Thanksgiving was wonderful. I had an early dinner with my friends and my Mom at Steve and Vic's. The first without my Dad, but it seemed to go off without a hitch. Then The Drummer and I drove down to Indio so he could play a gig that night. Lots of fun at Fantasy Spring Casino where I could smoke inside and drink lots of Jack and Gingers. And apparently The Drummer and I were Eye Fucking each other throughout all three sets, according to the lead singer's girlfriend, Jasmine. It was cute as could be.
After drinking our faces off and a threeway that never came to pass, we had sex and went to bed. Then woke up, had sex again and got our asses on the road. Well, first we had to go to the Fantasy Springs Casino Buffet and gorge ourselves on salads, tri tip, potstickers, samosas, and lots of yummy stuff that's bad for us. I love a buffet. But I have a particular thing about how I eat at buffets. I think I got this from my Dad, but maybe not.
There are the types of people at buffets that are just so happy to be drinking and smoking at 10 AM and wearing elastic wasted pants that they don't care about decorum. So they do a few interesting things:
1) They load up two plates at a time at the buffet. Because they get winded if they get up too much? God, I hope not. I think this is a little ridiculous. It's kind of like double fisting at the bar, but it's so much worse. It's gluttonous and white trashy in the worst way possible. But what makes it worse is...
2) When people decide that they are going to fit all of the buffet on their very crowded plate(s). They probably skip making their own green salad and go straight to the prepared salads. Then they put on some chicken, maybe a piece of steak, ravioli, burrito, pizza, creamed spinach, sweet and sour pork and ribs. A bunch of stuff that doesn't go together at all. Yes, of course, my look of disgust is followed by their response of: "Hey, it's all goin' the same place anyway", which is followed by a loud belch. Then they continue eating and dip their pizza or ribs into a very full side of Ranch dressing.
This is how I do it. It's so much more civilized:
1) Plate One: Salads/Cold Items. I like to start out slow and make a little green salad for myself: romaine lettuce, cucumbers, beets, blue cheese crumbles, maybe some bacon bits if they're real crumbled bacon, olives and garbanzo beans. Then a balsamic dressing. If the build your own salad items are good, then I'll do a full salad first. Or if I'm really hungry I'll do a full salad. Otherwise, I'll add some prepared salads to the side.
2) Plate Two: Meat. I'll choose my main protein, like a try tip or roasted chicken. Maybe salmon if it looks good or another fish. Then I'll choose some sides that go with that: mac and cheese, veggies, creamed spinach. Maybe pasta if there isn't another starch. But I make sure that it looks just like a regular plate I'd order at another restaurant. Sometimes I'll add another protein like ribs...as long as it goes together.
3) Plate Three: Smorgesbord. Okay, I know I said that I don't like to mix everything together. But what I do here is a selection of appetizers. Maybe I'll go revisit the cold prepared salads to add to this. I maybe even take this opportunity to try the soup with some apps on my plate as well. So if I'm doing Asian, then I'll do potstickers, char siu bao, potstickers and maybe even some noodles. If it's Italian, I'll do pizza and pasta, maybe even a little more salad to get some greens on there.
4) Plate Four: Dessert. At this point I'm pretty full and I don't really have a sweet tooth. So it might just be a parfait or chocolate mousse or a piece of cheesecake and a fruit tart. Something light and fun. If there's a chocolate fountain, then maybe some chocolate dipped strawberries. But the key is to make the plate look pretty.
The key is to make the plate look good. You can always go back for more. That's never an issue. But when I see people pile their plates up high like they're storing nuts for the winter, it just drives me crazy. It's not civilized. A buffet is basically a multiple course dinner. So I like it to look that way.
Now that I've kind of recovered (I didn't go with The Drummer to his gig last night), I'm in bed writing and getting work done. I'll probably either make a stuffed portabello mushroom or tacos later for dinner and read some plays I need to read. I need to recover from a debaucherous past few nights. My liver and stomach both need a break.
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Cooking for Two
When I like a dude, I want to cook for him. I start going on line to look for impressive things I haven't made before. And sometimes I pull out my "greatest hits" in an effort to impress. But I know whether or not I'm interested based on whether or not I want to cook.
So what's on the menu for tonight?
Well, he's coming over at 10 pm, so it's more like a late night snack menu. He's bringing over Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey. So I'm looking to do something meaty, spicy and bold to match the boldness and the sweetness of the liquor. And to do that I'm reaching into the bag of tricks.
Homemade ketchup. This will go with some store bought sweet potato fries and turkey meatballs. My own meatballs will be on the menu at some point. But I'm rushing from dance class.
