Yesterday was one of those perfect weather days that makes you love living in Chicago. Of course, next week there could be frost on the ground, but I’ll take 70 degrees and sunny in October any day of the week. I made a quick egg white omelet with baby spinach, 50% reduced fat Cabot cheese, three slices of turkey bacon and honeycrisp apples, for a 6 point breakfast.
I planned on making a sandwich to bring with me on the drive to work, but the low carb tortillas went bad. I couldn’t think of anything else to make last minute, so I picked up Jimmy John’s on the way to work. The WW app says that it’s 13 points, but that’s with mayo on it, so I am counting the whole thing as 10 points. I got a bag of baked Lay’s (8 points) and ate half the sandwich and chips on my way to work, and the second half of the sandwich and chips on my way home – so lunch and dinner came in at 9 points each. I am really going to try hard to keep track of all my eats – which is especially hard when you work at a cooking school with a lot of food around. I ate about 2 ounces of New York strip that no one wanted to take home for 2 points, so actually came in at 26 points out of 30 for the day. Um, that hasn’t happened in a long time. Um, turns out if someone offers me food at work I can say no!
I got to work about 30 minutes early, so decided to get my walking shoes on. The neighborhood around Lincoln Square is really nice. This one particular block a few blocks from my work nearly every house was decorated with Halloween decorations.
Another area that needs attention is my hydration. Having a desk job made it really easy to drink all day because my water glass was always on my desk within easy reach. I brought my new WW bottle to work and am happy to say I refilled it three times during my shift.
Okay, question for the peeps out there that do Instagram stories. I tried to make my first one last night. I did a quick video of the Big Green Egg, then pictures of the different stuff we were going to make. After each “segment” I saved it, thinking that it would string them together once I clicked the check box to post, but only the last thing I saved actually went to my story. Help! I am so not technical 
Shelley, I know you’ll be happy that I added a snapchat pic of myself! We made bacon and chive buttered New York strip steaks; Greek burgers with homemade tzatziki sauce; a grilled corn and green bean succotash; a cilantro-mint chutney that was a dipping sauce for these delicious Ginger and Cumin Spiced Beef and Pineapple Kebobs. Recipe courtesy of The Chopping Block.
We had a great group of students eager to learn not only how to grill but to know when meat is actually cooked through. The Chopping Block has a super easy cheat sheet for temps on various meats:
- Beef and Lamb (steaks and roasts) Medium Rare: 125; Medium: 135 Well: 160
- Ground Beef: 160
- Pork and Veal: 135 – 140
- Chicken/Turkey Breast: 155
- Chicken/Turkey Thigh: 165
When I first started cooking I nearly always erred on the side of caution, and would invariable overcook every meat I tried to cook. Or I would do the complete opposite and pull a roasted chicken off the grill, only to cut it open and it would be nearly raw by the bone. If you want to learn how to cook meat to the perfect temp – invest in a meat thermometer. They have digital ones that are only about $10 (use a BB&B 20% coupon!). Also note that there is residual cooking once it comes off the grill – adding an additional 5-10 degrees after your meat comes off the grill. So if you want a medium rare steak, pull your steak off at 115 – and it will be perfect. If you were to pull it at 125 it would be medium by the time you cut into it.
Also – another tip – never put cold meat on your grill. I am sure I’ve talked about this before, but I normally take any burgers, steaks, roasts out at least an hour before they hit the grill. If you take a 36 degree piece of meat and place it on a 350 degree grill, the meat will not cook evenly.
I think the students left the class last night with newfound inspiration to grill more at home and be confident with the results.
It’s another work day for me – whoop! But at the Merchandise Mart, so I can take the train and watch Netflix instead of drive. I don’t mind driving, but it’s a nice break.
Now off to figure out how to repurpose some of those kebobs above for my breakfast this morning – go beef!
Make it a great day!
Catched up on your other blogs this week too. I have a water bottle at work and in my kitchen and since I’ve done that I don’t have trouble hydrating. I also bring a bottle of water when I drive somewhere, you never know if you get stuck in traffic jam.
All your meals this week look so delicious!
Thanks Fran! I need to bring water when I drive too – good idea 😀
I have the hardest time drinking enough water. Would welcome any tips and/or tricks to getting in more water during the day.
I just downloaded a water app – much like crossing off something on a list of things to do, this one lets you put a check mark next to each glass of water you drink 😀
I also have the easiest time hydrating at my desk job. On the weekends, when I’m super busy with various projects, I struggle to get enough water and will suddenly realize I’m really thirsty and have had like one glass the whole day.
That was me the other day – I realized I’d only had two cups of coffee all day!
you always make me long for a house instead of an NYC apartment so that I can have a grill. I love to grill, we always used to use the grill at my house when I was growing up.
and now I’m finally caught up. so you don’t have to get pesky notifications from me anymore.
I have to admit, every comment notification from you made me smile! Loving your Instagram stories – I don’t know how to do it yet 😀
HI Vat!!! finally catching up on your posts. As always, your recipes (and you) look great!!!! I LOVE halloween decorations!!!! Bring ’em on!!! Have a wonderful week, sending a hug your way!
Hey sweetie! Hope you had a nice Canadian Thanksgiving – I am way behind on my blog reading and will catch up with you today 😀
This is not related to today’s post but I have been wondering how the “kdults” no-meat challenge is going? I was hoping maybe Hannah might do a guest post or two about what she has been making/trying : )
Lincoln Park is such a beautiful neighborhood I always have this secret dream that I own one of those beautiful row houses and live in the “big”city!
Well, let’s just say that on Day 2 they went to Chipotle, and Jacob got a steak burrito bowl! I have to admit, Hannah is a good cook, but sometimes she doesn’t want to spend the time or money to make stuff from scratch 🙁 I’ve been working most nights, so haven’t made dinner in a while – I am off tonight and hope to make homemade pasta and meatballs!