Category Archives: sushi

by | October 3, 2010 · 6:35 am

Too. Many. Pancakes!

     My last few days have been a bit crazed. I have a lot of planning and prepping going on for the upcoming month (of which I’ll share with you soon enough!), so I decided to keep tonight’s post simple for my own sanity, as well as yours.

Yesterday’s breakfast. I’m really on pancake cruise control lately. These were based on my Vegan Banana-Pecan Oatmeal Pancakes, but we were out of rolled oats so I used a little more whole grain flour and soaked some quick-cook steel-cut oats in hot water for five minutes before draining them and adding them to the batter.
     I had to work a full shift today, so it was a typical day food-wise. The Monstas made a return, finally! I had a Monsta with 5 cups of spinach, 1/3 of a cup of soymilk, 1 carrot, 1 spear of asparagus, 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries, 1/2 of a frozen banana and 1/2 of a lemon. Happiness! These really give me SO much energy and up my mood like nothing else (even coffee!).
     
     Lunch was a mini-spicy tuna roll with brown rice. I didn’t take pics of the Monsta or lunch because I’m sure you’re tired of seeing the same thing over and over. And over.
     Dinner, on the other hand, was something fun and new! Kinda…
Mini burger with cheddar cheese and topped with spicy guacamole, and a Punkin Ale.
I had some leftover batter in the fridge so I made a banana-pecan pancake for dessert.
I. Am. Stuffed. 
     I finished my latest book, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. It’s a young-adult read, but I honestly recommend it if you’re looking for something riveting. It’s got a lot of action in it, and I feel it’s closer to the “adult” side of “young-adult”, with just enough innocence to make it palatable for the kids. All I know is that I’ve already started the second book of the series, “Catching Fire”, and will probably finish that within the next two days because I’m addicted and don’t want to put it down.
     Tonight will include another Punkin Ale and a healthy serving of “Catching Fire”. I’ve got another full day at work tomorrey (it has been WAY too long since I’ve been to church 🙁 I miss my Sundays.) and a lot of reading to do! I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen and make something that involves a lot of effort! I need an excuse to use my new apron, which I’ll show when I finally have time to cook!
Punkin Ale is affecting me. I have no questions. Anyone want to ask me something?
🙂

7 Comments

Filed under banana pecan pancakes, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, green monster, sushi, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games, work

by | September 10, 2010 · 10:10 am

Too. Much. Gelato!

     Today, I may have gone a little overboard. And by a little, I mean COMPLETELY. I visited Menchie’s for lunch.

I got a miniscule amount of tart frozen yogurt with some dark chocolate chips, strawberries, and one small square of brownie.
For dinner, I got a small gelato: Brown-sugar waffle-cone and amaretto chocolate chip. It was awesome. My stomach hurt – so good. Pain after this much dairy is good, right??
     Don’t worry, though! I balanced it out with a midday Monster!
This had 2 cups of spinach, 1/2 of a cup of blueberries, 1/4 of a frozen banana, 1 lime, 2 sprigs of asparagus and unsweetened soymilk. This helped balance me. Slightly…
     I kind of failed on the pictures today, so here’s a small recap of yesterday!
PEACH PIE MONSTA! I’ve found my new obsession. I had the usual ingredients in this, then threw in a ripe peach and a teaspoon of cinnamon. It’s like taking a bite out of autumn!
I had a Kitchen Sink Salad for lunch with half a bag of chopped lettuce, 1/2 of a carton of egg white salad, 1/2 of a cup of lentils, and 1/2 of a chopped red bell pepper. I love me the KSS!
This was lunch yesterday at work. I had a mini-spicy tuna roll with avocado. I ate this outside, all by myself. Apparently it was too cold for everyone else! It was a chilly 60 degrees, and I enjoyed the dark clouds and the cold breeze until I had to recede back into my dark retail dungeon.
     I had a few hours of work tonight, then came home to have a glass of red wine and watch my new obsession, “Nikita“! Yes, I know that it’s “Alias 2.0”, but I’m always okay with watching girls kicking ass. Plus, Shane West is on it. Le sigh :).
     Now it’s ridiculously late considering I have to work tomorrey at 8:30am, so I should probably go pass out. 

Apparently I need to have a pottery giveaway! I’ll think of something and post it in the next few days 🙂

Also, has anyone watched Nikita? What are your favorite guilty-pleasure TV shows?

