Sounds like a hilarious romp through "haute cuisine" -- and back? -- or perhaps will learn how to have great food without the carbs --
Looks to be a fun read --
This is my first week in the book club and this first chapter looks like it will be fun. I think I will need to eat before reading the next chapter since it is making me hungry. I guess it is better to read about eating than to actually do it. THere is a love for food here as there is in _Like Water for Chocolate_ or the movie _Babette's Feast_. Can't wait to read more.
This book was available at our library and I grabbed the copy after reading the introduction. This hits home!!! My winter project was shedding those "after 50" pounds that had been amassing and I've managed to go from a snug 16 to a 10. It's been expensive...an entire new wardrobe. Have no idea how many pounds are gone, I don't even own a scale. It was so easy...don't know why I didn't do this years before. I ran into a friend who's been in the south for 3 months and she almost fell over!!! That's when you know you've done it.
At any rate, I know I'll really enjoy this book.. Now here's the irony of it all: we're traveling this week to, of all places, New Orleans...just to stuff ourselves on their wonderul cuisine.
I live here in New Orleans. Make sure that you bring your appetite,Ann. There is tons to do, not to mention wonderful places to eat. Hope that you have fun while you are here in the Big Easy. Can't wait for tomorrow's chapter.
Hi Ann - I hate you already -- HOW DID YOU DO IT?
lose the lbs. - that is - please share your formula of success with us -- WAITING DESPARATELY TO HEAR -- Thanks - Doris -
Dropping the tonnage was about the easiest thing I've ever done. I started about the middle of September, facing a milestone birthday (one ending with a 0) in December and wanting to do that one better than I had done the big 5-0. My plan amounted to a restyle of eating...basically Atkins, but limiting fat as well as carbs. I think one of the problems people make on Atkins is to figure that they can go ahead and eat an 18 ounce steak and pour a cup of bleu cheese on their salad and lose weight. Well, you probably can, but it won't stay off. My "diet" consisted of a couple of eggs for breakfast, the "insides" of a sandwich for lunch, and grilled or baked meat with salad and vegetables for dinner. I never announced to anyone that I was doing this, not even my dearly beloved hubby noticed. Being retired, he occasionally treats me to lunch out, and I would go for whatever I wanted, even a burger and milk shake. I figured going nuts once every other week wasn't going to matter. I did not buy any of the popular "low carb" food stuffs, just ate sensibly. No increase in exercise, but we are obliged to a long walk with the dog every day anyway. I figure when our golf course opens in a week or so and I am out there four times a week walking 18 holes, I'll break through this size 10 plateau. Truth be told, I'd be happy to just stay here.
Having done this for 6 months now, I find that my "tastes" have completely changed. The thought of consuming an entire beignet turns me off, but I could probably go through a couple dozen oyster shooters. I encourage all of you...if I can do it, anybody can. I have genetics going against me, coming from a long line of stocky northern European ancestors.
Congratulations - Ann - on your wt. loss and also your sensible and healthy sounding way of doing it - I personally don't think Atkins' way is a healthy way - however there are those who disagree -
Thanks for the info and have a great time in Na'leans - isn't that how the natives say it? At any rate enjoy the food and I'm sure you'll be doing lots of walking as well -- think of us all up here thinking of you down there -- Doris -
Ann,
I have been doing the same thing and have lost about 50 pounds. I still have a long way to go, but it feels so good to have to buy new clothes because everything is too big rather than the other way around! I did add water aerobics to my exercise regime and I love it! No soreness and no sweat- I really HATE to sweat!
Am enjoying this book and all the wonderful food - also the writing - but poor Harry - what is he going to do when he has to STOP his culinary art? Oh - maybe he will bring us calorie and fat free wonderful delicacies - something to look forward to --
You lucky girl Ann to be going to New Orleans and to Megan who lives there...NOLA is one of my favorite cities. Took my 2 children and their spouses (neither have children)there for Christmas. It had been the 4th time there for my daughter and me.
It is actually a myth that New Orleans is pronounced N'Awlin's. I have been here almost 10 years and no one I know says it that way. I am glad that everyone enjoys our strange and unique city. We have enjoyed it.
