Chef Traveler

My buddy Cheffrey sent me this picture. I think it was a call in order for a cake that said “best wishes Suzanne” and underneath that “we will miss you”.

It is 80 degrees here today, this time last week we were bracing for a snow storm. That’s why it’s interesting living here. I am done with Winter. In hindsight I could have picked a better time to buy a motorcycle than November. It has been a few weeks since I took it out and had a blast (this is going to be a fun spring). Everyone was out, I counted 3 Lemonade stands in My neighborhood, great to see that tradition still going strong, they each had their little marketing tricks to get the customer, it was too funny. Some dude even passed me on a segway. Don’t forget to spring forward. Click here if you want to open your own virtual lemonade stand.

Here is a link to an article I just stumbled across. I am posting it only because it exactly backs up our weight loss program. When we sat down to write the program we didn’t want anything new and amazing (there’s already too many of those), we just wanted a sound calorie control plan with lots of variety and the ability to customize to keep it interesting. It’s not rocket science.

Some day it would be fun to travel across this country and interview some of our greatest cooks, I don’t mean superstar chefs, but rather the great local cooks like the grandmothers who are famous in their community for their culinary skills. Celeste ran across this video, I think this lady was even on good morning america. It certainly strikes a cord in these times. The recipe looks gross, but you had to what you had to do to get by I imagine. I love the story of how bootleggers were renting out garages to make whiskey.

I added a baked chicken recipe to the website this week, it is similar to this, but has sun-dried tomatoes, and I think a few other things.  You could really add anything you want to the topping.  I decided to use some of the things that I saw in the olive bar at the grocery store

I chopped them with some fresh basil, parmesan, and light mayonnaise

And then mixed it together and spread on a chicken breast, and then some bread crumbs on top of that.

And then just baked in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes.

And well, that’s pretty much it.  It’s reall tasty, and as you can see, real easy to put together.

I saw this cat video today and thought I would share since I am sure you have been waiting for one. I personally would prefer to get a cat in need for free.

I was driving by one of the local churches the other day (there are a lot of churches here) and there was a poster for a new Sunday worship with u2 ( I guess they play u2 music and pray?)  Isn’t that stretching it a bit?  Since when did rock music become something to worship?  And it was at 8:30 in the morning!  Yeah, please crank the rock music ( hallelujah!) so I can do some serious worshipping (where’s the coffee by the way?).  Did I tell you that I met Bono?  He actually came down to the crew mess (where the workers live)  on one of the boats I worked on (he was a guest).  Nice guy (not much taller than me), but I didn’t feel that  spiritual around him.  I guess that’s how they are getting the young kids to church these days?

It’s not all doom and gloom.  Celeste and I went to the grand opening of Ikea last night and that place was packed!  There was a rock band, jugglers, artists, and thousands of people.  She was even telling me that they are expecting more people this weekend, so they are going to have a shuttle service from an  ampitheater a few miles away.  Good to see all of those jobs being created, and there were plenty of willing buyers.

Here are some of the new recipes I added to the website this week:

• Crabcakes with Mango
• Shrimp & Turkey Sausage Stew
• Spaghetti with Flank Steak, Caramelized Onions and Peppers
• Sante Fe Chicken, Pineapple, and Avocado Salad
• Halibut with Orange-Shallot Sauce

Of course I’m always looking out for you.  Here is quick guide on what and what not too eat at the next blockbuster you check out.  I used to use the ignorance is bliss attitude about what I ate, but now I’m all about knowing what I’m putting in my body.  One of our dietitians is working on a healthy restaurant guide, I will have it available for free when she finishes.
CANDY

Sweet ‘n’ sour stuff tends to be lower-fat than chocolate, but it’s still dessert. Size counts too!

Worst: Skittles (7.2 oz.) 826 calories, 9.7 grams fat

Better:Twizzlers (6 oz.) 606 calories, 3.8 grams fat

Best: Sour Patch Soft & Chewy Candy (3.5 oz.) 375 calories, 0 grams fat

POPCORN
Yes, it’s a whole grain, but a large has close to the number of calories many women need in a day!

Worst: Large buttered popcorn 1,640 calories, 126 grams fat (That’s almost two days’ worth of fat!)

Better: Small, no butter 400 calories, 27 grams fat

Best: Kid size, no butter 300 calories, 20 grams fat

COLD TREATS

Worst: Toll House chocolate-chip cookie ice cream sandwich 490 calories, 23 grams fat

Better: Butterfinger Loaded ice cream bar 290 calories, 19 grams fat

Best: Edy’s strawberry iced-fruit bar 120 calories, 0 grams fat

CHOCOLATE

Unfortunately, most concession stands offer only one size (and who isn’t going to eat the whole box?). So go for something in a smaller package to keep portions in check.

