Quaker Makes Great Granola Bars (Thanks FoodBuzz & Quaker!)

Hi Guys, sorry I have been gone for so long. I have been pretty occupied. School and my new “workload” is really taking up a lot of time. In fact, today I woke up feeling really crappy. I think I am getting sick because I have had loogie in the back of my throat for almost a week now and today I have a runny nose along with fatigue. Sorry to gross ya’ll out, but that’s what is going on right now. In fact today, I missed class because I was so exhausted. I hope this goes away soon. I’m not fully sick, but I’m not my full usual self either. My mood is a little down right now, but the food commentary/reviews are more positive (I wrote it a while ago).

So you’ll leave feeling happy rather than crappy. Oh, and don’t forget about the contest (click here!) from a few days ago. There’s still time to enter! The winner is revealed on February 7th. Thanks to all those who participated already. Love you guys!

Note: I didn’t take pictures of everything I ate. I ate WAY more than what you see here.

01/28/09

Spring roll: vermicelli noodles, lettuce, cooked carrots, jicama, and gluten

Peanut dipping sauce

I was watching an episode of Everyday Italian (love this show!) and Giada was making a drink that had espresso and an icy milk mixture. It looked really good when she made it. It tasted really good too! The only thing…it’s a little tedious to make, I’d do it again though. haha.

espresso frappe

close up on the icy mixture

01/27/09

A couple of days ago, I received a batch of wonderful goodies from FoodBuzz. You should have seen me, I was jumping up and down ecstatically. I love LOVE getting things in the mail. Who doesn’t right? Thanks FoodBuzz and Quaker for being so generous! Oh, and please don’t stop here, I’d gladly taste test some more as these granola bars are the chewy bars I have been searching for for the LONGEST time! I can’t wait until they come out into the market. I’d really load up on these. So far I’ve tried the Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia nut bar and the Honey roasted cashew mixed berry (review below).

My Review: of the Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia nut bar

You can really taste the coconut! It’s not too overpowering either. I also liked that I didn’t taste the “fake” coconut flakes, like other bars/food items have. There was also a buttery flavor to it, which I really enjoyed.

Quaker True Delights toasted coconut banana macadamia granola bar

inside look at the yummy goodness

sunkist soda

one of many Tofutti’s cuties

pbr: peanut butter and raspberry sandwich

Dinner at Viceroy in Berkeley, CA

01/26/09

My Review: Honey Roasted Cashew Mixed Berry:

I was actually sitting in class when I tried this bar. This was the first flavor I tried. I had stashed it into my backpack earlier in the morning before I rushed on over to class. I completely forgot that I had it too. I was like, “Oh! yay I remembered to pack a snack!” When I first bit into it, I was really shock how chewy the texture was. It reminded me so much of the Rice Krispies treats that I have been missing for soOo long, but cannot have because of the marshmallows. Could this be it’s replacement? It couldn’t have been more surreal. After I realized that I was smiling while eating a granola bar in class, I immediately slumped down into my seat trying hard not to laugh. Yeah I enjoy food that much. The nuts weren’t too hard. The oats were just perfect – not stale at all. And, it was just the right sweetness. When are they going to come out into the stores, I really want some more.

Quaker True Delights Honey roasted cashew mixed berry

stir fry: boy choy, red bell pepper slices, and freeze dried mock meat.

jelly dessert

left overs of green beans

Happy Lunar New Year!

I have to make this post quick. I kind of lost track of time (oops). Just wanted to make a quick post before I head off to class. Also to say Happy Lunar New Year! It is the year of the boar I think. If you were born on/after January 26th, it’s your year! Make it a good one. Gosh I wanted to say some more stuff, but can’t gtg. Maybe I’ll catch ya’ll later. Have a good Monday!

01/25/09

Lunch:

mung bean rice

pickled cabbage

sauteed green beans

Long’s birthday cake. He’s turning 28. Almost 30

Dinner:

more green beans in black bean and hot sauce

tvp “chicken” strips. eaten with brown rice.

01/24/09

Lunch:

A rice cake wrapped in banana leaves. This one in particular (there are many varieties) was filled with yellow mung bean and red bean

sides: pickled cabbage on the left and pickled carrots and radish on the right.

  

Dinner:

Pho bowl

Dessert:

an assortment of coconut jelly, jackfruit, tapioca strips, longan fruit swimming in milk and ice.

