grapes stuffed with goat cheese | Gluten Free Recipes | Blog

2007 sucked!

2007 was a bit difficult. 2007 offered many challenges. 2008 will be a great year!

OK, so for me 2007 was not the best of years. Five members of my family died, my husband and I suffered some financial losses, a goal I had worked diligently towards (and I might add, harder than I have ever worked for anything, ever) I failed to accomplish, my beloved Aimee, Julian and Milla moved to Texas, my Dad was very ill in the first part of the year and for the second time in his life had to bury the woman he loved, my hubby started working 3000 miles away from home and I suffered for the first half of the year with an incredibly painful frozen shoulder that was finally fixed with a medical procedure that is the modern day equivalent of taking a shot of whiskey and having my arm ripped (screaming and kicking) out of its socket for 25 minutes – except without the whiskey!

But on the bright side, all the family members who passed away had lived long, remarkable lives and were so well loved during their lives. They left behind their marks in the people they left behind. My Dad recovered his health and although he lost his beloved Doris is ever grateful for the time they shared. His illness and Doris’ death brought my two sisters and me closer than we had been in years. Aimee, Julian and Milla are happy in Texas and no amount of distance can diminish the great love I share with my daughter-in-law and two grand-kiddos. My shoulder is fine, my husband is doing something he loves and I learned that money isn’t everything (it ain’t nothing but it really isn’t everything).

Most importantly I have such amazing friends, a strong, wonderful husband who is my light, my hope and the answer to my prayers, two great, healthy boys, two beautiful daughters-in-law and five incredible grandkids that truly are the hope for tomorrow.

The first time I read Gluten-free Girl’s blog I was struck by how rapidly and readily she embraced going gluten free. It was then that I realized that my own philosophy in terms of food has been not to substitute the traditional gluten laden foods with new gluten free alternatives but to re-invent the way I eat and to look at the abundance of naturally gluten free foods and to re-position my point of view. When I adopted that philosophy the world of food went from a world of scarcity to one of abundance.

With this in mind I began my yearly list of New Year’s Resolutions. For the past decade or so my resolutions have all been pretty much the same.

Get organized
Drink more water
Work out
Become a size two
Achieve eternal spiritual freedom
Accessorize more
Be up to date on my paper work

Well this year I am taking a different approach. To hell with the New Year’s Resolution list. This year I have made one resolution which is to re-position my point of view in terms of life. No longer am I going to dwell on losses or look at the scarcities in life. From now on life is full of abundance. It is no longer what I don’t or can’t have that I care about, its what I do have and what I can accomplish that will fill my thoughts and efforts.

Looking out at the world with my new point of view I see a world filled with miracles. I see beauty and love and friendship. I see a place filled with hope and possibility, wonder and awe, fun and adventure.

I am so excited about 2008! 2008 is the YEAR OF ABUNDANCE!

I wish you all a very healthy, happy and abundant 2008!

Here’s a tiny treat for you.

Print This Recipe

Gluten Free Grapes Stuffed with Goat Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

12 large round red or purple grapes (can have seeds as they will be scooped out) washed and dried
5 ounces goat cheese
1 – 2 tablespoons heavy cream

¼ cup chopped salted pistachios

Instructions

Cut a little sliver off each end of each grape and slice in half. Scoop out the flesh and seeds of the inside of each grape half with a small melon baler.Leave enough of the flesh to keep the grape half stable and firm.Place cut side down on paper towels to dry out a bit.

In a small food processor or with a mixer process the goat cheese until smooth. Add enough cream to thin it out enough so it can be piped (about the consistency of very heavy whipped cream). Put the cheese mixture into a small food storage bag and cut off one corner.Using the food storage bag as a piping bag, pipe the goat cheese mixture into the grape cups.Sprinkle with the chopped pistachios.

Enjoy these delightful little gems with someone you love!

Servings

A gluten free recipe that makes 24

Ready for dessert?

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