Adventures in g-free

So far my gluten-free diet has been a success. It's been 3 weeks, and no stomach issues! I'm also feeling healthier in general. I don't get sleepy after lunch at work, and just overall feel like I have more energy.

It has been difficult though. There seems to be gluten in everything! Going out to eat is a challenge, so I usually just stick with a salad. Grocery shopping can be tricky, too. I downloaded an app for my phone that scans the bar code of food and lets you know if it contains gluten. This has come in really handy. For instance, the regular canned black beans at Trader Joe's contain gluten, but not the organic kind.

For the most part, my diet has become healthier. I've been eating more veggies and fruits, lots of chicken, fish and salads, and am actually incorporating breakfast into my morning routine now. It's a strange feeling to not be starving by lunch and scarf down an entire pizza. But, I have found ways to splurge. Turns out gluten-free doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Potatoes, cheese, ice cream, bacon, Cheetos...all gluten-free. In fact, you can still eat fast food! Some of the best places are Wendy's (nearly all their salads, baked potatoes, french fries, chili, even frosties!), Chipotle (everything but the flour tortilla), Arby's and Burger King fries (but steer clear of McDonald's), and even In n' Out (they serve burgers wrapped in lettuce and the fries are safe, good news for trips down to PD).

I've even found quite a few gluten-free alternatives at the grocery store for things like flour tortillas, pasta, pizza crust, flour, beer and bread. So far I haven't found anything that compares to the real thing, and they aren't even really healthy. They are still processed foods, so they are high in both calories and fat. I think my next plan will be to try and cut out foods that are highly processed, this will also be a challenge!

gluten-free junk food

gluten free beer and pizza - just not the same

I have also found myself cooking more. I tried a couple yummy quinoa recipes. One for mini turkey meatloafs and another with black beans and corn. Both delicious and easy to bring to work for lunch.

perfect size for snacking or small meal

I've also been on a salad kick. The BLT chop still remains a favorite, as well as taco salad, yum!

never get sick of this one

Here's another fun recipe I came across for a snack, roasted chick peas. Easy to make and you can season them however you want.

And finally, I gave Trader Joe's gluten-free flour a shot (made from rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour) and made the recipe for blueberry muffins they had on the back. They turned out delicious and moist right out of the oven, but by morning they were super dry and almost impossible to eat without washing them down with water.

After my first gluten-free baking experience didn't turn out so well, I downloaded the Wheat Belly cookbook and am planning to give their baked goods a shot (tortillas, biscuits, bread, pizza dough). Hopefully they will turn out to be a hit since I think cutting back on my gluten intake will become a more permanent diet after seeing the benefits so far.

Pot problem

Looks like I've inherited my mom's pot problem as the trips to Home Depot, Lowes, Fred Meyer, and various nurseries continue. I just can't get enough! Here are some pics of my potting projects.

new herbs and flowers for my balcony

pots from Fred Meyer

hanging pots gifted by mom

purchased my own Japanese maple for
the pot from Flower World - added some
Dollar Store rocks and some hens & chicks

And some non-pot related pics. The tree I bought to replace the icky plum tree I had removed, and a new kitty friend.

Blue Atlas Cedar tree

Chloe the Cat

Chloe happened to be in the driveway when my mom stopped by and waltzed right in the front door. We led her out through the back, and she stuck around awhile as we gardened. After smacking my plastic flamingo once in the head, she hopped the fence and left. Sassy little thing. Here's hoping she makes her way back!

Father's Day

Father's Day was this past Sunday, and I had a great time spending the afternoon with Dad. I invited him over to my place for a late lunch. As it got closer to the time he was supposed to show up, I got this text from him. This is just a sample of the odd "texts from Dad" I often receive. I could probably devote an entire post for these. 

typical

I was right, he meant Delridge, so he showed up shortly after. We sat out in the sun on my patio for a bit, then headed in to catch the rest US Open. We got some use out of my bar as I mixed us some cocktails then lounged on the couch for some golf...pretty much my dad's perfect day. I got quite the golf lesson (as I typically do when it's on), so now I'm all caught up on my golf knowledge. Thanks, Dad!

We bbq'd some hotdogs, opened his gift (UW branded golf balls and tees), then Dad was on his way. Thanks for the fun afternoon, Dad, and happy Father's Day!

