I remember Santa Monica farmers market as a booming place all year around. They had gorgeous produce and flowers no matter what season. But the best for me and Pat were the amazing taco trucks. Yum!
Here at the Trenton farmers market, things are not so bright. If I go in the winter, hardly any of the stands are open. There are some flowers but I really don't know how they grow those when it's snowing out. But this weekend, it was the best scene that I've seen at this particular market. It was packed with people and amazing produce including peaches, tomatoes, scallions, cucumbers, corn, etc etc.... So among various kids' favorites, Pat and I also picked up some amazing tomatoes of different sizes and colors to make some yummy tomato sandwich. It's such a delicious snack and so simple to make.
Tomato Sandwich.
Toast a piece of bread til brown and crispy on the outside. Use one slice of toast only.
Spread a good coating of mayo while still hot.
Cut thick slices of tomatoes of various sizes and colors and put a generous amount on top of the toast.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Eat while the bread is still warm!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
resuming my food list
breakfast: 2 slices of toast with almond butter; small world cafe coffee (it's really good)
lunch: pork cutlet
snack: brownie (from le pain quotidien - really really good but it's scary - lots and lots of butter. I bought this at the store today but I've made some in the past. They are amazing. See recipe below); iced coffee
dinner: Hungarian goulash with egg noodles (made in crockpot - really easy and pretty yummy); sisi's leftover ice cream
I went to my weekly meeting/ site visit in NY. Tuesdays always leave me starved so I don't eat salad for dinner. I am definitely getting round. 20 week ultrasound coming up in a couple of weeks. We will most probably find out the gender then! I am guessing another boy.
Le Pain Quotidien Brownies
Makes 14 brownies
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 - 64% cacao)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
5 eggs, beaten lightly with a fork
1 1/3 cups superfine sugar
3 tablespoons pastry flour
1. Roughly chop the chocolate into pieces. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and add the butter. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, until the two ingredients have melted. Mix well and transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Sift the sugar and flour together, then stir into the chocolate. Add the eggs and mix well. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. The batter will thicken as it stands.
3. Line a muffin tin with cupcake papers. Spoon one-fourth cup batter into each paper-lined cup. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. The brownies will still be moist when done; they will puff up and fall slightly as they cool.
Hungarian Goulash - crockpot style! (modified from recipe on recipezaar.com)
* 2 lbs beef stew meat - no need to cut
* 1 large onion, sliced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3 carrots - just to get more veg in the meal
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons paprika
* 1 cup water
* 1/4 cup flour
Dump everything into the crockpot except for flour and cook on low all day. Turn on crockpot before you go to work and unplug when you get home. Mix the flour with a bit of water and pour in at the end to thicken the sauce. Break up the meat in the pot with fork so it's easier to serve and eat. Serve over egg noodles.
Pat said the Goulash was OK. Terran was sick and didn't eat much. I think Sisi liked it. She ate the noodles. She never eats meat. I woofed mine down and thought it was yummy.
lunch: pork cutlet
snack: brownie (from le pain quotidien - really really good but it's scary - lots and lots of butter. I bought this at the store today but I've made some in the past. They are amazing. See recipe below); iced coffee
dinner: Hungarian goulash with egg noodles (made in crockpot - really easy and pretty yummy); sisi's leftover ice cream
I went to my weekly meeting/ site visit in NY. Tuesdays always leave me starved so I don't eat salad for dinner. I am definitely getting round. 20 week ultrasound coming up in a couple of weeks. We will most probably find out the gender then! I am guessing another boy.
Le Pain Quotidien Brownies
Makes 14 brownies
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 - 64% cacao)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
5 eggs, beaten lightly with a fork
1 1/3 cups superfine sugar
3 tablespoons pastry flour
1. Roughly chop the chocolate into pieces. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and add the butter. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, until the two ingredients have melted. Mix well and transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Sift the sugar and flour together, then stir into the chocolate. Add the eggs and mix well. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. The batter will thicken as it stands.
3. Line a muffin tin with cupcake papers. Spoon one-fourth cup batter into each paper-lined cup. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. The brownies will still be moist when done; they will puff up and fall slightly as they cool.
Hungarian Goulash - crockpot style! (modified from recipe on recipezaar.com)
* 2 lbs beef stew meat - no need to cut
* 1 large onion, sliced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3 carrots - just to get more veg in the meal
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons paprika
* 1 cup water
* 1/4 cup flour
Dump everything into the crockpot except for flour and cook on low all day. Turn on crockpot before you go to work and unplug when you get home. Mix the flour with a bit of water and pour in at the end to thicken the sauce. Break up the meat in the pot with fork so it's easier to serve and eat. Serve over egg noodles.
Pat said the Goulash was OK. Terran was sick and didn't eat much. I think Sisi liked it. She ate the noodles. She never eats meat. I woofed mine down and thought it was yummy.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Pho for dinner
I made pho tonight for the first time. I actually didn't make it tonight. I assembled it last night and let it cook in my favorite crock pot while I was at work. I looked up recipes online and most calls for making beef stock out of bones. I don't know what that even means so I just used beef stock and added spices. It was easy and turned out awesome.
Terran said "mmm, mama, this is so good." And Sisi sat very quietly and continuously shoved noodles in her mouth. Pat said that the beef was cooked too long but the soup was right on. Such great compliments!
