Lately.....

I have been wanted blog but feeling tired and lazy after the exercise, cooking and motherly duties after long days at work as of late. By the time I sit down and have an alone time after 8:30pm or so, I said “screw you, blog!”. Yet tonight is the night! It’s blogging time – hooray!!!     Cooking healthy I am still on track with my diet and exercise approach (overall healthy food choices but indulge comfort food 2-3 times/week and exercise at my own pace). Thai curry and stir fried Asian food have always held a special place in my heart and stomach because I grew up eating them, but greasy food are not something one should eat everyday. Hence I modify my version of curry by cutting coconut milk, in other words, no use of coconut milk in my curry (small amount of oil and a bunch of water instead). This may not be everybody’s cup of tea because the dish has a fairly strong curry flavor but I prefer it this way. I also love my veggies half way cooked (not overcooked, still crispy and fresh).     I love (good) carbs!   [Look at all the healthy goodness!]   Carbs seem to be a great enemy to those who try to lose/maintain weight. I love carbs and can’t live without them. To make my meal extra healthy and more filling, I tried these mix grains a few weeks ago and have been hooked ever since. I cook and use these mix grains to add to my white rice (70% mix grains + 30% white rice). It is incredibly easy to cook and fast which I like. Some days, I just eat them instead of rice. It taste good as fried rice too. The price is on the high side for such a small pouch (only three serving out of one pouch) but is totally worth the money and numerous health benefits. Will continue to buy and explore more varieties.       Green thumbs   I start my gardening project again (yay!!). First let me state that I was born and raised as a big city girl for 24 years in a concrete jungle of Bangkok so the idea of growing plants or veggies had never crossed my mind - and I hate earthworms/worms in general!! So can you imagine me growing my own veggies?!? Yes – I am a new woman ever since I moved to the big Texas particularly when we’re in our home and have space in the backyard to actually grow something. I have always been interested in organic veggies so I thought why not?    In the past 4 years, I let the weeds living happily and freely in my grow bed. Last time I grew something was back in 2008 before I become a mom. I think you can somewhat say that I have green thumbs because I used to grow some veggies from seeds and they survived/thrived. Orka, tomatoes and squash were some of the veggies I grew organically in the past. One thing I have to say though, maintaining an organic garden is very difficult when battling with bugs/worms/fungus without using pesticide. This year, I order an all purpose fabric so the veggies are covered and the bugs can’t bother them (still have to figure out how to deal with fungus) – will see how well that works. I also use organic soil for …just imagine the sweet aroma of cow manure…ummm…lol.   What really intrigued me to start the gardening project again was one day someone gave me a bag of his home-grown green beans. And holy moly, they tasted soooooooooo freakin awesome!!!!! It is like an eye or mouth opening moment. The crispy texture, the sweetness and the goodness of home-grown veggies out pass what I have been buying from grocery store which I have no clue where they ship the produces from. By the time the produces reach the store the nutrients and freshness are barely there to be seen or tasted. This year I grow: green beans, zucchini, squash, carrots, strawberry and orka. I can’t wait to pick my first batch of home grown produces, it will be another month or two.   Aside from veggies, I also grow Thai herbs and plants. I got a Kaffir lime plant for my birthday to replace the one that died a few years ago during harsh winter. The leaves are used in several Thai dishes such as Tom yum, curry and etc so I would like to have it readily available. I also have three different basil plants out there, a pandan plant, a thai chilli pepper plant, a Thail eggplant plant and some root herb which I smuggled two years ago from Thailand since I can’t find any in the US (okay now the US agriculture dept will come after me!). I am especially excited about the Thai eggplant because the germination rate is so low. I must have sprinkled at least 10 seeds and only one germinated!             My diet killer     I probably bore you enough with healthy craps so shall we navigate to the mouth/soul pleasing dessert – a Belgian Waffle (a.k.a. a diet killer!!) OMG, we have been hooked and visited this cute eatery more than a dozen of times ever since my husband discovered this newly opened Waffle House. Their waffle is nothing like any waffles that we have had. Per the owners, it is a French recipe which is called “Leigh waffle”. Whatever it is, I am in love! This has been especially tough since I try to eat healthy to tone down my belly so I normally go light on topping and just get fresh strawberries only (no whip cream/syrup and etc.) I want to eat it every day but in reality once a week is what I allow myself to.       Sassy kitty     Oh no, we didn't dare painting her claws. Don't you ever tempt too because you may end up with scratches and wounds. Every cat's lovers know the pain and damage an indoor cat can do with your body and furniture with her sharp claws. Our two older cats had declawing surgery done so we didn't have to worry but recently my husband did a research just to find out that declawing is inhumane. Hell..I guess we were two cruel people to have our cats declawed back then. We seriously didn't think it's inhumane because the procedure was done by the vet and the cats were given appropriate medication so they were not awake and in pain during a surgery. Anyhow, we decide not to declaw a kitty (for now) so he found some cool "Soft Claws CAt Nail Caps" (available at PetCo) which you add adhesive and insert to her paws. Voila! They come in an array of colors and last about a month until they fall off. Not a permanent solution but better than nothing.    Don't you love her hot pink manicure?