GFCF Tomato Carbonara Pasta

Looking at how Jaden's GFCF food menu did not have much of a variety for months, I tried out a recipe I found on the GFCF Lady's blog and well, it turned out to be a hit with Jaden. OK, not exactly a hit but the taste was there, neither bland or too salty so I consider it a success.

There are a few recipes on GFCF Lady's website that I know I will definitely try in the near future. In fact, I think I am going to try at least 2 or 3 a week for Jaden. Kesian, he has to eat nearly the same food every day. No harm done to me anyway, it will just help better my cooking skills .. i hope!

I did not follow the recipe exactly but tweaked it to what I have in my kitchen.

I guess its a deed of paying it forward, so I shall paste my recipe and instructions on how to cook this dish. Simple, fuss free to the max.

Ingredients

• 6 Organic Tomatoes
• 1 or 2 Red Onion
• 5 pieces of garlic (skin peeled and mashed a bit) 
• Minced garlic (to fry with the minced beef)
• half a pack of the chopped basil leaves
• Minced beef (you can also use bacon)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of xylitol ( sugar )
• a big sprinkle of sea salt (sprinkle to your common sense on how much its needed to make the sauce tasteful)
• 3/4 pack of gluten free pasta (spaghetti / fettuccini)
• Italian herb

Recipe

1. While you are preparing the ingredients, bring the water in the pot to boil to cook the pasta.
2. Make sure the water is boiling hot, put in a teaspoon of salt or whatever that is reasonable enough to make the pasta tasteful.
3. Add the pasta -cook accordingly to the time instructed.
4. Cut the tomatoes and onion into quarter and throw them into the blender together with the mashed garlic and chopped basil leaves.
5. Pour olive oil into the blender, not too much and sprinkle a generous amount of sea salt and blend.
6. Next, drizzle a little olive oil into the pot and fry the minced garlic till it nearly turns brown.
7. Put in the minced beef, sprinkle salt, black pepper and italian herb and fry them till its cooked.
8. Next, pour the blended sauce into the pot and bring it to a boil (medium heat)
9. Put a teaspoon of xylitol into the sauce and taste to see if its a nice combination of saltyness and sweetness. Not too sweet of course. If not salty enough, add a bit more salt.
10. Once the pasta is cooked, pour away the water and pour in the cooked sauce.
11. Toss the pasta so that it will be coated in the sauce evenly.
12. Let the pot of pasta cook over the fire for a little longer while you toss from time to time.
13. Now you are ready to serve.

Sounds simple, no frills right? I appreciate simple recipes like these, for I am really a noob when it comes to cooking so ingredients and recipes require a bit more thinking just doesn't work for me.

Do share with me if you decide to try this recipe out. :)

Hiatus

I have not been updating quite as often as I thought. Such procrastination from my side.

I have already been down to Singapore  trips to consult with Dr Erwin Kay and a lot more of supplements have been prescribed but me, being the worrisome mother held back quite long on certain supplements.

Sometime back late March till early April, we noticed that Jaden was stimming back again and his OCD-like behavior in opening and closing of cabinet doors got to us. Dr Erwin then prescribed another round of antifungal (drug-based) Nizoral and Bactrim which Jaden is supposed to go on a 10 day course but after asking around other parents, I decided to wait for a while and see if Jaden will improve without those meds. Instead, I cut down on certain foods or put in less of whatever I use to cook.

True enough, his stimming and OCD-like went away in about a month on his own, and that, put my heart at ease for a while as I was so worried that the drug-based antifungal might affect his liver.

And then before that, when I was down in January earlier on, Jaden was given the green light to start his AC protocol chelation but me, such a procrastinator, did not manage to start chelating him even after getting back the urine test kits (before and after to test for metals and minerals).

So now, this trip, last weekend I informed Dr Erwin about Jaden's status -in ABA, normal days and how he fare on his basic routine supplements. Seems like Jaden is showing much more awareness in terms of emotions and learning skills although he still has his temper right left and center.