Kylee's Bridal Shower

A couple weekends ago, us girls headed out to Tacoma to shower sweet little Kylee for her upcoming wedding. The shower was held at her mother's house, and her mom along with the bridesmaids did a wonderful job putting it all together. The food, the decorations, the games...everything was great (even the weather)!

Kylee looked adorable as always, even though she was prolonging an oncoming cold, poor thing.

Chi O's

I was even able to stick to my diet with all the yummy finger food (and a few glasses of punch). But it sure was torture to pass up on the cupcakes, those things looked delicious! From all the "mmmm's" from the girls, I know I was missing out. That's okay though, I told Maureen that she could eat the two that I would have had.

how cute is that?!

Since it was such a great day, we all sat outside as we played games to see who knew Kylee best, and to see how well Kylee knows her husband-to-be. Turns out not so well...but the questions were hard! 

Kylee also opened her gifts. You know we're all getting old when we get excited over bath towels and pots and pans.

We're all so excited for your big day, and can't wait for you to be Mrs. Win'e (or Mrs. French-Wine). So happy for you, Sister!

Patio progress

I'm in love...with my patio. Is that possible?

I'm just so happy with how it's all turning out, and I really enjoy having a space to be outside especially with this nice weather we've been having.

I've made quite a bit of progress. Here's a list of all my outdoor projects:

• Spray painted my old wrought iron bistro set - the chairs are now green, and the table stayed the same dark gray, but now looks cleaner 
• Got some striped seat cushions for the now green chairs
• Bought some fun orange chairs on sale at Target
• My mom purchased a green patio umbrella and a round glass table for me (thanks, Mom!)
• Put together a fountain from Home Depot for ahh-mbiance
• Bought a fire pit and started a collection of fire wood and presto logs to get me through the summer
• Hung some ceramic candle lanterns from a couple of posts I got at Home Depot
• Filled in the flower beds with new dirt
• Laid out rope lighting along the perimeter of my patio
• Spray painted a pot shaped like a chicken bright orange (to be fittingly filled with hens and chicks)
• Got a pink plastic flamingo, Dad would be proud

potted plant from my coworker and the chicken

 

lit up at night

Here are some things still left on the to-do list:

• Stake down my rope lighting (My mom had the clever idea to clip off the ends of wire hangars and use those. She even drove me to the cleaners where they gave me a ton...for free!)
• Replace the plum tree I had removed with something a little less ginormous and messy 
• Fill in the flower beds with plants and flowers (Clint will gladly have input for this part)
• String up the twinkly lights I got from Target
• Have my fence looked at to either be repaired or replaced entirely

So far it's been a lot of fun having a new space to decorate...uncharted territory for a new Pinterest board!

Flower World

So lately Clint has been all about plants and gardening...like obsessed. He's turned his condo balcony into quite the potted plant oasis, and taking him to a nursery is like a kid in a candy store.

Ever since I told him about Flower World, he's been itching to go. I myself had never been, but heard it's the mecca of nurseries. So, on Sunday we made the trek out to the middle of nowhere Maltby to see what all the hype was about.

Our first stop was at the Maltby Café. We walked in and saw the huge crowd of people on the waiting list, and opted for Maltby Pizza & Pasta just next door (oh how I long for my pre-gluten-free days!). We enjoyed a delicious pizza, and were on our way.

Next stop, Flower World. This place is ginormous, and even has it's own lake with a running water wheel and swarms of ducks and geese lining the shores.

We found a place to park and delved right in. It was pretty intimidating, and we weren't really sure where to start. An employee noticed how lost we looked and suggested we take a map. Yes, this place is so big you need a map.

We wandered around for about an hour checking out every section. I think Clint must have been in an overwhelmed stupor, because after not finding anything, we were about to leave. Then a plant caught his eye, so we needed a tray to carry it in. Then he filled up the tray and needed a cart. Then he was on a roll. He even talked himself into buying a Japanese Maple tree that he had been considering. I'm sure he would have filled up another cart or two if it wasn't for closing time. We headed to the checkout, which is where I found a cool pot for my patio.

cute snapping turtles

after the clouds parted and the sun came out

Clint toting his plants, so happy

endless rows of flowers

Clint's new tree in my new pot. He took the
tree home despite how good it looked here.

