COTTON CANDY NICE CREAM!

Oh my goodness...HELLO!

Here we are. 2018. It has been a hot. minute! Scratch that. It has been a hot TWO YEARS!

Can you believe it?! I've missed you!

So much has happened. SO. MUCH.

Just to recap the time we've been apart in 100 words or less:

I am still acting in New York City! But I am now splitting my time between NY and Cincinnati. Christmas of 2016 (so not last Christmas, but the year before) - my mom had a stroke. She's doing amazing now - she's my hero - but I ended up moving home to Ohio for that entire year to help her recover.

But I'm back in NYC now, and I go back to Ohio at least once a month just to check in and also for  some commercial work! (Gotta love the Proctor & Gamble commercial market!)

Other highlights -- I went to Iceland in summer of 2017 with my best friends.

It was an incredible adventure, and I highly suggest traveling there! And if you'd like me to do a specific blog post about it, let me know! (Teaser: We went snorkeling in 34 degree glacial water between 2 active tectonic plates!!)

And this past summer, my mom and I walked the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage for 80 miles along the coast of Spain and Portugal in gratitude and celebration of her healing! 

It was truly amazing. We made stops in Fatima and Madrid, too. It was the trip of a lifetime!

I was hoping to meet my future husband, casually along the trail, in a "meet cute" worthy of its own chick flick, but alas, no dice. 

So there you have my life in a nutshell! I'm still following the Specific Carb Diet - and my Ulcerative Colitis has STAYED IN REMISSION ever since I started this blog, 8 years ago! So praise God for that!

OK - onto tonight's recipe!

Do I have a treat for you!!

I have recently found a new favorite food. My fondness for it has reached a level of, well -- let's just say I eat this about 4x a week. It is THAT good!

I'm talking, y'all, about NICE CREAM.

But not just any nice cream ... I'm talking COTTON CANDY NICE CREAM.

First of all - what the heck is nice cream?

Well, it stand for Banana (aka Nana) Ice Cream!

In other words, it's non-dairy "ice cream" that is made out of frozen bananas!

And let me tell you - it is slap-yo'-mama good!

And this particular recipe uses cotton candy grapes. And OHMYGOODNESS, if you haven't tried these sweet little poppers yet, do yourself a favor and RUN - don't walk - RUN to the store and get you some!!

They legitimately taste like cotton candy! And I know, you're probably thinking: how the heck do they make a stinkin' grape taste like cotton candy...well they do!

Even my dad thought they were delicious.

So there ya go.

And they're the star of this recipe.

And oh yeah -- this healthy dessert is gluten free, vegan, paleo AND Specific Carb Diet friendly!

Here's What You Need: (Serves 1 gigantic portion)

4 frozen strawberries

1 1/2 frozen bananas

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

1/2 cup (not frozen) cotton candy grapes

2 Tbsp cashew butter

3 drops coconut stevia

Tools:

Food Processor

Ziptop freezer bags

Spatula

Directions:

Blend in food processor until smooth. Add more grapes if you need more liquid. You will need to scrape down the sides several times.

I do believe that when we get to Heaven, this frozen treat will be available by the bucket-full. I mean, it's mama from Heaven!

It is hard to describe the fabulous consistency of this blissful treat: it is like whipped ice cream. Truly. It is silky and slurpy and melty and exactly what you need when your sweet tooth is barking.

The flavor is out of this world with the cotton candy sweetness and the sweet pineapple and rich banana.

I honestly could eat this for the rest of my life. No joke.

JOY IN A BOWL, people. Joy in a bowl!

And the best part, is that you can pretty much customize this dessert to whatever fruit you have lying around. Just pop it in the freezer for a couple hours, and then blend away! Just make sure you have at least one banana in the mix to give it some body!

Friends, I hope you jump off the computer and make you some of this delightful dessert!

Have an awesome night!

OH YEAH! One more thing!! I'M NOW ON INSTAGRAM!!!!

In addition to my Facebook Page, I just started an Instagram profile! So hop on over there and let's be friends! My handle is @glutenfreehappytummy

Lastly...I have to fill you in on my new favorite thing in the whole world: FabFitFun Boxes! Beauty, wellness, fashion, and fitness products for only 39.99? YES. PLEASE. The Fall box is valued at over $300, and has products from Vince Camuto, Beauty Blender and Glam Glow! You can get $10 off when you use my code FALLINLOVE at check out too :)

Life Update!

Hey Happy Tummies!

It has been waaay too long!

Just wanted to give a quick little life update.

No, I have not fallen off the face of the planet, contrary to popular belief! :D

I've been super busy filming and working and enjoying the summer!

I feel a little silly posting acting updates, but you guys are like family and we've been on this journey back to health together, and you all have been so supportive as I'm out here going after it, so I wanted to share my latest work with you guys: I played the love interest in Derek Crider's new country hit, "Girl Walks a Country Mile." I know I'm biased, but I absolutely LOVE the song!

You can watch it below, and catch a glimpse of Yours Truly in action :)





The song follows a couple that is falling in love during the summer time.

Here's another behind the scenes shot!