Here's the recipe. I got it from one of my favorite crock pot websites: crockpot365.blogspot.com
--6 cups beef broth or stock
--2 inch chunk of ginger
--2 whole star anise
--1 cinnamon stick
--2 sliced green onions
--1 lb thin sliced beef
--package of rice noodles
--2 t fish sauce
--1/2 t kosher salt
--1/2 t black pepper
put everything (except the noodles) in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. If I were to do it again, and if timing was right, I'd put the meat in during the last hour or so. Cooking thin slices of beef for 8 hours just disintegrates the meat. I knew that it wasn't a good idea but I knew I was going to be home late tonight and wouldn't have that extra hour til dinner. Oh well. Maybe next time. I will also put in cloves next time since I have some of that on hand.
The smell in the kitchen was amazing when I got home. Pat picked up the kids and got home before I did so he cooked the noodles in the pot. Overall, it was definitely successful and I will definitely do it again. Pho is definitely one of my favorite foods!
Part of the reason I made pho is because Pat hasn't had it in a long long time. I work next to Chinatown in Philly so I get pho at least every other week. For Pat, who is stuck in Lawrenceville, NJ, there's no where to get pho nearby. Due to lack of good restaurants in the area, I've resorted to cooking things that I wouldn't usually make. Pho is one example, and last week, I made Ropa Vieja - which was also pretty damn good. I'm such a good wife.
Terran said "mmm, mama, this is so good." And Sisi sat very quietly and continuously shoved noodles in her mouth. Pat said that the beef was cooked too long but the soup was right on. Such great compliments!
Here's the recipe. I got it from one of my favorite crock pot websites: crockpot365.blogspot.com
--6 cups beef broth or stock
--2 inch chunk of ginger
--2 whole star anise
--1 cinnamon stick
--2 sliced green onions
--1 lb thin sliced beef
--package of rice noodles
--2 t fish sauce
--1/2 t kosher salt
--1/2 t black pepper
put everything (except the noodles) in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. If I were to do it again, and if timing was right, I'd put the meat in during the last hour or so. Cooking thin slices of beef for 8 hours just disintegrates the meat. I knew that it wasn't a good idea but I knew I was going to be home late tonight and wouldn't have that extra hour til dinner. Oh well. Maybe next time. I will also put in cloves next time since I have some of that on hand.
The smell in the kitchen was amazing when I got home. Pat picked up the kids and got home before I did so he cooked the noodles in the pot. Overall, it was definitely successful and I will definitely do it again. Pho is definitely one of my favorite foods!
Part of the reason I made pho is because Pat hasn't had it in a long long time. I work next to Chinatown in Philly so I get pho at least every other week. For Pat, who is stuck in Lawrenceville, NJ, there's no where to get pho nearby. Due to lack of good restaurants in the area, I've resorted to cooking things that I wouldn't usually make. Pho is one example, and last week, I made Ropa Vieja - which was also pretty damn good. I'm such a good wife.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
I'm still here
It's been a long time since I wrote here last. It's only because I have a big news and it's hard to write about anything else. Patrick and I are expecting another baby in January! Now, we are just trying to enjoy having "only 2 kids". It's going to be a chaotic mess (as I hear from other parents of 3 or more) but that's the future of our family and it's going to be awesome!.
This pregnancy has definitely been different. I've been a little more tired and a little more sick than before. The fetus is a health nut. My craving everyday is SALAD. I was never a fan of salad but one of my meals is always salad and it's oh soooo gooood! weird. The other day, we all went and got chick fil-a (really amazing fastfood). I would usually get the chicken sandwich but the thought of it made me feel ill and ended up with a salad instead. That's so not me!
Another awesome news is that I am now a registered architect in New York. I was hoping to get my license in California last February but failed the last exam that is only required in CA. I was pretty upset about it and decided to put all of that frustrated energy to complete a few more paper work to apply for license in NY. It worked so here I am. Finally licensed! I am still going to try to get a license in CA and my retake of that last test is in November....
Terran turned 4 in July and we had a party for him at home. Photos to come. Sisi is not even 2 yet but is able to talk a lot and communicate with us. Her development might be just normal but it surprises Pat and I since Terran was especially slow at speech. Although now I realize that all of this, how early they walk, talk, use the toilet, etc. don't really matter. They will learn to do it eventually.
In June, we took a family vacation to DC. It was really fun and photos to come.
This week, we are taking another summer vacation to Jersey Shore. Renting a house and spending time at the beach and boardwalk is a culture around this area. We're going to try and see what it's all about. The kids have never been to the beach so it will be fun to see them in all that sand! My sis and her husband are also coming down from NY to join us so that's going to be great!
This pregnancy has definitely been different. I've been a little more tired and a little more sick than before. The fetus is a health nut. My craving everyday is SALAD. I was never a fan of salad but one of my meals is always salad and it's oh soooo gooood! weird. The other day, we all went and got chick fil-a (really amazing fastfood). I would usually get the chicken sandwich but the thought of it made me feel ill and ended up with a salad instead. That's so not me!
