Keeping in touch

Dear Blog:

I am so sorry that I have been so neglectful. It is not as if I have forgotten about you. It is just that I have been really, REALLY busy. Between work, the kids, preparing to move into our new house and everything else I have not had as much time as I would like to give to you.

Just to catch up... a lot has been going on with us. I just finished the set for Master Chef which is due to air on FOX in June. It is a cooking competition show, with real people and not professional chefs. It is sort of a cross between Top Chef and American Idol. Gordon Ramsay is one of three judges on the show and it is produced by the same people who do The Biggest Loser. From what I saw, it looks to be a VERY good show. The Australian version of Master Chef is enormously popular and hopefully we will have similar success with our version. The set is amazing and I am quite proud of it. I met many interesting people on the crew and had tons of fun. The only problem was that the days were very long and I barely saw the children.

Happily, I am going to get to see them a lot over the next couple of weeks. We are getting ready to move into a new home and there is a lot to do to prepare for that. As I type this, hardwood floors are being installed into the new house. It is new construction and we had the option of putting in carpet, wood or travertine. We decided to go with almost all wood and some travertine because Ella is so allergic to dust mites. And they like to hide in carpet.

Thankfully, the challenge of decorating a new home is a task that I will happily take on. And my mind is abuzz as am making lots of plans.

Ella has two more classmates who have discovered that they have wheat and/or gluten allergies. Now there are 4 children out of 22 in her class who have severe food allergies. That's pretty remarkable. There are moments when I still worry that Ella is suffering from not being able to eat the same foods as the other children. Particularly because it is birthday season right now and goodies are being brought into school on a frequent basis. Last week, her friend's mom called me to tell me that she would be bringing in ice cream for the class to enjoy and wanted to make sure that she got something that Ella could eat. I told her, any kind that does not have nuts. So she picked something up and when they were getting ready to serve the children, Ella's teacher jumped in and said that Ella could not have any. Whatever was on the ingredient list raised a flag for the teacher, enough for her to feel like the ice cream would not be safe for Ella. I wish that they had called me, but I will trust that it really wasn't safe for her to eat. Nonetheless, poor Ella had to sit there as all of the kids around her went to town on big bowls of yummy goodness. Our friend felt HORRIBLE. She was so sweet. She sent me an e-mail apologizing and vowed to take Ella out for a frozen yogurt play date... which she did the very next day.

Ella's birthday is next month and I am starting to plan that event. We are most likely going to pick up GF pizza from Garlic Jim's and I will make her a wheat free cake. Maybe will get a bouncy house or something. Ella is already all over me to make sure that it is a fabulous event. That kid is so much like me it isn't even funny!

Anyway, that is the latest. I truly will try to be better about keeping in touch. Thanks for being so patient!

Love,

Heidi

Sadly, this makes a lot of sense

Fatty Foods May Cause Cocaine-Like Addiction

Another Reason to Love Sunset Magazine

Three Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes by Sunset Magazine to check out. I am so happy that so many businesses and periodicals are embracing the gluten-free diet. Way to go, Sunset!

New Report on Allergies...

So maybe I am not the worst mother in the world, after all? My dirty little secret... every so often, I let Ella indulge in a very small taste of wheat. Like a fluffy Belgian waffle, a flaky croissant. Or a chicken McNugget. When I say "small", I mean SMALL. Often, just a tiny bite. But I have indulged her because the part of me that wants her to feel "normal" often takes over. And usually these small amounts of wheat only come along once in a blue moon. Today, this article is helping this Catholic mother feel much less guilty...

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/01/danger-foods-allergy-treatment/

We have read stuff like this before. I like the logic behind it and at this point, I am willing to try almost anything...

