4. about 2 lbs boneless pork loin, cut into 3-inch chunks or the equivalent of boneless pork chops, etc
5. Salt and pepper to taste (I'd start with about 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper)
6. 2 leeks, cleaned and diced
7. 1 large red onion, finely diced
8. 2 Anaheim chiles, seeded and finely diced (for more heat add a jalapeño or 2 - this is very mild)
9. 4 garlic cloves, minced
10. 4 tps chile powder
11. 2 T ground cumin
12. 1/4 tsp dried oregano
13. 3 bay leaves
14. 3 cups chicken or veggie stock 
15. 2 cup finely diced carrots
16. 5 average sized russet potatoes, washed and diced
17. 1.5 pounds tomatillos—husked, rinsed and diced
18. In a large pot or pan, heat the oil. Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook over high heat until browned .  Add the leek,  onion, chiles, garlic, chile powder, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring frequently, until veggies are tender. Move to crock pot and add remaining ingredients.  Cook on high 3-4 hours.  Serve with shredded cheese (or some of us used crumbled goat cheese), diced tomatoes and avocados, sour cream and corn chips or tortillas. 

One year from our first meeting!

This week marked a year since we first met our daughter!  It seriously seems like the fastest year of my life.  It's just been such a blur -- we were so focused on paperwork and then traveling internationally 3 times last summer/fall, along with all the "normal" part of life with kids.  It's amazing to think back to where we were a year ago.  Right this second, we were in Russia.  We had just met this teeny little girl that they swore was shy and scared of people.  I wish they could see the little girl we have today!  We saw glimpses of her real personality that first meeting -- the constant curiosity and observation and how much she loves music.  Most of all, from those first meetings I remember her playing a game.  She would "fall" down and then see if Bryan would come and rescue her.  She thought it was the coolest thing in the world that EVERY time you have a problem someone would be there.  She would pretend to cry and then be smirking as soon as he would head her way.  I don't really have a lot to say...just amazed at what God has accomplished in and through us in the year since we first laid eyes on her!

This was actually the 2nd time we met her. The first time we had to be observed, the 2nd time they pretty much just sent us out the door with her.  We landed on the phone thing totally by accident -- and she loved it!  She'd also pitch a major fit if we tried to take it away, touch it, look at it...

Seriously, can you believe that tiny girl was over 2 years old?  Sooooo little.  Click on the picture to enlarge it.  She was very tentative around Bryan at first.  All the caretakers were women so she had never really been around a guy.  Here she was realizing that his face felt different.  :-)

This is actually part of dossier (file of paperwork for the adoption).  We needed to include 4 photos of us with the child we were asking to adopt for the judge to see.  

Can you even imagine that a year ago this little girl was in an orphanage?  It boggles my mind in some ways; most of the time it feels like she's always been here.  It's when you do things like this (go to the zoo for her first time ever) that you remember how much of the world is still new to her.

While I was putting these on she came by and got all excited and said "Gramma!  Where's Gramma?"  

