Tuna Steak and Feta Salad - Bento Box Lunch

This is a Two-Tier Bento Box. This Particular Box I purchased from Amazon and while this one is no longer available, the same brand and quality can be purchased here:




And yes, this one is Microwave and Dishwasher safe. Some Bento boxes are not Microwave or Dishwasher safe, so keep that in mind when looking for Lunch containers :-).

The Tea is Peach Oolong. It is a Loose Leaf Tea. Can be purchased here:

LoveTea Loose Leaf Oolong Tea Peachy Keen - 8 Ounces

Please keep in mind that recipes I post are Single Serving, unless otherwise stated. I cook my lunch every day and try to keep it different. If you want to make for more than one than just Adjust the Recipes to accommodate.

For the Rice:

1 cup of Uncooked Brown Rice (this is 4 servings, if you don't want 4 servings then use 1/2 cup of rice)
1 Tbsp of Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp of Dried Cilantro. If using Fresh Cilantro then 1Tbsp worth should be good as well, up to you though on whether you really like Cilantro or not.
1/4 Tsp of Sea Salt.
2 Tbsp of Lime Juice

Cook the Rice as usual. With 2:1 Ratio of water verse Rice. So since I'm using 1 cup of uncooked rice I am using 2 cups of water to cook it.
Once cooked, add the Coconut Oil, Cilantro, Sea Salt and Lime Juice. The Coconut Oil actually helps cut the starches in the rice so it isn't as calorie dense and healthier :-). That is one serving of rice in the picture.

For the Tuna Steak:

2 Tbsp of Low Sodium Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp of Lemon Juice
1 Tsp of Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp of Sesame Seed Oil
1/2 tsp of Ginger
1 Garlic Glove - minced
1/2 tsp of Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp of Ground Cinnamon

The Tuna Steak I used was already cut in Half (it came that way) This Marinade can be used for a full sized Tuna Steak before cutting in half - up to you.

Mix all of these ingredients together in a small dish. Once the Sugar is dissolved, cover the fish with this marinade. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before you cook it on the Stove. A Non-Stick Skillet is preferred since you have Sugar in this marinade, it will burn and try to stick.

I used Half a Tbsp of Coconut Oil in the Skillet to help prevent additional sticking, as well as it's good for you of course. Cooked on Low-Medium heat, both sides for 10-15 minutes.

Mango Salsa (optional) on top. Normally I make my own sauces but this time I bought this particular one from the store. You can get a Recipe for it here though: Mango Pico De Gallo

Feta Salad:

1/2 Cup of Feta Cheese - I used a Block of Feta Cheese, not the Sprinkle kind.
8 Cherry Tomatoes, cut
1/2 Cucumber
1 Cup of Baby Kale
1/2 Cup of Black Olives
1 Tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Chop and Mix them all together in a Bowl. Salad is Simple and Easy. I do not call it a Greek Salad because it's not a "FULL" Greek Salad with the Dressing and additional items so that's why I just said Feta Salad. Or Feta and Cucumber Salad.

Sunday, Back To Work Schedule

I always dread Sunday's.

Why do you ask? Because I work Third Shift. So Sunday Nights are my Monday. Since we have been working 6 days every week, my only night off is Saturday night which seems decent but when you are tired from the rest of the week - on top of your body being out of whack from your sleep schedule. It sucks.

Near the end of the week, I was debating on whether I should straighten my hair and get it cut. I have been looking at Pixie Cuts. After googling I came across a quick weave of a lady who had a pixie cut done in weave. I instantly fell in love with it. I ended up attempting to do my own version on my own.

Though it's not exactly what I saw, I am loving it so far.

Had White Castle last night. While I normally eat Fish when I do get White Castle, I do not get fast food often, so the gym was a MUST in the morning.

My Gym workout routine is normally:

100 x Jump Rope
25 - 30 Stability Ball Back Extensions
25 - 30 Stability Ball Knee Tucks
15 Medicine Ball 45 - Degree Twists (15 on in total for each side)
15 Jump Squats

Today I did 15 Squats with Shoulder Presses this time instead of the Jump Squats. Used 8lbs barbells.
My cardio usually consists of 30 minutes on the Stationary or Recumbent Bike.

My goal is to do 6 Miles in 30 minutes. I did 7 Miles in 30 minutes which is a personal best so far. I am very happy about that.

Came home and found a Recipe for Pumpkin and Cream Frappe as I got my lunch for tonight ready for work.

Peach Oolong Tea, Brown Rice w/Cilantro. Tuna Steak w/Mango Salsa. Feta Cheese Salad.

Will link a Recipe for this Bento Lunch later on :-).

Introduction - Long Overdue

Hello!

While I am not new to the blogging game, this blog was long overdue considering I have been on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, posting and adding pictures and entries here and there of the things that have been going on in my life, the changes I've made and people wanting an source with ALL the information - as well as some recipes (I haven't forgotten).

So this will be the place and for those passing by, I hope anything you see and read is insightful and motivating.

For the Brief update on my life and how I started:

I changed my eating in January of this year. It was not a New Years Resolution. Was more of me literally waking up after eating Cheesecake and Eggnog the night before and saying "I cannot do this anymore." I was going to sleep with stomach pain. My metabolism wasn't moving. Every time I ate, it did not matter the quantity or quality, my stomach hurt. And while I still knew how to eat healthy, my health wasn't where it needed to be. Though my blood, vitals, organs appeared to be fine, I knew my body wasn't. Change was needed and in January of this year I said enough was enough and changed my eating January 4th, 2015.

I did not start working out until February.

While doing Tae Bo BILLY BLANKS - TAEBO 3 Pack DVD at home was fine, I knew I needed to join a gym. I wanted a 24-Hour Gym, as well as one that did not cost much. While that seemed like a lot to ask for, my coworkers were also considering going to the gym as well. We work for a Phrama-Company and they happen to have a Gym on site. It also happens to be free for my Department and it is 24-Hour. It became a plus and a convenience for me, and while it was initially myself and two other coworkers who joined. They stopped going after 2 visits. I was the only one to steady go.

As well as working out I also changed my eating habits. I already knew how to cook healthy, I was just lazy and did not care to. But I stopped eating out as much. I made sure to make my lunch before I went to sleep so when I wake up to go to work, I had no excuse for not eating to keep my Metabolism going. I made sure to also incorporate Bento Boxes --> Skater Japanese Modern/Traditional Compartmental Bento Box, 870ml, Chopsticks as my form of Lunch boxes for they are not huge, they fit enough food while reminding you that a Bento Box is suppose to have various food groups to keep a variety.

Link provided is one of my Bento Boxes that I do use for my lunches. There will be a future entry for more details on Protein powder, bento boxes and other items I use. :-)

Thanks for reading, stay tuned.