First off – thank you, thank you, for all your kind comments yesterday about my abs tummy picture. If nothing else I hope it inspired someone to get off the couch and get moving. Today is Day 10 on my new plan and I feel great. Just imagine where I’ll be at Day 100! š
I was so sore yesterday morning from Jillian’s shred that all I managed to do was a 10 minute ab workout. When Tony and I were at Whole Foods we bought a loaf of sourdough bread – a favorite for both of us. It is so good!
My breakfast sammie: 1.5 ounce sourdough bread, 1 egg, 1/3 cup diced yellow pepper, baby spinach and cheddar cheese with watermelon (which I am not even close to getting sick of!).
I decided to do a 9.5 mile bike ride at lunch – when I finished I realized I just passed over 200 miles on the bike machine since June 1! š
Lunch was so good – I had 4.5 ounces of baked potato in the bottom of my bowl, topped with 3/4 cup of my buffalo chicken chili, 1 ounce cheese, 1 tablespoon sour cream, two crushed tortilla chips, pickled jalapeno peppers and lettuce.
So on Monday my husbands colleague was talking about a Chinese restaurant he used to go to when he lived in the area. He said the had THE BEST wonton soup, and whenever he was remotely close (I am talking with a 50 mile drive!) he would pick up his beloved wonton soup. I peppered him with questions: “is it a beef broth, seafood broth, what kind of wontons?” All he could say was that it was probably the best soup he’s ever had.
Well, I had to have it! Tony made the treck to Yen Yen in Buffalo Grove. I ordered the Yang Wonton Soup and an order of Mo Pa Tofu and Beef.
The verdict? It was good, but I guess when someone says they will drive 50 miles for a soup my expectations are a bit high! It tasted like a basic chicken broth, and truth be told, was on the bland side, hence my addition of sriracha sauce! š
The Mo Pa Tofu and Beef was delicious though. Can I just say when a dish has two hot peppers next to it, I expect it to be spicy! And this one fit the bill – it was flavorful spicy and the beef was extremely tender.
So while this was a good Chinese dinner, and if it were closer to our house this would be our go to Chinese, it isn’t worth the long drive – but thanks Tony for making the trek for me! š
One of Hannah’s favorite ice cream’s is green tea ice cream. We had it at a Chinese restaurant one time and she seeks it out whenever possible. When we went to the Japenese grocery store the last time, Tony picked up green tea powder to make some. Well, as much as I like to think my pantry is organized, it kinda got lost in the shuffle for a while! Recently I took everything out and reorganized, and lo and behold, I found the green tea powder!
So last night as I was finishing up my exercises in the back room, Tony got to making ice cream.
Green Tea Ice Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 large eggs
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons matcha (powdered Japanese green tea)
Directions:
Bring cream, milk, and salt to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan and remove from heat.
Whisk together eggs, sugar, and matcha in a bowl (tea will not be completely dissolved), then add 1 cup hot cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking vigorously. Whisk custard into remaining cream mixture in saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170Ā°F on an instant-read thermometer (do not let boil).
Immediately pour custard through a fine sieve into a metal bowl, then cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 1 hour.
Freeze in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.
Then after it came to room temperature and chilled for an hour in the fridge, time for the ice cream maker!
After 15 minutes, we put it in a large bowl – when it first came out, it almost tasted custard like. After another hour in the freezer, it hardened, but we both remarked at how velvety it turned out!
Stats for Wednesday
- 1759 calories (includes 1 oz. almonds, 1 cup watermelon and green tea tastes not pictures)
- 197 carbs
- 108 protein
- 68 fat
- 25 fiber
- 10 minute abs
- 45 minute 9.5 mile bike ride
- 11 minutes bootylicious (not kidding!) butt routine
- 11 minute kickboxing with Kendra (from Girls Next Door – god she is dumber than a box of rocks!)
Oh, you all know my brother Charlie from Back to the Fridge – well, he has a new writing blog you should check out – he is so fricken talented! Suzicate – I immediately thought that you would appreciate my brother’s writing style – let me know what you think!
