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2 Workouts & Vegan Take on Meat & Potatoes Dinner

2 on Tuesday 
I had every intention of getting up this morning for a "get myself moving" kickboxing workout with abs. However, that did not happen. I just felt so worn out, so I slept another hour. I seriously think that I am just not destined to morning workouts. You'd think I was going to bed really late. But, that's not the case. I'm typically in bed reading by 8:30 and lights out by 9:30. Sigh. Anyway, I was feeling super fatigued most of the morning to be honest. I did take a Zyrtec for the sinus drainage so that might be part of the cause. Sinuses are still drippy though so it's obviously not doing the job.

Anyway, Jason and I did get in a lunchtime run. I really almost backed out. But, I think it was the energy boost I desperately needed. It got me moving for starters. I spend my entire day sitting at a desk in front of a computer, most certainly not an energy boost (actually quite the opposite). It was super windy, and not quite 60 degrees when we started the run. I have no clue what happened to our warm weather, but it sure doesn't feel like the end of April now.

I got in my kickboxing and abs after work. I didn't want anything long or super intense, just something to keep the legs loosened up and work the abs. I picked Kick, Punch and Crunch. I actually don't have too many kickboxing DVDs to choose from.

If anyone has suggestions for advanced kickboxing DVDs, please share. I will say that I am not exactly an Amy Bento fan though.


Tuesday Eats
Over the weekend, I picked up some kale and Pink Lady apples. How I have missed out on those my entire life is beyond me. They are sooo good. Anyway, I decided to make the Sauteed Citrus Kale and Apples again to go along with Smashed Cauliflower and Barley Black Bean and Lentil Loaf. I have been wanting to try a lentil loaf for ages. I have no real reason for putting it off. Since it's cool again, I thought a warmer dinner would work. I had some leftover Spicy Black Bean Barley and thought I could easily incorporate that into a lentil loaf.

Barley Black Bean and Lentil Loaf
Ingredients:
2 cups lentils
8 cups water
1 cup leftover Spicy Black Bean Barely (or just use 1 cup barley and 1/2 can black beans with 1/2 can drained diced tomatoes)
1/2 onion, finely diced
1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp ground flax seed mixed with 3 tbsp warm water (replaces 1 egg)
To taste: salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, thyme, parsley, balsamic vinegar, hot sauce, liquid smoke
1/2 cup rolled oats
Spelt flour (this was adding in until reached desired consistency)

Topping
1 6oz can tomato paste
1-2 tbsp agave nectar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp onion flakes
1 tsp garlic powder

Directions:
In large pot, cook lentils until soft and liquid absorbed (do not add salt while cooking).

Meanwhile, saute onions, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic until soft.

In large bowl, mash the lentils and black bean barley then stir in remaining ingredients adding in spelt flour in small amounts until desired consistency.



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

To make the tomato topping, simply whisk ingredients together in small bowl.

Pour into a prepared loaf pan and bake approximately 30 minutes. Remove and add topping and bake another 20 minutes.

Smashed Cauliflower
Ingredients:
1/2 head cauliflower, rough chop
To taste: salt, pepper, garlic powder, nutritional yeast flake, parsley
To consistency almond, soy, or rice milk

Directions:
Steam cauliflower until soft. Transfer to food processor and add all ingredients and pulse until desired consistency.
I must say, this really turned out better than I had expected. There are some tweaks that need to happen to the lentil loaf. Perhaps a little more oatmeal and a little longer in the oven. Overall, it was really good though. I will definitely give this another shot. As for the Smashed Cauliflower? YUM. I can't believe I waited so long to try that one out. Definitely another keeper of a recipe.

Comments

  1. Ooooh, this looks SO good! I made a lentil loaf last winter, and it was really yummy and filling.

    Hey, don't force morning workouts if they aren't for you, you know? Everyone has their "sweet spot" for workout times that work best with them.

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  2. I love the smashed cauli! I have yet to try doing that but my hubs would LOVE cauli like that, i.e. fake potatoes :) with nooch too. Yum!

    Don't force your workouts girl, just try to find a time when you can get them in, reasonably well without feeling like it's a total blunt force!

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  3. I'm so sorry I'm so stinkin behind on your blog! I haven't forgotten about you! Sounds like you needed to get more rest--glad you took it! Don't wear yourself out!

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  4. I do like Amy Bento -- she always kicks my butt, no pun intended! I also own a bunch of Tae-Bo that I like. I think it's hard to find good kickboxing DVDs that also deliver an intense workout, though. If you find a good one, do tell!

