June 2011
10 posts
20 in 60: Day Thirty-Eight
Well, it been quite some time since I’ve written. It’s been a bit hectic with school, work, kickboxing, a birthday, and oh, almost chopping my finger off. But even though I lost the blogging drive for a sort while, I feel back in the spirit. I did in fact feel a little disappointed that I had not seen quicker weight loss results (I do live in the 21st century after all, I...
20 in 60: Day Twenty-Six
So, one thing is becoming abundantly clear. My original goal date of 60 days may have been a little implausible. Well, implausible if I still want to eat the way I’ve been eating; healthy most of the time, splurge when need be. Hmm. Not sure how I feel about this. Do I really want to diet, like really diet, like eat rice cakes and carrot sticks diet??? I don’t know. Honestly, if I...
20 in 60: Day Twenty-Four
Took my first Communications test on Thursday, and I’m happy to say I got an A! I don’t know how, but I’ve become this really studious person… and liking it. I think it’s because I feel a sense of purpose, something to work towards. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. And I’m sure all the working out has contributed to that as well. I went to...
20 in 60: Day Twenty-One
This is gonna be short and sweet because I’m studying for my first exam of the semester and I want to kick its ass all over the Texas State campus. Second day in a row of kickboxing= me feeling pretty awesome. Ate very well today. This morning I made my own version of a healthy Egg McMuffin: 1 whole egg + 1 egg white in between a whole grain English...
20 in 60: Day Twenty
Twenty days come and gone. Ups and downs, like expected. But it’s been a valuable adventure. I’m enjoying all the exercise (!) and my clothes are fitting much better, which is such a relief. I haven’t weighed or measured myself yet, waiting til around day 30 (eeek!). Regardless of what that villainous scale says, I know I’m feeling better, looking better, and am...
20 in 60: Day Nineteen
Well, I had my first burger in over nineteen days. I had told myself at the beginning of this little quest that if I went two whole weeks with exercising at least three times per week that I would reward myself with a nice cheesy burger. Well, I actually hadn’t planned on doing it today, especially with my pie-eating the other day, but it just happened. With the prospect of a night off...
20 in 60: Day Seventeen
It was quite a day. Had the pleasure of watching the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre outdoors with the house they filmed the movie in just a few feet away. Also, some of the actors and the writer were at the event to answer questions and such. We had a blast, as you can imagine. I just saw this movie for the first time some months back and...
20 in 60: Day Fifteen
Check out my new school shoes! New Balance’s True Balance Toning Shoe. It’s going to be much nicer walking in these, as opposed to the flats I’ve been trying to trek the hills and stairs with. Plus, supposedly, it’s also going to help me have an amazing ass. We’ll see about that. Derek found this great deal online for only half of what they’re selling...
20 in 60: Day Fourteen
Which would you like first? The bad news or the good news?
Let’s get the bad news over with. I fell off the wagon tonight. Despite what I’ve been eating lately, I feel I’ve been very conscious of it, and haven’t done frivolous eating on the side. Until today. It started with my Mom “surprising” me with...
20 in 60: Day Thirteen
It was a good day. Got up and made a flavorsome onion, spinach and turkey bacon frittata topped with the smallest of dollops of light sour cream. Have I talked about frittatas yet? Well, I’m addicted to them. I make some sort of frittata 2-4 times a week. You may think I’m pretty fancy making these all the time, but let me say, it’s the easiest thing. Actually,...
May 2011
11 posts
20 in 60: Day Twelve
Ah, Memorial Day Weekend. Usually a time of fun in the sun, barbecues, family and friends, and, of course, many many beers being drunk. Well, mine was quite different. It was basically Derek and I hanging out, doing nothing of any importance, just enjoying some carefree time.
We did (as in both of us) go to yoga class yesterday morning. To our surprise, we really enjoyed it. Not that we...
20 in 60: Day Ten
When I came out of kickboxing today I felt as if someone (trainer) took a 2x4 to my body. When I showed up for class, I walk through the door and realize that I was the only person who came. So it was a one on one session today, and I think that the trainer must have thought I was a professional athlete or something, because the way he was making me work I might as well have been. When I...
20 in 60: Day Nine
It was an almost perfect day off. But I’m not gonna lie, it was gluttonous. Started off with an amazing spinach, mushroom and goat cheese frittata. Followed by and hour and a half long (much needed) massage. Then after some time at home with the Ghostface, Derek and I went to happy hour at Vino Vino. It was truly a great time. We had their...
