I try the best I can to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I do fall off the wagon and I have to pull myself back up again. Speaking of which, I haven’t done any cardio in two weeks. Hello belly.

I’m sitting here, minding my own business, and mending my body when I received a funny email from a friend which tells me that I’m doing it all wrong.

Or as she puts it, “I knew all that exercise and eating right stuff was crap - now there’s proof from a real doctor!!!”

The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans

The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Photos are mine. The words are not. I don’t even know if it’s true but it’s funny all the same.

Still resting…

I got the recipe from Miss Tracy who made it for an office party. She’s a mother of twin one-year-old boys, works full-time and is training for a half-marathon. Can you say super woman? I don’t know she found the time to cook but here it is. And it’s wonderful.

I had to ask her permission before I posted it in case it was an ancient Chinese secret. Enjoy!

Ingredients

* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
* 1/2 cup melted butter
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a
9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth; set aside.
3. Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough, and use a rolling pin to shape each sheet into 9×13 inch rectangles. Press one sheet into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish, then cover with the remaining piece of crescent dough, and brush with melted butter. Stir together 1/2 cup of sugar with the cinnamon in a small bowl, and sprinkle evenly over the top of the cheesecake.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.

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I had every intention of posting more photos but I find it hard to cook and photograph at the same time…I need a sous chef, and a photographer, and a maid…

It looks really good in my Polish Pottery dish doesn’t it? Try it! You’ll love it!

I have company coming over tomorrow. It’s not Neighbor Leigh or LCAT Daniel. This is company I want to impress:)

So I have been in deep thought all weekend about what to make and since I was so busy thinking, I wasn’t quite busy enough in the execution. So therefore, I’m behind. While I was thinking about what to make, I had several unexpected requests for my time this morning. They are always unexpected aren’t they? It’s Monday morning for Pete’s sake!

In the midst of it all, the gym called to politely tell me that I was supposed to teach a yoga class five minutes ago. Really? I do? I guess it’s good to get a yoga class in considering how the morning was going.

So after all the fuss of it, I now turn my attention to what I’m going to make for tomorrow night.

Here is the menu:

Aritchoke Dip
Mozzrella and Baby Tomato Salad
Lemon Chicken with Capers & Angel Hair Pasta
Thai Seafood Salad (spicy) with Steamed Rice
Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
Blueberry Pie
Sopapillo Cheesecake

A lot of this is based on the fact that I already had a bunch of these ingredients. I’m hoping I’ll have some more of those cute yellow tomatoes ripe before tomorrow, I think it’ll look great with the mozzerella. We ate some already this weekend, why didn’t I think? There doesn’t seem enough to feed thirteen people.

I’ve never made blueberry pie before. But I had a bunch of blueberries so I figured why not. They are God’s perfect food. They make you ten years younger.

I bought a huge can of artichoke heart and parmesan cheese at the Restaurant Depot, therefore, artichoke dip is on the menu.

The sopapilla cheesecake…well divine. I practiced it on Saturday and it turned out really yummy so I get to have it twice within one week.

I’m off to find some pretty flowers to replace the dead ones on my front porch…I’ll post recipes soon…

Hello Mosaic Monday!

How dare they? How elitist!

We decided to have our bi/not so bi annual food competition as well. I declined to participate because we were just getting back from vacation and the boy was leaving for camp and I was sad about both. I didn’t want to cook.

To which Neighbor Leigh called me lame. I can feel the love.

It’s Saturday…And on Saturday, I clean my house and I goof off – simultaneously.

I wanted to show you this treasure (I think this may be the goofing off part of my Saturday.) It’s the coveted Horse’s Butt Trophy. Everyone wants it. They’re willing to insult, berate, and belittle their neighbors and loved ones for it. They absolutely lose their minds over it. They salivate over it. They want it badly.

Lets introduce the election board. After about five contest, I think they have it down. They really know how to spot corruption and stuffed ballots.

I’m not naming any names but…

Here is exhibit number 1. Neighbor Ted finished his trash talking and was so confident he was going to get it that he started practicing his “I’m so surprised” expression for when his name was called.

He practiced his speech – it’s hubris I tell you.

And when the votes were tabulated, the results were annouced, and Neighbor Ted was in third place – with zero votes. At least he placed.

He didn’t even vote for himself!

His pulled pork wasn’t that bad. I don’t want to say anything about it because he really spent a lot of time making it. Lets just say that the husband said it wasn’t pulled pork, it was chopped pork. Which was a real insult to Neighbor Ted who then said that aliens were going to zap the husband’s (butt) out of the cockpit one day. 

Enough about the man insults.

So – moving on. The second place winner was Neighbor Ken with a North Carolina version of pulled pork. It was deliciously vinegery.

And the winner was Neighbor Yvonne! Congratulations on your second win! Never mind Neighbor Ted’s boos. He not only chops his pork, he’s a bad loser too.

