The Sweetest Birthday Gift

If you know me at all then you will have an idea how obsessed I am with The Wizard of Oz.  And I do mean obsessed.  When I was young, I would sit with my mom on the 4th floor of our building in Soundview Projects in the Bronx and imagine being swept off to worlds unknown and seeing everything in bright and vivid colors.  There we have the early stages of my traveling obsession.

Tomorrow is my birthday and it is also the day The Honeypie was supposed to come back from TDY.  I spent so much time thinking about him coming home and not being alone that I completely skipped all of my birthday excitement.  When I found out he wouldnt be home at all I was so distraught and now that I know I am going home, although its a lovely birthday gift, I have been thinking more about that than anything else.  So I guess the point is, it hasnt really felt like my birthday at all.  I usually spend the weeks prior to my big day thinking about what I will do and reminding everyone that I DO accept cash, but this year, it just hasnt felt the same; until today.

Today I received my first birthday gift (well the computer from the honeypie was the first gift, but I dont get that until I get to America) and it came all the way from Korea.  Oh how I miss the life I led there.  Full of fun, drama with my bosses, drinking, eating, being called fat by little kids (ok dont miss that), drinking, laughing for no reason all over the place, o yea and did I say drinking?  So this present came right on time.

My coworkers knew me so well and they got me the best Pressy's I could ask for.  I even took a picture of the box!


Pressy number 1:  A Travel Journal made with love.  Inside there were cards from my friends and decorative pages for me to add more pictures and descriptions of all the places I am going to go.  Its funny because as Rob and I were talking today and discussing our travel plans for November and December I was thinking how much I need a travel journal of some kind to document the awesomeness.  Inside I also found Wizard of Oz stationary, stickers, and a recipe for POLYJUICE POTION (you better be up on your Harry Potter Spells!) Again, if you know me, you know that there are few things I love as much as a book full of blank paper, not to mention the fact that it was hand decorated!  Yea, I started crying... so what!

I love the Kitty Newspaper in there!

Thank you guys!

Pressy number 2: A Wizard of oz "Magic Book"!  AHHHHHHH Its so pretty and yellow, and again filled with copious amounts blank paper.  Now I just have to figure out what to put in it.  Shouldn't be a problem! O how I love journals, especially when they are specifically tailored for my love!

So now I am feeling more like its my birthday.  Tomorrow I will be surrounded by my family whom I haven't seen in over a year.  I guess I really have been in denial because its already 2:15 and I still have cleaning to do- not to mention the fact that I haven't packed yet.  :/  Yikes!  So I leave off here, saying thanks again for thinking of me and making this birthday a lot better already.  Spending tomorrow on a plane wont be so bad with my new goodies.

The next time you hear from me I will be in Pittsburgh and writing from my new computer!  Feeling better and better!

UPDATE!! I have packed!!!  Now whats for dinner?

"OUT OF OZ" #4 In the Wicked Series

I just found out that the 4th and final book in the wicked series comes on on November 1st.  I am going to pre order that mother like 20 minutes ago!!! Do it! You know you want to.  

Once again, a series that I have grown to fall in love with is coming to an end.  *Sigh* I have to have the nook copy AND the hard copy.  I just must!  And that is all there is too it!  Maguire is so imaginative and loquacious.  I absolutely love the way he portrays his charachters and makes the readers feel like they are actually in the story.  I wish this wasnt the last Wicked book but alas, all good things must end.  I will probably cry again like with Harry Potter!

Other Maguire books I love:

Chinese DiSanXian (Chinese Egglant)

I had my fair share of issues with food when I was living in Korea, especially since I try to stay in a carb free world.  Ironically, my favorite restaurant was a Korean run Chinese place around the corner from my house.  Above one of my favorite little beauty supply stores (filled with whitening cream that I would never use), was the cutest family run restaurant with a fusion of Korean and Chinese dishes, one of which is the one listed here. DiSanXian

It was so hard to get low/no carb meals while living there so my options were extremely limited.  Since I can't read Korean, I memorized the 3 items on the menu that the foreigners always ordered; Eggplant, Spicy potatoes, and lamb kebabs.  I wish I add them all for dinner tonight!  I would even attempt to go alone on the occasions the I could find no one to cough up the moolah for some of the goodness.  But after a while, I said TO HELL WITH THAT and I started trying to make it on my own.  #FAIL.  It came out pretty decent but nothing like what my little old lady friend cooked up.  So before I left, I used my broken Korean to ask her for the recipe... and it failed, so I had my lovely Korean Co-teacher Mindy ask her for me and my lady friend gave it to me, but only under the condition that I actually took the time to make it.   Here is the recipe.