1 Comment

Filed under gelato, green monster, kitchen sink salad, Nikita, sushi, work

by | August 29, 2010 · 7:47 am

A Simple Kind of Life

     Summer tastes exactly like a tree-ripened peach, freshly sliced, sitting next to a mug of coffee.

At least to me. It was a wonderful way to begin my morning, overlooking the sunrise.
My Monsta had something different in it today! This had 5 cups of spinach, 1/2 a banana, 1/2 of a cup of unsweetened soymilk, 1/2 of a cup of frozen blueberries, 1/2 of a gigantic carrot, and 1/2 of a lemon. The carrot definitely added some sweetness to it. Boo to the yah for 6 veggie servings before 9am!
     Work was work. I whined, I complained, I commiserated with my fellow unhappy coworkers, and I ate cupcakes.
Yes, my work gives out junk food when you do something well. I don’t understand why they feel the need to make us all gain weight… I demolished this cupcake. Oops.
     Lunch was a mini spicy tuna roll with brown rice, followed by some speed walking. I had some company back at work which made the time fly by, then headed home with some mountain biking on my brain. I walked into my house and decided biking was a bad choice. Instead I decided on this:
Fancy nachos! Soy and flaxseed tortilla chips with leftover tri-tip, chipotle peppers covered in pepperjack cheese and guacamole. Guacamole from a bag. It looks awful, I know. Red wine, for the win!
     My alarm is set for an early-morning bike ride tomorrey, followed by an icy Monsta and a long day at work. Next week will be full of pictures of friends and foods and auditions, so stick with me! 
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

2 Comments

Filed under biking, coffee, green monster, nachos, peaches, red wine, sushi, work

by | August 26, 2010 · 9:34 am

Back to Retail. Yay.

     Today I had to get back to the grind. It was extremely depressing to go back to retail after having nine days of pure bliss. I may have had a mini breakdown at lunch. Very mini…

     The day started off wonderfully! I had my first Monsta in DAYS and I needed it!

1/2 of a cup of soymilk, 5 cups of spinach, a handful of frozen strawberries and blueberries, 1/2 of a banana and 1/2 of a lemon and 1/2 of a lime. HELLO ENERGY!!!!
     My stomach has massively shrunk since beginning filming. I finished my Monsta, but it was a challenge. This baby kept me full until around 11:30am. I decided that I just hadn’t had enough veggies, so my roommate made us some Kitchen Sink Salads.
We were low on lettuce, so it was mostly warmed lentils, egg white salad and sauteed asparagus in Herbes de Provence. It was a perfect petite meal.
     And then came work. My friend Duck-Duck came to visit, which made it slightly more bearable. It was a pretty dead day, and I had to work in the women’s section. Utter hell. These women fight over sales and will bite you in order to get commission. I am most definitely NOT competitive when it comes to sales. If I ever feel the need to be competitive in my job, I will quit. This was meant to be temporary anyway, and this last week has put a hunger in me for the career I really want – acting.
     My mom came to visit me for lunch and helped calm me down after my mental breakdown. She helped me put together a plan for the next few weeks that involves lots of filmed auditions and focusing on the future instead of dreading my retail job. She helped so muchly. Thanks, mom!
Some Mini Spicy Tuna Roll with Brown Rice helped too. I asked for some avocado to up my healthy fat intake. I needed all the buffer I could get today.
     The day passed by very slowly. I met a new coworker and had some awesome conversations with her, and finally got to go home. I was greeted by this lovely sight:
A glowing glass of Merlot. I may actually be LIKING wine! Who woulda thunk?
     Tomorrow is a day off (already needed), so I’ll be filming some auditions, organizing my room and my life, and interning from home. OH! And I just remembered that it’s Thursday, so I’m going to try and hit up the farmers’ market too! It’s the little things in life :).
I survived my first day back at work. Barely. Time to join a gym and work off my anxiety!

2 Comments

Filed under green monster, kitchen sink salad, Merlot, sushi, wine, work

by | August 9, 2010 · 6:57 am

I Hate Women

     I had to work in the women’s department today, and I’ll tell you, they are VICIOUS!!! I got yelled at by a coworker who was stealing my sales and snapped at by some irritable female shoppers. I think I’ll stay in my nice quiet store with the nice, patient men.

     Today was… PANCAKE SUNDAAAAAAY!!!!!

