Are shrimp dumplings healthy if you make them yourself?

This probably shouldn't be on my list of recipes to try, but how freaking yummy does that look?!?!?  I might sub in ground chicken or turkey for the pork and give this a whirl! 

Shrimp Dumplings (adapted from Taste and Tell):

Recipe from: http://damndelicious.tumblr.com/post/43551512932/shrimp-dumplings

Yields 36 dumplings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined and diced
• 8 ounces ground pork
• 1 cup shredded green cabbage
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon mirin
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 36 gyoza/pot sticker wrappers
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Soy sauce, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine shrimp, pork, cabbage, green onions, ginger, sesame oil, mirin, salt and pepper, to taste.

To assemble the dumplings, place wrappers on a work surface. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the shrimp mixture into the center of each wrapper. Using your finger, rub the edges of the wrappers with water. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, pinching the edges to seal.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the dumplings and cook until golden and crisp, about 4-5 minutes.

Serve immediately with soy sauce, if desired.

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Good Eats!!

I've been lying to you all.  I've been saying I'm getting my life/diet together but I was not!  In the past 2 weeks I've had both the Cool Ranch and regular taco bell Doritos locos taco. Peanut butter chocolate chip bars, and muffins from the cafeteria at work, Chocolate chip and sugar cookies, Pizza, Ham, Mac and Cheese, french fries, ice cream sandwiches, and lots of alcohol.  Its been bad, and it took a friend asking why I hadn't been posting recently to really make me take a look at what I was doing and correct my behavior.

Thankfully that conversation led to me officially getting firmly back on the wagon! I know, I know, I've said it before, but this time I'm really here, up front and holding the reigns, and I have PROOF!!!  I've been continuing my workouts and FINALLY actually eating healthier.  I've been utilizing a blog my sister in law recommended to me.

So far I've tried about 3 of her recipes and 2 of the 3 were total wins!  The first recipe was the Cajun Chicken recipe I mentioned here.  Then I ate like crap for the next week, but started fresh this past Sunday, when I made this.

She calls it Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana, but for me, in my house we call it "The Chicken Spinach Thingee".   I chose this recipe because it reminds me of the veggie lasagna RR's mom makes that is THE BOMB!! Thankfully this recipe was a win. While I'd definitely add a little more spice to the spinach filling next go round, these were a big hit and earned me a high five from RR.  Unfortunately, the only pictures I took are very un-glamourous shots of the piece I brought in for lunch, after I microwaved it a juuuuust a little to long.

 I made more of the Cajun chicken pasta, Thursday night, which is still a personal favorite of mine!!  Last night I was having a cookie craving and decided to give these healthy 3 ingredient cookies a whirl and was underwhelmed. In fairness, I omitted the walnuts and subbed in peanut butter because, peanut butter and banana is NEVER wrong! 

Except when it is, as it was here. :(

healthy cookies.. no such thing

The flavors didn't blend well.  All i tasted was warm banana, and hints of burnt oatmeal and a top note of peanutbutter.  I tried ot salvage one by adding a few semi sweet chocolate chips in it while it was still warm.. it was better but the flavors still didn't blend.  These are officially a no-go for me!

On the upside, I had another crazy idea that I don't know the source of.  I thought I got the idea from skinny taste but it turns out I did not, so I'm starting to wonder if I dreamed it up.  Overnight oats (no i'm not taking credit for overnight oats), I'm taking credit thinking to add half a bottle of Bolthouse Vanilla Chai tea, (and Chia seeds) to my oats.  I love the Bolthouse Chai tea, but I do not love oatmeal.  The texture is such a turn off to me.  The combo is good enough that it allows me to overlook the texture... mostly.  I am wondering if it might work with Cream of Wheat.  I'll be getting back to you on that one.

chai tea overnight oats

Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana (BKA Chicken Spinach thingees)

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/chicken-rollatini-with-spinach-alla.html

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 stuffed breast • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 194.7 • Fat: 7 g • Protein: 24.2 g • Carb: 7.2 g • Fiber: 1.5 g

• 8 thin chicken cutlets, 3 oz each
• 1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 6 tablespoons egg whites or egg beaters
• 5 oz frozen spinach, squeezed dry of any liquid
• 6 tbsp part skim ricotta cheese
• 6 oz part skim mozzarella (I used Polly-O)
• olive oil non-stick spray (I use my Misto)
• 1 cup pomodoro sauce or your favorite marinara sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Wash and dry cutlets, season with salt and pepper.  Preheat oven to 450°. Lightlyspray a baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and 2 tbsp grated cheese in one bowl and 1/4 cup egg beaters or egg whites in another.

