2017 Best Toy ideas for this upcoming holiday season

Blessings and Happy Joyful Thursday dear friends! Today I am going to share some websites and pages that I really liked that have gifts and ideas for your child/children on the Autism spectrum. I hope that you find them useful in ideas for your kiddo this holiday season. 
The first one is : 
https://www.mykidneedsthat.com/toys-for-autistic-children/    They really have some neat ideas and they categorize the items by age level and you can click for the price. Please check them out, they have some terrific items. :)  Here is an example of what you find on their web page : 

The second one is https://www.nationalautismresources.com/gifts/this-weeks-top-toys-gifts/ This company also has some totally awesome items. They offer items according to age level, they show prices of the item and they even have a category for gifts under $10. Please check them out they have some terrific items also. :) Here is an example of what you find on their web page : 

The last one I am sharing today is https://www.fatbraintoys.com/special_needs/autism.cfm   It has some great ideas also. It offers delivery in 3 business days to Pennsylvania for just $3.99. It shows the item and then you have to click for more info about the item and the price of the item. Please check out this company also they have some neat gift ideas. Here is an example of what you find on their web page : 

I hope this helps you in finding that perfect gift for your Autism Spectrum kiddo or family member. Please feel free to email me at barbgadway@live.com for any questions/ concerns/ or if you just want to share ideas or thoughts or just say hey. 😄💗

Be a Blessing - Anchor Yourself in God's Promises and Presence!

The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9
Sometimes during the roughest parts of our life's journey, we need anchors that hold us secure in our spiritual lives. When God called Joshua to lead His people after Moses’ death, He gave him anchors of promise he could rely on in troubled times. The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. . . . The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:5,9). God also gave Joshua and His people the “Book of the Law” to study and observe (vv.7-8). That and God’s presence were anchors the Israelites could rely on as they faced many challenges. 

An anchor resting on the storm-driven craft will never do the job. Only as it is thrown into the deep can it be effective against the wind and tide. In the same way, the person whose confidence is in himself will never experience true peace and safety. His actions are as futile as one who keeps the anchor aboard his own ship. Cast your faith into the great depths of God’s eternal love and power. Place your trust in the infinitely faithful One.”

When we’re in the middle of suffering or when doubts start threatening our faith, what are our anchors? We could start with Joshua 1:5. Although our faith may feel weak, if it’s anchored in God’s promises and presence, He will safely hold us. Today declare for yourself through trials, tribulations, or life's daily journey, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust” (Ps. 71:1). 

Today dear friends, I encourage you to lift up any burdens or problems that have been discouraging you in daily life to your anchor (God Almighty). Let Him handle your stresses and trust him to do what is best or needed for you to have peace. Today Be a Blessing-Anchor yourself in God's promises and presence. 😊❤

DIY No-Sew Weighted Blanket

I am taking a break from sharing recipes today to share this wonderful and pretty easy weighted blanket instructions. My son on the Autism Spectrum really likes to have a weighted blanket when he feels anxiety. It has been such a blessing for him and for me for him to have one of these charms { weighted blankets] that he can cuddle up with and use to help him calm down.  I am sharing the step by step instructions today to make one that is no-sew. I honest to goodness can not sew worth a darn so this was a major blessing for me :) If you have made or make one after reading this blog, please feel free to share with me via email and I will share it on a future blog. Please feel free to email me with questions/ concerns, or just to say hey at barbgadway@live.com.  Without further ado....... Here is .........

DIY Weighted Blanket No Sew

No Sew Weighted Blanket Materials

You will need the following materials to construct your blanket

1. Fabric of your choice (generally fleece works best – dimensions depending on size)
2. Duct Tape
3. Heavy Ziploc Bag or cloth pouches
4. Filling (Rice, Beans, or poly-beads)                                                       Step 1: Prepare your filling: You will need to distribute your filling evenly into bags according to the anticipated dimensions of your blanket and your desired weight. The recommended weight is generally 10% of body weight +/- 1 pounds. 
   
   
   Step 2: Align your pouches: Align your pouches of filling according to the desired dimensions of your blanket so all pouches will be evenly spaced and cover the full size of the blanket.
   
   
   Step 3: Tape each row of bags: Add tape to top and bottom of bags:  Be sure you are evenly spacing your bags and folding the top over to ensure that the filling will not spill out.
   
