 This was my breakfast this morning.  I lie. I actually ate both of these.  Can you blame me? My coworker brought in coconut meringue cupcakes that his wife made, and another coworker brought in donuts. I can usually say "no" to a donut, but look at that goo. It's a PB & J filled bear claw from Henry's Donuts! I decided at about 9:30am that I was not going to track my calories today. Today doesn't exist in my dieting app. Sorry Google spies, you're going to have to read this if you want to manipulate me via food today.  My breakfast probably had an unfathomable amount of calories, but then I couldn't resist the work potluck (which I didn't know about and hadn't brought anything to) because chicken, beans, rice, and posole are impossible to resist. I also had raspberry cheesecake (not pictured). That should have been enough for the day, right... Wrong!  This is the beautiful casserole my husband made this evening. He found this Bacon Chicken Alfredo Bake on the allthecooks app for android. The recipe called for twice the ingredients needed for your average baking dish, and he added the spinach for color, but it was delicious! Also, bacon, Alfredo sauce, and pasta further added to my astronomical calorie count, but we're not counting, right? Somedays I eat the way I did today, and I'm not going to worry about it. I have a treadmill I use while catching up on Game of Thrones and House of Cards. My BMI is in it's health range, though I know some of you may argue that's not even a fair assessment of health. I want you to know that this morning, before the cupcake and donut, I was going to eat almonds and a banana for breakfast. I had packed a sensible pumpkin and sweet potato soup for lunch. Sometime food happens, and I want to enjoy it, because somedays my food is boring, and life deserves to be celebrated (through food). If my food choices today sadden and/or frighten you. I offer the following recipe I developed on my own. It's the anti-cupcake and donut breakfast. Mocha Chia Breakfast Shake (Vegan)  Mocha Chia Breakfast Shake
2 TBSP Chia Seeds 4 TSBP Dagoba Xocolatl drinking chocolate 1 cup Rice Milk 1 cup Coffee Directions really not required, other than you want to give the chia seeds about 30 minutes (packaging says 2 minutes, not my preference) to absorb the liquids and stir or shake to break them up. Also, you can add ice or refrigerate to make an iced mocha. Total Calories = 246 Good luck to you and your food choices tomorrow and for all of the tomorrows.
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 Last Friday my two kiddos and I served chicken noodle soup, salad, and brioche to some seniors in downtown Seattle. The Souper Supper (I came up with that clever name) was started somewhat begrudgingly on my part. My supervisor at the time wanted it to happen once a week and be led by volunteers. My practical (read pessimistic) self knew that sounded well and good, but would probably take me an additional 5 hours a week to coordinate even with perfect volunteers, and I knew it would take a while to find those magical people that would want to give their time consistently every week without my hawk-eye supervision. So, I suggested we have the Souper Supper once a month. Luckily I have an amazing employee that has supported me the entire way. To date we have served soup every month for over a year now, approximately 180 served. I do have some regular volunteers, though they still need me there to coordinate it all. I have grown to love this event. For one, the soup is great. It's donated by Campbell's Stock-Pot, and the bread is donated by Panera. What's not to love? Something to note though is that most Food Banks/Pantries have plenty of bread. Not that we'll stop taking it, but bread is usually unlimited for individuals and families served by our local Food Banks. Whereas fresh produce is very difficult to come by.  Saturday morning we spent at the Red Barn Community Farm. This farm is located in the flood plains next to the Snohomish River in Everett. My employer was gifted use of the land by the City of Everett several years ago. Anyone can buy a plot, just like a pea-patch. In fact, the first year some family friends of ours went in on a 40x20 plot with us. It is hard to grow food! There was no irrigation the first year so we had to haul in our water in 5 gallon camping jugs. We grew wild mustard very well (weed), and only a handful of carrots and beets, and one lonely green pumpkin. Last year the Red Barn Community Farm donated over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Everett Food Bank. Right now we're planting red russian kale, broccoli, cabbage, and potatoes. I'm so excited to see what these wonderful volunteers contribute this year. Also, I should mention that all Food Bank clients can have a plot for free and learn to grow their own food. Cool!  I finished Saturday with a birthday party for a 10 year-old girl, but this wasn't just any birthday party. This young girl wanted to give back to her community in lieu of a traditional party and gifts. With the help of 13 of her best friends she sorted over 1,000 pounds of donated food, and instead of gifts, you can see in the picture to the left that they donated food and gifts for families in need. Now this isn't to say that there wasn't celebrating. There was ice cream cake and loud music. At one point, there were 6 girls standing on the benches of the Greenwood Food Bank belting out "Let it Go." As the ladies left at the end of the event I asked if they enjoyed themselves, and they all reported that it was a great party, but what stuck me the most is that they all really felt that helping was a lot of fun. Beautiful.
Just the other week, the hubs and I went out for a lunch date. Granted, a lunch date doesn't sound that great to most of you, but having a 10 year-old and 8 year-old, every date we get together is amazing. We decided, mostly out of convenience and novelty to try The Irishmen in Everett, WA. At first glance, The Irishmen is where I would hang out if I enjoyed bars (we used to). It's clean, the atmosphere is succinct, and I love the posters. On the way to the bathrooms there is even an adorable little buffet that is decorated like your little old Irish grandma lives there. Not to mention the many tvs to enjoy your favorite futbol team. For lunch I decided (despite the menu warning of a 20 minute wait) to order the traditonal pasties. I love a good pot-pie and/or a shepard's pie, so was willing to wait for my meat and veggies to cook together. I was not disapppnted, Although simple, I would not be able to order these Irish pasties anywhere else in Everett, and my potatoes and veggies were cooked perfectly and with Irish flare taboot.  |
AuthorI can count on one hand the foods I dislike, and I'll typically even eat those. Typically frugal, but I'll pay top dollar for an amazing/unique dining experience. Never passed up a free meal, which has led me to become the #36 ranked eater in Major League Eating. July 4th, 2020 will be my third time competing in the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest at Coney Island. I've been on ESPN. That's right people, I'm an athlete. Archives
August 2019
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