Can I Get a Wheat Wheat?

Hiya Fireants!

So... you HAD to know there was going to be more bread! I made two loaves today, out of one recipe. Yup... just like Jesus.

After fairly successfully baking one loaf from the NYT recipe yesterday, I guess I fancied myself a bit of a masterbaker... ahem: master. baker.

Last recipe was 100% white flour, as called for by Bittman, and which I enjoyed greatly... but let's face it: what self respecting Prevention reader can live on white bread? None of us, that's who! Definitely needed to cut down/out the white flour and turn Paris (last loaf's name) into more of a Tyra (equally flaky... but darker, denser and low GI rating {Tyra's low GI number is based on my "Good Interview" scale... the bread, obviously, is not}).

So being the proven Master Baker (don't worry, even I'm stifling my snicker) that I am, I decided to make my own recipe... wing it, go rogue, bake out on a limb!

Basically, Tyra and twin are the same as Paris... but the recipe is doubled and the flour is half whole wheat and half white all purpose. This is the gorgeous result:

Ain't she grand? She's ready for her close up...

If you look closely, you can see the bottom portion looks like it's still a wee bit moist and the bubbles get weighed down and the bread is denser. I'm not sure why that is... but I can't complain considering I abandoned the original recipe.

I was really happy with the results, especially knowing I was just being an arrogant little wench thinking I could alter the recipe and have it turn out! I know that baking is a much more precious endeavour than cooking, but I think my bread knows I love her and she pulls through for me!

Also, even though I doubled the recipe and swapped out half of the flour... I would consider these alterations fairly forgiving in the chemical formula scheme of things.

I'd like to find a multi-grain or whole grain or gluten free recipe next... I really like the process of baking the bread, but I am quite sure I can't keep eating my little prizes if they aren't as nutritionally dense as I can make them! I want to get my loaves darker, more wholesome and really substantial! The flow chart looks like this:

PARIS BREAD --> TYRA BREAD--> OPRAH BREAD--> MAYA ANGELOU BREAD

So, again- that was the bulk of my day... That and watching knitting videos on YouTube, trying to avoid paying for lessons. My basic stitch is almost ninja-quick... pearl stitch is OK too... everything else I'm having problems with and I can't read or follow a pattern to save my life!

My cable is out and will be until TUESDAY apparently! I'm trying to view this as a positive opportunity to do some severely procrastinated jobs... but I'll be honest: I'm scared. I've already gone through all of my PVR recordings and finished my library books.

TvShack, here I come.

This was another boring dinner of leftovers at work...

Last of the cabbage strata w/ spag squash a la diavolo.

Have you or do you make bread regularly? Do you switch up your recipes to add herbs or veggies or extra nutrients? Any tips?

Long run tomorrow night as my "Monday"... perhaps Suz sabotaged my cable to force my hand?

Or is my television situation the universe giving me a message?

To Whomever is in Charge of the Universe: I would have preferred a video installment for this lesson.

Slainte.

Amanda

p.s. I am STILL having spacing issues with this f*&king wordpress... sorry if it's leading you to believe I don't take a breath between thoughts or that I have a barbituate habit.

I space... they suck .

She's a Chia!

Hiya Punkies!

I had a little "talking to" from my friend Suz.. and I must admit I have been slacking. She knows it and I know it. Even some of the days I go to the gym, I just flake out. I know for me, it's an internal mechanism that sets me off on the motivation train... but not doing anything externally to trigger that is not only foolish, it's lazy. I do know, at least, that the last month has been MUCH cleaner than the previous 3 and that I have definitely set some ground work, upon which February will be built!

So, on this last day of the month, I'm going to change my usual pattern and start the plan on Sunday! No point in waiting!

First thing I'm tweaking is my workout and run plan. While I was "going by" the Planet Running schedule, I confess I hardly glanced at it after setting my goals, at the beginning of the month. This obviously lead to being aimless at the gym and running just enough to validate my time there. That is not what this is about and THAT sort of attitude and output is not going to help me reach my goals. THIS has to change!

In an effort to get more organized, I've taken Suz's cue and gone back to our old system of treating the gym time like any other appointment! I organized my Google calendar tonight and synced it with my Blackberry. Aside from existing social plans and my work schedule of course; I've entered a time block and mileage goal for each day I've planned for the gym this week.

