Crabby

I was so excited that Dungeness crab season finally opened. 
We went on our yearly trip to Half Moon Bay and bought the feisty crustaceans right off the boat and looked forward to trying a new recipe from Tyler Florence for Poached Dungeness crab with a Lemon Butter Sauce. 


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POACHED WEST COAST DUNGENESS CRAB
Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4-6

2 large West Coast Dungeness crabs
1 meyer lemon, cut in half
10 dried red chiles
1/4 bunch fresh thyme
1 head of garlic, split through the equator
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon kosher salt
DRAWN LEMON BUTTER
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 clove garlic, peeled and gently smashed
1/4 bunch of thyme
1 lemon, sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Set a large stockpot over high heat and make a court bouillon to poach the crab in.  Fill pot with water about two thirds full and add lemon, chiles, thyme, garlic, peppercorns and salt.   Bring to a boil then drop in crabs.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes.  Shut off heat and soak for 5 minutes before straining and cooling.

To serve, remove cap, cut off gills and split crab into 8 pieces.   Serve with Drawn Lemon Butter.

DRAWN LEMON BUTTER

Add all ingredients to a pan and set over low heat.  Slowly melt butter and barely bring to a simmer – the lemon and herbs should become fragrant.  Remove from heat and serve warm with crab.

Edited: October 14th, 2009

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John's a great crab wrangler and got them into the boiling court bouillon and we waited anxiously to taste the first of the season.  They were splendid, but sadly, did not agree with my new anatomy  and I could only eat very little and then I was in some major discomfort.  It may have been the lemon butter sauce, although I used very little, or I didn't chew enough or it's just too rich a fish dish for me right now.  It made me a little depressed.


Speaking about depression...it's that time of year again where I can get a little blue because I'm not with my family and dear, old friends. I was in Macy's yesterday and got all teary-eyed listening to the the Christmas music and seeing all the beautiful, sparkly things on sale and I just had to buy a new purse and go home.


As I approach a 50lb. weight loss, I can't help but still be amazed at this miracle of a surgical procedure.  Apart from the occasional bouts with upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea, this is a cake walk for weight loss. 
I have forgotten to mention that I have had my first bouts (pretty much in succession) of the dumping syndrome.  That happens when you eat something very sweet or very greasy and it results in nearly immediate intestinal cramping followed by diarrhea. Yet another deterrent and quasi-behavior modification technique to stop eating what is bad for me.


I haven't really begun taking this opportunity seriously and treat it as the gift it is and begin taking the best care of myself possible in these early stages of recovery and weight loss.
I've put off starting up at the gym and beginning the yoga classes.  I'm not paying attention at all to what I do consume for my sustenance. 


My current excuse? Why, it's the Holidays and I'll begin when they're over. 


My classic excuse is always: I work the graveyard shift.  That excuse covers a myriad of things that I don't get done.








P.S.  Last night, I had some poached crab without the drawn lemon butter sauce, just some seasoned olive oil (a scant amount) and it was DELICIOUS and stayed down without any discomfort.  Yipee! 
John also made his famous Crab Risotto and I had a spoonful of the rich, creamy, saffron-scented, crab-stuffed arborio rice and it was like taking a taste from the bowl of the Gods.

It is that good.

Keeping it down

I'm down 40 lbs today.

Things I'm having trouble keeping down is the food I eat!  It's as if I've become a bulimic not by choice.


I  made myself a big pot of black bean chili (no spiciness to speak of) and took some to work. I added a small flour tortilla to use mostly as a scooper, or a tiny wrapper, for the chili.  Well, no sooner had I shoved in three spoonfuls with a tortilla chaser, than my belly said: "uh,no...this will not stay."  I began to hiccup and then to burp and then I was running back and forth to the toilet until every last bit of what I had ingested was gone.  Not too pleasant an experience for myself or my poor co-worker.

I forget that I'm only short of 2 months post-op and I may be trying to push down solid food a little too soon.  I've invested in some yummy canned protein shakes from Trader Joe's and they will help me get over this period until my body is ready for stronger food.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and that involves chicken's evil cousin: turkey.  I bought a very small stuffed breast and some side accompaniments so, we'll see how it goes.  The crabbers have not agreed on a selling price for Dungeness crab, so my dream of a crabby Thanksgiving are lying at the bottom of the ocean, saying their thanks for the delayed season.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I would like to make my Declaration of Thanks for the following:
   
1.  My husband, who despite not listening to what I tell him I would like for gifts (remember: sparkly, shiny, fits on an earlobe, a wrist, a finger or around a neck) takes very good care of me, can be the voice I don't want to hear at times, but always makes me laugh. Thanks for putting out that personals ad, Magic Man.

2. My sister, my best friend who listens to me, consoles me, advises me and drinks my left-over cocktails and has not become an alcoholic.  Can't wait for Vegas!

