HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I just had King crab legs and scallops and water. WOW! What a treat. I then had vanilla RICE DREAM and pecans...WOW OH WOW! I found some RICE DREAM that I like, not the new improved organic with agave syrup stuff.
Life is pretty sweet. Make that really sweet...I had a blast with my sons and granddaughters and hubby and parents over the holidays.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Good eating and feeling goodness to all who read this!

GF CF coffee cake

Just in time for the holidays...holly jolly make it up coffee cake.

I dumped two cups of Bob's Redmill biscuit and baking mix in an 8X8" baking pan. I added a cup of sugar, a little salt, a teaspoon of baking soda, then 2 tab. oil, tsp. vanilla, tsp. apple cider vinegar, and then a cup of water. I mixed it well and then put coarsely chopped pecans on the top and baked it in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

I feel blessed to have all my sons and granddaughters here...life is good.

Merry Xmas to my flood blogging buddies. HUGS

Bob...you are fantastic!

While strolling the aisles of a newly revamped SUPER WAL-MART I spotted the words "GLUTEN FREE" and sure enough Bob's Redmill products are now on a shelf in the food section. I got excited and I grabbed a few bags, items I have not tried so far.

This morning I tried making waffles with his Gluten Free baking mix and they were crisp and tasty and oh my goodness it made me so happy...thank you, BOB!

It calls for an egg but I didn't use one and it calls for sugar but I didn't use any. I did put syrup on the waffles so I wasn't completely sugary free.

I look forward to trying the other recipes soon.

Have a good day!

A dozen reasons to wake up!

I adapted the farm-style oatmeal Betty Crocker cookies recipe and made only 12 cookies but this morning I discovered a dozen reasons to wake up...to eat the COOKIES! No, I did not eat all of them. I have more for another morning.

Oven 375 deg.

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Spectrum shortening
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/8 cup rice milk
1 cup GF oats
1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt

Plop 12 balls onto an ungreased baking sheet and flatten them with a wet hand. Bake about 10 minutes and remove immediately to cooling rack. Enjoy!

Hold the mayo potato salad and GF CF corn-rice flatbread

Cut up a leftover baked potato, add olives, cut-up pickles, salt and pepper, and olive oil and you have a quickie mayo-free version of potato salad.

Take 1 cup of rice flour, add 1/2 cup cornmeal, tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, pinch of salt, 1 cup ricemilk, 2 TBs oil, stir until blended and cook on a greased heated grill. Flip once and voila...or cha cha cha...or "CORN DOG!" you have a nice corn rice cake thingie or flatbread...whatever...hola!

One week since turkey day...

A week ago I got up at 8 a.m. and washed a 23 pound turkey, pulled the neck and gizzard bag out of it and greased it up, stuffed it with one apple, one onion, and a few stalks of celery and put it in the oven for baby and me...oops...I mean put it in the oven. For a minute I thought I was playing pat a cake instead of bake a bird.

The oven was on 500 for a half hour and then down to 325...Hubby saw that on Alton Brown, so he thought I should try it. I tented the featherless wonder while it was in the 325 oven.

I peeled taters and did other things in preparation for the feast at 2 pm. The jello molds and sweet potatoes and squash had been cooked the day before and bread broken up for stuffing. I made a separate bowl with gluten free bread cubes for me.

When the guys were up my three sons got ready to jog and I donned my bike helmet and we were off for our own version of a turkey trot, a five mile loop...I didn't know how it would be with my bike, forgetting it is a mountain bike. The slush and snow might have made it hazardous but I had no problem and rode the five miles gleefully. (I know...quite a goony word, but the only word to describe how I felt)...

It just so happened we had a smaller group around the table than we have had in years...hubby and I and our three sons. It was a wonderful dinner, a feeling of pride and contentment rolled into a big ball of beauty and I just finally felt like writing about it all...

HUGS and LOVE and Thanksgiving for this blogspot to expound upon. PS YES that is a pink leather biker's jacket...

Apple pecan tortilla yummy thing!

I was in the experimenting mood so I took a soft corn tortilla and wrapped it around some peeled cut up apple slices and heated it in my Hamilton Beach small appliance that either makes waffles or things that look like hot pockets.
It heated the apples nicely and made the tortilla almost crepe-like. Then I put it on a plate and cut it up and added some coarsely cut up pecans that I had heated in the microwave for 1 min. and finished with a drizzle of syrup. That's it! It looks fancy and tastes delish!

I have a new grandson...Andrew James! Star had her baby a week ago and I learned about it on the INTERNET. Oh well, life's a challenge at times, and I wanted a challenge when I adopted her at age five...be careful what you wish for...LOL...I tried to call her but her phone was disconnected...speaking of disconnected..........any ways...I have a new grandson! That's all that matters.

I have been working at our diner a lot lately...hence the pic me in the kitchen...SALLY THE WAITRESS Personae...


Thanks for listening. HUGS!

