Needless to say, I am in a total wedding planning crunch.  I’ve been ironing out the final details with my wedding planners in St. Lucia including the wedding dinner menu.  Since the wedding ceremony and reception will be on the beach, we decided to go with a beach barbeque themed, buffet style dinner.

Our Wedding Dinner Menu

Salad Bar

-Sweet Potato & Pineapple Salad

-Roasted Vegetable Salad with Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette

-Sunshine Salad tossed with Fresh Fruit

-Caesar Salad

-Basket of House Baked Breads

From the Grill

-Catch of the Day with Lemon Butter Sauce

-Roasted Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus

Hot Dishes

-Chicken Curry with Mango Chutney

-Basmati Rice

-Baked Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese

-Roasted Pumpkin with Ginger Glaze

-Panache of Vegetables

-Cajun Spiced Corn on the Cob

Desserts

-Tropical Fruit Salad

-Cherry Cheesecake with Chantilly Cream

-Chocolate Torte with Butterscotch Sauce

-Banana Tarte Tatin

-Frangipani & Almond Tart

Doesn’t it sound delicious?!  Personally, I can’t wait to try the sweet potato & pineapple salad, the fresh grilled fish, the roasted pumpkin with ginger glaze, and all of the desserts!!!  Cory is looking forward to trying the sweet potato & pineapple salad and the Cajun spiced corn on the cob; he is curious to see St. Lucia’s version of Cajun spiced!  I bet it is similar to the Cajun spices of Louisiana

What’s your favorite wedding food? 

Kasey

My work’s cafeteria has a hot food line, grill line, and salad bar as well as “grab & go” items like fresh fruit, yogurt, and chips.  The hot line usually features three entree choices ranging from baked chicken to alfredo pasta to fried catfish with a handful of side items such as cooked veggies, rolls, or mac & cheese.  While the grill line offers pizza, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, or fried chicken tenders along with french fries and onion rings.  There are a variety of choices on the salad bar that changes daily featuring a protein source (grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna salad), raw veggies, shredded cheese, and nuts/seeds.  Probably sounds pretty typically except for the Southern style hot line!

Usually, I advocate bringing lunch from home over dining in a cafeteria for a guaranteed healthy lunch; however, it is possible to find healthy options with a little bit of effort in a cafeteria.  For example, here were my options from the other day in my work cafeteria…

Hot Line-  Smoked Boudin Sausage,  BBQ Ribs, Smothered Turkey Leg, Green Beans, Mac & Cheese, Corn, White or Wheat Roll

Grill Line-  Pepperoni Pizza, Hamburger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, French Fries

Salad Bar-  Spinach, Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad, Grilled Shrimp, Shredded Cheese, Grape Tomatoes, Carrots, Mushrooms, Beets, Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts

The three hot entree options were not the healthiest so I decided on a grilled shrimp salad with spinach, grape tomatoes, mushrooms, sunflower seeds topped with a drizzle of olive oil & balsamic vinegar and a small spoonful of crunchy chow mein noodles. 

 I picked up a banana and baked chips to go along with my delicious salad…

I saved around 6 gm fat & 30 calories by choosing the baked chips over the regular chips. Also, I saved around 16 gm fat & 140 calories by choosing the shrimp over the tuna salad.  Another healthy lunch option would have been the grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat bun with green beans as a side.

How often do you eat at a school/work cafeteria?  What’s your “go-to” meal option in a cafeteria?

Kasey

The shrimp were very juicy and I LOVED the cucumber kimchi.  What exactly is kimchi?  I researched it and found that it is a a traditional Korean vegetable side dish made by fermenting seasoned cabbage and radishes. 

For our main entrees, we ordered from the “Unfried” section.  I had the ‘Chive & Panko-Crusted Texas Redfish’ served on the half shell with saffron rice, haricot verts (French green beans) and lemon.

The fish and green beans were pretty good.  The saffron rice was not good and very salty- I only ate a couple bites.  I also had an outstanding glass (or two) of ‘Casteggio Pinot Grigio’ that escaped the camera’s eye during dinner.  Cory ordered the ‘Baked Puppy Drum’ which was topped with crab lemon butter sauce and served with asparagus.  We both agreed his dish was superior!

