It's becoming challenging to think of what to cook. If it was just my meals, it would be easy. However, I have to think of hubby and kiddo. So I decided to make at least one dish that we could share together (which is usually a vegetarian dish), and another that they could enjoy by themselves. This also helps them feel like they are not being put on a diet. It's a win win situation really as, in the end, they have at least one dish which is healthy.
So yesterday, I made a vegetable stew with broccoli, cauliflower, chinese cabbage, dried taufu and a little bit of Soo Hoon noodles mixed in for texture. In addition, for the boys, I made chicken drummets in ginger and dark soy sauce. It was lovely.
Today the boys are having a treat. I am a little jealous (ok, alot jealous) as my mum is sending over an indian feast and I don't want to break my diet. She mentioned green dhal, mashed brinjal, taufu curry and some other yummy dishes. We'll wait and see as I am to pick it up later. The dishes are all vegetarian and it goes so well with rice. If anything, I may just have the taufu curry with bread. It will still be yummy as it's mum's cooking anyway.
Let me tell you about breakfast. Yesterday I had plain corn flakes with low fat milk for breakfast, and for lunch, I had a couple of wheat cream crackers and a slice of cheese. Today, I had chick peas (boiled in salt water) for breakfast, and later I will have a couple of boiled eggs with sausages cut and mixed into it. Yum.
November 27, 2012
November 25, 2012
28 Day Diet - Day 6 & 7
I am proud that I was good with food this weekend. I satisfied my cravings for fried chicken wings (4 pieces) for lunch yesterday and made up for it by having a small tuna salad for dinner.
Lunch on Sunday's is usually an elaborate affair with too much food. I had 1 1/2 chapatis with two vegetarian side dishes. It was just perfect. For dinner, it was one KFC burger (minus the mayo) with no side dishes. It was not the healthiest choice, but it was either that, or wan ton noodles. Carbohidrate wise, the burger was better.
So todate, I have gone 7 days with no rice and with just 1 slice of whole wheat bread. That's a great week, if i say so myself.
Lunch on Sunday's is usually an elaborate affair with too much food. I had 1 1/2 chapatis with two vegetarian side dishes. It was just perfect. For dinner, it was one KFC burger (minus the mayo) with no side dishes. It was not the healthiest choice, but it was either that, or wan ton noodles. Carbohidrate wise, the burger was better.
So todate, I have gone 7 days with no rice and with just 1 slice of whole wheat bread. That's a great week, if i say so myself.
November 23, 2012
28 Day Diet - Day 4 & 5
Yesterday was a good day for greens. It was possible for me to load up on salads as my hubby had a dinner meeting and was not joining us for our evening meal.
So I decided to have a tuna salad (iceberg lettuce, yellow onions and tuna, minus the dressing) for lunch. I had planned to be more adventurous for dinner but got lazy and settled on an egg salad (iceberg lettuce and boiled eggs, minus the dressing). I know, boring, but I was just not in the mood to make anything else and I had already washed the salad during lunch. So there. In all, two good, albeit simple, salad meals.
Don't worry, I did not forget to feed my son. There was no way he was going to have a salad with me. So I took down the leftover vegetable soup from Monday night, reheated it, added a portion of egg noodles, and once it was cooked, finished it off with a beaten egg to bring it all together and make the soup creamy. It was a winner.
Today is Day 5 and it's also a Friday. On Friday's, we sometimes have special dishes that are heavier than the usual meals cooked during the week night. This time, however, we decided to stick with the diet to compensate for whatever indulgence we may give in to over the weekend. I for one am craving fried chicken wings!
So tonight, the menu is: Grilled fish steak marinated with just salt, pepper and paprika. It will be served with steamed broccoli and cauliflower and flavoured with garlic infused olive oil. To bring the flavours together, I will squeeze some lemon over the fish before serving. Sounds yum? I am planning to serve the same for my son, but will add a couple of slices of garlic bread to make him happy.
