It's not that ominous, really!!
Had a good time in San Antonio, as I knew I would. I love my friend and her family as if they were my family. We have known each other for many, many years. I have watched her children and grandchildren grow into adults. They call me Aunt Laura, which is appropriate because I think of their Mom as my sister.
When I first got there, I was still suffering with a stomach bug of some sort. I was incredibly hungry, but nothing tasted good and whatever I ate set off waves of nausea. It was nasty!! That lasted until late in the day on Tuesday. My girlfriend picked me up that evening and she had Chicken Tortilla soup waiting at home. It was so very, very good and soothing. I think it cured me!! After that, I ate an incredible assortment of crap, not alot of anything, just not stuff that was good for me or even On Plan!! The scales tell. I didn't weigh in this week as my flight was late yesterday and meetings are early. So I have the opportunity to straighten up and fly right before next Saturday. I wonder...?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Weigh In and Travel Plans
Woo Hoo. Down another 1.2 for a total of 22 lbs lost. I am feeling triumphant and empowered to keep on going. Did lose a Weekly Point, but I was having a hard time using them all anyway (most of the time!). Tomorrow morning I fly out to San Antonio for a conference. It lasts Mon and Tues and then Tuesday afternoon, my best friend, who lives about 40 miles northwest of SA will pick me up from my hotel and I will go and spend a few days with her and her hubby. Really good people and we get to spend way to little time together. Since I last saw them, I have quit smoking and lost this weight. I know I won't be terribly on plan this week, its too hard when I am traveling, but I will have my girlfriend stop at the grocery store on the way to her house so I can buy some WW friendly snacks at least. They are good eaters, with emphasis on veggies and fruits, I will just have to be cautious and then not guilt my self. I don't want to undo my progress.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Damn, He's Prettier Than I Am, and Built Better Too!!
Somewhere in the not too distant past, I attended a conference in pre-Katrina New Orleans. Neither my husband nor myself had ever been there, so, as the company was buying my ticket, we decided we could afford his and a couple of extra nights in a converted stable room very near the French Quarter. We flew on a Thursday night and had until Sunday to play when my husband was going to fly on to Nashville and go visit his mother. My conference started the following Monday. Sweet huh? Those were a few days that are burned forever in my memory. One incident in particular will never be forgotten.
We were walking through the French Quarter just soaking it all in like any tourist. If you've never been there, drinks are sold through street side windows and folks just stroll up and down guzzling whatever (and I was guzzling with the best of them). We came to one establishment that billed itself as a "Cabaret" with Female Impersonators. Now, I am thinking Cher, Joan Rivers, Barbra Streisand, right? So, I pestered the hubby into going, because frankly, he would rather gargle ground glass!! So we walk in, its a two drink minimum and we are between shows. We get seated and very shortly, it starts, but WHOA, Nelly!! This is not Cher, or Barbra, or Joan, or any celeb at all. These are men in different stages of transgendering and they are drop dead gorgeous! and they are half naked!
I had never been in a "strip" club or any other type of adult club of that nature. I was a little taken aback but not being easily flustered, I insisted we stay until we drank what we had paid for. By the time we left, I felt so inadequate as a woman I can't describe it. These guys were amazing. Beautiful, toned, figures to knock your eyes out. I have never looked like that in my entire life as a female!! And the guys were just starting out.
We were walking through the French Quarter just soaking it all in like any tourist. If you've never been there, drinks are sold through street side windows and folks just stroll up and down guzzling whatever (and I was guzzling with the best of them). We came to one establishment that billed itself as a "Cabaret" with Female Impersonators. Now, I am thinking Cher, Joan Rivers, Barbra Streisand, right? So, I pestered the hubby into going, because frankly, he would rather gargle ground glass!! So we walk in, its a two drink minimum and we are between shows. We get seated and very shortly, it starts, but WHOA, Nelly!! This is not Cher, or Barbra, or Joan, or any celeb at all. These are men in different stages of transgendering and they are drop dead gorgeous! and they are half naked!
