Whassup, peoples?!?!?! Happy Friday to all y’all! How about some randomosity to get you through the day?
* Today begins the countdown: T-minus four days.
Of course, I am talking about my next book club meeting. Which I am hosting. GULP.
After carefully considering all of your thoughtful comments (and OMG y’all are AWESOME with the advice – thank you!) and doing a mental catalog of my recipe repertoire… I have decided to do the Italian theme. I can make a mean meat sauce. And, at my husband’s suggestion, I will tone down the spice levels so as not to destroy anyone’s taste buds. I am also going to make some garlic bread and some salad, so that people have things to eat in case they hate my meat sauce.
Why yes, I did ask for your advice on this subject almost A MONTH AGO. Because I am a control freak. And a huge antisocial weirdo who starts sweating and hyperventilating at the thought of making dinner for others. Even after I decided what I was going to make, I still occasionally fret about it. But I am Going Through With the Italian Food Plan. Come hell or high water.
* Speaking of the Big Future Hosting Fiasco, I need a little more of your collective brilliance. Since I tend to overdo things (Yes, I know You Are Surprised), I am not sure what to do about the alcohol situation. One bottle of red? One of red, one of white? Do I need to have beer on hand? Hard alcohol? Also, one of our members is pregnant, and as I have zero experience with pregnant people, I have no idea what to give her to drink. Caffeine-free soda? Lemonade? Water? Folic acid fortified nectar of the gods? PLEASE HELP before I buy out the local liquor store.
* I am currently loving Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream Bars. They are two points apiece and delish. A rama.
* There’s some weird allergic reaction going on around my mouth. It’s like a colorless rash, almost… But it’s very very itchy and annoying. My husband told me to stop using any sort of chapstick – which is driving me crazy. (And my chapstick addicted lips are now white and, well, chapped.) All I can do is apply moisturizer a billion times a day. (Moisturizer that I use all over my face, with no adverse reaction.) I guess if it doesn’t go away soon, I will have to make an appointment with my actual doctor.
Plan to get free medical advice/treatment for life by marrying a doctor: FAIL
In the meantime, do not do an image search for any combination of “mouth” and “rash” on Google because YOU WILL BE SORRY.
* I am trying to retrain my body into thinking “apple” when it really wants “chips” or “cheese” or “ice cream.” I like apples. Really, I do. And – with stacks and stacks of brightly colored fruit, all laid out in an orgy of crispy healthfulness – our grocery store makes it easy to want to eat healthy.
But as much as my body says, “Mmm, that was more enjoyable than I anticipated,” I cannot prevent it from following up with “Now let’s wash that down with some nachos and a cupcake.”
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What’s on your mind today, lovelies? Let me know in the comments…
Good choice on the menu, because, let’s face it: who doesn’t love an Italian feast? And as far as drinks go, I think you’re safe going with a red and white wine and for the non-drinkers/preggos, how about some raspberry iced tea? Yum.
Totally going to try those ice cream bars of which you speak. They sound delish.
Hope your mouth gets better! Googling health-related issues is always scary, but so hard to resist. I bet your hubby, as a doctor, can attest to the fact that they hate when patients google their symptoms, right? Because usually, whatever the malady may be, it seems as though Google always points to DEATH. So, yes, don’t Google, I hope it heals up quickly for you 🙂
Oooh, I love my book club! It’s one of the highlights of my month. We are sort of booze hounds (but we DO discuss the book a lot; I refuse to join a book club where it’s just a pretense for gossipping/eating — and yep, I’m a huge nerd). We’re a potluck group, so the hostess usually offers the main dish and we all bring sides, desserts and wine. Do people generally bring things to your book club? How many people do you have? The rule of thumb with a dinner party is to have half a bottle of wine on hand for each dinner guest but that rule goes out the window if your book club is held during the day or if people have to drive, etc.
For the pregnant woman, I’d have maybe lemons and limes cut up for adding to water or sparkling lemonade? I love that fancy fizzy French pink lemonade stuff you can get at Trader Joe’s (and my local gocery store has its own brand, too).
I’d serve red wine because it goes with the meal. Have a 6 pack on hand. Then have diet coke/gingerale, OJ and vodka or malibu coconut rum. Then you can make rum n’ coke or screwdrivers, or just serve the OJ and pop on its own .
