lifestyle

paying homage to the hack

Have you noticed “hacks” are the new thing? Hack your diet, your exercise…parenting. While I think this “Get Along Shirt” from 20 Life Hacks to Make Parenting More Fun is inspired, I’m not sure it will inspire sisterly or brotherly love. I’m … more




maple mustard chicken

I happen to think chicken and a BBQ hold some sort of family memory for nearly everyone. For me growing up, having grilled chicken without a giant fruit salad and fluffy rice was unthinkable. My favorite adult memory of grilled … more




tips for surviving the holidays – a la 2016

My original post below from three years ago needed a preface, particularly in light of the very bewildering, soul-wrenching year we’ve had. As difficult as it was to lose Glenn Fry, Alan Rickman, Prince, Gene Wilder, Doris Roberts, George Kennedy, Harper … more




gluten-free carrot cake

This is my husband’s and my favorite cake. So much so that we had it for our wedding cake. If you want to go right to the recipe, then skip down a bit. If you want to hear a funny … more




the gift of food

My birthday was last month and I received some really lovely gifts. One of my favorites was from my sister, Leigh. She lives in Boise on a huge parcel of land. She’s been involved with agriculture her entire life, including … more




an electronic free day

We allow our son a designated amount of recreational time on the computer each day. Tonight, he finished up and asked if he could play on my smart phone. He didn’t immediately understand the phrase “that totally defeats the purpose”. … more




tips for surviving the holidays

I love the holidays. LOVE them. I know the house will be clean, the silver polished, the stemware shinny, and the food delicious. However, for me to truly enjoy the holidays, I always employ a few time tested strategies because … more




How Gluten Wreaks Havoc on your Gut

My friend Charita, shared this article, How Gluten Wreaks Havoc on your Gut with me. It’s a great explanation of how and why gluten affects some of us the way it does. Thanks, Char! Unless you’ve been living under a … more




all about nightshades

Years ago, if you told me that gluten would be the easiest item to eliminate from my diet, I would never have believed you. I also would never had believed that the plethora of symptoms of gluten-intolerance would be FAR … more




keeping the monsters at bay

This post appears courtesy of Generation Rescue. 7 Tips for Managing Your Kid’s Halloween Expectations Halloween, one of everyone’s favorite times of year, is just around the corner. And so are all the candies your kids can’t eat. Never fear, … more




san diego unified school lunch debate

Join the debate on San Diego Unified School District school lunches at this FREE panel, open to the public. Fixing School Lunches in San Diego and Nationwide Tuesday, October 23rd, 12:30 p.m. University of San Diego Peace and Justice Building, … more




holding onto your spoons

  This article appears courtesy of Generation Rescue, originally posted March 5, 2012. If you’re lucky, you have a few people in your life that can offer true guidance. I just lost one of the wisest women I’ve ever known … more




please excuse my absence

After an exhausting two-week road trip and the rush of the kids starting school, I didn’t think I could be more tired. Was I wrong. In the early morning hours last Tuesday, the phone rang. 3:00 a.m. calls are never … more




so our dog developed a nervous tic…

After two weeks on the road, we are home from our summer vacation. We braved a 2,400 mile round-trip trek to Oregon and back in our RV. It was an ambitious goal, as we were to discover, but one filled … more




it’s only a suggestion

Cel­e­brat­ing Celiac Disease Awareness month this past May, this post appears cour­tesy of the good peo­ple at The Gluten-Free Challenge. It’s Only A Suggestion Posted on May 17, 2011 by The GFC Team By Amy Trimm Waczek  5/17/11, Grand Prize … more




life in the slow lane

Traveling with dietary restrictions can be a bit life-defining. When my kids moan and groan, I give them the “I walked to school in the snow” speech, detailing the lack of products when I was first diagnosed. Hot dog and … more




recovering from mother’s day

My husband was determined that I NOT cook on Mother’s Day. Many people operate under the assumption that cooking is a punishment, especially on that oh so hallowed day. So we went out to breakfast and honestly, it was pretty … more




banking for the future

The month of May is Celiac Disease Awareness month. Celebrating that fact, this post appears courtesy of the good people at The Gluten-Free Challenge. Banking for the Future Posted on April 26, 2011 by The GFC Team   by Amy … more




chocolate chunk cookies and nerf wars

Tonight we entered unexplored territory in the form of an 8-year old boy birthday slumber party. Because my husband and I are not saints, and we’re definitely not martyrs, we set the limit to a total of six kids. Painstaking … more




jewish easter

I know. It’s a bit of an oxymoron. But when best friends don’t share the same faith, religious traditions take on a whole new slant…our Christmukkah celebration of last year is a case in point. Sharing religious traditions, along with … more




a visit to l.a.

Last week, I had the honor of speaking to a group of parents at Generation Rescue, an autism treatment and recovery group based in the L.A. area. Turns out the allergies my kids and I have correlate to one of … more




the goodie box

When I was 7 years old, I had my tonsils out. To break up the monotony of my 10 day recovery, my mom put together a goodie box that I pulled from each day. It was filled with crayons and … more




merry christmas and happy holidays

No recipe today, or for a few days, as I am taking time with my family. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope this season is a time of peace and joy for you and yours. I know, however, that those … more




dad’s tart

Last weekend, we brought our kids and their two friends to the Veteran’s Day Parade downtown. It started with high school bands marching in perfect time with their shiny instruments, wiping beads of sweat from their foreheads. Flag twirlers followed … more