So...whats for dinner?
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A moment of silence for the birdie. But you did save dozens if not hundreds from starvation.
Got down to -2F overnight and It's up to a balmy 6F right now, but the price we're paying is more snow showers. And it's likely to get down to at least -4F tonight. Same pattern all week (with massive snow on Monday, when I'm supposed to go back to the ophthalmologist's office to pick up my new spare glasses). The way it's looking, I'll be wearing UGGs and a down puffer coat over my blazer when I get to Midway. Will stuff the coat into my checked bag before checking in (too dang cold to do curbside) but keep the UGGs on--they were designed by an Aussie surfer to keep feet at body temp. when walking on hot sand. Will change shoes at the timeshare.
Had instant oatmeal for breakfast, with pre-warmed maple syrup, but I could barely get through half of it--I've gotten so used to the real steel-cut stuff. For lunch, a hot combo pastrami-corned beef on rye. Both meats were too lean & salty. Had to use defrosted frozen rye--Gordy took the fresh half-loaf home with him. Not sure about tonight's dinner, probably some sort of pasta. No way am I going outside if at all possible, unless it's utterly necessary.
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There was no plan for dinner tonight, so I made a big salad for all and English muffin pizza for myself. DH is cooking ham.
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Bob called from the car (at the start of his commute) that he was going to bring home food, and that I should pick a place and order ahead for pick-up so he wouldn't have to park long enough to have to clear fresh snow off the car. He also warned that the commute would be longer than usual because of the snow. I pointed out that by the time he'd get to whatever restaurant I'd call, the food would likely have begun to cool off. He agreed that perhaps we should order out once he got home. Over an hour later, I was just about to call to ask if Indian food would work, when he called from Cellars to read me the specials. He got cavatappi Bolognese and I got the braised pork shank over polenta and winter vegetables. Turns out his commute had been an hour and 40 minutes. I wasn't really hungry yet (I'd had a hot chocolate just before his first call, and it was early (before 7pm). But I took about 1/3 portion and barely got through it.
I don't know what it is, but I'm getting full for longer on smaller & smaller portions even though I have a good appetite. I'm neither gaining nor losing weight, even though I am eating whatever I want when I want it. My digestion is normal, and I had a clean EGT & colonoscopy in 2017. I think it's time to go to the gyne to rule out anything that might be pressing on my stomach, but he thinks I'm being a hypochondriac.
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I, too, was hoping for a better outcome for "Birdie".
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Minus, I know I “wrote” my oil survey answer in my mind a few times, but not sure I ever officially posted it.
I use evoo for most top of stove cooking and marinades, canola for baking, and peanut oil for any real high temp stuff...and for the “fried turkey”. I recently bought a bottle of avocado oil, but have yet to use it.I was shopping late this afternoon and tonight to get some less wintry clothes for our week in LA, (and DH is out in western MA), so when I returned home, I enjoyed an “alternative dinner”...Jalapeño/pineapple hummus with sweet potato tortilla chips, accompanied by fresh pineapple. Yum!
Last night, I made myself a (cold prevention) meal of strange items....an orange, avocado right out of the skin with fresh garlic, sea salt and cumin on it, chicken soup with kale and fresh garlic added, (does anyone else use the Alessi soups for a quick meal?) and dessert of fresh pineapple, and ginger tea. It seems to have worked since the beginnings of an upper respiratory virus that knocked me out two days ago, have not at all progressed. Yay to keeping a cold at bay and kudos to cold chasing info from Dr. Google!
I am relieved to learn that the shutdown is over for now (and hopefully for good). Aside from the unfortunate impact on the lives of so many government workers ending, I selfishly was not looking forward to flying across the country with so many air traffic controllers calling in sick.
After spending so much time clothes shopping today, I just received a message from my friend in Santa Monica saying not to worry about what to bring to wear there since it’s been cold enough that people are wearing winter clothes. Ha! Guess I’ll be ready for Spring here with my cottony purchases. And besides, to me, their “cold” is certainly not going to measure “down” to ours of late! But you guys in the midwest are getting the real brunt of the snow and cold. I was thrilled that we had a very warm (50s) rainy day yesterday, washing away most of the cement-like snow mounds and impossibly icy walkways created by last weekend’s storm and follow up single digit temps.
