The Joyful Moments Of Cooking. How Much I Love It

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs.  I love making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready-made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready-made products. Sometimes you see ready-made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

I remember a time when I invited my whole group of friends over for Armenian Style Ravioli Called (Mante, Manti, Mantuh, Mantee, However they spell it), and the whole extra-large pot finished amongst everyone and to this day, they want my Armenian Style Ravioli, but that day will come again when I will invite them over.  I remember a time when I cooked for over 20-25 people and all on my own. I had over 4 or 5 different dishes with salads, meats, and rice. It was a lot of fun although it was very hard to take it all on myself, but I made sure that the flavours were perfect and that everyone enjoyed it and they sure did. I love taking on big tasks on my own. Although it is great to receive help too, but I like taking on challenges and doing things on my own. especially when it comes to cooking. I don’t know, but I have become a perfectionist in the kitchen and I just love things to be cooked evenly, the sizes and I love the presentation. Even if it’s just for my family on a regular dinner night. I just love the presentation. I get the joys and satisfaction when doing so.

When I go grocery shopping, I also donate food to the less fortunate, and I put food in the food bank boxes that are put in front of grocery stores or in certain shelters, at my church they have food banks and I put a few non-perishable food items in the box. I love donating food to them. Knowing that a family out there who is less fortunate and needy is fed, that also makes me happy and that also makes me feel great that someone doesn’t have to go to bed hungry at night. It feels great to donate.

Food is my specialty and knowing that my family enjoys it and knowing that I made this with my love and care is what it important to me. I don’t cook because I have to everyday and I don’t cook for the sake of it, I actually love doing what I do and making sure my family is fed with the best possible nutrition.  Happy Cooking everyone!

Talin’s Special Pomegranate Vegetable Salad

Pomegranates are one of my favourite fruits to eat and pomegranates can be used in so many ways as juices, a snack, salads and so much more. Pomegranates Originated from Armenia. Even though the Apricot is Armenia’s National fruit, but Pomegranates are equivalent to that. Pomegranates have so much nutrients and health benefits. You can get them at your local grocery store or specialty grocery stores. They are lovely fruits and I like them a lot. Well, here is how you make Talin’s Pomegranate Vegetable Salad.

You will need:

- 1 Red Onion – Chopped into Salad Size…

- 1 or 2 Romaine Lettuce – the full thing —- depends on how many people will be having salad.. Wash the romaine lettuce

- 2-3 Pomegranates — take the red seeds out — first before doing so, wash the pomegranate from the outside….

- Washed 1 Green Pepper — chop into salad size pieces.

- Half of a Cucumber or a whole one — Washed and chopped  into salad size pieces.

- 1 or 2 tomato’s on a vine — washed and chopped into salad sized pieces.

- 2 or 3 Celery Sticks WASHED. Chopped into elbow macaroni like pieces but slightly bigger…..

- 2 Lemons washed skin — Squeezed  ————— Mix this with the 2 ingredients below:

- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

- 2-3 sprinkles of SEA SALT

—- Optional — You can put Feta Cheese, A little Cracked black pepper, Black Olives…

*****Remember to wash all your ingredients very well and discard the ends.******

To Prepare:

Just incorporate all the salad ingredients into a big salad bowl, then add the pomegranate seeds on top then the Lemon Olive Oil juice, then toss and mix the salad very well until all the ingredients incorporate with each other and there you have it. A HEALTHY SALAD.

Enjoy!!!!

The Joyful Moments Of Cooking. How Much I Love It

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs.  I love-making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready-made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready-made products. Sometimes you see ready-made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

I remember a time when I invited my whole group of friends over for Armenian Style Ravioli Called (Mante, Manti, Mantuh, Mantee, However they spell it), and the whole extra-large pot finished amongst everyone and to this day, they want my Armenian Style Ravioli, but that day will come again when I will invite them over.  I remember a time when I cooked for over 20-25 people and all on my own. I had over 4 or 5 different dishes with salads, meats, and rice. It was a lot of fun although it was very hard to take it all on myself, but I made sure that the flavours were perfect and that everyone enjoyed it and they sure did. I love taking on big tasks on my own. Although it is great to receive help too, but I like taking on challenges and doing things on my own. especially when it comes to cooking. I don’t know, but I have become a perfectionist in the kitchen and I just love things to be cooked evenly, the sizes and I love the presentation. Even if it’s just for my family on a regular dinner night. I just love the presentation. I get the joys and satisfaction when doing so.

When I go grocery shopping, I also donate food to the less fortunate, and I put food in the food bank boxes that are put in front of grocery stores or in certain shelters, at my church they have food banks and I put a few non-perishable food items in the box. I love donating food to them. Knowing that a family out there who is less fortunate and needy is fed, that also makes me happy and that also makes me feel great that someone doesn’t have to go to bed hungry at night. It feels great to donate.

Food is my specialty and knowing that my family enjoys it and knowing that I made this with my love and care is what it important to me. I don’t cook because I have to everyday and I don’t cook for the sake of it, I actually love doing what I do and making sure my family is fed with the best possible nutrition.  Happy Cooking everyone!

