Savory Saturday: Boil em' Mash em' Stick em' in a stew

    When it comes to an easy meal, nothing beats the mighty potato. Mash it for the most amazing side dish, dice it and fry it as the perfect burger companion, or bake it as is—well, you get the idea. The potato is incredibly versatile, offering endless possibilities in the kitchen. Today, I want to explore five quick and delightful things about this humble ingredient and share why it holds a special place in my family's heart. So, let's dive into a savory Saturday!

    First and foremost, we have the easiest of potato dishes—the simple baked potato. It was a staple back when I was first living on my own, and it remains a favorite alongside anything cooked on the grill. You can wrap it in foil and toss it in the oven or on the grill, or simply poke a few holes in it and microwave it for convenience (remember, don't use foil in the microwave). Enjoy it plain or elevate its flavors with some delicious extras! The most commonly agreed-upon add-ons include butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives. While I'm not a sour cream fan myself, there are moments when I'll indulge in a dollop!

    Second is the beloved mashed potato—a favorite among my wife and children! My son particularly enjoys when I shape them into tiny mashed potato snowmen by rolling them into little balls. The most common way to prepare mashed potatoes is by boiling them without skins and then mashing them with a beater or a hand masher, adding some milk and butter. Some people like to enhance the flavors with ingredients like rosemary, garlic, or Parmesan. Personally, I prefer mine with just a bit of salt and pepper, but I love adding corn whenever we're having it at the same time!

    Moving on to the third dish, we encounter one of the most debated creations at picnics or cookouts—the potato salad (duh duh duhhhh). Truth be told, there are countless recipes out there for potato salad, but I'll share my simple version. Start by boiling some eggs, peeling them, and removing the cooked yolk in a separate container. Boil the potatoes until they are thoroughly cooked but not mushy (smaller pieces work better). Dice the egg whites and combine them with the cooked potatoes. Add diced black olives and regular salty pickles to the mix. Here's where opinions diverge. I believe a potato salad should have a predominantly salty flavor, while others prefer a sweeter touch. Some recipes even include cranberries and raisins or opt for sweet pickles instead of salty ones. Not in this house! I like to mix mayonnaise and mustard with the yolks to create a creamy mixture. Combine everything in one bowl, folding gently until all the ingredients are well combined!

    Our fourth dish pays tribute to our dear friend, the French fry (with an honorable mention to the hash brown). French fries are an absolute staple in the fast food world, and they have also found their way into high-end dining establishments, often topped with a plethora of delicious fixings. You can't visit many barbecue joints without encountering a French fry loaded with pulled pork! I once had the pleasure of visiting a five-star restaurant that served "Potato frites with an Asiago and Parmesan dusting, accompanied by a creamy hollandaise sauce." Translation? Fancy fries with cheese and mayo. No matter how many stars you give them, everyone loves fries! The hash brown, a close cousin to the French fry, is prepared similarly but with smaller pieces and a crispier crust. And if these two potato delights had a gangly second cousin, it would be the almighty tater tot—a personal favorite among children and bar-goers alike!

    Finally, for our fifth dish, I've decided to feature a lesser-known potato creation, or at least one that I don't often see: potato soup! Classic, creamy, and undeniably delicious, potato soup is perfect for a cool evening or as a hearty meal to keep you satisfied throughout the day. Adding a portion of cheddar cheese and bacon to the soup takes it to another level of flavor. You can include many of the extras typically found with a baked potato, with the exception of parsley. As a creamy soup companion, parsley often makes an appearance to add visual appeal, but not much else! I've always like having a thicker, creamier soup at a lunch that is primarily soup and salad. Creamy soups are usually a bit heavier and very satisfying alongside a cool crisp salad! They also pair well with grilled white meats as they can add a bit of extra salt to the meal without having to add extra to the main dish.