Overall, I had a great Valentines dinner spent with my love

What is your favorite type of fish to order at a restaurant?

Everyone have a wonderful day and thanks for reading!

Kasey

We headed to Bourbon Street before the game and saw several hardcore Saints fans of all ages!

A very serious Breesus Christ!

We decided to catch a taxi back to our condo to watch the game… the bars and restaurants were packed and we didn’t want to miss a second of the game!   Needless to say, everyone at my house had tears of joy after we won.  Cory bought a couple newspapers on his way to work and plans to frame one…

This Super Bowl win was the icing on the cake cupcakes for Cory’s birthday celebrations!  Speaking of his birthday, I baked his favorite- Funfetti cupcakes.

Then, we celebrated in true foodie style at Dante’s Kitchen, our favorite restaurant.  It has the best ambiance.  You feel like you are having a cozy dinner at a good eclectic friend’s house.  Plus, the food is outstanding and very fresh since they use as much local and organic foods as possible.

We started with a couple of celebratory drinks. I ordered the Peach Mojito and Cory ordered an Old Fashioned. Next, they brought out complimentary Molasses bread topped with honey butter… SO GOOD!

We started with a couple appetizers- 1) The Seared Jumbo Scallops cooked with walnut oil served over grapefruit with a red wine reduction and 2) Dante’s Pot Likker which was recommended by our waitress.  It was pork and beef served over toasted ciabatta bread.  We loved both!  I’m already craving the scallops as I’m typing this!

For the main dishes, I ordered the Pan Seared Red Fish served over a red wine reduction and root veggies- so delicious!  Cory ordered the Roasted Quail stuffed with boudin, fig and persimmons in a cabernet sauce.  He loved his dish; I was not a fan of the quail!

If you are ever in New Orleans, you should definitely check out this neighborhood gem!  While we did have somewhat of an indulgent meal, the portion sizes were moderate and we left feeling great and not uncomfortably stuffed!.

What’s your favorite “foodie” restaurant?  Did you do anything fun for the Super Bowl?

Kasey

Me & Kristen

My mom, Kristen’s mom (Mrs. Jan)

Kristen and I started by sharing a dozen of raw oysters.  In the South, you either love oysters or hate oysters.  Kristen and I both happen to love them!  Another reason to love oysters beside the flavor?  The nutritional benefits… oysters are low fat, low calorie and high protein while rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D, iron, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus.

For my main course, I ordered the jumbo Louisiana shrimp “en cocotte”( aka shrimp and grits).  When I’m eating out in New Orleans, I usually order some form of seafood.  Shrimp, like oysters, are low fat, low calorie, and high protein.  Shrimp are also an excellent source of selenium and a good source of vitamin D, vitamin B12, cardio-protective omega-3 fatty acids, iron, phosphorus, niacin, zinc, copper, and magnesium.

Everything was delicious!  I had such a great weekend hanging out and catching up with Kristen!

Did you eat out over the holidays?

What is your favorite type(s) of restaurant?

Kasey

Needless to say, my dinner plans went out the window.  Luckily, these courtside seats came with a buffet dinner…

We got there in time for one quick plate before the game started… a fabulous mushroom salad, roasted vegetables, and pasta primavera.  I had a glass of Chardonnay once we were settled into our seats…

Wine + plastic cup = classy.  I could understand why glass would be prohibited on the court…

The game was awesome!!!  Some things I learned… 1) New Orleans basketball players shave their legs.  2) Sacramento basketball players do not shave their legs.  3) Chris Paul looks like a hobbit compared to David West.  4)  When Chris Paul is benched, New Orleans gets about 5-10 points behind.

I was like a member of the paparazzi in the front row.  The highlights of my photo shoot: a picture of Okafor dunking and pictures of Chris Paul being awesome!

The veggies did not keep me full for very long.  After half time, Cory and  split a hamburger.

It was a close game but we ended up winning!!!

We had so much fun!  Cory was super pumped because he got to throw the ball to the referees two times during the game.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Kasey

For date night, we went to our favorite pizza place… Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza. 

I started with a small mixed green salad with olive dressing and artichokes… So Good!

