The Good and the Bad

"For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:10


      Sorry about last week guys.  Life didn't give me much time for blogging.

FOOD

Original Photo

     So this past week I finally tried this one recipe I've been wanting to try forever!  Coconut crusted chicken tenders, and oh my goodness they were amazing!!!  Deffinatly better than the Quinoa burgers! 

    I altered the recipe just a little bit.  It calls for corn flakes, but I used almond meal instead to make it healthier.  I also ended up baking them twice as long because they just weren't coming out the way I wanted.  I also drizzled some virgin coconut oil for some extra coconut flavor and also to make them crispier.  I also made some honey mustard to go with them.  Just use some Grey Poupon Horse Radish mustard, honey, and garlic powder.  I didn't measure anything, I just made it to taste.

     You might get a little frustrated with this recipe, but keep working with it until they come out the way you want.  Everything is a learning experience.  I almost gave up, but I'm so happy I didn't!!!

My Photo! :D

Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders

Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast, cut into 2" bites
• 2 cups corn flakes, crushed
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (you certainly add more for a bit more heat)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375° and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a shallow bowl mix corn flakes, coconut, ginger, salt, and pepper.
3. In another shallow bowl beat egg and milk.
4. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture then into the corn flake mixture. Press to ensure the corn flakes stick. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.
5. Serve with a honey mustard dipping sauce. This served me and my 2 boys but I doubled the recipe to serve my family (I had some huge chicken breasts!)

Source: http://www.budgetgourmetmom.com/kids-can-cook-toosday-crunchy-coconut-chicken/

FITNESS

Progress June 17th

     I've been making a lot of progress, but I haven't reached my goal.  But I realized the goal I was trying to reach, losing 10lbs in three weeks, was kind of unrealistic.  But I am happy and proud of how my body is starting to look.  Even though I've only lost about half of what I was going for, I am looking slimmer, and feeling much better.  And that's really is the most important part.  If you're paying attention to just what the scale says, you're going to psyche your self out before you even start.  That's one of my biggest problems.  Also, I've been extremely unmotivated this past week and a half, and that's drastically effected my progress.  Not only have I skipped my work outs, but I also haven't been eating as clean as I should be.  And, on top of all that, I've been extremely stressed out about a lot of things.  Just one of these things is bad enough, but piling them all on top of each other can cause major back tracking.  Right now for me, I need to keep my mind focused on the positive.  Because if you don't have the right mind set, you will not succeed!

WRITING/LITERATURE

 

     The saddest, and most difficult part of writing my blog is this section.  When I started this, I thought I would have a lot more to offer considering this category, but I was wrong.  So, forgive me if this section continues to be a little dry.

    If anyone has any suggestions on what to fill this section with, message me and let me know!

PIECE OF MIND 

My advice for this week.  Do not hold your tongue.  A few of you might know what I'm talking about...  If you have a problem with something or someone, do not stay quiet!  Speak up, and let others know what's bothering you.  It lets others understand you better, and it lets them know you care about them.  No one wants to be left in the dark. 





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Most photos found through Google search.  I do not own, nor take credit for any of them. 

  

June 14th

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

     I'm really excited about this week's post!  I was able to get a lot more done and put a lot more substance into it!

FOOD

What they're supposed to look like...

...what mine looked like. :-/

 I finally got around to making the quinoa burgers, and to tell you the truth, I was disappointed.  I don't know if you remember the recipe for the broccoli bites I posted a while ago, but I thought the quinoa burgers would come out tasting similar to those. I was wrong.  To me, they tasted like a cross between veggie burgers and corn bread.  They were too sweet in my opinion, and just not satisfying like I thought they would be.  And it took me a while to figure out how to cook them properly.  But none the less, I shall grant you with the recipe and hope you enjoy them more than I did.  Oh!  And in case anyone is wondering where I get these recipes, I get 99.9% of them from Pinterest.  Endless ideas and possibilities on that site.

Quinoa Burgers

2 rounded cups cooked quinoa (see note below for cooking instructions)

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other variety, if you prefer)

1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1 medium carrot, finely grated (OR 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed dry)

3 eggs

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 green onions, including white parts

1 /2 teaspoon Splenda or sugar

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Olive oil for frying

.