He seemed to be eager to imitate his father but attempting to do the flying kiss action and also trying to drink from a bottle (coke bottle kinda bottle). He seems to think whatever his father does is fun but not all the time.

Jaden also seemed to be attracted to newspapers, namecards, namelist - practically anything with small alphabets, numbers and objects which he likes to compare and observe. He is still non-verbal until now but making more attempts in talking in his own language -displaying his happiness and of course, displeasure.

Jaden fell sick about three weeks ago and he shed a few kgs off during the sick period. It was rather nasty as I have not seen him fall sick like this before. It comes and go and it came back, with runny nose and cough. I was so afraid that he might get a sore throat that was as bad as me so I made him drink lots and lots of water.

So for now, we will continue with the chelation protocol but this time round, it would be the Calcium Disodium EDTA suppository form. As most parents would have read up about how two kids in United States of America has fallen victim to the wrong EDTA prescribed, I double checked and understood that I have to feed him more calcium-mag as well as when the body is chelating out the metals, they also chelate out certain good minerals so it is very important to double up his supplements.

To kick things off, I will probably introduce TMG, OSR and milk thistle to the supplement list, followed by calcium-magnesium then the chelation which I hope to start at least by next week Monday.

Since I came back from Singapore, 18th June, after an overnight trip there and also paying a visit to fellow mummy Anna in Singapore, sharing experiences and she showing me how her VABA therapy is done for her son, it sure was one eye opener. She is really doing great, the way she diligently updates her son's therapy tools, being strict on every organic and gfcfsf meals. I bow my head in respect as I think I failed in some areas.

Jaden was feeling all moody and tired all the time too eversince my trip. It was as if he has not recovered fully and would sleep till really late into the afternoon. He looked so sad that I decided enough was enough, time to ask experienced parents out there for some advice and quickly, putting their advice into action. True enough, by nightime and the next day, Jaden showed some positive results. No longer feeling lethargic although he would still nap for about 3 hours but at least he seems much more cheerful, back to his smiley cheeky self.

So what was the trick to all of that from my side when Jaden is feeling all down, tired, no mood to do anything or deal with anyone -its pumping him with more fruits, probiotics (2 caps of Therbiotic Complete and Detox / twice daily and 2 S.Boulardii at night once a day), double up on zinc, instead of 2 caps daily, i turned it into 4 caps daily, his digestive enzymes and interfase, I gave him two DE intead of one each time and 2 caps of interfase too, so it brings it up to 3 times a day, meaning 12caps a day and of course, his normal routine Taurine, Chromium Picolinate, Prothera Methyfolate and cod liver oil. Some parents have advised to give more cod liver oil but I think a spoon a day at the moment is sufficient enough.

It was more to basically more fruits too and water and sitting with him, comforting him. Well, he was so sticky to me that it was really surprising to see him reject his father. Nobody could understand why but he never let me out of his sight and stuck really close to me at all times.

Now that he is feeling better and back to his normal self, guess its time I put my procastination behind, start typing out a whole new list of supplement list and arranging supp feeding time for Jaden. 

Home-based ABA

We knew we had to send Jaden for therapies but what therapies? 

Searching around blogs, autism websites, asking around parents who have experiences in these and finally trying to sort which therapy suits Jaden best.

Finally, after giving in some consideration, Mr and I decided to do ABA first for Jaden.

We were actually torn between RDI and ABA but I wanted something more solid, something much more strict that he can stick to a schedule instead of relying on me to be the 'therapist' in the RDI therapy.

Intan Miranti from ANDI Initiative came over to the house and gave us her point of view in ABA therapy. She was really  great help. She gave us her point of view as a mother and also as a therapist. She, of course was open-minded to whom we will hire in the end and even gave me some contacts for me to call and talk to, just to let me understand which therapy schedule would suit both Jaden and I best.