I had never been in a "strip" club or any other type of adult club of that nature. I was a little taken aback but not being easily flustered, I insisted we stay until we drank what we had paid for. By the time we left, I felt so inadequate as a woman I can't describe it. These guys were amazing. Beautiful, toned, figures to knock your eyes out. I have never looked like that in my entire life as a female!! And the guys were just starting out.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Yak, Yak, Yak
I don't know what it is about Sundays but I sure get the urge to type!! Anyway, Happy Valentines Day to all. We celebrated at home, me still in my pajamas (my favorite clothing - fleece). We did eat awesome food, sirloin, shrimp, twice baked potato and asparagus. This is not my favorite holiday, but I will take any excuse to cook really nummy food. I am full and content. That's love.
Ok, No Title!!
It was easier that way!!
I go out wandering the internet never knowing quite what I might find, usually because I don't know what the heck it is I am looking for, other than to kill time. Anyway, I find some interesting stories and inspirations and my wanderings today took me back in time to the first Thanksgiving I was away from home. I mean, I was really away, like in a foreign country, across the ocean, without a phone (or a clue!).
Our family tradition was to have a turkey stuffing party the night before Thanksgiving. We would all get together and mix up the stuffing and drink too much and laugh alot and I seem to remember at least one hair dying incident. The problem with this set up was that no one knew what anyone else was doing, so I could be chopping onion, but I had no idea about the cornbread, or the eggs or the other ingredients. But somehow through all the booze and debauchery, we always came up with a great Turkey Day.
Then I got married to an man in the Air Force and they sent us far away. To Spain. So, when Thanksgiving rolled around, I was stumped. I could only remember individual ingredients and some of them rather hazily. (Remember the booze!) I could not remember how things went together and in what proportions and I was going to ruin Thanksgiving and my husband was going to divorce me and send me back to the States and wahhhhh!!!
So I did what any rational person would do. I called home, COLLECT!! About a gazillion dollars a minute to ask for a recipe. Thank God my parents loved me. I might still be in Spain otherwise. My stepmom cut the call short though and said she'd mail it to me and she was as good as her word.
And my dressing was as almost good as hers was. I think the booze and debauchery were essential ingredients.
I go out wandering the internet never knowing quite what I might find, usually because I don't know what the heck it is I am looking for, other than to kill time. Anyway, I find some interesting stories and inspirations and my wanderings today took me back in time to the first Thanksgiving I was away from home. I mean, I was really away, like in a foreign country, across the ocean, without a phone (or a clue!).
Our family tradition was to have a turkey stuffing party the night before Thanksgiving. We would all get together and mix up the stuffing and drink too much and laugh alot and I seem to remember at least one hair dying incident. The problem with this set up was that no one knew what anyone else was doing, so I could be chopping onion, but I had no idea about the cornbread, or the eggs or the other ingredients. But somehow through all the booze and debauchery, we always came up with a great Turkey Day.
Then I got married to an man in the Air Force and they sent us far away. To Spain. So, when Thanksgiving rolled around, I was stumped. I could only remember individual ingredients and some of them rather hazily. (Remember the booze!) I could not remember how things went together and in what proportions and I was going to ruin Thanksgiving and my husband was going to divorce me and send me back to the States and wahhhhh!!!
So I did what any rational person would do. I called home, COLLECT!! About a gazillion dollars a minute to ask for a recipe. Thank God my parents loved me. I might still be in Spain otherwise. My stepmom cut the call short though and said she'd mail it to me and she was as good as her word.
And my dressing was as almost good as hers was. I think the booze and debauchery were essential ingredients.
Thoughts and Things
First off, does anyone besides me have such a damn hard time trying to figure out how to title these things?
Second off, I have added the Weight Watchers logo to my gadgets because I am proud to be a part of such a losing team. They are the best!! And I also added a cartoon. This one makes me laugh everytime I see it. I might change them out occasionally, but I will keep this one for a little while.
Second off, I have added the Weight Watchers logo to my gadgets because I am proud to be a part of such a losing team. They are the best!! And I also added a cartoon. This one makes me laugh everytime I see it. I might change them out occasionally, but I will keep this one for a little while.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Family Favorite Foods
Last nite we had Pork Chops and Hominy. Very rustic, very peasant foody, very good!! I used Center Cut Rib Chops, which are very lean and shaped right to fit 4 in a frying pan. (Speaking of frying pans, if you have one, make this in your cast iron skillet. It tastes better somehow.) I could probably trim them more, but these are pretty good. First brown them on both sides, just to sear, don't need to cook, yet.
