Food

Nov202014

Peanut Butter Pancake Cookies

Here’s another good recipe for a quick snack for plenty of people. This one is inspired by Carrots n Cake, but I kind of changed it drastically. Pancakes are great. Cookies are great. Putting them together is absolute genius…meet the Pancake Cookie. I was nervous about the recipe, but it ended up turning out well. I like that this recipe is totally versatile and you can make it what you want it to be. Plus, it only took about 15 minutes to create–that’s a time I can get behind. This is actually a perfect breakfast idea because it’s a PANCAKE ON THE GO! What! Genius! Alright, alright, let’s get to the actual yumminess.

Maple syrup is king

Peanut Butter Pancake Cookies

2014-11-19 22:28:57

Yields 7

A cross-breed between a pancake and a cookie that is downright delicious and easy to make.

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Prep Time

3 min

Cook Time

12 min

Prep Time

3 min

Cook Time

12 min

Ingredients

1 cup pancake mix (we used Protein Kodiak Cake)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon
handful of chocolate pretzels (but you can use chocolate chips)

Instructions

Pre-heat 350 degrees F
Mix all ingredients together
Put dollops (cookie-size) onto a greased baking sheet
Put in for 10-12 minutes
Take out and enjoy

Notes

I would definitely serve with maple syrup if you can!

By Hungry and Fit

Adapted from Carrots n Cake

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

Simple, healthy, delicious. Three words that describe this recipe. I was actually shocked about how quick this recipe was and pleased as well. When I need a snack or a breakfast, I can whip these up in a second and store them for the week. What do you think? They may look strange, but they do taste good and they are guilt-free! They go so well with maple syrup and a glass of milk so I highly suggest doing this. And remember, you can put whatever you want in this recipe! Go crazy, have fun! Try this recipe to stay hungry and fit!

Nov182014

What’s a Good Candy Substitute?

FROZEN GRAPES! I kid you not. This is a family favorite of mine and I brought it into my own household and Hungry loved it! I don’t want you to be grumbly that I’m proposing fruit instead of candy–I always hear backtalk on that one. I promise you, this is different. When you’re feeling that sweet tooth call, don’t ignore it–trick it. That’s right. Your body is craving sugar (for any number of reasons due to nature or nurture) and you’re thinking of all the candy you could shove down your gullet. I dare you to give this candy substitute a chance.

Enter frozen oblong shapes of pure joy…that is, frozen grapes. Luckily, I grew up with this always being stocked in the freezer. Others may think it strange, but I promise that you will be hooked once you start. There are many factors to this. One, grapes do indeed have sugar. In fact, they are pure carbohydrates aka sugar. However, it’s the kind of sugar that your pancreas appreciates instead of other processed garbage you’d normally find in candy. Two, it’s a frozen treat. For some reason, we humans are drawn to delicious frozen treats, no matter the season! When the grapes freeze, or are half-frozen even, it becomes a delicious bite of yummy freshness. There’s something about grapes when they are frozen that they just seem like candy. It always feels like you’re treating or spoiling yourself.

With fitness, health, and goals, it’s important to take small steps. You can’t just cut out sugar all together or go on a crash diet…things don’t work for the long-term like that. If you’re trying to cut back on processed sugars like in candy, for instance, try frozen grapes. It’s very simple. Wash the grapes, put them in a bowl, and put them in a freezer! You can use any kind of grape you want–even seedless. It really feels like a treat and you can trick your mind into feeling happy and satisfied with such a snack. Your body will thank you later. Let us know what you think of the frozen grapes! And as always, stay hungry and fit!

BONUS PUPPY PIC

Nov132014

Cafe Korobokgur — Koreatown, LA

Although Los Angeles brings its hardships in living and finding our way, Koreatown is certainly not lacking in its culinary scene. Get ready for a ton of reviews on Koreatown restaurants. We love to walk around our neighborhood and find hidden gems to feast our faces on. We almost always come out smiling. Especially from places like today’s review– Cafe Korobokgur. Sound like a mouthful? We think so, thus we call it “that little gnome place.” And we mean it in the best way possible.

