brussel sprouts + stuffed chicken + chicken balls + steamed veggies

Currently Digging: crackers and garlic-hummusI just have to brag about this. So let me. I can't really remember how I did all this. It was last year's meal.
THERES NO RECIPE... coz i can't follow them. I suck at it!! There's directions to guide me though...

I'd rather experiment on something and fix it if it's not good, rather than following a recipe! I JUST CANT DO IT! what's wrong with me?

Anyways.. too much blah!

It's my first time messing with brussel sprouts! I don't think we have that in Pinas. Do we? Maybe we do but it's probably expensive eh? Well brussel sprouts, taste and look like small cabbages. Do people eat it raw too? I don't know. but since it's my first time to cook it, i thought I'll try the best way to enjoy veggies------ roasting it (on our nu wave oven pro...)
Y? it gives just enough camelization, a little crunch and still taste the veggie by itself.

I also tried making chicken balls using the oven instead of frying it. it turned out juicy and nice!! I remember I seasoned it with poultry seasoning, chili powder, ketchup, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. But can't remember oven temp and how long i cooked it! tsk.....
Then, I also made that swisscheese-ham stuffed chicken ala cordonbleu? Maybe. It's just a seasoned pounded chicken breast (cutlet). stuffed with fat free swiss cheese slices, deli ham. Roll up. Pin with toothpicks. BAKED then BROILED to brown.


Check out my plate! It's healthy and delicious!
We serve it with more veggies: boiled napa cabbage and green beans with oystersauce.
TOP with my favorite: fried garlic slivers!
whattameal!


But the best is still to come the next day! The leftovers are just perfect for my lunch at work... balance diet.. healthy delicious... portion controlled! LOVE IT!

the question is: can i do this again???

nobrainer dip stuffed mushroom

Currently Digging: nuwave oven fried chicken wings + herb potato soup

Just a no brainer.*Remove mushroom stems
*Clean each mushroom buttons
*Spoon: onion sourcream dip first
*Spoon: pimento dip next
*Cook: in oven toaster or nuwave oven until mushrooms are cooked and fillings bubbly!
*Freshly ground pepper

What's there to remember? Any cheese goes with mushrooms!

Mom loved this! :p


appetizer? snack? or just whenever we have unused mushrooms!

Meatball burger

Currently Digging: nothing ***resting before I go to gym***

I should say this is the most successful "HEALTHIER" burger I have ever done... this time it was juicy, moist, tender, and meaty beefy...

HEAVY lunch today.... my pre-work out meal...

My plate: half hamburger sandwhich--with tomato and onions, no cheese.

My sides: boiled zucchini, wilted baby bella mushrooms, asian coleslaw without the crispy noodles.

My soup: same as everyone's! cream of mushroom (healthy version-canned) with asparagus and shiitake mushroom.

MEATBALL BURGER

• lean ground beef
• minced onions
• minced garlic
• mrs. dash
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• pepper
• salt
• grounded cereals (i used hi-lo cereals) like bread crumbs consistency (with cumin, poultry seasoning, mrs. dash)

>mix all ingredients in a bowl except grounded cereals

>before baking or grilling: coat LIGHTLY with grounded cereals "breadcrumbs"

>I cooked it in nu-wave oven: 5-7 minutes per side: flipping once.

>Lightly toast bread with cheese (if desired)

>Add condiments if desired

>Arrange

Here's my mom's and my dad's plate. They didn't like the boiled zucchini... Yah know... parents--- as they grow old, they become picky eaters...

My dad ate his entire plate-- so proud of him!!!!

I used garlic parmesan roll for their hamburger, topped with tomato and onions with cheese

Sides: wilted mushrooms and onions, asian slaw with crispy noodles

Soup: Cream of mushroom soup + asparagus + shiitake mushrooms

QUICKIE ASIAN SLAW

>shredded cabbage: blanched with hot boiling water

>shopped tomato

>Newman's spritzers (asian flavored)

>>Mix everything up!!! Serve.

Chicken taco on a pita?!?!

