you CAN .

you CAN do anything you want .

“I don’t think I ever fully realized what a human body is capable of doing, but I think I was also, in a beautiful way, incredibly naïve. I believed I could do anything. I never for one moment thought I couldn’t do it. I believe in hard work. In self-drive and self-worth.”

“But when people say ‘I can’t lose weight,’ no, no, no, you can, your body can do everything and anything, you just have to want to do it.”

- Mila Kunis

pickled vegetables

pickled veggies ..

1 large carrot
1 asian radish
1 cucumber (45cal)
3 shallots
3 garlic cloves
3 red chilli pepper
1 bell pepper (100cal)
1 cup rice vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cinnamon stick
ginger


Boil vinegar, salt, water and sugar.
Remove from heat.
Seep carrots for 5 minutes.

Press garlic, cut shallots in half and smash, smash ginger as well.

Cut the carrot, radish, bell pepper into strips.
Scoop the seeds out from cucumber and slice.

Put one clove garlic, one shallot and one piece ginger into each container.
Break the cinnamon stick into 3 pieces and put one in each jar.
And one red chilli pepper in each jar.
Put the vegetables into the containers, including the carrot.
Pour the liquid in.


When cool, chill in fridge.
It should keep for about a month. If you eat the vegetables, you can add more to the same liquid.

Mulled Wine

mulled wine =D


1 bottle red wine (600cal)
6 tsp sugar (96cal)
juice and peel of one small lemon (22cal)
dash vanilla
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks
4 cloves
chunk of pressed ginger or 1tsp minced
1 cup Oceanspray's cranberry grape juice (140cal) or cherry juice


I've never heard of mulled wine in the past, not until I went to a German christmas festival over the holidays.

Thought it was really good, especially out in the cold. Really warms you up.

I couldn't find cherry juice so used cranberry grape instead.

It should never boil, but just steam.

Add everything in a pot except the sugar, add sugar 2 tsp at a time, mix well and taste before adding more.

I like to use Longue Dog just because it's my favorite.

Leave it on low heat settings and drink awaay .

greek pilaf rice

greek pilaf rice

Actual Picture

1 cup rice (242cal)
4tbs butter (220cal)
olive oil
1 tsp salt
2.5 cup chicken broth (50cal)
1 tbs lemon juice
green onions
5 mushrooms (15cal)
1/2 a small carrot (10cal)

Total: 537 calories


I don't eat rice, just wanted to see if I can make it well.

Oil the skillet with olive oil.
Melt half the butter, brown the rice and chopped up mushroom for 2-3 minutes.
Grate in some carrot for color.
Add the chicken broth and lemon juice.
Simmer for 20 minutes or until liquid had evaporated.
Do not stir or the rice will be mushy.
Stir in the rest of the butter, salt and green onions.

Cracking egg into it is optional.

egg salad

egg salad

Actual Picture

3 eggs (240cal)
1/8 cup fat free miracle whip (30cal)
1/4 bell pepper (25cal)
1 tsp dijon mustard (5cal)
1.875ml lemon juice
green onions
grated carrots
salt n pepper
paprika

Total: 300 calories


First, boil the eggs till cooked.
Mash with half the mayo, lemon juice, salt n pepper.
Add the rest of the mayo or until you think it taste moist but not soggy.
Stir in chopped up yellow or red bell pepper and green onions.
Add dijon mustard.
Grate carrot and sprinkle paprika to your liking for color and a little bit of flavor.

Chill until cold, and then serve.