Another awesome news is that I am now a registered architect in New York. I was hoping to get my license in California last February but failed the last exam that is only required in CA. I was pretty upset about it and decided to put all of that frustrated energy to complete a few more paper work to apply for license in NY. It worked so here I am. Finally licensed! I am still going to try to get a license in CA and my retake of that last test is in November....
Terran turned 4 in July and we had a party for him at home. Photos to come. Sisi is not even 2 yet but is able to talk a lot and communicate with us. Her development might be just normal but it surprises Pat and I since Terran was especially slow at speech. Although now I realize that all of this, how early they walk, talk, use the toilet, etc. don't really matter. They will learn to do it eventually.
In June, we took a family vacation to DC. It was really fun and photos to come.
This week, we are taking another summer vacation to Jersey Shore. Renting a house and spending time at the beach and boardwalk is a culture around this area. We're going to try and see what it's all about. The kids have never been to the beach so it will be fun to see them in all that sand! My sis and her husband are also coming down from NY to join us so that's going to be great!
Monday, May 18, 2009
complaints from Terran
am: cereal, yogurt, blueberries
pm: soup w. salmon, dark chocolate
snack: rice crakers
dinner: spaghetti w. meatballs
I received a formal complaint from Terran today. We were just chatting on our way home from school and he said:
Terran: Mom, when I go to sleep, I like it to be quiet. Can you turn down Sisi's music (she goes to sleep with a sleepy tune in her room next to Terran's), don't talk so loud to Dada, don't watch TV, don't make so much noise in the kitchen.
Mama: (shocked!) Then why don't we just close your door so you won't hear so much?
Terran: Nooo....(the usual whiny way) But I want you to leave a little crack on the door.
Mama: Um.... OK. I will try.... So what did you do at school today?
Terran: I built a boat with Halyn with wood blocks. And I played on the computer with Ian. Ian is not nice.
(Hmmmm.... I thought Terran and Ian were really close....)
I told this to Pat and he rolled his eyes.
pm: soup w. salmon, dark chocolate
snack: rice crakers
dinner: spaghetti w. meatballs
I received a formal complaint from Terran today. We were just chatting on our way home from school and he said:
Terran: Mom, when I go to sleep, I like it to be quiet. Can you turn down Sisi's music (she goes to sleep with a sleepy tune in her room next to Terran's), don't talk so loud to Dada, don't watch TV, don't make so much noise in the kitchen.
Mama: (shocked!) Then why don't we just close your door so you won't hear so much?
Terran: Nooo....(the usual whiny way) But I want you to leave a little crack on the door.
Mama: Um.... OK. I will try.... So what did you do at school today?
Terran: I built a boat with Halyn with wood blocks. And I played on the computer with Ian. Ian is not nice.
(Hmmmm.... I thought Terran and Ian were really close....)
I told this to Pat and he rolled his eyes.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
dim sum overload
today:
am: popcorn in the car (didn't have time for breakfast as I woke up late)
pm: lots and lots of dim sum in NY Chinatown w. my sister, her husband, and her in laws
dinner: sweet and spicy salmon, bok choi w. lots of garlic, rice
snack: dark chocolate
yesterday:
am: toast w. sesame butter, soup
pm: chick fil a chicken sandwich
dinner: home made chicken noodle soup in crockpot
snack: almonds
friday:
am: bread w, peanut butter
pm: soup
dinner: chinese takeout
I am surprised that I somewhat remembered what I ate 2 days ago. I cook now more than I ever did. I also love my crockpot. I can prepare it way in advance and there's food ready when we come home from work. I have a small crockpot that I always use but am thinking of buying a larger one for more versatility. Checkout this webite: A year of crockpotting. Created by a mom who uses her crockpot everyday to make something different for a whole year. She has great recipes and it totally fits my lifestyle.
am: popcorn in the car (didn't have time for breakfast as I woke up late)
pm: lots and lots of dim sum in NY Chinatown w. my sister, her husband, and her in laws
dinner: sweet and spicy salmon, bok choi w. lots of garlic, rice
snack: dark chocolate
yesterday:
am: toast w. sesame butter, soup
pm: chick fil a chicken sandwich
dinner: home made chicken noodle soup in crockpot
snack: almonds
friday:
am: bread w, peanut butter
pm: soup
dinner: chinese takeout
I am surprised that I somewhat remembered what I ate 2 days ago. I cook now more than I ever did. I also love my crockpot. I can prepare it way in advance and there's food ready when we come home from work. I have a small crockpot that I always use but am thinking of buying a larger one for more versatility. Checkout this webite: A year of crockpotting. Created by a mom who uses her crockpot everyday to make something different for a whole year. She has great recipes and it totally fits my lifestyle.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
tired
wed:
am: cereal, yogurt
pm: soup, cheese, ham
snack: grapes, piece of dark naked chocolate
dinner: rice, cod, asparagus, left over artichoke w. mayo (i got the artichoke yesterday from whole foods and it was the best ever - really big and meaty that we couldn't even finish it)
thur:
am: bread w. peanut butter, yogurt, tomato
pm: soup, left over pizza, piece of dark chocolate
snacks: 2 bowls of rice and almonds (i got home and was soooo hungry!)
