So I've been reading/hearing about how grapefruit and grapefruit juice when eaten/drunk before a meal can speed up your metabolism and aid in weight loss? I'm not sure if that's true, but hey, it can't hurt, right? And I love grapefruit already so I don't even have to go out of my way! Yesterday at the grocery store, to use in my smoothies, I bought Simply Grapefruit juice. Interestingly, it has 90 calories per serving and 19g of sugar versus the other shelf stable types which have about 130 calories and 29-32g of sugar per serving. Both claim to have 100% fruit juice so I'm not sure where that difference comes from...
Anyway, this morning I made a surprisingly delicious smoothie (I was scared the grapefruit juice would be very harsh and sour):
2/3 cup grapefruit juice
1/2 cup unsweetened soymilk
4 large frozen unsweetened strawberries
1/2 medium banana frozen
2 teaspoons vanilla whey protein powder
Blend it all in the blender, the longer you blend the more air it will incorporate and the greater it will be in volume. Gives the illusion of more juice and makes you fuller! Some books I have recommend that you blend for 10 minutes. I think that's a bit much, maybe if I walked away from it I could do it but I'd probably push the sound out of my head and forget about it! Today I blended it for about 3 minutes. It was already substantially thickened and greater in volume.
About 200 calories!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Egg bake lunch
So last night to eat along with cod I made a vegetable medley just by cooking on the stove top
1 onion sliced
1 red bell pepper sliced
A little less than 8 oz mushrooms sliced
2 zucchini sliced
Some salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar until everything was nice and soft (add the zucchini last to make sure it doesn't over cook!)
Anyway, there was plenty left over so today for lunch I decided to use it in a nice egg bake type of thing. I'd say this is about 4 good sized servings
6 eggs
about 1 cup of the mix above
about 1/2 cup loosely packed spinach, roughly chopped
2 roma tomatoes diced
about 2 ounces deli turkey (or any kind of meat/bean you want to add) roughly chopped
Salt and pepper
2% reduced fat shredded cheese
Whisk the eggs and then mix in the rest of the ingredients. Pour it all into a casserole dish and put it in the over at 350F for about 45 minutes. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup cheese on top and leave it in the oven just until melted and slightly browned.
We ate it with refried pinto beans, sliced avocado and half a slice of rosemary sourdough bread from Whole Foods.
For the refried pinto beans just drain and rinse 2 cans of pinto beans to reduce the sodium. Add about 2 cups fresh water and the beans into the food processor and pulse just until the beans have broken up. Add to a pot on the stove top over high heat and when it comes to a boil reduce to low heat and let simmer, stirring, until thickened substantially, about 20-30 minutes. You don't need to constantly stir, just stir every once in a while to ensure the bottom is not sticking. If you'd like, to add more flavor, you can saute some onion and garlic before adding the bean mixture to the pan.
1 onion sliced
1 red bell pepper sliced
A little less than 8 oz mushrooms sliced
2 zucchini sliced
Some salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar until everything was nice and soft (add the zucchini last to make sure it doesn't over cook!)
Anyway, there was plenty left over so today for lunch I decided to use it in a nice egg bake type of thing. I'd say this is about 4 good sized servings
6 eggs
about 1 cup of the mix above
about 1/2 cup loosely packed spinach, roughly chopped
2 roma tomatoes diced
about 2 ounces deli turkey (or any kind of meat/bean you want to add) roughly chopped
Salt and pepper
2% reduced fat shredded cheese
Whisk the eggs and then mix in the rest of the ingredients. Pour it all into a casserole dish and put it in the over at 350F for about 45 minutes. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup cheese on top and leave it in the oven just until melted and slightly browned.
We ate it with refried pinto beans, sliced avocado and half a slice of rosemary sourdough bread from Whole Foods.
For the refried pinto beans just drain and rinse 2 cans of pinto beans to reduce the sodium. Add about 2 cups fresh water and the beans into the food processor and pulse just until the beans have broken up. Add to a pot on the stove top over high heat and when it comes to a boil reduce to low heat and let simmer, stirring, until thickened substantially, about 20-30 minutes. You don't need to constantly stir, just stir every once in a while to ensure the bottom is not sticking. If you'd like, to add more flavor, you can saute some onion and garlic before adding the bean mixture to the pan.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Donut pizza chocolate -- a "bad" day
So before coming to work this morning Amy and I went to have breakfast. We were going to go to Kerbey Lane but I had heard about this place on Rio Grande and 29th called Texas French Bread so we decided to try it out. The breakfast menu online sounded yummy so we were excited.
Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment. They open at 7 am, we got there are 7:20 and their cook was running late so we couldn't order any of the plates we wanted (eggs with toast, etc.) instead I got a currant scone and Amy got a chocolate croissant. The scone looked a little dry so I drizzled some honey on it. I also got some tea.
First of all, the texture of the scone was delicious. Slightly crumbly but moist. But the batter itself was quite sweet and with the honey it was too much. Also, the service was terrible. The lady at the front seemed like this was the last thing in the world she wanted to be doing, like she had such more important things to do than to serve us. Plus, the atmosphere of the place was just kind of drab, not warm and inviting to make you want to sit there for hours and have a conversation, maybe that's the point. We might give it another try when we can get there and have breakfast off the menu instead of just a pastry.
At work on Fridays they always have breakfast which up until now I have easily been able to escape, but today I gave in to a donut. A cake donut with white frosting and coconut. It was... I don't know why I ate it. I'm not even that big of a donut fan, with all their sugar and white flour. And oh my god was it sugary. I have like a headache now from the sweet scone and the honey and the sugary donut.
Donuts just don't taste good, they just taste like fat and sugar. Gross.
For lunch we went to Home Slice on South Congress. Shared the Greek Salad and got a medium margherita pizza -- it was all absolutely delicious. Pretty thin crust, a little greasy, but the fresh mozzarella and basil were incredible. Yum! Definitely some of the best pizza I've had.
Clearly (ironically) I broke my 28 day breakthrough today. Like, pretty badly too. Tomorrow is a new day and as a fitness instructor once said very wisely, "When you're thinking of giving in, recommit!" And so I will.
Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment. They open at 7 am, we got there are 7:20 and their cook was running late so we couldn't order any of the plates we wanted (eggs with toast, etc.) instead I got a currant scone and Amy got a chocolate croissant. The scone looked a little dry so I drizzled some honey on it. I also got some tea.
First of all, the texture of the scone was delicious. Slightly crumbly but moist. But the batter itself was quite sweet and with the honey it was too much. Also, the service was terrible. The lady at the front seemed like this was the last thing in the world she wanted to be doing, like she had such more important things to do than to serve us. Plus, the atmosphere of the place was just kind of drab, not warm and inviting to make you want to sit there for hours and have a conversation, maybe that's the point. We might give it another try when we can get there and have breakfast off the menu instead of just a pastry.
At work on Fridays they always have breakfast which up until now I have easily been able to escape, but today I gave in to a donut. A cake donut with white frosting and coconut. It was... I don't know why I ate it. I'm not even that big of a donut fan, with all their sugar and white flour. And oh my god was it sugary. I have like a headache now from the sweet scone and the honey and the sugary donut.
Donuts just don't taste good, they just taste like fat and sugar. Gross.
For lunch we went to Home Slice on South Congress. Shared the Greek Salad and got a medium margherita pizza -- it was all absolutely delicious. Pretty thin crust, a little greasy, but the fresh mozzarella and basil were incredible. Yum! Definitely some of the best pizza I've had.
Clearly (ironically) I broke my 28 day breakthrough today. Like, pretty badly too. Tomorrow is a new day and as a fitness instructor once said very wisely, "When you're thinking of giving in, recommit!" And so I will.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
28 days of...
February has 28 days, the perfect length of time to commit yourself to something which will make you a better person. Something you've always wanted to do? Flossing everyday? Praying? Cooking?
Mine is eating no added sugar for 28 days. Honey and maple syrup allowed only rarely.
5 days down, so far so good.
You should try it, even if it's during another month. What if you picked something to do each month? Force yourself to do something for you. A month of sex? A month of reading before bed? The possibilities are endless.
Mine is eating no added sugar for 28 days. Honey and maple syrup allowed only rarely.
5 days down, so far so good.
You should try it, even if it's during another month. What if you picked something to do each month? Force yourself to do something for you. A month of sex? A month of reading before bed? The possibilities are endless.