    And there you have it—our five potato dishes. Since this isn't a full-fledged food blog, I haven't included specific recipes. However, if that's something you'd like to see in the future, please let me know, and I'll be sure to include them. I promise to avoid the clichéd practice of starting the post with a lengthy, heartwarming tale about my connection to these dishes (apologies for the slight gag reflex—I can't stand it when food blogs do that!). But I did promise to explain why they hold meaning for my family, and the truth is, they are affordable, versatile, and budget-friendly. With just under ten dollars, you can gather all the ingredients needed to create these fantastic potato-based meals. As for why I'm including this topic in a lifestyle blog about my journey to write a book? Food plays a significant role in our lives, and I want to ensure I have a good understanding of food and cooking to bring authenticity to my writing. I aim to make this story fantastic yet relatable, and nothing is more relatable than our dear friend, the potato! So, let's celebrate the potato (you can even raise a glass of vodka made from potatoes), and I hope everyone enjoys a savory Saturday!

Setting a Schedule

    I've learned from past experiences that setting a schedule is crucial for keeping myself on track. With that in mind, I'm excited to announce a revamped approach to my blog. Starting this week, I'll be dedicating specific days to discussing the three major aspects of my life: Fatherhood, Food, and Fantasy. By organizing my blog posts around these topics, I hope to share my experiences, insights, and passions with you in a more structured and engaging way.

Thursdays: Fatherhood Findings     On Thursdays, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the successes and challenges I face as a dad throughout the week. I'll delve into various parenting topics, sharing my thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned. Together, we can explore the joys and complexities of fatherhood and parenting to engage in meaningful conversations about raising children in today's world. There are a million places to go to talk to other parents and I hope here is becomes a space where people are comfortable to share!

Saturdays: Fun With Food!     Food has always held a special place in my heart (and stomach), and on Saturdays, I'll be diving into the realm of the delicious. I'll share my culinary adventures, whether it's a show I recently watched, a thought-provoking podcast I stumbled upon, or a delightful recipe I've tried or plan to attempt. Get ready for tantalizing discussions about flavors, cultures, and the joy of preparing and savoring delicious meals. Hopefully this one will bring along pictures and inspire some people to share their favorites too! I'm always willing to try a new food or recipe!

Mondays: Fantasy Realms and Writing Updates     As an aspiring writer, Mondays will be devoted to my fantasy world-building endeavors and progress on my book. Join me as I explore the vast landscapes of imagination, discuss writing techniques, and share insights from the writing community. We'll delve into tropes, character development, world-building, and anything else that captures the essence of the fantasy genre. Together, we'll embark on a journey to unleash our creativity and craft compelling stories. Sometimes a spark is all you need to unleash an inferno of inspiration!

    I'm excited to try and refresh this blogging journey, and hope to make a community around parents that share my interests and passions! I'll be sharing my experiences as a father, my culinary explorations, and my deep passion for writing and fantasy. Through this revamped schedule, I aim to provide you with engaging, thought-provoking content that reflects a diverse set of interests. I invite you to join me on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays as we delve into the realms of Fatherhood, Food, and Fantasy. Let's embark on this adventure together, discovering the joys and challenges of life's rich tapestry.

Weight for it...

    As a dad, I know how easy it is to let our health take a backseat while taking care of our families. However, I've realized that taking care of ourselves is just as important as taking care of our loved ones. That's why I've decided to start a diet and exercise plan to improve my health and reach my goal weight. I want to be around for my family for a long time, and improving my health is the way to do it.

    My main priority is to stick to a set number of calories each day and get a few workouts in each week. I'm starting slow with simple free weight exercises, walking the dog, and using a stationary bike. The monthly core plan is to start with ten reps of simple exercises like push ups, sit ups, and jumping jacks. Every day I add one rep until I end the month with around 40ish of each. At the start of the next month I drop back down to ten but add a new exercise. Turning it in to a game is going to be the way to keep it interesting and on course. Losing focus and bored of routine is what derails a lot of parents. Simply establishing the routine in the first place is hard. If you like maybe you can do it with me!

