surf n’ turf

We spent an impromptu afternoon at the coast last week. It was so nice to get out of the city for awhile, a change of pace, change of scenery, away from the endless to-do list, a chance for fresher air. My favorite part of the day was flying a kite. It was so freeing! And just totally fun and helped keep me in the moment. Funny how such a simple, silly thing like that can renew one’s spirit. The only thing about getting away, at least for me, is that once I get a taste of it, I’m hungry for more.

Speaking of hunger and food and all that, while at the coast we enjoyed a killer meal: oyster shooters (no cocktail sauce for me), bay shrimp cocktail (again sans cocktail sauce, but plenty of lemon), a glass of white wine, and an amazingly good field green salad, with tiny bits of bleu cheese and hazelnuts. So yeah, I cheated on my special diet with the dairy just a pinch, but I’ve been dairy-free again for five days. I totally deserve pats on the back for this though. Typically coast food for me consists of bowls of clam chowder, fried clam strips, etc., so I’m doing well. I neglected to take photos of the meal, probably because Babe was on my lap the entire time, stealing shrimps from my plate and trying to sneak sips of my wine, however…

…we did enjoy a very similar dinner a few weeks back, at home, which I happened to snap a few photos of.

While I’ve had oyster shooters in the past, I’ve never actually purchased them and prepared them at home. I kind of felt like a bad ass asking for them from the fish monger (I know, I lead a thrilling life – ha!), until I had to ask whether or not I needed to shuck them myself. The oysters I got were preshucked and pasterized using this ultra high-tech pressure technology thing, though I’d really like to get my hands, or mouth rather, on raw oysters at some point.

What got me on the oyster kick in the first place was Kat’s post about foods to help heal adrenal fatigue, which is something that I am very much battling with myself. Kat’s blog focuses on the GAPS diet (or, SCD diet), which is one of the healing diets I am considering. Right now I’m essentially eating a Paleo or advanced GAPS diet, which if you’re like “what the wha?” I totally get. I do recommend a quick gander if you’re looking for ways to heal with food, or simply want a change (and challenge). Both diets are quite hard core, though I’ve read that it’s literally been a life saver for some. I’ve been trying to keep that in mind whenever I get a whiff of fresh baked bread, or my neighbor describes, in detail, the stuffed shells she made for dinner. Damn.her. *I think I can, I think I can, I think I can*

PS – For the record, I’ve lost about 10 lbs. since I started this journey less than a month ago. I’ve had just a bit more energy, and days where my mood has been just a touch lighter. Bambino steps…