MUMMERific Day of Nothing

I don't know how to relax. I am always on the go. I get up early every morning and either jump in the shower or run off to the gym. On snowy days when the world stands still, I am checking email, clearing off my desk, doing laundry, or cooking elaborate healthy meals. (ok, so the last one is relaxing...but still keeps me busy) If I ever find myself with a few extra minutes I do not usually sit down and enjoy them. I usually find some project to start or another errand to run. I exhaust my wonderful husband, H, who relishes a day to do absolutely nothing. I acknowledge the fact that there is probably something wrong with me. haha

Except on New Years Day. That is the one day in the entire year that the normal Debbie takes a step back and does....nothing. I force myself to stay in bed late. I get up, brush my teeth and wash my face. Then I make myself a cup of coffee and sit on the sofa for the whole day doing....nothing!! No shower, no hair styling, no makeup, no dressing with matching earrings, shoes and handbag. No cleaning, no email, no projects. Nothing. Except my sofa and my beloved Mummers Parade.  I have a Mummerific Day of Nothing.

The Mummers  Parade is a Philadelphia tradition that true Philadelphians either love or hate. I love them. The parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Local neighborhood clubs compete in   categories ranging  from comics and clowns to talented string bands. With their fancy schmancy costumes made from elaborate feathers and sequins they strut their stuff up Broad Street while performing  wonderfully choreographed musical numbers. These hometown folks prepare the elaborate costumes and moveable scenery themselves, which take months to complete. It is the perfect combination of all things that I love...music, theatrics and glitz! It is a wonderful Philly tradition that my father adored and instilled as an important part of holiday cheer. I suppose the importance in watching this event every year is my way of paying honor to the memory of my father. Thanks Dad!

Since I did nothing except sit on the sofa and watch the Mummers on New Year's Day it was a good thing that I had incredible left overs in the fridge for dinner! I happened to make two delicious meals this week that my wonderful husband, H, deemed "restaurant good!". They were just as good the second time around as the first time I served them during the week.

Parmesan Scallops with Spinach Alfredo

(Dinner Tonight! Weight Watchers Special Edition Magazine 2002)

Serve crusty bread or hot pasta with this rich and saucy dish. Yes, it IS low fat...can you believe it??

1 pkg. alfredo sauce mix (such as Knorr)

2 cups fat free milk

cooking spray

3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 (10 oz) pkg fresh spinach

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

3/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1 pound sea scallops (recipe called for 1 1/2 lbs...1 lb was plenty)

Prepare sauce mix according to package directions using 2 cups fat free mik.  Set aside and keep warm.  Coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray; place over medium high heat until hot.  Add mushrooms; saute 5 minutes or until tender.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add spinach, and saute just until spinach wilts.  Remove pan from heat and stir in alfredo sauce.  Combine parmesan cheese and italian seasonings in a pie plate or shallow dish.  Dredge scallops in cheese mixture.  Place a nonstsick skillet over medium high heat and heat until very hot.  Coat 1 side of scallops with cooking spray.  Add scallops to hot skillet with cooking spray side down; cook 3 minutes or until golden.  Coat top of scallops with cooking spray; turn scallops over and cook 2 minutes or until done. (the secret to the scallops coming out crisp on the outside and delicious on the inside is the hot pan) Remove scallops from skillet and set aside and keep warm.  Spoon spinach mixture into shallow bowls and top evenly with scallops.

Yield: 4 servings. (about 4 ounces of scallops and 3/4 cup spinach alfredo) 354 cal, 9g fat, 21g carb

Cranberry Pear Chicken

(Ultimate Flex and Core Cookbook, Weight Watchers)

1 1/2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 inch pieces

2 teaspoons canola oil

1 ripe pear (peeled, cored and chopped)

3 scallions (sliced)

3/4 cup pear nectar

1/4 cup dried cranberries

2 teaspoons coarse-grain mustard

Combine the flour, 1/4 teasppon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper in a plastic ziplock bag. Add the chicken and toss around to coat.  Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Add the chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.  Transfer the chicken to a plate.  Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil to the same skillet, then add the pear nectar, cranberries and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Increase the heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce bubbles and thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.  Stir in the mustard; return the chicken to the skillet and heat through, about 1 minute.

Serves 4. Serving size 1 cup. 217 cal, 5g fat, 3gram fiber, 23 gram carb

And so my Mummerific Day of Nothing came to a close. And although there was no shower, no makeup, no dressing for success...I somehow felt completely refreshed. I have come to realize the importance of taking time for myself. Slowing down my lifestyle creates balance and I feel healthy, calm and rejuvenated. As I toast the new year of 2010, I will raise my champagne glass and resolve to have more days of nothingness.

Happy New Year! Enjoy! Happy Eating!!