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Suntastic Saturday

Awesome Workout
This morning I woke to sunshine. Ah, how could it not be a good day??? It was my last day for the Total-Body Training rotation. My how time flies. I've really enjoyed this rotation and will definitely do it again. I started with the warm up from Shock Cardio Athletic Step, did the weights, then finished Athletic Step. It was a super good workout day for me. I just had fun with it today. Weights were supersets of sets of 12 reps increasing weights 1.25-2% over the previous week:

SS #1
Biceps - Zottoman Curls
Triceps - Lying DB Triceps Extensions

SS #2
Chest - Decline DB Press
Back - Double Arm DB Rows (this was supposed to have been underhand rows, oops)

SS #3
Step Ups
Upright Rows

Sunny Saturday
After the workout, Jason and I had grocery errands to run. Well, we made it as far as Whole Foods. The day was soooo gorgeous, sunshine, 60 degrees, that we decided on a late lunch at a restaurant with a patio. So the other groceries will just have to wait. Some things are far more important in my opinion, like enjoying a gorgeous day with my husband. 
After the patio lunch of a large garden salad (and two beers I happily admit to) I had to get started on the Vegetarian Paella that I'm taking over to a party for a good friend's birthday. The party theme is Paella Surprise Party 2010. However, it's not a surprise, friend's hubby liked the "ring" of the title. I offered to bring a veggie friendly version as there is one other vegetarian attending. I've never had paella before. I honestly don't know if I'll even like it or how this stacks up to others. Either way, it's a new recipe. I can't pass up making a new recipe!

Vegetarian Paella
Adapted from Vegetarian Times
Ingredients:
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch-long strips
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch-long strips
14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
15-oz. can vegetable broth
2 cups uncooked quick-cooking brown rice
1 tsp. saffron threads, dissolved in small amount of hot water
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
dried parsley to taste
Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
Dash of red pepper flakes

Directions:
In large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. 

Set aside half the red pepper strips for garnish. Add all remaining pepper strips to onion mixture and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes (with liquid), broth, rice, saffron mixture, thyme and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 10 minutes.

Stir in artichoke hearts, chickpeas, peas, parsley, salt and black pepper and add a little water to moisten if needed. Cook, stirring, just until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Transfer paella to large, shallow serving dish and garnish with circle of reserved red pepper strips. 

Just as a note, I didn't use quick-cooking brown rice so this did take longer and more liquid. I also added in the chickpeas for protein. Another good option would have been seitan. 
Here are some teaser pics. I'll post the dished up paella and taste report tomorrow.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Comments

  1. Looks like a yummy recipe! I love chickpeas and red bell peppers!

    Did you already post pictures of the pizza from last night? :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you took time to have fun instead of getting your errands finished. Good for you!

    Your paella sounds good to me.

    Enjoy your party tonight,
    Alicia

    ReplyDelete
  3. paella looks great and glad you had a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooh, I am bookmarking this recipe!! I LOVE paella, but haven't had it once since going veg!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Carrie I love chickpeas too! No pizza pics - you can see last Sat post though.

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean sometimes errands just have to wait don't they!

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga and Alyson @ Nourished Fitness I think the paella pics I post today will make it look even more yummy!

    Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg let me know when you make it. I'd love to see what you do with it and your critique.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sometimes a "detour" during routine things like errands are a must-do, sounds like it was totally worth it too! I love those impromptu lunch dates with the hubby!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jessica @ eatdrinkbreathesweat you're totally right about impromptu dates. I didn't feel the least bit guilty!

    ReplyDelete

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