Feb. 2010

I know it has been a while since I posted last... It has been a busy month around this place. My last semester of school started, I have been sick, and just focused on other things. Nothing super new to report with the dairy thing... however yesterday did mark the 1 month mark! Only 11 more to go :).


I am getting a bit bored with some of the things I have been making, any suggestions?

The perfect lunch

Thank God for fake cream cheese! Why?

My mom came into town today (my 24th birthday is this Sunday... my golden one to be exact) and we came home from the airport with our coffee in hand. Hungry from her long flight, i rumaged through the fridge for something to eat. And then I saw it, smoked salmon. "Locks and bagels!" I declared. I grabbed the salmon, tomato, red onion, capers, and finally "Better Than Cream Cheese", toasted up some fresh from the bakery bagels, and lunch was served.

YUMMY! 

Not much to say...

Life around here has been pretty boring. Not to much to report. However I do want to tell you all that this journey is becoming more and more real. When I told my mom what my new years resolution was, she simply said "Lauren, when you put your mind to something there is literally nothing that gets in your way..." First, her saying that meant the world to me. Second, I didn't think it would be as easy as determination, and setting my mind to it. Third, almost a month into this, I have no doubt in my mind that by the year 2011, I will have been dairy free for 365 days! 


This makes me SO SO SO SO excited!

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

When I decided to go dairy free for a year I had to think about some things... I had to ask, what counts as dairy free, and what doesn't? This is what I came up with...

Butter, milk, sour cream, cream cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cheese... you get the picture. Then there are product like Cheese Its, and Doritos, those are nixed as well (I figure if cheese is in the title of a product, it must go). But what about bread, and other things that are made with hints of milk, or butter... I have decided that these products do not count. A year without dairy, AND carbs, absolutely not. 

 Last night at work I had one of our cooks make me a dairy free Jumbalya. He made it with rice, sausage, chicken, and lots of veggies. So here is my question to you...

The rice is made with 1 tablespoon of butter to 20 cups of rice. I am feeling guilty when I know this is just like eating bread or pasta that is made with dairy. Is this wrong?

Thursday Night Dinner

Tangy Dijon Chicken:


4 Chicken Breast
1 Medium Size Jar of Dijon Mustard
1/2 cup White Wine
2 Large Cloves Garlic
Salt 
Pepper
Olive Oil
Add Sun Dried Tomatoes after cooking is done.
Bake @ 400 degrees, covered in foil
(You can make a gravy out of the dijon drippings...make a roux, butter, flour, cream, and than add the drippings...for those of you who do eat dairy.)


Spicy Oven Potatoes:


4-6 Large Red Potatoes
3 Large Garlic Cloves
Salt 
Pepper
Olive Oil
Red Pepper Flakes 
Cilantro
Cumin
Smoked Paprika 
Bake @ 400 degrees for 1.5 hours, give or take.

Pearls of Success and Spin City

Today I was laying in bed watching the first season of Desperate Housewives ( I have recently become addicted... A little late compared to the rest of the country) and Nick came in a tossed a UPS package on the bed. Since it is not my birthday or any other special day, I was pleasantly surprised. Inside was a card, it had my mom's writing on it, the card was written beautifully, and inside the card was a small package. 

Pearls of Success by Dogeared: From humble beginnings as a grain of sand, the pearl slowly grows into an object of beauty and simplicity, symbolic of honesty, integrity, prosperity and wisdom. Pearls represent the best within us.

Thank you mom for all of the support and inspiration. 


Spin City! An amazing little spin studio that opened about a month ago. Two local girls, recent college graduate put their hearts and souls into this place, and with a little determination and sweat, they turned a old shop into an awesome workout room. 


With a combination of support from all of you, Spin City, and the drive with in me, this year will be a piece of (dairy free) cake!

Ode to Momma!

Last night was the second night of American Idol Auditions, it was fantastic! So naturally I had to make fish tacos! 


The Recipe:


4 Tilapia Fillets
Red Cabbage 
Tomato 
Red Onion
Cilantro
Avocado
White Sauce*


White Sauce: (Thanks Mom, this is the best ever!)


Mayo
Better Than Sour Cream
Better Than Cream Cheese
Garlic
Cumin
Salt
Pepper
Red Onion
Cilantro


Needless to say it was a fantastic meal, and not so fantastic singing.