Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
I loved this book! It's a great, big, sprawling tale set in 19th-century London about an ambitious prostitute named Sugar, her self-absorbed nouveau riche benefactor, and his troubled family. The Crimson Petal and the White is wonderfully descriptive and completely entertaining -- like a cross between a Dickens novel and the movie Moulin Rouge. Now that's my kind of book!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Follow your instincts
Ah, The Instinct Diet, I love you... I haven't actually tried many diets before, just The South Beach Diet, Seattle Sutton, and good old calorie counting and exercise. But I must say, nothing has worked better for me than The Instinct Diet. I lost about 12 lbs in 6 weeks and have managed to keep it off these last 3 weeks even after "quitting" the diet and then eating out every meal for a week on vacation.
I first learned about this diet on http://www.thedailybeast.com/ (my favorite news website!) and it appealed to me because the author, Dr. Susan B Roberts, has her Ph.D. in nutrition and has been conducting clinical research on weight control at Tufts University for almost 20 years! The science nerd in me was intrigued.
Anyway, the basic premise is that we have 5 food instincts -- hunger, availability, calorie density, familiarity, and variety -- that control our eating habits. The diet teaches you to work with those instincts the right way. For example, satisfy hunger by eating healthy foods that make you feel full. Or, cope with cravings for calorie-dense foods by making sure you balance a high-calorie component with low-cal and high-fiber options.
Really, it boils down to a few simple "rules":
1. Plan your meals every week (breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and dessert)
2. Eat more veggies
3. Eat more fiber
4. Stick to low-carb or whole wheat bread/pasta
5. Go for low-cal options
6. Add spice to keep dishes flavorful and interesting
Here's an example of what I might eat over 2 days:
Day 1
Breakfast: high-fiber cereal and strawberries
Snack: apple and a couple peanuts
Lunch: chicken salad wrap (made with fat-free yogurt instead of mayo and wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla)
Snack: low-fat string cheese
Dinner: grilled shrimp and veggies with a spicy mustard sauce, side salad with low-cal dressing
Dessert: square of dark chocolate
Day 2
Breakfast: fried egg and low-carb toast
Snack: grapes and a few pecan halves
Lunch: hummus and red pepper sandwich on low-carb bread, cottage cheese
Snack: laughing cow cheese and celery
Dinner: chicken "parm" (chicken baked with fat-free pizza sauce and topped with grated parmesan cheese and basil), steamed broccoli with low-cal sour cream and lemon, small side of whole wheat pasta
Dessert: strawberries with low-cal whipped cream
It takes some work, but is so worth it! The book has a ton of really yummy recipes (the cajun-spiced cod and the thai chicken salad with warm peanut sauce are probably our favorites), easy menu plans with on-the-go, home-cooked, and vegetarian options, and suggestions for eating healthy at restaurants, which is essential for me since Jason and I are always going out with friends. I never felt hungry with this diet, or tempted to stuff my face with french fries, like I have on other diets. And, I think I've started to develop healthier snacking tendencies that will hopefully stick with me for the long term.
If you want to shed a few pounds, and really keep it off, I think working with your food instincts is the way to go!
I first learned about this diet on http://www.thedailybeast.com/ (my favorite news website!) and it appealed to me because the author, Dr. Susan B Roberts, has her Ph.D. in nutrition and has been conducting clinical research on weight control at Tufts University for almost 20 years! The science nerd in me was intrigued.
Anyway, the basic premise is that we have 5 food instincts -- hunger, availability, calorie density, familiarity, and variety -- that control our eating habits. The diet teaches you to work with those instincts the right way. For example, satisfy hunger by eating healthy foods that make you feel full. Or, cope with cravings for calorie-dense foods by making sure you balance a high-calorie component with low-cal and high-fiber options.
Really, it boils down to a few simple "rules":
1. Plan your meals every week (breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and dessert)
2. Eat more veggies
3. Eat more fiber
4. Stick to low-carb or whole wheat bread/pasta
5. Go for low-cal options
6. Add spice to keep dishes flavorful and interesting
Here's an example of what I might eat over 2 days:
Day 1
Breakfast: high-fiber cereal and strawberries
Snack: apple and a couple peanuts
Lunch: chicken salad wrap (made with fat-free yogurt instead of mayo and wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla)
Snack: low-fat string cheese
Dinner: grilled shrimp and veggies with a spicy mustard sauce, side salad with low-cal dressing
Dessert: square of dark chocolate
Day 2
Breakfast: fried egg and low-carb toast
Snack: grapes and a few pecan halves
Lunch: hummus and red pepper sandwich on low-carb bread, cottage cheese
Snack: laughing cow cheese and celery
Dinner: chicken "parm" (chicken baked with fat-free pizza sauce and topped with grated parmesan cheese and basil), steamed broccoli with low-cal sour cream and lemon, small side of whole wheat pasta
Dessert: strawberries with low-cal whipped cream
It takes some work, but is so worth it! The book has a ton of really yummy recipes (the cajun-spiced cod and the thai chicken salad with warm peanut sauce are probably our favorites), easy menu plans with on-the-go, home-cooked, and vegetarian options, and suggestions for eating healthy at restaurants, which is essential for me since Jason and I are always going out with friends. I never felt hungry with this diet, or tempted to stuff my face with french fries, like I have on other diets. And, I think I've started to develop healthier snacking tendencies that will hopefully stick with me for the long term.
