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!

Talin’s Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion, Whole Wheat Spaghetti in Mushroom Sauce

I have not written a recipe in a while, so I decided that today is all about a healthy recipe. My new years 2012 resolution is to get more healthy, eat well, have regular physical activity and have a well-balanced diet. Eat everything of the food groups, but everything has its limits. Now today, I’d like to start with Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce.

Ingredients needed:

Basil,

Oregano,

Salt (Mushroom Sauce will have Salt in it, but just add a little bit more into it)

10-15 Mushrooms(Regular and cutting them until each mushroom becomes 4 Pieces),

2 Red Onions Chopped,

Fresh Bagged Spinach — One or Two Bags

Whole Wheat Pasta — 750 g or 900 g —– Serves 3-5 people.

Mushroom Soup Sauce — 1-2 cans

Olive Oil

To Prepare the Sauce: Remember to wash the spinach, then wash the mushrooms and the onion before chopping.

you put olive oil into the Spaghetti Sauce Pan — make sure its deep enough to then put the whole wheat spaghetti to mix together….

Put in the chopped red onions to cook, but do not overcook the red onions as it will lose its colour…. cook on medium heat.

then quickly put in the mushrooms after the onions cook just a bit

then put in the basil, a dash of salt and Oregano into the pan and start mixing….

then after without chopping the spinach, just put it all into the pan and it will shrink in size. you do not need to cut the spinach.

then your done….. make sure the onions are still red to make it look good and the nutrients from the onions will not go away….

Then you will put in the Mushroom sauce and let it all cook until warm to hot….

To Prepare the Whole Wheat Spaghetti

In a pasta pot put water, but just enough and keep an eye on it so it wont overflow when it boils… add salt and olive oil into the water.

after the water has completely boiled put in the whole wheat spaghetti and let it cook for 10 minutes to 12 minutes MAXIMUM until its al dente. don’t overcook spaghetti or any type of pastas.

Remember to mix the pasta in the water instantly after putting it in and keep mixing the whole wheat spaghetti so it wont stick together every 3 minutes until its cooked

————————————————

Then you drain the water from the spaghetti and you mix in the spaghetti with the sauce and your done…

—— Eat Immediately. You can put Parmesan cheese on top or feta cheese, but make sure the feta cheese is not so salty… there are different types of feta you can buy from a specialty grocery store or a cheese factory or something.

Then your done!

BON APETIT!

Talin’s Healthy Avocado Apple Spinach Salad.

I have not written a recipe for sometime now. Today is the day I want to share with you all a recipe I came out with this past week. My Healthy avocado, apple, spinach Salad with other healthy ingredients. Since I am on the path of weight loss and getting fit, I has to do with the food consumption and what you eat as well. Remember to have a balanced diet and as well as exercise incorporated into it. I have been eating with smaller portions and have been incorporating a lot more greens, veggies and fruits. It’s very important to have when losing weight. without further delay, here is my recipe:

Ingredients & Amount Needed

1 or 2 bags of Fresh Baby Spinach — Wash them really well. – Do not get rid of the stems as the stems have a lot of nutrients in them as well.

3 Avocado’s —- Cut them into medium cubes — Put them aside in a bowl— Add this one last on top then toss — Avocado’s do not last for a long time, so you must consume it when you cut it.

2 Green Apples — Washed really well — Sliced then stack them together and cut the slices into long pieces — then toss

1 Red Onion — Medium Sized — Chop it in the middle, then make 2 – 3 slices on each side horizontally, then cut 3 times vertically. then toss

1 cup of Almonds — With the skin on top — Non Salty Non Seasoned – then toss

15 Fresh and Very red Cherry Tomatoes or as desired — Washed well— then toss

Dressing Ingredients All Mixed into a separate bowl before adding to Salad.

3 tbsp of Dijon or Regular Mustard

2 tbsp of Olive Oil

half to 1 teaspoon of salt – flattened

sprinkle of cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons of balsamic Vinegar

1 teaspoon of ground powdered Mint – OR Mint Leaves

1 tablespoon of squeezed Lemon.

—————

Mix the dressing ingredients very well before adding it to the Salad —- Then toss the salad with the dressing mix.

You can serve this with grilled chicken breast with natural seasonings, with Brown Rice.

Or you can eat it just like that.

Then Voila! you have a healthy and great salad

 

BON APETIT!

Armenian Sesame Cookies

” ARMENIAN SESAME COOKIES “

All purpose flour 3 and 1/3 cups
Baking powder 1½ tsp

Salt ½ tsp
Unsalted butter, melted 1 cup or 2 sticks
Milk ½ cup
Sugar ½ cup
Egg 3 large
Sesame seeds 1 cup

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Combining all wet ingredients
Combine flour, baking powder, salt together and set aside.

