Auld Lang Syne to 2009

and here's to a gluten-free 2010.

I won't ponder the past year here. I'm saving The best and the rest for 2009 for my product blog, Ging Recommends!


My New Year's Revolutions are really revelations about how I want to live my gluten-free life. Starting today, I vow:

1. To continue to support the gluten-free community through advocacy and information. That said, I will also NOT suffer fools (and fads) gladly, for I am wise (OK, with apologies to Paul and II Corinthians, what I mean is -- I will always try to correct a misconception, lie, or ruse because I devote an enormous amount of time to seeking the truth about gluten-free living and Celiac disease). And yes, I will eat blue cheese and Hershey candy and McDonald's French fries made in a dedicated fryer --GLADLY!

2. To support our gluten-free specialty vendors, rather than just the faddish ones, since they have been there for us all along. I've made some tremendous new friends this year, and I hope they have a wonderfully successful new year.

3. To explore healthier options for my favorite GF foods. First and foremost, I realize I have to start cooking a little more than I have been. And since my needs are both gluten- and sugar-free, low fiber foods.

4. To spend as much time as possible in fellowship with great gluten-free people I have come to love. That means regular get together with my Gluten-Free Gurlz, and more time on Twitter with Dee, Ginger North, Sandra, Kate, and especially JenniferGF. I am especially looking forward to a visit to Denver in August, where I'll get to visit my gf brother-from-another-mother, GF Steve, and the lovely folks at Udi's Gluten Free! (And GF Tiff and Gluten-Free Dee, too!) YAY!

5. And finally, to live my life to the fullest! When I look back at all the problems I had last year, I wonder what 2010 will bring. I hope to be in approximately the same shape I am this year on Dec. 31, 2010. Or better.

Tonight, we're having pizza for New Year's Eve -- mine is gluten-free using my favorite Udi's pizza crust! I've been promising this recipe for a while now -- I thought I was cool to call it "GF Spanako-pizza," but DAMN if Rachel Ray hadn't done it already.

But mine is better, and here's how I do it:

GF Spanako-Pizza a la Barefoot Contessa

2 Udi's gf pizza crust
1 cup shredded mozzerella parmesan mix cheese
(the rest of this is Ina Garten's recipe)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and minced
12 ounces (325g) fresh spinach, well-washed and towel dried
(or two packs frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
salt and freshly-ground pepper
8-10 ounces (230-250g) feta cheese
2 tablespoons finely-chopped flat leaf parsley
1 large egg, at room temperature
lemon juice

Saute onion and spinach, then drain when cooked. It should be fairly dry. Season, and add feta cheese. Add parsley, egg and squeeze of lemon, mix and set aside.

Brush pizza crust with olive oil and mound filling on top of two crusts.
Top with mozzarella cheese mix. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly and hot.

Modification: If you have an GF Alfredo Sauce hanging around, layer that on the bottom of the crust *as a sauce* then heap on spinach and cheese mixture.

Much love, and here's to days gone by.
Remember today is a gift -- that's why we call it THE PRESENT!

Ging