Another week of fabulous food made healthier – last week we had some top-notch healthier submissions. Maggie shared a Gluten-Free Crunchy Granola that I must try. (Thanks for the tweet last week, Maggie.) Aubree of Living Free shared a Pumpkin Peanut Cookie that might just be a solution for all the pumpkin puree I froze in the fall.
A $50 Shopping Spree Give-Away
If you entered yet, make sure you do! iHerb.com is giving away a $50 shopping spree to a lucky reader.
I’m going to Culinary School!!
I’ve waited to share this with you…only because I had to make sure that everything was going to work out.
Today is my very first day of culinary school. It’s been a long time dream of mine and it’s finally happening. Long story short, I was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America when I was 20. Afraid to not get a ‘traditional’ education, I got a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Education instead.
14 years later, I’m actually going for it. I was denied admission from one local school because of my food intolerances. Thinking I couldn’t attend culinary school, I decided to get a Nutrition degree which required a basic food prep class. By chance, I spoke with the Director of the Food & Hospitality Management Program at a different school and she told me to enroll in their Culinary Arts Program and just not taste the things I can’t eat. Novel, huh?
I had to hold back tears of joy until we hung up the phone.
I’ve been busily preparing for the big day for the last week and a half – as this was all a little last minute. New knives, uniforms, aprons, supplies, books…it’s been a fun-filled kind of hectic.
SS&GF will still go strong – and the best part is that I’ll get to share what I learn with you.
Reminders
- Make sure to enter my $50 Shopping Spree Give Away from iHerb.com!
- January’s Gluten Free Progressive Dinner Party is at The W.H.O.L.E. Gang today – Diane is serving up Winter Fire Roasted Tomato Soup topped with Prosciutto.
Linking Up!!
When you link, please tell us who you are and what you’re cooking . For example, I would enter:
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten Free – (Immunity Booster Cookies)
Please link to your individual post, not your homepage and link back to this post so that your readers can find the recipes here. If you find that your link has been deleted it’s because it doesn’t link to your post or you haven’t linked back here. E-mail me with questions or if you need help.
Vegan & GF Caramel)Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.
Aubree Cherie
posted on January 19, 2010 at 5:21 am
Congratulations!!! How great for you-what fun! I think we’ll all be pretty excited to hear about how its going
And thanks for liking (and linking) my cookie post from last week
Best of luck on your first day!!!
~Aubree Cherie
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SnoWhite
posted on January 19, 2010 at 5:48 am
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you!! I’ve thought about attending too, so I’m happy to hear that there are places for those of us with food allergies to go
Wonderful.
Can’t wait to hear all about it — enjoy your first day of school!!
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Linda
posted on January 19, 2010 at 6:20 am
I’m so excited for you. This is a great opportunity!
I’m not sure my recipe qualifies for a little bit healthier, but I guess so since everything is made from scratch. I used home made chicken stock but forgot to mention that in my post.
Have a great week Amy.
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Iris
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:16 am
Amy, I am so so excited for you!!!!! I did the same thing after getting my BA. I wanted to go to culinary school, but was also afraid of not going the traditional route. Instead I got an MA in psychology. It’s worked out in the long run, but I’m always so excited when I hear about people who are taking that leap and following their passion. Can’t wait to hear all about it!!
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Amanda
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:28 am
Congratulations — I love to hear about people following their passion. Have a wonderful first day!
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Alta (Tasty Eats At Home)
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:30 am
OMG congratulations! I am so excited for you. (and just slightly jealous) I am curious, which school denied you based on food intolerances? I have tossed those thoughts around in my head – how I would love to attend, and then I’d be afraid to go to a pastry class. Have you visited Celiac Princess’s blog? She attends culinary school, and has said it’s amazing, because most of the dishes they learn to make are naturally gluten-free! Anyway, many, many congratulations!
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Liz@HoosierHomemade
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:55 am
I couldn’t wait to head on over and Congratulate you!!! How exciting!
Thanks for hosting SIT! Tuna is healthly…right?
~Liz
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Chaya
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:57 am
Amy and all, please link recipes up to
http://sweetsav.blogspot.com/2010/01/meatless-mondays-link-up.html. I am jumping on the healthier eating bandwagon, very quietly.
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Chaya
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:59 am
Amy, you have so much written today. I just noted the good news. You are going to culinary school. That is wonderful. I hope you will share your experiences with us.
I am excited and happy for you.
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Lauren
posted on January 19, 2010 at 8:02 am
Congrats on the new chapter of your life! I also hold a BA in Psychology and an MA in School Counseling, but am contemplating going for a culinary degree. You are an inspiration! Good luck
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Lauren
posted on January 19, 2010 at 8:28 am
Ohmygosh Ohmygosh Ohmygosh!!!! Congratulations Amy! That is going to be just fantastic! Best of luck – I know you are going to do beautifully =D.
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Chelsey
posted on January 19, 2010 at 8:29 am
Amy! This is awesome. I am so happy for you. You are going to kick butt, I know it. I will be patiently waiting to hear about all the new secrets you learn
. One day I hope to do the same thing, once all the kids are in school.
