GlutenFreeHolly

Just a quick word… About hair

On March 25, 2015

I take terrible care of my hair… It’s tucked, still wet, in a ponytail most days with a decorative braid on the side designed to make it look like I care. I wash it twice a day, have it in a surgical cap all day, swim, run, sweat… It’s a wonder I have hair left. I’ve had a gray streak since I turned 21… The same year I married… Perhaps it was a sign…like Elsa’s sister… Anna. Over the last several years (sub in “decades”) it’s gotten bigger, whiter and of course, with the associated wrinkles..more noticeable.

Nothing really beats a great haircut. Quick dry and ready to go, looking like you spent the afternoon at the salon, and highlights that hide the gray and make you look (and maybe feel) a little younger.. Ahhhhhh….

My secret (past tense) is Evelyn at True Salon! Her team is so good! They make my son look like a teenage pop star (in a good way) and me… Well, the salon is zen-like and the hair styles, cuts and color… are done with care and precision… I feel younger, rested and relaxed… Thanks Evelyn!

gray? cant find it!

This, I’m making again…maybe tomorrow! Caprese sandwich with pesto spread!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 24, 2015

In Gluten free

I was recently at Deli Lane in South Miami. They do have a gluten free item of the day, and they have great omlets & salads, which are served all day…… Anyway, I digress…. While there I saw a Caprese sandwich on the menu and since then I’ve been dreaming of the perfect Caprese Sandwich! Gluten Free, of course. The recipe works for the gluten eaters, as well….but with the French bread by Udi’s (www.udisglutenfree.com), you’re not going to know the difference!

So, here’s what you need:

5 minutes to Yum

French bread (I use Udi’s)

Organic tomatos 1-2

Mozzarella

Balsamic glaze

Pesto: in processor combine-

pesto…need to sneak in some veggies? add spinach!

Fresh Basil- handful

Pine nuts 1/4c

Olive oil 1/4 c

Chopped garlic 1t

1t Salt, pepper to taste, red pepper flakes 1t

Slice and toast the bread at 400 for 8 minutes. Liberally, smear on the pesto- top & bottom. Slice the mozzarella & tomato, layer onto sandwich. Top with balsamic glaze and a little basil. I served with Ore-Ida crowns (www.oreida.com).

maybe ill just eat this…the ends were uneven…whats a girl to do?

this bread is the bomb! yumilicious!

Phew! Done! Beautiful, delicious and satisfying! So colorful, they would make a great party platter! One thing is for sure…..I’m making these again! I hope you give it a try & enjoy! Make it a great night!

What’s it like to live in Paradise?

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 23, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

My kids are out of town, I was on call for a sleepless, Miami weekend, and now….? I’m hanging out in my favorite place…my back patio. I still can’t face the pool…. It’s more an aqua now than florid green…and the sun is setting so the color isn’t as clear to me, thankfully. I’m making progress, anyway. The frogs are starting to sing, the wind is blowing through the umbrella trees, and the peacock across the canal (who keeps running from my camera) is quieting down. Rice and beans are on the stove and I have a few minutes before I need to get back to the kitchen. What’s it like to live in paradise?…..well…..just that…paradise. You just have to remember to get out there and recognize it and take it in…..ah…….. The wine helps (this glass is Josh. www.joshcellars.com)

Tonight I’m making shrimp tacos and black beans as the veggie alternative. My son is very allergic to shellfish, so this week may well have a couple of shrimp dishes, as my boyfriend loves shrimp. The thought of stabbing my son with the epi-pen is just not appealing….and moderately alarming….imagine. Or don’t… I need to go back outside and regain my Zen.

Rice is rice… You got this, right?

Black beans: see prior recipe, but for the adult version add 1/2 chopped jalapeño and 1t red pepper flakes

Shrimp

Heat 1t butter,

1 t chopped garlic,

2T cilantro, finely chopped

2T chipotle sauce, ( SanMarcos is what I’m using)

Cook on med-high 3 mins without stirring to allow a little browning, turn and cook 3 mins

Serve on warm tortillas, with rice, beans, cheese & more salsa

Enjoy!

