THE CADILLAC GRILLE

The Cadillac Grille is the third, and top shelf, in the complex consisting of the Cadillac Lounge, and Billy’s Burgers (see below). This was the most expensive meal ($305 for six - 18% gratuity included) we had in Jackson Hole, but it was worth every penny. My Grilled New York Strip steak, with glazed onions and creamed spinach was primo!

Ron had the Buffalo Bolognese - Ground Buffalo Sirloin, Bell Peppers and Roasted Garlic in a Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce Tossed with Penne Pasta, Fresh Basil and Romano Cheese. Yummy!

Naturally, it was all washed down with Snake River Pale Ale!

SNAKE RIVER PALE ALE WITH BILLY BURGERS

We visited the Snake River Brewery and toasted each other with their fine pale ale every chance we got. It seems this is the favorite drink in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and we also appreciated it with Billy Burger and fries.

If you sit in the Cadillac Lounge, you can order of from either Billy’s or the Cadillac Grille’s menu. Billy’s half-pound burgers are good eatin’ and you can get anything up to Elk steak from the Grille. One evening I had the strip steak with glazed onions and creamed spinach (pictures later). Everything was yummy with a draft, or two, of Snake River Pale Ale!

CAVEMEN DID HAVE BEER!

Finally found out why beer is not affecting my diet…cavemen did have beer! Well, sorta.

Scots have been making beer since at least Neolithic times. In 1985 archaeologists uncovered Pictish pots dating from 6500 B.C. containing remnants of beer brewed with barley and oats, honey or heather, meadowsweet and royal fern. In the late fourth century the Irish High King Niall of the Nine Hostages launched a campaign against the Picts, at least in part to learn the Scots’ brewing secrets. He succeeded in wiping out the Pictish population of Galloway, but was unable to extract the secrets of Scottish ale even from the last survivor.

To my ancestors I say, thanks guys!

CAVEMAN STIR-FRY CHICKEN

Celebrating the loss of another pound (11 thus far) I had lunch at Bailey’s Sports Grilled today and had chicken wings and beer! The beer hasn’t seemed to hurt me, but I am only drinking on special occasions now and not keeping it in the frig! I cooked steaks on the grill last night and it was hard not to hold a beer while I stood at the grill. I equate it to not smoking when I drank after quitting smoking humpteen years ago! Hard!

Anyway, tonight it was my turn to cook again and I was not in the mood for something long and complicated. So, the old caveman dropped by the store on the way home and picked up some fresh chicken breast strips to stir-fry, and a bag of Birds Eye Thai Stir-fry vegetables (don’t use the Thai seasoning packet…sugar and carbs).

I started the heat under some olive oil, garlic, and hot sauce, and cut the meat strips into bite size pieces. I dumped the meat into the skillet and stirred it to get the oil and flavors all over the chicken, salted and peppered the chicken and continued stirring it until the meat was a golden brown.

I then dumped in two or three big handfuls of the mixed vegetables, salted and peppered again, threw in a handful of almonds, and stirred the mixture until the vegetables thawed and then cooked through.

It was wonderful with a few walnuts also on the side.

Thus far, I like the way this way of eating makes me feel. I don’t care if the weight comes off slower now…I just like it – the weight will come.

CAVEMAN UPDATE

I have lost another pound, even with the occassional brew! Wow, 11 pounds lighter than last year!

KUNG PAO CAVEMAN?

Six of us went to the Knoxville Travel Show today that was held on the Convention Center near the World’s Fair site. It was $5 to get in and we picked up lots of brochures and free travel gear. The highlight, if there was one, was the Holland Great Land cruises to Alaska. My wife and I have wanted to go back for over 10 years.

Holland has a tour that is boat, train, and bus that would be great if we could afford it. The trip lasts 21 days with 2 nights in Denali National Park! I think we started saving today!

Anyway, Judy’s sister Terri and her husband Steve joined us for supper (that’s dinner to you Yankees) at P. F. Chang’s, which is one of my favorite places in Knoxville. It wasn’t quite caveman, but Caveman has been wanting some seafood with spices, some nuts, a little brown rice, and some Kirin Ichiban.

We began (and I forgot to thank them for buying the appetizer) with CHANG`S CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS, which is quickly cooked spiced chicken served with cool lettuce cups and hot sauce.

I had the KUNG PAO SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP, which are quick-fired with peanuts, chili peppers, and scallions. My hot favorite! The only other thing I might try instead next time was what Steve ordered. He ordered a new dish called SHRIMP AND SWEET GLAZED WALNUTS, and it was very tasty!

The plate photo in no way represents the total meal…that’s just what I moved to my plate showing off with my chopsticks! Believe me; you will be full when you leave!

As usual, no room for desserts!

