Elimination communication

(photo is lost - be grateful)

I apologize for this photo, but it is evidence of an accomplishment in my book. I have wanted to try e/c but have only made half hearted attempts. Today I managed to save on a diaper by catching her cues just in time. So easy. I want to get better at this. Not sure it will be possible once her brother shows up. Truthfully I can't imagine doing anything at all when he comes. Who wants to be my live in nanny?

Getting dressed

You probably can't tell from this photo, but dad dressed her for the day. On the other side of her shirt is a pretty, large, loud, floral decoration. Bret just assumed snaps went in front. It made me laugh enough to leave it that way the rest of the day. 

Chocolate cake for breakfast

It was one of those sleep in days when the weather is perfectly "fall" and I want something yummy for breakfast. So today I took my favorite Hershey's chocolate cake recipe and made it oil and dairy free and instead of sugar I used dates and agave syrup. So good and healthy enough to eat for breakfast with no guilt. Yum! Here's a recipe, but keep in mind I'm never very good about being exact when I cook so this is my best guess at what I did. It probably sounds complicated, but that's because I'm using a traditional recipe and tweaking it. I'm not sure if all the steps and ingredients are essential, but it worked for me and I would be willing to try it again!

My Healthy Version of Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake
(see recipe on back of Hershey's Cocoa tubs for the original)

3/4 C and 2 TB flour (I use ground whole white wheat.)
1/2 C and 2 TB cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8 dates
1 C water
1 TB ground flax seed
1/2 C non-dairy milk (or use water)
1/4 C applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 C agave nectar or some other sweetener of choice
1/2 C boiling water


Put dates in 1 C water and nuke for two minutes until soft. Combine flour through salt (first five ingredients) together in mixing bowl. In separate bowl drain liquid off the dates and mix with the ground flax seed. Combine soft dates with milk, applesauce, vanilla, and agave in a food processor or using an immersion blender to make sure the dates are ground up. Add the flax seed - should be thickish after sitting a bit. Now add all the dries to this wet mixture and beat for about 2 min. Can just do it in the food processor. Finally, stir in the boiling water, making the batter thinner. Pour into a silicone round or 8x8 pan, or is using traditional 8x8 pan, make sure it is greased in some way. Bake for 20 minutes at 350, or until the toothpick comes out clean.