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quitter's nibbles
My first thought was also popcorn. Obviously read your labels and watch what you put on it (almost endless possibilities), but you can eat buckets of it with almost no calories.
Greatest Pizza Box Ever Designed: No need to waste!
I'm a bigger fan of the storage aspect than the plates aspect. We always have leftovers, the full-sized box is impossibe to fit in our too-full frig, and it the tapering height would help cut down on the air in the box that dries out my pizza.
Neat Cooking Tricks/Shortcuts
Wrapping a box grater with plastic before grating ginger, parm, or anything else. You just unwrap the plastic an scrape your stuff off and don't either lose a bunch of ingredient to the grater, or conversely have to clean it all out of the grater.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
Yes to Vivace!!! I'd only been to the one off of Broadway which has moved, I guess, but it's the highlight of any trip to WA for my hubs.
quitter's nibbles
My first thought was also popcorn. Obviously read your labels and watch what you put on it (almost endless possibilities), but you can eat buckets of it with almost no calories.
Greatest Pizza Box Ever Designed: No need to waste!
I'm a bigger fan of the storage aspect than the plates aspect. We always have leftovers, the full-sized box is impossibe to fit in our too-full frig, and it the tapering height would help cut down on the air in the box that dries out my pizza.
Neat Cooking Tricks/Shortcuts
Wrapping a box grater with plastic before grating ginger, parm, or anything else. You just unwrap the plastic an scrape your stuff off and don't either lose a bunch of ingredient to the grater, or conversely have to clean it all out of the grater.
Monin Syrup vs Da Vinci vs Torani: what do YOU prefer?
I really like Torani's Chocolate-Mint, and Orgeat syrups. That said I've never tried them in comparison with another brand's version. I know my favorite higher-end coffe shop uses almost exclusively Monin.
Amish Friendship Bread starter
When I split mine I put any extras that I don't give away into the freezer. I use the frozen/thawed stuff straight into a batch to bake, since (at least on my directions) day 10 is day one and it's all the same at that point. I had around a half dozen after the holidays , and once I'm down to just one or two, I'll go through a feed/divide run to replenish.
I also highly recommend the applesauce substitution for part of the oil. Nothing better than warm APPLE cinnamon bread - you CAN taste it. Yum.
Help give me culinary inspiration
Sounds like good quiche guts to me!
Cocktail Suggestions
Long Island Iced Tea. Something/everything for everyone.
The mini-burger: off limits?
What about adding a third for a total of 7.5 oz? Close to 8, & better perceived value?
I just tried the Frisco Shooter at Steak & Shake (try to avoid most of the other chains if I can) and it was pretty good. I think they're cheaper there at .89 or .99 w/cheese.
Obviously NOT comparable based on what you said is on yours. Plus, other places have had them on their menus for a long time. Even if we leave White Castle/Krystal out of it, I know that Dave & Buster's has had Bar Burgers on their menu for years. I wouldn't let them chase you away from it. Perhaps on the menu you could note that not only were you were ahead of the curve, but they're just plain better!
Ravioli-maker recommendations?
Thanks for the input! I'll be checking out Villaware to start. Have you guys ever seen what they put in those nasty little Gerber ravioli? It's craziness. I'll be making them for my little bubs. :) Thanks!
Who loves Anne Burrell?!
Hubby and I are still undecided although we do have every episode that we haven't watched on DVR. She obviously knows and LOVES food, that's a HUGE plus in both our books. The behavioral stuff is where we are unsure. We regularly rewind to see if she just did/said what we thought she did. Developing the brown crud in the pan has changed our lives (read bolognese) for the better, but it's a little schizophrenic to feel like we're watching Judy Tenuto (sp?) or Bobcat Goldthwaite as she cycles through her persona. A tentative thumbs up here as we see how the show progresses.
Uses for Fried Eggs
My version of a benedict= runny centered egg over oniony potato pancake with hollandaise. Maybe some toast for any extra goo that needs to be mopped. :P
April Is National Grilled Cheese Month
@ Blake & nithya - no love for my beloved crappy processed Velveeta slices? ;)
A Beginner's Guide to Passover Coke
There's also no way to know when Mexican coke was made/imported. Kosher coke is only made for Passover, so you know it's fresh. Not that pop is like beer and goes skunky or anything, but I love me some fresh Kosher coke. We have one really good big chain grocery store in a certain part of town that has a big special Kosher section and we stocked up. Not all for us, but over 3 weeks or so we purchased around 30 2-liters. It'll be gone before summer's here. We only feel a little guilty about not being Jewish and buying it all up...Wish coke would just catch on and switch it all!