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  5. i hear ya about the smashed cauliflower. my naturopathic doctor told me i should make the recipe but i kept thinking "yea i dont think so.. sounds bad" but i finally broke down and made it and LOVE IT! i liek to make anything fake-outs of the real version.

    reminds me to mention how much i love ur fake meat take with that loaf. def. turned out superb! i thought it was meat when i first saw... but a plant based loaf is SO much healthier! good job! xoxo <3

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  6. I love mashed cauliflower. It is so good.

    Thanks for posting your lentil loaf. I am still looking for a lentil loaf I really like. I love your barley addition, that has to be good.

    talk to you later,
    Alicia

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  7. It's a major struggle for me to workout in the morning. I got used to it for a while last fall, but if I don't really have to get up that early, I can't seem to convince myself that it's a good idea :p

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  8. That DOES look really good! I'll have to try that loaf, but make it gluten free. I see some experimenting in the kitchen in my future!

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  9. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg I need to go back and find your recipe just to compare. Like I said, it was good, but could use just a bit of tweaking. My sweet spot would likely be about 10 am when I'm at work...figures huh!

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga The smashed cauliflower was really really good. Hope you give it a shot. I'm thinking your hubby will love it. And I agree with you on forcing the workouts - blunt force is how they sometimes feel in the AM!

    Lisa @ I'm an Okie No worries on being behind. The great thing about a blog is that all the posts will still be there! ;-) Rest? What's that? I have been trying to be better about easing up on the go-go-go.

    Betherann I totally agree with you on finding ones that really are advanced. I noticed that Tracey Staehle has a new one out. I wish it was on Netflix so I could at least try it out. I'll most certainly post reviews on any good ones I find. As far as Amy Bento, I know that soooo many people like her style. I just can't get into it for some reason. I've tried. I have several of her DVDs collecting dust. sigh.

    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel I've been meaning to try smashed cauliflower forever, seriously have no idea why I put it off. It's SO good. I've also put off the lentil loaf so why not just make 2 things that I've been putting off at once (and hope like heck that at least one works LOL).

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean I found several recipes that used rice and I had the barely leftover so why not. It was a total test recipe for sure. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Oh, and the topping...I was worried about. But it gave a nice crispness and it was quite tasty. Next time I may had some chili flakes to it.

    Alyson @ Nourished Fitness I do get up sort of early for work 6:20 (at work by 7am). It's just hard to get up any earlier than that with the energy to do anything other than do hair, makeup, and get dressed. Now if I could get up super early and allow myself to fully wake up...then maybe. Nah....who am I kidding!

    Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete I think it'd be easy to make a gluten free version. Looking forward to seeing your experiments - hope you'll be posting them!

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  10. Love your vegan dinner....it looks so creative and good. I wonder if you just need some extra rest this week. Some weeks I am feeling it and others I feel so drained. Just go with it and don't feel bad.

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  11. I'm definitely going to try the smashed cauliflower! You're so consistent with fabulous recipes! I'll never need another cookbook again!

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  12. What a fun dinner!! So much nutrition going on too, bonus! I love the idea of your loaf, and I really want to play with this idea myself. I love cauliflower this way, always delicious - in fact I think I'll use the head I have in fridge for this tonight to go on the side with the lentil-based sloppy joes I'm making. *Sigh* I wish it was dinner time right now!

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  13. wow the loaf looks awesome :) I have never made a lentil loaf... but I do want to try it.

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  14. I LOVE smashed cauliflower...so good!! :) I hope you have an awesome Wednesday honey!!

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  15. Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something Thank you for the kind compliment. Not sure what's up with the drained feeling this week - but that's exactly what it is. I couldn't think of the right word.

    Jenna @ Healthy. Happy. Well. You're too sweet!! That made my day!

    Sarah @ The Ordinary Vegetarian I do the same thing: start thinking about my dinner first thing in the morning then wish it was dinner time so I could eat it!! Love the idea of lentil-based sloppy joes. Hope you plan on posting the recipe.

    Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie Thank you! I always think your food looks yummy too. I had been wanting to try my hand at a lentil loaf for ages. I will admit it was a bit time consuming since I didn't already have the lentils cooked and it does take a while to bake. But if you have lentils done, then you can be doing other things while dinner is baking.

    Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly I seriously can't believe I waited so long do try smashed cauliflower. It's easy as pie and sooo good.

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