Sunday, February 28, 2010

28 February 2010




I am one week into the P90X program, and I have already dropped 10 pounds! However, my body is pretty sore, but it is exciting to be getting back into shape. Today is the one day off from the program. We do different exercises for one hour each night. The program is designed to keep the body confused, and that apparently leads to quick results. I've enjoyed most of the routines, but the yoga kicked my butt! It sounded so easy, but it was impossible. Even my much younger friends, Jeff and Cory, could not finish it the first week. Hopefully, we will get through more of it this week. As for the diet, I have sure missed the carbs as we are only allowed one per day during the first three weeks. After that, we get three a day, so I need to hang in there two more weeks. I am already sick of salads, but the results keep me motivated. I searched for something low carb to make for tonight's Sunday Supper. I recently read that spicy foods help to quench hunger, so I made Indian chicken curry and served with rice and whole wheat naan. It is very healthy but felt like a real meal! I will be in Charleston next weekend, so that will be a real test of my will power!

We are watching the closing Olympic ceremonies tonight. Jim has watched most of them, and I have tuned in on occasion. Jim's three uncles and one cousin are actually Olympic medalists in hockey, and his cousin was on the "Miracle on Ice" team in 1980. Together, they have three golds and one silver. Pretty impressive...

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Bring it!

The Menu:

- Indian Chicken Curry with Zucchini and Peas

- Organic Edamame with Fleur de Sel

- Grilled Whole Wheat Naan

Sunday, February 21, 2010

21 February 2010



Last week was a total waste. I came down with a stomach flu on Monday and was out of work most of the week. The only silver lining is that I lost almost 10 pounds because I did not eat for several days. It will help jump start my diet and training that begins tomorrow. I am starting the PB90X training program with my friends Jeff and Cory. It includes home exercise and a strict diet, so tonight's Sunday Supper may be the last high fat comfort food for a while. Hopefully, I will be able to stick to the program and get in better shape for summer. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Thankfully, I was feeling well enough to attend the Cherokee Arts Center Mardi Gras Ball last night at the Rock Barn! It was a great fundraising party, and we danced the night away with some good friends, neighbors and fellow Arts Center board members. The event included some great food. Wanda Roach, a really great cook, made a delicious pork tenderloin, and Dianne Langston whipped up an amazing cheese spread and Southern Sushi – pickled okra wrapped in cream cheese and ham! It was really good. Congratulations to Harry and Rebecca Johnston for being named the King and Queen of Mardi Gras.

So after a miserable week and active night of partying, I am keeping tonight's Sunday Supper really simple. I am making a simple pan roasted chicken and cauliflower with parsley. I saw the recipe on PBS program "Everyday Food," Martha Stewart's casual cooking show. The entire dish only has five ingredients, but it looks very satisfying. Plus, it is relatively healthy. Here's to simple!

The Menu:

- Pan Roasted Chicken with Cauliflower, Parsley and Capers

- Micro Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

- Nonfat Frozen Strawberry Yogurt

Sunday, February 14, 2010

14 February 2010 – Valentine's Day





Happy Valentine's Day everyone! We've had a snowy weekend here in Atlanta, and we are under another winter storm warning for tonight with 2-4 more inches of snow expected. Since we never get a lot of snow in the South, it is all very exciting! We had around 4 inches on Friday, so we went over to Jeff and Cory's house for a snow party. Jeff made some amazing chicken, turkey and beef sliders with tater tots, french fries, baked beans and chocolate chip cookies! We ate dinner and watched the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. It was a very fun night. So today is Valentine's Day, and I am making a hearty Sunday Supper. Thanks to my friend Alissa Walker, I am trying a no-knead bread recipe: http://www.gelatobaby.com/2010/01/10/low-impact-breadmakin/. Alissa sent me the recipe after I posted a story about the failure of my KitchenAid Stand Mixer the last time I made homemade bread. I have been fighting with KitchenAid for the past week, and all they did was try to convince me that I did something wrong. Not the way to get me to go away! Anyway, I will be switching to the Cuisinart stand mixer in the near future! Cooks Illustrated rates it the best, so I look forward to trying it. To go with the bread, I am cooking an Italian chicken stew, and in honor of the holiday, I made a classic chocolate cream pie.

On a sad note, we learned this morning that our dear friend and neighbor, Mary Sparks, passed away at the age of 88. She was one-of-a-kind and one sweet lady. We met Mary when our neighborhood was threatened with commercial development. We organized the Historic Canton Homeowners Association, and fought the old mayor who had promised to keep our neighborhood residential – until he sold out to developers. After a long, difficult fight, we won the battle to "Keep East Main Street Residential," but it was Mary that stared the former mayor down in a city council meeting and stated, "Mayor Pruett, you promised to stop commercial development at Shipp and Roy Streets a few years ago, and we expect you to keep you promise!" She was amazing, and that one spectacular moment gave us an edge in our battle. Thank you Mary, and rest in peace. Our neighborhood will not be the same with you. Tonight's Sunday Supper is dedicated to you!

The Menu:

- Italian Chicken Stew

- Homemade "No-Knead" Bread

- Old Fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie

Sunday, February 7, 2010

07 February - Super Bowl Sunday





In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, I decided to cook some classic bar food for the big game. I am not much of a sports fan, but I do enjoy the ads and halftime show. Our friends Jeff and Cory were going to join us for the game, but unfortunately, Jeff came down with a stomach bug today. We miss them and hope Jeff feels better! So, it is just Jim, Leo and I for the game. Last night, we stayed in and watched "This is It," the Michael Jackson documentary. It was phenomenal, and it finally hit me that we lost an amazing talent. No one could move like him, and it would have been one amazing show. Jim went to bed after that, but I stayed up and watched "A Happening in Central Park," the Barbra Streisand concert from 1967, and "Hollywood Nights," the Olivia Newton-John pre-Oscar TV special from 1980! Both divas were in their element...

The Who just completed the halftime show, but they are getting kind of old. Hope everyone enjoys the game. Go Saints!

The Menu:

- Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings with Celery, Ranch and Blue Cheese Dressing

- Baked Nachos with Cheese, Jalapenos, Fresh Salsa and Guacamole

- Chocolate Chunk Cookies