Currently Digging: oven baked chicken wings and italian salad

PITA CHICKEN TACO... whew... that's confusing! Well that was my morning breakfast today! haha.. yeah.. for breakfast!

CHICKEN TACO ON A PITA:

• left over grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken breast-sliced
• lettuce, onions
• taco bell' sauce (FIRE, MILD or HOT: I used fire.. coz I love spicy foods! ***and don't look at me like that!!! everybody have some extra sauces in their fridge!)
• pinto bean hummus ^recipe below^ (hahha.. just another confusing name! whatever)

::: TOAST Pita bread half (80 Cal) on oven toaster

::: Heat through chicken slices in microwave

::: Spread inside of pita with Pinto bean hummus (50 Cal)

::: Place lettuce slices/shreds/or leaf, with thinly sliced onions (15 Cal)

::: Place sliced chicken breast (130 Cal)

::: Squeeze in packet of taco bell's FIRE sauce (5 Cal)

TOTAL CALORIES: 280

I have been craving for refried beans since yesterday... I slow cooked a pound of DRY pinto beans... ($0.92 cents / lb of dry pinto beans at walmart: That has 13 servings after cooked!)

Instead of soaking them overnight, I just placed it in a crock pot covered with lots of water turned to low... and let it cook for hours... SET it and FORGET it! heheh

PINTO HUMMUS: (serves 1-2)

• 1/4 cup cooked pinto beans
• 1.5 tsp plain non fat yogurt
• 1 small clove garlic
• pinch of cumin
• pinch of crushed red pepper
• pepper & salt

>>Blend pinto beans with garlic, cumin, crushed red pepper
>>Add yogurt, blend, adjust to desired consistency
>>Add pepper and salt if needed

SAVE MONEY: pinto beans: use dry ($0.08/serving) instead of canned ($0.20/serving)

SAVE SODIUM: pinto beans dry (5mg) instead of canned (250mg)

grilled chicken on tofu slices sandwhich

Currently Digging: chicken taco on a pita...

"Within 90minutes post-workout: Eat a meal with quality carbs and protein.."

I say: just eat a complete meal... start with the fruit (replace the sugars lost during workout) then the protein.

WORKOUT 11/7/08:

Warm up: walk-walk-jog 10mins

Core: 3 exercise-3 sets each-20reps each

Train: back-biceps-legs (2 exercises each group-3-4sets each-12 reps each)

Cardio: 30min (20min stairmaster-5run-5stair)

Cooldown: walk-stretch

Then my MEAL: it's a grilled chicken with the works in grilled tofu as the "bread"

I was actually tempted to buy those little thickburgers from hardee's.. but then it was past 9pm when I got done with work-out +i was thinking of how much calories in it+... I just wanted to go home and hopefully talk with uieko--which i did!

GRILLED CHICKEN on TOFU sandwhich:

• left over grilled chicken (seasoned with dry rub)
• 2 thick slices of tofu (extra firm)
• cheese (optional)
• ketchup, mustard
• lettuce, onions

> Using nu-wave oven: broiled/roasted tofu for 15minutes (turning 3/4 of the time)

>When tofu almost cooked, top with cheese, heat up chicken for another 3-5minutes

>BUILD it up: tofu-cheese-ketchup-lettuce-mustard-chicken-cheese-then tofu

>>Ate it with a cup of grapes. Thought the sandwhich was too small... but it did fill me up good!

A LOW FAT, LOW CARB, QUIKIE MEAL that tasted good

and was easy on the wallet! :)

(I didn't spend anything on this one... just used whatevers in the fridge!

SORRY HARDEE'S hehehe)

garlic-cheese-tomato hor'dourve + nike buddy

Currently Digging: tilapia and fresh cucumber salad

After work-out, I craved for something cheesy and garlicky... so i thought y not use the old bread sitting in our ref... Guess it can be: POORLEI'S hor'dourve... hahaha!!! I made 4 slices...

POOR LEI's garlic-cheese-tomato hor'dourve

• french bread sliced to desired thickness
• spray with I can't believe it's not butter
• Sprinkle garlic powder
• top with 2% shredded cheese
• TOAST: 4.5minutes
• top with sliced tomato
  

gave 2 to my mom... and she asked me:

----------KAMATIS?!?

