Happy 2011!

Happy New Year!  I wish everyone all the best and happiness in the new year!

For a change, I actually stayed awake until midnight.  It was my traditional at home new year's eve - quiet and just relaxing.  The highlight was finally talking with one of my dearest friends on the East Coast.  It was already midnight there and an honor to be able to wish the family a very happy New Years!

I hope to do more baking this year and work on experimenting with converting recipes.  I finally tried a gluten free pie crust from scratch at Christmas and it was a success!  I did an apple pie with a crumb topping again and it was delicious.  I even made my own fried onions at Thanksgiving for Green Bean Casserole.  A little too heavy handed on the cayenne pepper, but it was heavenly to have that dish again.

I've now been gluten free for 4 1/2 years and feel so much better!  I have not had the stomach issues that have always plagued me.  The one thing I have noticed is that I am becoming more sensitive to cross-contamination.  I guess it's time to be more careful and strict! That and time to exercise more and eat better. I love finding all of the new gluten free foods that are coming out, but the calories are high.  So, for one of my New Year Resolutions, it's time to start eating healthier and try to stay away from some of the processed food.

Today, I am going to use up the leftover ham from Christmas and make Scalloped potatoes and ham.  I know, high in calories and carbs, but I love my potatoes! :)  I have made it even more fattening by using a mustard cheese sauce in place of the traditional white sauce.  It gives it so much more flavor and will provide some lunches during the week.  This is good as it means I won't eat out and will be saving money! Tomorrow, I will probably do sushi take out from my favorite Chinese restaurant.  I had planned on having the sushi for New Years Eve, but cold weather and snow nixed that idea.  Was happy to just work from home and stay off the roads!