Panna Cotta
Any Walgreens, or absolutely any grocery store period should have it. You can find it with vitamins and stuff (good for joint health) at any corner pharmacy. Sheet gelatin may be a bit harder to come by, but any restaurant supply company should have it, or better yet, a local bakery may be willing to sell you a few sheets, or even a box.
weird reasons for not trying certain foods?
I won't try sauerkraut because it smells strongly of vomit to me. It could be the best stuff ever, and I'll never know. Much to my husband's chagrin.
Strangely or not, I actually love most anything else pickled (except perhaps eggs/beets). The more sour/dilled a pickly thing is the better I like it. Don't know why poor cabbage makes me run, since I also like IT well enough. :(
Bread Flour vs All-Purpose Flour?
My pastry instructor told us that there are only two kinds of flour. Cake and bread. He claims that AP is whatever is left of each mixed together. That may be a crude description, but he claimed that was why people would often have inconsistent results in home baked goodies. Oh, and "pastry" flour is one part bread to two parts cake flour if you ever need it. :)
Easter Dinner Desserts?
My lightbulb just went on. Somebody mentioned Nigella, and then Easter sort of = fruit, or something relatively light, but if it needs to be chocolate...
TaDa! Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova - light/chocolate/fruit! I've had this recipe floating around for years and I think I'll finally make it. Chocolate meringue topped with whipped cream and berries! Maybe I'll do strawberries instead. I prefer raspberry, but seasonal and all.
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=283
Bread Flour vs All-Purpose Flour?
Only if you don't mind chewy muffins. Bread flour has higher gluten content which adds elasticity. Good for bread - your call on muffins.
Bugs in the cupboard
So apparently there are different kinds of buggies a person could have? We have occasional issues with what I have just called "grain bugs" for lack of an actual name, and since that's pretty much the only place I find them. They're obviously not ants, but I've never seen any moths, either. How many options of varmint are there? I wasn't familiar with these things before moving to the midwest, though my mom claims that I have an aunt whose mother-in-law in Maryland has the same thing AND JUST COOKS THEM AND EATS THEM IN HER FOOD! Gross on its own, but now I'm curious if they are the same buggies that I have. They are nasty and freak me out/make me want to gag.
Funny (now) bug story. I'd had an awful day and all I wanted was my Kraft Dinner. I poured my only box into the boiling water and half a dozen buggies floated to the surface. THERE'S a perfect ending to a crummy day! All went down the drain. :P
Have you ever heard of this dish?
Sounds heavenly. Almost seems like it could be a pierogi cousin or something. Yum!
Home ice cream - tricks of the trade
I did in fact go grab a spoonful, and found that it's actually Parker's Farm, not "family". Yum!
Home ice cream - tricks of the trade
PB - I am always shilling this stuff, but Parker Family peanut butter is SOOOO GOOD! In the frig/natural section, and is only peanuts and salt, but does NOT have the gritty "natural" peanut butter texture which I can't stand. You do have to keep it in the frig, but it's ALWAYS soft and spreadable straight out of the frig and does NOT need to be stirred. There's creamy, chunky, and a honey one, but I prefer creamy since chunky has a few too many full halves for my liking. I may have to go grab a spoonful now. :P No, I don't work for them :D
I think I may have the same ice cream maker as you, and my biggest hing (may not apply if it's a different machine) is to turn it on before you pour in the base. With mine if you add the base, then put in the paddle and try to turn it on, whatever is on the sides is already rock solid and the paddle can't turn. I just start it up empty and pour in my base from a big ol' pyrex measuring cup. Yum! A PB&J ice cream that I made once was the best!
Frozen Fries vs "Fresh Cut"
Re: happymuncher - I was somewhat obsessed with "You are what you eat" for a while (being a dietitian), and while yes, most of the people eat MASSES of horrible food, "Dr" Gillian is something of a quack if you do your research on her, and the homemade root vegetable "chips" that they talked about in that episode were garbage. I tried to make them on 2 different occasions, and despite using a mandoline to ensure evenness of my veg, everything cooked at completely different rates, and never did get crispy unless they were burned.
Somewhat off topic - no hijacking intended.
I prefer fresh fries, but I only go to a few places that I know will do them well, or else I order mashed, baked or Lyonnaise. :)
weird reasons for not trying certain foods?
Growing uo on a farm in KS my brother and I wouldn't eat chicken because we knew them personally.
weird reasons for not trying certain foods?
p.s.- oops I lied...when I was little I wouldn't eat the legs in calamari and other squid/octopus dishes because I thought the suckers would stick to my tongue...
weird reasons for not trying certain foods?