In following with Running Planet's schedule (starting again at wk 1- I have enough time before 5k race);

Sunday: 2 miles
Monday: Rest ( Will do my Tues 1 mile due to work on Wed)
Tuesday: 1 mile ( Will do Wed 2 mile)
Wednesday: 2 miles (Rest day)
Thursday: Rest/ Xtrain (Hoping to do 2 mile outdoor run, no time to get to gym)
Friday: 2 miles
Saturday: 2 miles (Will rest if Thursday run is complete)
Sunday: 2 miles

At this point I'm doing an 11 min mile... working on endurance rather than speed. As the week progresses, I'll let you know if that improves. I think I might even be dopey enough to take pics of the treadmill display, so I can't fudge to you guys- or myself! I figure if the cast of Brampton Shore at my gym can load up weight benches with Blackberries and laptops and hair gel- no one will notice my wee camera in the water bottle slot on the treadmill!

Speaking of the Brampton Shore... I just KNOW how pleased you must be to see that Jersey Shore has been renewed! Warms my heart... although I'm still holding out for Snookin' for Love.

I've got a new addition for the Green Monster!


Finally I can include these little bullets into my morning shake! They don't add to the taste at all... just add even more goodness!

Chia seeds have become pretty popular lately, with more and more publicity every day. While I'd hate to say I fall for fads... I do, but this one seems to be substantiated by more than
QVC and a before and after layout of an airbrushed bombshell!

Apparently, the Chia grain was so valued by the Aztecs, it was used as currency!

According to the CTV article HERE, 3.5 ounces contains:

• the same amount of omega-3's as 28 ounces of salmon
• as much calcium as 3 cups of milk
• as much iron as five cups of raw spinach

Chia seeds typically contain 20% protein, 34% oil, 25% dietary fiber (mostly soluble with high molecular weight), and significant levels of antioxidants (chlorogenic and caffeic acids, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol flavonols). The oil from chia seeds contains a very high concentration of omega-3 fatty acid — approximately 64%.[4] Chia seeds contain no gluten and trace levels of sodium.[5] (Wikipedia)

Other than getting a little stuck in your teeth, chia seeds are little gems and dissolve quickly in any shake or yogurt or liquid.

On to solid food, as I sometimes like to do... I finally made 'cauliflower steaks' yesterday. Disappointing. I saw this recipe on It's Just Food, and thought it sounded pretty good (although I did not see the final results).

Cutting a cauliflower from the centre of the head, vertically, you slice 2 or 3 'chops'. Marinate these slabs in milk (I used soy) and some seasoning salt, garlic and hot sauce ( I used Sriracha). Let those veggie clouds soak for a few hours. Next step called for these to be pan fried (which I think MAY be an essential part of this recipe), but I baked them because I was at work. At 400 degrees for 30 mins- at around 25 mins, I topped the slices with about a teaspoon of parmesan cheese each.

It absolutely tasted good... I think I was just expecting the milk marinade to turn this into a vegetable I really like. Or a steak I could eat in good conscience. Ever take a picture of a star to the hairdressers and ask for that haircut and secretly think/hope you'll look like said celebrity when the cut is complete? Same effect

What goes better with a fractal... than a fractal? Topping off the plate was some roasted broccoli.

Next on the red carpet was some excellent Indian from Shan-E-Dabar. I ordered the Mattar Paneer and Malai Kofta with steamed rice and a plain naan.

It was delicious and it was the first time I'd ordered both the Kofta and Mattar Paneer. The mattar sauce was much more creamier than I expected, which was very tasty, but not so

healthy. It came with a spicy tikka-like sauce with peas. The Malai Koftas- as I read in the menu, sounded like little falafels, but as I perused some recipes during dinner- I see now they're made with potato and nuts and mixed veg. Again, very good, but not what I was expecting. Good thing I can roll with pretty much ANY good food!

Not sure what's on the menu tomorrow... because I have an APPOINTMENT at the gym, so less time to cook. Either way, it'll involve a green monster and something. Probably just some soup... maybe something incredibly exciting!

Do you find making appointments, or formalizing obligations to yourself helps to stick with the program?

Slainte!

Amanda

The Wounded Knee Massacre

Hiya Minxes!