I use salt, pepper and garlic powder to season. Once you have seared on both sides, remove to a plate.
I actually had to add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the pan, because the chops are soo lean. Scrape any sticky bits and then add 2 tablespoons of flour. Make a roue and let it brown a bit. Add 1 cup of 2% milk. If the gravy is really thick add a bit more milk, up to 1/2 cup. Whisk well and allow to thicken a little. In the meantime, open a 29 oz. can of Hominy.
Hominy is a corn that has been soaked in lye. It puffs up and has a nice texture and flavor. If you have had Corn Nuts, you have eaten fried hominy. Hominy is good for you. It has 80 calories per 1/2 cup serving, 1 gram of fat and 5 FIBER grams. Hot Damn!
Add your hominy to your "gravy". When was the last time you had gravy while watching your diet?
Reposition your browned pork chops on top of the hominy and put in the oven at 350 degrees for about one hour. Don't overcook. Pork Chops will dry out.
Believe it or not, this is an 8 point meal. Add a salad or some other greenery and you can't beat this. It's so good and hearty. Enjoy.
I use salt, pepper and garlic powder to season. Once you have seared on both sides, remove to a plate.
I actually had to add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the pan, because the chops are soo lean. Scrape any sticky bits and then add 2 tablespoons of flour. Make a roue and let it brown a bit. Add 1 cup of 2% milk. If the gravy is really thick add a bit more milk, up to 1/2 cup. Whisk well and allow to thicken a little. In the meantime, open a 29 oz. can of Hominy.
Hominy is a corn that has been soaked in lye. It puffs up and has a nice texture and flavor. If you have had Corn Nuts, you have eaten fried hominy. Hominy is good for you. It has 80 calories per 1/2 cup serving, 1 gram of fat and 5 FIBER grams. Hot Damn!
Add your hominy to your "gravy". When was the last time you had gravy while watching your diet?
Reposition your browned pork chops on top of the hominy and put in the oven at 350 degrees for about one hour. Don't overcook. Pork Chops will dry out.
Believe it or not, this is an 8 point meal. Add a salad or some other greenery and you can't beat this. It's so good and hearty. Enjoy.
Weigh In and Just Desserts
Ok, so Weigh In today was +.2. Not bad since my inner Weight Watcher phoned in this week. I ate guacamole and chips, hamburger and fries and not one, but two pieces of pizza. What the hell? I was just hit with a craving for all the things I know aren't good for me at once. And the worst part, I only really enjoyed the guacamole. I had my mouth all geared up for something that didn't appear. Oh well, back on plan and going strong. TJ, over at TJ's Test Kitchen is out there pioneering the good things to eat and found the Thomas Bagel Slims for us!! God Bless you girl. Spread one of these with a Laughing Cow Light French Onion cheese wedge and enjoy. That kind of nibbles makes it easy to stay on plan.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Mahi Magic
Ok, this is so simple, but soo wonderful. Costco sells Mahi-Mahi in a bag of frozen fillets. They are so good. Take out a couple of filets and grill them. I seasoned these with Chinese Five Spice, some hot chili powder, salt, pepper and some garlic powder. We didn't put them outside on the grill, fish always suffers out there. But my little indoor electric grill rocks fish!! Now, this pic is right after dinner was served and it's dirty, that happens when you cook.
But this beauty comes all apart and fits in the dishwasher and everything. I love my grill. I got this one from QVC and got my sister one from Amazon (same thing without the "celebrity" endorsement. Well worth the price, regardless. (Made by West Bend).
So in addition to the Mahi, we had my fav rice and peas tonite. This is a good dinner for the nite before Weigh In.
and even Trey got a bite. He had to work for it, but he likes some fish.
Little butt head. Thinks his big job in life it to be cute. He's right, but I don't want him to know.