RICE DREAM apologizes

I sent a letter to RICE DREAM asking if they still offer the RICE DREAM icecream I like and not the ORGANIC with agave syrup type and they apologized for not pleasing me with the new variation.
Oh well...who needs a treat any ways...LOL

I researched removing particle board over plaster walls yesterday since I removed wallpaper and found particle board...ugh...I found it quite stimulating actually and I have not been known for getting into home improvements. WHO KNEW? This Old House message board frequenter even...

Well...that's about all I've got for today. More snow...more cold...hey, it's NOVEMBER! I am slapping myself with a little reality check about living in western NY.

ENJOY!

Chinese taco pizza

I was experimenting and took some soft corn tortillas and deep fried them, then deep fried some cut cabbage, onions, and celery, and cashews and put it all together in what looked like pizzas. I topped them with a little ricemilk mozzarella, zapped it all in the micro for 30 seconds and drizzled garlic pepper sauce on top. It was hard to eat like a taco, looked like a pizza and had Chinese food flavors...international dish. It was great and the fun part was being creative with it.

In a week my family members will be arriving and I am really looking forward to it. Turkey and stuffing (a portion made my way)and all the usuals will be enjoyed by all. There will be joisting and jesting and that is always enjoyed by all too.

Lots to be thankful for...HUGS

Enough with the salmon and peas...

Okay, so I like salmon and peas but I have had so much of it lately I need a break...

Yes, we got dumped on with lots of snow, but it is pretty and I didn't go anywhere today so I don't mind it.

I am starting to write two sequels to books I have written. I have never done this before and am excited about doing it. I am also thinking about writing both at the same time...we'll see how that goes.

Had a surprise visit with Patrick...how wonderful. He flew in and spent the night.

Worked at the diner the last two days. I work again tonight...fun for a change.

enjoy...

Salmon and peas...

I made salmon and peas tonight and I love it. My dad grew up eating salmon and peas and finally admitted to my mom when they were first married that he hated the dish. We never had it, since he hated it. Well, Dad sorry...I actually love it.
I took a Bumblebee pouch of salmon and added frozen peas to it and made a cream sauce with rice milk, corn starch, salt and pepper and onion powder. I simmered this mixture and then served it over rice. I wanted to invite my Dad over but knew he would only stick his nose up at it...lol

I scraped wallpaper today. It has only been 5 1/2 years in this house and putting up with dark brown wallpaper, the kind that is supposed to look like paneling. The room is small and it makes it look smaller, so scrape away I did today. Painting will be next...

I feel good...hope you do too.

GF tuna melt pizza

Okay...sounds gross but it was yummy. I took one of the Glutino pizza skins and poured some olive oil over it and then some albacore tuna Bumblebee in a pouch on it and then some rice milk mozzarella cheese and baked in a 400 degree oven for about ten minutes. The cheese has casein unfortuneatly and the skin has yeast but otherwise I was good about avoiding foods that make me feel yucky.

It was fun getting back on the bike a couple times this week, taking advantage of the unexpected nicer weather...yahoo!

I made some cornmeal cakes this morning and they were tasty...one cup cornmeal, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 1/4 cups rice milk...cook on lightly greased griddle (I used PAM)...flip once...I cooked over medium heat. These are pretty thin, but quite good. I also had Jones family sausages and drizzled a little pecan syrup over it all...yum yum!

I tried some popped corn with melted marshmallows and peanut butter and it was tasty...okay I AM TRYING TO HAVE NO SUGAR but I do have my weak moments...at least I am confessing...

I loved how OBAMA thanked his wife the other night...that was awesome! His best friend...love of my life...he is off to a GREAT start in my book.

Have a good one.

Three words YES WE CAN!

Congratulations to President Elect Obama!

Halloween happiness

The sun is shining, I am just about to go out and ride my bike...it is not exactly hot out, but I am bundled appropriately. I feel kidlike and that is an especially fun way to feel on Halloween.

I was desperate for a piece of toast so I bought a loaf of GLUTINO cornbread, and even though it has yeast in it, like I said I was desperate. I toasted it and spread a thin layer of peanut butter on it and holy hallowed hot bread it satisfied my craving. So far no problem...

I also bought a pouch of salmon (only salt and water in it) and mixed it with light olive oil and chopped celery and onions and pepper and oh my GOD is it good...

So, don't know about you but I am trickin' no one...I am lovin' my treats with foods that ARE my friends...BOO-tiful!

More calcium and great taste in a soup...not good taste in new RICE DREAM

I do worry about calcium since I don't eat dairy and since I had a kidney stone lithotripsied I don't like to take calcium pills. I really try to get my calcium naturally.
So, I do eat white beans a lot since I learned they are high in calcium. I love any kind of beans so it is not a problem for me.
Today I dumped a can of Great Northern beans into a pot, added a can of water, a ham slice cut up, one cut up carrot, one cut up stalk of celery, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and let it simmer for about a half hour. That was all I did and I enjoyed a delicious bowl of soup. So easy...yum!

