A Very Dairy-Free Happy Halloween

We decided against going trick or treating with A this year. Because of her age and that she doesn't understand her "safe" and "unsafe" foods, we didn't want to risk upsetting her when we took things away from her. If by next year we are still dairy/soy free, I will plant special treats for her around the neighbourhood and we will go out trick or treating.

But for this year, this is what I did. I did want to make it special for her. So - she wore Halloween t-shirts, socks & hair clips all week, I bought her new Halloween pajamas, a Halloween present - Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (with a stuffed Pooh dressed as Tiger) and dairy/soy free candy and chips to hand out to the kids. I wanted to only have safe treats so that if she wanted to try some she could. I cut the candies in half for her to try and I think she may have an addiction (the leftovers will go away for special occasions as I already am well aware that she has a sweet tooth!).

A's Halloween presents & safe treats

She LOVED seeing all the kids and kept asking me "more kids mommy?"

One of her Halloween outfits (hair clip made by yours truly)

Cozied up in her Halloween pajamas ready to turn in for the night

semi-wordless wednesday

Examining an old friend of mommy's - Mrs. Potato Head

My latest project complete: A new "bee" for my monkey

This may not look like much of a picture to most, but it documents a huge accomplishment for us! First finished "milk" in a sippy cup!!! (and she asked for more when she was done!)

Dairy Free Chocolate Chips (from the grocery store!!!)

I always assumed that most, if not all, grocery store chocolate chips would contain milk. Today, I decided to take a closer look and was pleasantly surprised to find two varieties that are dairy free. And home with me they went. I did call the company to confirm and they are indeed dairy free. This means no more trips to the speciality store just for chocolate chips!

• PC THE DECADENT Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar, soy lecithin, artificial vanilla flavour.
• no name pure semi-sweet chocolate chips: Ingredients: Sugar, Chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, salt, artificial flavour.

The most wonderful time of the year (almost)

Yesterday we went with our friends and took all of the kids for a hayride and pumpkin picking. It was a beautiful fall day and it was so fun to see A experience yet another new adventure. Just when I think that it isn't possible to love her anymore, she proves me wrong. It is so amazing to watch her learn and experience new things. My eyes actually welled up watching her roam amongst the pumpkins. It was a great, great day. Family. Friends. Fall. What more can I ask for?

Recipe: Kale Soup

Another recipe thanks to our weekly fruit & veggie share. I wasn't sure what to do with the purple kale we were provided with this week until I found this simple soup recipe on Allrecipes.com.

It was really good - and A loved the kale - she even told me that it was yummy! To be honest I was shocked. A good way to get in calcium for her. I will definitely try it again. Instead of cooking another soup for daycare tomorrow (the standard chicken noodle is on the menu), I am going to send her with a bowl of this.

Simple Kale Soup

8 cups dairy/soy free chicken broth
1 bunch kale, rinsed and sliced
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, cut into chunks
1 pound diced fully cooked ham (the original recipe called for turkey ham, which I wasn't able to find)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Measure the chicken broth into a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When it comes to a boil, add the kale, potatoes, ham and garlic. Season with ground black pepper. Simmer covered over low heat for 1 1/2 hours.