SamGyeTang - Ginseng Chicken Soup

Still in hibernation mode. Although, my body is being put through a far-too-temperamental hot and cold weather in Los Angeles. One day I'm wearing t-shirt and shorts and the next I'm looking like an eskimo. Signs of Global Warming I tell you! So yea, I'm storing up some flubber for the harsh winters of LA okay? I get to eat whatever I want. And here's an article making me feel better about. (even if I'm not 75...)

Eat Whatever You Want After 75
Researchers from University of Alabama and Penn State followed 449 people over the age 75+ and categorized them into three classes according to their diet. Those who are heath nuts (diet of whole grains, fish and nuts), sweet toothed (dairy and cookies!) and fast food junkies...the American diet :(.

Apparently, they found that no matter was in their diet, there was no relation to increased cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and even death. Although there was a higher risk of hypertension for cookie munchers.

But do eat healthy guys... I ALWAYS promote healthy eating. If not for the leering death, the good feeling and clear skin you get from consuming less sugar. So chew wisely... with occasional indulgences :)
Penn State via Gizmodo

Here's a winter recipe to warm you down to pits of your stomachs!

Sam Gye Tang 삼계탕 - Ginseng Chicken Soup
Serves 4

Ingredients
8 dried dates
7 (3oz) chestnuts peeled
1 cup glutinous rice
2 garlic bulbs peeled
1 White or Red Ginseng
1/2 tbsp salt

4lb organic chicken (each person 1 lb)
toothpicks

1. Soak glutinous rice first for about 2 hours.
2. Prep the stuffing: peel and leave garlic cloves whole. I got a bag of chestnuts that already come peeled and boiled (the ones you eat as snacks).
3. Wash and gut chicken properly and rub with salt and rinse well. Now you can stuff it with the dates first (3-4), then 2 handfuls of glutinous rice, handful of garlic cloves, and about 5 chestnuts (depending on their size). You won't be able to stuff all the ingredients in, but we can use those later. 
4. Stitch up the hole using toothpicks or any other method to ensure they don't fall out when cooking. At the neck region, you can put some dates and garlic too and then stitch that up.
5. In a pot large enough to cover the chicken, bring to boil about 5-6 cups or halfway up the pot. Place the chicken in when it boils and put in 1/2 tbsp salt. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for 1 hour.

Sausage, Mozzarella and Artichoke Mini Frittatas

Why hello 2013! Happy new year and the best wishes to all you guys for an extremely lucky and prosperous 2013. Did you guys make any new year's resolutions?? I didn't even think of any because I probably can't commit to it. I've just promised myself to eat healthier and treat myself from time to time :)

Exciting news today is that I was asked to guest post for Yesle's blog "D for Dentist". We met at the American Red Cross club at Rice during my undergrad years and now she's at UPenn to be a dentist. I'm glad blogging has brought us together because her blog is super cute and I will need lots of dental work in the future (haha)...

Here's the link to a mini frittata recipe at her blog!
Sausage, Mozzarella and Artichoke Mini Frittatas

Happy Reading and Thank You 2012 readers :D

Before I forget my science of the day tidbit. In the picture above you'll notice my the delightfully green avocado toast. I usually avoid avocado like the plague unless it's in guacamole form. I think it's the texture or gummy taste I don't care for too much. But did you know that...

Consuming Avocado will Decrease Inflammation Protein from a Burger
After consuming red meat, there is a substantial increase in Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a marker of inflammation. At UCLA, males who ate avocado in their burgers had only a 40% increase, as opposed to a 70% increase with just a patty and lettuce.

That's speculatively good news for those prone to heart diseases, clotting and narrowing blood vessels. Although, don't go eating burgers like crazy with avocados. They're still high in calories and fat (well good fats), unless you want to invest in this crazy device... thanks segway inventor...

Avocado Toast

1 ripe Avocado
1 slice whole grain bread
Sea salt + paprika
Little olive oil

1. Slice your avocados up, lay it on the bread, drizzle some oil, sprinkle salt and crack pepper
2. Pop it into your toaster and Voilá!

Chocolate Almond Upside-Down Cake

Can you smell Christmas in the air?? I love the holidays. Mostly because of all the cookies, holiday drinks and jolly-ness that everyone seems to have. Although, not so much about my birthday and Christmas gifts all rolled into one. Too bad my birthday is at the end of the year. I never get two separate gifts and all my friends are usually on holiday in some exotic warm place :(
Wow. I whine. A lot.