If you want to shed a few pounds, and really keep it off, I think working with your food instincts is the way to go!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Hold Me Closer Tony Danza...
Lindsay and I spent an evening at Wrigley Field last night, but instead of watching the Cubs strike out at home plate, our eyes were glued to Sir Elton John and Billy Joel on stage in center field.We missed the first set of duets (I HATE Chicago traffic) but did make it in time for the start of Elton John's solo set, Billy Joel's solo set, and the 7-song Elton John/Billy Joel finale. Highlights included Elton John's extended jam on "Rocket Man," Billy Joel making fun of his latest divorce after singing "She's Always a Woman," and of course the finale, which included Lindsay's favorite "Bennie and the Jets" and the ultimate crowd pleaser "Piano Man."
I head to another concert tonight, but it will be about as different from Elton John and Billy Joel as you can get. Tonight's lineup at the Pitchfork Music Festival (http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/) includes indie favorites such as Yo La Tengo and Built to Spill. I won't be singing and dancing so much as bobbing my head and whispering to Jason, but it should also be a good time :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A very Courtney kind of wedding
Congratulations to Courtney and Brian! They were officially hitched in Toronto this past Saturday and we were lucky enough to be invited along for the ride.
Our summer has been pretty open as far as travel plans go, so Jason and I decided to take a few days off work and make a road trip out of it. Our first stop was Grand Haven, Michigan for a little lake action and a relaxing night at a bed and breakfast. Now, I've always been kind of anti B&B, but I must say, the Boyden House in Grand Haven was such a wonderful experience, I might have to change my stance. The owners were super nice, but not all up in your face. And the breakfast was yummy delicious (see the website for recipes: http://www.boydenhouse.com/). We loved it and would definitely stay there again!
After Grand Haven, we drove to Toronto and started the wedding festivities. All of our best friends from Northwestern made the trip, even Murray and her adorable baby Maggie Lee (love the name!). We spent time walking around Toronto, went out for drinks in the trendy Queen West area, and then of course had our fun at the Price-Firlit wedding!
I must say, this was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to. Every detail was perfect! But, more importantly, it was also FUN. Courtney and Brian kept the bar open till 1am and the guests took full advantage. As maid of honor, I even had to give a speech. I was very nervous that it would bomb, but I kept it short and didn't cry, so I think it went okay. At least Jason tells me it did!
Anyway, here are the pics!
Jason and I at the rehearsal dinner (Archeo Trattoria in the Distillery District)
Andrew and Gillian
Maggie and Maggie
Murray, Laura, and the beautiful bride!
Courtney and Brian--Just Married!
Our summer has been pretty open as far as travel plans go, so Jason and I decided to take a few days off work and make a road trip out of it. Our first stop was Grand Haven, Michigan for a little lake action and a relaxing night at a bed and breakfast. Now, I've always been kind of anti B&B, but I must say, the Boyden House in Grand Haven was such a wonderful experience, I might have to change my stance. The owners were super nice, but not all up in your face. And the breakfast was yummy delicious (see the website for recipes: http://www.boydenhouse.com/). We loved it and would definitely stay there again!
After Grand Haven, we drove to Toronto and started the wedding festivities. All of our best friends from Northwestern made the trip, even Murray and her adorable baby Maggie Lee (love the name!). We spent time walking around Toronto, went out for drinks in the trendy Queen West area, and then of course had our fun at the Price-Firlit wedding!
I must say, this was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to. Every detail was perfect! But, more importantly, it was also FUN. Courtney and Brian kept the bar open till 1am and the guests took full advantage. As maid of honor, I even had to give a speech. I was very nervous that it would bomb, but I kept it short and didn't cry, so I think it went okay. At least Jason tells me it did!
Anyway, here are the pics!
Jason and I at the rehearsal dinner (Archeo Trattoria in the Distillery District)
Andrew and Gillian
Maggie and Maggie
Murray, Laura, and the beautiful bride!
Courtney and Brian--Just Married!Tuesday, July 7, 2009
It's fun to have sisters!
Anyone who knows me well knows that I love my sisters. After about 16 years of fighting, competing, and bickering, we somehow all ended up becoming close friends. And I'm so glad we did!
Last weekend, sister B's best friend from college, Teresa ('T'), came in town, so we gathered up the girls to try a new Tapas restaurant in Old Town (Eivissa: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/spanish/eivissa-old-town/397250/content). Dinner was yummy and so was the sangria, though I'm not sure we should have ordered the house specialty 'Amnesia' sangria that came with a 3 glass maximum per person!
Anyway, here are a couple of pics we took after dinner at Stanley's (Lindsay's go-to bar).
The B and the Sus
All the girls: T, B, Sus, Linds, and me (lookin' like a sly dog...)
Last weekend, sister B's best friend from college, Teresa ('T'), came in town, so we gathered up the girls to try a new Tapas restaurant in Old Town (Eivissa: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/spanish/eivissa-old-town/397250/content). Dinner was yummy and so was the sangria, though I'm not sure we should have ordered the house specialty 'Amnesia' sangria that came with a 3 glass maximum per person!
Anyway, here are a couple of pics we took after dinner at Stanley's (Lindsay's go-to bar).
The B and the Sus
All the girls: T, B, Sus, Linds, and me (lookin' like a sly dog...)
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