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Kicking Into Hump Day and Stir Fry

Kickboxing 
This morning I opted for kickboxing over a step workout. I chose Cathe's Kick, Punch and Crunch because it also has a really good ab workout at the end using the stability ball (think wood chops with dumbbell and pikes on the ball, ouchie). This is a fun workout, but never a huge calorie burner. I must have been more motivated to kick, punch, and crunch this morning because my heart rate got up there. It was a great workout and fun way to kick and punch into Hump Day. I definitely needed the cardio switch up.

You Know It's Spring...
Unfortunately the streak of warm sunny days has come to an end today. We had a front coming through with rain, storms, and cooler temps. The only good thing is that the rain washed away some of the pollen that has been piling up. As an example of how bad the pollen is, when I was trying to park in the parking deck at the mall after work yesterday, I could see no lines. They were almost completely hidden by the pollen. Ick. Sort of makes you feel like you need a surgical mask to be outside. Those few weeks when everything has a yellow-green tinge is definitely one of those "You know it's spring when..." type of things.

Stir-fry Kind of Night
There was definitely not going to be any grilling tonight and the fresh veggie stock is getting embarrassingly low.  I am almost out of frozen veggies even. It's becoming dire around here. So I decided to make an easy stir fry with the remaining frozen veggies, oyster mushrooms, and brown rice. I failed to pull the tofu out of the freezer, so I used a large chunk TVP (texturized vegetable protein) for the protein. It's supposed to be a beef flavor. Basically it just means it's brown. Since it will soak up pretty much any flavor when rehydrating, I added soy sauce, garlic, and hoisin while it was simmering. As for the sauce for the stir-fry itself, it was sort of a concoction of the the following: vegetarian tom-yum, hoisin, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and water.

Do you ever use TVP?

While this isn't exactly a creative dinner, it's fast, easy, and tasty.

Pictures?
Now here's another question for you. Averie at Loves Veggies and Yoga commented that she'd like to see more people pictures. It's a good point really as I do enjoy seeming pics of fellow bloggers myself. I will confess to you something I confessed to Lisa at I'm an Okie on a recent post, I am super self-conscious and self-critical. I really don't like to post pictures that include me in them. But, sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't post pics that show my workout results or more pictures of me and Jason perhaps. Thoughts? Would you like to see more than just food pics?

Comments

  1. We have a front coming in too...I guess the eighty degree weather in April couldn't last forever! But hey, summer is right around the corner! :-)

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  2. I think you should do whatever you are comfortable with! I love you blog as is chicka!

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  3. The front is coming in here tomorrow morning. We have that same lovely light green pollen covering everything too. It will be nice to have that washed away.

    I agree with Kelly. You should do whatever you are comfortable with. ;-) I also like your blog just the way it is.

    Alicia

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  4. I enjoy reading your blog how it is, but pictures are always fun to look at. It's nice to put a face to a name. Although I can understand not wanting to post a ton of pictures of yourself. I'm always hesitant posting pics of myself and wondering how I look to others in them.

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  5. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg I saw where the temps your way were up there. Warmer than the south! Yep, not discouraged by the front, b/c cooler is really 65, and I'll take that over 55.

    Thanks so much Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly ! I really appreciate that!

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean they storms blew through quickly, not sure how much green was washed away to be honest. Maybe posting pics would help me with confidence??? I do appreciate that you like it as it is though. Means a lot!

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  6. We lost our warm streak too :(

    I agree with Kelly-do whatever you're comfortable with! I like your blog as is too :)

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  7. Thanks for your input Tina @ Tina Bit of Faith Fun and Fitness ! I love seeing pics of you and "M" and it does make you feel a little closer to the author of the blog. You guys always look so happy. I'm also afraid of looking like I'm somehow vain. Crazy, I know. I may try to ease into it a little at a time. I even feel weird having that one photo by the "about me" LOL

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  8. Hey Michelle @ The Garlic Chronicles ! Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate it. By the way, if you ever want any diet advice, feel free to shoot me an email. You sound a bit discouraged :-(

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  9. I'd love a pic of you! Just you looking happy! :D


    Funnily enough Virginia has the highest level of pollen ever...and I never had allergies there. But now I'm in LA with like, no pollen, and I'm getting stuffed noses!

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  10. Our weather is just like yours - we just got a cool front last night, and I'm not loving it! Hopefully it'll warm up for us again soon.

    I like seeing pictures of bloggers because it makes me feel like I know them better. The first thing I always do when I read a new blog is look around for a picture. I guess I just want to put a face with the name or something. Either way, because I feel that way I tend to put pics of myself (or Jon and I)up occasionally. I would love to see more pics of you!

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  11. kickboxing sounds like fun! i should see if my gym offers it. stir fry.. you can never go wrong there. i love people pics!

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  12. pics, yes, girl! I mean honestly you're a hottie and you should post more! at least one! LOL

    and glad my protein post helped you. do NOT Stress. Seriously. THat's the worst thing ever as that just burns precious body fuel and resources. Just let it unfold, read natastha the voracious vegan's comment towards about comment #50 or so.


    xoxo

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  13. Sophia @ Burp and Slurp you made me smile. Maybe you were just used to the VA pollen? They reported yesterday that my city has hit a record high for pollen. They rain seems to have wiped the slate clean (for today at least).

    Candice @ ChiaSeeMe it was 47 this morning. Brrr after the 60's in the AM. I do agree, it's nice to put a face to the name and the writing itself.

    Janetha @ Meals & Moves I've not ever done a gym kickboxing class, I hear they are great. I just have my DVDs and they are fun change from step aerobics or running. You can get out a little aggression too LOL! You're right about stir fry - quick go-to meal.

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga you are too kind lady. I'll check out that comment too.

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  14. Girl - you have NOTHING to be self-conscious about!! You are fit strong and fab! I say more pictures...though then that means I should post more people pictures on MY blog too huh? (kettle black here we go again)

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  15. That dinner looks super tasty!

    I think you should post whatever kind of pictures YOU want! Personally, I love seeing pictures of actual people in addition to food pics, but that's the beauty of having your own blog - you get to do what you want! :) And you have NOTHING to be critical or self-conscious about!

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  16. I love seeing more pics too! You are so cute and fit, we need to see you more :) But I don't post nearly enough.....

    Dinner looks sooooo good!!!!

    Ok, ewww I would be very itchy if there was that much pollen hanging around here!!

    XXOO

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  17. LOL Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat total pot/kettle thing. At least you are fully aware of that! You never post pics so if I do, you must as well.

    Thanks Jess @ The Domestic Vegan you're so sweet to say that. And I do agree, it's my blog so I can post whatever pics I want ;-)

    Kris @ iheartwellness I'm blushing - you're such a sweetie! The rain really did help (for the moment) at least. It'll make running much better that's for sure.

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  18. Pictures, pictures!! Why not? How many of us ARE thinking we are perfect? We all have hang-ups and the more we share, the more others are inclined to share. Right? Maybe I'll post some pictures then ;)

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  19. Hey Kristina @ Freestyle Fitness Addiction thanks for the reminder that we all have our hangups!! Looking forward to seeing pictures of you too now ;-)

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