Six months and counting...Part 2

Just looking back at that last mile long post makes me realize exactly how much we've crammed into the last 6 months!  Wowzers!
So shortly after we got home and got everyone to some semblance of not being sick (I took the longest...I think I've now been well about 2 months finally...), we realized that the banging her head on her crib and the inability to sleep was due to some pretty severe sleep apnea.  Andrew had his tonsils and adenoids removed not too long ago due to snoring and mild sleep apnea, so we were pretty quick to recognize the signs.  We have some video footage we took to show the doctor that was downright scary once we realized how much she wasn't breathing.  She would hold her breath for up to about 30 seconds and, in the case of our video, repeated the cycle 3 times in a matter of minutes.
Thinking back is actually helpful...we suffered some reverting lately on the attachment front.  But looking back it's so much better than it was that it really is amazing that she's come so far, so quickly.   The fits were pretty hard and fast for the first few months.  I think the first 2 months home we spent over an hour a day just holding her so she couldn't hurt us or herself while she screamed.  They've tapered off pretty good now and, when and if, she does throw an occasional one, it's much more...normal.   A few minutes of being held and she'll turn it off and say "all done" and be ready to go.
I'm not going to say that attachment has been easy for any of us, or that we're "there" yet.  I think looking back a year from now we'll see it all in a different light!  I think our boys surprised us by attaching to her much more quickly and unconditionally than we expected which has been amazing to watch.  People keep asking if the honeymoon phase is over for them and, though the fits were sometimes difficult for them to see and hear, they really handled it in an amazing and accepting way.  I think they could teach us adults a little about loyalty and acceptance.  Bryan and I have taken a little longer (granted the boys were never the ones holding her down while she flipped out...)
But I'm getting ahead of myself and rambling...so far most of my catch up has been the first 8 weeks.  They were rough.  The beginning of December we decided we couldn't put off the breathing issues any longer and brought her in for an appointment with the ENT doctor.  He immediately agreed with us and less than 2 weeks later she was having surgery for her tonsils and adenoids.  Looking back, I'm amazed we lasted that long.  We literally started off jetlagged, were sick for close to a month and dealt with knock down drag out fits on absolutely no sleep.  The results of the surgery were dramatic and instantly life changing.  Her nose quit perpetually running, the rattle in her chest cleared up and she started SLEEPING.  We slept through the night for the first time in 2 months a couple days after surgery.  24 hours after surgery she was running sprints.  I remember after I had sinus surgery getting oxygen "highs" as my body responded to more oxygen then it had ever had.  That happened overnight for her.  By Christmas she was completely recovered and preparing for a major growth spurt.  I think one of my biggest "ah HA!" moments happened shortly after her surgery.  I was talking with a friend who is a nurse and was asking me questions about her sleep apnea.  It was pretty severe -- she was holding her breath for up to 30 seconds at a time before she would take a breath in.  And then hold it again.  And again.  Until she woke up terrified and screaming.  Given the severity of her apnea, my friend told me it would have only been a matter of time before oxygen deprivation began to take it's toll on her brain and she would have been increasingly brain damaged.  In no uncertain terms she said that we had given her a chance at a life she would not have had otherwise, a chance to reach her potential.  I don't know if it was my own sleep deprivation or the final fraying of my last emotional nerve, but that just hit me like a ton of bricks.  This amazingly smart, funny, active little girl.  Brain damaged.  And God got her out.  He put her right where she needed to be, gave us the past experience to immediately see her need and get her help.  And just a few weeks later, Russia closed.  She was one of the last few hundred kids out.  That boggles my mind.  So many children left behind.  So many doors closed.  How many like her are still there?
My mind is spinning trying to take our last 6 months and condense them into some sort of comprehensive thoughts.  It was hard, don't get me wrong.  Like Bryan said, you wonder where this angry person you suddenly find you can be came from.  And how this tiny toddler can make you go there so quick!  For me, the actual steps of the adoption were more trying than the adjustment so far -- I studied and researched and the adjustment hasn't caught me off guard.  Once I make the leap to attachment it's fast and it's steadfast.  For Bryan it came slower -- granted, I have much more time with her while he's at work.  Esther, having women as her sole caretakers, adjusted very quickly to me, and much more slowly to him.  It took a concerted effort on his part to show her that we were, as he put it, "a package deal".  I think we're all to the point now, as he said, where it seems like she's always been here.  Strange to think about when less than a year ago we were still waiting for a referral.
Since it seems to me like so far I've been focusing on the hard things, and since before I lose sight of some of the truly amazing things, there are things in the last few months we've experienced that have been beyond words.
~ Growth.  Once the sleeping happened she grew incredibly fast.  We brought her home at 19 pounds.  She gained 6 pounds in 8 weeks, had surgery, lost 2 pounds, gained it back and grew 6 inches.  SIX inches in 7 months.  We brought her home at 2.5 wearing some 6-12 month clothes (she came home in an 18 month outfit).  She is now in a 2T.  She's made other huge physical strides -- when we brought her home she could walk, but was still at the place where an early walker loses their balance bending over or trips easily.  She couldn't walk down stairs, or jump or climb.  She can now.
~ A birthday.  Esther turned 3 in March.  It was her very first birthday party and, though we kept it very low key, she definitely got the idea of birthday presents and it was SO much fun to watch the boys want to bless her on her birthday!
~ Giggling.  It seems so natural and so innate.  Yet, it caught us off guard when this strange sound escaped her after a few weeks home.  It took us a minute to pinpoint what it was.  She was giggling.  There were a few times when we visited that we got his eerie noise to come out of her while we were playing.   It wasn't a laugh...more half squeal, half scream.  That was the only "happy" noise she made. There is something profound about a toddler learning to giggle.  My sister made the comment looking at pictures of her after she had been home just a few months that she looked like she had toddler depression in the early pictures.  She looks like a different child.  Hahahaha  Just read my picture that I made while apparently really, really sleep deprived a while back.  That should say April 2013, not Oct.
  ~Crying.  On the opposite side, she also didn't know how to cry.  She knew how to scream.  She knew how to sound angry.  She yelled and screamed bloodcurdling screams.  But she didn't cry.  About the time she started laughing, she also started crying.  And it confused her.  She would react so funny to her eyes crying tears.  It was as if she had no idea what was happening and would get angry that something was coming out of her eyes.
~ Animals.  While there were dogs outside the fence around the grounds and an occasional cat we saw slip through, there was no access to animals.  She was astounded at ducks and geese.  Walking down the fish aisle at Walmart was akin to an African Safari.  Dogs and cats and lizards and hamsters and cows...equally enthralled by all of them.  Dogs, ducks and horses are her absolute favorite.  She loves to sing "Old McDonald Had a Farm", only her farm only has dogs and ducks...
~ Freedom.  The concept of being able to go outside and having a whole world be there.  Snow.  Rain.  She was terrified of wind at first -- the way newborns in the wind will get their breath taken away.

