After Jacob was born and I returned to school, I managed to get back to near my pre-baby weight. And I did this by eating hamburgers every day. Not special silly tofu burgers or sandwiches pretending to be burgers but nastily delicious fast food burgers! This just seems wrong doesn't it? Don't you all hate me right now?
If you love fast food burgers but are watching your weight (hopefully watching it decrease not increase), then let me introduce you to the HAMBURGER DIET! It goes something like this:
My favorite hamburger at Dairy Queen is the 1/4 pounder Classic with Cheese. Normally, this burger is packed with 560 calories. Let's not even go into grams of fat shall we? BUT, if you order this burger without cheese (90 calories) and then remove the bun (190 calories), then you can eat the patty with ketchup, tomatoes and pickles like a pizza slice or even fold the patty in half like a taco. A third option is to wrap the patty in lettuce leaves- which is my personal fav. This bunless, cheeseless "burger" is only 270 calories!
I ate this for dinner multiple times a week on my way home from class. It always hit the spot. I was still splurging on greasy fast food and I was still getting 18 grams of protein. I didn't feel like I was dieting at all. And a dinner that is under 300 calories is a great way to trim down. If you are lucky like me, you can order yoru husband a full burger meal and then steal a handful of fries to wash the burger down with...my only weakness in life = fries...yummmmmm.
DELICIOUS HAMBURGER DIET!! You will never hate dieting again! (unless maybe you are a vegetarian?)
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Me & My Latte
Coffee is pretty revolting stuff. Straight up black coffee smells, tastes, and looks like it could peel the lining right off your stomach and small intestines. I have absolutely always hated coffee.
Then I went to law school. After too many consecutive mornings where I felt like a card carrying member of the walking dead and too many late nights huddled over my incomprehensable property notes, I became desperate. Desperate enough to plug my nose and chug down a cup of bitterness. I eventually became inventive and started to douse the bitterness with some milk and five packets of sugar. Try a latte? A frappucino? A carmel maciatto? No way. I'm not paying $4 for a drink I can't even pronounce.
I stuck to my tall drip with room (topped off with half a cup of milk and five packets of slenda) for two years. My drink was tolerable, starting to grow on me. My drink was affordable. And I was caffeinated. Mission Accomplished. I even splurged once in a while and ordered a shot of vanilla syrup.
Then one day in June 2008, my "tall drip with room" world was turned crazily on its head. On my way to work, I stopped in at the local coffee stand and asked for a tall drip with room and a shot of vanilla. Hmm, odd. The price came in a little high but I was late for work and didn't stop to check my order. I also noticed that the drink took a little longer to make. Finally they handed me my Cup of Life. I rushed to my office as fast as I could.
About a block away, I finally took a sip. The taste was, surprisingly, amazingly DELICIOUS. This wasn't my normal drink! My receipt revealed that I was drinking a tall vanilla latte. OMG, the milk was deliciously steamed and it mixed wonderfully with the shot of vanilla. There was just the slightest hint of coffee flavor swirling around in the background.
If heaven had a taste, I knew it was staring back at me in my coffee cup.
So this is what I've been missing out on?! From that moment on, I have not been able to go back to my old world of drip coffee. I'm officially addicted to vanilla lattes, irregardless of price and irregardless of calorie content. My morning is just not the same when I skip my latte. And why should I? That would be like eating an oreo without the white frosting filling!
Then I went to law school. After too many consecutive mornings where I felt like a card carrying member of the walking dead and too many late nights huddled over my incomprehensable property notes, I became desperate. Desperate enough to plug my nose and chug down a cup of bitterness. I eventually became inventive and started to douse the bitterness with some milk and five packets of sugar. Try a latte? A frappucino? A carmel maciatto? No way. I'm not paying $4 for a drink I can't even pronounce.
I stuck to my tall drip with room (topped off with half a cup of milk and five packets of slenda) for two years. My drink was tolerable, starting to grow on me. My drink was affordable. And I was caffeinated. Mission Accomplished. I even splurged once in a while and ordered a shot of vanilla syrup.
Then one day in June 2008, my "tall drip with room" world was turned crazily on its head. On my way to work, I stopped in at the local coffee stand and asked for a tall drip with room and a shot of vanilla. Hmm, odd. The price came in a little high but I was late for work and didn't stop to check my order. I also noticed that the drink took a little longer to make. Finally they handed me my Cup of Life. I rushed to my office as fast as I could.