Notice anything?  Yea I can't read it and I forgot to get it translated before I left.  Sooooooooo after trying and trying and searching the net for something similar, I have FINALLY perfected the Eggplant recipe.  Here it is in all its glory and you don't even have to spend months trying to get it right like I did.  I can eat this by itself all day!  (It usually has some friend potatoes in it as well but I took them out for carb purposes, cant wait to put them back in!)

The Skinny:

1. Chop all your veggies

2. Heat your oil so that you can fry your eggplant until it is a pretty golden brown.  Remove and blot to remove some oil.  (If using potatoes, fry those first)

3. While the Eggplant fries, heat olive oil in a Wok or large pan and saute your peppers and jalapeno and add a tiny bit of water to soften.  

4.   Add all the eggplant (and potatoes if you used them) and the garlic to the peppers.  Add dark soy, light soy, sesame oil, and pinch of sugar.  

5. Let all the yummy juices sink into the eggplant and make it soft.  Serve it up!! Yum!

Taking pictures of food is NOT easy!

Chinese DiSanXian

1 eggplant

1 red pepper sliced in cubes or strips

1 green pepper (same)

Jalapeno (Depending on your pallet) 

2 cloves of garlic

1 1/2 table spoon dark soy sauce

1 1/2 table spoon light soy sauce

2 table spoon sesame oil

pinch of sugar

Olive Oil for frying and sauteing 

Direction:

1. Chop the green and red peppers.  

2. Heat oil in a medium sauce pan so that you can fry your eggplant until it is a golden brown color.  Remove from oil and blot with paper towel to remove access oil.  (If using potatoes, fry those first)

3. While the Eggplant fries, coat  Wok or large pan with olive oil and saute your peppers and jalapenos and add a tiny bit of water to soften, about 7 minutes or to desired softness.  

4.   Add all the eggplant (and potatoes if you used them) and the garlic to the peppers.  Add dark soy, light soy, sesame oil, and pinch of sugar.  

5. Continue to stir so that all the ingredients combine.  Serve it up!! Yum!

Weight loss results after 40 days of hell

I've been kind of quiet in the blogosphere as of late, but that is solely due to the fact that this diet has kept me from cooking and functioning to my hearts desire.  But as the title states, this is indeed my last day in this food prison so you can expect to be getting those recipes, and workouts more often now that I am back to real life.

The results are as follows

7/19/2011 -------->8/25/2011

Starting Weight: 218 lbs----------> Ending Weight: 186. 5

31.5 lbs in 38 days

Belly: 43.5 ------> 39.5

Arms: 14 ------->13.5

Waist: 41 -------> 38

Hips: 47 ------>43 (HELL YEA)

Legs: 28 ------->26

Under boobs:  38-------> 36 ( 36 D? Yea I'll take it)

16 in. total (if my math is right)

(Don't just me for saying under boobs!)

There it is.

*Pats myself on the back for going through this hell/depression*

 I am the woMAN.  So now that I can go back to real life, I have a week to get my body back to hard core exercise and real food before I go home.

Now that the data has been delivered, its now time for the ranting (you knew it was coming).

Lord knows that I have been craving everything under the sun.  Pinterest has been my Kryptonite through out this whole ordeal; giving me recipe after recipe to drool over knowing that they were all out of the question.  All I could think of was chocolate chip cookies, pasta with Alfredo sauce (ok  I still want that), donuts, french fries and potato chips.

So I went to the market today to celebrate my being able to eat real food tomorrow and when I finally got home I noticed something.  I took two different pictures of the things I bought.  Take a look-see.

