Thursday, 7 July 2022

Keto Day 3

 Mediterranean Keto day 3…


FYI… if you are following these meal posts… they will only be available on my personal page… group pages don’t permit anything pertaining to ”diet”… Thanks ๐Ÿ˜Š 


Breakfast…  2 ounces espresso… 8 ounces whole milk…  poured over ice


Lunch… 1 hard cooked egg with 1 Tbsp Mayonaise, lots of water ๐Ÿ’ฆ 


Supper… 6 ounces chicken breast tenders marinated with olive oil, salt, pepper, turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic flake, onion flake and thyme… sautรฉed in olive oil…  sauce: 1/2 c whole milk Greek yogurt with dill and garlic…  asparagus spears roasted in olive oil with salt and pepper topped with shredded Parmesan… asparagus bottoms biased cut with carrot also roasted with olive oil salt and pepper (no carrots for me)  zucchini roasted in olive oil salt and pepper…  romaine, cucumber, red onion salad with creamy caesar dressing… lots of water ๐Ÿ’ฆ alongside a glass of Gatao Vinho Verde ๐Ÿฅ‚


Snack… two mozzarella sticks and more water ๐Ÿ’ฆ 


So far, feeling satiated and full… tummy is okay too ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ’•






Wednesday, 6 July 2022

Keto - Days 1 & 2

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Mediterranean Keto day 1…

Breakfast…  espresso with 6 tbsp half and half over ice ๐Ÿง‹Good, but not my jam… it was meh ๐Ÿซค 


Lunch… two hard boiled eggs with two tbsp mayonaise and two baby pickles… that was a hit ๐Ÿ’ฅ 


Supper…  chicken tenders marinated in olive oil and spices… sautรฉed and served alongside haricots vert with bacon and a lettuce cucumber olive and avocado salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar… a glass of Gatao Vinho Verde alongside ๐Ÿฅ‚ incredibly filling and delicious… gotta love bacon ๐Ÿฅ“ 


Late night snack… two mozzarella sticks and a tall glass of water ๐Ÿ’ฆ 


Mediterranean Keto Day 2…

Learning a bit about what tastes good to the palate and what feels good in the tummy… made a few changes…


Breakfast… espresso with 1 cup whole milk over ice ๐Ÿง‹๐Ÿ˜‹


Lunch… two hard boiled eggs and two tbsp mayonaise… skipped the pickles… and lots of water ๐Ÿ’ฆ 


Supper…  grilled skirt steak… romaine, cucumber, red onion salad with creamy caesar dressing (hubs ate the tomatoes) and broccoli with melted shredded sharp cheddar… a glass of Gatao Vinho Verde alongside ๐Ÿฅ‚Just delicious and so filling ๐Ÿ˜‹


Late night snack… hard boiled egg, 1 Tbsp mayonaise, chicken tender leftover from yesterday ๐Ÿ— 


Feeling excellent… walked 45 minutes yesterday and 55 minutes today with Mariya… lots of girl talk and sweat!  Such fun ♥️


BA-5 Omicron has arrived… super contagious… lots of folks catching it… make sure you #GetYourJabOn  mask up as needed and wash those germy hands ๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿ’•

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?





Tuesday, 5 July 2022

Happy Fourth ๐Ÿ’ฅ๐ŸŽ‡

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐ŸŽ‡๐Ÿ’ฅ

Stunning… bright azure skies… low humidity… temps in the mid 80’s… picture perfect day to celebrate with family and friends... gathering for the first time since the pandemic began ๐Ÿฅฐ  Unfortunately not a great day for Mr Sam… spending the time inside the house… windows and doors shut tight… keeping the sound of fireworks at bay ๐Ÿ™€๐Ÿ˜ป  


Lots of delicious food at our son and DIL’s home… burgers, hot dogs, sausages, skirt steak… potato salad… sole slaw… macaroni salad… cowboy caviar…  plenty of cold beer ๐Ÿบ and wine ๐Ÿท 


Fun appetizers… 7 layer dip… empanadas… salsa… lots of chips and crackers for snacking… cruditรฉs and onion dip… and finally watermelon… butter cookies… red white and blue skewers (strawberries, blueberries and marshmallows) and cupcakes ๐Ÿง 


Our contribution to the feast… 7 layer dip (recipe courtesy of the Washington Post) and a sugar baby watermelon ๐Ÿ‰ 


Just delightful… watching the local fireworks from the back deck… lasting  about an hour…  spectacular show…  our little Princess ๐Ÿ‘ธ๐Ÿป slept through the whole racket… smart mommy keeping the volume up on her white noise machine… drowning out most of the noise ๐Ÿ’ฅ 


Today begins the diet… time to lose the pandemic pounds… all the bread making…  baking and desserts finally catching up with us both… pants too tight… cholesterol too high… hubs sugar higher too…  Mediterranean Keto for us both… wishing us the strength to follow through and the determination to complete our regimen… fingers crossed๐Ÿคž that it’s not too difficult ๐Ÿ™ƒ


Covid still around… make the choice #GetYourJabOn and join the solution… mask up when necessary and wash those germy hands ๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿ’•

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?