  ~ Brothers.  She adapted so fast and so well with them that I am still waiting for it to go wrong.  They immediately accepted her and brought her into the family in a way that made my heart swell with pride.  The idea that they could so instantly rally around this little sister from half a world away who came in and bit them and took their things and colored on everything, was just amazing.  God truly blessed us with some incredible boys.  The concept of having brothers was one that hit her pretty fast -- I think she attached to them faster than anyone!
~ Being a child.  Along those lines, watching her learn to be a toddler has been some of our most fun moments.  I've watched her literally follow Ben around and copy his every move.  And he is GOOD at being a kid!  You should see her fly around the house on one of the riding toys or play with duplos (she PLAYS now).  It's something we take sooooo for granted.  Until you see a child who has never been able to be one.  Who has been in survival mode all their
life.
~ English.  8 weeks.  Seriously.  8 weeks and she was fluent.  In 4 weeks, she was understanding everything we said -- as in, we could give her complicated directions and she could follow them.  At 6 weeks she started babbling in english and at 8 weeks she was speaking complete sentences.  A few weeks ago at a soccer game, a lady asked how old she was.  When I told her she said, "Well, I thought she was small, so I thought maybe 2, but she talks so good I though maybe 3...".  She went from speaking only a tiny bit of Russian, to Russian plus sign language, to sign language plus English, to English to fluency in 8 weeks.  She can now boss her brothers around fluently and even purposefully tease them with a little smirk to show she knows she's being funny.  Did I mention a little smarty?  What have you done in the last 6 months?
~ Affection.  I think this is the one that has captured us more than anything.  She didn't like affection at first.  She was scared to be hugged.  She didn't get kissing.  Dad holding her was practically the end of the world.  Now she comes flying in and yells "HUGGIE!!!" at any random moment for a bear hug.  Her new thing just the past few weeks are these random acts of affection and expressing thankfulness.  The first time it happened I was in the kitchen making dinner and she comes flying in and grabs my leg and hugs it and kisses it and says, "thank you mama!" and goes running off.  Be still my heart.  We have no idea if she really comprehends what she's saying (she's awesome at using please and thank you in the right context), but after all the fits and the holding her down to keep her from hurting herself or us, there is nothing more rewarding to have that child turn into this.  I don't care how long the phase lasts (she's been thanking me and "papa" at least once a day randomly for the last few weeks now), it is much needed encouragement that there is more than just an outer change happening in her little mind and heart and soul.
~ Family.  We're not an easy bunch to adapt to.  Ha!  We're loud and rambunctious, and, let's face it, there are a million of us.  To learn to not just co-exist, but to function as part of a family has been incredible to watch.  Like Bryan said the other day, it's like a switch got flipped a few weeks ago.  As if she went from being a spectator, to deciding she wanted to stay and wanted to be part of the family.  Oddly enough, that "switch" happened at the same time as the random acts of affection and thank-yous.
We're quickly approaching the one year mark for our referral.  The night of Andrew's birthday as he went to bed he came and hugged me and asked, "WHEN will we get my sister?"  I had told him that only God knew and it was ok if he prayed that it could happen SOON.  The next morning we received our referral (Andrew was pretty sure it was in direct response to his prayer).  I found a sticky note the other day with a long list of paperwork and visa questions still floating around to try to organize my thoughts from a year ago.  Sitting here, that seems both impossibly long ago and impossibly short.  Watching our boys grow and change and circle the wagons around this tiny little girl has been an amazing blessing.  I read an article the other day (thinking it was Jen Hatmaker off the top of my head) that talked about how God doesn't make mistakes.  He didn't put our daughter in another country.  Her family was Plan A.  We were Plan B.  And that's ok.  Things happen.  Families change and people, well, act like they are human.  The fact is, even if the human side of Plan A didn't work, God was still moving to bring about an amazing Plan B.  We're ok with being Plan B.  And we're looking forward with expectant hearts to see the plan God has from here, not just for her, but for our whole family.