In my ever graceful sashay through life... today I decided to take a little tumble down some stairs! I thought to myself: Self, what could I do that would be unexpected, a little kooky and all the while stay active? My immediate (and obvious) answer was of course: Throw myself down 9 concrete steps.

Broken Glasses: $300. Cracked Tupperware: $1.99. First Aid by Kim: 2 glasses of wine (to be awarded). Trying to explain why a grown woman has scrapes all over both her knees: Priceless.

So after a little damaged pride (not too much left in the bank at this point), a few WSIB forms and a bang up spectacle repair (in the form of Todd- who decided I should look like Lisa Loupner) I was perfectly looked after and put directly to work. These babies STING!

I've just called my Suz to let her know: I WILL be at the gym... I just don't know if I'll be able to bend and straighten my legs in any succession.

In order to heal these gashes... I voted for the omega 3 fatty acids found in tuna to keep my blood thin and my skin supple! I also found this handy as I had broken the tupperware that housed aforementioned meal and needed to consume or dispose before making my lunch bag smell like SeaWorld.

Just a can of white tuna (washed) with 2 tbsp of dijonaise and a couple of chives, stalk of celery and scallions- all served on washed Boston Lettuce. I really like the hydroponic lettuce- less grit and sand than some of the earth bound varieties- and the stalks are fairly flexible, making them good for wrapping and stuffing!

Breakfast was (wait for it....) a green monster. This time I made it with some frozen blackberries, so it turned into more of a Purple Monster. Lunch was a cheese string and some baby carrots on the bus- while watching my beloved Little Dorrit! I'm finally on the last episode and I already know that I'm going to miss these characters! I'm not one to READ Dickens, but honestly, ANYTHING Andrew Davies touches turns into pure gold. He's set to do a Middlemarch remake- which I LOVED the first time! It starred Colin Firth's brother and a Gor-Geous Rufus Sewell.

Speaking of Dickens- Today is Family Literacy Day! I try to take great advantage of my local library, and love seeing families and children there (well- as much I like seeing them anywhere really). My Mum and Da took great time and care to read to me and to make sure that it was a priority... I think it's a fabulous value to instill in children. Do you have memories of a favourite book from your childhood- or a special moment reading with your parents or children?

According to the photographic history of my very sophisticated family- I've always had a fondness for reading on the loo... Thanks goes to Kiki and Puddin' for documenting a 5 year old making her mark on the world.

So now... my peeps... I turn to you! I really need some help in the menu planning department. Trying to plan what to have and then cook most of the components is turning out to be a little more daunting than I esteemed. I AM trying to cook at least 2 new recipes a week- and am having a hard time incorporating that agenda with just getting my act together for regular meals (most of which are transported to work). I'm also finding it a pain to try these recipes while cooking for one. I'd love any suggestions you guys might have for planning/sticking to and brown bagging your meal plans.


So, because I've been a little lazy this week- I'll have to catch you up on the rest of the week.

Sunday- I found myself in quite possibly the biggest conundrum I'd been in in some time. After working a midnight into Sunday- I decided it was going to be a quiet night at home. Fireplace on and wine poured with some spinach pizza (deep dish... oops) baked for a lovely evening... I came to a fork in the road. Test the Nation-with the world's most adorable Liberal (don't find THAT very often huh?) Justin Trudeau OR Celebrity Rehab III with the INDOMITABLE Dennis Rodman. I eventually chose Dr. Drew and gang because... well, because I love a train wreck. Honestly, this guy is a disaster of galactic proportions! He tried to tell the group that he was above all the 12-step stuff and that he was smarter than them and he has reached a 'Zen state! Sure- say hi to Gary Busey in Nirvana! or Tarzana... whichever you get to first!

Monday- Robbie Burns day! 251st birthday of Scotland's Favourite Son... wee Rabbie! I celebrated by having some lunch with my Da at Boston Pizza (I have no substantiated proof that the Scots ever colonized Massachusetts, but there's no Nova Scotia Pizza in my hood).


Nah- just kidding... I had this healthy bugger!

Wasn't great... I really like Jim Treliving- but the guy needs to work on vegetarian healthy options at Boston Pizza!