Intan even gave us a rough breakdown of how much home-based would cost compared to the centre-based pricing I got from the Internet and calls made. She explained to us the pros and cons and boy, these therapies don't come cheap. Really really not cheap. One month of the therapy can costs somehow  more than my annual private school fees back in my days.Centre-based? Well, one of the centre's one month fees costs as much as today's private school annual fee. Yes! That is how expensive these treatments are to have these children recover.

When we decided to go ahead with ABA, Intan truthfully told me she was not sure if she could take my case up, because she had other things running too from her organization. She recommended me another well-known supervisor, Carmen.

I was so grateful when Carmen agreed to take my case up. She has already taken on about 40 families, and to be able to slot me in was heaven-sent. Partly was also due to where I was staying. I practically stay 10 minutes away from her. 

Carmen, too came over to the house to evaluate Jaden and told us her plans for Jaden. Then she set out to find us suitable therapists whom she thinks will be able to handle Jaden and after months of me hoping to get Jaden started on therapy, my prayers were answered. Carmen smsed me in the middle of February and told me she found me two therapists for Jaden and a meeting was set up. That was possibly what made my whole Chinese New Year seems hopeful and happier.

Fast forward, today in the morning and early afternoon, was Jaden's first ABA class with his two therapists.

We were actually expecting some cries, resistance but *touch wood* it all went smoothly and the only resistance we got was he did not want class to end! 

Well, this is another step forward taken, another new beginning and I pray that more positivity will follow along.

Therbiotic Complete & Boulardii

Jaden went all hyper last night, treating the bed like his trampoline, jumping the night away till I showed him I meant business.

His behavior was pretty satisfying, and he didn't attempt to cry so I didn't lay the cane down on him. I only showed him as a threat but well, he does not know about that. =)

He woke up this morning, and was behaving through except for the occasional stubborness he put up in the bedroom after his bathtime. He has this bad habit of opening up my wardrobe and drawers and trying to take everything out. Of course, that would result him in getting cane marks on his legs or hand and he will go crying to daddy who will say I am crazy.

Mr took him down to the badminton court for a walk and a change of scenery during the evening and both father and son were just enjoying the view of the main road instead. That was what Jaden wanted anyway. 

Appetite is getting better and he knows how to look for food on his own, by going to the fridge now and only pulling out his snacks if he is really hungry. He will follow me around in the kitchen, showing me signs that he wants to eat instead of throwing tantrum now but well, sometimes, he will still lose his temper and start crying. 

Today, I gave him his first capsule of Therbiotic Complete together with his Therbiotic Detox. He will have to take them one more time later tonight and also the Boulardii, just before bedtime.

He has yet have any bowel movement. Oh no! Is he back being constipated? I sure hope not. Going to down more fluids down his throat to see if it will help move his bowels and give me a diaper to change. Its not really good news for me if he does not have his daily 'business'.

 

Fluconazole #day14 -LAST DAY

I can't believe it that 14 days is up today. No more waiting till after the third meal to feed him his antibiotics before he sleeps. From tomorrow onwards, it will be more probiotics to make his gut hostile for the yeast to find it hard to grow in there. It is the nasty yeast, bacteria and mercury in these autism children that makes them what they are. As long as these nasty things are out of them or cured to the least numbers, they are sure to get back on track with their neurotypical peers.

Jaden has been pretty much tolerable these past 14 days that he was taking the antifungal. I am not very sure if the die-off reaction was supposed to take place when he takes them or would it happen only after today now that he is off it, and the probiotics would help fight the battle from inside out?

I have emailed Dr E today Jaden's progress so far and hopefully his reply will give me some insights on what to expect or have Jaden done well so far. 