Pig Candy. Bacon with brown sugar and chili powder. It's so good.
Booze it up!
Looking forward to food that will put us in the mood.
So what's on the menu for tonight?
Well, he's coming over at 10 pm, so it's more like a late night snack menu. He's bringing over Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey. So I'm looking to do something meaty, spicy and bold to match the boldness and the sweetness of the liquor. And to do that I'm reaching into the bag of tricks.
Homemade ketchup. This will go with some store bought sweet potato fries and turkey meatballs. My own meatballs will be on the menu at some point. But I'm rushing from dance class.
Pig Candy. Bacon with brown sugar and chili powder. It's so good.
Booze it up!
Looking forward to food that will put us in the mood.
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Saturday, June 25, 2011
Lazy Afternoon
It's a lazy afternoon
And the beetle bugs are zooming
And the tulip trees are blooming
And there's not another human in view but us two
It's a lazy afternoon
And the farmer leaves his reaping
In the meadow cows are sleeping
And the speckled trouts stop leaping upstream as we dream
A far pink cloud hangs over a hill
Unfolding like a rose
If you hold my hand and sit real still
You can hear the grass as it grows
It's a hazy afternoon
And I know a place that's quiet except for daisies running riot
And there's no one passing by it to see
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me
Lazy afternoon
It's a hazy afternoon
And I know a place that's quiet except for daisies running riot
And there's no one passing by it to see
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me, with me
Lazy afternoons have been on my mind. You know, those great days where you just spend the day in bed or watch silly movies on the TV. Or having sex. Well, that technically wouldn't be all that lazy because if it's good, you're putting a ton of effort into it. You can always be lazy afterwards.
But one of those days where you just make brunch, maybe head to the farmer's market, give each other backrubs, take a nap and then make dinner. Open up a great bottle of red and go to bed early. That sounds nice.
I don't know if that means I'm ready to be in a relationship again or even to start dating. I love that I'm busy with my play and that I'm taking these great dance classes and that I have time for the gym. I love having time for me. It's really fantastic. It might be nice to have someone to share it with from time to time.. But I'm not really interested in giving myself up to someone again. Ever.
But have I figured out how to have a different relationship?
It probably would be hard to know until I was in another relationship, I guess. But I'm in no rush. Until then...I'll be having my own lazy afternoons or busy afternoons. Whatever I'm in the mood for.
And the beetle bugs are zooming
And the tulip trees are blooming
And there's not another human in view but us two
It's a lazy afternoon
And the farmer leaves his reaping
In the meadow cows are sleeping
And the speckled trouts stop leaping upstream as we dream
A far pink cloud hangs over a hill
Unfolding like a rose
If you hold my hand and sit real still
You can hear the grass as it grows
It's a hazy afternoon
And I know a place that's quiet except for daisies running riot
And there's no one passing by it to see
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me
Lazy afternoon
It's a hazy afternoon
And I know a place that's quiet except for daisies running riot
And there's no one passing by it to see
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me, with me
Lazy afternoons have been on my mind. You know, those great days where you just spend the day in bed or watch silly movies on the TV. Or having sex. Well, that technically wouldn't be all that lazy because if it's good, you're putting a ton of effort into it. You can always be lazy afterwards.
But one of those days where you just make brunch, maybe head to the farmer's market, give each other backrubs, take a nap and then make dinner. Open up a great bottle of red and go to bed early. That sounds nice.
I don't know if that means I'm ready to be in a relationship again or even to start dating. I love that I'm busy with my play and that I'm taking these great dance classes and that I have time for the gym. I love having time for me. It's really fantastic. It might be nice to have someone to share it with from time to time.. But I'm not really interested in giving myself up to someone again. Ever.
But have I figured out how to have a different relationship?
It probably would be hard to know until I was in another relationship, I guess. But I'm in no rush. Until then...I'll be having my own lazy afternoons or busy afternoons. Whatever I'm in the mood for.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
This Ain't Just About Lent
I love the energy that I have now that I've been doing this cleanse. So, as I've said, the caffeine is going.
I won't be so thoughtless about sugar. I've never been the cupcakes, cookies, brownies guy. But I'm the guy who loves condiments, sauces and used to put sugar in his coffee. So I'll watch that.
And in terms of things that break down into sugar, pasta will be an occasional thing. I'm going to slow down on the potatoes, unless they're amazing pomme frites or in a gratin. Special occasions.
Booze, my old friend. Well, considering that since the break up I've been drinking less often (not less when I do drink, however), I should be okay. I'm no longer drinking to cope and I'm no longer drinking because the social calendar is full and I'm out to dinner a few nights a week. I have a couple of drinks scheduled this week, and I think one drink should be fine. But I'm going to try and drink less, again not be so thoughtless about it.
