Another reason I am doing this

My sister-in-law recently found out that her 2 year old son is sensitive to gluten. She is trying out going gluten free. Though it does not appear yet that she needs to pull all gluten from his diet. In an effort to encourage her on and to make life a little easier I am putting this collection together.

Also my son's preschool teacher has been reminding me for 2 years now that I should put a book together. Since most of these recipes are not my own, I am not sure I can do that. However, I am happy to pass along what I can. This site is available to all the parents in her largely Autistic class. I have always wanted to help others starting out on this diet. I wanted to make it easier for them than it was for me. In the beginning all you know is what is on the No list. It seems like there is nothing left in terms of food options. It seems that way but it really isn't that way. Not now anyway. So many others, who started this diet long before we did, have paved the way to better living on this diet. They didn't want to give up on all their favorite foods any more than I did. The fact that they wouldn't settle for a lesser product has lead us to a whole world of wonderful gluten dairy free products. No they are not exactly the same as gluten and dairy containing foods but they get pretty darn close. After a while you get used to the difference and like the foods for their own merit. It is just a different way to make the same thing.

Some day I will have this all printed up in a book for my son. Then he will always have his favorite recipes in one place and a bit of me with him. In the end the reason I do any of this is because of him. I want him only to have the very best. I don't want him to have to give up on things he loves. It isn't just about food. I hope to teach him that if he works hard he can do anything he chooses. Autistic isn't all that he is. It does not define him. It is a small part of who he is and it means that he will have to work harder in some things to get where he wants to go. He has already proven this to me in just the 6 years since he was born. I am extremely proud of him and his little brother who in many ways is his teacher and peer. A little brother who never takes no for an answer. They inspire me always.