ThoughtfulEscapes

...it's life.

Traditions & Gluten Free Swedish Kringle

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***updated to edit recipe: it should only bake for 35 min*** I used my mom’s original recipe because it was in my computer, when I went to make this on Thanksgiving I realized it should only be 35 min, by the recipe I actually use to make it. Maybe this is a difference in ovens?

Swedish Kringle 4x6

In lots of conversations lately I’ve been hearing and asked about our family’s holiday traditions. So, I’ve decided to talk about it a little here – and link up to Thanksgiving Recipes over at Kelly’s, livelaughrowe.

One of our long-standing holiday traditions is to eat Swedish Kringle for breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning. This is a recipe coming from my dad’s mom. I took over making it when I was young because my mom hated trying to pat the first layer down all the way. One year, I used a 9×13 pan – it went in so much easier, my mom never looked back. She decided the recipe was for a 9×13. I go back and forth, depending on my mood in the morning. :-) I usually still go with the larger pan, a jelly roll stone, because I like it thinner and I spend the time patting down the mix in prayer. Squishing what bugs me, while I give it up to the One who can actually do something about it :-).

Going gluten free wasn’t that painful for me because I didn’t lose much – I never really like food, it made me sick. However, I love Swedish Kringle, it is something I look forward to twice a year – every year. I was able to successfully substitute straight brown rice flour, I didn’t like it as much though (it’s a little gritty). It is better with a mix of flours/starches to make a gluten free flour. I don’t really use Guar Gum or Xanthan Gum.

— > Swedish Kringle 4×6 <– I succeeded at uploading a PDF so you can just print it off!!!!

Can I just say – I’m totally stoked I actually got a PDF so you can just print.

Okay – so I wasn’t really done blogging today, but we just lost power – long enough to shut everything down and I lost what I was writing. I am up at the moment, but the wind is still howling. Supposedly the storm is just starting so, I’m going to post and be done for the night. This is fun to be back to writing again. :-) See you soon.

My Gluten Free journey….

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We don’t know where our journey leads.  But we do know God has the perfect plan,
and we do know He is with us at ALL times.   Especially, when we can’t see around the corners of life.
First of all — my kids and I have just spent the first five days by ourselves.  In the house. With no one else here.  We’ve left twice, for a total of four hours in the last five days.  Did I mention it has been just us?  I’ve been looking forward to this since April of last year….. 
I have had my pantry and kitchen in 100% my (& my children’s) control for the first time since having to be gluten free.  I know, I know, that is a weird thing to say or care about.  But it’s because you don’t really get the layout of our house; I live in an apartment attached to my parents’ home.  I have my own kitchen and bathroom.  My daughter and I share the one bedroom in the apartment, and my son has his own in my parents’ house.  We share a laundry room, which we call the “in-between room”.  So anyway, I knew that even though I have learned to not cross-contaminate my sugar, spices, condiment containers, etc., others haven’t.  Not to be mean, but out of lack of understanding.  It’s just normal – when mom or I need something, rather than make a special trip out we check the others’ kitchen and pantry first. (we do check with the other before just using)
I have had lingering symptoms of something from somewhere – gluten or allergy to something else?  I don’t know, but they are symptoms I didn’t have last summer when I was gone.  Yet, they are symptoms I’m all too familiar with, and especially since January of 2010.  So tired, falling asleep standing up kind of tired.  My hands, feet and abdomen were so swollen and ached.  It’s funny, I was so physically miserable but didn’t know why.  I tried to eat healthier, which was to lean towards whole wheat – which I grew up on.  I quit drinking Pepsi and moved onto to Mug Root Beer, I thought maybe it was caffeine bothering me.  But it just got worse.  Tongue swelling, can’t think – let alone think straight kind of worse.
Jump to just 14 months earlier and the events were: my mom had an appendectomy and spent 10 days in the hospital; two milestone birthdays-my son turned 13, my daughter 10; an attempt at my children going to school instead of home school; dad completed another round of chemo; finished up another campaign; another job change; 10 years of being a single mom; my mom had knee surgery; another miserable winter; more pounds gained; more swelling; more pain; excruciating exhaustion – but 14 classes later, on April 10th, my school was finally done.  Yes, 2010 was kind of brutal :-D….but God was, is, and always will be faithful!  

