Trying to Fool Myself and Haddock Veronique

I was a bottomless pit Monday. I nibbled at protein bars all day. If protein caused instant increases in muscle mass, I would  expect to look in the mirror and see muscles like a champion body builder . Whenever I have days when my stomach never feels full, my snack of choice is protein bars.  I never finish one bar but open 3 or 4 at one time, different flavors. That way, seeing that I’m not finishing a whole bar , it makes me feel better about taking bites from a variety of them, all day long. Mind games! 

My munchie attack wasn’t due to a long run on Sunday because that was a day off. I did get in 11 1/2 miles Monday morning…hmmm..might have been the culprit.  It was a different training session for me.  2 mile warm up with 7 miles at MP (marathon pace) and a 2 1/2 mile cool down.  There was no cool down run with Shane today.  At –17 degrees, we packed on the layers, did our busy and came back home.  Shane had on his winter booties (seems odd for a 105 lb German Shepherd to be wearing booties) and didn’t like them one bit.  In fact, he got stuck 5 times:  2 times in the house and 3 times outside.  By that I mean he wouldn’t move.  Stuck! Then he got the used to the things on his feet and settled into a speedy walk, not liking it one bit!

A riddle for you

Have you heard this one?  

This year we will experience 4 unusual dates:  1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, and 11/11/11.  Ok. This is where it gets good.  Take the LAST 2 digits of the Year you were born PLUS the age you will be THIS year and….IT WILL EQUALL 111!   Can you figure that out?

The “Veronique”

“Veronique” means to cook with grapes.  The following recipe is based on a submission from the California Table Grape Commission.

Serves 4

• Oil or Promise Healthy heart margarine to coat baking dish
• 1 1/2 lbs (2 fillets) fresh haddock
• 1 cup white wine – separated
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 thin slices of fresh lemon
• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• black pepper
• 1 TBS Promise health heart margarine
• 1 TBS flour
• 1/4 cup Low Fat Half and Half
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup green seedless grapes
• 1 tsp lemon zest + a little juice

Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Lightly coat an oven proof baking dish with oil or margarine (Promise Healthy Heart).

Put the haddock into the dish and add 1/2 cup wine, onion, lemon, 1 sprig of rosemary across each fillet (you probably have 2 fillets, so 2 sprigs rosemary), and sprinkle with pepper.  Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 18 minutes or until fish is cooked through. 

While the fish cooks, heat the 1 TBS Promise over medium heat and whisk in flour to make a roux.  When it gets bubbly, remove from heat and whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup wine.  Add 2 TBS of juice from the cooked fish.  Put it back on to the heat and add the half and half.  Simmer for 4 minutes, season with salt and pepper. 

Add the grapes and the lemon zest with a little juice.  Immediately spoon over fish to serve.

Psssst!  I got a secret.  Today’s my birthday!