I pretty much ate my way through Savannah. And it was delish! I know people think Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady & Sons, is overrated, but I think it was probably the second best meal I have had in my life (the first being at Iron Chef Michael Symon’s restaurant, Lola, in Cleveland…of all places).
Here are some pictures from dinner at Paula’s place and one from Uncle Bubba’s for good measure.
I like roasted red peppers now.
I never liked peppers of any kind. And now all of a sudden, I like peppers. I made the bomb sandwich tonight - grilled eggplant and zucchini, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella on a whole wheat roll. It would have been better on ciabatta or a baguette, but I only had whole wheat rolls, so that is what I used. Next time, I think I will add basil or pesto and buy some good, yummy bread.
Top Chef Around the World Competition.
My office had a Top Chef competition today. Everyone was placed into teams and there were five in total. Then we picked countries and had to make appetizers, main courses and desserts from those countries.
My team had Italy. How perfect for me! In true Italian form, we made too much and had lots of leftovers. Bruschetta, caprese salad, chicken parmesan (my dish), spinach lasagna, raspberry trifle, tiramisu and frozen cappuccino pie made up our menu.
But…I ate food from every country that was represented. This was a competition and we had to vote in the end. I had ginger chicken, crab rangoon, chicken tacos, guacamole, chicken curry, basmati rice, naan bread, chicken satay and baklava, just to name a few of the things that were floating around in my stomach this afternoon. Not to mention, I sampled every Italian dish my team made. I needed a nap by the time I was done eating.
In the end, the India team won, but the Italy team came in just two votes shy of winning bragging rights, a golden spoon and half a vacation day. What a blast though…I love my office.
Bad Tracy.
I was doing well with my dieting. Then about a week and a half ago, well two Fridays ago to be exact, I had a craving for pizza, had some and then went of the diet wagon. I got back on it again today. And I am trying to be serious about it.
My office has so many lunches and happy hours and breakfasts and celebrations and an endless supply of snacks.. I really need to learn to control myself and to say no sometimes. Sure, the occasional cookie or lunch is OK, but every day is just too much.
Back on track today.
What’s on my mind on this Monday (Memorial Day) evening…
- - I ate like a pig all weekend. Too much wine, a cheeseburger, a milkshake and almost an entire bag of chips in one sitting…and that is just a sample of all the crap I ate. Back on track tomorrow. For reals.
- - It was nice to get some pool time today with my book and some magazines. For most of the time, I was the only one out there and it was so relaxing.
- - The Bachelorette is a train wreck, but I can’t help myself, I am addicted to another season.
- - This is going to be a long week. Client meetings, team meetings and a trip out to the Gaylord Texan with my client for a media interview.
- - My first paycheck is currently pending in my bank account. And it’s a really good feeling.
- - Unfortunately, my first paycheck might be going to fix my AC, which is on the fritz. I am not in the mood to deal with fixing such a major household appliance right now, but I am going to have to get it looked at. In the meantime, I am grateful for my ceiling fan.
I need to stop eating like a teenage boy.
The chips and pizza and sweets are not good. I mean, they are good and delicious, especially when it is homemade pizza and cookies, but not when they go immediately to my waistline. Hoping that going back to work will help me control my random snacking and grazing all day long…although, I was told that a fully stocked snack closest and kitchen was a perk at my new office. Good lord, I have no will power.
Meat-free Friday.
In honor of Good Friday, even though I am not a practicing Catholic, I am not eating meat today. Here is what I did/will eat today.
- - Breakfast - Yogurt with strawberries, bananas and granola.
- - Lunch - Greek salad and an egg salad sandwich.
- - Dinner - Whole wheat pasta with zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, basil (from my garden) and parmesan cheese.
- - Snacks/dessert - Watermelon, Skinny Cow Cookies & Cream ice cream sandwich.
All this yummy food makes me think giving up meat wouldn’t be too hard…Oh, who am I kidding. I really wanted a cheeseburger or Spicy Chicken sandwich from Chik Fil A today. Happy Good Friday folks!
Saturday trip to the parents house.
All of my friends seem to be away or busy this weekend, so I made a trip to visit my parents, who I haven’t seen in a few weeks. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside on their deck, ate lunch and talked for a long time. I did a little shopping with my mom and got a new pair of shoes (I had a coupon for DSW!) and a couple of cilantro plants from the garden store. My dad made me a necklace holder, which is basically a wood frame with some tiny hooks on it, and I plan to decorate it up a little this weekend. We walked down the street to an estate sale one of their neighbors was having…I didn’t buy anything. My mom gave me a couple of bottles of wine from their wine rack (score!). I came home with a full belly from the fajitas and sangria my mom made for dinner.
It was a really great day. Sometimes I forget that it can be so enjoyable to spend the day with my parents.
That is filet stuffed with prosciutto, baby artichoke parmesan and almond cake, all which I made during the cooking class I went to at Sur la table tonight. We also made risotto, which was not as hard as I thought it was to make and will be trying very soon, and fried dough, which was accompanied with an Italian antipasto.
I was the only single person in a group of three couples and a mom and daughter. I felt awkward at first, but got over it really quick. I am always so proud of myself for getting over situations where I feel uncomfortable and for trying something new and different.
I highly recommend a Sur la table cooking class (or another kind) if you have the opportunity to attend one. Go by yourself, with your significant other, a friend or even your mom. When you think about it, you get a four or five course meal, learn how to make it and enjoy two hours doing something creative.