I also had a glass of Trinity Oaks Pinot Noir which was smooth and delicious…

 For the main course, I had two slices of pizza with cheese and banana peppers.  The extra thin, crispy crust is why I love Theo’s pizza so much!  Thin crust is usually about 100 Calories less per slice than regular crust pizza.

 I  enjoyed delicious food while spending some quality time with my favorite guy

The remainder of my free time was spent relaxing at home and catching up on my favorite TV shows.  After watching The Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?, I started thinking about what motivates people and how they are able to find their healthy balance. 

The show featured several previous contestants who are maintaining their weight loss (many of them over 100 pounds lost), running marathons, and giving back to their communities.  Exercise is a vital component to weight loss maintenance so I wasn’t surprised to see many of the previous contestants working as fitness instructors today. 

Someone who really caught my attention was the 64 year old man who was eliminated early in the seventh season shortly after collapsing during a workout.  He was able to lose 177 pounds at home.  This grandpa is in awesome shape… you should have seen him on a stationary bike!  I think his collapse during the first week of the season was a reality check that motivated him to improve his health.

Not everyone was successful at maintaining weight loss.  A previous season winner was featured who gained almost all of his weight back.  As Bob (one of the Biggest Loser trainers) interviewed him, I really picked up on his “all or nothing” attitude.  He felt he needed to either be on a very strict diet and exercise regimen at home or no diet or exercise regimen at all.  I think a lot of people have this attitude which may set them up for failure.  Balance is key!  Deprivation is not a long term tool for success.  Finding a balance of work, home, and health is necessary to reach long term fitness goals.  While I enjoy nutritious foods regularly, I never feel guilty or give up my healthy habits after enjoying an extra glass of wine or dining out for pizza occasionally   

Where are YOU now?  Did you have a “wake-up call” that motivated you to make your health a priority?  How are you maintaining your health/weight?

Kasey

We decided on my second favorite sushi place in New Orleans- Sushi Brothers.

Without a wait, we were seated immediately!  As usual, I had edamame as an appetizer.  Not only do I love the taste of edamame, but I also love the nutritional stats (low in calories, high in protein and fiber)…

I also had a complimentary cup of Clear Soup…

Don’t you love the spoons at Japanese restaurants?  Work so much better than my regular spoons for soup!

For my entree, I split the Mid City Roll and the Black and Gold Roll (Go Saints!!! 10 and 0)…

Mid City Roll = fresh salmon, snow crab, avocado, and eel sauce on top

Black and Gold Roll = coconut crusted shrimp tempura topped with mango and black roe

Dinner cost less than ten dollars!  All in all, the food was great but I must admit Salmon Zest rolls from Rock-N-Sake remain my absolute favorite sushi roll.  When I’m satisfying a sushi craving, I always order a roll that contains salmon.  Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which helps protect against heart disease.  Raw is by far my favorite way to eat salmon.  Do you prefer raw or cooked salmon?

Kasey

It took everyone a little while to decide on what to order.  For appetizers, we ordered the Mediterranean Hummus and Spinach Dip to share at the table. 

I had about a quarter of the hummus dish. It was very tasty with sun dried tomatoes, feta, garlic, and olives.  I had just a taste of the spinach dip…

For drinks, the girls ordered a bottle of La Crema Pinot Noir and toasted to Nicole’s visit!  This wine is so good.

 Me, Nicole, Lori

For my entree, I ordered the Asian Tuna Salad which was seared sashimi tuna, crispy noodles, sesame seeds, almonds, and peanut vinaigrette with Thai Snap Beans and Roasted Corn Grits as sides…

Everything I ordered was delicious but the portion sizes were outrageous… I ended up eating almost all of the tuna itself, a quarter of the salad, and half of each of the sides.  Cory and I have days worth of leftovers!

Do you take home leftovers when the restaurant’s servings are huge?

Kasey

For the entrée, we both ordered the Salmon Zest Roll which is a “special roll” that’s not on the usual menu… it contains fresh salmon toppings with sprinkles of lemon zest, more salmon inside, snow crab, and rice.  Salmon and lemon zest are a match made in heaven!

We cleaned our plates…

What’s your favorite sushi roll?