Worst: Peanut M&M’s (5.3 oz.) 786 calories,39.3 grams fat

Better: Junior Mints (4.75 oz.) 595 calories,10.5 grams fat

Best: Milk Duds (3 oz.) 371 calories,13.1 grams fat

HOT SNACKS
In general, beware of anything with glow-in-the-dark cheese.

Worst: Nachos with cheese 894 calories, 52.5 grams fat

Better: Hot dog with ketchup 315 calories, 19 grams fat

Best: Soft pretzel 310 calories, 4 grams fat

I might be more interested in this story since it was a regular flight for me, but I made a point to see the story of the “miracle on the Hudson” on 60 minutes the other night.  I think Celeste and I were more excited to just say Sully Sullenburger more than even seeing the program.  Go ahead and say it out loud- SULLY SULLENBERGER!  Feels good doesn’t it (now try saying it 5 times in a row).   It’s nice to have a hero in this time of negative news.

My backyard is nice and private.  There is a stretch of woods between us and the neighbor behind me, which we love because we actually see deer, squirrels, stray animals, and I’m feeling like I need to buy a bird catalog.  Celeste saw a guy digging out there today and since it was the second time in the last week she saw him out there, of course we both thought he was digging a grave or something, and she made me call the police.  He was gone when they showed up, and they didn’t seem concerned enough to see what was going on back there.  Did we overreact?  I am going to bring my own shovel back there and see what’s going on!

It’s just a theory I have, but as we try and save money on our groceries, we will turn to cheaper alternatives.  The generic brands are cheaper, and made of inferior ingredients.  Local and organic produce will be bought less, and when we eat out we will look for ways to save money.  Have you tried to find something healthy on the dollar menu at most fast food restaurants?  It doesn’t exist, but you could get a double bacon cheeseburger or fried chicken sandwich for less than a buck.  Anyways, it’s just a theory, of course you can eat healthy on the cheap.  Watch out for the weekly grocery coupons and plan your meals around the items that you enjoy that are on sale.  I did a post last month where I made a healthy dinner for four for less than $10.00, maybe I will do some more of those, because it sure beats a double bacon cheeseburger for dinner.

Here are some of the recipes I created for the website this week:

• Chicken Stroganoff
• Parmesan-Basil Snapper
• Pork Medallions with Pineapple Chutney
• Sloppy Joes
• Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

This video is cute, but I seriously worry about this kids health. He is a good example of why I started the Healthy Family Plan.

I am declaring this the year of the Library.  You get free entertainment, books,  I even rented a movie for free tonight.  You can take your laptop for free wi-fi (at least in Charlotte you can), and they have so  many cool books and comfy chairs.  I saw a comfy green chair and plopped myself down to do a little reading.  Turned out to be an undersized chair in the kiddy section and I was reading a book on knife skills (true story), so I decided to move since I was even creeping myself out at that point.  Anyway, I had a great time, and look forward to spending more time hanging out there (not in the kiddie area), and reading some great books.  I need to do a  book club post, It’s been awhile, and I have read at least one good book since then.

 My Friend Crystal is too funny.  The boat she works on is cutting back costs (just like everyone else), and here is her e-mail to in response to show that she is doing her part:

I came up with this recipe for the website today, and thought I would share it.  Not sure there is such a thing as healthy Macaroni and Cheese, but this recipe does cut down on the fat and calories.  I don’t use salt for the recipes that I post there, but you could substitute salt for the all-purpose seasoning if you want.

Macaroni & Cheese

Serves 2

1 cup macaroni, cooked

1 tsp. flour

1/2 tsp. all- purpose seasoning, no salt

1/2 cup milk, low fat

1 Tbsp. cream cheese, reduced fat

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, reduced fat

2 Tbsp. Parmesan

Stir flour, seasoning, and milk in saucepan and heat until thickened.  Add cream, parmesan, and cheddar cheeses and mix to melt.  Add the cooked pasta and mix well.

Here’s some of the recipes I created for the website this week:

• Crispy Black Bean Burritos
• Pasta with Shrimp and Feta
• Baked Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions
• Cornmeal Crusted Catfish with Tartar Sauce
• Cashew Chicken

We have workout articles and programs for you to print out on the website. The next step would be workout videos, and I think I found what I am looking for in this video. Maybe I can start selling some of the cool workout clothes too?