On The Rocks

ANYBODY OUT THERE???

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:33:00 +0000

Please join me over at my new bloggy blog titled One Bottle At A Time.

http://onebottleatatime.wordpress.com/

Quick Update

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:12:00 +0000

I am taking a short break from the blogging world while I prepare for my Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant Exam, which will accompany my Personal Trainer Certification, and then launch my new website for my Weight Loss, Nutrition, and Fitness Consultant Services.

Long story short, I'm pretty busy over here.

But, it doesn't mean I have forgotten about you or this blog. I plan on returning full force in the end of March. Until then, I will be stopping by to post relevant and interesting articles, like this one:

CA Restaurant Chains Finally Start Posting Their Nutritional Information

Enjoy!

Eating Clean....75% Of The Time

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:51:00 +0000

As January comes to an end and Valentines Day approaches, Sweetheart candies start showing up in our office kitchens and almost 80% of us have already already failed in pursuing our New Years Resolution.

The reason why most of us give up on these idealized goals is not because we are not ambitious, but because we are setting ourselves up for failure. While it's possible to "give up chocolate", "work out everyday" or "not eat carbs", it's certainly not realistic, or fun. The stricter the resolutions are, the faster we are doomed to fail.

So continuing with my personal resolution (and lifelong goal) of eating cleaner (avoiding trans fat, added sweeteners, artificial colorings, flavoring or preservatives, pesticides, and processed foods), I do so with adding "75%" of the time" to the end.

While food rules like "avoid food products that contain more than 5 ingredients" and "avoid food products containing ingredients that a 3rd grader cannot pronounce" (by Michael Pollan) are excellent guidelines to follow, I would absolutely miserable if I followed this rule 100% of the time. How would I survive without my 100 calorie La Tortilla whole wheat tortillas! The ingredient list is certainly long, but I just don't want to give it up. And I shouldn't have to.

With most anything concerning a healthy living, it's all about balance. Whether it's balancing your daily caloric intake with your calorie expenditure, or balancing eating clean with eating your favorite Sweetheart candies...long term success is with positive lifestyle changes, and not extreme rules and quick fix answers.

* Some people have asked about me only posting 1 recipe a post. I certainly wish I could post them all, but with my current work/school situation, the time just isn't there. BUT, if you want to know the recipe of a particular dish that I have posted, please email me and I will forward it on to you!*

Last Week's Eats:

"San Diego" Style Breakfast Burrito with bacon, ham and hash browns - 258 calories

Brie, Artichoke, Apple and Bacon Salad - 260 calories

Pomme Lambic - 140 calories

Torta Rustica (not from the On The Rocks Kitchen, but too pretty to not post)

Cheesy Bierocks - 217 calories each

Turkey Burritos - 289 calories each

Pizza Chicken Bake - 462 calories

Recipe of the Week: Horseradish & Fried Egg "Patty Melt" - 440 calories

Ingredients:
2 eggs
8oz ground turkey
2oz sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
4 slices of whole wheat bread
2 tbsp prepared horseradish
1 tbsp deli mustard
pinch of salt, pepper, and chili powder

Directions:
1. Combine ground turkey and seasonings. Form into 2 round, semi flat patties. Cook on non-stick skillet for 6-8 minutes, or until cook through.
2. In separate non-stick skillet, cook eggs over medium (with a dash of salt and pepper).
3. Layer bread with with mustard, horseradish, turkey patty, cheese and egg. Reheat in skillet for 3-5 minutes until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Makes 2 sandwiches, serves 2.

Last Week's Eats And "In Defense of Food"

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:13:00 +0000

Going forward with the new year, not only will I be posting my Dinners Under 500 Calories every week, I will also be trying to implement, address and criticize particular "rules" proposed by the James Beard Award winner and highly celebrated Michael Pollan, from his books "In Defense of Food" and "Food Rules".

If you are not familiar with Pollan and his work, he is not just a author and journalist, but is a active critic of the Western diet and lifestyle, corporate farming, and nutritionism. According to Pollan, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Cancer and Obesity can all be directly link to:

"the rise of highly processed foods and refined grains; the use of chemicals to raise plants and animals in huge monocultures; the superabundance of cheap calories of sugar and fat produced by modern agriculture; and the narrowing of the biological diversity of the human diet to a tiny handful of staple crops, notably wheat, corn, and soy".

Pollan isn't stating anything that we don't already know. But he presents his "food rules" in a simple, clever and direct way that we all can understand, and most of us could benefit from implementing many of these rules.