Picture Number 1

Picture Number 2

 Notice anything?  Why are there 1,234 vegetables on my table?  Avacados, eggplant, zucchini, onions, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach- just out of control.  And what do you see in the other picture?? Cheese, Eggs, pepperoni, pesto, tomato sauce, light and dark soy, and peanut butter.  No sugar cookies, no chips, and no potatoes.

Now its very important to spend 2-3 weeks "STABILIZING" your weight but I had every intention of indulging myself when I was done.  Interestingly enough, I was just so exited to be grocery shopping with the prospect of cooking, I didn't even look down the goodie aisles.  All I can think of is my Shanghai Eggplant, my homemade mogolian beef and broccoli and my stuffed omelet with turkey bacon and cheese (recipes on the way).  O how excited I am about the yummyness that is going to be in my tummy tomorrow at 9 am!  Be back with update tomorrow... Until then *MUAH BOOS*!

What's going on???

Good Morning! This has been a good week so far as my friend from College Came to visit me here!  Thanks for coming Kayce!  

Kayce and I Punting in Cambridge

We had a fantastic time, which is why this weeks installment of "Whats Going on" is coming on Wednesday instead of Monday!  You know the drill.  Answer the questions yourself as well and post the answer in the comment section and on your own blog if you have one.

• Weight Today- 191 Almost there!
• Song of the Week- "1 + 1" Beyonce. I feel like this is an anthem for The Honey pie and myself.  I could have written it.

• Reading at the Moment - "Dracula"
• Current Craft Project- I have a pretty good idea outline for the book I am working on.  PROGRESS!

• Biggest Unhealthy Dessert Craving- None (weird huh)
• Biggest Unhealthy Entre Craving - There are a few- Pizza, Chinese Food, White Castle, Nachos with extra cheese and popcorn.  (could be that I am going home)
• Stressing About- Just spent a butt load of money on a ticket home.  The ticket is stressful, but the trip has me ecstatic.  I get to see the fam, get some bonding time with the siblings, and lounge all over the house and make them want me to leave lol!
• Best Meal This Week- I have the most delicious salad from a restaurant called Deer's Leap.  It was O so good.  I have been trying not to go out too much because I don't want the temptation to get me off my path, but I ate that salad.  I literally killed it.  Hmmm maybe I shall go again tonight!

What was left when I decided to take a pic

• Happy Thought- The awesome vacation we are going to have in November!  I am so excited!  The plan is in the works!!!  Wont say to much because I don't want to jinx it!

Sooooooooooooo Tell me about your week!  Just cut and paste in the comment space!

Kicking Fat's Ass...

One pound at a time...

Healthy Habits Tip- 
When you feel like eating an entire bag of Cheetos and waiting until the end to lick the cheese off your fingers... Remind yourself of where you were, and where you want to go.  (Then just eat a handful!)

 Shaina

Emotional Eating

"I'm not an emotional eater- I'm an all the time eater.  I like food because food tastes good."  

This is generally my spiel when it comes to myself and eating, however, In light of recent events I am starting to think otherwise.  While I know that the term "Emotional Eating" refers to all kinds of emotions (happy eating, angry eating, sad eating, ect) it only has one meaning for me; Sadness.  Usually I am the Queen of distractions.  I can find people to hang out with or interesting things to do with out even trying, until now.

I don't know the last time I was this unhappy and lonely.  To explain really quickly, I moved to England and 2 weeks after I got here The Honeypie was sent away on a temporary deployment.  In those 2 weeks, I made no friends and it seems like almost everyone I meet just sucks.  The original return date was September 1, my birthday and 2 months after he was sent away.  I've been keeping it together and trying to occupy my time by counting down. Figured I would also do this major 40 day diet while he was gone and be Oh So Stunning when he got back.  Then new information says that the return date is now October 1, or after, another 2 month wait. Cue Random Fight Club Quotes.

I am Shaina's Broken Heart. I am Shaina's raging bile duct.

