Recipe Road Test

Let me start by saying I've never met an Oxygen Magazine recipe that I haven't liked. With that in mind, I was really excited to see this gem in the current issue.


Perhaps it's my Eastern European genetics; but I can't get enough of cabbage. Raw, braised, wrapped around little ground beef & rice rolls (aka halupki - which my mom makes the best in the world, sorry John B), in soup or even boiled into oblivion. I LOVE cabbage!

So when I saw Chinese cabbage, red peppers, mushrooms and tofu all under one lid, I immediately planned a trip to the store. Today I threw this meal together in mere minutes. It was worth EVERY nanosecond.

Excuse the phone pics. My camera card is in my computer at the gym. But it's not a very pretty meal anyway - don't let the icky appearance keep you from making this. I'm actually thinking of chilling the leftovers and eating them cold. You know, if tofu tastes great right out of the wok, it only tastes better the next day.

Eat in good health & thanks for reading this! ~ Steph

SWEET & SPICY TOFU WITH VEGETABLES


Makes 4 servings


12 oz firm tofu drained and cut into bite-sized cubes
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, cubed
2 cups Chinese cabbage, shredded
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup low-sodium organic chicken broth
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp organic honey
2 tsp arrowroot flour
1/8 red pepper flakes, or to taste
2 cups brown rice, cooked


1. Heat oil in large sautee pan over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, cabbage and mushrooms; continue cooking for 7 minutes or until onion softens.

2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, soy sauce, arrowroot flour and red pepper flakes.

3. Add sauce to vegetables and tofu and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Serve with cooked rice.


Cals 254; Total Fats 7g; Sat Fat 1g; Trans Fat 0g; Sodium 492mg; Total Carbs 36g; Dietary Fiber 4g; Sugars 8g: Protein 13g; Iron 2mg.

Work Cut Out 4 Me

First race of the season - Dragonfly Heart Camp's 5K. 

Didn't go as I planned, but it was good.   Here's how it was supposed to go down:  my husband was going to do the 1miler with my girls while I did the 5K.  On the way there my middle daughter decides to do it with me.  How can I refuse?  So at registration my youngest decides she wants to do it too.  At that point it's like "hey, let's all do it together".

We did.  Start out.  Get separated.  I'm back with my 10 year-old fashionista daughter who thinks it is fun to walk and be last.  We ran for parts of it.  Mostly the downhills.  It was a REALLY HILLY COURSE!!!

I was surprised at the hills because it was near the water.  But what the heck.

My oldest daughter was being a real moody 12 year-old.  Well, she decides to run and comes in with a time under 30 minutes!  Not bad for no training.

Now they all want to do next week's race with me again - an off road Arbor Day Run in Ridgely.

Going to try and let Daddy run that one w/the kids and see what kind of time I can turn in. 

Oh, the things we Mothers do for our kids.  It's all good.  Peace!

Monday, April 5th

Easter was terrific.  Gorgeous weather so we grilled out in the afternoon and just tried to be outside as much as possible all day.  Weeded the flowerbeds......this is the first blooming plant in my garden each year.  Love it!

Morning workout for Monday - Bootcamp at the gym & 3 miles on treadmill.  Right foot is super sore.  Wore my Nike Shox yesterday and this always happens.  I must err on the side of function rather than vanity.  Nothing against Shox - just that ever since breaking my ankle & tearing tendons, they aren't my friend.  But my black ones are SOOOOO badass.  Love 'em!  Sad.

Swimming......need to find time for swimming.  This is the training issue of the day to be solved!

April 2nd Already???

Okay, EACH of my three kids came down with some industrial strength stomach flu.  One after the other - bless them, they didn't all get it at once.

Took care of each of them and came down with it myself yesterday.  Can't say I didn't see this coming.  What is it about kids getting stomach flus?  They get it and then Mom gets it last and WORST!  The things we do for our kids, lol.

APRIL FOOL!!!  Except the joke was on me and I spent the day in bed.  THIS was view one of two (I will spare you the sight of view two) from flat on my back:

I am still not in great shape.  Came in today to catch up on some work & sit upright for a while.  Feels good.  Gatorade is my friend today.....

When life gives you a cold, rainy day & leeks on sale...

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Gloves, my fave Phat Camp shirt, BodyPump class...forget diamonds, THESE are girl's best friends!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Divine Entertainment

Last night I got to take my three girls and a friend (I call her my 4th daughter because she only has an older brother and loves our girlie household) to Washington College for a lacrosse clinic. The women's team and their coaches graciously hosted it on their field after their own practice.

I must admit, like most parents yesterday I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. Already coaching two practices of my own that week and getting behind on housework. Games all day Sunday. But the WORST part is that it rained all day and was FREEZING cold! Practicing with the kids isn't bad because I get to run around, but standing in the cold windy weather. Ugh.

When we got there I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Parents were huddled together watching and shivering. Joking about devoting 80% of our free time to LAX to keep our minds off of the discomfort.

Then one man said, "Goodness, look at the SKY!" Across the field and beyond the trees was the most stunning sunset I've ever seen. Strips of crimson, orange, blue, white and gold.

We all watched as it swirled and changed over the next 30 minutes or so. Until it was gone and the landscape was dark and stadium lights took over the watch.

I had to think to myself that this was indeed Divine entertainment. It certainly took our minds off of how uncomfortable we were. That background provided a gorgeous backdrop and diversion when we weren't watching the kids learn. Here's a shot I took.

I felt like it was my parental reward for doing the right thing. Heavenly Father to earth-bound mother.

Moments like these reaffirm that God truly IS watching and watching out for us!

Peace,
Steph