AND SO IT BEGINS...

Well sisters - tomorrow I start a diet that I call "slim down to Halloween".  It is my attempt to get a corset on my plump little body.

The diet rules are:

No booze!!!

Eat a Furhmanesque breakfast and lunch followed by a zone dinner.  At least I am going to give some of the Furhman recipes a try and see how they go.  I worry that the dinner recipes will not be filling enough so I am going to add 4 oz. of protein.

Here is my plan for the first four days:

day 1

breakfast - soaked oats
lunch - veggie pizza, small salad
dinner -  lamb curry over cauliflower rice, green salad

day 2

breakfast - berry smoothie
lunch - big salad
dinner - tomatillo chicken breast, spinach, new pots

day 3

breakfast - veggie smothered omelet (zone not Furhman)
lunch - veggie stir fry over cauliflower rice
dinner - lamb kebabs, capris salad

day 4
breakfast - apple pie oatmeal
lunch - Mexican salad
dinner - salmon, green salad, sautéed mushrooms over spinach

day 5
breakfast -big smoothie
lunch - mixed green salad with pears, apples and walnut vinaigrette
dinner - carrot soup with cashew cream and crusty bread stork bread, green side salad

what are you eating?????

The Parthenon

Well as we all have heard, our favorite Chicago eatery closed its' door two days ago over unpaid taxes and bills. Such a pity.  Had I known it was in such dire straights, I would have eaten there in June.  I guess I just took it for granted that it would always be there for me.

I have so many great memories - the time Dad drove up to the front door of 561 and carried Grandma and Aunt Helen up the front stairs because it was snowy.  I am sure the rodidas was flowing that night!

I checked out the cookbook which is selling for an astronomical price after the closing.  Hopefully, they will do a reprinting as I would love to make those recipes.  I have never been to another Greek restaurant that even comes close.  Goodbye Parth...we will miss you.

Nectarines

We grew some beauties on our tree here in Manitou - a wet summer and a mild spring have combine to produce amazing fruit.  Froze a bunch, ate a few raw, gave three away, and made a cobbler!

I found it Twisted Sisters!!

Remember that trip to the roadshow sister of mine???  I found the link to the video by googling the appraisers name!

Here is the link to the video http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/20/omaha-ne/appraisals/english-decanter-tickets-collection--201503W05

Good for the Soul

Neale and I had a quickie recently - no not what your thinking.  I am talking a short camping trip up to the independence pass.  It is so good for the soul to get away from technology and listen to the birdsong.  We had beautiful weather and the wildflowers were peaking!  These are pictures from the pass and the Linkin Lakes hiking trail.

How does your garden grow

His Lordship and I have planted a garden this year and we are beginning to enjoy the benefits of our labor.  Here are two yummy things we are having for dinner grown by us - baby lettuce and radishes.

 

 

We will top this salad with delicious homegrown herbs.  Pictured here are chives, oregano, dill, parsley, sage and thyme.

 

 

Already Behind...

The year is not even 1/2 over and I have already fallen behind in my blogging goals.  I think I was supposed to keep up with this twice a month, but April was obviously a complete sham.  So I have some new veggies to share.  The first we had for dinner last night.

They are the fabulous golden beet and purple sweet potato.   I roasted these with a purple beet and red onion in some oil, salt and pepper.  Oh so yummy!

 

During April, the most adventurous I got with a vegetable was purchasing a red cabbage.  I ended up adding it to soups, and salads but did not try a designated red cabbage recipe.  One of you will have to share you favorite red cabbage creations with me.  Does anyone make a mean fish taco??

 

 

 

 

New veggie and recipe for March

This Months veggie was a Napa cabbage.  I used it to make a fabulous recipe called Asian turkey cabbage cups.

 

Salad dressing made easy

I cut this recipe from the Martha Stewart magazine because I am intrigued with making my own salad dressing.  I can't believe the junk that is added to commercial dressings - tons of sugar, salt, preservatives, titanium dioxide - yuk! 

The first dressing I tried was this Orange miso.  It was pretty tasty.  I did not use safflower oil but an extra virgin olive oil.

 

I also love the idea of not buying any more stuff in glass jars but making my own stuff in containers I reuse. Good for me ,  good for the planet.

Best Smoothie Ever

This is one kick ass smoothie recipe I got from thrive market.  Very, very tasty - like drinking candy.  It will definitely satisfy your cravings for sweets!

mine did not come out nearly as purple as in the picture- guess I added to much spinach!