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2 on Tuesday with a Side of Tofu

2 on Tuesday
This morning was painful, but I managed to get up and get in my workout. I didn't sleep well at all. I'm blaming everything on the time change. Anyway, I chose to do an easier step workout as Jason and I were planning a lunchtime run to take advantage of the nicer weather. I chose Low Impact Circuit - Cardio Only Premix. Again, one of the best things about the majority of Cathe's DVDs are the many premix options offered. This one is pretty low-intensity (though I do use 2 risers) and lasts just over 40 minutes. It was the ideal workout when a 5:30 am workout wasn't something I was overly excited about.

The weather, I thought, was supposed to be 64 and sunny. However, it was more like 56 and cloudy when we went for our lunch run. Let's just say that the weather sets the stage for how my run went. I was really looking forward to it. The last few runs have been great. Today, however, was not one of those fun runs for me. I felt like I was just all out of whack the whole time. I never hit a comfortable stride at all. Of course, this just made me mad at myself so that didn't help the situation. I ended up only doing 25 minutes. Of course, I had done 40 minutes of step in the wee hours of the morning, so I know, rationally, that didn't benefit my run at all.

I will look at the positives: spending time with Jason, getting to be outside of the office, added boost of energy. And speaking of energy, I was starved when I got back to the office. I pretty much inhaled my salad: roasted kabocha squash and black beans over spinach and red leaf lettuce with balsamic vinegar. Yummy and very filling.

Tofu Tuesday
As I admitted to my blogger pal Alicia at Vegan Epicurean, I spent a lot of time tossing and turning last night thinking of recipes and ways to use some items in my fridge. After lots of agreement on yesterday's post about pineapple being awesome, I started trying to think of some other recipes. Alicia suggested the combination of pineapple and miso. Hmmm, interesting. So I started my quest for a recipe using the combo. Here's what I came up with: Pineapple Miso Tofu over Shiitake Quinoa with Spicy Roasted Broccoli.

Pineapple Miso Tofu
Ingredients:
1 package extra firm tofu (frozen, thawed, then drained)
1/2 - 3/4 cup fresh pineapple, diced
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
1 jalapeno, minced
1 tbsp white miso paste
1/2 tsp turmeric
salt, pepper to taste
1 tbsp minced garlic

Directions:
Combine all ingredients minus tofu in blender and puree.

Cut tofu into slabs and layer with marinade. Let marinate at least 1 hour.

Either grill or bake tofu to desired crispness or firmness (I like my tofu to be really firm). I baked mine at 375 for 1 hour flipping once.

Shiitake Quinoa
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
1/2 dried shiitake mushrooms, reconstitute in hot water
2 green onions or scallions, diced
1 tbsp garlic, minced
2 tsp ginger, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Cook quinoa per package directions.

Meanwhile, in non-stick skillet, saute scallions, mushrooms, and ginger in small amount of extra-virgin olive oil, then stir mixture into the quinoa. Season as needed with salt and pepper.

Remember my mention of loving to read product reviews? Well, any review on new things really. I have seen soooo many bloggers bragging, boasting, oohing and awing over nut butters. Confession time. I have yet to try any. I'm almost afraid I'll like them so much that I won't be able to stop myself. So, I've held back. With that being said, I'd like to share a giveaway for all the nut butter fanatics. Oh, and of course I'm hoping to win! Check out The Healthy Apple's Maranatha Giveaway for a chance to win!

Comments

  1. that marinade sounds AWESOME! I love fruity, sweet, not salty, marinades and yum..I bet you could tweak that for a dressing option, too. mmmmmgoood!

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  2. Love that Quinoa recipe, just copied to try later! I've pretty much just been eating mine sweet for breakfast, I need to diversify!

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  3. I am so glad you tried the pineapple miso combo. What did you guys think of it, did you both like it? I love that you used shitakes in this meal that had to be perfect with the miso and pineapple.

    You should try making your own nut butters. They are ridiculously simple to make. I haven't bought them in quite a while. The food processor does all the work.

    My run today wasn't stellar either. I will blame it on the time change too. ;-)

    Alicia

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  4. Heather, what a stellar meal!! Whee! Pineapple miso tofu...and the shitake quinoa, that somehow looks like polenta...so creamy looking! Yum!

    Ack, working out two times a day? That's a bit too much...you need some rest too! :-)

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  5. don't beat yourself up over a bad run! You worked out in the morning and Im sure your body just didnt want to run anymore :)

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  6. Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga you are so right about it making a fabulous dressing!

    Alyson @ Nourished Fitness Oddly, I haven't tried a breakfast quinoa yet. I do planning on using some for a quinoa veggie cake that I plan to try out this weekend. Let me know how you like this one.

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean I realized at some point during the middle of the night that I did not comment on how we liked this! It was really really good. Not too sweet, not too savory either. Just good. I also forgot to add that I did add just a tiny bit of agave into the sauce b/c my pineapple wasn't the very best this round. I thought the shiitake was very appropriate with the miso. I haven't tried to make nut butters but was also thinking about that at some point in the middle of the night. I remember going to GNC as a kid and watching them grind it up. Has to be doable!

    Sophia @ Burp and Slurp The tofu did turn out softer than I typically like. Not sure what happened. It was still very good though. I agree about the 2-a-day workouts. I don't typically do that at all! I just really wanted to run, but the run suffered obviously. Hope you're doing well!

    Lisa @ I'm an Okie You're very right about not beating myself up. I shouldn't and I keep reminding myself of that. I'm just a perfectionist. Gotta love Type-A personalities!!

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  7. you might like nut butters too much. In fact I just made an english muffin and when I looked in my almond butter jar, I realized I've gone through 1/2 a jar in like 10 days!

    - Morgan

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  8. That Quinoa recipe looks amazing. I bookmarked it! And HOLLER for double workouts! Rock it girl!

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  9. I know how you feel! I totally beat myself up when my run doesn't go according to plan. I hate when they are just "off" from the get-go, its usually for a good reason (like you note) but it's still so frustrating! Good for you for getting it done though ;)

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  10. hey lovely lady! mmmm great pineapple Tofu+quinoa and broccoli Recipe!...it sounds beyond delish!! I couldn't make it through the day without some peanut and almond butter LOVING!...any and all types of nut butter is AMAZING!!...too good not to enjoy! I hope you're having a great day! xoxo!

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  11. Hello!! Ok, I am on a pineapple kick right now, so this recipe is right up my alley :) I am so happy to read 2 good ones today!

    XXOO

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  12. Morgan @ Life After Bagels I think I'm going to make it a point to pick up some almond butter this weekend and give it a shot!

    Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly can't wait to see how you like it. I guess you're still rockin' your 2-fers!

    Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat I knew you'd understand! I just need to remember that if I want a good run, then that's what I should focus on first.

    Hi Lizzy thanks for the food compliment. Let me know if you ever try it out. Hope you're having a great week!

    Kris @ iheartwellness Glad you rank my pineapple recipe up there!! Let me know if you try it out and how it goes.

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