I am taking a break for a few days. Going on a short business trip with the hubby. He wanted to extend this little trip, since it was Memorial Day weekend, and visit friends and relatives on the drive home. But I immediately said no. Because, what he doesn't know, is that there is a Whole Foods in the town we will be staying. And I am taking a great big Rubbermaid cooler and driving straight home with the haul. Can't wait(!).


As some know, my food and diet philosophy is very relaxed.

Oh, I like to eat healthy, but if I have to put too much thought into eating, well, that just takes the fun out of it.

And I am not one to count calories, or points, and have every meal predetermined for me.

On the other hand, I rarely eat fast food. And when I do eat fast food, it's always a soup or a salad at Panera, or a burger and fries at Freddies. Because they are both close to my house, and, well, sometimes a persons gotta do what a persons gotta do and resort to dire and drastic measures in order to feed his or her family. Also, I rather like Freddie's burgers.

I buy local, organic, whenever I can. And I do my best to avoid anything with corn syrup in it. Which can make grocery shopping a bit challenging at times.

Other than that, I don't put much thought into what I am eating.

It only has to be fresh and good.

On that note, I wanted to share with you a portion of a message I received in an email today -

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention
of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways -
Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other -
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and
screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health.
It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.




I picked up some fantastic, locally made, rye bread at the farmers market this weekend and made Reuben sandwiches for Saturday night supper.

A Reuben is a hot sandwich, and I usually prepare these in the oven, under the broiler. But this time I used the panini press instead, and I think I liked this method better. It was much easier and crispier. And my hubby and son loved them.

Since my son is allergic, and has an aversion to anything prepackaged and containing preservatives, and also because all salad dressings contain corn syrup, I went online and found this recipe from The Russian Tea Room for a Russian salad dressing to go on the sandwiches. This dressing brought back fond memories of an Iceberg lettuce salad with a wedge of tomato on it, that I used to have as a kid, in an old, art deco cafe with my grandparents. It was quite good.



Your Basic Reuben Sandwich

Rye bread
Russian Dressing
Sauerkraut
Corned Beef
Swiss Cheese

I like to toast the bread first, just to crisp it up a bit, so that way, the sandwich doesn't get soggy from all the juicy sauerkraut. Then I grill the sandwich in a skillet or a panini press, or toast it in the broiler of the oven.