The Dharma Bum's Profile

I'm going to paint and redecorate our bedroom!

I agree with a lot of other commenters -

EAT REAL FOOD BUT EAT IT IN MODERATION. I'd rather fill my body will full-fat cheese than flavor-chemical laden crap cheese that only tastes okay if I swallow really fast. I don't diet. I cook and eat what I want (granted I don't drink soda and I love most veggies), but I watch my intake. Calories in vs. Calories out. That way I am never missing out on the real pleasure of cooking and eating a great meal.

I have been to dinner parties where the host is on a perpetual diet and therefore makes "lite" versions of foods for everyone. I understand, I guess, but I sometimes feel bad for them that they don't allow themselves to eat the REAL stuff - ever. And I don't like to eat all the chemicals that inevitably get added to fake, light, or low-fat foods.

By the way, I use LOSE IT (the app) for calorie counting and it works great :) Free, too!

I always put in a little bit of lemon juice (makes them fluffy) and a dash of vanilla extract!

I read that you should let your steak reach room temp before grilling - let it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you place it on the grill. I also sprinkle it with Kosher salt while it is resting... it melts into the steak as it sits. The last steaks I made were the best ever, and were seasoned only with salt & pepper in this way.

I HATE cilantro. I'm one of those people that tastes soap when it finds its way into my mouth. For the longest time I thought I hated avocados too because I hated guac (it was the cilantro). Finally, I had an avocado quesadilla in Costa Rica and fell in love. Now I am in the process of perfecting guac without cilantro. Last time I used:

2 avocados
1/2 lime, juiced
1/2 cup curly parsley, chopped roughly
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp cumin
fresh ground pepper

I thought it was the bees knees! Might add bacon next time, like some people have suggested!

My issue has to do with the store itself - I shop at Wegmans, and lately they have been replacing variety with their own brand of foods. For example, in my area, if you want black beans, they no longer sell Bush's... you can either choose from Hanover (bottom shelf) or Wegmans Brand Black Beans (hundreds of cans at eye level). I just realized they did this with Panko, too - I can't find any panko except for their own brand... which they place in the INTERNATIONAL isle. I hate being forced and/or tricked into buying their brand because they don't carry other options, especially when their brand sometimes isn't cheaper than the others. It pisses me off because it strikes me a jerky, sneaky way to extort money from me.

I LOVE my lodge dutch oven. I kept putting off purchasing it because I thought I didn't really NEED a dutch oven, but man, I'm so glad I finally gave in. I use it all the time - to make stocks, soups, sear meats - then it goes right into the oven! Awesome.

Hi - Where can you get those cute hanging ball-shaped terrariums?

At my father's house and my grandmother's house, every meal was served with iced, cold water. It is the prefect compliment to ANY meal, in my opinion. It is flavorless, cleanses the palate, and quenches your thirst (because it's water, duh!).

When I have guests over, I offer wine and/or water. That's it.

Anyone know where I can get a nice-looking, long lasting empty 32 oz spray bottle?