Happy Thanksgiving!

Vino Find

I only have 2 words for you...French wine.

An impromptu visit from our good friend a few nights ago led to basil-tomato chicken & quinoa linguine and a great new wine discovery!  Our friend brought a 2009 bottle of Louis Jadot Beaujolais and ooh la la our taste buds were happy!  Not too heavy and surprisingly in the low price range this beautiful French wine is definitely my new favorite!  

My Top 15 Gifts for Women this Holiday Season

I know everyone will be rushing to begin their holiday gift shopping this Friday (Chanukah is early this year!) so I've compiled a list of my favorite gifts to give mothers, aunts, sisters, girlfriends and any other women in your life! In the spirit of thanks I must add how very thankful I am for the amazing women who have come into my life this past year!

1.  Vintage Silver Candelabra from etsy.com 

Inspired by everything vampire this past year (from Twilight to True Blood) this candelabra makes a charming gift!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61500493/baroque-vintage-silver-candlestick-and?ref=sc_undefined_25

2.  Satya Jewelry's Light & Love Bracelet

Made from stunning peacock pearls & sterling silver.

http://www.satyajewelry.com/catalog/new-c-94.html?page=1&products_id=1781

3.  A subscription to "The Nest" magazine

The cutest magazine-perfect for your newly engaged or married friend.

https://magazine.thenest.com/NestSubscriptions/subscribe.aspx 

4.  Wine cork trivet from Red Envelope

For the one who loves vino! 

http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/wine-cork-trivet-kit-30010309?viewpos=44&trackingpgroup=rchbg&tile=hmpg_tile_a&REF=REDSRCHgoogkwd_red+envelope_BRND5&PRID=SRCHribbon5

5.  Yoga Toe Socks

Your Yogi friend will love you.

http://www.toesox.com/

6.  Jingle Bell Keychain from Kate Spade

So very Merry!

http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10776321&cp=1855186.2065600

7.  Dutch Oven from Crate & Barrel 

The yellow color reminds me of Italy for some reason and the dutch oven is a kitchen staple.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/specialty-cookware/mario-batali-polenta-6-quart-dutch-oven/s566724

8.  Organic Flannel Snowflake Sheets

Cozy and festive for sweet dreams!

http://www.gaiam.com/product/organic+flannel+let+it+snow+flat+sheet.do

9.   OPI Nail Polish

Formaldehyde Free nail color that comes in a sundry of incredible colors and lasts!

http://www.opi.com/

10.  Restina Handmade Jewelry on etsy.com

Fairy tale & movie inspired jewelry such as this "Kryptonite" necklace.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Retsina?ref=seller_info

11.  Pashmina or Prayer Shawl

Adds a splash of color, zen & style to anything.

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4188902

12.  Digital Zen Alarm Clock

Wake to Tibetan chimes.

http://www.gaiam.com/product/digital+zen+alarm+clock.do

13.  Spices & Herbs

Whole Foods sells spices in bulk....you can choose, bag and label each spice!

http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/01/warming-spices/

14.  Wall Art/Photography from a local artist like Chris Sista Photography

Beautiful Photography by my friend Chris Sista.

http://chrissista.blogspot.com/

15.  And lastly if you are proposing this Holiday...

Look into Diamonds from Canada that are Conflict Free!

http://www.brilliantearth.com/

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chicken Noodle Soup

A simple soup recipe I whipped up a few weeks ago when I was feeling under the weather. You can have gluten free chicken noodle soup! Also a great way to use the remaining chicken after a chicken dinner.  Makes soup for 4.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 large organic carrots, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 
• 4-5 organic celery stalks, chopped
• 1 small leek, finely chopped
• 2 quarts of organic, gluten free vegetable broth 
• sea salt
• ground black pepper
• fresh or dried parsley
• olive oil
• quinoa pasta (comes in a teal box)
• whole chicken with large portions of meat pulled off (breast meat)

Place the chopped leeks and minced garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil and saute.  Once sauteed combine leeks/garlic mixture with the vegetable broth and 2 cups of water.  Add in carrots, celery and spices stir on high heat.  Once simmering bring heat down to medium and place the whole chicken in for 20-30 minutes.  When chicken begins to fall of the bones remove the chicken and pull meat off and add into soup...this allows you to easily pull the meat off but prevents bones from dissolving into soup.  Simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours (the longer it simmers the more infused the flavors become).  Add quinoa pasta and when pasta is tender soup is ready to serve!  I top mine with fresh cracked pepper and a touch more parsley.  Enjoy!

P.S.-The best part about this recipe is that after your Thanksgiving feast you can substitute turkey for the chicken and make soup from your left over turkey!

When Sparks Fly

Here it is!  A home for all things gluten free...and other goodies too!  This blog is named after a song I wrote here in L.A. a few years back called "When Sparks Fly".  My co-writers (one who is the love of my life) and I originally wrote the song for a tv placement and made a quick recording to see if it was right for the slot.  Since the birth of this song we have received a few random emails from couples requesting the recording so they could walk down the isle to this song on their wedding day!  Did I mention I'm a hopeless romantic?  I figure it's the perfect name for a blog about gluten free cooking, art, yoga and Southern California life.  I'm new to the blog world, but check back for recipes and photos galore!