Congrats to Bethany and Jeremy, who are graduating from UNC and NC State! ( I say, Go DUKE!)
I started the evening with a small glass of wine –
And nibbled on some aps –
mostly carrots –
And some rosemary cheese on an apple
A pita with hummus and baked brie
And I had a few Stacy’s Pita chips that were awesome!
This was a true Southern cookout – a huge cooker of BBQ (the photo didn’t turn out 🙁 ), a keg of beer, baked beans, cole slaw, scalloped potatoes and a keg of beer!
I am sorry Matt missed this cookout because they had an awesome local beer – Bad Penny Brown Ale by Big Boss Brewing Co. in Raleigh. It was a dark, thick, roasted stouty beer.
Our very good family friend Lisa joined me for some keg conversation! I had a half glass
My dinner plate – a small bit of everything
HEAVENLY!!
I had a taste of each of these FABULOUS cakes, but I didn’t finish this plate. Taste everything, eat nothing!! Plus 3 strawberries in homemade whipped cream –
Yum! I am pleased with the evening. Small bites carried me through again feelin’ good and not too full.
Now I’m snuggling with Lillis Billis in my PJs and hope to do some reading
Nite!
Erin says
Aw, fun party. 🙂 That beer looks supa.
Hey. I love your blog. You know that! I think you’re a great model for Real food eating, et al. So. B/c of that, I gotta say, the taste everything eat nothing mantra is bad and seems counter to your message of healthy eats. I mean, I totally get what you’re saying (and what the book is saying), but still, I disagree with the underlying message.
Tis all, have a great rest of your weekend.
amanda says
girrrrrl u sure u not still hungry? that dinner looks small maybe its just the pic lol. Wish I had your restraint!
Amanda says
Before all of these comments get out of hand, I will say that your dinner looks a little small, but I completely see where you are coming from! You nibbled through some apps, tasted your dinner, and had a little dessert. It is DINNER and you are just going to go to bed, not run a marathon or anything … so kudos to you for eating intuitively. We don’t have raging appetites all of the time, so as long as you are not hungry, then this is really a great example of how to listen to your food voice 🙂
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
I think Matt is jealous of your beer and of Lillis Billis!
Jen says
Oh my gosh, what a cookout that was!! I am now unbelievably jealous and unbelievably hungry. I could totally go for some authentic Southern food right now. 🙁
Sharon says
MMMMMM, delicious. I totally want some of that cake!
SmilynStef says
Saw this recipe and thought of you:
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2009/05/homemade_larabars.php
Lisa says
Hmm, like some other people I’m wondering about about the Bethenny Frankel advice. Maybe it’s just a knee-jerk reaction to the phrase “eat nothing.”
I just did a quick internet hunt for a review of the book by a nutritionist/health professional, but no such luck. Are you thinking of doing a review?
Heather says
Sounds like you had a great night with friends and family! Too bad Matt had to miss it. All that food looks so tasty and summery!
brookesballbuster says
Cute black dress! Baked brie is divine, I’m jealous. There was some yummy goodies at the event. Good for you, that you keep your portions so small! That’s why you are so tiny!
Grapeful says
I love your food blog and especially your daily updates! I currently go to UNC and just wanted to whisper… go Tarheels!
Hallie says
I think there’s a difference between eating like this all the time (small bites of rich food) and enjoying the company and cooking of others at a gathering like this. Yes, we all want to “eat clean” as often as possible, but life gets in the way. I have SO many food-related functions, weekends out of town, and other things that are outside my normal routine coming up, that it’s nice to have an example of how to enjoy these events without sticking to carrots the whole night AND without going overboard or derailing a healthy lifestyle.
So, good job tonight, sista 🙂
emmy says
I read the list of food but I’m not seeing it – what is that thing that looks like a big cheeto on your plate?!
Angie says
What a fun night!
Have fun with Oprah tomorrow!
klm says
you never told me you have a CAT!!!!!!!!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
It’s great to get together with friends/family and eat outdoors! 🙂 It looks like you had a great time!!
The meal looked wonderful and of course the cakes look so good!
Have a great Sunday!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
It’s great to get together with friends/family and eat outdoors! 🙂 It looks like you had a great time!!
The meal looked wonderful and of course the cakes look so good! Yum
Have a great Sunday!!
Ashley says
Oh my that cat is adorable!! So cute.