So I decided to have a tuna salad (iceberg lettuce, yellow onions and tuna, minus the dressing) for lunch. I had planned to be more adventurous for dinner but got lazy and settled on an egg salad (iceberg lettuce and boiled eggs, minus the dressing). I know, boring, but I was just not in the mood to make anything else and I had already washed the salad during lunch. So there. In all, two good, albeit simple, salad meals.
Don't worry, I did not forget to feed my son. There was no way he was going to have a salad with me. So I took down the leftover vegetable soup from Monday night, reheated it, added a portion of egg noodles, and once it was cooked, finished it off with a beaten egg to bring it all together and make the soup creamy. It was a winner.
Today is Day 5 and it's also a Friday. On Friday's, we sometimes have special dishes that are heavier than the usual meals cooked during the week night. This time, however, we decided to stick with the diet to compensate for whatever indulgence we may give in to over the weekend. I for one am craving fried chicken wings!
So tonight, the menu is: Grilled fish steak marinated with just salt, pepper and paprika. It will be served with steamed broccoli and cauliflower and flavoured with garlic infused olive oil. To bring the flavours together, I will squeeze some lemon over the fish before serving. Sounds yum? I am planning to serve the same for my son, but will add a couple of slices of garlic bread to make him happy.
November 21, 2012
28 Day Diet - Day 3
I did make a third dish last night. I took some of the extra bock choy I had left over and together with spring onions made a tasty omlette. It completed the meal perfectly. More importantly, hubby did not go foraging in the kitchen later in the night.
Today is a full day for me so I won't be cooking our evening meal. Hubby will pick up dinner and he gave me a choice between bak kut teh and Subway sandwiches. He was brave to go along with my choice for Subway, although he drew a line at getting a grilled chicken salad like me. Nevertheless, a brave soul.
The funny thing about this 28 day diet of mine is that, it looks like I've inadvertantly roped in my hubby and son into it as well. I guess we could all stand to loose a bit of weight and get healthier. It really is fun doing it together.
Today is a full day for me so I won't be cooking our evening meal. Hubby will pick up dinner and he gave me a choice between bak kut teh and Subway sandwiches. He was brave to go along with my choice for Subway, although he drew a line at getting a grilled chicken salad like me. Nevertheless, a brave soul.
The funny thing about this 28 day diet of mine is that, it looks like I've inadvertantly roped in my hubby and son into it as well. I guess we could all stand to loose a bit of weight and get healthier. It really is fun doing it together.
November 20, 2012
28 Day Diet - Day 2
Last night's dinner was interesting. My hubby decided to join me in having the vegetarian soup on its own. A first for a man who is an absolute carnivour. My son had it with a small portion of rice. I was so proud of them as they were open to the idea of detoxifying after a week of indulgent meals. The outcome: (1) Hubby made himself a late night snack of fried egg sandwich. Alas, he got hungry. (2) Both of them had a really good potty session (twice each) this morning. Verdict: Feeling gooood!
For tonight's meal, I plan to make a warm Chinese salad of bok choy, crunchy snow peas and small chunks of chicken breasts flavoured with white onions, garlic and sesame seed oil. I will also steam a block of Japanese soft taufu in sweet soy sauce, sprinkled with spring onions. I am wondering if that's enough for my man or should I make a third dish?
I have continued with drinking my plain youghurt, lemon water and low fat milk. I had my one cup of coffee in the morning and for breakfast, I had a mug of plain corn flakes with low fat milk.
For tonight's meal, I plan to make a warm Chinese salad of bok choy, crunchy snow peas and small chunks of chicken breasts flavoured with white onions, garlic and sesame seed oil. I will also steam a block of Japanese soft taufu in sweet soy sauce, sprinkled with spring onions. I am wondering if that's enough for my man or should I make a third dish?
I have continued with drinking my plain youghurt, lemon water and low fat milk. I had my one cup of coffee in the morning and for breakfast, I had a mug of plain corn flakes with low fat milk.
November 19, 2012
28 Day Diet - Day 1
So I have started the countdown. No more excuses. No more procrastinating. No more giving in to cravings or temptation, or at least, I will try very hard not to. These next 28 days are all up to me.
