To cook a schmorgesborg

Yesterday I did something that I thought I'd never do- I cooked for people. Now, I may make dinner for my family, but by no means am I what one thinks of when they think "cook". I probably fall more in line with "weirdo" or "split end picker", maybe "weird sense of humor haver". But "cook"? Well, I suppose I could add it to the list among "trash tv watcher" and "jig dancer".

Sunday night I cooked my in-laws a vegetarian/vegan meal. And from what I heard, it turned out great. Though I'm suspicious the rave reviews may be due to my being bound to them by law now. I've had their cooking before, there's no way I did THAT good. But here it is nonetheless.


Here you have me doing my best Julia Child...if Julia Child was a cheesy dork.

The menu was-
Vegetarian lasagna Florentine (I wanted to make something they would be more familiar with)
Couscous with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing and cucumbers (vegan)
Minestrone soup (vegan)
Coconut creme pie for dessert (vegan)



Cooking up some of the lasagna innards (onions, mushrooms, zucchini)...which turned into this-

I forgot to take photos of the other stuff I put in it- spinach, cottage cheese, mozzarella and parmesan (in case you were wondering, no, I did not eat this lasagna, I was more than happy with the soup anyway).

Before the oven.

If this were a show, now is where I'd have an elapsed time segment where I dance with a cane and top hat and tell horrible jokes. In reality, we mostly just forgot to take a lot of photos. So here's the end result-

Family getting ready to chow down...

End result. Now, the lasagna looks odd and even a little burnt but it wasn't. I almost didn't want to take a picture of it but I did FOR THE REALNESS! I KEEPS IT REAL PEOPLE!

Jack "I Eat Lasagna Like A Mo'fuggin Champ" Martin

The World's Heartiest Bowl Of Minestrone Soup (this was my dinner and I couldn't even eat the whole thing! Whoever says vegans are starving doesn't know their ass from their elbow.)
And for dessert-

Coconut creme pie, made more fun by the fact that it was TOFU! Yes, tofu. Turns out tofu can be incredibly versatile and I was shocked when I was making the pie at how much it tasted like the real deal.

So there you have it! We actually made so much we have a TON of leftovers in the house. I think I won't have to cook for a week which is fine by me. I can resume what I'm normally good at like being a "bath lounger" and "compulsive vacuumer". But "vegetarian/vegan cook for the day"? I'll be happy to put that in my arsenal.

The challenge is almost up and I can safely say that it has changed me. I've learned so much and have experienced nothing but positive change that I feel it would be a waste to go back to my old habits. My decision was basically solidified once I stepped on the scale at the in-laws (I don't have one in my house) and learned that after three weeks I'm 8lbs lighter. I haven't been able to shed any weight for the last 2 1/2 years, even after exercise and diet. I've discovered that this diet works well for me and I'm going to keep rolling with it.

What I ultimately want to say though, to all of you, is THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart. Everybody has been so supportive and I cannot thank those of you who have followed and cheered me on enough. It was the fuel I needed when cravings got strong and I wondered if this was the right choice. I kept everybody in mind when I cooked, when I ate and in the end, when I felt full and happy, it was mostly gratitude that hit the spot. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, what shall I celebrate the end of the month with (vegan still, that is)?