About a block away, I finally took a sip. The taste was, surprisingly, amazingly DELICIOUS. This wasn't my normal drink! My receipt revealed that I was drinking a tall vanilla latte. OMG, the milk was deliciously steamed and it mixed wonderfully with the shot of vanilla. There was just the slightest hint of coffee flavor swirling around in the background.
If heaven had a taste, I knew it was staring back at me in my coffee cup.
So this is what I've been missing out on?! From that moment on, I have not been able to go back to my old world of drip coffee. I'm officially addicted to vanilla lattes, irregardless of price and irregardless of calorie content. My morning is just not the same when I skip my latte. And why should I? That would be like eating an oreo without the white frosting filling!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Another Amazing Recipe: Morrocon Steak Roast
I never make steak. Getting the grill fired up is just too big of an obstacle and forces me to leave the safety of my kitchen and the familiarity of my oven. But I have been wanting steak lately, must be needing some iron or something, so when our local grocery superstore had this free steak recipe on display- I jumped on it.
This recipe involved pan roasting- a technique I have never used before- but it yields the most AMAZING, tender and juicy steaks ever! It's so simple and requires only an oven with a stove.
First, mix the spices:
1 Tbsp cumin
1/2 Tbsp ground peppercorn
1 Tbsp smoked paprika (I used regular)
1 Tbsp garlic powder (I used garlic salt)
1/2 Tbsp kosher salt
1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
1/2 or 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/8 cup (maybe 2 Tbsp?) powdered hot chocolate
Take the spice mix and rub it into your rib eye roast. I first brushed olive oil on it, then rubbed the spices in and let it sit for an hour- I don't know if this made any difference.
Then you take the meat - still heavily coated- and cook it in olive oil over high heat on each side for about 1.5 minutes each, just until each side is brown. Finally, stick the whole pan with the steak in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Turn the steaks over about halfway through. The steak is done when it reaches an internal temperature of about 155.
The best steak ever- so juicy and tender and full of flavor. My husband thought I marinated it for days.
This recipe involved pan roasting- a technique I have never used before- but it yields the most AMAZING, tender and juicy steaks ever! It's so simple and requires only an oven with a stove.
First, mix the spices:
1 Tbsp cumin
1/2 Tbsp ground peppercorn
1 Tbsp smoked paprika (I used regular)
1 Tbsp garlic powder (I used garlic salt)
1/2 Tbsp kosher salt
1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
1/2 or 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/8 cup (maybe 2 Tbsp?) powdered hot chocolate
Take the spice mix and rub it into your rib eye roast. I first brushed olive oil on it, then rubbed the spices in and let it sit for an hour- I don't know if this made any difference.
Then you take the meat - still heavily coated- and cook it in olive oil over high heat on each side for about 1.5 minutes each, just until each side is brown. Finally, stick the whole pan with the steak in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Turn the steaks over about halfway through. The steak is done when it reaches an internal temperature of about 155.
The best steak ever- so juicy and tender and full of flavor. My husband thought I marinated it for days.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
My Humps on Cinde De Mayo
For Cinco de Mayo we payed our tribute to the Mexican culture and joined every family in our neighborhood for dinner at the local Mexican restaraunt. I knew it would be busy, but the place was packed! The only seat available was the one by the humongous subwoofers blaring mariachi band music.
I didn't really mind, but I don't think I've ever yelled the word "what?" so many times during the course of one meal.
Halfway through dinner the mariachi band music was suddenly replaced by a familiar sounding pop beat. My husband and I looked at each other like, "what's this?" Then Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas started booming "My Humps" into the quaint Mexican atmosphere.
I took a big bite of my Super Burrito. "My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps." Delicious. It didn't take long to discover that it was the unedited version. The word "ass" blared into our ears a handful of times. I was kind of embarrassed for all the parents with their young children seated around us.
The three minute song seemed to last a life-time. I've never been so happy to hear Fergie's voice go away. Thanfully, the mariachi band came back. I don't know what it is but a burrito just doesn't taste the same without the sound of violins, trumpets and maracas in the background.
I didn't really mind, but I don't think I've ever yelled the word "what?" so many times during the course of one meal.
