January 23, 2020 · 12:19 pm

World’s Best Gluten Free Cornbread

I was raised on beans and cornbread. It remains a comfort food to this day. Long-cooked, whole pintos topped with a square of buttered corn bread and maybe a bit of cheese. Mmmm!

Beans with cornbread is filling and cheap making it a great choice for a big family mom on a budget which is probably why we ate it so often. Raising a big family on a single income was a challenge even then, but I wasn’t aware of those details at the time. I was just glad it wasn’t liver. 🙂

Mom always served the left over cornbread the next morning with milk. (Which I think is — what’s the opposite of “Mmmm”?) I guess it’s a southern thing?

Twenty years later, as a mom of a growing family, beans once again became a staple, but never in the same way as my family growing up. Don is not a big fan of beans as a meal. And, while he doesn’t complain, I choose not to serve it often. For this reason, my kids did not come to love it as I do. So, it’s usually chili now or goulash that gets served with cornbread. But somehow the southern gene skipped a generation and my kids adore cornbread with milk. So we always make a double batch for the breakfast leftovers.

When James was diagnosed with many food allergies as a baby, I got a crash course in allergy friendly cooking and baking. I adapted this recipe to be gluten and dairy free. Even my people who don’t have to eat gluten free love it. In fact, they prefer it to the regular version. It is moist and delicious.

World’s Best Gluten Free Cornbread

2 cups cornmeal
1 cup brown rice flour (white rice flour works OK if that is all you have)
½ cup tapioca starch
½ cup potato starch
1 tsp xanthan gum
½ cup sugar
2 T baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 cups milk*
â…” cup oil (use something that is mild in flavor)
2 eggs

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a 4 cup glass measure, whisk the milk, oil and eggs.

Pour milk mixture into dry mixture and stir until just combined. No flour remains, but don’t over mix. Pour into a greased (sprayed with cooking spray is fine) 9″ x 13″ pan. Bake at 400° F for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center is clean or shows only crumbs.

Cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

* We currently use goat milk from our own does, but cow milk works. If you need to eat dairy free, I highly recommend using one 14-ounce can of full fat coconut milk plus water to equal 2 cups. Other dairy free milks will be OK, but you really need a little bit of fat in the milk to get the moist result.

Enjoy!

PS If you don’t have to eat gluten free, you can eliminate the rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch and xanthan gum and simply use two cups of all purpose flour instead. But, like I said, my family all prefers the gluten free version. 🙂

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November 13, 2019 · 8:41 am

Mexican Lentil Casserole

I just typed this recipe up for a friend so I figured I’d share it here for anyone interested in a budget friendly, simple, delicious, gluten free and vegan dish.

Mexican Lentil Casserole

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped celery
8 cups water
2 cups lentils (I prefer red)
3 cups cooked brown rice
12 oz tomato paste
4 tsp dehydrated onion flakes
2 tsp salt
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried hot red pepper flakes
1 tsp dried minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp cumin powder

In a medium saucepan, combine onions, green pepper, celery and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in lentils, cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a 2 qt casserole dish.

Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients, mixing well. Spoon into prepared dish.

Bake uncovered 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Notes:
1.The original recipe called for a taco seasoning packet instead of all the dry seasonings. Since I’m both cheap/on a big family budget and concerned about junk ingredients, I make my own mixes/blends. If you prefer to use a mix, just omit the dried spices and add 1-2 packets of taco seasoning mix to the pot instead.

2. I make a mega batch of this and freeze it in trays or bags before baking. It holds up well in the freezer and is then fast to fix on a busy day. I think it would even be OK if it was just dumped into the crock pot to cook.

3. This makes a delicious burrito/taco filling. (Obviously, regular flour tortillas are not gluten free….choose corn or other GF tortillas) Top with cheese and/or sour cream (if you can do dairy) or salsa, avocado, cilantro, etc if you want to stay vegan.

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January 2, 2019 · 12:01 pm

Happy New Year???

Never have I started a new year so discouraged. We just finished a wonderful Christmas season. I got to see all but one of my kids gathered together. We had some wonderful experiences and made some wonderful memories. We started the month with a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. We visited family, attended parties, experienced the fun of an escape room, kept old traditions alive and made news ones. We wrapped up the year with a trip to the mountains for some family time and snow play… and, of course, Stephen’s birthday and New Year’s Eve celebrations with friends.

