I learned that whole pineapples are pretty easy to peel and cut up. No longer will the spiky green leaves and bumpy outside intimidate me.

I learned that steak with blue cheese and onion cream sauce is delicious and worth every bite. But I had better not make it a habit.

I learned that I can pack a pretty tasty lunch even when I am hundreds of miles from home with no kitchen. (although I did have fridge access) I can even make a tasty hors d'oevure with no kitchen.

I learned that the farmer's market is a magical place. And that one should snarf up any fresh garlic that you see because it is a totally different creature than the garlic at the store. I have never before had juicy garlic. And it was delicious. Also if you see tiny green plums from the Amish guy, buy them they are wonderful, but use them up quick.

I also learned that homemade applesauce from local apples will make you look like a rock star if you feed it to company alongside a grilled pork tenderloin. So will homemade BBQ sauce.

I also learned that if you throw a weekend long party then go on vacation for a week and eat nothing but crabs dipped in butter and potatoes, then come home and eat out a lot because you can't get back into your routine, you will gain 5 pounds and have a hard time getting rid of it.

What did you learn on your summer vacation?

Update: Don't buy a 24 pack of figs without a plan. The fruit flies got to them before I could. But I did find some delicious recipes to use them.

Next time I will have the recipes on hand. My top two choices were Fig, Proscuitto and Gorgonzola Pizza, and Fig and Sesame Jam.

quote:

Originally posted by Sheri in Reho:
I learned that I CAN still be successful at weight loss (though, granted, I got an enormous boost from weaning off of HRT).

Glad to hear you are off HRT. I never started it when I went thru the change and the more I hear about it the more glad I am that I didn't ever start.

quote:

Originally posted by Brie:

quote:

Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
Wow, 400 miles!!!! I thought I ran a lot!!!

Except now I can barely walk and my ankle pain is now keeping me up nights. Somewhere along the line I need to learn moderation ; )

My knee would likely agree with your ankle. In learning moderation, anyway.

I learned that I CAN still be successful at weight loss (though, granted, I got an enormous boost from weaning off of HRT).

I learned that there ARE enough things I can do for a good lower-body workout at my gym (previously, I hadn't been working at it enough because the equipment was so different from my gym in VA).

I learned that working hard at lower body workouts, and balancing them better with upper body workouts, can help with weight loss vs. working against it.

I learned that mixing 2 cereals can give me both the high fiber/healthy grains I need and the taste I crave.

I learned (again) how easy it is to put on 5 pounds while on a summer adventure and that taking it off is tougher than it seems at first blush.

I learned (again) how great it is to be a Mom and to be watching my dd grow up. Truly amazing.

Adding...
I learned what huckleberries are and that they ROCK in a milkshake.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sandy,

Thanks for sharing Peggy. Both of those recipes look yummy.

quote:

Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
Wow, 400 miles!!!! I thought I ran a lot!!!

Except now I can barely walk and my ankle pain is now keeping me up nights. Somewhere along the line I need to learn moderation ; )

quote:

Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
[...]there's really no point to growing them if you don't actually eat them.

hehehe that's what neighbor's are for

quote:

Originally posted by Brie:
That logging 400 miles on my Nike sensor in three months is not good for my ankle.

Wow, 400 miles!!!! I thought I ran a lot!!!

What did I learn?

That growing organic veggies are easy, but there's really no point to growing them if you don't actually eat them.

Here's a fig appetizer recipe I made this summer and liked a lot. I served it at book club and it seemed that the gargonzola was a little strong for some so if you are entertaining, you might choose a milder chees. I love strong cheese but I saw a few go unfinished.

http://find.myrecipes.com/reci...ipe&recipe_id=549706

I also made this peach and fig dish for dessert for a dinner party. My peaches weren't so good but the figs were yummy:
http://find.myrecipes.com/reci...pe&recipe_id=1898534

I'd love to hear what else you do with them. I bought a big package and didn't get them all used but they were tasty. I've also had them at a tapas place dipped in chocolate and they were divine.

Peg

Wow! 400 miles is a lot! I am impressed.

And I am totally with you on the peach thing. I love them, and haven't had nearly enough this summer. It's been all about the plums here. I think I have had 5 or 6 different varieties so far.

I also learned that refrigerator pickles are really easy to make.

Next I need to figure out what to do with the 2 dozen figs sitting on my kitchen counter...

That logging 400 miles on my Nike sensor in three months is not good for my ankle.

That nothing tastes as good as a tree ripened local peach (and it surprises me every summer).

Growing tomatoes in the back yard was easier than I thought.

It's still way too easy to gain weight while traveling and getting harder to get those pounds back off.

I learned that even I can lose weight by being sick. I also learned that the pounds are more than happy to come running back home to mommy once the illness is over...

What's a summer vacation?

Sounds like you had a good time.

And I agree that the farmer's market is a magical place.