A day in the life of (my) food
8:00 AM: 1/2 cup 1 % cottage cheese with about 1/4 cup blueberries and a sprinkling of stevia. A whole wheat english muffin with all natural crunchy peanut butter. Cup darjeeling tea with one tablespoon half and half. -- about 400 calories
12:30 PM: Sandwich made with 2 slices Alvarado Bakery essential flaxseed bread, slice reduced fat jarlsberg cheese, two slices deli ham, one slice tomato, some mixed greens. About 10 baby carrots. One tangelo. -- about 330 calories
4:15 PM: Slice Alvarado Bakery essential flaxseed bread with 1 tablespoon all natural smooth peanut butter. Smoothie made with 1 cup unsweetened soymilk, 1 frozen banana, 2 teaspoons vanilla whey protein powder, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, half packet stevia. -- about 350 calories
7:30 PM: Home baked chicken breast spiced with curry, paprika; 3/4 cup black-eyed peas (canned, drained, rinsed) slightly mashed and mixed in with the chicken, a little bit of water, sliced olives and about 1 clove of minced garlic; about 1 cup broccoli florets. -- about 400 calories
8:30 PM: Two squares of 85% Lindt chocolate. -- about 120 calories
10:30 PM: Mott's Healthy Harvest Blueberry Delight: no sugar added blueberry applesauce -- 50 calories
About 1650 calories total for the day. Usually I try to stick to 1500 calories, that's my aim, but I worked out twice today so, no harm done.
Tomorrow I'm having breakfast at Kerbey Lane! Oh, and chicken with coleslaw tonight ended up not happening because something else came up but it's been pushed to Tuesday night!
12:30 PM: Sandwich made with 2 slices Alvarado Bakery essential flaxseed bread, slice reduced fat jarlsberg cheese, two slices deli ham, one slice tomato, some mixed greens. About 10 baby carrots. One tangelo. -- about 330 calories
4:15 PM: Slice Alvarado Bakery essential flaxseed bread with 1 tablespoon all natural smooth peanut butter. Smoothie made with 1 cup unsweetened soymilk, 1 frozen banana, 2 teaspoons vanilla whey protein powder, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, half packet stevia. -- about 350 calories
7:30 PM: Home baked chicken breast spiced with curry, paprika; 3/4 cup black-eyed peas (canned, drained, rinsed) slightly mashed and mixed in with the chicken, a little bit of water, sliced olives and about 1 clove of minced garlic; about 1 cup broccoli florets. -- about 400 calories
8:30 PM: Two squares of 85% Lindt chocolate. -- about 120 calories
10:30 PM: Mott's Healthy Harvest Blueberry Delight: no sugar added blueberry applesauce -- 50 calories
About 1650 calories total for the day. Usually I try to stick to 1500 calories, that's my aim, but I worked out twice today so, no harm done.
Tomorrow I'm having breakfast at Kerbey Lane! Oh, and chicken with coleslaw tonight ended up not happening because something else came up but it's been pushed to Tuesday night!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
34th Street Cafe
Saturday Amy and I went to lunch at 34th Street Cafe. If you've never been, what are you waiting for?! GO!
I had their salad of the day which had field greens, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, avocado... and a poblano ranch dressing. Served with freshly baked bread.
We also tried their tomato basil soup - it was the best I've ever had, much better than La Madeleine's.
Amy got the Reuben, I thought it was too strong on the Dijon mustard, I'm not a mustard fan though, she liked it. But New World Deli's is better.
I also finally tried Kyoto on Congress and 2nd. The Godzilla roll was my favorite but the longhorn was amazing too. Their nigiri was amazing. But their calamari was really bad, unfortunately.
One place we recently discovered on Lavaca and 4th is called Saba they have a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-7. Most of their appetizers are $5 and their specialty drinks are half price. This is one place I will go to again and again and again. The food is incredible, from their calamari to ceviche to quesadillas to fried shrimp to mu shu pork to spinach artichoke dip... the list goes on. Not to mention their drinks, like the Rum Runner I had. Great food, great prices and a wonderful atmosphere. Awesome.
And last but not least, I finally tried my first oyster the other day. We went to McCormick and Shmicks for dinner (before deciding it was too crowded and going to Saba instead). While we were waiting around for a table, the man behind the oyster counter offered us an oyster for free. I was kind of nervous and creeped out but I took the oyster, with lemon squeezed on it and kind of sucked it into my mouth with the help of my teeth. And I bit into it. It was super salty and just kind of fresh like the sea. Not as slimey as I thought it'd be. It was good, not amazing, but surprisingly good. Maybe they'll grown on me. :) So exciting!
