6.18.2012
6.15.2012
plant based diet
I've always been health conscience, and a certifiable health freak since halfway through my undergrad (when I officially became...dun-dun-dunnnn...VEGETARIAN!) I've toyed with the idea of becoming vegan many times, but never go through with it because of the problems when eating out and going home to Missouri. However, let it be known that about 50-75% of my meals are vegan.
Last week I watched a lot of documentaries, mostly on food, and it got me thinking about how gross I let my diet become whenever I don't have time. When I stress, I eat candy and chips (aka, highly processed foods) Because my main meals are always vegetarian and mostly low calorie and healthy, it never bothered me to have a brownie, a cupcake, 12 cookies... You think I'm being funny, but I'm totally serious. There are times when I will eat heavy delicious desserts every day of the week, multiple times a day. Once a few years ago when I was deployed I was so stressed/depressed/lonely that I ate 2 bags of fun sized kit-kats. Don't even look up the fat and calories that added to my system, I don't want to know.
This weekend I turn 27, and I regretfully agree what they say, with age goes metabolism. I've always been the girl with the skinny genes, who never had to work to stay skinny. Like I said, I eat 12 cookies in a day, the next day a few brownies. It never affected me before. Now I am seeing the effects of my love for sugar. I'm not fat, and no one besides Danny and myself would ever notice, but it's there, the layer of fat over my muscles, the extra weight on the scale. I used to pig out, gain a few pounds and some flab, then work out hard core for a week or two and look good as new, but that is not cutting it anymore. It is time to stop eating whatever I want whenever I want.
My meals are going to have more vegetables (thanks to farm fresh to you CSA!) and I will limit my desserts to special occasions and things that are really really amazing. No more shitty M&M's, snickers, kit-kats, I'm saving myself for newly discovered cupcake and cookie shops, homemade cookies and brownies (not from tubes or boxes) and other amazing dessert creations, like Schulzie's Bread Pudding... My mouth is watering, it's been 4 days since my last dessert fix!! I'm eating a lot more fruit, because it helps with the sugar cravings. I especially like a salad with mandarin orange slices on it.
Here's a creation from my latest CSA fruit and veg box, aka, last night's dinner.
Orange Quinoa stuffed Sweet Peppers with potatoes and green pepper on the side
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup water
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 garlic cloves, minced
a little bit of olive oil
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
5-6 sweet peppers
1 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1. saute garlic in oil in same pot you will use to cook quinoa
2. Add orange juice, water and quinoa to garlic and to a boil, then reduce and cover until liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally
3. In the meantime, cut tops off of peppers and clean out insides, keeping the body intact
4. roast peppers in oven on 450 for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally if you want an even char
5. when quinoa is done and cools slightly, mix in cranberries, walnuts, and thyme. add salt and pepper if desired.
6. use a teaspoon to stuff the quinoa into the peppers
7. Serve over a bed of lettuce or on top of more of the quinoa filling
The Potatoes and Peppers:
Ingredients:
5-7 potatoes
2 T olive oil
1 green pepper
1/2 large onion
1. slice potatoes and saute them in the oil for about 5 minutes
2. slice the pepper and the onions and add them to the pan, cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are how you like them
* I usually add water to help deglaze the pan because the potatoes tend to stick
Last week I watched a lot of documentaries, mostly on food, and it got me thinking about how gross I let my diet become whenever I don't have time. When I stress, I eat candy and chips (aka, highly processed foods) Because my main meals are always vegetarian and mostly low calorie and healthy, it never bothered me to have a brownie, a cupcake, 12 cookies... You think I'm being funny, but I'm totally serious. There are times when I will eat heavy delicious desserts every day of the week, multiple times a day. Once a few years ago when I was deployed I was so stressed/depressed/lonely that I ate 2 bags of fun sized kit-kats. Don't even look up the fat and calories that added to my system, I don't want to know.
This weekend I turn 27, and I regretfully agree what they say, with age goes metabolism. I've always been the girl with the skinny genes, who never had to work to stay skinny. Like I said, I eat 12 cookies in a day, the next day a few brownies. It never affected me before. Now I am seeing the effects of my love for sugar. I'm not fat, and no one besides Danny and myself would ever notice, but it's there, the layer of fat over my muscles, the extra weight on the scale. I used to pig out, gain a few pounds and some flab, then work out hard core for a week or two and look good as new, but that is not cutting it anymore. It is time to stop eating whatever I want whenever I want.
