Asian Inspired Brown Rice Bowl

Harley had a blast today digging in some holes and running around like a lunatic during our dog park trip earlier. 20 minutes of acting like the happiest puppy on earth and she was passed out by my feet for the rest of the afternoon. Yes!

Speaking of dogs, I’ve reached the conclusion that I’m an animal magnet. Yesterday as I was walking to the gym, a really sweet Pomeranian ran up to me. Under all his fluff, I found a collar – which read “Nacho – I lick a lot” – HA! When the owner didn’t answer her phone and Nacho darted across the street, I knew he would have to come with me to the gym until I found his mama. When I scooped him up he was like a little doll, not moving at all and with a huge smile painted on his little face. At my leasing center, we got in contact with his owner, who sounded very distraught that he had escaped, and he made it back home safely.

This is certainly not the first time I’ve found a dog. The last time was when Adam and I took in a pup for a couple days while looking for his owners. Sadly, they never called the leasing office looking for him and I eventually had to bring him to animal control.

And then there are the cats…there have been numerous kitties who have made my porch their temporary home. One used to sit on my AC unit outside my office and meow when she heard me working right inside. I’m not sure what made them come to my apartment in the first place, but I think my feeding them might have a little bit to do with why they stayed 😉

The cutest was last summer when I heard squealing and went to my patio to find a litter of tiny kittens. Each one had to have been less than a pound. Their mother was a cat I’d never seen before, and they were living in the bushes next to my place.

Oh, the creatures of the world. They must sense that I’m a person who will help them out!

Dinner

Last night, after eating the dinner pictured, which consisted of a pile of homemade hummus, some sad looking carrots, a slice of cheese with a Wasa cracker, and a whole wheat pita, I decided that I needed to make a “real” dinner tonight. I’ve been slacking this week with making nice dinners.

I recently bought a package of Gardein soy/wheat gluten “beef” tips to try out, so I decided to pair it with some brown rice and Asian flair for tonight’s meal.

Asian Inspired Brown Rice Bowl

• 3/4 cup Gardein beefless tips 
  
• 1 serving of brown rice (Minute Rice)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into slices
• 1 stalk green onion, sliced
• 1 TSP sesame oil
• 1 TSP brown rice vinegar
• 1 TSP soy sauce
• 1 TSP toasted sesame seeds
• Mixed up salt & pepper
• A splash of white cooking wine

Prepare rice according to directions. Meanwhile, heat a bit of cooking wine in a skillet. Add peppers & beef tips and cook for around 5 minutes until pepper is softened and tips are heated through. Add in green onion, then put heat on low.

When rice is done, add veggie/beef tip mixture to it. Season with salt and pepper, and add brown rice vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil in. Mix to combine, then sprinkle in sesame seeds.

Nutrition Stats: About 400 calories, 15 g fat, 24 g protein, 47 g carbs

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, I’ll leave you with my favorite quote of his: “Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” Now isn’t that the truth?!