I’m sorry about the unfortunate ending for the bird you and DH rescued, Nance. You two really are great supporters of Mother Nature’s creatures. I hope whoever buys your house when you move, knows the expectations of the critters in your neighborhood!
I sure hope your virus departs soon....maybe try Dr. Google!0 -
Growing up in Southern California I thought anything below 60 was cold and over 80 was hot. I recall a heatwave in the 80’s where it was 88-90 for a week straight, I thought I might die. Now that I’m older and living in Texas, I laugh at those days.
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Lacey, I’m glad to hear Dr. Google has some accurate information for once! ;-)
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LOL, Green....a bit of magical thinking for placebo effect helps, too. Sadly, my “cure” seems shortlived as the sore throat and headache returned this morning. Ugh! I won’t be doing any loud cheering at the Cs/Warrior’s game tonight.
We almost always have a quick dinner out on game nights, but I have some chicken thighs in the fridge that need to be cooked, so might roast them with veggies and make a salad, and eat here, keeping my germs out of the restaurant.
Illimae, it is interesting how our bodies adapt to environment and react to temp changes. I remember after my older son spent his first three months at college in Atlanta, he returned home for the holidays constantly complaining he was cold. I figured his blood thinned out...does that actually happen? Back to Dr. Google...
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Illimae - It was similar where I grew up in the SF Peninsula area but a little cooler. The days rarely got to 80 (except when we started back to school in our new wool clothes) and while the nights occasionally got down to the high 40s, 50 was usually a cold spell. I remember BBQs in the summer & we always needed a sweater once the sun went down - but it wasn't "cold". Now my blood has thinned in the Houston heat and I'm cold at 65, so I take long silk long underwear.
Lacey - where are you going in So Cal? Are there special events or just a trip? How is your DIL doing? Your 'lone' meals sound like how Bedo & I eat. I've always had good luck with Airborne for warding off a cold. I often take as a preventative before I fly. And I know Linus Pauling is probably out of fashion, but pounding Vit C tabs in large amounts at the outset of a cold has always worked for me. Below is from a Brit research study...
>The effect of vitamin C on the common cold has been the subject of several studies. These studies do not support a considerable decrease in the incidence of the common cold with supplemental vitamin C. However, vitamin C has consistently decreased the duration of cold episodes and the severity of symptoms.<
Didn't get the Prolia shot. There's apparently a shortage of that too & they didn't get their order.
Special - missing you. Hope you are OK.
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Isn't SK in Hawaii?
Feeling carnivorous today, so I'll reverse sear some strip steaks. Baked potato for DH, sweet potato for me. I'll also broil some campari tomatoes topped with boursin and seasoned toasted bread crumbs.
All of this is contingent on my energy level come supper time. The head cold is in full swing, so it could turn out to be ramen. I'm sorry to hear yours reared its ugly head again Lacey.
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Nance - You're right about Special. I forgot. Sorry that your cold is STILL hanging on. You should have hidden in her luggage to get some sunny skies & hot beach weather.
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Yes, Minus, I always think of you when I make my “lone” creative meals.
I do still subscribe to the merits of Vit C, and have been popping those pills and eating our stash of Florida oranges. I always wondered what Airborne contains, but have yet to try it. This might be a good week to do so.
We fly out next Sat. to see my brother who is failing with Lewy Body Dementia. They live in Thousand Oaks. We are staying in Calabasas to be convenient to them and also to our good friends from here who relocated to Santa Monica to be near their son who works in LA. This trip would not be happening now if DB were not ill. And it is being super micromanaged by SIL, so there’s that. In two weeks it will be completed, and we’ll be home just dealing with weather, hopefully. All seems to be going well with DS2 and DDIL, so we’re relieved and thankful for that.
Feeling happy for Special on her Hawaiian trip.
Sending more WARM healing wishes to you, Nance!
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Oh Lacey, I'm so sorry about your brother. What a truly awful disease. I hope you have a very good visit.