Whisk together melted butter and milk in a large bowl, then add sugar and continue whisking until the sugar is mostly dissolved.

Add one egg and whisk again thoroughly.

Gently stir in the flour mixture to make a soft dough.

On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 36 pieces of approximately equal weight. Roll each piece of dough into a 4 or 5-inch strand. Connect the ends to make a circle and set aside. Finish shaping all the cookies.

Place a couple of tablespoons of sesame seeds in a shallow dish.

Beat two eggs well to form an egg wash. Paint each cookie with egg wash and gently press its top into the dish of sesame seeds.

Arrange cookies, seeded side up, on prepared baking sheets, spacing about an inch apart. Adding a little sesame seeds to the dish at a time to keep them from getting all sticky from the egg wash.

Bake sesame cookies for about 30 minutes or until they are golden and dry. Cool cookies on baking pan on wire racks. Store them in airtight
containers to preserve their crisp texture.

Credits to the Recipe www.sugarbakingblog.com

Talin’s — Armenian Tabouleh Salad

Hello, today is the day where the week of Delicious Armenian and Middle Eastern Food Recipes Kick off as I had stated a couple of days ago. I would like to start with Tabouleh Salad (TAB-OO-LEI). Without Further do, Here is the moment you have all been waiting for.

is a healthy and tasty salad served throughout the tables of Armenian, Middle Eastern People. It is important to incorporate
fresh parsley and mint when making this masterpiece we call tabouleh. Many traditional Lebanese and Armenian recipes for tabouleh use a
much higher proportion of parsley to bulghur. If you prefer this style more than the rest, increase the parsley to 3 cups as desired to your preference.

Ingredients include:
1 cup fine (#1) bulghur wheat
1 1/2 cups fresh parsley, chopped finely
3/4 cup cooked chick peas, chopped (Not necessary but if you like you can include this into it)
1 cup green onions, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, chopped to fine pieces
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped finely
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
salt to taste and to preference.

Preparation
1. With the bulghur mix with 2 cup cold water and let stand 1 hour to slightly soften.
2. Press out excess moisture and water in strainer.
3. Wash parsley thoroughly, and then drain and pat dry with paper towels, remove the stems and discard, finely chop leaves.
4. Mix the parsley with the bulghur in a large bowl, add chick peas(optional), green onions, tomato and some fresh mint.
5. Combine the oil, lemon juice and salt, pour over tabouleh and mix thoroughly and constantly.
6. Chill well before serving in the refrigerator for over 2 hours or you have the tabouleh salad instantly. Depends on the time you have.
7. Spoon tabouleh into small bowls lined with lettuce leaves for presentation and you can decorate the tops too with any ingredient not chopped in the recipe above.

Serve with pita bread or you can just eat it like that..

Notes
If you can’t find #1 bulghur, use #2 (medium sized bulghur) instead.

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!

A Huge Pasta Lover Of Any Kind, Shape or Form

I have been loving pasta for as long as I can remember. I remember when I was 8 years old. I made my very first pasta dish with of course the supervision of my mom. She started getting me in the cooking mode since I was 7 years old and she taught me the basics from making pasta sauce from scratch and how long to boil the pasta for and then as I got older, I began to do it all myself without supervision anymore and they love my pasta’s I make. Now I do an assortment. I do lasagna, fettucine alfredo and a whole bunch of other styles of Pasta. I love tortellini, rigatoni, fuccilli, elbow macaroni, linguine, and among other really awesome styles. For all those connoisseur’s for pasta, I am sure you can all relate to the passion. I think all of us pasta lovers have this different type of food passion and I am sure all of us can get this everyday, but too many carbs though, but I do not care, Pasta is good for you. You may not believe it, but it really is and a good nutrition factor…. God bless this food. Spaghetti, Penne Rigate, Everything, yum yum yum. Bon Apetit…..

Started This New Alkaline Water Stick Body Cleanser

The other day I went to a shopping plaza and I saw this health boutique and I started this new alkaline water stick body cleanser and I decided to try it out and see how well of a job it is doing for my body. I started this yesterday and I already see the progress it is making. I feel like my body is cleansing very wonderfully and taking out all the toxins. I feel it in my urine and my urine started smelling funny because of all the impurities going out of my system. I already feel the difference. It says that it is good for metabolism, good for digestion, promotes weight loss, slows down the aging process in the skin, skin problems such as psoriasis, acne, and dry skin. I have a mild case of psoriasis especially on my face and today I started feeling better with my face feeling my hydrated. I do feel hydrated from top to bottom and better. I keep using Cetaphil moisturizing cream, but I think I will stop that and just continue with my normal face-washing every morning if this keeps up the way it is.