CAVEMAN EATS OUT

Run chickens run! The caveman was out and about today with his son and Bailey’s Sports Grille’s hot and honey chicken wings filled the bill! I had at least 16 of them and man, were they ever yummy!

Corey, not a caveman, had the Buffalo wings, 3 of my wings, and chocolate cheesecake.

He drank about 7 or 8 glasses of tea and I had 3 Killians.

Great day for the Paleolithic dude!

RED SNAPPER & SHRIMP FOR THE CAVEMAN

A quick delicious meal of frozen fish and baked broccoli and cauliflower is just 30 minutes away!

Simply fry your choice of fish in a little olive oil. Season the fish with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh lemon juice. Depending on how thick you fish is, cook until the meat flakes apart, usually around 5 to 8 minutes per side for thin pieces.

Bake fresh broccoli and cauliflower buds in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Put a little olive oil in a glass-baking dish, salt, pepper, and garlic powder the vegetables and place in the oven. Oh, and place about 8 frozen shrimp in the same dish for added taste with the fish.

Serve as shown and sprinkle a few of your favorite nuts around the plate.

PALEO DIET COMING ALONG

As I said below, I’ve lost at least 9 pounds and feeling really good. Started walking earnestly today and have a hike planned Wednesday. I’ll probably post pictures either on Flickr or on Mushy’s Moochings.

I ate out Thursday and ordered Hawaiian Steak on A Stick, mushrooms and onions, and creamed spinach. Apparently the little bit of cream and the 2 Killians didn’t bother me.

I ate out Friday and ordered Rudy Tueday’s New Orleans Seafood dish with broccoli, and instead of the potatoes I got their mashed cauliflower. I also had 2 Killians and so far it has affected my loss.

Tonight, I grilled a hamburger steak for my wife and I (after I ran to the store and swapped out the propane tank). It was delicious with sautéed onions and green beans, and some sliced tomatoes. Note I included a few nuts too! I’m beginning to like nuts with everything I eat!

CAVEMAN UPDATE

Working off the "Paleo Diet" plan, I have lost 9 pounds in 7 days! Not bad, and I've had a couple of Killians along the way.

I will be starting back on my hiking trips this week, so check out Mushy's Moochings for photos!

Wish me luck!

I'M A CAVEMAN

If you’ve thought about a new diet (or as I prefer, “way of eating”) for the New Year, check out the caveman diet.

I began what is commonly called “the caveman” or “paleo” diet a few days ago and I think this will be good for me. Already, I feel so much better inside. I don’t have that full, bloated feeling after eating, and my wife likes the fact that I’m not full of gas – which means all my heartburn is gone! And, I’m never hungry!

Basically, it’s anything you can find above ground (which leaves out potatoes and peanuts), is not made of starch (which leaves out corn, pinto beans, breads, and pastas), or made with sugar (which leaves out a lot).

I’m becoming a “hunter-gatherer!”

Mornings I eat a few nuts, a boiled egg, and some kind of fruit (including bananas). I continue to walk and run around a lot, so I stick a baggie of nuts in my pocket, put a bottle of water and an apple or banana in the truck and I’m off. For the evening meal, we cook some kind of meat, add a salad or stir-fry, eat fruit and nuts while watching TV.

My blood pressure was 132/78 this morning at the doctor’s office and she (yes she) was pleased to hear about the diet. She asked one question about calcium and I said I’ll get it from broccoli and other green leafed vegetables. I gave her one of my “blogness cards” and left happy.

I like it because you can eat all the meat you want, nuts, vegetables, and fruit – there are no limits!

It could be right for you too!

CAVEMAN DIET GOING WELL

I know it’s only been 3 days, but I feel better already - no full or bloated feeling or gas! The best part…I haven’t been hungry.

I went to the doctor today and my blood pressure was 132/78, which is good for me! In my pocket was a baggie of nuts just in case I needed them, but I never got hungry.

This morning we munched on the leftover tenderloin (see below) with a boiled egg, an orange, and a handful of nuts.

I returned home from the doctor around noon and it was time for another handful of nuts, a banana, and some leftover hog jowl! Man it was great.

Tonight we fixed a nice mixed green salad with olives and pecans with some homemade honey, apple cider, and honey dressing, and a juicy strip steak cooked medium well on the grill.

It’s going to work folks! I even have a luncheon date tomorrow at a pizza place and it’ll be blackened chicken salad for me – and yes, I will have two beers. Surely a caveman fell into something fermented occasionally!

THE PALEO DIET

You probably won’t see too many carbs on this page for awhile. I decided to start eating like a caveman, but not raw!

I’m a “hunter-gatherer” for as long as I can make it stick. I read somewhere that you have do something at least 21 days to make it a habit – well, that’s my first goal.