If you’re looking for more inspiration, Giada de Laurentis has some great, light, healthy italian recipes. Everyone of them I have made has turned out (except for the tiramisu — her recipe doesn’t add whipped cream or cool whip to cut the marscapone, so it’s way too dense.) I recently made a basil and yogurt smoothie with home-made lemon syrup. Some people love it and some hate it. But I think it’s a fantastic summer drink.
If you have an espresso machine you can make cappuccinos/lattes and serve it with store/bakery-bought biscotti or lady fingers!
Play soft italian music (with or without vocals) in the background! (Either youtube playlist or your own cds)
I’m all for matching a meal with the right wine, but you might have people like me who DO NOT drink red wine. So I’d say have both. I’d say that wine is plenty of alcohol, but maybe a little beer wouldn’t be bad. Because it’s a book club, I’d probably stay away from liquor. Also, I’d do lemonade and iced tea for those who don’t want to drink (I love the raspberry iced tea idea!).
Good for you for eating an apple instead of junk! I’m trying to retrain my brain too — not easy :). One of my tricks is to have a little bit of peanut butter with my apple slices so I think I’m having junk, but I’m really not.
Hmmmm…. Me, I would just serve some wine. A few options for people, and then maybe make an OJ punch for the preggo lady 🙂 Just some orange juice and a clear pop would be good.
I wouldn’t stress too much about it! It already sounds like you have an amazing evening planned 🙂 It’s going to go great!
I desperately need to retrain myself to eat healthy because I am so far from that right now it’s unbelievable!!! I am totally eating due to stress and it’s not a good thing. I’m going to work on that… really soon!
Have a great weekend my friend 🙂
I feel you on the fruit situation. I always start off with buying lovely, nutritious fruit. But, come snack time I grab my apple or strawberries…along with just a little bit of nutella or something for dipping. Because so long as there is fruit involved, its still healthy, right? Its like all the fatty foods in my kitchen use fruit as bait to tempt me into eating them unawares. I feel so betrayed.
I can’t advice on the alcohol, since I don’t drink. But I would second the idea of lemonade and ice tea. My mom used to do cucumber water (or… water with lemon slices… orange slices… strawberries… hmm… fruit) at her book clubs. Simple, and pretty, but it adds a tiny bit of flavor.
I too have had to do some retraining. What I’ve started doing is that when I’m hungry, but it’s not meal time, I have a salad (which is like no calores) with some of my favorite (not diet) dressing. I love me some poppy seed dressing. Then is it sweet, my eyes tell my stomach it’s a lot of food, and I feel satisfied. Good luck with the apples – I’m allergic.
Your weekend sounds like it will be wonderful! I am spending mine attending two huge, overly done fundraising activities for my two school-age children – without the husband since he is on call tonight and post call tomorrow. Nightmare of jump houses, fishing pole games, face-painting, hot dogs, etc. with four children…
When I attend book club, I love to find a delicious dessert, since the only dessert I can muster is chocolate chip cookies.
I only drink water so I’m no help with the drinks.
I’ll take cheese over apples any day. Ah ha ha. Hmmm….drinks. Depending on how many peeps… I would do one red, one white and one bubbly? But then again…I’m a bubbly addict!
Gosh, I need a book club. Sounds great!
Pregnant girl – Sprite, koolaid, or raspberry lemonade … ice water? Raspberry Ginger Ale
My weakness is chocolate bars. When I fight it, I tend to eat 20 apples and still crave the chocolate. I usually leave out the apples and just eat the chocolate bar.
Have fun at your book club!
Great menu.
Great wine.
Agree that lemonade is awesome for Madam Preggers.
I adore a good piece of chocolate.
I’ve been doing a lot of retraining too. It involves getting rid of a lot of junk food, and stocking up on fruits and other healthier alternatives. I LOVE fruit.. sometimes to make it even better (though less healthy) I put some homemade marshmellow dip with them or caramel for my apples. It’s better than chips and cookies!
I wish I could give you some advice on the hosting/booze situation.. but I’m probably the same way you are, I’d buy the whole liquor store.. and hopefully there would be left overs for a while 🙂
Oh girl I can totally help you out with the alcohol situation. Definitely buy a bottle of red and a bottle of white as some people have aversions to one or the other. I would recommend a pino girgio and a pino noir. For the pregnant women I would go with water (but maybe bottled, just to make her feel special) and juice as your options.
Good luck! PS I linked your book review on my blog this weekend because it was so good. I can’t wait to read it!
Good luck with the party, I can’t wait to hear about it. Uhh, I am trying to eat healthy, but I am getting frustrated. I am thinking I am going to have to reduce my intake. Hope you had a great weekend!