Taco Bell lawsuit is dropped.

It is no secret to the regular readers of this blog that Taco Bell is a favorite of mine.  So earlier this year when a lawsuit was filed against them in regards to the quality of their meat - I was paying attention.  On the one hand, I was under no delusions about the nature of fast food (my only excuse being - well, I'm okay so far), but the claims of this lawsuit did seem to drop below even my more lenient of standards.   

So the lawsuit was dropped by the law firm pursuing it even went to trial.  I, for one, am happy to hear that yes, they use real meat in their food.  Not only can I go back to guiltlessly eating their food (errm on occaision, with moderation ahem), it sort of makes me feel good to know that with all the corporation scandals and shady buisness going on in the world - at least we are eating what we think we are eating at Taco Bell. 

So, all that said, Taco Bell PR people are making a move to regain some of their well sought after reputation of being the beacon of food integrity (haha):  See this ad.  I'm not sure what to think of it myself - my first reaction is that it seems a little overkill, but I'm no one's PR expert... so you tell me!

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Also, in regards to my last post - the thoughtful comments were wonderful - many thanks!

Divorce - or I might as well just say it.

Divorce is the end of a marriage.  Unlike other relationships I have been in marriage is legal, it is binding and it is meant to be for life.  When you get a divorce, there is no way to get around the publicity, the coming to terms with yourself, the and the explanations to others.  It's tiresome, to say the least.

The most difficult thing about coming to terms with my divorce, has been coming to terms with my marriage.  I've had a hard time placing why I even married the man I did and what exactly was going through my mind at the time.  However, I am going to try.

For one, very few people in my world have gotten a divorce. Growing up, it was impressed upon me that divorce was so despicable that it only happened to those who were absolutely rotten or married someone absolutely rotten.   I figured since neither my previous husband or me weren't "absolutely rotten"  (and we aren't) divorce was a literal impossibility.

Two, I didn't waste any time.  Even at the ripe old age of 24 I was the oldest in my relations to be wed (And to my knowledge, a record that has yet to be beat).  So at the ripe old age 23, I was worthlessly desperate to get married.  This sense of expedience to walk down the aisle failed me in the area of asking reasonable questions, and making sure to take proper steps... and those sorts of healthy things.  To add to this point, I will add that I met, got engaged and got married to my husband within the course of less than a year.

As one would imagine, I was still figuring myself out when I got married.  Since then, I have changed careers, changed religious philosophies, altered my politics, and a whole lot more.  It's fair to say that the person I was three years ago and the person I am today made decisions rather differently.

While divorce is whole cocktail of mixed emotions, I have to say embarrassment is one that I often feel.  The main thing that keeps me from getting buried under it, is the realization that it won't due me any good.   

If this post reeks of regret, than I should be sure to clarify that I am incredibly pleased with the road my life is on these days.  I have many good meals to be eating, and most of all many good people to share them with.  Not to mention the irreplaceable feeling of contentment that comes with knowing you are in the right place for today.

No Drive-Thru Food for One Month

I gave up "drive-thru" food for one-month (February), which basically mean no fast food at all.  Subway being the exception.   I did it for a few reasons.

1) I was beginning to feel I was depending on it all to much for my day-to-day eating.  It was gaining on the close to every-other day mark, and while I don't think fast-food is terrible in moderation - this was not "moderation".

2) I was feeling yuck a lot, and I know how you eat affects how you feel - so I thought I should try this. 

3) As a part of my "Seven for 2011" I wanted to increase the amount of meals I brought to work and cutting out my affordable option for eating out ended up heightening my motivation as I thought it would. 

How did it go?

- I was successful except for on instance, which also happened to be a "fun workout" day for me - so hopefully it was sort of "machts nichts". (It's german - look it up).

Will you never eat drive-thru food again?

Umm... no.  Sorry if that is disappointing, but I'll just be honest.   Though I have to say after my month fast - I didn't find myself craving it again anyway.  My goal is to keep it to less than once/week.  I think that makes the most sense for me.

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Overall, I was really happy I did this.  I saved money, developed a better plan for bringing meals to work, and well maybe ate a little healthier. 

 

Very Simple, Very Healthy, Very Good

To be brief my life is full. Most of the time, I would say its full in a good way, but full nonetheless it is full.  As a result, in the last few months I have not prioritized healthy eating and healthy cooking in quite the same way I would like too. For those of you who may of followed a long on my infamous 10 dollar day plan know that I took the liberty of eating taco bell more often than was probably sane.  It was "fun" while it lasted but 10 extra pounds have caught up with me.  While some of those pounds I may have considered welcome, others I would like to see discontinue their pleasant stay very shortly.  

I'm not one to go ape-shit on dieting, I love butter and cheese way too much.  Recently though, Liz is taking a one month sabbatical from fast food or should I say drive-thru food, and I thought - wow, I need to do that too.  SO I did.  I had one "cheat" which was related to a really fun but really busy day - and I refuse to feel bad about it since I've otherwise been "good".

That being said - the end result is probably more money saving that 10 dollar day ever got me, more subway (a special little caveat) and cooking simpler meals at home. Not all meals that are simple are healthy, but this one is.

This recipe has no oil, no butter, and salt... but manages to taste good... it's like a conundrum that science will never completely unfold.  

Now here comes the challenging part, you will need to dump all of the items into the same dish.  Should I repeat myself?

 Place into the oven and bake for 60 mins.  While it's baking you can check your e-mail and do your nails, but make sure you don't forget about it.

