Win A Copy Of "Classic American Cuisine"!!!

And The WINNER is Carrie!!! Carrie, Please email me your mailing addy. autismrr at gmail dot com. and CONGRATS!!!

Just in time for Christmas!

A few months back The Autism Mom Cooks Gluten-Free Casein-Free, Stephanie Hemenway herself, contacted me. We instantly connected, and I have to tell you, she is an amazing mom and person. So Stephanie wanted to send me a couple books to contest off for our military families who might need some new recipes or families who are new to the whole GFCF experience all together and have no idea how to start.

Stephanie is not only an autism mom, but a Gulf War veteran. She has a big place in her heart for our military children and families. You can visit Stephanie's website HERE

I checked the mail everyday, anxiously awaiting a little box from her. The day came. The box finally arrived, and in it were not just a couple cookbooks, but some samples as well. GFCF white bread that tastes just like regular white bread, is there such a thing? Oh my, yes, there most certainly is. My mouth couldn't believe what it was tasting!

The box from Stephanie also held a container loaded with a really special treat. GFCF brownies. I was tempted to pull a Kim Stagliano and go lock myself in a closet and eat them all myself, but I determined that just wouldn't be a fair thing to do. Darn it! So out they came to the table where six brownie deprived children sat, more than willing to consume. These six are not and never have been completely GFCF, so I'd say it was a pretty good assessment. They were begging for more. I took one bite, and my mouth was off to mouthgasm land. I kid you not! After that, the brownies disappeared, and I'm sure you can figure out where they went! ;)

Leave a comment to enter to win a copy of "Classic American Cuisine". The contest closes on Monday, so be sure to check back on Tuesday for the winner announcement! There will be more chances to win after Christmas and into the New Year!

Recovered From Autism; Now On A Championship Team!!!

As I start this column, I will first apologize for my absence in weeks past. I’ve actually had friends calling me making sure I didn’t fall off the face of the earth because it’s been so long since I’ve posted. Nope, I haven’t. I’m still here, and I have been working; I’ve just had to add something new to the mix. FOOTBALL!!! That would be… POP WARNER FOOTBALL!!! I have to share also, that I busted my left ring finger about six weeks ago (rings will have to be re-sized LOL), and it’s been a pain for me to keep up with dishes, laundry, and the daily tasks, let alone write much other than emails.

So… You see that picture there? One of those boys is my son, Isaac; my ten year old son who is nearly recovered, completely, from autism. Many of you know his story, and know our family’s story. When he said he wanted to play last spring we signed him up. Knowing what I know, I thought it would be a really good outlet (aka – therapy), for his rigidity issues, and it has proven to be just that.

The boys on his team are terrific kids. They are well mannered, behave well (minus your “typical” goofing off), and when they play, they give it their ALL. Pop Warner has been a joy and tons of fun; although this addition has provided yet one more juggling act for me as a mom. Honestly, it’s been one I have been all too happy to take on. This is why I post today.


You see, the BULLDOGS played their first Championship game yesterday morning, and they WON!!! This picture was taken after the game when our boys were getting their snacks and receiving their Pop Warner 2009 Champion Dog Tags! These incredible kids, including Isaac, will be heading to California for the Regional Championship Games in less than 2 weeks, and I am doing everything I can to help the Bulldogs get down there. Our Team has been out for weeks doing penny drives, in fact Isaac and another of his teammates decided to forego trick or treating for candy, and instead went trick or treating for pennies!
(Bulldogs parents, Coaches, and Members of the Association are excluded from this contest... the first parent to pick me out in this picture, and post a comment... well... I'll buy and mail you an Autism Salutes Lapel Pin)

Just this past week we have had a wonderful parent of special needs children herself and a Scentsy Consultant, step up to the plate, and offer proceeds from sales to our Bulldog Team to help with their trip to California. You can view the Scentsy Catalog and order from the Bulldogs Scentsy Party Page HERE. I will be ordering a few myself, as they will make great Christmas presents! (If you end up on the Home page, just tgo to the My Open Parties list on the left and click on Junior Pee Wee Fundraiser "buy from party" link)

(Scentsy wax is food grade paraffin, with oils added for the Scentsy. No wick, no flame, no soot. As Scentsy wax uses no flame, and has a consistent heat source – a lightbulb – I personally think this is a major safety feature, for anyone; families with young children, and especially families who have children with special needs)

The deadline for ordering is coming up quick; it’s November 6th, so hurry on over to the Scentsy page!!! Remember, you’ll not only be helping a child recovered from autism achieve the experience of a lifetime; you’ll be helping a Team of awesome kids experience the same!!!

