Tag Archives: eat

Tempeh Fried Rice

Posted in Food & Diet, Recipes by

By Emily McLaughlin

 

 

 

 

 

A few nights ago, I made a delicious tempeh fried rice. Tempeh is one of my cheap, go-to vegetarian options when I need a change from tofu. Typically, I buy Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Grain Tempeh. This soybean loaf  has a texture that might take some getting used to if you are new to it, but is delicious when prepared to your liking.

The tempeh from Trader Joe’s is under 2 dollars and be found adjacent to the tofu. It comes fully cooked… but what is it exactly? Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Grain Tempeh is made from soybeans, rice, barley, and millet. It’s a great salad topper or, like I said above, a good sub for tofu in any recipe… especially fried rice.

Personally, I love the texture of tempeh, but I don’t usually eat it plain. I like to sauté my tempeh with Soyaki sauce, also from TJ’s, and then use it in my favorite recipes. The tempeh can be baked or grilled as well.

Tempeh Fried Rice (2 servings)

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 block of Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Grain Tempeh (sliced into small cubes)

1 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup (cooked) edamame

2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Soyaki sauce

1+ cup of spinach (however much you like)

2 cups of (cooked) brown rice

1 egg

  1. Heat olive oil in wok/skillet, add tempeh and cook until it starts to brown.
  2. Add carrots, cooking until they start to soften.
  3. Add spinach, edamame, spinach and Soyaki sauce.
  4. After spinach starts to wilt, add brown rice and mix well.
  5. Once rice is warm, add the egg and mix immediately. The egg will cook quickly–just keep mixing.
  6. Serve when egg is cooked through, adding more Soyaki sauce if you wish. Another great topper is TJ’s Roasted Seaweed Snack–Crumble it up and eat!

About these ads

I moved!

Posted in Motivation & Happiness by

By Emily McLaughlin

I have moved to the beautiful Watertown, MA! My apartment is located on the second floor of a two family home with a quaint covered porch on the front… oh and the back too (!). The inside is well-lit throughout the day; in fact, I don’t really have to turn on any lights until dinner time rolls around. There are cute built-in cabinets and hardwood floors, giving the apartment an old-timey charm, and a (fairly) modern kitchen with not-too-shabby appliances. Another bonus? Washer and dryer right off the kitchen! The only downsides, we aren’t on the Green Line (which is something we were hoping for) and the kitchen is a little depressing with dark, fake wood-paneled walls (we are kitchen snobs). If that’s all we have to complain about, I’d say we are doing pretty good! +++

Watertown is nestled between Newton, Waltham, Brighton, Cambridge and the little town of Belmont. Everything I could ever wish for is a quick drive, short bike ride or leisurely walk away. Yesterday I thought I’d go for a run, so I cut down a side street and found myself at the banks of the Charles River in less than 1/2 mile. Newton center, Moody Street and Harvard Square are all relatively close, which opens up a whole new world of culinary exploration.

The Charles River in Watertown.

 

Another Charles’ run near Harvard, followed by some pick-up soccer.

 

I’m still waiting for my two beautiful roommates to finish moving in, then we’ll start exploring the new place we call home.

Hannah, Kathleen and I… a little dysfunctional.

…a little more normal (miss you all!).

Apartment photos to come–don’t worry! We are still getting things put together (literally) — my IKEA dresser is amazing, but it took Ryo and I 1.5 hours to complete. There were a whole lot of pieces.

Also, look forward to some easy, inexpensive recipes for the college student/struggling post-grad. I’m making great use of my new appliances, new wok, my acquired rice cooker and all of my Trader Joe’s treasures.  ;)

Before I sign off, does anyone in/from the area have recommendations for places to eat, trails to run or things to do? Comment, please!

Stay healthy, live happy. <3

Curvy girl

Posted in Motivation & Happiness by

By Allie DeLay

People come in all different shapes and sizes. We have our own quirks that make up our personalities, our own pet peeves, and our own dreams and ambitions. Each person has their own piece of mind and the differences among us are what make life interesting. So why has our society programmed us to believe there is just one acceptable body type that we must fit? Why is there this burning desire to be thin among women? Can’t being healthy be enough?

I am by no means a stick figure. I have had curves all my life. Blessed with an hourglass physique, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t bigger than the ideal body type. In elementary school, I towered over my peers and by high school I was strapping the girls down with an XL sports bra, while my friends ran around in gym class without a care in the world. It took a while for me to accept my body and be comfortable with my figure.