I began Tuesday morning at a plump 240 – my first goal is 20 pounds, but I really just want to feel better. The theory behind the Paleo or “Caveman” way of eating is that man didn’t start living shorter lives until he started growing what he ate. Along with agriculture came flour, meal, and sugar, which begot breads, pastries, and pasta.

It’s going well. I eat a boiled egg, some nuts (anything but peanuts and cashews allowed), and some kind of fruit for breakfast thus far. During the day, my wife and I have carried a banana or apple and a baggy of mixed nuts wherever we went. If we got hungry, we just munched out!

Suppers (that’s southern for dinner) have consisted of fried (olive oil is all that’s allowed) chicken, grilled steak, and tonight this wonderful pork tenderloin with stir-fried vegetable medley. What a fantastic meal, whether your on a diet or not!

It beats Adkins because fruit and nuts are allowed. The other main difference is no dairy products on the Paleolithic – caveman didn’t milk cows, they ate them!

I simply cut up the tenderloin and fried it in olive oil with garlic and hot sauce added. I salted and peppered each side of the meat and dropped it into the hot oil. I took about 20 to 25 minutes, browning the pieces, to cook thoroughly.

Then I dumped in the vegetables and almonds into the same hot oil, salted and peppered it and cooked it for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Wish me luck folks!

CAJUN CHICKEN

This dish is not un-similar to the “stir fry” chicken dishes already posted, but there are 3 different ingredients in this offering that make it slightly unique and tasty.

Cook and set aside Lipton’s New Orleans Style Rice (written prior to caveman diet).

As readers know, I normally start with a hot skillet of olive oil (4 tablespoons) and minced fresh garlic. From there I (for 2 to 3 people) pop in 8 Tyson chicken tenders straight from the freezer. I admit that there is less sizzle and popping if you let the chicken tenders set out for about 1 hour on a double layer of paper-towel in a paper plate to thaw. However, frozen tenders can be put in a hot pan without too much of a problem.

As soon as the tenders have begun to thaw, sprinkle salt, fresh ground pepper, and cayenne pepper on the tenders. As the down-side begins to whiten, turn them and season the reverse side with the same ingredients.

Brown the tenders to your liking and remove from the skillet and place them on paper towel in a paper plate and set aside. After they cool you need to cut them into strips – about 3 strips per tender.

While the tenders are cooling, prepare your vegetables.

- Cut up half a yellow/orange and half a red bell pepper.
- Cut up half a large sweet onion (Vidalia in season)
- Cut up half a package of raw washed and de-stringed green beans
- (pineapple and either cashews or peanuts are optional)

In the skillet with the remaining olive oil and garlic, dump the vegetables. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. If the mixture becomes too dry, spray with cooking spray or add a table spoon of olive oil. Once the mixture is about half cooked (leave as crispy as possible) add 2 tablespoons of stir fry sauce and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil.

Add back in the cooked chicken strips and toss the mixture until completely heated.

Serve with the rice on one side of the plate and a helping of the vegetables and chicken on the other.

As usual, I like a “toddy” or beer as I cook. Tonight it was George Dickel and Diet Coke! George is a southern thing and made of quality in Tullahoma, TN. It’s hard to find in bars or sports bars even in Tennessee, but it’s better than Jack Daniels! Yes, it’s true. You can’t sip Jack straight, but George (the 90 proof) is born to sip slowly with a fine cigar – with or without ice.

Enjoy!

NEW YEAR’S HOT STEW

The Dragons and Knights traditionally get together on any holiday, and some we make up! We try to have different things each year for New Year’s Eve, so this year it was Ms. Mushy’s Hot and Spicy Beef Stew.

Begin by buying the best stew beef and cutting it into small pieces (about a pound and a half per every 4 to 5 people). Heap it all into a large hot pot with a small amount of olive oil, salt and pepper it, and brown well. Meat will not be fully cooked through in this step. Extra boiling and simmering will tenderize and finish cooking the meat.

Depending on how many you are feeding, add Spicy Hot V8 juice, a hefty sprinkle of Mrs. Dash’s Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend! Let the mixture and meat boil on medium heat for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Sauté some mushrooms and onions (if you like onions) and dump into the stew pot!

Then begin adding your favorite vegetables, like diced new potatoes, a can of mixed vegetables, corn, and anything else you like or need to get rid of!

Boil the mixture another 20 or 30 minutes, and then put the pot on small burners/elements and simmer until the party arrived. About 30 minutes before time to eat, mix up your cornbread mixture and bake either in muffin or pone forms. Remember, buttermilk makes the best tasting cornbread!

Serve with large bowls and butter for the cornbread.

For dessert, offer sweet or buttermilk for the remaining cornbread! Now that’s Southern goodness!