Foodie Weigh In

Well, it's been one week, and I'm down two pounds.  I didn't get in the work outs I had planned (only two resistance) and 1.5 walks (one was only a mile, the other probably about 2.5 miles.)

However, I think my diet was probably on the better side.  I had some salads for lunch and dinner, and desserts were kept to a minimum (only a few).  In addition, my snacks during the afternoon consisted mostly of nuts -- which I am told are healthier than Flaming Hot Cheetos (yeah, I don't believe it either).

So, I'm down to 212.5 lbs from 214.5 lbs.  My initial goal is 200lbs.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see if I can keep this up.

How about you?  Anybody want to join me in my efforts to be healthier?  If so, leave me a comment!

Breast-Milk Ice Cream -- I'm undecided on this....

Today Reuters published a story reporting that a specialty ice-cream shop in England was selling ice cream made of breast milk.  Yes, from an actual woman. The flavor called, Baby Ga Ga, costs over $20 per serving!

I'll take two full B scoops please!  (Sorry, I just had to...)

They're calling it, and I quote, "an organic, free-range treat."  Criminy, I can't even imagine how the FDA would certify this... the mind boggles.

Here's an excerpt:

What could be more natural than fresh, free-range mother's milk in an ice cream? And for me it's a recession beater too -- what's the harm in using my assets for a bit of extra cash," Hiley said in a statement.

"I tried the product for the first time today -- it's very nice, it really melts in the mouth."

The Baby Gaga recipe blends breast milk with Madagascan vanilla pods and lemon zest, which is then churned into ice cream.

I honestly don't know what I think about this.  But I'll give the guy credit -- he's a marketing / PR genius.  It's a freaking ice cream store thousands of miles away, and he's getting a LOT of press over this.

So what do you think?  Tasty?  or Yuk?

Follow the jump for the link!

Has the Lake Norman Foodie Become the Lake Norman Fatty?

Being a foodie has it's perks!  I looove eating great food and drinking even better wine.  I've gotten to know local chefs, restaurant owners, and even folks that have wineries close by.

But it also has its down side.  For example: today's scale reading -- an outlandish 214.5 lbs.  Which rounds-up to:

TWO FIFTEEN!!!!

That is the weight I had when I was in high school.  I was able to loose and keep it off for over 18 years.  It's been creeping up for the past decade -- Now, it's come back.

Ugh.

So, what am I going to do about it?  Well, I believe in moderation with all things, so here's my plan.

1) Try to cut back on the wine.  I'm not going to cut-back a LOT, but I think during the weekdays, I should try to limit myself to three glasses Sunday through Thursday.  Friday and Saturday are still open bottle nights.  :)

2) Eat some freakin' vegetables.  Before I moved to the east coast, I had very little meat in my diet.  Often, it was vegetables and pasta (with the occasional pizza and linguisa sandwich).  So, I'm going to eat less like I did last night (filet mignon with a herb butter; bread with olive oil, and artichoke with a garlic aioli), and more like I will tonight (Chicken Thai Salad, with lettuce, cucumbers, corn, carrots, red peppers and peanut sauce.)

My goal is at least two dinners per week that consist only of vegetables, and at least two lunches during the week that are mostly vegetables.

3) Work out.  I'm going for about three 30-45 minute resistance work outs.  With at least one long walk / hike during the weekend.

I'll be posting updates and will keep a tally going on the right side of this blog.  Hopefully, I can knock off some of this weight before I'm at the beach this summer -- I'd hate to get harpooned!

Taco Bell Beef Isn't Really Beef -- I KNEW IT!!!

This isn't the most noteworthy news.  After all, did any of us REALLY assume that Taco Bell used real ground beef in their amazingly cheap (yet delicious) food-like offerings?

Nope, me either.

Here is a listing of what is in their "Ground Beef" that's really called "Taco Meat Filling."  Personally, I'm just relieved that there isn't any horse...

Beef, water, isolated oat product, salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, oats (wheat), soy lecithin, sugar, spices, maltodextrin (a polysaccharide that is absorbed as glucose), soybean oil (anti-dusting agent), garlic powder, autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, caramel color, cocoa powder, silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), natural flavors, yeast, modified corn starch, natural smoke flavor, salt, sodium phosphate, less than 2% of beef broth, potassium phosphate, and potassium lactate

How's that for a list?  Nothing says yummy taco like "autolyzed yeast extract."

Hit the jump for Taco Bell's response:

Starbucks to Introduce Larger Cup; My Bladder is Too Small

Taking a page from their awesome April Fools joke, when they announced the creation of a 128oz. "Plenta" cup, Starbucks has announced that they are actually introducing a larger cup.

This new cup size, known as a "Trenta," will be (only) 31oz. and will be used for cold drinks only.  But to give you an idea of the size.  It is over 50% larger than their "Venti" cups which are only 20oz. The additional price should be about 50 cents more than a "Venti."

To be honest I'm glad about this.  Whenever I've ordered an iced coffee, I've always felt a little jipped, due to the fact that 70% of the drink appears to be ice.  Fortunately, now I'll get plenty of caffeine.  Unfortunately, I don't think my bladder can handle the extra volume of liquid -- time to grab a table close to the bathroom!

The Nook

Score:
Atmosphere: 4.5/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13/15

Price: $ (under $10)
Kid Friendly: Yes.  A hi-chair and a kids meu are available.

Conclusion:  Yay, I have a nearby non-starbucks coffee choice!Warm decor, good food (and coffee) and a friendly staff make this place worth visiting again and again.  Next time I'm coming here for lunch to try the Pesto Turkey sandwich!

Click the jump for my detailed review and info about The Nook:

National Whipped Cream Day!

Yes, you read the headline correctly.  Today is National Whipped Cream Day! 

It's a day of celebration!  It's a day of sweetness! So grab a loved one and some whipped cream and nibble... So, go get some whipped cream!

Here's a quote from the article:

 On this day, January 5 in 1914 Aaron “Bunny” Lapin was born in St. Louis Missouri. He ultimately developed the aerosol spray cream which was then and still known today as “Reddi-Wip.” Back then, spray creams had already been available for a few years but the canister always had to be taken back to factory to get refilled. Bunny invented the convenient single-use can and we celebrate his birthday in honor of his accommodating contribution to dessert lovers.

And here's a link to the article: http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/01/05/national-whipped-cream-day-happy-whipped-cream-day/

Wine Wednesday: Wily Jack Cabernet

When it comes to food, I'm not terribly snooty -- I'll eat anything as long as it tastes good.

But when it comes to my wine, I have a little bit of attitude.  I don't care if it's cheap or expensive, I just want the wine makers to deliver a good product.

So, when I saw the Wily Jack website I was worried.  Their homepage focuses on the label and not the wine.  Here is the first sentence of their homepage -- I kid you not:

Wily Jack wines have packaging that is graphically compelling and entertaining, with stories that chronicle the life and wisdom of Wily Jack.

Yeah, their website boasts that their wine bottlesthey have stories that chronicle the life of Wily Jack -- a fictional character.  Seriously, if I wanted to read while drinking -- I'd stick with Playboy Cosmo.

Click the jump to read the rest of the review and the score.