Though I am a fan of his work, I do believe that at times his elitist attitude and sometimes extreme political stance stands in the way the practicality of his some of his rules. Not all of us can afford eating all organic or locally grown food, have the time to "do all your eating at a table" (most of us renters don't even own kitchen tables) and certainly many of us don't have the means to buy an extra freezer so that we can store pastured meat or even a "whole hog".

So, while I still HIGHLY recommend reading "In Defense of Food", I suggest taking all of Pollan's rules with a grain of salt. In the end, we all could benefit from eating cleaner: avoiding trans fat, added sweeteners, artificial colorings, flavoring or preservatives, pesticides, and processed foods; and Pollan certainly didn't invent that idea. So as I continue to post Dinners Under 500 Calories , I will also continue to keep the dinners as "clean" as possible, yet still attainable by us "average" folk.

On to last week's eats:

Spicy Philly Steak (344 calories)

Apple Cinnamon Delight (120 calories)

Buffalo Chicken & Cheese Bake (388 calories)

Apple, Horseradish and Ham Grilled Cheese (260 calories)

Turkey Chili (223 Calories)

Dirty Martini ( I'm fully aware that this is not a meal...or at least it shouldn't be) (150 calories)

Pear and Bacon Salad (333 calories)

Corned Beef with Roasted Potatoes and Cabbage (382 calories)

Recipe of the Week: Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ Bacon and Brie - 377 calories
Ingredients:
2 5oz chicken breasts
2 slices bacon
1 1/2 ounce brie
2 slices light ham
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp egg whites
2 tbsp honey mustard
pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder

Directions:
1. Place chicken breasts on cutting board and wrap (loosely) with sarran wrap. Pound chicken breast until thin and flat.
2. Place 1 slice of bacon, 1 slice of ham and 3/4 oz of brie onto each chicken breast. Roll and wrap tightly. Secure with either toothpicks or string.
3. In one small bowl, mix flour and breadcrumbs and all seasonings. In second small bowl, mix egg whites and honey mustard.
4. Dip each wrapped chicken in egg and mustard mix, then coat with flour and breadcrumb mix.
5. Bake the chicken cordon bleu in 350 degrees oven for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Happy ...New Year?

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:48:00 +0000

Yes, I am a bit behind. But after the holiday travels and fiascoes, I needed a few days to cleanse my body and mind. I'm a big believer in ridding rid of all toxins that bring you down, being anything from too much sugar and alcohol to people with negative energy.

I definitely feel much lighter!

But the end of 2009 was still a time to celebrate and was filled with:

1. Home-cooked meals
2. Many of these (peanut butter, caramel and chocolate covered pretzels)

3. Vodka. Champagne. Vodka.
4. Peanut butter puppy kisses.

5. Visiting our numerous families across the state
6. Recovering from visiting our numerous families across the state
7. Coping with vodka from visiting our numerous families across the state

I think you get the idea.

The end of last year's eats included the beginnings of my new blog project of "500 Calories and Under Dinners". Here is a preview of dinners to come:

Braised Garlic Chicken with Root Vegetables

Soy Meatball Whole Wheat Pizza
Mediterranean Beef Stew
Cream Cheese Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
I will be back later this week to feel you in on more On The Rocks eats, recipes, and puppies.

#43 - THE END

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Don't worry. Not the end of On The Rocks. BUT, this is the final post on Healthy Restaurant Recipes.

After almost 100 recipes based solely on healthy restaurant recreations, I feel as though I have covered a good amount of some of the most popular dishes people crave at chain restaurants. And I hope that I was able to show you how you don't have to waste a day's worth of calories to fill your cravings and that you can very easily make these dishes at home.

So for the final restaurant post, I leave you with two equally delicious and salivating worthy burger recipes. Enjoy!

Red Robin: 5 Alarm Burger
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
2 light hamburger buns
2 4oz extra lean ground beef patties
2 slices soy pepperjack cheese slices (I use Veggie Slice)
2 tbsp fat free mayo
1/2 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
4 tbsp jalapenos dash of cayenne pepper, salt and cumin
1/2 tsp siracha
2 tbsp salsa

Directions:
1. Cook patties, with salt and pepper, in skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side or until done. Before removing from heat, place a slice of cheese on each patty and let melt.
2. In small bowl, combine mayo, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin and siracha. Mix well.

3. Place buns in toaster and toast until light browned.
4. To make burger, spread mayo mixture onto each side of the buns. Then top with patty, jalapenos, salsa and lettuce.

