Spaghetti with mussels and clams

I have not posted in a while. I have been more than busy, super busy, yet I found time to cook, work out and enjoy the long days. Sitting in front of a computer after 12 hours has not being my priority. So since summer is coming up (at least in FL) I am cooking dishes that are very light and juicy. Today’s recipe is spaghetti with clams and mussels.

Spaghetti with mussels and clams x 4

a box of barilla pasta (wheat or regular)

about 8 clams

about 8 mussels

5 cherry tomatoes

3 garlic cloves

1/2 cup of bread crumbs

olive oil

dry chili red pepper, salt, pepper

one lemon

1/2 cup of parsley

dry fish eggs

white wine

Clean under running water the shells of the mussels and clams. make sure they are sealed. If they are semi open or opened they are bad and you need to throw them away. In the mean time heat olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, chili red pepper, lemon juice and parsley. When everything starts getting gold and cook add the clams and mussels pour some white wine and cover with lid. Pretty much you are steaming them until they open. This should take 15-20 minutes but keep checking. You will notice the color of the mussels changing.

Cook and drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the fish mixture and make sure to amalgamate all ingredients. Serve in four different bowls. Sprinkle with olive oil, dry fish eggs and bread crumbs. The bread crumbs absorbs excess oil or liquid.

I love this recipe. It NEVER tastes fishy, it is light, refreshing and yummy.

Suck it up, don’t suck it in!

I have not really talked about working out or being physically active.  That’s because it is just more enjoyable talking about food and eating. Though, I do enjoy being active. I am not a big fan of the traditional concept of the gym advertised by Gold’s Gym or any of these types of business-oriented gyms. I feel uncomfortable and I can’t stand the smell of rubber.  When I think about working out I see fresh air, mountains, and the beach. Now, the gym is good because it provides structure and organization. The gym at school is awesome and the membership is included in tuition so that is one of the primary places in which I work out. I also jog by my house and do heat yoga at this cute place 5 minutes away from my house. Sometimes I do rock climbing, mountain bike, 5Ks, bricks and whatever I am exposed too. I like diversity because I get bored easily. I also noticed my body easily adopts to the same routine and hence I risk not seeing improvements.

For the first month I really concentrated on muscle building by doing Body Tone, steps, and abs classes. Those classes have been great. I am strong, have built resistance, but did not help me lose the 5 pounds of Christmas cookies that are comfortable sitting on my belly.

As a result, last week I finally decided to add cardio even thought it requires a lot of motivation because I am very lazy. I tried jogging for 20-30 minutes 3 times a week. On Sunday I do hot yoga. If you are not familiar hot yoga is a 90 minutes class of yoga in a room heated at 105 degree with humidity at 40%. It is not recommended for beginners. Actually it is very dangerous. I tried many years ago and almost puked and passed out. The only reason why I can handle it now it’s because I have built endurance by taking other yoga classes and body tone classes. What I like about hot yoga is that it detoxes you and RELAX you. I have never being that relax in all my life. Yes, you sweat and burn 900 calories if not more, but be smart: you are primarily losing liquids.

My goal is to do some kind of cardio 3 times a week and do body training twice a week. So far I have lost 1 pound since January 1, 2012. I lost a Santa Claus xmas cookie;) ahahhaah Damn you Santa:) I think it’s pretty good and healthy.

ps. I am sick. Drinking a lot of ginger tea, fresh orange juice, and soup. Let me show you the earrings I bought from this amazing artist from Chicago. Her name is Laura Lombardi. Reasonably priced. Check her website.

What’s the big deal with HFCS High Fructose Corn Syrup

Every time I watch the TV guide channel (I don’t have cable, so I rely on the TV guide channel to entertain myself) I get stuck watching the commercial sponsored and paid by the Corn Refiner Association (surprise!) where they assure that HFCS is “fine” in moderation. Too bad they don’t tell you that HFCS and corn syrup in general is not consumed in “moderation.” It is impossible because it is pretty much in everything we eat (bread, yogurt, cereals, cookies, chips, etc).

Corn Syrup (http://youtu.be/W40yHDFxkAY)

So in response to this campaign, this video was made explaining why indeed HFCS is not that “fine.” It’s a parody to the previous commercial.