3. My family that is so far away.  Thank you for keeping me in your hearts.

5. All my friends who have supported me thick and thin, long and short.  You keep me honest and smiling.


6. My dogs, Noodles and Butter, who make me laugh all the time, keep my lap warm, give me unsolicited kisses and just for the cuteness factor, which kills me every time!

7. My surgeon, who somehow got in a position to get this surgery done sooner than later (before I changed my mind!).


8. I want to add my work, but it's so dysfunctional and petty most of the time, it's hard to give thanks for that, but while so many are out of work, I am thankful I have an income which allows me my travel plans and ability to buy what I want, not just what I need. Also for teaching me a new set of skills in an entirely different field.

I would like to thank all of you who read this and wish you peace, beauty and abundance in your lives.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!!  

My Apologies

I feel I need to make an apology for not being in touch for such a while.


I am adjusting to returning to work on the graveyard shift and even though it's only been about 2 weeks, my adjustment hasn't been easy.  I find that, while I like the people I work with, I don't like the hours.  I would really like to try to get into a swing or day shift.  
It's about the deprived sleep and living within a world that is day shift focused.  I must start an exercise program at Planet Fitness and take up yoga.  My quandary is: what time should I attempt these things?  I could shoot for going right after work at 8:30 a.m., or wait until I wake from my first nap around 12-1:00 p.m.  I think an experiment is forming and I'm the lab rat!


I am already familiar with the lab rat role as there is a daily experiment for what I can eat without trouble and discomfort.  I'm making yet another adjustment to my new bariatric anatomy and how to get along with it.  Sometimes it can be so sensitive!


Chicken is out of the question.  Wednesday, I tried to eat a small amount of a boneless, skinless, grilled teriyaki chicken and it soon felt like I had swallowed razor blades.  I was spitting up intermittently and eventually had to pull the car over and stop to vomit.  Not my finest moment on the street.


I'm giving my stomach a little break and going back to the protein shakes as a meal substitute.


Last night, my husband stayed home with me and made a shrimp scampi dinner that went down easily and was so delicious.  To quote him: "Anything made with love will go down easily" and then he offered to make a chicken and assured me that it would be easy to eat! 


I'm a very lucky woman.

Back to the Mundane

Life is getting back to "normal" and it's routine and boring again.
I have returned to work and am getting my sleep deprivation racked up again.  My house is getting cluttered and things are piling up, so life is continuing on it's usual merry/Mary way.

I am feeling very good and continue to lose weight.  I've lost 33 pounds and am in desperate need to buy underwear that doesn't fall around my knees when I walk.
I am swimming in my uniform pants.  I didn't think to look at those before I came back to work and the alterations won't be done until next Thursday.  I'm not going to buy anything new with regards to my work uniform until: a) I've lost all my weight or b) My uniform tops fall off when I walk or someone tells me I look like a sad waif.

My eating habits are constantly changing and I'm finding out what I can and cannot eat without too much discomfort.

It took a couple of times out to a restaurant to figure out how to order a meal and a drink.  My sister was in danger of becoming an alcoholic since she felt compelled to finish all of the cocktails I ordered, thinking I would be able to finish them but after about 2-3 sips, I'm done. 
Same goes for ordering a whole meal.  It's much easier to order one dish and split it than to take home an entire plate of food missing only 4 spoonfuls. The waitstaff has been really nice bringing the extra plate/bowl and so far, no one has charged extra.
One of the most memorable food-sharing incidents happened last weekend when we decided to have lunch at Michael Chiarello's Bottega restaurant in Yountville, CA.

We decided to order the Mediterranean Seafood Brodetto which is really a seafood stew in a tomato based sauce.  Oh my goodness, when they brought us our own bowls full of the most delicious seafood, we couldn't believe this could be a split order.  We each got 2 of the plumpest, sweetest mussels (I've never had one as good, ever), 2 large shrimp, 2 clams and the rich fresh tomato broth had tender squid as a spoonful surprise.  It also came with a large crouton which, I swear, had tiny bits of butter that would melt on your tongue and to top off the crouton, was a dollop of a remoulade sauce. Oh, it was such a good meal! and I managed to eat most of it too, without any discomfort.  Even the Pinot Grigio we had was delicious, but again, my sister had to finish my small carafe that was left over after a generous pour.
Actually, the meals on our Napa trip were all very good, but the supremo was Bottega.

Go there!

Feeling Fierce

I've just finished shopping for a pair of boots.  Yesterday, I bought a pair of shorty boots and wore them to Cirque du Soliel last night.  It has been YEARS since I have put on a pair of boots and anything with a heel.


I am feeling fierce.


My weight loss is where it should be, but still too slow as far as I'm concerned.  One day, before the year is out, I will wake up and be thin; thin enough to meet my satisfaction.  From living a live gratifying myself to meet my satisfaction to the point of either rehab or obesity, I have learned it's a fluid thing. That is, my satisfaction levels move up and down (maybe even sideways); some days it's harder to reach than others.  Anyone close to me understands the need to meet my satisfaction and live in peace, lol!