During my junior year of college, I began lifting weights and more regularly, along with my cardio workouts and I made a few healthy changes to my diet. I am by no means crazy about counting calories and I do have a weakness for a good slice of Antonio’s but by eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats I gradually changed my diet and cared more about the food I was consuming. Slowly, I began noticing changes. I felt better. I was more energetic, happier, and less stressed. Physically, I saw more definition in my muscles, I built up a greater stamina, and little things like my hair and skin looked better.

Everything about me was significantly healthier. Then I went in for my yearly checkup and stepped on the scale…

I found that the number had increased from the year before. My heart sank and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. But then it hit me. MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT. In all aspects of my life I am a healthier person than I was a year ago. I feel better, look better, and love the way I am.

In that moment, standing on the scale, in the middle of the doctor’s office, I realized a number couldn’t define me. There is no way I will ever be a thin girl, fitting that ideal small body type. I have been blessed with curves and a body that, albeit bigger than other girls, is beautiful in its own way.

There are a lot of girls that spend their lives trying to reach that ideal number. I’m here to say, “Put the scales away.” Live your life. Enjoy your life. Exercise for you. Eat right for you. The pounds may come off and some may come back on. But if you maintain that healthy lifestyle you will be a healthier person no matter what that (for most of us) three-digit number on the scale says back to you.

As the saying goes “Being fit is better than being thin.” Embrace those curves. They are fabulous. And in case you ever need some encouragement… the band Mika puts it best, “BIG GIRL, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.”

Healthy eating: Money-saving tips

Posted in Food & Diet by

By Emily McLaughlin

#10 is my favorite

When you are only buying for one, or maybe two, it’s hard to eat healthy on a small budget. Here are some money-saving tips for the college student on a budget, grad student who can barely afford a can of soup or the young working professional who gets by paycheck-to-paycheck. These tips, of course, can be used by more than just that demographic — I just wanted to be sure to address my main readership. ;)

1. Buy to freeze.

Sometimes that”buy-in-bulk” sale is so tempting, but we know there is no way we will get through all that chicken before it goes bad in a house of one or two. Well, go ahead and buy it anyways but plan on freezing it. Before you freeze it, measure and cut it into 1-2 serving-sized portions and freeze individually.

2. Always buy SOME things in bulk.

When it comes to oats, pasta, rice, beans, seeds and nuts, I like to buy these things in bulk. There is an aisle in most grocery stores with products you can buy wholesale/by the lb. I usually get oats, quinoa and rice here. Make sure they are always in your cabinets to make meal planning… and your life… much easier.

3. Buy fruits and veggies in smaller qualities.

It’s such a tragedy to see produce go bad. Buy what you know you are going to eat and nothing more. It’s okay to have to go to the market more than once per week if it means you won’t be wasting food. Stop on your way home from work to get fruits and veggies you need for the next couple of days.

4. Buy local and seasonal.

You may associate buying from farmers markets and buying organic with a higher price tags. If you buy organic fruits and veggies from the supermarket, this is definitely the case. However, buying produce from a local market could be saving you money. Check to see what kinds of produce is in season, and stick to those (they will be cheaper since they are more available).

seasonal-vegetable-chart

5. Got to the farmers market first thing, or at the end of the day. 

In the AM there may be bulk sales on the produce you want most. In the PM, you may be able to talk down the farmer’s price a little because they don’t want to ship their fruits and veggies back to the farm. If there is a produce you really want, go in the AM

6. Invest in savings.

Make lists, cut coupons and sign up for savings cards. Make these things routine so that you are invested in saving. Also, make it a habit to check weekly circulars for sales and plan your meals around those sales.

7. Do away with disposables.

Why are you wasting your money on plastic utensils, paper plates and disposable cups and containers? Invest in tupperware and reusable water bottles. You will save SO MUCH MONEY in the long run, I promise

yumm, tea.

8. Drink water.

While we are on the subject of water bottles… use them often. Aside from your occasional glass of milk, coffee or tea, make water your primary beverage. Water  detoxifies your body and naturally hydrates you in a way other beverages can’t. Drinking water can also save you some money in another way. In many cases, when we feel hungry,  we are actually just thirsty. When ‘hunger’ hits, drink water before opening up that lunch bag.