Response to Ad (http://youtu.be/hYiEFu54o1E)

 

 

 

 

Busy, tired and hungry

So My laptop died on me. I was sad. I am very sad. I am emotionally attached to my laptop. It contains my life, also I do 100% of my work on the laptop and it is my only computer. You can imagine the hectic day I had in search of a computer to work on. I had no time to eat breakfast or lunch. Let me put it in other words: it did not cross my mind, until I got in the car at 430, driving home. I stopped at at the grocery to get a banana which I devoured in seconds and a bowl of milk with cereal. This is why it is bad and stupid not to prioritize eating. First, you get home and you want or eat everything imaginable that is stored in your house. You are at the peak of your weakness and you justify eating one week old chocolate cake bc you have not eaten all day. Second, you crush. You have no energy. I snacked on hummus and a tiny piece of chicken like a grilled strip then I took a bath and cooked dinner. I am making a French onion soup without the bread.
French onion soup – easy

k

Salted the onions in olive oil with salt and pepper. Cover with lid and cook until caramelized and soft. Place them in a bowl, set aside. In the same pot in which you cooked the onions add one or two teaspoons of organic beef base and add water (amount depends on # of people). Bring to boil.
In the toaster over place small ceramic containers with onions broth and grated gruyere cheese. Broil until cheese melts. That s it. Fast and satisfying. Ideal for busy nights and when you are starving bc your day was busy or sucked.

Now, broth base and broth already made is high in sodium which is not good for you. Ideally you will make your own, freeze it and use it. Realistically there are going to be days in which it is just not possible to be super healthy career woman mother and wife. If you can achieve all bravo to you. I am still trying to figure it out.

Indian Vegetarian Chili

I had a busy day today so I will get to the basics. It is the third day of low carb diet and work out regime to become strong and healthy and energized. In terms of energy I have plenty. I am amazed. I am not fatigue.
In terms of eating and recipe today I had the following:
Breakfast: I can’t remember. Is that bad?
Lunch: Greek yogurt with nuts and granola and dried fruit and honey, left over meatloaf.
Snack: apple
Dinner: I am excited and scare about dinner. You need to realize or at least I am realizing that being on a decent diet can be expensive because you eat mostly fresh produces and that can quickly add up. I am also a student so my budget is limited. Even thought I spend most of my money on food. So we spent $200 at the grocery few days ago and the fridge is getting empty quickly. I can t afford to spend other 200….. The solution is to find ways I can make good meals with whatever is left at home. I usually start using fresh produces because they go bad quickly and then I pass on to cans (I know cans are bad but again we need to be practical, to take small steps toward a better eating habits). Tonight I figured I would make a vegetarian chili with Indian spices. First I salted garlic, onions and left over fresh mushrooms with olive oil. I added my special blend of spices and Japanese rice vinegar. Next I added three different types of beans, one can of tomatoes, some tomato juice and herbs! I also added some frozen veggies that I had to use. I am cooking it for at least two hours, until it absorbs some of the liquid. I will serve it with a spoon of Greek yogurt. I hope it is good. It is the first time I make it.

My husband is having carbs withdrawal—:)

Healthy smoothie

Today I woke up at 6am to work out. I can’t believe I actually managed to show up at the gym by 645 to sign up for a spinning class that was packed. I also was told that I could not be in the class because I did not have a bottle of water. It would have been the second time that I got kicked out from a spinning class. I managed to find an empty plastic bottle abandoned outside on a bench in the gym and I just filled it up pretending it was mine. Yes I did it. The class turned out to be pretty weak. I did enjoy the 15 minutes abs and back.
When I came back home I drank/ate a super nutty smoothie I had prepared the night before and put it in the freezer. I put a table spoon of peanut butter, almond butter, coconut, some dried cherries and a smoothie base. It was rich!!! If you put your smoothies in the freezer and Let them defrost for one or two hours they will taste like icecream. It is a good alternative. Now make your own smoothies. Don’t buy imitations full of sugars and fake fruit. The other day I went to my favorite organic deli and I was somewhat disappointed by the fact that their best selling fruit smoothies was made with bottle juices they sell in the store. Really? You are going to charge me 5$ for juice? So make your own with left over fruit. If you use apples be careful adding milk because it just does not go well together. If you really need the sweetness add agave or honey.

For lunch I had eggs with a spinach salad. For snack a banana and nuts. Dinner is meatloaf!!!! I also had a piece of feta and a spoon of hummus for ‘merenda’

Btw. That is not a rice container. I recycle containers for other things like coconut!!!