Off-Topic

And let's be honest, it's not like I haven't been off-topic alot lately.  Clearly my focus needs to be readjusted.  I'm working on it!  I went to Wally tonight and stocked up on mixed salad  greens, beans, lean meats, agave nectar (extra large bottle this time), etc.  I am promising myself to pack my lunch tomorrow in my awesome pretty lunch tote, and to make a yummy fruit smoothie for breakfast, and to plan dinner more than five minutes ahead of time.  There is a very small chance I will get up at 5:00 a.m. to go to the gym.  But nobody hold their breath about the gym, I don't need y'all passing out and then being mad because I didn't go, so you bumped your head for no reason.  But there's a chance.

Anyhoo, when I don't feel good about myself I tend to skip the makeup and not make any effort with my 'do, just slap some product  in it after the old shower and run out the door with it wet.  Not that there is a thing wrong with being natural.  I'm just aware that is how I behave when I am not valuing myself as much as I should.  Sooo..... Sunday I treated myself!  Nothing extravagant, just some drugstore/Wally products.  But I got new foundation, powder, mascara and a new tool for my 'do!

The foundation is a liquid mineral foundation by Maybelline.  Unless I go high-end, the foundations light enough for my winter-pale skin usually is way too pink.  But there are a ton of shades with this foundation so I found one that worked without making me look too pink!

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The powder is another mineral product, Physician's Formula Mineral Powder, in translucent:

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The mascara is one I always see in magazines as a great buy at a low price; a never-fail oldie but goodie:  Maybelline Great Lash:

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And last but not least, the tool  for my 'do.  Mine is silver, not blue, and it was only $23... I can't figure out how this one is different from the one I bought so I'm including a pic of it, too.  I've tried it once already and it cut my drying time in half, probably because it cuts out the whole 'dryer in one hand, round brush in the other' routine:

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Anyhoo, I tried on the makeup and love it!

Alrighty, it's off to bed for me so that there's a chance I might go to the gym in the morning. 

Have a fab evening!

*Links are to my Amazon Associates account.

Current Happenings in Lizard-Land (That's My World, Where Things are Supposed to go My Way!)

Ok, I have not been watching what I eat, I have not exercised in about a week, I am tired and cranky... I am sure of course that these things are connected; the first two causing the last two.  Not looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow.  And not even sure I can get there!  I have an appointment right when I am supposed to go to WW, so I will have to go to a WW meeting either tonight or Thursday.  Boo.  I like my Wednesday night meetings.  If I go tonight I can be sure to get it done and get it out of the way, but if I go Thursday that gives me an extra day to get back on track and at least to drink alot of water to try to get rid of any water weight that is contributing to my weight.  Which my bathroom scales tells me is up.  And I'm sure it's not lying to me, considering what I've been (not) doing.  I'm looking at TWO WEEKS with a gain.  I need to kick myself in the butt and get back on track.  This ain't cool!  And Punxsutawney Phill just said we will have six more weeks of winter.  Geez Louise!

On a more positive note, last night I made tuna casserole and used yolk-less egg noodles, and snuck in a bunch of chopped cabbage and parsnips.  The crust was crushed crackers and ALMOND MEAL!  And yesterday I made a smoothie for breakfast: frozen cherries, skim milk, some Naturally More peanut butter and some Equal.  Of course lunch involved yet another "cheeseburger incident."  I'm tempted to say "Well, ya can't win 'em all" but that is a bad attitude!  We CAN win 'em all!  I just need to start today, writing down what I eat and finding opportunities to move more.

If I have another weigh-in with a gain I will not get discouraged.  (Self talk happening now.) 
I will take that as reinforcement of what I know works for me and what I know doesn't work for me.
I can SO do this.

Coconut Jasmine Rice With Green Onions And Cilantro

I have to ask… do you call them green onions or scallions? My mom always called them scallions but I think most people call them green onions.

Anyhoo *Bitch Cakes* posted a recipe from the cookbook The Balanced Plate by Renee Loux. It called for cilantro and lemongrass. I love those. It called for coconut milk. I was intrigued. It called for jasmine rice. I have never cooked with jasmine rice and that + cilantro and lemongrass love + coconut milk intrigue = I must try this!

I scoured the grocery store but wasn’t able to find any lemongrass, not even the lemongrass powder that Bitch Cakes had to resort to using. So I was stuck with using lemon juice and lemon zest because I couldn't wait any longer to try this recipe!

First you put the rice on to boil after rinsing it a few times. I did three rinses, swirling it in a bowl of water and then draining it through a mesh strainer. Combine the rice with 2 ¼ cups water or broth (I used water) and 12 ounces off coconut milk. Bring to a boil then cover, reducing the heat. Check on it in 20 minutes. If it goes like mine did, you’ll check it in 10 more minutes and then in 10 more.

Meanwhile chop enough green onion for ¾ cup, and tear enough cilantro leaves for ½ cup. I chopped my cilantro; I thought it would help release the flavor since you don’t add it until the rice is cooked.

On to the lemon. This was a battle second only to the oatmeal can. I was already miffed that I could not find lemongrass. I got all set to zest the lemon.

It would not zest! The skin was impervious to my grater! I resorted to slicing off zest and chopping it. Sigh.

Once the rice is done remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 more minutes. Then add a pinch of sea salt, the cilantro, green onions, a teaspoon of lemon zest and a tablespoon of lemon juice. I ended up adding the juice of an entire lemon after I tried it.

It was good! I was mystified be the absence of coconut flavor; I had been looking forward to a coconutty/cilantro/lemony taste sensation. So it was not what I expected. But it was tasty and went really well with the chicken breasts I sautéed with some lemon juice and salt and pepper. The jasmine rice was lovely. I have not had white rice in forever and this is of course a very special white rice. I will probably try it with brown rice next time. It will not be the same, but one must make concessions in the quest for more fiber. I will make this again for sure, and in the meantime I will be on the lookout for lemongrass so I can get the full experience! Thanks to Bitch Cakes for sharing the recipe.

And let me know... do you say green onions or scallions?