Bollywood!

I worked up a sweat tonight, during my first "Bollywood" dance class - it was so much fun...We had to do our moves in front of the mirror - which was quite humbling. I like to think that I have rhythm, but after seeing myself do a couple of turns...I am not so sure anymore!

The class runs for about 13 weeks and is being offered for the first time at the Ann Arbor Y - there were about twelve of us and the instructor was a teeny weeny, sweet girl who can shake her thing:)

I attempted to show Raj my Jai Ho - not sure if I scared or intrigued him. Maybe a bit of both. Either way, I don't think we will be calling the relatives or a recital anytime soon.

Anyhow, it was a great time and give me a couple of weeks:)

A New Furry Friend

On Monday, I gave our patio's garden box a much needed weeding and watering. My green thumb had no clue what kind of plants I was looking at and feeding, but oh well. Someone seemed to like the freshly watered leaves. After debating whether or not to open our screen door, I opted against it. And thank God! This chica almost had a heart attack when I looked out and saw a large, furry rodent (?) peering in at me. Stifling a scream, I dashed to the corner of the living room, convinced that it was going to open the door, walk in and grab a soda. Once I calmed down, I grabbed my camera and peered out the window. It was happily munching away on the newly watered leaves! I tried to get a decent photo, but, believe it or not, the fatso moved before I could.

I tried to explain to Raj what it looked like and since he is a city boy and I have no clue when it comes to animals, we spent time looking up raccoons, moles, etc, until we came across some pics of groundhogs. And that is what it was.

I am going to sprinkle salt on the leaves, hoping to lure the guy back and get a better pic.

Thoughts

Be your own best friend. Treat yourself with the same amount of respect that you insist upon demonstrating to others. Know that while your actions are seen by others, your thoughts and feelings are particular to you and to your growth. Therefore, make them gentle, kind and patient.

Manchurian - Indian/Chinese - YUM

So, Raj and I have had some VERY tasty meals during the past week. He made a favorite of ours-Chicken Manchurian (with fake chicken)...It is reminiscent of what he ate in Bombay and is SO delicious and healthy. Love it.



Ingredients:

2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 medium sized sliced onion
8-10 chopped garlic cloves (we love garlic and prob throw in about ten!)
2 inch pieces of chopped ginger (we line up the chopped garlic and ginger and make sure they are equal)
1 sliced green pepper
3-4 green chillies (can get these at Indian store) chopped - throw in as many as you like. The more you throw in, the spicier it will be!
3 spring onions, chopped
Canola oil
2 cups of chicken or veggie broth (we use fake chicken broth)
2 tablespoons vinegar
cooked brown rice
1/2 bag of Quorn chicken pieces (fake meat - we also chop up and throw in tofu sometimes)
salt to taste
1 cup of water, mixed with three tablespoons of cornstarch

Directions:
1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in wok or large pan.
2. Add chopped ginger, garlic and stir fry briefly.
3 Add onions, green chillies and stir fry for another minute. Stir in soy sauce, stock and salt to taste.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Stir in blended cornstarch and cook for a minute more or until the sauce starts to thicken, stirring continuously.
5. Add quorn or tofu and green pepper and cook for a couple of minutes. Stir in vinegar.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped spring onions.

**Adapted from a recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor

Exercise Enthusiasts

After making a wrong turn this afternoon, I nearly keeled over after happening upon a backyard that featured everything from chess pieces to sofas and trinkets. But the best part of all was the "gym" that I saw featured by one of their sheds. It is a bit rusty, so I am not sure of its usage, but I like to imagine that there is some really dedicated, 80's type character who is outside power lifting on a daily basis. I felt a little sketchy taking a pic, but luckily no mobster chased me down the street. I guess he or she has no excuse to go to the gym.

I'm no Eva Longoria

I loved the colors available in the L'oreal Infallible Plumping line and I rushed (or convinced myself about three weeks after seeing the ad) to CVS and purchased Plumped Rose. The end result was disapointing and here are a couple of reasons why:

1. I am not quite as dark as Eva Longoria and the lip gloss did not mute my Irish side, bringing out my "tan" that I believe is always lingering beneath the surface.

2. It is really, really sticky.

3. It doesn't stay on that long.

4. There was a buy one, get one free special, which might been indicative of the product's quality.

Now, for what I learned from my lip gloss experiment's photo - my bangs are super crooked! I got them done when I first landed in Ann Arbor, at a downtown place called Salon Vox. The people were really nice there and the atmosphere was somewhat reminiscent of Boston..but...I didn't really like the way my bangs looked (they were all that I had trimmed!), but managed to convince myself that they were ok and crooked in a fashionably acceptable way. Glancing at the pic above, I am motivated to continue my search for a stylist. Props to the colorist, Ryan - I think that he did a lovely job...Still, I think that I would like to find a place where I am happy with the combo deal.

Morning munch

A few hours after enjoying some Cream of Wheat, I ate a Chobani yogurt (vanilla bean), topped with banana:) I like Greek yogurt (especially since it is loaded with protein), but find it hard to eat - it so thick that it feels like it takes forever!

