SALE SALE SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO!!

Just in time for the gift-giving season (and perfect for those trying to save a bit of money in these tighter financial times), I am trying to make room for my new creations, which means......

A HUGE SALE!!! Buy anything from my Little Studio Photography and Jewellery Etsy store and get a second item for 25% off!

Hurry - once these beautiful pieces are gone, that is it!

The nitty-gritty:
Second item must be of equal or lesser value. This is not available on custom orders at this time, and cannot be combined with another offer. The discount does not apply to shipping or taxes (if applicable). I will refund the difference after payment has been received. Shipping times may be slightly delayed due to higher sales volumes.
Don't forget to enter the contest of the month here on the jewellery blog.
Enjoy!!
Meghann

Gluten Alert! Watch Out for These Sneaky Foods!

I've known this for a while now, but a friend of my husband who is new to the whole Celiac/allergic to glutens found this out the hard way and I thought I'd try and warn the rest of the world before someone else gets sick!
Reading labels is now not the only way to avoid gluten in your packaged foods - and by this I mean that not all products will list if the amount is small enough to not 'count' as an ingredient, such as being used in the finishing process of a food product.
Ketchups, mustards, and relishes (among others) are guilty of this. I know that Heinz ketchup is safe, but some condiment companies (especially the nameless brands) use wheat gluten/starch as a finishing agent in the condiments, but, as the levels are 'very low' they don't have to list it as an ingredient. Some of them may have started to put 'may have come in contact with' labels on them, but not all of them have. The way to avoid this?? Call the company and be very assertive (not rude, just explain how sick you will get if they aren't absolutely 100% positive on their answer) about asking them if they use any sort of suspicious ingredients in the manufacture of their products. French's mustard is usually safe, but always call to be sure!
I hope this helps - if you are getting symptoms but can't figure out where they are coming from, you might just have your culprit!
Take care, eat well!!
Meghann

Mock Oat Cakes Are the Way to Go!

~I Honestly Think These Are Better Than the Real Thing!~

Since I am allergic to oats, I may be partial - but I really think these are better than the traditional oat cake. Now, all of you from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, hear me out: these are far higher in protein, lower in sugar and have healthy olive oil in them. They still keep for several weeks in an airtight container, but you are pretty much guaranteed they won't last that long - you'll eat them far faster than they'll ever go bad. Although they are a bit finicky to make, they are really, really, REALLY good. Try them and I know you will agree: Mock Oat Cakes are Incredible! They are also free from oats, gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, soy and are vegetarian and vegan!
For those that do not want to make these themselves, I will have these for sale on my Etsy Store shortly!

Mock Oat Cakes

4 cups Instant Quinoa Flakes
1 Scant cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3/4 Cup Sugar (Cane sugar is great, but you may need to whiz it in a blender to make it a bit finer)
1 Cup All-Purpose GF Flour Mix
Dash of Salt
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Xanthan Gum
1/4-1 Cup Boiling Water

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Have on hand 2 non stick baking sheets.
Mix all ingredients except the boiling water until well combined. SLOWLY add the boiling water, a little at a time, until the mixture is the consistency of cookie dough, and will form a ball with your hands.
Taking a small handful at a time, roll into a ball about 1-1/2 inches in diameter, place on the cookie sheet and press it out until it is about 1/4 inch thick and 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving about 1/4 inch between each cake.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack and then store in an airtight container.
Sooooo Delicious!!
Meghann

In Loving Memory of a Wonderful, Furry Friend

~Gandalf March 30, 1995 - November 3, 2008~

Well after taking Gandalf to the vet for an exam on Saturday for a problem I had noticed with his hips, they asked us to bring him in today for x-rays of his pelvis and legs - they thought there might be something wrong with his knee as it crunches a bit when he walks. We brought him in this morning and the vet called a few hours later with their prognosis: his knees were OK, but his hips were the worst they had ever seen. He had arthritis and possibly a genetic disorder in both his hips, causing the hips joints to basically disintegrate. He hasn't really shown any sign of it as cats are quite adept at hidingpain and illness until it is too late and they are in absolute agony. Although we could put him on medication, with the possibility of having surgery to remove his hip joints, there would always be problems, even to the extent of destroying his kidneys. In the end, there was really only decision to make.
At 3:40PM today, Gandalf went to Kitty Heaven. He was a wonderful cat, full of love and purrs. Always happy to sit on a lap, sleep on my tummy, and eat any bit of fluff or bug he could find on the floor, he is survived by his canine friend,Arwen, his mom, dad, and Grand-monna and Grand-papa.
He was 13.
He will be greatly missed.
Many tears have been shed, and many more are still to come, but ultimately he is free of pain, free to chase any bird, bug and squirrel and free to visit his first canine companion, Willy. He will always get his girl, and will always be able to sleep in, on and around any and every shoe he wants. He will always have as much food as he can eat, without having to worry about someone saying he is a little on the heavy side.
Goodbye my fuzzy little buddy, my handsome little man. May you give head-butts to other friendly faces, may you impress everyone with your giant thumbs. We love you, miss you, and wish you well on this, your final journey to the litter box.
Thank you for being my bestest furry little guy. Mom will always love and remember you.
My heart is broken, but I know it was for your best happiness.
Meghann