{there are two truly horrible photos coming here – the first is painful to even look at.  My eyes were NOT closed – they were swollen, even the eyelids.  My hands hurt so bad opening that envelope, but it held my diploma — I had to open it.  The second photo is almost four months to the day later.  My kids playing with the iPhone – we were in Lowes (of course).  Totally blurry, but as you can see – I do have eyes}
May 14, 2011

May 23rd, I finally went to the doctor.  I went because my aunt had visited in January and my dad had come home a couple times – they both said it was obvious something was wrong.  I kept saying, “It’s just stress.  School will be done soon.  I don’t have time to deal with making an appointment and then going.”  I knew my thyroid was totally messed up too and that was going to take a few needles and months to get sorted out and on the right dosage.  So I put it off.

When I found out I was going to get to take a wonderful trip out of state for six weeks and a good portion of it would be with my aunt, my mom basically black-mailed me by saying, “You know she’ll {my aunt} want to know why you didn’t listen”.
Ugh, mothers! {I’m kidding, :-D} Fine. I’ll go.
I don’t have insurance; I hate needles and medicine…so I went to a naturopath.  I knew this naturopath had a reputation of wanting patients to go gluten free and dairy free (or at least easy on dairy).  I was dreading the appointment for that reason.  

You have to realize, I wasn’t concerned about what I’d be “missing”.  I don’t enjoy food, never have.  It’s a necessary evil in life as far as I’m concerned.  I told her I really didn’t want to “do gluten free” to see how well I would feel.  I felt it was the new fad food.  It’s too expensive.  I didn’t doubt people would feel better, but unless there was a medical reason for it I really didn’t want to go there.  I didn’t want to know how good I could feel if I wasn’t going to keep it up.  {please don’t think I was being calloused.  I have friends with Celiac, I was in no way referring to them.  It was the idea of “doing gluten free” like so many “do organic”, because it’s “better” – in Alaska, it’s EXPENSIVE, and I am very choosy where I will spend money.  Food is not it – it’s not a priority to me.}  She convinced me to try it for three months, then we’d re-evaluate the necessity of it. … well, I decided I would do what she said – go gluten free (GF) and dairy free (DF) for three months.  I would be good, I would be thorough, I would be diligent.  And I was.  Within three weeks, all head aches were gone, the swelling in my fingers and toes was down to the point of my shoes fitting comfortably and I could make a fist again; and my abdominal swelling went down by a couple inches.  The biggest thing for me – I was traveling and not sick, tired, achy, or having headaches.  Unheard of!  I had all summer and much easier access to GF foods, and lots of feeling wonderful to get used to this new way of life. 
As much as I hated the idea of focusing on GF/DF foods for the summer for myself, while in others’ homes – God totally knew what He was doing {of course, duh!}.  It was an amazing summer.  For the first time in my life I felt hunger; and when I ate, I felt satisfaction.  Food tasted good.  I understood why people wanted food.  I actually enjoyed tossing menu ideas around with my cousins.  I never once in those six weeks felt icky.  So mind boggling to me.
After the initial three months I realized the GF was with me to stay, but I begged to have cheese again.  Real cheese.  I promised to keep it limited to just pizza once a week, and nachos/other dishes/cheeseburger a couple times a month.  I love cheese.  Not fancy cheese.  Plain, mild Colby Jack- generic brand, thank you.  