Cafe Korobokgur is an American-Korean fusion cafe. I keep wanting to call it “little” but it’s actually quite large for a cafe. It’s adorably decorated with cute things here and there (with Miyazaki things too which is a plus). It has an incredibly friendly atmosphere. It is certainly a place I would call “hip” but not overcrowded with people, which is nice. It has its own character and feel to it, which I really appreciate in food establishments. They are them and they aren’t afraid to show it. You’ll find cute quotes, sayings, and pictures all over this place. There’s a little “cafe front” and then we assume the kitchen is in back. This cafe is not just for drinks, but for food too. They also have an adorable restroom.

Can you find the Cat Bus?

We came here for dinner one night. There were other Koreans and Korean-Americans here–mostly our age–that brought their study supplies or friends to enjoy. Again, we come in with a smile to a relaxed atmosphere. When we are in good, generous moods, we like to spoil ourselves with food. And that means 3-course meals. After bringing us some fruit-and-cucumber-infused water, our waiter took our order. For appetizer, we got seasoned fries and fried calamari. They served different seasonings for the fries which was fun to try out and it was certainly delicious and cooked well. The fried calamari also pleased us. After appetizer, it was time for our main dishes. I got the kimchi fried rice and Hungry got Don Katsu. We were both satisfied with our entrees, though I couldn’t even finish mine. The kimchi fried rice was nice and spicy, so that I had to take slow. For dessert, we got something original by this place called a “Jarming.” Basically it is a mini mason jar filled with a dessert. We decided on the banana nutella sponge cake Jarming and it was absolutely fantastic. I seriously cannot stress enough how good this little thing was. They also make them in tons of different flavors and make seasonal ones too!

Fried calamari

Full of YUM

The service was a bit slow, so don’t come here in a rush. However, it is part of the relaxed atmosphere, I think. We are definitely going to head back to Cafe Korobokgur again and enjoy its adorable details and its yummy food soon. The drinks were rather expensive, but if nothing else, that Jarming will reel me in for another round for sure. If you’re in Koreatown, be sure to stop at Cafe Korobokgur and don’t leave there without a Jarming! I promise, you won’t regret it. And as always…stay hungry and fit!

BONUS KITTY PIC

Sajah resting in between a set of reps

Nov102014

Chocolate Coconut Oat Bites

To say the least, life is freaking hectic. You have responsibilities ranging from a full-time job to kids to pets to your health to education! You get out of breath just going through your list of responsibilities! Or at least I do. Life is stressful and there’s no way around it except to roll with it. How do you roll with it? By making life easier for yourself along the way!

A big part of our life is food (surprise surprise). We don’t want to skip meals or snacks, but at the same time, we don’t always have a lot of time to prepare those meals. So, I create recipes like this one, in order to keep us fueled on the go. It’s important to us that we eat healthy on the go, but it should taste good too! So…along comes Coconut Chocolate Oat Bites. What a wonderfully delicious name. With the help of Silk Coconutmilk, we were able to create one of the simplest healthy recipes for those on the go. Can you tell I’m excited about it? Let’s get to the recipe.

Chocolate Coconut Oat Bites

2014-11-10 22:01:40

A healthy snack on the go with amazing flavors

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Prep Time

7 min

Prep Time

7 min

Ingredients

1 cup oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2.5 tbsp peanut butter
3 tbsp maple syrup
3 squares dark chocolate
2 tbsp Silk Coconutmilk

Instructions

Heat the peanut butter, maple syrup, and Silk Coconutmilk together over low heat in a pan.
Have oats and cinnamon mixed together in a bowl
Once warm, pour the peanut butter mixture into the oats and cinnamon and really stir.
Break the squares of chocolate into small pieces
Once it is mixed well, fold in the pieces of chocolate
Cover and put in the fridge for 20 minutes
Take out and roll into small balls and store in fridge

By Hungry and Fit

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

I’m going to keep these in a zip-loc in the fridge at home AND at work, because you never know when you need a snack. It’s important to have a healthy snack accessible, because if not, you’re just going to binge on Red Vines and Sun Chips and then feel bad about it later. The Silk Facebook page inspired this recipe as they have a lot of great recipes and healthy living idea–go check it out and like it! Also, sign up for Silk’s online newsletter to get chances to win a year’s worth of Silk supplies to keep those tummies full with healthy sustenance! They also have other great giveaways like gift cards. Keep these beautiful bites nearby and you’ll never go hungry again! As always, stay hungry and fit!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all ours.