Getting back to fierce: I can see myself looking better and better in my clothes.  So much so that I want to go out and shop, just for a couple of nice things at a reasonable price.  I'll save the BIG SHOPPING TRIP for next year.*


I stopped in Sephora and picked up some makeup.  I've started to wear it again.  I had purchased a lighted mirror that has some un-godly major magnification.  It is truly frightening! Brings me back to reality that I did not step back in time to 25 again. It makes me want to pay more attention to my skin.  So, I bought some good skincare products, too.


Tomorrow, I plan on finding something to go with the boots I like and will probably buy those tomorrow as well.  


My sister is coming to see me before I return to work and we have an over-nighter in Calistoga planned, complete with mudbath and massage. Oh, and maybe a little wine.


I plan on conducting myself fiercely!  




* Just had a great thought that I should go to NYC for my year anniversary/birthday shopping vacation!

Pig Out Day

Yesterday, I let my hair down and went out not for one, but two meals today.  It was such a gorgeous day in San Francisco, we took a drive first to the dim sum heaven that is Ton Kiang. This is my first experience with Dim Sum since my surgery.
So, we have little plate after little plate and I take one sample of  each dish.  I did something different with the items, though...I only ate the middle of the dumplings, potstickers, etc.  I ate the shrimp stuffing out of the eggplant and slowly ate a sesame ball.  It was all delicious.
I nearly made a fatal error, but corrected myself before tragedy struck.  I poured the tea for everyone including myself and at one point I reached to "wash down" something I had just swallowed.  Luckily, I remembered and stopped myself.  My husband moved the small cup out of my reach.
Here is my breakfast/lunch plate after it was all over:

Those are "shells" of a potsticker, bbq pork steam bun, shrimp shu mai and left-over eggplant sans shrimp stuffing. Later, two empty clam shells coated with black bean sauce joined the arrangement.
After that feast, we went to the Haight and walked around, went to Amoeba records then decided it was such a beautiful day we would walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.  We went to the north end and the sidewalk was closed for construction!  After hanging out there with the rest of the tourists on a beautiful, fall day watching the sailboats glide along on the calm bay, we drove down the Great Highway toward home and we
decided to keep going down Highway 1 all the way down to Half Moon Bay and have a bite to eat at Sam's Chowder House.

Sam's Chowder House is known for their Lobster Rolls.  It's usually the only thing we order every time we go down there.  Yesterday was no different. We ordered a dozen and a half clams on the half shell and two lobster rolls.  I split one with my husband.

The End of the meal:  

Here is where I jumped the tracks: I decided I wanted a cocktail and ordered a "Ginger Limeade" which was lime juice, ginger and VODKA.  There was a lot of vodka in that drink and it was not good.  I felt really ill after eating and taking a few sips of this cocktail.
It could also be the melted butter on the lobster roll, too much of the bread from the roll or one clam too many.  Whatever did it, I did not feel good at all and just wanted to get home and lie down which is exactly what I did when we arrived back.

Another lesson: Always remember that you had a Gastric Bypass and things are quite different now so don't eat or drink in excess.

I'm trying out a new mantra: "Respect the Pouch!".
I'll chant it to myself as I sit down to eat: RESPECT THE POUCH, Respect the Pouch, respect the pouch, respect the pouch, respect the pouch...



Healing wishes goes out to:  S.deR, get well soon...

I'm missing a chin!

I looked in the mirror today and noticed that one of my double chins has gone away.  We've been together a long time, but I'm not going to miss seeing it every time I look at my reflection. I'm having more fun imagining what my face is going to look like by the end of my first post-op year!
I feel like I'm taking up less space, and I am in a way, since I am getting thinner/smaller.  I find my mobility is easier and I can get closer to things.  Maybe now I won't have so many stains on the fronts of my shirts since I dropped my food there quite often.  That's one of those small perks having the operation gives you that is taken for granted or just forgotten about.  I'm discovering little things like that nearly everyday and that makes this whole process an adventure and fun!


Company is coming: there's going to be 2 weeks worth of sisters coming to visit. Thursday, John's sister is coming out from New Jersey.  She's never been here, so I'm looking for my tour guide hat (it may be too big now, lol!).  I'll be getting plenty of walking in these next two weeks.
The day after she leaves, my own sister flies in from Phoenix to see us.  She has requested a trip to Chinatown; lots of walking up and down hills there and also, as always, a trip to Napa.  It's one of our favorite day trips and this time of year should be beautiful.  On the hunt for Charles Krug Zinfandel Port and no better place to get it then at the source.  
Look for us racing by in the BMW Z4 with the top down and looking fierce!


I have a secret about out-of-town guests: they compel my husband and I to clean our house so it looks like we live a neat, organized life! My guest bathroom tub doubles as a storage space, so I'll be moving all the Christmas decorations into our closet while the guests are here.


Just don't open any closet doors or look under the beds if you come over to my house.