Derek was such a cool guy. If you live in Philly, you should try to catch one of his live shows!

Next, I just finished shooting the pilot episode of Heroes of the Street, where's I'll be playing Autry Colbert!

We shot in Philly and it was so incredibly fun! It was a jam packed week with filming at several locations, and dodging a major thunderstorm that produced a tornado! It was crazy!

I loved all my co-stars, and by the end of the week we were a little H.O.T.S. family:)

I'll keep you all updated on it as the project moves forward, but for now, here's a link to our FaceBook page.


And finally, the summer would not be complete without our annual trip to the lake home in Wisconsin over the Fourth of July! Good laughs were had, beers were consumed (vodka for me), family time on the water was enjoyed -- just what I needed.

And the very last thing is that I just booked another film! It's a short horror film, but it films at the end of July. Looks like this is officially the #BestSummerEver. 

I hope you all have been enjoying the summer so far! I can't begin to express how much I've missed blogging, and how much I've missed interacting with all of YOU! I have every intent on getting better at posting. I have a delicious recipe that I'm going to post this week -- probably Wednesday night. So check back for that:)

Love and hugs to all my Happy Tummies!

Caralyn

SPA DAY!!

What a day! What a glorious and relaxing day!

Yep...we went to the Spa! My mom, sister-in-law and I got the royal treatment today while my dad and bro were skiing. I got a massage and they got facials.

Let me just say this: you deserve a spa day. You owe it to yourself to be pampered for a day. It is a special treat, one that transforms your body, mind, and soul.

And to experience this with people you love makes it all the more special.

I wish that I could make a case with my dad that massages should be a "regular" thing, as it relaxes me, and reduces stress, which is vital for Ulcerative Colitis remission management....but a once a year treat will have to suffice:) And I am super grateful for that generosity!

So I took some pictures for you:) Of course inconspicuously, when no one was around, as to not disrupt the "zen" of the spa! Haha

They had a beautiful workout room, as well as a gorgeous pool area with a lap pool, hot tub, and cold plunge. A sauna and steam room, and a beautiful balcony that wrapped around the spa that overlooked the ski slopes. It was breath taking.

And then they had a relaxation room, with teas and different waters, dried and fresh fruit, and granola. I felt so luxurious, sipping organic peppermint tea while in a fluffy white robe.

What a day, what a day.

Tomorrow's up in the air. I'm debating between another ski day or a day seeing films. There's supposed to be a snow storm tonight, so that may tip the balance towards skiing...I love fresh powder!

We have fabulous dinner plans tomorrow. I'll fill you in tomorrow...but here's a teaser...snow lodge, and a roaring fireplace:)

Hope you're having a great day!

Cornfield Hypnosis

Well, after a whole 12 hours in the car, we finally made it up North.

There’s something hypnotizing about driving along miles and miles of cornfields. It certainly makes me think.

It’s a strange and exciting adventure I’m about to embark on – moving back to NYC. But more than that, I’m reentering society. I know, I know – sounds kinda dramatic. But it occurred to me yesterday as I was buying the first tube of mascara in 10 months that I really have been absent in the whole sense of the word due to my Ulcerative Colitis flare.

It has taken me completely out of the game physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and – aesthetically – as my lack of make up purchases so curtly reminded me.

Physically – its pretty clear. Take for example, I used to run 5 miles every day in New York. Now, just this past week, I’ve been able to start taking walks. I’m up to 15 minutes and that’s a real feat!

Emotionally, aside from the anger I expressed on my birthday, I now have new hope and drive to get back out there.

Mentally, there were days where it was all I could do to get through the day because of the pain. It stripped me of my fun-loving and goofy personality (just look at my crazy curls and it’ll tell you a lot.)

And socially, I’ve been away from my friends for close to a year — missed their birthdays, special occasions — it is an understatement to say that I am ecstatic about seeing them.

From the road, the blurring corn fields seem just monotonous rows of gold and green, but up close, you peel back the husk to reveal little tiny kernels all beautifully in rows. I mean, have you ever truly appreciated the magnificence of an ear of corn? Well it made me think – this disease does not define who I am. It doesn’t confine me to a life of anguish. No. Sure, I may have to modify what I eat to ensure that I stay in remission, but just because I can’t indulge in starchy, sugary goodness doesn’t mean I can’t grasp life in my hands and live it to the absolute fullest.

There’s a lot to me – more than this disease would lead one to believe. Once upon a time, I was the energizer bunny – with an unlimited supply of energy to go go go! Impromptu twilight boat ride on the Hudson? Sure! Audition in 20 minutes across town? I’ll be there! Battle the crowds for the Rockefeller tree lighting after class? Wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Once upon a time, I loved going out and embracing everything New York City’s nightlife had to offer. Let me tell you, there wasn’t a karaoke mic I didn’t have an amicable relationship with.

Curiously exploring the city on lazy afternoons.

Watching the eclectic masses of people in Union Square.

Laughing so hard with friends that I think my abs are going to explode.

Being goofy with friends on the subway after one too many libations.

THAT is who I am.
That is what I’m going home to.
My disease will not define me.

Want to know the camera I use? I love my Coolpix s3300...Here's where you can get one too!

