Gluten Free's Not So Bad

I've been neglecting the outfit posts, and I apologize. I don't have a good excuse, except to say that I was at a spa all day Saturday for a bachelorette party and then out all night with the girls. And yesterday was filled with cleaning the apartment and napping. (You know; I was tired from the exhausting day at the spa. ;)

But I did want to share my excitement over this blog. I've made three--count 'em, three!--recipes from this blog so far, and I'm loving it. These pictures (taken on my fancy new Android phone) don't do the yumminess justice, but I just wanted to show you what we've enjoyed eating the past two nights.

Quinoa Taco Salad: So good with the lime juice and chunks of avocado. I served it with a pork tenderloin, rubbed in chili powder and roasted. Next time I make this, I'll add some more colorful stuff, like tomatoes, and reduce the amount of red onion.

Vegan Coleslaw Recipe with Peanut Dressing: The non-vegan part that I added was the chicken breast, of course. This coleslaw was really tasty. It had some great Thai flavors like cilantro with lime and peanut: a great combo. I only used 3/4 of a head of green cabbage. (It didn't seem worth it to buy a whole head of purple cabbage just to add a little color.) Next time, I'll add more cilantro and maybe beef it up with some brown rice or cellophane noodles and eliminate the chicken. This would be a great lunch dish.

And I still haven't posted about my first recipe to memorize. next time I make it I'll give you the details (and tell you how often I had to look back at the recipe.)

I don't know how many of you know, but the hubs and I have nearly eliminated gluten. He noticed while he was in Hong Kong that he felt slightly healthier, and the lack of gluten was the only thing that could've triggered that. I've known for a while now that dairy doesn't do my body good, and I think gluten is a culprit as well.

It's not serious, but both of us feel better without gluten or dairy, so we're trying to stay away from it (except sometimes on the weekends when I just really need french toast).

So today I bought gluten-free bread from Rainbow Groceries. Here's why: We just got a toaster oven at work, and I really really really want to make a peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich, but it's just not the same unless it's toasted.

I'll give a full report on the gluten-free bread later this week.

For Mom

My mom's a pretty cool lady. She raised my brother and me, and did a pretty awesome job (if I do say so myself). She's always been there for me. And even though we live across the country from each other, I think we're closer than ever.

So Happy Mom's Day, Mom! Thanks for everything you do. I love you!

Mom and Dad with me on a San Francisco bus. 

With my grandmother and Mom last Spring. 

Mom and me waiting for the turkey to finish deep frying last Thanksgiving. 

At a wedding a couple of years ago. Isn't she lovely?

Sometimes I Just Eat Popcorn For Dinner.

That's not really any big secret or confession, but it is a rather important part of getting to know me. Popcorn is a serious matter with Bethy.

I was really digging this outfit. It's not very Springy, actually kind of a Fall look. But Spring in San Francisco is frequently Fall-like, so it works.

 Old Navy top, pants, and scarf; Banana Republic boots; F21 bangle

On the docket this weekend is a very fun bachelorette party. It will involve a day at the spa by the pool, fun ladies, good food, and an evening out in the city.

It will be strange to slip on a bathing suit. Since moving to San Francisco I've probably worn a bathing suit approximately three times. To celebrate time number four, I bought a straw fedora to wear. It's been a busy week at work (still loving the job, but it's busy for sure!), so I'm ready to sip a cold drink in the cabana.

Meal #1

Here's a sneak peek of the first meal I'm planning on learning for my repertoire. Plus I just downloaded the Blogger app and wanted to give it a try. ;)

Cinco de Neglect

I've neglected posting outfits because they just haven't been worth it. Aren't you glad?

In other news, I've found my first delicious meal to perfect. It's yummy. So yummy that it was devoured at the company Cinco de Mayo potluck today.

Just you wait.

 Old Navy tank and shorts, Converse All Star (from Target) vest, Target necklace, Madden boots

P.S. I've just entered the 21st century with a new Android cell phone and data plan and everything. Whoa!