Then, in true Scottish form- we carried on to my FAVOURITE PUB- Up Yer Kilt! A couple of ciders later we carried on for another couple of places til we ended up at my Da's local. There, I honoured Mr. Burns by doing my best "Ode to the French Onion Soup". Again- no real segue, but soup was all I could really muster off that menu that was vegetarian and wasn't deep fried.

Tuesday- Quiet day- 1 packet of no-name vegetable soup with one sleeve of high fructose corn syrup saltine crackers. SEVERAL glasses of water.

So that's a wrap mein liebchen... back tomorrow and let you know how the crusty kneecaps are doing! I hope I can run! Maybe I'll do a day to day photo spread so you can all see how quickly I heal. Wait for the keloids kids... that's my new talent (I'll cover my X-Men regenerating skin talent in another post- it's sorta freaky... I'm an overhealer*)

Slainte!
Amanda

* This has not been verified by a doctor. It's been downright dismissed in fact, I was told "That's not even a thing". But like Susan Sarandon in Lorenzo's Oil, I won't let the establishment break me.

Caulifower Curry makes me purr..... ee.

Hiya Possums!

It's been a little while and I apologise... I know at least ONE person has been checking daily to see if I've posted! (Mwah).

It was a staycation week... and I did very little if I'm honest. I organized my spare room and FINALLY got rid of Bellasinead's mortuary. It was a hassle to move, but Joey and the Igor at Goodwill were more than helpful! That same day- Thursday I think, I went with my auntie for lunch at a new Japanese restaurant.

I have said before that 168 Sushi is the best in Brampton... well, the competition is here. More on that later!

A friend of mine mentioned to me that Bee Pollen was really helping her Mom's energy levels. Ever the slave to fad and fandangled ideas, I picked some up the other day and decided to give it a shot in my green monster.
The taste IS distinct.. nutty sort of... hard to really describe. They are crunchy little nuggets of gold that are sweet to start of with, and really lend themselves well to a shake. In with the ground flax, you'd never know they were there... save for a slight aftertaste.

As for the energy contribution... I'm sorry to say I have no definitive results. I find the shakes pretty invigorating on their own, so the added boost of pollen was lost on me if there was one. I will persevere though, increasing the amounts... Keep you posted if I leap any tall buildings!

In one SERIOUS bout of cooking, I hauled out the Vegenomicon and decided to make some Cauliflower and Lentil Curry...

Following the recipe in any book is pretty tough for me. I tend to stray after the third or fourth ingredient, so my results can not be found to be conclusive.

To prep: Vegetable stock, Red Lentils, One inch of ginger, Coriander, One head of cauliflower, Assorted bell peppers (my own addition- they were in the fridge), Onion, Garlic, Chilies, Assorted Curry Spices (cumin, cinnamon, cardamon- I added a pre mixed veggie masala spice mix)
I accompanied my curry with these sexy paratha(s) {I think an 's' is required to pluralize?}

Fry up peppers, onion, garlic and chilies in some grapeseed oil. When onions are translucent, and before garlic burns... add spices and toast them for 30 seconds or so. Next- add vegetable stock (enough to cover, plus an extra inch or so) and lentils.

So now I veer TOTALLY of the recipe's track... It calls for you to add the cauliflower after the lentils have cooked for 12-13 mins and let simmer for a while. I don't like cauliflower unless it's all broken down, so I steamed the hella out of mine and then mashed it whilst the curry was cooking the lentils.

While I was producing A LOT of dishes... I was trying to keep up with the clean up at the same time. Mrs. Garrett is off this week...

When the lentils were tender and mushy (like cauliflower- the only way I like them), I added the cauliflower mash and a can of coconut milk. This is a high calorie and fat ingredient, but it's a healthy fat and the rest of the meal is relatively low cal. The fat content definitely adds to the satiety of the meal.

There she is... with some chopped cilantro and a serious dose of lime juice!

While this was a good recipe (had I actually followed it), it needed some serious KICK and I squeezed a couple of rounds of Sriracha on top. All in all, not bad for my first curry without packages... but not great. Also, while I tried to lessen the quantities in the recipe, I had TONNES when it was complete... so Mum and Joey got some, seems nobody else I know is into curry. Cowardly Bastards!

