Thursday, May 10, 2012

Clear Soup- Broccoli with Pork Mince Balls with Ginger Broth

I have my own little journey with food, meals and exercise. It started when I was 8- I had a growth spurt, and then I started piling on weight. Before I know it, I was in high school and attending the TAF (Trim and Fit) or otherwise known as the FAT (if we reverse the alphabets) club.

Then I went to college and due to being away from home and making very poor food choices, I became severely obese. The heaviest weight that I was was near to 90s, possibly around the 86 or 87kg mark. I stopped weighing myself when it hit 85kg.

 I lost 35kgs by the time I was in post graduate studies. It was through running and making better food choices. Age was also on my side. Being in my early 20s, metabolism was still active.

 Then I hit my mid to late twenties and I could literally feel that it was getting harder to maintain my fitness and weight. I was feeling more sluggish, with bloating and digestive issues. I started questioning why and how I could become fitter. I attended Zumba classes, and slowly fell in love with exercise again.

Then slowly, I started to challenge myself with boxing classes, kettle bells and other strength base work. I began to learn about nutrition and food. My body fat started reducing, although my weight still fluctuates slightly. I look fitter and people started commenting. My punches are getting stronger, and hubby commented that I am less obsessive with my weight, rather focusing on other health targets such as sprinting speed, kettle bells rep, strength in boxing...etc.

Yup. it's about creating a fitter me.

 Food is an interesting one. Readers would have noticed that I have slowly changed in my direction of home cooking. It's not so much of an Atkin's low carb sort of food that I aim for. It's more Paleo style. It's about being back to basics and not eating too much refined food. It stabilises blood sugars and provides more energy. I still stand by the 80-20% rule- where I'm eating good 80% of the time, and having one day as my cheat day. It is more realistic and less guilt inducing when I do indulge in a slice of cake, or ice cream.

And I still bake treats! ;)

Embracing this in our Chinese culture? Much easier than what I thought it would be. In fact, besides rice and other sugar laden sauces, most of our chinese meals are quite basic and nutrition dense. I am dying for my grandma's steam chicken with a big dish of bak choy. Or how about some Ginger steam fish?





Or even.. a bowl of clear soup.

I made this broccoli clear soup with lean pork mince balls one evening and oh, what a bowl of steaming soup it was. Seasoned with some ginger and soy, it was easy to drink and hearty to eat. Simple is good. Clean eating is good!


Clear Soup- Broccoli with Pork Mince Balls with Ginger Broth
2 heads of broccoli
2 chili padi
4 cm knob of ginger, sliced
1 tablespoon of soy
1 litre of chicken stock
2 cups of water

450 grams pork mince lean
3 cm knob of ginger grated
1 tablespoon of chopped garlic
2 chili padi chopped.
1 tablespoon of soy
1 egg
salt and white pepper

Marinate pork mince for 15 minutes or so.

Meanwhile, in a deep pot, sauté ginger and chill. Then add stock and water, season with some soy. Bring it to a simmer. Place half of broccoli into the pot. Boil till vegetables are cooked. Then, using a spoon, drop spoonful of pork mixture into the pot. Bring it to a boil. Add remaining vegetables and simmer for 15-20 minutes or so.





  Photobucket

10 comments:

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

very healthy indeed!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

i am thinking this soup has so much flavor I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I would be in soup heaven. The mince balls is a total winner!

Joanne said...

I love your attitude towards food and health! This osup looks so delicious...so much flavor with such healthy ingredients!

celine said...

Keep up the good work in looking after yourself in terms of eating healthy and enjoying exercise. :) I am in awe of your discipline and determination! ;) xoxo

tigerfish said...

Thanks for sharing your food journey. I just know that ever since I started cooking when living overseas, I learn more abt food and ingredients and this has really brought benefits.

love your simple Chinese soup!

Little Inbox said...

Ginger broth, that's a good idea.

lena said...

95kg?? i think it was double you at that time! Looking at your previous marriagephotos, you were so slim! i must pick up some exercises soon! Love your soup, simple and light!

Jin Hooi said...

Daphne, thanks for sharing your story. I was the same, got up to 90++kgs and got down to 50++ few years ago. I am finding it hard to maitain my weight at the moment and I am now about 60kg (which is a big worry for me)!! May be exercise is the way to go ;-) Anyway, thanks!!

daphne said...

thanks everyone ;)

Jin hooi- It isn't easy for sure!! Keep on it and lift weights!

rosi said...

Je trouve votre site très beau et très distingué aussi. Merci pour votre beau travail et continuez.

Voyance gratuite par mail

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