Thursday 31 May 2012

Chicken & Veggies in Curry Peanut Sause



 
Makes 2 servings

2 boneless chicken breasts
1 T oil (I use olive oil)
1 medium onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 t gingerroot, minced
1 carrot, sliced thin
1 T curry powder & 1/2 T oil
1 tsp tumeric
1.5 cups broccoli pieces
1/2 yellow or red pepper, sliced
1 c chicken broth
2-3 T peanut butter (I used crunchy)
Hot Sause as desired

Cut chicken into thin strips.  Heat oil over high heat & stir fry chicken till no pink remains.  Remove to plate & set aside for now.
Add onions, garlic, ginger & carrot to pan over medium-high heat.  Stirring frequently.  Stir in curry, tumeric & oil till blended.  Add broccoli and peppers, cook for a couple minutes.
Return chicken to pan, stir in broth, peanut butter & hot sause.  Cook until broccoli is tender.
If using smooth peanut butter, toss in a few chopped peanuts too.

Enjoy!

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Exercise and motivation: Finding your 'why' | Chatelaine.com

Exercise and motivation: Finding your 'why' | Chatelaine.com

This is something I need to remember more often!  Good article.

Friday 27 April 2012

Fabric & Ryan

I finally got to my local fabric store.....it's been several LONG months - I was experiencing withdrawal symptons - you know, getting hot & sweaty at the mere mention bolts etc. 

It's so hard to decide, so I took a few pics of some fabric I liked.  This stretchy lace is beautiful but it sure looks like it'll snag easily. 





 I love black & white prints.  Mostly all rayon-poly blends - nothing interesting in knits.  I wish buyers up here would scout out more fun knit fabrics.


 Maybe there's not as much demand for it - judging from what I see on many blogs - a lot of people still think working with knits is difficult.  But nothing could be further from the truth. I love sewing knits- so fast & easy - me likey a lot!




 There were some fun polka dot blends, lots of colours.  I have no idea what I'd make.  I just like polka dots.




This challis print would make a nice dress or a skirt .......mmmmmmmmmmm
And then of course Ryan offered to help fold it all for me....that's when I woke up without fabric or Ryan.  Of course I was broken hearted....

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Healthy Meatless Dinner Recipes

I've started cooking with dried beans, quinoa, soy products & brown rice.  I love it because I can be as creative as I want and in the process turn out beautiful, hearty, healthy & yummy rmeals.
Here are two of my recent favourites. 
 

Chickpea Curry

Soak chickpeas in water overnight. or 12-16 hours.  Rinse then cover peas with cold water & a dash of salt. Cook for 2 hours

  • 1T olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 inch ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp tumeric
  • 1.5 c cooked chickbeans
  • 1c bean cooking liquid
  • 1 c snow peas or edame peas
  • 1 c shredded cabbage
  • 1c chopped canned or fresh tomatoes
  • 1/2tsp garam masala
  • 1c cooked quinoa
  1. Saute onion, garlic, cabbage and ginger in oil till softened & browned. 
  2. Add spices, tomatoes, chickpeas & liquid from chickpeas. 
  3. Add peppers & sown peas, cook till softened.  Stir in the quinoa.
  4. Heat through.  Serves two.  Add extra veggies, etc to feed more folks.


Tofu Veggie Stirfry



     

  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves crushed & chopped
  • 150 g medium tofu, cut in pieces
  • 1 slice ginger chopped or grated
  • 1/8 c soy sauce or to taste
  • hot sause to your taste
  • 2 fresh or 1 c canned tomatoes
  • 1/2 medium zuchinni, sliced on the angle
  • 1/2 bell pepper chopped or sliced
  • 1 c shredded cabbage
  • 1 c cooked quinoa or brown rice
 Saute onion, garlic,ginger & tofu in oil till browned - approx. 5 minutes.
Add veggies stir & steam till desired softness.  Season with soy sauce.  Add hot sauce or jaleppeno pepper as desired.
Sir in qooked quinoa or rice.   Serves 2.

Well I hope you like eating healthy as much as I do.   Sometimes instead of tofu I'll brown chopped chicken breast with the onions, etc......hmmm.   I'm not a vegetarian, but I do feel better since I've started eating meatless meals 3 or 4 times a week.  I've also noticed I have less craving for sweets ( my weekness) and I'm losing weight without even trying - especially in the stomach area!!   What's not to love?!


Crocheting

Work on the black afghan for my daughter is progressing.  She didn't want anything holey so I'm using stable stitches that produce a thick fabric.  I've always wanted to do a highly textured blanket.
Pics to come.



Saturday 24 March 2012

This and That

Sheesh, I haven't posted in so long!! Went to Cuba, loved the country!! Beautiful sand, beach & people.  Things didn't go so well though...................let us just say I'm single again.   That's ok though. I am used to being on my own.  I have finally lost 6 lbs!!!  No more late night snacks.
Finished my black & white print dress in time for my trip - no pic yet.  It's comfy & cute.  I was happy with it.   Started another dress but did not finish it yet.  Have not got back into sewing yet.
I haven't been doing too much - came back to find out my ei ran out.  So, I`ve  been appling for jobs & looking into retraining. I have lots of experience but nothing on paper.  At my age, you need both!!

