On The Menu

I’m starting a new (to this blog anyway) entry called On The Menu.  Here is where I catalogue what I’ve fixed for supper — or in the case of weekends, possibly brunch.

Tonite on On The Menu:

• Grilled Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Wild Rice
• Garlic Green Beans
• Fiesta Corn (corn with peppers and onions)
• Weight Watchers Mocha Sundae
• Turkey Hill Diet Green Tea
• Jacob’s Creek Shiraz

17 points for:

• 2 chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp (to 1/4 cup) of corn
• 2 glasses shiraz
• 1 glass diet green tea (no points)
• 1 cup wild rice
• 1 1/2 cups green beans
• 1 sundae

I will say it was quite filling  and a rather enjoyable meal.  Yes the wine wasn’t necessary to a ‘diet plan’ but sometimes it’s just necessary for the ambience and atmosphere.  Jon was thrilled with the entire menu.

More than likely these posts will show up from time to time.  They’re mostly for me but I will post the points values in the different menu items.  I will also more than likely use pictures from the internet as the last thing on my mind is taking photographs after cooking.

Enjoy !!!!

***

photocredit:  www.taunton.com 

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It’s not a diet …

it’s an eating plan?

Yes I’m back on the wonderful world of Weight Watchers.  I do much better and have more success with weight loss on Atkins but it’s just not feasible — not with Jon’s diet restrictions.  We try — I try — but it just isn’t working.

Besides, he also does better when I cook at home and better when it’s mostly organic.   This means it’s much easier to plan meals using my handy dandy WW cookbook and making certain the carbs are kept separate and — for me — to a minimum.  I will say the online website/tracker is quite handy.  It’s all supposed to be about being healthier right?  As opposed to diet plan?  This way I can plan meals with thoughts of how the food components will affect him (first) and then me (second).

This actually brings me to a side rant:  preservatives, msg, and other things that creep into your food.  I mentioned Jon does better organic and does better when I cook at home.  He does.  His medicine wears off too quickly whenever he ingests too much protein but I’ve also noticed that certain types of processed foods tend to block the medicine.  It’s fairly simple:  you’re sitting across from him and watching him start the movement and complaining of his neck going out.  That’s from the strain of him trying not to move.  MSG appears to be one of the bigger problems so far.  I do notice fast foods, processed foods, and certain ethnic cuisines cause him more problems out and about than at home.   I’ve complained for years that I suspected all of the growth hormones and chemicals cause more problems than we’re aware.  Now I’m seeing some of this first hand.  I guess we’ll see how it goes.

On the lighter side, hopefully I *will* be on the lighter side, it’s definitely cheaper than going out, and hey since I like to cook this is a no brainer. 

I wonder about the people facing this that don’t have that choice – that either don’t — or can’t — cook or choose mostly organic.

Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook

Weight Watchers Make It In Minutes

 *****

The photo above was taken summer of 2006 @ Phillips in Annapolis.  There is out – to – eat and then there is Out – To – Eat.  Phillips is a lovely restaurant right on the Annapolis Harbor.  If we have to limit how often we go out then I’m picking the better places 🙂

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On lack of updates and excuses

Well … excuses?  Isn’t that so very typical of someone from my generation that we feel the need to excuse the lack of updating our own blog?

Yes I find this humorous.

Since it was announced, I can drop the other shoe:  our company is going through a fairly major reorganization.  We currently have divisions in 3 states.  The largest division (which is not in the same state as corporate) will be taking over the management of all divisions – they call it consolidation.

All in all I think it’s a good thing.  They are our best run and obviously most profitable division.  The consolidation is a good thing – the way it was handled?  not so much.  The timing?  definitely not, coming up on our traditionally biggest payroll of the year … the week before July 4th. 

See the what has been announced but the how and the when is still being worked on.  Cart before the horse a bit?

Since I work @ corporate it really shouldn’t affect me much.  The talk has been of eliminating redundant positions but I’m my only position.  Now we’re hearing noises that it’s not fair that redundant positions are being targeted for possible consolidation/elimination.  That could easily change how accounting (which are single person positions) is handled going forward.  It wouldn’t be the wisest decision but I wouldn’t be at all surprised either seeing how this entire process is meandering.  Of course, those of us at corporate will not be receiving the same pay increases that the profitable division received … even though many of us at corporate spend most of our time supporting that position.  Unfortunately not all of us and noone wants to single out a group to be left out.   Again — it’s viewed as not being fair.  I’m viewing it as more of the symptoms of the problem that is bringing this rather disruptive solution.

As for me?  I’m still looking at this as a good thing.  It may just be the catalyst to get me off my duff and looking for a more rewarding position.  One of my less broadcasted pet peeves is when corporate america (be it small or large) gets together in their boardrooms and makes decisions willy nilly without thought of the people those decisions actually affect.  They are having meetings.  We are kept in the dark – full of fears and frustrations.  They are talking about open communication behind closed doors.

We are quietly dusting off our resumes.

Do you think they’ll notice?

******

I took the photo above 1 1/2 years ago outside of my workplace.  Of course when it snows on the 4th of July we’ll know hell really has frozen over. 

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The Harold we all knew and loved

this will possibly be crossposted on Anonymous Spaghetti

I’ve mentioned before about the whole multiple blog syndrome.  I’ve also noticed that Anonymous Spaghetti – originally Harold’s blog for certain things here and there – has been mostly silent of late.  The few blogs over there have been forced when I think I simply must post something — anything.

Not good.