On another note, I don't like the new ORGANIC Rice Dream. I noticed they added agave syrup and don't boast of no added sweeteners on the label anymore. I don't like the taste and complained to them on their website contact section. I am disappointed because I loved the original vanilla Rice Dream and it seems I can't find that anymore, only the ORGANIC version. Oh well...anyone else notice a difference?

A little snow on the ground and a lot of fallish/wintry views from my window...'tis the season.

Since bike riding is not happening with the weather not cooperating, I am jumping, jogging, bouncing on my mini exercising trampoline while I watch TV...it is fun and it keeps me more active. But I DO miss the side of the road and my bike beneath my big old butt...

Have a nice day!

Dr seems surprised with food intolerance feeling good connection

The Dr we were going to left the area so we went to a new doctor yesterday to get established as new patients...it was fascinating to me to listen to the problems I had just a few years back...she asked me about migraines, depression, and gastro type issues and I was able to say that those conditions for me are a thing of the past due to eliminating the foods that don't make me feel good...she also noted how healthy I have been because I have not been to see a Dr much lately.

This smacked me in the head like the "could have had a V-8" ads...the doctor seemed surprised when I told her I think it has to do with my food eliminations...she wrote it all down and smiled and seemed pleased but it had me wondering if more people fiddled with this kind of thing they might enjoy a better quality of life like I do now too.

The Dr is going to examine blood tests though for thyroid function and hormone levels and cholesterol and that's okay, but I do believe that those who suffer with respiratory ailments often and stomach issues should wonder if what they are eating is causing these problems...I am not suggesting that all people have food intolerances but I do think that all people can't and shouldn't eat all things and they will do their bodies a service by taking time to experiment with what might be really making them sick.

Speaking of that mindset, I am back to avoiding sugars...I had a week of snack cake and pancakes and cappacinos from machines and I was starting to not feel that great again SO I am off to a great start this morning with my grits and tea and I FEEL GOOD........hope you do too!

White chili

Hubby made chili at the diner...it made me crave chili...well, I don't do tomato anymore so I made white chili. I had leftover cooked chicken so I dumped a can of undrained White Northern beans in a pot, added a cup of water, chopped onion and cumin and oregano and pepper and a squirt of hot sauce and the chicken. I simmered the soup for about a half hour. It certainly satisfied my craving.

I want to thank all who gave such thoughtful suggestions to me in the last blog entry for short term memory loss...HUGS

I don't know what I am going to do after November 4th...I am addicted to news stations reporting on the election. I have it as bad as I did with the first OJ trial...lol

Have a good weekend!

I feel better but can't remember stuff...

Hubby made me laugh yesterday when he told me to "eat some wheat"...At age 55 I seem to have poor short term memory and say some real dumb things ... I am getting used to it, but it can be embarrassing...so when I said something wacky (I can't remember what it was because like I said my short term memory is not working at times) hubby laughed and told me to "eat some wheat"...we laughed because he was joking about the reality that although I feel better without gluten, maybe it helped my memory when I did eat it. He followed with something like you "were smarter when you were eating wheat"...well, we know there is no correlation, but it made me laugh like when I tell him, a type II diabetic, to "eat a donut"...we have a weird sense of humor as a couple. but it lightens our load and we can never have too much of that...don't be uptight, keep it light!

I made more gf cf ef pancakes but this time I dropped in some chopped walnuts...ooh so good! Yes, it says to add an egg but I didn't and they were fine.

I jumped on my mini exercising trampoline yesterday since the weather is not cooperating for bike riding and hubby breezed in while I was jumping...oh what a fun time we have as a couple...36 years and it gets better all the time...glad we hung in there when it wasn't as light and fun...some things are worth the wait! HUGS

snack cake

Ever since I had cake that made me sick I have craved having cake that won't make me sick. I truly try to avoid sugar and chocolate but I really wanted chocolate cake yesterday and I had me some chocolate cake.

Thanks to a recipe on allrecipes.com submitted by Bridget Brookemeer I made the following...I adapted the flour and did not use chocolate chips, otherwise it is the same.

Egg-free Dairy-free Nut-free Cake

Mix the following:
1 1/2 cups rice flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda

Make a well in the center of the dry mix and add:
5 tab. oil
1 tab. white vinegar (I used rice vinnegar)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup cold water

Stir until smooth and bake in a greased 8X8 inch pan in a preheated 350 deg. oven for 30- 35 min. Cool on a rack.

I craved some frosting too so I made some using Spectrum shortening, powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla, pinch of salt, and water...I measured nothing, sorry...I also added some chopped pecans that I had warmed in the microwave for a minute...

TO DIE FOR......................yum yum. Who needs gluten and dairy and eggs? Not ME!

On the Erie Canal...

"The Erie Canal

Words and Music By: William S. Allen
Copyright Unknown

I've got a mule,
Her name is Sal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker
And a good old pal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal and hay
And ev'ry inch of the way I know
From Albany to Buffalo.

Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.
Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.

We better get along
On our way, old gal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Cause you bet your life
I'd never part with Sal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Git up there, mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock.
One more trip and back we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo.

Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.
Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal."

My sister invited me to ride bikes along the Erie Canal yesterday and that is what we did. The colors were gorgeous and the weather perfect. I am not used to riding with someone so it was fun to ride and talk...we laughed thinking about those mules pulling the barges years ago comparing ourselves to them as we rode along...fun times.

Back on track...

My youngest celebrated his 17th birthday on Tuesday and I baked him a cake. I have not had cake with wheat flour in forever...I just go without and it doesn't bother me...BUT since I had the mindset that this is the last birthday he will celebrate living at home I said what the heck I am going to have some...well, you can have your cake and eat it too but when you don't tolerate wheat well and dairy...yes, I had icecream too...kaboom! I had to get to the bathroom and I had some eruptions on my face and haven't had that happen in a long time...SO...I'm done...it always shows me I am doing the right things for my body by steering clear of certain foods...HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!!! and Sayonara to cake and icecream unless they are gluten and casein free...cha cha cha!

Pancakes with pecans and apple slices

I bought a package of Arrowhead Mills organic gluten free pancake mix and made some pancakes today. I was very pleased with the results. I used water for my liquid and added some chopped pecans and apple slices to the batter. The cakes puffed up and were delightful on their own but I did pour a little syrup on one of them and it was yummy that way too.

No bike riding today, it is raining, but I did get a ten mile ride in yesterday and I enjoyed the fall colors via pedaling...ahhh...it was wonderful.

I admit that my latest addiction is POPCORN...I can't get enough...love the SIMPLY SALTED the best.

Look at that sky look at those trees

I love AUTUMN! Okay I said it...the visuals make my toes crack...it is the BEST time...I walked out back and scared up two deer...they snorted before tearing up the hill. It was thrilling to walk around and look at the colors of the falling leaves.

I continue to do well with my eating the right things. I could benefit from eating less but at least I am eating well and avoiding sugary things...patting self on back...pat pat...

Enjoy the fall...I sure am.

Cleavage crawler

Back on the bike finally but had an interesting time...something really bugged me...a bug dropped into my shirt and was crawling in my cleavage...hehe. I stopped after five miles and had an iced tea and attempted to get the bugger out...hazards of biking...I was successful. It brought a smile to my lips and I hope yours too.

Life sure is getting serious, with the economy the way it is...our family got a diner operations dumped into our laps again. We own a diner and it has been rented out for the past two years and it is back to us again. Nice time to be running a small business...NOT! SO the little buggie down my shirt gave me some comedy relief from the daily stresses.

My eating has been disciplined...I am proud of myself. I have been having grits and green tea for breakfast, some kind of meat or poulty or fish and veggies and a tortilla like wrapping for lunch, potatoes mashed with salt and pepper and a little olive oil and some kind of protein and veggies for dinner and my every day treat...ORVILLE REDENBACKER'S SIMPLY SALTED popcorn...love it!

I gave up gum chewing...it became as obsessive as my old candy and crap eating addictions...so bye bye gum.

oh happy day...HUGS

No bike riding in a week

Well, between raining and not feeling okay one day I have not been on my bike in a week. DARN...and today is chilly and I don't feel like riding. I am dreading the worsening weather because I know it will be the end to my bike riding for the year. Oh well...that's life as everyone loves to say when they don't know what else to say...or that's the way it goes.

So on to the VP debate...I shared before I am a registered Democrat and I will be voting my party line...I felt like I was watching American Idol and wincing whenever Gov. Palin started to speak because I was unsure as to whether she would be able to handle herself or stutter and stumble and that is not a good feeling, I don't think, when it comes to voting for a potential leader.

Enough of the serious stuff...have a lovely weekend and remember...this too shall pass.

My son Patrick in a Gavin DeGraw video

http://www.youtube.com/user/gavindegrawmusic

Some of you know that my sons are musicians and recently Patrick (one singing in the pic) had the oportunity to be seen in a Gavin DeGraw music video. If you check it out he is the long haired, bearded, very tall plaid shirted guy about 1:31 into the video...yeah, that's my Patrick!

On another note...I had a rough day yesterday and proved once again, painfully, that some foods are not my friends. My hubby, bless his heart, had a craving for New England clam chowder and made some. I ate two bowls of it even though I knew the can of clams had sulfites and the soup base is milk and butter. On top of that I melted some ENJOY LIFE chocolate chips and poured them over popcorn...well the combo of all those nonos woke me up yesterday morning with a massive migraine and I was nauseos and in pain all day...I learned...I did...lost a day, but that's over with.

Enjoy the video!

Hambone to pick with you...

We bought a spiral ham and after taking slices off and bagging them up to freeze I decided to boil the bone for a while to make ham soup. I added peeled and cut up carrots and potatoes to the broth after removing the bone, and then cut up cabbage, onions and celery. I tasted it and added pepper and a little powdered garlic and a little salt, the ham was salty enough. After the vegetables were softnened I picked the ham off the hambone and added this to the soup. We all loved the soup. Good day of eating. With the overcast sky and the feeling of Autumn in the air it is homemade soup season and this one was a winner!