I know a guy who is so put off by milk that he won't eat any dairy products or anything that looks remotely dairy...his reason "it's white"
it seems in my area fish in general is just a big "ew" but I can't get anyone to give me an actual reason why they won't eat it
my father...most confusing of all...refuses to try sushi because it's raw fish yet he swears up and down it can't possibly be raw because "americans have poor immune systems and would just get sick" he fails to acknowledge his own contradiction
as for myself...maybe it's because both of my parents are immigrants or maybe it's because my dad is a chef but I can't remember ever flat out refusing to try any food...well other than anything involving bugs...I was always the kid to try anything from cat/dog treats to leaves to the glazes in art class (which pretty much all taste the same btw)
among friends I have a bit of a reputation as "a foodie" solely because I actually know what's in/goes into foods and how they're prepared...I find it alarming that other people don't know and/or don't care to know
quitter's nibbles
hahahahahahaha! ciggybank that made my day.
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
When I first moved to Seattle the coffee in some of the restaurants was so amazing I had to ask what it was and every single time it was Cafe Vita. Pricey beans but worth every penny.
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
Stumptown on Capital Hill
quitter's nibbles
ciggy bank?
Love it. :oD
We're rootin' for ya!
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
It is Vivace's world and we are just living in it. I like the one on Broadway the best (sidewalk bar), but all are amazing.
quitter's nibbles
dang. thanks guys-you make me feel mighty lucky to be apart of this community.
i just printed this off and will keep it with me as a reference at the grocery store and for use as a tiny, portable support system!
@tapioca: congrats yourself--especially since you did it cold turkey! i'm doing nicorette route myself-had prior luck with it-just need to maintain this time.
@billyburgwife: thanks-i love nuts...perhaps they'll help me from going nuts!
@dhorst: would've never thought of frozen grapes-great idea! :)
@prettynicola: i was thinking the same thing about sugary stuff-bring on the jerky!
@hungrychristel: pat your mom on the back for me & don't forget-you can do it too! love the frozen blueberries idea-my freezer will be packed between those and the red & green grapes. love cherry tomatoes & cucumbers too-time to munch!
@honeybea: that sounds heavenly, but i'm sadly allergic to avocado :(
@annient: i am just cutting back on coffee and alcohol b/c they're such big triggers for me right now-not giving them up totally--one thing at a time!
@granfan: knitting actually helped me out the last time i quit-thanks for hte reminder-time to pick up those needles again-i switch between that & crocheting!
@maresydotes: mmm...popcorn-i like the way you think! plus, that's a good excuse to go to the movies-not to mention a way to keep my mind busy!
@finewinedine: thanks-your support is overwhelming :) i promise not to hit you.
@jlaph: i've been doing cinnamon-y gum, didn't think of altoids tho!(btw, congrats!)
@justinh: good call-i always see those things and never know which kind to get!
@betteirene: dr oz is oprah's doc, right? he is a skinny thing-nuts it is!
@bananamonkey: big congrats! i hope i'll be able to say the same thing someday! i've been working out to just to shake off some of the anxiety and i'll definitely keep those 3's in mind-thanks!
@cary: you can do it! :) just look at all the love on here!
@cjmcd: i've already begun my savings piggy bank (altho perhaps i should call it my 'ciggy' bank! -sorry, nic-withdrawal makes me make bad puns.) is it wierd that i want to smoke a bengal tiger now? (more bad jokes-sorry)
thanks again everyone-i won't let you down-or myself :)
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
Even though Stumptown is from Portland, it is amazing and you should definitely seek them out. They have two locations on Capital Hill, both near some excellent restaurants and bars.
quitter's nibbles
I'm a big raw veggie fan so you may not be so keen on these suggestions but you could give it a shot...
-Kohlrabi, turnips, and radishes, with a little salt sprinkled on top,
-Broccoli and cabbage hearts,
My guilty pleasure is "Cup-a-soup". One packet of soup is only 45 calories and the hot soup provides you with a full sensation for a while.
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
I like Cafe Ladro for the espresso drinks and Cafe Vita (Queen City Blend) for the beans to take home.
quitter's nibbles
Chew gum, eat red hot cinnamon candies, etc. Anything with a real "punch".
Drink lots of water, herb tea, etc.
When a craving hits, do seriously deep breathing to relax your lungs. If possible, get up and walk fast or jog for a minute or two. Sing really loud in your car. Anything to keep your lungs working and full of deep breathing.
The main thing is to think about something else. Think of the trip you will take with the money you've saved or how you will reward yourself.
Here's the thing about quitting smoking that makes it so hard. It's all you think about. Smoking. Quitting smoking. Smoking. Quitting smoking. You need to reprogram the loop.
Example: Imagine a beautiful, two thousand pound Bengal tiger pacing back in forth. Now *snap*, get the image of the tiger out of your mind.
Pretty hard to do, huh? You must replace it with something else.