I said: eh ano?!?

{she took a bite...}

------------LEI! ANG SARAP! (It was good!!! yeah it was!)

oh.... well... its surprising enough she tried it... interesting: she liked it.
I was thinking of using SUN DRIED TOMATO... we don't have it.. and it's expensive...



*****GIFT TO MYSELF AT 205lbs.******

Bought myself a gift... [it was a rip off though... $10.83---but its one of the cheapest that I've seen and tried and actually liked.] ---let me introduce my newest WORK OUT BUDDY!

**i forgot to introduce my latest gym shoes.. but i remember showing it to my dear lovie.. right?
I used it already... it's a looooooooooooooooooooooooot better!!! OMG! I CANT BELEIVE THE RELIEF FROM MY SORE HANDS!!! [puro kalyo ung kamay ko.. masakit na... I cant take this anymore...]

$10.83! suck it up lei! It was worth it!

NOODLES: chicken lo mein and asian noodle soup

Currently Digging: soup with veggies [no lo mein for me]

I VOTED TODAY!!! HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE of this day... let me name a few:
1. Historical election: first African Am president or first woman VP?
2. FIRST time VOTER: Yes... that's right! IT's my first time voting at 23 in a foreign land [ooops excuse me... I forgot, I'm a citizen of this country... haha... so I am not a foreigner here no more? Immigrant?]
3. WEIGHTLOSS: I am down to 205 lbs! OMG! I cannot believe this!!!! This has been the thinnest I've been (so far...) since my ADULTHOOD [or teenage years]!!!

*** Well back to my blogging here...

0800: woke up + bath + bfast [egg, toast, bacon]
0930: off to my designated precinct. I VOTED!

1000: bought some veggies at the grocery store: thought I'd cook for both my parents so they will not eat out todaY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too much crap in those food.. want them to eat healthier too... [called my mom: what do you want for lunch??? she said, CHINESE! soooo I said... I'll just cook then...]

1030: started cooking: Looking for something to cook I found this CHINA BOY oriental LO MEIN noodles. Looks like egg noodles to me... but to be safe i wanted to taste it first so I made chicken lomein with it...

CHICKEN LO MEIN:

Chicken breast strips, Lo mein (cooked, drained), Napa cabbage (blanched), Carrots (cut in thin strips), Onions (choppes), Garlic (minced), Green bell peppers (chopped), Soy sauce, Teriyaki sauce, freshly ground black pepper.

• Hot pan with olive oil, saute garlic and onions until soft tender almost brown
• Add chicken breast cut in strips; season; cook until almost golden brown but still moist
• Add green bell peppers; cook until slight change in color but still with a crunch
• Add carrots and cooked nappa cabbage (this will give out its water content)
• Add 1 or 2 Tbsp Soy sauce; adjust to taste
• Add 0.5 to 1 Tbsp teriyaki sauce (to slightly thicken sauce and give sweetish taste)

1200: Ate lunch with mom and dad

***We ate this with Dark red kidney beans with bell pepper and jalapenos! THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD!!!***

1330: off to gym -------HAD A GOOD WORK OUT! I LOST 2lbs from my last weigh in!

1600: back from gym + ate post-workout meal (leftovers) + watched tv + internet

1800: dinner with mom and dad: For dinner I used the chicken/vegetable broth I made earlier this am to make some asian chicken noodle soup...

My mom loved this---anything asian... SHE WILL EAT (as long as it is not exotic)... BUT ANYTHING with NOODLES or RICE with fish sauce (patis) or soy sauce (toyo)... SHE WILL EAT!!!!

My dad enjoyed this too.. he kept saying... it was like THAI street food soup... hehehe.... HE ATE A WHOLE BUNCH FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!!! I served him 1 entire bowl and he ate it all without complaintssssssssssss!!!!!

