Young & Hungry

The forwarded email casually suggested I might be interested. My IMMEDIATE response screamed “Yes, please!” And thank you for the information, of course. So began our investigation into what will soon be the American Idol of cooking shows. Master Chef is a new series modeled after the shows now airing in Australia and London. The Fox series, however, will star Gordon Ramsey and contain local talent which they’ve spent the last month scouring the US to find. Obviously, Katy attended the casting call in Dallas and I attended in Atlanta. Hopefully it’s not so obvious that neither of us have received a call back, but I’m hoping that’s just because they have not yet realized what fabulous television the two of us dueling it out in the kitchen would make…

Alas, after completing a 12 page application and a lot of planning, experimenting, and waiting we have heard nothing. Not that the experience itself wasn’t totally worthwhile. I can say that because I made my way through the doors 2 hours later and right before the sky opened up in a not so nice wintry rain. Those merely arriving on-time were not so lucky, yet I concede that anything done while holding a fresh & hand delivered Starbuck’s Misto is not completely intolerable. In line I heard stories of casting calls past, favorite restaurants, and meals, soon to be plated and presented to the judges. Once we entered the Viking School all chatter was silenced by nerves until we were ushered into a station to plate and present. Honestly, I fumbled, jittery from the cold and coffee. I managed to get my stuffed squid to look appealing enough, however, raised my hand, and did my best to woo the Casting Director and Fox Newscaster who would determine my fate. Although I failed to notice, I was told the cameras were on me during my interview so if nothing else perhaps I’ll at least make the first episode! And, of course, this original dish for you!

Continue reading…

In our modern day society technology and mass production has, perhaps, made food too “fast” and readily available.  Gone are the days when people ate to fill a need, an actual hunger; we now eat to fill our desires, mostly emotional.  I am guilty as charged, but a recent trip to Aspen Colorado reminded me that the food we eat serves a purpose.  It’s our bodies’ fuel, without which we cannot “run” or sit at our desks all day, be it as it may… 

 

 

 

I watch in wonder as my more athletic friends strive to obtain the correct protein to carb ratio for their big run, opting myself for a different sort of carb load, that will remain undisclosed, for my own ammo…  The fuel we “pump” into ourselves, however, should match energy expended and it should be composed of the proper nutrients necessary to maintain good health.  It’s quite simple really.  This is not to say that I will cease to dine out for the pleasure associated with old friends and new tastes, and it’s certainly not to say that I will stop overindulging for curiosities sake.  But I do hope to take with me a big dose of organic, farm fresh, 6 grain, Rocky Mountain wisdom and remember that when the need is unavoidable, as it is for these extreme athletes, you will and must adhere.

 
Continue reading…

Today’s topic is unrequited love and the act of giving love freely no matter what the rate of return.  I challenge you to ask yourself if true love includes expectations?  Does the real deal love come with circumstances and qualifiers?  Does it go away if it’s not equally reciprocated, or if it’s not tested, held in court or over the other person’s head? And does it not exist if you don’t say it?  If you don’t share it?  What’s the point of stifled love left to tarnish and mold until it is no good to anybody, especially the beholder.  Love is not a business case my friends, you cannot keep a neat and balanced scorecard with internal and external performance measures and strategies.  We are too calculating.  Love is messy, it requires paper towels, it is constantly tipping the scale and is not always equally embraced. 

 

This is a concept that has been debated amongst friends as of late, but let us take a minute to turn this theory to something besides the opposite sex.  There are other things we love dearly without having to cross the line into the realm of animism and objectum sexuality*…  People love sports, diamonds, cars, cities, Twinkies, grill pans and I imagine there’s somebody out there that loves just about everything you can think of, stinky tofu included.  And, not all things are loving beings, despite what the animists say.  So why can’t we get the same joy from loving people unconditionally that we do from, say, a get away to New York City?

 

Katy and I generally spend at least a month planning our yearly girls’ weekend trip North.  We waste idle hours anxiously anticipating the sights, sounds, and tastes of the city that never sleeps.  Upon arrival, lists of carefully researched boutiques, candy shops, ethnic finds, and itineraries are practically burning holes through our favorite designer purses and hours later the rickety cobblestones are burning holes through our flip flopped feet. 

 
Continue reading…

Yay for summer and all its accoutrements!  It’s not even national ice cream month yet and already 2 free scoops or 3 depending on how much advantage you took of the situation…

Here’s another for you and those steamy all American firefighters!

In case you need something to help get you through the work week, tomorrow is:

 

Iced Coffee Day!  50 cent Iced Coffee All Day Long!!!  Better yet it helps support Homes for Our Troops!  

                                 And my personal favorite Free Cone Day!  

                                                                                                     

Happy Tuesday – You know where to find me!