So I know that this may be a cop out as far as posts go...such is my life right now. It was kindly pointed out to me that it's been a LONG time since my last post. Oh for shame! ;) I'm coming off of an insanely busy season...yet again. It feels good to take a moment and complete a thought, capture it even. Around the time I turned 30, I decided it was necessary to re-gauge my life canisters for mind, body, soul and spirit. I realized that some areas were full to the brim and others...depleted virtually dry. In an effort to steward my temple better, I got back on my work out routine and eating plan. If you eat a clean diet, it leaves you some wiggle room for days where nothing short of a burger will cut it. I realize that as someone who enjoys cooking, this may come easier to me than for some. However, stepping outside of the box and committing yourself to rolling up your sleeves and preparing a good meal for yourself doesn't just keep extra lb.'s at bay. I've found that intrinsically when there is a concerted effort put in to achieve balance in one area...one cannot help but to find that it postures itself into all areas!
It can be easy to chalk up our bodies as just a temporary and fleeting shell, but consider this, we are made in God's image. I'll say it again, we are made in God's image. Therefore it does matter very much how you treat your temple because HE intentioned us to do much with our bodies for his Kingdom work. By effect, we honor HIM by honoring the temple with which HE has blessed us.
Eating well does not mean you have to sacrifice taste and flavor. Eating well means that you are being intentional about what you are putting into your body. It means you care. Sometimes it's just a matter of cutting out certain ingredients in your favorite recipes and substituting healthier ones in. I love fried rice for example. I'm Korean...us Asians have to use up rice that is beyond a day old. That's essentially where Fried Rice came from. You don't get good Fried Rice by using freshly prepared rice. That would be disastrous! You may be nodding your heads in agreement if you've ever made that mistake. :) Anyway, I digress! Below you will find a wonderfully healthy take on Fried Rice. You can take liberties on this recipe. Feel free to add any lean meat of your choice like Chicken Breast, Pork tenderloin, Shrimp or beef tenderloin. You can also add in spinach, chinese brocoli or bok choy for some greens rich in iron, vitamins and a good source of added fiber. The recipe as it stands is vegetarian, but so good. I'm a fan of meat...but sometimes it's good to give your liver a break! :) Wild rice will give this recipe a nutty, crunchy/chewy texture that will dance in your mouth, but you can certainly use brown rice as well! Have some chili garlic sambali sauce on the side or throw it in while you wok toss your dish for a major KICK! ENJOY and remember...honor thy temple for it is the dwelling place of the Lord.
~Mel
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Wild Fried Rice Recipe
Use your widest skillet here to get the eggs as thin as possible. Sometimes I brown the tofu first, sometimes I use it raw, and just toss it in the skillet toward the end to heat it up.
1 scant tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 scant tablespoon olive oil
3 - 4 good quality eggs, well beaten with a big pinch of salt
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
6 ounces extra-firm nigari tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, raw or browned in a skillet ahead of time
2 big handfuls of pea sprouts, chopped green beans or peas
1+ tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
In a large, clean skillet, heat the toasted sesame and olive oil. When they are nice and hot (but not too hot!), pour the eggs into the pan, count to ten, then gently swirl the pan to create a thin layer of egg evenly distribute across the pan. Cook this thin omelette for about 45 seconds or until it sets up. Fold the eggs over on themselves and cook for another 30 seconds or so (but avoid scorching) before transferring to a cutting board. Let it cool a bit, then slice into strips. Set aside.
Don't bother cleaning the skillet outright, just scrape or wipe out any remaining egg. There should still be enough residual oil to cook the onions over medium high heat for a minute or so. Stir in the wild rice and tofu and cook until heated. Now stir in the pea sprouts, and cook for 20 seconds. Gently add the eggs back into the skillet and finish by adding the tamari. Use a spatula to stir until the tamari works its way around the pan. Taste, and adjust - more salt (or tamari), or maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes...
Serves 2-3 as a main.