Until a couple years ago I didn’t realize cheese bothered me.  I knew milk did, but chose denial when cheese was involved.  I didn’t go back to milk, because it’s always bothered me and I’ve found I like the canned coconut milk in my coffee in place of half-n-half; and I can actually eat cereal now because I use coconut milk (not canned, the drinking kind).  If I’m out and about and pick up a coffee, I will put half-n-half in it, but not too much or it gives me a tummy ache.  Nothing new there, no big deal. So, I have been really particular and pay close attention to the GF.  I’ve checked my lotions, shampoo, conditioner, soaps – all those hidden places. 
four months later
I have “been glutened” a couple times – each time I’ve had no question whether I should have eaten _____ or not.  Basically, I mentally and physically shut down.  I can try to fight it, but it just makes the headache worse.  About six hours go by and it really doesn’t matter what my “mind over matter” plan might be, I fall asleep.  Hard.  The first time was three days.  When I can get up, I am crabbier than crabby, and there is still a residual headache and intestinal yuck to deal with, for a couple weeks.  But it’s a headache I can work through and at least I’m up, not sleeping.
So – lately I’ve been wondering if I’m blowing this out of proportion and being over conscientious of where gluten is lurking.  I’m tired of reading ingredients (why is it written in huge, non-normal people language words, in all caps, on rounded containers?  Seriously!).  I’ve wondered if I allowed myself to be lured into thinking I “needed to do this”.  After all, what would happen if I just quit?  So what if I don’t feel as well.  It can’t be all that bad, right; I lived that way for 38 years.  That has been a looming thought for me over the last couple weeks.
Well, my dad was home last weekend.  On the way to the airport we stopped to eat.  I had looked the place up online, they had good reviews for accommodating GF…but they were from 2008.  I took food with me, just in case.  I had it in my purse.  

Anyway – to make this a bit shorter I won’t go into much detail.  But, I will say I was told unless I was Celiac {as in just gluten intolerant} I would be fine.  I was not comfortable with the food not being contaminated (not even a salad).  He already had the other three orders, I mentioned I would just eat my own food.  He said, “No, we won’t let you eat your own food in here.”  In the end I ordered a cheeseburger with just lettuce and tomato, and they were going to treat it as gluten intolerance.  

Bad, bad choice on my part….  I was near tears within the hour, but I had promised my kids we’d stop at Barnes & Noble to read; then I had to stop at Costco before heading home.  I had the stupid headache, and my stomach hurt so bad.  When we were getting ready to leave Costco, Vince looked at me and said, “Are you sure you can drive?  Your lips are really white, like creepy looking.”  We got home fine, my kids unloaded Costco, and I don’t even remember laying down on the couch.  I slept from 7pm-10:30am; then again from 1-6pm before that stupid headache let up and I could wake up.  

I’m so very thankful God has blessed me with good children, children who care for and about others.  They just came in the house, did what needed to be done, including unloading and putting away Costco stuff.  They woke me up to go to bed, then the next day just did their school work on their own.  When they woke me up at 6pm, dinner was waiting. Amazing.  Thank you, Heavenly Father.  I know a lot of this is because we home school and they are used to life – and what needs to happen each day.  But they made the choices, and good ones.  Repeatedly.  Together.

It’s now five days later – and I still wish I hadn’t eaten that meal.  I forgot how much your head, stomach, and joints can hurt – and all from something I can’t even see!  

I can say with confidence God has answered my prayer and questioning thoughts of whether I should just quit GF and who cares, I’ll get over it. …Uh, never mind – I will stick to being gluten free, thank you.  I can be confident He will provide the finances to buy the more expensive foods too.  He promised to.
He is faithful. All the time.
My reasoning for dragging you all through this ridiculously long post – besides for me to remember by – is just in case there is someone who needs to make that phone call, or who is thinking of ignoring something health wise.  This is your encouragement to take the time, make the effort – do it.  {It probably won’t go away on it’s own without some kind of help or additional knowledge.}  Also, and more importantly, for the reminder once again – we have a loving Heavenly Father who cares and hears EVERY request.  Only God knew how much I was wrestling with this.  He could have quickened my heart to not order, or if I didn’t listen and ordered it anyway, to not eat it.  Yet, He chose to let me be reminded by feeling the pain because He knows that is how I learn best.  {yes, I am consistently stubborn-not proud of it, but it is the truth}