Six months and counting

It's hard to believe it's been 6 months already.  Or is that, it's only been 6 months?!  I had great intentions of updating every month or so so people could keep tabs on how we're doing.  Obviously that plan went great.  I think, to be fair and not miss anything (sorry, that's for my benefit, not yours!), I need to back up.  Waaaaay up apparently.
Let's see.  The first few days home were a blur.  A jet lagged, feverish, ear-numbing fit throwing blur.  Everyone (with good intentions I'm sure) told me most people get a nice honeymoon period and then the fun stuff starts.  Usually that's a couple weeks after you get home.  Nope.  We dove in the 3rd day we had her in Russia.  Her first car ride was less than fantastic.  She started throwing a fit and, just like that, we entered stage 2.  Apparently stage 2 has a lot of tears and screaming.  And that was just me.
For us, stage 2 came with  what we're fondly calling Russian malaria.  It turns out, when we picked Esther up she was just starting to get sick with, what we suspect now was a type of influenza.  She was also getting her 2 year old molars.  And these nice Americans come and take her away from the only life she's ever known.  Ha.  You know how toddlers are a little bi-polar on a GOOD day?  You should try them in a I-don't know-you-you-don't-speak-my-language-my-gums-are-bleeding day.  She dealt with it by giving me strep.  3rd day in Russia.  So sick I can't move strep.  The Russian, homeopathic meds we found helped and after a few days, I was at least standing.  Enough to move to Moscow.  By that time the influenza part had hit Esther so we spent the entire time there with said sick, teething, I-think-I'm-being-kidnapped toddler.  Luckily we had brought a few child medications along and were able to find a pharmacy and decode the Russian equivalent of infant tylenol.  Those were the good days.  We left Moscow at some ridiculously early hour of the morning in the cold, pouring rain.  We made it to the airport in good time since there was relatively little traffic (oh my word traffic in Moscow is crazy!  You just can not imagine the traffic in a megalopolis).  Which was great. Since Esther screamed the entire way.  And when I say scream, I mean ear-piercing, head and hands and feet thrashing, good-oldfashioned fit.  The whole. way. Except when she feel asleep.  Then there was blessed silence.  Until she woke back up.  Note the exhausted-sick-can't-move-cause-she-finally-fell-asleep look on my face.

