Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Fluff.
This is a blog entry about nothing. I just thought that you deserved to know that I am still alive and kicking. I haven't made any delicious meals in the last few days. For lunch yesterday and today I had tomato soup, and for dinner last night I had leftover mashed potatoes and gravy, already pictured.
Does anyone have a good recipe or tips on making gravy? I made some out of chicken broth and tapioca flour, and some spices, and it was okay... but nothing to write home about.
In other news, I have been reading like a crazyperson. I would tell you about it, but I don't know that the internet really cares what I think about the books that I've read.
Feel free to contradict me.
Does anyone have a good recipe or tips on making gravy? I made some out of chicken broth and tapioca flour, and some spices, and it was okay... but nothing to write home about.
In other news, I have been reading like a crazyperson. I would tell you about it, but I don't know that the internet really cares what I think about the books that I've read.
Feel free to contradict me.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wii Fit = <3
Two months ago, Mike and I combined our belongings into one new love-and-boogers filled house. When that happened, I got access to some new things I have never had access to before: a fondue pot, a meat thermometer, and a Nintendo Wii are the three things that I am the most excited about.
At first I thought that the Nintendo Wii was a little lame and a little scary, so I was avoiding it at all costs. Also, using it meant learning how to use all those scary remote controls that suddenly have taken over the coffee table. But, I realized that it was worth it the day that Mike downloaded Dr. Mario for me on the Wii. Since then, I have educated myself in the basics of entertainment-center functions. Then, Mike and I one day played Wii Bowling and Tennis and a few other things. Yes, it was fun. It was fun enough to want to play again. But it wasn't great enough to make me daydream about it, and pine for it.
I heard about the Wii Fit just like everyone else in America has... because I only live under a rock four or five days out of the week. I had no interest in learning more about it, because hi, I'm obese, and obese people usually don't like anything that has "Fit" in the title.
But I was at Brian and Kim's the other night, to pump iron (ha, ha, ha) with Brian and Ricky and I found myself sneaking out of the room in search of Kim when the testosterone in the room became too much to handle. She was just taking a break from playing with the Wii Fit, and insisted that I try it out.
First of all, it is incredibly user-friendly. Once you have established that you are a new user, it takes you through a tutorial. The Wii Fit comes with a balance board that you stand on, and it weighs you and measures where the most pressure is. It then tells you how your posture is, and where your balance is. Then it tells you a little about how posture and balance effect your body, and takes you through a few excersizes where it shows you how to correct your posture and stand correctly. I am totally shocked that a little board like that can tell if your hands are resting on your hips or not. It's crazy!
Then, once you get into the game, there are options: strength training, balance games, yoga, and aerobics. I did the balance games first. The first game I tried was a ski-jump game. You have to lean forward and get your center of gravity lined up with what they want. The closer you get, the faster your character goes. Then once you get to the bottom of the ski jump, you straighten your legs quickly to mimic a jump. Then you get scored. After a few tries, I was "ranking", and it was so much fun. Then there was another ski game where your character is going down a mountain and you have to lean to the right and the left to get your character to move on the screen and go between certain markers. Next I tried a tight-rope game, where you have to stand up perfectly straight and stay balanced, and take small steps and walk across a tight-rope that is balanced between two buildings. If you're not balanced, your character splats on the road below. It's harder than it sounds, but tons of fun. Also there is a hula-hoop game where you have to rotate your hips as fast as you can to keep your character's hula hoops going, and you have to lean to the right and the left to catch hula hoops that someone is throwing at you. There was another game, a soccer game, where someone is throwing balls at you and you have to lean to the sides and hit the balls with your head. But as the game goes on, they start throwing shoes and disembodied panda heads at you, and you have to duck from them. Under aerobics, there is a step game that is slightly reminiscent of Dance Dance Revolution, but with no jumping, just stepping on and off of the board in time with the screen. I even tried yoga, and let me tell you, that shiz is difficult! The more minutes you play, the more features get unlocked. The best part of all is that I played for 41 minutes and then all of a sudden realized that my heart was pounding and my muscles were a little sore, and I never realized I was working out - it was just fun. I wasn't even trying to break a sweat, since I wasn't in the comforts of my own home and technically just trying out a friend's game. I also like that the game tracks your weight for you and tells you if you've lost or gained.
I need one. Like, now. Only, I don't have $100 to spend on it. I am totally broke.
My birthday is April 4th. Hint, hint.