My meals are going to have more vegetables (thanks to farm fresh to you CSA!) and I will limit my desserts to special occasions and things that are really really amazing. No more shitty M&M's, snickers, kit-kats, I'm saving myself for newly discovered cupcake and cookie shops, homemade cookies and brownies (not from tubes or boxes) and other amazing dessert creations, like Schulzie's Bread Pudding... My mouth is watering, it's been 4 days since my last dessert fix!! I'm eating a lot more fruit, because it helps with the sugar cravings. I especially like a salad with mandarin orange slices on it.
Here's a creation from my latest CSA fruit and veg box, aka, last night's dinner.
Orange Quinoa stuffed Sweet Peppers with potatoes and green pepper on the side
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup water
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 garlic cloves, minced
a little bit of olive oil
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
5-6 sweet peppers
1 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1. saute garlic in oil in same pot you will use to cook quinoa
2. Add orange juice, water and quinoa to garlic and to a boil, then reduce and cover until liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally
3. In the meantime, cut tops off of peppers and clean out insides, keeping the body intact
4. roast peppers in oven on 450 for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally if you want an even char
5. when quinoa is done and cools slightly, mix in cranberries, walnuts, and thyme. add salt and pepper if desired.
6. use a teaspoon to stuff the quinoa into the peppers
7. Serve over a bed of lettuce or on top of more of the quinoa filling
The Potatoes and Peppers:
Ingredients:
5-7 potatoes
2 T olive oil
1 green pepper
1/2 large onion
1. slice potatoes and saute them in the oil for about 5 minutes
2. slice the pepper and the onions and add them to the pan, cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are how you like them
* I usually add water to help deglaze the pan because the potatoes tend to stick
6.14.2012
Memorial Day Weekend 2012
Danny and I had the best time EVER at our friend's Matt and Rachna's wedding in Long Beach. Quick recap of the events:
Opening cocktail party at the bar/lounge of the Renaissance Long Beach:
-Their own signature cocktail, the Bla-Tau (a play on their last names), it was a spicy jalapeno cucumber Margarita, DELISH!
-A Mexican themed dinner with quesadillas, enchiladas, tortilla soup, fruits...and lest we forget the amazing stuffed churros and tres leches for dessert.
Mehndi Party/lunch:
-Bride sits in the middle of everything while her arms/hands and legs/feet are painted with intricate Mehndi patterns
-all women are invited to have Mehndi done on their hands/feet, they are also given a set of bangles
-I quickly become addicted to Mehndi, having my palm, outside of my hand and ankle done...I regretted this a week later when everyone at work kept commenting on my hand looking dirty, it eventually looked like a hi-lighter had exploded on my hand
-the food was Bombay street foods, my favorite were these crunchy little bowls that you poured this green iced "soup" into, among other things if you like, then you pop it in your mouth and it explodes with flavor!
-Best mango lassi I've ever had!
Sangeet:
-a huge reception where the bride's family all did Bollywood style performances for the couple, the groom also did a little dance which was pretty cute!
-the dinner was Indian Chinese food, which I had never had before...it was awesome! And I say this, not liking Chinese food at all.
-Everyone danced all night, Indian style, sometimes with sticks. the sticks were dangerous as a lot of people were quite drunk
-coconuts with straws in them. I partook on two by myself.
-Danny and I wore traditional Indian garb. Thanks Pinki and Chris!
Groom's Entrance:
-outside on the Promenade next to the hotel, Matt wore all white, resembling a white Aladdin (in my opinion), riding on a white horse. The horse was actually Tradition, the Trojan Horse. The fuckin Trojan Horse!!! Seriously, so awesome.
-Everyone dances to the music being played by the USC marching band. Yes, you heard me.
-Big party down the promenade and inside into the ceremony
The Ceremony:
-Absolutely the most gorgeous thing ever
-Groom sits with his family, her family, and the priest.