I am only kicking myself, hard, for breaking the food plan diet I was on until a few weeks back. I was doing so well, had noticebly lost weight and felt absolutely great. For some reason I 'fell of the wagon', so to speak. I am one of those unfortunate souls who piles on the pounds prettily easily.
So to ensure that I get back in shape, these 28 days will be my turning point. If I do good, my reward will be to enjoy the coming vakay feeling faboulously wonderful about myself. I want to feel and look healthy and sexy. I want to feel confident with my body instead of hiding it behind a colourful sarong, like I normally tend to do.
Today's menu is a lovely soup with lots of vegetables (celery, carrots, chinese cabbage), mushrooms (oyster, inoki) and soft taufu cooked in a broth flavoured with onions, ginger and oyster sauce. I will have a bowl of this hearty soup on its own, but my family will have it with a serving of rice.
For the rest of the day, I will be sticking with plain yougurt drinks, low fat milk, a tea pot full of lemon in hot water and boiled eggs if I get really hungry. I did not have any breakfast today other than my one cup of coffee. Bad move, I know, as I am feeling hungry now. I will have to correct that tomorrow.
So this is the plan for day one. I will let you know if I nibble on anything else. Wish me luck.
I am only kicking myself, hard, for breaking the food plan diet I was on until a few weeks back. I was doing so well, had noticebly lost weight and felt absolutely great. For some reason I 'fell of the wagon', so to speak. I am one of those unfortunate souls who piles on the pounds prettily easily.
So to ensure that I get back in shape, these 28 days will be my turning point. If I do good, my reward will be to enjoy the coming vakay feeling faboulously wonderful about myself. I want to feel and look healthy and sexy. I want to feel confident with my body instead of hiding it behind a colourful sarong, like I normally tend to do.
Today's menu is a lovely soup with lots of vegetables (celery, carrots, chinese cabbage), mushrooms (oyster, inoki) and soft taufu cooked in a broth flavoured with onions, ginger and oyster sauce. I will have a bowl of this hearty soup on its own, but my family will have it with a serving of rice.
For the rest of the day, I will be sticking with plain yougurt drinks, low fat milk, a tea pot full of lemon in hot water and boiled eggs if I get really hungry. I did not have any breakfast today other than my one cup of coffee. Bad move, I know, as I am feeling hungry now. I will have to correct that tomorrow.
So this is the plan for day one. I will let you know if I nibble on anything else. Wish me luck.
November 16, 2012
He's Earned It!
My son will remember 11th November, 2012, perhaps forever. My little boy had his first real taste of achievement when he earned his Black Belt in Taekwondo. He walked tall, he was proud. I am glad I talked him into sticking with it when he felt demotivated. It was worth seeing his self-esteem bloom.
September 21, 2012
Am I A Bully?
I have always encouraged my son to take ownership of his decisions and actions. Whether it is to postphone doing his homework until after he watches his favourite programme or spend a night at his cousions or to deal with an issue at school or put away his toys after a messy play date. It could be anything really. I am always ready to lend a ear, give some advice and encourage him to make the right decision. It has always worked. Lately though, I have been facing an uphill battle on two issues.
Taekwondo and Mandarin lessons. My son started taking taekwondo lessons since he was about four years old. He has always been passionate about it. He is now just a step away from getting his black belt....and he wants to quit. He takes Mandrin classes in school as a second language. He has been at it for about two years now and only recently, has started to hate it for some reason. He tends to fall 'sick' on Fridays to avoid going to school because of the Mandrin lesson.
I am literally on wits end as I don't want him to give either one up. I believe these lessons would be useful for his future. More importantly, I don't believe in quitting something just because it has become difficult. I don't want him to have this mentality of giving up easily or turning away from anything that becomes challenging. I have debated, rationalised and pleaded with him to continue with these lessons. I have given him all the support and extras he needs to cope. But it has not become easier. I dread the days when these lessons are on as I face the continuous whining and crying. I hate the fact that I have to be the bully and make him go for these lessons. I hate the tension it creates within me and between us. I just pray for the day to come when he has conqured these challenges and we can see eye to eye again.