Copycat

I tried a little copycatting. I took some color inspiration from Kendi's look and tried a casual recreation. I don't usually wear pink because I never think it works well with my complexion.

Well, here's the thing. I don't believe that anymore. I don't believe that I can't wear a certain color,* contrary to what my husband would say. (He works in fashion and knows textiles and color and would definitely--lovingly--tell me what colors I "can't" wear.)

Basically, I don't want my past expectations to effect the way that I behave--in any aspect of my life. I used to tell myself I had no endurance and there was no way I could ever get into distance running, much less try a marathon.

It's a few years later and I've got two marathons, and several half marathons, under my belt. It just goes to show you that your assumptions, even about yourself, aren't always correct.

 Gifted top, Gap jeans, Old Navy scarf, Soda flats, F21 earrings

So getting back to the outfit. I had all but written this top off. In fact, it was in the very bottom of my drawer. But now it's back in the rotation, with it's cute little puff sleeves and embroidered heart (that you can't see in these photos).

And as for the running? I'm deciding on my third marathon right now. It'll probably be a race in the Pacific Northwest this fall, which I'm really excited about because I'll get to travel for a race.

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but some day I'd like to run an international marathon. Like in Greece, Italy, or Spain.

Yeah, that'd be awesome.

* I reserve the right to revoke, or at least amend, this statement. :)

Triftastic & May's Give Up/Take On

Now you know that I'm no thrifty maven. I've tried thrifting and always left empty-handed and annoyed that I spent the time.

Well, yesterday I was walking down the street and stumbled upon a thrift shop I haven't checked out before. You see, I've been trying out the hipster thrift shops. The one I walked into yesterday was anything but that. Not quite a Goodwill, but definitely no Buffalo Exchange.

And you know what? I found some gems, for sure. I saw everything from Nanette Lepore to J. Crew to Marc Jacobs to Diane von Furstenberg. I tried on several things, but told myself I couldn't spend more than $20.

White House | Black Market dress, Banana Republic shoes 

I scored this little number from White House | Black Market for about $18. Two cool things about this dress: 1. It's perfect for one (or both) of the summer weddings I'm attending this year, and 2. It's on my fashion to-do list! The update:

Fashion To-Do List:

• Trench coat
• Statement necklace
• Oxford wedges
• Chambray button-down shirt
• Peter Pan collar top
• Floral dress

Bam! You can't really see the darling little details of the dress. Just trust me, they are darling: the cute little ruffles that pop up around the collar and the sweet little buttons below the collar. I'm loving it.

Today after church some friends and I grabbed some Bi-Rite sanwiches and headed to Dolores park. It's a gorgeous day, and a great one for a picnic in the park.

 Yummy Bi-Rite sammy: "The Fidel"

One of the interesting scenes from the park. Can you spot the guy shaving in the SPCA van's side-view mirror?

It's that time again. Time for this month's Give Up/Take On.

Give Up: Kind of boring, but I'm giving up soda. I don't drink that much, but with the availability of soda at work, it's become too much of a temptation and I've given in several times. So I'm going to steer clear. I'd rather spend my calories on something yummier.

Take On: There are so many things I'd like to take on, but I'm going to practical route this month. I have the tendency to try lots of recipes, never really learning any, which keeps me dependent on the recipe. Well, this month I'm going to take on learning several recipes. I'm thinking six is a good start. I want to build my recipe repertoire so that I can have some basic (but yummy) meals to fall back on.

I have yet to choose the lucky six. I think I'll start with maybe twice that amount for the month and narrow it down to the simplest, most reliable, and most thumbsed-up by the hubs. Now, my husband will eat pretty much anything, but I do take note when he really likes something, so my goal is to find six meals that he really likes.

Although I have a growing list already, I'd welcome recipe recommendations (preferably gluten- and dairy-free) from any of you!