Category Archives: Gluten-Free

Lost in thought

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Today I went for a little walk to clear my head, a therapeutic stroll if you will.  I’m still on this detox til you die kick and a daily 100% fruit Boost Juice from the local Bondi Boost Juice is on the menu.  A delightfully refreshing break from hours upon seemingly endless hours of essay writing.  It’s the end of the semester (as I’ve mentioned) and that means loads more work.

I float over the .6 miles or 1 km to the juice stand.  I’ve walked this route so many times that my body is on cruise control, my mind is free to roam.  I take my iPod and listen to a relaxing mix of Joshua Radin, Ingrid Michealson, Ray LaMontagne, and others which now includes my new favorite, “Little Waltz” by Basia Bulat.

“You and I, we make a grand salute.  Stare at each other, like lost little birds across the room.  And I remember the way you looked.  I learned how to dance, but I’d never shown it to you …” – Basia Bulat – Little Waltz

The song floods me with nonspecific nostalgia, I listen to it on repeat.

“A watermelon crush with lemon please.  Yes with lemon please.”  I always ask for lemon.  It’s not supposed to have lemon but I ask for it anyway.  I like it tart.  The watermelon is for my kidneys.  Well – it’s supposed to be good for my kidneys.  I like to keep my kidneys happy.  It was they who helped me to discover 5 months ago that I’m gluten intolerant.

I detour on the way back and walk along the beach.  It’s a lovely 82F and there is a subtle ocean breeze that takes that tiny little edge off the heat.

I wonder if the women who were inspirations for the famous grafitti strip along Bondi Beach know their images are enshrined there.  “Chloe who wears a flower in her hair,” it says.  One of my dogs is named Chloe.  I tried to put a flower in her fur one time but she barked in protest.

My thoughts wander to my girls.  I smile.  I can’t help it.  I keep my feelings and thoughts hidden most of the time, but when I succomb to daydreams and memories I can’t help but to wear my thoughts and emotions for the world to see.  I have to be careful, I have found myself chuckling out loud.

Like the time I caught little Duchess pulling fat and bumbly Chloe (who was upside down and on her back) around by a tug rope.  Chloe was growling but was too lazy to do anything about it.  So she just let her sister drag her around – upside down – fat speckled belly exposed to the world.  I always laugh out loud when I remember that.

I like this alone time – this time for myself – this time to myself.

Recipe – Pancakes – mmmm

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American Pancakes

(I was told by my Aussie friends that my pancakes are American style AND delicious.  imagine that.)

2 c. buttermilk (or 2 c. milk + 1 T. lemon juice)
2 c. regular flour (or Orgran’s All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour)
2 T. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
3 T. melted unsalted butter
1 c. blueberries

NOTE:  Gluten-Free flours are NOT made alike.  I’ve only tested this recipe with Orgran’s.

So this is ANOTHER recipe where you really need to follow the instructions for it to work.  I’m guessing that you, like me, rarely have buttermilk on hand – so go ahead and put the lemon juice in your milk and let it sit out for 5 minutes to make your own version of buttermilk.

Next mix the flour, sugar, b. powder, b. soda, and salt in a bowl.  Whisk it up and leave it with a nice well in the center.

Add the egg and melted (but slightly cooled) butter to the milk.  Whisk it up.

Pour the milk mix into the flour mix well.  Whisk it GENTLY.  The batter SHOULD be lumpy and you do NOT want to over mix it or it will be gross.  So for real – only whisk it until JUST MIXED.  Then drop it by 1/4 c. onto a preheated and pre-oiled or pre-buttered skillet.  Drop blueberries onto each pancake.  Cook for 1 1/2 – 2 min.  Flip and cook for additional 1-1 1/2 min.

Serve with maple syrup.  ENJOY!

Recipe – Lemon Squares

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I have been soooo frustrated with the kitchen where I’m living – like seriously – sooooo frustrated!! BUT it’s just a kitchen and as such I really shouldn’t let it get to me right?  D So instead of being frustrated I’ve decided to try and work around its inadequacies.  Sure the oven is junk – but it still gets hot and I still have blue ribbons to win for my baked goods so it will have to do!