Mmm, green tea ice cream. I do love me some green tea or matcha anything. I think I need an ice cream maker, simply to make this š
Biz, I just checked out both of his blogs. The fridge blog is freakin’ hilarious!!!!!!!! I have got to get his book…it’s right up my alley…we know there no way I’m gonna stick to a diet so maybe I can laugh away the pounds. And the other blog is great as well. He is a very good writer. I like the diversity of his posts….thanks…he’s now on my list as well. Sorry, I haven’t been around as much…have been feeling kind of blah. I had starting writing a book…thought I had it planned well. Writing stated beautifully and that dang muse left me for someone else!!!!!!! What’s a girl to do?! So, I’m waiting for Mr. Inspiration to return!
Wow, your brother is very talented! How’d you end up so lucky?
I know, right?! š
I’ve been wanting to pick up some matcha powder to make a shake. Your ice cream sounds great!
And I LOVE WF sourdough bread… Your breakfast, as well as the rest of your eats, looks amazing! As I said so many times before, your food ALWAYS looks and sounds great!
Happy Weekend!
mmm I love adding sriracha to bland soups. It gives it some life!
I have never had green tea ice cream but the color is gorgeous. I should try it next time I’m somewhere that serves it. I don’t love drinking green tea though so who knows if I’ll like it or not.
Kendra – LOL! I love that you’re doing her video! Too funny! I watch her show. How embarrassing š
The green tea ice cream looks great! If I can find that powder, I’m making it ASAP!!
Have a great weekend, Biz!
I have 2 lbs of matcha powder. I primarily use it for oats. I wish I had an ice-cream maker though…it’s my favorite ice-cream flavor!
i love the color of that ice cream, it sounds wonderful! we love sour dough bread too, i bet it’s awesome with that breakfast sammie.
that green tea ice cream looks delish! hannah loved it? how sweet for your dear hubby to make it! aww.
Pearl!! I am so glad you commented – I wrote down your new blog and quickly lost it – can’t wait to read what you are up to – you are such an awesome writer!!
I’ve seent that video on demand, but never did it because I thought I would laugh the whole time!
I like the hard boiled egg in the soup, it looks good when you spiced it up!
We have discovered that when Texans say so-and-so restaurant makes the best whatever, it usually means deep-fried and huge portions…after many disappointed restaurant runs, we stopped listening to people here, lol!
Congrats on hitting 200 miles on the bike – you are unstoppable now! Wonder how far it is to ride to Texas?
I am with Hannah! I love Green Tea ice cream when we go out to the Sushi Buffet. I have also had a red bean tea ice cream as well. So good š
I can’t believe you drove there to check out the wonton soup. It is almost the same idea when we were from people that they did or did not like a base. It is all about personal preference, so what is good for one may not be the same for another. Hello perception! We love it on the island, but we know plenty of people who feel trapped and can’t enjoy it. I have really liked a food and thought it was so good, and then Ryan doesn’t think it is all that. But, with someone willing to go out of their way, you would expect it to be close if it is a food you really enjoy.
oohh I love green tea ice cream- even if my tummy dislikes the dairy! lol Just a little scoop is all I need! YUM!
I have a favorite won ton soup place!! They are closed on Sundays which stinks because that is always the day that Sean & I go out to lunch and I would totally end up eating that big bowl of goodness every week! š
I wish I looked as good as you do when I’m sweaty. I look like a hot mess after I’m done working out.
The green tea ice cream looks yum but with 2 cups heavy cream I will try refrain from making it š
Great going on the Jillian and bike riding š
Congrats on reaching 200 miles! Keep ridin’
Love you picture – you look sweaty, happy AND BEAUTIFUL!
I’ve heard of green tea ice cream but have never had it before. 200 miles-you go, Biz!
green tea ice cream? now that is interesting, sure looks pretty. glad your exercise paln is going great….I am still a lazy you know what, getting some great physical activity, just not consistent. Proud of you, girl! You rock!
The ice cream looks amazing! Way to go!
And your lunch sounds yummy!!
All your food pics look great, Biz! Esp. the ice cream! And keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see how far you’re gonna go, but it’s also encouraging to see how far you’ve come!
Hubs likes green tea but I just can’t drink it. He’s had the ice cream before and likes it, I admit, I didn’t even try it! I would so love an ice cream maker, the kids would have a blast with it!!
I have some matcha powder at home but no ice cream maker! I so wish I did… would love to make this.