Day #5

I work in entertainment. And my office is at a studio lot, i.e. ABC, Fox, Universal, etc. Apparently this means that my job is supposed to be glamorous. When people ask my job, they many times respond with "whoa, that's pretty cool".

I really wish I felt that way.

I'm really not sure when this feeling, or lack there of, came about. I loved working in entertainment for the first few years. It was something that I had wanted to do since I was a 13 year old chubby and awkward teen who adored N'Sync. I figured, "if I can work in entertainment, I can marry Justin Timberlake." I'm still waiting for my ring.

At my first real job, I had some creative control, worked with artistic and ambitious peers, and looked forward to tomorrow's tasks. Granted, it wasn't all peachy keen, but it was pretty cushy. Then the economy took a dip, and I lost my job. I spent the next six months taking classes, working for free, interning, and going whatever I could to make my next big step into the career I thought I wanted. I practically wrote the book on "How To Work In --- ----". ( --- ---- = my job).

When I was offered my current job, I was ecstatic. Seriously, the offered could not be much better. Awesome company, great title, amazing location, and decent pay (when you work in entertainment, decent pay means "I'm going to be able to pay my bills, therefore I am a success").

Then reality set in. I sat at my desk for 9 hours a day, staring blankly into a computer screen. Faxing, printing, typing, calling.

Bored. To. Death.

At night, I came home and cooked. Baked. Steamed. Broiled. Frosted. And ate. Soon, during the day I noticed that instead of reading entertainment news and websites at work, I read food blogs. I started to spend several hours a day researching recipes, calculating nutritional information, and trying to find the best way to make homemade tamales and low cal donuts.

Even as I write this post, I am also writing an email to a friend that is interested in getting into the same field as I. When I read what I write my first thought is "damn, this job sounds fun". Then my second thought screams "Don't do it!! It will suck your soul right out of your body".

I still have no idea what happened. When did my 12 + year old dream die and when was my new dream born? I'm hoping this blog is going to help me figure that all out.


Applebee's: Perfect Sunrise

Ingredients:
1.5 oz silver tequila
1 oz sweet and sour mix
4 oz sugar free orangeade (Tropicana Brand used)
1 tsp grenadine
1 oz lime juice
1 oz lemon juice
1 splenda packet

1. Pour all ingredients into shaker, filled with one handful of ice.
2. Shake. Shake. Shake.
3. Pour into glass.
4. Get a buzz.

Serving Size: 1
Nutritional Info: 162 cals, 0g fat, 15g carbs, 0g protein
Original Applebee's Nutritional Info: 307 cals, 0g fat, 40g carbs, 1g protein








Applebee's: Onion Peels

Ingredients:

Horseradish Dipping Sauce -
1/2 cup fat free mayo
1 1/2 tbsp horseradish
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ketchup
1/4 teaspoon pepper
pinch of cayenne pepper
pinch of garlic powder
pinch of onion powder

1 large white onion
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup bread crumbs
pinch of salt
pinch of garlic powder
1 cup almond milk

Directions:
1. In large bowl, combine flour, bread crumbs, salt and garlic. Mix well. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut bottom and top off of onion. Then, while onion stands up on cutting board, cut in half 4 times. Creating onion wedges. Separate onions.
3. Dip onions into milk. Then dip into flour/bread crumb mix to coat onion with it's "batter".
4. On a nonstick cooking sheet, place all coated onions. Cook in oven for 25 minutes, or until onion peels are crispy and slightly brown.
5. While onions cook, mix all dipping ingredients into small bowl and place in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve with onions.

Serving Size: 6
Nutritional Info Per Serving: 114 cals, 2g fat, 16g carbs, 1g protein









Applebee's: Tequila Lime Chicken

Marinade -
1 cup water
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 teaspoon liquid hickory smoke
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon tequila

Mex-Ranch Sauce -
1/4 cup fat free mayo
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
2 tbsp minced tomato
2 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp minced jalapenos
2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon tabasco sauce
pinch of salt
pinch of paprika
pinch of cayenne pepper
pinch of cumin
pinch of chili powder


4 4oz chicken breasts
4 corn tortillas
1 cup reduced fat mexican blend shredded cheese

1. Combine ingredients for marinade in large bowl. Add chicken to bowl and marinate for a few hours in the fridge.
2. In medium bowl, mix all ingredients for the mexi-ranch sauce. Set aside.
3. Once chicken has been marinated, place on skillet or bbq grill for 4 - 6 minutes per side, or until chicken is fully cooked.
4. Place corn tortillas on cookie sheet, in oven on Broil. Cook for 3 -5 minutes or until tortillas are slightly brown.
5. Once tortillas are finished, cut into smaller slices. Distribute throughout the 4 plates. Then place 1 chicken breast on top of tortilla strips. Then top with mexi-ranch sauce and 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
6. Microwave for 45 seconds, or until cheese melts.

Servings: 4
Nutritional Info Per Serving: 320 cals, 9g fat, 22g carbs, 36g protein
Applebee's Original Nutritional Info Per Serving: 627 cals, 39g fat, 44g carbs, 27g protein