Neighbor Yvonne pulled pork was barbeque-y and the texture was great because there were some parts that were crusty. I think she grilled her pork before pulling it. I’ll have to get you the recipe. Yum!

And all rejoiced for another wonderful cooking competition. I just realized that I didn’t take a photo of the pulled pork. In any event, pulled pork is easier to eat than to look at, let us put it that way.

Maybe next time Neighbor Ted.

We were trying to decide what the next competition will be. Someone suggested martinis and the more we discussed it, the more we decided it was irresponsible. And the board of elections would be too young to participate, which would just kill them. Then someone suggested soup, which sounds like a great idea for a fall competition. But when someone said soup and martinis – lets just say I wanted to throw up right there.

Then we celebrated by doing something very responsible and very legal – I think.

All photos are SOOC (I’m goofing off today remember?) and posted on Melody’s SOOC Saturday. You should visit. She touches me so.

And oh – visit me on Vision and Verb today, please. The ladies over ther are not lame.

I get very excited when I find a great eating establishment. It’s just one of those things that blows my skirt up.

This diner in Middleton, RI was a great find. The art deco design of the building made Neighbors Susan, Beth and I exclaim, “How cute! We have to eat there!” as we drove by.

Service was fast and friendly and the food was wonderful. I had the Blueplate pancakes, bacon, hashbrowns, juice, and about twelve cups of coffee.

I’m still working it off as of this week…

As you eat you can read the commands as laid out for you by the owners.

“Thou Shalt Eat A Hearty Breakfast At Any Hour Of The Day.” – I agree.

“Thou Shalt Tip Thy Waitress Generously.” – Here here.

“Thou Shalt Not Hang Out And Order Nothing But Coffee.” – and we didn’t.

“Thou Shalt Not Eat At Fast Food Restaurants.” – I’ve been telling the kids this for years.

“Thou Shalt Sit At The Counter.” – had to disobey this one.

“Thou Shalt Eat Facing The Capital Of Providence.” – I would if I knew which way it was.

and my favorite.

“Thou Shalt Not Worship Golden Arches.” – Amen.

I wanted to purchase my coffee cup but I was told that they didn’t have any left. I think they said it was made of pewter. The handles weren’t hot so it must have some kind of insulation in the handle.

Anyway, everything was tickling me about this place.

Thank you for the service. I hope we weren’t this hard on you!

It’s an odd memory I know, but you have no idea the other odd thoughts rattling around in my head.

My sweet friend Corinne gave me this little figgy sprout about a month ago. She took it off of her fig tree. It was the same tree which we picked clean of the figgy fruits late last summer. I was thrilled. In spite of my non-green thumb, I’ve nursed it until it grew these leaves. There was nothing there initiallly, just a couple of little sprouts. Now that I think it’s strong enough to go outside, I’ll hire someone to plant it:)

Coz I ain’t doing it.

I can’t wait until these plump fruits start popping out. I am going to make lots and lots of figgy pudding…unless of course figgy pudding doesn’t really have figs in it. In which case, I’ll make that yummy chutney recipe that Corinne gave me. Can’t wait…can’t wait…

If you’ve been following my ramblings over the last year or more (and thank you if you are), then you will know that the husband and I are foodies at heart. We will take vacations just to eat at some of the restaurants owned by celebrity chefs.

Because that’s the way we are. Bobby Flay (no introduction necessary) has a restaurant in Las Vegas (what celebrity chef doesn’t), (there’s a lot of parentheses in this post already isn’t there?)

Where was I?

Bobby Flay has a restaurant in Las Vegas called the Mesa Grill in the very fabulous Ceasar’s Palace on the strip. It did not disappoint.

What a gorgeous place. The ceiling was a fiery mural (can murals go on ceilings?) Bobby Flay has a reputation for spicy food, another reason for us to try his restaurant.

The waiter however, was a hoot. He knew a ton of trivia about Maryland. Did you know that Edgar Allen Poe and John Lennon both died at the age of 40? And that the Baltimore Ravens were named after Poe’s famous poem? I didn’t, and I live in this state.

He asked he could take our photo. I obliged and he took my camera and ran off. The husband and I looked at each other inquisitively…hmmm…Then I saw him in one of the balconies. What a hoot! Hey! There we are!

He made his way off the balcony and disappeared for a while again.

When I downloaded the photos I saw that he snapped a few of the kitchen.

I loved it! The guy should be in show business.

Before we ate, the boy called from home and said to me, “Mom, you’re gonna laugh.” Another story for another day.

What did we order?