Servings: 2
Nutritional Info: 328 Cals, 15g fat, 28g carbs, 19g protein
Red Robin's Nutritional Info: 875 cals, 59g fat, 43g carbs, 43g protein

Red Robin: Banzai Burger

Ingredients:
2 light hamburger buns
2 4oz extra lean ground beef patties
4 pineapple slices
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
2 slice fat free american cheese sliced
1 tbsp fat free mayo

Directions:
1. 1. Cook patties, in teriyaki sauce, in skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side or until done. Add pineapple slices to pan with the teriyaki sauce. Before removing from heat, place a slice of cheese on each patty and let melt.

2. To make burger, spread one side with mayo. Then top with patty, pineapple slices and lettuce.

Servings: 2
Nutritional Info: 360 cals, 10g fat, 37g carbs, 30g protein
Red Robin's Nutritional Info: 1033 cals, 63g fat, 65g carbs, 48g protein

Day #42

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Tony Roma's: Baked Potato Soup
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")
Ingredients:

1 1/2 russet potatoes, peeled, cubed and boiled
1/4 white onion, diced
1 tbsp light margarine
1 cup fat free half and half
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese
4 tbsp green onions, diced
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 red pepper

Directions:
1. In large sauce pan, saute onions in margarine over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until soft.
2. Add broth, half and half, basil, salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes over medium heat.
3. Add cornstarch to soup. Make sure to whisk out all the clumps. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
4. When ready to serve, top each bowl with about 2 tbsp of cheese, 1 tbsp green onions, and 1 slice of bacon (diced).

Servings: 4
Nutritional Info: 200 cals, 5g fat, 30g carbs, 9g protein
Approx Tony Roma's Nutritional Info: 340 cals, 22g fat, 29g carbs, 7g protein

Day #41 - So So Chinese Food

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0000

I ain't going to lie, I'm not horribly proud of this meal. Which is obvious in the photos. If I ain't digging the food, I ain't digging taking pictures of it.

Granted, this isn't a bad meal. Just not amazing. I'm not totally sure what's with me cooking Chinese food, but I kinda suck at it.

Hopefully I am not discouraging you from making this, but yet challenging you to kick my ass in cooking this meal!

P.F. Chang's: Dan-Dan Noodles
(adapted by "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
12oz chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 cup chicken broth
6 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp agave nectar (or use brown sugar)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp siracha
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
6oz package of chow mein noodles, cooked as directed

Directions:
1. Cook chicken by sauteing them in skillet for 8-10 minutes in 1 tbsp olive oil.
2. To cook sauce, saute garlic and green onions in 1 tbsp olive oil in small saucepan for 1-2 minutes. Add soy sauce, broth siracha and agave nectar. In small bowl, whisk cornstarch in water. Then add to sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
3. Add chicken to sauce, then combine cooked noodles, chicken, and sauce in large bowl. Mix well.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 210 cals, 10g fat, 18g carbs, 12g protein
P.F. Chang's Nutritional Info: 270 cals, 7g fat, 30g carbs, 13g protein

(served with garlic snap peas)

P.F. Chang's: Spicy Chicken
(adapted by "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
8 oz chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp green onions, chopped
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 tsp siracha
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp agave nectar (or sugar)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup + 1 tsp cornstarch

Directions:
1. Coat chicken in 1/4 cup cornstarch. Then place in skillet with heated olive oil. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until slightly browned.

2. To make sauce, combined remaining ingredients in small saucepan (make sure 1tsp cornstarch is mixed in well). Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until thicken.

3. When chicken is ready, toss in cooked sauce. Serve immediately.

Servings: 2
Nutritional Info: 295 cals, 8g fat, 26g carbs, 27g protein
P.F. Chang's Nutritional Info: 323 cals, 13g fat, 23g carbs, 28g protein

Thanksgiving Recap Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:00:00 +0000

In between our appetizers and main course, we had lots of this:

I cook better when under the influence of alcohol. I actually do most things better this way:)

Dinner was pretty traditional, and included ham (I glazed it with brown sugar, butter and molasses), spicy sausage stuffing, potato at gratin, yams

and....bacon jalapeno mac 'n cheese:

And don't worry, the pups got their own special Thanksgiving dinner as well.

Which was devoured quicker than you can imagine.

Dessert followed. Pumpkin pie (taken from the Hungry Girl recipe), Lemon Glazed Cheesecake, and Fruity Pebble Treats (yes, ya heard right).

Which we hated, obviously.

Sleep was to be had. Overall, Thanksgiving was a success.

Thanksgiving Recap Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Being that this was our first year creating our own Thanksgiving, we didn't have any traditions to adhere to. With that being said, our appetizers were just as important as the main courses.