Friday night I went to the illustrious Tonawanda. Saw one of the WORST- MOVIES- EVER: Amelia. Good golly. If I was ever a Hillary Swank fan, and I haven't been, this would have reversed such affinations in short order. Her accent kept changing from Katherine Hepburn to Eunice Kennedy. Richard Gere is is beginning to look startlingly like Renee Zellweger. Someone give these people a pocket dispenser of stevia... squinty lemon sucking eyes!

I did run into a chocolate fountain, but that's not really my thing... so I had a mini marshmallow and decided to stick a chunk of marble cheese under the wafting waves of milk chocolate. Never again.

So, now that I got my choc/cheese and Indian on... I was like the RAF and back to the Japanese! The lunch I had with my Auntie was SO good, that I decided my food loving girls needed to check this place out too! On Saturday night, we headed back to Tokyo Maki for the weekend night dinner!

This place operates similarly to 168 and Prince and has a fill-out menu that the waiters (who were very attentive- if not a little lacking in communication skills) pick up every few minutes. Food streams out very quickly from the kitchen, and these little worker bees earn every cent as they dart to and fro. Almost like Bridget Jones' mother: "A very industrious people".

A warning though: While the restaurant offers beer and wine, they do NOT offer liquor. This was an especially unfortunate notification as I was dining with this years winner of the "Girl Who Most Deserves a Drink" award and there was not a shot of rye to be found.

Among the various rolls and tempuras, we also had some Agedashi (fried soft tofu- my new favourite), tuna and salmon sashimi, edamame, teriyaki and this beautiful bouncing boy... an avocado pizza...I've had sushi pizza before, but it's not been great. This was AWESOME! The rice cake base was so crispy and warm compared to the creamy cold top, just an excellent combination of flavours and textures! Considering they eat essentially no dairy, I have no idea how the Japanese got on the mayo train- but I want to shovel coal all day and conduct that mayo train into my mouth station because I approve people... I approve!

This is my mayonnaise delight look. This is also a reminder that while green eyeshadow might look good in the powder room ladies... this does not always translate to the dining room.

More MAYJAH mayo, but on a healthier incarnation, on these adorable little cucumber rolls.

A ribbon of cucumber wrapped around shrimp and avocado with heavenly spicy mayo and sesame seeds. So basic, so delightful. I will be making these at home soon... think I will use surimi instead of shrimp. These are so light you could easily pop 5-10 in a sitting.

I did nothing at ALL at the gym last week- but I did go for a tan... if you don't lose the fat, you might as well make it less chalky.

I am currently addicted to the series Little Dorrit (it's Dickens- but Andrew Davies produced it... he did the mini series' Pride and Prejudice as well as He Knew He Was Right) and found myself perfectly incapacitated while imagining myself being rescued from impoverished obscurity by Matthew MacFayden. Also, Jamie's Ministry of Food is back on the Food Network- really educational about working class people and cooking/eating habits. I watched it on it's first go around and found it fascinating and a little sad.

New favourite show is definitely Come Dine with Me! 30 mins episodes each night have 5 strangers hosting dinner parties for each other and at the end of the week one of them wins 1000$ (it's actually pounds- but I can't find that symbol) based on the scoring of their dinnermates. I know 30 mins a day can be a bit consuming... but it's such light viewing, it's great for background noise. The commentator is HILARIOUS.

I've written off the Bachelor and Jersey Shore is coming to a premature (in my opinion) ending. I guess this means I'll have to turn off the fireplace and go outside and interact with real people. Sigh...

So it's Monday now- and I walked/ran outside for 4k, as the weather was pretty decent. I'm off to the gym in the morning, with a pretty pathetic stirfry for dinner tonight. No pics required folks... take my word for it, sad.

On a side note... I've texted twice to Rogers to donate to Haiti... has anyone else tried this? I know it's only ten dollars all told, but I thought it better than sending down my curry.

Slainte!

Amanda

Oodles of Noodles... and not the regular kind!

Hiya Midges!

It's been a few days since I posted... and I know you're counting desperately on these updates (yuk yuk), so I apologise!

It's been a busy weekend, with lots of eating and not a lot of picture taking... but I'll do my best to recap!

Friday I had my Mum over for dinner and along with some champies, I decided to make a Shiritaki noodle stir fry. For those of you unacquainted with "The Miracle Noodle"- it's a tofu based pasta with zero carbs and a very low calorie count- pictured below is one package of angel hair, making two hearty bowls.... 80 calories for the whole thing!

