My Own Victory!!

I wanted to share my small victory. My OWN VICTORY! I’ve never been a runner, jogger, hell, I’ve never enjoyed working out, just because. My only reason to workout is to burn some calories, so I can lose some weight. Since last week, I’ve been experimenting with something. I started out last week by going around my neighborhood, and walking. Then, I picked up my pace, and jogged for half a block. I got really tired, but I kept at it, and when I was done, I wanted to go at it again. I did it 3x that week. Then, this weekend, it started to get cold here in New York, so on Sunday, I decided to hit the treadmill, that was full of dust in my parents basement. I mostly did a high incline walking routine, and it was KILLER! As you can see on my picture above, I burned 300 calories in 40 mins. Then…
Today, after I had some toast with butter and bee pollen…( which was so freaking delicious! )
I got back on the treadmill. This time, I started out walking on an incline, then I experimented… I started to jog at a speed of 4.2 and did it for 6 whole mins! I know that this may seem like nothing, but to ME, it is SOMETHING =] I’ve never been able to jog for more than a minute!
I then tested myself, and for round 2, I did a speed of 4.5 and jogged for 7 mintures. Then for round 3, I put the speed to 4.9 and jogged for 7 more minstures. I don’t know why I didn’t put the speed up to 5, but mentally, I felt comfortable to be below it… My next workout, I will keep on challenging myself. Oh, I actually ran a little over 3 miles, and burned 400 calories. Oh glory, it felt really great!! :)

I had ordered some gluten free all purpose flour. To me, this seemed like the way to go, rather that go and buy those small packs and make my own.
My buddy wanted to know what was in that box, so I went ahead and asked him to help me open it. By the way, he’s my sister’s little man, and is a wonderful thing! =]
 Here we go!! I got my flours, and now it was time to get busy! One of my favorite blogger friend, Ann at Cooking healthy for me posted up a delicious looking turkey dumpling recipe! I knew right away that I needed to go and try that ASAP!! So, I did, and it was sOOOOOOOO good! I didn’t change a thing, except for making gluten free wonton wrappers from Nicole Hunn’s site Gluten Free on a shoestring.  Please check out Ann’s site for the original recipe.  
I mixed ground turkey, scallions, firm tofu, reduced soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
Just like Ann, I took a small amount and tested the flavor. It was DELISH! Being that it was messy to show you how to stuff my dumplings, below is the finished product!
These came out super delicious, even with the gluten free wrappers! Now, here’s my way of cooking the dumplings PERFECTLY:
1. In a skillet, add your oil ( your choice, I used olive oil), and heat up on high.  * I put in about 1 Tbsp of oil.
2. Add the dumplings, and brown on each side. After, grab 1/4 cup of cold water and add it to the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and cover the skillet.
3. Cook until the water has absorbed. About 5-7 minutes. Once it’s done, enjoy them!
Dumplings, are my specialty!! =]

Here are my tulips, on their final days… I need to keep this up, and grow some more!
I hope you all enjoy your week!
xoxo,

Messy Girl… + Gluten Free Quick Roll Recipe

My darling Tulips have all bloomed!!

This experience was really fun. I got up every morning to check on them, and each day, something new happened. I need to grow some more things! :)

Today was day 2 of my walk/jog. I’m still a newbie with the whole jogging thing, but I do know that I prefer doing it outside than on a treadmill. Being outside just makes me feel free, especially when I take deep breaths, it just feels so good!

What’cha lookin’ at, Willis?! ;) Who remembers the show “Different Strokes”? 

Here’s my stomping grounds for my walk/run routine. There’s a school nearby, with a school yard, but I’ve noticed that it gets pretty crowded with teenage boys, and men who like to play sports. I wish I could find a park or someplace with a trail, so I can just do my thang!

While outside, I took some pictures of flowers and pretty things. Then, I noticed things that were all over the sidewalks…

On the bottom left side, do you see that white dust looking thing? That was all over the sidewalks, in front of homes. It looked like flour, or baking soda, but wasn’t sure what the deal is… Anyone know???? Do share!

I stuffed some carrot protein bars, right after I got home. Then, I noticed something…

My dining table looked like this!

My chairs was like this!

My counter space, was just as bad…. I am such a messy girl! I have this problem with not putting things back, after I’ve used them. I need to clean up my act BIG time before hubby walks in… AHHHHHHHHH =T

So! I was craving a sandwich today. Especially after looking at bloggers, and watching food shows nonstop, I just wanted a daym sandwich. Something would avocado, please! So I started my process on making some Gluten Free Rolls. The recipe is on the bottom, so go ahead and make these!

I made a starter with my yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and 1Tbsp of sugar ( splenda)

In a mixing bowl, I added my gluten free all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder. Mixed it

   In a small bowl, I mixed eggs, coconut oil

 

I mixed the flour and yeast.

Then, I added the egg/coconut mixture.

I spooned the mixture onto a baking sheet with parchment paper. I also sprayed it with nonstick spray.

After baking it for 25 mins, my delicious rolls came out!

And finally, I was able to have my sandwich!! I put butter lettuce, onions, avocado, and my asian turkey pattie ( I’ll post up the recipe for that one! ) with a nice squeeze of SRIRACHA!!

You see! I got my AVOCADO!! =]

Quick and Easy Gluten Free Rolls

adapted from this food.com link

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of gluten free all purpose flour
• 1 packet of quick active rise yeast
• 1 Tbsp of sugar ( splenda was used here)
• 1/2 cup of warm water ( temperature 100 degrees-110 degrees)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 4 Tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a bowl, add in the sugar, yeast, and water and let it do it’s thing for about 10 mins.
3. In a mixing bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and give it a mix.
4. In another small bowl, add in the eggs and coconut oil and mix them.
5. Into the flour bowl, add in the yeast, and give it a quick mix.
6. Then, add in the egg/coconut mix. Mix well, and get a spoon to put into the baking sheet ( * used parchment paper with nonstick spray for easy cleanup)
7. Bake for 15-30 mins. This depends on your oven. So check after 15 mins for doneness with a toothpick.
8. After it’s ready, let it rest and make yourself a sandwich!

 

xoxo,

HBD Mr Rogers! and Too much Randomness!

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First of all~ Happy birthday to MR ROGERS!!! Check this out for some good memories! This wonderful person would of been 84 years young today! He really was someone who kept my imagination rolling as a kid… I loved watching his show, and thinking of it right now, I feel true joy! Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for the great memories that I will forever have with me to cherish! =]

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I am someone who likes to talk to strangers (MEN), ONLY when I feel that they are not trying to hit on me. I am not a HOTTIE nor do I consider myself to be, so please don’t think that I'm being conceited or anything. You ladies know, ( I can really only speak for us ladies here in NYC) how annoying it is to hear cat calls from random guys. I especially love the ones who stop you in the middle of your walk, and stand right in front of you, slides his shades down to his nose, licks his lips, and says “ Wow! You’re gorgeous! I think we should go out sometime.” Oh my gah, why do men ( not all! ) do this?!! Is there really a women out there who says “ Oh pretty please, thank you so much, I would LLLLOOOOVVVE to go out with your beautiful self” BARF~

I only bring this up because I was having an awesome conversation with a guy, who I met on line to return my redbox movies. YES! There was a line to return my movies, because some lady, who was waiting for her prescription at CVS decided to look through all the movies that they had to borrow, without borrowing anything! HOW RUDE! =P

• Talked about the lady! While she was there, of course! I don't believe in talking about ppl behind their back. =]
• Talked about what movies have we watched on redbox! He is a total movie buff!
• Talked about a man who sells dvds at some starbucks, that has awesome quality movies, for a great price! ( I DO NOT, suggest you to buy or solicit this person!! I only rent movies, I do NOT buy from anyone! Thank you very much! )

So I wanted to make some delicious and healthy protein pancakes that the girls of TIU ( Tone it up) have raved about! ( check out the link for the original recipe!)  I did a few changes( I used : whole egg, chocolate protein powder, applesauce), but the point of me mentioning this is not the changes itself, but how the pancake came out!

looked like this when I poured it into the pan….

Then flipped it, and it looked like this! WAHHHH –=**(

AHHHAAAHAHAHAHHAHA~ ( that’s me cracking up! ) I've got to be the most horrible pancake flipper of all time! What the heck is this?!

Pancake flipping is not the only thing that I suck at! Oh no, as a kid ( 10-11 years old) I used to go out to buy 1/2 dozen of bagels for my family brunch. I would come home, and help prepare the bagels, and my job was to slice the bagels and butter them. My bagels never, and I mean it, NEVER came out perfectly sliced. The way I held the knife to cut the bagels, was just like this:

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So my dad always cracked jokes at me, and said: “ Hey, Peggy! You will never get your dream job at working at the bagel shop!” Honestly, that was pretty hurtful, because I really and truly wanted to work at the local bagel shop. The delicious bagels, the different spreads,… What the hell more do you want!? =]

Back to my pancakes! The taste was pretty delicious, so I will be making this again. Even if they come out looking like THIS!~

My tulips has bloomed!! Well, only this big boy here, and his buddy in the back!

I’ve noticed that after bringing in this plant at home, I really enjoy watching how awesome it is to grow something! It’s a cool experience! Go ahead and try it! –=]

One more thing: I was on carrots n cake’s blog and she had posted the Meyers Briggs personality test. I haven’t taken this test since I did it on facebook, and don’t remember my type. I was glad that I took this one, being that it was a lot quicker than I remember, and pretty accurate!

My type is: INFP

Go and take it, and let me know your type! =)

xoxo,

Weekend Update! New Recipe! Gluten Free!~

I love the weekends because I get to spend some quality time with my hubby! Before getting married, we used to love going out to lounges and clubs, and literally, “party like a rock star!” After getting married, we both just didn’t feel the urge to go out as much, and have even cut down on the alcohol! I remember a time when I went out with 2 of my girlfriends, all 3 of us would finish 2 bottles of Johnny Walker Blue. I don’t know man… Now that I think about it, I want to puke! I can’t even smell hard liquor anymore! Anyway~ Saturdays are usually movie nights at home, and after getting rid of Netflix ( which was the best thing I’ve ever done! ) we go and pick up movies to watch, until 3am! Yay! =P You see how happy I am to be going to red box!!
 

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The first movie we watch was called “In Time” Starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. In my opinion, it’s a decent movie, but totally a watch at home kind. In the beginning the story captured you because it was a little different, but towards the middle and the end, you just wanted a little more from it. I like Justin as an actor, and think he did a great job in it! After watching him in Friends with benefits, I’m a fan! =] ( say what?! you didn't watch that movie?! Go do it now! ) I’m not crazy about Amanda, as an actress, but she did a good job with it. Rating: B-

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A watch at home movie. The greatest thing about it was Orlando Bloom!~ There were times when I just stopped watching the movie all together, because I couldn’t get into it. Some parts were ok. Rating: C
Hubby and I went over to the next borough for our Chinese takeout fix! We both have tried the takeouts here in the Island, and they all suck! There was one decent one, but they would mess up on hubby’s dish from time to time. He usually gets the chicken with broccoli, and sometimes he says the chicken tastes old! Probably freezer burned or something… And plus! They were breaking our banks! I mean 2 large orders of chicken and broccoli comes to $30~! Are you freaking kidding me? Once I ordered fried rice, and I am telling you this people, for your own good.. Now listen: If you ever order fried rice from a Chinese food take out or restaurant, and it comes out looking nothing like fried rice. Then get the hell out of there! You call yourself a Chinese food place, and can’t even make fried rice! Something's wrong here, people!
So, yeah… lol, Hubby and I went over the bridge, and went to our fave spot in Brooklyn. Our meal looked like this: large chicken with broccoli in garlic sauce, shrimp with broccoli with white sauce, shrimp fried rice, chicken wings, fried shrimp, french fries, 2 DIET cokes! LMAO at the diet cokes…
So I woke up this morning, determined to get my ass to the gym! Here I am, with my green ( that I forgot to wear yesterday… hehe). Seriously I think my upper arms are totally diesel! Anyway, I worked out with hubby, and did shoulders and legs. This is not Jamie's plan, but hubster’s so I don’t know meng…
After a tiring workout, shot some hoops, and did some laps while dribbling the basket ball! Me and my sideway hat! Jeremy Lin has nothing on this! =]