2011 in review, Jan thru mid-June…

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We had an amazing 2011! There were so many highlights I can’t possibly make this short. God was greatly gracious to us and we were very blessed this last year, with minimal hardships and frustrations. I’m sorry to say those hardships and frustrations have threatened to extinguish the overwhelming truths of God’s promises and love for me. There is so much more I could say, but won’t. After all, this is the world wide internet and it includes others. I’m sure as time goes on, I get things better sorted in my head, and I’m understanding the wisdom gained from the experiences and memories you will eventually hear about it. :-)

This was also a monumental year for me personally. There are so many things I learned, I don’t think I could even put it all into words. There are times I read something and think – “yes, that is exactly it!” Maybe some day I’ll do a post of quotes to try to describe some of these ‘personal growths’. The year 2011 signifies the fact I have been out of high school for 20 years! This seems unbelievable to me. I don’t feel old enough to be out that long. The year brought opportunities I have dreamt of for much of my life. I understand better the saying of others, “I feel younger now than I did 15 years ago.”

{warning – this will be really long and may not be very enjoyable to you, but it is a trip down memory lane for my kids & I. If you want to just skim it – I highlighted the main parts :-D.}

January: I made the decision for our family to return to home schooling. It was for the best.If anyone has questions and I am happy to answer them via email. I’m just not comfortable with posting specific reasons world-wide. We did one week of out-of-the-home-school after Christmas break. The next day, Tuesday January 11th, I un-enrolled the kids from the school they were going to, then finished the process of un-enrolling them from the home school program we use and in the same hour re-enrolled them into that same home school program. We had the privilege of watching my niece several hours a week. The kids loved having her come on a regular basis.

February and March: I was in my last class. A programming class. I HATE coding, I’m fine with using code and learning what to change for appearance changes, but please, please, please don’t ever make me write code for a program from a blank slate to follow through with all the possible errors! The first programming class I had was May/June of 2010. I was very close to quitting school at that point. I had a horrible teacher for that class and barely passed. At least the teacher I had for this last class was WAY better and I got a high B. For these months I was in the programming class, home schooling, part-time job, and being mom. I was tired, didn’t feel well, and living in a blur most of the time.

April: On April 10th I turned in my last final! I was done with the associates degree in Information Technology and Web Design.I was done – 20 months after starting. Unfortunately, after starting (I realized during the above mentioned first programming class) that I didn’t really want this degree, I wanted Graphic Design. So, while I’m excited I’m done and happy I have a piece of paper to prove I did some college, I am looking at teaching myself what I really wanted to know…as soon as life slows down a bit. In April I bought one way tickets out of state to the cheapest location I could find…{yes, I realize that is a very backwards way to do things, as well as being very uncharacteristic for me :-D. Regardless, God blessed me in this moment of insanity anyways.}. I was just done with feeling yuck all the time, being confined to the computer (doing school), and the lack of sun we had the previous summer (and what sun we did have I missed because I was inside on the computer doing school), and the wind! I was so weary of the wind; and one morning about 10am I heard it start again. When I heard it everything in me went nuts. I got online, searched found a really cheap ticket, called mom (in Juneau at the time) and said “I’m going with the kids, you want to join us? I don’t have any more of a plan, but at the very least we can go for a few days, staying in a hotel, and fly back.” Shockingly, she agreed. Within 3 hours of the wind starting I had tickets out of the state. “Real life” seemed really far away and I was trying hard to recuperate from full-time school, part-time job, and home school down to “just” home school and part-time job. So…why not ‘run away’…it was logical at the moment; and I haven’t ever regretted it. I bought tickets to Denver, Colorado for $150 each! Just so you can understand how good that is – today tickets to Seattle are $530 one way/person! (granted that is no notice – wait a couple weeks and it’s $230 for one way/person). All I knew for sure was we’d go to Focus on the Family and see Whit’s End. Something I’ve wanted to take the kids to see for years. I knew the Air Force Academy was across the road and the Garden of the Gods was near as well. (I went to Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs for a session the summer I graduated from high school).

May: May was spent continuing to recuperate and learn to live life again without daily check-ins into class and no homework assignments. Doing “normal” things like cleaning, laundry, and planning possibilities for our summer trip. In late May I was told I needed to make the lifestyle change of going gluten free and dairy free. There were several health issues we were looking for answers to; one of which was to change my hypothyroid medicine. For the next three months I was to be very diligent about being gluten free and dairy free. How fun – switch to a totally different way of eating when heading out on what had become a six week trip to span Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Wisconsin … oh joy.

