Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Falling off the 'Getting Fit' wagon


I am still kind of doing the 'My Fitness Pal', I am conscious about it, but am not being very strict about it. And it shows, The pounds that were melting away like ice cream in a scorching sun has become more like the stagnant water puddle!

The silver line, the pounds that fell off are almost still off! I have gained 2-3 pounds back. But knowing me, if I don't get serious about it, they will all climb back in slowly but steadily. And there goes my 6 months of effort. 
I am getting back to, 'Oh its just one spoon of Bhujia, oh it’s just one cookie' However, I know firsthand how harmful it truly is. I want to be able to get back to me: 'It’s one cookie, that I will quarter up and consume throughout the day instead of all at once!' This way, I still eat it, manage the cravings, but don't cave in.

That's what this 'Getting Fit' business is all about: Eat healthy, manage portions, enjoy life but make healthier choices!


So this post, is more like a reminder/ kick in the hind side, whatever you want to call it, but I do need to get back 'serious' about it.
Changes now are going to be a little more drastic, especially since I have done this before.
So yes, my husband is fore warned that I may be crankier....

Change 1: Be within the calorie recommendation for at least 4 days in a week
Change 2: Walk, Walk, Walk: So far I have been managing the intake and nothing else. So now with the weather warming
up, I could do the simplest thing: Walking
Change 3: Snacking, there is no point denying it, i love snacking. At home, I will hover near the snack cabinet and pop a few things here and there. So, I have gotten things like Skinny Pop, Multigrain crackers and my favorite Rice Puffs!

Here in my latest love: ' Masala Skinny Pop' Here is the simple recipe
1. Heat olive oil, add Jeera/ Rai, 1 tsp Haldi
2. Add skinny pop popcorn, add Mirchi + Salt to taste!!
And ta-da a healthier and more delicious version of the plain old pop-corn!

I am truly enjoying how my dresses fall and my 'older shirts' fit me finally. I know I am away from my dream weight and it will stay in my dreams if I don’t do anything about it.

So one more kick in the back side to 'get serious about the 'Getting Fit' wagon. Again!


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Healthier version of Bottle Gourd/ Lauki Kofta



Bottle  gourd/ Lauki is something that took me a really long time to develop the taste for. Growing up, I definitely didn’t like it much. Sumit on the other hand devours it. Therefore, I cook it often, and the kids now like it and have developed a taste for it. Of course, it helps, since they think it’s 'Cucumber Sabzi'

Sadly, we don’t get bottle gourd/ lauki closer to where we live, so recently, Sumit went to the Indian Store and got me my 'Lauki' I was so excited, I said: Fine, let’s make the Kofta.
But keeping 'MyFitness Pal' in mind, I didn’t want to fry the kofta, so here is my modified version... still very delicious, much quicker and above all healthier

For Kofta:
1. Grate 1 medium Lauki
2. Finely chopped onion: 1/4 cup
3. 1/4 tsp finely chopped ginger
4. Spices: Salt, Chili, 1 Pinch: Ajwain, Poppy Seeds, Saunf
5. Chick Pea Flour: 3-4 tsp
6.  Oil for cooking

To make kofta:
1. Squeeze the lauki to remove excess water, save the water.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients except oil, The batter should be thick so the shape stays, make: 10 round balls
3. In an 'appa' pan/ a cake pop pan/ on simple skillet: Heat one tsp of oil, Add the round balls. Cover and let them cook
4. In about 2-3 minutes, turn sides to cook on the other side
5. In about 2-3 minutes: the crisp Lauki kofta are ready!

Note: If you make on skillet, the kofta will be like 'Patty' and not round, which is fine; it still tastes delicious.

For Gravy
1. 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
2. 1 cup Tomato: chopped
3. 1 clove garlic
4. Green Chili: Per taste
5. Carrots chopped: 1/2 cup
6. Spices: 1 tsp Jeera, Salt, 1/4 tsp Haldi, 1/4 tsp Red Chilli Powder, 1 tsp Jeera powder

To make Gravy:
1. In a skillet, warm oil
2. Add all spices except salt,
3. Add Onion, Garlic and Ginger; Sautee for 2-3 minutes
4. When onion is translucent, add the tomato and carrots and reduce the flame and let it cook for 8-10 minutes
5. When tomato is all cooked (in a mushy pulp); remove from flame and let it cook down
6. I personally prefer a smooth gravy' so I put the gravy in the food processor and blend it in well
Note: Carrots are options, I like adding vegetables to my gravy to enhance flavors and more nutrition


Assembling:
In the serving dish, add the gravy, then the kofta, then sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and enjoy!!!


This goes really well with 'Paratha/ Roti or even Rice'