If I could only have one...

  I've been in a place recently of: "if not now when?" I think it's about getting older and realizing I'm not getting any younger or any more adventurous. And I've never been to Colombia, so why not?  Since we were going in February, I wanted to go somewhere warm and beachy. And with a kid, I find beach / pool to be more of a sure bet than a city vacation. My Brazilian friend, Mari, said that I shouldn't go to Cartegena--all of the Colombians go to Santa Marta. I dutifully looked into going to Santa Marta, but let's be real--Cartagena is accessible from New York with a regular direct flight on JetBlue, so that was going to be my choice.  To stay: I spent a full day panicking about which neighborhood to stay in. Based on my research, the primary "safe" options for American tourists are El Centro, Getsemani, and Bocagrande. (And, fwiw, I felt safe the entire time I was in Cartagena.) For the first time in a new city, I usually go for an known ...

Let's be honest: Unrivaled Basketball is one of the few brights spots in 2025. All the stars of the WNBA playing a super-fast 3:3 format? Yes, please, distract me from the disaster that is the new administration. We've watched pretty much every single game on Max, and idly looked at games / flights only to realize that nothing in the 8-week schedule was a fit. Bummer.  Then, while watching the 1:1 tournament on Monday, I noticed there were quite a few empty seats in the stands. Even though we're going to Colombia on Sunday, should I book a last minute trip to Miami to see the finals in person? As Alexis said: "this is so stupid, and I love it." There we go.  It was an excellent, stupid decision.  I'll admit, it was feeling more stupid than excellent when our 7:50pm JetBlue flight to Miami was 2 hours late and we ate the worst meal in memory at Terminal 5. Lesson learned: avoid the Custom Burger food court stop--go with the sit-down restaurant. Lowlights: the f...

One of the true joys of living in New York is the slice. You know how it goes, you stop by the local pizza place on the way to a party that you don't want to be hungry for, on the way home from drinks that you don't want to be too hungover from. It's perfect: greasy, filling, cheap. One slice takes the edge off, two are acceptable as a meal substitute. And then there's gluten-free pizza. Available: only at home, only after preparation, only after a 450 degree oven. Or: Mozzarelli's . Available after a visit to the lawyer to discuss partnership agreements. ("$350 an hour? Eh... Next to Mozzarelli's? Where do I sign?") Some things: 1. Good crust. 2. Greasy, not too greasy. 3. Good topping options (note: pepperoni, above) 4. Available By The Slice. That's what I'm talking about, people. I love New York. Even More.

A couple of months ago General Mills announced a line of Betty Crocker gluten-free baking mixes. Tonight, a simple trip to the Park Slope C-Town challenged me to bake a birthday cake in honor of all the Leos of our lives. The mix was simple, only three ingredients and 38 minutes later, Devil's Food Cake with Funfetti icing (artificially-flavored vanilla icing with a packet of sprinkles tucked into the lid of the perfect tub). And, it tastes exactly as I remember box cake. How did they do it? At start, I was wary; the mix was granular, the batter watery but after plumping at 325 and topped with fluffy icing, it's perfect.

Lo and behold, ice cream sandwiches! On a recent trip to Union Market , a font of gluten-free pastas, treats and naturally safe fruits and veggies, I created the Brooklyn version of a summertime favorite. A oversized scoop of Ronnybrook vanilla ice cream "smooshed" between two Dr. Lucy's Cinnamon Thin cookies (they are basically Snickerdoodles, but crispier) makes for the perfect ending a summery dinner party. The cookies were so cinnamon-sugary with a subtle hint of salt, the best GF cookie to date. Even gluten-loving guests went in for seconds!

It's the season of the CSA, when the mounds of kale and chard in the refrigerator compete with my normal inclination to just order take out. Right now, for instance, the door swings open to: lettuce, bok choi, kale, broccoli, snow peas, corn, cucumbers, scapes, peaches, and blueberries. And last week's pickles. Oh, and (just checked) scallions, turnips, eggs, and kohlrabi. So delicious and local and good for me... so overwhelming. With more coming on Thursday. Clearly, I need to take steps. Today's baby step was: blueberry pancakes . (Hey! I admitted it was a baby step.) In all honesty, I've never been much of a pancake girl, even before I knew I was celiac. It was always like choosing candy for breakfast--feeling glad that as an adult I can make that choice, but knowing that as an adult I have to live with the consequences of feeling jumpy and hungry for the rest of the day. So pancakes are a special treat. Particularly using the Kinnikinnick mix . I venture to say tha...