Category Archives: review

Don’t Submerge the Historian in Freezing Brownie Batter.

  By breakfasttobed | July 20, 2012 - 8:19 AM | , , , , , ,
9 Comments

“There is no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It is like falling in love.” – Christopher Morley

Have you ever read a book that you felt was written specifically for you? A book, or series that, even days later, you find yourself still mourning the loss of the hold of it in your hand?

I love books. I truly, truly do. I was educated in Biology, I work as an actor/performer, and writer, but let me tell you, my leisure, even when working out? Reading. Books upon books upon books. Piles of pages where I completely and utterly lose myself. I am oft reading in multiple mediums, and have so many books on my “to be read” shelf on goodreads, it’s bordering on the ridiculous.

This past week, I had 6 solid days of glorious reading with Deborah Harkness’ novels “A Discovery of Witches” and “Shadow of Night”.

I am still lost in the world of Matthew and Diana. They are both college professors/researchers, both in the medical field(ish) she is in the study of alchemical history, he is an MD and medical researcher. They are also both active people(ish), and she works out to keep the crazy at bay. Know anyone else who has to chase away their crazy by working out?

The main complaint I read about this book via the online critics was its length. That was my favorite part. Deborah Harkness so thoroughly describes everything that you can practically smell the bindings of the books in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. She makes even the tiniest details come through in such a way that if she hints back to them later on in the series, you completely get it, and have that “OH YEAH” moment.

“DOW” is about a witch, a vampire, a book, and all the havoc one manuscript can create. Diana Bishop, an alchemical historian, on visiting professorship at Oxford, with tenure at Yale, calls down a manuscript of alchemical text from the Bodleian library, thought to be missing since the 1800s. Everybody wants this damn book. Well, everyone inhuman wants this damn book, said to be the key to the origin of their species. In the course of calling this book, a vampire, Matthew Clairemont sees Diana call this book, and decides he’s interested in both the book, and the woman. Good for Diana, because he’s ridiculously smart, sexy, and scary, and now the other creatures; not sexy, but smart and scary, want the book as well, and don’t give a lick what happens to Diana, they just want her to recall it.

Obviously, the shit hits the fan. Over and over. The secrets they do find out about the book? Well, let’s just say, they’re interesting.

The story unfolds furthur in “Shadow of Night”, which I loved even more than “DOW”, and I am going to be re-reading this series almost certainly more than once, in anticipation of the third and final book of the trilogy’s release next year.

I can’t wait to see Diana’s superwonderwitch powers activate to their full potential in the third book, and see how much more neurotic Matthew can become. My guess is that he wishes Paxil worked on the undead.

As someone with some familiarity with academia, and a morbid fascination with medical anthropology; you’d not believe what they thought as cures!-would you like a dunk in a tank of ice cold water to cure your late night randy-ness? I was simply intoxicated with all of the peculiar historical references, and talk of DNA chains. It’s like the book was talking dirty to me…smart dirty. Oh yeah, baby; alleles, Faustus, allegorical alchemical illustrations….shiver. Some people have a freak-flag, apparently, I, have a nerd flag.

Incidentally, I had NO idea I’d been a follower of Deborah Harkness’ (the author) blog! She is the woman behind Good Wines under $20! Who knew? A historian scientist wino? Clearly, we’re meant to be besties. Or, I’ll just keep reading her stuff. Either way, don’t tell the gaysian. He’s pretty set on me only being friends with one historian wino writer.

The not yummy part of the book? The food. Vampires eat raw meat. I’ll take brownies, thank you very much. I’ll take two if they’re healthier.

Healthy Brownies, well healthy-ish.

These aren’t vampire friendly, so tell your mythical creature friends they’ll need to bring their own dessert.

 

 

 

healthy brownies

by Cat Tan

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup DUTCH PROCESS cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup 2% greek yogurt
  • 1 flax egg
  • 2 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup raw sugar
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

preheat oven to 375F

beat wet ingredients until well mixed

sift in cocoa powder and salt

stir in flour until just combined.

pour into silicone brownie bites pan or 8″ greased square pan

bake for 18 minutes or 28 minutes, respectively

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The Smell of a Man in the Thunderdome.