But this beauty comes all apart and fits in the dishwasher and everything. I love my grill. I got this one from QVC and got my sister one from Amazon (same thing without the "celebrity" endorsement. Well worth the price, regardless. (Made by West Bend).
So in addition to the Mahi, we had my fav rice and peas tonite. This is a good dinner for the nite before Weigh In.
and even Trey got a bite. He had to work for it, but he likes some fish.
Little butt head. Thinks his big job in life it to be cute. He's right, but I don't want him to know.
Delete and Resubmitted with Improvements
A couple of days ago, I posted a Banana Nut Muffin recipe that I said was 3 points, and it was. But I have wanted to repost the improved version of that, because I can actually get it down to 2 points and its soooo good. Too good not to share. So here goes.
2 Point Banana Muffins
1/2 cup(s) Egg Beaters
1/3 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup(s) light sour cream
1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large very ripe banana(s)
3/4 cup(s) whole wheat flour
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, or more to your taste
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg beaters and suger until fluffy about 5 minutes. Beat in sour cream, milk and
vanilla.
3. Mash bananas and add to mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add to banana mixture, mixing just until blended.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin. I use ice cream scoop to get equal measure and make less mess.
7. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin (check a
couple) comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
8. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool.
9. Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts for an additional 1 point making these 3 point muffins.
Words do not do these justice. They are light and moist and very tasty. And they are large!! Nice with a cup of joe. And they remain this pretty!!
2 Point Banana Muffins
1/2 cup(s) Egg Beaters
1/3 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup(s) light sour cream
1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large very ripe banana(s)
3/4 cup(s) whole wheat flour
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, or more to your taste
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg beaters and suger until fluffy about 5 minutes. Beat in sour cream, milk and
vanilla.
3. Mash bananas and add to mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add to banana mixture, mixing just until blended.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin. I use ice cream scoop to get equal measure and make less mess.
7. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin (check a
couple) comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
8. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool.
9. Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts for an additional 1 point making these 3 point muffins.
Words do not do these justice. They are light and moist and very tasty. And they are large!! Nice with a cup of joe. And they remain this pretty!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Dinner Tonite
Well, I decided on Pork Chops, baked sweet potato and steamed asparagus. About a 9 point dinner and I can't wait. Yum. And I did get everything to make my guacamole for tomorrow. Safeway had avocados on sale 3 for a $1.00 (actually .99). I just couldn't say no when I am craving it so badly. Pray for me!!
Post Script: was delicious. I couldn't even eat it all. So less points than predicted, but I will let it ride. I am done eating for the day anyway.
Post Script: was delicious. I couldn't even eat it all. So less points than predicted, but I will let it ride. I am done eating for the day anyway.
Weigh in and Celebrations
Down 1.6 for a total of 21 lbs. Thats also 10% of my starting body weight. I am thrilled. It has taken a long time to get here, over 2 months to lose this last 5 lbs! I gained a bit over the holidays and that didn't help, but basically I have just lost a little each week. Today our Leader at the meeting had one of her quotes up that was very appropriate "Slower is Faster than Never". I guess!! So, new goal, another 10%. I am sure this is going to be a long drawn out process, but thats ok. I am post menopausal (had a complete hysterectomy in 2001) and the lack of natural hormones alone is going to make it harder and slower. But only quitting is going to make it impossible, so will keep marching on. I know there are alot of things I could be doing that would hasten the process (more activity being the primary one), but I will jump off cross that bridge when I get to it. Not sure about dinner tonite, but will blog it up later. Tacos for dinner tomorrow and I promised myself guacamole with chips for Superbowl Snacks. I may regret that. We'll see.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Soup!
Oh, I have made the most marvelous soup. Beef, lean round, cut into bite size pieces, about 1 1/3 lbs. I salted, peppered and garlic powdered the meat and quickly seared it, just a spray of oil in stew pot, and then covered with 6 cups of fat free, low sodium beef broth. (Ultimately, I would also add another 3 cups of chicken broth because there was not a big enough ratio of solids to liquids for me!) Then I started chopping veggies - 3 celery stalks, 3 cups of sliced carrots, half an onion, 2 turnips, C&W frozen corn kernals. Seasoned with fresh parsley, some rosemary, oregano, bay leaves. I plan eventually to add some potato, but damn, it does not need it at all. So very good, I may never buy another can of vegetable beef soup as long as I live. I swear.