dinner: potato dumpling, tea (still full from snack)
snack: sunflower seeds, takoyaki
am: cereal, yogurt
pm: soup, cheese, ham
snack: grapes, piece of dark naked chocolate
dinner: rice, cod, asparagus, left over artichoke w. mayo (i got the artichoke yesterday from whole foods and it was the best ever - really big and meaty that we couldn't even finish it)
thur:
am: bread w. peanut butter, yogurt, tomato
pm: soup, left over pizza, piece of dark chocolate
snacks: 2 bowls of rice and almonds (i got home and was soooo hungry!)
dinner: potato dumpling, tea (still full from snack)
snack: sunflower seeds, takoyaki
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
cat allergy
am: cereal, yogurt
pm: cabbage soup w. beef
snck: taro bun from philly chinatown
dinner: rice, cod, asparagus, artichoke w. mayo
After we came home, we went to hang out with a neighbor friend. Terran and his friend was running all over the place and we also went into their house for about 15 minutes. About 30 minutes after we came home I noticed red spots on Terran's face. He wasn't really complaining because he was so engrossed in TV. But right then, I knew that he was having an allergic reaction to their 2 cats. We've been to their house many times before but Terran never showed any symptoms. I've heard that animals tend to shed more as summer approaches - maybe that's the reason. He got grumpy and he looked pale and sickly so we quickly gave him Benadryl and took them up for bath. He was much better after that.
So now, Sisi is allergic to nuts, and Terran is allergic to cats??? I wonder why???? I had no allergies as a child and just recently developed seasonal allergies. Pat is slightly allergic to cats, and slightly allergic to shellfish, and also has seasonal allergies. Whatever the kids have, I hope they grow out of it....
Camela wrote me a response and told me that I may not be eating enough. That I should exercise instead of cutting calories. She may be right. So, if anyone's reading this today, will you do me a favor and respond with what you ate today? I'm just curious. Thanks!
pm: cabbage soup w. beef
snck: taro bun from philly chinatown
dinner: rice, cod, asparagus, artichoke w. mayo
After we came home, we went to hang out with a neighbor friend. Terran and his friend was running all over the place and we also went into their house for about 15 minutes. About 30 minutes after we came home I noticed red spots on Terran's face. He wasn't really complaining because he was so engrossed in TV. But right then, I knew that he was having an allergic reaction to their 2 cats. We've been to their house many times before but Terran never showed any symptoms. I've heard that animals tend to shed more as summer approaches - maybe that's the reason. He got grumpy and he looked pale and sickly so we quickly gave him Benadryl and took them up for bath. He was much better after that.
So now, Sisi is allergic to nuts, and Terran is allergic to cats??? I wonder why???? I had no allergies as a child and just recently developed seasonal allergies. Pat is slightly allergic to cats, and slightly allergic to shellfish, and also has seasonal allergies. Whatever the kids have, I hope they grow out of it....
Camela wrote me a response and told me that I may not be eating enough. That I should exercise instead of cutting calories. She may be right. So, if anyone's reading this today, will you do me a favor and respond with what you ate today? I'm just curious. Thanks!
Monday, May 11, 2009
eating carbs to save my marriage
am: cereal, tomato, yogurt
pm: i brought lunch but couldn't resist and invitation to have pho!
snack: ritz, tiny piece of dark chocolate
dinner: cabbage soup w. meat, rice, tiny bit of hoisin chicken wings
I love using my crockpot and I use it at least a couple of times a week. Tonight was Hoisin Chicken Wings. I wasn't too impressed but Pat loved them!
I ate carbs for all my meals today (cereal, pho, ritz, rice). After week of minimal carb consumption, I actually didn't really feel like I needed to but I did it out of goodness of my heart so I can be nicer to my family and save my relationship with Pat. I am a better person for eating carbs.
A family photo from April:
pm: i brought lunch but couldn't resist and invitation to have pho!
snack: ritz, tiny piece of dark chocolate
dinner: cabbage soup w. meat, rice, tiny bit of hoisin chicken wings
I love using my crockpot and I use it at least a couple of times a week. Tonight was Hoisin Chicken Wings. I wasn't too impressed but Pat loved them!
I ate carbs for all my meals today (cereal, pho, ritz, rice). After week of minimal carb consumption, I actually didn't really feel like I needed to but I did it out of goodness of my heart so I can be nicer to my family and save my relationship with Pat. I am a better person for eating carbs.
A family photo from April:
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Race Day
am: 3 banana pancakes + a few bites of bagel
pm: cabbage soup, hard boiled egg
snack: 1/2 serving of almonds
dinner: mussels, 1 mozzarella stick, 3 zucchini sticks, pasta w. chicken & veg (obviously not a diet day)
There was a 5K and kids' run at the Lawrenceville School down the street from our house. Pat has been doing 5Ks recently so that he could run with the jogging stroller and the running time is not so long so that the kid in the stroller won't start complaining. We make sure that the stroller kid is equipped with drinks and snacks to keep happy for the duration of the run.
Both Terran and Sierra ran in the kids race. They were both in the under 3 year old catagory. Sisi went first for under 3 girls. Pat and Terran stayed with her at the start line. My feeling was that she won't even let go of Pat. But as all the other girls started running, Sisi to my surprise also ran towards me - 25 yards away, with a big smile on her face. She tripped and fell once but she picked herself right up and came crashing into my arms. She did really well and we were proud of her. She got a medal! I always attempt to let her try different things. At a fair the other day, she saw a pony so we stood in line so that she could actually ride the pony. In the end, she only touched the pony, said hi, but said no thanks to the ride. She did really well today!!!