   
    Step 4: Using the same line of tape, repeat step 3 adding additional rows of pouches until you have reached your desired size
   
   
   Step 5: Add duct tape across all rows and columns so all sides are covered and sealed
   
   
   
   
   Step 6: Cover Bags completely with large strips of tape on both sides: When you are done, you should no longer see the bag. It should be completely covered and secured by the duct tape.
   
   
   Step 7: Add to inside of no-sew blanket construct.                               Weighted blankets have long been popular for calming individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Typically the blankets contain metal or plastic beads sewn into quilted layers. The idea is that the weight provides gentle, deep pressure that addresses the sensory-integration issues often associated with ASD. These sensory issues, in turn, may add to the sleep disturbances that are likewise common among those who have autism. Studies suggest that 40 to 80 percent of individuals with ASD have significant sleep problems – in particular difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.    HUGS!!!!! 💓

Be a Blessing - Forgive and Forget

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32

To resent and remember brings strife; to forgive and forget brings peace.

The forgiveness we profess sometimes is superficial. It may be prompted by fear, or to gain some selfish advantage, or to clear our conscience—not out of genuine love for God and the one who has wronged us. Yes, we may say we forgive, but when the least little friction arises, we are quick to resurrect past grievances. How different is the forgiveness Jesus talked about! (Matthew 18:15-22).

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith, with our Savior extending forgiveness even when He was dying on the cross. Jesus loved those who had nailed Him there, uttering a prayer asking His Father to forgive them. He didn’t hang on to bitterness or anger but showed grace and love to those who had wronged Him.

The apostle Paul left no doubt about the nature of genuine forgiveness when he said we are to forgive one another just as God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). That means we are to forgive—and forget.

When we ask God through His Spirit to help us forgive, He will come to our aid—even if we take what we think is a long time to forgive. When we do, we are freed from the prison of unforgiveness.

Lord, help us give our grievances to You so that You may turn them into something good. Make us ready to forgive completely and earnestly. Give us Your spirit of unity.In Jesus Name, Amen.

Today dear friends, I encourage you to forgive and forget those who have wronged you in the past or just recently. You will feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders that was continually there from the burden of not forgiving. Forgive others as God has forgiven us. Free yourself from the prison of unforgiveness. Be a Blessing- Forgive and Forget! HUGS!!! :)

More Gluten Free and Dairy Free Ideas

Hi friends!

Today I am going to share a couple more recipe ideas that are winners in my home and I hope they will be winners in your home too. :)

Easy Dairy Free Overnight Oatmeal 

Dairy free overnight oatmeal is a perfect make-ahead breakfast option for busy mornings! Vegan and gluten-free. 

 Prep Time 5 minutes

 Total Time 5 minutes

 Servings 1

 Calories 600 kcal

 Author Kelly Roenicke

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup certified gluten free oats
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cup non-dairy milk I used unsweetened coconut milk beverage
• 1/2 Tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 Tablespoon sunbutter
• 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries
• 2 Tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup apple chopped
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds

Instructions

1. Put the oats and cinnamon in a jar, and pour in maple syrup and non-dairy milk. Stir well.
2. Place a lid on the jar and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, stir the oatmeal and add the desired toppings - sunbutter, apple, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, or anything else you desire. Enjoy!

Apple Crisp Bars (Gluten Free, Vegan).

These gluten free and vegan apple crisp bars are a delicious fall dessert!

 Course Dessert

 Cuisine Dairy Free, gluten free, vegan.

 Servings 9

 Calories 411 kcal

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 cup gluten free oat flour*
• 2/3 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup gluten free oats
• 1/3 cup organic cane sugar
• 1/2 cup vegan buttery spread chopped into small pieces
• pinch sea salt
• 2 Tablespoons water

For the apple filling:

• 3 Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced thin
• 3 Tablespoons organic cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

For the crumb topping:

• 6 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread cut into small pieces
• 1 cup gluten free oats
• 1/4 cup gluten free oat flour*
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Place the pumpkin seeds in a mini food processor and pulse until a fine flour forms.

Make the crust:

1. In a large bowl, combine the oat flour, ground pumpkin seeds, oats, organic cane sugar, and sea salt. Add the vegan buttery spread and use a pastry cutter or two knives to mix the butter into the flour. Add the 2 Tablespoons of water and mix it until it comes together as a thick dough.
2. Place the dough into an eight inch square glass baking pan and use your hands to spread it out and pat it down. Bake for 10 minutes while you make the apple filling and crumb topping. Set the empty bowl aside so that you can mix the crumb topping in it as well.

