Gluten-Free Pizza!

Hi all!

I just wanted to hop on here real quick and send out this recipe I tried that was a huge hit around our house!!  It is so delicious!!!

Fresh Mozzarella Brussels Sprout Pizza

A unique take on a healthy pizza! This is a must try recipe, especially if you like Brussels sprouts.Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 large Roma tomato, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, shredded
• 2 cups fresh Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 gluten-free pizza crust

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large skillet over medium flame, heat olive oil and garlic; cook for 2 minutes.  Add tomato, onion and Brussels sprouts.  Cook for 10-15 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are soft. 

Transfer mixture to a food processor; pulse until smooth.

Spread gluten-free crust on a flat surface; add fresh mozzarella, followed by Brussels sprouts mixture. Sprinkle with pine nuts.  Line the outside crust with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Place pizza onto a pizza stone or baking sheet; bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.  Top with chili powder.

ENJOY!!

-Tiff and Cliff

Goodbye VT. Hello Toronto!

Leaving Vermont, flying over Lake Champlain!  Pretty view from the sky.  Next Stop, Toronto!

Rhode Island!!!

We decided to go for an early spring getaway to Rhode Island this March.  We wanted to make the most of our extended weekend there so we jam packed our days with lots of fun and interesting excursions.  Tiffany would agree with me that there’s plenty for solo travelers, couples, and families to do.  From pristine beaches to delicious seafood restaurants, you’re going to love Bristol and Providence.

From where to stay to where to dine, you’ll find this guide helpful when deciding which places to go and what types of things to do, see, and experience while in the New England state.

Bristol Offers a Peaceful Atmosphere Complete with a Seaside Symphony

Bristol is perfect for people wanting to get away from the noise of the city.  The quiet downtown area is great for walking and sightseeing and the sea-filled air makes it impossible to want to do anything but spend the day outdoors.  Nearby Colt State Park with its Narragansett Bay is symphonic.  You’ll be at peace listening to the sounds of the ocean.  Lay out a beach blanket, read a book, or take a nap.  The waves lapping at the shore will be enough to lull you into deep relaxation.  Tiff was snoring within 10 minutes :P (Hopefully she misses this comment)

Here are some additional places that you’ll want to put on your list when visiting Bristol:

•Historic Wood Street

•Bristol Harbor Inn

•Sakonnet and Greenvale Vineyards

•Aidan's Irish Pub                                                                        

•Jacky’s Galaxie & Sushi Bar

Providence Caters to a Younger, Hipper Crowd with Its Cafes, Storefronts, and University...So needless to say, Tiff and I fit right in....

Like with most college towns, Providence is abuzz with energy.  Prospective students wanting to experience the city will find the Brown University area especially attractive.  Heck, I wish I could go back to college and go there.  Get your fill of cafes, bakeries, and funky shops.  You’ll find everything you need in the way of souvenirs and good eats in this exciting Rhode Island city.

You’ll want to check these places out in Providence as well:

•Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design

•Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park

•Annie Brownell House

•Waterfire Providence - Impressive and exciting! Must see!

•Craftland

•New Rivers

•Café Nuovo

A weekend trip to Rhode Island in the spring is ideal for people of all ages.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a solo traveler wanting to explore the beauty of New England or a family looking for a fun getaway.  You’ll find everything that makes you happy in Rhode Island.  From seaside accommodations to rich cultural experiences, Bristol and Providence are two New England cities worth visiting this year.

This was a great little getaway to start out the turn of the nice weather!

-Cliff and Tiff

Smart Shopping!

Hi everybody!!  I hope you have been enjoying our travel adventures and I hope that some of our tips and suggestions are worth the read!  I wanted to put something up a little different than travel today.  Well, okay, a lot different.  I wanted to post about being a smart shopper and spender!

