The Perfect Portion Cookbook by Anson Williams, Bob Warden and Mona Dolgov (Partners In Publishing, $29.95)

For those who watched their fair share of TV programs back in the 70s, they will remember Anson Williams for his role of Warren “Potsie” Weber on the hit ABC sitcom “Happy Days”.  When the show ended its 10-year run in 1984, Williams decided to continue his career in television, but this time on the other side of the camera, and established a stellar reputation as a director for such hit shows as “Beverly Hills 90210”, “Melrose Place”, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Charmed”.

However, it was while directing an episode of “The Secret Life of An American Teenager” that Williams decided to pursue his latest venture: that of a cookbook author.

“On the set’s craft services table it was just non-stop food, and when you’re directing an episode of a popular TV show, there’s always a lot of pressure involved, so I constantly passed by the table taking little bits of food. I ended up gaining 30 to 40 pounds from all those little bits. I was in terrible shape and I thought to myself that I couldn’t live like this,” said Williams during a recent phone interview.  “Food is important to me, yet I had to stay healthy. I wanted to still eat what I loved, yet not stay overweight.”

“When I was doing some grocery shopping at Ralph’s (a popular supermarket chain in California), I noticed that there were hundreds of snack foods that were available in 100 calorie portions. And I figured out that I could eat the foods that I loved, and eat healthier and not lose the taste of good food, by dividing it up into exact portions of 100 calories each,” he added.

With that in mind, Williams teamed up with QVC cooking guru Bob Warden and nutritionist Mona Dolgov (who are pictured below)and throughout a two-year period, tested and compiled 150 comfort food recipes – from breakfast dishes, to soups, casseroles and sandwiches, to side dishes, snacks and desserts – that were easy to prepare and with ingredients that could easily be found in the kitchen. And most important, how these dishes can be enjoyed in healthier 100 calorie portions. And the end result was The Perfect Portion Cookbook, which will be officially launched by Williams and Warden this Sunday (February 7) at 12 noon on the QVC shopping channel.

 

Throughout our conversation, Williams spoke with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion regarding the 150 comfort food recipes that made up the book. However, he highly recommended the French toast, mac and cheese, chicken pot pie, lemon tarts and “hot cocoa” pretzel recipes for those readers who want to start out cooking a full day’s worth of meals as soon as they get a copy of the book (and for those who are all thumbs in the kitchen like me, I highly recommend for starters the steel cut oatmeal recipe, which is easy to make, and topped with moderate helpings of raisins and walnuts, makes for a delicious change-of-pace option for breakfast).

And as a result of being able to enjoy the dishes that are featured in the book and following the 100-calorie portion guidelines that are prescribed for each recipe, Williams has enjoyed a positive effect on his well being.

“I lost up to 30 pounds, and I feel like I have the body of a 30-year-old,” he enthused. “I am eating better now; I am now having a wonderful eating experience, and when you look good, you feel good, you become more productive and more satisfied in life. I am now 66 years old and I am the living proof that ‘sixty is the new sexy’.”

Based on how well the QVC launch of the book does this Sunday, Williams hopes to create a whole food industry based on The Perfect Portion Cookbook, which would include subsequent cookbooks and even a line of Perfect Portion frozen foods featuring recipes from the book.

“Putting together this cookbook was an education for me. I always loved finding problems and how to solve them with a product based on a need, which was how I started my  company StarMaker Products,” he said. “With the Perfect Portion Cookbook, I believe that I am quietly helping to solve the huge obesity problem that is going on today. And you don’t have to be a physicist to count calories. All you have to do is enjoy good food and still enjoy the taste of it, because you can’t live life just eating cardboard. Food is indeed an important part of your existence, and an important part of living a joyful life.”

The Perfect Portion Cookbook is a colourful, lavishly illustrated, attractive volume that will have experienced – and rookie – cooks enjoy some of the most delicious comfort food recipes around … 100 calories at a time. And with the extra bonus features of sample meal plans, how to enjoy certain foods and measure them in those 100 calorie portions, and how to burn off 100 calories, this book can help you get on your way to eating healthier by still being able to eat hearty.

So You Think You Can Dance 2015-2016 Tour wraps up in Montreal

Here I am in the lobby of the St. Denis Theatre, with So You Think Can Dance season 12 top four finalists (left to right): Ja Ja Vankova, Gaby Diaz, Virgil Gadson and Hailee Payne

It started with a dance tribute to 18^th century France, and ended two hours later with an energetic group street dance number, a loud standing ovation, and quite a few hugs and tears.

On January 28, the 2015-16 edition of the So You Think You Can Dance Tour of North America – which began last October – wrapped up on a vibrant high note at the St. Denis Theatre, which marked the final performance of the tour.

The tour was a showcase for the top 10 finalists who competed in season 12 of the popular Fox Network reality competition series. Many of the routines that were performed during the show were previously done on the TV series (in which many of them received enthusiastic applause of recognition from the full house crowd at the St. Denis Theatre, many of whom came from all across the province – as well as Ontario – to catch the live show).

This season, the competitors were divided into two groups: those who are stage dancers and those who are street dancers, and they showed their breathtaking dancing skills to the amazed audience. As well, they showed how these dancers can broaden their talents by performing different dance styles and genres, whether it be hip-hop, jazz dance, techno, ensemble, or even Broadway. As well, throughout the evening, each finalist did a mini solo showcase that represented the type of dance that is best associated with each one. Basically, if you were a fan of the TV series or not, you couldn’t help but be astounded by how these talented young dancers can show such energy and ability by performing so many different routines (not to mention costume changes) and not miss a step … and do it night after night live on stage for over four months across North America.

About four hours before the final show began, I got the chance to have a brief conversation in the lobby of the St. Denis Theatre with the final four from season 12 of So You Think You Can Dance, which comprised of JaJa Vankova, Hailee Payne, Virgil Gadson and of course, season 12 winner Gaby Diaz.

“The tour has been exhausting, tiring and lots of fun. We danced practically every night, we have seen a lot of cities and got to know our fans a lot more,” said Gaby, who is a native of Miami.

“Participating on this tour was amazing, especially getting to know the other dancers throughout. It’s like you’re exploring a dancer’s dream of performing in a professional manner,” added Virgil.

Although the four shared a sense of sadness that the tour was coming to an end, they already have their plans laid out for what they will be doing next; Gaby plans to dance for a Broadway production that will be announced later; Virgil plans to return to New York City where he has some performing jobs lined up; and Hailee and JaJa are returning to Los Angeles – where they both currently reside – and plan to teach several dance classes.

“Performing on this show has been incredible,” said Hailee. It’s been two hours of nothing but straight dancing night after night, where I got the chance to do a lot of diverse dance styles. I loved every minute of it.”