Tantalizing Thai Style Rice with Sesame Tofu

2 Comments / Food & Recipes /


Usually, I season my tofu with herbs and garlic, but last night I chose to change it up a bit. I just purchased some sesame seeds, sesame oil, and a brand new bottle of Agave syrup, so decided to experiment. Let’s just say my little experiment was a huge success. I hope you enjoy!

*makes 2 servings

-1 Package Trader Joe’s Thai-style Lime Rice* (or other brand of choice) *Next time I’m going to make my own!
-1/2 package extra firm tofu
-1/2 lime
-2 TB sesame oil
-2 TB agave syrup
-few shakes of garlic salt (according to taste)
-2 TB olive oil
-1 TB lemon juice
-2 TB sesame seeds
-1/2 TB nutmeg
-1 tsp. ginger
-s & p to taste

1. Preheat oven on 350. Blot the tofu with a paper towel to remove excess water, then chop into edible square pieces.
2. Add tofu into a zip lock bag with oils, herbs, spices and lemon juice (hold off on lime juice). Shake up thoroughly being sure to coat each piece of tofu.
3. Arrange tofu on a coated baking sheet (I like to line with tin foil) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until … Read More!

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How Pilates Can Turn Your Life Around (Feature Interview with Jennifer Blaine of Jennifer Pilates)

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I have to admit: While I consider myself a health and fitness enthusiast, I know very little about Pilates. I tried a class a few years ago at my local gym and boy was it a challenge (in a good way of course). Let’s just say every participant in the class was 100% ripped (especially the instructor), and my abs hurt for the next three days.

However, that one little class is the extent of my Pilates knowledge. But there has got to be more to it than that! After all, magazines rave about how it’s the most amazing workout for your body, and celebrities swear by it. So what is it that makes this exercise so darn great?

Since clearly I don’t know the answer to that, I interviewed Pilates instructor Jennifer Blaine of Jennifer Pilates to find out more about this mysterious, miracle exercise. With studio locations in Boston and on Cape Cod Jennifer truly does live and breathe Pilates. Alas, I’ll give the floor to her…

RC: When were you first introduced to Pilates?

JB: I was introduced to Pilates in 1997 after being in a car accident in Boulder, Colorado. I had such severe internal tissue … Read More!

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Homemade Chive ‘n’ Herb Hummus

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A while back, one of my reader’s asked for a recipe for homemade hummus. To tell you the truth, I hadn’t attempted making it until last night. And boy did it turn out delicious…so delicious that I’m actually thinking of never buying store-bought hummus again (well unless I’m realllllyyy craving it and have no chickpeas on hand). Anyway, I used some of the basic hummus ingredients, with a little extra flare to spice it up. I enjoyed my hummus as a side with cucumbers, salad, and baked pita with feta!

-1 15 oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
-2 TB olive oil
-1 TB sesame seed oil (tahini)*
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-2 cloves garlic, crushed
-1 TB dried oregano
-1 TB dried parsley
-1 to 2 TB fresh chives, chopped
-salt and pepper to taste
*start with 1 TB and add more to taste

1. Drain the chickpeas and place into a large bowl. Mash up with a fork to soften.

2. Add chickpeas into a blender or Cuisinart and start to blend, slowly creating a hummus-like texture. Add in lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil and blend well.

3. Once mixture is well blended and smooth, add in the … Read More!

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How to Charge Through a Morning Workout (Or Any Workout) Pain-Free

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I’m a morning person. I always have been. My roommates in college used to envy the fact that I could wake up right when the sun came up perkier than ever. They also used to loathe the fact that I’d stomp around the apartment with my sneakers slamming cabinets and shuffling around pots and pans to make my morning omelet, as they tried to get their beauty sleep (sorry girls!) So yes, I’ll admit that getting up in the morning is a tad easier for me than the average human being.

However, I am not Superwoman and I too have my days where I want to throw my Blackberry out the window as the annoying alarm rings in my ear. Take this morning for instance. I set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. because I wanted to get my morning run over with before the horrendous 100-degree weather hit. However, I was angry when I heard my alarm go off this morning. Not only did it interrupt a good dream (don’t you hate that?) but I also was not ready to get up. So I sat there for a few seconds debating whether I should go back to sleep or not, … Read More!

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Ta Ta For Now Expensive Gym Membership: How Quitting the Gym Can Actually be a GOOD Thing

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So, as some of you know, I quit the gym at the beginning of the month in order to save money—a whole $65 a month to be exact. And now 30 days later that day has come; today is my very last day of using the lovely gym facility. So of course I’m going to use it up to the very fullest. I’ll take advantage of all the equipment, use every little weight I can get my hands on, prance around ‘til I touch every cardio machine, and of course soak up some relaxation in the steam room at the end of my workout.

To be completely honest, the steam room and laundry services are what I’m going to miss most. The rest I can do on my own. Really, I’m not the least bit upset. No, I’m not nervous I’m going to gain weight or become one of those people who’d rather watch TV and eat a box of pizza than get some exercise. I already have a healthy lifestyle engrained into me, so I know—gym or no gym—nothing is going to change. I’ll still find a way to energize, challenge and move my body in order to feel … Read More!

