Who Says

Who says "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"? I am getting close to the "old" mark, but I just proved I am teachable.

I tried a canned soup that makes me a believer of canned soup again. I have been making my own soups from scratch for years, and I really like my home cooked soups, mostly because I know for sure nothing goes into them that I am allergic to. But I will make sure I have a cupboard full of Wolfgang Puck organic soups from now on, at least the ones that are gluten free.  Some of the organic soups are not gluten free like the chicken noodle soup, the noodles are not gluten free. 

The five Wolfgang Puck brand gluten free soups I have found so far are:

Free Range Chicken With Wild Rice

Signature Tortilla

Tomato Basil Bisque

Hearty Lentil Vegetable

Black Bean

The first soup of his brand I tried was Free Range Chicken with White and Wild Rice. It is very good. Best of all, it is gluten free. Even the soups that are on the market that are gluten free now have not been very good. But his soups are awesome. So glad I discovered them. No adding water to dilute flavor; heat and eat. 

Just thought I would share this info with my buddies. I will sometimes add some onion or some of my fresh herbs, but I would be happy to invite my gal pals over to share some soup with me and see if they can tell it is from a can! As an added note, not all his soups that are organic are certified gluten free, so those of us who have to eat gluten free, continue to read the labels carefully. 

Busy days, winter or summer, you will be glad you have this soup ready to heat. I used some gluten free Crunchmaster crackers with mine. You could have Doritos or crackers and cheese or even open face cheese on bagels with yours. 

No, this is not a commercial. Ha.

You're welcome. 

The Debate Is Still On

This article was forwarded to me this week. My friends see something about gluten and send it to me in case it is something that would be helpful. It does not matter to me where the information is found, I am open to reading from any forum. 

I am willing to read just about anything, am interested in something healthy that works for me. It was during the years that I was raising my children that my health was at its worst. The pain in my intestines; the diarrhea and accidents; telling my kids we would do something and then I was curled up on the bed in pain and unable to keep my promise; being told to eat healthy meant whole wheat, so I would fill up on whole wheat bread, cereal, eat less meat, thinking I was doing the best thing. Yikes. 

It could be that longer rising time could take away some of the potency of gluten, as indicated in the article; however, I thoroughly believe that today's flour is still MODIFIED from what it was when I was a kid. I did not care for the writer's tone in this article, using words to demean and sneak in some things to tell gluten free folks they just don't know what they are doing. People like this author don't have much to say to someone like me. If this person were someone like me who has found a way to feel better and all it means is stay completely away from wheat, barley, and rye, yet this author then does the experiment that would maybe have some merit. But any of us gluten free healthy people are not going to listen to just anyone with an opinion who are not themselves forced to be gluten free because of their problems. They are all entitled to their opinion, but why try to force feed that opinion on others? I say to them, thanks for sharing, but no thanks. 

Go Ginsburg

Little Squirrels In Russia

Voronezh, Russia

Picture: Vadim Trunov/Solent

Found on blog All Creatures Great And Small

Isn't this a great picture?

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, full of love and friendship and joy. With or without romance in your life, this day can be a happy day for all of us. With or without presents, we all matter and we can lift the spirits of others by just caring. I give you sincere wishes for a sweet day, now pass it on.

Fingers and Toes

One Of My All Time Favorites

While passing time with flu symptoms recently, I stumbled upon a book that has been relegated to my Faves. I have a section in my bookcase of books that I will never give away because I re-read them about once a year. They are my Treasured Book Friends.

Spending time listening to oh so many samples of audiobooks on my Kindle Fire was easier than trying to read, as my eyes were hurting as well as a major headache along with aches and pains "everywhere, including even my fingernails" as I told my friends. I forbade all to come see me; I did not want to pass the flu bug along to anyone. So I was determined to entertain myself as best I could.

I bought a few audiobooks but they did not hold my interest. Until I listened to "A Prayer For Owen Meany" by John Irving. I had not been a fan of Irving's, did not care for "The World According To Garp", nor "Cider House Rules", even though many of my friends were recommending those books.
I did read them long ago but did not like them. For me, "A prayer For Owen Meany" held my attention with political and spiritual and many good surprises, not to mention the truly excellent style of writing. NOW I am a fan.

Now I am willing and even excited to read the rest of his works. I stopped at the library this week to pick up another book by John Irving: "Until I Find You".

I have ordered six copies of "A Prayer For Owen Meany" and had them sent to six of my family and three friends so far. And encouraged several others to do the audio thing on their Kindles like I did.
Let me know if you are familiar with this book and/or this author.

Happy Birthday To Me

Today is my birthday. My kids have made sure I have plenty of presents (me? Spoiled?) and my friends around here are full of good wishes and fun surprises. Next year is a special birthday, so at least two of my kids are saying they want to be here with me in person way out here in Nebraskaland!
I share my good times with you, and hope wonderful things come your way as well.

Yes, I know today is Ground Hog Day, but which is more important, Ground Hog Day or MY BIRTHDAY?

Hmmmmm. No contest!!!

Happy Birthday To Me.