What's Cooking?

In recent months, when I was still working full-time, Al took over all cooking and grocery shopping responsibilities. Once I resigned and decided to sign on for semi-retirement, I had to reacquaint myself with the kitchen. And I'm lovin' it!

Our kitchen here in Maine has lots of light and a great window that looks right out on the woods behind our house. And, of course, there is another busy hummingbird feeder that often distracts me while I'm cooking and offers free entertainment while doing the dishes (still no automatic dishwasher here).

We've been living the "low-fat" way of life for a number of years. Al successfully lost 35 pounds (in 3 months? Jeesh!) at Weight Watchers more than five years ago, and even before that, I lost 40 pounds. We use low-fat or fat-free EVERYTHING -- salad dressings, "spray butter" (apologies to Bethany), sour cream, yogurt, milk, etc. You get the idea.

Yeah. I've put most of that weight back on over the last 5+ years, but it's coming off again. Acadia National Park provides all kinds of fabulous exercise opportunities -- hiking, biking, kayaking, walking - in breathtaking surrounds.

Rediscovering the summer harvest of lovely fruits and vegetables keeps food preparation creative and eating fun! I scour my Rachael Ray and Weight Watchers magazines, and explore the WW website for new recipes daily. We're having neighbors to dinner tonight and I've put together a menu that's sure to look beautiful and taste yummy -- veggie and fruit crudites (carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, apples) with a curry-chutney dip, pan-seared salmon steaks with scallions and a honey-balsamic reduction, steamed asparagus, and baked sweet potatoes. For dessert? Grilled peaches with vanilla yogurt (with ginger snap mix-in). Wow. I'm already hungry!

Down another 1.2 pounds this week -- 4.8 pounds in TWO weeks! I pedaled 15 miles last week, and another 6 miles yesterday. Go, me!