The Atkins Diet

Yesterday, I went with my girlfriend and our friend Nicole Emery to see Alton Brown talk and sign books at a local (Har Mar) Barnes and (ig)Nobles. It was a stellar Q&A period, with Alton being both eloquent and quick. He talked about how he's self-taught regarding the science he uses in his show, how he doesn't like gadgets that do all the work for him (and hence prefers to build stuff out of everday household appliances), and other such things. When asked about the low-carb diet, he said, "Dr. Atkins is dead!"

Then he described the Atkins diet and other similar plans as 'hacks.' They are ways of hacking the body's system into losing weight. I really like the metaphor.

Shrimp risotto tonight was fabulous. The girl and I are getting better at cooking together, rather than for each other.