Nov042014

Introducing Dani California Cooks

I wanted to use today’s post in order to introduce a new blog run by a very good friend of mine. When she told me about her idea, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait til it started. Well, it’s here now and it’s wonderful, beautiful, and everything in between. We’ve known each other since middle school and have kept in touch ever since. She has a huge gregarious personality and wonderful sense of humor–a deadly combo for a blog. I’m thrilled to present Dani California Cooks. Here is an interview with Dani from us:

And she’s pretty to boot!

1. What is the name of your blog and what is it about?

My blog is named “Dani California Cooks” and it documents all the things I cook, eat and do as I split my time between Los Angeles and San Francisco!

2. Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in California, but spent my college and several post-grad years living on the east coast. But then I came to my senses and decided to make the move out west again! When I’m not posting awkward pictures of me eating on my Instagram, you can find me at my management consulting job or hitting the pavement for a run no matter where I’m located. My mother calls me the “whirling dervish” as I am never in the same place at once – just in September I was in Baltimore, Washington DC, Tel Aviv, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

3. What inspired you to create and run this blog?

I have been an avid reader of many food and healthy lifestyle blogs for years now (like Hungry and Fit!) and earlier this summer I decided I wanted to join the community of bloggers and actually actively participate. I am so glad I went for it – it’s a truly inspiring blogosphere to be a part of!

4. What is your goal in having a blog?

I’m really looking forward to connecting with other food and foodie bloggers out there, pass along some ideas for amateur healthy home chefs, and document my own day-to-day culinary experiences to share with the world! You’ll find that my blog posts fall into two categories – recipes, and the rest of my life!

5. What’s your favorite food?

Besides the fact that I’ve already planned out my last meal on earth (penne bolognese and carrot cake, since you asked) I think my favorite foods are chocolate and a good tuna salad sandwich. Not together. Perhaps sequentially.

One of Dani’s pictures

Take it from us that her posts will have you drooling and laughing–sometimes awkwardly at the same time! Her pictures are absolutely gorgeous (way higher caliber than ours) and her writing style keeps you coming back for more. I can’t recommend checking out her blog enough! I know you will enjoy it. If you’re looking for some great recipes or other food-style posts, check out Dani California Cooks. And as always, stay hungry and fit!

Oct302014

Halloween Soup

With Halloween coming up tomorrow, you want to make sure you and others around you are well-fed! Whether you are trick or treating, partying, giving out candy, or just enjoying yourself, a good meal is essential. That’s why Hungry and I have come up with the ultimate Halloween Soup. It’s really not as spooky as it sounds–well it is terrifyingly good, I suppose. Aaaand it doesn’t photograph well nor is it pretty at all, but remember LOOKS don’t matter when it comes to deliciousness. It’s a very simple recipe, but yields terrific results. It’s perfect for the autumn weather–will bring you warm, happy feelings as you slurp it down.

That’s one fine pumpkin

Halloween Soup

2014-10-29 23:43:16

A delicious, healthy soup to keep your Halloween alive

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Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

30 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

30 min

Ingredients

1 small pumpkin
3 ears corn
Lots of water
1 small shallot
4 cloves garlic
2 oz ginger
1 cup Silk Coconutmilk
1/2 tbsp ground black pepper
1/3 tbsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/3 tsp curry powder
1/3 tsp ground ginger
1/3 tsp garam masala
3 cardamom seeds

Instructions

Cube the pumpkin
Fill a large pot with water and put pumpkin in. Bring to a boil then let simmer until tender
Fill another pot and boil corn for 8 minutes
Let corn cool and slice it off the cob
Chop up garlic, ginger, and shallots. Put into a blender/food processor along with corn and pumpkin and blend until smooth
Transfer mixture into pot and put on and simmer
Add spices into mixture, stirring occasionally

By Hungry and Fit

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

This Halloween Soup is perfect for that scary, brisk day. It is a crowd-pleaser and a family-pleaser. Did we mention how important it is to have a full stomach for festivities? Especially for your little ones for trick or treating! We used Silk Coconutmilk to make sure there was no soy or dairy milk in order to accommodate our friends! It also brings out that richness that goes well with a Fall soup, but leaves out the immense calories! We definitely appreciate that. If you want more recipes like ours, check out Silk’s Facebook page. There are tons of amazing recipes and also general life tips that keep you healthy day to day. Also, sign up for Silk’s newsletter to have the chance to win a year’s supply of Silk! Don’t mind if I do!