Clint's haul

It turned out to be a successful trip, but our verdict was it's just to far away to make a second trip. It was cool to see, but we'll stick to trusty ol' Home Depot from now on.

Wait, no pizza or beer?

Last Saturday, Sarah and Colleen (and Osa...my house is becoming quite pet friendly) came over for a last minute girls night. Clint was headed to "some cowboy concert" (Kenny Chesney) with the guys, so I wanted to take advantage of the nice weather and invited over the girls.

sweet, sweet Osa all tuckered out

We bbq'd brats (and a garden burger for Colleen), and at Sarah's request we had the BLT chop salad again...we just can't get enough, so good! We had a fun time eating, drinking, and catching up all while enjoying the nice weather on the patio. As it got colder, we moved inside. We had intentions of lighting up the fire pit...but starting fires is a boys job.

Sarah mentioned the book she is reading, Wheat Belly (there is also a Wheat Belly blog with cool articles and recipes). According to Amazon, it's a book in which "a renowned cardiologist explains how eliminating wheat from our diets can prevent fat storage, shrink unsightly bulges, and reverse myriad health problems." She was pretty adamant about me also reading it, but more importantly giving it a try. With my digestive issues, this could be a big help. After hearing about her weight loss and health improvements, I was sold. Why not cut out wheat and gluten from my diet and see what happens? Then I realized that meant no beer and no pizza! I must be crazy, but I'm gonna give it a shot. I'm hoping that after 2 or 3 weeks I'll be able to notice a difference.

So after getting all hyped up on my new diet and researching what my meals would entail, I also downloaded the book for my Kindle and read the first few pages...and here's what I found on page 2:

"I've seen dramatic turnarounds in health, such as the thirty-eight-year old woman with ulcerative colitis facing colon removal who was cured with wheat elimination - colon intact."

What? Has pizza and beer been the death of me all these years? I sure hope not, since I can't fathom a life without them in my diet. Maybe the answer is moderation...like only indulging every few weeks instead of every few days.

I'm excited to read more of the book and find out if I see results, wish me luck!

Neighbor night

My good friend Anne and I recently became bonafide adults and purchased our very first homes. We were neighbors for over 5 years at the Dexter house, and once I moved out, Anne wasn't too far behind me. She found a great condo in Ballard, and soon her rent checks became mortgage payments...which I guess is what grown-ups do.

Both Anne and I used Henry as our real estate agent, and one of the perks is the $50 El Gaucho gift cards he gives his clients as a housewarming present. So last Thursday, we decided to celebrate "us" with a fancy dinner and a night out on the town.

We definitely splurged on dinner...a bottle of wine, table side caesar salads, surf and turf (I had the steak topped with lobster, Anne had steak oscar), and a side of mushroom risotto to share. Henry also graciously sent a bottle of champagne to the table, what better way to celebrate! We ended up taking it home with us to open another time, like once Anne is all settled and we can break in her new place.

We were too stuffed for dessert, so we headed off to the Can Can to see the Heavenly Spies perform Tiny Diamonds for the last time. 

we weren't drunk, it was the flash...I swear

okay maybe just buzzed :)

It was such a fun night! I sure do miss being neighbors, but thankfully Ballard and West Seattle aren't too far apart.

MDW Weekend

I love staycation weekends!

Memorial Day weekend snuck up on me again this year, so we never made any plans to get out of town. That's okay with me though, since no plans for a three-day weekend can lead to some impromptu fun!

Friday night started as a low-key night in. The plan was to rent a movie and be couch potatoes. But then I got a pizza craving (weird), so we headed up the street to Talaricos and split one of their deliciously ginormous slices. Then Clint got a call from his friend Kyle saying that him and his fiancé Jen had just eloped at the court house and were out celebrating...at Pesos. So, off we went. I hadn't stepped foot in Pesos in years, but not a thing has changed. Same bartenders, same bouncer, even same smell. We toasted to the newlyweds all night with shots of fireball and jager bombs (ouch!). After the bar, we stumbled across the street to Dick's for cheeseburgers, fries, and of course milkshakes. It turned out to be a great night.

