Summer fun

Well we have had a nice summer. Caitlynn turned 5 and we had a party at a Bounce House and then went to Disney just the of us. We also spent a night over at the Gaylord Palms resort and relaxed by the pool.

Since we bought a new house our summer plans got "changed" up a wee bit. Gone was the big trip! To me a house was more important anyway. We still enjoyed ourselves. On August 23rd Caitlynn will start School. This should be interesting for all of us.

I am excited to say that with all this excitement my diet has been pretty good. I am still having fun trying recipes and learning how to cook for myself and the family while still having taste food. It isn't as hard as it would seem. But then I am pretty much a simple cook.

5 years and counting

We celebrated the anniversary of the birth of our Daughter this week. She is 5! Which means that for the past 4.5 years I have been steadily moving forward to become a stronger, healthier and more aware individual. Why 4.5 years well..it was shortly after my daughters birth that I finally got a doctor to take me seriously and to start the process that has put me on the healthy path.

I still have some issues! Don't get me wrong but they are very minor. Next fall will be my 1 year mark for being Gluten Free...before I was Oat free, Soy free, Onion free and taking allergy tablets everyday, breathing treatments and still in and out of the doctors office.

We are still searching for the final answer for a few "outstanding" issues but for the most part all my issues can be traced back to Gluten induced illness. I've cut back the head aches, the cramps, the bloating, the breathing issues and memory problems.

I hope that as this goes on and I continue to learn what to ask, when to ask it and how often and that I can share this information and knowledge with others.

moving

We have done it..moved to the new house, have renters in the old house and well are completely enjoying ourselves. For a while we lived in a "fish" bowl, did not have any curtains up.

That is what happens when you move in in the middle of the week! and everyone is working. LOL. So happily curtains up, rooms put together and moving right along.

Contest

I have been following Cook Eat and Share: a fun site for all of us who love to cook and are wanting to share what we have learned. Just got word of a new recipe and wanted to share it with you along with the cookbook that it came from "The Colors Of Indian Cooking" and Fast And Easy No Cook Cauliflower Salad! The Salad sounds so yummy and I love cook books.

The best part is there is a contest to win the cook book. Which I tell you is the fantastic, because who doesn't love something for nothing!

So visit: http://cookeatshare.com/recipes/is-it-rice-is-it-cheese-no-it-s-cauliflower-fast-and-easy-no-cook-cauliflower-salad-437301?ref=mail

New House

It has been a while, I have been extremely busy. My co-worker has been on leave for 2 months due to a medical illness and we The Hobot's have moved from our house in O-town, to my mothers while waiting to purchase a new house, to the new house!!

As you can imagine it has been a bit stressful and extremely busy. I feel like I am not doing my best at work and missing stuff! or just catching things in time. And here at home I am living out of boxes and having found have the things to set up all the rooms!

My husband did manage to get the computer up and running, build a desk and chair. Yet my daughter's book shelf, curtains, the guest room blinds, the closet organizer, and the storage unit for the toys remain in boxes!!!

Yep it is going to take us a very long time!!

Mother's Day Weekend

Wow what a month or two I have been having. We haven't finalized the purchase of the new house. I hope this wraps up soon. (I need to be sleeping in my own bed)

But this weekend was bliss-we stayed 1 night at the Gaylord Palms and we slept so well. Everyone one in the family. That along was worth everything.

Trying times

Well folks I have been searching for a house. My husband and I decided to see about buying a new house, but did not want to sell the old one yet. We figured we would have plenty of time to work it all out, since we have never been land lords we wanted to do our research and than find a tenant.

Sometimes the best ideas take a path of their own. We found a tenant before we really had started to look. So I am staying at my mom's which is interesting (I do miss my King size bed!) and we have put in a bid on a home which was accepted. The inspection has gone well, now if everything else falls into place I will be one extremely happy Gluten Free mommy.

The kitchen is beautiful as is the entire house.

finding new things

Easter...

I got Gluten-ed!!! Nothing else I can say-it explains how I've been feeling since Sunday and the sad thing is I almost did it to myself today at lunch.

I packed left overs and all of a sudden a light bulb went on and I remembered the recipe called for flour...so I asked my husband to call his mother and she used regular flour not GF so there you have it.

At least I know what it was and can make sure to keep away from that item..:(

It has been awhile

I must apologize it has been a while since I wrote anything. I have been working on packing up my house, getting everything sorted. What to sort well, the stuff to get ride of, the stuff to sell, the stuff to keep and the broken items that just need to go away. We currently are living at my mothers which is an adventure onto itself. She is not extremely comfortable 'taken on' cooking especially since my allergy diet confuses the heck out of her.

We have been doing our best not to over run her home but I believe we failed that test. Really 3 to 1 there is just no way she can hold her own...

Today is Easter Sunday-we had a wonderful day I am very relaxed-so much so that I have taken a nap! yep a nap...no if ands or buts about it. What a beautiful day outside, warm, and sunny, with just enough of a breeze to cool you down.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful day and got to enjoy the weather, food and family.

And the world keeps changing

Ah well we are off again..What to? Where to? well we are moving yep moving! So the stress beings. I am working extremely hard to keep to my diet. I have had to really limit my dairy I have been getting shooting pains in my stomach. Either from eating too fast, too much or just not paying attention to what I am eating.

I am excited about the upcoming move...of course nothing goes smooth and we have rented out the old house before we secured the new one. Thank goodness for my mother! Who is allowing us to move in for a short period of time so we can save money and not have to rent on our own!!

Sorry it has been so long but really life can be crazy.

The reality of being 40..

This past week has been an amazing one for me. I heard that friends of mine had their 2nd child-he arrived early but is doing well. A friend of mine's mother died and one of my high school friends ( he was a yr older than me) is in the hospital due to his heart. I then learned that another one of my class mates has cancer/tumors.

Growing up and being an adult is scary! I love being a mother it is the best part of being me.

Strangeness of life

I have in the past 5 minutes (thanks to the world of PC) found out that one of our friends just gave birth -a month early-to her second son! So far everyone is doing as well as can be expected. The little guy is having a wee bit of trouble breathing. Our prayers are with them all. I then found out that another friends mother passed away yesterday.

I always thought that when 1 life left the world another came about but this is the first time they both happened to people I know. It is a sad day for my friends who have lost a mother, aunt, sister and friend. I can only hope that they all find peace and serenity in the knowledge that she may have left us in body but is here in spirit. With the birth of a child so early you experience the joys that come with the birthing and the fears of the child coming so early. My prayers go out to them all.

holidays

We went out to dinner last evening. My father (his birthday) my husband, my daughter and myself. We went to Kouzzina's (Cat Cora's) it is located on the Boardwalk at Walt Disney World. the food is "Greek themed" which I love and my husband is "reserved" about. LOL...I believe everyone had a fun night. The services was not up to what I expected even my husband mentioned that it was off...we got an appetizer before our drinks and we had to ask for the non-GF bread. Yeah try that one on for size. I got "bread" before anyone else. He he write it down that was the first time!

I had a bit of trouble last night. Lower Abdominal pressure which "dissolved" on it's own-life is strange I was very very careful with what I ate so...who knows maybe it was the coffee from earlier or just my bodies reaction to a 'stew' something I haven't had for ever!!!!

Today I did nothing-heck I did not even get out of my PJ's yep I stinky!!! and I love it. Funny both the parental units took naps but not the 4 yr old! got to love that.

I cooked a very tasty dinner, center cut pork with GF-breading, butter, sliced cherry tomatoes, corn, steamed potatoes, green pepper, feta cheese that was baked...we also had steamed fresh green beans, and carrots...I had a nice glass of red wine so tasty!

Wine and a Rain Storm

Today the news has been about the upcoming snow storm in the Northeast portion of the Eastern United States...hmm we got rain and tornadoes-nothing fun, romantic, white, fluffy or awe inspiring about them.

so I am having a few glasses of white wine, and relaxing. I had a nice salad for dinner-I ordered a greek salad but when my husband picked it up, I got a chef salad. Really wanted the greek but was way to lazy to bother about calling or trying to "take" it back..we did pick up on his way home from work!

the salad was good for the gluten free portion of my diet,however, the cheese was not so good for the lactose free portion. Goat cheese is fine I don't seem to have the same problems with it as "cow's milk" cheese. Seems i am not alone with this which is nice to know.

Tomorrow is dance class, then to Animal Kingdom, then to the Jenkins for a fun little visit. I am tired but not Caitlynn she is going strong. I always hope she'll sleep in if I let her stay up! Funny how kids are. She is more like her father in this respect than me, I love my sleep. Something awe inspiring about it. I use to believe that you lived 2 lives and when you slept in 1 you were awake in the other. The idea intrigued me, i often felt like I had glimpses lingering thoughts of that kept with me from time to time.

I had such a great imagination it was no wonder reality was such a let down for me.

Hmm.. wine and thunderstorms, rain splattering on the roof, a warm and fuzzy blanket and a good book. Off i go enjoy your night, sleep tight see you when the sun wakes.

