Dear Diary Livin' like an Italian Gangsta

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables!!!

Well this Fatty McButterpants was on vacation for 3 weeks.  Yes I know how does one take a vacation when one is unemployed well by going to Italia!  Yeah it was awesome and yes don't worry I will have pics up soon on Picasa peoples.  So I have been doing a weight loss challenge too for 12 weeks.  So far I have lost about 11 lbs when I started said challenge but officially I have lost 16 lbs since I started trying to shed weight beforehand.  Yeah well it is a miracle that I kept weight off in Italy but was it a miracle?  Apparently in Italy they have fresh fruit and vegetables and serve them at their restaurants, THAT IS CRAZY YA'LL.  I am used to vegetables that are picked way before they are ripe and are weeks old by the time they come to restaurants or grocery stores and I am used to frozen processed chicken matter pressed into nugget form that is deep fried served with tater tots (which are also processed potatoes pressed into tater form).  Yeah don't bother asking for that at any locally owned restaurant.  I was surprised to see so many American fast food chains there and packed with so many teenagers!  I wanted to yell at them to stop it DON'T EAT THERE!!!!! Yeah but teens are teens they are the same in most countries, obnoxious and loud and do not listen to their elders.  Well point being we ate well and we walked a lot!

I fell in love with fresh easy dishes, seriously there were no more then 4 ingredients in most dishes and the taste was so complex yet simple.  Check me out with my vague food review like most horrible food critics.  Hey in my next life if I ever master the English language and write well, I do want to be a food critic.  Anyways here is a dish I loved called Pasta Alla Norma, a traditional Sicialliana dish.  It is so simple and delicious!

Pasta alla Norma, Molto Bene

Pasta alla Norma

Serves 2-3 as a main dish

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1" cubes (or 2 Italian eggplants, they are smaller in size)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 
1/2 teaspoon sea salt 
freshly ground pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
pinch of red hot chili flakes
1 14-ounce can whole tomatoes, crushed
8 ounces spaghetti
1.5 ounces ricotta salata * (this is a hard ricotta cheese and you can find it probably at a gourmet specialty store or Italian grocery store or Whole Foods or Central Market but you can substitute parmesean or pecorino romano)
handful of fresh basil leaves 

Preheat oven to 400° F.  On a baking sheet, toss the eggplant cubes with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the dried oregano, sea salt and some freshly ground pepper.  Roast for about 25 minutes. 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for your pasta.

Place 2 tablespoons of the olive oil into a large saucepan or skillet.  Add the grated garlic and gently cook for about 1 minute.  Add the chili flakes and the crushed tomatoes (I like to just crush them with my hands). Simmer for 5 minutes, uncovered.  (Start boiling your spaghetti at this point. Don't overcook it.)  Add the roasted eggplant to your tomato mixture and simmer for 5 minutes, covered.  

Remove the spaghetti from the pot and put it right in the eggplant tomato mixture.  Toss well.  Add torn fresh basil leaves and some grated ricotta salata.  Turn out onto a serving platter and grate some more ricotta salata on top and tear some more basil leaves for the top.  

Dear Diary I have been tagged

Thanks to Ms. Dahnya I have been tagged to answer random questions so for those who are dying to learn about moi, read ahead

Yeah movies like these are my favorite

THE RULES

1. Post these rules 

2. Post 11 random things about yourself 

3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you 

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag 

5. Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged!

Random things about myself that maybe only my mom and my best friends know hmmm

1. My mom originally thought I was cancer, yeah she went to the doctor thinking she had ovarian cancer and it was me!
2. When I was born my mom saw me and said that I was not her child but some white family's child since I was born with red hair and was ghost white. (Mind you I am Mexican American or Chicano or of the Hispanic persuasion).
3. I lived my whole life in Texas until now...currently residing in Atlanta
4. I never rode public transportation aka a bus until I was 16 and spent the summer in Austin and wow talk about cheap entertainment especially when a homeless guy flips you off, true story.
5. I spent a summer in Austin for a business nerd program for minorities at UT and met one of my oldest best friends there.
6. I loved V.C. Andrews and my original B.F.F.F. bonded over that and swapped books, if you don't know her books go to Amazon.com, NOW!
7. Some of my closest friends are also my cousins, they know who they are
8. I am an only child but never felt like one because my parents came from HUGE families and so I had tons of cousins around. 
9. I got married in a brewery and it was awesome
10. I hate small talk, I just stand there silent and awkward and then when I talk its rude and sarcastic
11. I love violent movies but they have to be hilarious or a good story line much like Pulp Fiction or Hobo with a Shotgun

Questions Dahnya asked me:

1. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year for free where would it be and why?

