Rate yourself and rake yourself, Take all the courage you have left

SO I AM BEYOND THE CABIN FEVER STAGE.  MY WINTER DAYS OF LOUNGING ARE OVER.  THIS WEEK I HAVE BEEN ON A KICK OF PROPER EATING AND EXERCISE - (MINUS THE BIRTHDAY CAKE I HAD AT WORK. OOPS.)  I DISCOVERED THIS WEBSITE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO TRACK CALORIES AND ACTIVITY FOR FREE. IT IS BASICALLY LIKE WEIGHT WATCHERS ONLINE BUT BETTER ON MY BANK ACCOUNT.  IT IS CALLED MYFITNESSPAL.COM AND I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.  THE COMMUNITY AREA IS EXCELLENT.  I JOINED A "CHALLENGE" LAST WEEK THAT WAS CREATED BY ONE OF THE OTHER MEMBERS.  SHE PAIRED US UP WITH FELLOW FITNESS PAL MEMBERS AND CREATED TEAMS. AND EVERY MONDAY WE WEIGH IN AND SHE KEEPS TRACK OF WHICH TEAM IS IN THE LEAD.  HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE HAS DEFINITELY KEPT ME MOTIVATED TO PUSH MYSELF.  I DUSTED OFF THE TAE BO BOOT CAMP DVDS THAT I HAVE NEVER EVEN TRIED YET.  IT KICKED MY ASS!!  I DID IT AGAIN TODAY, PLUS ANOTHER "WALK AT HOME" DVD BECAUSE I WAS FEELING SO GREAT I DIDN'T WANT TO STOP.  YAY!! AT LEAST I HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS MONDAY BESIDES THE DREADED JURY DUTY!!!

AFTER I DID MY HOUR OF EXERCISE I TREATED MYSELF TO A FRESH GLASS OF CARROT AND ORANGE JUICE.  WHEN I BEGAN JUICING I WAS TOSSING THE PULP INTO THE GARBAGE SIMPLY BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE WHAT TO CREATE WITH IT.  THEN I FELT BAD SO STARTED FEEDING IT TO THE BIRDS OUTSIDE.  TODAY I DECIDED TO MAKE A GO OF A RECIPE WITH IT.  I HAD NO CONVENTIONAL FLOUR ON HAND, WHICH WAS WHY I HAVEN'T TRIED BAKING WITH THE STUFF YET.  BUT I IMPROVISED TODAY, AND PROBABLY MADE A HEALTHIER SNACK IN THE END. 

 WE JUST BOUGHT 10 POUNDS OF RAW ALMONDS, SO I PULSED THEM IN MY BLENDER WITH SOME WHOLE FLAX SEEDS.  I TOOK THIS "FLOUR" AND ADDED SOME STEEL CUT OATS, CINNAMON, NUTMEG, BAKING POWDER AND PUMPKIN PIE SPICE. I ALSO ADDED 2 TABLESPOONS OF "HEMP POWER" - WHICH IS A RAW HEMP POWDER THAT IS FULL OF PROTEIN AND OMEGA FATTY ACIDS, AMONG OTHER NUTRITIONAL POWERS.  I ADD THIS TO MY JUICE SOMETIMES, FOR SOME EXTRA STAYING POWER IN THE A.M.  IT ALSO SAYS IT CAN BE A FLOUR SUBSTITUTE. SO I GAVE IT A GO IN THE COOKIES.

IN A SEPARATE BOWL I HAD THE CARROT AND ORANGE PULP.  TO THIS I ADDED SOME AGAVE NECTAR, A LITTLE MAPLE SYRUP, SOME "EGG" ( 1 TABLESPOON OF GROUND FLAX AND 3 TABLESPOONS OF WATER - TRY IT SOMETIME! IT IS THE PERFECT EGG REPLACER IN BAKED GOODS)   AND A TOUCH OF VEGGIE OIL AND SOME BROWN SUGAR.  I ALSO CHOPPED UP A SMALL GALA APPLE AND THREW IT IN THERE.  

I ADDED MY DRY INGREDIENTS TO THE PULP BOWL AND MIXED WITH A SPATULA.

THEN I DROPPED ON A GREASED COOKIE SHEET ( I USED SPRAY)  AND PUT INTO MY 350 DEGREE PREHEATED OVEN.  I BAKED FOR ABOUT 7-8 MINUTES.  THEY DID NOT SPREAD OUT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PLACING THEM TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.  ALSO, THEY REMAIN PRETTY MOIST BUT BECOME LESS FRAGILE AFTER COOLING ON A RACK.  PERHAPS THE OIL WAS NOT EVEN NEEDED? NEXT TIME!!

