This is why you're fat...

So, I just stumbled upon a few blogs and such that I had to post immediately.

First, off "This Is Why You're Fat". A Web site that I have heard about, but tried my best to avoid due to the nature of the site. I feared what I might find there. And yes, the Web site is all that the name promises it will be and I think I gained weight just by looking at the ridiculous deep-fried, chocolate-covered, bacon-wrapped creations that are within this site. If you thought that donut-bun burger was bad... you'll want to stay away from this site. View at your own risk.

Second, "The Ridiculous Food Society of Upstate New York." Well, one of this guys recipes was featured in the new "This is Why You're Fat" book, so he can't be all that bad! I haven't had a change to browse too much of the site but I'm excited to check it out.

Third, this challenge. Sponsored by "This Is Why You're Fat". Read for yourself and if you are in the NYC area... I dare you.

Alice's Teacup

So, another place I ate during my eating tour of NYC was Alice's Teacup. The lovely @KateSarah brought me there as well (she is too good to me) and recommended all the best things. Before I get to the food though, let me tell you a little bit about Alice's Teacup itself. It is completely and totally adorable. As soon as you walk in, you feel like you are in a 5 year old girl's heaven. There are big butterflies on the walls, characters from Alice in Wonderland, fairies, and everything is in pastel pinks and like purple. It may sound cheesy but it really was very sweet and cute.

Alice's Teacup has a huge variety of teas and we were there around brunch time so they were serving both breakfast and lunch. Kate got eggs and I decided to get the combo of 2 scones and a pot of tea that was around $10. Alice's Teacup is known for both these things and I wanted to try their signatures (plus, as soon as I walked in I saw the pumpkin scones out of the corner of my eye and they looked TO DIE FOR). We also ordered a side of their french fries because Kate said they were worth it. And my goodness they were. Pics are below from the food extravaganza at Alice's Teacup in NYC...

P.S. So the story with the last photo is... we had these two french fries left on the plate and TWICE waitresses walked by and asked if we were done. Both times, I let her them know that we were NOT done and I fully planned on finishing every last bite of the french fries. They were delicious.

Fudge and licorice and gumdrops, oh my!

Last Friday through Wednesday I was in New York City visiting friends and then working at GE’s healthymagination showcase on 44th and 5th Ave. I always really enjoy visiting NYC due largely to the fact that many of my friends live there, but there is also something exciting and inspiring about being in the city that I love in itself. There is so much to explore, to see, to do, and my God, so much to EAT.

This blog is supposed to be dedicated to healthy and affordable eating, but you know what, sometimes you just need to indulge. And for me, this past weekend in NYC was the time and place to do it.

I stayed with my friend Kate (@KateSarah) from Friday to Sunday at her beautiful studio apartment she is currently sharing with a friend. After years of friendship, she has learned where my passions lie and therefore was eager to introduce me to something she knew I’d love. It is a little piece of heaven that is located right here on earth in the convenient location of the upper east side manhattan.

What I am referring to is none other than Dylan's Candy Bar.

Dylan’s Candy Bar is the Disneyworld of candy stores that covers every scale of the candy spectrum from fudge to gumdrops to giant lollipops, bulk candy, packaged candy, seasonal candies, and everything in between.

For someone like me, who is decends from a family with a rich heritage of a vicious sweet tooth (we’re talking annual family reunions that are built around when we’re going to visit the local penny candy store), this place was magical.

My $12 of twizzlers, chocolate covered cookie dough, sour watermelons, rock candy, Swedish fish, nonparrels, and peanut butter malt balls later, my friends and I left Dylan’s (and went across the street to see Where the Wild Things Are!). The bag of candy lasted me until the end of the weekend but the memories (and the calories) will be with me for much longer.

Empire State of Mind

Hey all, in New York City for the weekend... food stories to come. But for now, the song I can't get enough of. Miss Alicia Keys is such a rockstar and from what I heard, she completely kicked butt at the Keep A Child Alive Black Ball that took place Thursday night in NYC. KCA is an incredible organization and I've had the honor and pleasure of being able to attend the Black Ball a couple times in the past. Love KCA. Love Alicia Keys. Love NYC. Enjoy.

Eating American

It figures that the week that I start a blog about food and cooking, I actually do ZERO cooking the entire week. Lovely. But alas, such is the life. It was a pretty busy week at work straight through and with a moderately active social life combined with laziness and a dash of exhaustion, the result is a week full of Lean Cuisines for dinner. Hoorah!