Saturday morning, I was set on making some progress on getting my back patio together. Clint and I made a trip to both Lowes and Home Depot (my most frequented stores these days) and bought lots of stuff. I found bags of dirt on sale to put in the flower beds along the patio, whiskey barrels to use as planters, a water fountain, fire pit, and a flamingo (for backyard flare).

getting good use out of the truck

When we got back to my place with everything, we thought it'd be fun to have some friends over to enjoy it with us. I gave Sarah a call, and her and Taylor just happened to already be in West Seattle (so not creepy, right?). It worked out perfectly, so they came over for a backyard BBQ. They even had sweet little Finley with them, who is such a well-behaved dog that it almost convinced me I need one (or my mother, hint hint...). Sarah and I got dinner ready while the boys put together the fire pit and carried my BBQ down to the patio from my balcony (thanks for the manual labor, T!). We grilled up some burgers, and I tried out a couple new recipes for a BLT chop salad and sweet potato fries. They both were a hit, but the salad was especially delicious. I highly recommend it.

Clint and Taylor discussing man things...with Finley

picture of the salad recipe, seriously try it!

Dan happened to be at home studying for his CFA exam (Hilarie was visiting a friend in Reno), so he joined us to take a break. The five of us sat outside while it attempted to rain as we enjoyed dinner and sat by the fire pit. I can't wait to host more get togethers now, especially as the weather gets better!

looks cold, but we were determined to stay outside

roaring fire

On Sunday, Clint left to spend the day with his Dad as he was flying back to San Diego. While they were out, Mom came over and we did some shopping and lunching around West Seattle. We hit up Husky Deli for lunch (our fave) and split one of their yummy sandwiches. Then we walked around the West Seattle Farmer's Market where mom bought some flowers. We also drove down to the West Seattle nursery where I got some ideas for my yard. And then of course, we had to make one of my now daily stops at Home Depot.

pretty flowers at the market

West Seattle Nursery's chicken...or
is that a rooster?

when you move a plant, they run over
to look for worms and bugs

I then drug Mom back to my place and put her to work. She helped me put together the new fountain I had just found (and packaged up the one I purchased the day before so I could return it), and we also got my curtain rod hung and curtains hemmed and ironed that I bought at Ikea for my office. She really is the best. Once she was done with her chores, I let her go home.

That night, Clint and I were invited to Kyle and Jen's house in Bellevue for a "celebratory wedding dinner". Jen prepared a traditional Chinese hot pot meal, and it was delicious. It kind of reminded me of fondue. There was a large pot on a hot burner in the middle of the dining table filled with broth, tofu, and some veggies. Then we each made our own bowl of dipping sauce. We also had all sorts of raw meat for cooking in the pot...steak, chicken, pork, fish, dumplings, shrimp...so much food! We had fun fishing around the pot for the meat we'd drop in, and yelled at Clint every time he took something that wasn't his (he didn't exactly get the concept). Here's hoping they invite us back for next time.

The next day, Mom and I planned on having a "Mother's Day Redo" since she was traveling for work on actual mother's day and we missed it. She usually puts together a list of chores for me to do around her house and yard, but this year I think the rain put us in a lazy mood (I also probably wore my mom out the day before with my own housework). So instead, we went to Burgermaster for lunch...cause there you don't even need to get out of the car! We also went to Lowe's and Home Depot (weird).

As I headed home that evening, I topped my holiday weekend off by getting myself into a car accident. I was driving south on I-99 through the Battery St tunnel. As I started to go around the turn, my back tires started to slip away from me (even with the new tires I just had put on) and my car fishtailed as I tried to correct it. I ended up hitting the wall with my front bumper, and fortunately I was perfectly fine! Other cars behind me saw in time, so they were able to slow down and come to a stop without plowing into me. I really lucked out. I was able to back my car off the curb and drive to the first exit to pull over, park, and get out of the way. The nice couple behind me followed to make sure I was okay. The husband was a WSU grad class of '52, and said that I am now indebted to his fellow Cougs and to help them out if I ever come across one in need. He also told me to go home and enjoy a nice big glass of wine...sounds about right coming from a Coug.

The tow truck came to take my car to the shop, and my loving mommy dearest came to my rescue and drove me home. She really is just the best!

Despite its ending, it was still a really great weekend. Now I'm ready for summer!