Terran also did well. He has done this a few times before but had not gotten the point until this year. He was really psyched about "winning" his race from the time that he got up and he ran really fast towards me. He proudly wore his race T-shirt and medal all day long. Since he's been running (on the jogging stroller) with Pat now for 2 years, he also claims running to be his sport and always wants to "run really fast like dada."
I was suppose to run the 5K but I used my cabbage soup diet and lack of energy to excuse myself and got Pat to run in my place. Terran was also planning to be the stroller kid but he ran into his friend at the event and happily offered Sisi the spot. So while Pat and Sisi ran, Terran played with his friend, running back and forth all over the place, throwing grass and wood chips into the pond.
We had a good Mother's Day.
pm: cabbage soup, hard boiled egg
snack: 1/2 serving of almonds
dinner: mussels, 1 mozzarella stick, 3 zucchini sticks, pasta w. chicken & veg (obviously not a diet day)
There was a 5K and kids' run at the Lawrenceville School down the street from our house. Pat has been doing 5Ks recently so that he could run with the jogging stroller and the running time is not so long so that the kid in the stroller won't start complaining. We make sure that the stroller kid is equipped with drinks and snacks to keep happy for the duration of the run.
Both Terran and Sierra ran in the kids race. They were both in the under 3 year old catagory. Sisi went first for under 3 girls. Pat and Terran stayed with her at the start line. My feeling was that she won't even let go of Pat. But as all the other girls started running, Sisi to my surprise also ran towards me - 25 yards away, with a big smile on her face. She tripped and fell once but she picked herself right up and came crashing into my arms. She did really well and we were proud of her. She got a medal! I always attempt to let her try different things. At a fair the other day, she saw a pony so we stood in line so that she could actually ride the pony. In the end, she only touched the pony, said hi, but said no thanks to the ride. She did really well today!!!
Terran also did well. He has done this a few times before but had not gotten the point until this year. He was really psyched about "winning" his race from the time that he got up and he ran really fast towards me. He proudly wore his race T-shirt and medal all day long. Since he's been running (on the jogging stroller) with Pat now for 2 years, he also claims running to be his sport and always wants to "run really fast like dada."
I was suppose to run the 5K but I used my cabbage soup diet and lack of energy to excuse myself and got Pat to run in my place. Terran was also planning to be the stroller kid but he ran into his friend at the event and happily offered Sisi the spot. So while Pat and Sisi ran, Terran played with his friend, running back and forth all over the place, throwing grass and wood chips into the pond.
We had a good Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Train day
am: cabbage soup + 1/2 banana
pm: 1 taco from tacobell, some popcorn
dinner: cabbage soup, french fries
My diet is basically done and I've failed but may have lost a couple of lbs.
Today was the national train day and we went to Philadelphia's 30th station for the event. I thought it was going to be awesome for Terran but he was whiny the whole time we were there. Sierra on the other hand was very very happy little lady and loved watching the band jam their instruments.
The cabbage soup diet was really bad for my marriage. I was so awful to him this week that today, Pat told me that if I stay on this diet any longer, it will end in our divorce.... Men just don't understand our insecurities!
pm: 1 taco from tacobell, some popcorn
dinner: cabbage soup, french fries
My diet is basically done and I've failed but may have lost a couple of lbs.
Today was the national train day and we went to Philadelphia's 30th station for the event. I thought it was going to be awesome for Terran but he was whiny the whole time we were there. Sierra on the other hand was very very happy little lady and loved watching the band jam their instruments.
The cabbage soup diet was really bad for my marriage. I was so awful to him this week that today, Pat told me that if I stay on this diet any longer, it will end in our divorce.... Men just don't understand our insecurities!
Friday, May 08, 2009
loser
I totally fell off the wagon today.
am: big chocolate muffin w. 2 strawberries (pod breakfast/ peer pressure)
pm: coconut chicken curry (peer pressure lunch w. colleagues)
snack: 2.5 cookies (mother's day snack @ Terran's class; my kids kept shoving cookies in my mouth and could not regurgitate in front of moms and teachers)
dinner: cabbage soup
am: big chocolate muffin w. 2 strawberries (pod breakfast/ peer pressure)
pm: coconut chicken curry (peer pressure lunch w. colleagues)
snack: 2.5 cookies (mother's day snack @ Terran's class; my kids kept shoving cookies in my mouth and could not regurgitate in front of moms and teachers)
dinner: cabbage soup
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Lots of cheating
am: cabbage soup & 2 bananas & milk
pm: cabbage soup, banana
snack: lots of almonds....
dinner: a small bowl of chow mein topping (homemade so it's healthy with lots of veg and chicken breast; hard to resist not eating what I make for the family....)
As of this morning, I've lost 3 lbs. I only have 2 more lbs to get to my target weight of 115 lbs. That was my weight before I had Sisi. I was 110 before Terran but I'm not even going to go there. Still groggy and my brain isn't working quite right. Lack of carb = lack of brain power. Now I know for sure.
pm: cabbage soup, banana
snack: lots of almonds....
dinner: a small bowl of chow mein topping (homemade so it's healthy with lots of veg and chicken breast; hard to resist not eating what I make for the family....)