Tonight, however, the frozen meals were left frozen and I met up for dinner with a few colleagues/friends that are in town from Munich. We actually ate at the restaurant with the truffle fries for dinner (at their request, I swear!) and it was just as good this time. However, what I am really thinking about now is the concept of "American" food and what it is like for someone from outside of the U.S. to go out to eat at an American restaurant.

I spent five weeks this summer in Germany and every time I went out to eat it was a struggle. I was constantly asking those I was dining with (whether or not they were a German native) for advice on what to get, what to try, and what tastes best at different locations. I was a foreigner and wanted the help of those around to try some authentic German food.

With my friends from Munich tonight, it didn't even feel as if I was dining with foreigners. They knew what they wanted (burgers), how they wanted them (one rare, one well done), and how to order them. It felt so normal, that I didn't even think to think that maybe it should feel abnormal. I didn't even think about their lack of questions on questions about what they should try or what was good, until, about.... 10 minutes ago?

Granted, they have both been to the U.S. and both speak English way better than I speak German. Which, isn't giving them enough credit because a parrot could probably speak English better than I can speak German. But, still!

I thought about it afterwards and thought about how both guys ordered burgers. It made me realize that I guess burgers are probably the most "American" food we have to offer. The menu at the Van Dyck only has one burger on it. So, was what their eyes gravitated to?

I'd like to go out with them again, but this time, take them to the Red Robin. If the most American food is a burger, than the most American restaurant has got to be the Red Robin. A menu full of greasy, meat-packed combinations, complete with a bottomless basket of french fries? Really? What could be more American than that?

Edamame and mommy love.

Edamame.

One of my new favorite things in life.

It is a great thing to keep in the freezer, is easy to make, is filling, and is delicious to snack on in front of the TV. I highly recommend.

That's all for today... I'm exhausted and have an early morning as well, but I just wanted to give a shoutout to my love for edamame. It came in clutch tonight.

AND a shoutout to my mom, as I now know she is reading :)

Goodbye Gourmet

Last week Conde Nast announced that they would be closing Gourmet magazine, which has been a staple for foodies since 1941. I must say, I think that Gourmet is before my generation. I occasionally buy Cooking Light magazine, which I really enjoy and I occasionally buy the Food Network magazine, which I also enjoy. However, I am completely not surprised that something like Gourmet doesn't have sticking power any more. Just by the name of it, Gourmet doesn't seem like something I would want to buy. I just looked up the definition of "gourmet" on www.dictionary.com. It says...

–noun

1.	a connoisseur of fine food and drink; epicure.

–adjective

2.	of or characteristic of a gourmet, esp. in involving or purporting to involve high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation: gourmet meals; gourmet cooking.

3.	elaborately equipped for the preparation of fancy, specialized, or exotic meals: a gourmet kitchen.

Read that definition. Now, read it again. I don't have a desire to be a gourmet chef. If I want something gourmet, I'll go to a restaurant. In my opinion (which is why you're reading this blog), this is exactly how people of my generation DO NOT want to cook. I don't have the time or energy to seek out exotic ingredients. I do not have the supplies or ambition to master "skilled preparation". And I don't really care if my food would be described as "fancy".

I want to eat something simple, with easily acquired and affordable ingredients, that is DELICIOUS. And if it comes off as fancy, all the better, but that isn't my main goal.

USA Today just posted an article that confirms my opinion and explains how the internet, television cooking shows, and social networking has changed the world of food. I really enjoyed this article because it validated me starting this blog. Vain? Maybe. But listen up readers, so far, my opinions are right on :)

And, Gourmet, see you later. You may be missed, but not by me.

Fall Food Weekend

Since I graduated from college and joined the working world, I have come to have a new appreciation for the fall season. In the past, fall was about returning to school, new classes, friends, the return of homework and early mornings, etc. Now that I am working, the transition from summer to fall isn't so much about a lifestyle change but about the seasons themselves.

I have begun to much more appreciate all things fall. The crisp air, bright Upstate NY foliage, and of course, all of the seasonal fall foods.

On my Twitter page I've started to list out some of my favorite seasonal fall foods as I indulge in them, but I thought I would dedicate a special little post as well. I have been spending the past few weeks indulging in some of my favorites:

- Apple cider.

- Candy corn.

- Cinnamon anything.

- Cider donuts.

- Apples.

- Caramel covered apples.