They provided me with a free bottle with the purchase of this alkaline water stick with the minerals inside, and I am drinking it twice a day, they said maximum 3 times a day. It is good for 1000 uses and good for one year. They said if it is not doing anything for you, you can return it back with a full refund, so I am hoping they are right about the health benefits, but so far I am seeing progress in it.

I just hope that this does not compromise my overall health, but I thought I give it a try. I hope I don’t get a disease or something from it.

Talin’s Avocado Recipe Special – A Whole New Twist into Avocado!

I know that Avocado’s are high in fats, but they are good fats and a lot great health benefits come from Avocados. It’s a yummy yet scrumptious vegetable and it does wonders for the body, heart, facial complexion, gives you great energy, hair follicles, and helps keep your hair shiny and vibrant. Did you know it also helps prevent so many cancers, it is also great for the eye health, and the metabolism. Its a great treat that keeps the doctor away and on your way to a healthy, vibrant, you. It is incredible what you can do with food and how merge different spices, herbs, flavors and types of food together. I love the art of cooking and it is one of the greatest things to do in my book. Well without further delay, Here is a recipe I came out with all on my own with experimenting the other day making a healthy hearty lunch. This does not require Lettuce. It is a salad, but without the Lettuce.. This is a one person Serving as I did this for my own as I am losing weight and on my way to a healthy new me.

What you will need and how to prepare:

1-2 Avocados – Wash the shell, Make sure that its a little tender and cut in the middle and all around and then to separate it, just do a little twist and take it out and then the seed in the middle just put a small hole with your knife and take it out. The take the avocado and cut it up in different sizes and shapes. It doesn’t need to be so perfect. Put this at the very last…. —- Make sure when you get Avocados from the grocery store, make sure the shell is green to slightly darker colour and make sure you keep it out about a day or 2 or else it will be very hard to chew and cut into and the taste will not be there. So keep that in mind. its best to consume the Avocados within the week you purchase them. They do not last very long.

1 red Onion — Only Use half of it. Chop the Onion into bite sized pieces as for salad. After doing so put it in your salad bowl.

1 green Onion — Wash then chop them into small pieces. Use both the white and green parts of it. (do not get confused with the regular cooking onions) these ones look like leeks, but they aren’t

1 Red Apple — Wash and take out the core of the apple, chop it up with the apple skin….

half a cucumber — wash and thinly slice the cucumber then put it into the salad

1 Celery Stick — Wash and chop it into a moon shape or like how you see the elbow macaroni style:

1 Tomato on the Vine — Wash first they happen to be one of the best for salads with Avocado and Apples — Cut them up into half and then chop them into half moon shape and put it into the salad

1-2 Fresh Lemons — Washed Thoroughly on the top, Freshly Squeezed — A dash of Black pepper, A dash of Salt, lightly zest with Lemon skin, Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Mix them together, drizzle it on top, then add the avocado and lightly mix it all, and don’t mush up the avocado. You want to taste the avocado and apples together with a sweet and sour touch to it with the lemon. There you have it!

Enjoy your meal!

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.

Talin’s Mixed Vegetable Brown Rice Medley With Chicken Breast

This is one of my favourite healthy dinners.

It is filled with goodness and nutrients and also great for weight loss control…

This is an easy meal…

To Prepare the Chicken Breast…..

First you prepare the chicken breast as it takes close to an hour to cook… Add Lemon Cracked Pepper for seasoning, as well as all spice, cumin and all purpose seasoning — you mix all those ingredients together, then you marinate the chicken breast for half an hour to an hour, then you preheat the oven to 350 to 375 for an hour, until ready, Then you put the chicken in the oven when your oven heats to those temperatures…

AS the Chicken is cooking in the oven…. time to prepare the brown rice and vegetables.

To Prepare the Brown Rice….

Brown rice takes a bit longer to cook than the regular parboiled rice because it is a grain brand and it takes anywhere between half an hour to close to 45 minutes… It also depends on how many people you are feeding…

If your feeding 3-4 people you made 2-3 cups….

Wash the brown rice before cooking 3 times —- then put 2 tablespoons of low fat margarine butter, melt that… then add the 3 cups of brown rice and put 6-7 cups of water … Keep the lid open until thoroughly boiled, then add 1 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons of salt, then let cook. Do not let it get so mushy either. Rice is not good when It is too mushy.

To Prepare the Mixed Vegetables…..

You can get mixed Vegetables from your grocery store in the freezer section and you can get about 1 or 2 bags of it, and it had all your corn, peas, green beans, carrots all in the bag, in a separate pot after the rice has cooked, get your vegetables to be hot, but don’t over boil your veggies and don’t add too much water to boil it. then put that to the side until the rice has cooked. put that toward the last 10 minutes remaining when the rice cooks….