I've been eating loads of citrus too :-)
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Lacey - what a difficult trip. I'll be thinking of you.
Below are the Airborne ingredients. They settled a class action law suit 10 years ago for "false advertising", since it was not proven to "prevent" colds. I never thought it did, but I personally take it before I fly with all those germs because I think it gives my immune system a boost so I can move through them. (magic force field??)
Contains 17 herbs and nutrients including vitamins A, C and E; riboflavin; magnesium; zinc; selenium; manganese; sodium; potassium; amino acids; an herbal extract blend that echinacea, maltodextrin, and forsythia.
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Sharon and I are at a Tom Chapin concert tonight...currently it's intermission.
We are in a venue that seats about 60 people and there is no need to be "plugged in".
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Tom is great (he is a fellow member of American Federation of Musicians' Local 1000, aka "the folkie local"). Nice guy, too!
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Eric, I just enjoyed watching/listening to a delightful UTube selection of Tom Chapin songs this morning. What an enjoyable evening of folk music you and Sharon must have experienced. Thanks for sharing that!
And thanks for the kind words and well wishes for our trip, Nance and Minus. It is so very sad to see my brother deteriorating. He was always so physically and mentally fit, a former college rugby player, Marine officer, and FBI counter-terrorism agent. His “retirement job” as security head of a large hospital came to a close a few years ago after his knee replacement surgery resulted in the sudden onset of cognitive and motor symptoms, initially diagnosed as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. He was later diagnosed with LBD by a local doc his wife found through her church. What is clear is his steady decline.
Last night, I managed to enjoy a great Cs/Warriors’ game (albeit that final score)with the help of Tylenol to keep the viral headache at bay. I’m glad I went. A bonus was meeting up with DS2 at half-time, and hearing that all is going really well with DDIL, who was away on a business trip and family visit. I was happy to hear that they have been busy spending time with all their friends who have babies and toddlers, checking out theirvaried parenting experiences! LOL. They are also starting to house hunt, which is daunting in this area, oversaturated with high income millennials. I’m just glad they are beginning to accept the reality of what they can afford. I can’t help but feel that HGTV does a disservice to young couples (says this old timer who thought cinder blocks and wood planks were fine bookcases in houses that needed work;). Rant over.
We ended up eating pasta leftovers before heading out last night, so I’ll be roasting the chicken thighs and veggies for tonight’s dinner.
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My retired-nurse SIL Deanna is a believer in taking zinc supplement as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms of a cold. I have not tried this, but we do have zinc supplement on hand and I will try it the next time I feel a cold starting up. My cold symptoms always involve the sinuses. I take allergy meds daily but still have allergic reactions to pollen in the spring and fall.
Last night's dinner was two small pork steaks, breaded and oven "fried." Baked sweet potatoes and a lettuce salad for dh. I ate half of my pork steak and nothing else since yesterday was one of those days when I seemed to crave sugar and ate candy from my mother's stash at the nursing home and king cake. Also I brought my mother lunch from Olive Garden and shared a little of the angel hair alfredo with shrimp.
I have very little interest in food but we must eat. I'm thinking I'll cook some chicken sausage gumbo for tonight. I should be able to get what I need from the small Piggly Wiggly supermarket instead of venturing out to one of the two larger supermarkets in easy driving distance. DH isn't much help in the What's for Dinner? discussion because he isn't keen on food, either, with his taste buds not working at their best.
Sad story about your brother, Lacey. I hope your visit isn't too painful.
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Lacey, I perfectly agree with you about the effect the tv shows have had on younger home buyers. We've experienced some of that the last time our house was on the market. Too many of the first time buyers expected the "perfect" home. Our house is 20 years old and although we've made improvements, the bedrooms are all upstairs (no longer desirable), I still have some carpeting (must be hardwood everywhere) and I don't have all granite countertops (some.) Fortunately we do have open concept living and kitchen spaces, so there's that. The big attraction of my house (imho) is the light and many windows. And location. We'll see what the thinking is now that there are fewer houses on the market.