Awards, Pizza and Belated Valentines

This weekend was a head spinner. Saturday morning, Ella and I got mani/pedis. This might sound a bit indulgent but I had a big event to attend and it seemed like a good chance to sneak in a little special Mommy & Daughter time. After doing glam time in the chair, we picked up some sandwiches (or salad, in Ella's case) and met the boys at the park. The kids played like crazy monkeys until it was time for Milo's nap. Ella and I then took off to see a play for children; a version of the "Princess & the Frog". We had a lot of fun. And then we zipped back home so I could get ready for my event... the Art Director's Guild Awards!

This was the first time I have worked on a show that was nominated for such a prestigious award. We were up for Best Production Design in a Multi-Camera TV Series for Hell's Kitchen Season 6. It is a tough category because we also go head to head with sitcoms and variety shows. This year our stiffest competition was "How I Met Your Mother". They usually wipe the stage with my art director's tux. But surprise! We WON! It was the first award to be handed out for the evening and I truly expected to lose. But when they announced, "And the winner is... Hell's Kitchen!" I looked at my compadres and gasped! We headed up to the stage to collect our trophy. While I was standing up there all I could think about were the people I knew that were sitting in the audience... Mel Brooks, Warren Beatty, Gene Wilder and James ("I am taking the planet by storm!") Cameron! This little, behind the camera gal was petrified! But then I was consumed with pride as I walked a bit taller around the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. I have to say that it feels pretty darn good to be a part of an industry that is so special. And to be surrounded by so many talented people. It was one of the great high points of a career that has already brought me so much joy.

It was a late night, but one that I would GLADLY do over and over again!

We dragged our keisters out of bed (not easy) and I attempted to make a new recipe out of the Babycakes cookbook, with only marginal success. Thankfully the kids gobbled up the "Johnnycakes" which I think were supposed to be flat but ended up looking a lot more like a biscuits. The taste was there, but might take some technical work on my part should I ever attempt them again!

We also tried a new restaurant that I have been hearing a lot about called Pizza Fusion. All organic, with gluten-free pizza options. Ella was thrilled and the pizza really was delicious. Lately, I feel like we are eating more and more pizza than I ever have in my life. But with a few of these places adopting GF menus, combined with the fact that kids intrinsically love pizza make our visits a no-brainer. (See my review, below.) Overall, a fantastic meal. And we had enough left-overs for dinner. Which was perfect since no amount of coffee could help rescue me from my exhaustion haze.

With all of that craziness, I was unable to complete my desired task of the day... wheat-free and GF sugar cookies for Valentine's Day. Thankfully, tomorrow is President's Day and the kids will be looking for something fun to do. So the dough is chilling in the fridge and tomorrow we shall bake and decorate!

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy weekend. Happy Valentine's Day! Happy President's Day!

Restaurants We LOVE: Pizza Fusion

Another pizza joint? If they have a wheat/gluten free option... GLADLY! A dear friend told me that a new place was in the neighborhood and we had to check it out. We have our Valley place (Garlic Jim's), our Farmer's Market joint (Deano's) and now, happily one that is even closer to home in Hollywood... Pizza Fusion. This chain (YEAH!) features an all organic menu that includes a rice based pizza dough that is completely Gluten-Free. If you happen to be lactose intollerant, they have a lactose free cheese that they will happily throw onto your pizza. (Forgot that Lactain pill? No problme!) The pizzas are artisenal, in style, thin crusted little gems, that are made to order. They seem to have something for everyone. My Mom got the BBQ chicken with a whole grain crust. I ordered the "Greek" (let's be honest, I would probably eat cardboard if it was covered in Kalamata olives and feta) on traditional white crust. And Ella ordered her GF creation with crimini and portobello mushrooms. Each of us were quite happy with what we ate. Ella, in particular, was thrilled. There were several grunts and plenty of "YUMs!" as she worked her way across the plate. Naturally, I had to taste the crust which reminded me a lot of the one at Garlic Jim's, rice based. (Whereas the one at Deano's is corn based). It was perfectly crispy and did not collapse under the weight of the sauce, cheese and other toppings. It was a perfect lunch. Ella was offered her choice of an Honest Kids juice pouch, which is a great alternative to the sugary punches and "juices" that most other restaurants have. If you have one near you I would strongly suggest checking them out. This would be a great place to take several people with varying dietary needs... Vegans, meat eaters, and on and on. There are lots of salad and personal pizza options, as well as salads and appetizers. No doubt, we will return.

