Fabulous Meatless Meal

In keeping with my goal of incorporating more produce into our diet, I made an entirely meatless meal last night that both Steven & I loved.

While shopping last week I picked up two plain yellow squash, which I like to stir-fry, usually with zucchini. There weren't any zucchini this week, so I picked up some Mexican squash, which I'd never tried before. They were lovely, a speckled green, and lightly fragrant. I couldn't wait to cook with them!

I had two of each--yellow & green-- and I sliced them thin, then tossed them in the hot wok (put a little sesame oil in there first) with a little bit of Soy Vay Toasted Sesame Dressing. Stir around for a few minutes until crisp-tender, and serve. I also made mushroom quinoa as a side dish.

I expected the little Mexican squash to taste like zucchini, but it didn't. It was pleasantly sweet, especially near the skin. Coupled with the tang of the sesame dressing, it was a taste sensation!

Steven loved the quinoa, and ate three helpings, along with two of the squash. I myself don't care for it, but that's a texture issue, not a taste one.

The little grains feel too odd on my tongue, and I just bugs me. So I'll be serving it to him again, but making sure there's plenty of something else for me to eat. (Texture is often an issue for me. This is why I don't eat "goopy" foods, meaning anything mayo-based, or whipped cream, or those sloppy joes.)

Later, I followed a recipe I got from Greenlitebites for banana soft serve, and made myself some fake ice cream. (Follow the link below) This involves pureeing frozen banana chunks in the food processor until smooth, adding a splash of vanilla, and pigging out.

It was so yummy, I know I'll be doing it again, as soon as I have more bananas! I'll even try this with other soft fruit, like mangoes, which I love, berries, and maybe even kiwis? I prefer fruit desserts to chocolate (yeah, that's weird, I know), and sorbets & fruit pops are always so expensive-- this seems like a great way to get my fruit dessert with out spending so much. Plus, no added sugar!

http://greenlitebites.com/2011/01/20/banana-soft-serve-homemade-one-ingredient-ice-cream/

http://www.soyvay.com/index.php

The Incredible Shrinking Jonna

Food & eating is a strange thing for me. While I don't actually eat large amounts of anything, I do have a tendency to snack on things like potato chips. Easy enough to fix--if I don't have it in the house, I can't & won't eat it. Same with my major weakness-- Pepsi. I'm a junkie: I can't have just one, and if it's in the house, I'll guzzle it until it's gone. But if I'm not around it, I'm okay. So I don't buy it.

I'm the wrong person to take to those "all-you-can-eat" type restaurants, because, I am not a big eater, and I never eat enough to justify the price. Everyone else is going back for thirds & fourths, and I'm sitting there, waiting to leave, drinking my sixth glass of Pepsi.

At regular places, I'm fine, because while I'm somewhat picky, I also like to try new things. And because my eyes are bigger than my stomach, I always have a doggie bag to take home!

My boyfriend, Steven, asks me at least once a day "Did you eat anything today?" because he knows I get involved in what I'm doing, and forget, until suddenly it's five-thirty in the afternoon, and all I've had all day was that cup of coffee at nine. No wonder my head aches!

You'd think that someone who seldom eats, or eats very little would be a tiny little thing, wouldn't you? Well, you'd be wrong. I've been struggling with my weight since I was nine-years-old! When I had my tonsils out at age 13, I lost about 20 pounds, because I refused to eat for 2 weeks (I was scared it would hurt to swallow.), but that didn't last. Again, at age 35, I lost quite a bit of weight as a side-effect of an anti-seizure medication I was taking. The pounds just fell off, and I felt great--while it lasted, which was for about 19 months. And then it all came back, with friends, after changing meds. Of course, now I know that my body chemistry, my thyroid & pancreas, and a whole bunch of other things are all messed up, and have been since I was about nine, which is part of the reason I'm fat. But a bigger part, I know, is that I don't eat well, and I seldom, if never exercise.

Yes, I admit it. While my internal chemistry may have triggered the weight gain, I'm responsible for it staying. (Never thought I'd actually say that out loud. And I didn't-- I typed it. You can't prove this is even me...)

