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Hodge Podge Kind of Day

Hodge Podge Cardio
Well, it was back to the grind today. Monday really came way too fast. Guess that's what happens when you're having just a fun weekend. Jason got up at 5 am to go swim, but there was no way I was getting out of that comfy bed to workout. So I waited and did my cardio later.

I wish I could have run today, but it was far too hot to run during lunch. At 10 am the heat index was already at 90 with 67% humidity and a dew point of 72 (which means humid and muggy). I am not one to complain about warm weather mind you, but the humidity can really zap you. Anyway, I was less than enthusiastic about having to do my cardio indoors. I really didn't want to do a step workout. So I did a hodge podge workout that included the warm up and 3 cardio intervals from Cathe's Shock Cardio - Cardio Core Circuit then the 3 combos and drills from MMA Kickboxing. It was just shy of 50 minutes and a nice mix. I also did abs and stretched after work.

Perfect Hot Summer Meal
Last night the gas tank on the grill ran out. So no grilling tonight. I decided to make a pasta salad. It sounded like the perfect hot summer evening dish. Of course it was more than just pasta..."Creamy" Sundried Tomatoes & Veggies Pasta Salad.

"Creamy" Sundried Tomatoes & Veggies Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1 box firm silken tofu
4-5 sundried tomatoes, reconstituted
splash of balsamic vinegar
2-3 tsp nutritional yeast flakes
Ground black pepper and sea salt to taste
fresh veggies steamed or frozen veggies thawed (I used, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and peas)
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
8 oz whole-wheat rotini, penne, or ziti

Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions, drain and pour into large bowl.

Steam or defrost veggies. If steaming, steam only 1-2 minutes then put immediately into an ice bath to shock them.

In a blender or food processor, puree tofu, tomatoes, vinegar, nutritional yeast and seasonings. Combine all ingredients with the pasta (re-season if needed) and refrigerate.

This was a nice, creamy pasta salad. I love using the silken tofu to make a "cream" style sauce for pasta dishes and it worked very well for the pasta salad as well. It's so easy to flavor in many different ways. 

What is your favorite dish to make on a hot summer evening?

Comments

  1. That pasta looks great. Every time I've tried making pasta salad with silken tofu or soy yogurt, it's been pretty bland. Maybe I should try this one.

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  2. I really like pasta salad as well- with Italian dressing. But, any kind of fruit on a summer day/ night is perfect!! :)
    & I like your mix- up in your workout!!

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  3. YES THAT IS AN AMAZING SUMMER MEAL! cold or hot it would be scrumptious <3 and sundried tomatoes always add that ZIP!

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  4. Oh yum! I love pasta salad! Hmmm for a hot summer night I love salads and easy sandwiches :) For some reason "easy" dinners are very enjoyable in hot weather!

    XXOO

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  5. Sorry to hear about your weather. I hope it cools down soon so you can get back outside to run.

    I love using silken tofu for sauce. As long as you spice it well it is a wonderful substitute for mayo. At least that is what we think.

    talk to you later,
    Ali

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  6. fave dish when it's hot, cold raw veggies. i know, that's not a "dish" but if you put enough good stuff and dressing and great produce on the pile, it's a dish to me :)

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  7. I like that, 'hodge podge'= my ADD cardio sessions :)

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  8. Krystina @ Organically Me I think the key is to make sure to really season the tofu or yogurt.

    Holly @ Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices I often use an Italian dressing for the pasta salad too. Super easy! I thought this might be a nice change of pace without using mayo.

    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel I firmly believe that it's hard to go wrong with sundried tomatoes! And you're right, this works cold or room temp easily.

    Kris @ iheartwellness You're so right about easy dinners being so ideal for summer. It's all about taking it easy!

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean I couldn't agree with you more about the tofu. It also works great in lieu of a sour cream when you spice it up. I love adding chipotles with adobo sauce to it for quesadillas. MMM

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga Sounds like a dish to me!

    Alyson @ Nourished Fitness It's kind of fun to be a little ADD sometimes!

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  9. Anything that doesn't require a lot of cooking. It is HOT HOT HOT here and the last thing you would want to do is have the stove or the oven on for too long.

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  10. Your food always looks so yummy! I love grilling veggies and chicken on a nice summer day.

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  11. I love to grill in the summer. It just seems like grilling and summer go hand in hand! Have a GREAT Tuesday!!! :)

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  12. that is brilliant- tofu as a creamy sauce!! the recipe sounds awesome!!

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  13. AnonymousMay 25, 2010

    oooh that does look delicious! what a great meal-too bad it is not hot here yet grrrrr

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  14. AnonymousMay 25, 2010

    I love cold dishes in the summer (or at least an iced beverage)

    hodge podge is fun to say but hard to type
    Katherine

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  15. I love that you blended the tofu. What a great idea to make a more cremy sauce.
    I love grilling in the summer...everything tastes better on the grill.

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  16. Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie Oh I hear you on the HOT! I'm in the South too. Our kitchen gets absolutely miserable in the summer. Grilling or cold foods are the way to go.

    Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries Thanks girl! I agree with you on the grilling.

    Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly You are so right about summer and grilling just going together. It wouldn't be summer without it!

    Kristina @ Freestyle Fitness Addiction Thanks girl - let me know if you ever try it out!

    Kristine @ Busy But Healthy Thank you ma'am!

    Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something It might not be hot there yet, but your pictures always make it look like it's the perfect weather!

    Katherine @ What About Summer LOL - you are so right about typing hodge podge ;-)

    Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian The blended tofu is so versatile actually. You can season and flavor in many ways and make it smoother or thicker as well. Yep, I would agree that everything tastes better on the grill!

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  17. Nice pasta dish! I am so sad I can't have tofu anymore! I will have to live through you on this one! It looks amazing!!!

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  18. Oooh I love pasta salad but hate when it's all gloppy and mayo-y. I've done it with oil and vinegar but I love the idea of nutritional yeast and some quality 'fu protein!

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  19. Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen Oh no, no tofu???

    Lele @ Lele Lurves Plants Pasta salad can definitely be BAD just like potato salad. When it's good it's good and when it's bad...yuck.

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  20. Mm-mm-mm! That looks good. I don't really have favorite foods based on seasons. I like hot or cold foods when it's hot and cold weather. Mix it up, doesn't matter to me. Er, I think I might like food too much...

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  21. BlessedMama @ Blessed Vegan Life Thank you! I think it's great that you don't necessarily seaonalize (word?) a dish. I start to crave chili by the end of the summer!

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