Friend of Julie: What's Cooking?

It's that time of year that many are cooking food to share at gathering with family and friends. For many, this means baking. I debated long and hard about baking for our family gathering coming up this weekend. But then I had a dream and that changed everything.

Meatballs are what's cooling in my kitchen. Photo by Theresa.

After waking from my dream, I decided I needed to be one of the people who bring real food to this gathering. I decided there will be enough people bringing baked goods and I didn't need to be one of them. I don't care if the baked goodies are store bought or homemade. Although 2 weeks ago, when I debated about what to bring, it seemed important to me that there be home baked items and I should be one of the people baking them.

Then I had my dream and I came to my senses.

I make really incredible meatballs, so that's what I decided to make. Last night I went to the store and  bought 6 pounds of beef and the other ingredients I needed.

This morning, I poured the first crock pot of cooked meatballs and sauce into the tin pan, and as they cooled, I began to make the next batch of meatballs. As I rolled the meatballs, I was happy about my decision to dice enough onions last night for this second batch. Crying over onions at 5am is not my ideal way to start a day.

I was also happy that I was rolling meatballs and not making cupcakes. Based on the amount of meatballs I was making, I could not imagine myself baking this many cupcakes. Yes, meatballs was a much better choice for me. Plus, I enjoyed having 3 meatballs this morning. Have I told you I make delicious meatballs? Yes, I do!

About that dream. I often have vivid recall of dreams. Some dreams I remember for years. This one I will remember for a while and it was definitely on my mind as I made my meatballs. Many people say when we are on this program and we dream about food, we're getting ready for a big drop in weight. I welcome such a drop!

The Dream

In my dream, I was making large amounts of cupcakes. I was done with all the baking and most of the cupcakes were beautifully frosted. With a spatula in hand, I picked up the next cupcake and then I froze.

Should I? Could I? Do I dare?

I was debating about eating just one.

I was debating about having just a taste of the frosting.

I decided for the later. I took a taste of the frosting. A really big taste.

Suddenly a strong wind blew into the room and within moments--the kitchen was a mess. Sprinkles started falling from the ceiling. Sprinkles, dry ingredients, and batter, were splashed on everything. The floor. Counter tops. The sink. The walls. My hair. My clothes.

I couldn't get away from the mess. Every step I took made more of a mess. My desire to eat just one cupcake or just a taste of frosting was gone. Everything looked disgusting to me. Standing in the middle of my kitchen and looking at the mess, I didn't know what to do next. Then I woke up.

What about you?

What's cooking in your kitchen this holiday season?

What are you doing to stay on program through the holidays?

What are you doing to assure this New Year's Eve, you will not need to resolve to lose weight in 2014, because your weight loss journey in already happening and 2014?

I say let's all join Jane and waltz into 2014 feeling the best we've felt in a long time!


12/12/13 update: Here's my meatball recipe, which I altered to make 6 pounds meatballs. Holy mole, that's a lot of meatballs! I made 3 pounds (1 package) at a time, and then made a second batch. My crockpot won't hold more than 3 pounds plus 1 84 oz jar of sauce. I also modified my recipe a bit; for three pounds of beef: I used 3 eggs, a nameless brand 84 oz jar of tomato sauce, added an entire bulb of fresh chopped garlic, and I added a package of (nameless brand) Italian Seasoning mix to the meat mixture. I think the whole prep time was about 45 minutes (per 3 pounds).