I am enjoying this book. So far it is fun, though it is still making me hungry. I can identify with this books simply because my husband is the cook in tho house and LOVES it. Like Harry, he finds it very therapeutic and relaxing. Why would I want to spoil his pleasure.
Have loved this book so far. Makes me laugh out loud and smile a lot. Am planning to get it out of my library ASAP.
Some friends and I are going to New Orleans at the end of June. Any recommendations on what to see and where to eat? Three of us have never been before.
Missed all the chat while I was eating myself silly in the Big Easy. What an experience!!! Someone asked about places to go and here are the ones we visited: Commander's Palace (a must for the first timer,make your reservations about a month ahead of time), Emeril's in the Warehouse district (ask for a seat at the kitchen bar if you are interested in the cooking process), and our very favorite Jacques-Imo. The latter was a complete, total DIVE, a place I would not even think of entering by its appearance, but enter I did, and was greatly rewarded. Have to go back, I can only stand so much good food in such a short time.
And I absolutely loved the book!!! The perfect "airplane" read.
Looking forward to next week's read since I missed the current one.
I laughed out loud at the first chapter of this book when it described itself as "low-carb". At first I thought I wouldn't like it, but was I wrong! Harry is just like my husband. I haven't cooked in years because there's no way I could top what my hubby comes up with. He's amazing! And yes, through the many years of our marriage we've both accumulated too many pounds from his wonderful creations.
But then I was the one who went low-carb. All the extra pounds started causing health problems including high blood pressure. I had to do something! I've lost a total of 30 pounds, but I have to admit that I am not strict about my low-carb lifestyle. If it's a birthday or holiday or some food-centered celebration I feel free to indulge, but I do stick to the low-carb on regular days.
Hi Kim -- another success story - congrats. - think cutting back on the carbs is the way to go for me - if only I could do it -- with you and Ann and this book - perhaps inspiration and motivation will come to me -- Thanks to you both for sharing --
Did you all see that Jim Kokoris, the author of last week's fiction book, "Sister North", posted to the forum yesterday?? Just thought I'd let y'all know...
I'm definitely getting hungry, l-o-v-e the food descriptions ... hope they'll continue and tempt me toward the healthier choices as the characters' diets change. This novel feels completely true to life -- probably due to all the details -- feels like memoir rather than fiction.
Ann -- way to go! Good for you on getting trim ... and don't you love getting dressed these days!
Tonya -- thanks for the heads up about last week's author.
I am enjoying the beginning of COOKING FOR HARRY. It reminds me a bit of my married days, preparing new recipes and enjoying the process as much as the result. I think I'll have to get a copy . . . and a low-fat cookbook??
The fact is that I anticipated hating this book, but it is Wednesday and I actually am starting to enjoy it!
The writing is very casual, almost silly at times and it's complexity registers at about the level of journalism found in Cosmopolitan. But, I must say the ideas behind the writing are quite inventive and original. I especially liked the holiday party description in today's episode!
It is doubtful I will seek this one out, but I know a few other readers that would find this one delightful!
Cooking is NOT my thing, nor my dear husband's.....I am very happy with a bowl of cereal for supper so I didn't think I'd enjoy this much....boy was I wrong!I find it hilarious and am LOL. I want to read the whole thing. I love the writing.....even if it is simple to some, I find it very funny and relaxing. Thanks Susanne for this pick b/c I definitely would not have picked up this book otherwise.
I'm another one who doesn't like to cook. I'm debating about the book. Do I want to go on reading it? I guess the only way to find out is to get it at the library and give it a try.
Thanks to best friend Kerry for signing me up! Enjoyed todays read even if I am coming in on the end of it. Not a big cook, but keep trying for husband's sake. He is much better than me in the kitchen but he would like me to cook during the week.
This will be a good way with two small children to do something for myself each day. Looking forward to more great reads!
Really enjoyed the preview and the book. Got it out of the library because I needed and upbeat, fun book to read. This fit the bill. Lots of good laughs and true-to-life stuff.
By the way, am traveling to New Orleans in June and would LOVE some advice on where to go, what to see, where to eat.
