Eating Journey

Entries categorized as ‘lunch’

Procrastination City

November 4, 2009 · 6 Comments

Ok, so I need to get studying. That’s what I’ve said to myself for the past couple of hours..the past weekend.

Why do I do this to myself…

Anyways, I went for a fast bike ride today–9km. I was DEAD at the end of it. I went out for a run afterwards and just couldn’t get going.

P1013283

I took four days off this weekend and I think that it’s affected my pysche a bit. I just felt drained today. Totally drained.

I then had 1 1/2 cups of the Potato/Leek/Carrot Soup–freezes well w/ 3/4 c. rice

P1013285I also snacked on about 1/2 c. baked beans and 2 bites of chicken.

I need to get back to this–this is going to be my life for two years.

P1013284
Ok..back at it. Must.Take.Test.Tomorrow.

BUT..before then..here are some great posts you should read:

Alright, I am out. Gotta hit the books. Did you know that there are two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum in your cells?…nevermind….

What is a post/blog that you’ve read lately that you’ve loved? Please let me procrastinate more..I beg of you.

~M

Categories: dinner · food/diet · lunch · recipes · thoughts
Tagged: , , , ,

Pumpkin Ole ~Joanna

October 30, 2009 · 11 Comments

This is the first of six posts from amazing bloggers who are taking my little bloggie hostage. Perhaps I can get some good loot while driving a bus load of Americans Down South. I hope that you enjoy the posts over the next couple of days.

I am SO excited that Joanna from Fitness & Spice is posting for me. She has such great ideas for everything. Also, she has put together this GIGANTIC e-book of blog posts and stories which you can purchase to help support Breast Cancer research.

She’s always been such a lovely and cheery support throughout my blog experience as well as on twitter. I wish I didn’t live in Australia sometimes. I told her that she should make her own pumpkin puree–why not? It’s easy and it’s natural. Have you ever had a pumpkin pie from scratch–you will die and never buy canned pumpkin again!

Here’s a GREAT recipe…I am going to eat my computer screen. ~M

—————————————————–
Pumpkin Olé! ~Joanna, Fitness and Spice

chilis

I eat pumpkin all year round. I kid you not. I could eat pumpkin 365 days a year. Just ask my former co-workers who used to roll their eyes at me when I would make pumpkin soufflé in the office microwave for breakfast almost every morning. When I was telling Michelle I was having a hard time finding canned pumpkin puree earlier this month she insisted I could make my own. And guess what? She was right!

Ever since devouring my first batch of homemade pumpkin puree no gourd has been safe! In fact, this weekend, with a little help from Rachel Ray Magazine, I made an amazing recipe using acorn squash. I wanted to share this recipe with you today because I thought about Michelle the entire time I was preparing this dish. Without Michelle’s coaching I would have been busting open a can of puree instead of busting open a relative of my beloved pumpkin.

This soup also reminds me of another conversation I had with Michelle who mentioned she was having a hard time finding good Mexican food in Australia. I don’t think you’ll find a soup exactly like this on any Mexican menu, but I think Mexican restaurants around the globe might reconsider if they had a batch of…

Fitness & Spicy Chili con Chili

pumpkin chilli

  • 1 large acorn squash (about 2 pounds), cut into quarters and seeded
  • 3 dried red chilies
  • Boiling water
  • 1 t chili powder
  • 3 poblano chilies
  • 3 T extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
  • 1 T chopped fresh oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (I use Chobani. Learn why I love it here!)

Preheat the broiler. Microwave the squash on medium-high power until fork-tender, about 10 minutes; let cool slightly. Scoop out the flesh and transfer to a food processor; discard the skin.

In a bowl, soak the red chilies in just enough boiling water to cover until softened, about 15 minutes; drain. Discard the stems and seeds. Add the red chiles and the chili powder to the food processor; puree.

Place the poblano chiles on a baking sheet, and broil, turning occasionally, until charred all over. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Discard the stems and seeds, then chop.

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the squash puree, poblanos, black beans, oregano, and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the Greek yogurt.

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try. It just might squash your need to run to the border!

Categories: dinner · lunch · recipes
Tagged: , , ,

Rub Me Down

October 27, 2009 · 3 Comments

I am sitting here praying that the clock moves just a bit QUICKER.

why?

Cause I have a massage scheduled at 3pm today. I can’t WAIT. My triceps are so sore..they’re aching. Like it’s hard to pick-up a coffee cup.