Money doesn't grow on trees, or so the adage goes.  Prices on everything seem to be going through the roof these days!  Being frugal is both a mind-set and a lifestyle, and something that needs to be committed to with discipline.  The habit of spending when the feeling strikes must be tempered with a focus on spending money wisely and making informed purchasing decisions.  Here are three ways I have found that help take control over spending and stretch finances without going broke in the process.  Cliff loves that I have this mindset!!! :)  I’m hoping that it pays off down the road if you know what I’m saying ladies... ;)

1. Make a budget and stick to it (Trust me, I know this is challenging!)

Developing a budget is key to knowing how much money is coming in and controlling where it goes.  Fixed expenses, just like arranging large pieces of furniture, must be in the plan first, as they are typically the largest expenses and carry the most importance in being paid on a timely basis.  Mortgages, rent, car payments, insurance, student loans and credit card payments are examples of fixed expenses.  Forgetting any of these could damage credit or cause other problems.  

Next in line are utility payments. Without electricity, phone or gas for heat, life quickly becomes uncomfortable.  Don't forget water and sewer and having enough to pay property taxes.  If things are tight, consider reducing services such as cable or internet, cell phone apps and unnecessary club memberships.  Watch utility use, take fewer or shorter showers, turn off lights or TV when leaving the room, consider having a dimmer on your lights to use less wattage/power.  Oh my, now I’m starting to sound just like Cliff!

2. Plan before spending

It is so easy to see something that strikes our fancy and purchase it without giving thought to the costs related to the purchase.  I wouldn’t be truthful if I said I wasn’t guilty of this, but I’m working on it!  Buying an item on sale is only wise if it is an item that will immediately be put to use, or reduces spending in other areas.  Large purchases really should be researched and price compared to provide the best bang for your buck.  Shopping for information, best prices and where an item can be found locally is easily done on the internet, which will actually end up saving gas, time and buying impulsively (and going against your budget!!).

3. Purchase Bulk Quantities

You can get more for your money if you purchase items that you use regularly in bulk quantities.  No ladies, buying clothing in bulk is not what I am talking about, good try though!  I’m mainly talking about groceries or frequently used household items.  Bulk purchases generally have a lower price per unit than smaller or individual portions.  Items that will keep for a long period of time, such as toilet paper, rice, and pasta, can be purchased in bulk quantities without fear that they will deteriorate before you can use them!

By using these smart shopping tips, you can easily trim your expenses by hundreds of dollars per year.  Each of these tips is simple to implement and you will see the results quickly.  All you need to do is commit and stay with it!  The money that you save will be very useful for taking care of your other needs, like family expenses or saving for the future.

Gluten Free Stuffed Peppers

Cliff and I got invited to a cookout the other day and I was asked to bring a dish to pass around dinner.  As you may know, I am on a gluten free diet as I have Celiac Disease and because of this, I was nervous about preparing a dish for people who aren't gluten free.  Anyway, I stumbled upon this recipe and decided to cook it for Cliff and our son before I brought it to the cookout.  Absolutely delicious!!!! :) 





Ingredients: (Serves 6 if you follow this list)

-1 lb ground beef                                   -1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice     -1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
-1 cup water                                          -1/4 teaspoon onion powder
-6 green bell peppers                              -Salt and Pepper to taste
-2 (8 ounce) cans of tomato sauce            -1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Prep Time= 20 minutes  Cook Time=1 hour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 20 minutes. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until evenly browned.
3. Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. (Slice the bottoms of the peppers if necessary so that they will stand upright.)
4. In a bowl, mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers.
5. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

Really easy to put together and it tastes great!  Great reviews from the cookout so I decided to share it here with you all!

Enjoy :)

-Tiff

                                      

Sunshine State!

As many argue that winter in Florida is the best weather in the United States, and many travelers come to experience relief from cold winters elsewhere, I would have to agree from my previous trips down and the fact that Vermont is nice and chilly these days, let me tell you!  However, travelers to Florida will need to prepare for some of the unique elements of winter in the Sunshine State. Here are a few tips for travelers to consider.

