Tag Archives: food

“the chew”

the chew 3Is it possible to actually GAIN weight while working out on the treadmill…? 

Many of you already  know that I love to watch “The Chew” on ABC.  I tape it and watch it religiously while I am on the treadmill.  This, my friends, is right up there (on the intelligence scale) with going grocery shopping after an excruciating week-long fast….  Watching them cook all of this delicious, mouth-watering food while exercising…?  Pure torture!  Sometimes, if I have an extra episode “in the bank”, I will treat myself to watching while I am cooking dinner.  With a glass of wine.  Much, much better…!

the chew tickets

Now the hubbie and I have a list of TV show favs; including Downton Abbey, Modern Family, The Middle, Shark Tanks; but “The Chew“…?  Well that’s MY show!!   Needless to say; going to a taping of “The Chew” is DEFINITELY on my bucket list.  But I’m not stoppin’ there!  No, No, NO!!  I want to be on the tasting panel, as well!! Yes maam.  I wanna be right up there where I can be a part of the action!! Smell the garlic, maybe answer a question, get a close up of Carla & Clinton dancing… and, of course, SAMPLE THE FOOD!!!

the chew 2

Until that time comes, however; I have “The Chew” book that I love. It really is a great cookbook that is packed with lots of ‘extras”… Each recipe is coded (ie “light & healthy”, “5-in-5″…) plus an indication of skill level and price range.  Also included – Q&A with each individual host.  Great book!  So you’re probably wondering to yourself at this point… “Hmmm… Does she have a fav”?  Nope.  Love ’em all.  But each one for a different reason.  Michael Symon is just as sweet and sincere as can be and makes me laugh.  I love the way he talks so lovingly about his wife, Liz.   Mario Batali makes me want to open up a bottle of wine, buy a pair of orange crocs and book a flight to Italy. OK… actually that’s a “no” on the orange crocs.   Daphne Oz cooks the way I try to cook (most of the time, anyway) and she fills my brain with so much good healthy (practical) advice. Love her attitude towards food.  Carla Hall pumps up my ENERGY level and fills my head with “sweet” thoughts. Great dancer, too!!  Just watching her is a real workout!  And Clinton Kelly…?  Have been a fan since “What Not to Wear”.  Love.  All I can say about Clinton Kelly is…  Make me a cocktail, baby, and “LET’S CRAFT”!! 

So you say you don’t cook?  Well watch it anyway.  The tagline on their book is “Food. Life. Fun.” They are fun and you will have fun.  As different and unique as they are individually, there is so much chemistry between them which makes it all come together.  For a little taste of a “non-cooking” segment (no pun intended… ha!), I have a couple of cute video clips for you to watch.  For the “Pie throwdown”; click HERE .  For the “Pie throwdown, explained…”; click HERE .

tasty trashy tators

Smoothie

Oh ya…  And as for my original statement/question…  “Is it possible to actually GAIN weight while working out on the treadmill…?” Well I’m gonna say “yes” after watching a taped show from Monday, May 13.  I give you exhibit 1: “Wendy Bradley’s Tasty Trashy Taters”.  Two words: tater tots and bacon.  Ok; I know.  That’s three words.  You get my point, however.  If I made these for my (college) son and his buddies… Wowza!  “And the mother of the year award goes to…”.  (The crowd goes wild.)  Ya.  That’s what I’m talkin’ about.  But I’m telling you, I seriously think that I gained weight just watching.  Everyone was going on and on and on… (please stop talking!) about how super-duper YUM they were.  And I was SO, SO hungry at this point.  What to do???  Lucky for me, there were no tater tots OR bacon in my freezer.  But, lucky for me, I did have all the ingredients for a super healthy breakfast smoothie.  Yes; I know.  Daphne would be so proud of me…

a sweet little fourth of july

So the Fourth of July is a “midweek holiday” this year.  Kind of a fun way to put a little fun, family and friendship into an (otherwise) ordinary week.  Perhaps you’re heading to the lake, popping over to the neighbors or entertaining in your own backyard…  I will tell you that I have a tendency to focus more on the main part of the meal when it comes to entertaining – and the cocktails and desserts are often an afterthought.  (I can hear some of you laughing already…  Perhaps “cocktails” are where you START your planning…? Ha!)  Anyway – I thought it would be fun to share a few little last-minute “sweet” ideas for the Fourth of July holiday that is upon us!

Well – First of all – I have got a recipe here for a “Double Berry Margarita” that is calling my name.  Loud.  And it’s not even noon yet.  (Houston – we have a problem…)  Anyway, I’m going to share it with you in the hopes that you will make it for the 4th, or sometime this summer, and share your “results” with me.  (Well, maybe not ALL of your results.  We’re sticking with a “G” rating here, friends! )

Double Berry Margarita

1 oz. tequila blanco

1/2 oz Cointreau

1/2 oz Chambord

1 splash sweet and sour mix

2 raspberries, muddled

2 blackberries, muddled

2 lime wedges, muddled

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass.  Shake hard and serve in a glass with a salted rim.  Garnish with a lime wedge, raspberry and blackberry.  Oh my, that sounds good!! 

Doing a little “last minute” entertaining?  Need something quick & easy in the beverage department??  Well, icy cold lemonade – or pink lemonade – works great for any outdoor entertaining… perfect for the kiddos, and even more fun for the adults (Hint, hint:  Keep a bottle of citron vodka in the freezer for an icy little “adult lemonade cocktail”!!)     

As for dessert, nothing is sweeter and simpler than a cupcake.  These cupcakes can be made with your favorite cupcake mix/recipe (Red Velvet, perhaps?) and a simple white buttercream frosting.  I just fell in love with the simplicity of these decorations…

Stars & Stripes

  • Tint 1 cup buttercream a bright blue with gel-paste food color. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip (#4). Frost each cupcake with a smooth layer of untinted buttercream.
  • To finish, cut red licorice laces into seventy-two 1-1/2 inch long pieces and seventy-two 3/4 inch long pieces. Arrange three longer pieces and three shorter pieces to form a flag pattern. With blue frosting, pipe nine dots in each open corner to form “stars”.

Need something for the kids to help with while you are sipping on your “Double Berry Margarita”??  Staying with our “sweet” theme – a little project that will give an ordinary blue napkin a festive feel in a simple way… Starlight Spangled Napkin Rings!!   Not a lot of supplies and simple directions.  Just trying to give the kiddos something to do while you are busy sipping on your margarita…!!

OK – so there you go.  A few “sweet” little ideas for your upcoming Fourth of July holiday!!   Say a prayer for our troops, and the families who are missing them.  Be proud, be safe, be American; Keep calm and eat a cupcake!

Happy Fourth…  Live happy