With that in mind, and knowing myself better than most, I’m going to cave and see my PCP about going back on antidepressants.  I’ve mentioned before that I have some of the same feelings I had during the whole PTSD episode.  Some are different though.  The profound sadness and the emotional feeling of swimming under water are more than likely signs of a form of clinical depression.  I’ve been down that dark ugly road before and most times I can pull myself back.

Aparently not this time.

While there is no stigma – to me anyway – about mental illness, I loathe the numb feeling that happens when I go on antidepressants.  There is such a feeling of not being me that I truly hate.   However, in the face of facts from which I cannot hide, apparently this is the direction I shall have to go. 

It simply must be better that the deep darkness of abyss rife with danger and paranoia in which I currently reside most often with a truly frightening stranger ….

…and most frightening?  the stranger — I fear — is myself.

****

ahhh another one from The Fells Point Pirate Invasion of 2007.  This is a group of people doing the Fells Point Ghost Walk near The Wharf Rat in Baltimore.  Harold was out in full force that evening having himself a goodtime and taking a few truly remarkable photos.  This appealed because the people appear as apparitions — perhaps even from another era — with the street sign in full color relief.  Sometimes I truly do miss Harold’s presence.  May he return soon.

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Week 1 without Mirapex

Hard to believe this happy pirate screamed at, berated, and generally was ugly nasty to me less than 4 hours after this picture was taken.

Pluses:

• His insomnia is better
• He is no longer this nasty borderline psycho person
• He is a bit more predictable
• He is no longer purchasing the most off the wall stuff from ebay
• Most of the negative psychological side effects are gone (including temper and outbursts).

Minuses:

• More tremors
• The LDopa isn’t lasting as long
• Muscle spasms
• Some loss of muscle control

It’s a hard decision.  He felt so good with the Mirapex.  It would’ve ended our marriage though – he suspects it and I know it for fact.  I actually lived in fear for what he’d do next and – for a while – lived in fear that he wouldn’t go off of it.  It was like this high he was getting.  It took something fairly bad for him to wake up and see it was causing some real problems — both in his personality AND in our marriage.  Thankfully he spoke to his doctor and they both agreed it should be stopped.

Ugly ugly drug.  I predict more lawsuits as time progresses — no not from us.  Parkinson’s is ugly enough to take the risk with the negative side effects.  But what about the poor people with restless leg syndrome?  Is this drug and the truly odd (and frankly a bit scary) side effects worth it?

A link from askapatient listing some rather scary side effects.

Remember the lawsuit risk I mentioned? 

The Mirapex website.

**I took the photo above at The Greene Turtle on April 19, 2008 during the Fells Point Pirate Invasion’s Pirate Pub Crawl.

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Review: P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

I had seen P.F. Chang’s countless times in my travels in and around Columbia, but it was always pre-empted by either Clyde’s or The Cheesecake Factory.

I am happy to say that will not longer be the case.

The atmosphere was wonderful.  I was afraid it might be a little dark but the roomy booths more than made up for that.  The service was excellent and the food was quite remarkable.  I’ve had very good Asian food before and while this was obviously chain restaurant Asian and not home-made Asian, I can easily say I’d not had better Cashew Chicken in my travels.  That is saying something.  The steamed dumplings were hearty without being starchy.  The Moo Goo Gai Pan (never a favorite of mine) was done correctly.  Nothing was over cooked or too greasy.  The soups were especially nice – thick and flavorful.  I also appreciated the information and suggestions given by the waitstaff.

My only complaint was the rice.  It wasn’t the traditional sticky rice.  That made it near impossible to eat with the slick, shiny, plasticized style chopsticks.  It tasted good but had me reaching for a fork in frustration after about 5 minutes.

All in all the prices were quite reasonable, the wine selection very good, the menu variety was outstanding, and I especially liked the presentation of the dessert tray – complete with the option for the small ‘shot glass size’ desserts.

We will be back.  I see Singapore Street Noodles in my future.

 

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What do you plan to do?

So just exactly how did this happen?

The information I was provided wasn’t correct and I acted on it in accordance with the information at hand with no knowledge it was lacking and/or incorrect.

What do you plan to do to stop this from happening in the future?

Plan A followed by a possible Plan A-1

No I don’t like that.  How do you plan to circumvent this situation in the future?

Since you didn’t like Plan A and A-1 how about a less intrusive Plan B with some possibility of Plan C in an emergency?

I don’t really see that being the solution I like.  So what do you plan to do to make certain this never ever happens again?

Well how about plan 1001 – I take full responsibility for every possibility and – as such – have carte blanche to ask the nosey questions and follow people around chasing answers?

No I don’t really like that.  Some things we’d just rather not know.

So – again – just how do you plan to take responsibility for this and what are you going to do to ensure it doesn’t happen again?

I dunno – get my crystal ball back from the shop?  Practise Clairevoyance?  Bone up on my mind-reading skills?  Why don’t you tell me?  I’m open to suggestions at this point.

Very funny.  Get back with me when you have a plan and procedure on how to stop this mess from ever happening again.  I don’t want details – I want solutions 

::whimper::

**I wish this conversation was purely fictitious.  It’s not.  The specifics are removed to protect the innocent – and the guilty.   Responsibility, or the avoidance thereof?  That is the question isn’t it?  It’s also seems to be the pervasive attitude in many organizations.

*****

The photo above is one I took a few years ago of Sebastian – my black and white tuxedo.  I was attempting to coax him to pose for the picture by repeatedly calling his name.  As you can tell from the expression, he was blatantly ignoring me …………….

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