I miss meatballs. So since I won't be eating as much red meat, I will use turkey for my meatballs. I think the deli turkey has too much sodium. And when I want a great steak, I won't stop myself. Bacon is nice - so once in a while I'm going to indulge. And there's a homemade sausage recipe I'm itching to try, so that will be in my future. But meat will be about having meat. It'll be about showcasing a meat flavor I want to have. But it won't be filler and it won't be an afterthought. I can't make a bolognaise with turkey. That doesn't work. Fish will also make a comeback in my diet.
I will find new uses for quinoa. I had quinoa as a replacement for sushi rice in a roll at a vegan restaurant yesterday. That was inventive and yummy.
Beans are good. I had a wonderful cannellini bean dish that I made and totally hoovered. I love my black beans and I continue to put them in everything from salads to tostadas to my black bean veggie burgers. Those will be making a major comeback as well. I haven't had them on my cleanse and I love them.
Salads are forever a big thing for me.
Cheese is going to be a challenge. I love it. So where I need it I will use it. Pizza, enchiladas, lasagna - those things for me need cheese. But my hamburgers are fine without it. I love feta in a salad. And I love cheese plates. But I'll try to curb the cheese where I can. Yogurt I like.
I'm experimenting with things like sprouted grain tortillas and breads. I love the sprouted grain corn tortillas and the wheat ones are good too. I like those to make thin quick pizzas with because they tend to be on the hard and stiff side, perfect for a think crust. The breads I'll try out. I don't eat a lot of bread, but I do love a tuna sandwich.
My friend Nicole made a good point about her friend's child who is a vegan. This kid has a wider palate because they need to find more options to feed this kid. So it's not just about giving them a hamburger, hot dog or some chicken strips. It's about salads and grains and different ethnic foods to keep it exciting. I love that idea. I'm finding that I'm wanting to explore more cuisines I haven't before because I have to be conscious about finding more options for myself. More variety. That's what keeps it all exciting, right? It'll keep me from being bored, open my mind up to different possibilities and make sure that I stick to this way of living.
But isn't curiosity, excitement, variety and exploration what life's all about anyway?
I won't be so thoughtless about sugar. I've never been the cupcakes, cookies, brownies guy. But I'm the guy who loves condiments, sauces and used to put sugar in his coffee. So I'll watch that.
And in terms of things that break down into sugar, pasta will be an occasional thing. I'm going to slow down on the potatoes, unless they're amazing pomme frites or in a gratin. Special occasions.
Booze, my old friend. Well, considering that since the break up I've been drinking less often (not less when I do drink, however), I should be okay. I'm no longer drinking to cope and I'm no longer drinking because the social calendar is full and I'm out to dinner a few nights a week. I have a couple of drinks scheduled this week, and I think one drink should be fine. But I'm going to try and drink less, again not be so thoughtless about it.
I miss meatballs. So since I won't be eating as much red meat, I will use turkey for my meatballs. I think the deli turkey has too much sodium. And when I want a great steak, I won't stop myself. Bacon is nice - so once in a while I'm going to indulge. And there's a homemade sausage recipe I'm itching to try, so that will be in my future. But meat will be about having meat. It'll be about showcasing a meat flavor I want to have. But it won't be filler and it won't be an afterthought. I can't make a bolognaise with turkey. That doesn't work. Fish will also make a comeback in my diet.
I will find new uses for quinoa. I had quinoa as a replacement for sushi rice in a roll at a vegan restaurant yesterday. That was inventive and yummy.
Beans are good. I had a wonderful cannellini bean dish that I made and totally hoovered. I love my black beans and I continue to put them in everything from salads to tostadas to my black bean veggie burgers. Those will be making a major comeback as well. I haven't had them on my cleanse and I love them.
Salads are forever a big thing for me.
Cheese is going to be a challenge. I love it. So where I need it I will use it. Pizza, enchiladas, lasagna - those things for me need cheese. But my hamburgers are fine without it. I love feta in a salad. And I love cheese plates. But I'll try to curb the cheese where I can. Yogurt I like.
I'm experimenting with things like sprouted grain tortillas and breads. I love the sprouted grain corn tortillas and the wheat ones are good too. I like those to make thin quick pizzas with because they tend to be on the hard and stiff side, perfect for a think crust. The breads I'll try out. I don't eat a lot of bread, but I do love a tuna sandwich.
