I'm a foodie. I love food (and drink) and so it should really come as no surprise that my latest obsessions evolve around food. My eating habits have changed over the years and for the most part I'm a very healthy eater. I adore salads. This is not to say I can't inhale an entire bag of potato chips in one sitting. I crave chocolate something fierce. But there has to be balance and moderation. And I made a promise to myself for the new year. I haven't dropped the 15 pounds... yet. (My goal is end of March) But I've lost 5 or 6 depending on the day and I continue to fuel my cravings but in a healthy manner. I continue to work toward my resolutions for a happier and healthier New Year. I am not disappointed by my efforts. I go to the gym when I can and as often as I can.
I take chances. I seek new opportunities and I indulge... carefully!
A longtime favorite of mine (as well as my children) is Pinkberry. This tart frozen yogurt treat is available in non fat and low fat flavors. The ingredients as well as the fruit toppings are always the freshest. My latest obsession is the tangy, tart and yet just sweet enough pink grapefruit. I cannot get enough of this seasonal, refreshing flavor. I love to top it off with fresh fruit, mocchi (a Japanese marshmallow gummi like treat, and granola. Sometimes I'll top it off with kiwi, strawberries and granola. Next month's flavor is Key Lime. Doesn't it sound amazing? There are many flavors available and many toppings for the true chocoholic. I will be first on line to get mine... I hope they have crushed graham cracker crust to top it off with! For more on Pinkberry as well as their locations, click here.
I've recently rediscovered the Blood Orange, a tangier and less sweet version of the tradtional orange. I had my first in Italy, about 15 years ago, when I was visiting my grandparents at their country home in the Umbrian countryside in Italy. I will forever remember Italy and that magnificent home. The deep, ruby red color if this fruit is simply spectacular. I buy these by the bagful and keep them in a pretty glass bowl in my kitchen. I must eat about 3 a day! Every morning after my Zumba class I enjoy one of these. They're thirst quenching and they satisfy my appetite which always soars after a rigorous workout. Sliced, these look beautiful as a garnish to any beverage... Squeeze a little into your iced tea or seltzer water!
Chocolate. I've never met a chocolate I haven't liked. Never. And I do allow myself a small bit every once in a while. For me it's about control and portions. If I can keep the portion within reason then I'm all set! For Valentine's Day we had chocolate fondue. We cut up all sorts of fruit (strawberries, kiwi, bananas) and some pound cake. Truth be told I am not that crazy about chocolate covered strawberries, though my boys are. My absolute favorite combination, and one favored by the French, is chocolate and orange. I adore it. (Hey Pinkberry... how about a Blood Orange flavor that I can top with chocolate shavings? Great idea, right? I thought so!) And, once again I digress. So while the boys were dipping their fruit into the warm, gooey chocolate mixture, I started to peel away at the orange. I took a slice and dipped it in... and then another, and another and another. OH MY GOD was it so good... I MEAN OH MY GOD! And it's a really good thing we're out of the Ghirardelli chocolate chips!
Popcorn. I love salt. When I'm not craving sweet, I'm craving salty. And I adore popcorn. But it can't be just any popcorn. No sir. No ma'am! I don't do the microwave (pardon my French) crap. I hate the taste and I hate the smell. Air popped popcorn has no flavor. And so you can imagine how happy I was when, a couple of years ago, I rediscovered Jiffy Pop popcorn. You cook it right over your stove top. The kids love to watch the foil expand into an impressive dome-like structure. The flavor can't be beat. Stock your pantries with this and make sure that you never run out!
What's not to like about a good Bloody Mary? I mean I don't think I've ever had a bad Bloody but when I meet one that's good enough to write home to Mom about, then I have to share. THAT excited me. I am always on the prowl for a good Bloody Mary. And now I've found it. And it is PERFECT. Really, and trust me... I KNOW what I'm talking about.
Last weekend when Nemo hit and burried us beneath 3 feet of snow I was stuck at home. There was no way my car was getting out of the driveway. On Sunday morning the town came to plow my cul-de-sac and I was ever so hopeful I would be able to break away fron the confines of my small quaint home only to see that the town ever so nicely deposited an additional 6 feet of snow at the end of my driveway. I seriously wondered, at that point, whether I would ever get out!
