happy halloween!

"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin."

Linus Van Pelt

in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

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And, of course, just like last year, I am at home sick on halloween. Yep. I have the whole shebang this year. So I will be sitting on the couch, drinking Juicy Juice, catching up on episodes of Mad Men.

New GF foods (and other stuff)

I was adventurous this week. I tried not one, but TWO new gluten free foods. AND I found a new place to go and buy warpaint.

Glutino Vegetable crackers

Oh my. These crackers are DELICIOUS. They were so good with cheese. I was never a big cracker eater in my gluten infested days, but I may become one now because of Glutino. Unfortunately, I may not be able to afford that addiction. These babies were almost $5 a box at my local Kroger, but I am on a mission to find portable foods with the holidays coming up and all.

I read so much hype about these chicken nuggets. And after the epic fail that is Ian's chicken nuggets - they were SO gross - I wasn't quick to try these. But I should have. Unlike crackers, I did eat a lot of chicken nuggets before going GF. But one squabble: they are teeny-tiny. These were actually $6, but there was enough for two people.

I also saw a fruit I had never seen before at the grocery store before (this is odd because I am the one to eat prickly pears and pluots). It was a persimmon! So I bought some and am waiting for them to get ripe. But they do look nice on the counter!

I also have an unfortunate new obsession: Sally Beauty Supply. I was in heaven when I walked in there the first time. The Sally Girl cosmetics are so delightful! The colors are gorgeous and none of them are over $1! They kind of remind me of the mark. by Avon products. The eyeshadow actually STAYS ON MY EYES. Amazing, right?

The most amazing thing I bought at Sally was this Clarisonic-esque facial cleaner dealy thingy. It is called the i-Skin and it feels like a facial. Seeing as I cannot afford a $200+ vibrating brush, I went the el cheapo route and bought a $20 knockoff. And I am addicted. Seriously. Adam is going to find me huddled in the bathroom corner washing my face and unwilling to let go. It is that good.

Oh Pioneer by Whitman

COME, my tan-faced children, Follow well in order, get your weapons ready;

Have you your pistols? have you your sharp edged axes? Pioneers! O pioneers!

For we cannot tarry here, We must march my darlings, we must bear

the brunt of danger, We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O pioneers!

O you youths, western youths, So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,

Plain I see you, western youths, see you tramping with the foremost, Pioneers! O pioneers!

Have the elder races halted? Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied, over there

beyond the seas? We take up the task eternal, and the burden,

and the lesson, Pioneers! O pioneers!

All the past we leave behind; We debouch upon a newer, mightier world, varied world,

Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march, Pioneers! O pioneers!

Celiac Awareness Month

October is Celiac Awareness Month (actually, there are two Celiac Awareness months and one Celiac Awareness day).

Celiac Disease is a serious problem in and of itself, compounded by the fact that only about 2 percent of those inflicted are actually diagnosed. And according to the latest numbers, you probably know someone who has CD. 1 in 133 people are estimated to have it, but so few doctors actually test for it. I suffered for literally 22 years before FINALLY being diagnosed. I had symptoms from birth, but my mother was just told I had colic and was lactose intolerant (in addition to being a banana baby). And so little is actually known about CD. Not too long ago, it was considered a problem one would grow out of, but this is far from the truth.

sunday, sunday, sunday!

First things first: I bought a new slowcooker. It is amazing, if I do say. It is probably the most high tech thing in my kitchen repertoire (not far behind is my mandolin & my KitchenAid deluxe mixer).

A-ma-zing. It has a temperature probe, a timer, and it is 6 quarts -- meaning a full chicken will fit in there. SO. EXCITED.

Also, Sunday is the day to cook. In addition to the chicken in the brand-spankin'-new slow cooker, I am making chicken and rice soup AND banana bread.

Who knows what other dishes I will think of before the end of the day (it is only noon, after all).

October!

May the wind always be at your back and the sun always upon your face and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars