My Day in the Kitchen

I had a lovely Sunday spent in the kitchen for some much needed therapy. I use cooking and baking to relax and unwind. I love that by combining a few raw ingredients you end up with something completely new. Flour, water, yeast and olive oil make a lovely tender and crispy pizza dough.

I started out my morning by making some whole wheat pizza dough. So simple, takes only a few minutes to mix up and completely satisfying. My recipe made four individual size pizza. I ate one and froze the others so I could enjoy homemade dough any night of the week. I also discovered that  is my Pampered Chef Mini-Baker is the perfect size individual pizza baker too. I wish that I had some fresh mozzarella and basil but I made due with some part skim mozzarella. The mini-baker is made of the same stoneware that the pizza stones are made of so it left a delicious crispy bottom in only about 15 minutes. I bet they could be pre-made, baked off, cooled and frozen for a quick work lunch or for an after school snack. Yummm... add some sauteed peppers, onions and sausage. It is just as quick, tastier and much healthier for you than the store bought frozen pizzas.

As per my previous post about roasted veggies. I am still obsessing over them. I had some left over broccoli from a few days ago. Past its prime for eating raw but deliciously suited for roasting. The broccoli gets this nutty, intense flavor that can not be achieve any other way. I love adding whole cloves of garlic, olive oil and some salt/pepper. Along with my pizza it made a delicious lunch and was well within my diet guidelines.

The tofu chili did not photograph well. I will have a recipe to follow with much better pictures. I added some lentils instead of bean because I had some left over. The soy bean is amazing. It is used in everything from 

powering cars to making rich creamy smoothies and everything in between.

Next on the menu was baked turkey meatballs. I was worried about them being dry between the baking and the 99% fat free turkey I used. To prevent this I use a slice of my Arnold Flax Seed & Fiber bread (I actually used the "useless" end.) I soaked it in water and squeezed it dry and added it to the ground turkey. Out of 3/4 lb I made nine plus a little taster one to make sure the seasoning was correct. I let them cool on the baking sheet and popped them into the oven to eat with my homemade whole wheat pasta.

How exciting! I got a Pasta Roller Set for my KitchenAid Mixer for Christmas. I have never made pasta before. I was very excited in the idea of experimenting with different flavors, shapes and testing old recipes with fresh pasta. Nothing is better than fresh pasta. You just can not get that al dente taste with store bought dried pasta. It is amazing how expensive the fresh store bought pasta is when it is so easy to make. Water, flour and eggs, soo simple. Even more simple than the pizza dough.

The pasta roller set came with four different pasta recipes; egg, semolina, light whole wheat, whole wheat and spinach. I decided to try the light whole wheat pasta recipe. Now, I know some do not believe in making pasta dough with anything but a counter top and a set of hands, but I'm busy! I simply dumped all of the ingredients into the stand mixer using the kneading hook I let it run for two minutes. It did seem a little dry so I added another tablespoon of water and let it go for another minute. Perfect! I dumped it onto my cutting board kneaded it to a loaf and let it rest for a few minutes. After resting I sliced into eight pieces as per instructed by recipe. Well, here goes nothing. I wish I could have taken pictures as I was rolling out the dough but I have yet to grow a third hand. I'm sure I will find a future volunteer to photograph for food. I decided on a fettuccine width and using a clean kitchen towel I was off! Look at my beautiful whole wheat fettuccine nests. I recipe made ten servings with a few pieces boiled up for an immediate irresistible taste test.

Honestly, If you make the dough ahead and refrigerating it you could get fresh pasta on the table in the same amount of time it would take you to boil up dried pasta! Unlike store bought whole wheat pasta my pasta did not have that toothy gritty dry texture. It had the familiar chewy al dente texture familiar to only the best Italian restaurants. What a lovely day. I can't wait to eat and serve all of my delicious food. Happy cooking!

Spicy Mexican Black Bean Burger

Whether it's beef, chicken or veggie I love the versatility and practicality of a good burger. I love that burgers can be transformed into something entirely new with a pinch of this and a slice of that. They are quick, easy and can be made out of almost anything.