At first I thought that the Nintendo Wii was a little lame and a little scary, so I was avoiding it at all costs. Also, using it meant learning how to use all those scary remote controls that suddenly have taken over the coffee table. But, I realized that it was worth it the day that Mike downloaded Dr. Mario for me on the Wii. Since then, I have educated myself in the basics of entertainment-center functions. Then, Mike and I one day played Wii Bowling and Tennis and a few other things. Yes, it was fun. It was fun enough to want to play again. But it wasn't great enough to make me daydream about it, and pine for it.
I heard about the Wii Fit just like everyone else in America has... because I only live under a rock four or five days out of the week. I had no interest in learning more about it, because hi, I'm obese, and obese people usually don't like anything that has "Fit" in the title.
But I was at Brian and Kim's the other night, to pump iron (ha, ha, ha) with Brian and Ricky and I found myself sneaking out of the room in search of Kim when the testosterone in the room became too much to handle. She was just taking a break from playing with the Wii Fit, and insisted that I try it out.
First of all, it is incredibly user-friendly. Once you have established that you are a new user, it takes you through a tutorial. The Wii Fit comes with a balance board that you stand on, and it weighs you and measures where the most pressure is. It then tells you how your posture is, and where your balance is. Then it tells you a little about how posture and balance effect your body, and takes you through a few excersizes where it shows you how to correct your posture and stand correctly. I am totally shocked that a little board like that can tell if your hands are resting on your hips or not. It's crazy!
Then, once you get into the game, there are options: strength training, balance games, yoga, and aerobics. I did the balance games first. The first game I tried was a ski-jump game. You have to lean forward and get your center of gravity lined up with what they want. The closer you get, the faster your character goes. Then once you get to the bottom of the ski jump, you straighten your legs quickly to mimic a jump. Then you get scored. After a few tries, I was "ranking", and it was so much fun. Then there was another ski game where your character is going down a mountain and you have to lean to the right and the left to get your character to move on the screen and go between certain markers. Next I tried a tight-rope game, where you have to stand up perfectly straight and stay balanced, and take small steps and walk across a tight-rope that is balanced between two buildings. If you're not balanced, your character splats on the road below. It's harder than it sounds, but tons of fun. Also there is a hula-hoop game where you have to rotate your hips as fast as you can to keep your character's hula hoops going, and you have to lean to the right and the left to catch hula hoops that someone is throwing at you. There was another game, a soccer game, where someone is throwing balls at you and you have to lean to the sides and hit the balls with your head. But as the game goes on, they start throwing shoes and disembodied panda heads at you, and you have to duck from them. Under aerobics, there is a step game that is slightly reminiscent of Dance Dance Revolution, but with no jumping, just stepping on and off of the board in time with the screen. I even tried yoga, and let me tell you, that shiz is difficult! The more minutes you play, the more features get unlocked. The best part of all is that I played for 41 minutes and then all of a sudden realized that my heart was pounding and my muscles were a little sore, and I never realized I was working out - it was just fun. I wasn't even trying to break a sweat, since I wasn't in the comforts of my own home and technically just trying out a friend's game. I also like that the game tracks your weight for you and tells you if you've lost or gained.
I need one. Like, now. Only, I don't have $100 to spend on it. I am totally broke.
My birthday is April 4th. Hint, hint.
No pics, sorry!
Last night Mike's parent's came over for dinner. I made lemon chicken, rice, and a salad. It was good, and even better, it made leftovers. His family, especially his dad, really liked it. These are my aunt Janet's recipes, and she is an amazing cook.
Lemon Chicken:
In a freezer bag, soak boneless breasts (big chunky ones) with the juice of one lemon for each breast, and a little olive oil. Soak for at least a few hours. Cook in a pyrex dish or, if you're like me and making for a large group, a cake pan. Cook with all the juices that you soaked it in. Just before cooking, grate garlic pepper and sea salt on top. I did 6 breasts, which took about 45 minutes to cook thoroughly.
Spinach Salad:
Prepare in advance. Slice mushrooms and a red onion. Slice as thin as possible to make for a "delicate" salad. Add one can of mandarin oranges. Save the juice from the can. I also added a can of water chestnuts, which isn't necessary if you can't find them. Also add a few stalks of celery, sliced nice and thin. To make the dressing, mix the juice from the oranges with a little bit of olive oil and hot sauce, to taste. I also added a very small amount of vinegar. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours so the spinach starts to wilt.
Just about ten minutes before it is time to eat, heat up a bag of sliced almonds in a dry pan on the stove top. Stir it constantly to ensure that they toast but don't burn. Put half on your salad, and half on the chicken.