My new hair colour - by mistake...but it`s growing on me.

 It`s getting really long. I plan on cutting it and donating it.  But now I`m curious to see how long it will grow!  Definitely need a trim though.  It`s been over a year.
 I`ve been making extremely yummy healthy food lately.  This dish consists of one chicken breast sliced up , fried with onion, garlic & olive oil till almost done.  Then I added snow peas, shredded cabbage & yellow pepper.  I used Chipolte sauce for the seasoning.  Then I stirred in some prepared brown rice & quinoa.  Hmmmm, it was delish!!!! 
 This is where I want to live!!  Lovely pink apartment - just so long as it is in Mexico!!!!
 Another yummy, healthy stir fry.........this time no meat, just veggies.
 I took a pic of my green onions before chopping them up & freezing them (as seen on Pinterest).  I just love this pic!!!!  It speaks to me!  Just wish I still had Picassa to crop, etc. 
 This is my beautiful baby daughter Jo & her handsome prince on St Paddys Day.  I think he may be the one.  How exciting!!  I do still believe in love even though it may never be mine.
 Self bought flowers - they lasted for two weeks!! Gerbana daisies.
 Hair previous to the mistake.................I will get around to finishing the walls soon!  God..I need Picassa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 My new clogs - they seem really narrow - only $50.  I think I will have to get them stretched or wear them bare foot. for the summer.
My old, very comfy clogs from Value Village!!  I need to wear two pairs of socks with them to keep them on my feet. 

Back to normal soon I hope. Oh, I did start an afghan for my Jo.  Will post pic when I have gotten more done on it.

Monday 20 February 2012

Sewing For My Trip & What I've been busy With

 I measure 40x33x40 - so why did I trace this Kwik Sew in Medium?
 Anyway, I added a half inch to the sides to make up for it.
 I made this dress View B quite a few years ago.  I fit a pattern size 12 then.
  I love the style & that it drapes so beautifully since it's cut on the bias.  And...I added 1" inch to all seams!  We'll see how it fits.  I've worked hard to eat less & work out out more since the second week of January.  Heading way south towards the end of February.  Can hardly wait! 

 Didn't have enough fabric but that's OK - I had plenty of scraps to piece together for the neck & armhole bindings.  I swear I'll post pics of the finished dress.
 At the same time, I made my eldest daughter a new pair of jammie bottoms.
 Here's the scarf I finished knitting recently.  I love the colour . It's much nicer in 'real' life!  Oh yeah... I'm working on my powder room too.
 When the sun shines in January in Vancouver, you go for a walk!  Dyke at Pitt Meadows.
 My new clogs arrived!!  Fabulous sale at Ungleboclog. I love them.
 My vegetarian dinner tonight - it was so good.  I love forgoing meat these days. This dish has pinto beans, brown rice, onions, garlic and spinach...so delish!
 Finished the dolly for my Grand-daughter.  Had to rush at the end, Auntie Jo was flying up to Quesnel to see Adelia. 

My finished crocheted shawl.  Nice and warm when sitting at the computer for hours - on Pinterest!!
Jo, my sweet daughter, has recently discovered this shawl & fallen in love with it! I'm only too happy to share it with her.She wears it as a scarf with the point in front & it looks fabulous on her!

Sunday 15 January 2012

Warm Weather Dress & Tulips On A Winter Day

Decided to make a dress for warmer climates - Hello Mexico!
Last week I began one part of my New Years Plan - to get back in shape.  I belong to Curves, it's a nice workout for the mature women....LOL   So I went 5 days in a row, missed Saturday & worked out at home on Sunday.  I've been watching my food intake & I ended up throwing the rest of my Christmas chocolate into the trash - there wasn't much left at all, but it was very symbolic for me!  Not soon enough though  :(
I had to add an extra 1/2" to the sides of my pattern.  I'm OK with that cause I know I will fit a size 12 this year!  My tummy already feels smaller.  Yeah!!
The fabric is a poly knit, really slippery but very nice drape.
I started sewing it today & aside from the slipperiness, it's going to be a breeze to make.  I dropped the back neckline about 6".  I don't get why a lot of summery dresses have neck hugging backs.  The gathered section in the front will be quite a bit lower too.  I'll see when I get there.
Tulips on a wintery snow day - our first snow this winter!
Pretty but.............Spring's a lot prettier!!  Still making earwarmers, I posted them on Ravelry.  I really need to figure out how to link to other sites this year.   I wish I could share my Pinterst too.  I'm so addicted to that site.




More Jewelry, A Sunset & Earwarmers For Sale

 I made this one in champagne too - my favourite so far.  My daughter has absconded with it.
 I'll get it back one day!!


 Fake pearls & memory wire.  Looking for pretty charms to add an accent.
 Natural mottled coloured beads, memory wire & a charm.
 So beautiful; shot from my back yard.
I've crocheted  at least a dozen of these for gifts & for sale. Quick & easy pattern.