No Fast Food For 30 Days... What Was I Thinking?

You may remember my post on the “Day Zero Project”, http://www.dayzeroproject.com/ . This is a website where you can create a list of 101 things you would like to complete within 1001 days. I have completed a few simple goals so far. I have gone on a picnic, seen a concert, created a recipe while visiting the farmers market, and am currently working on improving my posture. It’s amazing how writing out a list keeps your goals in focus.


I’m now working on a very tough goal. NO FAST FOOD FOR 30 DAYS! I started on September 1 and I’m embarrassed to say it is more difficult than I thought.

I realized I was going to have to make a menu and grocery list so I would have meals ready and leftovers for lunch so I wouldn’t be tempted. Sooooo, what is the best way to start a new food routine? GO OUT TO DINNER! I grabbed my calendar and my beautiful baby girl, who is 22 years old and has graciously joined this adventure, and headed out to my favorite pub grill.

The River Pub Grill in San Marcos, Texas is one of my favorite treats. The deck overlooks the Guadalupe River, the burgers are awesome and the beer is cold. I have enjoyed all the food I’ve tasted at The River Pub but the burgers are especially good. We all know what makes a good burger. THE BUN. This bun is a little sweet and always fresh. It’s a fun and tasty splurge and I hope if you are ever in the area, you give it a try.


It is day 6 so far and I haven’t folded yet. Wish me luck and I’ll keep you undated. Thanks for your support.

My Special Wednesday

One of my goals on my Day Zero Project was to have a dinner of bread, cheese and wine. Nothing fancy but I knew if I didn’t make plans for it, I would keep putting it off. I chose a random Wednesday and headed to the grocery store. My daughter and I tasted samples and consulted with the cheese expert. We settled on a very sharp white cheddar and a garlic gouda.

At the bakery we picked up a loaf of French bread and stopped by the produce section to grab some cherries.

To compliment the cheese we decided on a pinot grigio and found one called Pool Side. This seemed perfect since that is where we were going to eat our meal. We got lucky because the wine section was featuring this wine and we were able to sample it.

I never had so much fun at the grocery store.

I took my time and extra care to prepare the simple meal. We clinked glasses and dug in. The meal was delicious but sharing it with my daughter was what made it very special. She played Texas country music while we ate and the meal lasted for several hours. We talked about recipes we could use the garlic gouda in and planned our next adventure to the cheese counter.

I hope you take the time to try some simple but carefully chosen foods along with a good wine. Remember the most important ingredient is to enjoy the meal with someone who makes your heart smile.

Day Zero

I’m not going to post a recipe this week and instead get a little personal. Four years ago I survived a near fatal car accident and in fact just last month I had another corrective surgery. My recovery was long and painful but I am proud to say I’m doing great. Last year the man I loved for 28 years left me for a co worker half his age with the excuse that I was just too scarred and damaged from the wreck for him. Short story is I had to forego a lawyer in order to continue to have health insurance I needed because of the accident. I lost everything including hope. This has been a difficult year.

Believe it or not, there is a good side to this story. I have the most amazing family. Without the love and support of my parents and siblings, I would not only be an emotional mess but also homeless. I have always known that my children are terrific, sensitive and caring people but this situation has brought out their attributes further. My kids have nursed me back to life this last year the same way they cared for me after the car accident. They didn’t have to push me around in a wheelchair this time but instead had to show me every day that I have a lot to live for. I love them more than I can put into words.

Why this confession? I have had a particularly hard time this month emotionally. My beautiful daughter asked me to participate in the Day Zero Project as a way to plan my life and realize I have many blessings. This project requires you to list 101 things you would like to do within three years. One of the things I listed was to share this idea and website with someone else, so I’m spreading the word to you. http://dayzeroproject.com/

Please forgive me for sharing my personal struggles but I wanted to reach out to those who may also need this project to help get things into perspective. Thank you so much for visiting my blog this week and I apologize for my detour from food. I will be back creating and sharing with food next week. 

Here is a sampling of my Day Zero Project list:      

1. Identify 100 things that make me happy.
2. Attend a midnight premiere of a movie.
3. Influence a person to make a Day Zero list.
4. Print 10 pictures a month.
5. Find a personally inspirational quote and work it into a piece of art or home décor.
6. Learn Spanish.
7. Spend the day at the beach by myself.
8. Make a custom recipe book.
9. Create a new recipe at the farmers market.
10. Pay off my credit cards.
11. Start a new holiday tradition.
12. Save $10 for every task I complete.
13. Go bowling.
14. Find the perfect pair of jeans.
15. Do something special on an ordinary day.
16. Have bread, cheese and wine for dinner.
17. Give someone a gift they wanted as a child but didn’t receive.
18. Volunteer.
19. Post a note on bathroom mirror once a week, a blessing I have or inspirational quote.
20. Pray for others.
21. No fast food for a month.
22. Count getting my hair done every two months in my budget.
23. Go on a picnic.
24. Improve my posture. 
25. Make sure the people I love know it.