Wednesday, 29 June 2022

Sautรฉed Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Veggies & Mango, Tomato, Cucumber Salad

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Getting hotter each day as summer progresses… temps up to 88°F… luckily humidity low so warmth tolerable…  backyard nest getting larger… the male robin sitting on it for a bit yesterday… no attention today… not sure why robins would be nesting now… a bit late in the season… curiouser and curiouser… lots of mockingbirds, sparrows, starlings about… pair of hawks circling on overhead thermals… Mr Sam eyeing them all from the comfort of the warm deck boards ๐Ÿ˜ฝ


Breakfast for three… coffee for two ☕️๐Ÿง‹salami and jalapeรฑo jack wrap for the hubs… banana for yours truly… no appetite in the heat… Mr Sam watching the birds alongside his kibble and cool water in the shade ๐Ÿ’ฆ 


Greenhouse duties on the daily chore list…  topping tomatoes… checking cucumbers… peeking at peppers… backfilling basil… tying up wiggly stems… admiring nasturtiums… waiting for blooms on the morning glories, gardenia, marigolds  and zinnias… lots of buds holding promises of flowers to come… lemon tree showing loads of new growth… rosemary and thyme full and healthy ๐Ÿชด 


Supper tonite… a platter of room temp roasted veggies (asparagus, tomatoes, peppers and haricots vert)  bruschetta on toast, roasted red potatoes and sautรฉed chicken thighs with lemon pan sauce and mango cucumber tomato salad ๐Ÿฅญ Gatao Vinho Verde alongside ๐Ÿฅ‚


Excited to finally have a new washer and gas dryer… waited six months for the washer and dryer to arrive (supply chain issues) The last washer was 34 years old (and leaking a bit)  the gas dryer almost 55 years old (and running too hot…eeek) Having fun trying all the different cycles… enjoying the scent of freshly washed clothes once again!  Grateful to be able to wash at home instead of a laundromat ☺️  It’s the little things that make life joyful ๐Ÿ’›


Covid still around folks… couple of friends diagnosed in the last week with Omicron… mild symptoms… still no fun to be sick in the summer ☹️

#GetYourJabOn  Mask up in public settings and wash those germy hands ๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿ’•

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?





Monday, 27 June 2022

Ground Turkey, Penne, Veggie Sautรฉ… Pork Chop with Asparagus, Carrots, Ciabatta and Bruschetta & Sliced Mango with Mint

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

Stunning day… temps in the high 70’s… low humidity… bright azure skies… energizing after days of sticky heat… no occupants of our backyard nest resulting in it being removed last week… today two robins have seemingly decided to adopt the same spot… nest building beginning once again over the garage lights facing the house… hoping these two lovelies decide to move it ๐Ÿคžwith their pretty blue eggs ๐Ÿชบ 


Breakfast for three out on the deck…  coffee ☕️๐Ÿง‹for two… with turkey and salami mini wraps… Mr Sam lying on the warm boards snoozing nest to to his kibble and water ๐Ÿ˜ฝ


Hubs hanging in his workshop… yours truly out in the greenhouse… fussing over plants… giving the morning glories a larger pot in their corner spot near the back door…  tomatoes ๐Ÿ… looking fabulous... lots of itty bitty tomatoes getting larger each day ๐Ÿ˜ Planting mini sweet peppers this year…  lots of teeny peppers growing… green so far… cucumbers quite prolific… harvesting two good size Kirby’s thus far… plan has many more to come ๐Ÿฅ’ 


Supper tonite… fridge clean out...  ground turkey sautรฉed with olive oil, onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, red pepper flake… a bit of leftover juices from a recent pernil… a small can of unsalted tomato sauce… a bit of white wine… about 6 ounces of uncooked penne… brought it all to a boil… covered and simmered for about 12 minutes… added in roasted tomatoes and onions from the oven… some chiffonade parsley leaves and voilรก… dinner is served… alongside… a crisp bright Vinho Verde... El Gatao ๐Ÿฅ‚