You simply open the pack, drain the noodles (this part is very important... the liquid is GROSS), rinse them off in some warm water- and then heat them up in a skillet- or add them to your prepared dish! A little mushier than regular wheat pasta- they hold up well when not overcooked.

We had ours with some pesto, spinach, peppers, and whatever else was at the bottom of the crisper!

The shot is a 'leetle blurrry'.... the champies made it seem like perfect focus at the time.

The shiritaki noodles are available in several different shapes, from fettuccine size to this angel hair, so you could use them as a substitute for pasta, soba noodles, egg noodles... whatever your little heart desires.

On Saturday- I went to see Avatar. Holy-fricking-Moly! This movie was ridiculous! The special effects are out of this world (no pun intended) and the 3D version knocked my socks off! While my companion and I both commented on how anti- American, or at least how anti-colonialism the movie was... it also has a really interesting environmental message. I won't spoil the plot for anyone here, but the lessons to be learned from that VERY sexy paraplegic and his blue pals is an important one. As an aside.... alien sex is sorta HOT.

Went for japanese all you can eat after the movie and totally forgot to take pictures of what was definately the most interesting looking food I've eaten all week. Sorry. It'll have to suffice for me telling you that 168 Sushi is the best in Brampton! The rolls are plump and plentiful, the sashimi is fresh and delicious and the tempura is light and not greasy at all! The presentation is gorgeous as well... picture worthy. Next time, I promise!

So that's when things went off the rails a bit... I was at Kiki and Puddin's on Sunday night as we had to get an early start to the hospital Monday morning. We decided to order pizza and wings. We all know that some really healthy choices can be made with pizza... don't we! Lots of veggies are a great choice, thin and whole wheat crusts are an option and no meat and light cheese can make pizza a really sensible choice. Right?

Yup, well I had Boston Pizza's Perogie Pizza... a cavalcade of starch! A fairly greasy crust topped with potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese and bacon. God... I'm hanging my salivating head in shame even as I type this.

There is nothing even remotely healthy about this slice... or the other three that followed it. I can't even fool myself that the green onions are an excellent source of chlorophyll... It was just a big, salty, potato-y fat absess.

Following that artery clogger... we had some wings.

These are not Quorn wings or tempeh wing shaped treats... these are chicken wings. Not proud folks... not proud.

So after a long, unproductive day at the hospital (returning home Ari Nussbaum-less), I met up with my friend at Jack Astors and had a few of these bad boys... (thanks to Farmer Freddy)

The food at Jack Astors is not great- but I've got to respect a place that has a regular and large option for a glass of wine. God Bless you Jack. And your astors.

After all the debauchery of the weekend, it was high time to straighten up and fly right!

Some people think that their life would be complete with the perfect partner or a million dollars or a bangin' body. I woke up this morning and realised that what my life was missing was this...

Don't worry Ma, I haven't ventured into S&M again... This is a spiralizer! I've been eying one for a while and decided upon waking that I had to have one. Immediately.

So I went to the Apple Factory (where I espied this contraption in the fall) and picked one up. Then, just like justifying buying a new outfit to match newly acquired earrings, I decided a grocery run was in fine order. Off to Fortinos for an unplanned 200$ shop, and Bob's my uncle (or was... but that's another story)! I bought several spiralizer-able vegetables and present to you, my loyal fans, this nest of green love...

I mean- c'mon! Can you beat Zucchini Spaghetti? Me thinks not!

By placing the zuke where the apple would go (yes, this machine COULD be called an apple peeler to the uninitiated), you can create a loopy veggie ribbon that has the same shape as an endless spaghetti strand. Tossed in a little olive oil (as above) and some garlic and shayka shayka, this gorgeous girl will taste awesome nuked for a minute or so!

Tonight I'll top it with some sauteed peppers in a tomato sauce- but much like the Shiritaki noodles, the possibilities are endless! You can even try to make a zucchini Loch Ness Monster- as I've done here...

Good golly- the fun I'm going to have with this hot rod! Maybe I'll make food braids. And food friendship bracelets. And food shoe laces.