I made Oatmeal Blueberry-Cocoa Pancakes and topped them with mashed banana instead of syrup. If you feel like something is missing, you’re right. No Green Monsta this morning! Sadness, cured by cakes of pan.
     Work was work was work was work. I dislike that building and the women in it, and I had sushi for lunch. Yep, that sums up my day.
     I got home and had some freshly-made Summer Corn, Bacon and Potato Chowder and a glass of Brochelle. According to my roommates, I am now a wine snob. Woohoo!
De-freakin-lish.
What’s your favorite healthy comfort food?

4 Comments

Filed under bacon, Brochelle, Pancake Sunday, potato chowder, summer corn, sushi, work

by | August 7, 2010 · 9:29 am

Finger Foods!

     I had a long, gimpy day at work. Seriously, I limped throughout the entire day, and was very annoying to all the people I whined to. You’re lucky you weren’t there. I was very annoying …and whiny….

     The day started off with a Monsta: Picture omitted because there are just too many, and lunch was a MSTRwBR. Again, picture omitted because of repetition. After lunch, there was a Paciugo -OMITTED BECAUSE I INHALED IT IN 36 SECONDS, AND YOU’VE SEEN TOO MANY!

     Now, here’s what you’ve all been promised with the title: Finger Food Dinner!

Chopped avocados, spicy salsa, roasted chicken, multigrain and flaxseed water crackers, a mix of jalapeno havarti cheese, smoked gouda, and mozzarella with prosciutto and basil, LOTS of romaine lettuce, and a glass (or three) of prosecco.

Three glasses of prosecco. Does this picture look straight to you?
I ate plenty, but never felt overstuffed! Yay, portion-control!

     Tomorrow will be the first blogger meet-up of my existence! I AM SO EXCITED THAT I CANNOT CONTAIN MYSELF!!! And then I have to have a full shift at work. The blog will be amazing, despite the 8 hours at work I have to suffer through – I will be showing up as late as possible to squeeze every second of enjoyment from the meet-up.
     I apologize for the lack of pictures, but tomorrey’s post will make up for it. PLUS more! Have a wonderful night, and a fantastic weekend!
L.A. BLOGGER MEET-UP! What’s on the schedule for your weekend??

2 Comments

Filed under blogger meet-up, gelato, green monster, Los Angeles, Paciugo, sushi

by | August 3, 2010 · 9:25 am

Pancakes and CocoButta!!!

     “The Chief” aka portion-control, is going wonderfully! It’s ridiculous how much food I was stuffing myself with. Taking my time to enjoy every meal and starting with smaller portions really cuts down my consumption! As of now, I’m satisfied food-wise, full of chamomile tea, and very happy.

     I did something DIFFERENT today! I made a new recipe… kinda… We were out of spinach for Monstas, so I whipped up some pancakes: adapted from Angela’s Blueberry-Carob pancakes. Thanks, Angela!
Oatmeal Blueberry-Cocoa Pancakes!
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup quick cook rolled oats
1 tbsp Trader Joe’s sipping chocolate powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/3 cup unsweetened soymilk
3/4 cup blueberries
1/8 tsp sea salt

In a large bowl, mix together the oat flour, rolled oats, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour the soymilk into the dry mixture and whisk. The mixture will look VERY watery, but don’t worry, the oatmeal soaks it up after a few minutes! Stir in the blueberries.
Chocolate milk!

Pour a HEAPING scoop of batter into a pan that has been sprayed with canola oil and heated over medium for 3 minutes.
See? They turn solid! It’s like magic!

Wait until the tops of the cakes have begun to dry out and the little bubbles have popped (about 2-3 minutes), then flip the pancakes and cook the other side for 2 minutes. Plate and top with some mashed banana instead of syrup!
(I took the mashed banana tip from Angela as well. Delish!)
This made about 12 small pancakes. I had 3, made some for the roommates, and now have some leftover batter in the refrigerator for tomorrey morning :).

     After my awesome culinary expedition, I had to go to work. Sigh. This is how I spent my day:
This is a piece of paper that I sliced into oblivion using a pair of small scissors. It took me 2 hours to do this. I think I need a new job that mentally challenges me a little more…

     Lunch was the same old, MSTRwBR. You should know what that means by now. From now on, just assume that’s what I eat for lunch – If it’s ever anything different, it shall be photographed and blogged about!