  By breakfasttobed | May 16, 2012 - 8:42 AM | , , , , , , , ,
19 Comments

So…. this What I Ate Wednesday is going to have super lame food, other than breakfast. Here’s the thing, yesterday, I got a confirmation invite to an event I had not yet been confirmed to attend. Fine, cool, whatevs. I can do things on the fly, I’m a NYer. It was cocktail attire. That meant makeup, blow out the fro, and put on a dress. After a morning of playing with the kids and practicing knife skills for an upcoming audition, it was a bit like plucking a chicken coated in vaseline; I just couldn’t get a grip. (that little turn-of-phrase brought to you by my West Virginia MawMaw)

This led me to do the only thing that would make sense. Fall asleep while writing a recipe while the kids napped, waking up to see the clock read “3:30PM”, freaking out and having NO idea what day it was, and making my kids a goat cheese pasta dinner so fast it would make your head spin. During all of this I also had to get ready to go to the event, which happened to be the Bob Harper *yes, THAT Bob Harper,* book launch.

Yes, I’ve been known to rant about “The Biggest Loser” my fair share of times, mostly because of the fact that they’ve proven time and time again that the longest lasting weight loss takes the longest time. There are exceptions to this rule, obvie (hello, me!) but in general, 1-2 lbs a week is more likely to stay off than 100lbs in 4 months.

The funny thing is, his book says as much. In “The Skinny Rules”, which I intend to read, cover-to-cover, he stresses the need for balance, and acceptance that weight loss takes time. Well, Hell, as long as he understands that not all of us are willing to stand in all of our obese glory in spandex and sports bras, on a scale that looks like it belongs in the “Thunderdome”, or the fat version of “The Arena”, I will give the book a chance. Just call me (former) Fatniss.

And the man could not have been nicer to team FitFluential. (wanna be a part of the awesomest team ever? you don’t have to be a blogger, you know!) Several of us were there, and he graciously took pictures with all of us, as well as with our group. Not going to lie, he smelled good. Odd thing to say, but he did! I am soooo olfactory driven-my doctor speculates it’s because I’m profoundly deaf, so my olfactory and vision senses are better. I therefore judge people heavily on how they smell. I think it’s because I’m part panther or truffle pig or something else awesome. I’m weird, get over it. He also had his launch at an apothecary, so that didn’t hurt.

Team FitFluential

The beautiful Theodora and Bob.

Bob being positively charmed/charming with the Angry Trainer.

Yes, Ashley is just that sexy. I wanted to steal her earrings but couldn’t get her drunk enough.

Bob, me, and Amber!

Bob was photobombing Theodora. I hear he does that a lot.

Got all of that? Yes? Good. Onto the odd group of foods I shoved in my face yesterday. Also? Add half a cantaloupe and an energy bar from Whole Foods to this mess. Also? that cocktail you see me NURSING at the launch. Vodka soda with a splash of cranberry and a lime. It was 40% Svedka.

recipe later in the post, but it was a savory goat cheese and corn waffle. yup.

extra thin crust, low fat fresh mozz, and more veggies than what most people put in their salad. I peeled off the pepperoni-I don’t like it.

a REALLY disappointing veggie burger on whole wheat bun. lame.

So let’s see that waffle again, shall we?

crispy, light corn waffles with dots of salty goat cheese, topped with a yolky egg. Could.you.just.die?

Thses waffles would be good with some rhubarb butter, or a poached/fried egg, or perhaps just syrup, but why not go crazy?? You’re going to love these. I promise.

Goat Cheese Corn Waffles

by Cat Tan

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: appetizer bread breakfast

Ingredients (2 waffles)

  • 3/4 cup extra fine cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/3 cup egg white
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil-melted and cooled slightly
  • 2 oz crumbled goat cheese
  • pinch of salt
  • tsp or 2 of honey

Instructions

pour all ingredients, save for cheese, into a blender-this makes it pourable.

pour onto greased waffle iron, sprinkle half the cheese on top of the batter, close and cook

serve with a sunny side up egg or fruit preserves, or both!!

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Are you a “Biggest Loser” fan?

Team Bob or Team Jillian? (the new ones don’t count, because I haven’t seen them or smelled them (jk). BTW, I’ve also met Jillian and I am approximately 3 times her size.)