True story: because I used brown rice, mine was a little al dente or should I say "un-done-tay"  but a little more time in the oven would have fixed that.  

Ingredients:
-2 pieces of Mahi-Mahi (need only be partially thawed)
-1/2 cup rice
-1/2 cup water
-1 cup french green beans (or more)
-1/2 cup Mango Salsa (the brand I used is from Costco)
-sprinkle of seasoned pepper

Place fish in center of baking dish, then rice and vegetables around it.  Sprinkle with a dash of seasoned pepper.  Place heaps of Salsa on top of fish.  Bake for 60 mins at 350 for white rice, and 1 hr 15 mins for brown.

Enjoy!

Half-Marathon Plan

As I mentioned in my goals post, I will be running a half-marathon this year (or at least that's the goal).  I am actually pretty confident that I could probably go (as in run or walk) that far now - it just might take me all day.  So, to avoid that outcome, I thought I would follow a training plan.  It's a major step for me, that probably evokes more fear than the half-marathon itself.  Plans are frightful things.  They want you do all this stuff at specific times and places and that is never fun.  Though even still some people claim to like plans, and it appears they get stuff done.  Now, I get stuff done too... it's just never very systematic, and while I am so proud of running in the TC 10-miler - it wasn't a record time or anything.  So, reluctantly, I will make an attempt to follow this plan. Anyway, this plan seems pretty safe in the realm of plans - It's even called "Novice."

I have modified it some from it's original form.  I won't be doing a 10-K race (none to be found locally on a Sunday - and I work Saturdays).  I will be doing the 5K race, but a week earlier than suggested, and the final half marathon race is on a Saturday and not a Sunday.  These all seemed like pretty safe adjustments.  I also made a handful of other minor adjustments, so you can check out my individualized version here:


If any of you are runners and have time to look at it - I would love your feedback on what I am doing wrong - or right for that matter.

Oh, and here's what it looks like on my wall:

It's hard to see, but I've crossed off the first 4 days.  I am on Day 5 (of 83), and don't you worry I'm getting right on that "Rest" thing.

Winter Lover

During these brutal Minnesota winters, such as the one we are having now, I sometimes catch myself longing for spring.  It's easy to do. 


But honestly,

I
love
winter. 

There are sweaters, flannel and hot cocoa which are all nice of course, but maybe there is something less tangible too- the spirit of winter?

As it turns out I am not the only saint paul-ite who enjoys celebrating the elusive spirit of winter...

The winter carnival has been going on 125 years.  It's Saint Paul's way of getting people out of their houses despite negative degree weather.  Whether it be to hunt for medallions or look at ice sculptures. I tried my hand at both.    (There are countless other activities as well)  Trudging out in less than ideal conditions always makes me feel like I earned something.  I take an unusual pride in the belief that "Us Minnesotans" are tough... and not just nice. 

In time the ice will melt and winter will be a distant memory.  With that these sculptures will return to the drains and rivers.  So if you are not a natural winter lover... remember it's temporary and try to enjoy the beauty while it lasts

Oh my Meatballs

Do you ever shop at IKEA?  By now I think it's taken over enough of this country that we can safely assume most of us have had a chance navigate this maze of a furniture store (or whatever it is).  As you wander through the store, you initially feel a surge of energy - you are filled with wonder excitement.  This closet is so organized! This chair is so modern!  I never knew so many things could be made from bamboo!  I don't remember needing star shaped ice, but for only 99 cents - I certainly do.   The discoveries are endless. 

But after awhile the spark wears off... and questions arise.  Do I need more pans or more products to organize my pans? or more of both?  How many kinds of ice shapes are there?  How come IKEA offices are larger than IKEA homes?  Exhaustion and frailty begin to set in.  But IKEA answers your call...

A well crafted sign appears advertising something called swedish meatballs for only $3.99!!!     

Meat in a ball - ahhh.... is there anything more right? 

So for those of you who don't care to brave the interior of IKEA - you can try my recipe!

 
The meaty mixture
-99% lean turkey 20 oz
-1 Can chickpeas (blend in blender - I use the magic bullet)
-1 tsp cumin
-1 drizzle Worcester sauce
-other seasonings (as desired)

Just mix this all together using your hands (it's ok - you washed them right?).  Then form in to 1-1.5 inch diameter balls.   The set in the freezer for a minimum half hour (just enough to firm up).  I actually had mine in the freezer (ahem - the outside) for much longer, so that's okay too. 

Frozen Balls (o come-on I couldn't resist!)

Heat about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of oil in the bottom of a frying pan.  And you can just plop the the frozen meatballs in directly - no need to thaw.  (They will cook all the way through because they are so small.)

Cover and cook for a while (10-15 mins). 

When they are finished they should look like this.  If you want to be sure - cut one open and make sure there is no pink. 

Meatballs wouldn't be complete without gravy.... mmm.... gravy. 

Gravy is super easy to make - I just learned so you can too.

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup vegatable broth (I used a low sodium version)

1/2 cup milk 

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper

1.  Melt butter in pan over medium heat.
2. Add milk and flour, whisking consistently for 2 minutes
3. Add broth, salt and pepper and continue to stir for 3 minutes, sauce should be getting thicker.

The visual

No no, it's not for drinking.

The final meal

Any meal that includes gravy is probably not going to be included in next month's issue of healthy living.  However, I say look there's vegetables and we used 99% lean meat so let's call this a win anyway.