<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5210014.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5706" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5210014-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>O.k.  So the 2nd day into my <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/18/day-232-lusty-cooking-project-menu/" target="_blank">Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong> I <del>copped out</del> chose to make a salad.  If I were on Top Chef, I would have been kicked off fo sho!  Salads require assembly, not cooking.

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There was a method to my madness!  I swear!

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First of all, the recipes for the rest of the week include a lot of CHEESE, CREAM AND BUTTER!  I needed caloric relief!

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And...

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This is so pathetic...

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I picked a recipe from <strong><a href="http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/" target="_blank">The Elixir of Life</a></strong> cookbook that I could easily make for lunch just in case I was asked out on my first eHarmony date since <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/12/day-225-true-confession/" target="_blank">I signed on two weeks ago</a></strong>.

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<span style="color: #008000;"><strong>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!</strong></span>

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Yeah, right.

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The eHarmony process is s-l-o-w my friends.  Which fits quite nicely into my bloggy life right now when I stop and think about it.

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So...

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I was dateless on a Saturday night which was fine with me because I was craving a salad, a walk with Little Miss B (I was <em>nowhere near </em>my <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/22/day-235-global-trek-kickoff/" target="_blank">10,000 steps</a></strong> come late afternoon!), and a movie rental.

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I invited my friend, Melanie, over for food and fellowship.

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>The Recipe:</strong></span> Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Shaved Parmesan

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Outcome:</strong></span> Simple, delicious, and nutritious!

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Reviews: </strong></span> "This is the best salad I've ever eaten," quoth Melanie.

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Agreed.

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Late Bloomer's Culinary <del>Cheat</del> Secret of the Day:</strong></span>

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This stuff is triple washed and has enough arugula and radicchio in it to "work".  I approve.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5210013.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5707" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/P5210013-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Here's what I don't approve of:</strong></span>

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After forking over 7 buckaroos (EEEEEeeeeekkkkk!!!!) for a hunk of REAL parmesan reggiano cheese, I will never be able to eat the canned stuff again.  EVER.

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It's pricey, but a little goes a long way, and it's worth it.

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Ciao, bellas!