This one is hard but I would pick Terlingua, Texas.  We fell in love with west Texas near Big Bend National Park and everyone is so laid back and the stars at night are truly bright in that part of Texas

2. If you had to be on a reality TV show which one would it be?

Man I don't watch them anymore but how about a TV show like the Today Show because I would totally be on the third hour with Hoda and Kathy Lee because those b*tches get drunk all the time!

3. What's the story behind your name?

Well I was born after my grandma (my mother's mom) passed away and my mom wanted to honor her but also my dad's mom so she took both their names and combined them, my mom's mom was Elena and my dad's mom was Delfina, hence Delena was born!

4. What was the first concert you went to?

Okay well my first real concert other then Sesame Street Live was the Jets, it was a pop group of brothers and sisters from Hawaii

5. Who inspires you most right now?

Besides Oprah, I would have to say my mom and husband they are the ones who inspire me to be the best I can be

6. What was your first job?

I worked at my cousin's store that was called Kathy's Kopies and I made copies and learned about Monty Python

7. What famous person do people say you look like? 

Oh man Dahnya knows a bunch of my friends have told me I look like Alia Shawkat, she is Maebe Funke from Arrested Development. I kind of see it but I feel like I look more like Hurley from Lost especially with my frizzy hair!

8. When you were first asked what you wanted to be when you grew up what did you say?

Yeah Archaeologist because I wanted to be Indiana Jones

9. What magazines do you subscribe to? 

Everyday Foods, Whole Living and somehow I got a free subscription to Lucky

10.What was your favorite color as a kid. How about now?

Purple and Teal because I look awesome in Aqua Blues

11. What's your favorite way to celebrate something?

Oh that's easy backyard BBQ at my house with Lone Star and St. Arnold beer chilling in the ice chest with family and friends.

Tag your it:

Joey, Carol, Jill, Monica and April

1. How did you meet your spouse?

2. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

3. What's the story behind your name?

4. What is your favorite movie of all time?

5. Who inspires you most right now?

6. What is your guilty pleasure (something you love but won't admit in public except on the interwebs)?

7. Who is your favorite author?

8. When you were first asked what you wanted to be when you grew up what did you say?

9. What is your favorite alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink?

10.If you could be a famous celebrity for one day who would you be?

11. If you had bazillions of dollars what place would you love to live?

So do this people because inquiring minds!

Dear Diary I am rocking this 10 lb, 12 week challenge like a boss

Here are some updates on my progress (The I can't believe I stuck with it for Four Weeks thus far list)...

1. I have lost some inches and poundage (I decided not to say how many pounds I have lost because its more about health then pounds plus I don't want you guys judging me when I say oh I lost 10 lbs then next post well I gained 4 lbs)
2. My fat jeans are no longer tight and so they are now back to being my fat jeans
3. I should get rid of said fat jeans so I can not be tempted to let myself go again by saying its cool I still have my fat jeans
4. I am still keeping up with tracking what I eat using Weight Watchers (THIS HAS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE)
5. I move everyday for at least 30 minutes (THIS HAS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE)
6. I don't ever deny myself something but at the same time I don't gorge on it
7. I have cut waaaay back on refined sugars and processed food and I don't feel like crap as much anymore it is AMAZING
8. I have the support of my husband which helps tremendously and yes Celeste he does it in a positive way, he no longer taunts me with bowls of ice cream and calls me a fat cow 
9. I am learning how to nourish my inner craving, yes I know this sounds all new agey hippy like but its true.  In other words I am doing other activities besides stuffing my face with food to get fulfilled, for example I sew or take Pollie for a walk or call a friend, because I learned that just because I want to eat its not because I am hungry for food, its because I am hungry for life, hahhaaha yeah but its true it really is true.
10. Last but not least I keep in my mind my goal which is...to take a picture with my fat Jared pants and put it on Facebook when I lose 100 lbs...I kid, I keep in my mind my goal of finding a balance and being healthy so I can be there for myself, Jonathan and my family and friends. Namaste (that's right I am doing Yoga B**ches)

If I ever do this on Facebook you have permission to unfriend me

Dear Diary Homemade Granola, STFD!

STFD, which stands for Shut the Front Door because I am trying to be PG or at least PG-13 on my blog.  Well I love Granola.  We would buy it almost every week from the HEEEB (is what we called H-E-B, to my out of state or country readers it is a grocery store that is in Tejas).  Well some of you know I have a subscription to Everyday Food and well I stumbled upon a recipe from one of its loyal subscribers for homemade granola!  I saw the recipe and went, THIS IS SO FREAKING EASY WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS BEFORE.  So my gift to you is the recipe in a nut shell with my own little spins and tips.

