Simple Stir-Fry

Stir-fries are one of my go-to meals.  They are great because they easily take care of your veggie,  starch, and protein.  Just throw everything in the pan, pick a tasty stir-fry sauce, and cook at medium heat until the vegetables are slightly tender.

A lot of people are afraid of tofu.  Don't be!  Tofu is an inexpensive and versatile protein.  It takes on the flavor of whatever you are cooking with, so you can season it however you like.  I prefer extra firm tofu, because it holds it's shape better and cooks faster.  Simply remove the tofu from its container, put it between several layers of paper towels or a clean hand towel, and place something heavy on it for about 15 minutes (I use either a cookbook or heavy saute pan).  This pressing process removes the excess water.

Soyaki Tofu Stir-Fry


Ingredients:

• 1 package of extra firm tofu
• Trader Joe's Soyaki sauce
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 cup baby carots, sliced
• 1 cup sliced portabella mushrooms
• 1/2 green pepper, sliced
• 1/2 box of whole wheat linguini

Directions:

1. Drain and press tofu and cut into cubes.

2. Cook linguini according to directions on the package.  Drain and set aside.

3. Spray saute pan with olive oil cooking spray and add snap peas, carrots, green pepper, and mushrooms.  Add about 1/2 cup of Soyaki sauce and cook over medium heat until vegetables are slightly tender.

4. Spray another saute pan with cooking spray and warm pan over medium heat.  Add the tofu, flipping the cubes occasionally, until golden brown.  Drizzle with Soyaki sauce.

5. Add the linguini to the vegetable mixture and stir to incorporate.  Add the tofu, and serve!

Let's Start at the Very Beginning

I've been reading health, food, and fitness blogs for about three years now. It started as something I did to pass the time at my old full-time jobs when things were slow, and grew into a hobby that I quite enjoy!

I moved to Boston in August of 2007 after graduating from Hartwick College with a BA in Psychology. I had spent that summer furiously applying to and interviewing for jobs. Finally, I landed an admin job at a prominent Boston hospital.  I ended up staying there for three and a half years. I didn't mind my job. I worked for a great surgeon, had some nice coworkers, and was good at what I did. But I wasn't truly happy there. I felt like I was just passing time until I figured out what I really wanted.  I started to explore my passions and research graduate schools.

I have always had an interest in health, wellness, and nutrition.  I took an introductory nutrition course during my senior year at Hartwick that I really enjoyed.  I liked the idea of nutrition and dietetics, but the highly scientific aspect of the field didn't appeal to me. You see, I had always done well in my science classes, but they weren't my favorite, and I knew how hard I had to work at them in order to do well.

After months and months of hemming and hawing, I finally bit the bullet and applied to the Food & Nutrition Masters program at Framingham State University.  I was ecstatic when I received my acceptance letter--I was really doing this! I started my program part-time (finishing up prerequisites) while still working full-time.  When that became too much, I went down to working part-time.  It took me about a year and a half to finish up all of the prerequisites--Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry.

This past February I applied to and was accepted into one of 24 spots in a very competitive program called the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD).  The CPD combines the coursework and internship experience needed to become a registered dietitian.  I begin my CPD coursework this coming fall.

Which brings us to now.  I finished up my spring semester about a month ago, moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend, Mike, and have been once again furiously applying to jobs for the summer.

Since I have some extra time on my hands until something comes through on the employment front, I thought, why not start a blog of my own?

I don't know the exact route that this blog will take, but I hope to include posts involving recipes, school, fitness, health, life, and more.

Check out my lunch today! I made a stir-fry with tofu, asparagus, carrots, and spinach with Ken's Asian and Sesame with Ginger & Soy dressing. Delish!

Thanks for reading!

Mariel