GO BULLDOGS and Look Out California! Here We COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you’d like to learn more about Evergreen Pop Warner and the Bulldogs go HERE.

Is The DoD Paying Attention To Swine Flu & Vaccine Conflicts?

I have to wonder about the title of this simple column being a military spouse, and I continually wonder about the reality of the title because of what I know to be true. I think I hear that damn black helo flying over my house again, but I then realize, that to them, of course, I am just a stupid mom.

Well, I might be stupid mom according to "them", but one thing I am NOT is unpatriotic, and that is what I fear is happening with our own Department of Defense based on their actions regarding autism, military dependents, and vaccination.

I have seen much of the news links posted below previous to tonight, but it all finally hit home. You see, I am an All-American girl. I like all kinds of sports, but especially football. I have been aching for Thursday to get here. This evening I happened to be multi-tasking once again; laundry, making lunches, making dinner, and of course watching whatever football is on the NFL Channel. Well... it happened to be a repeat of last years SuperBowl. It all came together for me; all this recent news regarding swine flu and the vaccine, autism, and of course the military. Why??? Well, I want you to watch this http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story?id=09000d5d80e818f7&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true. Forgive the skips. Look at the players faces and see the tears and emotion that they feel when they hear our National Anthem sung by Jennifer Hudson, who herself was only a few months out of a huge personal family tragedy of her own at the time. Look at the emotion on their faces, see the tears in their eyes, see them grab their chests in strength and respect, and see how much respect they have for what our National Anthem means. I am of the belief that there are many in the Department of Defense who have lost sight of what it means to protect this country, yet keep our troops safe. And yes, that comes back to vaccines.

So you might want to look HERE. Yep, we're talking MANDATORY vaccination of all military members, and if the CDC puts this on the recommended schedule, then all military dependent children attending day care, child care, or school age programs (including family programs), will be mandated as well.

Then you might want to take a look at this HERE. And this HERE too.

Now see here is the deal. I watched as much as I could of last years SuperBowl again tonight (mostly could only listen) because my team was playing and WON! I guess Dr. Paul Profit, forgot in all his millions makings that he might want to disclose that to be fair and honest. Funny thing about being an All-American girl and not so stupid mom after all; football players salaries (along with other sports), are out there for the public. They do stupid shit like Michael Vick did with the dog fighting, and they pay their penance to society and go on to be (so far), continuing to pay their debt. Why is it that people like Pauly Pusher of Vaccines don't suffer the same consequences.

As a former Vet Tech, I despise what Michael Vick participated in. Did he make millions? Yes, but not at the expense of animals. As an autism mom, an advocate for SAFE vaccines and choice on all fronts regarding such, and a military spouse to top it all off; given all of the above, I think Paul should have his medical license yanked, his degree yanked, and firmly believe that prison time is fully warranted. I also think he should have his millions go through the SEC. Oh wait - they missed Madoff - maybe not. VIck made his millions from honest football, not dog fighting. Pauly made his from vaccines. Need I say more?

I'm sure tomorrow or in the near future we'll hear some whining from him that yet again he's received another death threat, based on what I've said. I said what I said and that's it. And to think that our military not only protects his ass from harm; yet promotes his agenda.

I think I am going to go watch the video I posted. I know what this country was founded upon and it was freedom at HOME!!!! People like Paul are prohibiting this freedom, and I believe the Department of Defense to be doing the same by mandating a fast tracked vaccine, ummmm... the swine flu vaccine. Now go watch that video and listen to our National Anthem again, and tell me different.