01/23/29

Lunch:

A grilled sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, dijon mustard, and Yves tvp deli slices. I also had a side of chips.

01/22/09

Treats:

An Affogato. If you love ice cream and coffee, this is the cold dessert for you. It’s basically that, ice cream ( I like vanilla) with hot espresso poured over it. There’s normally whipped cream on top, but I didn’t have any on hand. Maybe later. tehehe.

Sweet treat from Starbucks. I had their double chocolate cupcake with a cup of black coffee. OMG it’s so good!

Baked tofu with white rice. This brings me back to my childhood days when I would just eat the “meat” with rice and nothing else.

My sister cooked dinner this night. It was really good, but it lacked the veggies I craved that night.

 

01/21/09

Dinner:

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Contest!

Yay it’s my first contest! I know that I have been talking about it for so long, but never got the chance to actually put it up. Honestly, I made a video of it, but didn’t like it, so decided to type it up the old fashion way. I hope that’s OK!! Ready…?

How well do you know A Fat Cat Who Created A Vegetarian?

Here’s a chance for you to get to know my blog, my cat, and me better. Simply fill out the questionnaire and email your answers to chhaylengtouch@gmail.com or comment on the wordpress blog (I moderate my comments, so the answers won’t show until the end of the contest).

Where can you find these answers?

You can find the answer to these questions by browsing through my 2 websites:

www.lengslog.wordpress.com and www.lengslog.blogspot.com.

The first to get the most correct answers by February 7^th, 2009 will receive a prize in the mail!

Ok here are the questions below:

1. On what date (mm/dd/year) am I wearing blue sweat pants with a black tank in the kitchen?
2. What type of cookies do I make the most?
3. Where did Long and I recently take a trip to?
4. What is my favorite beverage?
5. What is my favorite soda?
6. What is my favorite board game?
7. How many turtles do I have?
8. How many cats do I have?
9. What is the full name of the cat who created me?
10. What do you like most about This blog? (I get to pick the best answer )

Now that you know the rules and questions….wanna know what you’re playin’ for…..

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….?

I call it the savory-sweet package. There are ingredients that you can use to make savory dishes i.e. Veggie Pho, Savory Drumsticks or curry. There are also ingredients that you can use to make something sweet such Coconut Jelly.

Star Anise

Chinese 5-spice powder (star anise, fennel, Clove, cinnamon, coriander).

Hope you’re not tired of wedding photos!

The title of this post says it all. I really do hope that you’re not tired of wedding photos. I for one, am definitely not! I can’t wait to see the final crystallized photo album. Even after the wedding, I am still so Excited!!!

Breakfast:

Puffins with soy milk, coffee & tea

 

Lunch and snacks

are missing because I didn’t get a chance to take any photos. I know I haven’t been very good at taking pictures of everything I eat. I really should at least write them down so that I know what I am consuming, but laziness has gotten the best of me.

Dinner:

Loc lac with white rice and lime based dipping sauce.

Wedding Photos (Enjoy!)

Some colorful pictures at the Temple

  

Bride & Groom with Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

 

A few silly pictures at the photo shoot during the wedding

A few pictures at the Reception

cutting the cake

  

Last photo of the night.

Lastly, here is the picture of the favors that I promised.

Big Update!

It’s amazing how many pictures I take during a weekend…and this is just of food. haha. I hope this post isn’t too much at one time for everyone to read. I try not to write too much. Some of the meals are the same or similar, but I posted them anyway. And, as usual random snacking happened that I did not photograph. I am also a little behind on the comments section. I read each and every single one, so please forgive me if my response is delayed. You are on my mind!

I hope everyone’s holiday weekend went well!. Mine sure did! The highlights were finalizing our wedding DVD, shopping, returning ~600 dollars worth of supplies from our wedding, going to Michaels (love this store! Wish I could live there) and BUYING A NEW BIKE!!! Well, it’s not new, it’s used hybrid, but way WAY better than the mountain bike that I have now. I float like a feather on the road. If any of you know anything about bikes, you know that a mountain bike is like 1000 times heavier than a hybrid. I’ll show pictures later. EEEK! so happy! We took it riding on Saturday and it went great! My legs and butt weren’t even phased. LOVE IT!!