I did squeeze in a ten mile bike ride. It was really dark south of here so I didn't want to get rained on if I got too far south before heading back... I did the five and then turned around and rode the five back...the cut off yoga pants under my stretchy jeans worked out nicely...I was much more comfy riding.

OOPS! I just realized I forgot to mention that I also added ONE 10 oz. CAN OF UNDRAINED PINTO BEANS.

Hazelnut milk

Okay so I don't do cow's milk or goat's milk or soy milk but I do do rice milk and almond milk and my latest...hazelnut milk. It has 30% daily calcium in a serving and that is nice to know since I do wonder about that sort of thing. I give it a squirt of chocolate syrup and heat it up and yum...I just used it for the liquid in a bowl of grits and yum...so double yum.

About the debate last night. Yes, I am a registered Democrat but I try to have an open mind and yet I still think Barak Obama conducted himself more presidentially, but that's just one woman's opinion.

Still riding the bike...one problem...delicate. Underwear...to wear or not to wear...don't laugh...the elastic around the leg is the problem so I think I will wear my cut off yoga pants (I never did get into yoga but the pants were only $3 so hey)under my pants when I ride...I know that is perhaps more info than you wanted but it is a biker's concern...saddle sores...ugh...

HAPPY SATURDAY or whatever day it is when you read this.

*Pic is of me after riding 8 miles, I am taking a break before riding back...what happened to my usual smile? Must have been thinking about the underwear question...to wear or not to wear...

Tuna yum

I got turned off when I realized most canned tuna has soy so I didn't have tuna for a long time. I recently learned the foiled packed, can-free, tuna products don't have soy so I bought some and have been into tuna again. Today I opened a pack and added the tuna to leftover rice. I added cut up celery and salt and pepper and olive oil. What a treat. It was a nice cold plate lunch.

I have not been on my bike since Saturday...I better get out there...yes, I dread the Winter months now...I love pedaling, but it is more than just pedaling, it is the wind on my face, the sights and sounds and smells of traveling on the side of the road...on my bicycle. !*!

I find my self checking out the sides of the roads when riding in a car, as if I am constantly checking on possible bike riding routes. Nice new obsession for me. Beats the half bag a day of Tootsie Rolls I used to be obsessed with in my out of control ingesting days of the past. RIDE ON!

Garden fresh sauce

Well the garden only yielded 3 squash but we are getting some tomatoes out of it so I took about a dozen of them and made some sauce. I cut them up and cooked the heck out of them with mushrooms, onions, garlic, leftover cooked gr. beef, basil, oregano, a little sugar, salt and pepper. I simmered it for hours uncovered, and then served mine over corn pasta; the rest of the family had theirs over regular pasta. Everyone loved it.

I don't ingest anything acidy anymore, but I had to make an exception...garden fresh! What a treat and so far no ill effects. Bon appetit!

Saturday nite date...

I wanted to ride...that bike has become my obsession. It used to be chocolate or candy or junk food but now I can't get enough of my bike...hehe...any ways...I rode five miles to the Chinese restaurant and hubby drove and met me. We dined on shrimp with hot pepper sauce and veggies and rice and then he drove back and I rode my bike back. He offered to stick the bike in the trunk so I could ride in the car home but NO WAY...I am a rider...I got on the bike and pedaled back...I am not losing weight but I sure am destressed after riding the bike. I kind of hum along when I ride and can't ever remember what I thought about, probably concentrating on not getting flattened by a fast moving vehicle, but it is the greatest passtime for me next to writing...riding and writing...writing and riding...am I eleven years old? LOL

HAPPY DAY EVERYONE!

I might take off one day and just keep going...

Okay, so that was attention getting...I took another 16 mile bike ride and I find that I enjoy it so much I don't want to stop...not a bad thing...but I do have to go home at some point...hehe

Yes, Flamenco Mom...get on a bike and ride...having written that, I do caution you...there are dangers out there, getting hit by a car, falling off the bike...well, you get the idea, so I don't want to be responsible for you putting yourself in harm's way. I wear a helmet always and a bright ORANGE jacket while riding...they certainly can't miss my shallwesay big old butt...but perhaps in time I will reduce that bubble...although even when I was much thinner I had junk in my trunk...

SO...any ways...two times out on the bike, 16 miles each time and three days with NO sugary foods...I sure feel at the top of my game when I avoid sugary things...of course I have NO problem not eating gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, anything acidic, but I was slipping back into my sugar obsession and thinking about it all day long...when can I have some more...more...more...so I KNOW I am more in control when I just don't eat it...

Oh...wow...what a feelin'...

Just wanna hug someone...hubby?

16 miles baby!

Probably the only one who will appreciate this sign is Lea...but I just had to photograph the moment...I rode my bike 16 miles today. Caneadea NY is halfway. I stopped there for an iced tea and a break from pedaling before riding back home. I saw lots of sticks on the shoulder of the road where I ride and a huge chunk of a tree on a roof that some folks with chainsaws were attending to, must have been from the storm the other night...I heard about five dogs barking at me, but no sign of them, so luckily they must have been tied up. Phew!

