To Blog or Not To Blog, That is the Question

Greetings Friends~

I believe that the major reason that I am struggling lately is that I haven't been taking my blogging responsibilities as serious as I should (and once was). I think is is entirely possible that writing this actually helps me to concentrate on the challenge at hand.

Today Mrs B and I went to Subway for lunch. I haven't been there lately but it seems that I bought right into the on air plug during The Biggest Loser this week. I have to admit that the Veggie DeLite was pretty filling. This got me to thinking. Five dollars for a sandwich that is much healthier but just as quick as McDonalds, AND I didn't have to feel guilty that I derailed my diet plan. Guess I might be heading back there more often.

I hope to have some time this weekend to stop by the Oriental Market on College St. in Lacey. I love the idea that I can get a ton of stuff for stir fry such as Napa cabbage, bean sprouts, edamame, snow peas and more, for about half the price of a regular grocery store.

Here is how I do my stir fry.

First I get any or all of the following; asparagus, broccoli, napa cabbage, green peppers, edamame (soybeans), mushrooms, celery, carrots, onion, snow peas, bamboo shoots and those little ears of corn that are so hard to eat.

I prepare all of this and put the vegetables that cook alike into my Zip and Steam bags, usually two types of vegetable per bag. I only do this for some of the veggies, so this is what I get. Bag 1 - asparagus and snow peas. Bag 2 - carrots and cauliflower. Bag 3 - broccoli and peppers. Bag 4 - cauliflower.

I clean and slice (or quarter) the mushrooms to get them ready.

Now I turn on my big wok-like skillet, get it real hot and throw in some chicken or beef that has been cut into thin pieces. I cook that very fast and then remove and set aside.

I now de-glaze the pan with some low sodium vegetable broth, maybe a cup or less. This is all I ever use anymore to stir fry. Much better than oil. I do realize that this should be called stir steaming but that is a mouthful.

Once the broth comes up to a bubble, I add the mushrooms.

While these start to cook (and add that wonderful mushroom nectar to the batch), I start steaming the veggies in the microwave. Bag 1 for 2 minutes, Bag 2 for 3 minutes, Bag 3 for 3 minutes and Bag 4 for 3 minutes.

As each of these are done, I set them aside.

Back to the mushrooms which have now started cooking. Add in the following order; bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, Bags 2-4, the cooked chicken or beef, napa cabbage. Stir well and add Bag 1.

Be careful because this will make enough to feed most of your neighborhood. The nice thing is that you can eat on this for several days and it is still delicious.

I dish this into a bowl and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Mrs B likes some soy sauce drizzled on hers but I try to avoid the salt.

I hope I have made you hungry enough to want to try some lower cal stir fry. That was the intent. Like Subway is to McDonalds, this is Chip's healthy alternative to Happy T.

My small step for the weekend is to eat right and drink LOTS of water.

Happy Trails!