     On the way home, I swung by Sprouts to pick up some unsweetened dried coconut to make my own CocoButta! I spent a lot of money on this coconut, so if it didn’t turn out, I would have been bummed!
That’s right, I splurged and spend $1.41 cents on this half-pound of coconut!

     I threw the whole thing into the food processor and pulsed it a few times.
Hmm, that didn’t do much…
7 minutes later…COCOBUTTA!!!!!
(Thanks for the recipe link, Justin!)

     I poured the CocoButta into a tupperware and set it on the counter. I’m still waiting for it to solidify. Am I supposed to refrigerate this? Does anyone know?

     Dinner was made for me by the roommate! I am so freaking spoiled!
1/2 cup of Summer Corn, Bacon and Potato chowder (soymilk was used instead of regular milk), and a glass of Brochelle.

     We took our amazing Zinfandel (Brochelle is EPIC!) outside and spent the evening enjoying the (somewhat blurry, thanks to my camera) view.
Now I’m off to start my “weekend”! I’m really looking forward to making some coconut-cherry-banana bread tomorrow, then throwing around some clay at pottery class with my mum!

What are you most looking forward to this week?

6 Comments

Filed under bacon, Brochelle, coconut, coconut butter, pancakes, potato chowder, summer corn, sushi, work

by | August 2, 2010 · 9:26 am

August Bucket List

     What a beautiful day! I wish I’d been able to get outside a little more, but I had a nice morning to enjoy the sun and fresh air. I started my day with a gigantic Monsta that had 3 cups of spinach, 3/4 of a cup of unsweetened soymilk, 1/2 a banana, 1/2 a cup of mixed frozen blueberries and strawberries, and the juice of half a lemon and lime.

     I headed out to work and made a very important stop to visit one of the most important people in my life.

Mrs. Godiva. She gives me one piece of overpriced candy FREE every month! She loves me!
     I’ve begun a new plan for this month: portion control! I’ve realized lately that I’ve been having way too much of everything. I’m generally comfortable with eating almost whatever I want, but recently it’s been sliding out of control and into massive bingeing. Here are some of my goals for August:
– Eat slowly and enjoy every single bite.
– No more visits to See’s Candies (Godiva is allowed once a month for my free piece).
– No more sugary coffee drinks (To save money, and needless sugar/caffeine intake).
– NO MORE BEER!!!!
Don’t freak out! The no beer rule is only for August. I’m still allowing myself two glasses of red wine a week for health reasons. The last time I quit alcohol, I dropped 8 pounds over the course of the first month, and my beer gut needs to go, especially since I start filming in two weeks!
     Even though I have a new plan (Now known as The Chief – no reason why, I just feel like using a code name), lunch was still the same.
A mini-spicy tuna roll with brown rice and sriracha. I only used about a teaspoon of soy sauce with my sriracha for dipping. Salt is slowly being cut out.
     I did some speed walking on my breaks (My current “strutting” song is “Your Love Is My Drug” by Kesha – perfect for walking to a quick clip), and for a late afternoon snack had Paciugo. This time, I had a child’s size, which is two small scoops, of rocky road and amaretto chocolate chip. There’s really no need for any more than a small taste!
     Dinner was a small bean and cheese burrito made with a raw tortilla that was cooked in a skillet. I had 2 tablespoons of pre-made guacamole on the side.
Have you ever tried a raw tortilla? You can buy them in a regular grocery store in the cheese section. You just plop one of these into a dry skillet and slowly cook it until it looks a little opaque. These are the tortillas that they use in restaurants – the ones that make the burritos so unbearably good that you can’t help but inhale the entire thing. Luckily, this one was small.
     I’ve also made my August bucket list! A few key points:
– Take a pottery class (I start Tuesday night! My mom and I are going to be throwing clay together 🙂 ).
– No See’s!
– Have a 3-hour dinner at a local fancy restaurant with friends (I LOVE having extended meals!).
– Bike up “the Bitch” – a 7 mile bike trail that gently slopes from sea level to 300 feet, then climbs another 350 feet in 1/2 a mile. 
– Finally do my “audition intensive” where I put a bunch of auditions on tape to send in.
– Fax in my contract to Foodbuzz!
– L.A. Blogger meet-up! So excited!
– Cut out the brews and sub in 2 glasses of red wine per week.
– Film a festival short (August 14th-22nd).
– Read the Bible every day – I’m going to be doing a little Bible study in the next few weeks.
     My day was very productive and cheerfull with all the list-making, and I leave you now with some cozy pictures of happiness.
Enjoyed the final beer last night while sitting around the fire pit. Happiness.
Perfection in a fluffy package.
Do you have anything you want to accomplish/do for fun in August?