In addition to the wretched weather that winter brings I hate the passing around of all these illnesses that seems to be the mark of the season. You'd think sub zero temps would be enough to kill germs and viruses but apparently not.
Tonight is the fettuccini alfredo, with the addition of some broccoli, that we were due to have a couple of days ago. (That meal turned out to be breakfast for dinner.) I'll make a side salad with an Italian style vinaigrette.
As I can muster the energy, we've been working on the basement cleaning out and organizing. I unearthed two boxes of old cookbooks that I must go through. I came across two oldies but goodies - my first Joy of Cooking and The Tassajara Bread Book, by Ed Brown. They are both well used with many stuck together pages lol.
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Carole, I too find that zinc taken at the first sign of cold symptoms seems to shorten the duration by a day or two, especially with a 1gm "bolus" of Vit. C BID the first couple of days. But 35 yrs. ago, my (then) HMO "gatekeeper" primary care doc (a genuine Jewish mother) told me that chicken soup definitely does work: there are chemicals in chicken (not beef, veggie, fish or pork) soup that thin nasal secretions even more effectively than do expectorants. She advised me to make it from an actual chicken if I could--but canned real chicken broth (Swanson's or College Inn) and chicken "base" made from chicken (not artificial protein isolates & salt) also work. When I'm out of the canned or boxed broth, I use "Better than Bouillon" chicken base (the lower-sodium version) diluted in hot water. Make sure you breathe in the vapors as you drink it.
Lacey, I am so envious that you have a decent NBA team to root for! Our era of the Bulls' double "three-peat" and NBA playoffs is a thing of the past. (Gone from "glory days" to gory days). They should never have let Thibodeau go--and they simply didn't give Fred Hoiberg enough time to reshape the team. His comparatively elderly successor (whose name I mercifully forget) sounds like Officer Krupke at the "friendship dance" in West Side Story. I half expect him to break out into "Kumbaya" every time he's interviewed. (And don't get me started on the Blackhawks' firing of Quenville, aka Coach Q).
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I will be going to Vietnam for 2 weeks next month and hope to learn how to cook a proper vegetarian Pho. We will be traveling up the coast south to north by overnight train, tuk tuk, overnight boat, motorcycle.and bike. I have to start my typhoid pills today so that I can eat whatever without worries, within reason. I am so looking forward to it. I will send a recipe, if I can master one. I am so glad that everyone is doing well. I still think of you all, all the time, and am so grateful for this site. You guys really pulled me through.
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Wow, you’re trip sounds exciting. I’m going on my first cruise in a couple of weeks (moody blues cruise) to the Bahamas, I can’t wait, I’m already packed.
Tonight was Pork Roast, carrots, creamy Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes with gravy and garlic bread. We’re all happily stuffed.
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Today I picked about 100 pounds of oranges and I can't tell I've even started picking oranges. So far, I've juiced about 50 pounds of oranges.
Dinner was.....yes.....an orange....
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Your trip sounds great, Bedo. Perfect for you. Vietnamese food is very popular in this part of the world. A lot of "fusion" with Creole food in the New Orleans area. Pho is very popular. I was surprised to learn that it's a breakfast food in Viet Nam.
I love oranges, Eric. Lucky you.
When I ventured to Piggly Wiggly yesterday to buy chicken and okra for the gumbo, I also bought a loaf of store baked French bread, which we enjoyed with the gumbo.
We're going to the gym this morning, our first gym session in 2019.
Dinner will probably be leftover gumbo.
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Wow, Eric! What does one do with all that fresh orange juice? Roadside stand?
It would be popular in these parts where people are fending off colds. Bedo, have a great phoventure!
So, the chicken thighs I thought I had, turned out to be cutlets, but I followed through with last night’s meal plan anyway...roasted vegetables and chicken glazed with some garlic, rosemary powder, and balsamic. I thought it looked rather grey and unappetizing when I took it from the oven, but it was surprisingly delicious. Chicken thighs would have been less dry. DH loved it. My appetite was waning, so we have plenty for another night’s “jump ups”.
