Shirataki Noodles...

Hi All, 

So I thought I would post a quick little 411 on these "noodles" I discovered a couple months back. They're called, as the post title suggests, Shirataki Noodles - what are they? Depending on the brand, it's usually a mix of tofu and Konjac flour, which comes from the roots of the yam-like Konjac plant grown in Japan and China.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not in the least bit trying to suggest that this "pasta" did/is/will replace my normal, good ole' flour/egg Italian pasta ANYTIME soon, BUT, for those watching their weight, this does provide a GREAT alternative when you're trying to be "good", and still eat the foods you enjoy.  Keep your traditional pasta for a splurge or cheat night, and eat these during the week. 

Texture - I'm BIG on texture, and these do provide a bit of a challenge, though, I did find that between the Tofu Shirataki and plain Shirataki noodles, the Tofu Shirataki is less "rubbery" than the plain one.  The best way I can describe the texture is a slightly more "rubbery" than rice noodles consistency.  I've found that the best application for these noodles is some sort of Asian mix - whether you stir fry veggies and chicken and mix with the noodles, or use them as an "udon" soup type of thing, they're great at absorbing lots of flavor, which most Asian dishes have.  Also, since you're probably more used to different pasta "textures" in Asian cuisine, your brain will probably accept and adapt more easily to the Shirataki in this application, whereas trying to treat it as traditional spaghetti and meatballs would be a little strange. 

Smell - yes - WARNING - upon opening the package of noodles, there is a definite "fishy" smell - don't let that discourage you. I'm not at ALL a big fish eater, so if anyone should be discouraged, it would have been me, but once you open the package, drop the contents into a strainer, rinse off with some cold water for a few minutes, then drop into boiling salted water for just a couple minutes - then you can use them as you'd like. If you're going to stir fry them however, I suggest you dry them off first, so you don't have oil splatter all over the place. 

Shirataki noodles aren't only low-cal, they also provide a huge amount of fiber, which is beneficial to all diets, and fiber also helps you feel fuller for a longer time period, so you eat less.

Just a quick "FYI" for you guys about a product that's definitely worth checking out and experimenting with!  =)

Once you pop, you can't stop...

I'm not quite sure who I am... I'm currently in limbo between the person I've known for 30 years, and the person that would always make me cringe (gym buff/health-nut)... not sure yet, which force is stronger, and which side I'll end up on...but for now, I'm here. Where is here? Well... "here", is apparently being super, super aware of the stuff I put into my body, and the reawakening of my body's muscular structure, which has been on a MASSIVE siesta for oh, about 13 years...It's time to wake up, bitch!

Anyone who knows me, knows that "heaven" to me, is, was, is, "was/is" a massive bag of chips, with super, ginormous iced cups of soda.  Nothing could be more perfect.  Sticky-hot summer's day? Grab your chips and your soda, and you're set... cold, chilly winter's night? Grab your chips, soda, and blanket, and you're set... it's all I knew...scratch that... I knew better...it's all I LIKED...scratch THAT...I liked many, many more...hell...I'm a damn trained Chef for God's sake...it's just what I did...and apparently, I've stopped doing that...for now? for good? I don't know just yet.  Is it an addiction? I absolutely believe it is...so we're workin' on that for now.  Does this mean I'll never ever have chips again? Hell no!!!!! After all... I DO like the stuff, and I do NOT believe in deprivation, whatsoever...however, exit deprivation, enter moderation...

After taking 2 classes (Zumba and Boot Camp), and doing weights at the gym last night and leaving 3 hours later, tired, exhausted, in pain, lightheaded, and near tears, I realized that the mentality that I had going into this of "I'll work out, and maybe once or twice a week allow myself to have the chips and soda, junk, etc., that I'm accustomed to and like, and since I'm eating better and hitting the gym, I'm still ahead of the game.."... Um...no... after a session like that, you start to think a little differently.  Note to self... remove "Epic Meal Time" from your YouTube subscriptions...