Then mix the Brown Rice and Veggies together straining the water…. NOW if you need to add more salt you can as much as you desire, but do not add too much salt as its not good for you..

BON APETIT!

I Am So Happy! I Can Yell From The Rooftops On How Happy I Am!

I cannot even begin to describe how great I feel and have been feeling. This whole new world of exercise, eating well and losing weight has put a huge smile on my face and the motivation is so contagious, that I got it in an instant. I am just so ecstatic and satisfied with everything that is happening. I have a lot more energy throughout the day, My treadmill and outside walks are getting so much easier since I will be getting into my 4th week next week. I cannot believe it has already been four weeks since my exercise has started and feel so great. My body muscles are getting tight, i feel like my thighs and legs have gone down quite significantly. All I can say is I can yell from the rooftops and announce it to the world on how great I am feeling, so much more positivity, and so much more outlooks on life and just walking through the mall and saying I am going to wear that dress and I am going to make it a goal for me to do it. Who says exercise and eating well is easy? It is hard at first and it is a new experience and challenge, but I believe that anything can be achieved with hard work and determination to what you want in your life. If you want that nice body and the great health benefits that come with it, then I say go for it. If it is something that is going to benefit you in the long run and in the future, then do it. You are your own person and you have to make these changes for yourself and for the people you care deeply about. It is tough at first, but trust in me, it will get easier, the results will come soon after and everything will fall into place in where you want it. If you want something bad enough and if you are determined to change your lifestyle, then you will do it and you will feel so much better about yourself once your accomplish your goals that you set. If you say your going to lose 60 pounds or if your going to lose that 100 pounds or whatever the case maybe, and write down your goals and check them off as your accomplish them, you will see a big difference on your life and you will be rewarded with great health and so much more. If you want it you must go after it. Enough said, but it the willingness to do it and the will power to not give up. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Once you get into shape and eat well at the same time and find your balance in diet and exercise, with portion sizes, and fresh produce and meats that are not processed and staying away from processed foods, you will see the big difference. did you know cutting out sugar from coffee and tea, cutting out soft drinks, cutting out ketchup/relish condiments in your burger or fries, sodium, mayonnaise, fatty dips, chips, cookies, vegetable/corn oils, and replacing these with  a more healthier approach, you can lose weight by just cutting these things.

My mood is ever so good. I am the happiest woman right now and I am so enthusiastic and serious about my workouts. I am having fun doing it. I listen to my MP3 Player, I watch TV while on treadmill. Everything. Occupy yourself with something in the beginning because I know you may think being on the treadmill or exercise feels long, and it will feel like that in the beginning, and then once you get in the swing of things and when you get used to it, you wont even feel the time going by. SO DO IT, BE HAPPY LIKE ME. IF I can do it. YOU CAN DO IT! YES I CAN!

Talin’s Healthy Avocado Apple Spinach Salad

I have not written a recipe for sometime now. Today is the day I want to share with you all a recipe I came out with this past week. My Healthy avocado, apple, spinach Salad with other healthy ingredients. Since I am on the path of weight loss and getting fit, I has to do with the food consumption and what you eat as well. Remember to have a balanced diet and as well as exercise incorporated into it. I have been eating with smaller portions and have been incorporating a lot more greens, veggies and fruits. Its very important to have when losing weight. without further delay, here is my recipe:

Ingredients & Amount Needed

1 or 2 bags of Fresh Baby Spinach — Wash them really well. – Do not get rid of the stems as the stems have a lot of nutrients in them as well.

3 Avocado’s —- Cut them into medium cubes — Put them aside in a bowl— Add this one last on top then toss — Avocado’s do not last for a long time, so you must consume it when you cut it.

2 Green Apples — Washed really well — Sliced then stack them together and cut the slices into long pieces — then toss

1 Red Onion — Medium Sized — Chop it in the middle, then make 2 – 3 slices on each side horizontally, then cut 3 times vertically. then toss

1 cup of Almonds — With the skin on top — Non Salty Non Seasoned – then toss

15 Fresh and Very red Cherry Tomatoes or as desired — Washed well— then toss

Dressing Ingredients All Mixed into a separate bowl before adding to Salad.

3 tblsp of Dijon or Regular Mustard

2 tblsp of Olive Oil

half to 1 teaspoon of salt – flattened

sprinkle of cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons of balsamic Vinegar

1 teaspoon of ground powdered Mint – OR Mint Leaves

1 tablespoon of squeezed Lemon.

—————

Mix the dressing ingredients very well before adding it to the Salad —- Then toss the salad with the dressing mix.

You can serve this with grilled chicken breast with natural seasonings, with Brown Rice.

Or you can eat it just like that.

Then Voila! you have a healthy and great salad

 

BON APETIT!