Gluten Free Mom

A New Year, A New Cordless Vacuum

As I haven't posted this year, I thought now would be a good time to update you on my Christmas! As always, my family indulged my gadget obsession - this year buying me a new cordless vacuum. It's the newest Dyson V6 and I LOVE it - in fact I really can't get enough of this beauty:

So what makes it so good?

Firstly, as you can see from the photo (Credit to Expert Reviews by the way), it can be both an upright AND a handheld. We have a huge amount of nooks and crannies in our little home, so this is great for cleaning everywhere without feeling your arm is going to drop off.

I should probably also explain that cordless means exactly that - there is no cord to trip over or get tangled around the vacuum. Instead, it runs on battery power. It also comes with a handy little docking station for when it needs to be charged (this has prime position in my lounge now - but I'm weird like that).

Can it Really Replace a "Real" Hoover?

I would answer YES!

I wouldn't have believed it before I tried it, but this Dyson can easily do every hoovering job I need done. I never feel that I need to get out our old model - I'm even thinking of selling it. I know some people wouldn't agree with this but I think we're at the stage now where cordless is the way forward.

It also has incredible suction power. I mean it's really something else. I've had a cordless before, but it's never been something I could replace my main vacuum with. My poor Hoover doesn't even get a look in anymore - it's that good.

There is even a better Dyson out - the V8 - which must be incredible if it's truly better than the V6.

Doesn't it Run out of Battery?

Luckily it doesn't - at least not too quickly!

The V6 has really good battery life, which is another problem with cordless models. They would often run out of gas halfway through the house and then take hours to charge. I easily clean my entire home in one go and have enough charge for more if I want.

I would say the only downside is the price. Fortunately I have a VERY generous family who all banded together and put money in to get it for me. It's transformed my cleaning schedule much more than I had anticipated and I now think it's one of the best gifts I've ever received. Thanks to those who got it for me!

Gluten-Free Cooking for the Winter

The nights are really starting to close in where we live, which is always a sad time of year. Even though Christmas is around the corner, waking up and going to work in the dark, then coming home in the dark really starts to get wearying. I don't know how people who live in 24 hour winter darkness manage!

But the good news is that the winter is the perfect time to practice some new gluten-free dishes - and that's exactly what I plan on doing. We usually have the family round for Christmas day, and I'm hoping to have at least one new dessert and main dish perfected. To me, there's nothing better than someone telling me "this is so nice it doesn't even taste gluten-free!" (I know that gluten-free does not equal horrible, but many people still think that).

One recipe I'm definitely going to be trying is a gluten-free pear crumble, which I found on GlutenFreeGirl.com (check out the picture below, credit to Gluten Free Girl, and click the link to get the recipe).

I love baking all year round, but there's something special about doing it in the winter. There's nothing better than hearing the rain pour down outside as you get out a steaming pie or crumble from the oven, and the excited patter of feet from the children (and husband!). This crumble looks delicious, and takes me back to my childhood when my mum used to bake crumbles all the time - everything from rhubarb to apple.

On an unrelated note, I've also decided that this winter is going to be the time for more exercise. Eating gluten-free is enjoyable, but if you're not careful the extra calories can really pile on the weight. That's why I've signed up for the gym (at least I haven't waited until the New Year's resolution this time), and decided to go at least three times per week. Wish me luck!