Two All Beef Patties, Special Sauce, Lettuce, Cheese . . .

Not really. But remember that commercial?? Anyhoo, one definition of love is accommodating your special person. So when the Boy didn't have much time, had to go to the office before getting to the airport but still wanted to see me - and eat a bite if we could - well . . . we breakfasted at McDonald's. I know- weird, right??

He did make me happy by wearing the most favorite (of mine) present I got him for Christmas - 

His 'happy place' is an airplane (mine is a bookstore, go figure...)!

Not saying I never eat there - but it is usually for a late night cheeseburger or fries when nothing else  is open, a big Diet Coke or hash browns when a hung-over morning. . . .

Today, I had just a DC - 

But he quite enjoyed a newer version of their "biscuit product" as he likes to call his favorite breakfast sammich - 

Oddly, he likes a sausage biscuit - plus grape or blackberry jam.

Did you know that Mickey D's now has the option to put egg whites and/or cheddar in any of their combos? I did not. 

What mattered? I didn't snag any of his side of hashbrowns (self-control CN!) but more importantly, I got to see his sweet face. Even if over a 30-minute fast food (semi-) breakfast and a bit of conversation. You make it work when you want to, I say.

Yours,

Love Bites,

Carrie Neal

BFD - or DFB . . .

Ok. Do any of y'all like BFD (Breakfast For Dinner)?? I do. But lately, I've been contemplating DFB (translation - you get it. . . ).

Weird.

So this morning, with leftovers and other food products in my kitchen, pantry and fridge - long story about not eating last night's dinner - I am contemplating the following for breakfast: chicken Milanese - with a side of pasta. . .

London broil and green beans . . . (WF has the best take out!) - 

Or possibly I'm being much too ambitious since I've pretty much not kept down anything in the past four days . . . maybe that leftover rice would be better, and an egg . . .

When y'all haven't been feeling well, what do you do? Any specifics to avoid, any to seek out . . . such advice? Or, if you feel fine and have weird cravings, what do you go for?? Love to hear!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

Delivery for Dinner, Y'all!

Despite my post of a couple days ago re cravings, I haven't really been able to eat. Two crumpets with butter, a little soup, and an egg over three days ain't really eating well, or enough.

Today was a little better. The sweet, sweet Boy tried to get me to eat lunch (failed plan there) but then brought me dinner. Granted, a potsticker and a bit of Mongolian beef weren't enough, but it's progress.

He also brought soup and the steamed chicken I like (white sauce on the side, all green veggies) - so I'd be fortified with whatever I could eat and keep down.

Sometimes  - love is food, and food is love. You know??

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

PS- I want to try making my own dumplings . . . 

Cravings . . .

Can anyone out there relate to odd food cravings?? It is approximately 5:30 am on this brand new day and yet again I'm having - possibly inappropriate food thoughts . . . 

By that I mean, I've again found myself craving things you wouldn't necessarily associate with certain times of day, or I find myself wanting a lot of one particular food. . .lately, for me, it's been things like steak for breakfast (a margarita and chicken wings would be too much, right??) or eggs and rice for dinner, extreme needs for green stuff/veggies . . . trying to figure out what my body is telling me and what it needs . . . Project 2013? Yep.

What are your eating habits, secret proclivities (another of mine- I am a salty not sweet person so deduce from there of my picks), good or bad regular items . . . love to know!

Here's to a happy, healthy and consistent New Year!!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

Love 'maters! Here's to more veggies and fruits in 2013!

Egg-o-Rama!!

Y'all! Shut the front door. Did you know how easy it is to make eggs - in the microwave?? I didn't, til last week, really - my oven is out and I wanted eggs, and had a vague recollection of my mom making microwave scrambled eggs at some point when I was a kid, so I started researching recipes . . . 

Fast. Easy. Delicious. I found a treasure trove of micro egg recipes (from scrambled to burritos to . . .) and my fave so far is super easy and tasty- and, an interesting factoid, they actually come out a little "runny/poached" instead of dry scrambled in a pan. Today, I had egg and cheese with leftover rice - so yummy!

If you're interested - here's how I do it: use a large coffee mug (10-12 oz), two eggs with a Tb or two of milk, salt and pepper to taste (coat the mug with cooking spray or butter if you like), heat 1 min then stir; add cheese or other toppings (ham, onion, etc) and heat another 1-2 mins. Done!

Here's to many egg discoveries in 2013!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

Egg in a cup! Done in under three minutes!

Hello, 2013!!

Well, Hello 2013! It's nice to meet you.

I just have a feeling this is going to be a good - in an interesting way! - year. I hope I'm right about that.

I look forward to many things: love and happiness and making some big decisions on that front . . . honesty and communication with all of my relationships - and better feelings and such with a few specific ones - . . . many great meals, from breakfast to dinner, eggs to steak, chicken to tuna - the list goes on . . .some good travel fit in . . .my second year with Lucas Dog . . . an all-around new adventure and hopefully mostly good hair days!

So, I wish you this: love, eat, laugh, listen, repeat. 

Best to you all in 2013 - let's make this our best year yet!!

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

The best to you all in 2013!! xoxo CN

Merry, Merry, Y'all!!

It's the happiest time of the year!

I just love Christmas. And this particular post is about gratitude. It all started with him getting me this pretty tree.

"Is this the right one, sweet girl?"

And we decorated it into this...

Terrence the Tree!

The Boy is so, so good to me. I kind of feel like pinching myself sometimes, he's that sweet. He feeds me, literally - often, like daily at least once - but what he really does is feed my soul. He tells me how important I am to him - every day. He does what he says he will do. He remembers the tiniest details about me, my life, my family and friends. I swear I learn something new from him every time I see him or talk to him - today, it was the origin of Boxing Day (Dec. 26th), which somehow I'd not known. Yesterday, it was his capacity for surprising me and for generosity; I'd already known about the latter, but not as much about the former. That Boy can plan and pull off some surprises! I thought I got my Christmas gift Saturday when I found him setting up my new TV (! - mine died last week and, well, he knows how I like my movies . . .) and was overwhelmed yesterday when he beat me home and I discovered all these wrapped packages under my tree. Y'all. There was even a gift for Luke. *Swoon*

Meet our new friend, Tiny the Tiger!

I don't make that much right now but I tried my best for him (he seemed happy) - but it just makes me so happy to do things, big or small, for the important people in my life. I am so blessed to be buoyed and supported by his love, by my parents, by my dear friends. From new ones to old - two of my close friends have been going through a lot lately and one I've known since grade school, and the other only a few years - but I'm so glad to be there for them. I am a lucky girl this Christmas, and the rest of the year.

A very happy holiday to you and yours, whatever you celebrate. If you have a chance to make someone's life a little sweeter, or to thank someone for doing that for you, I hope you do.

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

Just part of my presents - I am so spoiled!!