Back at it! Crab Legs, Bloody Mary’s and 10 Day of Real Food

It’s been about 2 months since I posted something here. Back in the beginning of July I took a Social Media Marketing class at MATC.  One of the requirements of the class was to start a blog and create 10 posts during the 8 week class.  Since I already had this blog up and running I thought it would be a good idea to just continue with what I was doing, write the 10 blog posts and submit it for class.  What I didn’t expect was that since my blog became a required assignment, rather than just fun, I would lose interest.  Something about having to sit down and come up with a post just isn’t as fun as writing what I want, when I want.

So, class is now long over.  I got an “A”, and I can get back to writing about the food adventures I am having without someone grading me on it.

In the past two months I have still been trying new things.  I went to the newly opened Twisted Fisherman Crab Shack on Canal St. They gave me the chance to not only have crab legs for the first time, but also to enjoy an entire bloody mary.

I was a huge fan of the crab legs!!  I have been there twice, and would definitely be eating crab legs on a regular basis if it wouldn’t break the bank.  The first time was a bit overwhelming when the plate came out with all of the utensils needed.  But, luckily my friend Brittany was there to give me a lesson on how to grab it and break it in half….no utensils needed!  By the second time I was an old pro at getting at the meat.

I have also tasted bloody mary’s before, but could never really get in to them because of the tomato juice.  I gave them another chance and actually really enjoyed it.  I did find though, after ordering my second one, that I am probably a one bloody mary kind of girl.  The second one was just a bit too much.   Notice the shrimp and olive used as a garnish on my bloody.  I would not have considered eating either of those things a year ago.  But, they made they made a great garnish and I enjoyed them both.

And, finally I have decided to begin a 10-Day Real Food Challenge after talking to Sarah from Celiac in the City about it.  If you have read my previous posts you would know that I am dealing with some thyroid and gluten issues that my Dr. believes can be controlled with a better diet.  I have been doing a pretty good job of controlling what I eat, but still snack on the mini snickers and a can of soda more often than I should.  I am hoping that this 10-Day challenge of eating only real food will help give my body the break from sugar it needs, and jump start me into eating even better than I have been.  (and, I am sure it will earn me a  least one gold start at my next Dr’s appt. in October)

I invite you to join me in the 10-Day Real Food Challenge.  I look forward to feeling better, and it should give me atleast a few more blog topics

Restaurants that Get it!

One of the harder things I have had to do since going gluten free in March is eat out at restaurants, and be able to eat a variety of foods.  All too often restaurants put gluten in food when it is even needs.  Like my recent discovery that IHOP puts pancake batter in their scrambled eggs.  Eggs is usually my “go-to” breakfast when I am out…why would I ever think they were putting pancake batter in the eggs?

This weekend I ate at two local Milwaukee restaurants that get it!  Pizzeria Piccola and Puddle Jumpers.

Both of the restaurants had signs all over the lobby advertising their gluten free options.  When I ordered my meal, the employees were happy to answer my questions, and seemed knowledgeable.    I was happy to learn at Puddle Jumpers that their BBQ sauce was gluten free.  To make my meal gluten free all they had to do was no give me the piece of bread that comes with the meal.  It is nice to know that I am getting the same high quality food as everyone else.

It is great that restaurants in Milwaukee are getting it!  Just in time for me to need them to.

Ordering Lunch with my Co-Workers

One of the most difficult things I have to do at work is negotiate lunch once or twice a week.  You would think that I would have a hard time getting them to pick somewhere that offers #GF food.  But, that isn’t it at all.  I have a harder time getting them to chose something that doesn’t have a drive-thru window on the side of the building.

I work in the middle of down town Milwaukee.  We are surrounded by a wide array of Amazing restaurants.  When the discussion for lunch comes up on Thursday or Friday afternoons my co-workers usually suggest one of the following – Panda Express, Potbellies, Chipotle, Jimmy Johns or Dominoes.

I try, over and over again to get them to try one of our great local restaurants.  But, every week I fail.  But, today there was a break through…..for them, not really for me.  We are getting lunch from Noodles & Co.  And, they are so proud because there is one dish on the menu I can order!  So, I will be participating and smiling along as I eat my Pad Thai with Shrimp for lunch.

I am determined to get them to realize what great food this city really has to offer!!

A Night at the Movies

Not sure I would have chose to write about my love for all things movie theater, but since I am back in school and need to get some blog posts in, movie theater snacks it is.

I grew up going to the movies.  Almost every weekend involved a movie theater, bucket of popcorn, soda and candy.  Now, that I am in my mid-30′s nothing has changed.  I love nothing more than sitting in a theater and getting lost in the big screen.  Most of the time I could care less what movie it is.  As long as I get my bucket of popcorn, soda (sometimes an Icee) and a box of candy (either Goobers or Whoppers).

I cannot honestly say I never remember watching a movie without having all three of those things.  I also need to enter the theater on the right if possible, sit in the middle more than half way back and on the right side of whoever I am with, but that is a whole other issue.

This is one picky eater habit that I don’t plan on changing any time soon.

Grape Wins Every Time

Summer + Festivals = Hawaiian Shave Ice

There is one thing I absolutely love about summer festivals – Hawaiian Shave Ice.   Not sure how many years ago it was that I tried this delicacy at Summerfest, but from that day it was a new obsession.  Of course, with my picky eater habits, I can’t have just any flavor.  Of the hundreds of Shave Ice’s that I have had, I can probably count on one hand how many times I got a flavor other than Grape.

This past weekend though I was at Strawberry Fest in Cedarburg, WI.  As I got closer to the end of the festival I started seeing people walking around with Hawaiian Share Ice’s.  The hunt was on!!  I found the stand off of the street, tucked behind a few buildings.  And, in honor of Strawberry Fest, I chose a Strawberry Shave Ice.  It wasn’t bad…but, it wasn’t Grape.

In this adventure of picky eating, this many be one habit I chose not to break.

What's So Good About... Quinoa?

Reblogged from Vegematarian:

Quinoa (Brassica juncea ‘Japonica’)
a.k.a. quinua or kinwa
Pronounced "keen-wa" 

About
Gluten-free-ians, vegetarians and vegans will often go on about quinoa being a "super food". I love its taste and have used it to replace wheat in lots of dishes... so thought it was time to do some research.

Quinoa a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a member of the grass family.

Read more… 326 more words

I have gotten fairly lazy with my eating lately, so it is time to pick things up again. My first new adventure is going to be quinoa. I have heard nothing but good things about it. Savory or Sweet....there is a place for it in every meal.

I’m not [That] Crazy!

OK….after watching this episode of Dr. Phil, on a level of Crazy to Normal, I am definitely slightly toward Normal.  That certainly makes me feel better.   Cucumbers do not cause the same reaction as Vick’s Vapor Rub.  I find it funny that french fries are a common theme among pick eaters.

Much like these woman my picky eating started when I was young and we just never grew out of it.  Mostly because we didn’t have to.