First up: Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup canned minced clams
2 tbsp light parmesan cheese
2 tbsp light romano cheese
1 garlic clove, pressed
3 tbsp chicken broth
12 mushrooms, with stems removed

2 tbsp red bell pepper, diced
2 slices light mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 squares

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients for stuffing in small bowl. Use your hands to mix and then create balls of stuffing to fill each mushroom with.
2. Then top each mushrooms with 2-3 pieces of red bell pepper then with a square of mozzarella.
3. Cook on nonstick cookie sheets for 10 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Servings: 12
Nutritional Info Per 1 Mushroom: 42 cals, 2g fat, 3g carbs, 4g protein
Olive Garden's Nutritional Info: 68 cals, 5g fat, 3g carbs

The BF's Favs: Pretzles & Ranch, Chips & Cheese

On the lighter side...
Spicy Cream Cheese Hummus

Ingredients:
1 can garbonza beans
4oz fat free cream cheese
2 green onions, chopped
3 galic cloves, chopped
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp siracha

Directions:
1. Process all ingredients in processor until smooth. Chill before serving. Serve with pita, chips, or veggies.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 59 cals, .5g fat, 9g carbs, 4g protein

And lastly, Olive Garden's Bruschetta:

Ingredients:
3 roma tomatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tbsp basil, minced
2 tbsp sun dried tomatoes
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp salt

Mix and chill. Serve with toasted french baquette.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 16 cals, 1g fat, 2g carbs, .5g protein

Day #40 - Toasted Raviolis

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Olive Garden: Toasted Beef Ravioli
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
1 package Buitoni Beef & Sausage Raviolis
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Almond Breeze (unsweetened)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:
1. Combine almond breeze and egg in small bowl. Place breadcrumbs in separate bowl.

2. Heat up oil in large nonstick pan over medium heat.
3. Dip each ravioli in milk/egg mixture then coat in breadcrumbs. Place into oiled pan.

4. After 2-3 minutes, flip each ravioli over to brown each side.
5. When finished, place raviolis on paper towel to blot out any extra oil.
5. Heat marinara in microwave for 45-60 seconds.Serve immediately.

Servings: 4 (served as an appetizer)
Nutritional Info: 296 cals, 17g fat, 28g carbs, 7g protein
Olive Garden's Nutritional Info: 360 cals, 16g fat, 29g carbs

Day #39 - My Answer To Key Lime

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:01:00 +0000

My stomach has been destroyed due to a massive, delicious yet deadly taco salad I made last night.

Despite this, I continued to eat the taco salad leftovers for lunch today. Dumb, I know.

But, lunch was post-ridiculously hard workout and I needed something in my stomach stat. So of course leftovers were the easiest thing I could stick in my stomach before my predictable extreme crankiness started.

Stomach, please forgive me.

Margaritaville: Key Lime Pie
(adapted from a Weight Watchers recipe)

Ingredients:
1 Reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust
1 box sugar free Lime Jello
12 oz light Yoplait Key Lime Pie yogurt
1 8oz container of Cool Whip Free
1/4 cup boiling water

Directions:

1. Combine boiling water and jello in large mixing bowl. Mix well. Then whisk in jello.

2. Use spatula to fold in cool whip.

3. Pour mixture in graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for 2 - 3 hours.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 177 cals, 5g fat, 27g carbs, 3g protein
Margaritaville's Nutritional Info Approx: 340 cals, 16g fat

Day #38 - Almost To The End

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:23:00 +0000

These next two weeks I'm going to be speeding through these restaurant recipes like a mad woman.

Partly I'm pretty behind in posting a bunch of recipes that I've made and partly because I'm kinda sick of recreating restaurant dishes! It's been a great challenge for me, but I'm definitely ready to start making my own creations again.

Plus, I'm going to be changing things up a bit 'round here. Expect some mini announcements soon!

Mimi's Cafe: Corn Chowder
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
1 tbsp light margarine
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 white onion, diced
4 cups water
1 potato, peeled and cut in small cubes
15oz can of whole corn, with liquid
15oz can of creamed corn, with liquid
2 tsp splenda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups fat free half and half

Directions:
1. In medium saucepan, melt margarine over medium heat. Add celery and onions. Saute for 4-5 minutes.
2. Once veggie are somewhat sauce, add all other ingredients (except for flour). Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
3. Add flour and mix well. Let simmer for 15 more minutes.
(optional: add some bacon or sausage for heartier meal)

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 165 cals, 2g fat, 32g carbs, 5g protein
Mimi's Cafe Nutritional Info: 196 cals, 9g fat, 28g carbs, 3g protein

Mimi's Cafe: Carrot Raisin Bread
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup splenda
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 1/2 tbsp molasses
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup shredded carrot
2 tbsp crushed pineapple
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In larger mixing bowl, combine flour, sugars, spices and baking powder and soda.
3. In another bowl, mix together all other ingredients. Mix well.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together.
5. Pour batter into greased loaf or cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 125 cals, 0g fat, 30g carbs, 3g protein
Mimi's Nutritional Info: 151 cals, 9g fat, 17g carbs, 2g protein

Quick Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Like most of you, I've been busy eating ham and marshmallows for the last week which has caused me to not post.