Enjoy this Halloween with friends, family, and beyond. Remember to be safe, don’t drink and drive, and don’t let your little ones out without a full belly! No one likes hangry children (yes I said hangry)…or adults for that matter. So fill yourself with goodness and have a very Happy Halloween. And as always… stay hungry and fit!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all ours.

Oct282014

Kick-Butt Morning Smoothie

Some days, it’s tough to get out of bed. It’s even tougher to pretend like you’re bright and shiny as you proceed throughout your day. I know when I wake up sluggish, it’s going to be rough. So, yesterday, I whipped up a concoction that I knew would make me feel better. I know that I have limited time in the morning with giving Noke a walk, feeding everyone, and getting myself ready so I can’t make a four-course breakfast during the week. My breakfasts need to be quick–but enjoyable! Luckily for me, we have a blender. This kick-butt morning smoothie will awaken, energize, and leave you feeling light and airy for the day. There’s no heaviness to it–very simple and delicious.

Kick-Butt Morning Smoothie

2014-10-27 22:46:30

Yields 1

A great, fast way to get good nutrients in order to start the day out right

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Total Time

2 min

Total Time

2 min

Ingredients

1/2 cup mixed berries (I use frozen)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 banana
1 scoop unflavored protein powder
1 tbsp olive oil (for good digestion--not obligatory)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a blender. Blend to your liking--the longer you blend, the smoother and thinner it will be

By Hungry and Fit

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

An easy, healthy, quick way to start the day–and in the morning, all those three qualities are necessary. This recipe by no means has any border or boundaries. Use what’s in the fridge and what you know sustains you for the better part of the morning. This is my tool to kick butt, and I hope it will help you as well in the battle against sleepy mornings! Use this recipe to stay hungry and fit!

*Question of the Day: What’s your favorite smoothie?

BONUS PUPPY PIC

Oct272014

K-Town Festival in Pictures

It was 7pm Sunday night and Hungry saw that a bunch of streets were closed off for some festival. We did some investigating and it was the K-Town Halloween Festival! It included food vendors, clothing vendors, and more. It was loads of fun, a perfect way to spend Sunday night. What a fun neighborhood we live in!

First stop… Ramen Burger!

Yum

Obviously had to play games

So much Boba

Oct232014

Pack a Sandwich!

A short post that is to the point! You need to eat! Whether you are trying to gain, maintain, or lose weight, eating consistently is important. You have to continue to provide your body with the proper macro and micronutrients. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc. Those substances help you live a healthy life with body systems that function properly! Now, if you don’t have a specific goal or program, keep reading because this is for the people who just want some general guidance in their eating. Since I am telling you that you need to eat, now I will tell you how to construct a simple sandwich that will help you get through the day.

Yes, that is a sandwich.

Step 1: Bread

Try to steer clear of anything that has your typical “bad” ingredients. The less ingredients, generally, the better. (Remember that) Stick to breads that have a lot of whole grains to regulate your digestion. Look for whole wheat and nuts or seeds if you can tolerate them.

Hungry’s Choice: Rudy’s Honey Sweet Whole Wheat

Step 2: Condiments

I love mayo, but mustard is a much friendlier option for your body. It should really only have mustard seed and vinegar, too much more and it’s a bit over-processed. Again, look for whole grains for some texture and don’t be afraid to try something spicy. Remember, nutritionists say that spicy foods actually help you burn calories because of their heat-bearing properties.

Hungry’s Choice: Inglehoffer Stone Ground Mustard

Step 3: Cheese

My favorite! Please don’t be afraid to eat some cheese. It may not be a primary source of protein, but good cheeses contain some healthy-ish fats. And we need fat. Cheese will be the main source of fat on your sandwich, so don’t feel too bad about it! If you’re not on a super tight budget, try to splurge on a higher quality cheese… it’s less processed and the proteins haven’t been denatured as much, often.