Dinner, Breakfast and Random Fat Thoughts
Dinner last nite was not so OP, but as I really didn't eat alot of it, it worked out ok. We grilled a couple of chuck eye steaks (5 pt for 3 oz), baked a couple of potatoes and I steamed some asparagus and sauteed (just sprayed a nonstick pan with some olive oil actually) some mushrooms. Turns out I at less than 3 oz of the steak, about 1/4 of a potato with some B&B and light sour cream, lots of asparagus and mushrooms. I think got out of there for about 8 points. Not bad. Don't tell anyone, but I think I could swear off beef forever. Its so heavy. I eat very little of it when offered. On the otherhand, I crave some recipes, like my machaca, which is more about the seasonings than the meat.
Then breakfast this morning I wanted a pancake soooo bad. So I made some!! I had 1 whole wheat pancake from scratch with a little B&B and maple syrup and 2 slices of bacon. 8 points and I am totally satisfied. And whole wheat pancakes aren't half bad.
I was thinking this morning about the reason I joined Weight Watchers the first time (about 5 years ago). I was at the airport, getting ready to fly out to DC probably, and this woman and her little girl were there waiting also. Little Girl was maybe 5 or 6 years old and cute. I like kids, usually. So I stand up to gather my computer case and the rest of my paraphenalia and Little Girl is sizing me up. Head to Toe. Then she looks at me and in the most innocent way asks "Are you gonna have a baby?" I just started laughing out loud. I thought the child's mother was gonna implode and I know she was trying to figure out why she didn't drown this child at birth. I reassured the mother that I was not nearly as insulted as she was embarrassed and told the little girl that "No, I am just fat!".
When I got home from my trip, I started Weight Watchers. Outta the mouths of babes...!
Then breakfast this morning I wanted a pancake soooo bad. So I made some!! I had 1 whole wheat pancake from scratch with a little B&B and maple syrup and 2 slices of bacon. 8 points and I am totally satisfied. And whole wheat pancakes aren't half bad.
I was thinking this morning about the reason I joined Weight Watchers the first time (about 5 years ago). I was at the airport, getting ready to fly out to DC probably, and this woman and her little girl were there waiting also. Little Girl was maybe 5 or 6 years old and cute. I like kids, usually. So I stand up to gather my computer case and the rest of my paraphenalia and Little Girl is sizing me up. Head to Toe. Then she looks at me and in the most innocent way asks "Are you gonna have a baby?" I just started laughing out loud. I thought the child's mother was gonna implode and I know she was trying to figure out why she didn't drown this child at birth. I reassured the mother that I was not nearly as insulted as she was embarrassed and told the little girl that "No, I am just fat!".
When I got home from my trip, I started Weight Watchers. Outta the mouths of babes...!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Yesterday's Dinner
For the WW out there that may be following, yesterdays dinner was 8 points. I even impressed myself!
Weigh In and Groceries
Weigh In today. Down 1.2. Just short of 20 lbs and almost to my 10%! Woo Hoo!! I am losing right around one pound a week, which, while certainly not setting any land speed records, is totally acceptable.
Our WW meeting center is right next to a Sunflower Market, which is the other natural, organics store we have in town. Tucson has a great healthy eating mentality and we have Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Sunflower Market. If one doesn't have what you want, surely the others will. In addition, our Fry's (Kroger's) has a pretty full WW line of products, not to mention many of the other items I use alot. So I ran into Sunflower Mkt on my way home from the meeting and managed to wander around for about 30 minutes. I bought some lentils and some Cotija (Ko tee ha) cheese. If you don't know about Cotija cheese, its like Mexican parmasan. Its dry and crumbly and is amazing on refried beans and most any other mexican style dish I can think of. Its got a very strong flavor, not bitter or pungent, just impressive flavor and is exceedingly salty so a little goes along way. Its really, really good.
I still need to do some more shopping, but I was so hungry after the meeting, I didn't dare do any more than I did. Once again, half a bacon breakfast burrito filled the bill and I am good now. I think I will do a little recipe planning and then head out. Have great day all.