Taekwondo and Mandarin lessons. My son started taking taekwondo lessons since he was about four years old. He has always been passionate about it. He is now just a step away from getting his black belt....and he wants to quit. He takes Mandrin classes in school as a second language. He has been at it for about two years now and only recently, has started to hate it for some reason. He tends to fall 'sick' on Fridays to avoid going to school because of the Mandrin lesson.
I am literally on wits end as I don't want him to give either one up. I believe these lessons would be useful for his future. More importantly, I don't believe in quitting something just because it has become difficult. I don't want him to have this mentality of giving up easily or turning away from anything that becomes challenging. I have debated, rationalised and pleaded with him to continue with these lessons. I have given him all the support and extras he needs to cope. But it has not become easier. I dread the days when these lessons are on as I face the continuous whining and crying. I hate the fact that I have to be the bully and make him go for these lessons. I hate the tension it creates within me and between us. I just pray for the day to come when he has conqured these challenges and we can see eye to eye again.
August 28, 2012
Chic Pea and Tofu Dry Curry (Vegetarian)
I twitted last evening that I had cooked something delicious and healthy for dinner and that I would take a picture of it. Well, procrastination never did work out well for me. I forgot. So I will owe you that recipe the next time I make it.
For tonight though, I have something very simple. Being a game night for my husband, he likes to have something easy and healthy when he gets home. So, here is my Chic Pea and Tofu Dry Curry recipe:
1 can Chic Pea (drain and wash away the liquid from the can)
2 squares of Tofu (pat dry and cut into bite size cubes)
1/2 white onion (diced finely)
3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
1 tsp mustard seed
2 stems of curry leaves (roughy chop the leaves)
3 pcs of dried chilli (cut roughly into 1 inch pieces)
1 tsp tumeric powder
1 tbs curry powder (more if you like it spicy)
2 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of powder milk mixed in water (instead of coconut milk)
Salt to taste
I fried the cut Tofu cubes in a little oil first so that it got a little firm to give it some texture. I removed it and threw in the onions. Once it was tender, I added the garlic, mustard seeds, dry chilli and curry leaves and sauted it for about 1 minute. I put in the tumeric and curry powder next and after a quick stir, I added the chic peas, taufu and about 1/2 cup of water so it does not burn. I let it simmer for about 3 minutes and then added the diluted powder milk and let this boil and reduce for about 5 minutes. Just before I turned the heat off, I added salt to taste. And there you have it. Simple and fast.
I prepared it in a dry style this time as we are going to have it with Chapati. You can always have more gravy by adding more water and milk as per your preference. I personally like this dish because its hign in protein. Since I use olive oil and powder milk as substitute for regular cooking oil and coconut milk, it also makes it less rich, albeit still tasty.
For tonight though, I have something very simple. Being a game night for my husband, he likes to have something easy and healthy when he gets home. So, here is my Chic Pea and Tofu Dry Curry recipe:
1 can Chic Pea (drain and wash away the liquid from the can)
2 squares of Tofu (pat dry and cut into bite size cubes)
1/2 white onion (diced finely)
3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
1 tsp mustard seed
2 stems of curry leaves (roughy chop the leaves)
3 pcs of dried chilli (cut roughly into 1 inch pieces)
1 tsp tumeric powder
1 tbs curry powder (more if you like it spicy)
2 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of powder milk mixed in water (instead of coconut milk)
Salt to taste
I fried the cut Tofu cubes in a little oil first so that it got a little firm to give it some texture. I removed it and threw in the onions. Once it was tender, I added the garlic, mustard seeds, dry chilli and curry leaves and sauted it for about 1 minute. I put in the tumeric and curry powder next and after a quick stir, I added the chic peas, taufu and about 1/2 cup of water so it does not burn. I let it simmer for about 3 minutes and then added the diluted powder milk and let this boil and reduce for about 5 minutes. Just before I turned the heat off, I added salt to taste. And there you have it. Simple and fast.
I prepared it in a dry style this time as we are going to have it with Chapati. You can always have more gravy by adding more water and milk as per your preference. I personally like this dish because its hign in protein. Since I use olive oil and powder milk as substitute for regular cooking oil and coconut milk, it also makes it less rich, albeit still tasty.