20 in 60: Day Eight
So picture this. I’m in a room of say 100-150 people. It’s new student orientation at Texas State University. It’s also 8am. I woke up at 6am. I’m tired and grumpy and surrounded by “orientation leaders” or “OLs”: young and too-perky-for-8am Texas State students. Ugh. When Derek went to his...
20 in 60: Day Seven
Well, I forgot to write yesterday. It was bound to happen. I have the memory of 70 year old. I’ll blame it on the long day at work, a double shift. The good news is I still managed to eat well, despite my irritable temperament. I’m no longer meant for these long work days. My joints ache. My feet throb. And I’m pretty sure I’m getting carpal tunnel… thus...
20 in 60: Day Five
A normal day. A day just like any other. Nothing special, but a nice day nonetheless. Work, then errands, then relaxing time at home. I’ve decided that I need more soup in my life. I don’t make it nearly enough. And it’s so easy to put together, especially if you have chicken stock already made. Tonight I decided on white bean chicken soup. I had leftover...
20 in 60: Day Four
I made this for dinner tonight. Herb ricotta and rotisserie chicken stuffed crepes with asparagus and a light sauce. The recipe is from the Food Network, and this photograph is from the website also. Mine wasn’t quite as picturesque. But it turned out well. Perfectly light dinner for a stifling hot day like today. Had a lovely brunch with my mom earlier at Kerby Lane. I thought I...
20 in 60: Day Three
Longest. Day. Ever.
Worked a 13 hour shift, with only a 10 minute break, all the while a migraine threatened to split my head in two. Suffice it to say, my diet did not go well today. With such a short break, there were little options in the way of food. I was on survival mode. In the restaurant business this means eating whatever is available at any...
20 in 60: Day Two
So, I get home tonight and find that Derek has bought ice cream. Yes, ice cream. On my second day of the diet. Not only one, but two pints of ice cream. He never buys ice cream. Ever. But on the second night of my diet he has bought and stored that sinfulness in the freezer, so it can sit there and taunt me. I’ll probably hear it calling me in my...
5 tags
20 in 60: My 60-day journey through the ups and...
DAY ONE (yesterday)
This is a long time coming. I hate diets. I hate restricting myself in any way. But I also hate not fitting into my clothes. When I was young I ate like a bird, much more interested in secluding myself in the bedroom, writing short stories and drawing. I was always thin. I was no twig mind you, just thin. Never had to watch what I ate. The first time I ever really...
Parsley-Thyme Tilapia with Skillet Carrots
Let’s talk about my obsession for a minute. Some say I spend too much time in front of my laptop, namely my boyfriend Derek. Yes, I should be applying for scholarships to ensure a slightly more stress-free return to higher education. But it’s not like I’m watching cute kitten videos on YouTube for hours and hours! No sir, I’m spending that precious time scouring the internet for yummy...
April 2011
3 posts
4 tags
Egg Salad with Herb Mayo
This is not only the first egg salad I have ever made, but it is in fact the fist egg salad I have ever eaten. My mom never made it growing up, and I’ve always been kinda hesitant to buy a sandwich in which I couldn’t regulate the amount of mayo mixed in. I’m very particular when it comes to mayo, you see. I’ve worked in restaurants, I’ve seen the industrial...
5 tags
Salmon with Meyer Lemon Leek Sauce
It was a bad day. One of those days when you consider everything, especially work, to be a total waste of time. And to make matters worse, I’m currently on a two week long non-dairy diet, per my doctor. So the idea of comfort food for my bad day was out the question, as everything I find comforting involves copious amounts of cheese. So what was I to do, but sulk away. Once dinner...
6 tags
Spinach and Chick Pea Couscous-Stuffed Peppers...
With the arrival of Spring, there is more to look forward to than warmer weather. Allergies. Damn allergies. Yes, the cars are all yellow with pollen and everyone is sounding and looking like nasally, sniffly versions of themselves. My own two week long sinus infection left little room for blogging, but lots and lots of room for sleep. Now that I’m feeling a little more...
March 2011
3 posts
4 tags
TECHmunch Food Bloggers Conference
This past weekend I attended the TECHmunch Food Bloggers Conference, and walked away with pages and pages of useful notes, plenty of new ideas, a mind literally overflowing with information, and a serious sugar high from way too many cupcakes. It was a beautiful experience, mainly because it was so refreshing to be around a bunch of food enthusiasts like me. Being such a newb in the...