My friend Nicole made a good point about her friend's child who is a vegan. This kid has a wider palate because they need to find more options to feed this kid. So it's not just about giving them a hamburger, hot dog or some chicken strips. It's about salads and grains and different ethnic foods to keep it exciting. I love that idea. I'm finding that I'm wanting to explore more cuisines I haven't before because I have to be conscious about finding more options for myself. More variety. That's what keeps it all exciting, right? It'll keep me from being bored, open my mind up to different possibilities and make sure that I stick to this way of living.
But isn't curiosity, excitement, variety and exploration what life's all about anyway?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week Three's Menu
This is week three of my cleanse and I'm cooking tonight. I'm going to cook and catch up on my Podcasts.
Here's what's on the menu:
THE TREATMENT - David O'Russell, David Cianfrance
SPILLED MILK (a great cooking podcast that takes one subject per episode) - Salad Dressings, Heirloom Tomatoes, Corn off The Cob, Burgers, Chicken Stock
THE SPORKFUL (another great cooking podcast that takes a subject per episode) - Ice Cream Toppings, Thanksgiving, Oatmeal, French Fry Toppings, Pizza, Watermelon, Labor Day Cook Out Spectacular (I've got a lot of catching up to do)
So onto this week's menu. I went to the Korean Market near the house and got lots of fresh produce. But I also have some things I need to cook up.
Mushrooms - I got some oysters and enokis along with regular button mushrooms. I'm thinking I will be doing a very broth based soup with these mushrooms. Onions, herbs, mushrooms, garlic. And if I want to reheat and add some protein, I'll add in a poached egg. Yum!
Jap Chae - I got some premade glass noodles and spinach from the market. The price is right and it's delish! This is when I need a little comfort and when I need something quick and easy.
Corn, Black Beans and Butternut Squash (frozen) - I'm making a salad from this stuff. With a little jalapeno added in.
Fish - I'm having fish for dinner tonight because it's the last night I can have it until I go totally vegan for the week.
I'm got quinoa and butternut squash on the cue for the rest of the week. Yummy Yummers! Taking care of myself with some delish food! Love it!
Just thought I'd share. Delish in a dish!
Here's what's on the menu:
THE TREATMENT - David O'Russell, David Cianfrance
SPILLED MILK (a great cooking podcast that takes one subject per episode) - Salad Dressings, Heirloom Tomatoes, Corn off The Cob, Burgers, Chicken Stock
THE SPORKFUL (another great cooking podcast that takes a subject per episode) - Ice Cream Toppings, Thanksgiving, Oatmeal, French Fry Toppings, Pizza, Watermelon, Labor Day Cook Out Spectacular (I've got a lot of catching up to do)
So onto this week's menu. I went to the Korean Market near the house and got lots of fresh produce. But I also have some things I need to cook up.
Mushrooms - I got some oysters and enokis along with regular button mushrooms. I'm thinking I will be doing a very broth based soup with these mushrooms. Onions, herbs, mushrooms, garlic. And if I want to reheat and add some protein, I'll add in a poached egg. Yum!
Jap Chae - I got some premade glass noodles and spinach from the market. The price is right and it's delish! This is when I need a little comfort and when I need something quick and easy.
Corn, Black Beans and Butternut Squash (frozen) - I'm making a salad from this stuff. With a little jalapeno added in.
Fish - I'm having fish for dinner tonight because it's the last night I can have it until I go totally vegan for the week.
I'm got quinoa and butternut squash on the cue for the rest of the week. Yummy Yummers! Taking care of myself with some delish food! Love it!
Just thought I'd share. Delish in a dish!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Diet and/or Exercise
Can I just choose one?
The exercise thing is fine for me. I wasn't a very active child, so I've got all of that energy stored up. And it didn't really matter when I was seven. I wasn't that attractive, so a few extra lb's wasn't going to make much of a difference.
I love to run. It's good for my mind. It's all about rhythm and it allows me to meditate. Repetitive movement. And it's kind of masculine. Well, as long as I'm not flailing my arms about. For the record, I don't run like a girl.
Lifting weights. Actually not a bad thing. I think for a long time I didn't know what the hell I was doing. But you read enough MEN'S HEALTH issues and...well, you masturbate a lot. But when you're done with that, you're left with knowledge of proper form. I actually see my body changing, and the results are good.
P90X. I love. I love knowing how to do a proper push up. And I love that I CAN do a proper one. The exercises for the most part are basic and old school and THAT makes me feel like a total bro. It's a moderately important label. And I love the guy who leads the videos: "DO your best and forget the rest." It's just pure entertainment. And I've seen great results. I love a dive bomber push up. I love getting up early to do it. I love that the exercises only last 30 seconds. And I love variety. I love that there's hard core yoga and kickboxing. Like I said, it makes me feel like a bro.
