Good Mornin' Muffins

Saturday morning I decided to bake up some Seriously Gourmet Muffins courtesy of Serious Gourmet.

The recipe calls for one package of Muffin Mix combined with 2 eggs, 1/3 cup oil, 2/3 cup half & half and 2/3 teaspoon vanilla.  And because the mix doesn't come flavored, I threw in a few dashes of cinnamon and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.

After 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven breakfast was served.

The muffins were light, airy, fluffy and a great compliment to my coffee.  I suggest eating while still warm with a slathering of Brummel & Brown butter.

Store leftover muffins in the freezer to keep em' fresh.

I feel like a real blogger now

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty excited.  Serious Gourmet is sending me samples of their gluten free muffin mix so that I can bake up a batch and write up a review.

Check 'em out:
http://serious-gourmet.com/

If only the package would arrive this morning since I have nothing to eat for breakfast, desperately need to hit up the grocery store, and have zero motivation to step outside into the frozen winter tundra.

A Feast Fit for a Gluten Free King & Queen

Good news...Gluten Free Thanksgiving was a success! 

On the menu:

• Beaujolais Wine

• Whiskey & Cider

• Green Bean Casserole (ok, I cheated on this one and ended up using French's Fried Onions which are not gluten friendly..but are oh so yummy)

• Mashed Potatoes

• Homemade Stuffing (recipe courtesy of Whole Foods http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/1354 )

• Pumpkin Pie

Gobble Gobble!

Gluten free pumpkin pie is in the oven as we speak...and now it's on to side dishes.

I'm cooking my first sans-gluten Thanksgiving  feast.  Here's hoping everything tastes as good as it sounds.

Recipes, tips and suggestions to come.

Happy Gluten Free Turkey Day!

For the first time I actually WANT to eat an apple

I've been on a quest lately for new options to pack for lunch, which can sometimes be a challenge when I'm feeling lazy and don't plan ahead.  And I'm not gonna lie, this laziness has been happening quite a lot now that it's getting dark so early and I feel like it's 10pm when I leave work.

Last week on a whim I decided to buy a tempting looking dip, Marzetti's Peanut Butter Caramel Dip to accompany my apples. 

When I got home from the grocery I put the dip away...but thoughts of warm peanut butter kept creeping into my thoughts until I finally popped the lid and dipped my spoon in for a little taste.  That little taste turned into a spoonful, and then a couple spoonfuls warming for 15 seconds in the microwave.  It was like dessert crack.  I couldn't get enough. Screw actually eating an apple, I literally just scooped from bowl to my mouth (which  I realize is a total piglet move.)

I give this product 5-(hundred) stars and definitely suggest it as a delicious accompaniment to make your apples and bananas even more tasty!

Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

 With the days getting shorter and the leaves falling from the trees, there's no denying the fact that fall is officially here...and it's time for Halloween candy, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin desserts galore.

I decided to get into the spirit last night by lighting a fall spice scented candle and churning up a batch of Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt. 

Here's what you need for this delicious dessert:
-1 cup plain Greek yogurt (low-fat)
-1/2 cup milk (I suggest soy milk)
-1 can pumpkin puree (15oz)
-3/4 cup maple syrup (you can use 1 cup if you prefer your treats extra sweet)
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Here's what you do:
-Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy
-Place mixture in an ice cream maker, allowing it to churn for 30-40 minutes
-Serve and top with a dollop of whipped cream (optional)

Cuddle up on the couch while the cold winds whistle, and enjoy a creamy treat in honor of the changing seasons.

My first blogger meet-up (and a slight hangover)

Last night I went to my first Blogger Meet up, thanks to an invite from Maris Callahan, the writer of In Good Taste:  http://ingoodtasteblog.net/.  Since I'm new to blogging and am definitely not yet hip to the blogger social scene, I was excited and nervous to meet the other 9 girls who were planning to attend.  Plus it really didn't calm my nerves knowing my hair was looking anything but acceptable given the torrential rain and wind gusts that mother nature so kindly decided to bless us with.

We met up around 7pm at Fion Wine and Spirits in Lincoln Park to gab over wine and cheese. As I took my first sip of wine, tasting the buttery finish on my glass of Chardonnay, I realized I was quite the novice as some of the girls started snapping pics of their cheese plates with high speed professional cameras, while I opted for my phone's camera setting.

Despite my very apparent lack of photography knowledge, I quickly felt at home talking about food, fashion, cooking, Chicago, and Chicago weather ofcourse.  It felt inspiring to meet girls who share my interest and enjoyment in writing and cooking...and what could be better than meeting over several glasses of wine on an empty stomach?!

Though I woke up this morning with a slight hangover from last nights buzz, the good news is my head is buzzing with a whole new perspective on the world of blogging.