    The diet plan is not a specific diet like Keto or Paleo, but one that focuses on calorie deficits. I downloaded a tracker to help me on pace with calories and water intake. It's honestly surprising how many calories you can consume when you're not planning a meal properly! I'll be making sure that my meals are focused on having less carbs, more fiber and avoiding sugary snacks in-between. One of my biggest challenges will be snacking, especially with my toddler who needs to eat regularly throughout the day. However, I'm determined to practice self-control and make sure I'm not joining in on snack time with him. This is also putting me in a position where i am making sure all the snacks we are having are not only healthy for me but also healthy for my family! Fruits and nuts are a lot healthier than chips and candy!

    My goal is to lose two pounds a week until I reach my target weight of 215 pounds. I've tried losing weight before and the only true blue method that has worked for me is tracking calories and creating a deficit. Sticking to the diet will keep me plateaued, the workouts will lose me weight. If I stick to my plan, I should be able to achieve my goal by the beginning of August. And that's perfect timing because my wife and I will be attending Taylor Swift's concert in LA. I'm calling this my weight loss era, and I'm excited to see the results.

    Combining this weight loss regime with writing my book will be a challenge, but it's a challenge that I'm willing to take on. I know that improving my health and reaching my goals will be worth the effort. It's important to prioritize our health and well-being so that we can be the best versions of ourselves for our families. I hope that my journey can inspire other dads out there to take care of themselves too. A lot of things happen when you're on a weight loss journey. Maybe we'll find something fun to add to the book?

Food for thought!

    Fatherhood comes with many responsibilities, and one of the most important ones is ensuring that our families are well-nourished. As a dad, I take pride in preparing healthy meals for my two sons and my wife. However, this can be a challenge, especially when my wife isn't a big fan of vegetables!

    To solve this problem, I have come up with a simple solution. I prepare the veggies in a separate pan so that I can eat them, and my wife doesn't have to. This way, she can still enjoy the main meal without feeling like she's missing out on anything. For the most part it is just leaving out veggies but every now and again shell try something new! It's all about respecting her boundaries when it comes to meals.

    When it comes to feeding my sons, it's a bit different. My toddler eats whatever we have, but in smaller portions. I try to make sure that every meal includes a variety of vegetables, proteins, and carbs. I also try to limit processed foods and sugary drinks, as these can have some negative impacts. With kids however a lot of the easy snacks are processed. Looking at labels is important knowing what is in there. Feeding the baby is the easiest part of mealtime. He's still on milk, so I don't have to worry about preparing anything special for him. All props to my wife though because she is the one busting her ass to make milk for the little one!

    Making healthy meals for my family is not always easy, but it's something that I'm passionate about. I believe that good nutrition is essential for our overall health and well-being, and it's important to start instilling healthy habits in our children from a young age. I've spent several years not eating healthy and its led to some health issues. I don't want that for my boys and I want to set them up with habits for success early.

    I also understand that not everyone enjoys the same foods, and that's okay. Finding ways to compromise and accommodate everyone's preferences is key. It's also important to remember that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or tasteless. There are plenty of delicious and nutritious recipes out there that the whole family can enjoy. And if you're not in the mood for something super healthy take out is always on the table!

    One of the fun things when learning new recipes is learning about the culture or history they come from. One day I hope to share this with my boys as they help me make meals. For now I'll just jabber with the toddler and hope he learns a word or two! This connection with history and food has been an important part about writing for me. It is adding flavor (pun intended) to the book and really helping to flesh it out. One of the things that makes a world feel fleshed out are the little bits of culture like food and music.

    Being a Dad means taking on many responsibilities, including providing healthy meals for our families. It can be a challenge, especially when dealing with picky eaters, but finding ways to compromise and accommodate everyone's preferences is essential. By prioritizing good nutrition, we can help our families thrive and live healthier, happier lives. I personally know that food is the ultimate binder of families and people. I will keep doing my best to use it to create great memories for my family, and also to flesh out my book! If I find a fun recipe ill talk about it some! Who knows it might even be something funny on the way to the book.