by Joy on January 9, 2012
Lesson learned from last week: It’s not realistic to think I’m going to avoid restaurants throughout the whole work week. Restaurants are fun and a night out really helps break up the monotony of the drive-work-drive-sleep pattern that dominates our lives. This week, I built it into the meal plan. I should know come Wednesday I will want to go out. (Or take out!)
Sunday: Salmon cakes with herbed yogurt, roasted potatoes and tomato salad
Monday: Chicken stew with whole wheat biscuits
Tuesday: Leftover salmon cakes
Wednesday: Take out or go out
Thursday: Peanut and sweet potato stew
Friday: Pizza
What are you having for dinner this week?
by Joy on January 2, 2012
I’m probably not alone in having gained a few pounds over the holidays. In my case, I’ve been gradually gaining since I moved to the suburbs. I think it’s a combination of sadness eating and never walking anywhere, but the holidays certainly solidified the gain. I’m now a full 7 pounds up from my Weight Watchers goal weight and I’m pretty determined to deal with that in the very first part of 2012. [keep reading …]
by Joy on January 1, 2012
Happy 2012. What do you know? We made it through 2011. Last night, in spite of my frustration surrounding my current living situation, I was determined to enjoy the occasion and show 2012 the kind of year I want it to be. Dan and I got an early start on celebrating with an afternoon spread of two dozen oysters, slurped at one of my favorite places to be, Oyster House. Next we walked through Center City to Penn’s Landing, stopping for a few candies at the newly restored and reopened Shane’s Confectionery, to see the early fireworks. [keep reading …]
by Joy on November 21, 2011
Dear Readers,
Can you believe there are only six more weeks left in 2011? This year has been the most challenging one I’ve had in at least a decade. When I look ahead to 2012, it’s with hope. You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to live 2011 over again, but I am aware that the things I’ve learned about myself these last 12 months are valuable.
I know I can use these insights to shape my life going forward in a way that will bring me greater happiness and satisfaction. My days of taking the best things in life for granted are over. (Now that I know what, for me, those “best things” actually are.)
I am taking a hiatus from blogging here. As I shape up my list of goals and resolutions for 2012, I plan to think about the purpose of blogging for me and to approach the project with a greater sense of clarity and fresh eyes in the new year. In the meantime, keep up with me on twitter if you don’t already: @joymanning.
And if you want to help inspire me during this period of end-of-year reflection, tell me in the comments about a lesson that 2011 taught you. I would really like to hear what other people have learned in this past year.
by Joy on November 18, 2011
If anyone is still reading along here in spite of my highly erratic posting schedule, thanks! And I’m sorry I haven’t been the productive blogger I’d like to be. In the “excuses, excuses” department, I had a frantically busy snap at work. [keep reading …]
by Joy on October 28, 2011
by Joy on October 26, 2011
If you were ever wondering how long you can freeze pastry dough, I think the answer may be forever. Or at a minimum, three years. (This round was left over from this recipe development project back in 08!) This past weekend, staring down a fridge full of odds and ends plus a generous windfall of last-of-the-season garden tomatoes from a benefactor, I decided that an improvised tart would be just thing. [keep reading …]
by Joy on October 25, 2011
Introducing Tuesday Letters, a weekly blog feature that will be a letter to something or someone culinary …
Dear Coffee,
Remember when we were first together, and the relationship was so titillating just because, at 9, I was way too young for you? I’ll never forget those dark mornings in the middle 1980s when I sipped you cut heavily with whole milk, just you and I preparing to face the menace of the fourth grade with no cereal, no English muffin to come between us. Sure, I would have probably grown a few inches taller without you, but I don’t regret it. I wouldn’t change a thing. [keep reading …]
by Joy on October 21, 2011
Cassoulet has long been a restaurant favorite of mine, but I never thought I could make it at home. Confit duck legs (a main ingredient) just aren’t something I often see at the supermarket. Luckily, Cook’s Illustrated developed a recipe using chicken thighs instead. My version is shown in the picture above. [keep reading …]
by Joy on October 14, 2011
Starting today, I plan to give you, dear readers, a weekly digest of links to things I loved reading or found useful this week and think you might as well. I invite you to use the comments section here to share links you think I might love, too. [keep reading …]