01/16/08–Friday

Lunch:

Salad of mixed greens, red bell pepper, zucchini, and bleu cheese

Dinner: At Champa Garden

Hot tea to warm me up

“Pad-see-ew with tofu, Eggs OK”

 

Penang Curry with tofu

  

My friend ordered the Phad Thai with tofu. I had a couple of bites. It was the sweet version. A little different for me.

I ordered to go for Long. Pad Prik King with tofu.

01/17/09–Saturday

Breakfast:

Puffins with soy milk & coffee

 

Treat

Crepes a go-go! Nutella and banana. 15 minutes later I had an americano.

 

Lunch:

Salad of mixed greens, red bell pepper, zucchini, and bleu cheese

 

Leftover school lunch. I don’t know what in it really, but I know it’s vegetarian. I am guessing, of course brown rice, cheese, and I think…a tortilla and butternut squash. Not sure.

 

Dinner:

bok choy stir fry with mock duck. Very good.

 

This dish came out too salty. just left over veggies with salted black beans.

    

01/18/09–Sunday

Breakfast:

puffins with soy milk & coffee & tea

Banana!

Snack

Gold fish-ies!

   

Asian mung bean dessert. Sorry for the vagueness. I don’t know what it is called exactly.

Lunch:

Left over wedding food. I know we still have some!! crazy.

Treat

A treat from Euro Delights: Mocha Hazelnut Cake

  

Dinner

pickled cabbage, the sweeter version.

Spring rolls filled with lettuce, mint, daikon radish, carrots, and mock duck. I ate like a million of these.

peanut dipping sauce.

01/19/09–Monday

Breakfast

oatmeal with coffee & tea

Snack

banana-nutella sandwich.

I made a flat latte at home. It wasn’t too good.

 

apple!

Lunch:

tofu sandwich on the grill pan.

Dinner:

Long cooked! Yay!

Cake for my sis’ birthday.

Miss Dottie

 

Positive Note

Morning! I made it through the first week of school! Yeah, like it was that difficult huh? Well, after this very easy week, I am expecting things to get tougher. I really can’t fall behind at all because I am taking in an non-school-related-extra super-load. A load that has driven me crazy in the past. When dealing with this, I was not able to do anything else. It almost completely drove me nuts (literally). I am going to keep the details private as I do not want a negative vibe floating around in my life, especially on AFCCAV.

Anyway, I will be posting more videos soon. They may or may not be about the wedding. Just some fun videos I’d like to share with everyone. In the meantime, I hope everyone’s Friday starts and ends on a positive note. Laters!

Breakfast:

Pb pancakes. These were the same ones that I made last time and posted here. This time I didn’t have any jam, but I did have Nutella. I love Nutella. It’s so chocolately and creamy yummy! Great with my cup of coffee.

Last night’s eats:

nutella and banana sandwich.

Baked tofu sandwich.

Chips and salsa

Leftover Queen & More Wedding Prep Pics

Breakfast:

While biking home, I was dying! I think that if I intend to bike 5 days a week in the AM, I need something a little more substantial than cereal. That or I might have to pack a snack to eat during class. Puffins original with plain soy milk and a cup of black coffee.

Lunch:

Once I arrived at the side door, all I could think about was a grilled sandwich with veggies and baked tofu. Going up the stairs, my mouth watered and my legs felt as if they were about to collapse from fatigue. Going up the hill with a heavy mountain bike = difficult. I really need to invest in a road bike. It’s just too hilly here. Anyway back to food….once inside my apt, I headed straight towards the fridge, opened the door and I saw leftovers from last nights dinner already to eat. That’s when I got lazy. I saved that delicious sandwich for a later time.

Cup of Earl Grey tea with a splash of soy milk. Every time I have a cup of tea, a fellow blogger comes to mind. You know who you are

 

Yesterday’s Eats:

 

Lunch:

I had the last of the “shark-fin” soup.

Leftovers from last night.

Dinner:

Baked tofu with Asian green beans and garlic. Along with brown rice.

We still have left over wedding food. This is the Lemon Grass Tofu with veggies and a sweet sauce.

I ended the night with random snacking and munching and this little bowl of Puffins Original and Kirkland organic soy milk

Wedding Prep Pics

I never told you guys what the favors were did I? Sorry, completely cross my mind. Well, as I mentioned before, there were two parts to the favors.

The first part: A CD filled with 17 meaning songs that Long and I determined to represent our relationship.