Our WW meeting center is right next to a Sunflower Market, which is the other natural, organics store we have in town. Tucson has a great healthy eating mentality and we have Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Sunflower Market. If one doesn't have what you want, surely the others will. In addition, our Fry's (Kroger's) has a pretty full WW line of products, not to mention many of the other items I use alot. So I ran into Sunflower Mkt on my way home from the meeting and managed to wander around for about 30 minutes. I bought some lentils and some Cotija (Ko tee ha) cheese. If you don't know about Cotija cheese, its like Mexican parmasan. Its dry and crumbly and is amazing on refried beans and most any other mexican style dish I can think of. Its got a very strong flavor, not bitter or pungent, just impressive flavor and is exceedingly salty so a little goes along way. Its really, really good.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Dinner was Wondermus!!
Ok, this was wonderful dinner!! Diver Scallops (get the ones from Costco, they have no chemical additives), rice from heaven, and sweet white corn. I know, sounds like lots of starch between the corn and the rice, but I need the fiber right now and I love corn!! Let's see if I can figure out how to put some pics in here. Start with these ingredients. They are for the marinade.
Notice the pineapple can is opened. That's cause I started making the marinade before I started taking pics!! I will post the recipe at the end of this. Anyway, you make the marinade out of the pineapple juice, some chili sauce, a little ketchup, honey and a teaspoon of oil. Also some minced garlic and a little salt. Now, next time I make this, I will reduce this until it is much thicker and use it to not only marinade, but baste. This is a little thin. I think the flavors would be soooo much better concentrated down. It also makes alot of marinade and I was only making 8 diver scallops. So you will want to play with it. The flavor combinations can't be beat tho'.
Oh, here is my minced garlic. I have learned so much from Food Network and I still have all my fingers.
So mix all of this together and this is what you wind up with.
Arrange your diver scallops in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. This will marinade a couple of pounds of scallops, seriously, so don't be afraid that you won't have enough!! Marinade for 15 minutes or so.
In the meantime, get your rice ready. In a sauce pot, bring 2 cups of water and a couple of teaspoons of salt to a boil. Add one cup of this wonderful stuff:
Ok, so the marinade recipe calls for:
1/2 cup of pineapple juice
1/3 cup of chili sauce (I use sriracha)
1 tbsp ketchup
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
Mix thoroughly. This is theoretically enough marinade for 1 lb of scallops and 1 lb of shrimp for Kebabs.
And the butter looking stuff on my rice, between the pineapple rings, is some Brummel and Brown, which I love dearly. Buying stock soon.
Notice the pineapple can is opened. That's cause I started making the marinade before I started taking pics!! I will post the recipe at the end of this. Anyway, you make the marinade out of the pineapple juice, some chili sauce, a little ketchup, honey and a teaspoon of oil. Also some minced garlic and a little salt. Now, next time I make this, I will reduce this until it is much thicker and use it to not only marinade, but baste. This is a little thin. I think the flavors would be soooo much better concentrated down. It also makes alot of marinade and I was only making 8 diver scallops. So you will want to play with it. The flavor combinations can't be beat tho'.
Oh, here is my minced garlic. I have learned so much from Food Network and I still have all my fingers.
So mix all of this together and this is what you wind up with.
Arrange your diver scallops in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. This will marinade a couple of pounds of scallops, seriously, so don't be afraid that you won't have enough!! Marinade for 15 minutes or so.
In the meantime, get your rice ready. In a sauce pot, bring 2 cups of water and a couple of teaspoons of salt to a boil. Add one cup of this wonderful stuff:
This is the best rice!! It's also stupidly expensive, like somewhere between $6 and $8 for this jar, but so worth it. And its still 3 points per cup and again, worth ever luscious bite. When the scallops are practically point free, its an easy trade off.
Anyway, add the rice, reduce the heat and cover. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes on low medium until fluffy.
Lastly, prepare your frozen corn kernels. I just put them in a bowl, put them in the microwave and push the magic frozen vegetable button. If you have a bettter or preferred way, have at it.