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Margaritas, Scales 'n' Stupid Numbers (and Why You Shouldn't Take Them So Seriously)

7 Comments / Health & Wellness /


So last night was Mexican night i.e. way too many margaritas, chips and salsa in one sitting, with salt overload might I add. The margarita glasses were rimmed in salt, the chips were swimming in salty goodness and our limes (for the tequila shots later on) were even coated in salt. Why, I don’t know? However, I didn’t beat myself up over it at all because I eat healthy every day, and had eaten “clean” all day long. What’s a little fun gonna do?

That doesn’t make up for the fact that I felt like a huge bloated blob this morning when I woke up. And, expectedly, when I stepped on the scale this morning I was two pounds more than I usually am. While two years ago I would’ve cried and beaten myself up over the fact that I “gained” two pounds in one day, I am a much wiser version of myself now. Instead of freaking out, I laughed and thought to myself, “Yep, that’s what salt will do to you.” Ladies, I’m only going to say this once: IT’S ONLY WATER WEIGHT. There is no possible way you can gain two pounds in one day, unless you … Read More!

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The "Mini-Vacation" (and why you should take them)

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I have to be honest: Ever since I left my full time job, I’ve pretty much been living the life. So far since I’ve been home, I’ve dyed my hair, attended a wedding, went out to dinner at least three times with my family, went to an authentic Lobster Bake on Fisher’s Island, saw Phantom of the Opera with my family and today am going to the beach with my dad for some tanning (finally). Granted, this isn’t going to last forever. Once I go back to Boston Monday it’s time to crack down on my writing and my books, but still, it’s pretty sweet.

The original plan for this week was a trip to Cape Cod for tanning, nice hotels and delicious dinners. However, the weather didn’t really cooperate, so we made do. And I couldn’t be more happy with our decision. These “mini-vacations” (I like to call them) are absolutely fabulous, especially for families, young professionals, and busy bees. Think about it: instead of taking a week off of work (or life), you can take little bits of hours here and there instead. I hear so many people complaining that they never get a vacation, and would die … Read More!

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Stuck in a Rut? Go for a RUN!

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This may sound strange, but years ago when I was applying to college, I began my college admission’s essay…wait for it…at the gym! Yes, while hundreds of other students put in hours at the library or glued to the computer chair, I began scribbling my essay (that got me into JMU) on the elliptical machine…with a pen and piece of scrap paper. What can I say; a light bulb hit while I was trucking along on the machine and I went with it. I’ve also thought of article ideas on long runs, have worked through job stresses by lifting weights and have tackled my way through life’s toughest decisions simply by going for a long walk.

While this may sound completely out there to you, I promise I have a point. That is that 99% of the time problems can be solved through exercise. Hear me out. Normally when we’re stuck in a rut (whether it be a deadline or a mini life crisis) we tend to shut down and fall apart. That’s how I used to handle problems in high school. If I was upset about a guy, an assignment, or a tricky decision, I’d shut down completely. … Read More!

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Be Creative & Colorful With Your Food!

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I’m often asked many questions when it comes to fitness, diet and healthy cooking. Today I was asked on my website what the best options are at the grocery store for healthy cooking that’ll ensure a good look by next weekend. Then there’s my sister who would call me nearly every week when she was in college asking what the “best” or “right” choices are for her meals.

While I’d give her (and many others) my two cents plus some nutritional wisdom, the thing is: there is no RIGHT choice when it comes to what you put on your plate. Sure some options are much better choices than others, but it’s oh so much fun to experiment and try new things, rather than go with the usual boring “health foods.” What’s the fun in same old, same old? Spice it up with a little variety, girl! Instead of loading up on bananas and apples like you do every weekend, buy oranges, grapefruits or berries that are on sale. Tired of the usual rice pilaf? Mix it up with long grain or brown rice with some olive oil and fresh herbs, or substitute a hearty sweet potato for your usual starchy … Read More!

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A Little Bite Goes a Long Way

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I have a confession: Sometimes when I go into Dunkin’ Donuts for my morning coffee, I ask for one munchkin. Yes just one chocolate glazed munchkin donut. (They usually give it to me for free.) And sometimes I just take one nibble of it and throw it out, but boy does it satisfy my sweet tooth. I also tend to pick at pizza (I nibble at the pepperoni or cheese), burgers, nachos, and other such indulgences.

Don’t get me wrong: if I want the whole thing, I’m going to eat it. However, if I’m not that hungry or know something is going to upset my stomach later on (I am supposed to stay away from wheat after all), I settle for a bite or two and move on. My parents and friends used to make fun of me, calling me a “bird” because I pick and nibble at things. However, that’s not really the case. Boy, CAN I EAT, when it’s something nutritious, energizing, tasty and satisfying…when it’s something I’ll enjoy to the fullest. However, when I just want a little, teensy weensy bite of something, I really don’t see a reason for eating the whole damn thing. Who cares … Read More!

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