Sending wishes for success. You can do it! Fight the good fight. Don't let the little sticks win.
p.s. Seriously think about setting the dollars aside that you would spend on cigarettes each week. Looking at the cookie jar full of dollars is another huge incentive to keep fighting. Use that money to reward yourself after one year.
Good luck. *sends strength*
quitter's nibbles
@Cary--good luck! It's hard hard hard work. I found being 'present' in the cravings--to really feel them and note them and think about them to be much more empowering than trying to ignore them, because inevitably, you can't ignore them, and so you feel overwhelmed and victimized by them instead of meeting them head on.
When you smoke, you give yourself a break, you give yourself time to do little else but smoke (especially if you go outside to do it). When you quit...allow yourself that time to do OTHER THINGS. If it is at first just riding out the craving, then fine, but later, if you need a break from your work--time that you would have normally used to smoke, TAKE THE BREAK. Don't expect your brain to be superhuman and able to work/focus constantly. Smoking is so much more about lifestyle and timing than just the physical.
Sorry if this is off topic eds...but it's for teh good fight!
quitter's nibbles
@bananamonkey: I agree. I have to start quitting again, but the most success I ever had was when I noted the cravings and asked myself "can you wait 15 minutes?" Well, of course. Then at the end of 15, I asked myself again. I was able to cut down to several cigarettes a day in 4-5 days, and then quit for 6 months.
Gearing up now to beat it for good...
quitter's nibbles
Congrats! I will be 2 years smoke free in one month exactly! I think keeping hands busy is important. For me--I quit about two months after I started a fairly intense exercise regime. I think they're related. I spent more time figuring out and preparing healthy foods, and looked at it as an adventure, and a bit like a martyr--like, how much of this can I take, how much of this can I put on myself and come out victorious. It's a bit of an insane mindset, but it worked for me.
Also, remember, the groups of 'three' aer the hardest. If you can get to through those, the first three hours, three days, three weeks, three months--you'll get there!
I was told (and believing it helped) that the physical craving for a cigarette, the actual, feel it in your gut 'need' lastsfor four minutes. When it comes on...take note of it. Feel it and note it and tell yourself that you can do anything for four minutes. After that, it's your brain telling you you miss it, not your body--for the next hour anyway :)
Be strong!
quitter's nibbles
"You know you can call us anytime you get the urge, right?" Like @betteirene, I say, we're here for ya.
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
sailordave, you took the words right out of my mouth! I'd rather we had Dunkin' Donuts instead of Starbucks on every corner here.
quitter's nibbles
Sen sen? OMG! Are those still around? I haven't had those since the 60s. They tasted like edible soap.
The nagging headaches might take a couple of weeks to go away, as will the nagging cough. The blood vessels in your head are going through nicotine withdrawal, and your lungs are cleaning themselves out. Both are good things. Take extra-strength aspirin for the headaches, but don't take anything to suppress the cough--you need to expel all that tar and gunk.
And don't get all perfect on us. Unless alcohol and caffeine are your triggers to smoke, I wouldn't avoid them all at the same time.
Do you know Dr. Oz? He keeps a trim figure by snacking constantly on nuts, though they're probably not salted.
You know you can call us anytime you get the urge, right?
quitter's nibbles
Try keeping a protein bar in your pocket and take nibbles at a time. The more palatable ones (clif, luna, promax) offer a sweetness too. Plus, the protein and fiber combo should help you from overeating later. Avoid something like larabars which, while totally natural (date) sugar, will briefly spike your blood sugar and make you hungry shortly after.
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
Vivace is the best in town, though there are many places mentioned here that are great as well. Just don't do the tourist thing and go to the first sbux in the pike place market. The coffee there is as shitty as it is in any sbux.
quitter's nibbles
When I quit a year and half ago. it was altoids and pretzel sticks. Can't stand altoids any more.
quitter's nibbles
Congrats on taking the big step! No eating advice for you, but when you're feeling "GRRRRRRRR", remember that you've got a whole community of Serious Eaters pulling for you.
Are we Freaks?
You know what I find much stranger than being into food? Being into fantasy basketball.
Greatest Pizza Box Ever Designed: No need to waste!
tmj529 - i think your comment is pretty sad. You obviously didn't read into it.
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About MaresyDotes
Location: Cincinnati Suburbs
About: Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Associate Degrees followed by a BS in Dietetics and currently a Registered Dietitian who is being a work at home mom.
Favorite foods: Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese (forgive me). Thai Food: Phad Thai or Swimming Rama. Indian Food: Saag Choley & Samosas. Mushroom, tomato and pineapple pizza. Fettucine Alfredo. Fresh Mozzarella. Peanut Butter, and cheese are food groups.
Last bite on earth:
Yes to Vivace!!! I'd only been to the one off of Broadway which has moved, I guess, but it's the highlight of any trip to WA for my hubs.