Monday, December 24, 2012

             
     From my family to yours,     
I'm wishing you a 
             Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Even a Husband can do it

This is Tracy's husband, Bri, feelin' good about pinch hitting tonight. Tracy is taking some well deserved R & R at a friend's party tonight following an all day signing she did at The Bible House in Orange, CA. You know, the place down the street from where the Angels play...and, while on the subject of the Angels, I personally feel they needed to acquire a good middle reliever instead of paying so much money for Josh Hamilton after emptying the bank account last year for Albert Puljos. I sure hope they have enough money when they need it for the real star of the team, Mike Trout.

Well, for those of you still left reading, I just had to sneak onto the blog and report that I made the Black Bean Brownie samples for tomorrow's signing at Savoy Cafe & Deli in Santa Barbara, CA. Well, I didn't make all the samples. Trace made the ones with walnuts and I made the samples with almonds.

I'm pretty pleased with myself and needed to brag to someone. No one was home except the dog, Bailey, and she wasn't interested in the least about my accomplishment once she learned I hadn't called her into the kitchen to give her scraps. So, I thought, I can't call anyone on a Friday night and say "guess what I just did on a Friday night." But, the Blogsphere, or however you say it, they might just be impressed that I, a mere husband, a certified klutz in the kitchen, made an entire batch of Black Bean Brownies with Almonds and chocolate chips.

Hey, it's not like I'd never done it before (See "Bri's Big Black Bean Adventure" on October 11, 2012 where I baked for my auto shop, Swedish Asian Auto and I think they're still healthy and in business). So, if you find your way to Savoy Cafe & Deli tomorrow or Sunday, be sure to ask for the samples with the almonds and let me know what you think. Oh, and I'm offering a free signed book to anyone who gets the sample with my wedding ring in it, provided you can return it to me without my wife finding out.

Thanks for listening--you made my night!

~Tracy's Husband

About Delightfully Free: Delightfully Free is a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cookbook of 141 recipes. It includes delicious resources for autism, Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, obesity and just plain healthy living. It contains 114 color photographs, 114 vegetarian or vegetarian compatible recipes, and 103 vegan or vegan compatible recipes.

You can buy Delightfully Free and Even More Delightfully Free on my website, www.delightfullyfree.com or directly at this link: https://squareup.com/market/delightfully-free
Your signed books always come with free shipping. We do not sell on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or any other internet sites.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I'm in Santa Barbara at Savoy Cafe & Deli!


I can hardly wait for this weekend. I will be returning to Savoy Cafe & Deli in Santa Barbara on Saturday, December 15th, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and again on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM signing my gluten-free, dairy-free & refined sugar-free cookbook, Delightfully Free.

 

Looking toward State Street

I love going to Savoy Cafe & Deli. Why? Let's begin with the charming, warm hospitality of owners Kathy and Paul Shields, and their entire staff, which extends not just to me but to every guest they make feel welcomed and special.

Here I am last time with my friend and owner Kathy Shields

Then, of course, there's the food. Creative, tempting and delicious, presented beautifully. Choices of all kinds of salads like Strawberry Spinach w/ Walnuts, Forbidden Rice Salad and Fresh Greek w/ Creamy Feta, or the best salad bar in town, homemade quiches, fresh soups like Tomato-Basil and Creamy Chipotle Carrot, innovative fresh sandwiches and a range of hot entrees like Seared Wild Salmon, Pasilla Turkey Fritters, Oven Roasted Veggies and Macaroni & Cheese,  just to name a few. To top it off, Kathy bakes daily a variety of treats like cakes by the slice, pies, cookies, cheesecake and muffins. Many of the selections are gluten free, dairy free/vegan and some are naturally sweetened. It's also reasonably priced. Since I will be there all day, I will be forced to eat all three meals on site! : )

The happy patrons on a lovely Saturday afternoon
 
You'll find Savoy Cafe & Deli at 24 Figueroa Street which is just west of and perpendicular to State Street in the heart of Santa Barbara's beautiful downtown. So, if you're shopping along State Street, you're only a short walk away. 

State Street at Dusk

I know it's a busy time of year, but maybe a stop at Savoy Cafe & Deli for a healthy, delicious meal to recharge is just what you need to make your holiday shopping memorable and fun. Kathy usually surprises me with a few offerings from my book. Here's the Pumpkin Pie and Whipped Topping she made last time I was there (yes, it was delicious).

I enjoyed every bite!

And, finally, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that my cookbook, Delightfully Free, would make a wonderful gift for anyone who eats gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free,  or who simply wants a quantum leap toward eating healthy. So, even if you have a book already, you just might want another as a gift for Christmas or for the final two days of Hanukkah. I will have some gift wrapped and ready to go!

~Tracy

About Delightfully Free: Delightfully Free is a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cookbook of 141 recipes. It includes delicious resources for autism, Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, obesity and just plain healthy living. It contains 114 color photographs, 114 vegetarian or vegetarian compatible recipes, and 103 vegan or vegan compatible recipes.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Angels & Bibles

I've mentioned Angels in a couple of recent posts, so it seems like a perfect segue to bring up that I am doing a book signing this Friday at The Bible House in Orange, California. And, coincidentally, it also is close to (down the same street from, in fact,) Angel Stadium where my local professional baseball team plays. While on the subject of the Angels (baseball team), my husband points out that  their official name is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim which literally means "The Angels Angels of Anaheim."  He thinks they deserve a nickname like the "Angels Ditto" or the "Halos Squared". Of course, "Triple A" is already taken by the Automobile Club , even though the Angels do have a Triple A team...oh no, Bri has talked too much baseball with me. Back to the storyline. Here are the details on this Friday.