Shred or finely chop 1.5 oz of mozzarella cheese and combine with remaining grated cheese, spinach (make sure you squeeze it dry), 2 tbsp egg beaters, and ricotta cheese.

Lay chicken cutlets down on a working surface and spread 2 tbsp of spinach-cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one and keep seam side down.

Dip chicken in egg mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down in a baking dish (no toothpicks needed). Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray with olive oil.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with sauce then cheese.Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 more minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side and grated cheese.

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What I'm eating...

RR is one of those people who can eat the same thing day in and day out, I am not.  So last Sunday in a fit of "rebellion", I cooked.

I broke out the Crockpot and tried out this Cuban Braised Beef & Peppers  recipe from yumsugar.com

SLOW COOKER CUBAN BRAISED BEEF AND PEPPERS

Ingredients

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 red bell peppers, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut crosswise into thirds
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 avocado, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Nestle the steak among the vegetables. Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
2. Twenty-five minutes before serving, cook the rice according to the package directions.
3. Using two forks, shred the beef and mix it into the cooking liquid. Serve with the rice and top with the avocado and cilantro.

Serves 4.

Being a Crock Pot recipe, its was VERY easy to make, but hard to resist once it started cooking, and the aroma filled my house!  8 hours later I had a delicious plate of this! You'll notice that I used brown rice instead of the long grain white rice, the recipe called for.

It made a lot for 2 people, later in the week, we re-purposed it with 100% whole wheat flour tortillas into tacos, fajitas and burritos.  It was delicious, the RR has taken to calling it "Chipotle" Which is a HIGH compliment.

I also plan to mix up my lunch later this week with this

5-Minute Turkey, Avocado, and Hummus Wrap

Ingredients

1 whole wheat tortilla
2-3 tablespoons red pepper hummus
3 slices low-sodium deli turkey
1/4 avocado, sliced
Pickle slices

Directions

Spread tortilla with hummus, then layer on turkey, avocado, and pickle slices. Roll, then slice. Makes 1 wrap.

I'll probably use the Primo Taglio Oven Roasted Chicken from our local deli, in lieu of the turkey, purely out of taste preference, but this seems like a awesome alternative to my standard boring sandwich.

Until next time,

Candydiva04

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Balancing Act

I recently did a “strange” thing, which isn’t really that strange if you know me, but if you’re a stranger reading this blog it is. I started a bakery. Almost a decade ago, someone asked me in an interview what my passion is? It took me several more years before I figured out that I was passionate about baking. Nothing brings me more peace or happiness than the art of creating something by hand that other people eat and enjoy. Even more so when, my baked goods are able to enhance someone’s special occasion, I would love to enhance my skillset to the point where I can do Wedding Cakes. Anyways, after years of people telling me I could and should sell my confections and me balking at it because I didn’t want the necessity of it to suck the fun out of it. However, I recently realized that as long as I don’t quit my day job, I really don’t have much to lose because if it starts sucking the fun out of baking for me, I can stop and go back to baking for leisure.

However, I would love, Love, LOVE for this business to be successful enough for me to open a storefront. Ideally, I’d open a bakery/coffee shop, maybe next to my RR and his brother’s auto boutique so that people waiting on their cars can eat, drink and hang out. But either way, it works out, it’s a dream I’d love to see come to fruition.