I had their salad of the day which had field greens, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, avocado... and a poblano ranch dressing. Served with freshly baked bread.
We also tried their tomato basil soup - it was the best I've ever had, much better than La Madeleine's.
Amy got the Reuben, I thought it was too strong on the Dijon mustard, I'm not a mustard fan though, she liked it. But New World Deli's is better.
I also finally tried Kyoto on Congress and 2nd. The Godzilla roll was my favorite but the longhorn was amazing too. Their nigiri was amazing. But their calamari was really bad, unfortunately.
One place we recently discovered on Lavaca and 4th is called Saba they have a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-7. Most of their appetizers are $5 and their specialty drinks are half price. This is one place I will go to again and again and again. The food is incredible, from their calamari to ceviche to quesadillas to fried shrimp to mu shu pork to spinach artichoke dip... the list goes on. Not to mention their drinks, like the Rum Runner I had. Great food, great prices and a wonderful atmosphere. Awesome.
And last but not least, I finally tried my first oyster the other day. We went to McCormick and Shmicks for dinner (before deciding it was too crowded and going to Saba instead). While we were waiting around for a table, the man behind the oyster counter offered us an oyster for free. I was kind of nervous and creeped out but I took the oyster, with lemon squeezed on it and kind of sucked it into my mouth with the help of my teeth. And I bit into it. It was super salty and just kind of fresh like the sea. Not as slimey as I thought it'd be. It was good, not amazing, but surprisingly good. Maybe they'll grown on me. :) So exciting!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Lasagna
Sunday night I got the craziest craving for lasagna. Unfortunately I left it in the oven just a touch too long and it was a tad dry, but the flavor was amazing.
I used an 8 in x 8 in baking dish.
About 1/2 a package of whole wheat lasagna pasta
Part skim ricotta cheese
91% lean organic ground beef
Part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
3 carrots, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
8 ounce package sliced mushrooms
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 package spinach
Wine
Worcestershire sauce
Salt/pepper
Organic tomato basil pasta sauce
As far as I can remember those were the ingredients I used. I should really start writing things down as I go.
First you need to boil the pasta because they don't make whole wheat pasta the kind you can just put in the oven.
Saute, over medium-high heat the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, carrot. Add the meat and brown. Add salt, pepper. Add mushrooms and spinach and saute until the spinach is wilted. Add the pasta sauce (homemade if you have it, I didn't.). Add some wine and Worcestershire sauce to taste.
Prepare the ricotta cheese by adding some salt and pepper to it.
And then you layer!
Meat sauce, pasta, ricotta cheese, repeat! And top it off with a nice layer of mozzarella cheese.
Oven at 350F for... 30 minutes? I left it in for 45 minutes and I think 30 would have been perfect.
Yum.
I left all the vegetables pretty big to make a chunky, textured meat sauce. If you don't like it that way, just chop everything up really small so that you just get the flavor.
Thursday night: Oven-fried chicken with coleslaw!
I used an 8 in x 8 in baking dish.
About 1/2 a package of whole wheat lasagna pasta
Part skim ricotta cheese
91% lean organic ground beef
Part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
3 carrots, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
8 ounce package sliced mushrooms
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 package spinach
Wine
Worcestershire sauce
Salt/pepper
Organic tomato basil pasta sauce
As far as I can remember those were the ingredients I used. I should really start writing things down as I go.
First you need to boil the pasta because they don't make whole wheat pasta the kind you can just put in the oven.
Saute, over medium-high heat the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, carrot. Add the meat and brown. Add salt, pepper. Add mushrooms and spinach and saute until the spinach is wilted. Add the pasta sauce (homemade if you have it, I didn't.). Add some wine and Worcestershire sauce to taste.
Prepare the ricotta cheese by adding some salt and pepper to it.
And then you layer!
Meat sauce, pasta, ricotta cheese, repeat! And top it off with a nice layer of mozzarella cheese.
Oven at 350F for... 30 minutes? I left it in for 45 minutes and I think 30 would have been perfect.
Yum.
I left all the vegetables pretty big to make a chunky, textured meat sauce. If you don't like it that way, just chop everything up really small so that you just get the flavor.
Thursday night: Oven-fried chicken with coleslaw!
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