The Home Stretch-Challenge Update
Well here we are, in the home stretch.
This has been a CRAZY couple of weeks. This is officially the start of the last 8 days of the challenge! Our next check in will be the final check in on Sunday (though technically my crew will be on Saturday so I can get their pictures up).
You know I have to admit, I thought my crew was going to freak out a little with the re-feed. I was nervous that the slight increase in weight was going to scare them. Not only did it not scare them, they drove right through it and used it to make it out of this week. The numbers are still dropping, the pictures are still shocking, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Like a true tease this week I am going to leave you to wonder just how good they are doing, but will still provide mouth watering food porn. I threw in a little of my own at the end.
“Dear Leigh, I have lost the will, please forgive me.”
I got this email on Tuesday. Do you know what I got on Friday?
“Dear Leigh, I am down 2 pounds lower that the start of the week and back on track. Thanks!”
“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”
Enthusiasm is key for holding on. Keeping yourself and those around you inspired amd positive is a big drive in all of this. Take Jim for example, he has inspired a leauge of friends and co-workers to change their lives for the better. Enthusiasm should be infectious, it should invade every part of your lives right now. You have decided to change and for the better, that is amazing! Who cares if you slipped up, you can still come through for the homestretch. You don’t have to give way to lost enthusiasm.
For those of you that have it and them some, thank you for sharing it with the others. This whole challenge has shown very clearly that it isn’t about some crazy program, it is about the family that helps you get through it.
This weeks assisgnment is to be the voice of enthsiasm to someone who needs it. Be it fat loss, work, or friendship. Go that extra mile and give a extra congratulations to encourage them on their road.
So guys, this is the last one, how you hanging in there?
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Sinead
Bring on the updates! It’s the homestretch, people! I can’t wait to see how you’ve all done this week. The food in the post looks SO good, Leigh! And yeah, you’re a tease!
Jim, how cool! And it’s super smart–if you get your friends and co-workers involved in changing their own habits, then you’ve got fewer temptations lurking around the corner. I love that!! It sounds like a definite recipe for success!
Great job to everyone who has pushed this far. You can rock it out this last week.
November 8th, 2008 at 6:38 am-sinead
shari
I will be taking pics and weighing in a few hours when my husband can help me.
I am nervous because I had a D&C and hysterscopy done on Thursday and was all dopped up on drugs….and boy did it hurt like anything i have ever felt in my life…Anyway i can tell im somewhat bloated or holding on to water from the procedure…BUT I AM still in this….I will finish and hopefully by the end I will have more progress..
Will be posting back soon this am
THanks
Shari
November 8th, 2008 at 7:13 amMike
Encouraging others happens every day for me! A couple years ago I printed a copy of a photo of when I was at my heaviest, hand-wrote “Missing Person” on it (because I wasn’t that person at all anymore) and took it to my gym. They hung it on the wall behind the front counter and to this day, people still ask the staff about that missing guy. If I’m at the gym when someone asks about the missing person, the staff points them in my direction, and there have been times that I was standing right NEXT to a person at the counter *while* they’re asking who the guy in the photo is. PRICELESS! Once in a while, someone will figure it out on their own but may not be too sure, and approach me while I’m working out to confirm that it is in fact, me.
Leigh, last night I printed a copy of my latest flexed back photo, wrote “FOUND!!” on it, and today it’s going up on the gym wall next to my “Lost” photo.
November 8th, 2008 at 8:59 amshari
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31598602@N08/sets/72157608360521749/
ok here is my newest link
my weight did go up to 151 so that is +2
BUT I AM NOT upset because like i said i had that procedure and I started my period today ( sorry guys i know TMI)
so with all that I dont think its showing real weight gain
Shari
November 8th, 2008 at 9:40 amJosh Aronovitch
I’m up 1 pound to 201, but my average weight was lower this week than last week, so I feel that I am still losing. Due to the refeed and a couple social outings this week, my average caloric intake was 1800 as opposed to 1500, so the rate of loss did slow a bit. Today and tommorrow are taken up with my brother’s wedding, so pics/measurements will have to wait til mon or tues. Keep on keeping on!