OUR Very simple and satisfying dinner...
[though I made MINE without the NOODLES; I just had the broth, chicken, and veggies]

ASIAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

• Boil HOMEMADE Chix/veggie broth
• Cook lo mein noodles for 4 minutes
• Transfer noodles in serving bowls
• Heat through shredded chicken breast (cooked with the broth earlier)
• Blanch onions, carrots and cabbage in broth
• Arrange in serving dish
• Pour BOILING broth
• Top with green onions and freshly ground black pepper

***I sure miss fried garlic on top of it!!! but i'm watching my fat intake... so... i'd just settle to the healthier version...***

EAT GOOD!!!

I miss you houie... sorry about today... i was PMSing...

Lunchbox: pork and broccoli

Currently Digging: Nothing... just getting ready to sleep...

I'm working tomorrow... SUNDAY :( But I thought, the good thing about working, I get to eat left over foods... I should be able to be more in control of what I eat.. though.. lately... I SUCK AT MY FOOD CHOICES AND PORTIONS!!

No worries though, Coz I will be bettter!!! (motivating myself!)

I will start logging my food again... starting tomorrow!!!!

What's in my lunchbox:

:::Luncetime: BROILED BROCCOLI + Left over pinoy style porksteak.

:::Snacktime: 1 whole carrots + 1.5 tbsp home made hummus (see my previous post)

:::Munch: fresh grapes, apple and sugarfree jello

Nothing really spectacular! Just left over stuffs that needs to be eaten soon... hehe...

BROILED BROCCOLI:

• wash heads of broccoli
• slice to desired pieces
• place under NU-WAVE convection oven set on HI for 5-7mins (or may drizzle olive oil then place under 450 oven..)
• serve hot...
• OPTIONAL: may squeeze some lemon, salt and pepper, mrs. dash. (But for me just plain broccoli works... the taste is good coz some of the florets turns brown and gives the flavor to the broccoli! ----this is how i enjoy my veggie... more than boiling it.)

Why I bring my own food? CHEAPER AND HEALTHIER! no secret here!

shrimp and cabbage

Currently Digging: ice cold coke-zero

Just another healthy lunch i prepared last week before i went to the gym. This fueled me for 2 straight hours of work-out. Its light and healthy

SHRIMP: steamed (Days ago) then heated with lime, cilantro and pico de gallo.

BROWN RICE: rice cooker as always....

CABBAGE: with green peppers, heated through a skillet sprayed with can't beleieve it's not butter, mixed with seasoned boiled chicken (shredded), then tossed with fish sauce!I ate this with CHILI GARLIC OIL.

simple. quick. easy.

Eggs n' microwave

Currently Digging: ice cold pink lemonade with real lemons...

A SPLURGE FOR BREAKFAST... I consider eating eggs and ham for breakfast as a splurge, its a treat pag walang work. :)

After our Bangkok trip, I learned something from my Oldest sister that I will never ever ever forget... that is to make SCRAMBLED EGGS using the MICROWAVE! :p

So here it is. no secrets here just eggs, ham and pepper. that's it.

Scrambled the eggs, fluff it up, add ham, pop it in the microwave. mix halfway, pop it again for a few seconds. Add pepper.

Then CHOW... eat with bread and its heavenly delicious... without the added oil and fat.

CALORIES:

• egg=60 Cal (using 1/2 cup of egg beaters; 0g fat)
• ham=60 Cal (1g fat)

Serve with:

• Sara Lee bread=90 Cal (for 2 thin slices)
• Cup of mixed fruits=120 Cal

This is a good satisfying meal na!

Enjoy a yummy and healthy breakfast!!

Leftover lunch: tandoori chicken

Currently Digging: whole wheat penne + grape tomatoes + spinach +garlic warm pasta salad

Articles always say... the best lunch is the leftover from last night's dinner.

When we first ate at the Indian resto here, I ordered the grilled platter: tandoori chicken, grilled shrimps, lamb, etc...
PORTION SIZE: pretty huge... good enough to share...

• So, next day's lunch for me:
• left over meat (chicken),
• sliced cucumbers with italian dressing,
• cheese cube,
• and a regular size salad (of romaine, carrots and fresh mushrooms)

FAST and EASY. (oh and CHEAP!)
Pretty clever lunch! hehehe... the meat was so tasty i didn't have to even thing about a salad dressing.. it just balances it out.