Since I went running last night, I am taking tonight off. I have to finish decorating a cake for my co-worker and then baby-sit (birth control) a cute little 3 month old tyke. I love kids, I love babies. But I am NOT ready to have any yet.

This morning, cause I don’t have any rice flakes left and/or rice milk I had a fruit salad w/ 10 almonds and 1 tsp. flax seed.

P1013173

Lunch was Potato Leek Carrot Soup. This stuff is amazing. It’s soul-food and healthy.

P1013174

I also had one carrot w/ 1 TB peanut butter and 1 orange. Another scant TB of peanut butter may have snuck it’s way in today as well.

Ok..post to come tonight of our baking adventure. It’s gonna involve multiple kinds of chocolate and maybe, fingers crossed, cut out chocolate shapes.

How do you un-wind?

~M

Categories: Breakfast · exercise · lunch · thoughts
Tagged: , , ,

Potato Leek Carrot Soup

October 27, 2009 · 3 Comments

Potato Leek Carrot Soup
7 cups
‘honestly, you’ll want to eat the whole thing in one sitting. hearty w/ a touch of sweet’

P1013174

8-10 very small potatoes or 4-6 medium-large ones, skin on, cut into small chunks
2 huge carrots, cut into thinish circle pieces
2 huge leeks, cut into thinish circle pieces
5-8 cloves or garlic, pressed
2 TB EVOO
2 vegetable (vegan) bouillon cubes
3 1/2 c. of water
1 c. of rice milk (that makes it sweet. you could also use regular milk, cream or soy milk)
1 TB salt, 1 TB pepper

1. In a large sauce pan heat oil and saute garlic and leeks for about 2 minutes
2. Add in carrots w/ about 1/2 c. of water and saute for about 2-3 minutes
3. Add in potatoes and saute about 2-3 minutes
4. Add in water, rice milk and bouillon cubes, salt and pepper
5. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 25-35 minutes–until potatoes and carrots are soft–but not falling apart
6. Take out 1/2 of the soup mixture and blend down in a food processor, blender or with a stick blender
7. Add puree portion back to chunky portion
8. Dig in!

Categories: dinner · lunch · recipes · side dish
Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Tuna Cakes # 2

October 23, 2009 · 2 Comments

Tuna Cakes #2
4 small cakes

tuna cakes

4 oz (125ml) canned tuna–the flakes kind is best. drain well
2 tsp salt
pepper
3 TB diced onion
1/4 c. flour
3 TB milk–I used rice milk

2 tsp butter
2 tsp EVOO

1. Mix the tuna, s/p, flour onion and milk together
2. In a large frying pan heat butter and EVOO
3. Separate the tuna mixture into four equal serves and place in the pan like pancake..flatten out
4. Fry for about 3-4 minutes and then flip

Categories: dinner · lunch · recipes
Tagged: , , , ,

Meaty Marinara

October 20, 2009 · 3 Comments

Meaty Marinara
5 c. of sauce

P1013090

1 onion diced
4 garlic cloves pressed
1 TB EVOO
1 TB butter/vegan spread
1/3 zucchini diced
5-6 mushrooms sliced
1/2 red pepper diced
500 g (1lb) mince
2 chilis*
1 tsp EVOO
1/4 c. red wine*
2 cans stewed/diced/whole tomatoes
1/2 TB. salt
Italian seasoning

1. In a large frying or sauce pan melt 1 TB of EVOO and butter, over a medium-high heat
2. Add in pressed garlic and onion
P1013073
3. Let the onion/garlic carmalize for about 2-3 minutes
4. Add in the zuch/mushrooms/red pepper and saute for about 2-3 minutes
P1013074
5. Push the veggies to the side and cut up two small chilis–if you want fire. I added 1 tsp of EVOO and put two of these small bad boys in to fry up for about 1 minute.
P1013075
6. I then added the ground beef and 1/4. c. red wine–again optional. Brown the meat.
P1013076
7. Reduce heat to medium/low and add in two cans of tomatoes (400ml/13oz)
P1013077
8. Stir in 3 TB of tomato paste
P1013078
9. Add in 1/2 TB salt and any Italian seasoning you have
10. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes
P1013081

**If you want to make this veg/vegan reduce halve cans of tomatoes and tomato paste.

Categories: dinner · lunch · recipes · thoughts
Tagged: , , , , ,

Green Husks

October 19, 2009 · 5 Comments

This morning I powered up with a Green Monster

3 very small organic bananas

P1013104

2 1/2 handfulls of spinach, 1 tsp flax seed and 1 tsp pysllium husk

P1013105

Psyllium Husk is great for intestines like mine :) Ones that need all the repairing help they can get.