I love Stacy’s pita chips. So crunchy. Too addictive though. =)
Elizabeth says
What a sweet kitty! 🙂
For those who are questioning the size of your dinner – the food (for the most part) was richer & higher calorie than your standard fare…. of course it takes less food to fill you up! I say well done – it’d definitely be hard to show restraint around that chocolate cake! 😉
Leah @ Simply Fabulous Now says
I love cake!! I would have definitely taken the cake over anything hehe! Well.. maybe the wine too 😉
Looks like you had fun!!
Niki says
What a fun night!! Good restraint on the cake! I would have eaten a whole piece:) Chocolate is my weakness!! Hope you have a GREAT Mother’s Day!
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
Looks like you had a nice time.
And for the person that asked about the cheeto looking thing, I have a feeling it is a hushpuppy which is a little fritter made of a thick corn bread batter. They are deep fried and usually served with butter.
I also wanted to comment about the book a previous commenter mentioned, Naturally Thin. I have heard on a number of occasions that the book is good in the beginning but very “disordered” in nature once you keep reading. Like meal plans that only equal 700 calories and what not. I’d be very interested in a review of this book from Kath.
for the love of peanut butter says
hey Kath, it seems like you enjoyed your evening and I commend your food choices once again. As a food blog writer, you know that you are putting yourself out there and I have no doubt that you won’t let these comments above get to you. Sure, your plate is not full, but you feel good and are listening to your body. I don’t see *anything* wrong with that. Keep chugging along and I hope you start your Sunday (today) with a special yummy breakfast 🙂
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) says
not only did you have fun at the party and get in some family socializing, but you managed to eat mindfully and intuitively. the worst feeling is leaving a party overstuffed — you balanced things well without making anything off limits so you could still get all your tastes in. way to go!
Meghan (Making Love In The Kitchen) says
Such a great reminder here Kath. I think we often forget that appetizers and snacks have calories too as we just keep munching without thinking about how much we are eating. Parties are notorious for this little challenge- as are weeks travelling with friends. Now working to make up for a week of indulgence- would have been so much easier to just pay attention at the time.
Ali says
Cute cat! Everyone’s graduating! I can’t believe that’s me so soon haha.
RK says
Thanks for the great example of how to eat and enjoy foods at a gathering in a healthy way – without going overboard. I do have to say that the “taste everything, eat nothing” mantra really bothers me for some reason. I know that it is trying to promote moderation and intuitive eating, but it sounds really disordered to me. I would love to hear your thoughts on the book if you get a chance to do a review.
K says
What a great spread!! Everything looks fantastic! Stacy’s Pita chips are the only ones worth eating – yum 🙂
MelanieF says
I am drooling over the chocolate cake!! If only if would come out of the computer screen…I am positive that it’s calling my name 🙂
lara says
Haven’t read the book but don’t think Bethany advocates eating 700 calories per day. I also have a feeling the mantra applies to special occasions, not every day meals.
All that food was super calorific and not very healthy so small portions of it would be a smart way to go. Also, Kath has mentioned she is trying to lose a few pounds so with that in mind I think eating those small portions was the smart way to go.
Cyclist Kate says
I have to agree that the “taste everything eat nothing” mantra rubs me the wrong way. At the same time, though, we all know how healthy Kath is in her relationship to food, and we know she isn’t afraid of eating hearty portions or eating when she knows she needs food, so no worries about her starving herself! I think this party was a great example of her tasting things she wanted to taste without feeling like she needed big portions of five different foods and three desserts! Way to go!
I too would love a review of Frankel’s book when you have the time/inclination!
Diana says
Looks like a fun cookout! Lots of great eats, too!
🙂 Diana
Stacey says
Those Stacy’s pita chips are awesome! My boss keeps them in the pantry sometimes, and I have to watch myself or I’ll eat the whole bag and not even notice!!
Maura says
That all looks delicious but…
GO HEELS!
Kath says
Guys, I agree with you that “eat nothing” is not the best phrase for this. That’s why I tried to emphasize “small bites.” I think this principle applies more to special occasions with rich food and not to everyday living. Of course we need to EAT (*real food*) and lots of it during everyday life, but at special occasions, I think this principle works well. I went home perfectly satisfied – not hungry – because all the small bites do add up, esp. if they are rich bites. I promise a full review of Naturally Thin in the next two weeks.
Grapeful
Thank you for keeping it a whisper 😉 Unlike MAURA!
emmy ,
That would be one of the homemade hushpuppies.
klm ,
Yes, she’s darling!!
K
The Duo Dishes says
Yay to all of the UNC grads! 🙂 We love UNC.