Homemade Granola, it is so easy ya'll

Ingredients

3 cups of rolled oats (old fashion oats not the instant kind it should say it takes about 5 minutes to cook them)
2 cups of nuts coarsely chopped (I have used pecans, walnuts, pistachios roasted and unsalted of course)
1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut ( I omit this because Jonathan hates coconut but feel free to add it)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup light brown sugar (Tip I have used dark brown sugar and it is wonderful too!)
1/2 cup honey (I have used agave nectar too in the place of honey works well for substitutions)
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract (look at your label I found out they use corn syrup in most vanilla extract but I found some without and it was bourbon vanilla, ugh yeah!)
3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of fine salt
1 cup of mixed dried fruit (dried cranberries, raisins, dried blueberries, whatever you fancy)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Yeah now I am hungry

Preheat oven to 300 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds.  Lightly coat two rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray or I use parchment paper.  In a large bowl combine oil, honey, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt, mix well.  Then add the oats and nuts to the mixture and still until it is all coated well.  Divide mixture between sheets.  Bake for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Then add 1/2 cup of coconut to each sheet and mix; bake until mixture is golden brown about another 15 minutes.  Tip, I would check the granola to see how fast it cooks because dark colored baking sheets cook faster then light colored aluminum ones.  Let it cool completely on sheets.  Then break apart in large mixing bowl and add mixed fruit and chocolate chips.  Store in airtight containers for up to 3 weeks.  It is delicious!  I like to mix it with my greek yogurt for breakfast or a snack.

Dear Diary Lighter Enchiladas minus the granola topping

Chicken Spinach Enchiladas

Serves 8 or 1 Jonathan

You see I love queso!!!

Ingredients

1lb Chicken Breasts
4 cups of baby spinach or thawed 10 oz box of spinach
1 cup of Quesadilla cheese or low fat Monterrey Jack cheese shredded
16 corn tortillas (yellow or white whatever your preference)
2 1/2 cups of tomatillo salsa or favorite green salsa jar (recipe follows)*
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  To make this recipe lighter I poached the chicken breast in a large saucepan in one inch of water and seasoned water with cumin and chili powder.  To poach bring salted water to a boil and place chicken in water, cover and let it cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat, then turn off heat and let it finish cooking for about 12-14 more minutes (it works!).  I got this idea from Martha Stewart, I am not going to lie.  Then take out chicken breasts and shred it with two forks or you can be lazy and chop it up in a food processor but don't over process!  Then place shredded chicken in a large mixing bowl and add spinach (trust me fresh spinach will wilt when you cook the enchiladas!)  Then add 1/2 cup of tomatillo sauce to the bowl and mix.  You can microwave the tortillas, wrapped in a paper towel,  in 30 second intervals until pliable to work with.  I heated the tortillas on the comal (a mexi-griddle) and liked that way better.  Normally you fry the tortillas in hot oil buuuuuuuut this is a lighter version so no deep frying Paula Deen style here!  Then you put some chicken spinach mixture in a tortilla and roll up tightly and place in a 9x13 baking dish and repeat until there is no more tortillas.  Then you pour remaining two cups of tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and then sprinkle cheese over the enchiladas, you can omit the cheese for my lactose intolerant friends (such as myself) because the sauce is just as good by itself.  Then bake enchiladas for 30 minutes when cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
Ways I lightened this up, poached the chicken, then microwaved the tortillas and used way less cheese then I normally do!  Seriously cheese may not like me but I love it so I normally would do about 4 cups worth!

For those who want a vegetarian version, obviously omit chicken and I would saute the fresh or thawed spinach with onion and garlic and 8 oz of sliced mushrooms in large skillet with 1 tbsp of olive oil and then use that as my filling it is delicious!

