defining someday

Ma Cucina

Danielle — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:25:50 +0000

One of the things that always interests me about food blogs is the setting. I wonder what lies beyond the pictures, which are often cropped down to just the food…what do the kitchens look like that create these wonderful foods…what kind of equipment does the cook use…where does the cook store things in the kitchen?

I live in Hong Kong in a flat provided by my employer so we have a little more space than the typical Hong Kong flat. But we didn’t get to choose the place and we can’t do any renovations so we’re working with the kitchen . . .

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Whole Wheat Waffles (Vegan)

Danielle — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:46:37 +0000

Mmmm waffles. Great for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert!

Ingredients

6 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup baking powder
3 Tbsp white sugar
3/4 tsp salt
5 1/4 cups soy milk
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 Tbsp ground flax seed + 1 cup water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Measure out the dry ingredients into a large bowl and whisk to blend together.

. . .

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University Courses for Everyone

Danielle — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:46:31 +0000

Coursera is a great new site that has partnered with leading post-secondary institutions to offer university-level courses online for free.

I’m interested in Introduction to Logic, Modern and Contemporary American Poetry, and A History of the World Since 1300.

What would you like to learn? Check out the current courses here.

A Workout for Legs Like a Rock Star

Danielle — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:45:31 +0000

Love this workout, which the site claims is Carrie Underwood’s routine:

What Success Looks Like

Danielle — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:43:29 +0000

From Max Gunther (h/t Farnam Street):

We are counselled to fix our eyes on our goals, looking neither to the right nor to the left, refusing to be distracted. This is supposed to be the sure route to success. But here is a puzzling fact. It turns out that lucky men and women, on the whole are not straight-line strugglers. They not only permit themselves to be distracted, they invite distraction. Their lives are not straight lines but zigzags. …

If you put blinders on yourself so that . . .

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Summer Tomato, Hummus and Olive Tapanade Crostini (Vegan, Sugar Free)

Danielle — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:08:13 +0000

This little number is good at attracting a crowd of supporters at a party. It is quick to make and the ingredients are all fresh and healthy. It has an unusual combination of hummus and tapenade, for which you can find the recipes here and here (respectively). Ingredients

2 baguettes
1/2 cup cherry red tomatoes
1/2 cup yellow grape tomatoes
Hummus
Olive Tapenade

Directions Slice the bagettues into 1 inch discs and spread into an even layer on a . . .

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If…

Danielle — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:21:27 +0000

Here is a poem that is well-loved in our house. IF…..

IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream – and not make dreams your master; If you can think – and not . . .

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10 Great Skills You Can Teach Yourself

Danielle — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:52:40 +0000

If you have ever wished you could cook, paint, play an instrument, or have better nunchuck skills, then I have the perfect article for you.

LifeHacker has done it again, created a megawatt post with an impressive amount of references for the Top 10 Highly Desired Skills You Can Teach Yourself.

10. Repair Almost Anything

9. Learn to Paint or Illustrate

8. Defend Yourself 7. Improve Your Design Skills

6. Learn a New Subject

5. Build and Hack Hardware

Head on over to LifeHacker to . . .

→ Continue Reading: 10 Great Skills You Can Teach Yourself

Whole Wheat Low-Fat Banana Bread (Vegan)

Danielle — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:21:38 +0000

Here is a banana bread recipe I like because it uses very little sugar, it is low fat, and of course, it is vegan. I adapted this from the Veganomicon cookbook.

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup oil
2 Tbsp molasses
1/2 cup chocolate chips . . .

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Weights vs. Cardio for Burning Fat

Danielle — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:20:16 +0000

Love the Livestrong site for exercise info and routines. This article sets the record straight – weight lifting is better for burning fat than cardio.

…your body adapts to any stress placed on it. Over time, the work required to, say, run a 5K will decrease as your fitness improves. Diminishing returns kicks in…

With weights, on the other hand, you can stave off this effect by varying your exercises to keep your body guessing. You can change things up by adding resistance, decreasing rest . . .

→ Continue Reading: Weights vs. Cardio for Burning Fat