BTW, the ingredients for the Gluten-Free pizza are Bean Flour, Rice Flour, Tapioca Flour and Starch, Xantham Gum, Salt, Yeast, Egg, Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Canola Oil, Calcium Propionate, in case you are curious!

Pizza Fusion

Been Busy...

The past month has been very busy. The biggest thing is that I finally finished the sets for Hell's Kitchen 8. I am very, very proud of all that we were able to accomplish. Sadly, I cannot post any photos of our sets until the season begins airing. But here is a snapshot that my friend and shopper, Nancy, took of me standing in one of the kitchens. In case you are wondering, I was not cooking anything but was instead boiling large pots of water to put into our set hot tub. Right before the contestants arrived, we realized that the jacuzzi was not wired properly. After a quick fix, we turned on the heaters but we only had about 5 hours before everyone arrived... about 16 hours shy of what it normally takes to heat a tub. So we were trying our best to accelerate the process. Oh, the tricks of the trade!

If you are looking at this picture and thinking that I look pretty darn tired, it is because I was. This month has been a doozy! Besides work insanity, our house went into escrow (FINALLY!) and we have been frantically searching for a new Casa de Miller. Lots of paperwork, phone calls, inspections, contractors and faxing. Through it all, I have been struggling with a horrific sinus infection that started back in November. After a CT Scan or two, my doctor announced that I must have surgery to clear out my upper sinus cavities that are unable to drain on their own. Perfect timing! The only good news is that I can wait up to two months before doing it. Hopefully soon I will have some idea of where we will be living and then I can book the darn thing. My doctor has warned that I will have about 3-4 days of recovery with flu like symptoms. But hopefully, it will ease my endless infection. After all of this, I will need to have another surgery to fix my deviated septum. And maybe after that, my sinuses will give me a little break. So much fun!

And if all of this was not enough, I turned 40 last week. It has been hard for me, I cannot lie. But my husband really made it a special day to ease my pain. We had two fabulous dinners at my favorite restaurants... one with family and the other with a small group of close friends. Not too shabby, indeed.

Speaking of food, with all that was going on I decided to try a food delivery service for a few weeks. Normally, I get up in the morning and make lunch and dinner for the kids. My slow cooker seems to be on constantly. But with my 6 day work schedule, I couldn't barely find the time to do the grocery shopping. Many of my friends swear by having their dinners delivered. So I gave it a try. In my mind, it was a fabulous situation. Every day I would go to my front door and waiting for me was a bag of delicious, prepared food. I had selected each day's menu via computer so it was all stuff that I new we could eat. Much of it was similar to what I normally prepare anyway. Steamed rice, grilled chicken, fresh fruit, salads and tons of veggies. Some days I was even able to get chocolate dipped strawberries. I would use some of it to build Ella's lunch and save the rest for dinner. And it actually cost the same as it would have if I had gone grocery shopping. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? It was until Ella decided to stage a full boycott of anything and everything that arrived in the pretty little packages. She refused to eat anything that I did not make myself. So strange, because literally it was exactly what I would have cooked. So our poor babysitter would have to make 2 dinners, first trying the delivered dinner and then resorting to something she knew the kids would eat like corn quesadillas. So I am back to shopping/preparing every one's food. Oh well!

Hopefully I will get back to my regular blogging as soon as I can. I have been reviewing some books and cannot wait to talk about our new favorite place, Babycakes NYC in LA. I begin a new show tomorrow and have no idea how busy that will keep me. But all of it is wonderful and fun and I cannot complain one bit. I just miss this part of my life. Thanks for putting up with my long periods of silence. Keep tuning in...