Insanity. Just started this. I don't like it. It's made by Beach Body, the same folks who do P90x. But it doesn't have as much variety and you do the exercises for much longer. Also no demonstration of modified movement. That bugs. I'll give it another shot, but not loving it now.
Dancing. Going to the club. Taking a Hip Hop class at the gym. Standing at the barre for an hour. Going across the floor. It's very FAME (the original). And I love to dance. It does not make me feel like a bro. But I do feel strong and expressive.
Food. It's my weakness. If this was "Shoop", and Salt n' Pepa asked the proverbial question:
"Girls, what's my weakness?"
I'd respond back: "FOOD!"
Okay then. I'm not going to make the same list of different healthy food choices.
VEGAN
MACROBIOTIC
RAW FOOD DIET
BLOOD TYPE
No way. How about Diabetic Inducing? I love food. I don't like to monitor my intake, my frequency, my amount, my fat levels. I just love to eat it and smile when I'm done. I feel very accomplished. Sometimes I throw my hands up when I'm done with a meal.
TA-DA!
Or I look like a gymnast trying to stick a landing. Then I wait for my scores.
I love Italy. Fresh pasta. I love steak. I love bone marrow. Offal. I just love food. It's good. I love a good salad too. I make them. I go to Soupplantation. But it would be really difficult for me to get all militant on my meal planning. I'm Mexican. I love enchiladas. And I'm also Chinese. I love chicken with black bean sauce and egg rolls.
But I do need to find a magic way to just take off a few extra pounds so that I'm ready for that moment when I take my shirt off, as a recently single human being. Ugh. All of that pressure just makes me hungry. Good thing I'm going to Houston's for lunch to meet a friend. I'm sure they'll have something I'll like.
The exercise thing is fine for me. I wasn't a very active child, so I've got all of that energy stored up. And it didn't really matter when I was seven. I wasn't that attractive, so a few extra lb's wasn't going to make much of a difference.
I love to run. It's good for my mind. It's all about rhythm and it allows me to meditate. Repetitive movement. And it's kind of masculine. Well, as long as I'm not flailing my arms about. For the record, I don't run like a girl.
Lifting weights. Actually not a bad thing. I think for a long time I didn't know what the hell I was doing. But you read enough MEN'S HEALTH issues and...well, you masturbate a lot. But when you're done with that, you're left with knowledge of proper form. I actually see my body changing, and the results are good.
P90X. I love. I love knowing how to do a proper push up. And I love that I CAN do a proper one. The exercises for the most part are basic and old school and THAT makes me feel like a total bro. It's a moderately important label. And I love the guy who leads the videos: "DO your best and forget the rest." It's just pure entertainment. And I've seen great results. I love a dive bomber push up. I love getting up early to do it. I love that the exercises only last 30 seconds. And I love variety. I love that there's hard core yoga and kickboxing. Like I said, it makes me feel like a bro.
Insanity. Just started this. I don't like it. It's made by Beach Body, the same folks who do P90x. But it doesn't have as much variety and you do the exercises for much longer. Also no demonstration of modified movement. That bugs. I'll give it another shot, but not loving it now.
Dancing. Going to the club. Taking a Hip Hop class at the gym. Standing at the barre for an hour. Going across the floor. It's very FAME (the original). And I love to dance. It does not make me feel like a bro. But I do feel strong and expressive.
Food. It's my weakness. If this was "Shoop", and Salt n' Pepa asked the proverbial question:
"Girls, what's my weakness?"
I'd respond back: "FOOD!"
Okay then. I'm not going to make the same list of different healthy food choices.
VEGAN
MACROBIOTIC
RAW FOOD DIET
BLOOD TYPE
No way. How about Diabetic Inducing? I love food. I don't like to monitor my intake, my frequency, my amount, my fat levels. I just love to eat it and smile when I'm done. I feel very accomplished. Sometimes I throw my hands up when I'm done with a meal.
TA-DA!
Or I look like a gymnast trying to stick a landing. Then I wait for my scores.
I love Italy. Fresh pasta. I love steak. I love bone marrow. Offal. I just love food. It's good. I love a good salad too. I make them. I go to Soupplantation. But it would be really difficult for me to get all militant on my meal planning. I'm Mexican. I love enchiladas. And I'm also Chinese. I love chicken with black bean sauce and egg rolls.
But I do need to find a magic way to just take off a few extra pounds so that I'm ready for that moment when I take my shirt off, as a recently single human being. Ugh. All of that pressure just makes me hungry. Good thing I'm going to Houston's for lunch to meet a friend. I'm sure they'll have something I'll like.
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