Black Beans and Kidney Beans - Indian Flair:)

I have been experimenting with some of Raj's recipes and love this one! It is super packed with fiber, protein and is SO delicious. And makes me think that there is some hope that I might be able to cook something for my new familia and not make a fool of myself:)

Black Beans & Kidney Beans
1.5 onions (big daddy vidalia onions) sliced along the curve
1 tablespoon of canola oil
2 Beefsteak tomatoes
1 cans of black beans (drained)
1 cans of kidney beans (drained)
1/2 teaspoon of tumeric
6 teaspoons of garam masala (for mild) 8 for spicy, 10 for a kick! (too spicy, just add yogurt to meal) - you can get this at any Indian store - just ask and someone will point you in the right direction
1 teaspoon of salt (and then to taste)
1 teaspoon of chilli powder
1.5 cups of water
handful of cilantro (to taste)

*Slice the onions
*Heat tablespoon of oil in pan
*Add tumeric and then onions - fry until they are a little bit see through (about five minutes)
*Add the chopped tomatoes
*Add garam masala, teaspoon of salt
*Stir & cover on low heat. Stir occasionally- this will start out chunky - you want it to become saucy and dark brown
*After it is dark brown, add both cans of beans and heat on medium for about twenty minutes or so
*Add chilli powder, stir
*Add water
*Add cilantro
Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer uncovered until the water boils off
Add a generous amount of salt
Enjoy! I love dipping two slices of whole wheat bread in one serving or eating it with brown rice:)


Black Beans: 330/3/21
Kidney Beans: 330/1.5/21
Oil: 120/14/0
Total: 780/17.5/42
4 servings: 195/4/10

Reducing my carbon footprint

Ok, with a title like that, I realize that this blog should have some wonderful insight into how to cutback waste and go green. But...considering I am now driving a car for the first time in five years...I had to get creative...After a day of PMS and my complaints about feeling lazy and lacking any desire to do anything, Raj spun my negative into a comical and positive light. By resigning to the couch/and or my bed with a book or 24, I was reducing my carbon footprint. What better way to cutback on my negative effect on the environment than a day at home, in bed. Brilliant!

Working It:)

Recently, Raj and I joined the Ann Arbor YMCA. It is great and hosts pools, an indoor track and basketball courts....but....I definitely was spoiled at Third Square Apartments and miss the personal TVs, familiar faces and the instant access! Due to Labor Day and early closing, the Y was packed and I managed to shuffle through a very half hearted workout. I was feeling exhausted, but managed to rev up my energy level for a good forty five minutes.

Warm Up
-Walked for one mile @3.5
Resistance Training
Cycle 1 - 2 sets
1. Bridge lowering with chest press on stability ball (SB) (15 with 10 pds)
2. Crunch on SB (20)
3. Toe tap on SB (20)

Cycle 2 - 2 sets
1. Stationary lunges with body bar on shoulders (15 on each side)
2. Hammer curls with external rotation (15 with 10 pds)
3. Lat pull down (35 pds) 15 reps...I am amazed whenever I go somewhere new and try a new machine - it seems like the actual weight is completely different. In Boston, I would easily pull down 55 pds, while 35 here felt like a challenge! Hmm...

Cycle 3 - 2 sets
1. Upright row with 25 pd bar (15)
2. Triceps kickbacks with 25 pd bar (15)
3. Turn outs (15 on each leg)

Veggie Medley Frittata

Every time I buy MorningStar Bacon Strips, I remind myself that I want to try the box's recipe. Raj and I finished the leftovers this morning and the dish is very delicious! The parmesan cheese gives the recipe a lovely flavor. I tweeked some of the recipe and I am looking forward to making this again soon!
Ingredients (my version)
1/2 package MorningStar bacon strips
1 cup broccoli florets
3/4 cup chopped mushrooms
2 chopped scallions
1 cup chopped red & green pepper
4 eggs and 4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon of oregano
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup shredded low moisture or low fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
salt to taste

Directions
1. Prepare bacon strips per package directions and then cut into bite size pieces
2. Saute broccoli, mushrooms, scallions, peppers (in a slight amount of canola oil or cooking spray)
3. In mixing bowl, beat together eggs, oregano, pepper and garlic
4. Stir in bacon strips, cheese, tomatoes and veggie mixture
5. Pour into a greased shallow 1.5 quart baking dish
6. Bake @ 350 for about 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean (mine took about forty minutes!)

I found that this makes about six comfortable servings. Raj and I had it on top of whole wheat bread and I am drooling just thinking about it right now!

Frittata's Nutritional Information (or some of it anyways) for 6 servings
Calories: 210
Fat: 14.5
Fiber: 1

When I add up nutritional information, I don't count veggies - if I did, this would definitely up the fiber amount...Enjoy!

Update

5 months?!? I can not believe that it has been close to half a year since my last entry. What is even scarier is how quickly the time passed. My Dad has a saying, "The years go by fast, while the days go by slowly"....This could not be more true! Well, suffice it say - LOTS has happened during these past months...Expect a flurry of blogs in the near future (or next few hours, at least, haha). Most importantly, there have been two wonderful additions to my family: My sister Jamie gave birth to Liam on May 23 and my brother Greg and his wife, Denise, are expecting their third (a boy!) this December.

Liam is an incredibly strong little boy - he has Tarui Disease, which is Glycogen Storage Disease #7 Basic breakdown: His body is missing an essential enzyme that helps break down glycogen. As a result, his muscles don't get the much needed energy to move. He is a fighter and I just learned that he has been swallowing on his own! He is currently at a hospital where Jamie and my parents are learning to care for him, change his trach, do his feeding tubes, so he will be able to move home. He is truly an inspiration and touches anyone he comes in contact with. He is in the pic above (the pink plane, Amelia, was given to him prior to his flight from Boston to DC!) and here is a link to one of my favorite videos (pre trach and feeding tube).