Last night I conquered a fear of mine. . . . .I made dinner without using a recipe!
It is really difficult for me to ad lib, but I came up with this creation all on my own! I did use a couple different recipes for inspiration, but it was mostly done with the few creative juices in my brain. 🙂
Thai Peanut Tofu Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons natural peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 4 oz. uncooked whole wheat spaghetti noodles
- 2 cups coleslaw mix
- 1 cup sugar snap peas
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 (12 oz.) package extra firm tofu
- Garnish: dried cilantro, green onions, chopped peanuts
Directions
1. Press tofu for 15 minutes. Cube into 1-inch pieces. Saute in non-stick pan with oil.
2. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain.
3. Combine the first 8 ingredients in a small bowl. Microwave and whisk until smooth.
4. Saute coleslaw, sugar snap peas, and carrots in wok for 4-5 minutes.
5. Add spaghetti to wok and toss with vegetables. Add peanut sauce and toss to combine.
6. Top with tofu and garnish with dried cilantro, green onions, and peanuts.
Both Craig and I loved this dish! The peanut sauce was very flavorful!
It was super delicious, and I loved that it was pumped up with a decent amount of veggies!
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Over the weekend, a belated Christmas gift came in the mail for me: a Road ID bracelet. (Yes, a Christmas gift—Craig couldn’t decide on a color for me. 😉 )
This bracelet is designed to be worn while running (or hiking or biking for that matter), and if something would happen to me, the EMTs/medical response team will know who I am! Scary but always a possibility.
This is the Wrist ID Elite.
The band is a flexible, rubber plastic like the Livestrong bracelets, and there is a nice watch-like clasp to hold the bracelet on.
It does cost a little more than the “sport” model, but I love the sleek design and the pink band! (There are other color options.)
Instead of having my address, phone number, and contact information engraved on the faceplate of the id, I chose the “interactive” option.
The “interactive” option contains a pin and serial number on the underside of the bracelet that the EMTs use to gain access to my emergency contact information online. That way if I move or change my phone number, I can go online and update the information rather than buying a new bracelet. (For a comparison, click here.)
I’m heading out the door for a run right now. Initially I was hoping to run 60 miles this week, but after getting sick last week, I know I won’t be able to accomplish that. I could if I really wanted to, but I know it wouldn’t be healthy for my body. Instead I think I’ll try for 50 miles and then use the next couple of weeks to build back up to 60 miles.
Question
Do you usually use a recipe to make dinner (or other meals) or the creative juices in your brain?
Do you use a Road ID?
This is the first time I’ve ever worn any kind of identification. I never carry my cell phone either. Bad, I know!
The tofu looks delicious!
I don’t have a Road ID but I usually put my health insurance card in my pocket on runs.
That’s thoughtful of your hubby – definitely a sign that he’s taking care of you well :D.
I don’t usually use a recipe when I’m making dinner, unless I spot something off someone else’s blog and want to make it to a T. I’m not a big measurer or precision kind of cook, so that usually leads to throwing random ingredients into a skillet and seeing how it turns out.
Glad you’re feeling better!
Two Things:
1. Your dinner looks incredible!
2. Your ID bracelet would make my firefighter dad so happy! On my long runs with TEAM in training, we had a shoe tag with our emergency contact number on it, plus the number of our coaching team.
What a great idea, Craig! I am glad you got that for her. As their mother I always told my kids it was my job to worry about them.
i got a road id in January. mine is purple & the sport model, and i did have it engraved…i feel so much safer with it.
That dish looks good! I can’t wait to make it.
I was going to get a road id but Emergency responders in Alaska don’t use these bracelets nor do they have the scan device 🙁 So getting your name engraved and allergies or carrying a wallet or cell phone is “safer”
A scan device? There isn’t a barcode on my bracelet?? Is that what you mean by scan device?
On my bracelet the emergency responders can either go online or call a number and enter a pin # to access my information. Would they not be able to do this?
Now you’ve got me worried.
Opp, wrong about the scan device. But they wouldn’t call or get online because that just takes up patient treatment time, they’d take you to the hospital if you were in serious enough condition and then perhaps at the hospital they might use your bracelet. The engraved bracelet would be more helpful just because it has important information such as allergies, your name etc, on it that is readily accessible.
Wow! I guess I never thought about it like that! My name and a phone number to reach Craig are right on the bracelet, so hopefully that’s enough??