I have been enjoying my diet, no that's not a typo, by creating and revamping a variety of recipes to suit my dietary needs. This Black Bean Burger has been created to satisfy the protein module of the 4 Day Diet and a complete pantry meal. The highlights of this burger included the super crunch crust and moist dense interior.  I will be writing this recipe as a Mexican style burger but anything goes. Be creative, try different legumes, add some cheese, change the seasonings and throw it on a whole wheat bun for a quick on the go meal.


Spicy Mexican Black Bean Burger
Serves 2-4, This recipe will make two large or four medium burgers.


one 15 oz can (or about 1 3/4c cooked beans) of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup of cooked and cooled brown rice (perfect for leftovers)
1 egg
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 medium sweet onion, medium dice
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 cup of salsa
1 small avocado
2-4 whole wheat hamburger buns
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

In a small pan add a teaspoon of olive oil, onions and saute on med heat till translucent. Set aside to cool. Add beans to a bowl and smash with a fork to desired consistency. I prefer my beans roughly chopped so that there are still some whole bean in the final burger. Add cooled onions, brown rice, egg, garlic, cilantro, worcestershire sauce, whole wheat flour, cayenne pepper, cumin and salt and pepper to taste to the beans and mix until well combine. The mixture will be very soft. Heat a large pan with olive oil to barely coat the bottom. Scoop two large or 4 medium burgers into the pan. Cook on each side for 3-5 min until a deep golden brown. The longer the better for a nice crispy crust. Serve on a soft bun with salsa and sliced avocado.
I enjoyed mine sans bun with hot salsa, sliced avocado and a green salad with fat free ranch dressing. Feel free to melt some cheese on top, pepper jack or cheddar would be great, or serve with cool, cream chipotle aioli. They are also firm enough to cook up bite size topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese and a pickled jalapeno for an appetizer. Happy cooking!

Roasting Vegetables

Roasting vegetables can't be any easier. It is super delicious way to enhance almost any vegetables natural flavors while requiring very little prep and other ingredients. I start out with a preheated 425 degree oven. It takes about 14 min for my oven to preheat. In that time I am able to prep my veggies.

To prep the veggies I simply wash and trim all of the like veggies to a similar size so that they will all be done at the same time. For example, if I was roasting cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and parsnips. I would trim the cauliflower and broccoli to the same size. Then, I would trim the carrots and parsnips to the same size. I would cut the carrots and parsnips a little smaller than the cauliflower and broccoli because I want them to all be cooked at the same time. After cutting arrange on a baking sheet, two if needed, drizzle with olive oil, salt/pepper and put in the oven.

Roasting vegetable can be 15 min (for asparagas) to almost 2 hours (for a whole large beet.) Depending on how large or small you cut your veggies I would start checking them after 15-30 minutes. Similar to testing a boiled potato, you want to be able to insert a knife and have the veggie fall off. Do one stir and leave them to get nice and golden brown. If you are in a rush, last minute dinner guest, cut the veggies proportionally smaller, following the rule above, and they will cook faster. If you are not in a rush and are looking for a rustic, heartier feel or maybe just to fill out a plate leave them in larger pieces or whole.

Now that you have the basic recipe experiment with different veggies, seasonings and even fruit. Try throwing in some whole garlic cloves, skins on or off, in with broccoli, a little lemon zest on beets or a the classic rosemary on potatoes. If you own a mandoline try making root vegetable chips. They will be completely more satisfying than the store bought ones... Promise! HAPPY ROASTING!

What are your favorite vegetables to roast?

Hamster Wheel

Mini Home Exercise Cycle
I know you're probably laughing right now but I'm thinking it might be a good idea (note: do not combine with the balanceball chair that I'm also eying up.) Could I put it under my desk and just peddle away while I work? I could transform my "fish bowl" into a hamster cage OR is it just silly/borderline lazy. I'm not thinking it would replace any other form of exercise just getting a little extra for my under used desk jockey legs. Any thoughts, opinions, giggles?... There are several different versions ranging from $25-$100. check them out

Mushroom Adventures

I promise this is not a self-centered gift giving recommendation forum, (even thought I am apparently hard to shop for) but how cool, fun and yummy would this be! Mushroom Adventures

Day 10

Yesterday was good. Exercising is getting a little easier. I tried pilates. I do not like the Danskin portable Pilates Kit I got. I picked it because of the 3 ten minute workouts. Sounds painless, right! Well my abs kind of hurt today and my chest like my boob muscles but I didn't really care for the video. SO I splurged on the Gaiam Coreplus Reformer (I was told Mari Wisnor DVD was good), Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit AND I splurged on the Extreme Fat Smash Diet book. It was only five and change. I deserve it because I fit comfortably into my skinny jeans today. They are even kind of falling off my ass when I walk. Not necessarily desirable, or fashionable for that matter, but it made me feel good this morning. I can't wait to get my loot in the mail tomorrow. Nothing like spending Friday night blowing up balance balls and pilating (is that a word? it is now!)

