Days 348 - 350 - Sometimes you just gotta start fresh

Yikes - I went too far this time trying to be 'quick and simple' and ruined some food.  First it was the "pastie pie" - why make four separate pasties, I thought, Ken could have less useless white dough and the same great taste - did NOT work out. 

Don't they look nice thought?  I guess there's another lesson that some things might LOOK good... but are not when you get past the cover....

Second lesson -  I thought I'll make room in the fridge for the Christmas meat and found bits of ham, yellow peas, etc. and tried to make soup out of it... NOT...  No picture of that - it hit the trash too fast :)

Then I wised up!  Toss ... Toss... Toss... Start fresh.

Took Bulgur (a form of whole wheat that has been cleaned, cooked, dried, and ground) and cooked it in water with a little cranberry juice, caramel flavored sweetener (usually use it in warm apple cider) and added fresh cranberries.  Result: a delicious - and pretty - side dish similar in texture to rice pudding.
Loved it warm with a little amaretto flavored creamer too.  Who says grain always has to be a savory side dish!

A few pecans on top ...mmmmmmmmmm

Birthday lunch with friend at Grandview in Lake Geneva... What an elegant place.  My lunch - Seared Salmon, asparagus, brandied sweet potatoes and Lemon-Yogurt dressing.  It also came with a lovely salad with their awesome creamy Raspberry Vinigrette (my choice :)

We had dessert too - shared a piece of New York Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache - rich yet not too sweet.

Lunch snack today:

Ham, onions and cheese - a favorite sandwich without the bread!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Only 15 days to this challenge, yet it's made a firm enough group of habits to be a part of my life.