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!

breakfast bake for houieversary

Currently Digging: slice of bake plus lettuce bowl

Breakfast bake. Quiche. Frittata. Whatever this is. Breakfast pile up? Breakfast cake? I don't know. Just all of a sudden at 3am, i woke up hungry.... craving for eggs and comfort food... something filling, and loaded... why not try a breakfast bake i've been imagining...

Just a layer of bread, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, ham, swiss melting cheese, green onions, ham and hashbrowns, top with a little more cheese... baked to goodness.

served in lettuce bowl with beans in sardines sauce.

this is the first time i've tried this...and i must admit it tasted pretty good... still healthy though.

I used 2 real eggs and the rest are egg substitute. used 2 oz of 2% colby jack cheese (would love it better if it is pepper jack). used tomatoes, mushrooms and deli ham. no cream. no full fat cheeses. hashbrown for crusting + few drizzle olive oil.

Happy houieversary... 6 years...

Just like last year.... i cooked on our special day... this time it's loaded, smothered but still a little bit healthy. The entire loaf would probably serve 6. But i'm already craving for another slice!!!!

Still watching my diet and working out.. but not losing any more weight....

sidetrack: 6th year...

Currently Digging: eddy's coffee ice cream

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

HAPPY 6th year HOUIEVERSARY!!!

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!

happy birthday ma!

Currently Digging: Chamomile tea

HAPPY 62nd BIRTHDAY MA!!!

Had lunch today at Frankie's house.... (then I went to GYM and worked out!)

Lunch Menu c/o Frankie: Mexican dish (?)-more like dorito casserole; Green Salad-by Martha; Hot Salsa; Adopted Pinoy cucumber salad with onions; Corn chips; Sugar free fruit dessert (american fruit salad); Fresh fruit plate; Iced tea and lemonade...

Something to ponder: Here are some popcorn balls Frankie made for the trick or treaters yesterday. It was just exposed-open to air.... Wondering bakit di kumunat kahit na naka expose sa hangin??? Just curious...Mom, Dad, Frankie and Martha all enjoyed this!!! hahaha.... So messy to eat!!! I tasted it too... yummy...

-----------------------------------------------------

first timer's YOGURT: hummus; chicken salad

Currently Digging: WATER!

This is the first time I messed with plain yogurt
First time I ever made hummus....

Result: texturally disaster... taste? deliciooso!

For this hummus:

• 1 can garbanzos; drained and rinsed (to get rid of as much sodium)
• 1/4 of lime; juiced
• plain yogurt (maybe about 3oz. coz I used abou 4.5 oz and its a little thin...)
• 5 cloves garlic; roasted
• 1/4 jalapeno; seeded and ribbed; minced
• 3 drops of sesame oil (i don't have tahini!)
• couple dashes of paprika
• freshly ground pepper
• salt to taste
• minced/chopped green onions - for garnish
  

>>i used the bullet to mix everything (or food processor), except for the jalapenos and seasonings.
Maybe next time I should slowly add in the yogurt to adjust the consistency.
Once blended, mixed in the paprika, fresh ground pepper and then salt.
I folded in the minced jalapenos. garnished with green onions then chilled.


This pic on the left???
Snack for tomorrow for work!!!!! protein-rich and fiber-rich? I don't know! **too lazy to think about mutrion info....**

___________________________________________


CHICKEN SALAD:
-4 oz Plain yogurt
-10 oz Chicken breast: cooked; shreded/chopped; cool
-chopped onions (optional)
-chopped tomatoes; seeded (optional)
-chopped bell pepper (optional)
-chopped roasted garlic (optional)
-minced jalapeno (optional)
-2 tsp dijon mustard (adjust acdg to taste preference)
-2% shreded cheese (i used mild cheddar)
-salt & pepper

>> Just mix everything together... adjust seasonings according to taste...
USE in wraps, bread, salad topping, pita filling...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Back to work tomorrow.... I feel good today! Had two days of AWESOME-ROCKIN' workout!
I was full of energy... And I feel great...

Though I didn't lose any weight last week... and my eating habits still sucks!!!!! *What can I do now!?!?* My appetite is just killing me! huwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.. i'm always.. ALWAYS eating more than my calories.... grrrrrrrrrrrrrr..... time to be good lei!