To make a sandwich, scoop egg salad on a piece of green lettuce or a slice of black forest ham.
Serve with toasted bread (lightly margarined)

Shakshouka

shakshouka

Actual Picture

1/4 an onion (15cal)
1/2 a bell pepper (50cal)
5 mushrooms (15cal)
1/2 jalepeno pepper (2cal)
1/2 clove garlic minced (2cal)
1 garlic clove pressed (4cal)
1/2tsp cumin
1/8tsp oregano
1/8tsp paprika
pinch of cayenne pepper powder
2 large tomatoes (72cal)
1 egg (80cal)
salt
pepper
cilantro
0 calorie cooking spray

Total: 240 calories


Spray cooking spray on pan. Saute garlic, onions, mushrooms till clear or looks done.
Add spices and coat everything.
Put tomato in and break it up with spatula.
Add bite sized bell pepper and chopped up jalepeno pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove cover, increase to medium heat while stirring and cook for 5 minutes or until it thickens.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Slowly pour egg in, make sure the white first and the yolk last. The yolk should be on top.
Cook until egg yolk is soft but not hard, or however you like it.
Garnish with cilantro.

This is my first time ever hearing about shakshouka, it's from an Arabic origin.
I was just browsing recipes and happen to come across it so decided to make it.
Quickly made and makes a good lunch. 1/2tsp thyme is also optional, which I didn't have at the time.

minced beef

minced beef

Actual Picture; camera's blurry =/

3oz sirloin (175cal)
1/2 garlic clove (2cal)
1 shallot (10cal)
1/4 cup soy sauce (
1/4 cup sugar (193.5cal)
1/3 a jalepeno pepper (1.33cal)


Use ground beef of your choice, I actually chop mine up myself.
Mince garlic and shallot.
Heat up your skillet, put garlic and shallot in for a bit and add the beef just until brown.
Add sugar, soy sauce, and jalepeno.
Add enough cold water so everything's covered.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and reduce heat.
Simmer for 20-30 minutes, still stirring once in awhile.

Garnish with green onions. I forgot to chop some up this time.
I also wanna try this recipe with aspartame sometime. It'll cut the calories back.
But it was decent .. good drinking food ^^

My version of potato skins ..

potato skins ..

1 medium red potato (150cal)
2 slice Kraft's fat free cheese (60cal)
1 strip calabrese salami (20cal)
green onions
salt & pepper

Total Calories: 230


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Peel potato, rinse, and slice into 3 flats, then chop it in half to make 6 halves.
Toss it in salt and pepper.
Cut the salami into 24 tiny pieces, I'm using this instead of bacon. Put 4 pieces on each potato slice.
Sprinkle with green onions.
Divide each slice of cheese into 1/3rds and arrange on top of potato to cover the toppings.
Put on baking sheet.
I forget how long I baked it for, just keep checking on it till it looks done.
Personally I prefer the cheese burnt.
I didn't use any oil and they turned out delicious anyways !


This was a total random "let's see what I can do with what I have" for dinner tonight.
It turned out surprisingly good.

November

1) 1068.5
2) 1414.16
3) 990.26
4) 793.75
5) 1073.35
6) 1865.47
7) 1179.75
8) 1200.14
9) 1182
10) 1127.76
11) 872.25
12) 1224.67
13) 810.54
14) 1454.99
15) 1200.95
16) 1422.087
17) 905.94
18) 1047.91
19) 1810.13
20) 1805.33
21) 1604.935
22) 522.44
23) 1509.5
24) 865.69
25) 1030.91
26) 702.42
27) 1253.5
28) 1755.75
29) 313
30) 917.5


Goal : 27000 or under
Maximum Intake Allowed : 30000
Actual Intake :

Over Goal Amount by :
Over Maximum Intake by :
Average Calories per day :

Honestly, I'm too lazy to count i but pretty sure I'm way over .

H a l l o w e ee n . .

pumpkin carving :)


Halloween is almost here !!

I am a Halloween fanatic.

Sadly, the costume I wanted to get is sold out and the other one I can't find.

But I have backup ones, so it's okay.

I carved a pumpkin the other day, and took a ghost train through a park.

Candy and costumes and parties to look forward to !!

Going to a sold out party. It should be great =D

Probably go check out Fright Night at the PNE like I usually do.

That's it for now.

the male race .. ?

or maybe it's all people in general ..

you think he's listening, but he's really not.


