Hip Hop Abs

Okay I just have to share this one. I was sipping coffee and turned on the TV and this infomercial was on. I am telling you this one is good--it got my attention and built up my excitement. I was glued to the tv as they offer you one special offer one after another. I have a lot of exercise DVDs and mind you I have been religiously using them these past few weeks plus Fit TV which is on 24 hours. Isn't that great? I figured there's no excuse for me not to workout. I could be working out while my I am doing laundry and thawing meat for dinner! I like to dance that's why most of my workout DVDs are dance routines--to cut the story short I did buy the Hip Hop Abs. I should have gone on line instead of calling and saved some time. All those extra offers that will be taken off your credit card if are you not careful. So I just said I don't have time and all I want is what is being offered on TV, period. $77.17 including shipping and I got an extra DVD for just making one payment instead of 3. I'll let you know when they get here!

Thai Chicken Salad

I love to cook--I do it everyday and most often than not for lunch and dinner. On weekends, breakfast too! My daughter is used to home cooked meals and if you say dinner is just ham and cheese she would be so disappointed. I learned to cook when I was 9 or 10. My mother encouraged me to cook and if I didn't like the food my mom would say "Go and cook what you want then." I have decided to share some of my favorite recipes. My friends especially like my eggrolls and oriental noodles but I am the type of cook that doesn't measure, unless it is a new recipe I am following. Most of the everyday stuff I cook (and parties) are from memory handed down to me by my mother and close relatives. I will slowly try to write them down so I can share them here and of course the ones I have collected throughout the years (with measurements).

I am not a salad eater--I would rather have lots and lots of vegetables with some meat mixed in and Jasmine rice. If my main meal is a salad it has to have meat in it! Here's one that I like but I forgot to take a picture of it when I made it the other day. I have this written down in a tattered piece of paper for years-- try it and let me know what you think.

Thai Chicken Salad

Serves 6
Nutrition per serving: 175 calories, 28g. protein, 8g. carb, 3 g. fat,64g chol.

4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1/2 c bean sprouts
2 bell peppers
1 bag mixed greens

Dressing
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 lime (juice oly)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp chili powder
2T Teriyaki sauce
1 T water
3 T rice wine vinegar
2 T ginger (fresh grated)
4 scallions (chopped)
1/2 c basil leaves (fresh chopped)
1/2 c mint leaves (fresh chopped)--I don't like mint leaves so I substitute it with more salad greens

Poach chicken in salted water until opaque. Drain and shred into pieces. Combine dressing ingredients and toss with chicken. Add sprouts and peppers. Serve over mixed greens.

Oooh my knee!!

I have been sort of taking it easy this past few days. My poor right knee had a flair up (it was bad today) and I had been limping and boy did it hurt to walk! I was in bed most of the time with cold a pack on my aching knee and occasionally sew so I don't get too backed up. I was told 6 years ago I had effusion( all those years on step classes and stair climbers most likely) and was given some exercises to strengthen it because it was only functioning at 40% and my left knee is taking the extra burden. Well I haven't been doing them religiously and now I am paying for it. Now I have to do them plus at least 20 minutes of cycling everyday--no substitution. Next on my agenda--take my fairly unused bike out of the garage!