TIME TO BE GOOD AND DISCIPLINED!

MY LUNCH BOX: an apple (50) - sugarfree jello (10) - 2 slices whole wheat bread (110) - sauteed spinach with shaved carrots (90) - pork loin boiled then browned in a convection oven...(250) =approx: 510 calories(?)

Am I on the roll or what?!?!

post-workout salmon

Currently Digging: scrambled eggs and red beans

I saw this beautiful salmon at SAM'S CLUB. It's quite a fish! hehe

There's 2 fillets for a little over 2 pounds = $12.00
I think it was $5.++ per pound... it's well worth it!
Just think about it this way: if you eat salmon fillet at a restaurant it's baked with a little bit of sauce, let's say it is probably around 6 oz it will cost you $9.00

Let's see the break down of price here:

AT HOME:
> 4-5oz salmon = $2.00
> Low salt seasoning + Mr's dash = $0.20
> Baking labor = $nothing so easy to do, easy clean up
> Lemon =$0.25
> No butter, no extra salt, healthy = PRICELESS
> No guilt succulent pleasure of moist and tender salmon = PRICELESS
> Broccoli and Cauliflower medley pre-cut = $1.50

SO EASY TO DO!

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees.
2. Season the fillet with your fave seasoning (MINE: mr's dash, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, pinch salt, freshly ground pepper, squirt of lemon, slices of ginger)
3. place in a foil or silicone lining (for easy cleanup)
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes... until done moist and smells like heaven!
   

Look at this: it's healthy.... filling... and yummy...

And that's my post-work out dinner.

PROTEIN, VEGGIES, and a FRUIT as my simple sugar source.... (I already ate a fruit, I just forgot to take a pic of it!)

QUICK UPDATE: i am down to 207.8lbs!

I AM THINKING: posting a sample menu... from breakfast til dinner on one of my HEALTHY DAYS!

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!!

bad week...

Currently Digging: deli ham from hy vee

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! i cannot resist the temptation!!!! I just thought I blog it!
I craved for it and I got it!!!!!!

It's that salt & fat laden burger from Mc Donald's... the one in their dollar menu!!
The one that melts in your mouth when you bite into it... (well it is made of fat right???)The one thats hard to resist when you stop by for that dollar 42 oz. diet dr. pepper and a free redbox rental...

It is the.. one and only... double cheese burger...

... i must confess within a matter of 2 stop lights and 2 stop signs... I have devoured this temptating pseudo protein fat laden food... and to say the least for a matter of minutes i was in my state of NIRVANA...

too bad it didn't give enough satisfaction to orgasm!

guess my brain already flipped out and started calculating grams of fat and calories per bite! haha!!

• LARGE dt. dr. pepper: $1.08
• Double Cheese Burger: $1.07
• FREE red box rental: -$1.00
• GRAND TOTAL: $1.15!

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!

no sweat baked salmon

Just digged into: raw green mango, tuna and white/brown rice!

Lately, i've been so much into fish. I can't find quality ones in the local grocery store, but I found a good one at costco-- well it is farm-raised but what the heck, it is still fish! I would love to go to KC city market but it's a bit far to my place to just buy a piece of fish.

I got that from costco at $4.99/lb (this is a 1.6lb. fish usually divided into 6 portions)...

Don't you just love a sophisticated-pseudo-gourmet-style-meal in about 15mins cooking time or about 30mins with prep time?

DRY RUB: all suited based on my preference!
-mrs. dash original with citrus zest
-dried basil
-dried parsley
-salt
-pepper
-minced or pressed garlic
-garlic powder
-ginger root sliced
-*any other herb, or spices!

INTO THE OVEN:
-Preheat oven to 375*F (or 350 kung malakas ang oven)
-Line baking sheet with foil. Lightly (LIGHTLY) grease foil with can't believe its not butter spraY (0 calories!)
-Rub ingredients over salmon, sprinkle garlic on top and place ginger slices. Few more spritz of Can't believe it's not butter spray.
-***If baking entire salmon fillet with skin on: bake for about 12-17minutes (but keep an eye on it after 10mins!---salmon is crappy when it is too tough or overcooked. IT still has to be orangy/pinkish but flaky!) TRY poking it with finger if it is bouncing and sort of semi-firm to touch and flakes... it is done...
*** If baking salmon fillet cut up into 4-5oz slices, bake it for 8-10minutes!

