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Great Things on Thursday and "Chorizo" Veggie Tex-Mex

Thank You 
First off, I definitely want to thank everyone for their kind words regarding yesterday's post about including more personal pictures. It really did feel kind of nice to receive compliments from you guys (not that I was fishing mind you). I'll try to be better about adding in a few here and there, but you will never see my face plastered on your screen days in a row! LOL. With that being said, some of those who admitted that they also could be posting a few more self-pics better not back out (ahem Jessica).

Rest Day
I decided to make today my rest day. My back is a little sore from kickboxing yesterday and my legs are still a bit sore from weights on Wednesday. I had thought Jason and I might run at lunch, but it's pretty windy out today and I just wasn't in the mood for a tough run. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, warmer, and less windy. So, tomorrow sounds more like a day meant for a lunchtime run.

Good Things on Thursday
I feel so far behind with errands and chores that I decided to work through lunch today so that I could leave early and get some things accomplished, namely a trip to the grocery stores (Kroger and Whole Foods) so that we could eat something other than a crazy concoction that may or may not end up edible. Plus, it makes for two fewer weekend errand, which translates to more time to enjoy the weekend.

I have sooo much good news to report this afternoon. For most this will not mean much, but I managed to get myself registered for Cathe's Annual Road Trip at her studio in New Jersey. There were only 105 slots and I am #90. Registration opened promptly at 2 pm and I believe it was filled in about 10 minutes perhaps. 

Thank you Jessica for twisting my arm on this one. Not only will I get to meet Cathe and other "Catheletes," I will get to meet Jessica and her sister Jolene. This also brings me to a post that Jessica wrote today "Fitness brings people together." This is so true. Without her fitness blog and my fitness/food blog, we may never have become friends. Through her, I have met her sister now. I totally agree with Jessica's post, but I also think that food is something that can bring people together as well. Lucky for me, my blog is about both. I have "met" some super inspirational friends both via fitness and food. So to anyone who thinks blogging is just daily journaling, think again.

So I was walking on cloud 9, finished two errands for the week, enjoying the sunshine. What could be better? When I got home, there was a box sitting on the kitchen table addressed to me. Hmmm, I usually remember what I order. I couldn't think for the life of me what I would have ordered and totally forgotten about. To my absolute surprise (and joy) the box contained NuNaturals Stevia products. I apparently missed the fact that I had won the contest from Amie @ The Healthy Apple. My NuNaturals goody box contained a box of stevia packets, vanilla flavored stevia, and stevia baking blend. I am one happy girl. 

Thursday Dinner
Ok, now onto dinner. I picked up a package of Upton's Naturals Chorizo-Style Seitan this past weekend at my weekly Whole Foods trip. I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with it to be honest. It was definitely an impulse buy. I ended up making sort of a "Chorizo" Veggie Tex-Mex Rice.

"Chorizo" Veggie Tex-Mex Rice
Ingredients:
1 package Upton's Naturals Chorizo-Style Seitan (or veggie/vegan chorizo of your choice)
1/2 red and green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
1/2 package frozen Mexican-style veggies (corn, broccoli, cauliflower, red bell pepper)
1 can black beans, rinsed, drained
To taste: salt, pepper, chili powder, red pepper, cumin, cilantro, lemon juice
1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
2 cups water or broth

Directions:
Cook rice according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, saute onions and bell peppers for a couple of minutes. Then add in the chorizo-style seitan and continue to cook until begins to brown. 

Stir in the remaining veggies and beans and re-season if needed.

Serve over your brown rice (or you can just mix it all together).
This was a fairly hearty dish actually. The "chorizo" was not very spicy (for my tastes) so I did feel like I had to add a lot of extra spices for flavoring. But, that's not to say it was necessarily bad or that I'd never buy it again. It's also be really good in wraps.

Comments

  1. That meet-up sounds fun! Can't wait to read more about it when the time come.

    Thanks for the advice on the recovery. I think honestly I've just been upping my weights by too much, too soon. It's kind of hard to strike a balance between being challenged, but not TOO much :-)

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  2. Woooo!!! That made my day - I was in your blog multiple times today LOL. I promise to start posting more pics of myself on my blog, I won't back down. :-) SO SO SO excited for the road trip, you will NOT regret it, I personally guarantee it, since I DID twist your arm and all, it better be as good as I claim! Ohh the pressure ;)

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  3. You did have a good day! I am so happy to hear that.

    Your dinner sounds great as always.

    Enjoy your trip to NJ. Can't wait to hear all about it.

    Alicia

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  4. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg I am sooo excited. I think I'll be flying into Philly & may stay an extra night or 2 there. How far are you from there???? You're welcome on the advice. I'm so happy that you're picking up weights!!! Feel free to email me seriously.

    Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat I am really glad you twisted my arm. The more I think about it, the more excited I get! And I am looking forward to seeing pics!

    Hey Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean ! It definitely turned out to be a good day. I really think that if I get off my rear I can make a chorizo seitan myself (probably much better too). Looking forward to your dinner post ;-)

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  5. Congrats on signing up for the race! I agree that fitness (and blogging!) really can bring people together - I've met some really great people since I've started :)

    Your Tex-Mex rice looks wonderfully delicious!

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  6. Jessie @ The Happiness in Health thank so much for stopping by. I am so glad you did so I could find your blog in return. Glad to hear that you've met some great people too! It's been such an interesting and positive experience for me. Far more than I expected.

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  7. I am glad you had a great day!
    I definitely love the idea of blogging and meeting new people through blogging. I smile every time I get a comment from a reader. It's a wonderful community to be a part of.
    Dinner looks amazing...as always!

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  8. great day, great eats, and nice score on the stevia! I dont go thru that much of the powder packets, but i drink the liquid vanilla :)

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  9. Woohoo! Congrats on the stevia! I use NuNaturals all the time. I have a wicked sweet tooth!

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  10. That recipe looks good. I love TexMex type flavors. And an easy recipe is always a star in my book.

    Awesome you are doing the Road Trip. I am a little jealous. One of these years I would love to go to one.

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  11. Kristen @ The Swanky Dietitian I too get really happy when I get comments. Sometimes it's hard to believe that people are really reading what I have to say! I am so glad I started blogging.

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga I was wondering what to do with the liquid vanilla, now I know!

    Joanna Sutter @ Fitness and Spice I swear I was like a kid in a candy store when I opened that box. Giddy!

    Tina @ Tina Bit of Faith Fitness and Fun I so wish you were going to the RT too. I'd love to get to meet you. And easy recipes are a star for me too.

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  12. Oh wow your din din looks good :)

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  13. That road trip sounds fun! You'll have a blast! Can't wait to hear all about it! Glad you had such a great day yesterday. You deserve it!

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  14. Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly unfortunately the road trip isn't until July 30. Seems so far away now. I know time will fly though. This will be the first time I've been able to meet up with any blogger buds.

    Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie Thanks Lady!!

    Hey Lauren @ A Fit Foodie I know it'll be great. So excited. Hope you're having a great trip! Looking forward to reading about it.

    ReplyDelete

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