properties of herbs (science), serving (pouring technique and order of presentation), and jazz and classical music.  I have even gone so far as to do themes inspired by my sons: space tea party, super hero tea party, safari tea party, and tea parties based on books. Tea time is an integrative educational experience, but most of all, it is fun and relaxing. 

Kudos to my girlfriend who gave this onesie to my daughter! An amazing accomplishment according to some. Many of our friends have complained that gifting clothes to our children is too challenging. Not because we are too posh or crunchy. But because we prefer not to dress our children with clothing bearing cartoons or name brands. 

But this onesie, I do so love it. Not "I heart" Mom, or Dad, or Step-Mom, but "I heart my FAMILY!" Usually, I get a lot of "I love Mommy" gear (which is necessary because I carried her for 9 months), but then hubby is like "Where's her "Daddy's Girl" stuff and brothers are like "Where's her Little Sister onesie." This way everyone feels included and it makes the statement that no matter who your family is or what structure it consists of (extended, nuclear, foster parents, single parents, etc) there is love for and acknowledgment of all families! Ahumdil'Allah, I have such fashion forward open-minded friends. I give this onesie 2 thumbs up and a faire la bise.

On my gluten-free, dairy-free adventures I discovered the mung bean. I found them at my local Asian Mart. Boiled, baked, steamed, or sprouted, they are delicious savory or as a dessert. The mung bean, native to India, but cultivated in the U.S. since 1830, is a power house. It's high in protein, magnesium, iron, etc. It protects against  several chronic, age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Pictured above is my mung bean pie, a Vietnamese dish, with the following ingredients: mung beans, coconut milk (brain food), coconut oil (brain food), eggs (brain food), vanilla extract, tapioca flour, rice flour, etc. With Love--from my family table to yours!

Prepping for a meal in my kitchen probably looks a lot different than what you usually see. Typically prepping involves chopping veggies or gathering ingredients. Prepping for me starts with soaking. If you've read my cookbook (The Rites of Passage Meal Treasury), then you know the importance of soaking.  I soak everything: nuts, seeds, grains, beans, flour, even meats. Here I have dehydrated apple slices soaking (for muffins), walnuts (for a nutmeat ), amaranth (for porridge & smoothies), lentils (for soup, lentil burgers, and sprouting).  Soaking solutions (vinegar, salt, brines, and marinades) and duration vary depending on type of food etc. Soaking may occur on the counter top or in the refrigerator. Click HERE for details on how to soak. Either way it goes my family knows that something good is brewing in the kitchen when they see soaking bowls.

I may inform people that my son has autism because it is the easiest way for them to understand his challenges. Labels make people feel comfortable. If they can fit you into a category, then they relax. Perfect scenario.  Someone strikes up a conversation with my son. He ignores them.

crowds, my son wears a really cool medical bracelet that says  "Autism, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Phone  Number" on the inside, complementing  his Neurodiversity shirt.

On a typical day, he can be found carrying his little sister around (who he calls the pretty princess), doing his chores (with an uncanny enthusiasm that I hope rubs off on his siblings), playing tricks on his brother, wrestling with his dad, riding his bike, strumming his guitar, practicing his reading, reciting poetry, watching trains on You Tube, or telling me how he is not going to brush his teeth or get dressed. 

A client lightly mentioned that everything I cook comes out perfect. I think I heard a record scratch right at that moment. Nothing is further from the truth. I have epic fails in the kitchen everyday. I present to you: "Cooking Gone WRONG!"

Do not look at a close up of this "soup" because you might have a sci-fi flashback. This was supposed to be pho. Pho is a delicate Vietnamese SOUP, which resembles a quiet lake in spring time. Well, I always have trouble determining how much rice noodle to put in the broth. And it doesn't help that my husband claims that I never put enough noodles. Like a Ninja Turtle, this dish morphed into a delicious noodle stir-fry type of dish. So much for the delicate lake.

So in an attempt to make "sand" for a bento box I ended up with this mush you see on the left. Disaster! So I take this mass of bananas and almonds and throw it in the food processor with dates and Voila! Date Rolls... Banana Date Rolls saved the day.

Meringue cookies are pretty intense. It'll be awhile before I attempt these again. The beautiful meringue cookies picture is from Silly Simple Living.

 I noticed my oven had clouds of smoke pouring from it, I opened it and flames lept out at me. I put on my oven mitt and decided to fight the flame as my children stood by wide eyed. I pulled out the cake and flames were dancing all over it. I turned off my gas oven and blew the fire out. When it cooled, I peeled the burnt layer off the top, and let me tell u, this cake is delicious. Besides, ppl burn desserts like creme brulee. Lesson learned though, don't "brown" a dish on the top rack while ur gas oven is on broil.

Moringa Oleifera is a drought-resistant tree native to India which is grown mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. This nutrient rich whole green food is nothing new under the sun. It has been utilized for centuries. 1 tsp will provide all the nutrients needed for a day. It is rich in calcium, vitamins a & c, potassium, iron, and amino acids.