Couple of past suppers… grilled pork chops with roasted asparagus and carrots… ciabatta with bruschetta alongside… crunchy… adding a zing to the meal… sliced mango ๐Ÿฅญ with fresh greenhouse mint ๐Ÿชด 


Went to the movies for the first time in 2+ years yesterday to see Maverick… highly recommend… excellent entertaining film… extremely well done… a needed break from all the drama of daily life ๐ŸŽฅ 

Watching the Jan 6 hearing today… need time to process all the information received… a bit overwhelming for sure…  still simmering regarding recent SCOTUS decisions relative to personal autonomy and gun rights in NY ๐Ÿคจ

Getting your booster? #GetYourJabOn and stay healthy as covid continues to decline in America… mask up when needed and wash those germy hands  ๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿ’•


How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?





Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Crisp Skin Striped Bass, Asparagus & Curly Fries and Mango Salsa

 Vaccinated supper tonite... Live from NYC…

Rainy day in the Big Wet Apple ๐ŸŽ long slow drizzle keeping the skies overcast… temps in the high 60’s… robins hopping about in the lawn gobbling up insects and worms…  coming up for air in the soggy grass… caught a quick glimpse of our new tenant in the early morning light… too dim for identification thus far…  afternoon break in the waterworks giving parents and kids a chance to get home without umbrellas or slickers ☔️


Breakfast for three on the fly… coffee ☕️ and oatmeal for the hubs… iced coffee๐Ÿง‹to go for yours truly… a few errands and a stop at the market for Moms groceries before our usual Wednesday visit… Mr Sam on the deck… awning extended giving him cover against the drizzle… snuggled in his box ๐Ÿ“ฆ snoozing… kibble and water adjacent ๐Ÿ˜ฝ


Hubs working in his shop enjoying the cool temps… off to the market ๐Ÿช amidst misty afternoon skies… Mom looking comfortable in sweat pants and matching sweatshirt… her apartment comfortably chilly on this cool day… brought her a new load of books ๐Ÿ“š for her enjoyment ๐Ÿ‘ต Sat chatting for a while… listening to her discussing her latest novel… her interest peaked… suddenly it was time for her supper… snatched a couple of hugs and quick kisses… off to cook for the hubs ๐Ÿฅ˜


Supper tonite…  crispy skin striped bass in a lime butter sauce… courtesy of our son Mark’s recent catch… with roasted asparagus spears and sliced stems… seasoned curly fries… mango salsa and ciabatta toasts… crisp green salad and a lovely dry Vinho Verde alongside ๐Ÿฅ‚


FBI delivering grand jury subpoenas to many involved in the fake electors attempt at overturning the Presidential election Wednesday…  

Jan 6 committee members now requiring security details due to sharp increases in threats of violence and death against them and their families ๐Ÿ˜ข Next hearing Thursday at 3pm 

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?






Monday, 20 June 2022

Roasted Chicken Thighs, Oven Roasted Potatoes & Mango Salsa

 Vaccinated supper tonite… Live from NYC…

A string of lovely days here in the Big Apple ๐ŸŽ Moderate temps ๐ŸŒก low humidity… energizing weather… a new tenant arriving in the backyard… not sure who the new resident is yet… large nest atop the garage exterior lights… too late for a robin… most birds have already fledged… a dove maybe?  One has been around often as of late… We shall see ๐Ÿ•Š 


Breakfast on the deck… coffee for two ☕️๐Ÿง‹egg and cheese sandwich for the hubs… banana for yours truly… still don’t understand the “hot coffee on a hot day cools him down” ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผ‍♀️  Each to his own ๐Ÿฅฐ Mr Sam stretched out on the warm boards taking a nap ๐Ÿ’ค 


Spending time in the greenhouse… topping the cherry tomato plants… trying a new plan this year… shorter plants… higher yields...  time will tell if the results work well… last years forest was a bit unmanageable ๐Ÿ˜‚ So far it’s working well ๐Ÿคž


Supper tonite… roasted chicken thighs with oven roasted potatoes and mango salsa… crisp green salad… split a beer with the hubs… a gift from our son and DIL… Schwartzbier… a delightful dark ale… delicious ๐Ÿป Ice cream for dessert ๐Ÿฆ


Watching the January 6 Hearings… massive amounts of evidence… painfully apparent… America came too close to losing our democracy… a planned widespread attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power… the basis of our democracy… attempting to overturn the will of the people to elect our own representation… and it hasn’t stopped yet ๐Ÿ˜ข

We must not be silent… we must not let this pass without consequence ๐Ÿ˜how was your day?  What’s on your plate?   Thoughts? ๐Ÿ˜ท๐Ÿ’•