9. Think protein.

Buy protein-packed foods. When you are shopping, buy protein-filled foods like Greek yogurt, eggs, nuts, hummus and lean meats. These kinds of foods will fill you up when incorporated into meals or when eaten in between meals as snacks. I love to eat Greek yogurt accompanied by nuts and berries or pair hummus, veggies and hard-boiled eggs.

10. Eat with friends & have potlucks.

My favorite thing to do when food items are scarce is to have friends over. Plan a potluck dinner and make a hodgepodge of dishes to get you all happy and full. Potlucks were clutch at the end of the school year during graduation. No one wanted to buy more groceries, since it would be a waste… plus, we needed to get rid of their random assortments of foods already in our cabinets. Have potlucks before vacation weeks, on a Friday before a long weekend or just for fun! Challenge yourself to make the dishes as healthy as possible.

Do you have tips for eating healthy on a budget? Please share! Also, check out one of SHSH’s most popular posts is 25 ways to eat healthy on a college budget.

Happy saving! :)

Trying to lose? Lose the fork.

Posted in Food & Diet by

By Emily McLaughlin

Okay, so the title might seem a little harsh… but I swear this post contains nothing but good vibes. Are you trying to lose weight? Well, do as I say… and get rid of your forks.

For those of us who have struggled or are struggling with our weight, eating right and exercising more often are easier said than done. Once we do get into a regular exercise routine and change our diets for the better–the weight, oftentimes, still hangs on.

For me, the problem has never been exercise. I absolutely love to drip sweat at the gym. Also, I change my gym routine quite often, mostly out of boredom. My problem is not  eating right. I love cooking, eating vegetables and making even the most decadent of dishes as healthy as possible.

My problem then, you ask? I eat too much. I tend to get really excited about food, then I shovel it into my mouth like coal in a furnace. I pounce on food like it’s going to disappear if I don’t eat it quickly.

A solution for this? CHOPSTICKS. Obviously, my chopstick-use is highly influenced by my love for sushi, obsession with Asian dishes and my friendship with Ryo. I recently acquired a couple of pairs of chopsticks after Ryo’s trip to Japan and, as you could have guessed, I’m using them all the time whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Yesterday’s lunch

Chopsticks force me to slow down, first because my skills are lacking, then because they can’t pick up as much as my fork. Once you figure our how to use them, you’ll realize that you find yourself chewing more as you struggle to pick up your next bite. You’ll also realize you are full before you finish that entire plate of food.

How could I not use these every day!?

There you have it. Chopsticks are the answer. Haha, of course… if you are trying to lose weight, don’t go tell you friends that all you have to do it buy some chopsticks. Don’t go into your parents’ house and tell them, “Emily said to get rid of our forks!” Eating slower (therefore consuming a little less per day) is a major component of weight-loss, but your priority should be getting into a regular exercise routine and making your diet as clean as can be… then invest in some chopsticks. ;)

Happy eating, happy exercising and happy chopping.

Egg ‘n oats with fresh salsa

Posted in Food & Diet, Recipes by

By Emily McLaughlin

Today was just lovely. Working from home increases my productivity exponentially.

On days when I commute to Newton, it can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours to get to work and getting home takes just as long. That means 2-3 hours of my day is spent in traffic. …In reality, that isn’t horrible. But for some reason, it kills me to waste that much of my day driving.

This morning, I slept a little later, and had enough time to head out for a quick run. I’m currently entertaining the idea of training for a half-marathon. Last time I tried to do this, my shins took a turn for the worse and said, “Hell, no!” Over the weekend, I did a 5 mile workout (walk .5, run 4, walk .5). By the end, my shins were fine, but my knees were hurtin’. This morning I did a 20-minute easy run to get back in the game… SUCCESS!

Goooood morning. :)

After my run, I still had plenty of time to put gas in my car, get coffee and make breakfast–all before I had to log onto my work computer. For breakfast… I, of course, had oatmeal. This morning, I prepared it in one of my favorite ways–with an egg on top. I have shared this recipe with you all countless times, so it might seem normal. However, my family still looks at my bowl of goods with their heads cocked to the side.

Fresh salsa and plain Greek yogurt from Trader Joe’s.

What set today’s breakfast apart from the rest, was the salsa and fresh tomatoes. I am utterly smitten by Trader Joe’s Hot Fresh Salsa. To make things even better, my mom had a bunch of freshly picked tomatoes waiting to be consumed.

Hesitant? PLLLLLEASE try this. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Oats are the perfect carb to power you through your mornings.