Serve with Jasmine rice.
For dessert:
Strawberries soaked in splenda, with hand-whipped cream. Add vanilla and splenda to the cream. Mike and his family had angel food cake, too. I did not.
What a good meal. I have totally fooled these people into thinking I am a good cook.
Oh, and after you eat, slice up the leftover chicken and throw it in with the salad. The wiltier the spinach gets the better it tastes, so the leftovers are even better than the original meal.
Yumm-o!
And to come: pictures of the 1975 crock pot and recipe books that Mike's parents gave me. I am in love.
Lemon Chicken:
In a freezer bag, soak boneless breasts (big chunky ones) with the juice of one lemon for each breast, and a little olive oil. Soak for at least a few hours. Cook in a pyrex dish or, if you're like me and making for a large group, a cake pan. Cook with all the juices that you soaked it in. Just before cooking, grate garlic pepper and sea salt on top. I did 6 breasts, which took about 45 minutes to cook thoroughly.
Spinach Salad:
Prepare in advance. Slice mushrooms and a red onion. Slice as thin as possible to make for a "delicate" salad. Add one can of mandarin oranges. Save the juice from the can. I also added a can of water chestnuts, which isn't necessary if you can't find them. Also add a few stalks of celery, sliced nice and thin. To make the dressing, mix the juice from the oranges with a little bit of olive oil and hot sauce, to taste. I also added a very small amount of vinegar. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours so the spinach starts to wilt.
Just about ten minutes before it is time to eat, heat up a bag of sliced almonds in a dry pan on the stove top. Stir it constantly to ensure that they toast but don't burn. Put half on your salad, and half on the chicken.
Serve with Jasmine rice.
For dessert:
Strawberries soaked in splenda, with hand-whipped cream. Add vanilla and splenda to the cream. Mike and his family had angel food cake, too. I did not.
What a good meal. I have totally fooled these people into thinking I am a good cook.
Oh, and after you eat, slice up the leftover chicken and throw it in with the salad. The wiltier the spinach gets the better it tastes, so the leftovers are even better than the original meal.
Yumm-o!
And to come: pictures of the 1975 crock pot and recipe books that Mike's parents gave me. I am in love.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Inauguration Chili!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/barack-obamas-chili-recipe-in-crockpot.html
I stole this recipe from my favorite blog to make on Tuesday. Yes, I am just getting around to writing about it now, and no, I didn't take a picture. Check out the picture on her blog, though. Mine looked the same!
I am not a big "chunky tomato" fan and usually do not like chili that has large hunks of whole tomato in it. This was a good recipe, though. The flavor was interesting and I liked how chunky and hearty looking this soup was. I will eat and enjoy the leftovers. Honestly, though, I do not think that I will make it again. My basic chili recipe is SO much easier and still delicious. This may have inspired me to start tweaking my recipe, though. I think that the red wine vinegar may have been the OOMF in this recipe.
I hope that everyone has had a great week.
Tonight I am making white-trash dinner for Mike and I to eat while watching LOST, which I tivo'd last night. White trash dinner is basically ground beef, onions, mushrooms, velveeta cheese, and maybe even bacon, cooked until gooey and served over rice. It's very white trashy. It is very delicious. It is one of the many reasons I am fat.
I stole this recipe from my favorite blog to make on Tuesday. Yes, I am just getting around to writing about it now, and no, I didn't take a picture. Check out the picture on her blog, though. Mine looked the same!
I am not a big "chunky tomato" fan and usually do not like chili that has large hunks of whole tomato in it. This was a good recipe, though. The flavor was interesting and I liked how chunky and hearty looking this soup was. I will eat and enjoy the leftovers. Honestly, though, I do not think that I will make it again. My basic chili recipe is SO much easier and still delicious. This may have inspired me to start tweaking my recipe, though. I think that the red wine vinegar may have been the OOMF in this recipe.
I hope that everyone has had a great week.
Tonight I am making white-trash dinner for Mike and I to eat while watching LOST, which I tivo'd last night. White trash dinner is basically ground beef, onions, mushrooms, velveeta cheese, and maybe even bacon, cooked until gooey and served over rice. It's very white trashy. It is very delicious. It is one of the many reasons I am fat.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Strawberriezz
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
More pictures from a delicious dinner.
I can't believe that I roasted a chicken. I feel so grown-up.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fattening AND Gluten-Free!
I got a copycat recipe for Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits on the internet. Make them. Make them right now. Take my advice and if there are only one or two of you, cut the recipe in half. This is enough to serve with dinner for a family of four or five. If there is only one or two of you, you will eat them all and regret it later when you gain five pounds overnight and break out in pimples all around your mouths.