***SIGHS*** i like Indian foods.... but the calories.... just make me break asweat everytime!

ugh!

BEST but NOT FRIED french fries

Currently Digging: potatoes and omelet parin...

FRIES.... is my moms' weakness. With the 'healthy diet' im in, i try... as much as possible to limit myself eating---fried, oily and salty foods. (I LOVE FRIES! I LOVE PIZZA! I LOVE FRIED CHICKEN! hehe) Oh, i splurge every once in a while... but not as often as before.

2 things about fastfood/resto fries that's BAD for you: 1. DEEP FRIED; 2. SALT.

2 things about my fries that's AWESOME: 1. baked not fried; 2. sodium free yummy!

• ^wash potatoes and cut (kasing laki ng pinky finger)
• ^dry with kitchen towel
• ^LIGHTLY flour
• ^toss with MRS. DASH or HERB CHEF SEASONING, garlic powder, ground pepper, onion powder
• ^SINGLE LAYER on our infamous nu-wave oven pro! Cook for about 15-20 mins, turning once!
  

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I SO LOVE THIS!!!!!

ATE it with grilled chicken tossed salad.

***wipes my mouth***

I apologize... im just drooling over it!

not my pish!

Currently Digging: potatoes and omelet.

oh its not my pish.... THANKS TO GEORGE FORMAN GRILL, now we can GRILLIFRY our whole tilapia!!!! yummmyyyyyyyyyyyyy............. ***thanks dad for cooking this one!***

NO OIL!

ITS HEALTHY!

WALANG TALSIK!

YUMMY PARIN!

SLUSHssssss

Currently Digging: apple + toast with tuna

ITS SUMMER TIME!!!!! its 90 deg out, aside from ice cold water or soda.... one of my fave drinks....

FRESH FRUIT SLUSH....

MAy it be sonic's, or whereever... anything with ICE i'll dig!

The thing is.. a lot of these places uses canned fruits, preserved fruits.... sugar etc... Since I'm EATING HEALTHY... trying to stay away from simple carbs and simple sugar....

I simply indulge myself at home....

With our BULLET:

^I used store bought ICE (dapat kasi ung ice madaling i-grind, like those bought in stores... kasi pag ung galing sa ice tray too big and too thick, namemelt muna bago ma grind plus there must be something different witht he processing or temp.. hehe)

^FRESH FRUITS OF CHOICE... oranges and strawberries...

And in 8 seconds....

I AM SIPPING AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and as always: it's cheap and it's healthy!

baon. bugong. lunchbox.

Currently Digging: lemonade.

The usual set up of my BAONAN: meat, carbs, veggies.

a lot of times I have SNACK items: fruits, cheese, yogurt, jell-o

This meal is cheap and VERY VERY VERY healthy:

chicken breast (trimmed & grilled): 140 cal, 3 g fat.
brown rice: 180 cal, 1 g fat, FIBER!
broccoli spear: 50 cal, FIBER and vitamins
asparagus: 42 cal, fiber, nutrients
yogurt sauce: 30 cal, sodium, and taste... haha!

FILLS ME UP EVERYTIME!!! refuels my body during my 12-hour shifts!

IT SURE IS BETTER THAN FAST FOOD or CAFETERIA FOOD!

& fiber makes me gooooooooooooo.... after holding it for 12 hours! haha!!!

Saucy-----SAUCES!

Currently Digging: my own version of cordonbleu?

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!

YOU CAN'T DENY!!!!!

hehe this is what our ref look like..... a collection of sauces... from arby's to long john's silver, to local drive by and mcdonalds. forgot to mention: chinese take out--duck sauce, soy sauce! haha!!!!

here's a secret: WE NEVER BUY TOMATO KETCHUP!!!!!!!!! (saves us 99cents lol!)