5 tags
Turkey Burger with Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomato
I’ve been really into turkey burgers lately. There’s one at Galaxy Cafe called the Turkey Burger Royale with smoked gouda and avocado that I just love. Their sweet potato fries are so good as well. Super crispy, which is no easy feat with sweet potato fries. So, the last time I ordered one I thought to myself, “Hey, I can eat this all the time if I make it at home!”...
5 tags
Balsamic Rosemary Tilapia with Cherry Tomatoes
Seriously though, this dish is amazing. The bold flavors of the aged balsamic vinegar and rosemary really complement each other while the cherry tomatoes add a little sweetness to the mild tilapia. So good and satisfying, plus super healthy. Oh yeah, did I mention it takes like 10 minutes to make? I fall victim to procrastination often. More often then I care to admit, and it’s...
February 2011
2 posts
7 tags
A bold statement: Smoked Salmon and Avocado...
Not to bore you with the woes of the digestively challenged, but I’ve had to omit many many things from my diet lately to try to figure out what’s making my insides so angry. The worst and most heart-breaking being dairy. Have I told you I like cheese? That in fact I love cheese so much my boyfriend has nicknamed me Cheesy Michi? Well, yes, I loooooove cheese and anything dairy...
Gadgetry: The Avo Saver
I received many kitchen gadgets this past Christmas, but the Avo Saver has been by far the most used. It’s genius. We eat a whole lot of avocado in our place, like obscene amounts of avocado. And they are certainly not cheap. So it’s a serious bummer when half of it goes bad because you didn’t eat it a day later. With this little ditty your...
January 2011
3 posts
5 tags
Swiss Chard and White Bean Stew with Poached Egg
I have a confession. I am one of those organic, local, free range, antibiotic/pesticide free food buying people. I think they used to call them hippies. And no, it’s not because I watched Food, Inc. In fact, I haven’t watched that movie… it will ruin my life… by making me a vegan… no offense to vegans. I just try to do the best I can and live and eat as...
5 tags
Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese...
I used to hate beets. HATE them. You couldn’t get one near me. Now with my immature and unrefined palate behind me, I can appreciate the deliciousness of beets. Not only do I love the intensely earthy flavor of them, but they are super healthy as well. Beets are loaded with antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, carbs and healthy sugars. And when you pair them with goat cheese, well, you...
4 tags
Roasted Poblano Three Bean Turkey Chili
Pulp Kitchen is back after some seriously hectic holidays, a lovely vacation in Tucson, and a week to try and get things back to normal. Christmas was amazing and I feel completely spoiled and lucky to have had the foodiest Christmas of all time! Many gadgets and gifts will be featured in the weeks to come.
It’s been cold in Austin lately, like really really cold. I just adore this...
December 2010
2 posts
4 tags
Croque Madame and Green Salad
The first Croque Madame I ever had was not too long ago, at a lovely restaurant called Bess Bistro owned by Sandra Bullock and where a friend of mine works behind the line. I’m pretty sure my eyes rolled to the back of my head upon my first bite, it’s the very definition of savory. I haven’t been able to make it back to Bess, so I decided to take matters into my own...
Holiday Gift Guide 2010
It’s already Christmas time???? WHAT?!? Ugh. I’m just not prepared this year, what with all the work, holiday planning, and especially the weather changing from 80 to 50 degrees on a minute to minute basis causing an upheaval of my sinuses that would make the fall of communist Russia look like a tea party. Regardless, I still managed to get the tree and decorations mostly up, so at...
November 2010
10 posts
4 tags
Romano Chicken with Arugula Salad
This is my idea of fried chicken. Juicy and tender chicken breast surrounded by a crispy crust sauteed in luscious extra virgin olive oil and topped with peppery, lemony arugula and shaved Pecorino Romano. Absolute HEAVEN! All this deliciousness, and yet still healthy. So much better for you than some of those “finger-lickin’ good” joints and it won’t make your...
3 tags
Mushroom & Goat Cheese & Truffle Oil Panini
I suppose I was feeling a little decadent when I stumbled upon this recipe by Tyler Florence. The earthy mushrooms and thyme compounded with the soft and sharp taste of the goat cheese and then throw in truffle oil, which I’m pretty sure is the preferred oil of God himself, will produce the richest panini known to man… you might even feel a little guilty after eating it, but in a...