Indeed, psyllium has long been recognized for its potential role in reducing blood cholesterol. Psyllium acts as prebiotics – aiding to heal the inner lining of the inflamed intestines.

Final product!

P1013107

It made about 2 wine glasses full. I love drinking my breakfast out of a wine glass. :) I snacked on an unpicture pink lady apple around 10:30am, but not before I downed a huge french press of Timor Coffee (aka crack) with about 1/2 c. or rice milk added.

P1013108

For lunch was left over lunch from yesterday: 50 g. of rice noodles and 1 c. of Meaty Marinara…recipe coming I PROMISE

P1013109

What is your favourite Green Monster or Smoothie?

~M

Categories: Breakfast · food/diet · lunch
Tagged: , , ,

a TRI me date

October 17, 2009 · 11 Comments

I have been saying that I have big news for you…and I do….

But first I got cooked for…aren’t I ONE lucky girl? Chris is my personal trainer/friend/advice giver. I called him up because I need help with my big decision and he offered to cook me lunch. How sweet is that?

On my way to his house I stopped through the markets and picked up this juice: carrot, celery, ginger, beetroot–AWESOME!

P1013047

These are the views today from the hill on the way to Chris’ house.

P1013050

Ohh..I got new shades: What do you think?

P1013051I brought over alcohol..because that’s what you do. Since I am gluten intolerant (no beer for this girl) and I didn’t want wine..I wanted some sparkly and amazing. So I got this AWESOME cider.

P1013053

This is what I brought Chris..what a lucky boy.

P1013054

I was treated with homemade Chicken/Mushroom/Aspragus Risotto

P1013057The an awesome salad w/ avocado/tom/walnuts

P1013055

During lunch I said to Chris:

‘I want to do a Triathlon next year in February.’
‘Mish, that’s awesome’ he said as he stirred the chicken
‘But there’s three categories and I don’t know if I should do the medium or long length?’
‘Mish, go for the long one. You know that you can do it. Also, you should do a smaller one before the big one in Feb.’ he goes
‘So, you think that I should do the one in three weeks time?‘ I say..with a worried look on my face
‘Yep’

I AM thinking GOING to be doing TWO Triathlons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First: Pink Triathlon — November 8th– EXACTLY 3 weeks from today!

Since its inception in 2007 The Ramsay Health Care Triathlon Pink Series has seen over 5,000 females cross a Triathlon Pink finish line and has raised over $180,000 for the series charity, the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

My grandmother suffered from Breast Cancer and is my rock. I think that I am going to do the medium amount: 200 meter swim, 6km bike ride, 2 km run. Maybe, I’ll get up to the 300m swim/9km ride/3km run…but we’ll see. :) It will be good for me to start out in a non-competitive situation and do it for my GRANDMA!

Second: Women’s Triathlon — February 28th 2010 — 4 1/1 months from now!!!!
The race categories are as follows:

Race 1:  150m Swim/5km bike/1.5km run–too easy

Race 2:  300m swim/7.5km bike/3km run–this is what my gut says

Race 3:  750m swim/20km bike/5km run–this is what I am shooting for

THIS IS HUGE FOR ME! SERIOUSLY…crazy.  I have been dealing with is a TOTAL shift in my mind from this:

I want to lose weight. I am not losing it enough. I can’t seem to stop binging. I hate working out. I am exhausted.

-to this-

I am now focusing my life on living healthy. Eating in moderation. Stopping when I am full. Making a positive routine around exercise.

I feel free. I pray that all women who battle with weight, find the peace from the negative stuff that plagues so many.

My mind was reeling. I have so much that I need to do:

  • get a swimming suit
  • googles
  • bike tires pumped up
  • go to the pool
  • get a training program
  • BELIEVE I WILL AM

After lunch, we headed down to a local beach to SOAK in all of the amazing sun. I sat with my feet in the sand as the boys jumped in the ocean.

P1013064P1013067

I know that I can do these Triathlons. I am going to have a really good think about what I need to get done, look up training programs tonight and search out some Tri blogs :)

What is something that you’ve done..that you never thought you’d do?