Why do people ask questions, when they are not interested in the answer:
a) to pretend to take interest
b) to be polite and make conversation
c) to fill the silence
d) all of the above



the boy will say: how's your day going ?
the girl will say: oh my day started off with ..

the boy has already finished hearing and moved on to a different train of thought.

the girl will continue: an early morning jog, it was a lovely morning .. and then I went home and got ready for work. Work was ..

the boy stares at her blankly and nods. lalalala

the girl: really terrible, my boss treats me like crap, everybody there is fake and I absolutely hate it.

the boy looks up at her again: hate what ?

the girl: ...

In a situation like this:
a) the girl will get upset and ask why he wasn't listening
b) will continue to explain what she hates
c) ignore it and move on


In a situation like this. I will say go fuck yourself and don't speak to me. Such a waste of my breathe.


This was actually completely made up, but happens a lot. with many different questions. And people.


Lately, I'm not sure if I'm noticing more, or I just haven't paid as much attention before.

People are so keen on asking the question and completely disregard what the other person replies with. It is especially amusing when watching it happen between others.


I don't usually (can't say ever, but) ask people questions if I don't wanna know the answer. I just don't ask at all.

October 2010

1) 1279.83
2) 1622.5
3) 918.91
4) 1970
5) 968.88
6) 1387.83
7) 891.41
8) 1158
9) 765
10) 1116.33
11) 520
12) 1325.45
13) 885.29
14) 919.165
15) 1331.31
16) 523.5
17) 1165.2
18) 1482.34
19) 1123.82
20) 779
21) 1018.5
22) 1195.955
23) 1313.5
24) 848.89
25) 1501
26) 660
27) 980.5
28) 680.83
29) 1053.14
30) 1588.64
31) 1116.25


Goal : 27900 or under
Maximum Intake Allowed : 31000
Actual Intake : 34090.67

Over Goal Amount by : 6190.67
Over Maximum Intake by : 3090.67
Average Calories per day : 1099.699

Hopefully, do better in November.

September 2010

1) 1354.6
2) 1138.39
3) 1780.25
4) 851.75
5) 900
6) 496.72
7) 1588.85
8) 1643.66
9) 1134.3
10) 1747.91
11) 949.5
12) 1525
13) 351
14) 1539.335
15) 855
16) 1008
17) 1193.25
18) 572.63
19) 1099.5
20) 1020.83
21) 1426.84
22) 1230.177
23) 1088
24) 1264.47
25) 717.67
26) 1226.75
27) 1278.34
28) 1038.5
29) 1217.25
30) 976.67



Goal : 27000 or under
Maximum Intake Allowed : 30000
Actual Intake : 34215.142

Over Goal Amount by : 7215.142
Over Maximum Intake by : 4215.142
Average Calories per day : 1140.5047


I don't know what to say . -_-"

hotpot dipping sauce ..

raw yolk dip .

1 raw egg yolk (50cal)
light soy sauce
dash white pepper
dash chilli oil
dash sesame oil
satay sauce


First, crack egg and seperate the white from the yolk. If you don't know how, google it.

You can use the white too, I just don't like to.

Then pour light soy sauce over the yolk (the yolk is not broken) so that it's surrounded but not covered.

Now, dash the ground white pepper, chilli oil, and sesame oil.

On one side of the soy sauce, put a small chunk of satay sauce and dissolve it with chopsticks, careful not to break the yolk.

Then when you are finally eating your hotpot meal, goes best with beef, poke the yolk with your chopsticks so it starts to flow out slowly but not entirely mix with the rest of the sauce.

I like to dip the food item into the yolk first and let it slightly touch the soy sauce mix just for taste.

If you run outta yolk, just crack another one in.

Hotpot season is just around the corner !

the biggest sandwich I've ever eaten .

the sandwich nazi .


Note: Actual picture of half the sandwich

http://www.sandwichnazi.com/

This guy is such a character, freakin' hilarious ..

I heard of this place through a friend, then saw a picture she took of the sandwich and I had to go try it because I love a good sandwich.

Crazy sandwiches !! For under 8$ , you get massive amounts of diff meats (imported European deli meats), cheese, tomato and lettuce on your choice of bread.

