Our Zen Family

These are my all-time favorite, nutrient dense cookie! I first discovered these at Planet Organic. But at nearly $2 a piece I knew I could make them more inexpensively and be just as tasty. They have also been a hunger-saver just after Taio was born and in the months since when I needed a quick snack that would give me nutrition and energy. I usually leave a few out and freeze the rest and they are just as delicious straight out of the freezer.

• 2 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
• 2 cups spelt flour  (I usually mix 1c brown rice flour/ 1c spelt)
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup flax seeds (I use ground for added nutrition)
• 3/4 cup sugar (PO uses cane sugar; I have also used brown sugar)
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups dark chocolate chips (I use carob chips)
• 1 1/4 cups craisins, raisins or other dried fruit
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup canola oil (I use coconut oil for its amazing healthy properties)
• 1 cup milk (PO uses soy, I use almond milk)

  Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line baking trays with parchment paper or spray with olive oil.

  Combine dry ingredients in one bowl. In another bowl, combine wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

  Drop dough by large tablespoonfuls onto tray. Gently flatten cookies. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 24 to 36 cookies.

Time sure does go by quickly. Taio is nearly 5 and a half months already! And doing amazing…he has figured out how to put his feet in his mouth, getting into contortionist-like positions to achieve so (I’m jealous!). He is sitting up really well and for long periods of time on his own. He can get up on his hands and knees and almost into downward dog even, mostly in an attempt to go forward. He has discovered that he can make his way around the room if he pushes off with his arms. Even so he moves backwards, I think it’s clever & resourceful!

He is also really developing his own little personality. He is extremely persistent and can be stubborn at times (especially when it comes to napping!) but mostly a chill, happy-go-lucky dude

The elimination communication is an ongoing process. It’s a slow continuous progression. Taio poops almost exclusively on the potty- with the odd exception, as can be expected with a baby. His schedule has been less than predictable lately, going 2-3 days apart so I’m constantly on the look out for signs and offering the potty when I think it might be time. Though in all honesty he mostly goes when I least expect it! Pees are still a bit precarious. He generally goes when we put him on the potty but he also doesn’t hesitate to go in his cloth diapers now. He used to fuss a lot more with a wet nappy so we knew when he had gone. He has started making a very distinct sound while peeing his diaper so he gets changed immediately anyway. With him moving around a lot more independently and being much more interested in toys I reckon he just gets distracted and/or doesn’t want to interrupt his playtime to go on the potty. We have started to sign a little with Taio so hopefully in the future, when he is still pre-verbal, he will be able to communicate that he needs to eliminate. I wish I had something more exciting to report. After practicing EC for the last 4 months I have learned that it is a lot like breast feeding. You need to be consistent and persevere and eventually you all figure out what the heck is going on!

All in all, we’ve become more relaxed about ECing. When we first started we spent what felt like half the day on the potty. We’re still very diligent with first thing in the morning, after naps, 10-15min after feedings, before and after baths and before bed. We also put him on when it seems like he might have to go and/or he is vocalizing. I know that still seems like a lot, but he’s on and off fairly quickly and back to playing!

On a different topic, Taio will soon begin his adventure with solid foods. We wanted to exclusively breast feed for the first 6 months. And for the most part we have adhered to this. We have fed him an egg yolk a few times in which he seemed less than enthralled. However he is starting to show signs of interest for food and in the coming weeks we will begin trying veggies, fruits, meats, etc. I have been reading a book called Superfoods for Babies and Toddlers which has some amazing content and recipes. It is so crucial to create healthy eating habits early in life. Therefore, I have decided to expand my blog to include recipes as well. Stay tuned for some delicious and nutritious treats & meals!