Trail Mix Cereal Bars

4 c gf crispy brown rice cereal or Rice Chex
1 c raisins
1/2 c roasted, salted, shelled sunflower seeds
1/2 c sesame seeds
1/2 c shredded coconut, unsweetened and unsulfured
1 c peanut butter
1 c Lundberg brown rice syrup
Grease a 13"x9" pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. In a medium saucepan, stir peanut butter and brown rice syrup over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated. Pour into prepared pan and press down to smooth it out. Let cool before cutting.

This is a very versatile recipe. Other nut butters or seed butters can be used instead of peanut butter. Use whatever combination of dried fruits, nuts and seeds you prefer. For a sweeter treat add 1 c enjoy life chocolate chips to the cereal mixture or melt it and spread it on top.

Orange Cardamom Spiced Nuts

2.5 c nuts (I used 1 c raw cashews, 1 c raw pecans, and half cup dry roasted unsalted pistachios)

1/4 c Lundberg brown rice syrup

1/2 t coarse salt (I used Himalayan pink salt)

1.5 t dried orange peel or fresh orange zest

1 t ground cardamom (use 1/2 t if using potent, high quality cardamom)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside. In a medium bowl, mix nuts with syrup until evenly coated. In a small bowl; combine salt, orange peel and cardamom. Sprinkle spices over nuts, stir until evenly coated. Transfer nuts to one of the lined baking sheets, spread nuts in a single layer, separating nuts. Bake until nuts are golden and syrup is bubbly, about 10-15 minutes. Immediately transfer nuts to other lined baking sheet. Separate nuts. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Holy hiatus, where have I been?

I believe it's been about two and a half months since my last post. I am notorious for enthusiastically jumping into things and then grinding to a halt. But I'm back. I shoved the pile of laundry back far enough for me to pull the chair out from my desk. Ellie started intensive in-home treatment a few weeks ago and I'm still trying to fine tune my time management skills. Luckily Ellie has gracefully transitioned to her new schedule. I was worried that she would get overwhelmed and have more frequent tantrums but she loves the undivided attention. Ellie's therapists are calling her a sponge because she is just taking it all in. I personally believe the gfcf diet was the primer for all of the progress she has made in the past 10 months.