About 5 minutes before your rice should be done, put your scallops on the grill. I have an indoor electric grill that is perfect for this, but they can go outside. If you like, skewer them or put them in a BBQ basket. 3 minutes on each side should have them beautifully done. If you like, grill some pineapple rings while you're at it. Yum.
It all kinda looks like this when you are through. I am so full and it was so good, it was almost criminal.
Ok, so the marinade recipe calls for:
1/2 cup of pineapple juice
1/3 cup of chili sauce (I use sriracha)
1 tbsp ketchup
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
Mix thoroughly. This is theoretically enough marinade for 1 lb of scallops and 1 lb of shrimp for Kebabs.
And the butter looking stuff on my rice, between the pineapple rings, is some Brummel and Brown, which I love dearly. Buying stock soon.
TJ's Giveaways
For all my working friends out there, my pal over at TJ's Test Kitchen is giving away an awesome lunch kit. Everything you need to pack a healthy lunch including the room to add some chill factor. You know, those frozen things to keep your food cold? Go check it out. Post a comment. You know you want this!
What a Week!
Well, tomorrow is Weigh In. And I have been a particularly good girl. Really boosted up my veggies and fruits and the scale (home) is showing it. I am well beyond the TOM period (no pun intended) of my life so I don't have to worry about hormone fluctuations affecting my weight. On the other hand, that could be a really good excuse if I had no other. So I am out there, naked with no where to hide!! On my own, fessing up to my diet crimes. What is one to do?
We are have a great cafeteria at work and a super young general chef manager named Anna. She is very open to suggestions about making the cafeteria selections a little more healthy and has started putting out some marvelous concotions that I can just munch and drool and then track my little Weight Watchin' heart out. Case in point, thinly sliced apples mixed with craisins (not a lot, just a hint), cinammon, and some other spices, coated with a balsamic vinegar dressing, and topped with some toasted sliced almonds. We weigh these at the cafeteria, so I even know how much I am getting ounce wise. Good deal. My taste buds are doing the happy dance as is my tracker. Anna is going to print me out the recipe. I will pass it on when I get it.
Mentally, it has been a tough week. DH has quit his job and I am ready to drown him in the pool. His temper and lack of patience have finally driven him to do something so foolish and self destructive that I cannot even comprehend what he was thinking. Thankfully, he is eligible to retire in September and we are not in a desperate financial situation, but it worries me to no end. I know that people get cranky when they get older but they are also supposed to have developed some psychological tools to deal with the annoying little things that life deals out on a daily basis. We have been talking about doing some international travel in the the near future, some of it to what is considered 3rd world countries. I have told him that before I consider going anywhere with him at this point, he has to prove to me that he can stand in a service line for however long it takes to get something accomplished without losing his cool. I have no desire to be hauled off an airliner because my husband was acting the ass when the plane didn't take off on time.
We are have a great cafeteria at work and a super young general chef manager named Anna. She is very open to suggestions about making the cafeteria selections a little more healthy and has started putting out some marvelous concotions that I can just munch and drool and then track my little Weight Watchin' heart out. Case in point, thinly sliced apples mixed with craisins (not a lot, just a hint), cinammon, and some other spices, coated with a balsamic vinegar dressing, and topped with some toasted sliced almonds. We weigh these at the cafeteria, so I even know how much I am getting ounce wise. Good deal. My taste buds are doing the happy dance as is my tracker. Anna is going to print me out the recipe. I will pass it on when I get it.
Mentally, it has been a tough week. DH has quit his job and I am ready to drown him in the pool. His temper and lack of patience have finally driven him to do something so foolish and self destructive that I cannot even comprehend what he was thinking. Thankfully, he is eligible to retire in September and we are not in a desperate financial situation, but it worries me to no end. I know that people get cranky when they get older but they are also supposed to have developed some psychological tools to deal with the annoying little things that life deals out on a daily basis. We have been talking about doing some international travel in the the near future, some of it to what is considered 3rd world countries. I have told him that before I consider going anywhere with him at this point, he has to prove to me that he can stand in a service line for however long it takes to get something accomplished without losing his cool. I have no desire to be hauled off an airliner because my husband was acting the ass when the plane didn't take off on time.
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