THIS LITTE EXPERIMENT PRODUCED COOKIES THAT TASTED LIKE CARROT CAKE BUT MUCH HEALTHIER FOR YOU.  BONUS - VEGAN TOO!!!!  AND IT MADE MY HOUSE SMELL DELISH.  THESE CAN BE A NICE SWEET TREAT OR EVEN SUITABLE FOR BREAKFAST.

P.S - MYFITNESSPAL.COM HAS A SPOT TO CREATE YOUR OWN RECIPIES.  I PLUGGED IN MY INGREDIENTS FROM THESE COOKIES AND THIS IS A SCREEN SHOT OF NUTRITIONAL STATS -   NOT BAD!!

deconstructed golabki

ONE OF MY FAVORITE DINNERS THAT MY MOM MAKES IS GOLABKI - STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS.  THE RECIPE IS MY FROM MY STEPFATHER'S POLISH FAMILY HERITAGE.  IT IS TRADITIONALLY MADE WITH CABBAGE LEAVES STUFFED WITH BEEF, RICE AND SEASONINGS AND TOPPED WITH A TOMATO SAUCE.  I LOVE THEM!! THEY ARE VERY TIME CONSUMING TO PREPARE.  TODAY I WAS REALLY CRAVING ALL OF THOSE FLAVORS SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND MAKE A SORT OF "GOLABKI STEW"  - MINUS THE BEEF OF COURSE!!  TO ADD A MEATY TEXTURE I DECIDED TO USE SOME SLICED PORTOBELLAS INSTEAD.

DECONSTRUCTED GOLABKI STEW

1/2 HEAD CABBAGE - CHOPPED
2 CUPS OF SLICED BABY BELLA MUSHROOMS
1-2 TBLS OLIVE OIL
SLICED GREEN PEPPERS AND ONIONS - ABOUT 2 CUPS COMBINED
3 CLOVES FRESH GARLIC - MINCED
1 LARGE CAN OF CRUSHED TOMATOES
1 CUP RICE
SALT/PEPPER
ITALIAN SEASONING
CRUSHED RED PEPPER (OPTIONAL)

IN A LARGE POT, ADD CABBAGE TO ABOUT 3-4 CUPS WATER - COVER AND COOK OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL TENDER.  IN SEPARATE SKILLET, HEAT OIL. ADD MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS AND ONIONS AND GARLIC - SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE. SAUTE UNTIL TENDER.  ADD TO CABBAGE.  ADD CRUSHED TOMATOES, RICE AND SEASONINGS.  COOK OVER MEDIUM TO LOW HEAT UNTIL RICE IS COOKED.  MAY NEED TO ADD LIQUID DEPENDING HOW YOU LIKE THE THICKNESS OF THE STEW.

THIS WAS DELICIOUS AND LOW IN FAT.  TO MAKE IT A MEAL, I MADE SOME MASHED POTATOES AND PILED SOME OF THE STEW ON TOP.  YUM!!  THIS CERTAINLY IN NO WAY REPLACED MY MOM'S GOLABKI'S BUT IT WILL HOLD ME OVER UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!

Here comes Johnny with the power and the glory Backbeat the talkin' blues He got the action, he got the motion Oh Yeah the boy can play Dedication devotion Turning all the night time into the day