Groovy Enviornment& Gluten Free Pizza… Mellow Mushroom, South Miami

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 22, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

I’ve been watching the “coming soon” sign for weeks, and finally, it’s open! The Mellow Mushroom in South Miami. www.mellowmushroom.com. Dark tinted windows belie the bright, colorful, modern-psychedelic decor. Widescreen TV’s line the full service bar and the center aisle, so sports fans won’t miss a minute of March Madness.

cool lights, tiled features add to the vibe

elephant greets you at the door

The menu reads like a reassuring gluten free dream….they are educated in cross contamination, use a separate area, special screen, change gloves and aprons….sounds good to me!

gluten free menu with vegan options

I order the “Veg Out” gluten free pizza and a lemonade (on-call) and my date ordered half of a steak and cheese hoagie and a Fiery jalapeño pineapple margarita (yummmm….jealous). The pizza was good and made perfectly to order. The crust, which is vegan, was crunchy and evenly cooked. My able-to-eat-gluten date ate half of my pizza and also thought it was good! Of course, he enjoyed the margarita!

YES!!!

Pretty good! Reasonably priced! Great decor! And….fabulous for a dinner out with or without the kids! Best news, no pain! Enjoy and get out there for some gluten free dining!

Wish you could stay…

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 22, 2015

In Uncategorized

March may well be my favorite month in Miami. It’s warm, but the sun is not yet scorching, it rains, but there aren’t daily thunderstorms reminiscent of a typhoon or the “perfect storm”. Today, my dogs woke me up at 630 (thank you, Humane society!)

cocoa… the early riser

and I went out to find…. A green pool….and not a little green. I guess out of town last weekend and on call this weekend was a bad pool care combo. I can’t blame the pool boy/girl… Because that would be me. Ugh… Note that there is no picture because it’s horrible. While I got to work on the pool, there were so many incredible beautiful things that just make me wish March could stay:

1. Sunrise over tranquil water

gorgeous morning

2. Macaw parrots- released by hurricane Andrew, Coral Gables has a healthy community of these guys! They scream like crazy, but Hey! I’m already awake.

3. Orchids… Everywhere. And the bloom like they were taken from the best gardens in the world, yet I do nothing to them all year.

4. More Birds- Woodpeckers… Sometimes heron, or even on occasion a bald eagle, and a today, beautiful pair of cardinals

I’m off to work. Have a beautiful day!

Put up your feet…it’s been a long week

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 20, 2015

In Gluten free

840 pm. Tired. Hungry. Maybe even cranky? The kids are away on spring break …it’s dark and eerily quiet. The only sound is the dogs pushing their bowls towards me, indignant at the time of my arrival.

You’ve been there, right? We all have. Walking in later than we wanted to, and met by by the job requirements of your home, kids & pets! Great nutrition can be quick & easy! Make it living room dinner night ….DISREGARD if you have kids AND carpet in your living room –– let everyone sit and put their feet up, grab a board game and eat a meal made in 5 mins! (You can clean up what they drop tomorrow… Or better yet, let the dog in to help with after dinner clean up!

Roll up some cold cuts if you have meat eaters, slice some fruit, open a box of crackers and slice some cheese. Serve on a platter or individual plates and garnish with a piece of dark chocolate….remember dark chocolate reduces stress, lowers blood pressure & yummmmmm. Save the stress for something that warrants it. Making dinner should not be one of them. Deep breath in…..bite of chocolate….repeat… Make it a great night!

Dinner for 2… Better watch your plate, or that chocolate will be mine

Fiesta! And your family will celebrate with food like this!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 19, 2015

In Gluten free, Gluten Free Dining

Tonight marks the beginning of spring break for my 3 kids, and tomorrow they go on vacation with their Dad for a week, so I wanted to celebrate their well-deserved break with a nice dinner! I asked them if they wanted to go out (please?), but they voted for …..tacos! There are so many Mexican gluten free dishes to choose from… But this is my kids all time favorite!

So let’s get started! The menu:

Homemade corn tortillas

Black beans

Rice

Guacamole

Grass fed ground beef (for the carnivores)

In the interest of efficiency (as parents this is goal número uno) start the beans first.

Black Beans

1/2 red onion, chopped ( chop the whole thing… You’ll use the rest for beef and guacamole)

1 tsp chopped garlic

I chopped potato

Mix in saucepan with 1T olive oil and salt and pepper until potato is browned

Add,

1/2 c shredded carrots

2-3 sweet peppers, chopped roughly

1T Italian seasoning

After 2-3 min add 1 can of black beans

Add 1/4 c cilantro , stir

Reduce to simmer and cook until you are ready to eat (20 mins – 2 hours)

Ready , set, go!

onions, garlic and potato… browned

can’t wait…. I’m getting hungry

Homemade Corn Torillas

Don’t be intimidated by a tortilla…these are easy, easy, easy….and handmade tortillas….ah…..heaven…great with butter, cinnamon & sugar, Nutella (what isn’t good with Nutella), and….yes….TACOS!