Why am I babbling about my bakery and love of baking on a fitness blog? Because eating test cakes and spoonful of batter to make sure the ingredients I occasionally add all willy nilly, actually make the batter taste the way I want it to, are KILLING my weight loss goals. I made some serious progress the week before I officially launched my bakery, now that it’s up & running, and I have a few orders and requests. I bake almost every day, and in the past week I’ve gained 3-4lbs. I also took 5 days off from the gym to hang out with a friend who was in town, but I’m wondering how I’m going to align my work out goals with the career goals associated with my 9-5, and the career goals associated with my new bakery. It might require me to start doing 2 a days, maybe some morning yoga while RR showers, and then my standard evening workout… and a few weekend work outs… I don’t know. But I’m going to have to find a way to make it work!

Today’s weigh in – 142.2

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Girl Scout cookies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Its that time of year (well one of many) when sweets and sugary goodness are all around. More specifically Girl Scout cookies!

Trefoils are my FAVE!! Fortunately they seem to be one of the better choices according to SparkPeople's best and Worst Girl Scout Cookie List.

Trefoils are probably the safest since they're winning in several categories including Lowest Fat, Lowest Calorie, and Shortest Ingredient list.

Shortbread (Trefoils)

Shortbread (called Trefoils in some regions cookies) contain just 4.5 grams of fat for a four-cookie serving. As a bonus, the Shortbread variety is also the lowest-sugar Girl Scout cookie, containing just 1 gram of sugar each.

You probably want to eat the most cookies you can for the least amount of calories, right? So which Girl Scout cookie will give you the biggest bang for your calorie buck? Shortbread is the winner! You can indulge in five cookies for a reasonable 120 calories.

If you're looking to minimize your intake of unpronounceable ingredients or highly processed foods, then looking to the length of the ingredients list is one way to find something more wholesome. Both the Shout Outs! and Shortbread cookies contain just 10 ingredients.

Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties)

These are my 2nd fave girl scout cookie and while they won the title of Lowest Carb Cookie. They also hold the title of highest fat cookie.
Girl Scout cookies aren't exactly "low-carb," but if you're counting carbs for diabetes management, Tagalongs (called Peanut Butter Patties in some regions) weigh in with the lowest carbohydrate count: 13 grams of carbohydrate per two-cookie serving.
Highest-Fat Girl Scout Cookie: Tagalongs are the worst with 9 grams of fat in just two cookies. While eating dietary fat doesn't make you fat, processed treats like cookies generally use less-than-healthy fat sources that you should try to limit.

Samoas (Caramel deLites)

Samoas (called Caramel deLites in certain regions) are among the highest-calorie, highest-sugar, and highest-fat Girl Scout cookies available, but if they are your all-time favorite, take comfort in this: they contain the most fiber thanks to the coconut.

But wait! Before you start ordering these chewy, coconutty delights in bulk, take heed--they are not exactly "high" in fiber. Two Samoas contain just 1 gram of fiber, which accounts for a measly 5% of your Daily Value. Clearly, you'd be much better off getting your fiber from healthier sources, like bran cereals (10 grams per serving!) or veggies.
Girl Scout Cookie Highest in Saturated Fat: Steer clear of the Caramel deLites, two of which will set you back 6 grams of saturated fat--that's 29% of your Daily Value!

Savannah Smiles and Do-si-dos

If you're keeping an eye on your saturated fat intake, the Savannah Smiles and Do-si-dos are your best bets. Each contain just 1.5 grams of saturated fat per two- or five-cookie serving, respectively.

Highest-Carb Girl Scout Cookie: The Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies, contain twice the amount of carbs for a three-cookie serving: 26 grams!
Lowest-Fiber Girl Scout Cookies: All other Girl Scout cookies contain 0 grams of fiber.
Highest-Calorie Girl Scout Cookie: If you're looking to maximize your cookie volume, you might want to stay away from the Thanks-a-Lot cookies; you'll down 150 calories in just two crumbly, chocolaty discs.

Longest Ingredients List: Samoas, which list 20 ingredients on the box!