To cook quinoa for the above recipe:

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a medium saucepan bring the 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat.  Add quinoa and reduce heat to low.  Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the seeds are tender.  Allow to cool for a few minutes.
.

In a large bowl combine the 2 rounded cups of cooked quinoa, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, green onions, Splenda, pepper, cumin, salt, and garlic powder.

(To help them stay in patty form and not fall apart, I cook them on med-low slowly so they have longer to set-up without burning.  Makes them easier to flip, too.)  Heat a frying pan and a couple teaspoons olive oil over medium-low heat.  Mixture will be slightly sticky, so using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop mixture into pan and lightly flatten to 1/2 inch thick.  Fry until golden-brown, about 4 minutes on each side.   Makes approx. 10 burgers.

Per burger:  Calories 132; Protein 8 g; Fat 5 g; NET Carbs 12 g; (Fiber 2 g); Sugar 0 g; Sodium 200 mg

                       

  

FITNESS

 

Left: Monday, June10th Right: Friday (Today), June 14th

     I've set a goal for my self to lose 10lbs by July 1st.  As you can see by the pictures above, I'm already making progress!  (FYI: I'm not sucking it in! XP)  And the way I'm planning on doing that is to keep a strict diet of lean red meats, healthy fats, and both simple and complex carbs.  I'm also going to be exercising at least 5 days a week (cardio at least 4 days), and properly resting my body.  And I've been doing a couple 30 day ab challenges just for fun.  And let me tell you, they are kicking me butt!  They seem simple enough on paper, but once you start actually doing them, you'll want to give up.  But you already know giving up doesn't get you anywhere!

     If you're also interested in looking better before all the 4th of July pool parties and BBQ's, message me and I'd be happy to give you some exercises, diet plans, ideas and pointers.  PLEASE NOTE: I am not a personal trainer, nutritionist, or a doctor.  All advice and information I give is just my opinion.  I can not/will not be held responsible for any injuries caused by unsafe/unhealthy diet or exercise.

     

WRIGHTING/LITRITURE

     One of my favorite books of all time!!!

Gashlycrumb Tinies
By Edward Gorey


A is for Amy who fell down the stairs.

B is for Basil assaulted by bears.

C is for Clara who wasted away.

D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh.

E is for Ernest who choked on a peach.

F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leech.

G is for George smothered under a rug.

H is for Hector done in by a thug.

I is for Ida who drowned in a lake.

J is for James who took lye by mistake.

K is for Kate who was struck with an axe.

L is for Leo who swallowed some tacks.

M is for Maud who was swept out to sea.

N is for Neville who died of ennui.

O is for Olive run through with an awl.

P is for Prue trampled flat in a brawl.

Q is for Quentin who sank on a mire.

R is for Rhoda consumed by a fire.

S is for Susan who perished of fits.

T is for Titus who flew into bits.

U is for Una who slipped down a drain.

V is for Victor squashed under a train.

W is for Winnie embedded in ice.

X is for Xerxes devoured by mice.

Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in.

Z is for Zillah who drank too much gin.

PIECE OF MIND

     Looking for something fun to do in the next couple of months?  Check out the events and festivals Los Angeles has going on.

6/13 to 623

Los Angeles Film Festival 

 Located at FIGat7th Plaza, Grand Park, LACMA, Grand Performances, The Academy Lab 

     This 19-year-old film festival showcases independent features, and has also premiered such hits as The Devil Wears Prada and Sunshine. It connects filmmakers, industry professionals and emerging talent.

Source: http://losangeles.about.com/od/Summer_Events_in_Los_Angeles/tp/June-Events-Los-Angeles.htm

06/09/2013 to 08/29/2013
Summer Movie Fest
Located at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge CA 91330 (818) 677-2477

     Movies are Free -$6 per car to park in campus lots. - Come enjoy free outdoor movies every thursday (except the 4th of July) on the beautiful campus of CSU Northridge. Summer Movie Fest includes games and give-aways each week, free face painters, and a variety of surprises designed to make each week's movie come to life. Pre-event fun starts at 6 pm; movies start at dusk. Bring your own picnic dinner, or enjoy our weekly featured food truck - we'll announce the next week's truck at each movie event. Kettle corn, fresh lemonade and other goodies for sale. Scheduled movies are: June 6- Back to the Future; June 13 - Brave; June 20 - Jurassic Park, June 27 - Talladega Nights - The Ballad of Ricky Bobby; July 4 - no movie; July 11 - Toy Story 3; July 18 - Elf (enjoy christmas in july!); July 25 - Wreck it Ralph; August 1 - Finding Nemo; August 8 - Bridesmaids; August 15 - Grease (sing a long), August 22 - Pitch Perfect; August 29 - Anchorman.