Why, then, do I feel so glum? Well, in the midst of the fun and joy, there are always present the intense heartache of broken relationships, and the stress of financial and time pressures. There is the ever-present and crushing to-do list that only seems to grow longer and much heavier when ignored (like it has been during December). There is the ever-growing list of things broken, or on their last leg, that need replacing; and you know there is not enough money to fund all of them. There is the pain of a child who has estranged herself from us. Who, though she was actually IN TOWN on my birthday 2.5 weeks ago, chose to have zero contact with us, and refused to respond to us when we reached out. That hurts. The pain of discovering that a long-estranged relative of my husband died, months ago, before any reconciliation could be made with the family. The sadness of watching those close to me suffer disappointment and heartache in their lives and relationships. The little bit of death that happens when kids criticize our parenting. Because we know our failings all too well. We know our regrets. We see, in hindsight, what we should have done differently. But, those who criticize can’t know that we truly tried to do the best we could with the circumstances we had. How can you know to withhold judgment until you’ve walked a mile in the other guy’s shoes? That comes with experience, and after being judged. Worse still, are the unspoken judgments. The ones only expressed with eyes of disgust. And then there are the hurtful things said by one family member to another. Things said in jest with a side of truth. Things that are said in all earnest and intended to hurt. And it’s not just the kids that do this. Sometimes it’s me. And then I hate myself.

My life is not what I imagined it would be ten years ago. It’s much less like the beautiful, idealistic Norman Rockwell paintings that I adore, and more like the scrambled Picassos that I don’t care for at all.

How does one come to accept the ugly reality that is their actual life? How does one survive the pain of rejection and broken relationships? How does one not grieve what should have been? Or what I perceive that other families have, that I do not possess? Harmony, peace, happy, joyful relationships.

I haven’t figured it all out yet. I still feel raw. And I cry at random times.

But, this I know: None of this pain and dysfunction takes God by surprise. He knew from before time began that, not just my family, but all of humanity would be a train wreck. Dysfunctional at the core. And he sent Jesus to earth to save us all from sin. From ourselves.

This is a comfort. It doesn’t take the pain away. But it puts it in perspective for me and gives me an anchor when the waves of pain come hard and fast. He and he alone is unchanging. He and he alone is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

He is my hope. And for this reason, I can go on.

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December 4, 2017 · 7:13 pm

To my new daughter in law

Note: The past two years have brought two lovely young women into our family, as two of our sons have married. This message is intended for both of my new daughters-in-law, and to the other brides who will be entering our lives in the years to come.

Dear bride of my son,

There are things I want to tell you. Things I want you to know. Things I want desperately for you to believe. Things I wish were openly discussed with me when I became a daughter-in-law all those years ago.

1. I love you. Not because of anything you do or say but simply because you are a part of the family now and my son loves you.

2. I don’t expect you do to things that way that I have done them. You are a different person with different circumstances. I expect you will make different choices and am not offended by that. Perhaps the way I have done things will impact you, since my son is a product of my choices. I’m confident you can work through this to a compromise/middle ground, and that you will find your own way together. I do love hearing about your decisions and plans, and getting to know you better in the process.

3. I don’t care what you call me. Mom, Christina, Chris, Mrs Fredricks (though I don’t love the more formal Mrs!) Choose what makes you most comfortable. It’s OK with me if the name you select changes over the years.

4. If you disagree with me, do not be shy about saying so. I am an opinionated person. Do not let those (often forcefully) stated opinions push you to silence. I love a good dialog and I’m happy to learn and be shown a new/different way. And just because I share my opinion does not mean I don’t respect your views or the right you have to hold those views.

5. Feel free to share what is really on your mind. I can take it. And if I find I can’t? It won’t change my love for you. I’ll pray and examine my own heart to see why I’m having a hard time. And then I’ll pray some more and let it go. I know it can be hard to open up and share your thoughts and opinions. It’s much easier to walk away with things unsaid than risk criticism, hostility and rejection. Please be brave. It builds relationship and trust.

6. When making family plans, I will inform you of details. This does not mean I expect that you will be able to make every family event. I understand that you are your own family, and that you must make decisions based on what is best for you. I realize this will be even more true if/when you have kids. If you would like to suggest an alternate plan that works for your family dynamics, I’m happy to work to accommodate. I understand well the wonderful and yet horribly difficult position of having extended family on both sides vying for the privilege of your company.

7. If I express sadness that you cannot make an event, it is simply that. It’s not a passive-aggressive move to guilt you into a different decision.

8. If I ever become aware of a conflict between you and my son, I will not take sides. It’s not you vs him/us. It’s you together that we lobby for. I know well my son’s failings/character flaws and will not assume that you are to blame. If you want advice or counsel from me, I am available and am happy to share based on my own experience. I’d be honored to be worthy of your confidence. However, I fully expect that the two of you will be able to resolve any strife between you just fine with God’s help. And much prayer.

