Archive for February, 2012

Unrecipe of the Week

February 25, 2012

Lately, it seems that every time I ask what to get at the fish market, the answer comes back “shrimp!”

It’s certainly a quick and easy ingredient that adapts to many different types of seasonings and preparations.  It’s extremely low in calories, and cooks up in a matter of minutes.

I went searching for inspiration for a new way to prepare them and found a recipe for Stir Fried Shrimp with Spicy Orange Sauce.

With a few little tweaks and substitutions to the original, here is our version of tonight’s dinner:

Sauteed Shrimp with Spicy Orange Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ¾ tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce* and set aside.

Toss 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined, in a little bit of cornstarch.

Sauté 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic, and some fresh minced ginger in a little canola or peanut oil until soft. (This will take less than a minute)

Add the shrimp, and sauté another 3 minutes or so, until they are cooked.

Add the sauce to the pan, and cook until it starts to thicken, about 2 more minutes.

Serve over brown rice and enjoy!

photo: Glasshouse Images                                           * sriracha is a hot Asian chili sauce,and is available at many supermarkets, and Asian food markets.

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New York Fashion Week Wrap-Up

February 21, 2012

New York Fashion Weekhas come to a close, with more than 280 designers showing their collections for  Fall 2012-13  over the course of 9 days. While it was somewhat of a conservative season, there were overarching trends that emerged. Here are a few of the “must haves,” New York style:

  1. Burgundy was the #1 color shown by many designers. It is a deep warm red that plays well off of all the black and white shown. Also look for rich blues, and emerald green as runners up.
  2. Chunky Sweaters were abundant, whether mixed with something soft and ethereal, or back to clean leather bottoms.
  3. Leather sportswear cropped up virtually everywhere, in simple easy cut pants, lean pencil skirts and tops, dresses or jackets of all kinds. A great fitting leather bottom is a must have for the season.
  4. Military madness is sweeping the catwalks again, and the military inspired jacket or coat is a key piece.
  5. Menswear influences, through classic fabrics and new takes on haberdashery styling permeated the runways.  Mix it up, with new proportions and items.
  6. Metallic fabrics, whether in gold or jewel toned colors added an unexpected twist to the looks. Shine in general, through finishes and technical aspects to fabrics are still important.
  7. Fur is still gaining momentum with everything from shaggy outerwear, to handbags and even a raccoon tail as an accessory being prominent across designers.
  8. Black is the new black, and head to toe winter white was a showstopper.
  9. Flower power continues into fall, where the spring trend morphs onto leather, soft fabrics and jacquards.

10. Blanket stripes and patched fabrics add a cozy outdoorsy feel to fashion. 11. Below the knee looks, from skirts to an influx of cropped trousers gave a new proportion to the season.

12. Peplums made a comeback for spring, and are continuing to rule the runways in modern iterations of the vintage silhouette. Some of these items may be sitting in your closet, waiting for a renaissance. Try putting them together in new and exciting ways, and give your current wardrobe an instant upgrade!

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Walk a Mile in My Shoes

February 17, 2012

Sometimes, we all have to wear lots of different hats in our lives; mother, professional, chief cook and bottle washer…the list is endless.

Personally, I prefer to think of juggling life in terms of shoes rather than hats.  The past week has been filled with all kinds of interesting activities and below you will see the diversity of my days first hand.

Here is my story, told in footwear:

Saturday night: Fashion show in the tents at Lincoln Center, complete with a backstage interview for a website I contribute to.

Sky-high leopard booties worn with the requisite black clothing:

Sunday: Cycle for Survival, an indoor cycling relay event that raised $8 million for rare cancer research:

Cycling shoes that clip to the bike peddles:

 

Monday morning: Early a.m. 4 mile run on the treadmill before work.

Asics running shoes:

 

Typical workday: Editing runway film in the office.

Super high-heeled peep-toe booties with black tights

Catering gig: Baking up a storm in stocking feet, no shoes at all!

Wednesday: Rainy day in New York running to fashion week appointments:

Rubber Wellies with leg warmers and a sequined skirt:

I walk absolutely everywhere! Sometimes, the heels have to go into a bag for the commute.

These Converse Chuck’s are made for walking:

 

If you are wondering why my next few posts are so eclectic in nature, you might want to walk a mile in my equally eclectic selection of shoes. Coming soon: lots more food, fashion, fitness and family posts for your enjoyment. Have a great weekend!

photos: Spencer Jones / Glasshouse Images

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Heavy Duty

February 15, 2012

The title of the World’s Heaviest Man has now been passed to Londoner Keith Martin.

Martin takes the title from Manuel Uribe who is reported to have lost 830 pounds from his previously 1260 pound frame.

Martin, who currently weighs 812 pounds, is bedridden and requires 18 people to care for him. Eight ambulance workers are needed to hoist him into a special reinforced vehicle to transport him to the hospital for frequent check ups.

Others visit him regularly to help keep him clean and fed, and to monitor his heart which is under great strain due to his size.

Mr. Martin is 5’9’’ tall and has a 6-foot waistline girth.

According to Weekly World News, Mr. Martin has been known to consume an average of 20,000 calories per day!

A typical day of eating might include:

Breakfast: 8 hotdogs and 4 slices of bread, with coffee and sugar.

Lunch: More sweetened coffee with cakes, a packet of cookies and a selection of chocolate bars.

Dinner: 2 whole roast dinners or 16 sausages, a family sized bag of French fries, and more coffee with sugar.

His lifestyle is currently taking a toll on more than his health. The estimated cost of caring for Mr. Martin is $320,000 per year all paid for by the British government.

