Holiday food thoughts

Made it through, and I'm shocked to see the scale so low today, since yesterday it said four pounds more.

My family decided on a theme for the Eve instead of a modge podge of eveyone's favorite appetizers. A Mexican theme was chosen. We enjoyed chipotle shrimp, chicken with peanut mole, steak tacos, refried pintos with chorizo, refried black beans from El Tinajon in Roscoe Village, rice, salsa, chips and more.

For the Day's breakfast we opted for egg white French toast with boiled cider and turkey sausage.

We all were saving the calories for the rib roast from Jack and Pat's. Boy, did it deliver. I forced my mother to take it out before 130 degrees, since the last time she tried this she ruined the roast!

In my stocking(never want to grow up), I received some truffle oil. I'm thinking of linguini with a variety of sauteed mushrooms and a sprinkle of the oil at the end--no cheese!

The ultimate 2004 holiday gift is from Jim & Gary's, a meat vendor in Pecatonica, IL, "conveniently located at the corner of Highway 20 and Jackson Rd., just east of the the State Police Station." It's about 1 1/2 hours west of Chicago. I recieved the Cattleman's Combo box with Black Angus T-bones, Ribeyes, NY Strips, and Filets. Love their pork ribs already, and I am anxious to have steak regularly for awhile. Jim and Gary's cares for their own pigs and the pigs are hormone and steroid free. Don't know if the beef is the same.

I'm starting the diet today. I cannot stop myself from eating the homemade cookies. It is really quite sickening.

Jack & Pat's
10717 Ridgeland Ave
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
708-636-3437

Jim & Gary's, Inc.