Goodbye subway, Hello La Charcuterie Delicatessen

And they run outta bread on a daily basis !

The first time I went, they had no more bread .. but I went back =)

And he remembered me, he said "ah I remember you, you came back, no bread last week"

Well, he said more than that, you will see what I mean if you go and buy a sandwich.

Highly recommended .

Cheers !

very asian ..

lettuce spring rolls ..

Note: Actual Picture

1 cup black wood ear fungus (23cal)
1 package konnyaku (20cal)
4 shiitake mushrooms (40cal)
1 small carrot (30cal)
iceberg lettuce (as you need) (2cal per leaf)
1 cup sprouts (30cal)
cilantro
green onions

Total: 150 calories (give or take)


Makes 12 rolls in total.

I was talking to somebody about spring rolls, and how brutal it is to eat the deep fried ones. They are delicious .. but so fucking unhealthy !!

This is my alternative ..

So I first, boiled the wood ear fungus, shiitake, and konnyaku .. while that's happening .. I shredded the carrots and washed the lettuce. Also chopped the green onions and cilantro.

I was missing sprouts today =(

Then I sliced the fungus and shiitake, unraveled the konnyaku.

On a big plate, take a piece of lettuce, and put some of each ingredient on. Roll it up and secure with a toothpick as needed.

For a raw version, use red bell pepper slices, normal mushrooms (i'm not sure you can eat shiitake mushrooms raw), alfalfa sprouts, carrots, cabbage (shredded), green onions and cilantro.

So instead of 70-140 calories of a deep fried spring roll, this will be under 15calories per roll.





Now for the sauce ..

chilli vinaigrette .

warm water
sugar
white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove
1 small piece ginger root
1 red chilli pepper
dash lime juice
dash soy sauce
dash white pepper
shredded carrots


My first attempt was a fail, second attempt was good =). That's not the actual picture, but it should look something like that, clear light color but with shredded carrots on top.

I decided to wing it, so I don't really know the exact amount .. just keep adding different shit till it tastes good I guess.

Take a small bowl, add hot water, dissolve sugar, pour in vinegar

Press the garlic, smash the ginger (too lazy to mince), mince the red chilli pepper, dash white pepper. Stir it around and taste.

Dash the lime juice, I found it slightly too sweet, so dashed light soy sauce (very little), garnish it with carrots.

The only thing with any calories really is the sugar, and it's an insufficient amount, so I wouldn't worry about it.


Serve everything chilled.

simply fresh ..

stir fry noodles .. ;)

Note: Actual picture

"Noodles"
0 calorie vegetable cooking spray
1/2 clove garlic (2cal)
scallions
1/4 bag precut cole slaw (25cal)
minced ginger
dash salt

"Meat Sauce"
4 mushrooms (12cal)
1 tomato (36cal)
fresh basil leaves
dash worcestershire sauce
red pepper flakes
black pepper
cilantro
0 calorie vegetable cooking spray
dash salt

Total: 75 calories


I have been eating unhealthy lately, so today I wanted to start out clean.

Should have eaten it completely raw, but half cooked it cuz broccoli is so hard to eat raw.

Mince garlic, chop scallions. Wash and chop tomato and mushrooms.

Take your non stick skillet, spray with vegetable cooking spray.

Saute garlic, scallions, and slaw, but not fully. Drizzle minced ginger. Only half cook it, you still want the noodles to be crispy. Set aside.

Respray skillet with vegetable cooking spray. Chopped tomato on one side and mushroom on the other. Break down the tomato with wooden spoon while cooking on medium heat. Add basil leaves on the tomato. Dash worcestershire sauce and red pepper flakes on tomato. Stir it and continue to break it down, its water content should make it a chunky sauce type thing.

Dash salt, very little ! Just for taste on both the mushrooms and tomato.

You can now mix it up, or if you're like me and enjoy tasting the food item individually .. then just serve beside the noodles.

Dash black pepper for taste and garnish with cilantro.