The Joyful Moments Of Cooking and How Much I Love It

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs.  I love making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready made products. Sometimes you see ready made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

I remember a time when I invited my whole group of friends over for Armenian Style Ravioli Called (Mante, Manti, Mantuh, Mantee, However they spell it), and the whole extra large pot finished amongst everyone and to this day, they want my Armenian Style Ravioli, but that day will come again when I will invite them over.  I remember a time when I cooked for over 20-25 people and all on my own. I had over 4 or 5 different dishes with salads, meats, and rice. It was a lot of fun although it was very hard to take it all on myself, but I made sure that the flavours were perfect and that everyone enjoyed it and they sure did. I love taking on big tasks on my own. Although it is great to receive help too, but I like taking on challenges and doing things on my own. especially when it comes to cooking. I don’t know, but I have become a perfectionist in the kitchen and I just love things to be cooked evenly, the sizes and I love presentation. Even if its just for my family on a regular dinner night. I just love presentation. I get the joys and satisfaction when doing so.

When I go grocery shopping, I also donate food to the less fortunate, and I put food in the food bank boxes that are put in front of grocery stores or in certain shelters, at my church they have food banks and I put a few non-perishable food items in the box. I love donating food to them. Knowing that a family out there who is less fortunate and needy is fed, that also makes me happy and that also makes me feel great that someone doesn’t have to go to bed hungry at night. It feels great to donate.

Food is my specialty and knowing that my family enjoys it and knowing that I made this with my love and care is what it important to me. I don’t cook because I have to everyday and I don’t cook for the sake of it, I actually love doing what I do and making sure my family is fed with the best possible nutrition.  Happy Cooking everyone!

The Diabetes Test, That Came Back Negative.

Every year I have a medical physical examination by my family physician and this year I wanted to get tested for Diabetes. So As I went to get my blood and urine work done, I came back home, just wondering and wondering what my result would end up to be. I know many people with Diabetes, so I decided to have it checked myself. I went to get my results the other day and when the doctor said that my blood and urine are fine, your healthy and your fine, is all I wanted to hear. Since now I am doing exercising and eating right, that plays a big role in not having diabetes. I am so happy and I can scream from the rooftops. Once Diabetes strikes you, its the pits and All the complications from Diabetes and How to control it, what foods to eat and everything of that sort is something I do not want to do. I plan to stay healthy and make healthy choices which I have been.

Be so careful of the amount of carbs, starch, and sugar you intake in your body. You can have it all, but in moderation and to the limit. There is no such thing in not eating everything. Eat everything, but know what your intake is, and what your eating. There are so many healthy recipes you can follow on the internet and sometimes you can create your own healthy food, by making unique signature salads on your own, and cooking different foods with what you create. Health is about getting creative about the food you eat, how you eat it. Never swallow big amounts of food. You must chew your food a lot and then swallow it. I heard it helps your metabolism become stronger and better.

Well, all in all, I am so happy My Diabetes test came in Negative. As I turn 27 years old on April 30th, this is the best present I can ever ask for. My health is in order.

Great Success, My Weight Loss is Progressing Well

There are a few things in my life which I am looking forward to this year and getting into shape is one of them. I am on my way to a new body, a new me, and a new outlook on the new life I will have when I want to get to the weight I want to be. Today, I was exercising on the treadmill and it was one of the most painful days ever in terms of the lower leg calve muscles which were burning so much and that burn pain made me go crazy on the treadmill, tears were rolling down my cheeks of how excruciating it was and it almost hit my heart. I was not going very fast either. I was just doing a brisk walk and boy did it really hurt, but that burn pain will go away soon and I will begin to walk on the treadmill without the pain and I will see the weight coming off even more.

I am going into my third week into my exercise and my family and friends that have seen me have noticed that my body has changed slightly but It is going well and drinking a lot of water I find is making my body more hydrated, my skin, my face, my hair feels more hydrated and vibrant. I am eating very small portions, and I am not eating late. I feel a burst of energy and I feel so great after the exercise I am doing. It hurts like H E double L, but I am not going to let that be a setback and I will not slack off. As I am on the treadmill I have my TV in front of me, I put music on in my Ipod, or play with my blackberry playbook and watch Youtube Video’s while I exercise.

After I lose about 30 pounds or so, I will be taking up Yoga. I decided to today. I am going to sign up for classes and improve my breathing when stretching and share my experiences with other people in the class with me. After my exercising improves and when I lose a lot more, I am going to join a gym as well for ladies and make friends with others who are trying to get fit like me and share our eating habits, what each person does to make lifestyle changes, the type of foods consumed. I am super excited for all of this. I can join it now, but I want to start out on my own and search the internet, and then work my way up to join the public.

I am patient and I am not going to overdo it to prevent myself from discouragement and I will not give up even when I am in the most terrible lower leg calve muscle pain ever. No pain No Gain.

I can do this!

