Here’s to All the Grandma Types

In 2001, Alice Solomon, a syndicated newspaper columnist, published her first book. Love, Sex and the Single Gorgeous Grandma: Reflections on Being Single over 50 was an extension of her column A Guide for Gorgeous Grandmas for the Metro West Daily News. Alice Solomon is the founder of Gorgeous Grandma Day.

What is a Gorgeous Grandma? According to Alice, she is every woman over fifty, sixty, or seventy who believes she has her whole life ahead of her, not her whole life behind her. She cherishes herself as much as she cherishes others. She wants to thrive, not just survive, adapts to life’s bittersweets as well as sweets. In other words, I am Woman – Hear me roar!

Gorgeous Grandma Day isn’t just about spirited Grandmas. This day recognizes the beauty of all women of a certain age, whether they are grandmothers or not. Not all women are destined to be mothers just as not all women are destined to be grandmothers. And just because a women is bouncing a grandchild on her knee doesn’t mean her life is complete. There are still mountains to climb, goals to reach, and life to live. For some, it’s independence. For others, it’s the focal of family. Regardless, these women are filled with wisdom, wit and talent, a reservoir of often untapped talent.

Today remember to thank the grandmothers in your life for their guidance and support. And remember to pass along that guidance, to keep truths and traditions alive. Nothing is more precious than the bonds that create a family. So bring family together, give thanks and sit down for a delicious meal.

Friday Night Supper
Grilled Chili-Lime Salmon
Jasmine Vegetable Rice Pilaf
Toss Salad and Warm Bread

Today is also National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. Who says vanilla ice cream need be boring? I don’t know about other Grandmas, but this Grandma is all in for the favor of a boozy Ice Cream Float.

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Grilled Chili-Lime Salmon
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon New Mexican Chili Powder
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 teaspoons Lime Juice
4 (6 oz) Salmon Fillets with skin
2 Lemons or Limes for garnish

Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium. Clean grate, brush lightly with oil to prevent stickling.

In small bowl, mix Sugar, Cumin, Chili Powder, Cayenne Pepper and Lime Juice. Spread lime mixture over flesh-side of salmon.

When grill is heated, place salmon; skin side down, directly over medium heat; cover grill.

Grill salmon, undisturbed, for 15 to 18 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from grill, plate on a fish platter or individual plates. Cut lemons or limes into wedges, serve with Salmon.

Jasmine Vegetable Rice Pilaf
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
Sea Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup jasmine rice
1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix, thawed
1 1/2 cup chicken broth

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat, add onions salt and pepper, cook 4 minutes, until tender, add garlic and cook another minute.

Add rice, stirring often, cook 3 minutes. Stir in peas and carrot mix. Add chicken broth, bring to boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover, cook 15 minutes, until liquid has adsorbed.

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Tequila Lime Float
1 Lime
Margarita Salt
4 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 cup Lime Juice
1 Cup Lemon Lime Soda
32 oz Lemon-Lime Soda
4 shots Tequila

Slice lime in half down the middle. Slice 1 half into lime wheels, set aside. Zest remaining half, set zest aside.

Wet rim of 4 glass with zested lime half. Pour salt onto a plate. Turn glasses upside down and press rim into the salt.

In a large pitcher, combine lime juice with lemon-lime soda.

Place 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream into each glass. Slowly pour soda mixture into each glass, divided evenly.

Pour a shot of tequila over ice cream in each glass. Garnish ice cream scoops with a sprinkling of lime zest and a lime wheel.

Serve and enjoy.