November 8th, 2008 at 11:33 amshari
come on people!!!! lol
where is everyone today!
i want more updates!!!
Shari
November 8th, 2008 at 4:15 pmJordan
Unfortunately, I had to bow out of this one. I couldn’t really get going. But even though I couldn’t follow the challenge and lose weight, it’s still been very informative. I can see very clearly where my head’s at. I have a huge mental block right now. I know I can do it physically, but for whatever reason I can’t put in the effort. My willpower is next to zero right now. So although it’s a little embarrassing to admit how terribly I’ve done, I don’t feel too bad because this has served a purpose. I already knew this was the problem, but failing the challenge so miserably made me even more aware of it, and that’s beneficial. Self-awareness is good, even if it’s painful.
November 8th, 2008 at 4:38 pmETANA
LEIGH wrote: “be the voice of enthsiasm to someone who needs it. Be it fat loss, work, or friendship. Go that extra mile…” I love this. I’ll take it on this week!
I am up 1 or 2 pounds to 171 from last week, but still down 4 pounds from day 1 of OBM challenge. This week I recommitted to compliance and have been drinking more water, doing all my exercises, planning/weighing/counting my food in the morning, and stopped with the junk candy. So I am proud of that and my body feels good. The measurements are a bit down, I will post numbers tomorrow, along with photos.
This next week I am having a colonoscophy (once every 10 yrs), and I need to fast on clear liquids for 3 (THREE) days before: so that’s Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, with the test on Wednesday. So I’m hoping this will be a blast out week with a great drop. My goal is an 8-10 pound loss for the month, including this added boost of the medical fast. What is usual for me is 1 pound per month or less.
Leigh or anyone, if you have tips of how to do a clear liquid fast without it being total sugar fruit juice?? Maybe that’s what clear liquid means: sugar when you can’t have food. I can have chicken broth, but no whey protein, no protein, no food.
Photos and measurements tomorrow! What would be transformative for me would be to finish pumped up energetic instead of finishing with a whimper!
Let’s have a blow out week, all of us!
November 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm- Etana
ETANA
Oh, I forgot to say, today I’ve begun 2 weeks of no gluten, no dairy, so I’ll miss all those yummy melted cheeses on our OBMs, but my goal is to see the effect of avoiding these foods on my water retention and digestion. So maybe these restrictions will also boost my results!
November 8th, 2008 at 5:02 pm-Etana
Diane
I’m down another 1.5 pounds this week to 166.7 pounds and a total loss of 5.3 pounds during the three weeks. I have posted my stats in my journal here: http://diane-journal.blogspot.com/.
I am definitely going to need some new clothes. I have lost a total of 23.3 pounds since the beginning of July. I would like to lose another 20 or so pounds and then build up some muscle. It is harder and harder to keep the weight off as I get older and also since my hysterectomy six years ago. I started Leigh’s OPT program about 12 weeks ago. This challenge has been during weeks 10-12 of OPT. OPT has worked great for me and Leigh – thanks for the challenge. It has really helped me to keep motivated.
I am ready for the last week of the challenge. Let’s go everyone!
November 8th, 2008 at 5:08 pmLori
Today has been absolutely NUTS with our schedule… I’m finding 2 min to post here, but then we’re off again to a 50th birthday party. Already today I had a session with my trainer, Boy Singers practice for the oldest, made cupcakes and rushed off to 2 back to back football banquets…. so no time for pics today. I’ll get them taken in the morning and post tomorrow.. that’s the best I can do. I’ve had a great week, though…. down 6 pounds! Woohoo! I’ve definitely found my motivation again and have been right on track with food and exercise. After last week’s gain of almost 5 pounds, I don’t have a huge net loss, but I’m glad that I got myself back in the game, kwim?
November 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pmJim
Mike,
That is the most excellent story I have ever heard. Here’s to being “FOUND”!!! You should be very proud of yourself.
I hit a milestone this week. I’m down 80 lbs. since January 1. My co-workers join me in the loss. To date, we have about 30 people that started this on January 1 and we lost about 700 lbs.!!!More than 1/2 of us lost at least 15% of our starting weight.
