What's on your plate?

[lylysa]

Hello there, ladies and gents!

Keeping in line with all the fun and interactive threads asking about your most recent halls, items you have your eyes on, what you're currently wearing, what's your hair routine, and more, I've decide to branch out and ask:

"What's on your plate?"

The beauty world doesn't just stop at skin care and cosmetics, it also goes hand in hand with your overall health and well-being, so with that, I'm curious to see what we're all chowing down and snacking on be it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or inbetween!

For those with apps that help count calories or to those who just want to keep a log, here's a place to share, possibly find and share some recipes, and even tips on maintaining a balanced diet.

Don't just share food items, but even drinks! I'm a huge fan of tea and at least have a cup of green tea a day (anti-oxidants) and drink plenty of water.

For lunch today, I had:

-Brown rice

-Steamed egg

-Steamed red snapper with green onion, sesame oil, and black pepper

-Gai lan (it's a type of Chinese vegetable/greens)

Now, tell me, Beauty Talk world, what do you have? 😄

[lylysa]

This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing! What's funny is that as I was reading I was curious about storing extra dough and behold, I skim down a few more lines and there's the bit about freezing it!

I've never made my own pizza dough, but have made little personal pizzas using pita bread which was fun. This is definitely something I'll have to try!

[BeautyJunkie325]

We always bought those Bobli crusts.  I decided to try making my own dough this spring & scoured for a recipe that was easy to make and didn't require anything fancy.  I tried like 3 different ones before I settled on the Bobby Flay pizza dough version.  

Wrapping in the cling wrap first, then putting it in a freezer bag is the easiest way I've found.  You just need to take the ball out in the morning & put in your fridge, you should be good my the end of the day.  Just leave it out for about 20-30 minutes before you are going to bake to bring it closer to room temp.

My first time, I didn't get the dough thin enough so it was way too chewy.  The next time I got the dough too thin and it was a little too crispy.  It took me at least 4/5 pizzas before I could get the dough just right.  Now if I could get it to roll into a perfect circle. 

[lylysa]

I like odd shaped pizzas! To me that's a sure fire way to know it's handmade because it's not the traditional "perfect" circle. Off-shaped pizzas are like snowflakes :P...delicious snowflakes haha!

Thanks for the tips! Have you had any experiences regarding how long the dough has been left in the freezer and whether or not it ever got to the point of freezer burn? I don't have bread flour at the moment, but I have whole what all-purpose so I think I'll try my hand at that, maybe see if I can roll it thinner so it's not as crunchy as your notes have mentioned with bread flour versus AP flour. All I need is the yeast and I essentially have everything else. I'm excited! This might be a weekend meal, if I make it, I'll post pics!

[BeautyJunkie325]

The dough seems to be best used within a month of putting it in the freezer.  I think wrapping in plastic, then putting in the freezer bag helps.  I do it immediately after it has risen and I've portioned the dough out. 

The biggest thing is getting the dough an even thickness.  I forgot to mention that I rub the outer section of the crust with olive oil to brown it up a little more.  

I can't wait to see your results. 🙂

[Anonymous]

So far nothing good, but I'm hoping to head out with some gal pals in a bit for an early dinner. Since it's warm I think we'll probably get something refreshing like fancy sandwiches and/or salad. Yum. 

[Anonymous]

I've started a new workout regimen, and with it comes a diet plan.  Well, more like guidelines.

So far, I was bad today and skipped making the gluten-free protein pancakes, opting for some much simpler scrambled eggs and a small-ish salad with olive oil & lemon juice.  Now I'm enjoying some broiled salmon with more salad and olive oil & juice, plus eyeballing my sweet potato half and wondering if it's cool enough to eat yet.

[lylysa]

Mmmm, I had some sweet potato fries with a burger last night (had a fried egg, mushrooms, and swiss cheese on it).

Keep us posted on the the new diet plan!

[Anonymous]

@BeautyJunkie325: I feel ya. My mother is currently going through radiation therapy for breast cancer.

@beautytester: looks awesome. I would probably have to substitute the rum for maple syrup or something (I'm straight edge) but chocolate death is always my downfall. lol

[ChicDabbler]

Oh forgot the credit. Originally the recipe was from Luxirare, she had water and I substituted with licqour cuz I like my dessert darker/more adult (and I added the syrup from my other rum cake recipe). You can use water instead. It taste best hot/warm cuz then it's fluffy and the center is gooey (it hardens a bit when cold).