I did very well on my eating today...I was slipping back into too much sugar in my ingestion, but today I had very little. I sure do feel better when I eat less of it...

I am hooked on watching everything and anything about the election...I am a registered Democrat and will vote accordingly...BTW I loved the Saturday Night Live opener...SARAHOUSLY HILARYOUS! :)

Farm-style GF oatmeal cookies

I loved making the farm-style oatmeal cookies in my Betty Crocker Cookie cookbook, so I adapted the recipe so the whole family could enjoy them.

375 deg. oven

Mix the following well
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup shortening (I used palm oil shortening)
1/2 cup milk (I used rice milk)
1 tsp. vanilla

Add
4 cups oatmeal (I used Bob's Redmill certified GF)
1 3/4 cups flour (I used white rice flour)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Xanthan gum
3/4 tsp. salt

Drop by 1 inch balls on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten the balls and bake 8-10 min. and then remove immediately to a wire rack.

Okay...you got me on the use of sugar. I try not to ingest fructose but for cookies I give in...so sue me or thank me for this scrumptious adapted recipe...oh yeah...LOVE YA BETTY CROCKER!!!!!

I rode my bike 25 miles so far this week. One day 10 miles, another day 2, another 3, and another 10 mile trip...feelin' good!

Have a fun Friday and weekend...HUGS

Hamburger stew

I browned hamburger and then removed it and drained it and set it aside...then I added water to the pot and boiled cut up potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, zuccini, garlic, and one skinned and seeded tomato (from our garden)...I added salt and pepper and let it simmer until vegetables were soft and then added the meat and scooped out some yum...a squirt or two or three of hot sauce in your bowl gives it a nice kicked up flavor.

Cooler weather here...feels good. Late afternoon fires in the yard, the smell of autumn approaching and the sight of leaves turning to bright colors...my favorite time of the year.


ENJOY!

GF Mexican meatballs

Hubby saw a recipe in a magazine while we were passing the time in a waiting room and I jotted down the ingredients and tried to make it today...Mexican meatballs!

Mix together
12 oz. ground pork
one small ground zuccini
1/2 cup chopped corn chips
1/4 cups chopped onion
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp oregano
some powdered garlic
1 egg

Form into small meatballs and fry. I fried them and then baked them at 350 deg. for a while. I really can't remember how long, but I kept checking them. I served them with a side of grilled white corn tortillas, and a leftover rice, black bean, and green bean mixture that was also seasoned with oregano, cumin, and garlic.

The family enjoyed the dish. They put sour cream on their food and my son used a little salsa. I did nothing but dig in...delish dish!

GF Granola

So I made those oatmeal bars the other day and crumbled one up in a bowl, poured almond milk over it and ate it and it got me thinking about granola, so I made granola last night and this morning I had...drum roll...homemade GF granola.
I know most of you have probably already made your own granola but this was my first time...I know it won't be my last...yummy!

Googled (cooks.com) and adapted (of course)...

Put the following in a microwaveable bowl:

2 cups GF oatmeal
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup br. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix well. Cook in microwave for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Cool. Store in an airtight container.

I watched both political conventions and I am a registered Democrat but I must say this is proving to be an interesting race. I look forward to the next two months. It will be anything but d-u-l-l.

Hubby adapts

Hubby is in the kitchen right now making fried chicken strips with RICE CHEX...he came into the room to give me a taste and I must say it is yummy! Not sure how he made it, just know he used crushed RICE CHEX...I will give more details later.

I made oatmeal bars with Bob's Redmill gluten free oatmeal today and they are amazing. I used rice flour instead of wheat flour and I did use the two eggs, so I guess I am making exceptions lately for eggs in baking, but you won't catch me eating them in any other form...not sure if I should be using them but I am, at least in baking.

Recently my nephew and his wife visited my sister's and the pic you see is of the visit. I am the one with the huge smile...as if...HUGS (wink wink)

Stir fry high

I am not gunna lie...I love to stir fry!
I cut up cabbage and onions and carrots and any other veggies I have around and stir fry over high heat for a yummy dinner. I add cooked chicken sometimes, or pineapple and always cashews. I love the way cashews fry up...and the texture of the cashew in the stir fry is scrumptious. I serve the stir fry over rice and often add some hot sauce and salt and pepper. Served with a hot pot of Jasmine green tea, makes for a satisfying taste experience.

I absolutely love stir fry...My oh my!

GF peach pecan pie

Had another hankerin' ...PIE...so I made a pie with rice flour and it is delish!

gfiowa.us that is where this recipe came from...I adapted the instructions to suit me.