- Pumpkin pie (just tried it for the first time this year!).

- Pumpkin spice coffee (love the pumpkin spice lattes at Panera).

- Soup.

- Chili.

The past two weekends I have spent my Saturdays going to Bowman Orchards in Rexford, NY, which has been really enjoyable. They have pumpkins, apples, an incredible bakery, petting zoo, etc. It really is adorable but in addition, one of the neat things that they have is a taste test of almost 20 different apple varieties. The apple experts at Bowman can help you find your perfect level of tartness, sweetness, and crispness. My favorites I've learned are Pinova and Ambrosia apples.

Head to an orchard and pick up some of your own. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

P.S. I need to remember to get pictures for this thing. I actually took some pictures this day with my roommate, but not of the food. I'll get better. Pictures to come!

Truffled french fries? Yes, please!

On Tuesday of this week I went out to lunch with my team from work to a newly reopened restaurant in Schenectady called The Van Dyck. Although the entire meal was really delicious and I enjoyed all of the food, I have to say, one item on the menu stuck out. And that delicious and savory item was a little thing called truffled french fries.

Truffled french fries? Have you ever heard of this before? Because it is the first time I have seen them on the menu and I found it quite exciting.

My love of all foods involving "truffle" began when I studied abroad in Florence. My friends and I discovered the most delicious meal of all time that involved a pasta served in a "cappelo" of pasta with a sauce made with gorgonzola cheese, asparagus, and truffles. It is simply amazing and it wasn't until trying a pizza made with truffle oil at a different restaurant that we realized... it was the truffle that made the pasta dish absolutely divine.

So truffled french fries? Yes, please! I highly recommend.

I can haz cheezburger?

Has anybody seen the episode on the Food Network or perhaps just the YouTube video where Paula Dean makes a cheeseburger and uses glazed donuts in place of a bun?



I have for a long time thinking that only someone as ridiculous as Paula Dean would dare try that, but clearly I am wrong. Check out how pissed this guy is about the thought of a cheeseburger with donuts as a bun. He says it is the sign of an apocolypse... I love it.



Am I sick because I kind of want to try one now?

Change of Plans

Generation Y is notorious for changing their minds. It is said that college students will change their majors 2-3 times, young professionals are changing their jobs every 1-2 years, and we're constantly changing everything from hair color to sexual preferences to relationships. It is only expected that we change our minds about what to eat.

As I mentioned earlier, I generally just buy the basics when I do my weekly grocery shopping trips. I am probably abnormal from my many people my age in the fact that I have a very routine grocery shopping regimen. Every Sunday is my grocery shopping day and I stock up on lunch options, snacks, beverages, etc. There are some regular things like yogurt, fruit, vegetables, Fiber One bars (Oats & Chocolate are my favorite), and pudding that I always buy and eat throughout the week for breakfast and lunch. However, I have a very hard time determining on Sunday what I want to eat throughout the week for dinner. I find that whenever I TRY to make a decision and buy ingredients for a certain dish or meal, I end up changing my mind and not using what I bought.

Tonight for example, I had planned to have leftover chicken from a roasted chicken I bought this week and some broccoli for dinner. Not too glamorous, but it would have been a quick and really delicious meal. However, instead I got a text message from one of my roommates while I was on my way home... "Want to order out tonight? I'm craving Indian food."

Now, I had not been craving Indian food myself... but I changed my mind. Many forkfuls of rice mixed with palak paneer (and far too many calories) later, my leftover chicken and uncooked broccoli is still sitting in the fridge.

Hopefully I get through that by the end of the week...

I love food.

What's a girl to do?

I'm a Food Network addict, a wannabe cook, and a lover of all things edible that contain more than 5 grams of fat. I generally cook dinner for myself, am tired from a long day of work, and want something simple, healthy, yet delicious. My fridge generally contains the most basic staples of food. When I do a weekly shopping, even if I buy the smallest size containers of milk or packages of chicken, I never end up using it all and things go bad. I find comfort in eating foods I like and the foods that I like are generally bad for me.

So, I propose the question again... what's a girl to do?

I wanted to start a blog that explores this question a little bit. My adventures and relationship with food has grown a lot throughout the years. I've become more adventurous in what I will eat and what I will try cooking for myself and through that, I've learned a lot. I spend a large amount of my time thinking about food, talking about food, and now as I learn more, and as I eat my way through life, I will start to write about food. The good, the bad, and the delicious.

Open up!