Duh!

Whoa! Two in one day…

Yes. There is one more thing that I did want to bring up—the primary reason why I wanted to actually post something, actually— and that is the fact that I am putting Aaron and myself on a diet. Aaron has had issues with his toe (he found out it’s gout) and I am just not eating right and have started to really feel it. I feel sluggish all the time and I still want to shed the pounds I gained during my first pregnancy.

So I have decided to put us on an almost vegetarian diet. By this, I mean, I am restricting us to two dinners with chicken, fish, or beef. Don’t get me wrong, I love eating beef but if it’s starting to cause issues like gout, we can do without it. I have also pretty much declared that we will not be drinking soda unless we’re having a party or something. This is a big one. Aaron pretty much grew up drinking coke over juices, milk, and water. Yep you read that right. Not that juice is the healthiest stuff in the world, but it’s better than soda. 

So far we’re doing pretty good. I’ve even started experimenting more with different grains such as farro, quinoa, barley, and millet.

So yes, I have also started making veggie and fruit shakes for us. This is basically a different way to get raw veggies in. Baby Girl loved these and Aaron didn't mind that I was throwing in raw kale. 

Phase two will be to get our ever expanding butts into some kind of workout regiment. The other night Baby Girl told Aaron and I that we have big tummies. Out of the mouths of babes...

A Spot of Light

You know, I suppose there is one good thing about the whole daycare crisis thing. And that’s that I finally get to bust out my bento box stuff. For a few months now, I have been collecting bento box tools. I kinda have a thing for the irresistible cuteness of stylized bento boxes.

I know that a one-and-a-half-year-old, is not likely going to appreciate the work it takes to make these, but darn it, they’re cute and they keep me from being lazy and packing a lunch of leftover stuff. Besides, I'm not far too invested in cutters, egg molds, nori punchers and lunch boxes to not use them.

Hurt So Good

So here I am, hurting all over but feeling damn good. As I mentioned in another post, I go tired of seeing my poor sneakers go unused and unloved. I also came to the realization that my tubby ass needs to slim down a touch. What's a girl to do? I got off the couch and dragged Aaron with me. Actually I came damn near close to having to use brute force to get Aaron out of the house. His excuse this time around was, "But I just woke up." My response to that was, "Well, you have to BE awake to run, so you're in good shape." He grumbled and tried following it up with, "You won't be able to keep up with me," and the "You won't be able to run the whole loop." I told him that I had no expectations to make it around and that seeing as how this is the first time I've gone running since before the pregnancy, I fully expected to run slowly. We ran around our neighborhood. Just one loop. Our neighborhood isn't that large but it is full of hills. I stopped a few times but not because I was tired, I had to stop and stretch. I also realized that this was my first time working out since the calf muscle tear. Overall, yep, I'm out of shape but it's not exactly a surprise. Yesterday, I had a very rare day alone. Aaron went fishing during the day and had to work so he stayed at his brother's. My parents took the little one to their house for the night so I was on my own. Did I sleep? Nope. I decided to break out the Insanity Program DVD and start that bitch up. Day one, fit test. I did fairly well. Some movements were a laugh and I almost fell over, but I actually did better than I anticipated. With the stories Aaron was telling me about his coworkers vomiting after the workout, I was a little concerned. I pushed myself pretty hard and it did take a good hour before I could actually move again, but no vomiting. Then I felt the high and decided, nah, I haven't done enough. So I dropped to the floor and did four sets of 30 scissor crunches while making dinner. I would have attempted pushups too but my arms actually gave out. I went to bed feeling really good. By morning, however, not so much. I planned on going running in the morning but the Advil didn't kick in fast enough. Ah well. Perhaps later.

And They Say Time Flies…

I can’t believe it. This morning I turned on the radio and there they were; two stations playing Christmas music. Holy crap we’re back in the holidays!
I feel like I’m a few steps behind already. Blech… I mean usually, I have some gifts worked out and I have a good idea of what I’m getting Aaron, but it feels like the whole thing just snuck up on me.

The good thing is; I DO have Thanksgiving worked out. Even though my “sous chef” (Aaron) is going to have work overtime the day before the big day. Yes. You read that correctly, this year, for obvious reasons, I am actually calling in an assistant. I’ve also modified the side dishes. They’ll be a lot less complicated.

What I’ve got so far:

Turkey (a slightly modified version of Alton Brown’s Roast Turkey)
Stuffed Mushrooms (app.)
Butternut Squash Soup
Cornbread (the spoon bread version I make every year)
My Mac N’ Cheese
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Sautéed Green Beans with almonds
Wild Rice w/ Red Grapes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
Cheddar and Sage Biscuits
Stuffing/Dressing

I know I’m missing an item or two but I don’t have my list with me and I can’t remember at this point.