Halfway through dinner the mariachi band music was suddenly replaced by a familiar sounding pop beat. My husband and I looked at each other like, "what's this?" Then Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas started booming "My Humps" into the quaint Mexican atmosphere.
I took a big bite of my Super Burrito. "My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps." Delicious. It didn't take long to discover that it was the unedited version. The word "ass" blared into our ears a handful of times. I was kind of embarrassed for all the parents with their young children seated around us.
The three minute song seemed to last a life-time. I've never been so happy to hear Fergie's voice go away. Thanfully, the mariachi band came back. I don't know what it is but a burrito just doesn't taste the same without the sound of violins, trumpets and maracas in the background.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
You Know You're Old When The Word Prom Makes You Think Of, Not Yours, But Your Future Kid's Prom
When I got married, we moved right into the city. It's a small city with a small downtown and it still has rural elements to it. But it's fun to live right in the action and near everything...even if it means hearing police sirens at night. We went out for dinner and actually WALKED. It was nice. It took ten scenic minutes- we walked near the water and across a bridge, the mountains were hovering in the background- it was beautiful.
We went to one of my favorite restaurants. It's called the Boat Shed and its on the water, literally. Part of the restaurant is held up by piers over a saltwater inlet. In fact, people can drive their boats up to the reastaurant, tie it to the dock and walk up for dinner. There are some pictures on their website http://www.theboatshedrestaurant.com/. The Boat Shed serves a great selection of seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and a number of excellent salads. Almost every table is by a window and EVERY table has a view of the water. There is a bar area and they serve good beer and fun drinks...only 123 days until I can have a lemon drop! Woo hoo :)
Seated out on the patio was a group of highschoolers all dressed up for a formal dance. They looked really cute seated in pairs. Then there was a bulbous girl hobbling around awkwardly in heels- it looked like she was going to tip over. I'm only 23, those highschool days aren't that far behind me. But it feels like forever ago. Anyway, seeing this group reminded me of my dances. I loved dancing! The excitement of getting dressed up and hanging out with my girls. Of course, I was lame and never had a date- except for prom. I was always pretty shy at school. I didn't want to stand out for fear of what people thought about me.
I was a completely different person at our school dances. I rocked the dance floor. It felt good moving with the music and didn't care what people thought- in fact, as ridiculous and wacky as my dance moves were (cringe) people actually tried to emulate them! At dances, I was all about having fun, even if it meant looking silly doing it-- and people always wanted to join in. I think not having to worry about impressing a date helped a lot too.
Now that we're going to have a baby, I found myself thinking about the day my own kids will go off to prom all dressed up. I definately look forward to it. But I still feel too young to be thinking about that kind of thing. I know it will be exciting to watch my boy, in a tux, bring bring his prom date to meet us. That is, if he doesn't hate us by then. Then I realized what I was thinking about and it kind of freaked me out.
Every now and then, I catch myself thinking old matronly thoughts and it makes me shudder. While I'm totally gonna be a hip and hot mom (wink), I'm still young myself. I guess it all happens in time, I just don't want to be too eager for the future and miss out on the now.
We went to one of my favorite restaurants. It's called the Boat Shed and its on the water, literally. Part of the restaurant is held up by piers over a saltwater inlet. In fact, people can drive their boats up to the reastaurant, tie it to the dock and walk up for dinner. There are some pictures on their website http://www.theboatshedrestaurant.com/. The Boat Shed serves a great selection of seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and a number of excellent salads. Almost every table is by a window and EVERY table has a view of the water. There is a bar area and they serve good beer and fun drinks...only 123 days until I can have a lemon drop! Woo hoo :)
Seated out on the patio was a group of highschoolers all dressed up for a formal dance. They looked really cute seated in pairs. Then there was a bulbous girl hobbling around awkwardly in heels- it looked like she was going to tip over. I'm only 23, those highschool days aren't that far behind me. But it feels like forever ago. Anyway, seeing this group reminded me of my dances. I loved dancing! The excitement of getting dressed up and hanging out with my girls. Of course, I was lame and never had a date- except for prom. I was always pretty shy at school. I didn't want to stand out for fear of what people thought about me.
I was a completely different person at our school dances. I rocked the dance floor. It felt good moving with the music and didn't care what people thought- in fact, as ridiculous and wacky as my dance moves were (cringe) people actually tried to emulate them! At dances, I was all about having fun, even if it meant looking silly doing it-- and people always wanted to join in. I think not having to worry about impressing a date helped a lot too.