Are those two days out of the week WORTH losing what I worked SO hard to gain at the gym??? Why would I punish myself that way? So now, rather than sticking with that mentality, I've adopted a new one, which is allowing myself the recommended "cheat meal" per week, and keep my "treats" for special occassions, events, milestones, etc. For now, the 4th of July is a good enough special occassion to allow myself to loosen up a bit... I won't, however, be celebrating, say "Flag Day"...lol. A piece of chocolate here and there...a taste of something new, etc... that's all fine... but I won't be going on a massive fake food binge anytime soon! I hope...!

Happy Birthday, America! Can't wait to celebrate your birthday!  =)

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M.I.A.~
I know...I know...5 months....well, crazy things happen when you decide to purchase a new car, new phone, new house... crazier things happen when you decide to do all three, at the same time! Let me tell you - NONE of it is easy work, it's all, well, CRAZY! So, that explains my hiatus from blogosphere.  I was actually thinking to myself about an hour ago that I need to get back to blogging, when I received a Facebook notification from someone who has apparently wire-tapped my brain, telling me to "Blog"... Well, she scares me, so here I am, blogging.... more on her later...

PURCHASES~
So yes, bought a car...2012 Honda Civic... it's not as "ooh-factor" as my old car (which wasn't quite "ooh-factor" to me), but it's reliable, it's economical, and cute, and I'm happy with it.  The phone- Droid Razr Maxx by Motorola - amazing phone. I abuse my phone like none other, and this puppy takes the beating and keeps on ticking - amazing battery life is a major plus in my book! The house - ugh - the house... this is a love/hate relationship.  Right now, I'm loving hating on all the things that bug me about the house, but in time, it will become a "home", and we will be happier with it. Just happy and proud that after 30 years of working her butt off, my mom owns a property, and is taking advantage of the pool and finally learning to swim lol!

SHE WHO SCARES ME~
I generally consider myself to be a fearless person. Bugs/insects that jump, scare me.... earthquakes, scare me, the dark, yes the dark scares me...commitment....ok that's another blog.... basically it's the "unknown" factor and anything I don't have control over...One day, for one reason or another, I decided that I need to get in shape (shut up)... so I decided that I would (once again) try to eat healthier... I'm the first person who knows that you can't get in shape with diet alone, and that I would have to take other measures to reach my goal....enter, exercise...

I decided that I would join a gym, so I could exercise, work out, TRAIN. Yes...I'm training. I've been told that that's the term that serious, dedicated people use, instead of "work out"... pshh... well I'm dedicated, and I'm serious, and so I'm training.  Enter- beast.  There are people who talk, and there are people who do... Beast, does, and does it mean.  What I want to know is, how can someone so pretty, be such a DICTATOR when it comes to training? Don't get me wrong...I heart her (no, I'm not 15, I just refuse to use the word l*** at the moment...see above commitment reference)... but she scares me.  She's apparently able to read my mind, and do something far, far more frightening than anything thus far... She's able to inspire, motivate, and choke-hold me into doing things that I normally wouldn't do, or think I could do. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't get influenced, ever, by anyone. Except her apparently...

She's taught me that the near-death experience of pushing yourself to limits you didn't know you have, getting light-headed, puking, and sweating like a hippo wearing a fur coat in Kenya, in the summer, is absolutely ok, if not, desired.  She's helped me realize that I'm not really weak, and that I'm stronger than I thought I was. And every time I want to stop, well, she scares me, and I thank her for it. So there you go friends, my reasons for why I've been M.I.A., paired with my new developments of becoming the future female Tony Little... scratch that... I don't want to be annoyingly psycho....just psycho will suffice for now. Stay tuned!

Fruit 'n Veg 411...

Hi Friends!

Not much to report today, but while I was doing some personal research, I came across this great website, which lists nutritional facts, health benefits, and other information about various types of fruits and vegetables! It's quite informative and can be helpful for those with special vitamin needs, dietary restrictions, and for those who are looking into starting a juicing regime!  It's quite detailed and very informative. The panel on the right also displays juicing tips, and information for those with dietary and health restrictions who want to try juicing. Give it a look:

http://www.juicingbook.com/

Also - you've probably heard the term "Superfood" thrown around quite a lot in the past year or so - not sure what that means? Well, it's a list of foods, which contain super-saturated amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, and are very beneficial to your health! They're also great additives to any breakfast smoothie, oatmeal, salads, etc.! Basically, they're foods that everyone (unless you're allergic to a specific food, in which case, there are plenty others you can substitute with) to incorporate into their daily meals!