Oh and I started TWEETING yesterday! (ladibug_32) I couldn't help it. I might already be addicted. I'm scared for myself. I was noticing this am that my "phone" has six different methods for getting a hold of me.... facebook, email, sms, bbm, the seldom used call feature and now twitter... THAT IS SCARY!

Snout Cups

There is really not much explanation needed.
They are just really cool. I want them.
Jorine Oosterhoff

Day 8

This weekend went well. I went out for dinner Saturday and had my family over for dinner Sunday.
I was feeling motivated Saturday. I woke up decided to exercise and get it out of the way before my day started. I really did make me feel better. The Thai restaurant was good. I had a salad, grilled fish, a martini and a whole lot of water! Over all a fun time had while still maintaining my routine.
Sunday was a little bit of a rush and blur but I was still able to stick to the plan. I made grilled chicken, which I cut and pounded into smaller serving sized pieces. Then, I roasted a lots of carrots, broccoli and cauliflower with a little bit of olive oil, salt/pepper and garlic. I had used one snack on some soup for lunch and wanted to save the other for the mint and grapefruit granita dessert so I did not have any. Just salad and chicken for me, but I did save some broccoli that I'm going to roast for dinner tonight.
Yesterday was Monday and crazy as usual. It was a rest day which was nice and this morning I managed to get up and do 30 min of cardio.... YES at 6 am. I'm going to walk with the girls at lunch and then go out to dinner and a movie. I was debating where I wanted to go for dinner. I was thinking Panera but the bread is evil. I think I might suggest the diner for a grilled chicken salad. Hopefully they have a FF or low fat dressing. Eight days in and I'm officially down 10 lbs. I don't really feel it but I'm hoping I do soon.

Since the start, yes, it has only been eight days, I have been making it a point to talk about it in hope that my peers will keep me motivated. For the most part everyone has been encouraging, minus a few self-centered "friends" we will not name. I have observed that everyone seems to have an opinion diets or what I should do. I enjoy that everyone wants to share what is working for them or what they like or some of their favorite recipes. After all, this is how I started and what got me motivated to do this diet in the first place. Then, there are the people that start out by saying "why don't you just...." or "all you have to do is....". People operate differently and by saying well why don't you just... or all you have to do is... is really discouraging and slightly degrading. Since when did you become a nutritionist or maybe you are a closet dietitian? I'm not mad I just think people, probably including myself, need to think before they speak.

DAY 3

Today went pretty well. I ventured out into the restaurant world for the ever elusive happy hour/dinner. If I do say so myself, I did rather well. I walked at lunch for my exercise and skipped my cup of juice, swiss chard, beans and cabbage soup.

At the resturant I had ONLY ONE (I have the receipt to prove it, I'm proud of that) dirty martini, a bowl of gross miso soup (I didn't finish it), one yellowtail and one veggie roll with brown rice. Then I had two glasses of water and some good conversation. I even declined the second martini from the cutie bartender!

I wish that I had done one more lap around the pond at work. Tomorrow is my rest day but I'm going to do a lap or two around the ponds at work during lunch to make up for the martini and the fact that i'm going to attempt restaurant dining again Saturday. Ok, bed time. Conference call at 8:30 tomorrow and I have to stop on the way and get a bottle of water.

4 day diet - day one

Day one was good. The food was ehhh but tomorrow I get to have eggs... wooo! hahaha I did 45 min of ellipting 5 whole minutes more than suggested. Fankie sat there watching the elliptical machine go back and forth. When I stopped he barked... who put him up to that?! On to day two. My twenty pound goal is a fish tank. haha yea I want a fish tank and some pretty fishies. I like fish. To eat and to watch. Two months = fish tank and closer to my July 11th birthday goal!!!