Yeah, yeah, I know, you've heard all this before. Fat girl gonna change, Yadda yadda yadda.. Since last September, when I first posted, I've actually lost weight, in spite of myself. In spite of doing very few of this things I said I would do, for various reasons. Seems as if whenever I make & declare plans, the Universe says "Oh, no, you don't!" and throws up a roadblock. Well, look out, Universe, I just got a GPS that'll get my by whatever you got! In September, I was weighing in at about 206 pounds, on a good day. (Another thing I never thought I'd tell the entire world.) Today, the scale says 188. I'm pretty damn happy, considering that I've not been able to get to the treadmill since before Christmas!

Still on a body that's only 5'2", with small bones, 188 is a lot of weight. So I am determined to make sure those numbers continue to go down! The picture above was taken in August 2010, and is my official "Before" shot. Look for pictures of the incredible shrinking Jonna coming soon!

WHATEVER

When I started this blog I was hoping to increase my creative output by writing more often, and by hearing from my friends what they thought of my thoughts. But I lost track of time, as I often do, and for a while had no way to post.

So now I'm writing for me. I've decided that I'm not gonna worry about who I might offend anymore. I might hurt some feelings, or annoy someone. I may not have a point when I write, just like when I talk.

Okay, I'm done ranting.

Here's a few things you may not know about me.

A Random List

I hate coconut so I tell people I’m allergic.

My boyfriend and I both have brothers named David.

I can’t wear turtlenecks; I feel like they’re choking me.

I don’t eat goopy food.

My boyfriend and I met online.

I've broken my nose twice, and my right wrist three times.

I HATE being late for things, and it makes me really angry when I have to wait for others.

I still sing into my hairbrush & dance around, usually to '80's hits.

Two things really scare me: rushing water, and losing my sight.

I enjoy making lists.

Book Review: A Secret Rage

A Secret Rage by Charlaine Harris

I'm a big fan of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels, and have enjoyed the Harper Connelly mysteries as well, so I had high hopes for this little novel. "A Secret Rage" didn't quite live up to my expectations, yet was not all bad. Starting off slow, and building to a violent climax, this story is an easy read, with enough bumps in the road to keep the reader interested. Harris is an expert at writing a fight scene, as any reader of the Sookie books knows, and that talent does not go to waste here. Her characters are not quite as full-formed as one might hope, but I did care enough about them to keep reading.

As for the "whodunnit" aspect, well, I was kept guessing right up until the end, and just for that, I give and extra star!

Published July 12th 1985 by Ballantine Books (first published 1984)

Book Review: The Mistress of Spices:by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

My mother & sister had been raving for weeks about a film called The Mistress of Spices, which I hadn't been able to see, so when I came across this title on the library shelf, I grabbed it. Turns out I now have something to rave about myself!
Highly descriptive & elegant, the story of Tilo, the Mistress, and her many transformations, is touching. As Tilo changes the lives of those around her with the help of her spices, she also discovers the life & love she truly wants.

Tilo began life in India, an unwanted child who soon discovered she had special gifts: she could foretell when floods were coming, or find things that were lost. This power gave her family wealth, and fame, which proved to be their downfall, when she is stolen away by pirates. After a time of traveling with the pirates, and becoming their queen, she grows restless, and enters the sea, where the serpents tell her of an island where the Old Mother lives. They take her there, and she begins her training to become a Mistress. But this means she must give up all of her own desires and wishes, doing only what the spices command. Tilo says she can do this and is sent to a shop in San Francisco, to serve the community as the spices tell her.

Tilo loves the spices, and her patrons at the shop, yet is not quite able to follow the rules. As she tends to each person shopping in her small shop, we learn of their life: Haroun, who has come all the way from "India in search of the American dream, only to be working for an Indian nightmare;" a teenager trying desperately to fit in with his American peers; and a grandfather, struggling with his too-western grand-daughter. And Doug, the American man who brings to the surface all the desires our Mistress of Spices should not be having.