Wild Mushroom Quesadillas – it was heavenly
Rough Cut Tuna Nachos – we like raw fish, probably from our time in Japan
Sixteen Spiced Chicken Salad – it was very good but I wished I had something more substantial. All that walking made me hungry.
New Mexican Spiced Pork Tenderloin Sandwich – the husband loved this

Someone explain the cut off letters to me please? I thought half the lights weren’t working. In spite of my confusion, it was a fabulous time…and a fabulous lunch.

Then we had a great chili cook-off.

Now, ta da…the chicken wing cook-off.

These are my chicken wings.

These are the husband’s chicken wings…

And this is the mess the husband made when making his wings.

I couldn’t even tell you what he put in them. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Guys are strangely competitive, even about cooking chicken wings. I was very laid-back about the whole thing. I waited until two hours before the competition to start cooking mine.

It wasn’t because I didn’t care. I just didn’t want to get caught up in all the macho machination of it all. There was an awful lot of testosterone in the kitchen that afternoon. Humf.

And I was told that my food was too spicy for the ordinary palate. But I like it spicy…

and as pretty and golden as the trophy is, I wasn’t going to compromise my principles for a horse’s butt trophy. I just wasn’t.

So I made my wings like I always make them. Salty, garlicky, spicy, and crispy. That’s how I like ‘em.

And…I tied for second place. And though I already said I didn’t care about winning, I was really happy.

But the winner was…

Neighbor Kenny! Who really isn’t my neighbor. I actually don’t know where he lives.

He’s just always showing up when there is food.

He won for his Asian style wings. They were delicious. He was very proud of his horse’s butt trophy. Men.

There were twelve different kinds of wings and I was so full after eating it all. And they really were all GREAT! You should have been there.

We had to get the formalities out of the way so that we could celebrate someone’s birthday.

Then it…

…time to…

…party.

Until next time when we do…salsa! I have the perfect recipe.

Oh here’s what I did for my wings. There will be no quantities because I didn’t measure. I just threw it in.

Lemon pepper
Salt
Fresh crushed garlic
Golden Mountain sauce
Soy sauce
Red Hot Chilis (the hotter the better)
Accent

Mix with wings well. Place in refridgerator for about a half an hour. Mix well again. Put in the oven in very hot heat. Take it out when it gets crispy.

Voila. Good enough for second place!

It’s cold and it’s snowing and I want some warm soup to warm my chilly bones. Pho is a Vietnamese stable and it’s a favorite of mine. Actually, I’m craving some now.

I start with this…rice noodles. You can actually find rice noodles of various brands in your local market.

And I also start with this…pho broth cubes. You can’t actually find pho broth cubes in your local market. I was torn as to whether or not to post this since it’s not an ingredient that was commonly available. So I do what everyone does, I go to Amazon.com. They have it! I can’t believe the stuff you can get there.

It’s not this kind, but it’s close enough.

I watched the cubes dissolve and I stand over the stove because I’m chilly…and I’m hungry.

I slice some mushrooms and throw them in the bowling pot. It’s the only thing I had in the refridgerator. Some other veggies that will work are – mushrooms. I normally don’t cook the veggies in the broth, but rather, I put them in after the soup is ready. That way they won’t get soggy. Some good veggies to throw in after are sliced cabbage, Thai basil,  and bean sprouts.

Now I put in my noodles. Notice I didn’t soak this particular kind. Or maybe you didn’t. Anyway, follow the directions on the package.

Hmmm…it’s a little plain.

Throw in some green onions.

Now that’s more like it…spicy, spicy, spicy. This is srachi sauce. We have a gallon of it. I also put in fish sauce, limes and a little bit of sugar.

It warms my stomach on this cold winter day.

I’m playing on Foodie Friday…

As you know by now…maybe not…anyway, I love Polish Pottery. And with that in mind, my parents got me this beautiful platter for Christmas. It is gorgeous. And big…very very big. I didn’t have a Polish Pottery platter that size and I was coveting one. But I wouldn’t buy it for myself. It’s just one of those things.

As it so happens the pattern matches much of what I have already. I was thrilled!

And it’s big…really big. Big enough to hold this antipasta that I made for a party last week.

So if you are going to a Super Bowl party today and you don’t know what to bring, throw some antipasta-like stuff together and put it on your giant Polish pottery plate.

Speaking of Super Bowl…

Today…

we are…

rooting for the…

Saints.

Only kidding.

We’re a little bit restless today, maybe it’s a little bit of cabin fever from the blizzard the last couple of days. And maybe because the blizzard put a damper on just about all of our plans. It’s been quite a weekend. Anyway, I’ve made this for the Super Bowl.

Artichoke dip. None of the kids will eat it and the husband is – ahem – stuck somewhere (story later) so I guess I am going to eat the entire thing.

Easy artichoke dip recipe.

3 packages of cream cheese
2 cups chopped artichoke hearts
2 cups grated parmesan cheese

Mix together and bake at 250 for 15 minutes or until golden on top.

Go Colts:)