I've been reading "Gluten Free Girl" this past week. I notice a LOT of things that are familiar with the author's account of realizing that she's been allergic to gluten her whole life. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that I may be too but on the other hand I was hoping that my allergies would not cross over into the food category.
In my downtime, I will be researching how to "go gluten free" and how to get locally grown food to see if that helps make my symptoms subside. Apparently it is a majorly under-diagnosed condition. I have a good friend who finally received a firm diagnosis over a decade after first showing symptoms.
If I have to, I will de-gluten my house and become a vigorous food label reader. I don't keep that much in my house but here's a short list of what I'll have to give to my mom/sister's pantry:
1. Flour
2. Pancake Mix
3. Beer bread mix
This is what I will have to stock up on:
1. Canola oil
2. Tapioca flour
3. Chocolate (not a bad thing :)
3. Polenta (always wanted to try that)
4. Unsalted butter (usually need that)
5. Champagne vinegar
6. Cooking wine
7. Gluten free sauces as needed
8. Quinoa
10. Almond Flour
11. Sheep's and Goat's cheese
12. Rice noodles and gluten free pasta at large
What I will keep: whole wheat pasta for George!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Citizen Spitzer
I was walking up Fifth Avenue to work this morning and across the sidewalk was no other than Mr. Spitzer. When the scandal revolving around him broke the day I began my current job, 16 months ago, I thought that it was good he was knocked off his high horse. He spent the last year in "hiding" and has gone back to work I guess. But looking across the street at someone who was such a public figure made me think of the Icarus story in Greek mythology.
For those of you who did not take 3 years of Latin, Icarus was the figure who built wax wings so he could fly. His father, Daedalus, warned him not to fly too close to the sun. But he did and plunged to his death into the sea.
I believe both Mr. Spitzer and John Edwards (see my blog post last month) suffered a similar temptation with wax wings of another kind, women. I guess you could also call it rock star syndrome but still I admire Mrs. Spitzer and Mrs. Edwards (despite her using it to launch her memoirs) for forgiving their respective husband.
An old friend reminded me the other day not to throw the first stone when it came to criticizing other people's fidelity but it doesn't mean I can't use it as a lesson in my own life. Fidelity is a cornerstone to my relationship with George because it's bound up with trust.
However, I'd have to be outta my mind to look at any other guy the way I do at him. George says he has never noticed a beautiful woman walking down the street and while I tease him about that, I really believe it's true.
For those of you who did not take 3 years of Latin, Icarus was the figure who built wax wings so he could fly. His father, Daedalus, warned him not to fly too close to the sun. But he did and plunged to his death into the sea.
I believe both Mr. Spitzer and John Edwards (see my blog post last month) suffered a similar temptation with wax wings of another kind, women. I guess you could also call it rock star syndrome but still I admire Mrs. Spitzer and Mrs. Edwards (despite her using it to launch her memoirs) for forgiving their respective husband.
An old friend reminded me the other day not to throw the first stone when it came to criticizing other people's fidelity but it doesn't mean I can't use it as a lesson in my own life. Fidelity is a cornerstone to my relationship with George because it's bound up with trust.
However, I'd have to be outta my mind to look at any other guy the way I do at him. George says he has never noticed a beautiful woman walking down the street and while I tease him about that, I really believe it's true.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
My On Again Off Again Relationship with TV and Reading
I haven't been home much well since well I can't remember. I don't have a cable box and I don't have a DVR so that means I miss a lot of TV. I did not watch a single episode of "Big Bang Theory" (pending season 2 DVD release...arrgh!)
In terms of reading, well I get to read A LOT. I'm a train commuter which means I don't have to keep my eyes on the road. Currently I'm reading a vampire/werewolf book "True Blood" which I have to say is disappointing to "Twilight" but I'm managing to work through my growing disinterest. It doesn't compare to trying to read "Atlas Shrugged" which George is currently working through. I gave up 50 pages in and have been strongly encouraged to give it another try. It's more likely that I will remodel my bathroom before I try that novel again (Sorry George!)
In terms of reading, well I get to read A LOT. I'm a train commuter which means I don't have to keep my eyes on the road. Currently I'm reading a vampire/werewolf book "True Blood" which I have to say is disappointing to "Twilight" but I'm managing to work through my growing disinterest. It doesn't compare to trying to read "Atlas Shrugged" which George is currently working through. I gave up 50 pages in and have been strongly encouraged to give it another try. It's more likely that I will remodel my bathroom before I try that novel again (Sorry George!)
Mango Smoothie Goodness
My life is like a Mango smoothie right now: ripe, sweet, and delicious.