June: On the 6th mom, the kids, and I flew from Anchorage to Denver. We left the car rental lot at 8:30am; went to a restaurant nearby for breakfast then headed to Colorado Springs. We went to Focus on the Family and visited Whit’s End. It was so much fun to “see” Whit’s End and the location of Adventures in Odyssey. The kids got one of Mr. Whitaker’s World Famous Chocolate Soda (Wod-Fam-Choc-Sod). After Focus on the Family, we went across the highway to the Air Force Academy. It was amazing to see the chapel – I haven’t seen it since 1991 and it was just as amazing as I remembered! Then we went exploring a bit in Colorado Springs (drove a bit in town), including the Garden of the Gods. It was so much fun to show the kids monumental things I saw so many years ago – plus, it is where mom grew up. After the Garden of the Gods we drove back to Denver – we returned the car at 8:30pm! My cousin and aunt were at the car lot to pick us up, we then went to my cousin’s house for the night where my uncle (mom’s brother) was waiting for us. I haven’t seen my cousin since 1991 either…It was fun to see her really cool house! I will be enjoying pictures ofher house and yard over the next cold, wintery months for sure! On Wednesday morning all seven of us loaded into her jeep and my aunt & uncle’s truck; we headed to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. What a gorgeous drive! My cousin had a photo shoot for her job and we got to join her. It was so cool to see a bit of her life. Mom & I got to go for a couple hours and see the end of their magazine photo shoot – for real! Oh, it was so wonderful. My creative thoughts started to thaw and there was a trickle of a desire again. The kids stayed with my aunt & uncle – in the pool – where else :-D. Friday morning we packed up and my cousin headed back to Denver while the rest of us climbed into my uncle’s truck to head to Cody, Wyoming. We drove for 14 hours – six of us in a truck – and it was so much fun! We got to drive along the Oregon Trail and see the ruts (still!) from the covered wagons, and into South Pass City & Atlantic City. They knew so much history – it was like we were on a personal narrated tour! It was so amazing to see the countryside and the truck was so comfortable we weren’t even desperate to get out when we got there. We spent the next week in Cody and it’s surrounding areas. The last time I was there was about 30 years ago for Christmas, so for all practical purposes it was my first time. It really was a history rich, enjoyable week and wonderful start to the summer. On the 16th we went to the airport in Billings, Montana. The kids & I were flying to Minneapolis (via Denver?!) and a couple hours after our flight left mom flew back to Anchorage.

… to be continued later. I forgot how much went into this last year. This is just the timeframe from January to mid-June…. Wow, 2011 was a FULL year!

December already?!

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How did this happen? I can’t believe we’re in December, I feel as if I haven’t gotten a grip on this year at all – to prove it…I dated something as 2010 just the other day!


This year has been a crazy year – I really want life to slow down, but since I’m not seeing evidence of that happening any time soon I’ve realized I better forget the idea of getting caught up and just jump to now…. I will get the blog quirks figured out and start posting pictures again. My goal is to start the new year more organized in this endeavor, but in order for that to happen I need to start now…right after making Christmas gifts.
Now to get busy making Christmas gifts and doing all the things that make this time of year so special. It is my favorite season after all…and I did start listening to Christmas music in October! Before this year, I’ve always stuck to the “no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving dinner” thought. I found it relaxing and freeing. I did still wait until the Friday after Thanksgiving to pull out Christmas decorations. Gotta love Pandora! :-) The Christmas music helped my creative thoughts and list making ideas come to the front of my brain and even though I feel like there is “only” three weeks until Christmas, I’m mentally thinking “how fun, we still have three whole weeks until Christmas!”
Have a blessed, Merry Christmas season!
I want to focus on Christmas as an event void of commercialism and materialism, meaning family, making gifts, maybe experimenting with more gluten free baking, and for sure reflecting on and counting our many blessing of the last year.