Sadly- no news on the running... this ebola cough and the activities of the weekend have kept me away (not that I fought very hard, to be honest). Once I zithromax the frack out of this chest infection I'll be back... I have a VERY patient workout partner who is relying on me, so no more slacking when the respiratory sytem is back on-line! Maybe if I make her some food jewellry, she'll forgive me!

Do you guys have any weird kitchen gadgets that you love? Do you try to buy only 'muti-task' devices? Am I an idiot for thinking most food would look better in squiggly lines?

Slainte!

Amanda

Green Monsters and Top Barristers...

Hello Kumquats!

How is the beginning of your week going? This is the first week of the new year... and the pressure is on! Monday has just passed and this is a starting day for some of us MANY times a year! Lots have made resolutions or quiet promises to ourselves about how this year will look on many fronts. Financially, spiritually, emotionally or nutritionally... all goals we set for ourselves are important to us for so many reasons, but the steps we take to reach these goals is really the big prize, isn't it?


I find starting my morning on the right track TOTALLY sets the stage for the rest of the day! This positive start helps me meet the day's goals, which, done over and over again... gives me a sense of routine and control. For me, this is the part of the secret to success.


I read an article on Huffington Post yesterday about happiness. I can't locate the link... but basically the author talks about some behaviours she has investigated which do, or do not provide us with the tools we need to find our happiness.


One of the key factors, she says, is figuring out if you are a moderator or an abstainer. Some people, THE ABSTAINERS, are most successful when they abstain from (insert activity or item here- but let's say Pogo sticks for argument's sake) Pogo sticks. If they avoid Pogos all together, it's much easier for them to control attractions, thoughts or cravings to those delightful breaded meat sticks... out of sight out of mind.

Other people, THE MODERATORS, feel much more in control if they thoughtfully mete out the frequency and quantity of Pogos, but still allow themselves to induldge occasionally. These people gain momentum from the success of exposure and their subsequent decision to control their behaviour.


I am definitely an abstainer! I am all in, or all out. Unfortunately, this usually attitude is in bursts and only lasts a short time... next thing I know, I've lost interest or inclination in whatever my goal was to begin with and plod on with no direction. I'm working my hardest to change this pattern.


SO... on that notion, avoiding a slovenly or unhealthy day and meeting the goal of having a healthy breakfast, I woke up and had one of these babies!

This is a Green Monster!

Look at this sexy beast!

The Virgin Green Monster- compliments of Oh She Glows

2 cups organic spinach
1-1.25 cups milk (your choice of cow’s milk, soy, hemp, almond, rice, etc)
1 tablespoon flax (optional)
1 banana
ice

If you add the flax first, everything else on top, it weighs the seed dust down and it all blends into green gorgeousness! Despite the amount of spinach involved, there is no taste of it at all. It's almost like a banana shake, but with a little something special... some umami?

If you've never tried something like this, I really recommend it. The Green Monster website is a great resource for recipes and testimonials by true-to-its and skeptics alike!

So after that uber-nutritious breakfast... I had to follow it up with some fantastic fresh lunch. (See how this momentum thing works?)

I sliced up some red peppers, carrots and cilantro; added some broccoli slaw, pea shoots (thx Allison) and beautiful hydroponic Boston lettuce, to make some fresh Vietnamese Rolls.

These are oh so fresh and light! It's just like a portable matchstick Asian salad. The broccoli slaw saves so much time in prep, that you can have ten of these done in ten minutes! Soaking and manipulating the rice paper is the only tricky part, but like pancakes, they get better after the first one. This is also an incredibly affordable dish. A pack of rice paper is under 2$ at the Asian market, all other veg were already in the fridge- using only about a quarter of each the carrot and the pepper!

I paired the rolls with some dipping sauce made with almost empty salad dressings...

I think I had 5 of these lovelies, and still felt like I could jump into Richard Gere's arms and run outta the factory!

Dinner (breakfast time-ish 0500), will consist of some beautiful blueberry baubles (you like the alliteration, eh Mum?), 125 ml of plain Greek yogurt, and 1/2 pack of plain oatmeal

Off to the gym after work to meet Suz and start the run plan, and get my sweat on. I know you're picturing it.. go ahead, laugh! I have this fantastic plan: by watching GolfTV and CPAC on the treadmill monitors... I will be approached either by A) A top barrister looking for a lover and partner to relocate to Casablanca to start a new office for his international firm and decorate his seaside villa all the while adoring me to bits as I spend his money and drink his wine... or B) An independent security firm owner who has been admiring me from far for weeks, but finally saw me watching jurisprudence hearings and thought this would be something fabulous to talk about over a sunset sushi dinner on his Gulfstream, en route to his compound in the Cotswalds.