SUPER EASY huh?!?! quite oricey than regular meals but A WHOLE LOTTA CHEAPER than eating out!!!

SERVE with: mixed brown and white rice + stir fried or roasted veggies

Condiments: Freshly ground black pepper or chili garlic sauce or salt or butter or NOTHING!

ANNIVERSARY loaded PASTA!

Currently Digging: 2 fried eggs, 1 toast, orange

She loves pizza. checked! (delivered at her place during our online "DATE CHAT")
She loves my pasta. ... ... ... ... ...

Another year apart. Another year of not celebrating anniv together.

Here's what I cooked for myself to celebrate for our 5 years anniv...

IN d MIX:

• spaghetti (cooked al dente per package instructions)
• 2-3 slices bacon
• chicken breast
• onions
• garlic *tons*
• broccoli
• green onions chopped
• cream of mushroom condensed
• chicken stock or water or skim milk or pasta water
• salt and pepper and garlic powder
• favorite cheese -cut into small cubes

TOMAKE:

~heat skillet, wok, pan whatever... i used the wok coz its big..

~fry bacon in its own fat. remove. drain.

~remove most of bacon fat, until about 1tbsp is left, brown chicken breast. Season.

~add onions, wait until almost browned, then push to side allowing each ingredient to touch bottom of wok

~add garlic- toast until golden brown
~add broccoli, then immediately add about 1/4-1/2 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup.

~add chicken stock (or water and skim milk) or pasta water *tanchahan lang kung gaano karami!*

~let simmer and reduce until sauce is creamy

~mix in the pasta

~garnish with green onions, chopped crispy bacon and of course cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese!

SERVE WITH HOT SAUCE or chili garlic sauce!
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMY!!!!

I LOVE YOU HOU!
>miss u<

MEX PIZ

Currently Digging: roasted pork loin sandwhich + cream mushroom soup

i love pizza... its just not very healthy... kaya i try to stay away as much as i can. This one is good enough to satisfy that craving. TOppings taste like pizza, but without the crust and that issue about PORTION size.


BREAKDOWN:
2 3-4in. corn tortilla
2-3 tsp left over pizza sauce **left over from here**
lightly sautee'd onions, mushrooms, green peppers and spinach
1-2 tbsp browned ground meat
2-3 oz. shredded cheese



ARRANGE:
~~toast corn tortilla until almost crispy (watch out not to over do this.)
~~add tsp left over pizza sauce
~~layer with browned ground meat
~~add lightly sauteed/sweated veggies
~~top with favorite shreded cheese
~~toast or broil for about 3-4mins until cheese melted

total Cal: >300Cal for 2 pcs of tortilla complete with toppings.

DIG IN & GET DIRTY!!!

turkey beef pasta with roasted veggies

Currently Digging: romaine salad, hashbrowns, egg with sausage scramble~

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY DAD!

I prepared this dinner for myself on my dad's 60th birthday. He was asking me where I want to eat, but i told him since he can't, why bother. I would just cook for myself, at least i won't mess up my diet. Instead of the all-time-birthday-tradition: PANCIT, i cooked pasta instead-- EASY and delicious!

PASTA: any kind of pasta... (not the round or with hole kinds, coz this doesn't have cream or sauce...) cooked Al-dente of course!

SAUCE: i have a huge batch of ground turkey and ground beef that I have browned and seasoned (with herbs, onions, garlic, few salt, pepper). I used that.

Added button mushrooms.

Can't believe its not butter spray.

Toasted garlic.

Some pasta cooking water (to de-glaze the pan)

shaved parmesan cheese

~~~add butter to pan, brown the garlic. add mushrooms, let it cook until most liquid is gone. add pre-browned meat. let it cook until all is well done. (if too dry, add some pasta cooking water.)

SIDE POCKET: Love your veggies! I am not a huge fan of veggies, but when it is roasted or grilled, i will eat them (depending of the kind of veggies ofcourse! duh!).

broccoli bunch

asparagus

cherry tomatoes

~~~wash the veggies and dry. on a convection oven (this is what we have) or a conventional oven, single layer the veggies in a pan. drizzle with little olive oil, season with herbs or mrs. dash. Pop it in the oven, or use the broiler low function to cook the veggies until some areas are crunchy and dry, some with preserved veggie juice. THAT's IT!