-behold, the rare double parenthetical phrase, so I probs should’ve used brackets, but I hate brackets

Basically Olympians.

  By breakfasttobed | May 14, 2012 - 8:31 AM | , , , , ,
12 Comments

Oh my goodness, last week was a whirlwind. I know I spoke a tiny bit about it on my VLOG, but Friday was #RBKFitBlog at the Reebok HQ in Canton, Mass. It was incredible!

Let me preface this by saying that a lot of the  PR pitches that bloggers receive are generic, cold, and generally unwanted. In fact, The Bloggess gets so many, she has a picture of Wil Wheaton collating papers that she sends in reply to these generic pitches. This was NOT the case with Reebok. In fact, it was quite the opposite. This was the first blogger event with a single company specific focus, where they actually took the time to hear what each of us had to say. They also tailored the day/bloggers to match their company’s focus to the blogs that really fit this area. I felt so lucky to be considered!!!

Reebok has partnered with CrossFit in a long term relationship (like living together, only more beefcake) and have designed an entire line of clothing and shoes to go with it!! Their goal is to be THE quintessential fitness brand. Not just running or cross-training or soccer, but FITNESS. It was evident in everything they spoke about and showed us. Their entire company, employees and all, have undergone a renaissance, focusing on what makes people fit and strong. It was actually inspirational, and I don’t say that often.

We started the day with a CrossFit workout, and SkinnyRunner and I kicked butt. Finishing all our kettlebell (not to be confused with cowbell, which we still need more of) pull ups, and sprints in just under 14 minutes, making us olympic champions or something. (If olympic champions are more encouraged to write snarky blogs, run, and apply mascara; than train like it’s their job, which it probably is.) The whole thing was over super fast, and that was sad because our fearless coaches and CrossFit games competitors Austin and Caleb, were goal enough to get us running back to the CrossFit “box”.

Caleb. He may or may not be on the cover of romance novels. I’m just assuming.

This is Austin, he moved at an inopportune time for picture taking.

our “badass” post-CrossFit picture. BTW, Nicole was doing this 17 weeks preggers. She’s a rockstar.

I swear, I felt buffer after one workout. Don’t tell me it isn’t possible, my mom said I can do anything I set my mind to. Next up? flying. Got my cape AND my flying shoes. The Reebok shoes we were wearing, the RealFlex transitions, were surprisingly springy! My feet didn’t hurt all day, and that’s saying something, considering we also took a Cardio Dance class, taught by Ilyse Baker , who was really encouraging, despite my obvious lack of pop and lock skills. I’m about as hip hop as Betty White, even though I do have some pretty hardcore rap on my ipod. (along with the show tunes, so there goes my street cred.)

Yeah, we got schweddy.

Me and Julie, with Caitlin as an unassuming photobomb.

Me and SkinnyRunner, Anneas the photobomb this time.

Post dance with the gorgeous Sarah and Courtney.

I learned a LOT about Reebok and their focus, the way they design shoes (a MOTHER TRUCKING NASA ROCKET SCIENTIST-WHAT?!?!?) The way they make the mold, the way they test them (it’s way more rigorous than the LSAT), I learned about new product coming to market that made my mouth water with cuteness, and how excited they are about their brand.

The biggest thing I took away however, was how much they care about their consumer. The day we were there, they were designing a custom shoe for a man, who at 7’8″ tall cannot find shoes or hope to look for them. They were doing this for free. They were so generous with their time, and it really felt as though they wanted everyone to be heard. That says a lot. They even took time to give us time to post…I know this seems like a no-brainer for a blog event, but it’s rare. Trust me.

Bex and Maria-VLOGGING

Also? The gear is just really great. I’ve been wearing it for 2 weeks now. (I wash it, don’t freak) and it is some of the most comfortable workout gear I own. The capris are so breathable, I didn’t once do the “pull and flick” to cool my legs. Don’t pretend you’ve never done it, I’ll know you’re lying, your pants will be on fire, which would be a shame if they were the same capris I was wearing.

I’ll be running in their running shorts later, I’ll post my review super soon.