Make the apple filling:

1. Place the thinly sliced apples in a large bowl and add the ground ginger, cinnamon, and sugar. Stir to combine. 

Make the crumb topping:

1. In the bowl you used to make the crust, combine the oats, oat flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vegan buttery spread. Combine with a pastry cutter until the oat mixture looks like a crumbly topping. 
2. Spread the apples evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the buttery oat topping all over the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. 
3. If the topping starts to get too dark, cover it with a piece of foil. Let these bars cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Top with ice cream or coco whip if desired. 

Recipe Notes

*If you cannot find oat flour, you can make your own by grinding gluten-free oats in the food processor. Just process them until they turn into a fine flour.

If you would like to see more recipes, I encourage you to go to https://theprettybee.com/20-easy-gluten-free-dinner-recipes/  She has some awesome recipes that are healthy and delicious. My Autism spectrum son gives these two and some others that I tried 2 thumbs up :) 

As always any questions/concerns/ or just saying hi feel free to email me at barbgadway@live.com. if you have any favorite recipes that your family likes feel free to share or if you have a website for these types of recipes, please email me and I will feature them on a future blog. :) HUGS and Much Love to all !!!!!!!

Be a Blessing- Grow with God and Share his Love!

There’s joy in the journey as we walk alongside each other.

For those who follow Jesus, Paul points out that the church needs people who will “be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). And we need a variety of “coaches” (pastors, teachers, spiritual mentors) to help us all move toward “unity in the faith” as we strive to “become mature” (v. 13).

The proper measure of our spiritual condition is the quality of our lives, which is measured by such attributes as lowliness, gentleness, and longsuffering (Eph. 4:2). “Bearing with one another in love” (v.2) is a good indication that we are moving toward God’s goal for us: “the measure of . . . the fullness of Christ” (v.13).

The goal as we listen to preaching and teaching and enjoy life together in today's 'real world' is to grow up to maturity in Christ (v. 15). Each of us is on this journey, and we can encourage each other on the road to maturity in Jesus.

Till we all come to the unity of the faith and . . . to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. —Ephesians 4:13  

Today I encourage you to grow in God and share his love with others be it your family, your co-workers, neighbors, or strangers.  While showing love to others and following our precious Lord's example, we will also be growing closer to and more like Him. Be a Blessing- Grow with God and Share His Love!  HUGS!!!!!!!! :)

Gluten free and dairy free ideas

Hi friends!  Do you have a child like mine who was diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum and doesn't 'sit' well with foods that have gluten or dairy in them?  These types of food can honestly lead to your child experiencing certain behaviors due to their intolerance of these items. I am going to over the next few days post recipes that are gluten and/or dairy free that you can try out for your child/children.
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE   

Ingredients

• 4 thick gluten-free bread heels, cubed (or enough bread to cover the bottom of the dish)
• 12 cooked gluten free sausage links (or other breakfast meat to cover the bread, be sure it's gf)
• 10 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk or milk substitute (I used Almond Breeze original almond milk)
• 1 teaspoons herbes de Provence (or other blend of herbs that you like with eggs)
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Place the gluten-free bread cubes in the bottom of the dish.
2. Put the sausage or other meat on top.
3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, herbs, salt & pepper. Beat well with a fork, whisk or immersion blender.
4. Pour over top the bread and meat.
5. Cover and refrigerate until morning.
6. Bake at 350° F for about 30 minutes or until the egg is set.                                                    

   Slow Cooker Beef Roast and Carrots

   

                                              

   TO FREEZE AND COOK LATER

   INGREDIENTS

   • 2-pound boneless beef chuck shoulder roast (No substitutions!  This is the best cut of meat for the slow cooker!)
   • 1-2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
   • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
   • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
   • one seasoning packet like Mccormick's [any that goes well with beef that your family prefers]
   Directions: Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker. Add lid, and cook on “low” setting for 8 hours until beef shreds easily with a fork.                                                                Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Cook on “low” setting for 8 hours, or until meat easily pulls apart with a fork. Shred meat and serve.                   If you are like me, I am always trying to find some healthy recipes that I know my son would actually eat. He happens to really like cooked carrots. LOL! So these two I have tried and are a 'winner' at my house. Always feel free to e-mail me at barbgadway@live.com and let me know if you tried them and liked them as well or if you have any questions/concerns or just want to say 'hey'. :) Blessings  HUGS!!!!!!!!!