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Food dairy 2/23

Breakfast: Protein shake (1 scoop Banana Cream flavor Muscle Milk, a whole banana, and approximately 10 oz of water - 255 calories) - Total 255 Calories

Morning Snack: Yoplait Thick and creamy Vanilla low fat yogurt - 180 calories

Lunch: Lean Cusine Chicken, spinach and mushroom panini- 310 calories; Safeway Organic Creamy Garden Tomato Soup ~3/4cup - 239 calories; TOTAL - 549

Took my vitamins and allergy meds at lunch. (60 mg Ginko Biloba, 1200mg Fish Oil, Nature's way Alive! Women's energy Vitamin) - TOTAL 12.5 calories

Dinner: Homemade Chicken Wrap - Chicken marinated in McCormick's Mesquite Marinade mix (baked) - 290 calories, Sargento Low fat Mexican cheese 1/8 cup - 40 calories, Canola Oil Mayo - 40 calories, Mission 100% Whole Wheat Tortilla 0 130 calories TOTAL - 500 calories

After Dinner I took a Fish Oil pill and another Ginko Biloba - 12.5 Calories

For a Grand total of 1534 calories

I normally drink a protein shake after the gym but I got distracted by stinky trash (don't you hate that?!?!?) and forgot.

Workout

Superset
*Hamstring curls (done on a leg lift machine. Stand facing the back of the chair, and kick your leg back towards your butt) 15 reps @30-40lbs (3 sets total) then
*Leg Raises (on "machine") 15 reps, no weight (3 sets total) then
*Forearm Curls 15 reps, 10lbs (3 sets total), 30 seconds to stretch as needed then back to hamstring curls.

Superset
Hamstring curls (1 set of each back to back)
15 reps @80lbs (3 sets total) then
12 reps @95lbs (3 sets total)
in between sets of hamstring curls did 2 sets of Glute/ham/raises (not sure hat its really called but its a machine here your standing and one leg at a time you lift your leg, like a one legged march, and as you lift that leg you push up the bar and weight) 15 reps, 90lbs (3 sets of 2 sets)
then back to Hamstring curls.

Deadlifts- 3 sets of 15 reps with bar (then RR decided I needed a 5lb weight on each side) so 1.5 reps with just the bar, and 1.5 reps with 10 lbs.

Calf raises machine (RR is gonna have to chime in in the comments and tell you guys how much weight was actually on there)
15 reps, 40 lbs (guestimating) 3 sets total after each set he increased the weight
15 reps, 50 lbs (still guesstimating) 3 sets total, then
15 reps, 70 lbs, (still guesstimating) 3 sets total, after this set he decreased to 50lbs, then 40 lbs, then added weight back to 50, and 70, and then decreased it again.


After this Double R had something else planned but I was already kinda pissed that since tommorow is hair day, which as every black woman knows means that today should have been hardcore cardio day and NOT hardcore leg day. So I said eff that and hit the treadmill. Ran/walked for 34min and burnt ~234 calories (Feel free to either tell RR or leave a comment about how wrong he was for today's workout)

Here's hoping I can drive my (stick shift) car to hair salon tomorrow. If not, RR is gonna have one ANGRY black woman on his hands. :/

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Food Diary

So this weekend was particularly horrible in terms of food choices and I got no exercise in (unless you count cutting my grass), and I haven't been taking my vitamins not even my iron pills. smh

RR and I had a small cookout yesterday, which is probably the source of the problem, but it was fun, delicious and worth it!!! (i think)

Saturday

Breakfast: I started the morning off with another bowl of honey nut cheerios,

Lunch: Some fried crab wontons and a snapple,

Dinner: Turkey burger with cheese; tomato, cucumber and onion salad, mixed fruit, (at least i got some fruits and veggies in!!) a red velvet cupcake, a tastycake lemon cupcake with ice cream (pure heaven), and a couple of Smirnoff ices.

Sunday

This morning RR & I indulged my IHOP craving. I'm currently weighing in at 148.4 (yikes!!)

Gotta do better this week!! On the upside I reordered my protein shake (pictured below), and I bought some soy milk. So I'm gonna get back to doing my morning protein shake, which is also chock full of protein, vitamins and other goodies, so that'll help out on days like today when i forget to take my vitamins. :-)

Maybe I'll take a jog or ride my bike around the neighborhood... :-/ Doubtful tho.

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