food filled weekend

Wonton dumplings at Golden Dragon restaurant in China town. Generously stuffed wontons in a nice warm broth.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=golden+dragon+china+town&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=golden+dragon+china+town&hnear=Islington&cid=16994760246725952166

the appetizer platter was shockingly good. Most appetizer platters disappoint me but this one didn't. The shrimp toasts actually had shrimp in them, the egg rolls were stuffed nicely, and the ribs were salty and delicious. Not to mention, the sweet and salty crispy seaweed in the middle (usually everyones surprising favorite)

Special fried rice. Solid rice..not too fried.. just the way I like it.

Vermicelli noodles with veggies and shrimp. greasy and carbohlicious :)

Sweet and sour prawn.

Sweet and sour squid

VEGGIES!!

Sushi lunch:

Noura and T spent a good amount of time filleting the fish in preparation for sashimi and nigiri pieces.

buttery pieces of scallop. I swear, there is nothing better than a raw scallop (or a cooked one!!)

Bento nigiri box #1

Eel, scallop, and avocado roll. Mmmm...

Salmon something or another roll (I was too busy eating to figure out what was in it..nom nom nom.....)

Bento box #2

Bento box #3

Bento box #4

The smell of books

Lunch yesterday.

Siracha on the left and salsa (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.. oh wait not that kind of salsa) on the right

with a huge dollop of sour cream on each.

Breakfast this morning was a jam packed smoothie

Vitamix:

• skim milk
• strawberry/vanilla yogurt
• huge handful of spinach
• blueberries
• frozen berries
• banana
• scoop of whey powder 
• agave nectar
• four cubes of ice

Toppings:

• muesli
• dark chocolate cherry pieces
• special k cereal
• raisins
• almonds

I don't know why I find smoothies so gosh darn good!

I also went to the library this morning for the first time in years and got myself a card. I've forgotten how much I love the smell of library=books. Do you mean I can check out books for FREE?!?! I musta died and went to heaven :)

After zumba, Lunchtime!

Oven baked chicken with EVOO, salt, pepper, and crushed red chilli powder for a kick in the bootay.

I also sauteed some bok choy and curly kale together in sesame oil, soy sauce, and salt.

Amaaaazeballs!!

My computer is on fire. Seriously. HOT DAMN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb5oKZExypo

Would you like a brownie w. that milk?

nothing like a chocolate fix mid morning to get ready for PUNCH class. I love kickboxing classes. Even though I'm grunting my way through most of it, you can't beat that feel good rush after class.

Salmon for lunch.

with peppers and mushrooms

aaaand a bit of leftover gnocchi from the other night. Gnocchi- warm pillows of doughy goodness with butter and parmesan cheese. Mmmmmm..

Breakfast this morning: bagel w. cream cheese and smoked salmon. I think I'm overdoing my allowance for fish per week. You're supposed to eat it twice a week and I think I'm averaging about 3-5 times a week :). Just can't get enuff!

Such heartbreaking news.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/15/egypt.logan.assault/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Defying gravity

I've been eating a lot of the same things lately. Sometimes variety isn't the spice of life :o)

The best bagel sandwich ever!! and so easy..

I've been on a good workout track: BoxFit Monday, Zumba Tuesday, I think I'm going to do PUNCH today :)

Whey protein smoothie for my sore muscles..
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-waiting-room-review-32450.html

I met a friend for lunch at the Waiting Room near Kings cross. You can't beat a lunch for £5! Unfortunately, the chicken breast was pretty dry and flavorless except for the slathering of ketchup and mayo I put on. Good thing the chips saved the meal :)

Breakfast, study, workout, study, salsa. Sounds like a good day to me.

A little bit of Idina to get the day started!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_390681&feature=iv&v=39gpaDnjW4I

Soul mates

Happy LUUUURVE day!!! 
My day got off to a very productive start with some BoxFIT at my gym. My hands are a bit shaky now tho.. I have a feeling I'm going to be feeling some DOMS tomorrow (Delayed Onset of Muscular Soreness!!)

the fuel for my workout : a sesame bagel w. garlic n herb light cream cheese

Lunch:

I sauteed some spinach and mushrooms

threw in some cold pre-cooked chicken tikka pieces

I placed a few tablespoons of quinoa in my wholewheat tortillas, topped with chicken/veggie mixture and a swirlin of siracha

 

Wrapped up nicely :)

I finished Eat, Love, Pray yesterday. Once I started, I really couldn't put it down. I found the author's spiritual journey to be so authentic and her love musings heartbreakingly relatable. Definitely on my must read list. I also couln't help myself; I bought the movie today even though I've already seen it two times :-D I'm such a sucker.

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master..."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)

Valentimes Day

We had a Korean feast last night to celebrate Valentimes a few days early.

Homemade pajun with fresh batter and loaded with lots of seafood. It was just as good if not better than restaurant pajun. Yuuummmm-O!!!

shots of soju. I swear someone was trying to get me drunk.

marinated beef for the japchae

Jap-chae with inoki and oyster mushrooms

spare ribs marinated in kalbi sauce

minor problem with the broiler oven causing the fire alarm to go off but it was so delicious!

Korean pears just isn't going to cut it for dessert- lo siento!!

more Korean goodies.

chocolates to end the night. :)What an amazing feast!!

Delhi Grill

Smoked salmon and eggs whites on an onion bagel with a banana/crunchy peanut butter. This breakfast is full nutrients with protein from the egg whites, good fat peanut butter, omega 3's smoked salmon, and potassium with the banana.

That was yesterday's breakfast. I had a nutrition test yesterday and I **thankfully**think I passed that one. We only had 3 days to learn nutrtion and how it applies to our everyday lives and fitness. I definitely think we should have spent more time on the subject but unfortunately, since we're not going to be qualified to give out nutrition plans to our clients, 3 days was all that was allotted. I'll have to go back to 3 years of school for that. Food for thought I guess. 

Breakfast this morning before my run.

 

We've been learning in class that eating prior to working out (at least an 1 hour or more if possible before) is a good way to rev up your metabolism and provide you with the energy you need for your workout aka possibly burn more fat!! and boy do I need more of that fat burn. I'm beginning to see an extra layer of fat around my tummy from all my indulgences/vices :o)  

My run today was pretty brutal. I managed to do a total of 4 some odd miles but I had to stop a few times to catch my breath. I'm still a little sick and definitely out of shape. It felt good though to get back to running outside.

Lunch @ Delhi Grill. This Indian joint is near our flat and right in the heart of Chapel Market where all the hustle and bussle is. Cute interior with newspapers from India plastered on the walls and Indian hip hop/r&b playing in the background.
http://www.delhigrill.com/

Dipping sauces. The colors of the two were fantastic. The beet sauce was my fav!

Mixed meat platter consisting of tender marinated pieces of chicken, lamb chops, and sheekh kebabs. The plate came out sizzling and did not disappoint in terms of flavor and texture.

Chicken Makhani

Okra- I needed some sort of veggie in the mix!!

Naan- For some reason this today tasted like pizza dough. Not that I'm complaining. Either way, it was delish.

I would definitely go back to Dehli Grill. The food was flavorful and super tender. The service was also pretty good for London standards. We got a pitcher of tap water AND the guy offered to fill it up when he saw that I was pouring the last glass. What a rarity :P

Throwback song of the day: Jagged Edge "Promise"