Now for some interesting facts on how retailers use psychology to make you spend more!
Sometimes I can't help being enamored by the extravagant window displays or the huge signs that say "up to 80% off". And then I get home and I think, "Why on earth did I get that?"
Your Five Senses on Overload
SIGHT: Christmas colors red and green influence our mood and spending! Did you know that waitresses wearing red receive 14-26% higher tips and eBay shoppers bid more aggressively for products shown on red vs. blue backgrounds?

SMELL: Oh that holiday scent of pine, peppermint and gingerbread. These smells can evoke feeling of happiness, physiological arousal and creates more alert shoppers who will shop longer.

HEARING: Studies show that nostalgia elevates positive moods and helps people feel better about themselves and what they're buying.

TOUCH: Retailers carefully design stores with merchandise roadblocks and sneaky displays. Physically holding products can create a sense of psychological ownership and drive "ZOMG I NEED THIS" purchase decisions. You see how Apple does this to you?
Research also shows that waitresses who touch restaurant patrons earn more tips (!!) and customers drink more when "innocently" touched by female bartenders.

TASTE: I admit that I go around Costco and get free food samples... Sampling drives people to want more of anything that's rewarding.

Read the full article here ... and now onto an easy Christmas Cake to Bake!

Chocolate Almond Upside-Down Cake
From Martha Stewart with slight tweaks

Warm Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Beans

The Christmas season is here and I'm really trying to stop eating all the cookies that are brought into the lab. Gah! So much temptation and so little space in my jeans :( I've been trying to incorporate more veggies and warm salads into my meals because who wants to eat cold salads in the winter everyday? This dish is also great for potlucks and can be served on a huge platter. Fill up on salads first and then touch the sinful desserts later (this advice is always lost on me...)

Let's do a boozy myth buster for the holidays!
MYTH: Alcohol Kills Brain Cells
FACT: NO it doesn't! Whatever your parents told you or what you learned in high school is a lie. But, before you bring on the kegstands, know that alcohol does many other things that could injure your brain. Although, it clearly doesn't wipe out neurons or brain cells, booze does reduce your ability to remember. Recall those moments when you woke up on the bathroom floor? Or being drunk and have no perception of depth, direction and advice? hahaha... Author Braum says:

Research shows... [Alcohol] disrupts the cellular machinery most widely believed to underlie our ability to form new memories.

Also, binge drinking can lead to decrease in breathing (heavy boozy breath) that can starve the brain and of course, making you do stupid things, like drinking and driving. So remember kids, drink responsibly and moderately.

Taken from my holiday reading...Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine by Stephen Braum

Warm Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Beans
Adapted from Food and Wine
Serves 4

Ingredients
1/2 pound spinach blend (7 cups)
1 pound shelled and deveined shrimp
Garlic Salt + Pepper (or regular salt)
2 tsp Crushed red pepper
One 15-ounce can white beans, drained

1/4 cup olive oil
1 small red onion diced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

1. Divide spinach onto 4 plates or spread on a large platter. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet, season shrimp with salt and pepper and cook until just white through.
2. Add beans, season with more pepper, chili flakes and salt if needed and toss until heated through. (2 minutes). Scrape the shrimp and beans onto the spinach.
3. In same skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil, cook red onion until softened and then whisk in the mustard, vinegar, and 1/4 cup of olive oil.
4. Pour over salad and serve with freshly cracked pepper.

Apple 'n' Oats Muffins

Wow! It's been almost a month since my last post. I feel bad and now I'm back to stop this procrastination and laziness... hopefully it'll last. Anyhoo, I'm in Virginia now and I just went apple picking in Charlottesville! I'm so glad I came down to visit bubs when the weather was not too cold for my Californian blood. The leaves are all kinds of colors and it was so romantic :) We picked fuji and pink lady apples. They seriously taste crazy fresh and sweet. Very unlike the old apples you'll find in supermarkets. So here's a recipe putting apples into my favorite breakfast item...muffins!

Give The Bonding Hormone to cheating men!
I first learned of Oxytocin as the hormone that triggers uterine contractions during child labor. But after some classes at Georgetown and reading this article, oxytocin is also super important in pair-bonding in couples. The levels of the hormones increase in humans after they enter a romantic relationship and after good physical contact with that partner (as in petting and holding hands...or more...). This study gave intranasal delivery (shot up the nose) of oxytocin and showed that it could improve communication in couples, emotional reading from facial expressions and increase trust!

Even more impressive is that there is now evidence that oxytocin can help maintain monogamous relationships. Married men given the hormone stayed FURTHER AWAY from attractive women than men lower oxytocin. Wow... we need to jump on this band wagon ladies..

Apple 'n' Oats Muffins
Makes 11-12 muffins