As amazing as last week was, it was good to cook/bake something yesterday. I was in withdrawl. My hands were itching to roll in flour. My skin needs it like a chinchilla needs dust. Yesterday morning, I broke my baking fast and made something so seasonal and delicious, I about keeled over. I made strawberry scones with rhubarb butter. Oh yes, you read that right.

Strawberry Scones with Rhubarb Butter

by Cat Tan

Keywords: snack side dessert bars spring summer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch salt
  • one stick butter
  • 1 cup strawberries, chopped
  • 1/2 cup nonfat greek yogurt
  • 1 egg

for rhubarb butter

  • 2 cups rhubarb chopped
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 stick of butter, softened

Instructions

preheat oven to 375F

in a food processor process butter and flour together until pea sized crumbles form

add in other ingredients, save for the strawberries,

turn into a bowl

fold in berries

roll into rectangle or circle, 2″ thick

cut into triangles

place on cookie sheet 2″ apart

bake 15-18 minutes or until just browning

for the rhubarb butter

chop the rhubarb and add it to a pan with the sugar, cook on medium until it resembles red applesauce

let cool

stir into butter until it’s a dark pink,

save the rest

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Favorite pair of work-out capris?

Do you like scones? rhubarb?

May The Odds Ever Favor Your Ass To Stop Hurting.

  By breakfasttobed | March 15, 2012 - 9:33 AM | , , , , , , ,
14 Comments

Today, I have a real pain in my ass. Literally. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to join in a KILLER “Hunger Games” style workout at Daily Burn, with these ladies…

Laura, Ashley (nearly as tall as me in real life!) Erica, Sexy Theodora, Sam, and that really awkward sweaty one on the end.

Daily Burn is a customizable work out program, both in traditional online format, and ipad/iphone apps. They also have an open-ended online nutrition program, and communities you can interact with. Though still in its infancy, I see a lot of promise with its format, if not just for the fact they seem to genuinely care about what their clients need/want/think. I really hope they can eventually take into account how many calories I burn running on Dunkin.

The workout we did, “Animal Core” which, to my surprise, was not porn involving two people dressed as cheetahs. It was a hardcore core workout led by a really entertaining PT Eitan Kramer. Though he was intense, he was also silly and fun, making the time fly by. The workout was a definite reminder that I need to work on my hips (holy tightness, Peeta!) and incorporate more plyometrics into my routine. Their trainers were KILLING me with the plyo! I haven’t hopped that much since my stint as an Easter bunny on a kids program. Currently they have 6 trainers, and I assume MANY combinations of workouts. We were led by fitness guru Lisa Wheeler, and she was great. Also? I loved her top and shoes. I should have taken a picture of them.

Most of the workouts require very little equipment, and the ones that do require equipment, have an all bodyweight option. If the workout I did last night was considered “intermediate”, I can’t wait to try the “advanced”, because i am a sick, sick puppy. Currently the nutrition and workout portions aren’t customized to the point that they can take into account for something like pregnancy or marathon training, but again, they are in their infancy. I have high hopes for their future.

In the words of Effie Trinket; “May the odds be ever in your favor!”

In the theme of my overwhelming obsession for the next two weeks the workout I did last night, today’s recipe is Katniss’ favorite. Hunger Games Lamb with stewed prunes.

Hunger Games Lamb and Stewed Prunes

by Cat Tan

Prep Time: 15 minutes-overnight

Cook Time: 2 hours

Keywords: roast slow-cooker entree gluten-free

Ingredients (serves 8-10)

  • 1, 4lb butterflied leg of lamb
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 6-8 oz pitted prunes
  • 5 oz roasted almonds
  • 1 individual sized container chobani plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • pinch of clove
  • 2 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

combine all dry ingredients and rub onto the lamb, if you want a more intense flavor, let it sit overnight.

Preheat oven to 375F

in a roasting pan, combine ALL other ingredients

cover with foil tightly

roast for approximately 2 hours or until desired doneness. (check after first hour)

alternatively

place in slow cooker on low-medium for 8-9 hours

serve with roasted potatoes or Peeta bread.

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Have you ever joined an online weight loss program?

I would have never met the awesome Theodora, who gave me the opportunity to do this awesome test, if it weren’t for FitFluential. I cannot tell you how awesome and supportive this community is, and I feel blessed to be a part of it every day.