A friend called and offered to be my Knight in Shining Armor and come to my rescue. Thinking that I was exaggerating slightly he tossed his shovel in the back of his 4 wheel drive car. He soon realized that unless he had a large backho that pile would never disappear. Instead we climbed over the mountains in my front yard and I safely made it to the car. We drove around the beaches and then hit one of the local restaurants for some brunch and a Bloody Mary.
If you live in or near the Fairfield area you simply HAVE to come to one of our newer and very popular restaurants, The Chelsea for one of these divine creations. A cross between a traditional Bloody Mary and a fresh bowl of gazpacho you're not sure whether you should eat or drink this treat! Filled with tiny pieces of cucumber, celery and jalapeno, not to mention horseradish and the traditional ingredients this beverage is one that will leave a lasting impression and have you coming back for more. I easily had my day's supply of veggie to boot! In my book, I'd say this classifies as a heart-healthy treat! (The Eggs Benedict was sublime as well!)
With all the cooking and washing and cleaning... and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning (!!!) my hands always get so dry, especially in the wintertime. I have a favorite lemon scrub that I alternate between the sink and the shower. I love to use it on my hands, but even more I love to use it after a nice, long, luxurious, hot shower. I found the recipe a little over a year ago on Pinterest and I've been hooked and making it ever since.
Lemon Scrub
You will need 1 cup of salt or sugar
At the end of the day I apply this incredible silky, creamy and rich lotion to my hands. The incredibly fresh smell reminds me of summertime - freshly mowed grass and flowers. Heaven on earth... it's the last thing I smell before I go to sleep at night. It helps to turn of the day's stressors...
I take chances. I seek new opportunities and I indulge... carefully!
A longtime favorite of mine (as well as my children) is Pinkberry. This tart frozen yogurt treat is available in non fat and low fat flavors. The ingredients as well as the fruit toppings are always the freshest. My latest obsession is the tangy, tart and yet just sweet enough pink grapefruit. I cannot get enough of this seasonal, refreshing flavor. I love to top it off with fresh fruit, mocchi (a Japanese marshmallow gummi like treat, and granola. Sometimes I'll top it off with kiwi, strawberries and granola. Next month's flavor is Key Lime. Doesn't it sound amazing? There are many flavors available and many toppings for the true chocoholic. I will be first on line to get mine... I hope they have crushed graham cracker crust to top it off with! For more on Pinkberry as well as their locations, click here.
 |
| Photo property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
I've recently rediscovered the Blood Orange, a tangier and less sweet version of the tradtional orange. I had my first in Italy, about 15 years ago, when I was visiting my grandparents at their country home in the Umbrian countryside in Italy. I will forever remember Italy and that magnificent home. The deep, ruby red color if this fruit is simply spectacular. I buy these by the bagful and keep them in a pretty glass bowl in my kitchen. I must eat about 3 a day! Every morning after my Zumba class I enjoy one of these. They're thirst quenching and they satisfy my appetite which always soars after a rigorous workout. Sliced, these look beautiful as a garnish to any beverage... Squeeze a little into your iced tea or seltzer water!
 |
| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
Chocolate. I've never met a chocolate I haven't liked. Never. And I do allow myself a small bit every once in a while. For me it's about control and portions. If I can keep the portion within reason then I'm all set! For Valentine's Day we had chocolate fondue. We cut up all sorts of fruit (strawberries, kiwi, bananas) and some pound cake. Truth be told I am not that crazy about chocolate covered strawberries, though my boys are. My absolute favorite combination, and one favored by the French, is chocolate and orange. I adore it. (Hey Pinkberry... how about a Blood Orange flavor that I can top with chocolate shavings? Great idea, right? I thought so!) And, once again I digress. So while the boys were dipping their fruit into the warm, gooey chocolate mixture, I started to peel away at the orange. I took a slice and dipped it in... and then another, and another and another. OH MY GOD was it so good... I MEAN OH MY GOD! And it's a really good thing we're out of the Ghirardelli chocolate chips!
 |
| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
Popcorn. I love salt. When I'm not craving sweet, I'm craving salty. And I adore popcorn. But it can't be just any popcorn. No sir. No ma'am! I don't do the microwave (pardon my French) crap. I hate the taste and I hate the smell. Air popped popcorn has no flavor. And so you can imagine how happy I was when, a couple of years ago, I rediscovered Jiffy Pop popcorn. You cook it right over your stove top. The kids love to watch the foil expand into an impressive dome-like structure. The flavor can't be beat. Stock your pantries with this and make sure that you never run out!
 |
| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
What's not to like about a good Bloody Mary? I mean I don't think I've ever had a bad Bloody but when I meet one that's good enough to write home to Mom about, then I have to share. THAT excited me. I am always on the prowl for a good Bloody Mary. And now I've found it. And it is PERFECT. Really, and trust me... I KNOW what I'm talking about.