But this week I promise a slew of recipes. From key lime pie to spicy cream cheese hummus.

Hope your holiday weekend was as goofy and lazy as mine.

Day #37 - Perfect Fall Meal

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:07:00 +0000

I love this meal. The perfect combination of a light yet rich salad and a hearty chili.

I could actually go on about chili for quite sometime. This is a simple recipe, but still really good. And, if you want to make it a bit creamier I suggest adding just 1oz of 2% velveeta cheese. Serious goodness.

I've been a bit MIA, but I've been busy joining the herds of women watching "New Moon". Yes, that's my excuse. And a good one, I might add.

BJ's Brewery: Wedge Salad

Ingredients:

1/2 iceberg lettuce head, cut in half

4 tbsp light blue cheese dressing

1 oz blue cheese

4 slices of bacon (i use oscar mayer ready cooked bacon)

1/2 tomato, diced

pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Top each quarter of lettuce head with 2 tbsp of dressing, 1/2 oz blue cheese, 2 slices of bacon, 2 tbsp tomato, and salt and pepper.

Servings: 2

Nutritional Info: 190 cals, 14g fat, 9g carbs, 9g protein

Lone Star Steakhouse: Lone Star Chili

(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:

1lb 93% lean ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced

1 15oz can kidney beans

1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes

1 8oz can tomato sauce

1 cup water

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp salt

2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Garnish-

1 cup fat free cheddar cheese, shredded

4 tsp fat free sour cream

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef in large saucepan. Once browned, add onions and jalapenos. Cook for 2 minutes.

2. Add remaining ingredients to chili. Let boil then simmer for 1 hour. When ready to serve, top with 1/4 cup cheese and 1 tsp sour cream. May serve with chips.

Servings: 4

Nutritional Info: 344 cals, 9g fat, 28g carbs, 38g protein

Day #36 - Dreaming about D

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:07:00 +0000

You know when you have to do A, B and C to get to D? But if you do A & B at the same time, you can't do C. And you want to do C first, but need to do A before C. And in the end, you just really, really want to get to D.

Well that's my day today. Dreaming about D. Dreading A. And wishing I could do A, B and C all at once.

Joe's Crab Shack: Crazy Good Crab Dip
(adapted from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")
Ingredients:
8oz pkg of fat free cream cheese
6oz can of crab meat
1/4 cup green onion, diced
1/2 cup anaheim pepper, diced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
2 tbsp light parmesan cheese, shredded
Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients, except for parmesan cheese, in small bowl.

2. Preheat oven to broil. Then place dip in a small baking pan. Cook on broil for 3 - 5 minutes, until it starts to boil.
3. Top with parmesan cheese and a pinch of paprika. Serve with french bread, crackers or chips.

Servings: 4
Nutritional Info: 100 cals, 1g fat, 7g carbs, 15g protein

Day #36

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:35:00 +0000

I still cannot believe how quickly the holidays have come. This year has been filled with so much change, it really just flew by me.

I've traveled abroad for Thanksgiving for the last 17 years of my life, but due to some recent changes in my family, I will be staying here in the states. This Thanksgiving will be my first Thanksgiving in Los Angeles, the first at our new apartment, and the first without family.

I'm quite excited to start my own tradition. Being that my boyfriend and I split Christmas up between both our families, Thanksgiving can be our holiday. Our tradition.

So today I am getting together the menu. I know it's a little soon, but I'm a planner. That's just what I do. The menu is going to be somewhat traditional, and somewhat modern. Bacon jalapeno mac n' cheese anyone?

If anyone has some great Thanksgiving recipes, please send them along!

Island's: Yaki Soft Tacos
(adapted from Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
10 oz chicken breast, chopped
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tbsp cornstarch
6 low carb 7 inch flour tortillas (I use the brands La Tortilla or Azteca)
1 cup light monterey jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup tomato, diced
1/4 cup green onions, diced
2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded

Ingredients:
1. In medium bowl, mix teriyaki sauce, pineapple juice and cornstarch. Mix well. Add chicken and let marinate for a few hours.
2. When ready to cook, put chicken and the sauce in skillet. Add crushed pineapple. Cook for 5 -7 minutes or until chicken is cooked and sauce has thickened.