As of this morning, I've lost 3 lbs. I only have 2 more lbs to get to my target weight of 115 lbs. That was my weight before I had Sisi. I was 110 before Terran but I'm not even going to go there. Still groggy and my brain isn't working quite right. Lack of carb = lack of brain power. Now I know for sure.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Groggy, tired, and not interested.
Tuesday:
am: cabbage soup (Totally cheated: 3-4 servings of honey roasted almonds!)
pm: cabbage soup, zucchini/ red bell pepper
dinner: spinach, baked potato
Wednesday:
am: cabbage soup, plum
pm: cabbage soup, bean sprout/ scallion/ mushroom
snack apple, 1/2 serving of honey roasted almonds (cheat!)
dinner: zucchini, red bell pepper, bit of rice and fries (cheat again!)
This cabbage soup diet is so awful. I am not hungry but I just feel empty inside. I am tired, not interested in working, and just overall yucky feeling. Agh! I want to quit but I lost about 2 lbs already to all time post pregnancy low, so I just want to finish it. It's impossible not to cheat with this diet but I try to keep cheating to a minimum. But even that is difficult.
am: cabbage soup (Totally cheated: 3-4 servings of honey roasted almonds!)
pm: cabbage soup, zucchini/ red bell pepper
dinner: spinach, baked potato
Wednesday:
am: cabbage soup, plum
pm: cabbage soup, bean sprout/ scallion/ mushroom
snack apple, 1/2 serving of honey roasted almonds (cheat!)
dinner: zucchini, red bell pepper, bit of rice and fries (cheat again!)
This cabbage soup diet is so awful. I am not hungry but I just feel empty inside. I am tired, not interested in working, and just overall yucky feeling. Agh! I want to quit but I lost about 2 lbs already to all time post pregnancy low, so I just want to finish it. It's impossible not to cheat with this diet but I try to keep cheating to a minimum. But even that is difficult.
Monday, May 04, 2009
cabbage soup diet
My facebook friend from middle school told me about Cabbage Soup Diet so I started today.
am: 2 small apples, pear (I cheated a bit: had a half cup of coffee with cream and sugar. I never have coffee w. additives but I needed something to fill the void....)
pm: cabbage soup, plum
snack: cabbage soup
dinner: cabbage soup, cantalope (I cheated a bit: I had to sample the dinner that I made for the rest of my family ginger soy chicken w.veg, and also the dessert that Terran and I made; a banana split! - only microscopic bites of each, sigh.)
This diet sucks. I am constantly gassy (because of cabbage) and hungry (because of lack of anything substantial). It will last for 7 days and each day, there's variations with the constant cabbage soup. I actually like the soup but I felt like I had enough fruits after that second apple. Being used to eating some sort of lovable carb for breakfast, I felt drowsy and off and hungry in the morning. I googled this diet and it's a fad diet that pros don't recommend. But it's just a week and I didn't feel like quitting on the first day.
I am in a rut with Pat these days. Love and hate go hand in hand in our relationship. Most days, I feel love; lots of it. Yesterday and today, there's hate; lots of it. Maybe it's because I am hungry and probably pms-ing. Hopefully, I can feel love again tomorrow. Maybe some rice, chicken, and a piece of chocolate would help....
Terran saw monkey puppets making banana split on TV and claimed that he wanted one. So I made him eat his dinner and set out to make our dessert. We set up 3 little bowls (for Pat, Sisi, and himself) and split a large banana 3 ways. We put scoops of raspberry ice cream, and vanilla on top. Then, we topped off with whip cream from the can. We had fun making and eating it. Only thing missing - cherry on the top. Sisi refused her dessert and continued eating her corn with a bit of butter.
am: 2 small apples, pear (I cheated a bit: had a half cup of coffee with cream and sugar. I never have coffee w. additives but I needed something to fill the void....)
pm: cabbage soup, plum
snack: cabbage soup
dinner: cabbage soup, cantalope (I cheated a bit: I had to sample the dinner that I made for the rest of my family ginger soy chicken w.veg, and also the dessert that Terran and I made; a banana split! - only microscopic bites of each, sigh.)
This diet sucks. I am constantly gassy (because of cabbage) and hungry (because of lack of anything substantial). It will last for 7 days and each day, there's variations with the constant cabbage soup. I actually like the soup but I felt like I had enough fruits after that second apple. Being used to eating some sort of lovable carb for breakfast, I felt drowsy and off and hungry in the morning. I googled this diet and it's a fad diet that pros don't recommend. But it's just a week and I didn't feel like quitting on the first day.
I am in a rut with Pat these days. Love and hate go hand in hand in our relationship. Most days, I feel love; lots of it. Yesterday and today, there's hate; lots of it. Maybe it's because I am hungry and probably pms-ing. Hopefully, I can feel love again tomorrow. Maybe some rice, chicken, and a piece of chocolate would help....
