Cooking, clean-up: Who does what in your home?

My boyfriend's been on a cooking kick lately, and I've been loving every bite of it. Last week was chili (which we ate for three dinners in a row!), and this week it's anything-shrimp. He scored a free pound of it at Whole Foods, so we're throwing it into anything and everything.

Last night we had this delicious salad. My bf likes his food super-spicy (think Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly), so my mouth was on fire mid-way through, but my stomach was happy. The genuinely content feeling I usually have after a healthy, yummy meal quickly ended when I looked over at the sink. It was overflowing, and I was on dish duty. Fun times.

A load like this easily takes at least 30 minutes to clean. For the first time I realized what a luxury it is to have a dishwasher at my place. Hrm, I think it's time to invest in paper plates, hun! I got a little pouty about the task at hand when my boyfriend remarked, "Well, I don't have time to do it. You do." It's true, I have the time, but that's mainly because I MAKE the time. Just like I usually MAKE the time to go to the gym, even if it means waking up at 5am. But whateves, until I get the full-time job, I will always be the girl who has the time. To do everything. (Note: I worked ten hours yesterday, but I guess it doesn't count because I don't have a "real" job.) First, I was a laundry bitch in this post, and now I'm a dish bitch. My mom was a bean bitch in this post, so I guess it runs in the family.

I know I'm being unfair. A free, home-cooked meal certainly warrants dish duty, but you know how much I love bitching. I'm just so gosh darn good at it!

Tell me: Who does the cooking and clean-up in your home?

Skinny Bitch Food Diary: Take 2

My friend Alison in ATL has always had a great figure, but she recently moved into "skinny bitch" territory when she came to visit Liza and me in New York this spring. She had lost a noticeable amount of weight, and she was irritatingly perfect and controlled with everything she put into her mouth. (JK, Al! Actually, it was more inspiring that irritating!) 

As you read, you'll find out why this gorgeous gal has a not-so-gorgeous boot on her foot. Doesn't she look cute, though? Oh, and I should probably add that Alison is a vegetarian. Here's her document of one day of eating:

5 AM Wake Up Call: 

I have physical therapy on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7am, hence the ungodly hour. Before heading to PT, I had a bowl of my new found fave Trader Joe’s High Fiber Fruit & Nut Multigrain Medley w/ Light Plain soy milk. At only 100 calories a cup, it is surprisingly filling although I have to laugh that I’m buying High Fiber cereal. Isn’t that something reserved for 80 year olds?

Vitamins:

Okay, so don’t think I'm psycho, but after being told that I had a fracture in my foot that may or may not need surgery I was willing to try anything. (I ended up having the surgery). So, I headed up to Whole Foods and spoke to Joe, the holistic, kosher nutritionist/herbalist—an all around interesting man—to learn which vitamins help bone growth. Here’s a picture of my vitamin routine: Liquid Calcium, Green’s Wild Berry Superfood (It is an acquired taste, but one 8-oz glass is equal to 5 servings of fruits and veggies), Multivitamin, Flax Seed Oil, and Vitamin D.

(I'm lovin' the pics, Al!!) 

10 AM Snack:

I’m heading into a meeting I know is going to test my patience so I quickly eat a banana before the meeting really gets going.  The second I get hungry my patience level is that of a two year old!

1 PM Lunch:

After putting on what felt like ten lbs. in my first month at Emory, I learned quickly that buying my lunch on campus was not a good idea for my wallet or waistline.  I now plan ahead and pack my lunch every day unless I have a lunch meeting.  Today, I brought one of my staple lunches: a Quorn “Chicken” Pattie, a small can of baby peas, and a kiwi.  For any other veggies out there, Quorn has been my saving grace when in comes to getting protein it is the beats out any other soy, tofu, etc. “chicken” products out there.

4 PM:

So sad. I’m starving and stuck in a meeting yet again.  I forgot the apple I brought for just this occasion on my desk as I “ran", okay still limped, to my meeting.  

 Dinner:

Finally home at 8:30 after running to meet the real estate agent to sign the lease on my new apartment J and forcing my now starving self to go to the gym (There was no excuse as I had to pass it on my way home and my clothes were in the back seat). I quickly made broccoli sautéed in olive oil and a Quorn Naked Cutlet (I’m telling you they are addicting).  Admittedly, I needed a grain thrown in to truly make this a meal, but I was too tired to even wait for instant rice to cook. I am no cook, and I usually fall in my front door starving at the end of the day. So I try to keep easy, quick dinners on hand – 5-10 minutes tops! Craving something sweet, I treated myself to a Jell-O Sugar Free Dark Chocolate treat. 

Thanks, Alison, you skinny bitch, you. Side note: Luke expressed some concern for my recent crudeness and constant usage of the word "bitch." People, if you haven't noticed, 9 times out of 10, it is a COMPLIMENT. The minute I stop calling you a bitch, is when you should worry ;)

So what do you guys think of Alison's day of eating? Check out Courtenay's food diary here if you missed it. Who are you more like?? I'm a mix of both!

 

What's one food you like that you never thought you would?

I never in a million years thought I would eat tofu, let alone like it, but I do. As you know, I think everything Bethenny Frankel says is the Bible, so when she said that everyone must try her recipe for an Idiot Proof Delicious Tofu Salad Sandwich, I did. Here's the recipe:

-7 ounces of firm tofu, drained and mashed with a fork (Nasoya brand is recommended)

-1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

-1 teaspoon of mayonnaise (low-fat or soy if you prefer)

-3/4 Spike seasoning (salt and pepper can be used as a substitute)

I put the spread over a piece of toasted whole grain bread with a slice of cheese on top. Yum! At first the watery, packaged tofu skeeved me out, but once I mixed all the ingredients together, I had a very appetizing looking sandwich in front of me. I ate this exact same sandwich three times a week for about a month—partly because I really liked it and partly because I was worried the tofu would go bad. Needless to say, I got a little sick of it, but I've recently been craving it again, so I think I'll put these ingredients back on my grocery list.

Logan and I sampled this barbeque tofu salad at Whole Foods last week. It was reallly good. Then we headed for the dessert aisle and tasted Laura's Wholesome Junk Food cookies. Yum!

What are your thoughts on tofu—gross, delicious or indifferent? And what food do you like now that you never thought you would?