Let me tell you why:
1. I have an adorable, healthy nephew. He laughs whenever my mom's cell phone rings.
2. There's this guy who is very special to me, his name is George. He will be reading this and laugh.
3. My parents: they've been married 36 years this weekend!
4. My house, my house. It will be one year in my possession next month.
5. It's wedding season (but not for me, phew!), enough said. I have a few more checks and gift cards to buy.
6. Travel plans in the coming months will take me: down the shore, to our nation's capitol, the city of brotherly love and finally to outer space and beyond (kidding).
7. I'm so lucky, I have to pinch myself sometimes.
Let me tell you why:
1. I have an adorable, healthy nephew. He laughs whenever my mom's cell phone rings.
2. There's this guy who is very special to me, his name is George. He will be reading this and laugh.
3. My parents: they've been married 36 years this weekend!
4. My house, my house. It will be one year in my possession next month.
5. It's wedding season (but not for me, phew!), enough said. I have a few more checks and gift cards to buy.
6. Travel plans in the coming months will take me: down the shore, to our nation's capitol, the city of brotherly love and finally to outer space and beyond (kidding).
7. I'm so lucky, I have to pinch myself sometimes.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wedding Cream and Proposals of an Everyday Kind
The "w" word, as it's officially know between George and me, has been used in the most peculiar way. One of the kids my mom takes care of called cupcake frosting "Wedding Cream". This is just one of many silly things this kid has said.
A few weeks back my sister and mom were eating lunch with this young man and he was walking around the table saying, "This is Mama Susan's Chair, this is Daddy Gordon's Chair..." and then he asked where George's was. He has never met George but he does hear his name mentioned in relation to me, so my mom said "it's on the porch."
My co-workers are aware that the "w" is being mentioned a lot from the ladies in my family. They are (almost) chomping at the bit to see me in white and all that. As a counter to this nagging, my coworker Saul suggested I say things like "George proposed... that we go out to dinner for date night this week." Luckily, George has taken (I think) a liking to this verbal teasing. I've also warned my mom that the more she asks,the longer she will have to wait!
A few weeks back my sister and mom were eating lunch with this young man and he was walking around the table saying, "This is Mama Susan's Chair, this is Daddy Gordon's Chair..." and then he asked where George's was. He has never met George but he does hear his name mentioned in relation to me, so my mom said "it's on the porch."
My co-workers are aware that the "w" is being mentioned a lot from the ladies in my family. They are (almost) chomping at the bit to see me in white and all that. As a counter to this nagging, my coworker Saul suggested I say things like "George proposed... that we go out to dinner for date night this week." Luckily, George has taken (I think) a liking to this verbal teasing. I've also warned my mom that the more she asks,the longer she will have to wait!
Monday, May 04, 2009
Debt Proof Living
I've spent my entire 20s in debt, school loans and credit cards. I've leveraged it over the years through some good fortune only to find myself outspending my income.
I've made measurable progress in the last 100+ days to reverse course. My support crews of my family and George allow me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Uncle Sam was particularly good to me this year and I have to give God the credit on that one. By the end of this month I will have paid off 3 outstanding debts and started a reserve (aka emergency fund).
After much discussion with George about compounding interest etc., I decided to use the snowball method to pay off my remaining debt. That combined with part-time gigs that will take me through the summer, I'm getting traction and making better choices financially.
One example is movie rentals. I already have basic cable but I'm addicted to movies. Last weekend, for example I have Friday night AND Saturday afternoon to chill so I got two movies. One from Redboxredbox and the other from Blockbuster (because Redbox did not have the new release I wanted to see). A few months ago, I was renting from the library at the same rate as Redbox but their weekend hours are not exactly conducive to my commuters hours. So it's a compromise there. I could've gone to see a first run movie for $10, instead I stayed home and spent $6 on two movies.
I've made measurable progress in the last 100+ days to reverse course. My support crews of my family and George allow me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Uncle Sam was particularly good to me this year and I have to give God the credit on that one. By the end of this month I will have paid off 3 outstanding debts and started a reserve (aka emergency fund).
After much discussion with George about compounding interest etc., I decided to use the snowball method to pay off my remaining debt. That combined with part-time gigs that will take me through the summer, I'm getting traction and making better choices financially.
One example is movie rentals. I already have basic cable but I'm addicted to movies. Last weekend, for example I have Friday night AND Saturday afternoon to chill so I got two movies. One from Redboxredbox and the other from Blockbuster (because Redbox did not have the new release I wanted to see). A few months ago, I was renting from the library at the same rate as Redbox but their weekend hours are not exactly conducive to my commuters hours. So it's a compromise there. I could've gone to see a first run movie for $10, instead I stayed home and spent $6 on two movies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)