1 tag
Wine Wednesday: Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP →
This (click here) is an excellent post on wine, with pairings and suggestions from five acclaimed wine experts including Aldo Sohm, the Wine Director at Le Bernardine in New York City and winner of the “Best Sommelier in the World” award. This post is featured on Gwyneth Paltrow’s website Goop, which I love. Tons of great ideas and...
3 tags
Green Chicken Curry with Naan
Let me describe to you my first experience with Indian food. It was at a buffet in Tucson, AZ. I stood there, empty plate in hand, wondering what the hell everything was. As far as I could tell, it was just slop in different colors… and some fried stuff. I was a little scared. Oh, but the smell, the smell was good. It was a warm, earthy smell that gave me the strength to put some of...
2 tags
IZZE Margarita with Lime Cayenne Salt Rim
Even if it’s getting chillier outside, every Mexican dish needs a refreshing margarita to accompany it. Margaritas are somewhat nostalgic for me. My mother wasn’t much of a drinker. After one drink she would undoubtedly exclaim, “I’m a little tipsy,” with chagrin and delight simultaneously. It was completely endearing. Her drink of...
4 tags
Whole Wheat Cous Cous with Garlic, Zucchini and...
Who doesn’t love an easy and healthy side dish?!? The key to this is gratuitous amounts of garlic. Yes, I am a little obsessed with this pungent and flavorful herb that can make any bland vegetable or grain superb. Unfortunately, most garlic we get at the store is not the freshest, so I usually degerm the cloves. You do this by cutting the clove in half lengthwise, and if there is a...
Twitter
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4 tags
Warm Turkey Sandwhiches
I was never all that interested in cooking when I was very young. My mother would cook dinner almost every single night, and we would all sit together around the table, watching shows like The Cosby Show. It was great. But I never asked my mom how to make something or even offer to help out. Truth is I wasn’t even all that into eating til I was older. I was in one of those “you...
Mom's Potato Soup
My prayers were answered! Today is cold and dreary with a high of 54°, the perfect kind of day to read a book on the couch and make homemade soup for dinner. My recipe for potato soup is just a slight variation of my mom’s famous recipe, which is a thing of legend in our family. I have such fond memories of this soup and the family functions that centered around it that I feel all warm...
4 tags
Spinach Salad with Winter Vegetables
Well, November is officially upon us… though, you couldn’t tell here in Austin, TX as it is still hot outside!!! Ugh. All I want to do is make hearty soups and drink coffee snuggled up in a huge blanket, but alas, I’m still in shorts and making salads. That’s where this recipe comes in. It’s the best of both worlds. A savory, hearty salad with fresh baby...
October 2010
16 posts
3 tags
Spring Green Risotto with Sauteed Shrimp
To me, there is no greater comfort food than risotto. It’s creamy, hearty and delicious. I love risotto. I also love Ina Garten… but not as much as risotto. I came across this recipe while watching Ina on her show Barefoot Contessa, salivating the whole time. And when I made it I was blown away; yummy veggies, mascarpone, and a lemony bite. Perfect for all seasons. Her recipe...
2 tags
Gadgetry
This is an invaluable tool in our home… although, I have to admit that most bottles of wine never make it to the next day. On the rare occasion that we don’t polish one off, we can still have great tasting wine the next day, or even the day after that. I for one don’t like throwing away money, or wine more importantly! Good juice is...
3 tags
The Best Hummus in the Universe!
One of my greatest shortcomings is having zero self control when it comes to certain foods. Thank God that I don’t really enjoy baking. I could never ever be the person to make an entire pie and have just one slice. It would take an act of God to keep me from eating the whole damn thing within a couple of days. Same with cookies, chips, chocolate, tortillas, pita chips, any kind of...
1 tag
Yelp
Yelp is such an amazing resource! Not only do I find great restaurants, but I even found my current lady doctor from Yelp. Search for any establishment, and there is a good chance someone has reviewed it. Now, there are 3 types of Yelpers. 1.) The writer. There are many Yelpers (including myself, shhh don’t tell anyone) who consider...
Two Dads Cook: Tuna Tartare →
La Condesa
Had a lovely evening at La Condesa last night. Gorgeous weather always makes me wanna go out and indulge in a little happy hour… which then leads to me wanting to indulge in a full 3-course meal. We started out in the bar.
Trio of ceviche. Holy deliciousness. Each one was unique, had super fresh fish, and was overflowing with incredible flavor. The one on the left is the HAMACHI:...