We spent 4 hours in the Moscow airport waiting for our flight.  That was a great time.  (Please read that with the appropriate amount of sarcasm).  That lovely fit...the whole. time.  You want to see dirty looks?  Stand in a line with a toddler who is alternating trying to hit and kick and bite you with screaming bloody murder and dripping with sweat from the adrenal reaction.  You have never seen so many people fervently pray they don't end up seated near you!  4 hours.  4.  Excruciating.  Hours.  I think the biggest pet peeve I have now is people who, when I say "fit", nod sympathetically and refer to there own children.  I want to shout and hit something.  They DO NOT get it.  You know the stories you hear about how in moments of pure adrenaline, a mother lifts her car to free her trapped children?  That super human strength happens in a child that has had really bad things happen.  A lot of really bad things.  I can't explain it.  And unless you have been there and actually seen that...little Johnny throwing a fit ain't seen nothing.  The concept that a toddler can somehow keep that intensity for that amount of time -- literally exhausting the adult trying to keep them from harming themselves or others is beyond incredible.  4 hours.  To say I was exhausted by the time we hit the gate is a gross understatement.  Turns out we weren't seated by each other.  Bryan looked at me and suggested...maybe...I should sit with Luke and he would sit with Esther.  Maybe.  Honestly, I might not have gotten on the plane with her at that point, so, that was a pretty good plan!  She flipped out (more) when he took her (she only wanted me at that point), but once we got separated, she did awesome (well...minus the pooping episodes.  All 3 of them.  Let's just say she and Bryan went through all their spare clothes...).  People around me even had the nerve to talk about the cute little girl who's dad was lifting up her up to play with the air vents.  The nerve.
We landed in JFK and went through customs -- apparently the adoption card is the magic card to play to fly through customs.  They ushered us through the massive line and we were on our way.  Til we hit border control.  My brother Jacob had one request.  A big Russian furry hat.  It took some doing, but we got our hands on a few.  One of the items you must declare is fur.  We waited and waited. And pulled out one hat.  It was looked at and then we waited.  And pulled out the other hats. Two of which were mink.  Oops.  And waited.  And a supervisor came and looked.  And then we waited.  With the jetlagged toddler.  And waited.  FINALLY (like 45 min later) the man who had decided this whole thing was ridiculous (apparently we don't look like fur smugglers) talked to his supervisor and came and asked us if they were for us or if we were going to sell them (emphasis on FOR US).  Bryan said..."Gifts..." at which point he cut him off and said, "So they're FOR YOU."  We finally got the message (hey, we were jetlagged...), nodded and were allowed to leave.  Welcome to the U.S.
By the time we hit...somewhere..it was that much of a blur.  We were beyond exhausted.  We literally all passed out the last leg of the flight.  I think.  I don't really remember anything.  We fell into bed in Rapid City and instantly were asleep.  Except Luke.  Who apparently took the time to take pictures of us sleeping.  Creepy find on the camera later...
We headed home the next morning with only a mild fit in the car and arrived home to a sweet welcome home party with a few family and friends.  The only thing I really remember (other than the sweet banners and decorations and things the boys had made) was that the electric piano was a definite hit.  Looking back, I wish I remember more, but my brain was so incredibly fried at that point that I'm surprised I remember any!
The first month, actually was a blur.  That crack about "Russian malaria" (Bryan named it.  Holy cow were he and Luke sick!)  Not so funny.  By the time we got home, Esther was pretty much over her bout of whatever Russian germ she had.  The first 3 weeks we were home we all got, I kid you not, everyone of us got sick.  Not just sick.  I mean SICK.  Like strep, influenza, double pink eye sick.  EVERYONE of us went to the doctor.  Everyone of us was on multiple prescriptions.  My strep...not so much gone.  It came back in full force.  We looked rough.  I mean really rough.  Like, the first day back to school, Luke was sent home because he "looked terrible...".  Looking back, it was kind of a blessing in disguise.  If you've been to our house you know with 4 highly active boys things get a little, well, loud and crazy.  They also are all in school so "normal" activity in our house rises and falls and they come and go.  Instead, for her first month home, we were more subdued, more at home and more quiet than ever before.  The boys all stayed home from school (school frown on exposure to Russian malaria...especially with the double pink-eye. That's a great look.).  Bryan stayed home from work.  And everyone laid around and rested.  Except her. She, being more recovered than the rest of us, threw fits, bit Ben, broke anything she touched and found more lost pens in our house than I knew existed. But that's a whole 'nother story.  Meanwhile, when you have to catch up on 6 months of memories...it gets a little long.  I'll pick it back up another day.  And add pictures.  I really want to add pictures.

Her first time in the snow...

Having coffee with Uncle Caleb.  She loves coffee.

Cinnamon Crumble Cranberry Coffee Cake (dairy-free, egg free)

Since this turned out twice in a row, I figure I better get it written down before I forget what I did!  This recipe can be easily adapted -- leave out the berries or substitute a different type of fruit, or bake in muffin tins instead of as a coffee cake.  It was adapted for allergies from the Kitchen Companion recipe for Basic Muffins.  I originally made it without the topping, but felt it was fairly bland.  I have added lemon zest and left off the topping before and that also works, although I greatly prefer this version (as does anyone who has tried it).  It's also very fast to put together so I often use it when I'm pressed for time and need to bring a treat.

Cinnamon Crumble Cranberry Coffee Cake (serves 16)

2 c. flour
4 T sugar (if using a sweeter fruit, such as blueberries, sugar my be reduced by half)
1 T baking powder
pinch salt
1 c coconut milk (substitute almond or rice milk as needed)
1 flax gel (3 T warm water + 1 T ground flax. Mix and let set for a few minutes until it "gels")
3 T coconut oil
optional: 1 c cranberries, coarsely chopped (may substitute blueberries or chopped peaches or other fruit)

Preheat oven to 350.  In large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.  Add liquid ingredients and stir til just mixed -- batter should be lumpy.  Add cranberries or fruit and fold in gently until just combined.  Turn into greased 9x9 square pan (double recipe for a 9x13) or into greased muffin tins.  Top with:

Crunch topping:
1/3 c brown sugar
3 T coconut oil, melted
1/4 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 c coconut flakes (if oatmeal is tolerated, may be used instead of coconut)

Combine and sprinkle over top of coffee cake or muffins.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 min or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (for muffins bake for 20-25 min).