3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place tortillas on baking pan. Arrange approx 2 tbsp of cheese in middle of each tortilla. Place in oven for 3 - 4 minutes or until cheese melts and the tortillas get a little crisp.

4. Spoon chicken and pineapple mix (with sauce) on top of cheese. Then top with lettuce, tomato and green onion.

Servings: 2 (3 tacos each)
Nutritional Info: 650 cals, 18g fat, 69g carbs, 56g protein
Island's Nutritional Info: 1130 cals, 51g fat, 129g carbs

Day #35 - Sucessful Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Finally a weekend has passed that I didn't think on Monday, "I feel like crap. I shouldn't have eaten (or drank) that much." Where you spent 2 days undoing all the hard work you did the last 5 days.

Weekends are my weakness. Always. The weekdays are pretty easy for me, I keep my caloric intake down and can usually fit in 4-5 days of exercise.

But come Friday night, it's like all my knowledge, will power and determination is completely thrown out the window. Friday at 6pm = party time.

This weekend I was determined to get back to my healthy habits and keep my weekend active and binge-free. I was able to get a 4 mile run on Saturday and a 50 minute Jillian Michaels video on Sunday. The eating was pretty clean and the drinks could be counted on 1 hand.

Success. I think so.

IHOP: Country Omelette
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
1 cup egg substitute
1 oz light ham
1 slice bacon
3 tbsp frozen shredded hash browns, cooked
2 tbsp white onion, diced
1/4 cup fat free cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tbsp fat free sour cream
1 tbsp salsa
pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:
1. In small bowl, add together egg, ham, bacon, onion and salt and pepper. Mix well.
2. Heat small skillet on medium/high heat. Cover with non-stick spray.

3. Add egg mix. Cook for approx 4 minutes. Then flip and cook other side.
4. Add hash browns and 2 tbsp if cheese on one side of the omelette. Close the other half of the omelette over.
5. Serve with salsa, remaining cheese, and sour cream.

Servings: 1
Nutritional Info: 265 cals, 2g fat, 13g carbs, 43g protein
IHOP Nutritional Info Approx: 800 cals, 68g fat, 5g carbs, 40g protein

Day #34 - Without The Hookers

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:56:00 +0000

When we moved into our new apartment a few months ago, we installed black curtains in our bedrooms to keep out the sunlight. We figured this would help us sleep a little better in the morning.

I did not realize that this would turn our bedroom into a Vegas hotel room, without the hookers and booze. (Ok, I lie. Sometimes there's booze). Where I am fooled into believing that it's still dark outside and I have endless amount of hours to sleep off my drunkenness.

Today I slept in until 12:30. When normally (when light exists) I wake up at 9. When I finally woke up, I felt cheated. Tricked. Like my little black curtains had plotted against me. Making me lose 3 hours of my precious Saturday.

Bed, Bath & Beyond, here I come.

Island's: Tortilla Soup
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
1 roasted chicken (I bought mine from Ralphs)
16 cups of water
1 spanish onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 anaheim peppers, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 corn tortillas, diced
juice of 3 limes
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tbsp cilantro, diced

Tortilla Strips-
4 corn tortillas, sliced into smaller strips
0 cal Butter Spray
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Garnish -
1/2 cup fat free monterey jack cheese
1 avocado, diced

Directions:
1. Take meat and skin off the roasted chicken (throw skin away. Place the bones in a large pot with the water. Boil for 30 minutes. Remove bones.
2. Pull the chicken meat apart into smaller pieces. Place into the large pot of water. Add all other ingredients of the soup. Bring to a boil then simmer for 1 hour.
3. While soup cooks, combine your tortilla strips, seasoning and about 10 sprays of 0 cal butter spray in bowl. Mix well.
4. Place tortilla strips on cookie sheets and cook for 10 minute in 350 degrees, or until crispy. Watch it closely to make sure it doesn't burn.

5. When soup is done, serve with about 2 tbsp of cheese, a few avocado pieces, and tortilla strips.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 257 cals, 8g fat, 24g carbs, 23g protein
Island's Nutritional Info: 610 cals, 38g fat, 40g carbs

Day #33 - Breakfast For Dinner And Why I Hate Doctor's Offices

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:11:00 +0000

Am I the only one that freaks out when your schedule doesn't adhere to it's strict timeline? It's seriously the one thing that I can guarantee is going to piss me off.

I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment at 6:20 tonight. Which allowed me to go on my 4 mile run on my lunch break. This situated my night perfectly: home by 7:30. Puppy dinner at 7:35. Human dinner by 7:45. Real Housewives at 7:46. Vampire Diaries at 8:41. You get the picture.