Sinead, you’re right, getting others involved reduces the temptations, no more candy or baked goods around the office. We have bowls of fresh fruit that the company is providing every week.
I hope everyone has a great week.
–Jim
November 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pmDebby
My update is at: http://forums.jpfitness.com/challenge-training-logs/35150-debbys-30-day-challenge-2.html#post640514
Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!!
November 8th, 2008 at 5:55 pmHayzel
Hey There!
I have updated my journal: http://forums.jpfitness.com/challenge-training-logs/35143-positive-change-flesh-2.html#post640451
Not much change there, but I’m hoping for the number to go down next week. I will write more of an update tomorrow (I’m visiting family tonight).
Keep up the good work everybody!
November 8th, 2008 at 8:01 pmSinead
That’s awesome, Jim! I’ll be back tomorrow with a response for you all. You’re doing so well and definitely making me proud! Even if you haven’t had a great net loss for the week, you’re still in this so be proud!!
You know that they say that it only takes 28 days to create a new habit. Maybe compliance or sticking to your deficit is your new habit!
Mike, I LOVE that lost/found story!
November 8th, 2008 at 9:41 pmSinead
oh, and I’d love to see those LOST/FOUND pics!!
November 8th, 2008 at 9:41 pmAnna
I weighed in at 117.1 this morning, down 5.7 since the start of the challenge. Doing 3 or 4 chins. It’s very encouraging, I have really enjoyed this so far. Very short on time right now but I sent my photo to Leigh. good luck with the last week, everyone! We can do this!
November 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pmCynthia
Jordan, it’s OK to take something and just learn from it.
But about the willpower thing, I don’t believe in willpower. Or rather, I used to believe in it, but the belief was that I had none. Truth… I STILL don’t have this thing called willpower that people think you should have to eat properly and exercise. Nope, don’t have a bit of it!
What I *DO* have is certain habits. It’s taken time to form them, but they are holding pretty well. When you don’t feel motivated to act, just ask yourself to do one simple thing towards your goals. Sometimes I am not motivated to exercise. So I tell myself, “Just put on your exercise clothes.” And I do that. Usually, once they are on, I go ahead and exercise. Not always, but enough of the time to make a real difference.
Or I tell myself that I can drive to the gym, but turn home if I really don’t feel like working out when I get there. I did turn around after I got there once… but every other time, I’ve gotten a workout in.
You can do the same with the workout. Tell yourself that you will do one minute or five minutes or whatever and then if you aren’t keen, you can stop. Most of the time, you’ll find yourself doing more than that. And you can apply this to food prep and meal planning and all that jazz too!
Anyway, learning is also progress… sometimes you have to do a lot of that before progress happens anyway. Cheers!
-Cynthia
November 9th, 2008 at 12:04 amCynthia
Mike, LOVE the LOST?FOUND story! Post the pix if you can!
Jim, that is so cool! 80 pounds is WOWZA! And cheers for getting your co-workers involved!
Anna, Etana, Lori, Josh… looking good!
-Cynthia
November 9th, 2008 at 12:09 amCynthia
OK, here’s my update:
http://www.garbagethatgoo.com/2008/11/08/challenge-check-in-11-8-2008/
Scale change for the week, down .2 pounds. Overall though, all the scale losses were essentially the first week. 2.2 pounds for the challenge so far.
SCREW THE SCALE!
You know what, it’s usually harder for me to lose inches! And that’s what my body apparently has been up to! Even counting the fact that my shoulder measuring is not reliable, I’m still losing inches! Can’t see it in the pictures, but the tape is showing it and in lots of places!
Today, either my body finally adjusted to the deficit or it was slow on the uptake to figure out that it had actually gotten calories on Monday. My carb levels rise towards the weekend, so that might also be a factor. But my energy level was WAY UP today!
Thursday night I shivered myself to sleep for an hour (Hopefully burning fat all the while, LOL!) and today, after a normal night, I am rockin’ the joint. Well, with a mild headache still, but jammin’ nevertheless. Bouncing off the walls this morning! Weird, but I’ll take it.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:21 amWarasa
Hi everybody! I almost disappear but I’m still in the challenge, even though it’s not quite a big-meal challenge but as long as it works, who cares? After 2 weeks of roller coaster losing 3 lbs and gaining them all back, I’m easy on the deficit this week so that I don’t feel like I’m on the verge of binging all the time. I think I learned that I might calculate my daily calorie wrong. I gave myself an activity factor of 1.2, and I might give myself too little credit for the fact that I carry 7-10lbs backpack walking (sometimes running) up and down the hill and buildings throughout the day, 6 days a week. I definitely need more than 1100 cals, even while losing fat and not exercising. So I up the intake to 1200-1300 in most of the days (and even more in the rest of the week.) I lost 2.5 lbs this week. I’m much happier and feel much better than last week.
2.5lbs loss in 3 weeks is not bad. It’s 2% of my body weight!
I’ll take it easy and aim for 1lb loss next week. This coming week feels like the second week for me (since I had a setback last week.) So I will sure remember what Leigh said in the ‘keep losing when it’s boring’ post!
November 9th, 2008 at 2:27 amakimbo
Oops, I missed saturday! I’m still feeling wiped from my cold, still at 221 (no pounds lost in a week) but I’m looking forward to hitting this last week full steam ahead!
November 9th, 2008 at 1:49 pmMatt
Mike – great story! It is true that losing weight is a bit like finding your true self once again, getting your life back.
Jim – you impress me more and more! It is great to hear that your example inspires others, especially that it’s always easier to lose pounds in a team. I wish I had such a team at work. My guys want to give me candies.
Anyway, You guys are my team and I am grateful for your support. For me this week was very good – I lost 3.3 pounds which is my record in one week. In total that’s over 8 pounds from the beginnig of the challenge.
Update here: http://www.permanentfitness.com/my-weight-loss/week-3-i-kick-ass/
November 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pmCynthia
Good for you Warasa!
Hills definitely up your activity level I think! The first time I ever lost weight, I started walking around my hilly neighborhood (back in CA… same Broadway Terrace neighborhood that got ravaged by the Oakland Hills fire) and it was tough! I’d never have managed carrying a backpack!
Living with this hunger isn’t easy. I had my FIRST EVER FOOD DREAM last night! Sadly, it wasn’t healthy food either… it was specifically Reese’s PB Cups. There was even a close-up shot, LOL! Oh, there was other stuff going on in the dream, but a lot of action centered on offering people PB cups and eating them myself.
Matt, you are doing great! Your weight loss is stellar and it sounds like you handled the party pretty well.
I should, by the way, publicly apologize to my poor hard working Tanita scale that I cussed at yesterday… New low of 220.4.
November 9th, 2008 at 2:47 pmPauline
Just want to cheer everyone on. We can do it!!
November 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pmMike
Well, I see I’m not the only one with dirty dreams about reese’s PB cups..
but I also have dreams where I’m ripped to shreds, climbing around on walls and ceilings, jumping insanely high, etc. to balance it out. 
I wouldn’t mind sharing the pics but since I’m part of the official challenge crew, Leigh might want to wait til the challenge is over for a big reveal/extreme makeover kinda thing.
November 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pmAnn (or Anninator)
Hey everyone!
Sorry for late entry – it’s been one hell of a weekend!
Lost one pound (wasn’t sure it was going to happen when I lost a little bit of control over the refeed…. heh… ahem.)
Anyways – I feel better than ever, and that’s 6 pounds down from the beginning of the challenge! Woot!
Good job everyone and keep it up!
November 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pmCynthia
Hee, hee! I have never dreamed about food before! I have had dreams where I swam really far, but mostly my dreams are weird stuff. Occasionally very entertaining. Like the time Captain Kirk’s new recruits for the Enterprise happened to be the original cast of SNL…
We can wait for the pictures! No fun spoiling surprises!
November 9th, 2008 at 5:17 pmLori
Here’s my update link for this week:
http://forums.jpfitness.com/challenge-training-logs/33232-committed-endeavor-11.html#post640809
Wow…everyone is doing so well! Hang in there everyone… we’ll finish this last week up strong!
November 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pmSinead
Mike, just share them when the challenge is over–just don’t forget!
Just home from a long day (but fun weekend) of traveling, so I’m going to crash. i’ll be back tomorrow to cheer you all on! The losses look great so far!
November 9th, 2008 at 10:00 pmETANA
I was committed this week to have my tracking and reporting take less time… and I really had success with my tracking this week. The google spreadsheet is WONDERFUL; I love it; the progress is all right there.
Scale was as high as 173 this week, but today was 170.
Total scale loss 5 pounds! (day 1 was end of refeed though)
My stats 11/2/08:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pA1aOBup85oGN75mbpMPnSw&hl=en
see 2 worksheets: data and measurements
Photos: I don’t see any change:
http://s426.photobucket.com/albums/pp341/etana2008/Photos%202008-current/2008%20November/
________________________________________
Because of a not terrible, but not compliant Halloween, I committed to be
compliant this week.
The only places I was not compliant was
1. water 8-12 cups instead of 16 (one day I drank 14 cups)
2. resistance: for some reason I’m still not in the groove. The light exercises seem just like the toning we do in Jazzercise and seem pointless to me. We’ll see. Leigh says do the least you have to do, and Julie Keen keenfitness.com prescribed these to me, and I’m gonna do them!
3. I love the foam roller, mobility, and stretch exercises. they seem perfect for what I need
I’m fasting Sun, Mon, Tues, & 1/2 of Wed, so I’m hoping this is a blowout terrific finish to OBM. I’m also doing 2 weeks’ experiment gluten- & dairy-free to aid digestion and water retention.
I’m in great momentum and wish there were more hours in the day!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:27 pmLet’s rock this week!
Etana
Leigh Peele
Sinead- I am a tease, Food porn is going to be my new career.
Shari- I am glad you are doing better
Mike- That is such a great story! I think that your strength if fantastic and I am glad you are Found
Thank you for working so hard!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:42 pmLeigh Peele
Shari- You are awesome for sticking with it and your pics look great!
Josh- Can’t wait to see your updates
Jordan- Sometimes other things are more important, you have to do things for you when you are ready
Thanks for posting 
November 9th, 2008 at 11:42 pmLeigh Peele
Etana- It is ok to have a little simple sugar
I would recommend some Ginger ale and usually they will allow jello, check to make sure though. Oh and Congrats on being down over all 
Diane- Down 5.3! Fantastic! Thank you for working so hard
Lori- I have to Woohoo for you too! 6 pounds lost, that is so great. Thanks for posting
November 9th, 2008 at 11:43 pmLeigh Peele
Jim- I love how inspiring you are to everyone. The people around you should be thankful! You are doing fantastic and Wow 700 lbs…Amazing Thanks you!
Debby- Thank you for the update Debby
Still moving down and your pics look great!
Hazel- Well your pictures look fantastic. I can’t wait to see yours and everyone’s end pictures!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:44 pmLeigh Peele
Sinead- If it only takes 28 days to create a habit, then everyone at the end of this should be able to keep it up
You are the best by the way! Thanks!
Anna- Fantastic with the chin up! and on top of that down 5.7 pounds
I couldn’t ask for more.
Cynthia- Thank you for being so encouraging to everyone
And great on the update! I am glad you are feeling better and have more energy and that you are down 3 pounds! 
November 9th, 2008 at 11:44 pmLeigh Peele
Warasa- I am impressed with your spirit and 2.5 pounds in 3 weeks is nothing to laugh at! Keep it going
Akimbo- Keep it up one more week and I am sure you will see more change!
Matt- Wow! 8 pounds and we aren’t even done yet that is so great! Thank you for keeping everyone motivated!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:44 pmLeigh Peele
Cynthia and Mike- Haha I think my weird food dreams would scare you.
Ann- Woohoo down 6 Pounds even with some ahem…slip ups! I am glad…or hope you had a good weekend!
Lori- Down 9 inches and 5.6 pounds that is great! Keep up the great work!
Etana- Your pictures look great! I see a difference, did you look at your butt and your posture in the side? Go look!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:44 pmCynthia
Hey Etana! Doing good!
But are you getting enough sleep? That looked down this week, unless I read the data wrong, don’t short yourself!
I’m with you though, I want to finish strong if I can. Going for a clean carb/low fat cheat day tomorrow. I cooked my rice and measured it, and did the same with a batch of quinoa, so I’m all set there. Have nice lean cod defrosting.
Cool that you got the time frame better for tracking and measuring! I did too, but it mainly involved writing some of my check-in blog post the night before and also setting up my little measurement chart before as well. It helped though, and I fit in my workout along with all the posting.
Love your flex pix! I might have to do one with a bicep for the end. But I didn’t want to reset the tripod height until I get that last set of pictures done.
-Cynthia
November 10th, 2008 at 12:06 amDiana
Finally updated my log. Has been a long week.
http://forums.jpfitness.com/training-log/35177-dianas-journey-health.html
Diana
November 10th, 2008 at 12:30 amDiana
Etana,
I second Leigh’s advice about not worrying about sugar the next 3 days. You still need some calories while on clear liquids and you won’t be getting them from protein and fat. Some tests don’t want you drinking red stuff right before the procedure looks too much like blood so double check that.
Otherwise good luck.
Diana
November 10th, 2008 at 12:35 amMike
You wanna talk food porn?? I’ll leave you with a few pics I’ve shot – don’t worry, these are all healthy items. I do have some photos of baked goodies and chocolate that’ll make you lick your screens
but right now may not be the time to post those. 
I cooked, styled the plating and photographed these.
Broccoli Chicken stir fry with apple coconut brown rice (this was a OBM meal) – http://www.stickerpimp.com/sketchbook/chickenstirfry.jpg
November 10th, 2008 at 1:32 amPineapple Chicken stir-fry – http://www.stickerpimp.com/sketchbook/pineapplechicken.jpg
Ahi Tuna with a pineapple papaya salsa – http://www.stickerpimp.com/sketchbook/tuna2.jpg
Poached Alaskan Halibut with asparagus – http://www.stickerpimp.com/sketchbook/halibut.jpg
Salad with artichoke hearts, red onions and pimentos – http://www.stickerpimp.com/sketchbook/salad.jpg
shari
“awww leigh thanks girl!” — in my best southern accent (My real name is “sharon Lee” u cant get much more southern then that name…but i lived all over bc of my dad being air force and now im here in Maryland where my accent has gone away!!!!)
November 10th, 2008 at 6:28 amok a little too much info there ill move on now lol
Jim
Matt, You do kick ASS!! Great job…
Etana, I definately see a difference in the butt and check out your side view again, stomach is definately going down!!
Last week, let’s all finish strong.
–Jim
November 10th, 2008 at 7:45 amJordan
Thanks for the kind words, Cynthia and Leigh. I think you’re right about willpower vs. habits, Cynthia. “Willpower” is probably the wrong word. It may be more about strategy than willpower. I’ve tried a lot of things over the last year and a half or so; I’ve been able to stick to a few things for a couple of months or more. So I can put in the effort. But nothing has really worked that well. When I find something that actually works, I think I’ll be able to stick to it.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:42 pmCynthia
Jordan, when you find what works for you things will improve and it will be easier to stick to good habits.
-Cynthia
November 10th, 2008 at 7:55 pmCynthia
Mike, I want your halibut! And the salad!
-Cynthia
November 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pmAnnelle
Everyone is doing do well!
Mike,
I totally love the LOST photo posted in your gym! I would love to see the Lost and Found photos! Very inspiring, indeed!
And, ummm… you gonna share them there recipes??? Those all look delicious! I totally try to cook and most of the time it comes out tasting pretty good. However, never ever do my meals LOOK like a photo from a magazine. I try… I really do… need-less-to-say that is why I have NOT posted any photos of my meals! (o:
—-
Jim, That is so awesome that you and your office mates have lost so much weight! That is intense – 700 lbs! That is so great that your office provides fresh fruit for y’all! Keep up the good work!
—-
My mother-in-law has been working on losing weight and she was picking up my daughter to go out to breakfast and then go get a CinnaBun! I totally went off on her (it’s okay… I just blamed it on the lack of food and hormones, that is always a good one). Anyways, I told her why would she ruin all her hard work that she is doing. She told me, it’s okay… I worked out yesterday and she was going to enjoy every bite. I thought “oh, no she didn’t just say that to me!” Well, she ended up NOT eating her CinnaBun and thanking me later for the smack down! So that was my voice of enthusiasm… a little troll-under-the-bridgish… but it worked!
(o:
Have a happy day!
~ Annelle
November 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pmMike
Annelle, sometimes I come up with some real winners and sometimes, not so much.
We truly eat with our eyes first, so I play around with presentation to find something pleasing. My background in visual arts (photography, drawing, sculpture) and dealing with composition comes in handy here.
Recipes.. hmm. OK, I cook without plans (which explains the bombs) but most of my stuff is kinda “What you see in the picture, is in the recipe, nothing more, nothing less.” The “apple coconut brown rice” was simply an apple, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil blended together, then mixed in with plain brown rice. Ratios of each are handled by taste but basically you’ve got the classic oil, vinegar, and sweet flavor combo for dressings. It works well for flavoring more mild tasting foods. The salsa on the tuna is papaya, pineapple, red onion, green onion and fresh cilantro – I don’t know what that big chunk of green stuff on the salsa is, hmmm… don’t think there was any green pepper in it.. heh. Again, there’s a sweet, tangy taste combo to compliment the mild tuna. By the way, the tuna is cooked all the way through in this shot, haven’t gotten brave enough to leave it uncooked in the center like it’s supposed to be.
The halibut was poached in a white wine (again, sweet/sour with mild fish), there’s some green onions that I can see on there, carrots and some (overcooked, oops) asparagus. No special treatment for the asparagus, the carrots were cooked with the fish though. By the way, halibut is insanely expensive, so is the Ahi tuna. Go conservative when choosing how to flavor them because it’s a shame to waste such awesome tasting fish.
The salad is romaine lettuce, artichoke hearts, pimentos, red onion and romano cheese. The specific salad dressing I used is hard to come by but the brand is Rich & Charlie’s. That’s a restaurant where I grew up in St Louis and this is their house dressing, and their house salad. I’ve never been able to duplicate the dressing but they have it for sale so I have family back in St Louis send me a stash once in a while.
It’s an oil/vinegar blend but they’ve got an awesome combination of spices in it that’s just perfect for this salad.
The pineapple chicken stir-fry is chicken (mild flavor), pineapple (sweet, tangy… do you see the theme here?), red onion, orange bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini.. I think that’s it.
So, the running themes in most of my recipes is balancing mild, sweet and tangy flavors, and instead of using tons of spices and sauces for flavoring, I use other foods as flavoring. Sometimes you want a zippy taste with your fish and sometimes you want just the fish to cleanse the palette, so using complimentary foods instead of flavoring everything the same way allows you to do that.
Another one that I came up with but don’t have a photo of, is salmon that has been encrusted with grated sweet potato. Press both sides of the salmon into the potato then sear both sides on a skillet, cooking it fairly well but not all the way through. Then place the skillet and all underneath the broiler for finishing, the fish cooks all the way through and the sweet potato roasts/caramelizes, releasing more flavor. Use a tangy raspberry sauce on the side to compliment it. My favorite is Bronco Bob’s Raspberry Chipotle, sweet, tangy, smokey and spicy.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pmCynthia
My hat is off to you, Mike! Great photos, great food! I may have to try that apple coconut rice combo.
I have Ahi tuna in the fridge right now… got it on sale yesterday and am debating on whether to try having it rare in the center.
-Cynthia
November 12th, 2008 at 6:39 pmSinead
Mike, you have now made me hungry!! Thanks for all of the descriptions!
Annelle, I love the under-the-bridge-trollish moment! LOL Great job on the intervention! I don’t even want to THINK about the calories in Cinnabun!!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:50 pm