Terran saw monkey puppets making banana split on TV and claimed that he wanted one. So I made him eat his dinner and set out to make our dessert. We set up 3 little bowls (for Pat, Sisi, and himself) and split a large banana 3 ways. We put scoops of raspberry ice cream, and vanilla on top. Then, we topped off with whip cream from the can. We had fun making and eating it. Only thing missing - cherry on the top. Sisi refused her dessert and continued eating her corn with a bit of butter.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
michelada
am: cereal, 1/2 dunkin muffin, 3 munchkins (tempted by pod breakfast....)
pm: 1/2 canned tuna, baby carrots, banana, cheese
snack: lots of almonds
dinner: lots of pizza (but it's the healthier kind....)
snack: 1/2 bottle of beer
ex: 40 min walk around Philly
overall: over all ate too much and unhealthy
I'm a fan of Evan Kliman of KCRW's Good Food. It's a radio food program based in LA that I podcast during work when I am bored or doing something too mundane to even think about.
She was talking about cocktails in this podcast. I've never made cocktails before, partly because Pat is not a big fan. He's a beer drinker and sometimes wine. But today, Evan was talking about Mexican Beer Cocktail: Michelada.
Here's the recipe and despite my diet plans, I am going to make it and consume it this weekend after kids are in bed.
1/2 key lime
salt
dash of hot sauce (tapatio or Tabasco)
dash of Worcestershire sauce
dash of Maggi sauce
light mexican beer like Corona, Pacifico, or Sol.
ice.
Start by rubbing lime along the rim of glass and dip in salt. add ice. add the sauces.finally add beer.
Sounds amazing.
I was surprised that the ingredient included Maggi sauce because I thought that that was an Asian thing (though not Japanese). So I goggled and was blown away because Maggi originated in Switzerland. So it's European but a very strong part of Asian food culture. What Chinese restaurant doesn't have Maggi sauce; maybe not on every table but ask and you shall receive. For further info on Maggi, check out this website.
pm: 1/2 canned tuna, baby carrots, banana, cheese
snack: lots of almonds
dinner: lots of pizza (but it's the healthier kind....)
snack: 1/2 bottle of beer
ex: 40 min walk around Philly
overall: over all ate too much and unhealthy
I'm a fan of Evan Kliman of KCRW's Good Food. It's a radio food program based in LA that I podcast during work when I am bored or doing something too mundane to even think about.
She was talking about cocktails in this podcast. I've never made cocktails before, partly because Pat is not a big fan. He's a beer drinker and sometimes wine. But today, Evan was talking about Mexican Beer Cocktail: Michelada.
Here's the recipe and despite my diet plans, I am going to make it and consume it this weekend after kids are in bed.
1/2 key lime
salt
dash of hot sauce (tapatio or Tabasco)
dash of Worcestershire sauce
dash of Maggi sauce
light mexican beer like Corona, Pacifico, or Sol.
ice.
Start by rubbing lime along the rim of glass and dip in salt. add ice. add the sauces.finally add beer.
Sounds amazing.
I was surprised that the ingredient included Maggi sauce because I thought that that was an Asian thing (though not Japanese). So I goggled and was blown away because Maggi originated in Switzerland. So it's European but a very strong part of Asian food culture. What Chinese restaurant doesn't have Maggi sauce; maybe not on every table but ask and you shall receive. For further info on Maggi, check out this website.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
my baby
am: cereal, yogurt, donut....
pm: ham, tomatoes, cheese
snack: banana
dinner: fish, rice, artichoke w. mayo, broccoli
after dinner: sunflower seeds, tea
overall: ate too much
I have terrible allergy today and I was crying all day despite my nose spray and eye drops.
Sisi has been talking and understanding a lot. Speech came so quickly to her and I talk to her just the same way as I talk to Terran. It's nice that I can get comprehensible response. She loves babies. She has a little baby doll that she adores. When Pat says "Sisi, you're not really a baby anymore, you're a little girl." She gets mad and says "NOOOOO! I'm baby!!!" She also expresses her desires with "I need" and "I want". She'll say "I need mama","I want mina (which means milk)", "I want cook cook (that means a cracker or a cookie). When Pat comes home from work, she'll say "hi dada" in the sweetest possible voice. She also often say "not nice" to Terran. In fact, "not nice" was not only her first phrase, but her first words.... She's also pretty vain and she particular about what she wears. Terran never cared about that and still doesn't.
Her words include: apple, hat, me, hand, eye, baby, mama, dada, quack quack (duck), woof woof (dog), mew (cat), eat, mina (milk), corn, pop (lollipop), juice, cup....
She likes to give food to her little baby doll. She loves to give kisses and hugs, and blow kisses. The vegetable she willingly eats consists of peas, corn, and broccoli.
She's probably going to be my last baby so I just want to remember all this. It's
the sweetest time.
Terran got a new bike from grandma so Sisi got his tricycle. She can't peddle yet but loves pushing it around with her feet.
Terran and my sister Reyko (he calls her chichi). He just loves her.
Sisi in her pretty pink dress on a nice spring day.
This is funny: She's still wearing her PJ, puts on Terran's helmet, wears her sunglasses that she loves, and dances to music. She loved this look!!!
Terran has been going to his swim classes at Lawrence High School. He loves it. It consists of about 15 3-5 year old kids. It's just fun to watch them do their thing. I swam while I was pregnant with him and he's been splashing in the pool since he was a baby. He thinks gymnastics is for girls (because some girls in his class take gymnastic classes) and swimming is for guys (just because he's doing it).
pm: ham, tomatoes, cheese
snack: banana
dinner: fish, rice, artichoke w. mayo, broccoli
after dinner: sunflower seeds, tea
overall: ate too much
I have terrible allergy today and I was crying all day despite my nose spray and eye drops.
