This blog is a way of sharing the information and resources that have helped me to recover my son Roo from an Autism Spectrum Disorder. What I have learned is to view our symptoms as the results of underlying biological cause, which can be identified and healed. I say "our symptoms" because I also have a neuro-immune disorder called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

And, of course, I am not a doctor (although I have been known to impersonate one while doing imaginative play with my son)- this is just our story and information that has been helpful or interesting to us. I hope it is helpful and interesting to you!


Saturday, March 31, 2018

Simple Fruit Desserts (recipes)

(more recipes to follow)

Raspberry Sauce

Ingredients:


1 bag frozen raspberries (10 oz.)

1 T sweetener (sugar or syrup)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp arrowroot powder dissolved in 1 T of water

Other fruit optional such as blackberries, cranberries, rhubarb, etc.

3 to 4 T port or red wine

1 tsp oil or fat

Bring berries to a boil in a small pan. Mix arrowroot powder (or alternate thickener) with water in small bowl, then mix dissolved thickener and sweetener into berries. After simmering for 5 or more minutes remove from heat and mix in the oil, vanilla, and port (or red wine).  Once it cools down you may want to put it through a strainer to remove the seeds.

Brandied Cherries

1 quart cherries
1 c. sugar
2 whole cloves
2 inch piece of cinnamon stick
4 cardamom pods
1/2 c. cognac or brandy

PB and J apple "sandwiches"

Thinly slice apples into rounds about 1/4 inch thick.  Remove the core from the middle of the slices with a small cookie cutter.  Spread with jam and nut or seed butter and put together to make small sandwiches.  Other fillings could include cream cheese (dairy or not), aged cheeses if tolerated, caramel, chocolate, or a chocolate and nut (or seed) spread like Nutella.

Juice served in a watermelon keg

A watermelon can be hollowed out much like a pumpkin at Halloween and then used to serve fruit juice made with the watermelon pulp (or almost any other drink).  For instructions on how to do this, including actually adding a keg faucet, go here.  If you prefer something simpler the watermelon shell can be cut to be like a punch bowl.

Pavlova

3 egg whites
1/2 c maple sugar
1/4 c cocoa powder (optional)
2 tsp tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp apple cider vinegar

Whisk sugar and starch in a bowl.  Beat egg whites to the ribbon stage and then slowly whisk in the sugar mixture.  Add the vanilla and vinegar and whisk to stiff peaks.  Scoop mixture onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper and form into a circle about 2 inches tall (you can also make several smaller ones).  Bake in a pre-heated oven at 250 for an hour, then turn off heat and let it cool in the oven with the door slightly cracked open for at least an hour.