Notice I didn't cook it with any oil, I only use the vegetable spray so nothing sticks to the pan and burns. For those of you who don't mind some fat, I'd say give the noodles a drizzle of sesame oil for more flavor. Though I really liked the ginger taste. This recipe saves you from consuming gluten and a shitload more unnecessary calories.

And I had cucumber chips for an appetizer.

Makes a really good lunch.


In comparison, to let's say Earls. or any of those franchise restaurants that serve a crispy noodle bowl. I have this thing against fake asian food. lol .. sure it's called fushion . *Rolls eyes*

Earl's Hunan Kung Pao is a wok fried noodle with veggies, peanuts, and you can add chicken or shrimp. It has 1003.65 calories. You would think noodles, vegetables, and chicken should have less calories than a burger, right ? No, according to the nutritional content they provide on their website .. both burgers have less calories than the bowls do.

Okay let's talk health. I'm totally disgusted right now, The Hunan bowl has 42.12g of fat, so even more than the Bigger Better 1/2 lb Burger which has 40g. But the Hunan bowl has 3324.32mg of sodium. Holy fuck. The burger has 995mg. That's quite a difference. The burger has more saturated fat of 18.27g where as the bowl only has 4.59g. Also the fibre content is very low in both bowls and burgers.

I don't like burgers either, (grounded up proccessed meat? .. that's like death .. wait it is. =P) but I'm just comparing the two because people automatically think burgers are unhealthy if comparing to rice or noodles. And pasta, don't even get me started.
Gross.

So yah, I'm never eating at Earls, lol . Didn't mean to pick on them, but I don't eat at many other places with that sort of food either.

The next time you end up at one of these places, maybe you'll reconsider and just starve. Haha, kidding.

Cheers and have a nice day ! =)

seriously ..

- DIET VS LIFE -

http://www.acaloriecounter.com/how-to-stick-to-your-diet.php

It annoys me when people question me ..

"Oh you're on a diet ?" ... "What kind of diet?" ... "What, your still on a diet?"

NO PEOPLE, I'm not on a fucking diet. It's called a lifestyle you morons.

On a brighter note, read this article .. it makes total sense.


Oddly enough, I'd been through all these steps naturally .. just came across this article by accident just now though lol

The key to maintaining your eating habits (according to me) (regardless of what your aiming for) is to:

1) Do not deprive yourself of anything. Eat what you want. But in moderation.
2) Eat when your hungry, not when your "supposed" to
3) Fuck what others think or say, they can shove junk down their throats all they want .. but why do you have to follow and suffer ? You don't. Don't feel obligated to try and explain to them because, even if they understand .. they won't agree. So fuck them. lol
4) Don't kill yourself if you binge once in awhile. It happens .. we're only human. Tomorrow will be another day where you can do much better.


And folks, that is how you live the life you want. Really, it doesn't only apply to food.

Cheers.

The 272 Fast Food Items Highest In Calories

Check out your favorite fast food restaurants !!

http://www.acaloriecounter.com/fast-food-calories.php

White Castle is on the top of the list .. Jack in the Box isn't much better .

Thank god we don't have those in Canada.

DQ , BK , Arby's , MCD is very common though.

#10 on the list is DQ's 6 piece chicken strip basket going at 1270 calories. Yikes !
I vaguely remember eating that in highschool .. but haven't in many years ..

Mcdonald's actually my all time favorite .. but I rarely eat it anymore =)


Obviously I'm gonna think twice before eating at any of these places. Probably more than twice, more like quadruple. lol


Well, happy getting skinny folks . or fat in many cases . but think positive ! haha

childhood memories ..

gummi bears .. bouncing here and there and everywherre !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR9yTK1xApc

I was just chatting on msn to my friend, and Disney movies came up.

Somehow that lead to me mentioning one of my old favorite cartoon shows that I'd used to get up early to watch every day as a kid.

Coincidentally, she used to watch it too.

How funny it is, these bears live in a tree, drink magical juice and fight goblins. =P

Sounds like the life, doesn't it ?