What you need…

A tortilla press (readily available on Amazon.com), corn flour (I use Maseca), salt & water

2 c corn flour

1 t salt

1 1/3 c warm water

Mix and knead….with your hands….you can skip therapy this week…and then roll into little balls, cover until ready to use.

dont be intimidated!

Go ahead! work out your issues…

knead into a smooth ball…feel better?

ready to impress….with the press

Okay! Break time…all my veggies are prepped. Guacamole is made and in fridge, the brown rice is in the rice maker and…. it’s time for a swim!! To eat like this, a girls got to exercise! When I get home really late, I just continue on…the last part will take only 15 minutes. The first part should take you 20-30- depending on whether your children are running interference…..

When I get back, I brown the beef (feel free to omit this….I don’t eat meat..so I can’t even tell you if its good but my son says it’s awesome) with 1/4 red onion, garlic, 1T chipotle. Done!

Next press the tortillas, wrap your press in Saran Wrap, cook on med-high (no oil!) 50 sec per side, remove and wrap in towel.

put a little muscle into it… youre burning fat!

ok…i’m getting hungry again… i wonder if i have nutella

Ok! That’s it! Get ready for your fiesta…. You’re going to book a trip to Mexico after this one!

serve it up family style!

Peace On Earth….and at dinner.

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 19, 2015

In Gluten Free Dining

If you have more than one child, you understand that dinner can erupt like a volcano of hot molten disobedience. Dining as a family has so many benefits, but honestly there are nights that seem like I’m a negotiator for the United Nations rather than a surgeon & mom. So, a shout out to Macaroni’s Grill (@macaroniGrill) for reminding my family that dinner together can be fun! During a recent Disney vacation, we went to Macaroni’s Grill for dinner, where my kids (all of them) and I were enamored with the paper covered tables and crayons. Now for you celiacs and gluten free fans, I safely enjoyed a Caprese Salad!

Now, for special occasions, like tonight which marks the beginning of spring break for my kids, or if I sense that the natives are cranky, out comes the roll of IKEA craft paper (@IKEAUSA) and …..phew….. Dinner is fun, conversation pleasant and drawing abundant.

Love and Peace… On earth and at your dinner table.

Sweet Spring Salad

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 18, 2015

In Gluten free

In the mood for a delicious, nutritious, filling salad?

Gotta try this!

Organic mixed baby greens

1/4 c shredded carrot

1/2 c snap peas

1/2 c cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 Organic Daisy Girl Apple, cored & chopped

1/4 c rasperries

1 T chia seeds

1/4 c walnuts

balsamic glaze for dressing

gorgonzola cheese (optional)

Toss veggies, top with fruit, seeds & nuts, dress with Balsamic Glaze and

Yummy!

Where’s the Car? In the GARAGE!

By GlutenFreeHolly

On March 18, 2015

In Home organization

I always wanted a house with a 2 car garage…. But the idea of parking one car, let alone 2 has always seemed preposterous! With no basements in Miami, my garage had become the mainstay of my storage system. The whole garage, the entirety of it, was cluttered with containers and boxes, toys and crafts, all spilling over in a complete mess. Over the last year, I have cleaned, contained, organized, sorted, donated and disposed of garage items until finally reaching the point where I thought, with a system of organization, perhaps I could use my garage for its intended purpose.

A lucky silent auction purchase at a fundraising gala introduced me to Garage Transformation & Organization, LLC. www.garagestoragemiami.com

They quickly came and installed a “Monkey Bar” system that spans 4′ and was able to organize all of our bikes as well as store 4-6 large containers on the top.

The next step was to find unused space. The team at GTO suggested overhead storage. This storage solution allows streamlined overhead storage and frees up much needed floor space.

overhead storage

Finally, the teetering , unstable, wood shelving was tackled, replacing it with a combination of free standing commercial grade wire metal shelving (Sandusky), a MonkeyBar unit, and a set of 36″ drop down shelves. The result is clean, streamlined, organized storage, with more than enough room for the cars!