Grace no more

My morning "coffee" is checking my email and Facebook. This morning I saw a post from my friend Ashley to check out Garlands of Grace's Facebook post.

Ok, so I went and looked. And was amazed. Here is what Garlands of Grace wrote on their wall:

In response to several ladies who have wondered and many others who have presumed, I am compelled to share:
Garlands of Grace in NOT a Catholic run business. I am burdened for all who stand with the Catholic Church and would plead with you to come out and believe the Word of God.

"This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:11-12

I am saddened that I have wanted their headcoverings and promoted their home business by showing others their beautiful coverings. I respect other beliefs, but I can not respect/promote/buy from a business which openly bashes my faith.

I hope you will all join me in boycotting Garlands of Grace headcoverings. Spread the word of their anti-Catholic beliefs, and let's keep our money going to businesses which are Catholic or at least do not spread hatred.

I encourage you that if you are on Facebook, you will join Catholic Coverings, a Facebook group dedicated to promoting Catholic businesses.


*please note that I will not post links to businesses that I am boycotting. If you are interested in seeing what is going on, or you would like to see their items, a simple Google search will get you there. Thank you for understanding!

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Brownie Mix Review

Bob's Red Mill Wheat/Gluten/Dairy Free Brownie Mix is a more expensive brownie mix than you typically find in the grocery stores. The price ranges from $4 to $7 per 21oz bag. It can be found at locally at Big Lots for around $4.30, and Earth Fare and Publix for $6.99.

Bob's Red Mill describes it as "A deep and intense dark chocolate flavor combines with a wonderfully moist cake texture make our Gluten Free Brownie Mix an instant favorite. A must for all chocolate lovers."

Directions are simple, preheated oven at 350degrees, a sprayed 13x9 pan, beat 3/4c or 1-1/2 sticks of melted butter (or margarine for dairy free), 1 egg, 2tsp GF vanilla, 3/4c warm water with a mixer on medium until combined. Pour batter in pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool, and serve 16 pieces (2x3 inch).

Each prepared brownie has 210 calories from fat. This could be reduced by using applesauce instead of butter.

The texture is a very thick, chocolate-y, cake like brownie. The chocolate used is Ghiradelli chocolate and the quality shows. Be prepared to enjoy one of these brownies with as scoop of ice cream, or dairy free ice cream product. It is thick, rick, and definitely an indulgence.

Gluten Free brownie lovers - REJOICE!! These are a definite pantry item for those days when you need a good brownie.

Gluten Free living

It's been two months, and it's time to let the cat out of the bag. Late last year, our oldest was diagnosed with a wheat allergy. We are hoping this is the cause of his eczema that started over a year ago. His blood test came back inconclusive due to the horrible blood draw they did at the allergist office.

If you ask Joshua about the experience, the nurses "broke" his arm and "took all" of his blood. It was traumatic not only for him, but for us as well. DH and I decided we would not have him undergo that blood draw again (the first one barely got anything, even after digging in his arm with the needle). Instead, I got busy doing what I do best - research.

After researching wheat and gluten allergies, I discovered my own intolerance as well as my mother's undiagnosed Celiac Disease. DH and I decided that we would not endure the testing either on myself or our son for a full Celiac or gluten intolerance diagnosis.

Instead, we began the journey of living Gluten Free. Since giving up gluten on January 1, our lives have changed for the better. I am going to start bringing you reviews of gluten free "replacement" items, as well as new recipes that we are enjoying.

I hope you will enjoy this new journey with us.

Best Cleaner Ever!!

I LOVE Pinterest!!

I "Pin" just about daily. I have an app on my iPod, so I surf while in bed and look at all the wonderful, crafty things I can do with my "free time."

One of those pins is this cleaner over at Life, Crafts & Whatever.

Alright, so I'm in need of a good cleaner. We have HARD water around here. I have to break out the serious, heavy duty cleaners when I clean my bathrooms.

So I had eh, about a cup of Dawn left, and I heated up a cup of vinegar for 2 minutes. Be careful when you pour it into your bottle the plastic starts to expand and it moves a little on you. Then add the Dawn. Grab a pot holder and give it a good shake. Ooohhh, maybe you can shake it like a shake weight and add some exercise as well!!

Anyways, I took my bottle and headed upstairs to the main culprits. Exhibit A is the "Guest bathroom" this is uber cleaned whenever guests come over, and about once a week-ish cleaned other times. It is not a normally used bathroom. Although, our oldest has started to use it during the night which makes for some interesting cleaning.

Exhibit B is our Master bath. This is the tub/shower that is so big, the four of us take a family shower together (my kids are still little so it's ok), a vanity area, and DH's "reading room." The shower is sprayed after each shower or bath with a homemade refill of Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner and given a quick scrub while we are in the shower.

So I removed all necessary items from the counters, and squirted down everything with this cleaner. I let it set for a few minutes while I gathered my scrubbing supplies.

Oh WOW.

Is all I can say. This stuff is THE BOMB!! So you know those streak marks through the soap scum that all the other cleaners leave but don't get it entirely? Yep! GONE!!

Know that "hand print" your husband leaves on the back of the toilet wall that he uses to balance himself? Yep! GONE!!

Knot that icky yellow streak down the front of your toilet and around the base from having menfolk in the house? Yep! GONE!!

It looks like I spent HOURS cleaning each bathroom. I usually have to borrow my dads Black & Decker Scum Buster every six months or so to really get our tub clean.

NO MORE!!!

This is my favorite cleaner and I can't wait to make some more!!! I need to go out and buy some more Dawn tonight because this stuff is awesome!!