Bithday

Today is my birthday. Last night my husband, myself, Caitlynn, family and friends gathered at Sunset Sam's restaurant in the Gaylord Palms resort (Orlando). Sunset Sam's has a wonderful Gluten Free and Caisen Free menu, we also ordered a GF cake from Ibake in Ocoee! Which was so tasty.

I had a wonderful birthday dinner and today (my actual birthday) has been wonderful. We got home to Grandma Sylvia and Caitlynn around 10am. Grandma had to catch the bus back home! :( We went to IKEA which is wonderful...so many ideas not enough time, space or money to "try" them all out. Than back home.

I tried to relax and basically do nothing-much. However, it is 50 degrees or so outside and fresh, hot lemon & poppyseed muffins were just calling to be made. YUMMY....

Doctor's visit & Chamberlian's

Spent the day at the Doctor's office today. Answering tons...yes tons of questions ranging from basic math, to algebra, eye hand coordination, T & F to verbal and cognitive testing. Really I already know I am right brained! Shhhs...

Chamberlain's for lunch and picked up a few items on sale! I got GF pasta for under 2.50 a box! YES.... and a few bars that I normal have to order on line which to me was so cool.

I still am amazed that these few accomplishments can mean so much. I remember if it wasn't buy 1 get 1 free on pasta I wouldn't buy it. Now anything under 3.99 I consider cheap!

The Good Eats

The amazing part of this "diet" is that I am finding a ton of food I never would have tried that is so yummy.

I am being "forced" to expand my comfort zone and thus forcing the culinary world that I encounter to do the same. Can you say that?

The culinary persons may not be too excited about the adventure at first but if they are smart, which some of them are, they have realized there is a nitch (a growing portion of the population) that has not been corned yet. It is a real money maker too. We are use to having to spend a little extra to get the healthier products, the tastier products and the fun stuff.

I have a collection of recipes and cook books that provide me with a wonderful assortment of alternatives to explore at home. I am slowly working my way through them, working and being a mom can limit the amount of time you get to play.

Yummy treat

My family ventured out for dinner during the work week. We went to Uno Chicago Grill, in the Winter Park Village. It was a pleasant surprise for everyone. My daughter got to "make" her own pizza! Daddy got a taste individual pizza his choice of topping and crust. While mommy got a yummy Gluten Free menu to choose from.

My menu offered a wonderful selection of items to choose from and pizza and beer was on it! Unfortunately for me the pizza crust had soy in so I could not have it. However, there was plenty to choose from and the manger even came by to talk about options and possible expansion of the menu for GF persons.

Because of my onion issue I had to ask a million questions still but the server was very knowledgeable and took his time helping me. I will definitely be visiting there again!

Returning to the real world

We arrived safely into port Sunday morning...man it was cold! 29 degrees with patches of ice. Ugh. The cruise was wonderful! even if they did not offer a wide selection of snacks for little old me. They had plenty of fresh fruit, soft ice cream, sorbet and at Palo's "Penna Cotta!" (gosh I hope I spelled that right) It was the best! Although it would have been nice to be able to get something off of the dessert bar.-cakes, cookies, puff pastries but alas nothing GF friendly to be had.

I did have 2 candy bars, 1 crispy bar and a bag of pirate booty in the room!

Sunday was a day of laundry, organization and grocery shopping (I had done a good job of cleaning out the frig before we left). Glad to be home but...always looking forward to the next vacation.

The packing

Yes oh yes my dear it is time for this mother to pack. Granted it is only for 3 days and only 3 persons....but I am still taking an odd assortment of items.

I need to make sure I can have "safe" comfortable snacks when I want them...unlike the rest of the family who can grab a bit everywhere and anywhere with out giving it a passing thought. I also need to make sure my "single" child has stuff to keep her a) out of trouble, b) self entertained and c) from saying I am board....I think the "Oceanear's club should do the trick but...I have been caught off guard before so better sane than sorry.

Who knows if it is warm enough she and daddy may venture into the pools. I've been out to see during this time of year and it is not warm enough for me to venture into the pool...especial at sea with the cross winds.

Ahhhh Thursday can not get here soon enough and yet..I wonder if I will truly be ready to head out shortly after 1 o'clock!

To the Sea and Beyond

I wonder as we plan our 3rd Disney Cruise adventure and my first on a GF diet how my personal experience of the Culinary Variety will match against my husbands and daughters. In the past I was Oat, Soy and Onion free...which never seemed to "cause" any issues-so here is hoping Soy, Onion, Oat, Gluten, and yes...lactose lite (he he) doesn't either.

We are only going on a 3 day adventure-a much needed break for us all. I have to say Cait was expecting to leave the day after Christmas! I on the other hand believe that time is best invested giving oneself time to decompress after the holiday infused bonanza that is currently called the fall-winter break!