Either way... I think I've cast the lure.

On tomorrow morning's agenda is THIS....

My tea cupboard. Clearly, busting at the seams of all things tea and some things not-so-tea! I need to arganize this and get my shiz in order. Anyone have any organizing tips for teas?

While I am grunting and panting away this morning, I want to know... are you an abstainer or a moderator? Do you think a good breakfast or a morning workout helps you maintain your focus for the day?

Slainte!

Amanda

P.S. Having problems with blocking and spacing today... pls send me the bill for your Myopia

New Years... No beers!

"Happiness is too many things these days for anyone to wish it on anyone lightly. So let's just wish each other a bileless New Year and leave it at that". Judith Crist


Happy New Year Fireants!

While all of you lucky ducks were out cavorting last night... Ms. Champies n' Splints was working tirelessly away at the airport, ringing in the New Year with phones a ringin' and alarms a dingin'. We planned a little pot luck of munchies, to ease the pain of left-outedness... and toasted the birth of Baby New Year with some Ikea sparkling lingonberry juice! (thanks to Allison)

The afternoon shift was a calvacade of carbs...


Mozza Sticks could be one of the better things in this galaxy!









And then the sweets came out!




I annoyed the frick out of my colleagues as I ponced around taking pics of the food. I almost had my fingers bitten off a few times trying to feign off hungry men from cheesy appetizers... and all for the perfect shot! (I kid, I kid)

Needless to say, this whole photo thing is still VERY new to me. I hope you guys notice some improvements in the next while. I want to turn my Canon skills into Canon SKILLZ... (also, any comments or critiques of pics/settings/surroundings would be really helpful)

After eight hours of nought but food and chit chat... it was time for the midnight shift to begin! Thanks to CeeFlo and Allison, there were EVEN more treats for us poor plebes!





Looks pretty healthy right?

Wrong... This fruit plate was accompanied by some PRETTY AWESOME choco dipping sauce! It was also flanked by some Ketchup chips (my all-time fave), BBQ wings, cheese and crackers and various dips, spreads and goodies!

I know what you're thinking! This chick is SO full of it! Healthy Schmealthy! Yeah I know, I'm feeling the hypocrisy too! BUT... that was the last hoorah! It was just enough to push you over the edge... you know what I mean... that "I actually WANT a salad now" feeling. So as I sat in my best Al Bundy pose, surveying the remnants of all the unlucky vittle soldiers that were unfortunate enough to get in my way... I was surprised to receive a gift!



As if the Healthy Eating Gods themselves had smiled upon me! Allison brought an Organic Pea Shoot plant in for me! These came from Planet Organic, in Port Credit. I haven't been yet, but by all accounts, it's just as much a ShangriLa as Whole Foods! I am really looking forward to visiting!


While these precious little things only served as palate cleansers on this fateful night... they're going to make some awesome salad toppers and wrap fillers! With any luck, I can keep the plant going and keep them as a renewable treat!

So home for 5 hours sleep with this handsome man...

And it's been a healthier day already!

Breakfast was a broccoli soup w/ 1.5 cups of baby spinach




Dinner was some roasted veggies and rice from Mr. Greek (no pic- but I have witnesses LOL).

I hope you all had a fab New Year's Eve and are not feeling too dreadful today! I guess the ONE good thing about working over the party night of the year is: while so much of the world is wallowing in dens of Advil and greasy breakfasts while watching The Joy of Painting... I, er... I, um... I'd rather be doing that. Never mind.

Look forward to an ACTUAL running update in the next few days... training starts on the 5th! My training partner, Suz, and I are going to be using the Running Planet 5k plan to start... if anyone wants to play along! Its similar to the Hal Higdon plan, but at the culmination of the 12 weeks (which I think we'll shorten), you've covered a farther distance (5.4 k)


So... I want to know. Did anyone make any resolutions?

Slainte!
Amanda