Gluten Free Dairy Free Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

You will need:
*For the Crust: A layer of freshly baked (in a spring form), and-then-cooled, gluten free brownies
*1 package of extra firm tofu
*2 packages of dairy free cream cheese (tofutti, whatever)
*1 can pureed pumpkin
*1 cups cane sugar (1 1/2 cups, if you won't be topping this with chocolate)
*1 egg (or flax, if you want this to be vegan)
*3 tablespoons of gluten free baking mix
*2 teaspoons vanilla
*2 teaspoons cinnamon
*dash or two of nutmeg
*extra chocolate and cookie crumbs for melting and drizzling over the top (well, those are somewhat optional)

What you need to do:
*Preheat the oven to 350.

*Blend all of the ingredients, minus the crust and topping, together in a mega blender (I use my Vita Mix). If you don't have such a thing, use a regular blender and do it in two batches.

*Pour mixture over your spring form baked brownies. Bake for 1 hour.
*Turn off oven, open oven door, let cheesecake sit for 1 hour.
*Remove cheesecake from oven, let it cool completely on the counter.
*Cover and refrigerate.

*When you're ready to serve your cake, crush up some chocolate cookies, melt a few chocolate chips, and decorate as you please.


You're welcome :)

You Are My Sunshine, My Only...

The last seven weeks have been non stop, and full of change. Everything is go go go, there is never a dull moment, and the floors are never clean for more than an overnight rest- and that's only if I do it directly before going to sleep (which I've been known to do).

The other day, while the older two were down for "quiet time" (Charlie sleeps, Eleanore gets her thrills out of not sleeping), I got out a handmade blanket (this one by my Aunt Peg), cleared a spot on the rug, opened the blinds slightly, and Evelyn and I had some Mother/Daughter together-time.

Look at how different she looks.

The rolls and folds are starting to collect in the bends of her limbs.

Her chin doubles when she lays her head just right.

Shes nothing like the Dobby that we brought home on August 11th.



It can go from dark to light, in less than a second.

As soon as those gorgeous blue eyes open up, the storm that may have been, clears.

She is our sunshine.



A round of thrush, a touch a cradle cap-

...things that are both brand new to me, having seemed like text book written baby myths, up until Evelyn presented them to us with a newborn cry.

I'm grateful to experience them with her.
I hate that she might be uncomfortable (although she doesn't show any signs of it- no fussing, no whimpers), but I love to to say that her beginning is different than the others.

I love experiencing all that life has to offer me.
Even if that means rubbing Monistat on my nipples at 3:48 in the morning.


She puts me in my place, with her sunshine.

And I could really use some sunshine, to dry up the spit up all over my left shoulder.