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white rice flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
4 TBs. cold water
1 egg

I cut in the shortening and then mixed it all well...I patted a large portion of the dough into a glass pie plate. I cut up peaches, added a cup of sugar and a bit of rice flour, dumped it into the pie crust, and then dotted it with butter (I don't use butter anymore but I did make this exception). I took the remaining dough and broke off little pieces like I was making a crumb top. I then coarsely broke pecans and filled in the gaps. I sprinkled more sugar over the top and baked in a preheated oven for 45 minutes. It was browned and bubbly so I took it out and cooled it on a wire rack. I put a scoop of Rice Dream on a still warm portion of it and it was yummy. I am not used to that much sugar or any sugar so it is very sweet, but it satisfied the hankerin'...

Rice pancakes

I had another hankerin' googled "rice pancakes" and made 'em. YUM! Yes, they have sugar and an egg and I put some real maple syrup on them, so so much for avoiding fructose and eggs, but I satisfied the hankerin'. I used almond milk for the milk.

Rice pancakes

1 cup rice flour
2 TB sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk of your choice
2 TB oil

cook on lightly greased medium preheated griddle, flip when bubbles form...enjoy

I bagged up the ones I didn't eat. I will reheat for pancakes and might use two for a sandwich.

Have a wonderful day!

Pea soup

I found a recipe for pea soup on one of our fellow food blogs, and will credit the recipe to the blogger after I go back and find out which one it was...I put a bag of frozen peas in the food processor and added almond milk, salt and pepper, and garlic powder. I processed it until smooth and then heated in a big bowl in the microwave. I had a cup of it and it was tasty and satisfying. So thank you, blogger!

At times in life it is hard to say good bye and I have to do that soon to some loved ones who are moving away...the old "always in my heart" thing is oh so true...I have to believe that...it does not mean I am not crying a lot lately thinking about saying "good bye." The heart shaped rock was given to me by one of the people moving away.

Okay, I will try to get a grip...have a lovely evening. This is the blog I found the pea soup recipe at http://www.milkforthemorningcake.blogspot.com/...of course I adapted mine...thanks again, blogger!

breakfast fun

So, I had some leftover black beans and rice and I fried up some bacon and plopped a corn tortilla on the griddle to crisp it up in the bacon grease...hola! Breakfast...and yum yum...

What a blast I had at the two NAVAR shows over the weekend. ROCK MAMA...I AM!

Off to the DR's with hubby today to assess his after-surgery situation. He has been a very good patient.

No news from the agents that wanted to read a few chapters of my sixth book. I certainly hope in this case, "No news is good news."

Have a super day!

Boys are back in town...

It is great to have the boys back in town. They played a show last night and rocked out. I loved the sign out front...park in rear...too cute.

I poured some maple syrup over some cornbread and warmed it this morning...yum yum...I try to avoid anything with fructose but I made an exception this a.m. It was like having johnny cakes sort of.

NAVAR.NET

Rock Mama signing out...another show in Rochester tonight...ROCK N ROLL!

Cornbread

I had a hankerin' for cornbread and went online and found a recipe to adapt. I did use the egg it called for but substituted the buttermilk with almond milk. It is very good. My hankerin' has been satisfied.

Hubby's surgery went well. The surgeon removed a couple benign tumors in his arm and he will be good to go...yeah!

I had the Swiss mushroom chicken breast dinner with green beans and carrots and it was wonderful. I didn't scrape the cheese off...and I did have to get to the bathroom quick about two hours after I ate, but it wasn't a disaster and I have no regrets...next time I will probably tell them to "hold the cheese."

Cornbread

2 cups cornmeal
1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 1/2 cups almond milk
2 Tb. oil

Bake in 450 deg. oven in a well greased pan for 20-25 min.

First day of work for my sixteen year old...he is working at a nursing home, washing dishes, stocking shelves, and taking drinks and things to the residents when needed...ahhhhhhhh

okie dokie

The painting is done except for the occasional holiday I see that will need touching up...and I am on to another room...hey, we've lived here for five years which is the longest we have lived in one house in our 36 years of marriage so I guess I can work on the rooms without wondering when we are packing up again...no, we are not gypsies, not wanted by the law...just jobs and opportunities took us to new places and that meant a new home every few years.

As for eating, I ate grits and bacon and green tea for breakfast, Rice Dream and pecans for lunch (so sue me, it is just rice, water, with no sugar, and nuts...good lunch), and chicken and baked potato and cucumbers and peaches for dinner...good day of eating!

The guys are coming home this weekend to play two shows in the area, one in Olean and one in Rochester (go to NAVAR.NET for more info.)...ROCK ON NAVAR!

Tom will be having surgery in the morning...I will be in the waiting room...waiting...HUGS

Mellow Yellow

The painting is done...I survived and am even thinking about what room I want to paint next...who knew?

Mellow Yellow...yeah baby...love it!

Had black beans and rice for breakfast...white hot dog rolled in a corn tortilla wrap and a few chunks of watermelon for lunch...make my own tea with green tea, mint green tea, jasmine green tea and white tea (all decaffeinated) ... pour the mix over ice...ARIZONA eat your heart out!

Painting...