The cover had pictures of us (& a few of our kitties) over the years.

There was an insert inside that went into detail about each song and why we chose it.

The actual CD was labeled with a picture from our previous wedding in Cambodia. There were 6 different pictures.

(I didn’t get a chance to get photos of the favors from the wedding, but this is what they looked like. Try to ignore the bad lighting and ugly bkgd).

(Front cover and back cover, respectively)

One image of the CD labels…

Another image….

and another.

These are the CD inserts with the song titles and the explanations.

 

The second part: Homemade Truffles made by moi with the help of Long and a very helpful cousin.

There were three different types of truffles each with either Brandy, Grand Mariner or Bailey’s.

Two of the three were made of dark chocolate (Brandy & Grand Mariner)

The other was made of white chocolate (this had Bailey’s)

After melting the chocolate with heavy cream, vanilla extract on a double boiler, I added the alcohol. Here are two of them below.

Stir…..

 

Pour…

Make sure there was an even layering, chill, form into balls, chill again, then dip into your favorite flavors. I used toasted coconut, powdered chocolate, macadamia nuts and toasted hazelnuts.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture of the finished product. I hate to make you all wait, but I have no choice. It might be better this way because you get to see the photographers professional photographs of them.

In the end, both of the favors turned out to be a huge hit. Everyone loved the personal touches we gave. Some guests collected all 6 CDs and some collected more than 4 boxes of truffles.

Difficult Start Today

I am having a hard time getting myself alert. I didn’t sleep too late last night (around 10 pm). I woke up this AM at 7:30 (Long volunteered to drop off my sis). It was really cold last night and this morning. The sun is barely coming out right now and it’s 8:45 AM. I’d better get alert quick because I gotta leave in about an hour to go to class. I plan on biking there, so I might have to leave a little earlier. Hopefully I’ll be fully alert then.

Breakfast:

A cup of black coffee, a small plate of berries shared with Long and a container of soy yogurt. This was my first time trying Wild Wood Yogurt. It was very tart. I don’t know if the tartness was due to the brand type or if the yogurt was going bad. the date said Feb 5th. I think that’s OK.

Back to normal life.

I have to get to bed early tonight. School starts tmw. Lately I have been getting up at 6:30 to drop off my sis at the BART station. In a way it sucks to get up so early, but it’s better for me that way. I can never get up early for myself. It has to be for others. I don’t know why I’m like that. Well, I do…I’m just lazy. haha! Anyway, getting up early will force me to get more things done (yay!) and give me ample time to relax in the AM. Yeah…so back to normal life for me. school. I think I am going to try and find a job at a gym near by. So, I ‘ll be doing a little job hunting in the next couple of weeks. ah…honeymoons over….

Snack:

Juicy Apple

 

Lunch:

I met Long for lunch. I made us paninis filled with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and baked tofu. I had leftover baked tofu that I left on the side with slices of red bell peppers. Mmmm so good!

A tiny sip of red wine

Snack:

an orange, some crackers, a caramel macchiato from starbucks

Dinner:

Sopes! We miss Mexico that much! Gosh I am missing that guacamole!

 

Have a good night!

Very Last day

Morning all! I hope everyone’s enjoying the wedding & trip pictures I have posted up so far. I am still waiting on our photographer to finish up the pictures and album. Also waiting on other people to send me the photos they took at the wedding. If you have Facebook, there are a ton of pictures that people took and posted up. It’s under pictures of me.

Well, today is my very last day to “relax” because school starts tmw. blah! already? It seems like I have had like a 3 week vacation or excursion away from home. Today I have to run errands and hopefully catch some time with some friends before my schedule fills up. Let’s see This morning’s agenda:

-I’ve been up since 6:30 AM (Waking up early is a great start!)

-Drop sister off at BART

-Breakfast, blog

-Exercise: Pilates for 10-15 minutes, cardio 15-20 minutes, a few calisthenics

-Grocery shopping: Asian Market then Farmer Joe’s

-Shower

-Lunch with Long

 

Today’s Breakfast:

Cereal with Kirkland’s organic soy milk along with a cup of coffee

 

Yesterday’s Breakfast:

1 slice 100% whole wheat bread topped with creamy peanut butter and slices of banana. I also had a cup of early grey tea with a splash of soy milk

“shark fin” soup leftover from the wedding.