I need to figure out where I am going to live here in N.Y., so I took the subway out to Astoria in Queens. It was recommended by my brother and a few other people, and it stops right under the building where I spend a lot of my time. I was a little nervous figuring out the whole subway thing, but all worked out fine. I really liked Astoria, there was a diverse population, and since I have traveled a bit, I really love the different cultures. It looks like I will find a place there. I like the sense of community, it’s convenient, and a heck of a lot cheaper. I headed to Union Square the next day to explore, and found a great farmers market. I took the wrong train at one point, but people were real nice and pointed me in the right direction. I think every newcomer has done that at least once, so they understood my confused look! I didn’t want to take the tourst picture on the subway, but I got lucky on the way to Astoria toward the last stop, everyone cleared out. I love the picture.

Good to know people are paying attention. Turns out I did write a recipe for Beef and Broccoli for the weight loss plan awhile ago, but didn’t post it here. I am playing with new recipe software for my new website, so I tested a new version today, and included nutritional info. (it’s the little things that I do for you).

Mix the beef with2 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1 Tbsp. oil, garlic powder, and ginger. Steam or boil the broccoli for a couple of minutes until still crunchy, set aside. Saute the beef and onions in the other Tbsp. of oil in a large saute pan over high heat until browned (just a few minutes). Add the broccoli and the other ingredients to the pan and cook for a few more minutes until the sauce has thickened. Serve over rice (I like brown).

Per Serving:

Nutritional facts (daily value): Calories 303kcal; Protein 28g (56%); Total Fat 13g (20%)(Sat. 3g (13%)); Chol. 68mg (23%); Carb. 19g (6%); Fiber 3g (12%); Sugars 6g; Calcium 66mg (7%); Iron 4mg (24%)

I am back in New York for a few weeks, and it’s a little colder than Florida was.  It’s fun though, after work I bundle up, explore, and find new places to eat.  I had Beef and Broccoli at my favorite Chinese Restaurant around the corner, one of my favorite things to eat.  I posted a recipe for it at some point just put it in the search box.  That is the kind of recipe I will be sending out for my new website- healthy, easy, and delicious!  There is a new commercial that has been playing non stop for the New York State Lottery- it’s so N.Y. and so funny!

I heard a story on NPR the other day that estimated the economy of Britney Spears at more than $120 million dollars! I really am amazed at our (I am not included) interest in her, or any other celebrity to the level it is. I remember when I was growing up, the magazines next to the check out counter at the grocery store were full of stories of the grossly overweight or deformed people (and aliens). The headlines before I left last spring for the Mediterranean were focused on Paris Hilton going to jail, I wrote a similar post on how consumed we were with her and how I was excited to be out of the country for the summer, but I suspected there was a version of her over there (turns out I was right). The post was called Mediterranean Paris Hilton? and there was a picture of Celeste because I think I also mentioned Celestial Soul in the post. Well, it turns out one of those Paris Hilton fan sites picked up her picture and she was not happy about it. It really was one of the funniest things I have seen in awhile. There is a whole photo gallery of Paris Hilton and then right in the middle, the picture of Celeste that I posted (I have since taken it down). I must say she looks better than Paris, but the old tear ducts were working hard, as I couldn’t stop laughing at this random photo of her stuck on a Paris Hilton Website! Click here for the story on the Britney economy, I am already thinking how I can get a couple photographers to follow me around, I just paid a pretty penny to get my picture taken. I am so tempted to put a picture of Celeste here.

Saturday morning at the Market, that’s a good time. I took a picture of those beautiful (ugly) tomatoes I told you about, found some interesting pasta, homemade bread, ate a homemade chicken sausage sandwich, bought some local peppers, scallions, and potatoes. Listened to a little live music, and headed back to cook all of this good stuff up!

I was able to sneak back home for a few days, and my schedule was packed! It was  good that was only a few days because every time I go home I pig out. I packed it on at Red Lobster (love those cheddar bay biscuits) with my Mom and brother, and tried a new restaurant called Big Daddy’s Burger Bar (I think I just gained a lb. by writing that). Great to hang out and feel grounded. I know you have been dying to see my magnet collection and another picture of Butternut.

Growing up in Seattle, and working in the Pike Place Market, I guess you can say Seafood is in my blood. One of the few things that I don’t like about Charlotte is that fresh seafood is hard to come by. They are getting a Whole Foods soon though, so that will change. I have been getting requests for whole roasted fish quite a bit since I have been here in Florida. It really is the best way to eat fish, and easy to make, so don’t be intimidated. I also do a version with a salt crust I will share at a later date. I love Branzini (European Sea Bass), but any whole fish will do, you just have to adjust the cooking time. If you don’t have a thermometer, and like to cook, than you need to get one. I like to use a digital model that lets you monitor the temperature while it’s cooking. Once you know what temperature you want, it makes for fool proof cooking. For this dish I put the thermometer in the thickest part of the fish and pull out of the oven when it reaches 130 degrees.

Whole Roasted Fish

Serves 4

2- 1 1/2 lb. Branzino, cleaned

1 Tbsp. garlic, minced

1 lemon, sliced

2 Tbsp. olive oil

kosher or sea salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking pan with foil, and place fish on top. Rub top of the fish with the garlic, then drizzle oil, and sprinkle salt to taste. Scatter the Lemons around, and roast for 20 minutes or until the thickest part of the fish reaches 130 degrees. To serve: peel off top skin (if you really like garlic, scrape off the garlic in to the pan drippings), then using a spatula or something similar take off the fillet on top of the bone. Remove the bone and remove the fillet below it. Pour the accumulated juice in the pan on top of the fish and enjoy some of the best fish you will ever eat.

I went to scout out the local farmers market in Palm Beach on Saturday. They had the most beautiful (actually quite ugly) heirloom tomatoes, homemade bread, pasta, pickles, fresh local seafood, and of course great produce. Even live music, I sure do love a farmers market. I will be using it on a regular basis this winter.

Things have been real busy, I have been cooking my butt off, and enjoying every second of it! I hope everyone had a happy holiday season. I am sure there are a lot of new years resolutions to lose weight etc. I have not posted on my progress in awhile, but I am doing good, sticking to the basics of the weight loss diet, I have lost 15 lbs. since I have been back! MyDietChef.com is being custom built to my standards, and along with my cooking duties, I have been busy directing that progress, It really is going to be cool once it gets finished. Weight loss will be one of the diets I will be supporting, so if you run in to a wall or need some advice, drop me an email and either myself or one of our dietitians will get back to you. I needed to have some pictures taken of myself today for it, I will post some of them here when I get them back in a few days. Looks like I am going to be able to sneak back to Charlotte for a few days next week! I still do not have a permanent place in New York, but I have my corporate apartment until the end of February, so I am not too stressed. The picture is of my view all day long as I cook down here (life’s a bitch).