Here's to a happy, healthy you!

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/superfoods-everyone-needs



Cleanliness is next to...

The protein powders at Sprouts? Well...maybe not quite, but, that's where I found it at least! First off - HAPPY New Year, folks! It's been a while! Sorry, I've been a bit busy trying to teach myself everything I NEVER wanted to know about the tech world - building a website is, well, I'll just leave it at "detailed". So yes, my time's been consumed by totally un-culinary related issues for a while, but never fear...I'm still here.

Now, for my cleanliness post...I'm pretty sure bacon grease and red blood cells run through my veins at almost a 50/50 percent ratio... I'm ok with that...however, I'm NOT ok with how tired and groggy I constantly feel because of it!!! Not one to EVER give up the food that I love, I decided to try one of my most hated words in the English language - "moderation" - isn't it gross?! I mean, it's all or nothing, right?! Well....that's what I thought, but it doesn't have to be that way! I can have my bacon, and eat it too, just in...gulp...."moderation". Here's where "juicing" walks in...

I had heard several of my friends talk about juicing this, and juicing that, and how they feel sooo much better, and can focus more, and all these great things as a result of their decision to start juicing more - so I decided, what the heck, let's give it a whirl.  Now, for those who don't know, juicing is pretty self-explanatory - it's the process of using whole fruits and vegetables, herbs, greens, etc., and juicing them in a juicer to provide you with a nutritious, vitamin enriched drink that replaces a meal or two a day. This should be done with caution, of course. If you have any special dietary needs/restrictions, make sure you consult your physician to make sure it's a good choice for you.  Also, this is something you might want to ease yourself into, which is what I'm currently doing.  I also realized that since I work during the day, that I would need some sort of protein source to keep me going through the day so I could function at work - that's when I decided I would get a powdered protein supplement to add to my juice - I headed to my local Sprouts to check out what they had. Here, I met a nutritionist who suggested I try a cleanse first, because it would get rid of the toxins that my body's gotten "used to" over the years from eating poorly.  She said once my body was rid of most of those toxins, it would be less dependable on those chemicals, fats, sugars, etc., and juicing wouldn't be as difficult. She sounded pretty logical, though I rarely listen to suggestions from others without doing my own research, it sounded like a reasonable explanation, and I went with it.

I purchased a 2-week cleanse program, which consists of 4 pills that you take with each meal.  The pills are rather large, but don't have an overly "gross" flavor that most vitamins, etc. can tend to have.  These are naturopathic, kosher, and vegetarian pills - they're also gluten free, should any of that be of concern to you. I started the program not expecting much - most things you purchase do little to nothing close to what they promise - this wasn't the case here. I purchased Michael's Ultimate Detox and Cleanse, and let me tell you, coming from someone who wakes up having Coke for breakfast, and goes to bed practically with a can in her hand, I have had only one HALF a can of soda during this entire process.  I haven't craved or "needed" soda the entire time I've been doing the cleanse, and I've really been feeling the difference.  The cleanse detoxes your blood, colon, liver, and even fat! Yes...even your fat cells carry more than just "fat", they also carry toxins! It's said to help metabolize fat as well, and I think this carries some truth because even though this isn't a weight loss pill, I've managed to lose on average about 5 pounds during this process - true, most of that may be attributed to the fact that I'm trying to eat a little better and trying to cut out sodas, but I'm almost certain that none of that would have been possible without this cleanse. 

I'm on my last 2 days of this cleanse, and will hopefully start juicing when I'm done. The theory is to try and juice for 2 meals out of the day, and will allow myself to eat whatever I want for dinner. We'll see how this goes - I have a feeling the worst part of it is going to be cleaning my juicer every single day - ughhh! Anyhow - I'll keep you all posted on how this works out! Ta-ta! =)