-Rachna came down the aisle, being carried by a harem of men, she looked absolutely breathtaking!
-The ceremony was so traditional and beautiful. I want to raise my kids Hindu just for the wedding ceremony!
The Reception:
-First a two hour cocktail hour with open bar and a fruit and cheese bar and an Indian snack bar (samosas and some other yummy fried things)
-The room looked like we were underwater, white and blue everywhere, amazingly beautiful centerpieces
-The food was amazing Indian cuisine
-Sprinkles cupcakes + Sweet Lady Jane's berry cake
-Drinking and dancing all night long
And that was our Memorial Day weekend 2012.
Opening cocktail party at the bar/lounge of the Renaissance Long Beach:
-Their own signature cocktail, the Bla-Tau (a play on their last names), it was a spicy jalapeno cucumber Margarita, DELISH!
-A Mexican themed dinner with quesadillas, enchiladas, tortilla soup, fruits...and lest we forget the amazing stuffed churros and tres leches for dessert.
Mehndi Party/lunch:
-Bride sits in the middle of everything while her arms/hands and legs/feet are painted with intricate Mehndi patterns
-all women are invited to have Mehndi done on their hands/feet, they are also given a set of bangles
-I quickly become addicted to Mehndi, having my palm, outside of my hand and ankle done...I regretted this a week later when everyone at work kept commenting on my hand looking dirty, it eventually looked like a hi-lighter had exploded on my hand
-the food was Bombay street foods, my favorite were these crunchy little bowls that you poured this green iced "soup" into, among other things if you like, then you pop it in your mouth and it explodes with flavor!
-Best mango lassi I've ever had!
Sangeet:
-a huge reception where the bride's family all did Bollywood style performances for the couple, the groom also did a little dance which was pretty cute!
-the dinner was Indian Chinese food, which I had never had before...it was awesome! And I say this, not liking Chinese food at all.
-Everyone danced all night, Indian style, sometimes with sticks. the sticks were dangerous as a lot of people were quite drunk
-coconuts with straws in them. I partook on two by myself.
-Danny and I wore traditional Indian garb. Thanks Pinki and Chris!
Groom's Entrance:
-outside on the Promenade next to the hotel, Matt wore all white, resembling a white Aladdin (in my opinion), riding on a white horse. The horse was actually Tradition, the Trojan Horse. The fuckin Trojan Horse!!! Seriously, so awesome.
-Everyone dances to the music being played by the USC marching band. Yes, you heard me.
-Big party down the promenade and inside into the ceremony
The Ceremony:
-Absolutely the most gorgeous thing ever
-Groom sits with his family, her family, and the priest.
-Rachna came down the aisle, being carried by a harem of men, she looked absolutely breathtaking!
-The ceremony was so traditional and beautiful. I want to raise my kids Hindu just for the wedding ceremony!
The Reception:
-First a two hour cocktail hour with open bar and a fruit and cheese bar and an Indian snack bar (samosas and some other yummy fried things)
-The room looked like we were underwater, white and blue everywhere, amazingly beautiful centerpieces
-The food was amazing Indian cuisine
-Sprinkles cupcakes + Sweet Lady Jane's berry cake
-Drinking and dancing all night long
And that was our Memorial Day weekend 2012.
6.03.2012
3.26.2012
3.14.2012
Rockstar week at SCI-Arc
Pure madness around here the past few weeks. Peter Eisenman came, saw, and was roasted by Thom Mayne, Greg Lynn, and Eric Owen Moss. Then Jeff Kipnis lectured "Who is Moss?" which was my favorite of his lectures I have seen so far. Then we had a small break, but of course everyone in my year was scrambling to write their 7 page papers for Dora Epstein-Jones, laser cutting acrylic until our lungs gave out for Volkan's visual studies assignment, (both of these assignments were pushed back a week, thank god.) Oh, and then there was studio and open season pin-ups. Geesh.
Tonight Thom Mayne lectures, yay! Tonight is also the open season session where recruiters will come to look at our work and hopefully give us internships (please hire me, it would be a huge weight off of my shoulders!)
Tonight Thom Mayne lectures, yay! Tonight is also the open season session where recruiters will come to look at our work and hopefully give us internships (please hire me, it would be a huge weight off of my shoulders!)