PLATE: Mix the pasta with the dry meat sauce, until well coated. Add the roasted chery tomatoes. plate the veggies. plate pasta. top with thinly shaved parmesan cheese. SERVE HOT and fresh!

CONDIMENTS: Lee kum kee chili garlic sauce or tabasco.

DELICIOUS! just do not overdo the olive oil!

I HATE GREASY PASTA!!!

total Cal: 517.6

total protein: 38.1 g

total carbs: 59.2 g

total fat: 16.8 g

loaded pseudo gourmet pizza

Currently Digging: roasted ratatouille, teriyaki chix & cottage cheese

I am trying to lose weight... Di pa ba obvious? Super bowl sunday was approaching, my dad can't eat by mouth, it's just me and him, so I thought, 'y order pizza, if ako lang ang kakain?!.'
9/10 times I overeat when PIZZA is around! IT's SIMPLY my BIGGEST TEMPTATION.


Anyway, went to grocery store day before, bought veggies for toppings, yeast, and I was thinking of getting a package of pepperoni, but guess what? I didn't! Aside from the price, it's loaded with sodium and fat.

So here's what I made for the DOUGH:
I tried an online recipe! i just typed pizza dough... hehe
2 cup all-purpose flour (i was going to use whole wheat but i don't wanna spend more money to buy it, after all, this is a tria pizza right?)
1 package quick-rising yeast
some salt
pinch sugar
warm water for the yeast (accdg to package :D)
instead of adding olive oil, i used CAn't believe it's not butter-spray (0 cal, 0 whatever.)

BOTTOMs:
olive oil
garlic minced
onions minced
boiled spinach or frozen spinach DRAINED
small can tomato sauce
salt & pepper to taste
basil leaves or dried basil--gives that italian pizza taste instead of a Greenwich or 3M pizza (you know what I mean!!)



TOPs:
monterey jack cheese (this is what I have at that time eh!)
cheddar cheese (Frankie happened to give me some)
parmesan cheese (i bought for $1.79 a small triangular block)
mushrooms
bell pepper
onion slices
drained frozen spinach
about 6-8oz smoked beef sausage-pre cook
2 slices bacon- pre cook

What i did:
CRUST: Yeast + warm h2O set aside. mix dry ingredients. combine. and mix thoroughly. With this modern age, we don't have a mixer or a food processor. So i did it the old fashion way, mix it by hand and used my palms to knead the bread. It's really hard to tell exact measurements since I CANNOT follow ANY recipe. The dough was seemed dry, so i added a tsp of warm water. (if too sticky dust with flour). Once it is soft enough, i sprayed it with can't believe it's not butter. Wrap it in plastic whrink wrap and let it rest for ABOUT 30mins
I rolled it with roller pin until it feels like a pizza crust! haha... Di ko alam kung gaano ka kapal eh! Basta I have a big pizza pan, and i wanted it thin since it is home made. I used extra virgin olive oil to oil the pan and dusted it LIGHTLY with flour.
Baked it 450* on the bottom rack until it looks almost done, haha! (can't remember how long!)

BOTTOMs: Sauted onions and garlic in olive oil until golden brown. Added frozen spinach. Salt and pepper. Mix in tomato sauce, let boil, then simmer to reduce to about 25-40%. Salt and Pepper to taste, actually I didn't add anymore salt cuz once the sauce reduced, the flavors intensified enough :D

TOPs: After pre baking the crust (so it won't be soggy), i used just enough sauce (3/4 to 1cup of sauce) to cover crust. Dust with monterey and cheddar cheese (so the toppings will stick together and won't fall off). Added the pre cook meat. Then the raw veggies on top (so it will be more expose to heat once cooked). Added the remainder of the cheeses + freshly grated parmesan.

BAke in middle rack, until desired doneness~~~ cheese bubbly, veggies cooked, crust golden brown!

SERVE with tabasco or red pepper flakes and freshly cracked pepper! DIG IN!!!


***burrrrrrrrrrrrp*** I made sure to get 3 slices and left the rest in the kitchen, packed it in plasticwares, ready to be stored in the ref! (para di ko na kainin!!!)


^^^NY Giants WON!^^^