The unfolding of so many stories works well here, without conflict, and I was able to care for each character. I'd recommend this to all.

The Mistress of Spices:by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Published 1997 by Anchor

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The film, which was made in 2005, stars Aishwarya Rai, a former Miss World, and Dylan McDermott. The film while simple, is sensual & quite beautiful, and not just because Miss Rai is drop-dead gorgeous! Shot mostly inside a small spice shop, the open basket, barrels & jars of brightly colored spices & herbs are utterly enticing; you can almost smell the aromas in the air.

Most of the cast are more familiar to fans of Indian cinema, but all are wonderful. Dylan McDermott was perhaps the least interesting thing in this film.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and am happy to say that I feel the same about the movie.

Lemons and Lessons

I have to say, I'm not sorry 2010 is over. In many ways, that year sucked, big time.

I spent most of the year in pain with migraines, and various other things. As well, money was nearly non-existent, after Steven was injured at work, and then lost his job. By the end of the year, we had to move from our two-bedroom apartment into a much smaller one-bedroom, along with all our stuff, and the three animals. Instead of saving us money, we ended up owing our landlord for fees.

It seemed as if every time I turned around, 2010 was bitch-slapping me with another bit of bad news. I dreaded turning on the news, for fear I'd hear of another oil spill, hurricane or tornado, or god-forbid, a massive lay-off somewhere! Everyone I know has struggled through, either battling health issues, financial problems, or both. An optimists nightmare. I'm a glass half-full girl, but it was difficult to keep the glass from shattering during 2010.

But. (Yes, there is always a "but")

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

Which means that in even though many things were awful, there were also many learning moments. I've learned that even when I have pain, I don't have to be one. (I can thank Sarah Palin & Kate Gosselin for that lesson, in part. Never thought I'd be thanking them for anything!)

I've learned that if you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up. For me, that means if I want to accomplish anything, I have to get dressed, not spend the day in my pajamas, and actually leave the apartment. They say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we do it daily. My sister's advice about building a habit in fourteen days was one of the best things I learned all year! (Thanks, Jolene!)

There were also many good moments in 2010, and I would be wrong if I neglected to mention them. After almost a decade apart, my best friend, Michele and I were finally in the same place at the same time, and our visit was AWESOME! She's been battling breast cancer up there in the frozen north, and I've been missing her down here, so just being together in our home town, with her entire family, her wonderful kids & husband, was the highlight of my year. For a while I was able to forget everything else and just be happy. We talked, laughed, ate, shopped, cried, ate, laughed, giggled, and sang old Barry Manilow songs. We even stood in front of the mirror & did each other's hair, just like the old days! Sharing the beauty of western Colorado with Steven was fabulous, too!

My nephew Max started first grade, was in three plays this year, and as far as he's concerned, he was the star of each! Max and Steven have become good friends, and every time I hear Maxie call out "Uncle Steven!" in that joyous voice, my heart lifts!

Max's big sister, Hattie Jo, turned 17 this year, and is amazing! Hattie is the girl I'd want if I had a daughter--she's smart, funny, polite, and talented, beautiful. She's a lot like me. Hattie has been my friend since she was born, and I love watching her grow into such an incredible woman.

Anyway. I'm rambling. This rough year has helped me to see how important my loved ones are. Memories and moments. Lessons and...something else that starts with an "s"...lemons?

Sure. Lessons and lemons. Because when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. And add some vodka. Then you have a party!!

I don't make resolutions anymore-- I learned a long time ago that I break those quicker than I break eggs for breakfast. I do set goals, and I'd like to share a few of them with you.

In 2011:

Re-read one favorite book a month, and write about it.

Make a scrapbook for my nephew Max.

Write a blog post twice a week.

Practice yoga daily.

Learn Vancouver's bus system.

Volunteer.

Read more; watch television less.

Exercise more.

Express my gratitude daily.

So there you have it. My goals for 2011. I'm hoping this bright, shiny new year will be a better one for all of us, with little fear of shattering glass, or throwing those lemons at anybody's head! Happy New Year, everyone!