Last weekend when Nemo hit and burried us beneath 3 feet of snow I was stuck at home. There was no way my car was getting out of the driveway. On Sunday morning the town came to plow my cul-de-sac and I was ever so hopeful I would be able to break away fron the confines of my small quaint home only to see that the town ever so nicely deposited an additional 6 feet of snow at the end of my driveway. I seriously wondered, at that point, whether I would ever get out!
A friend called and offered to be my Knight in Shining Armor and come to my rescue. Thinking that I was exaggerating slightly he tossed his shovel in the back of his 4 wheel drive car. He soon realized that unless he had a large backho that pile would never disappear. Instead we climbed over the mountains in my front yard and I safely made it to the car. We drove around the beaches and then hit one of the local restaurants for some brunch and a Bloody Mary.
If you live in or near the Fairfield area you simply HAVE to come to one of our newer and very popular restaurants, The Chelsea for one of these divine creations. A cross between a traditional Bloody Mary and a fresh bowl of gazpacho you're not sure whether you should eat or drink this treat! Filled with tiny pieces of cucumber, celery and jalapeno, not to mention horseradish and the traditional ingredients this beverage is one that will leave a lasting impression and have you coming back for more. I easily had my day's supply of veggie to boot! In my book, I'd say this classifies as a heart-healthy treat! (The Eggs Benedict was sublime as well!)
 |
| Photo property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
Grilled chicken. I eat a lot of chicken. It's low fat and healthy and I can toss it into soups, pastas, salads, sandwiches or eat it on its own.I make large batches at a time and then just store the cooked chicken in my fridge for a meal or a snack. I don't have a grill but I would be lost without my Calphalon grill pan I use it for everything. I mean EVERYTHING! And it makes the best grilled chicken. THE BEST. I simply take some chicken breasts and place them on the pan that I've lightly coated with olive oil and season them with generous amounts of sea salt, pepper and garlic powder.
I cook them until they are well browned - in fact the browner the better - and then, when they are perfectly dark, I turn the flame down and cover them with a lid and cook them for about 15 or so more minutes or until they are done. By placing the lid on top you're sealing in the most amazing flavorful juices. Try this. Then come back and tell me that this is the best chicken you have ever had. This also makes the most phenomenal chicken salad.
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| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
I have to eat a good breakfast before I work out. I have a much better workout and much more energy when I do. One of my favorites is my egg white omelette. I have only recently discovered egg white omelettes and it was love at first bite. These are not only healthier, but lighter and fluffier than their counterpart. I make them a variety of ways - I tend to get bored if I don't change it up. One of my favorite combinations is aspagagus, portobello and goat cheese. It is TO DIE FOR. Like so good that when you've eaten the last bite you really to make another!
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| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
With all the cooking and washing and cleaning... and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning (!!!) my hands always get so dry, especially in the wintertime. I have a favorite lemon scrub that I alternate between the sink and the shower. I love to use it on my hands, but even more I love to use it after a nice, long, luxurious, hot shower. I found the recipe a little over a year ago on Pinterest and I've been hooked and making it ever since.
Lemon Scrub
You will need 1 cup of salt or sugar
1/4 cup of olive oit
1 lemon, rind and juice.
1 lemon, rind and juice.
In a pretty jar or container, mix your olive oil and sea salt, or sugar together so that it's well coated. Using a lemon zester, zest the skin of the lemon into your oil mixture. Then cut your lemon in half and squeeze over the srub mixture. Mix well. This smell divine! Below I took an old Bonne Maman jar and glued a pretty peice of frabric to the lid. When I keep this mixture by the sink, I keep a small spoon with it to scoop out the lemon scrub.
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| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
At the end of the day I apply this incredible silky, creamy and rich lotion to my hands. The incredibly fresh smell reminds me of summertime - freshly mowed grass and flowers. Heaven on earth... it's the last thing I smell before I go to sleep at night. It helps to turn of the day's stressors...
 |
| Property of Jessica Gordon Ryan and The Entertaining House |
What are some of your favorite things?
We'd love for you to share them with us!
We'd love for you to share them with us!
XOXO,
Jessica