As I said, the dishes are a lot less complicated and I can do a lot of the prep ahead of time. Unfortunately I may have already hit a bit of a snag. I have been preparing Aaron for this—well, more like training— but unfortunately, he just learned yesterday that he has to work overtime the day before. SO… I may have to work with my Mom on this. This is kind of getting me a little nervous though. My Mom and I have very different takes on how things are done. She likes to throw things in or change things up on the fly, whereas I don’t. I’ve gotten most of these dishes down to a science and it would make me freak the hell out if she starts "tweaking" or changing things up on me.

Evan, my brother-in-law volunteered to help with prep. I told him it be best for him not to. It was very sweet of him to offer, but that could potentially be disastrous. He doesn’t “cook.” His idea of cooking usually consists of throwing a group of pre-made items together and calling it a meal. I need someone who will understand what I want when I say, “mirepoix,” “chiffonade” and “finely grate,” and will know that there is a difference between, stock and broth, finely mincing and chopping. Hell, we’re talking about the same guy who, just the other day, used my pie dough cutter as a pizza cutter! (I wish I were kidding).

Don’t get me wrong, I really love cooking for the holiday. It’s one of my favorite meals to make. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t. I’m just very particular about the way things are done. I mean, I plan things out weeks in advance and usually have the timing worked out so that all dishes are pretty much done at the same time. So it’s not a pretty sight when things gum up the works. Imagine if you will, one of the crabbing boat captains from Deadliest Catch… yeah I have the potential to get that cranky when things don’t work out. I almost stormed off when my brother burned one of my dishes and my one of sisters-in-law decided to not start one of her dishes until everything else was already finished. She held everything up by about an hour.

Ah well… We’ll see, perhaps I can get an even earlier start and not have to call in the reinforcements. Wish me luck!

Pretty awesome seat for a cooking demo

(Holy crap this took a while. I sent this from my phone on Thursday. My carrier sucks.)

This was really cool. I was at work on Thursday when my supervisor asked me if I knew anything about this tent that was set up in White Plains. She said it said Chef something. I was delight it find out it was actually Top Chef. Apparently the Top Chef national tour had a stop in White Plains, about a block and a half down from where I work. I was unaware of this, but you bet your ass I was there the moment I went out for lunch.

After hoofing it down to the site I saw they had a cooking demo set up. The two chefs from the show were Ariane and Ashley. They weren't my favorites but they were cool enough that I wanted to stick around and see what they were making.

Apparently you needed to make a reservation to get into the tent. But then the woman at the entrance asked if any one waiting was alone and wanted to see the demo. I didn't waste a moment. My hand shot up and I let her know I was alone. I was the last one let in and I got to sit right up in the front. So during the demo, not only could I see what they were making, I could also smell it. Awesome!

So yesh the cheese souffle they were showing us how to make tasted quite yummy. I loved it. I asked a bunch of questions. I was one of the two vocal people there. Another woman there may have a had more questions and may have been a bigger fan, but I can't be sure.

Afterwards they signed autographs. I got two photos and an oven mitt signed. I would have asked for a photo with them but the line was pretty long and by then I had to get back to the office. Still not a bad way to spend a lunch break. :)

What's for Dinner?

I hate trying to figure out what I want to make for dinner every night. It really bothers the hell out of me, especially if I just can't think after getting home from work.

So what I started doing a while ago is making a weekly meal plan to help me out. The whole, not being able to think part wasn't much of an issue when I was unemployed, but it helped a lot when it came to budgeting. Now this tactic is helpful in many more ways. It'll just be interesting to see how Aaron handles helping me with these dishes. They're all pretty simple for me, I know they'll test his technical abilities in the kitchen. I know he's going to freak out if I don't explain and show him what I mean when I say, "chiffonade" or when I try to make him understand that sautee does not mean, frying something to hell. But like I keep telling myself, he IS trying and I love him all the more for it.

Oh yes (slightly off topic), that man has GOT to learn how to use his wrist when whipping or beating liquids. I asked him to beat eggs this weekend and he began stirring them. I had to show him what was wrong with his technique, then had to move him on to making the coffee. Sigh... lordie, don't get me started on that one either.

So yes, today, rather than starting my day with actual, honest-to-goodness work, I did my meal plan for the week. I should have been doing work since the next two weeks are going to be hellish, but the allergies have kicked in and I'm waiting for the meds to start working. Blech. I feel like I'm on another planet.