2 cups pancake baking mix. (I used Pamela's gluten-free pancake/baking mix)
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- shredded
Mix in a bowl until a dough forms, and spoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Cook 8-10 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 450.
Fresh out of the oven, brush them with a melted butter/garlic mix. The recipe I said called for half a cup of butter (that's a full stick), and it was WAY too much. I say eyeball it.
I am very excited, especially since I discovered over the weekend that my favorite tapioca biscuits have cornstarch in them.
By the way, it's that time of the month, so forgive me if I talk about food that is horribly bad for you over the next few days.
2 cups pancake baking mix. (I used Pamela's gluten-free pancake/baking mix)
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- shredded
Mix in a bowl until a dough forms, and spoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Cook 8-10 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 450.
Fresh out of the oven, brush them with a melted butter/garlic mix. The recipe I said called for half a cup of butter (that's a full stick), and it was WAY too much. I say eyeball it.
I am very excited, especially since I discovered over the weekend that my favorite tapioca biscuits have cornstarch in them.
By the way, it's that time of the month, so forgive me if I talk about food that is horribly bad for you over the next few days.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Trader Joe's Rice Bowls.
I was thrilled to find these microwavable rice bowls at Trader Joe's. I got them in the garlic and the mushroom flavors. It's nothing but rice noodles, rice bran oil, and non-mysterious seasonings. I was a happy camper!
In not-so-happy news, I got sick every day for the last three days. Awful gastro-pains and gas. Gas? That never happens to me, not since I stopped eating foods that make me sick. The only consistent thing about those three days is that I had pork tenderloin each day. Not the same one, either. I cooked pork tenderloin three days in a row. Yeah, so sue me. But really, I was pretty miserable. Could I be allergic to pork tenderloin and not regular porkchops???
Friday, January 9, 2009
Buffalo Wing Soup.
Between myself, my friend Melanie, and Mike, we finished this soup off in one night. I personally wish I could have gorged myself more. Next time, I'll double the recipe. This time I used more chicken than called for. I also only had about a half a cup of milk so I compensated with chicken broth. It was so good! We have a "food day" coming at work and I am totally making a big batch of this and making more friends at work.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Azorean Spiced Beef Stew
This is another recipe from "A Year Of Crock-Potting".
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/crockpot-azorean-spiced-beef-stew.html
I didn't know what "Azorean" meant, so I looked it up: The Azores is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km (950 mi) from Lisbon and about 3,900 km (2,400 mi) from the east coast of North America.
I wish I had a picture. I meant to take one today when I ate the leftovers for lunch, but I forgot my blackberry at home this morning.
I loved this stew. Mike referred to it as a soup. I think, after giving it some consideration, I'd use the Rachel Ray term "stoup". It was really quite delicious. I was a little worried that it would be too spicy for Mike. First of all, Mike hates cinnamin. Second, even though he says he likes spicy foods, he can be a little picky when it comes to actually eating them. I wasn't awake when he came home and tried it, but he left me a note saying that it was spicy, but he still thought it was great with a little bread, and he enjoyed the excuse to eat ice cream after.
I didn't have any tomatoes to put in this recipe. Our local grocery store didn't have any cherry or grape tomatoes. Wrong season. I don't know if I'd even bother with them next time around. Also, the recipe doesn't say when to add in the carrots - I tossed them in with the onions.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/crockpot-azorean-spiced-beef-stew.html
I didn't know what "Azorean" meant, so I looked it up: The Azores is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km (950 mi) from Lisbon and about 3,900 km (2,400 mi) from the east coast of North America.
I wish I had a picture. I meant to take one today when I ate the leftovers for lunch, but I forgot my blackberry at home this morning.
I loved this stew. Mike referred to it as a soup. I think, after giving it some consideration, I'd use the Rachel Ray term "stoup". It was really quite delicious. I was a little worried that it would be too spicy for Mike. First of all, Mike hates cinnamin. Second, even though he says he likes spicy foods, he can be a little picky when it comes to actually eating them. I wasn't awake when he came home and tried it, but he left me a note saying that it was spicy, but he still thought it was great with a little bread, and he enjoyed the excuse to eat ice cream after.
I didn't have any tomatoes to put in this recipe. Our local grocery store didn't have any cherry or grape tomatoes. Wrong season. I don't know if I'd even bother with them next time around. Also, the recipe doesn't say when to add in the carrots - I tossed them in with the onions.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