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| Chic Pea & Tofu Dry Curry (Vegetarian) |
August 23, 2012
My Weight Loss POA - The Beginning Of A Healthier Me
I am one of those who struggle to loose weight. First of all, I am not fat. I will describe myself as healthy, if thats okey. I am five feet four inches tall and around 56 kilograms healthy. So my struggle to loose weight is really my desire to look better, feel healthier and to get back into my favourite pair of jeans. I think 50 kilograms will be my target.
The struggle I mentioned above is that, I could not find a routine that suited my lifestyle. See, my lifestyle really excludes any form of exercise, because, I hate it. I have tried walking, jogging, running, swimming, but, two minutes into it and I am wishing I was done. If I had to do these things for fun, like I do with my kids, then I tend to enjoy it. But when its coupled with loosing weight, I seem to falter. I even invested in a high end treadmill thinking perhaps exercising in the privacy of my home may be the key. Well, it sure makes a great spot for storing my stuff.
So you see what I mean. I cannot seem to commit the time or the energy it takes to burn say 100 or 200 calories at a time. It just takes too much pressure and effort and on some days, I don't have the energy to spare. To some it may sound like an excuse, and you may be right. So that is why I am saying outright that exercise is just not for me when it comes to loosing weight. It does not mean, however, that I don't want to.
So I decided to take another route. I focused on food, i.e. what I ate. Luckily for me, I love my veggies, fruits and all things healthy. Being from a culture where the staple diet is rice (even up to three times a day), I can go a whole week without it and not crave it. So I guess that was a great starting point for my weight loss plan.
It's been about 23 days now and I know I have lost some weight. I know because, I feel it and I look it. Last weekend, at a family get together, people noticed. I stop short of saying exactly how much I have lost only because I have not weighed myself. Firstly, I don't own a weighing scale as I threw my last one out after it jammed on me. Secondly, I am afraid to jinx it. I am afraid that if I see the numbers going down, I may start to slack and give myself treats I should not be having. Believe me, with kids around, cheating on treats is easy.
I am trying to hit a whole month with my healthy eating plan before weighing myself. If I loose about 3 kilograms or more, I will be happy. I will be happy and I will stick with it for a long time to come, with some improvements of course. I will share with you my weight loss plan and thoughts on it in my next blog.
The struggle I mentioned above is that, I could not find a routine that suited my lifestyle. See, my lifestyle really excludes any form of exercise, because, I hate it. I have tried walking, jogging, running, swimming, but, two minutes into it and I am wishing I was done. If I had to do these things for fun, like I do with my kids, then I tend to enjoy it. But when its coupled with loosing weight, I seem to falter. I even invested in a high end treadmill thinking perhaps exercising in the privacy of my home may be the key. Well, it sure makes a great spot for storing my stuff.
So you see what I mean. I cannot seem to commit the time or the energy it takes to burn say 100 or 200 calories at a time. It just takes too much pressure and effort and on some days, I don't have the energy to spare. To some it may sound like an excuse, and you may be right. So that is why I am saying outright that exercise is just not for me when it comes to loosing weight. It does not mean, however, that I don't want to.
So I decided to take another route. I focused on food, i.e. what I ate. Luckily for me, I love my veggies, fruits and all things healthy. Being from a culture where the staple diet is rice (even up to three times a day), I can go a whole week without it and not crave it. So I guess that was a great starting point for my weight loss plan.
It's been about 23 days now and I know I have lost some weight. I know because, I feel it and I look it. Last weekend, at a family get together, people noticed. I stop short of saying exactly how much I have lost only because I have not weighed myself. Firstly, I don't own a weighing scale as I threw my last one out after it jammed on me. Secondly, I am afraid to jinx it. I am afraid that if I see the numbers going down, I may start to slack and give myself treats I should not be having. Believe me, with kids around, cheating on treats is easy.
I am trying to hit a whole month with my healthy eating plan before weighing myself. If I loose about 3 kilograms or more, I will be happy. I will be happy and I will stick with it for a long time to come, with some improvements of course. I will share with you my weight loss plan and thoughts on it in my next blog.
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