[ChicDabbler]

Aaahh, there were some talk of ramen yesterday so I ate ramen today. Also made Chocolate Run cake with gooey chocolate center, the lazy version. It turned out quite well, 3in of rich fluffy chocolate cake. Yes I ate straight from the pan, it's legit cuz I live alone anyways, less dishes to wash. =P

Recipe:
- Chocolate cake mix (the one with pudding)
- 3 eggs (default)
- 1/2 cup of oil (default)
- 1 1/4 cup of water (default)
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 oil
- 1 tsp expresso powder or grounded coffee
- 1/4 cup of burbon, rum or brandy.

Mix all of the above together. Pour half (or a bit more) the batter into the pan, lay some bittersweet chocolate bar on top (I used 60%), pour in remaining half.

Bake according to box directions (preheat, then 350F for 30-40min).

Mix 1/4c each of rum, water and sugar, and 2tbsp butter. Microwave to combine. When the cake is done, poke with toothpick and pour this on top. Dig in.

Whipped cream/frosting unneccessary unless you really like them. Even the syrup's just an enhancement. Nothing complicated, actual work prob took 10min.

*instead of chocolate bar in the center, you can also do other things like pureed strawberries or rasberries.

*you can also flip it and dust some cocoa powder on top for presentation if frosting's not your thing.

[lylysa]

Oooo, good idea with different fillings and dusting it with cocoa powder! I bet you can get fancy with a lace doily and dust powdered sugar into a fancy design!

[BeautyJunkie325]

That looks AMAZING!!!!  I'm going to have to try that one.

[malday]

@lylysa well I didn't find any miso paste (I have a ton of Asian markets near me but didn't want to drive that extra mile in the heat lol) so I made this instead!

haha I realize this isn't the same thing at all but I really just wanted cold soba!

[lylysa]

Did you get a chance to get the refrigerated area? That's where I found mine!

Anywho, mmmm, cold soba! And little bun baos!!! Cute chopsticks!

[malday]

I didn't even think to look there haha. I went to a Fresh & Easy. I don't know if you have those where you live but they're relatively small and sometimes that store is really hit or miss when it comes to "international" foods (I always laugh when stores label aisles like that). I'll have to check again on my next trip! And thanks! I never eat noodles without my chopsabers haha.

[lylysa]

I wish they lit up! I got a pair for my friend one year!

[malday]

Me too! How cool would it be to eat a bowl of ramen in the dark! I imagine it would make the broth look like it's glowing

[Anonymous]

@lylysa: wow and wow. I'm usually not a fan of Asian anything but I gotta say I would try that in a heartbeat.

@BeautyJunkie325: omg that dessert looks like chocolate heaven!! Even on the ceiling! 😉

Sorry about your mom too...that's rough. 😞

[BeautyJunkie325]

I'm sooooo trying to figure out why some of my pics are posting upside done.  Oye!!!!!

She was diagnosed a few years ago which was rough.  The year after she was diagnosed with lung cancer.  I was sooooo done with everything & everyone.  I had completely shut down & stopped believing in anything.  I couldn't believe that my mom not only was going to loose everything that made her my mom but now she had cancer.  My friends kicked my butt, prayed for her and did little things for us.  One of my closest friends made her a quilt out of blue fabric (her favorite color) to use when she went for chemo treatments.  We had a long year of surgery & chemo.  After going through that everything else is cake.  She has good days and bad days, but I'm lucky that she knows who everyone is, she just can't ask for a fork. 🙂

[lylysa]

Upside down or not, that looked delish!

All the best for your mom, you, friends, and family. It sounds like you have a really good, solid circle of people and that can make all the difference in the world when days get dark.

[lylysa]

🙂 It's really different, if you're not accustomed to miso you might not even be able to place your finger on it being what is used, but the honey really helps to give it a balance. Spyski isn't a miso flavor fan, but like I mentioned, any time I post recipes, I encourage folks to adjust and alter to their tastes to make it work for them!

I'm a big believer in "the nose knows" in regards to mixing up ingredients!