I must own this shirt

But I digress.  While I love this house, and decorating, and making it our own, I am a people person.  I'm like David Blaine.  You know the Guy who needs people around him so he can levitate?  Yea, I'm like him.  I thrive off the energy of other people.  Suffice to say, I am usually the center of attention without even trying to be; AND I LOVE IT!

So me being here, with no friends, sucking at driving, nothing really around me (and if there was it would still be boring to go alone) and without my other half is driving me crazy.

Why does it matter?

To get to the point, ALL I'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO IS EAT!!! Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration.  I have been wanting to eat, but more so, I have been wanting to branch out and cook delicious things and THEN eat.  Not just stuff my face.  I have these recipes that I have been waiting to try and I can't try any of them until September when I am off this strict diet.  Makes me rue the day I started it, but I am not a quitter AND I am down to 193 lbs *Pats self on the back* but Oh how I crave food.  Whenever I considering going out for the day, I remember that I have to eat certain foods and so to avoid not have access to them I just figure I should stay home, which ultimately makes me more miserable.  YUCKY! No one likes Shaina unhappy.

I could go and visit my friends, but while I am on this diet, it just doesnt make sense.  Not to mention getting there and back.  So being here and not being able to drink or eat anything delectable has made me wonder if I am in  fact an emotional eater.  This is new territory for me- this unhappiness thing.  I have until September on this plan and I will stick it out...and then...

IM GOING HOME!!!!!! YAY!

After consulting with The Honeypie and the parentals, Im going to spend 3 weeks at home so that I can get out of this house and Lord knows I need it.  I am excited but a little anxious as well.  I have no interest in discussing my job situation (or lack there of) or my marriage situation (or lack there of) and I know those two things are sure to come up...repeatedly.

So am I an emotional eater now, or is the stress of being alone making me want to eat anything I can get my grubby little hands on?  What about you?

What's going on???

Good_________(I have friends on different time zones hehe) and happy Monday.  Now for a list of random things that have been on my mind this week.  Answer the questions yourself as well and post the answer in the comment section and on your own blog if you have one.

• Weight Today- 194.5 YAY!
• Song of the Week- "Gravity" John Mayer
• Reading at the Moment - "Sherlock Holmes Vol II" --"Catering Like a Pro"-- "Faith of the Fallen" (Sci Fi)
• Current Craft Project- Just made a Grey Slouchy Hat, and currently working on a blanket.  

Slouchy Hatness

Nowhere near finished

• Biggest Unhealthy Dessert Craving- Chocolate Chip Pizzookie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
• Biggest Unhealthy Entre Craving - Creamy Crispy Chicken Picatta
• Stressing About- The Honeypie has to stay in Greece 30 days longer than originally planned... I miss him so.
• Best Meal This Week- sliced Strawberries, sprinkle of Splenda, then Frozen until dessert time...yum
• Happy Thought- The Honeypie telling me all about my eyes and how wonderful they are (inside joke)

Sooooooooooooo Tell me about your week!  Just cut and paste in the comment space!

Quick and Effective Strength Training Workout

If I am at home and short on time, this is my Go-To workout.  This workout comes from the Guru Tim Ferriss, author of The 4 hour body.  If you know anything about muscle groups, you know that you get the most bang for your buck if you work more than one muscle group at a time.  This makes your muscles all like "WHAT THE HELL" (AKA Muscle Confusion).  This is the same premise as P90x and Insanity (will do break down of those soon as well), but not as intense and shorter if you don't have the time.  All the exercises have a link to show you exactly how to do them.  Enjoy

Quick Strength Training Workout
Adapted from Tim Ferriss' 4 hour body

I usually do this workout and then walk for 30 minutes or ride the bike for 30 minutes.  I also add a number of ab exercises at the end.  For best results, do what ever you are comfortable with so that you stick with it.  You will need a kettle-bell (I love this baby) or some thing similar.  Not sure about how to do these?  CLICK THE LINKS!  All can be done right at home.

All exercises, except for kettlebell swings, are performed for 10 repetitions using a 13-Repetition Max2 (RM) weight.

