My niece, Meredith, is a very talented college student at the University of Alabama. She writes an incredible fashion blog called http://inspectorsnew.wordpress.com. I always get great fashion ideas from her blog. Last week I was honored to have my Gluten Free Cookies featured among her great Valentine gifts. Check out her blog and the incredible work of a college student and my cookies below.

There’s only five days left to order Gluten-Free Valentine Cookies. They have been the rage and so popular! I’m so happy that everyone is so excited, and the response is so positive. If you want to try them, (and you live in Birmingham), head to Max’s Deli in the Collonade. They’re selling my cookies like “hotcakes”. Click on the link on the main page to right to order your cookies today. Thanks, Alison

If you’re looking for an awesome, healthy and delicious Valentine present, look no further. These Valentine Cookies are healthy, gluten-free and made with no flour, butter or oil but are deliciously filled with dark chocolate and peanut butter. For $15 plus shipping, you get a dozen cookies with love from Ingredients, Inc. I will be taking orders, starting today up until February 5th. Orders will ship on February 9th.

See pay pal below to order or if you live in Birmingham, you can email me to drop me a check in the mail. Thanks so much for your incredible support! Alison

My t-shirts have been selling like hot cakes (by word of mouth), and they are now available on my site. Click on the “Shop” page on my site for more information. I have NEW cotten thermal long sleeve shirts that are perfect for cold weather. Let me know if you’re interested. Thanks, Alison

Everyone loves homemade food gifts so if you’re in a pinch with only a few more days, here’s a easy, healthy and pretty food gift. Curried Soup Mix is a great combination of lentils and spices. It makes a pretty presentation perfect for this time of year. It’s a true comforting soup ideal for this cold weather.

I made this appetizer for my dad’s 80th birthday dinner last week at my sister’s house. It’s really easy, beautiful and filled with wonderful flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, oregano and goat and cream cheese. I got it out of the book, “Recipes Worth Sharing” by Favorite Recipes Press. It’s a great cookbook and has wonderful recipes for family gatherings and occasions such as this. Here’s the picture from the party with my dad, his daughters and granddaughters (I’m the one in the yellow and blue shirt).

I love to make homemade food gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, especially this year when everyone is trying to save money. This 4 ingredient food gift is as simple as can be and very economical. You can get the jars at any local store and even Walmart. Which ever you choose, this recipe is delicious, and everyone loves it. Happy December!

One of the best parts being a food blogger is when some of my favorite media writes about me, and it’s just out of the blue. Yesterday, a very famous food blog, “The Kitchn” listed their favorite top 10 Brittle and Bark recipes. I made it on the list in great company with Martha Stewart, Bon Appetit, Epicurious and many others. Check out the post http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/break-off-a-piece-barks-and-brittles-101614

This recipe ran last year during my first month of my blog. It’s 3 ingredients and fabulous. I will be making it on television next month in Birmingham NBC 13 “Daytime Alabama” and NewsChannel 4 CBS “Talk of the Town” in Nashville, Tennessee.

Since I’m teaching a cooking class next week -”Gifts from the Kitchen”, I thought I would share with you my recipe for Maple-Chipotle Spiced Nuts. There’s no oil or butter in this recipe. Just egg whites, some of my favorite seasonings and nuts. I love Priesters Pecans, especially this time of year. This makes a great Christmas gift but is wonderful anytime. For more information on my class, see Birmingham Bake and Cook. I am also taping a “Gifts from the Kitchen” television segment Tuesday for NBC 13 Daytime Alabama and will let you know when it’s going to air.

If you love awesome specialty food shops, read on. Fromagination, in Madison, Wisconsin, is an incredible specialty food shop celebrating Wisconsin Artisanal Cheesemakers and highlighting artisan cheeses from around the United States and the world. In addition to the selection of cheeses and perfect companions, they offer catering, lunches, gift baskets, classes on cheeses and private events. I wanted everything in the store, and I mean everything! Cheese, trail mix, honey, candy, decorations for the home, beer, wine and more cheese. Located on capitol square in Madison, it is a must see if you get to this area.