At noon the doctor's office called and wanted to change the appointment to 5:00 instead. I obliged...though I'm pretty damn sure the only reason they changed the appointment is because the doctor wants to get off work earlier. Fucker.This forced me to not be able to take my lunch break, which meant I could not run. This means I have somehow dig up my long lost willpower and work out after work; which is something I always dread. Who the hell wants to do something they don't normally want to do, but be forced to do it after a 9 hour work day? Not me.

There's my rant for the day. What's yours?

IHOP: Harvest Grain 'N Nut Pancakes
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Fiber One Pancake Mix
1/4 cup Quaker Oats
1 tsp slivered almonds
1 tsp chopped walnuts
1/2 cup water

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in medium mixing bowl. Make sure you whisk out all the lumps.

2. Place 1/3 of mix into hot skillet (covered with pam). You will know when to flip the pancakes when bubbles have arisen on the top of the pancake.

3. Serve with sugar free syrup.

Servings: 1 (3 pancakes)
Nutritional Info: 285 cals, 8g fat, 50g carbs, 10g protein
IHOP Nutritional Info Approx: 450 cals

IHOP: Cinn-a-Stacks (toppings for any pancake or french toast for a cinnamon bun taste!)
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:

Cinnamon Sauce-
1 tbsp Can't Believe Its Not Butter - Light
2 tbsp sugar free maple syrup
2 tbsp splenda
1 tbsp fat free half and half
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt

Cream Cheese Icing-
2 tbsp fat free cream cheese
3 tbsp splenda
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. In small sauce pan, melt butter, syrup and splenda over low heat. Once melted, at half and half, cinnamon and salt. After 2 minutes, take off of the heat. Whisk in flour. Set aside.

2. For cream cheese filling, whisk all ingredients for 30 seconds with electric whisk.
3. For use in pancakes, place cinnamon sauce in between each pancake. Place cream cheese filling in squirt bottle (or a small plastic baggie with a small hole in the corner) and squeeze icing on top of pancake stack.

Optional: Top with cool whip and cinnamon.

Servings: Enough for a 3 pancake stack
Nutritional Info: 140 cals, 6g fat, 25g carbs, 7g protein

Day #32 - Porkin' It

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:28:00 +0000

Work is insane right now. We are in the middle of sweeps. Sweeps = hell for people that work in TV. The time in which every television show pulls out their cocks to compare sizes. Not quite that literal, but pretty much.

On top of that, my co-worker decided to put in his 3 week (3? yes 3) notice almost 3 weeks ago.

1 week ago he asked for his job back because he didn't realize it would be so hard trying to find another job during this shitty economic times. (smart one, buddy). This is the perfect example of the stupidity I have had to share an office with for over a year now.

Skip over the long, dramatic story of this asshole trying to get his job back after years of slacking off and only 2 weeks after putting in his notice, he now only has 2 days left. And I am ecstatic.

In 2 days I will have complete control over the TV remote (yes, a tv is in our office). I will be able to set the temperature of the office to 90 degrees if I want. And I'm going to be eating buckets of boiled eggs. Buckets.

Hard Rock Cafe: Coleslaw
(adapted by "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
8 cups of cole slaw mix (chopped cabbage and carrots)
1 cup fat free mayonnaise
4 tbsp splenda
pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Mix and chill in refrigerator over night.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 41 cals, 1g fat, 8g carbs, 1g protein
Original Nutritional Info Approx :180 cals, 10g fat, 22g carbs, 1g protein

Hard Rock Cafe: BBQ Baked Beans
(adapted by "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
2 cups pinto beans
2 tbsp water
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup low sugar ketchup
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar free maple syrup
1 tsp mustard
2 tbsp white onion, diced
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup shredded pork (from the recipe below)

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients, but beans, in small bowl. Add beans and mix well.
2. Place in casserole dish (with lid on) and bake for 90 minutes in 350 degrees.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 97 cals, 2g fat, 14g carbs, 7g protein
Original Nutritional Info Approx: 200 cals, 1.5g fat, 29g carbs, 8g protein

Hard Rock Cafe: Pig Sandwich
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground sage
1/2 cup BBQ Sauce (Cattlemens and Famous Dave's are my favorite)
2 cup diced tomatoes (with its sauce)
2 cups water
1 boneless pork loin roast (about 2 pounds)
8 Sandwich thins
4 servings of coleslaw (found above)

Directions:
1. Rub pork with spices. Then place all ingredients into crock pot. Make sure to put enough liquid to cover all the meat.
2. Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or until meat falls apart. (or cook on low for 8-9 hours)

3. To make each sandwich, place a serving of meat on bread, top with extra sauce from crock pot, then top with 1/2 serving of coleslaw.