Source: http://eyespyla.com/www/thebuzz.nsf/49a4964c0944f62888256f2500703ea1/6366592dc9e12b0085257b73007aaf10!OpenDocument 

     Those are just a couple great events happening this summer.  Check out what else L.A. has in store!

http://eyespyla.com/www/thebuzz.nsf/457fe5b571dabc0288256eaf007c316b/6271576ab7e0159d88256eaf007dc00f!OpenDocument 

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 Most photos found through Google search.  I do not own, nor take credit for any of them. 

  

 

New Look

2 Samuel 22:33 - God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.   

     I changed my look a bit!  I hope you guys like it! :D

FOOD

     I know I said I was going to try Quinoa Burgers, but that just didn't end up happening.  So, instead, my mother and I made Zucchini Lasagna.  And let me tell you, it was amazing!  Just as satisfying, if not more so, than traditional lasagna.  So here it is for your taste bud's pleasure! 

Zucchini Lasagna
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8 • Old Points: 8 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 345 • Fat: 17 g • Carbs: 16 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 36 g • Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 801 (without salt)

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb 93% lean beef
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
• 15 oz part-skim ricotta
• 16 oz part-skin mozzarella cheese, shredded (Sargento)
  
• 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1 large egg

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan, brown meat and season with salt. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat. Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30-40minutes, covered. Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick.  Meanwhile, slice zucchini into 1/8" thick slices, add lightly salt and set aside or 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked, salting it takes out a lot of moisture. After 10 minutes, blot excess moisture with a paper towel.

On a gas grill or grill pan, grill zucchini on each side, until cooked, about 1-2 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to soak any excess moisture.

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well.


In a 9x12 casserole spread some sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Then place some of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with the mozzarella cheese and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. Top with sauce and mozzarella and cover with foil.  Bake 45 minutes covered at 375°, then uncovered 15 minutes. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

Source: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/zucchini-lasagna.html

                       

  

FITNESS

     Get your self on track for summer with these yoga poses.  Next time you're at the beach, take some time and try them!

 {Yoga Girls} by Leah Goren

WRIGHTING/LITRITURE

     This is something I wrote out of the blue.  Most of my, er, "poems?" just come out of nothing.  I don't see my self as some great poet or writer, I just use words to release feelings I can't release other wise.

"And he cried out; "Destiny, sweet Destiny!  Where did I go wrong?"  I stared into his blood shot eyes with silence.  My sisters Chance, Fate, and Hope stood beside me.  We four were no longer apart of his life.  He would be dead in moments, and it was by his own doing.  He took matters into his own hands that were not his to take.  He wanted redemption.  Another chance.  Chance looked down to him and said, "My existence is not for your leisure.  Chance is not simply given, but earned.  This was not the way.”  He wanted to change his Fate. He looked to Fate and reached out his hand.  Fate looked to him and said, “You have already chosen your Fate.  And it would seem I was not the Fate you chose.”  Dropping his hand from his reach, he had nothing left but Hope.  He raised his eyes to Hope.  Hope kneeled down and placed her hand under his blood soaked, half creaked head and whispered; “You left what was left of me on the building top you leapt from.”  Hope stood next to her sisters Destiny, Chance, and Fate.  As the four started to fade, so did the man’s sight.  The things the man never fought for in life he could not fight hard enough for in death."

JUST A THOUGHT

     I've decided to promote my amazing friends and their talents this week!  So please, check them out!

Loera Disign and Photography

AB Graphics

NeverMorte

Becka Adams

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All photos were found through Google search.  I do not own, nor take credit for any of them.