Unemployment Update: month #1

I was laid off from my job on January 18, so yesterday was the end of my first month of being jobless. Since that time, I've:

• Worked with a specialist to update my resume
• Applied for seven jobs
• Updated my LinkedIn account
• Ordered networking business cards
• Participated in four job hunting webinars through my outplacement service
• Attended 10 Medical Terminology classes and maintained a 98 average
• Completed half of a touch typing course
• Signed up for a weight loss program through St Luke's Hospital

I've applied for unemployment, but there's an issue with my claim, so I haven't received any compensation yet. As part of the unemployment process, I have to apply for two jobs every week and keep a record of it. I've done that for three weeks, so far.

My goal for the next month is to attend an intermediate Excel class, finish Medical Terminology and get ready to start Medical Office Administration class, apply for at least eight more jobs, and hopefully start volunteering at some kind of hospital/healthcare related office.

Big Woody's Sports Bar Is a Winner

I love when old buildings are renovated into something completely different. One recent successful renovation is Big Woody's Sports Bar and Restaurant on Easton Ave, Bethlehem.

The site was most recently a Hollywood Video store, but you'd never guess that when looking at it now. Gone are the racks of movies and snacks. They've been replaced by brightly decorated tables with individual televisions for viewing sporting events. Instead of popcorn and candy, patrons can enjoy Italian dishes, steak sandwiches and much more.

Pictured: bar

Pictured: part of main seating area
Since there were three of us, we decided to split an appetizer plate. I was barely able to snap a photograph of the wings, mozzarella sticks, poppers and potato skins before they were all gone.

Pictured: Big Woody's sampler, half eaten
Our meals came just around the time we were done eating appetizers and taking pictures of the huge restaurant. I chose my meal, a white pizza roll, based on the recommendation of our waitress. It ended up being a very good decision.

Pictured: white pizza roll (mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, ricotta cheese and garlic)

Pictured: plain and supreme pizza slices

Pictured: Wisconsin burger and fries
There was so much food, none of us could finish our meals. We enjoyed everything very much. I'd love to go back again sometime, since the menu has so many selections to try. I'm not usually a fan of sports bars, but Big Woody's may make me change my mind about them.

Comfort Food, Russian Style

Ever since I heard about the Black Forest Deli at the corner of Union Boulevard and Seventh St in Bethlehem, I've been wanting to eat there. They serve a traditional deli menu of soups, salads and sandwiches, but what I really wanted was some of their authentic Russian cuisine.

The owners of the deli are Milana and Vica Shparber, a charming mother and daughter duo who do all the cooking and serving in the restaurant. Since we were a party of three people, we decided (thanks to Vica's recommendation) to split a variety of Russian dishes between us. Best. Decision. Ever.

Pictured: inside of restaurant with Milana Shparber in background
We started with chicken noodle soup, since none of us were fond enough of beets to try the borsch. (Maybe next time!) As we finished our soup, Vica brought us a large plate with halupki (stuffed cabbage) and haluski (cabbage and noodles). After that, we received a plate filled with homemade pelmeni and pierogies. These pierogies were so much lighter and better tasting than any others I've ever had. Macaroni salad and blinis with sour cream were the final parts of our feast.

Pictured: chicken noodle soup

Pictured: halupki and haluski

Pictured: pierogies and pelmeni

Pictured: blinis with sour cream

Pictured: pierogies, pelmeni, haluski, halupki and macaroni salad
This is comfort food at its best. I had a bit of everything and everything was so delicious. If I had to pick a favorite thing it would probably be the pierogies. The dough was so thin and light. It let the taste of the filling come through very well. I liked the small differences between these Russian dishes and the versions of them that my Slovak mother prepared when I was younger. It's wonderful to have something that's familiar, but unique in its own way.

I'm looking forward to going back again. Maybe one night I'll even go to one of the Thursday night four-course Russian/Ukrainian dinners that I keep reading about at Black Forest Deli's Facebook page. It sounds like fun!

That's Amore!

I'm an avid reader of Retail Watch in the Morning Call newspaper. When I saw an article about the opening of That's Amore, I immediately knew that I had to try it. The restaurant is located in the building that once housed Pane e Vino, my favorite Italian eatery.

Joseph Jurkivo, the man behind the new restaurant, started off as a busboy at Pane e Vino. He later became the chef at Mama Nina's Foccacheria, on Main Street in downtown Bethlehem, before leaving to start up That's Amore. Many of the items on That's Amore's menu are from Mama Nina's, but the one thing missing is pizza. Jay and I didn't mind because the menu was filled with plenty of other mouth watering choices.

Pictured: interior of restaurant

Pictured: Jay, waiting for lunch to be served
We split a plate of garlic rolls, the same kind that we were accustomed to at Pane e Vino. We also split an order of bruschetta (bread topped with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, onions, balsamic reduction, basil and garlic). I had the stuffed pepper appetizer and Jay ordered eggplant parmigiana over pasta.

Pictured: bread loaded with garlic and oil

Pictured: bruschetta appetizer

Pictured: stuffed pepper (appetizer)

Pictured: eggplant parmigiana over pasta
The food was excellent. The portions were way too big, especially my stuffed pepper, but now we have leftovers. My stuffed pepper was one of the best peppers I've ever had. It was served over fresh spinach, which was both pretty and a nice way to add more vegetables to the dish. The pepper was stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, sausage and pine nuts. The nuts added a wonderful flavor.

We'll definitely be going back again in the future. There were quite a few dishes we'd like to try. One word of warning: we went on a Saturday afternoon and didn't see any of the lunch options on the menu. I'm guessing that panini, cheesesteak and hero sandwich choices are only available during the week.

Weight Loss Progress: January 2012 Edition

Starting weight: 212
Ending weight: 208.4
Weight change: - 3.6 pounds

I'm happy with my weight loss for January. I started out strong with exercise, but faltered a bit at the end of the month because I caught a cold. I gave my body a rest for a week. I also had several days where I didn't count calories because I went out for a special meal.

I hope to limit special meals a little more in February. I also plan to start doing some strength training. My main exercise has been walking. I'd like to vary that with some interval training. Walking-Elliptical-Walking at the gym, Treadmill-Bike-Treadmill when I'm at home.

My goal for February is to get to 205 pounds. It will be a challenge since this month has both Valentine's Day and my birthday!