IT IS THE CALM BEFORE THE GREAT SUPERBOWL STORM AT THIS HOUSE.  THE DRYER IS GOING, "MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING" IS TAKING PRECEDENT ON THE FLAT SCREEN.   IT IS QUIET.
NOW, EVEN THOUGH BILLY'S MIAMI DOLPHINS DID NOT MAKE IT AS FAR AS THE STEELERS OR PACKERS, THIS STILL REMAINS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN HIS EYES.  IT IS HIS CHRISTMAS, THANKSGIVING, AND FOURTH OF JULY ALL IN ONE GLORIOUS SUNDAY.
AND THIS GIRL NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH THINGS ON THE TABLE TO KEEP UP HIS ENERGY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS ONSLAUGHT OF FOOTBALL HEAVEN.  BUT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT.  THIS YEAR, THIS GIRL IS NOT EATING ANY ANIMAL PRODUCTS.  SO WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO ON THIS GREAT CULINARY SPORT DAY?
WELL, SINCE I AM A PLEASING WIFE, I WILL STILL MAKE THE ANNUAL CROCK POT OF MEATBALLS, THE SHRIMP COCKTAIL, AND THE CHEESE, SUMMER SAUSAGE AND CRACKERS PLATTER FOR MY OMNIVORE HUSBAND.  BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE THINGS HE WANTED. AND I LOVE HIM.
SO WHAT ABOUT ME? I VERY WELL CANNOT MAKE MY USUAL CHICKEN WING DIP. OR GET THE QUESO DIP THAT IS ALL CHEESE.  BUT THAT IS OK.  I AM FINE WITH THIS.  BECAUSE, AS I LEARNED THIS MORNING AT MY LOCAL WEGMANS, THERE ARE PLENTY OF TREATS OUT THERE FOR ME TO ENJOY WHILE I WATCH THE SUPERBOWL COMMERCIALS.
I AM GOING TO MAKE A NICE HUMMUS PLATTER, WITH CARROTS AND CELERY TO DIP.  I ALSO BOUGHT SOME OF THE FAMOUS BRUSCHETTA AT WEGMANS AND SOME PITA BREAD TO DIP.  AND FOR MY MEXICAN FOOD CRAVING I BOUGHT SOME SALSA AND GUACAMOLE AND SOME CORN CHIPPYS TO DIP TOO.  SO, NOT ONLY IS ALL OF THIS VEGAN, IT IS REALLY HEALTHY TOO.  OBVIOUSLY.  YES, I DID BUY MOSTLY ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS AND DID NOT MAKE THEM MYSELF.  BUT, I REALLY DID NOT PREPARE AHEAD FOR THIS ONE.  AND AT THE SAME TIME, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE BRUSCHETTA AND HUMMUS THAT WEGMANS HAS TO OFFER.  AND MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH AVOCADOS HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN. I NEVER REALLY LIKED THEM UNTIL NOW.  SO I DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE PURCHASING THEM TO MAKE HOMEMADE GUACAMOLE, IN CASE I DID NOT LIKE IT.  I HAVE SEEN A RECIPE FOR A CHOCOLATE FROSTING THAT USES THE FLESH OF AVOCADOS, RATHER THAN BUTTER THAT DOES SOUND ENTICING FOR A BATCH OF RAW BROWNIES....AND SPEAKING OF RAW BROWNIES....

I AM POSITIVE THAT MY SWEET TOOTH WILL KICK IN AT SOME POINT.  SO I DECIDED TO MAKE SOME VEGAN RAW BROWNIE TRUFFLES.  THESE TASTY LITTLE TREATS ONLY CONTAIN 4 INGREDIENTS - DATES, AGAVE NECTAR, COCOA, GROUND ALMONDS - AND TASTE LIKE BROWNIE BATTER.  I HAVE MADE THEM ONCE BEFORE, BUT I JUST MADE BROWNIES.  I DECIDED TO MAKE THESE BROWNIES INTO TRUFFLES, TO MAKE THEM MORE PORTABLE AND ELEGANT.  AND THEY ARE GOING TO GO SWIMMINGLY WITH MY BIG BOWL OF POPCORN THAT I POPPED LAST NIGHT.

HAVE A FUN SUPERBOWL EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance Here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year's New Year's Eve?

SO WITH ALL OF THIS FOOD POSTING LATELY I FORGOT TO MENTION ONE SMALL DETAIL OF OUR NEW YEAR - WE GOT MARRIED!!
AFTER AN ALMOST 5 YEAR ENGAGEMENT, AND SETTING DATES AND CHANGING DATES, WE DECIDED TO JUST DO IT. AND DO IT FOR US.  THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT AFTER ALL, RIGHT? US?
WE WERE MARRIED ON NEW YEARS EVE, BY MY COUSIN CHRIS. WE EACH INVITED 2 OF OUR CLOSEST FRIENDS, HOOKED THEM UP WITH A NEW YEARS EVE PACKAGE AT THE DOUBLTREE HOTEL, AND CELEBRATED THE EVENING.

WE TOLD OUR PARENTS THE NEXT DAY. MY MOM CRIED TEARS OF JOY, AND HER REACTION WAS ALL I WAS WORRIED ABOUT!  I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!!!