Banana, Cinnamon, Walnut Sandwich on a Thin Pita Bread

Lately I have been incorporating more fruits in my diet and finding ways to get more nutrients in my body as its very important for longevity and health.

For years My mother and I have had this delicious sandwich of Banana, Cinnamon and Walnuts in an Arabic Pita Bread and I just lovvvve it! Here is what you do.

You take a whole banana, you tear apart the Arabic Pita Bread, and you put in the Banana, then you add Walnuts, after you add the Cinnamon on top.

It is so healthy and Cinnamon is a great defense for so many things and you get your daily potassium and protein from the Walnuts….

 

You can also add into the sandwich some real pure honey. It tastes incredible.

 

Talin’s Pomegranate Vegetable Salad

Pomegranates are one of my favourite fruits to eat and pomegranates can be used in so many ways as juices, a snack, salads and so much more. Pomegranates Originated from Armenia. Even though the Apricot is Armenia’s National fruit, but Pomegranates are equivalent to that. Pomegranates have so much nutrients and health benefits. You can get them at your local grocery store or specialty grocery stores. They are lovely fruits and I like them a lot. Well, here is how you make Talin’s Pomegranate Vegetable Salad.

You will need:

- 1 Red Onion – Chopped into Salad Size…

- 1 or 2 Romaine Lettuce – the full thing —- depends on how many people will be having salad.. Wash the romaine lettuce

- 2-3 Pomegranates — take the red seeds out — first before doing so, wash the pomegranate from the outside….

- Washed 1 Green Pepper — chop into salad size pieces.

- Half of a Cucumber or a whole one — Washed and chopped  into salad size pieces.

- 1 or 2 tomato’s on a vine — washed and chopped into salad sized pieces.

- 2 or 3 Celery Sticks WASHED. Chopped into elbow macaroni like pieces but slightly bigger…..

- 2 Lemons washed skin — Squeezed  ————— Mix this with the 2 ingredients below:

- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

- 2-3 sprinkles of SEA SALT

—- Optional — You can put Feta Cheese, A little Cracked black pepper, Black Olives…

*****Remember to wash all your ingedients very well and discard the ends.******

To Prepare:

Just incorporate all the salad ingredients into a big salad bowl, then add the pomegranate seeds on top then the Lemon Olive Oil juice, then toss and mix the salad very well until all the ingredients incorporate with each other and there you have it. A HEALTHY SALAD.

Enjoy!!!!

 

The Harmless way to Lose Weight… By Talin O..

Do you depend on diet programs, diet drinks, or diet pills to lose weight? Well, those can do more harm than good and can give you side effects and health problems in the future to come and sometimes we don’t know what those do to our bodies until we have to visit the doctor. The best way to lose weight is to eat foods moderately, and cut your sugar/carbohydrates in half. Also Exercising for 30 minutes to an hour each day. once or twice a day either on the treadmill if you have one at home or outside if its a really nice day or just going to the gym.

People say that you should not eat Carbs at all, like pastas, breads, potatoes, rice etc… They are wrong. Small portions of each is good enough because they all carry nurtients that help your body get through.

Do not eat anything that is fried in oil, like fries, breaded food, poutine, perogies. The best way to cook them is to bake them in the oven without oil. that will cut the oil intake by 80%

Eating meat is a good way to gain protiens from steak, chicken, and beef.
No pork, ribs, hot dogs or sausages as they are the meats that have lots of fat in them.

Drink 8 glasses of water a day. If you cannot handle that many glasses, drink 6. that will help you lose the calories and circulate your blood more.

People say that you should only eat salads, fruits, and vegetables. well, thats not enough. you should eat every food group, but in moderation. Veggies and Fruit carry natural sugars and flavourings.

Exercise is a very important part in losing weight, staying healthy and maintaining your heart rate. 30 minutes to an hour a day is good. Put motivational, positive posters around your exercise area. YOU CAN DO IT! The will power is the strongest power you can have, but the initial start to it can be hectic, but don’t think about it. JUST DO IT! …. If you are starting, the pain can be so excruciating when calories are burning from your body, but remember this NO PAIN NO GAIN! Exercise is also good for your skin, and complexion. It is always good to drink water before your workout and after your work out. It helps you lose calories quicker. DO NOT OVERDO exercise. it can hurt you. 1 hour a day for exercise is plenty!

Pick one day of the week to weigh yourself, write it down, and make a goal sheet. then you will see the results per week in your clothes, as well as compliments from others.

The Sweets Day: yes its not a good thing to have lots of sugar in your body, but pick a day of the week where you want to eat your favourite dessert, but not the whole thing, just half.

If you are overweight, cannot find clothes in the store that will fit you, and you want to wear bikinis and swim suits and cannot due to that fact, then time to get serious about becoming healthy and to shed those pounds.

REMEMBER DO NOT DEPEND ON DIET PROGRAMS, DIET PILLS, OR DIET DRINKS. Stay far from them as possible. They can do serious Harm and you wont even know it!

Thanks so much for reading