Friday means lunch out. Last Friday meant lunch out in Morristown’s La Casa Del Pollo. Let’s start slow as even the mere sight of Colombian food can cause panic and confusion in the hearts and minds of healthy food blobbers.

La Casa Del Pollo, Ext.

The menu, Int. All items are in Spanish and English.

The gang started with exotic (to us) drinks including Pony Malta which kind of tasted like cough syrup.

Someone got a Guanabana juice[?] and someone got something else. Sorry for the vague-ness, I just don’t remember what these things were called there was so much excitement going on. I would call them the Bubbly Banana and The White Knight if I invented them.

You put the lime in the coconut, you drink them both together.

“Hot sauce” that was more sweet than hot with a mild cilantro flavor. This serving was for the whole table but I could use all the cups myself just on my chicken.

Arroz con Pollo. I sampled some and it was tasty. Dark meat chicken was prevalent.

Mini especial con pollo

My dish was the Mini Special with Chicken.

There’s very little description on the menu for each of the choices but I was happily surprised when the waitress asked me how I wanted my chicken. I had assumed it would be grilled rib meat so took a gamble and said “grilled chicken breast”. She smiled and accepted my idea which made me feel warm and loved. Nice.

In case you’re wondering the beans are not vegetarian. There’s a couple unspecified meats in there, I’d wager that bacon and pork (fat) are 2 of them. The rice was tasty and the plantain one of the best I’ve ever had, not covered with stickiness and light and crispy, not heavy and soaked with oil.

The price is extremely reasonable at $5.50.

Grilled Liver, pronounced “Leeever”. Nice and big so you can see all the details.

The liver, the chicken, and all the the frothy beverages in the world don’t hold a candle to this next dish – the real reason a meat lover would trek more than 20 miles to spend a precious lunch hour at the House of Chicken is the Typical Lunch Platter. Funny we travel so far and long for something so “typical” and I imagine that most people don’t consider many of the items shown “typical”, but since this is the second Colombian place I’ve been to in my life that featured this lunch special, I concede.

This is typical for Colombians

• Pan fried beef steak like item
• Rice
• Beans (with meat parts)
• Chorizo (deep fried sausage-like item)
• Corn meal bread puff
• Pork Rind (belly or back, I don’t know)
• Oh, yeah, a soft fried egg

BEHOLD THE WRECKAGE!

Note only the corn bread puff thing survived.

2 little corn syrup drop lozenges will surely remove the salty from thine tongueispiece. Not.

Morristown Colombians are a very accepting people, choosing to live in racial harmony, posting bills for both the All White Party…

And the Black Party…

Salted meats, sugary beverages, and racial harmony all covered in running egg yolk – that my friends is Paradise.

Something I like to write, talk and read about is body image and self esteem. There is no doubt in my mind that self perception affects people tremendously. It is hard to have a happy day, a happy life when you feel “fat” or “gross” about yourself. I find fitness magazines generally do not have anything new to offer, but I read them anyway. Yesterday while ellipticizing, I read this month’s Self , which actually left me feeling better about myself and quite happy all day long. The theme of the issue is “being happy at your happy weight,” regardless of what that number is. One thing I read that I completely agree with and wanted to share was this …

“Life is far too rich, interesting and short to waste on hating your body.”

Remember that. I know I try to and sometimes forget.

The issue also talks about the negative affects of constantly doing “body checks” and how unhappiness/stress in other areas of life often get taken out on our bodies. Think about it. When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed with work are you much more likely to think, “Ughh my butt is sooo big?” The two are not related, but it’s an easy jump. So, just remember to love yourself, don’t talk negatively about your body and don’t judge yourself!

Post-Gym Present

When I got home from the gym yesterday, I found a present waiting for me. It was Meghann’s package from my v. first blog trade. Inside I found lots of exciting things like the Flat Out wraps that kicked this whole thing off, all sorts of spices and the cutest heart measuring spoons! The whole thing was just perfect b/c I need spices and I am not sure how she knew this, but I love Valentine’s Day and hearts and will keep the spoons in use all year long!

I also used the Flat Out wraps in the dinner I had planned – Sweet Potato Burritos. The Flat Out wraps are the perfect consistency for a burrito or wrap because they stay in place!

Sweet Potato Burrito Ingredients:

Then I put about two cups of them in the food processor just for a minute. I didn’t want them mashed, but just a little blended.

Then I put it all in a Flat Out wrap with some diced tomatoes.

So, as you can see, Meghann’s Flat Out wraps came at the perfect time! Thank you Meghann.

Everyone have a wonderful Friday!