By the time I got home, I was STARVING LIKE MARVIN! I took some leftover sweet potato hash from yesterday, heated up a veggie patty and corn tortilla. I also ate a side of carrots with blue cheese wedge. ( I can’t think of the name, but the one Weight Watchers promotes that is light). While eating I got to spend some time with my mother, and made her some dumpling/wontons. After going to a Costco run last weekend, I tried these chicken with chive wontons, and they were so yummy! I especially liked that it wasn’t loaded with crazy preservations, and only had a few ingredients, that you can understand! I'll share the brand and facts on my next post!

Towards dinner time, I was super duper excited to try out a recipe that I spotted on Ellen’s Gluten Free Diva Blog! I call this dish Sweet and Sour Tofu/Chicken with Broccoli Garlic Sauce. I served it with Brown Rice Vegetable Fried rice, recipe found on the same link on Ellen’s blog.  Being new to eating gluten free, I like to check out other bloggers who eat this way, for inspiration, and support. This particular recipe caught my eye because it looked like the perfect dish to make when you get cravings for Chinese food! The picture above was dinner, and let me tell you, it was fantastic! The flavors were delicious, and the whole thing came out to be quick and easy! If you want to make your own Chinese food, that’s healthy, easy, gluten free, make this dish! You and everyone eating will LOVE IT! The recipe will be posted below~
I ended my beautiful weekend with some Red Mango goodness! This is my deliciousness in a bowl! I changed it up a bit, seeing that I had toppings at home, so I mixed in Original with Blueberry, and came home to add in blueberries, nature paths ancient grains granola ( so damn delicious! ), and a drizzle of honey! Can I say DELISH!?! Being that they didn’t have my usual white peach flavor, and they were running low on the fruits ( the place was about to close, so the employees didn’t want to fill it up BOO!) I came home to make my own! I saved some money on it, too! So that’s a plus!!~
I hope you all enjoyed your weekend, and are ready to tackle a new week! BTW, my tulips are still at the same stage, as the photo I shared with you on day 3. I’m hoping to see something bloom anytime now! =]

Sweet and Sour Tofu/Chicken with Broccoli Garlic Sauce
Adapted from Gluten Free Diva
Ingredients:

• 2 packages Firm Tofu, Drained for an hour or more, Cut into cubes
• 1 large chicken breast- cut into bite size pieces
• 1/2 cup white rice flour
• spices: garlic, salt, black pepper, ginger
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/3 cup sugar ( I used splenda)
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
• reduced sodium soy sauce( check to make sure it’s gluten/wheat free, for gluten free meal)
• 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce

Directions:
For the Tofu and Chicken:
1. Preheat the oven 400 degrees. In a plastic container add the following: rice flour, all the spices. Give it a good mix.
2. In batches: coat the tofu cubes, and add on a baking sheet for 15 mins. Then, coat the chicken and bake for 15-20 mins, or until the pink is all gone.
3. In a wok, or skillet, add olive oil and quickly pan fry the tofu and chicken.
4. For the garlic sauce: add into a mixing bowl: rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, chili sauce, sesame oil. Mix well. 
5.  In a saucepan, place about 3 inches of water, and the broccoli. Put the heat on high, and cover for 5 mins. The broccoli should be bright green, and just done, without being mushy. In a mixing bowl, add cold water and put in the broccoli, to stop the cooking. After, drain and add the broccoli into the pan and stir fry. Add the sauce and stir fry the dish for 5 mins. It’s all done, and enjoy!

xoxo,