Tomatillo Salsa

1-2lb tomatillos (hulled and cleaned and chopped in half)
1 poblano pepper (keep whole)
2 jalapeno peppers (keep whole)
1 serrano pepper (keep whole)
1/2 cup cilantro
3 cloves of garlic (take off skins)
1/2 onion chopped in chunks
1/4 cup of lime juice
1 tsp cumin
salt to taste ( I use about 1 tbsp)
2 tbsp of olive oil


Preheat oven to 400.  In a large mixing bowl combine tomatillos, jalapeno, serrano, poblano, onion and garlic and pour olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Mix until lightly coated.  Then on a large baking sheet covered in foil pour out the contents of the bowl.  Roast for about 20-25 minutes until you start to see the poblano pepper skin start to blister.  Remove from oven.  Chop up jalapeno and serrano.  Place the  poblano pepper in a plastic zip bag until it sweats this makes the skin easier to remove.  Then remove the skin and take out the seeds and rough chop poblano.  Place every thing in a blender and add cilantro, salt, cumin and lime juice.  Then blend until smooth.  Should yield about 3-4 cups depending.  If you want the sauce to be mild use more tomatillos and I would cut out the serrano and only use one jalapeno.  It is delicious as a salsa by itself!  Also another option is to add 1/2 cup of non fat sour cream to the tomatillo sauce just mix together and makes a creamy sauce ( I would add it when you are about to blend the ingredients).

I hope you enjoyed my recipe, my next goal is to make a lighter spanish rice, wish me luck on that I doubt I will touch that it is a prized family recipe!

PS. See Ken Smith I decided to forgo the granola topping!

Dear Diary Sugar Busters and Other Updates

So since January 17th I have kept up with my lifestyle changes and since January 27th I have kept with the Gentlemen's agreement that Jonathan and I have agreed upon (see picture below).  I wanted to let you know that I honestly feel better.  I have lost some poundage but that's only part of the goal.  I am tired of reading articles or blogs about losing weight to fit into that cute dress at anthropologie, okay YES I DO WANT TO FIT IN THAT DRESS!  However it is more then that, I don't my leg to be amputated or have a triple bypass surgery by the time I am 50.  I don't want to be winded when I walk up a hill.  I went to a seminar on sugar and why we crave it and that opened my eyes immensely!  So I decided to ease into healthier choices. Here are some things I have done and wow it has helped.

1. Move at least 30 minutes everyday whether it be walking, Zumba, walking Pollie, Yoga, Circuit Training I do it.

2.  I am cutting back on refined sugars.  I have actually been pretty good on this but now I am being really mindful when I look at packages if it has more then 8 grams of serving of sugar in the ingredients back it goes.

3.  I am cooking more meals at home, this is actually a bonus because we save money and have a healthier meal.  We also eat at the table and not in front of the television anymore.

4.  I have cut waaaaay back on my alcohol intake.  I love wine, I love beer, I LOVE VODKA but it doesn't love my body so all I am left with is an overworked liver and pancreas that curses me every time they have to filter all the crap I imbibe.

5.  I have cut back on watching television.  I know GASP!  I decided I will only watch some shows plus I am boycotting Thursday on NBC since they took COMMUNITY OFF THE AIR!!!  Anyways studies show people who rarely watch television tend to live healthier lifestyles.

I don't expect people to follow in my foot steps because well this has been a long time coming.  None of these were overnight decisions.  I have eased into these.  The cutting back on refined sugars yeah that took 10 years!  I hardly use sugar in my cooking except baking but thank goodness for Google to find natural sugar substitutes i.e honey!  I knew about the sugar grams to look for thanks to my mom since she is diabetic and she has to be mindful of that all the time.  I just want people to realize that its more then trying to look cute in a pair of skinny jeans (a horrible fashion statement in my opinion), it's more about taking care of yourself as a whole.  So read below my gentlemen's agreement with my husband and so far so good.

Dear Diary Thai Curry Dishes are Yummy

Here is a recipe that I got from my friend Carol's Blog but I adapted it for our tastes and feel free to do the same but here is the basic recipe...

Garlic Curry Chicken and Spinach (With Sweet Potatoes!)

Yummy for my tummy

(Serves 4)

2tbsp olive oil
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch wide strips
1 medium sweet potato diced into 1 inch cubes
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion cut into thin slices
1 tbsp of curry (I love curry!)
2 tsp of cayenne (you can adjust to your taste but I love spicy things)
1 14-15oz can of light coconut milk
4 cups of baby spinach
Hot cooked Rice, (I use Basmati Rice since it is low glycemic, yes lower then Brown Rice)

Directions
Prepare Rice, if desired
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot but not smoking.  Add chicken and cook for about 4 minutes, then add sweet potatoes and onion and cook for another 5 minutes.  Then add garlic, cayenne and curry and cook for 30 seconds or until you can smell the garlic.  Then add the coconut milk and I let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes covered until potatoes are done and you will get a thick sauce from it. Add Spinach and cook until it is wilted.  I don't add salt or pepper because it is so delicious with the spices without, but feel free to add salt and pepper to taste.  And serve over rice.