1) Prepare for All Weather

Weather in Florida tends to be unpredictable, and winter in Florida is especially difficult to project ahead of time. While temperatures rarely drop below 40 degrees in Florida even during winter, it is not uncommon for the temperature to reach into the 80s during cold months. Because of this, travelers will want to ensure that they are prepared for weather conditions that can change rapidly. Fortunately, winter weather in Florida is fairly pleasant, but travelers will want to be ready for a wide range of temperatures.  I think this advice would apply more for the January/ early February time frame as we went in late February and the weather was an average of about 80 for us and its only going up!!!  But it’s better to be safe than sorry!

2) Plan Ahead

Florida's population changes dramatically depending on the season.  In winter, Florida becomes home to many people from the Midwest and the Northeast.  Because of this, travelers to Florida want to make their reservations ahead of time just to be safe.  It should be noted, however, that Florida's infrastructure is ready for this influx of visitors and temporary residents, so travelers should not be too concerned about bad traffic and difficulty in making reservations, especially if you travel to a tourist area like Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, etc.!

3) Spend Some Time at the Beach

While the water may be a bit too cold for swimming, you will want to spend at least a bit of time at the beach while visiting Florida. The beach can be a great place to spend an afternoon or evening, and many of Florida's best restaurants and tourist locations are located near the coast. In addition, those on the east coast of Florida may wish to explore the barrier islands, which is home to some of the most interesting locations in the state. Fortunately, all locations in Florida are relatively close to the beach so all travelers can at least make a day trip and spent some time watching the waves.

Those who have been to Florida in the winter understand its appeal, and those who have never been to the Sunshine State may wish to visit in winter. With a bit of preparation, travelers can ensure that their winter trips to Florida will be enjoyable and memorable.  Great trip to make to get some sun in the winter!

P.S. for you eco-friendly comrades out there, there is a South Florida Chapter of the USGBC. 

Get your Green on!

-Cliff and Tiff

Holiday Season Travel Tips!

We decided to go against our better judgement and do a little getaway for the holiday season.  I say against our better judgement because we all know its essentially a nightmare to travel around the Christmas timeframe.  My definition of Christmas travel consists of packed airports, full airplanes, and the high cost of airfare.  Then when you think its over, you find yourself sitting in security check lines with suitcases full of Christmas presents for the relatives, Christmas ‘tis the season to really go crazy! However, I have been traveling long enough to make sure travel during the holidays does not have to be a nightmare.  By following a few tips, things can go far smoother than they ever have before.  

• Traveling With Children – What is worse than traveling during Christmas holidays? Traveling with children! (No offense son :P )  We all know that with children, patience is not their best virtue.  Children get antsy and upset when having to wait in long lines or being stuck at the airport with not much to do.  Instead of letting them become agitated, find ways to entertain them.  For the younger children, something as easy as some crayons and a coloring book will help.  Older kids may need an Ipod or a couple of handheld video games to keep them busy.  If nothing seems to work, remind them that Santa is watching, and it would be wise of them to behave. (A classic go to move!)   

• Ship Your Christmas Presents – Most people are afraid to mail their holiday packages.  Most are afraid that the post office will get them mixed up and send them to the wrong house.  However, when you put your presents in luggage and have the bags checked, the same thing can happen.  Luggage often gets incorrectly routed, and your presents can land at the wrong destination.  If the present is small, carry it on board the plane with you.  If the presents are large, ship them ahead of time so they arrive at your destination before you do.  Your presents will not get broken or torn by being crammed inside a suitcase and tossed around, and your bags will be a lot lighter to carry to and from your destination.

 

• Fly During the Odd Hours – Everyone knows that flights are busiest during the holiday time of year.  Everyone is going somewhere.  Of course, there is no getting around this, but there is a way around fighting the crowds by flying during the non-peak hours.  Try flying very early in the morning or extremely late at night.  It may be a bit inconvenient, but it saves so much running around and that could be worth it.  Ticket prices will also be less.  Also, by traveling early in the morning or late at night you don’t lose a day of travel getting to your destination.

The holidays are the most traveled times of the year.  Millions of people fly and drive all over the place to share the holidays with their families and loved ones.  It can be a nightmare or you can make your travel plans less stressful by planning ahead and following some of the tips above.  

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!


-Cliff and Tiff