Dairy free Creamy Potato Leek Soup

So, for days my friends have been posting various recipes for potato leek soup (you can definitely tell we all belong to the same produce co-op!).  The problem is, amazing as it sounded, it, obviously, had dairy in some form (or several).  But, those leeks were sitting around not getting any...leekier?  So.  I looked through all the top ranked potato leek recipes I could find, noted what reviewers seemed to like and then ditched them all and made my own.  Around here a successful recipe is when all 5 kids and 3 adults eat it.  No one complains. No one cries.  And a couple might even ask for more.  A REALLY successful recipe is when they beg to have leftovers sent to school.  Score me.  Needless to say, we will definitely be making this one again -- hence we actually writing it down before I forget what I did!

Dairy-free Potato Leek Soup

2 c broth (I used homemade chicken stock as we have one who's allergic to celery which is in literally EVERY store bought broth ever)
1/2 can full-fat coconut milk -- if separated, just use the thick half on the top  (DON'T PANIC. And don't show anyone if you have someone who dislikes coconut.  They'll never know it's in there. I promise.)
2 c water
1/2 large ripe avocado (again, you'll have to trust me...)
1 pkg bacon (I use Hormel Natural Choice (I have something against nitrates...).  It's really good bacon too.  Usually Walmart carries it for WAY cheaper than the grocery stores, just an FYI.  Portobello mushrooms fried in olive oil and garlic might be a good vegetarian trade...or might just get added for fun next time...)
3 leeks, tops/root cut off, cleaned and chopped
3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed and diced
3 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1/4 c white cooking wine
2 tsp salt, or to taste
2 tsp pepper or to taste
2 pinches red pepper

Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into small pieces into a heavy fry pan.  Fry over medium heat until beginning to brown.  Add leeks and garlic.  Cook until bacon is browned and leeks are soft.  Dump into a crock pot or large pot.  Add broth and coconut milk.  Deglaze pan with white wine and water. Add to pot.  I precooked my diced potatoes on the baked potato setting (it took 3 batches, single layer on a plate).  You could also pre-boil them as a first step, or add them as is and add time to the cooking time.  Add salt, pepper and red pepper.  Slow cook (I used high on my crockpot for 1.5 hours) until potatoes are soft.  Add more water if needed.  Using a ladle remove about 2 scoops of potatoes/veggies and 2 scoops of the broth into a blender.  Add avocado and process until smooth.  Add back into the soup and stir to mix well.  Serve with a nice warm crusty garlic bread.

Indian Lentil Stew

My hubbie came home with this recipe...we tweaked it a little for our tastes (what do you get when a Scandinavian tweaks an Indian recipe?  I don't know, but it sounded like the start of a bad joke...).  2 of the kids loved it.  2 of them hated it.  The adults loved it.  But, on any given day that's how pretty much any meal goes!  Serve with Naan or warm pita bread.

Indian Lentil Stew

2 onions, finely chopped
1 leek, finely chopped (or 1 stalk celery)
4 carrots, chopped
2 peeled and diced sweet potatoes (about 2 smallish-medium ones or 1 large)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 or 2 tsp ground chipotle pepper (mild) to 4 tsp (hot)
1 or 2 tsp ground cumin (mild) to 4 tsp (hot)
3-4 tsp ground coriander
Salt
Water or broth (about 4-6 c)
2 c red lentils (we used black since that's what we had on hand...)
1 T coconut oil
6 T coconut cream (skimmed off the top of canned coconut milk -- optional)
a couple handfuls kale or spinach, chopped (optional)
chopped or shredded cooked chicken (optional)

In large pot over high heat melt coconut oil.  Add chopped onions, stirring constantly until caramelized.  Reduce heat to medium-low and add 4 c water, carrots, sweet potatoes, garlic, spices and lentils.  Simmer until lentils are soft, adding additional water or broth as needed.  Stew should be fairly thick, but more fluid can be added as desired until desired consistency.  When lentils are cooked to al dente, add kale or spinach, coconut cream and chicken (all optional).  Simmer about 5 min or until greens are cooked.  Serve with warm naan or pita bread.

Note: "hot" option is hot, mild option is suitable for kids who don't mind a little spice.

Hurry-up version: pre-steam diced carrots and sweet potatoes.  Boil lentils to al dente in advance or in a seperate pot as you are chopping and cooking the other veggies.  Combine everything after onions are caramelized and water or broth is added and simmer 20 min.