Category Archives: Kitchen Babble

What’s on Jonathan’s mind.

Kitchen Babble

Life Update!

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As we approach Halloween, I just realized that a lot has changed and you may not be part of my local circle who know.

The weight loss journey has been a good one! As of this post, I’m down over 70 lbs through changes in diet, in habits, in exercise, and yes, a clinical trial. I can’t give all the credit to tirzepatide, but I do consider it a tool in my arsenal. It’s not an easy trip, but changes in outlook, mindset, and process has shown success. I’m also approaching the official 2 year mark for my divorce. I’m happily single, and plan on staying that way.

Back in September 2024, I started youtube.com/@silverbluesretrocade to help chronicle my love for retro video gaming. A lot of my time away from my 9-5 (actually, my 6:30-4:30 M-F) job since January 2024 has been spent bringing the Retrocade to existence, renovating the former dining room into a VIP Lounge, the former Den/Great Room into the Wii Lounge (where Wii bowling reigns supreme), and hosting Wiikends, where friends gather and we laugh, listen to music (I now own a classic Rowe/AMI jukebox that I’ve modified into a personal machine with over 130K songs (in the VIP Lounge), as well has having modified a Philco Antique floor radio (which didn’t work) into a touchscreen jukebox (in the Wii Lounge) with a sound activated LED speaker in it), and enjoy good food.

The menu is decided on by Tuesday before the Wiikend so I can let the participants know what ingredients to bring to have me cook (I always enjoy feeding the body and soul in healthy ways). If you’re interested in knowing what that menu looks like, see this video.

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Kitchen Babble, Personal

Upcoming Posts!

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I’ve started a new weight-loss journey, so I’m going to be revisiting recipes and retooling them to be lower in fat and, whenever possible, healthier!

Coming up soon will be a Chicken Jalapeno Popper dip/casserole, as well as a Mexican Stuffed Shells dish. I sense a Mediterranean style salad in the near future as well, so 2024 will be off to a good start.

Right now, I’m still battling a sinus infection, so my on-line time is limited, gentle readers. I hope to see you soon!. – Jonathan Everyday

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Kitchen Babble, Personal

I Feel The Magic…

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It’s been a while since we’ve engaged in a meaningful chat, dear readers of The Wannabe Gourmet. Pull up a chair and I’ll pour a cup of coffee for you.

Most people find Autumn/Winter to be a time for descent/death and spring to be a time for Rebirth. While I feel that way, too, I also see beauty in the rebirth brought during the Autumn/Winter timeframe, when the slate is proverbially “wiped clean,” giving us the ability to create, to find ourselves again.

Since I started this website in October 2008, there have been many ups and downs in my life. Sometimes the gardens have blossomed in beauty and life has been better than I could ever imagine. Other times, the weeds took over and an occasional tornado has blown it all away. I’ve been catfished, I’ve been married, I’ve been divorced. I’ve gone through hades in employment, but kept on travelling and, after a period of almost 17 years outlasted a supervisor whose sole intent it was to either terminate me or make it so I’d resign. I’ve had health issues culminating in a heart attack due to stress. Through it all, however, has remained the desire I have of assisting others in learning there’s more to life than just take-away food and UberEATS.

We’re at the start of a New Beginning for The Wannabe Gourmet. To be pendantic, I, Jonathan Everyday, am looking forward to this continued journey. My love for photography and cooking has never waned…though it had been severely curtailed due to circumstances. The kitchen should never be a place that scares you. So you have a dish that doesn’t turn out the way you’d like…. we’ve all had that. The important thing is that you learn from your experiences. Grow from life. Move beyond what didn’t work…into what allows you to shine. Maybe you’re not meant to be able to make beautiful desserts. Maybe main courses just aren’t your thing. Maybe…just maybe…you’re like me and can’t cook in small amounts. (The solution to that is simple: either get a freezer, or feed your friends and extended family!)

Join me in the voyage to new beginnings. Feel the sparkle. Embrace the magic!

Photo © 2022 L. B. Siegfried, Richmond, VA

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