Sisi has been talking and understanding a lot. Speech came so quickly to her and I talk to her just the same way as I talk to Terran. It's nice that I can get comprehensible response. She loves babies. She has a little baby doll that she adores. When Pat says "Sisi, you're not really a baby anymore, you're a little girl." She gets mad and says "NOOOOO! I'm baby!!!" She also expresses her desires with "I need" and "I want". She'll say "I need mama","I want mina (which means milk)", "I want cook cook (that means a cracker or a cookie). When Pat comes home from work, she'll say "hi dada" in the sweetest possible voice. She also often say "not nice" to Terran. In fact, "not nice" was not only her first phrase, but her first words.... She's also pretty vain and she particular about what she wears. Terran never cared about that and still doesn't.
Her words include: apple, hat, me, hand, eye, baby, mama, dada, quack quack (duck), woof woof (dog), mew (cat), eat, mina (milk), corn, pop (lollipop), juice, cup....
She likes to give food to her little baby doll. She loves to give kisses and hugs, and blow kisses. The vegetable she willingly eats consists of peas, corn, and broccoli.
She's probably going to be my last baby so I just want to remember all this. It's
the sweetest time.
Terran got a new bike from grandma so Sisi got his tricycle. She can't peddle yet but loves pushing it around with her feet.
Terran and my sister Reyko (he calls her chichi). He just loves her.
Sisi in her pretty pink dress on a nice spring day.
This is funny: She's still wearing her PJ, puts on Terran's helmet, wears her sunglasses that she loves, and dances to music. She loved this look!!!
Terran has been going to his swim classes at Lawrence High School. He loves it. It consists of about 15 3-5 year old kids. It's just fun to watch them do their thing. I swam while I was pregnant with him and he's been splashing in the pool since he was a baby. He thinks gymnastics is for girls (because some girls in his class take gymnastic classes) and swimming is for guys (just because he's doing it).
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
new york today
am: bread w. peanut butter, yogurt
pm: veggie delight sandwich
dinner: beef chow fun, young chow fried rice, white rice (carb meal!!!)
Allergy is kicking in. My eyes are watery, and my nose is sniffy. It feels aweful!
pm: veggie delight sandwich
dinner: beef chow fun, young chow fried rice, white rice (carb meal!!!)
Allergy is kicking in. My eyes are watery, and my nose is sniffy. It feels aweful!
Monday, April 27, 2009
heat
am: cereal, yogurt, sunflower seeds
pm: ham, cheese, grape tomatoes
snack: milk & blueberries
dinner: ham, greenbeans, few things that kids didn't eat....
snack: cereal, tea
don't know why but my weight went up.... sucks!
pm: ham, cheese, grape tomatoes
snack: milk & blueberries
dinner: ham, greenbeans, few things that kids didn't eat....
snack: cereal, tea
don't know why but my weight went up.... sucks!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
ate too much
am: toast w. peanut butter & pat's ham & cheese omelet
pm: onigiri, oso-men, greenbeans
snack: beef kabob, bit of cotton candy ice cream (yuck!)
snack 2: ice cream (dark chocolate and raspberry) (yum!)
dinner: hotdog and artichoke w. mayo
ex: walked 2 miles in 85 degree heat pushing a double stroller (approx. 70lbs with kids, stroller, and other junk we carry around); 30 day shred level 2
Every year, Lawrenceville hosts Jubilee on Main Street, basically a street party for kids. So we went after lunch and Pat actually made us walk the 1 mile in 85 degree heat pushing a double stroller. It wasn't that great because by the time we got there, the kids were tired and ready for nap. But overall, the weekend was amazing. It was so nice in the evening that we took our dinner to the back yard to eat.
For the first time, I scrubbed the inside of my oven. I hate using chemicals in the kitchen with kids and food always being around. So here's the trick. Mix baking soda and water to make a past (not runny). Spread it all around the oven. Leave for an hour or more. Come back with a wet sponge and scrub. The accumulated gunk will come off without too much elbow grease. What a success!
pm: onigiri, oso-men, greenbeans
snack: beef kabob, bit of cotton candy ice cream (yuck!)
snack 2: ice cream (dark chocolate and raspberry) (yum!)
dinner: hotdog and artichoke w. mayo
ex: walked 2 miles in 85 degree heat pushing a double stroller (approx. 70lbs with kids, stroller, and other junk we carry around); 30 day shred level 2
Every year, Lawrenceville hosts Jubilee on Main Street, basically a street party for kids. So we went after lunch and Pat actually made us walk the 1 mile in 85 degree heat pushing a double stroller. It wasn't that great because by the time we got there, the kids were tired and ready for nap. But overall, the weekend was amazing. It was so nice in the evening that we took our dinner to the back yard to eat.
For the first time, I scrubbed the inside of my oven. I hate using chemicals in the kitchen with kids and food always being around. So here's the trick. Mix baking soda and water to make a past (not runny). Spread it all around the oven. Leave for an hour or more. Come back with a wet sponge and scrub. The accumulated gunk will come off without too much elbow grease. What a success!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
