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Super Sore & Loving Soup

Wowzers Workout
This morning I woke up before the alarm went off. I seriously think I am traumatized from the alarm incident yesterday! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull of my morning workout because my legs are incredibly sore from Monday's weights. I decided to at least do the warm up and see how they felt afterward. I figured that if nothing else, I would just do cardio. I did the warm up from Low Impact Circuit (LIC), weights, then the Cardio Premix from LIC. Once I got moving, my quads loosened up, and I was able to crank out the workout. Today was supersets of 3 sets of 8 reps:

SS#1
Quads - Static Lunges
Hamstrings - Stiff Leg Dead Lifts

SS#2
Shoulders - Arnold Press
Biceps - Alternating Bicep Curls

SS#3
Back - DB Pullover
Chest - Incline DB Flyes

I did reward my hard work with an Epsom salt bath after work. I used to do that frequently when I was dancing, especially near performance time. I should bring this back into my routine. I have decided that of all the leg exercises, I really like static lunges the best (other than calves).

What's your favorite leg exercise?

Soup du Jour - Curried Kabocha
The weather has turned cold again here, so soup is sounding pretty good as a dinner option. The other day I roasted up some kabocha that I have been adding to my lunch salads. I really wanted a creamy soup tonight, so I decided to go with what I had ready to go - kabocha. I decided to add the lime juice after reading a recent blog post by Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg for her Tropical Butternut Squash Soup recipe. Gotta love new ideas from fellow bloggers!

Curried Kabocha Soup
Ingredients:
1/2 roasted kabocha squash, cubed
2 carrots, diced
1 small (or 1/2 larger) white onion, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed, drained
1/2 can lite coconut milk
1 lime (juice and zest)
32 oz. low-sodium vegetable broth
To taste: sea salt, black pepper, curry powder, ground coriander, red pepper, turmeric, cinnamon

Directions:
In large pot, saute onions, carrots, and garlic until onions are translucent. Add in beans, kabocha, broth, and spices. Bring to a simmer and let cook until carrots are soft.

In small batches, pure in food processor or blender. Return to pot and stir in coconut milk and additional broth if needed. Bring to a simmer again and re-season if necessary. Let reduce to desired consistency adding in the lime juice and zest at the end.

[Sorry, no pics, it pretty much looked like every other squash soup...LOL]

I would normally have served with a side salad, but was low on lettuce and spinach. Instead I decided to put together a Curried Broccoli Carrot Salad. The measurements are completely approximate as I just sort of tossed this together ad-hoc.

Curried Broccoli Carrot Salad
Ingredients:
Rice wine vinegar (use to thin, so amount will vary depending on your desired consistency)
1 tsp red curry paste
1 tsp tahini
1 tbsp creamy peanut butter (heated in microwave to thin)
sea salt and curry powder to taste
2 carrots shredded
1 1/2 cups broccoli
handful white raisins

Directions:
In medium mixing bowl, blend all ingredients up to carrots. Stir in remaining ingredients.
This was actually really quite tasty, especially for a throw-together starter!

Comments

  1. Ooh, that curried broccoli salad sounds right up my alley!

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  2. As always, your meals look delicious! I need to try a squash soup!

    My favorite leg exercise: SQUATS!!!!!

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  3. Kelly @ Healthy Living With Oddly enough, I used to not be a huge soup fan. Now I'm making up for it!!!

    Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg not sure if it was good 'cause I was starved, or because it was actually good!! LOL. BTW thanks for your lime inspiration for the soup. It made such a difference. Really brightened up the flavors.

    Carrie You gotta try a squash soup, especially if you like squash. Didn't Alyson send you kabocha? You would be the one to like squats :-) That, of course, is why you have awesome legs!

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  4. I just made soup on my blog!!!!
    I just found your blog and after looking around, I have decided I love it!!!!! Please feel free to come visit me!!!! I will do the same!!!!

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  5. I swear, deadlifts kill me every time!! My hamstrings are sore for dayS afterward!

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  6. Thanks so much for stopping by VivaciousVegan ! Your soup looked great. I love the idea of using the Gimme Lean in there for protein!

    Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete I'm not a big fan of deadlifts either and I really should work my hams more. Funny, my sister and I just had this conversation and she loves deadlifts!

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  7. Looks and sounds great. What a perfect cold weather dinner!

    My favorite leg exercises are squats, any type. I have always loved them.

    Alicia

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  8. Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean It really hit the spot last night. May have to make another soup or chili tonight! I guess I have a love/hate relationship with working legs. When I danced, I didn't have to worry about working legs. Now that I do, it's just not as fun!

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  9. I tried commenting yesterday but it wouldn't let me :( I'm here now though! :D

    My favorite leg move is probably a split squat. I just love to hate those. Haha.

    And your recipes are always so creative. I love it!

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  10. Hey Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun thanks for being persistent and trying again! I guess your split squat is what I'm calling a static lunge. I love those for some crazy reason! Thanks for the recipe compliment.

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  11. That curried broccoli salad looks great!

    My favorite leg exercise would have to be squats. They kill me every time but work out so good!

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  12. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian apparently squats are one of those love to hate exercises!

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  13. I love how much squash you eat! That reminds me, I have a lonely butternut on top of the fridge. Soup would be perfect! I love what you did with your broccoli salad, spicy and super healthy.

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  14. Sarah @ The Ordinary Vegetarian I just love how versatile squashes can be, from savory to sweet. YUM. I have a butternut squash waiting to be used to and I'm thinking that'll be in a chili on Sunday evening. Can't wait to see what you make with your squash!

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