Spoiler alert... SPORTS TALK
Sandy, Boston does enjoy a glut of strong sports teams right now, but I well remember the years they all struggled. Then we were busy working, raising our kids and attending their sports, enforcing homework, music practice, etc., etc., so it was more disheartening for our boys than anything I worried about. When first married, (early 70s!) living in Back Bay, DH and I used to spontaneously walk down to the old Boston Garden, buy $12 tickets and enjoy Celtics’ games. So our current Cs’ passion is sort of a throwback...tho way more expensive. LOL The Bulls will rebuild in time... folks here really respected Thibodeau for his coaching acumen, but I always dislikehis scowl. Will be interesting to see where he lands after being “on hiatus” for a while after the Timberwolves debacle. The thing I do not enjoy about prof basketball is the REALITY that it is all BIG BUSINESS. Yet here I am supporting it!
Last night’s dinner....saffron rice not pictured:
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Lacey, when we were in grad (med for Bob, law for me) school in Seattle, we used to get last-minute half-price student tickets to Sonics games. We lived only 15 min. from Seattle Center (now Key?) Arena and parked quite easily. Our very last night in Seattle before moving to Chicago was spent at a tavern in the U. District, watching the last game of the '78 NBA championships. When the Sonics lost to the Bullets, we paid our tab, gathered our bags and drove our rented car (our little Datsun was already on the moving van) to Sea-Tac and boarded a red-eye.
Bedo, what a trip! We've considered a Viking river cruise on the Mekong, but I'm not sure either Bob or I are spry enough for all that boarding & debarking on boats much smaller than the usual "longships." If you'll be taking tuk-tuks, you're doubtless going to be traveling light--from what I've seen, they're pretty small. As to vegan phô, hope you find a good recipe--most call for intense bone broth. Wonder if the umami from the (probable) mushrooms in the broth would be enough to offset the thinner body of the soup. Please do fill us in as to how it goes. (There's a place along our restaurant row, Slurping Turtle, that offers keto-friendly phô & ramen--using no-starch shiratake noodles.
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Hi y'all
Humbled by all these delicious meals I am reading about here!
I am back after one week on a business trip -therefore, no cooking. Mostly eating some fruit in my hotel room for dinner, with a couple of exception nights, when I went out for dinner -Mexican. Delicious moles and micheladas, but I ate too much.
Tonight, I came home late after a workout. My kids had pasta with delicious meat sauce for dinner -I made the meat sauce last night. My husband didn't think I could feel after a plate of pasta after a workout, so he made just enough pasta for the kids. I sighed (nobody is perfect! love him), and I fixed myself a salad. Mesclun greens, a couple kumato tomatoes, half can of tuna that had been in the fridge in a ziploc bag since before the business trip, and a small avocado that was almost too ripe to eat and that had been around for a week or more, too. Salt, sherry vinegar and olive oil. Delicious! Best salad I have had in a while.
Meanwhile, my daughter was too tired to eat her pasta, went to bed leaving half plate of pasta with meat sauce that I devoured. And for dessert, a slice of cranberry bread with chocolate spread, and another slice of cranberry bread with some fruit jelly I brought from some trip. This cranberry bread is from Trader Joe's. I can't get enough of it.
From my business trip (to Mexico, the country of chocolate) I brought a couple of bags of a powdered chocolate mix, the ingredients are cocoa + oats, all finely powdered. I can't get to get a warm bowl of it. This may be a thing, ladies -and gentleman. Very excited about it. I am picturing myself having a bowl of that for breakfast for the rest of my life. I will update when I try it.
Good night everybody and stay warm, especially those of you in the eye of this vortex thing -I am in the East coast. If you can, go to bed with a novel and don't get out until the cold is gone!
LaughingGull
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How exciting Bedo, have a great trip. This is for you:
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Dinner will be soba noodles with half a pork tenderloin cut into pieces for stir frying. Noodles and pork will be mixed with sweet spicy home-made sauce.
It's supposed to drop to 26 degrees tonight. Brrrrrrr....
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-10° here tonight (not as bad as Sandy will get.) Hunkering down with vegetable beef soup and a loaf of homemade wheat bread from the freezer.
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