Living in Paradise-And the School Year is Almost Over!!

This is a sunset on the west coast of Florida! It's as beautiful here in the evening as it is during the day. I have been enjoying the weather here (as much as I can!) since August of last year. Making travel plans the evening before flying down to accept a teaching position has been one of the most adventuresome things I have ever done. But wait! Teaching third grade this year has been like an adventure.

Teaching has been my dream. Giving students the background needed to become the best person they can be, thrive as a learner, and succeed in life brings joy to them and to me as their teacher. When I arrived here in Florida, my new chapter in life started with great people and great things happening. Thank you Mary for giving me a comfortable place to stay for the first few days. When I walked into the school I was welcomed by wonderful people and felt completely at home. I was blown over by the offer to stay at a team member's house and took Rosemarie up on her offer until I found a place of my own.

While I have been busy with my first year teaching, it has been great that family and friends have taken the time to come visit. It forced me to take some well needed breaks. I have enjoyed many days and evenings with Angelo, Phil, Bryan, Paula and Doug soaking in the sun and watching gorgeous sunsets from the beaches on the gulf. I have had the opportunity to garden in the sun-- sweating up a storm. Actually Angelo and my neighbor are the best when it comes to getting a lot done outside. We have made a BIG difference in the curb appeal since we moved in last November.

I am so blessed to have come to a new area and have settled in so well. I am grateful for all the help I have had, the family and friends who have visited and for a wonderful school year. To celebrate let's toast the end of the first year, to great weather and to great company with a great glass of Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and a Gluten Free Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pizza.

Gluten-Free Roasted Tomato and Artichoke Pizza

1 pkg Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Mix

1 9 oz jar California Sun-Dry Sun-dried tomato spread

6 oz crumbled goat cheese

Roasted red pepper, sliced

12 oz marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/3 cup chopped black olives

Olive oil

Corn meal

Sea salt, to taste

Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Make crust according to package directions. Package makes 2 pizzas, so wrap one and refrigerate to use for later, or freeze. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread a thin layer of corn meal on a pizza stone. Using wet hands spread dough onto the stone. Bake without toppings for 7-9 minutes.

Remove from oven and cover with spread, salt and pepper, roasted peppers, artichokes, goat cheese and olives. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Enjoy!!

Experiment and change up the toppings on the next one!!

Friday Night Take-Out

What is better than coming home on a Friday evening when you are dragging your _ _ _ than a phone call to a favorite restaurant for dinner. Pei-Wei is one of my favorite places since they have gluten free meals to choose from. They are a reasonable take-out Asian diner that is tasty, affordable and just a great place to grab a bite and sit or just order and eat at home. The Vietnamese Chicken Salad Rolls are very good, and that is what's for dinner this evening. Just remember to click on the gluten free menu to find what will work for you. Good Eating!!

Just When You Think Things Are Good, They Get More Challenging

I have neglected my blog for a bit, because I came across another hurdle to jump over. I have gotten over the first hurdle and I want to share how I have done that. First and most important I have to thank my wonderful husband for being my support and loving me no matter what. I also have a great group of family and friends who helped me get through the tough times also.

Now, let me tell you what I have been running from. I have been running from the chance that my ulcerative colitis could turn into cancer. Through many colonoscopies it was determined, by my doctor, that the chance was right around the corner and a total colectomy was recommended. After the shock, I made the appointment and went through the surgery. What should have been a week long stay in the hospital turned into thirteen long days.

My diet restrictions have actually gotten worse since I had the surgery. I went home with an ileostomy, which means watch what you eat even more!!! Haven't I already had enough of this. I guess not; but it is only temporary. I will have a second surgery to reverse the ileostomy when the pouch is healed that was made from my small intestine.

Sooooo, no raw vegetables ( I guess I just need potato chips and my gluten free pretzels with my dip), no seeds or nuts, cook all your vegetables until they are mush (where did all the nutrients go?) and keep your diet low residue. For those who do not know what that means, it means stop eating fiber- you don't need it anymore. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK A LOT OF WATER-- ALL DAY!!

I also want to say to all who have an ileostomy for the first time it seems like such a life altering thing, and it is, but it is something that takes some trial and error to find what works well. Take it one day at a time, pray, look deep into yourself and give it your best. It was really nice to have a nurse come to the house to help me find the right fit. I could not have done as well by myself.

If I can do this, especially at this time of life, everybody can. I have hope that whatever I put my heart and soul into I can accomplish. I will try to keep my postings current, as well as finding and posting new recipes that will help keep me nourished and satisfy my taste buds.

Happy Holidays

Hubby and I went on vacation!! It was a needed break from our hectic schedules of work, school, homework and not to mention our opposite schedules. Well, we went to Florida for a good friend's daughter's wedding. We usually don't go to Florida during Christmas break, since our weather disaster at Disney World when the boys were young. We ran around in rainy 50 degree weather with three young boys and a sick husband. But this time we were hoping for warmer weather and we had it for a few days. One good thing-- NO rain for the gorgeous bride on her special day. A little chilly, but a blanket of celebration warmed the entire group of well wishers. Stephanie and Jim - have a great honeymoon and keep that spark going 'for as long as you both shall live'. Another good thing- we loved seeing our good friends Barb and Gary and the rest of the family. Thank you for sharing your holiday with us!!

Best Wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year!!

Welcome 2010!!

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Where had the time gone. I can't believe it's the last day of a decade; one where we have seen more hardship and negative impacts on our country then we care to remember. Some of them, unfortunately we will not forget though.

We plan on celebrating the beginning of a new decade with good friends tonight. Good friends always deserve good food, so tonight we will be having a Spinach Caprese Salad for an appetizer, along with some Parmesan cheese straws. For our main course Paula and Jeff are making crab legs, roasted potatoes, and steamed vegetables. After some challenging games of cards and dominoes we will be ready for Tiramisu Roulade, a chocolate desert that looks heavenly and I am sure will taste the same. Check out Simply Gluten Free for many recipes that everyone will love.

Changing of the Seasons

It was Halloween one day and then it seemed to turn right into the Christmas Season. It is that time of year where we all turn to our fall favorite foods to comfort us. I am always looking for new grain-free recipes for comfort foods. I have found a few new ones and one comes to mind lately. It is not a warm dish, but it is just as good. Chick peas are a staple in my house and they are a great source of protein. The following recipe is one I found in a maple syrup cookbook, but I have changed to make it my own.

Chick Pea Salad with Roasted Peppers

1 can (15oz) chick peas, drained and rinsed

2 peppers (use a variety of colors)

1/2 cup cubed smoked ham

1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sliced scallions

Roast peppers: roast both whole peppers by charing all around under a broiler, on a grill pan or even on your BBQ grill. Once they are charred, cool them slightly and peel the skin off and wipe away the seeds. Cut peppers into strips.

Dressing:

3/4 cup corn oil

2 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard

pinch of red pepper flakes

Combine salad ingredients in a bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in a container with a lid, shake until blended. Pour over salad, stir together. Refrigerate at least 3 hours. Serves 6.

Share the wealth!!

What a typical cold, rainy day. The only thing that I accomplished today was to go through all of my coupons and just hit the road and shop. We went to Meijer's and saved about $8 in coupons, but it did not compare to the hundreds that which the Sharpen Your Scissor Lady saves. I went to a seminar she had in Farmington, at our district technology expo. She is wonderful and has great ways to save on groceries. She even has a class, where you can learn how to get organized and be able to save like she does. Check her out, I don't think you will be disappointed.

*did you know that Meijer's has coupons on their web-site that you can use along with a manufacture coupon? Check the site out at Meijer's and look for specials in the box on the right.