The Other Woman Cooks

How could a day that began with 1 scrambled egg and 1 slice of whole grain toast go so terribly wrong? Lunch was a delicious 420 calorie platter of roasted turkey slices, baby greens, walnut meats and fresh chopped tomatoes. So far so good for a day of meetings in New York City while my friend and travel companion, author Sherri Erwin (April 13 release date of Jane Slayre coming up fast) was off with agent, editor and publicist. Then it happened. I offered to take my son and his lovely girlfriend to his favorite restaurant. One trip to Gramercy Tavern and it all fell apart. See the two guys sitting at the table in the center of the restaurant's interior shot? That was exactly our table. If you saw what we ate and drank you'd understand. Meg and I shared a Merguez sausage and chick pea appetizer washed down with an Orange Blossom (sparkling wine with Elderflower liqueur and orange bitters -- yummy). And yes, I took one little taste of Sherri's sweetbread. How about main cou

What were my slightly snug at the waist jeans fit right out of the dryer. In the beginning, small victories help foster success. It also helps that the first four days of the Flat Belly Diet! are very structured. The book supplies a grocery list and there’s no need to count calories. You simply eat what you read -- an instant weight loss program. Just add Sassy water (pages 6 and 80) and you’re good to shrink. Just when I wondered if it was possible to stick to a low-cal diet without losing my mind along with the extra pounds, it was Day 5. Relief came in the form of “extra” calories. Three squares and one Snack Pack at 400 calories each, 1,600 calories -- up from the 1,200 calorie Jumpstart . There are lots of great recipes in the book, but well, you know me … I like to fiddle. With the help of some great calorie counter websites, it wasn’t too hard to come up with a tasty main dish. 2/3 cup of steamed sugar snap peas (40 calories) and two tablespoons of jellied cranberry sauce (50

I love romance. When I meet someone who is single my natural inclination is to butt in and introduce them to another single person. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. There are more couples together than apart among my victims over the years. So what does this have to do with why I haven't blogged lately? Well, two of my friends are one month away from becoming husband and wife. I introduced them to each other and got teary happy when they asked me to make the toast at the wedding. Like I said, I love romance. But I don't love the size of my behind and being the center of attention for even a few minutes gives me agita. Someone is going to take my picture when I raise that glass and I'll be damned if I don't manage to lose a few pounds before the blessed event. Lamenting my situation to another friend (and a fellow guest at said wedding) caused her to say she'd bought Flat Belly Diet! and would give it to me to read. Instead, she bought me my own cop

Recovering from the worst cold ever, the tide had turned and the former Family Sick became the Family Famished. Our throats are still a little sore and we're not 100% yet. But after a week of chicken soup and dry toast something more substantial, yet creamy and comforting seemed like a good idea. Three people ate four servings ... I guess they agreed! LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour Dash salt 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper Pinch cayenne pepper 1 1/2 cups milk 2 tablespoons brandy or dry sherry 1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese 1 pound cooked lobster, shelled and cut into chunks 2 cups cooked corkscrew macaroni ½ cup cracker crumbs 1 tablespoon melted butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On top of the stove melt butter in a medium pot; remove from heat. Stir in flour and add salt and peppers. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring until well mixed. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Add tw

Someday they’ll find a cure for the common cold. Until then, here’s a few tips to help lessen the misery. It’s also a good idea to make yourself the all-time cure all for what ails you – simple homemade chicken soup with carrots. (Recipe follows.) 1: Blow Your Nose Honest to God, it helps to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your sinuses where it can cause bacteria to fester and cause even more misery. But if you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. Go easy: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose. 2: Rest Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward helping your immune system battle the invader. This battle taxes the body. Give it a little help by lying down under a blanket. 3: Gargle Gargling moistens and brings temporary relief for your sore throat. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four tim

The only cooking going on at my house lately is heating up low sodium chicken soup out of a can. I promise to make up for it later in the week, when the sniffles, sore throat and stuffiness have subsided. Wondering if Carlos Santana mistook his baby's lack of interest in cooking him dinner for running around. Maybe she was just sick. As for Jeanne and Joan, I'm guessing they were not feeling too good themselves!