So I get on the scale. Why, I know. The scale’s LCD registers a reading. It reads, “get the hell off of me!” Yeah, I’ve had a bit of a set back. I got myself down to 217 lbs by accident when I had my last gout attack. I vowed to stay low and to actually get lower. Yeeeeaahh. Not so much. I’m back in the 240 plus club.

So the wife and I agree to go back to a regiment of working out and eating more salads and just plain healthy foods. I have to have some cream thrown in there somewhere and she is a sugar freak, so maybe we need some kind of culinary 12 step program.

I have a garage full of exercise equipment. I knew that I was getting old when 10 years ago, I bought a membership to a gym and I never went! After knee surgery, I could no longer play basketball, I couldn’t run. I don’t jog. I hate jogging. When I was in the Army, the PT test was 2 miles, I’m doing it as fast as I can, somewhere around 11 minutes. I hate to run, but I love the feeling after. Weird huh?

Anyways…

So my garage, is filled with what looks like a chamber for the Marquis de Sade. All painful, rather pain inflicting apparatuses holding car cleaning towels and flesh eating spiders. I guess what I mean is, lots of money - no usey! So we begin with the BowFlex. Of this thing de Sade would be proud. It is more painful than your best dentist, trust me! I have an elliptical and a really nice treadmill. The spiders especially like the treadmill. The treadmill has a really annoying woman on their CD which plays in the treadmill, who annoys me, and works the hell out of me; increase the incline…"work those buns!” I’ll have another donut, thank you!

So I have started working out again. I want to lower my blood pressure, loose 35 pounds, look good in a swimsuit again, NO NOT THE BORAT SUIT!!!, and feel better all around. My goals are attainable and I will get there. But I’m gonna go have another slice of Beck’s mud cake…be right back!

Okay, so here is a dish that was absolutely amazing. I mean it. People, make this! It is a salad, but more like a salsa, if you want it to be. I’m all about the salads right now. Those of you who come here often are about to experience a deluge of salads and healthier, somewhat, dishes, along with my favorite bechamel or cheese covered anything!

This salad/salsa came from Becky’s Women’s Health rag. And let me profess once again, make this! I usually hate using canned beans of any kind, but these worked out just fine.

The recipe called for a smoked tomato vinaigrette from a bottle or jar and did not provide a recipe, so you get mine. I made it up and it was good. We actually used it more than once.

...

To make the vinaigrette…

INGREDIENTS:

1 pint of tomatoes
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 clove garlic chopped
1 shallot chopped
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
1/4 cup EVOO
1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
salt & pepper

To make the salad:

1 15 oz can black beans drained
1 tsp ground cumin
2 cups fresh white corn (about 2 large ears)
4 oz smoked mozzarella 1/2 inch diced
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes quartered
3/4 cup chopped avocado (2 haas)
1/2 cup finey chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp butter
S&P to taste

METHOD:

Since I was already smoking a brisket, I put the tomatoes into a foil pouch, punctured it with a fork and put it in the smoker for about 1 hour. The smoker was maintaining a 225-230 degree temperature.



All ingredients into the blender and pulverise.

Refrigerate.

In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat.

Remove corn from cobb and add corn to skillet.

Roast until just soft and slightly browned.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Add corn and all ingredients to a large bowl.

Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of smoked vinaigrette.

Toss.

Chill.

Enjoy!