Breakfast of champs.

Egg ‘n oats

1/2 cup oats

1 cup water

1-2 fried eggs/egg whites (I love runny yokes)

1 dollop of fresh salsa

1/4 cup fresh tomato (if you’ve got ‘em)

1 dollop of Greek yogurt

1. Cook the oats according to package instructions — typically, 1/2 cup of oats needs 1 cup of water.

2. Fry eggs to your liking, putting them on top of the oatmeal.

3. Put all that other stuff on.

 

;) Enjoy!

5 tips for those with hypoglycemia

Posted in Food & Diet, Health & Beauty by

By Cassie Brown (Hard Body with Cassie B.)

Cassie Brown

A gift and a curse, hypoglycemia is a condition that is not well understood by those who do not suffer from it–which is why it more often seems like a curse than a gift. Let me tell you though, in a nation where obesity rates are skyrocketing, I’ve learned to view my condition as a blessing.

Why? Hypoglycemia forces you to evaluate your diet, (and no, I don’t say “diet” assuming that you’re on a diet, I say “diet” meaning: your regular eating habits). It forces you to analyze what and how much you eat at one time and how it makes your body feel in the following hours. Controlling the fatigue, weakness, and mood swings you experience with hypoglycemia cannot be done with medications. Ultimately, you have to find the diet that works best for you and feels best for you. You learn as you go along and as your body changes, but to save you some time, here are a few ideas that work for me that I think you should try too:

  1. NEVER skip breakfast. EVER. When you sleep through the night, you are fasting, causing your blood sugar to drop. As soon as you wake up, you need to “break the fast” (see how creative the English language was with that one?!). I always break the fast with a bowl of whole grain cereal because cereal is a perfect source of carbohydrate, which, once it’s ingested, is broken down to glucose (sugar) and then used replenish your blood sugar level. With hypoglycemia, sugar is like your caffeine; you can’t start your day without it.
  2. Eat often. To be honest, a bowl of cereal will never hold me over until lunch, (unless it’s the weekend when I get a later start to my day). 2-3 hours after my bowl of cereal, it’s time for breakfast #2! Personally, I’ve found that eating a “Mini Meal” every 3 hours keeps me most alert, energetic, and most importantly, happy.
  3. Portion control. This is super important for the sake of following suggestion #2. If you eat too much, to the point of feeling full, you’re not going to want to eat within the next 2-4 hours. Because your body works like this: even though your stomach stays full and your body is digesting your last big meal, your blood sugar will already peak and begin to fall. As you eat your “Mini Meals”, others will give you a hard time about not eating enough, but people who don’t have the condition don’t understand that you shouldn’t feel stuffed after you eat because you need to feel hungry within the next few hours to manage your blood sugar level.
  4. Keep snacks on hand. Always have something to nibble on everywhere you go. The one thing I’ve learned about this condition is that your blood sugar will always drop at the most inconvenient times. Why? Because when we’re busy or out of our regular routine we tend to neglect our regular diet. Your body notices when you’re doing things differently and then it responds, forcing you to bring your attention back to it. I always have a tin of nuts in my car and fruit, yogurt, or granola bars in my purse to back me up when I’m in a pinch.

    Hypoglycemia can hit at inconvenient times.

  5. Listen to your body. As you become accustomed to living with hypoglycemia and figure out what and how to eat, you’ll become more in touch with how your body responds to different situations. Pay attention to how your body feels when you’re sick. Vomiting and diarrhea can really throw off your blood sugar, so try to replenish your body immediately. Something else I’ve discovered about my body is that I cannot eat sugary junk foods early in the day, like a doughnut at breakfast, because when my body comes down from that sugar high in the afternoon, I crash hard. So when I want to indulge, I save the sweets for later, and then when I crash, it’s bedtime. You’ll discover these nuances with your body too – it’s all trial and error.

When you’re first diagnosed, you’ll feel like this condition is a real pain in your backside–and that feeling will come back in other moments in your life. In the end though, giving your body the attention and nourishment it deserves – some “TLC”, if you will – every day of your life makes for a healthier body and mind. In a society where carrying around excess fat on your body doesn’t seem to be consequence enough, I hope that you choose happiness and a focused mind over a sub par diet. I leave you now with all the wisdom I have to offer about living with hypoglycemia and wish you all the best in discovering your ideal diet. Good luck!

Get in control… live freely!