2.20.2012
1GB random model pics so far
Feeling guilty that I haven't posted anything architectural or any of my work this semester. More to follow someday if I get a chance.
2.18.2012
Vinoteque on melrose
It's been quite some time since I've posted a review. I'm also sorry for lack of any posts this semester. It's so hard! After my mid-review and move to little Tokyo in 10 days I promise to post a billion belated things.
Way back in November I purchased a Living Social deal for Vinoteque on Melrose. Tonight I finally used it and it was worth every penny!!
Vinoteque is a tapas place on melrose just east of fairfax, right next to The Foundry. We sat in their large open courtyard area warmed on the chilly February evening by the numerous gas heaters (love you LA). I, of course, had already cruised the menu online so I knew what I wanted. It's tapas so you order a bunch and the dishes come out when ready.
First up was the beet salad. A nice serving of fresh beets, houlami cheese, tangerine wedges, baby arugula and balsamic. Very yum. It was my first time trying houlami and I enjoyed it, though my complaint would be more cheese on this beet heavy plate
Danny had the angus beef sliders which come with two burgers cooked however you desire topped with an onion jam, blue cheese, some sort of flavored mayo and arugula. He placed this number one on his list of the night.
Next up was the tomato tart. A crispy, flaky French tart filled with tomato purée topped with halved sweet heirloom cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, mixed greens, ricotta and balsamic. It was good.
The last savory dish was the best by far: warm goat cheese honey Napoleon. It was so freaking good. Two layers of crunchy honey discs with chèvre and honey in between over greens topped with a sweet onion slaw. Omg, I could eat five of these.
The food was so good I forgot to mention the wine. I had a glass, a hefty glass. I'm still coming down off my buzz. I can't recall the name of it right now. It was Spanish, $11 a glass and mild.
Now for the grande finale: stuffed churros and coffee. If you go here and don't get this for dessert we are no longer friends. This was the best dessert ever! Little 2" churros coated in sugar and cinnamon, stuffed with a variety of yummy things like caramel and cream, served with a scoop of cafe au lait ice cream and berries. So freaking delicious!
Way back in November I purchased a Living Social deal for Vinoteque on Melrose. Tonight I finally used it and it was worth every penny!!
Vinoteque is a tapas place on melrose just east of fairfax, right next to The Foundry. We sat in their large open courtyard area warmed on the chilly February evening by the numerous gas heaters (love you LA). I, of course, had already cruised the menu online so I knew what I wanted. It's tapas so you order a bunch and the dishes come out when ready.
First up was the beet salad. A nice serving of fresh beets, houlami cheese, tangerine wedges, baby arugula and balsamic. Very yum. It was my first time trying houlami and I enjoyed it, though my complaint would be more cheese on this beet heavy plate
Danny had the angus beef sliders which come with two burgers cooked however you desire topped with an onion jam, blue cheese, some sort of flavored mayo and arugula. He placed this number one on his list of the night.
Next up was the tomato tart. A crispy, flaky French tart filled with tomato purée topped with halved sweet heirloom cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, mixed greens, ricotta and balsamic. It was good.
The last savory dish was the best by far: warm goat cheese honey Napoleon. It was so freaking good. Two layers of crunchy honey discs with chèvre and honey in between over greens topped with a sweet onion slaw. Omg, I could eat five of these.
The food was so good I forgot to mention the wine. I had a glass, a hefty glass. I'm still coming down off my buzz. I can't recall the name of it right now. It was Spanish, $11 a glass and mild.
Now for the grande finale: stuffed churros and coffee. If you go here and don't get this for dessert we are no longer friends. This was the best dessert ever! Little 2" churros coated in sugar and cinnamon, stuffed with a variety of yummy things like caramel and cream, served with a scoop of cafe au lait ice cream and berries. So freaking delicious!
2.08.2012
1.18.2012
1.17.2012
This week in food.
Homemade Mac n cheese (for Danny, though I have admittedly eaten a few servings....)
Recipe by Alton Brown, found here. The panko on top is my favorite part!