Servings: 8
Nutritional Info: 383 cals, 9g fat, 35g carbs, 42g protein
Original Nutritional Info Approx: 570 cals, 25g fat, 61g carbs, 30g protein

Day # .....aw fuck it, I don't care today

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Yes I disappeared for a few days. And not just from you, from just about everything.

I didn't go to work. I didn't text back. I didn't email. Didn't even Facebook. I know, crazy.

So what did I do? Slept. Laid on the couch. Then laid on the love seat. Sometimes even the floor.

Watched movies. Watched TV. Some VOD. And even some youtube videos.

Not sure if I'm sick, getting depressed, or feeling sorry for myself. Maybe a little cocktail of them all.

Trying to work on myself, my career and body all at once can be a bit overwhelming. And when it seems as though everyone is moving forward but you, it can be a little discouraging.

So bear with me, as I continue to try and figure out my life through this blog.

Houston's: Chicago Style Spinach Dip
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")
Ingredients:
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
10 oz frozen spinach
8 oz canned artichokes
2 tbsp white onion, diced
1/2 cup fat free mozzarella
4 tbsp light Parmesan cheese, shredded
2 laughing cow cheese wedges (garlic and herb flavor)
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
1. In small bowl, combine spinach, onion, and artichoke. Cook in microwave for 2 minutes.

2. In small sauce pan, melt all cheeses and sour cream over low heat. Add garlic. Once melted, add all other ingredients. Cook for 3 - 4 more minutes. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

Servings: 6
Nutritional Info: 86 cals, 3g fat, 8g carbs, 7g protein
Houston's Original Nutritional Info Approx: 290 cals

Day #30 - Day of Rest and Ice Cream Sandwiches

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Gonna make this real quick because today is my day off and the last thing I want to do is stare at a computer. No offense, love you guys. Hate the computer.

Goals of the day:

1. Make pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, and baked beans. Gonna be a pretty solid food day.

2. Movie hop. Why pay for two when you can get away with only paying for 1? Yes, I know I'm not 13 anymore. But I'm broke and get off on cheap thrills.

3. Eat the bf's ice cream sandwich cake I made him for his birthday. Yup, you heard right....a tower of ice cream sandwiches.

Gotta go, I obviously have an intense day in front of me.

Hard Rock Cafe: Chicken Noodle Soup

(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:

16oz chicken

5 cups chicken broth

5 cups water

3 large carrots, diced

5 celery stalks, diced

1/2 white onion, diced

2 1/4 cup egg noodles

1 tbsp Can't Believe It's Not Butter - Light

3 garlic gloves - minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tbsp fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Cut chicken into small bite size pieces. Cook in skillet (with dash of salt and pepper) for 5 - 6 minutes, or until cooked. Set aside.

2. Heat up butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Let cook, while stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until vegetables start to get soft.

3. In large soup pot, add all ingredients. Bring to boil then let simmer for 30 - 40 minutes. Serve with a pinch of parsley on top.

Servings: 8

Nutritional Info: 148 cals, 2g fat, 15g carbs, 16g protein

Day #29 - Da Club

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:45:00 +0000

The club sandwich is a classic. I really don't know anyone that doesn't like this sandwich.

If you don't like the club, I probably don't like you.

So I suggest making, eating, enjoying and salivating over this club.

Denny's: Club Sandwich
(adapted from "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2")

Ingredients:
3 slices light orowheat bread (40 cals per slice)
1 tbsp fat free mayonnaise
5 slice fat free sliced turkey meat
2 leaves of romaine lettuce
2 sliced of tomato
3 slices of bacon (oscar myer pre-cooked bacon is the lowest calorie bacon I've found to date at 4 slices for 70 cals)

EASIEST DIRECTIONS EVER

Toast bread. Layer bread, mayo, turkey, lettuce, bread mayo, bacon, tomato, lettuce, mayo, bread. EAT.

Servings: 1
Nutritional Info: 255 cals, 8g fat, 34g carbs, 19g protein
Denny's Nutritional Info: 660 cals, 34g fat, 55g carbs, 29g protein

Birthday Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:04:00 +0000

Today is not just an ordinary day.

Today is a special day.

Today is this man's 28th birthday.

And this is just just an average man. This is an extraordinary man. A classy man.

The hardest working man I know.

A bit of a teddy bear.

A bit of a goof.

And the best puppy daddy ever.

Today is your day my love, my best friend, my comedian, my roommate, my webmaster and my "all of the above".

Love you sweetheart. Happy birthday.