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Sandy Gillett
posted on January 19, 2010 at 8:35 am
I am so happy for you Amy! I can’t wait to hear all about it. Hugs! and Blessings!
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gfe--gluten free easily
posted on January 19, 2010 at 9:27 am
Wow, Amy, that’s awesome! What a year 2010 is going to be for you! I can’t wait to follow your culinary school cooking adventures. I think you’ll be a wiz kid for sure.
I’ve linked up a recipe, pork tenderloin with maple glaze, that’s been on my site for a while. A friend/reader was just raving over it to another friend, so I was reminded of it and thought I’d share. It’s definitely a dish that can be used for a weeknight meal or to impress friends. It’s naturally gluten free and uses maple syrup which is unrefined and can provide some health benefits. It can also be made dairy free, by just using all olive oil (or another oil in conjuction with the olive oil).
Thanks for hosting this great weekly event! I am just so excited that you are following another one of your dreams! Hugs,
Shirley
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Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen
posted on January 19, 2010 at 10:06 am
CONGRATULATIONS, Amy!!! This is such awesome news! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!
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Winnie
posted on January 19, 2010 at 11:10 am
Amy,
This is such great news. I am so jealous. I live pretty close to the CIA and was thinking about applying last year. I’ll have to live vicariously through you for now. I can’t wait to hear how it’s going! ps I’ve linked to a Meyer lemon pudding recipe that’s mostly raw and vegan (and sugar/gluten-free as well).
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Jennifer
posted on January 19, 2010 at 11:13 am
Amy! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so very happy for you. I knew you could do it! I always figured you would be perfect. Your cooking and baking skills are excellent. You know your stuff. Way to go, girl!!
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Maggie Savage
posted on January 19, 2010 at 11:13 am
Congratulations Amy! I think it’s so cool that you’re following your heart. I can’t wait to hear all about it. You already amaze me with your recipes! Thanks too for featuring my crunchy granola! Your blog is truly amazing.
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Maggie Savage
posted on January 19, 2010 at 11:25 am
Sorry Amy, I linked to my homepage today – I think I was distracted by your exciting news and my feature
. Here’s the direct link for today’s Slightly Indulgent entry Vegan and Gluten-Free Caramel http://www.sheletthemeatcake.com/?p=909
Thanks.
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Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@Maggie Savage, I fixed it.
No biggie. Thanks for letting me know so that it’s easy for people to find your yummy recipe!
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Amy
posted on January 19, 2010 at 11:35 am
Congratulations, that’s so exciting. Can’t wait to live vicariously through you!
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Cheryl Ayres
posted on January 19, 2010 at 11:35 am
Congratulations on following your dream of culinary school! My husband’s chronic illness this past year and subsequent treatments by a naturopath has us both considering college for Natural Nutrition (RHN) next month. Isnt life’s journey amazing!
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Anne
posted on January 19, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Congratulations Amy!! That is wonderful news. Looking forward to reading all about it.
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Jessica Meyer
posted on January 19, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Congrats on culinary school Amy. You will love it and learn so many fun and useful skills. I have been thinking about applying for Le Cordon Bleu in Austin for several years now. I probably will when I am done with my Master’s program now. Best of luck! Jess
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Trish
posted on January 19, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Congrats, Amy! That is so exciting! I’ve wondered about culinary school myself, but yep – food intolerances – and it’s just not the right time in my life.
All the best! You’ll do great
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Maggie Savage
posted on January 19, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Thanks for sorting out my link Amy!! You’re fast! I am so happy to be a part of Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays. Thank you for doing it! I always get some great recipe ideas from it and it’s great exposure for all of us!
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Jenna @ Newlyweds
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:03 pm
That’s great news, congratulations. I hope you have a fabulous time and learn so much!
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Jendeis
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Congrats Amy, I am so excited for you!!
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cheryl
posted on January 19, 2010 at 7:42 pm
how wonderful! and how silly that some people couldn’t see beyond your limitations. you go, girl! it sounds like great fun.
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Amy Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
@cheryl, I know…as if there’s not a whole world of food beyond sugar and gluten. They just don’t know what they’re missing!!
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Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship
posted on January 20, 2010 at 2:24 pm
What a blast! I can’t wait to see and hear what you’re learning – congratulations on a dream fulfilled!
Katie
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Natalie
posted on October 14, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Good luck at culinary school Amy! I’ve considered the same, as I have a lot of food intolerances.
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your site. I’m not gluten intolerant, bur I can’t have any sugar, carbs or dairy due to a rather bad case of Candida in my stomach & intestinal tract. I’ve found a lot of Candida sites that are too lenient in regards to my diet by allowing things I can’t have, or need too many different ingredients. But I’ve found your recipes easy to alter for my requirements. When I can eat some carbs again, I’m staying completely gluten, refined sugar & grain free, so I look forward to trying more of your recipes. You have inspired me to get crafty in the kitchen, & I look forward to sharing some creations when I get some tangible recipes together!
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Amy Reply:
October 17th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@Natalie, I do hope you’ll join in when you are ready, Natalie! Every week there seems to be more creativity and variety in the dishes shared.
Also, thanks for your feedback about my blog. It’s always good to know that it’s helpful.
Hugs,
Amy
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