~M

Categories: exercise · lunch · thoughts · weight
Tagged: , , , ,

Fondue-ing Creatures

October 17, 2009 · 3 Comments

Last night I was SO tired that I couldn’t possibly muster up the strength to blog…so this is what I gots up to yesterday.

I work in an office of about 10 people..so well decided that we wanted to go out for lunch. We headed over to Little Creatures. It’s this funky brewery that draws in tons of people and does a great job of catering to huge groups of people.

P1013010P1013011

My crazy co-workers

P1013013P1013017

Food: I ordered a porotbello mushroom sandwhich. I didn’t eat the bread and only ate about 1/2 of the fries. I was really REALLY proud of myself. I just ate until I was full.

P1013012

My co-workers pizza with anchoives..SICK

P1013015

I then went over to Ervina’s to have what us Americans called ‘Chinese Fondue’. First some of my great friends–Julie and Nicole and Ervina and I

P1013029

P1013031

How does Chinese Fondue work? You throw all of this into a big of chicken stock.

P1013021

Those white things are amazing. They are pork filled yumminess. The brown balls are vegetable balls–they are also amazing. The crab stick things I am not too sure that I would like and I LOVED them.

Wait, there’s more!

P1013022

See those monsters ont the right..they’re headed prawns..SICK. Chinese cabbage, mushrooms and tofu. YUMMY!

What do you do? Throw it all in the pot together.

P1013023

This is what it ends up looking like.

P1013025

This is my bowl. Well I may have had about four of the..they are small..and man were they delicious.

P1013033

I even be-headed four of those bad boys..yes..they do look like they are looking at you. SICK.

An awesome cake which Julie made..I only had two bites.

P1013039

Nicole and I then headed to a baseball game..she has a ‘friend’ who plays. Cute.

P1013046

I had such a great night. I didn’t over-eat. I didn’t feel like I needed anything more than to enjoy the people who I was around. I hope that you all had/are having a great Friday Night.

I am off to meet up with a friend..I have BIG news to share with you later on today..yikes…a big life changer..yikes.

Have you ever had to de-head a prawn before?

~M

Categories: dessert · dinner · food/diet · lunch · thoughts
Tagged: , , , ,

Weekly Food for a girl on a budget w/ a funky tummy

October 11, 2009 · 5 Comments

Hey there,

I told myself this week that I was going to put myself on a budget. I honestly have never had to put myself on a budget before. However, now that I am going back to school :) I have to think about clamping down on spending.

This starts w/ food…well I have to eat. And I have to eat healthy—I can’t eat Dairy, Gluten or processed sugars. So, Ramen Noodles, cheap frozen meals, pizza, etc. OUT the window if not for my health..but for my waist as well.

So, how do you eat healthy and stay on a budget?

  1. First: Start with what you have.
  2. Second: Get some books, look up recipes, get inspired
  3. Third: Plan of attack
  4. Four: Shop w/ a list and don’t get distracted

So here’s my grid of what I’ve eaten today (Sunday) until Friday of this week.

menu planning

I have to admit, I like to cook. So I can throw things together. However, I KNOW that there are some of you who don’t have it that easy and/or don’t know where to begin.

Don’t panic here are some great sites which might help you with recipes:

  • My own recipes page — has everything labelled for Dairy/Candida/Veg/Vegan/Gluten Free
  • Tasty Kitchen — has gluten, dairy and sugar free tabs
  • Allrecipes.com –great place to punch in the ingredients that you have and things you don’t have…then it will crank out all the recipes which you can cook with.
  • Dawn @ Menu for the week is a great place to start. You even get a whole weeks worth of menus, awesome!
  • FeastontheCheap — GREAT recipes  broken down by cost.
  • MyRecipes — another great recipe website with tons different categories

Sometimes the hardest thing is to get started. I think that the best thing to do is to do things that you know and then start venturing out. If you haven’t or have loved cooking–don’t try to out do yourself. I think that many times, especially if you’re cooking for other people, it’s more that you’re cooking for them…not about blowing their socks off.

Enjoy planning this week, your food. I love planning food. Let me tell you, I spent about 1/2 as much money this week, because I have things planned out. Not only that, but it means that I only have what I need. Which reduces over-eating and eating when I shouldn’t.

So, what are you going to plan this week?

~M

Categories: Breakfast · dinner · food/diet · health · list · lunch · recipes · weight
Tagged: , , , , , , ,