Make it yourself: vinaigrette and salad dressing

Look this is not rocket science. Salad dressing is one of the easiest things you can make. You just need to remember one rule: 3 parts of oil for each part of vinegar or lemon juice. The rest is up to your imagination. So why are so many people choosing to eat disgusting ready-made crap? I got a free bottle of disgusting fat-free, gummy dressing with my last grocery order. It's going in the trash.



I make my dressing in an empty sake bottle with a tight cap. I just pour my oil and balsamic vinegar in, add some garlic powder, salt, pepper, mustard and give it a shake. Seriously it take 2 minutes.



Why would you pay for a lesser quality product to "save time"? In my opinion, it's not worth it. "But I just made my New Year's resolution to lose weight, I need the fat-free dressing" some people will say. Then just make a creamy one with fat-free sour cream, fresh herbs, a bit of tomato paste, lemon juice... It's so much better, trust me. Just trust your cooking instinct and make your salad happy!

Food log: Saturday, January 2

Cheese sandwich, orange juice

Honey toast, Diet Coke


In the afternoon, I cooked a little, including frittatas that I froze for easy weekday breakfasts.
They are so easy to make it's ridiculous.
Beat a dozen eggs with thyme (or any herbs you like), salt and pepper

Pour in a muffin pan sprayed with Pam and add some ground ham (about a teaspoon per frittata)

Add some cheese (about a tablespoon per frittata)

Pop in the oven for 12 minutes at 350 until the frittatas are puffy. They will deflate a bit after a few minutes. 

I wrap each in cling film then put them in a freezer bag before putting in the freezer. Voilà!

Chicken, potatoes, yellow beans, Diet Coke



My brother met me for a beer and then we hit Martine's party 3 doors down.

Buffet at Martine's

Many shots of Jamieson, shooters with names like "the fluffy smurf" and Gin & Tonics. 


Santé!


Money spent on food today: 0

Food log: Friday, January 1

On the morning after the party, I woke up without a hangover on January first for the first time in years. Felt great. I spent the day working on some freelance while watching a Criminal Minds marathon.


Waffles, bacon, OJ

Diet Coke

Apple

Chicken sandwich, pickles, tomato sandwich

Artichoke

Popcorn

Peanut butter toasts

Cereal


Money spent on food: 0

Food log: Thursday, December 31

The last breakfast of the year deserved bacon.

Bacon, eggs, toast and OJ

Diet Coke

Orange

Isn't my fruit bowl cheerful?

I went out for the first time in days and had a quick meal at McDo.

Big Mac Trio - $7.37

In the evening, I joined friends at Café Atomic for a wonderful New Year's Eve bash. There was a double fountain filled with "Puncherello" (vodka and cranberry) and "Orange Punk" (rum and orange juice), a classic buffet and lots of go-go sixties music. Fun!








Happy New Year everyone!

Food log: Wednesday, December 30

The day started with a big grocery delivery: $205, including Holiday tip for the guys.

Cheese sandwich and juice


I spent the afternoon cooking freezer lunches of steak and yellow beans.


Broccoli turnover and tomatoes

Orange


I drank some leftover wine, saved by Vacu-vin

Pasta with ham and cheese



A few of mom's roasted nuts

Horrible chips. I threw the bag away after having two. Ick.



Money spent on food: $205

Food log: Tuesday, December 29

Felt somewhat better. The fever went away but I was still weak. Friendly neighbors gave me a carton of orange juice the day before, and I drank it all in 24 hours. My appetite came back and I nibbled here and there, trying to gain back some strenght.

Toast and juice

Won ton soup

Beans

More juice

I forgot to tell you about the chocolate Cindy brought me back from Paris. She also gave a a Pac-Man shaped oven mitt. Hee!

Popcorn with all the fixings

Late night poutine - $13, including a very generous holiday tip

I guess I was feeling better. What a weird day, food-wise.

Money spent on food today: $13