4 Comments

Filed under burrito, gelato, green monster, Kesha, Paciugo, raw tortilla, sushi, work, Your Love Is My Drug

by | July 29, 2010 · 9:28 am

Routines, Routines…

     Good Wednesday! Prepare for another quick blog. I’m tired and ready to crash. Let’s start with a picture of the love of my life that I wake up to every morning:

3 cups of spinach, 3/4 of a cup of unsweetened soymilk, 1/2 a banana, 1/4 of a cup of frozen cherries, and the juice of a lemon and a lime.
     This one turned my tongue green! I felt the need to Tweet that. No pictures, don’t worry, a green tongue isn’t photo-worthy, only Twitter-worthy.
     I had a few hours to lollygag around the house, so I caught up on some of my favorite bloggers and whipped up some lunch to fill me up a little before work.
Lunch was a fried egg sandwich on Great Harvest 9 Grain bread. Quick, easy, and full of protein!
     Work seemed exceptionally long. I had to take an early lunch, which made the rest of the day crawl by. I was tempted to get a “fatty sammich“, but instead went for the healthy alternative.
Say it with me now, “Mini-spicy tuna roll on brown rice”. Lunch was followed by a small gelato from Paciugo – I’m ridiculously predictable.
     When I got home, I put together a plate of pepper jack cheese and water crackers. I’ve been having dairy a lot lately, and not having any effects from it… I’m not sure why, but I’m going to go with it, since I can currently have gelato and cheese, the other loves of my life, with no troubles. 
CHEEEEEEESE! Pepper jack cheese is my all-time favorite cheese.
     We were planning on watching Paranormal Activity last night, but it wasn’t available on On Demand, so instead we would up watching all of the dance scenes in Step Up 2 (AWESOME dances! Crappy storyline, but that’s not what we watch it for 🙂 ), and then watched A Walk to Remember. AWtR is one of my favorite movies (such a sweet story!), and is the only movie that is better than the book it’s based off of – at least in my opinion.
     What’s your favorite book -> movie?

2 Comments

Filed under A Walk to Remember, fried egg sandwich, green monster, pepper jack cheese, sushi, water crackers, work

by | July 23, 2010 · 9:10 am

Back to Reality

     I am officially back! I had an amazing few days hanging with my cousin and having an extended vacation, but today sent me straight back to reality – work, Paciugo and sore feet.

     I woke up early this morning and had two massive cups of coffee, and reheated the rest of my amazing gnocchi dinner. I haven’t had a Green Monster since Tuesday morning! It’s awful! SAVE ME! I sped off to work full of carbohydrates and caffeine, ready to work!

     However, there was no work to be done. It’s very hard to work when everything is clean and there is nobody around. I wandered, visited See’s, and stared at the clock until I could finally escape for lunch.

Another mini-spicy tuna roll with brown rice? I need to expand my repertoire.
     I went to my couch and read my current book, The Help by Kathryn Stockett for forty minutes, and desperately tried to keep my eyes open. Doing nothing can be very, very tiring! I really recommend this book – I spent the whole day staring longingly at the book in my little cubby, wishing I could take it out to read.
     After lunch, I went with my friend, Michael to get some gelato and had a small with chocolate peanut butter, butter pecan and amaretto chocolate chip, and Michael had a small of apple pie. There is no picture because I couldn’t be bothered with waiting before I devoured it! 
     The day finally finished and I raced home to heat up some leftover pad thai for dinner. Pardon the picture – it tastes much better than it looks!
I LOVE THAI FOOD!!!
     After dinner, I went down to the train station to pick up my roommate who has been in San Diego at the opening day of races at Del Mar. Tomorrow I’ll post a picture of her hat that she made just for the occasion!
     That basically sums up my day. I was kind of lame with the pictures, so I’ll add some to the end of this so you don’t feel totally robbed… 
Magners with a view!
What is this? 
This be some crazy caveman stuff!
What is one food you could eat forever and be happy? Mine’s a tie between thai/indian/sushi/anything edible…

3 Comments

Filed under cassette, Del Mar, gelato, Paciugo, pad thai, sushi, train station, VHS, work