Today I attempted Lemon Squares.  I used Orgran’s Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and they turned out GREAT!

YAY!!  And that leads me to what I’m grateful for today – Orgran’s Gluten Free Flour. ) I’m so grateful they sell that in Australia because it works like a champ.  You seriously can’t even tell it’s not normal flour.

Lemon Squares

Crust
1 c. flour (or Orgran’s gluten free stuff)
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. powdered sugar

Lemony goodness
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder (gluten-free)
2 1/2 T. lemon juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
Dash of salt

Mix up the crust (it’s easiest to use your hands) and pat it into an 8×8 pan.  Cook at 350F for 20 min or until the edges are lightly golden and WHILE IT’S BAKING!!! … mix up the lemony goodness (you can use a fork or a whisk) and let it sit out while the crust is baking in the oven.  Sounds crazy – I know – but it makes a difference.  When you take the crust out of the oven, quickly give the lemony goodness another whisk or fork through and then pour it over the hot crust.  Bake for an additional 20 min or until the center is just set.

Enjoy!

Long Weekend (3-day weekend)

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Ok so this will have to be brief … I’m rushing off to I have no idea where and I won’t be back for a few days (public holiday on Monday.)  I’m going with a group of friends and am excited – it should be fun.

Yesterday I went to the Zoo (# 89 Visit Taronga Zoo) and will post pics later but I’d have to say that yesterday I was grateful for gluten-free pasta.  Mmm – it’s so yummy and tastes JUST like normal pasta.  D

Today I’m grateful for the ocean and the rain – it’s so relaxing!!!

Here are some Aussie Words
Hen’s Party – Bachelorette Party
Capsicum – peppers (bell, red, chili etc.)
Rock Melon - cantaloupe
Boot – Trunk of car
Holiday - vacation
Long Weekend - 3 day weekend

Oh and I keep forgetting to put up Episode 5 – definitely need to do that when I get back.  I’ve had quite a few developments over the past little bit – so yeah … coming soon!!!

Gratitude Journal Day 1 of 30

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OMGOSH!!!  How rotten am I today?  SUPER ROTTEN!!!

YAY – hip, hip, hooray!!

Ok but the GOOD news is I crossed off #26 of my 101 goals today – “Prioritize list of 101 (with time frames.)”

And that’s when I realized 101 goals is a LOT!!! So in the spirit of being proactive and because I kinda like HATE Australia right now I’ve decided to start #23 – “Gratitude journal/blog for 30 days” except I’m going to add a twist – I have to blog about things I’m grateful for IN Australia.  [gulp]

Can it be done?  I guess we’ll see …

So Gratitude Journal Day #1 – I’ve only been in Australia for 2 months and I already have friends who care about me.  For example:

Dr. Sarcastic who, upon hearing the tears in my voice when he called this morning, didn’t pry when I told him I didn’t want to talk about it and instead took control of the conversation and made me talk about other things in my life until I was laughing.

Then there is Australian Scott who, knowing I was in a rotten mood, picked me up so we could be rotten together.  Then he told me HE wanted to go to the garden store so we could look at plants and ya know … possibly – if it suited my rotten mood – find one so I could start #54 on my 101 list “Plant and grow a vegetable or fruit.” So even though I was absolutely determined to not buy a plant because in my rottenness I thought it’d be better to wait and grow one at home …  I am now the proud owner of a new jalapeño plant.

And My Flattie who, after having heard from Dr. Sarcastic that I was having a really bad day, invited me over to make enchiladas. I’m not sure I’m particularly pleased that Dr. Sarcastic orchestrated this bit – however – it was thoughtful of both of them.

Oh and last but not least – Davide – who taught me two new games so I can now cross off #65 – Learn to play 2 new games.  He taught me the game Boa (an African game he picked up while he was there this summer) and Briscola (an Italian game his father taught him.)