1. Heavy dumbbell front squat to press (ass to heels)—squeeze glutes at bottom for one second before rising
2. One-arm, one-leg DB row
3. Walking lunges with sprinter knee raise – [Note: "Your progression should be using your bodyweight, then dumbbells. This video shows with barbbell. I would PAUSE more at the top and push for hip extension (be as tall as you can at the top of each rep)."]  NOT A LOT OF SPACE??  Well Shaina does these in place right in the living room if my space is limited.  
4. Wide-grip push-ups
5. Two-arm kettlebell swings x 20-25
6. Abs- Shaina Note- I try to do as many different abs exercises as I can because my abdominals are my trouble area.  I really want a toned stomach.  This is one of my favorite sequences to do.  

Repeat sequence 2–4 times.

This is my desktop background right now!

What is your favorite circuit Workout?

The Incredible Edible Egg

This post is dedicated to one of my favorite clean eating miracle workers: EGGS.  I will regale you with details of why you should have an egg healthy diet, then I will leave you with one of my favorite breakfast Frittata recipes.  Ready... Set... Go!




THE SKINNY:

• One egg contains 6 grams of high- quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids which helps control the way the body absorbs calories.  Eating a little will keep you happily for a longer time which leads to belly tightening.
• Eggs are an inexpensive super food with a long shelf life.  I am horrible with fridge maintenance but I don't know if I have ever found a spoiled egg! 
• A common misconception is that they raise cholesterol because of the fat content (Each yolk has about 5 grams of fat), however, studies have proven that eggs contain *Dietary cholesterol* which is actually good for you body.  So unless you are eating my favorite kind of eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I think you're safe.

Shaina's favorite eggs- Over easy and Runny

• Eggs are the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.
• Eggs get laid... hahaha I made a funny!
• For my ultra fly divas, Eggs aid in the growth of hair and nails because of the sulphur content.  Women who eat eggs regularly will find their hair and nails growing thereby aiding in the flyness factor!
• For my sexy studs, when you eat the little round wonders, you are able to absorb all the protein (contrary to beef which doesnt fully absorb) and use it to build and rebuild muscle tissue.  LIFT ON!
• Eggs are a good source of choline with each egg having about 300 micrograms.  Choline is an important nutirent that helps regulate the functioning of the brain, nervous system, and the cardiovascular system.
• They help you concentrate!  I have the attention span of an ant so anything that helps me focus is ok in my book!
• They can be used in so many ways.  Its hard to run out of ideas for cooking eggs.  There are hundreds of ways to make omelets, frittatas, scrambles, or quiches, not to mention the side dishes that you can have.  Variety is my favorite thing!

Now on to a delicious Shaina favorite!

Easy Veggie Frittata

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs (or 4 eggs and 3 egg whites)
• 1 large onion sliced (all sizes up to you, for veggies, I usually chop them to a little less than an inch)
• 1 green pepper sliced
• 1 red pepper sliced
• 1 large tomato cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• Basil, salt, pepper, thyme to taste
• Parmesan cheese for topping, to taste

Preheat oven to 350

In a Cast Iron Skillet, melt butter and add all veggies (except tomato).  Cook on medium heat until soft, about 15 minutes. (I like mine a little crispy!)  Then transfer to a bowl to cool.  Meanwhile, Whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper, cheese, and herbs together. 

When veggies are cool enough, add them to the egg mixture, stir, and return to the skillet.  Stir the Frittata mixture around to make sure everything is evenly distributed.  Cook while stirring gently in the first couple of minutes cooking, then let the mixture cook until the bottom has set, about 5 minutes.

When bottom has set and the top of the ooey gooey egg goodness is still runny, transfer to the preheated oven until the eggs are JUST cooked and top is slightly brown, about 5 minutes.  Noticed that "just" is in bold letters! DO NOT OVER COOK, or you will have dry nasty eggs!

Sprinkle the top with a little more salt and pepper and Parmesan to taste.  

Rob and I generally just take a piece and put it straight on the plate.  No fancy cutting or presentation.  But if you are being fancy, transfer to a serving platter and cut into wedges!!  Team up with some toast and turkey bacon!

Serves 3 or (2 hungry people like me and Rob).  ENJOY!