9. I ask that you let me still be involved in my son’s life. I’m not competing with you. Now, you come first in his life, after God. This is good. If there should come a time when you make my son choose between me and you, I fully support him choosing you. Even though it will be hard for me.

10. I will not pester you about if/when you plan to have children. Obviously, I think having kids is an awesome thing or I would not have chosen the life I did. I dearly hope for more grandchildren. But, this is YOUR decision, as a couple. I’m very thankful that my parents and my parents-in-law respected our decisions in this area and want to pass that same respect along to my kids.

11. If/when you do have children, please let me be a part of their lives. I love kids, and am happy to babysit. 🙂

12. I pray for you. Every. Single. Day.

13. When I disappoint you, as I’m sure I will, please do not be afraid to confront me. And please forgive me.

 

May God bless you on this wonderful journey called marriage. Sometimes it’s a wild and bumpy ride, but after experiencing the rough, rocky, rutted places in the road, you’ll be able to appreciate the smooth ride on a well paved path so much more. May we have many years together to grow in love and appreciation for each other!

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January 23, 2017 · 4:30 am

You Must Be Kidding — My adventures as a goat midwife

Today, as in much of life, we have experienced both joy and sadness, exhilaration and anxiety. After being on birth watch for the better part of a week, we were overjoyed to discover Daisy in real labor. But the joy quickly turned to anxiety when it became clear that in spite of significant pushing, the kid was simply not presenting. At all.

I donned my glove and began to assist. I got baby’s limbs straightened out and very quickly we welcomed a little doeling. We cleaned the mucus off her face and she began to breathe. She was clearly as exhausted as her mother.

Single births are rare for goats, so it was no surprise when the pushing started again. Once more, all the effort was in vain. No presentation. Again, I helped straighten limbs. Another push, and a little buck appeared. Dead. Heartache. We let Daisy lick him a bit before taking him away to bury.

I was pretty sure she had another kid still, and I was not wrong. This one started coming out with only one hoof presenting. I reached in, in search of the other hoof. Finally found it and baby started coming. Then Daisy stopped pushing. After what seemed an eternity, she began again, but baby seemed to just not budge. I started pulling as Daisy pushed. It took all my strength, but finally another buckling arrived. He’d had his head turned the wrong way and had been stuck. Whew. He was vigorous from the get-go. Sweet relief.

James began digging a hole to bury the dead buckling, while I started assessing Daisy. Was there too much blood loss? Where is that placenta??

Why isn’t that little doeling up yet? She is just lying there. Is she too cold? Does she need nourishment? I assess and meet each possible need. Yet she still lies there. I bring her inside to warm her up.

Daisy still hasn’t passed the placenta. This is not my normal experience. How long can I safely wait? We milk her. Sometimes that helps a doe to pass the placenta. Nope. At least we have some colostrum for the kid who is too weak to get up.

I put out some calls to friends who have experience with goats. Is this normal? What would you do? I call the vet. Do I need oxytocin?

Finally, after alternate bouts of rest, feeding, and poking and prodding, the little doeling stands. We bring her back down to the goat barn so she can be with her mother. The vet returns my call. He advises me to wait through the night for the placenta, and if it still hasn’t passed, come to the office for oxytocin. That feeling I’ve had on holding my breath begins to subside. I have a solid plan.

A few more hours later, the placenta finally passes. We happened to actually see it, so we KNOW that it came. Closure of that particular issue.

The little doeling seems to have something wrong with her neck. She won’t lift her head up to eat. We have to assist her. Neither kid has figured out how to feed from their mother. Bye-bye to our plan to leave them on their mom to ease our milking burden. Oh well, I’ve always bottle fed kids to this point, so I guess we will continue. Daisy fights us about getting up on the milking stand. It’s been a year since she went through this drill. I guess she’s forgotten. And she’s exhausted from her birth. I give her a bowl of molasses water. She laps it up, and I can tell she feels nourished by it.

We say good night to the goats, praying they are OK for the night. Safe and warm, sheltered from the storm that blessedly gave us six hours of sunshine right when we needed it most.

Morning update: All goats are doing well. The little doeling is much improved after her night’s rest. We work with her to figure out her bottle. She eats, but not as well as her brother who gobbles greedily all the milk he can get.

I’m thankful that Daisy produces a LOT of milk. Plenty to nourish these babies and to share with us. I’m thankful that our little girl is improving. Thankful that I have so many helpful children who assist with milking and feeding chores. I’m thankful for life. Even more so when I experience it hand in hand with death, because I realize more fully that it is truly a blessing and I don’t so easily take it for granted.

All in a day’s work at the Hands-full Homestead.

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