A Hope-Filled Birthday & Strawberry Cupcakes! :D

Hey Happy Tummies! Yep, it’s my BIRTHDAYYYY! One year older today!!

Strawberry Cupcakes!

I've got to be honest…This past year has been a tough one. Very tough.

And let me just digress for one moment here before I delve into my narrative. My good friend Sarah over at This is What I Eat tagged me in the Hope Relay! So a big big thank you to Sarah!

It’s funny the way things work out sometimes. Because just last night, on the eve of my birthday, I had a long chat with my mom about this very topic.

OK, truth time – It was more than just a chat – It was more of a tear-filled, angry-at-times, “real” moment for me, with my mom being the comforting shoulder to cry on.

You see, this was more than a birthday for me. It was a milestone. A marker. An irritating reminder. As you know, I have Ulcerative Colitis, and have been in a flare for a long time. Nearly a year.

Last year, I spent my birthday in NYC, where I was living. I was in a show, hanging out with all my friends. Life was great. Mid-show: I started flaring. September 16 to be exact. My mom came out and lived with me to help me finish the show in such a debilitated state of health. I then had to move home because of the flare.

It has been almost a full year. My body has rejected all of the UC medications to help me get back into remission. There are 2 options left, which are dirty megadrugs – and even those only work in a small number of patients.

So last night, I was angry. It was the first time since being sick that I really allowed myself to go to that dark place. I don’t like negativity, but sometimes you have to mourn. And last night I was mourning the loss of that year of life. I had a lot of hopes and dreams for that year that I’ve had to completely surrender. Did I ever think that I would spend that “golden year” on a couch, writhing in pain for the majority of the day? No. I thought I would be in NYC, living out my dreams, having fun with friends, flourishing. Last night, I finally allowed myself to be angry about that.

But then hope stepped in.

After a good 20 minutes of tears, the conversation shifted. You see hope is a funny thing. Even though this past year was not the life that I had planned for me, I was supposed to endure this trial. I was supposed to go through this for a reason.

Like gold refined by fire, I know that I’m supposed to learn something invaluable from all of this. And I have hope in that. I have learned so much from this time here at home. It may not sound like it after reading about last night’s episode, but I really have. I have been taught so much patience and trust. I’ve had to surrender everything and trust that God is going to see me through this. I have hope in that.

I have hope in this new Specific Carb Diet. A lot of my symptoms have improved since implementing it. Not 100%, not even 80%, but they’re improving.

And most importantly, I have hope in this coming year of life for me. Life. That’s exactly what it is. I am so thankful for life, and am going to make the absolute most of it. When I’m healed, I am going to live life to the absolute fullest – overflowing – spilling onto those around me and filling up theirs too. Watch out world :)

One doesn’t appreciate life until it’s gone. Or appreciate health until theirs has been compromised. Joy until they’ve experienced true loss. Prosperity until they’ve been without.

I have hope in my future. Starting today. On my birthday.

Thanks for letting me indulge in a little introspective meandering.

little strawberries peeping through!

And on that note, I’d like to tag: (Don’t feel obligated – it’s summer!:) )

Jen @ My Big Fat Grain Free Life!

Ricki @ Diet Dessert and Dogs!

Thank you again to Sarah for the tag:) You rock girl!

a sweet ending to my birthday!

So for a birthday treat today, I made Strawberry Cupcakes! Yep, they’re Gluten Free and Specific Carb Diet friendly!

SCD friendly and gluten/dairy free!

How’s that, you ask? Well…they’re made with almond flour! So not only are they grain free, but they are also protein powerhouses!

yum!

And SO incredibly delicious. And cute too. All they needed were a pair of black and white saddle shoes and they were ready to party:)

yay grain free!

PS: I have not tried to make these vegan with a flax/chia egg, so I don’t know if that works. Sorry!

cupcakes make me smile :)

Here’s what you need: (makes 4 cupcakes)

2 egg whites
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup chopped super-ripe strawberries
tiny pinch of salt
1 tsp honey (SCD) or 2 dropper-fulls of alcohol free pure liquid stevia

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form medium peaks. Fold in your almond flour, salt and sweetener. Finally, fold in your strawberries.

Line a cupcake tin with 4 liners. Spoon 1/4 cup of the batter into each tin. Bake for 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

These cupcakes were just the perfect sweet treat to celebrate. They were wonderful! The texture was amazing: light, airy, spongy, delicate. Just fabulous.

so wonderful!

And the flavor was just outstanding! They weren’t overwhelmingly sweet – they were just right. They allowed the beautiful flavor of the strawberries to shine through! And there was a subtle nuttiness from the almond flour to compliment the fresh, sweet strawberries!

delightful strawberry flavor!

It was so nice to be able to enjoy a sweet dessert that was SCD-legal on my birthday. And let me tell ya, they were a hit! My mom loved them! We both had two! :)

Here’s to an awesome year. Starting today!

What’s your favorite kind of birthday cake? Growing up, I always had a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. What about you?

See ya tomorrow!

I got to use my stand mixer for these egg whites. This appliance is amazing. Here's the one I use and love: