A quest

[alysten]

I am on a quest, to reclaim parts of me that have taken a back seat recently and I am starting with food.

I am actively trying to bring my lunch to work and not spend money on going out to lunch (except as a treat).

I am trying to buy wholesome food, including quality protein and produce.

I am working on having more meals eaten at the dining room table and not at the counter or in front of the TV.

I am striving to make quality time with my spouse over a good meal.

I trying to drink more water and less caffeine.

I am cooking the food I buy and trying to reduce how much gets thrown away.

I have rediscovered my love of slow cooking and my crock pot.

So far I have managed to cook a meal every day since returning from Pennsic.  And it has been glorious.  Last night we even managed to sit at the dining room table. Projects were pushed aside so that telescope_merc and I could sit and enjoy each other's company.   I've decided that this is important enough that I am bringing back the concept of "Sunday Dinner".  Each Sunday (events permitting), I will post a menu, a picture and a recipe for our Sunday dinners. 

I challenge you guys to do the same.

Comments

[kandy-elizabet.livejournal.com]

This sounds incredibly plan-like. I keep trying to pack, but I have this whole "can't look at food" thing in the morning, making packing difficult. I'll have to work on it again. Some weeks I'm good, others not so much.

Water good. I find a little lemon juice in the glass (just a squirt -- I have one of those silly plastic lemons in the 'fridge at work) helps when I've gotten tired of the plain water.

Look forward to the "Sunday dinners" :)

Crock pots are the best ... in the cooler weather particularly ours gets used 2 or 3 times a week.

[alysten.livejournal.com]

We had lamb korma and pulled pork last week. The crock pot just makes "cook this for mumble, mumble hours until it falls apart" so much easier. The extras have gone into the freezer for another date.

well

[bytchearse.livejournal.com]

This past Sunday was our family reunion, but I did get some cooking in anyhow! I went to our CSA farm and bought corn that was picked fresh for me on Saturday and served with with cumin butter. And I roasted some fresh peanuts with oil and salt. Not exactly what you had in mind, but still...

This coming Sunday we'll be on the road, and the following Sunday as well. But the *Saturday* after that you can look at my LJ to see what I'm doing :-D

Re: well

[alysten.livejournal.com]

What ever gets people in the kitchen making stuff and sharing it with our loved ones.

sarahbyrdd's posts about what you guys have been doing with your CSA have been part of my motivation to get back to cooking real food.

however

[bytchearse.livejournal.com]

Our 2nd year of the CSA is challenging us to eat healthier and make sure nothing is wasted. We've switched to a brand of non-GMO chicken that actually tastes like it should; my grandfather raised them. It costs more, but it's worth it.

Oh, and beans. Getting much more creative with dried bean cooking :-)

Re: however

[alysten.livejournal.com]

I love what you guys are doing with preserving food. I am sorely tempted to get into canning and pickling.

Re: however

[bytchearse.livejournal.com]

One thing I'm now lamenting is a lack of a place to store much of the stored food. We have space on shelves in our locked downstairs storage unit (in the apt. building's bsmt) but I'd feel far more secure in a place of our own...with more room to properly store this stuff.

[courtierka.livejournal.com]

I made breaded chicken; mashed potatos and salad for dinner on Sunday... We even ate at the table on Sunday!

I started a crockpot of Salsa chicken for dinner on Monday (ended up joining friends for Sushi on Monday so the Salsa chicken is for dinner tonight)! Tonight's dinner is Salad (from our farm box) Salsa chicken and brown rice. And the plan is to eat it at the table!