The Bible House is at 1634 E. Katella Ave in Orange, CA (corner of Tustin & Katella) I am planning to be there from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. I hope to see you there.

~Tracy

About Delightfully Free: Delightfully Free is a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cookbook of 141 recipes. It includes delicious resources for autism, Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, obesity and just plain healthy living. It contains 114 color photographs, 114 vegetarian or vegetarian compatible recipes, and 103 vegan or vegan compatible recipes.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Didn't See Any Angels...

I had a great time at the Holiday Boutique put on by the Orange Quilt Bee in Orange, CA. It's right down the street from Angel Stadium but I'm pretty sure I didn't see any Angels. I did meet many really nice people though.  I knew I would because my mother-in-law is a quilter and one of the nicest people I know.

The boutique lasted most of the day and was well attended by vendors and customers. I have to confess that I wouldn't have recognized an Angels player even if one had shown up. (It could happen...football great Rosie Greer was a quilter, or so my husband, Brian, tells me). (Update here is that Bri was mistaken...Rosie Greer did needlepoint.) However, I know that my baseball fanatic husband would have spotted any baseball players in attendance and, based on the fact that he showed about as much activity as a dog sleeping by the fireplace on a cold night, I think I'm safe to say that no players dropped by. I do think, though, that the Angels could benefit from some of the healthy snacks and treats in my book! If one of them got a copy of my book--we could swap autographs! Bri says a signed ball for a signed cookbook sounds like a good trade to him.



I spent several hours signing my new gluten-free, dairy-free & refined sugar-free cookbook, Delightfully Free and talking to people about the alternative healthy ingredients I use in my recipes to make them surprisingly healthy, even though they look and taste like decadent off-limit splurges! I brought samples of my Black Bean Brownies and tried to surprise as many as I could by waiting until after they tasted the brownie to let them know that the main ingredient was an entire can of black beans. Most people thought that my brownies tasted even better than the ones with all the white sugar and white flour. "You're kidding me! You put black beans in here!?... I can't believe that there's no refined sugar in this recipe!" and "These are delicious!!" were frequent comments.


The basket was full of brownies when we arrived, but it was empty by the time we left.

Next weekend I will be back in Santa Barbara at my new favorite spot...Savoy Cafe & Deli. It's located at 24 Figueroa Street, just west of State Street. Savoy features delicious organic fare, including some gluten free and some dairy free/vegan dishes and a great atmosphere. I'll tell you more in my next post.

~Tracy

About Delightfully Free: Delightfully Free is a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cookbook of 141 recipes. It includes delicious resources for autism, celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, obesity and just plain healthy living. It contains 114 color photographs, 114 vegetarian or vegetarian compatible recipes, and 103 vegan or vegan compatible recipes.


Friday, December 7, 2012

A Raving Endorsement



I have been blessed to hear the responses by my family and friends to my new cookbook, Delightfully Free. I am especially gratified by the review by a very dear friend I have known since college.

Her name is Lori Alexander and she writes a popular blog for women called Always Learning.  She recently wrote a post about my cookbook.  I have reposted it for you to read ~

As you may have noticed, I don't use this blog to sell many things. However, I just received my copy of Delightfully Free in the mail yesterday and it is amazing!

Tracy and I went to college together. Ever since I have known her, whatever she puts her mind to doing, she does it extremely well. She definitely has perfectionist tendencies. Well, she has poured the last two years of her life into this cookbook and it shows.

It is hard cover with a spiral binding inside so the pages turn easily. All the pictures are beautiful and she is an incredible cook. I know. I have eaten her food many times. Every single recipe is tried and tested. Like I said, she is a perfectionist and this book shows it.

If you are wondering what to give someone for Christmas, this would make a great gift. Even if they don't have to eat gluten free, they will still love these recipes. Her husband doesn't have to eat that way but he loves her food.

She made her recipes so everyone would like them. If you are interested, just click here to order. They get it out right away so you will get it in a few days. Browse around their website also if you want to see more pictures of her yummy food. She also has a wonderful blog full of lots of good healthy tips.

Thank you so much, Lori, for your kind words.  The Eggnog Bread Pudding With Rum Sauce pictured above is absolutely delicious and, need I say again, it is gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free!  It is one of many perfect holiday recipes from my cookbook.  There is still plenty of time to order my book for Christmas!

~Tracy

About Delightfully Free: Delightfully Free is a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cookbook of 141 recipes. It includes delicious resources for autism, Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, obesity and just plain healthy living. It contains 114 color photographs, 114 vegetarian or vegetarian compatible recipes, and 103 vegan or vegan compatible recipes.



You can buy Delightfully Free and Even More Delightfully Free on my website, www.delightfullyfree.com or directly at this link: https://squareup.com/market/delightfully-free
Your signed books always come with free shipping. We do not sell on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or any other internet sites.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Christmas Boutique in Anaheim, California

I know most of you can't just hop in the car and be in Anaheim, California this Saturday, December 8th. But, if you are in the area, you might consider dropping in on the Cornerstone Church's annual Christmas Boutique.  I will be there selling and signing my book, Delightfully Free. I would love to meet you and chat awhile about healthy food. Here are all the particulars for the Boutique:



~Tracy

About Delightfully Free: Delightfully Free is a gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free cookbook of 141 recipes. It includes delicious resources for autism, Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, obesity and just plain healthy living. It contains 114 color photographs, 114 vegetarian or vegetarian compatible recipes, and 103 vegan or vegan compatible recipes.


You can buy Delightfully Free and Even More Delightfully Free on my website, www.delightfullyfree.com or directly at this link: https://squareup.com/market/delightfully-free
Your signed books always come with free shipping. We do not sell on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or any other internet sites.