My Latest Post

    Just when I thought I was on the right track, eating all organic, no soy, no dairy… etc. I found out most of the almond and rice milks I have been drinking (along with other things come to find out) have this toxic additive called carrageenan in them. Learning about this has just motivated me further, and hopefully will move you too, to opt for natural foods or ingredients that I can pronounce and/or know what they are.   Carrageenan is extracted from red seaweeds, has multiple forms and is used in cooking and baking. Similar to gluten, carrageenan works as an emulsifier and thickener keeping ingredients from separating, and while once was a natural additive, has become a highly processed additive. Carrageenan is known to cause...

    When the going gets rough or scary or stressful I wind up in the kitchen. Which for me is a wonderful place because I get to zone out, be creative and it becomes a place for me to relieve my stresses. I know it might sound odd but cooking and baking really helps me feel like I have some control over my health. When I get in the kitchen I don’t feel restricted, I’ll make something that is good for me yet I feel like I’m still a “normal person” who is eating “regular” food. I suggest to anyone, even if you don’t normally like to bake or cook, if you have celiac disease or other health conditions that restrict your diet, to get in the kitchen and make something delicious that you CAN have. It really gives...

    First I want to thank everyone who has followed me to Open Sky. Or those of you who learned about my blog and mission from Open Sky and followed me here. The support and the emails I get means so very much to me and I am grateful. It makes me realize how many of you out there feel as strongly as I do about spreading the word about celiac disease and all that that truly entails. There in lies the reason I recently decided to no longer work with Open Sky.   When I was first approached by Open Sky they were a much newer shopping site to the online market. The site seemed like a wonderful way for me to get you some of those hard to find...

    Franky Beans always seems to have bananas on his brain! Every time I go in to the kitchen or even close to the kitchen where the bananas are he stares at me with a look that says “give me that banana!” This boy has loved bananas ever since he was a pup. Bananas and apples and carrots – the BEST treats for your doggies! They’re good for us to eat and just as good for them. As I’m standing there looking at these two very ripe bananas and one funny pup, I think banana cookies! Franky happily agreed.   On another note, which leads to why I chose these specific ingredients, I have been feeling not my best and most recently been dealing with my eye lashes falling out. Which is always wonderful… I went to a few...

    As most of you know having celiac disease is an ever and on going journey. Every meal needs to be looked at, even vitamins and minerals need to be monitored from time to time to make sure your getting all your nutrients. This lifestyle can definitely be a struggle at times. And for me the last couple weeks have been a struggle to say the least. In efforts to find relief I started doing more research to find ways I can get even more vitamins and minerals in to my system to supplement what I have been low in which is vitamin B and my vitamin D is always in constant conflict. One thing I kept coming to in my search to feel better was the sweet potato. A beautiful orange sweet potato. I used to love these as a kid! I would load them with butter and eat...

When I’m working on the set of Blue Bloods, rarely can I eat what Kraft services or catering has to offer because of all my extreme allergies. And while the show is only an hour on TV the amount of hours and days and nights that go in to creating the show is a whole other beast… The days are long and nights can be longer. Although Krafty always tries to have something for me, I’d rather be safe by preparing my own food. So I really have to prep for these work days and bring plenty of food to set to keep me going and my energy high. We all probably find ourselves in situations where we need something quick and easy but still want it to taste good while filling us with nutrients to get us through!   So! Whether it be for a quick dinner or a...

  As some of you have probably noticed I have not posted in a few weeks. Some of you may have come to the sad conclusion that something was wrong. Yes it is so, my beloved Troop, Betty Boop has passed away. It happened a few weeks ago and I just needed some time to breathe. She went quickly and in my arms as I said goodbye to my sweet wonderful friend. I thank you all for your kind words and prayers. She was an awesome dog and a better friend.   I have written previously that in her last months she ate like a Queen. Her favorite meal being a juicy well seasoned Filet Mignon. Her eyes would light up as the smell would take over the apartment. Towards the end though she really wasn’t very interested in food. Except when would I sit next to her on...

          When I was a kid I loved baking chocolate chip cookies with my sister. Whether it be during Christmas or just one lucky Sunday afternoon, I was thrilled! Thrilled because I got to eat these hot chocolate chip cookies as they came out of the oven but thrilled also because I got to spend this time with my older sister who was… my GOD. We had such a blast and the smells that would come out of our kitchen! The butter the vanilla the chocolate ALL baking together, would create an aroma throughout the house that would linger for days. As we got older we continued this tradition. I could be anywhere and anyone baking a chocolate chip cookie would bring a smile to my face. When I was diagnosed with celiac disease and my sister was diagnosed...

      I was recently asked by my amazing Doctor here in New York City, Dr. Fratellone, to bake my deliciously moist carrot cake cupcakes for his wedding that was happening very soon. My doctor is also a Celiac and dairy and soy free so already knew the challenges in finding quality foods and baked goods that are not just loaded with filler ingredients to make them taste good. And since I love to bake and decorate – the idea of being a part of and creating something special for his “big day” was a honor and I was up for the task!! The request was for 50 regular size cupcakes and one large cupcake, all adorned with these awesome yellow rubber duckies dressed in tuxedos that he provided. So I rallied up My Troops, devised a plan...

Did you know celiac disease and depression are linked? Did you also know 90% of the bodies supply of serotonin (which is linked to depression) lies in your digestive tract? Serotonin is a chemical manufactured in the brain and when at “healthy” levels we feel balanced and happy. In short it regulates our mood. So if our gut is off then we are off! And since we, Celiacs, already have a decreased ability to absorb crucial vitamins and nutrients, we may not be absorbing enough of the important protein that create serotonin. We have millions of brain cells and serotonin affects most of them directly or indirectly – which will then affect our mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, and some social behavior. And that’s only to name...