 

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Shakin’ Bacon

February 11, 2012

Here we go again… The latest entry into the gross and unhealthy market is fast food chain Jack in the Box’s BACON MILKSHAKE.

At 770 calories and 40 grams of fat for the 16 oz. size and 1081 calories and 54 grams of fat for the 24 oz. size, this fat bomb is a heart attack in a cup.

It’s not officially on the menu, so it’s allure is in it’s exclusivity.  From the reviews we have read, apparently it tastes terrible! The drink, made with artificially flavored bacon syrup, was reviewed as bland and  sickeningly sweet with a nasty smokey aftertaste. Do you really want to waste half of your daily calories on this?

If you do, it’s available by special request only, at select Jack in the Box locations.

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Cycle for Survival

February 8, 2012

This weekend, we will be riding in Cycle for Survival, an indoor team cycling event to raise money for research and the development of new drug therapies to treat rare cancers.

Last July, Cycle’s founder, Jennifer Goodman Linn, lost her 7-year battle with a rare form of sarcoma.  Her energy and passion was infectious, and she accomplished more in her 40 years, than most of us do in our lifetimes. A Harvard business school graduate and marketing executive, Jen channeled her expertise into creating the fastest growing privately founded non-profit organization in the country. Her unique business model allows Cycle for Survival to funnel 100% of all of its proceeds into research at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center, where she was treated.

In the wake of Susan G. Komen’s political decision to withdraw their funding to Planned Parenthood, and their equally political reversal of that decision, we are especially proud to support an organization whose heart and soul is dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.

Cycle for Survival has funded over 27 clinical trials to date, some of which have already extended the lives of cancer sufferers.

Won’t you join us in keeping the wheels of Jen’s legacy spinning, and make a 100% tax-deductible donation to this incredible cause?

To donate, click on the link below:

Cycle for Survival / Shari’s Spinners

UPDATE: We have crossed the $10,000 mark! Let’s keep the momentum going!

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Age Rage

February 6, 2012

 

 Image

I bristle every time I hear someone say how amazing Madonna looks for a 53 year old.

It’s not that I don’t agree; it’s that I think she looks incredible for someone of any age.  She clearly takes care of herself. She has a strong, athletic body that she works very hard for.

Yes, she has help and can afford trainers, a glam squad and a chef.

She also is a single mom of 3 kids, has an album coming out, just released a movie, and is running a mini fashion empire with her daughter.  Don’t negate the discipline involved in looking the way she looks, and having the stamina to do all that she does. No one can provide you with time or a sense of commitment. That comes from within.

I cringe every time a woman in the gym who is about my age, tells the cycling instructor that she is too old to do the intense intervals he is pushing us through.

I too work hard on my fitness, and place good health as a priority. I do not have a trainer, a personal chef or even a cleaning person for that matter. I often hit the gym at 7 am (or earlier) to fit in my workout. I am proud of the fact that I can run, lift weights, do those miserable intervals in cycling class and still get through my day. From a vanity perspective, I fight to look a certain way. I am not going to use age as an excuse to get fat, flabby or unhealthy.

I may not look like Madonna, but I look like the best version of myself that I can be.

I love knowing that my current self could kick my 25 year old self’s ass, and probably look better in a bathing suit doing it!

 

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Gotcha Day

February 4, 2012

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a little girl was taken on a journey that would change her life.

Even wrapped in 9 layers of heavy and tattered clothes, her cheeks rough and red from the cold, I knew she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

As simply as that we became a family. Her journey didn’t end in that gloomy grey hotel room in Nanchang; it had only just begun. What a wonderful journey it has been!

Happy Gotcha Day B! We love you!!

What a difference 11 years have made!

photos: Spencer Jones

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Unrecipe of the Week: Skinny Dipping

February 3, 2012

Looking for a creamy dip that isn’t a fat bomb? Craving something that’s super easy to make, and doesn’t use a preservative, MSG and sodium packed mix?
Try this easy  and low calorie option where 0% Greek yogurt replaces sour cream, and fresh herbs add the kick you’re looking for.

It’s great with crudités as an alternative Super Bowl snack, but I ‘m having a dollop of this on my salmon tonight!

Before you touch that onion or ranch dip this weekend, try this Skinny Dip. It tastes so much better with a fraction of the calories!

Yogurt Dill Dip

2 cups 0% Greek yogurt

juice of ½ a lemon

a handful of finely chopped dill

one finely diced clove of garlic

 salt and pepper to taste. Mix it up and enjoy!

Get creative: In addition to the  fresh dill, try some parsley, chives or cilantro to shake it up!

photo: Glasshouse Images

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Unrecipe of the Week: Super Bowl Edition

February 2, 2012

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, we are thinking about more interesting things to serve than chips and dips. If you are looking for a more upscale crowd pleaser, these savory Parmesan “cookies” could be right up your alley. You can make the dough in advance, and just slice and bake them on Sunday.

Savory Parmesan Biscuits

Place 1 stick of butter, a cup of grated Parmesan cheese and a cup of flour in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse until the ingredients come together easily to form dough.

On a lightly floured surface, form the dough into a log, about 1 ½ to 2” diameter.

Wrap in plastic and refrigerate  for a couple of hours, or until you are ready to bake the cookies.

Slice the log into ¼” pieces and place them on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 12-14 minutes at 325 degrees until the biscuits are firm, and remove the trays from the oven. Raise the oven temperature to 500 degrees, and bake the biscuits for a few minutes longer, until they are golden brown in color. Cool on a rack and enjoy!

* Get creative: For variety, toss some fresh herbs into the food processor when making the dough. Rosemary, thyme, and black pepper are great add-ins.

photo:Glasshouse Images


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