...is not the worst thing I have ever done...preparing is a lot of work but wow...when it is done it is a wonderful sense of accomplishment...yippee...one day scraping and wondering if this project will ever get done and today I actually ran out of paint and had to stop...yeah!

Food issues...picked up Chinese food...not sure what was in the sauce but it agreed with me so far...peace!

ho hum...the sky is falling

I don't get excited about posting about my food intolerances anymore...not sure why. I just live with it and it isn't as big of a deal as it once was. I don't bake anymore since I don't do sugar and I got tired of trying different flours so I stick to vegetables and some fruit (don't want to ingest too much fructose) and meats and fish and poultry, and nuts, and rice, and some corn products like grits. It is fine with me to eat this way. I have potatoes sometimes too, but not that often. If I want a crunchy snack I make popcorn.

So there you have it...I have been working on renovating my kitchen and little did I know it would turn into such a lengthy ordeal...I started chipping away at some loose pieces of paint in the ceiling and before I knew it I felt like Chicken Little saying, "The sky is falling!"

Well, this too shall pass and I will be in a fresh Mangrove yellow kitchen some day and this will be a fading memory. Don't start calling me, "Martha" just yet...

Super duper soup!

I felt like having pureed soup again, but this time I took two cans of pinto beans and pureed them, undrained, with 1/2 cup water and some pepper and a little hot sauce. I added a few Schar crackers, a recent discovery, and what a tasty lunch I had.

The crackers are really delish...I did notice they have yeast in them and I don't do yeast but am making an exception because I was dying for a tasty cracker...and these are. Thank you Schar people!

Scraping wallpaper off the kitchen walls...ugh...I am not much of a home redecorator but I could not stand the walls in the kitchen...so I am scraping and there is no turning back now...

Updates to come...bye bye

Super soup!

I felt like experimenting so I peeled the skin off a potato, chopped it up, and put it in the food processor along with three carrots, a small onion,two stalks of celery, a clove of garlic and 1/2 cup of water. I processed until pureed consistency and then I heated the mixture up with some almond milk, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. I let it simmer for a while and then for two days I enjoyed delicous soup. It was so flavorful and satisfying.

I dragged out my flute and played some tunes. I decided if I am ever going to get back into flute playing I need to just leave it out on my desk so it will invite me to pick it up. I ventured out to the garage and looked at the piano but didn't try playing it yet...I will work up to that...I know...I'm a wimp.

No news from any agents...but that's okay...I will keep writing any way. Hey hey! Have a nice day! :)

Garden fresh green tomatoes

"Hey Fannie Flagg, how do ya like these green tomatoes?"

I love the movie FRIED GREEN TOMATOES...and I am going to fry some up tonight. I don't eat tomatoes, but I might just have to take an acid reflux med. and try them...I walked out back and sure enough we actually HAVE some tomatoes now...fabulous!

We also have a piano now...the people next door were getting rid of it and asked if we wanted it...so it is in our garage...waiting to be played...fantastic!

And my mom had successful cataract surgery so yeah for MOM!

Oh yeah...and another agent wanted to read 50 pages of my book...fingers and toes are crossed...hugs

Biking and bouncing...

I rode for about 7-8 miles on my bike yesterday and it felt good. I have had a lot of company, which is a GOOD thing, this summer, but didn't bike as much as I said I would. I will get back at it. I also was given a trampoline and was amazed at what I learned about the benefits of jumping on a trampoline. WOW! Rebounding...that is what I am learning about. I hear it is wonderful for your insides...so I will be bouncing as well as biking...hopefully I will not bounce off the darn thing and crack my head open...I know, that's disgusting...but I recall Poor Dr. Atkins giving his life to his life's work of low to no carb eating and then he fell to his death after slipping on ice...hey, we are going to go one way or another so if it is by bouncing on a trampoline...SO BE IT!

*ELizabeth, Jess, and Casey showing me how it's done...bouncing and having fun!

Have fun...that's all we have sometimes...can't eat this can't eat that, but we can ALWAYS have fun. HUGS

GF EF CF Corncakes

I googled corn pancakes and came across a recipe on dlife.com...diabetic recipes. It just so happens hubby is diabetic so I thought BINGO...this could be good...I adapted it, of course, and the results were wonderful; a kind of corncake that I can eat at all times whether for breakfast or used to make a sandwich or with dinner. It reminds me of cornbread which makes sense since it is made out of cornmeal...duh! I amaze myself with my brilliance at times...LOL...corncakes corncakes YEAH YEAH YEAH!

adapted from Diabetic Recipes/Cornmeal Pancakes

Mix well
2 cups cornmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar

Add
2 TBs. oil
1 3/4 cups boiling water
Mix well

Add
1 cup almond milk (you can use whatever milk you are in to)
Mix well

Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto preheated oiled griddle. Flip when bubbles form and bottom is brown... I eat them plain since I don't do sugary things anymore or fruity things or...well, you get it...and they are delish just the way they are...hubby puts butter on his and loves them too. He had a brainstorm and put a fried egg on one and looked like he'd died and gone to heaven...cute, very cute.