Talk about Random...

Well, I know this is really random...but it seems like all my posts are about my children so far. And, although they are the most important thing in my life, they aren't the only thing in my life.

I was chatting with my friend Elaine today. Well, not really chatting, but e-mailing back and forth. I guess that's almost like chatting. It's the best we can do while she's at work and I'm supposed to be studying. Elaine and I are encouraging each other to be the best we can be...weight-wise. Well, not the best we can be, but we are encouraging each other to make healthy choices. She is encouraging me way more than I'm encouraging her. I've been feeling kind of like a loser (but not in the way I want to be a loser) because I can't stick to an exericse program. I think I hate exercise more than anything. Unfortunately, it's what I need most. Why is life like that?

Elaine told me not to be discouraged, not be so hard on myself, but just to take a baby-step today. Actually, when I think about it, I have been taking lots of baby-steps lately.

Probably nobody knows this but me. I have a very unhealthy relationship with food. Not with all food. Just sugar and all things fried. Oh, and potatoes. So, a potato donut (if there was such a thing) would be my heaven. Is there such a thing? I wonder...

And, aside from sugar and fried potatoes, I'm a very picky eater. I think my grandson got this trait from me. Carina told me today the kid won't even try corn. CORN? Lute, we need to talk...Richard Simmons says corn is like a potato on a cob. And, I do love potatoes. So...I've got to make sure to introduce Lute to the wonderfulness of corn. I'm getting off track...but isn't this the cutest picture of him? It's an oldie, when he used to like vegetables. So cute! Anyway...

If something includes the word(s) 'healthy' or 'low-fat', chances are I am not going to like it. Chances are I'm going to hate it. But, I've taken some baby steps and I have actually found two recipes that I really like. And, they are low-fat, and they are healthy. And my husband likes them too.

Confession time - my husband and I rarely eat the same thing for dinner. Isn't that awful? I don't know when we started that bad habit but it must have been after the kids left home. Because when they were here we did eat as a family, when I could get them to the table. And, we used to actually eat at the table, not like we do now, on the couch, in front of the TV. I hate that. I'm having a hard time convincing my husband that a conversation with me would be more entertaining than watching Bill O'Reilly. He doesn't believe me. So we eat with Bill every night.

Anyway...baby-steps. Yes, I've been taking them.

Now, this blog is not going to be a food blog or a recipe blog. But, it is a random blog.

Ran-dom: without definite aim, direction, rule or method.

Yes, this is random. Anyway...like I said, this is not going to be a recipe blog. But since I did find some recipes that I really like, and are good for you (and me), I'm going to post them. I hope you try them and I hope you like them too. And next time I serve them, it might even be at the table.

I'll just post one tonight...and maybe you will come back and look for the other one another time.

Chop Suey -

I should probably tell you mine didn't look like the photograph above but it's the best picture I could find.

8 (3 x 3") packaged Chinese wonton skins, separated

1 Tablespoon plus 2 tsp. canola oil

1/4 tsp salt

2 scallions, greens included, trimmed and thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, sliced

4 cups sliced napa cabbage (I LOVE napa cabbage!)

3/4 cup celery, thinly sliced

8 oz bamboo shoots (I used sliced water chestnuts because I bought them by mistake)

2 cups mushrooms, thinly sliced (the recipe called for shitake but I'm too cheap to buy those)

3/4 tsp. sugar

1 cup chicken broth

1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 1/2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon chicken broth

2 cups shredded cooked chicken (you could use a store-bought rotisserie chicken)

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush baking sheet and wonton skins lightly on both sides with 2 tsp of oil. Season with salt and bake for 10 minutes or until brown and crisp. (I found this was too much oil and next time I won't use salt). Transfer to cooling rack and reserve.

In large heavy skillet or wok, heat 1 Tbs oil over med-high heat. Add scallion, garlic, cabbage, celery, bamboo shoots (or water chestnuts), and mushrooms and stir-fry until cabbage is soft and wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Add sugar, 3/4 cup chicken broth, soy sauce, and sesame oil and cook for 3 minutes. Add broth-cornstarch mixture. Add 1/4 cup more chicken stock if needed.

Add chicken and heat through.

Serve over brown rice and top with toasted sesame seeds.

This is definitely a keeper at our house...