I talked to Charlie! Every time I had called he was sleeping. I called my Mom and started to talk to her and I heard my brother in the background say “I have cancer.” You have to know Charlie personally, but he was saying it in a funny voice and it made me laugh.
He sounded tired. His main complaints are the awful, constant bad taste in his mouth, and not getting a full nights sleep yet. But he sounded . . . like Charlie. His next round of chemo doesn’t start until the first week of May. My Mom is still there too, which I am sure is a big help to his family. 
Are you stick of seeing my breakfast parfaits yet? I can’t help it – they are delicious and so filling. This one comes in at 386 calories, 2.5 fat, 74 carbs, 7.7 fiber and 23 protein.
Remember a couple weeks ago when I posted the Bang Bang dipping sauce? (thanks again Jacky for that link!). I was talking with Jacky about making the bang bang shrimp and asked her if I should use the dipping sauce as a marinade or just toss the cooked shrimp in the sauce. Her response? Why not both! This time I added sriracha to the sauce too.
Bang Bang Dipping Sauce
(four servings – 1 heaping tablespoon each: 50 calories, 0 fat, 11 carbs, .5 fiber and 1.5 protein)
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
I mixed the sauce together and using half the sauce, marinated 1 pound of shrimp for about an hour. I simply pan fried the shrimp until they were cooked through. Then tossed the shrimp in the remaining sauce. I served mine over 3/4 cup brown rice and zucchini.
On my walk yesterday I stopped at a Chinese restaurant and ordered a container of brown rice – it ended up being about 3 cups of rice for $1.65 – nice!
I swear if I had Bonefish Grill’s bang bang shrimp and that dish, I am not sure I could tell the difference. Best part? That whole bowl (4 oz. shrimp, marinade, zucchini, brown rice) comes in at 369 calories, 5 fat, 50 carbs, 4.3 fiber and 29 protein.
We had a birthday celebration yesterday – more snacks! This time I had some grapes, some cheese, salami and unphotographed – a few tortilla chips and garlic crisps – my snacks set me back 289 calories, 14 fat, 23 carbs, 1 fiber and 15 protein.
When I got home from work I picked up the mail from my mailbox – my Saveur magazine in the mail . . . check out all this bread!
One of the first breads I am going to make from this issue is an Italian loaf of bread that has a biga, or starter you make the night before. It doesn’t seem too complicated, but there is a lot of resting, so I’ll tackle it over the weekend.
Guess what Tony wanted for dinner? Pizza! But about one of the few times I didn’t actually have everything to make one at home. A quick phone call and 45 minutes later, dinner was served. I have to admit, it was kinda nice to sit back and read my magazine and relax.
I had that plate, plus one more just like it – I like the ends and middle pieces equally. Dinner comes in at 576 calories, 33 fat, 44 carbs, 2.4 fiber and 24 protein.
Stats for Yesterday:
- 1620 calories, 56 fat, 192 carbs, 15.4 fiber and 91 protein
- 48% of calories from fat, 31% from fat and 21% protein
- 30 minute walk at lunch
- 30 minute Classical Stretch
Hooray for Friday! Although I wish it was 5:00 already. Hopefully my work day will go by fast. Make it a great day!
Glad you got to talk to your brother!
Glad your brother’s spirits are up. I think a sense of humor about all things is so, so important.
And indeed – hooray for Friday!
Hurray for a Charlie conversation!
Love that you can get so excited about baking bread – I still say that Biz’s Bistro would be an amazing place to eat at. Have a great weekend!!!
My dream would be to have a food truck with Artisan breads and soups!
So glad you got to hear Charlies voice and I am sure he was equally as glad to hear yours.
Amazing bread! I am never patient enough to wait for a LONG processed bread….I don’t know if it’s patience or just lack of planning….but someday! I do love making bread!
Never had bang bang shrimp at Bonefish…I’ve heard its the bomb! Maybe I should give your version a try! Yay for brown rice you DIDN’T have to make…another thing you need to plan cuz it takes so darn long to cook! lol
At least SOMEONE listens to me.
Looks delicious. Glad you got to talk to your brother! Have a great weekend.
So glad I listened Jacky!
It sounds like you have a very warm, supportive family. I’m also happy to hear that you talked to your brother.
Just looking at that shrimp makes my mouth water. I can live without meat, but there’s no way I can give up seafood.
Enjoy your weekend!
Glad to hear Charlie is doing well. Tell him it could be worse; he could have cancer or something.
The parfaits are awesome, keep them coming! Love that sauce, I do need to try that.
Glad to hear that brother is in good spirits!
That sauce looks amazing!! I am definitely making this.
Happy Friday, Biz! “:)
Glad Charlie’s spirits are up and he’s still making you laugh. Your bang, bang shrimp looks soooo good. I’m definitely making this one. And soon!
Good to hear your brother is in good spirits, hope he gets rid of that nasty taste soon!
The shrimp looks perfect, love the name! Have a good weekend! My husband is in Chicago now, wish I could have gone with him!
Waa – wish you would have come too!
I’ll just have to come to the West Coast to visit. 
I wanted to tell you I’m having pizza party friday at my house tonight!! I’m in a cookbook club where we cook from a different book every month, and this is my first time hosting and we’re doing Jim Lahey’s (mr no knead bread) new My Pizza book!
Hooray for Party Pizza Friday!
Glad your brother is doing ok!! Always thinking about you!! I mustttt try that sauce. Adore the idea of picking up rice from a chinese joint. Happy friday!
My Dad talked about that bad taste too…he said it made everything taste bad. His taste buds got all screwed up – he said sweet things tasted salty and salty tasted sour…just weird stuff. He had to just experiment with different things to find something he liked, or could tolerate. He actually ate my chicken soup fairly often (http://kim-thislittlelifeofmine.blogspot.com/2010/09/share-spoon-soups-on.html) even though he has never liked anything with garlic, onions or herbs before! Tell your brother he has lots of people thinking of him. Kick Cancer’s ASS!
Thanks for the recipe link Kim! I appreciate it.
Those breads are gorgeous. I actually love to bake bread but just never seem to have the time these days.
Glad to hear Charlie is up to his usual foolishness!
Hi Vat. SOOO glad you spoke to Charlie. I”m sure it was great medicine for him too. Have a wonderful weekend!! Take care
That bread magazine is basically porn. ::drool:: Don’t you wish it was scratch & sniff?
And impressive on the pizza. The calories are so low for 4 pieces – totally awesome.
Good for Charlie. Sounds like our house when I call out to Pooldad….I know you get the picture. heehee Bless Charlie and give him our best.
Note to self: stop at a chinese restaurant for rice. Awesome deal!!!
Have a great weekend :0
haha Is it bad that knowing you, your family, and your sense of humor I totally giggled when I read that Charlie was in the background saying “I have cancer” ?? Definitely not funny, but I got the context he meant it in. I’m glad you all keep your sense of humor in the ups AND downs that life brings you through- I definitely think that helps!
Does your glass say IKEA “Made in Turkey” on the bottom?? haha If so then it IS the exact same glasses I have. And I love it b/c my mom got them for me at a thrift store and knowing you, I bet you got yours there too!!
I really like this shrimp idea, sounds fabulous!!!
What a great idea to pick up rice from the restaurant, never thought to do that. The shrimp looks absolutely delicious! I am glad you got to speak with Charlie, still sending lots of positive vibes to you both!
So glad you got to talk to Charlie!
MaryBe