JUICING COUTURE

ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS THIS YEAR (IT ALMOST TOPS EVERY YEAR) WAS MY BREVILLE 5 SPEED JUICER.  IT KICKS BUTT AS FAR AS JUICERS GO.  THIS THING IS THE BEES KNEES.  AND BECAUSE OF THIS DEAR TO MY HEART KITCHEN APPLIANCE, I THINK I AM NOW ADDICTED TO JUICING.
A LONG TIME AGO, IN WHAT SEEMS A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD, I HAD A JUICER. MY MOM BOUGHT ME A NICE ONE FOR CHRISTMAS.  (THANKS MOM - YOU KNEW I WAS DESTINED FOR JUICING GREATNESS WAY BACK THEN)  THAT JUICER DID THE TRICK, ALTHOUGH IT SEEMED LIKE IT TOOK POUNDS OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES TO SQUEEZE OUT ONE GLASS OF JUICE. IT WAS A SMALL ONE, WITH ONE SPEED.  BACK THEN I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST.   I USED THAT THING UNTIL IT FINALLY DIED.
NOW I AM ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF JUICING.  I LOVE THIS ONE! YOU CAN DROP IN A WHOLE APPLE AND IT PULVERIZES IT INTO SWEET, VITAMIN RICH JUICE.
FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO I HAVE BEEN BASICALLY MAKING THE SAME VARIATION OF JUICE.  I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH BABY CARROTS, APPLES, ORANGES, PEARS AND GREENS LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE.
*THE BEST THING ABOUT THE VEGAN LIFE (WELL, ONE OF THEM ANYWAYS) THAT I HAVE FOUND IS THAT I HAVE NOT THROWN AWAY A PIECE OF PRODUCE BECAUSE IT SAT IN THE BACK OF THE BOTTOM DRAWER OF MY FRIDGE FOR TOO LONG.

SO THIS AFTERNOON I DIVED INTO MY NEW DAILY JUICING RITUAL WITH AVENGANCE.  I MIXED TOGETHER SOME KALE, BABY SPINACH AND FLAT LEAF PARSLEY.  I LIKE TO MIX THEM ALL TOGETHER, PUT IT IN A BIG BOWL AND THEN PUT IT IN THE FRIDGE. THAT WAY IT IS ALL RINSED AND READY TO JUST THROUGH IN THE JUICER.  NOW, HERE IS WHERE I MIGHT LOSE SOME OF YOU.  "SPINACH? KALE?? YUCK!!"  HANG ON! DONT GO!!  WHEN YOU MIX THESE SUPER HEALTHY GREENS AND HERBS WITH SAY, AN APPLE, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY TASTE JUST KALE AND SPINACH.  THE PARSLEY DOES GIVE THE JUICE A NICE LITTLE ZIP.
OK, SO ONWARD.... WITH THE GREEN MIX (ABOUT 2 CUPS OR SO)  I THROW IN 2 ORANGES (YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE RIND ON THE CITRUS FRUITS - IT ISN'T GOOD FOR YOU TO DRINK THE ZEST PART - I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE OIL??)  AN APPLE, A PEAR AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF BABY CARROTS.  I GET ABOUT 2 1/2 GLASSES OF JUICE WITH THIS MIX.  IT IS DELICIOUS! I HAVE BEEN DRINKING THIS FOR BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING BEFORE WORK. IT GETS ME THROUGH TILL LUNCH.  SOMETIMES I MIGHT SNACK ON SOME ALMONDS OR HAVE A LARABAR IF I DO GET HUNGRY.  SOMETIMES I ADD SOME ORGANIC HEMP PROTEIN POWDER AND SOME NATUR THYME BRAND ENHANCED GREENS POWDER TO ADD SOME EXTRA GOODNESS TO IT.
SINCE I HAVE BEEN JUICING I HAVE NOTICED THAT I HAVE MORE ENERGY, MY STOMACH IS DIGESTING QUICKLY SO I DON'T FEEL BLOATED, AND MY SKIN IS GLOWING - NO IT IS NOT ORANGE - THERE IS JUST A NICE HEALTHY GLOW TO IT THAT I ONLY ACHIEVED WITH SOME BARE MINERALS BLUSH BEFORE.  IF I DON'T HAVE JUICE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY, I DON'T FEEL THE SAME. I CRAVE IT, RATHER THAN CRAVING SUGARY STUFF.

I AM SURE I WILL SWITCH UP THIS COMBO OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES AS THE SEASON CHANGES.  I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO STICK WITH ORGANIC STUFF AND IT IS HARD TO HAVE A DECENT SELECTION THIS TIME OF YEAR.  I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE LOCAL FARMERS MARKET BRINGS THIS SUMMER!