Vegan Mexican casserole recipe here
This recipe is so delicious. I'm generally not a fan of fake meats, but the soyrizo here really adds a great kick to this meal. Danny approved of the meal overall, so that means you will like it too. Everything can be bought at Trader Joe's which makes me happy, but if you don't have one near you, just use similar salsas and beans. The lavash bread makes this so unique, but I guess you could use tortillas as well if you can't find lavash.
Enjoy!
Recipe by Alton Brown, found here. The panko on top is my favorite part!
Vegan Mexican casserole recipe here
This recipe is so delicious. I'm generally not a fan of fake meats, but the soyrizo here really adds a great kick to this meal. Danny approved of the meal overall, so that means you will like it too. Everything can be bought at Trader Joe's which makes me happy, but if you don't have one near you, just use similar salsas and beans. The lavash bread makes this so unique, but I guess you could use tortillas as well if you can't find lavash.
Enjoy!
1.16.2012
1.12.2012
1.04.2012
Herbivore+Omnivore meal
I became a vegetarian almost 4 1/2 years ago. I've been with Danny for almost 9 years now. That means I'm not allowed to pull the vegetarian card on him and refuse to cook meat like some other lucky lifetime vegetarians I know with significant others who eat meat. This also means I have to come up with ways to incorporate meat into vegetarian dishes I eat as main courses, make my vegetarian main dish a side for him, or fix things that will please him enough he won't miss the meat.
It's not always easy, but I am pretty pleased with what I came up with today.
The menu:
Spicy Panko Crusted Baked Chicken
Roasted Parsnips
Avocado "fries"
leftover asparagus
Spicy Panko Crusted Baked Chicken
What you need:
For the marinade:
8-10 fresh, free-range organic chicken strips (I recommend Trader Joe's version, very affordable)
2 T Sriracha
1/4 c rice wine vinegar
1/4 c olive oil
1 T Worcestershire
1 t garlic powder
1/2 t cayenne
1/2 t smoked salt
For the crust:
1-2 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko
1/2 cup flour
1 T cayanne
1 T garlic powder
1 t smoked salt
What you do:
1. Combine all marinade ingredients together in a shallow dish. Place chicken in the marinade and refrigerate, turning occasionally. Marinate all day, or as long as possible for best flavor (I think...) :)
2. When ready to cook the chicken, preheat oven to 425.
3. Set up a breading station from left to right as follows: chicken, beaten egg in a shallow dish, crust mixture in a shallow dish, pan that breaded chicken will be cooked in. (see picture below for similar set up with the avocado fries)
4. Take chicken, one at a time and dip in egg mix, removing excess before dipping and coating in the panko mix and then placing in the final dish. Do this to all pieces of chicken.
5. Drizzle a little olive oil on all the pieces for extra crunch and color.
5. Bake for around 30 minutes, checking occasionally for doneness, as all chicken will have different thickness.
Baked Avocado "fries"
What you need:
2 ripe avocados
3 T ground flax seed
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 c water
1 c panko
1/2 c flour
1 T cayenne
1 T garlic powder
1 t smoked salt
What you do:
1. Cut avocados in half, remove pit and cut each half into 4 sections.
2. Carefully remove sections with a spoon.
3. Set up your breading station in the same manner as the chicken.
4. Mix together the flaxseed, water and baking powder.*
5. Dip avocado pieces one at a time into the flax seed mixture, ensuring to get some flax on each piece before dipping into the panko breading.
6. Drizzle olive oil on each and place in pre-heated 450 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
*You can use eggs for the coating, but to make them vegan I wanted to try this option, it worked really well!
Roasted Parsnips: (Thanks Jarrett and Dave for introducing me to this delicious veg!)
What you need:
2-3 parsnips, peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
rosemary
What you do:
Generously drizzle the parsnip pieces with olive oil and balsamic and sprinkle with some rosemary. Bake in 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until parsnips are nice and tender, stirring occasionally so they do not burn.
For dessert, Chocolate Covered Katie's chocolate chip cookie pie, made with beans. (I halved her recipe, so it is half as thick, but equally delicious I'm sure!!!)
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| this picture is from yesterday...it is all gone now because I devoured it all. :( |
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| perfect day for a family bike ride! |
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