Anger management- FORGIVENESS

Got a problem with someone? Rather than hold it in, hold it up to God first. He can fight the fire of anger with the power of His forgiveness and love. One reason it is sometimes hard to admit we are angry when someone offends us is that we fear what others might think of us. But acknowledging anger and providing a time limit on resolving issues is essential in keeping harmonious relationships intact. “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) to the one who has offended us is vital, even if it means stepping outside our comfort zone. This scriptural approach to conflict resolution helps to clear the air and restore relationships. Explaining to the offending party what was hurtful and listening to the other person’s perspective lays the groundwork for healthy relationships. When we keep love in the picture, our goal becomes restoration. 

That’s why the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:26 said, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Providing a time limit on unresolved issues keeps anger in check. Instead of stewing over a wrong, which is a breeding ground for bitterness, we can ask God for help to “[speak] the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).

Put out the fire of anger before it blazes out of control.

Heavenly Father, please guard us from uncontrolled anger. May the words that we speak bring honor to You. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

Today I encourage you to go to God when someone hurts you and ask Him to help to give you the right words to say in love to the person or even to not say if it would be better for you to just overlook the incident this time. Be a Blessing use the best anger management available -FORGIVE and go to God!

Have a Heart of Compassion

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Wherever we go, we will encounter people who need compassion. Perhaps these words from the apostle Paul can help us view everyone around us in a different light—as people who need the gentle touch of grace. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). He also suggests that we “bear with each other and forgive one another” (v. 13).

As we show compassion, we will be pointing others to the One who poured out His heart of grace and compassion on us. Ask the Holy Spirit to place someone on your heart to help in Jesus’ name. Then take action. Make a difference today. Send a card. Give a gift. Offer a ride. Make a call. Love in deed is love indeed.

Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting,
Help me know what to do and to say;
Speak to my heart and give me compassion,
Let Your great love flow through me today. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.

Compassion is love in action. Today, I encourage you to go out and show another that love in action or compassion. Give them a hug, a word of encouragement, or a small homemade gift. Let them know that you are thinking of them and have them on your mind and in your heart. Be a Blessing- Have a heart of Compassion!

DIY Sensory Toys

Hi friends! Today I am going to share a few sensory ideas that you can do yourself for your child with special needs. I really liked these ideas and I hope that you will too! They are fairly simple to do which is a plus for me. They are a few great ideas to do when the weather outside isn't the best and your kiddo is bored and is tending to be fidgety. Enjoy!!!!!
1.

Freeze water beads inside balloons.

Supplies:

• water balloons
• water beads
• funnel
• pumper
• Directions:  Attach a water balloon to a funnel to get the water beads inside.  While being careful to not push the balloon off the funnel use your finger to push the water beads inside the balloon.  Next, attach the balloon to the pump to fill with water.  The pumper is not necessary, but it sure makes it easier to fill water balloons with added sensory materials.Every hour or so check the balloons to see how the water beads had changed.  Water beads start off tiny and expand when soaked in water.  It takes several hours for them to reach full size.Once they had fully expanded have a wonderful time feeling and enjoying how squishy the water balloons are and have a blast playing with them.

2. 

Make Flubber.

what you need:

3/4 cup cold water

1 cup Elmer’s glue 

liquid food coloring 

1/2 cup hot water

1 teaspoon borax (you can find this in a box in the laundry aisle ).

"If you do not feel comfortable using Borax  use this recipe  make the Flubber "

Making Gak (Borax-free Flubber) Pour 1 cup of white glue into a bowl. Add several drops of food coloring until it is the desired color. Pour 1 cup of liquid starch into the glue mixture.

directions:

step 1: in bowl 1 – mix together the cold water, glue, and food coloring. set aside.

step 2: in bowl 2 – mix together the hot water and borax, until the borax is completely dissolved.

step 3: slowly add glue mixture to borax mixture. mix well. pour off excess water.

Have a great time with your precious child/children and help to take the boredom out of a bad weather or bitter cold day. HUGS!!!!!!!!!!! Please feel free at any time to e-mail me at barbgadway@live.com for any questions, concerns, or if you have tried any of these. Blessings !