***dati nga even table napkins multi-branded! hahah....

veggie chili

Currently Digging: banana + left over bbq ribs

CHILI.
+ its hearty, its thick, its yummy and its spicy.
+ it could be hearty and healthy.
+ it could be veggie than meaty.


an alternative to the usual meaty chilli.
this one made with zucchini, squash, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers and onions.
of course with a few sprinkles of ground beef hehe...
few beans
tomato sauce
chili seasoning (cumin, paprika, chili powder and all other spices)

this is yummy and healthy.

+ instead of topping it with cheese. I used some cheese and chopped onions.
instead of chips or crackers, i used corn tortilla toasted. yummy enough.

cheap: just used veggies available in ref.

serve with a side salad.


A BOWL = approx 200-300 calories.
its low in fat, low in sodium and yummilicious.

grilled chicken and spinach salad

Currently Digging: freshly steamed shrimps and crabs!!!

i must admit, i craved for something very unusual last week....

SALAD.

yeah.. a big, warm, hearty and meaty salad. Just like those they serve at Applebee's or Friday's.
So after work out, here's what I ate. (I am not good at making dressings, never liked dressings unless it's home made. And there are very few home made dressings i like :)



MIX IT:
-baby spinach
-cubed cucumbers
-roasted mushrooms
-sliced baby carrots
-whole corn kernels

TOP:
-grilled chicken breast cutlet with herbs and spices (onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, paprika, mrs. dash) *thanks to george foreman grill***
-parmesan cheese

FINISH:
-drizzle of balsamic vinegar /or/ squirt of lemon

enjoy and fork in!

grilled chicken & spinach which

Currently Digging: luigi's italian ice cream + grilled garlic cheese sandwhich + bacon

Rescue the left over grilled chicken!!!
For my everyday proteinish craving, meaty-craving, this simple and LIGHT
lunch satisfies it all!

NEED:
^2 wheat bread
^left over grilled chicken
^spinach
^onions
^tomatoes
^cheesy goodness :)
^condiments: ketchup? mustard? mayo? hotsauce? salt pepper
^small saucepan
^oven or toaster oven

ENSEMBLE:
***heat saucepan, spray with olive oil or butter.
***add onions cook until slightly tender
***add spinach until somewhat wilted.

***toast bread with 1 side filled with cheesy goodness!
***heat left over grilled chicken

***layer bread +condiment +chicken +spinach +tomatoes +tiny salt +pepper +cheese +bread
***cut in half... SERVE IT WARM BABY!

I ate it with shrimp cocktails for more meaty goodness!!!

slow cooked pork loin with mixed grain rice

Currently Digging: beef teriyaki lettuce wrap

Not the usual "STEWISH" crockpot recipe. Actually, i have been using the 'crockpot' or slow cooker to cook in bulk. Before we use to boil our meat, so that it is semi-cooked for weeknights meal...
Now what i have been doing is using the crockpot instead of boiling meats... i used it with chicken, beef, pork and fish!!! IT IS REALLY VERY HANDY!

PORK LOIN:
*1 pkg of whole pork loin (size that will fit in the crockpot)
*salt
*pepper
*garlic powder
*any kinds of dry herbs and dry spices
+++rub all ingredients to the porkloin. let it rest for a few minutes.
+++place it in a crockpot
+++plug it, set on 'SLOW' and cook for 8-12 hours depending on pork loin size.
+++let it rest
+++slice and serve OR
+++put in ref! can be reheated in oven, toaster oven or convection oven. microwave will do the trick too! hehe

-+-+-+ OPTION: about 5hours meat can be turned over...
Sometimes i drain the juices coz it is fatty....
OR after the 12hours, drain the meat, place the drippings and juices in a freezer proof container, let it freeze until the fat rises on top (about 1-2hours). remove the fat and use the drippings for gravy!

GRAVY:
in a saucepan, heat some butter. Once melted, add garlic give it a minute to cook. Then add flour. Let it cook and brown a little. add the drippings and juices from the crockpot! mix until slightly thick! AWESOME!
healthier option: use Can't believe it's not butter (or olive oil) instead of butter.
use pork or chicken broth instead of fatty drippings.

SERVE WITH:
+roasted mushrooms and asparagus or any veggies in season!
+mix together cooked wild rice + brown rice + jasmine rice!

SAUCeeeeee!