What's for dinner? Chicken Tikka Masala

I've said this before, but it's worthy of repeating...With a well-stocked kitchen you can whip up a meal in a cinch, whole natural ingredients lend for creativity, and with spices on hand you can travel the world. Tonight's meal was evidence of those statements, the result was Indian Cuisine in the comfort of my home -- Outside of the Box!

 

 

Happy 3rd blog day!

Three years ago I had this crazy notion to write this blog as a way to share my journey of weight loss and self-discovery and to chronicle my ongoing battle with obesity.  Little did I know this blog what be the beginning of something magical, something Outside of the Box.

After losing my Marketing Assistant position in 2009, my lifelong friend, Carmen (Rest In Peace) told me that maybe I wasn't supposed to work a 9-5 and that maybe there was something else for me. She went on to tell me to write down everything I liked to do and wanted to do no matter how unrealistic it seemed. At the time, I was in such a bad space I couldn't have ever imagined that all the things I wanted to do and liked to do could become what I would do. But, here I am three years later doing ALL the things I love!

Thank you all for reading, attending my events, buying my cookbooks, and for the ongoing support, encouragement, and love. Since no birthday is complete without gifts, through the end of July, I'm offering 10% off my cookbook, Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box. Click here to order through PayPal (the 10% discount already applied).

Highlights from my past "Outside of the Box" year:

- 142 blog posts 
- Authored Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box becomes a required textbook for Clark College Health 100: Food and Your Health students
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box hits the shelves of Clark College Bookstore
- Book signings at Clark College Bookstore, Vancouver and Cascade Park Library, Tully's Coffee, and DiTazza Coffee
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box gets a Dewey Decimal number (641.563 MOSLEY)
- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box on the shelves at Fort Vancouver Regional Library,
Multnomah County Library, and Clark College Library- Invited as a guest lecturer for Clark College's Health 100, 104, 258 classes
- Keynote speaker for for Clark College's Biggest Loser competition
- Appeared on KBOO 90.7 FM Wednesday Morning Talk Radio - September and March
- Appeared on KBOO 90.7 FM Black Book Talk
- Article on front page of LiveWell in The Columbian and numerous blog features- Article in The Independent
- Founded “5 or 50” Women’s Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group meets
  monthly
- Offering shop.prep.cook Services and prep.cook.eat Parties
- Food & Wellness consultant for Nautropath

Healthy Food Presentations
- Clark College Health 100: “Food and Your Health” – February, March, and May 2013
- Clark College Health 104: “Weight and Your Health” – February 2013
- Cascade Park Community Library - October, February, and April 2013
- Fruit Valley Foundation – February and March 2013                                                   
- Northwest Personal Training – November 2012

Cooking Classes
-Chuck’s Produce & Street Market – September 2011 – April 2013
-Clark College Health 100: “Food and Your Health” at Chuck's Produce & Street Market – November 2012

Public Speaking
- "Eat to Live" Panel - February 2013
- Camas & Washougal on a Diet – March 2013
- Lacamas Swim & Sport Silver Sneakers – March 2013
- Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) – December 2012
- Professional Connections – November 2012
- Vancouver Community Library - October 2012
- Multnomah County Library – September 2012
- Women in Networking (WIN) – August 2012

I’m not sharing my highlights to boast, but rather to remind you that you can do anything if you tap into yourself and are willing to step OUTSIDE of the Box. As Carmen said, write it down even if it seems unrealistic!

Outside of the Box 4th of July Cookout

I enjoyed myself catering on the 4th of July for some friends. But, don't expect me to get a catering license anytime soon. I'll stick to educating and empowering folks to cook at home -- thank you. 

On the menu:

Lemon Rosemary Chicken Kebabs • Vegetable Kebabs 

Flank Steak with Pesto • Teriyaki Chicken with Pineapple

 Kale & Carrot Salad • Sweet & Spicy Coleslaw • Black Bean Confetti Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad • Greek Orzo Salad •Garden Fresh Pasta Salad
Baked Beans
Grilled Italian Bread

 

 

At last... I get to sit down with Baby Olivia!

What's for dinner?

I've been having a taste for...Spaghetti with meat sauce. So, I gave in. It's okay every once in a while to indulge. The main thing is to not overindulge and of course to make it at home in your very own kitchen. I've never been one to make substitutes like broccoli instead of pasta. Or light sour cream instead of sour cream. I just go for it and eat less (sometimes). I did make an exception and served the hearty meat sauce over whole wheat pasta. To round out the meal: A garden green salad and crusty Italian bread. Now, that's Sunday dinner, OUTSIDE of the Box!
 

Doggone Good: Home-cooked dog food

Our beloved Hugo became a part of our family six years ago. At the time, I had a co-worker who owned several working dogs, Retrievers, I believe. I mention this because the idea of making dog food from scratch at home using healthy, fresh food was introduced to me long ago by her. She would prepare large batches of fresh chicken, brown rice, and veggies. Although I wasn't living an OUTSIDE of the Box lifestyle quite yet the thought of home-cooked dog food intrigued me. I discussed the idea with the vet, but since our guy was just a pup the vet was not in favor of me feeding Hugo a fresh food diet.

Hugo is a purebred, Salt & Pepper Mini Schnauzer. Over the last couple of years his fur around his paws has started to turn brown. After some research I surmised that the brown discoloration is from the dye in the kibble I was feeding him. I used to buy him a decent brand kibble from the pet food store. But, bottom line it was still commercially processed. And, you know how I feel about commercially processed food. Since I've completely transformed myself, my diet and I no longer eat boxed, processed food.  Preparing fresh home-cooked dog food for Hugo is a natural progression.

Last week, I started preparing a fresh food diet for him too. Bye-bye bagged kibble.  This is a work in progress. So I'll be experimenting with what works best. Just as there are many diets for humans there are also tons of theories on what diet is best for dogs. No doubt there is a science behind it all, some say no to grains, some say yes.  I have to find what's best for him.

Here's what currently is in his bowl:

- Boiled whole chicken with no salt or other additives
- Brown rice or oats with no salt or other additives
- Raw vegetables (carrots, green beans, lettuce) I like serving the veggies raw because he gets the crunch -- similar to kibble

I'm also considereing adding fish oil, kelp, or a pet-food supplement to ensure he's getting the vitamins and minerals he needs. I'll check in with the vet to see what he thinks, but this time there is no talking me out of feeding him a fresh food diet. Hugo is officially OUTSIDE of the bag!

 More about home-cooked meals for pets:

Does it Pay to Make Your Own Pet Food?
Homemade Dog Food
Home-Cooked Dog Food Diets

Week 4 - Learn to Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box w/Chrisetta Mosley

Another week nourishing the desert...This week's session was all about fresh fruits and veggies!

On the menu: Fresh Vegetable Kebabs, Fresh Fruit Cups, and Quinoa Spinach Salad. 

Next week: OUTSIDE of the Box Healthy Snacks

 

Outside of the Box: Cooking with kids

I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I say it again -- I love what I do! Yesterday,  Colby, Trystan, and Cy showed up to my kids cooking class eager to cook and learn. Me and three young fellas a recipe for delicious fun!

On the menu: Hard cooked eggs, Brown Bag Popcorn with honey butter (reminiscent of Kettle corn), and Granola Berry Parfaits with made from scratch granola.

We started our time together discussing why we cook and eat OUTSIDE of the Box. My goal is to make the classes fun and provide information. The lessons in these classes go beyond food and beyond cooking. I show the kids how to use basic kitchen tools, basic math skills, and kitchen safety and cleaning tips -- they even washed the dishes -- I have proof (see photos).

In these classes the kids are exercising patience, they're sharing and taking turns, and bonding. A perfect example: Since Trystan was near me, I offered him a sneak sample of the granola we just pulled out of the oven. I looked over and he gestured to the others to share his sample with them. How cute is that?

On the food front:
- We discussed where the food we prepared came from
- Why it's best to eat seasonal, local food
- We talked about cage-free eggs, honey as sweetener instead of sugar
- And of course, we can make any and everything that comes from a package or a box from scratch.

As our time came to an end, I offered a little advice to the parents who attended the class: The lessons from your time in the kitchen with your kids is invaluable. It's a time of learning, sharing, bonding, and creating memories. Besides, how will your kids know how to make the family traditional meals if you don't show them how.  Read previous blog post, Tradition, love and recipes.

Doing what I love, loving what I do! Here's a look at our time together.

KBOO 90.7 FM: Wednesday Talk Radio

 
It's always a fun, talkative time with Lisa Loving and The Baker Sisters. Though, I've never been in the company of them all. Today, was my lucky day, I had the pleasure of being LIVE on the radio with these fabulous women. March is Colon Cancer month so we spent the hour talking about colon cancer: Screening, prevention, and here's where I came in -- the importance of eating healthy foods OUTSIDE of the Box. Listen to the PODCAST here.

A little history: The Baker Sisters (Michell, Marsha, and LaRisha) founded Steve Baker Colon Colorectal Cancer Alliance after losing  their father to colorectal cancer and have now dedicated their lives to making sure you don't lose your own life to this very treatable disease. Check out their page for more information or to get involved SBCCA.

V day!

Yesterday, was V day with a double meaning. It was Valentine's Day, but I also declare it Veronica day. A little history...Veronica Brock was my Health 100: Food and Your Health professor at Clark College just over a year ago. She's the force behind me learning so much about food, how it is meant to nourish our bodies, and how the food we eat relates to our health and the environment.

As I learned and blossomed she recognized the seed she planted. After completing the course we stayed in touch. She's the force behind me authoring -- Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box, how it became a REQUIRED book for the class, and how I've come to have the pleasure of guest lecturing at Clark College.

So yesterday for me to lecture in the very classroom with her by my side was AWESOME.

She won't take much credit for my success. Instead, she says it my enthusiasm and determination that got me the deal. But, I argue she absolutely has to take some of the credit. She believed in me and my ideas. Thanks for putting me on V. Forever grateful.

"For Veronica -- In Food and In Health."

"...Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Outside of the Box: Chili

I'm on a mission to share my love for good, real food -- Outside of the Box with you. Today, I whipped up spicy, hearty chili served with Cilantro Lime Rice. In less than 1.5 hours I created this meal and that's with me talking and entertaining. The cost was less than $25 and I used premium goods. So, see it's simple and inexpensive to eat OUTSIDE of the Box!