Jaden pooped twice today. The earlier poo was more greenish this time, and more loose watery-diarrhea like while his second poo is more formed and mustardy yellow in colour with those nasty white looking strains. Are those the yeast that are leaving the body or are those his undigested rice grains, now that it struck me that it might be just that. LOL

Last night, for the first time after three-four days of putting up a fight before sleep, was being his goody self again, quietly tossing and turning before he slept off on his own. I hope it will remain like this from now onwards because it makes both our lives easier. Me, not having to get angry and Jaden, not having to sleep with difficulty due to the mucus all inside him.

I am confident that my weighing scale is not in default mode because I weighed him today again just to be sure that my eyes are not playing tricks on me last night and Jaden finally weighs 17kg! It is such a happy news for me because this means one step forward in gut recovery. That his guts are actually absorbing the goodness and not leaking them out or at least that is how I like to picture the scenario. 

Jaden still has one last round of antibiotics to go before I call it all wraps for the antifungal course and hopefully we wont have him take it again. The second time, maybe I would want to go for GSE instead of Diflucan. I don't mind if his die off reaction can get really bad but at least I would not have to worry that it might hurt his liver.

I forgot to mention that beginning yesterday, January 8th, I have started him on another new supplement, which is the Prothera MethylFolate. Since it is a non bitter tasting capsule, I mixed it all together with the Awakening Spectrum, Methycobalmin, Zinc plus and Chromium Picolinate.

Jaden is starting to play with his toys, which he showed little interest last time we took it out for him. Now, he knows how to pull them apart when we fixed them together instead of just throwing it on the floor to let it break open by itself. On some occasions, he would pick out cars of the same colour and put them aside and proceed on to the other coloured cars until no cars are left in the box. I truly see this as an improvement in play.

I know we would still have quite a long way to go but like I said in my first post, slowly but surely!

-end of day 14 update-

10 things ...

Fluconazole #day 13

Today has been rather good although he seemed tired enough to want to nap and nap he did when we went out to Ikano for dinner.

He woke up at his usual time, which was about 230pm and we did our routine, DE then meal sprinkled with taurine and fluconazole, followed by his antibiotics after meal, then awakening spectrum, methycobalmin, zinc plus and chromium picolinate in 2 teaspoon of banana juice diluted with water. After two hours, I gave him his klaire detox and cod liver oil. An hour half later, it was back to taking DE and getting ready for his second meal. 

I made sure I fed him full, food sprinkled with another fluconazole and his antibiotics before we went out so he wont demand for food or go cranky when he see others eat. Who knew, he fell asleep moments after we strapped him in his stroller while waiting for our table.

He woke up a few minutes after we finished our dinner, and he remain just quiet in his stroller. I tried to show him toys at Ikea but he refused all of them, even the pillows which he would have love so much to cuddle last time. We quickly bought what we have to for his ABA therapy at Ikea and came home before he throws a tantrum.

Anyway ....

Today he let go one big poo, this time yellow mustardy looking, a little diarrhea like. It is as if to make up for yesterday's small poo.

Tantrum wise, he is pretty ok today except for the 15 minutes of crying due to him feeling too bored. Sometimes I really feel sorry for the boy that we are unable to find time to bring him to a park to run. *sigh

I hope I am not saying it too soon because bedtime has yet to come and recently, he has been crying really badly before he sleeps and the thing is, he cries for no particular reason. He just suddenly burst into this mood all of a sudden from a smiling sweet little boy to some unreasonable little monster. Sometimes it gets so bad, I just put on my earphones and let the music drown out his cries which will eventually turn to sobs and then snores...

 

I hope my weighing scale is not spoiled but I just bought it today. I weighed the boy and it seemed that he went up from 15kg to either 16 or 17kg. He would not really stand still but even if it did, it sort of pointed at 16kg. yay!! Dr E did mention that the boy should either maintain his weight or put on weight but not lose weight. If he loses weight, means there is something wrong with his gut still so I guess Jaden is on the right path and I really pray it will keep moving that positive way.

-end of day 13 update-