Hungry’s Choice: Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese

Step 4: Meat

Who doesn’t love bologna, taylor ham, salami, or any other fatty meat? I certainly do, and while a slice or two may find its way onto the sandwich for some extra calories… we all know that lean meats should be your primary protein source. I’m looking at you turkey and chicken breast. (Or tuna for the fish eaters. Or big mushrooms for the veggies. Or Morningstar products for whoever wants those!)

Hungry’s Choice: Columbus Cracked Peppered Turkey Breast

Hungry’s Spurge: Hormel Di Lusso Genoa Salami

Step 5: Vegetables

Yes, pickles count as vegetables! But you should have some more nutritious ones as well. Darker leafy greens are a good source of iron and help add that fresh taste. Spinach is a front-runner but arugula gives you that bitter bite. Also, consider using kale since it’s just so popular now!

Hungry’s Choice: Organic Baby Spinach

Hungry’s Splurge: Bubbie’s Bread & Butter Chips

OH, and here is my game changer to the sandwich game. I only put mustard on one slice of bread. On the other, I put HUMMUS. TAKE THAT! Whatever it may be, make your sandwich something you want to eat in order to keep that fuel tank running! Make sure to use whole grains when you can and make it healthy! And as always, stay hungry and fit!

Oct142014

Tofu Pad Thai Recipe

Who doesn’t love Pad Thai? Well, I’m sure plenty of people don’t, but I do. I invited my brother, Kai, and his girlfriend, Sophie, over to have dinner and hang out last night while Hungry was in San Diego with his brother. Sophie had the fun idea to cook Pad Thai for dinner. I had never made Pad Thai completely from scratch, so this was a fun project. There were certainly the ups and downs, like roasting the peanuts to perfection and then overcooking the noodles, but it’s all a part of the journey! Sophie came up with this recipe and it is really simple to do, even if the directions look lengthy. It’s basically cut, cook, and season! It’s an incredibly easy Pad Thai recipe that will make sure to load you up with your vegetables. You can add or take out whatever you’d like–make it your own and most importantly, have fun!

Chop it up

Sophie and Noke cooking

Easy Pad Thai

2014-10-13 22:33:05

Serves 6

A fun dinner to cook at home for the whole family

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Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic
3 carrots
1 red bell pepper
1/2 cabbage
1/2 a bunch of green onions
Olive oil
Soy sauce
1 block firm tofu
3 eggs
1 package of flat thin rice noodles
1 cup bean sprouts
Hoisin sauce
2 limes
1 cup peanuts
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Cut up carrots and red bell peppers into strips. Slice up cabbage and loosely chop up green onions
Put water on to boil in a large pot
Put raw peanuts in a skillet with salt on a low heat
Square the tofu and put in oiled skillet, top with soy sauce. Cook tofu on medium-high heat with a lid on it
Heat up a wok and saute garlic in olive oil. Add carrots, green onions, and red bell peppers for 5 minutes and add soy sauce
Put in the cabbage and add soy sauce (only if low sodium)
Scoot the vegetables to the side in order to scramble the eggs on the other side. Once the eggs are cooked, mix in with the vegetables
Once the water in the pot is boiled, cook noodles as directed on your packet
Drain noodles and put in the with vegetables and olive oil. Add the tofu. Mix together with tongs
Chop the roasted peanuts
Serve with lime, bean sprouts, and chopped peanuts

By Hungry and Fit (and Sophie!)

hungry and fit https://hungryandfit.com/

Pad Thai always fills me with warm good memories of eating it growing up with friends and family. This will be another great addition to the string of happy memories. Even if it may seem intimidating, I want you to try it! Go out and get the veggies you want and then dive in. This is a great meal for a group and even more fun to cook with people! The most important part of journeys, whether they be exploring a new recipe or diving into a new career path, is that you should never take yourself too seriously and always allow yourself to have fun. What’s the point otherwise? Anyhow, enjoy and use this recipe to stay hungry and fit!

BONUS PUPPY PIC