Happy Fall!

It's officially Fall. Today was perfect. Gray and rainy. Very fall-like. It took everything not to roll over and hit snooze this morning. I almost didn't go to the Farmer's Market because I thought they wouldn't be setting up (In So Cal drizzle is drama) but I decided to drag my butt out of bed and check it out. I'm glad I did. I got some great deals because of the weather. Worth getting up.

Went to Starbucks and bought my usual and a scone for my British Mum. I've been having interesting (bad) Starbucks experiences lately. Yesterday I was handed a hideous sticky cup inside a cup I was like WTH is this drippy sticky mess and made them give me another cup to pour my drink into. Today five people that came after me get their drink before me and I'm thinking I know Soy SF blah blah blah is a special order but come on. No, they hadn't made it. Better buck up 'bucks.

I also was hit on by a creepy dude that was old enough to be my Grandfather.

Starbucks employee: What can I get started for you?
Me: I'll have a Hot Tall Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Soy Latte with no whipped cream please
Creepy dude: (So close he is practically touching my ass in line. I actually felt his breath) Wow that's some mouthful.
Me: Yep (smile) it is. (Pay and walk away)
Creepy Dude: (In my space again) How do you remember all that?
Me: (steps back) I order the same drink all the time.
Creepy dude: (moves toward me again) What was the drink again?
Me: (steps back again) Tall Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Soy Latte with no whipped cream.
Creepy dude: You don't like whipped cream?

Ewwwwwww!

Me: (cringing) Um I can't have it.

(I then helped a young guy who had his hands full balancing 4 drinks in one of those cardboard trays open the door)

Creepy dude: Do you know him?
Me: Huh? That guy. No, he just looked like he needed help.
Creepy dude: Ohhhhhh that was nice of you.
Me: (Disinterested nod)

Is this drink ever coming???

Creepy dude: I don't know how you remember all that. So what was that drink again?

OMG!? Get a clue. The drink thing isn't working...

Saved by the barista: I have a Tall Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Soy Latte no whipped cream
Me: (So outta there)

I drove home a really weird way too just in case.


It sucks to be a girl. I spent most of the day suffering with cramps and a headache. I have them way worse post-op. Anybody else?

Tonight for dinner I made one of my favorite comfort food casseroles. Mexican Lasagna - a layered enchilada-like casserole. It's a great one when I need my Mexican food fix. Here's the recipe and some FP:


Shelly's Mexican Lasagna

2 whole chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
4 corn tortillas
1 tablespoon Southwest seasoning (cumin, oregano, cayenne)
1 cup shredded mexican cheese + a little for top.
1 - 4 oz. can whole mild green chilis, seeded and chopped
Sour Cream Sauce

Sour Cream Sauce

1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 can chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter, saute onion till golden, add flour, and stir well. Add broth, cook till thickened. Stir in sour cream. Set aside. Mix the shredded cooked chicken, mild green chilis, the seasoning and a cup (minus a couple tablespoons) of mexican shredded cheese together. Layer 2 corn tortillas in the bottom of a 8x6x2 dish. Spoon 1/2 the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas, spoon 1/2 of the sauce. Place another 2 tortilla on top. Then the rest of the chicken and sauce. I finished with a sprinkle of reserved cheese. Bake for 35-40 minutes till golden and bubbly.

The whole casserole only uses 4 tortillas but I tend to eat around them anyway. It's not a carb phobic thing it's just the filling is so yummy you want to fill up on that.

I really love Mexican food and have been able to enjoy the flavors from the beginning. Some of you know my first post-op birthday dinner 8 days after surgery was a few tablespoons of Taco Bell Pintos & Cheese. During the pureed phase I was eating refried beans with melted cheese and guacamole.

When I'm at a Mexican restaurant I order Fajitas. I love chicken, steak & shrimp fajitas. You can't go wrong... all three are great protein sources. Some restaurants will do a combo fajita platter so I can have a nice variety. I don't do the tortillas that come with but I will make a little plate up of the fajitas, sour cream, guacamole, and beans... the good stuff. I order all beans instead of the typical beans & rice combo. Refried bean leftovers are great heated up the next day with an egg for breakfast.

Thursday I made a Quesadilla (whole wheat low carb tortilla). I make a yummy Taco Salad and Mexican Chicken & Bean Stew. I ate Elote the other day (BBQ corn with cotija cheese) So it's definitely possible to get your Mexican fix without consuming a ton of greasy fried chips, burritos and tacos.

Highlights of the Day:

* Awesome deals at the FM (leeks, some neat varieties of squash, heirloom tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, my Mom's Austrian Fruit Bread).

* Stopped in one of my favorite antique stores and found the coolest antique (turn of the century early 1900's) medicine bottle made by the Owl Drug Company with a owl on the front. I have a thing for owls.

* Did I tell you I found the coolest winter coat at Costco? Brown with white furry lining. One negative to having WLS is that you must say goodbye to all your beloved winter coats, leather jackets, dressy coats, etc. I'm not complaining of course but it gets expensive.

Listening to: "Always" Blink-182