Category Archives: Gluten Free

Hip Hip Hooray for Women!

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Happy International Women’s Day!
I know it was this past Friday. I think women should be celebrated in some way…everyday…let me share with you I went to a event at Square on Friday celebrating women merchants! It was a mini Apple reunion for me as I ran into a few of my girlfriends there! What a great surprise! We all have moved on from Apple, but still keep in touch.

The first ever Square Makers Faire was headed up by my friend Michelle. She is an extraordinary woman who draws, creates and works at start up Square. Square has developed an awesome device that fits into any iPhone or Droid that turns your device into a POS tool. I’ve used it for payment on some of my personal knitted items. It’s convienant, easy to use and they are an awesome local company in San Francisco. You can find out more here.

Although I was feeling fatigued, nauseous and frustrated by my tummy issues I pulled myself out of bed and went to the event. I’m glad I did. The vibe was positive, I met other women artists and realized I too can have my own side business just like all of the ladies who attended.I need to walk the talk and Just do It!
There’s no better time than the present right?

I left the event feeling energized, full of life. And to top off the night, I heard my name being yelled from the underground transit by two of my former friends at TCO. Hugs all around!

The next day was my running day. We took off early and hit the trail by 7a. Here’s where I run…

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Oddly, running makes me feel alive. It gives me much needed energy to get through my days. I’m grateful I have found one thing that makes me feel better.
My doctor officially diagnosed me with IBS on Friday. You can find out more here. There is no cure, just lifestyle changes are recommended.
One theory to help in tummy issues is to assist good bacteria in your gut. Eating pickled or fermented foods can aid in digestion.
I went to work and tested out my new Perfect Pickler I ordered awhile back.
It pickles food in small batches. I’m anxious to try the sauerkraut I started yesterday!
Waiting 2 weeks will be difficult, meanwhile I’ll eat some pickles I made during summer!

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Here’s more about the Perfect Pickler

As usual, my life stays moving forward. I try to make sure at the end of each day to think back and reflect on life’s little lessons that encourage me to follow my passions.
I’m reminded daily…to Just Do It. And you should follow your passions too.
Have a great week!

Cool new shaker!!

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I’ve been meaning to share with you my new shaker I ordered! It repurposes a Mason Jar into a cocktail shaker! How cool is that?
Once Lent is over I will give it a whirl..I mean shake!
Two guys from the South, who now live in Brooklyn, organized a Kickstarter for their invention. You can read more about it here.

Here is the link to order! Bottoms up! Cheers to the Mason Shaker

February is Fabulous

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First, has anyone ever had a dog that absolutely loved kale? As you see here, my 2 doxies are extremely anxious to get these greens…licked lips and the stares! Crazy pups!

I have been knitting…not as focused as I would like but have been knitting. On a recent TEDtalk I viewed the other day Matt Cutts talks about doing something for 30 days. It could be anything…but the end result will be something learned, happiness and motivation will result…interesting talk and here’s the linkTry Something For 30 Days

I would love to knit an Icelandic sweater or lopapeysa. See here from Wikipedia…

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I’ve been eyeing them all over ravelry. The use of colors and patterns strike awe and delight when I catch someone wearing one. So for 30 days I will work on my lopi sweater. If I miss a stitch I will rip out until perfect. I have a bad habit of knitting as I go, however it turns out should be fine. However, since following a pattern with various bobbins of yarn throughout the pattern must be followed to arrive at the final result…So here I go…lets lopi!

When the going gets tough the tough gets cooking…

I heard on the radio today that the third Monday in January is called Blue Mondayhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2265639/Most-depressing-day-year-Feeling-Blame-Blue-Monday-2013.html. Often people are low because the holidays are past. Resolutions have been made and not being practiced…etc…So if you are feeling a little low today it’s alright, everyone knows… It will be better tomorrow.

Here’s a sweet little posy I picked from my yard today…

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I did some gardening today. We are getting ready to add lavender and white sage to our plot. My husband dug out a narly root. The sun was out, the dogs mowed down the kale patch. Yes my dogs love kale and arugula! Crazy dachshunds!

I admit I was felling a little blue at times today but cooking really changes my mental state. Maybe it’s the act of creating something nourishing. The smells from browning sausage permeate throughout the house…mmm…I follow a great blog called Tartlette.
Being gluten free, I do need to be careful following some recipes, however Tarlette is great inspiration to me. And I make recipes up too. There are sweet and savory recipes on Tartlette. Check it out. I’m making Ratatouille tonight.
Heres the recipehttp://www.tarteletteblog.com/2009/03/recipe-ratatouille-in-kitchen-with-mom.html?m=1

Over gluten free penne, it’s divine!
Also on the back burner , literally is a sausage, mushroom, pesto sauce which I’ll serve over penne as well, that I just made up, I used my favorite prepared pesto. Here’s how it’s done…
Brown 1 lb Italian sausage, I used hot
Drain fat, sauté sliced mushrooms, 1cup
Boil and drain 1lb pasta
Combine pesto, mushrooms and sausage. Sprinkle cheese if you want.
Eat up!

Have a great week friends!
My pups felt a little blue too today:-)

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Ratatouille stewing…

Happy New Year!

Every year we have a New Years Party. The night revolves around eating and drinking, dancing and eating more. We have a great group of friends who make the trek from Sacramento to bring in the New Year with us. They stay the night and when we all wake up, we go on a New Years hike then back to the house for breakfast.

In case you would like to have a Non New Years Eve party/sleepover here’s the menu I created…
For starters
Black Bean Chrorizo dip the biggest hit among the friends
Onion Dip
Guacamole
Tomatillo-Arbol Pepper Salsa
Kale Chips

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For Eats
I got lots of help from a website called Mexico In My Kitchen and a great suggestion from a friend to make beef tacos.
Pozole
Chicken Enchiladas
Shredded Beef Soft Tacos
Making shredded beef tacos is way easy in the slow cooker. I learned a cooking tip from a friend of mine when making meat in the slow cooker…add dark soda as part of the liquid. I used 1/2 cup Coca Cola and a 1/2 c chicken broth for a 4lb sirloin roast. I browned the roast on all sides first in a Dutch oven, then cooked on low for 8-10 hours and voila!

For Dessert
My dearest friend Mark, brought me a gluten free cake, and a Red Velvet cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes

The signature drinks of the night were Tequila Mojitos and the Urban Bourbon.

New Years Day Breakfast
Beer
Breakfast Burritos
Chorizo and Papas
Tons of Bacon
Triple Berry Scones-gluten free

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Happy New Year Friends!!

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Little Lady Luck

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On the morning of December 31 I went out to my garden and found this little ladybug. Snug as a bug, on my piquito pepper plant. First, I love ladybugs. I always have, ever since I was a little. Im not sure why. They were spotted, red and cute.
In the 70’s my parents belonged to a CB Radio club and my ‘handle’ was even Ladybug…true story.
This past week, the Bay Area finally got it’s winter. The temperatures have dropped to the 20’s at night and in the mornings it’s COLD…So I was a bit surprised when I peeked in my garden and saw this cute little beauty. I took it as a good luck sign for things to come.
Little Lady Luck got me thinking about my garden in 2013. What should I plant?
I’ve been scanning over my seed exchange catalog. Lamenting what to do…
While I haven’t placed my order yet, I’ve made some decisions which i’ll share with you all a little later once my order arrives.
Any suggestions?
What do you grow?

Well until next time, Good Luck in 2013!!