Now that we're going to have a baby, I found myself thinking about the day my own kids will go off to prom all dressed up. I definately look forward to it. But I still feel too young to be thinking about that kind of thing. I know it will be exciting to watch my boy, in a tux, bring bring his prom date to meet us. That is, if he doesn't hate us by then. Then I realized what I was thinking about and it kind of freaked me out.
Every now and then, I catch myself thinking old matronly thoughts and it makes me shudder. While I'm totally gonna be a hip and hot mom (wink), I'm still young myself. I guess it all happens in time, I just don't want to be too eager for the future and miss out on the now.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Best Recipe In The Entire World: Cuban Chicken
I grew up hating chicken. If you ever came to my house for dinner you would find yourself awaiting a meal of either (1) chicken and rice, or (2) chicken and potatoes. And my mom always cooked her chicken the same way every time- oven roasted. I began to associate chicken with bland, boring and repetative.
When I got older and had to start cooking for myself I realized that chicken, although I hated it, was the easiest and most versatile thing to cook with. There is so much you can do with chicken! I can't believe we had chicken prepared the same way for 18 years of my life when there were so mnay other options out there. Chicken with mangos and onions, chicken curry, chicken stuffed with cheese...and now I am proud to announce my very new favorite chicken recipe: Cuban Mojo Chicken!
I started to watch the food network when I run on the treadmill. Like all good foods, that channel is addicting! I just discovered this hilarious show called "Paula's Party" or something. It stars this old, large spunky woman with a southern accent who likes to dance. She's so wacky that she's kinda funny...anyway, on her show she had a recipe for cuban mojo chicken- which is chicken marinated in cuban sauce. I tried the recipe last night from what I could remember from watching the show.
The chicken was SO EASY to make, and it was INCREDIBLE. It was juicy and kinda spicey and perfect! Straight from a fancy restaurant's menu.
I tried the recipe out on my dad and my husband and they were both amazed. This recipe is definately a keeper. I will have to remember to make it next time I go to a party or a potluck. I don't have exact measurements for ingredients because I didn't write it down when I saw the show, but I think you can put in any amount of the ingredients according to your preferences and it will still be awesome.
From what I remember:
When I got older and had to start cooking for myself I realized that chicken, although I hated it, was the easiest and most versatile thing to cook with. There is so much you can do with chicken! I can't believe we had chicken prepared the same way for 18 years of my life when there were so mnay other options out there. Chicken with mangos and onions, chicken curry, chicken stuffed with cheese...and now I am proud to announce my very new favorite chicken recipe: Cuban Mojo Chicken!
I started to watch the food network when I run on the treadmill. Like all good foods, that channel is addicting! I just discovered this hilarious show called "Paula's Party" or something. It stars this old, large spunky woman with a southern accent who likes to dance. She's so wacky that she's kinda funny...anyway, on her show she had a recipe for cuban mojo chicken- which is chicken marinated in cuban sauce. I tried the recipe last night from what I could remember from watching the show.
The chicken was SO EASY to make, and it was INCREDIBLE. It was juicy and kinda spicey and perfect! Straight from a fancy restaurant's menu.
I tried the recipe out on my dad and my husband and they were both amazed. This recipe is definately a keeper. I will have to remember to make it next time I go to a party or a potluck. I don't have exact measurements for ingredients because I didn't write it down when I saw the show, but I think you can put in any amount of the ingredients according to your preferences and it will still be awesome.
From what I remember:
- 1 yellow onion, minced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 ounces of orange juice
- 5 ounces of lime juice
- 5 ounces of lemon juice
- heaps of pepper (or ground peppercorn)
- teaspoon of salt
- cumin
- oregano
- garlic powder
- fresh chopped parsley
Put all this together in a bowl and marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a couple hours in the fridge. Then cook it all in a sauce pan over medium high heat until the chicken is done- about 30 minutes. The chicken was so full of flavor! And the sauce left in the pan is really good to spoon over more chicken or use to dip rolls in. It goes really well with pasta.
I challenge you to try this recipe, I promise you'll love it! To top it all off, this was the first time in a while that my smoke alarms haven't gone off while I was cooking! Why does that always happen?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
