Loving Leg Days
Today was a leg day for me. I used to really dread working legs, but the past two workouts I really was looking forward to. I did 3 sets of 8 of the following (except as marked)
Step ups
Calf raises (3 x 15)
Alternating front lunges
Alternating plie squats
Squats
Slide back lunge (using paper plate for rear leg, weights in hand, slide down, set weights down and stand, then slide down pick up weights and stand - did 2 sets of 8)
Weighted donkey kicks
After the weights, I did just 2 combos from Cathe's MMA Boxing. I just wanted a short bit of cardio and was starting to edge over the time I typically workout for the week. I used to easily hit 8+ hours. Now I try to keep it under 7.
Lazy & Productive
Today was both lazy and productive. After the workout, I had my oatmeal (PB&J&B) but got a little sassy and tossed in strawberries too. I know, craziness. It was SO good. I decided to allow myself some more pool/reading/lounging time before getting to chores. While I lounged, Jason mowed the overgrown weeds...aka yard. After a couple of hours, I headed in and got to the laundry. I have no problem washing laundry. However, I have huge problems folding it and putting it away. So I tackled 2 huge baskets and won. I also scrubbed down the microwave, ran dishes, and cleaned the glass door to the back (the dogs love to nose the door). After all of that, I went back out and read some more.
I had really meant to take some time in the kitchen. But, it is so hot in our kitchen that even boiling water is almost too much. Our house was built in 1890 and the kitchen is an add on. The air return is all the way at the front of the house. To make matters worse, where the kitchen is located is the one side of the house that gets full on, blistering sun. And blistering it was today...7:30 am it was already 83 degrees. By 11 it was reading 100 on our thermostat for outside. Gotta love the good old South for heat.
Anyway, so I didn't make seitan as I had planned. I also didn't make another recipe I was dying to try: Alicia's Vegan Mozzarella. Alas, there's always next weekend right? After lots of debate, we decided to make a 3-Bean Salad and Margherita Style Grilled Portobellos. I grilled portobellos inside down then flipped and filled with fresh basil, spinach, and tomato and topped with Soy Kaas Monterey Jack. I really like this "cheese" as it melts so well. So many of the soy or vegan cheese don't.
3-Bean Salad
Ingredients:
Fresh green beans (cut, steamed, shocked)
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
minced red onion
Cherry tomatoes, halved (finally from our garden)
Red bell pepper, slivered
To taste: fresh oregano, fresh basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, white pepper, red pepper, parsley, thyme
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate to let flavors meld or serve room temperature.
On the side, we also had toasted whole-wheat sandwich rounds and a small dipping dish of my homemade spaghetti sauce.
This really ended up being a great meal. It felt light and summery with the fresh veggies and herbs (so happy the garden is finally starting to produce now). I hope everyone has had a terrific weekend!
Today was a leg day for me. I used to really dread working legs, but the past two workouts I really was looking forward to. I did 3 sets of 8 of the following (except as marked)
Step ups
Calf raises (3 x 15)
Alternating front lunges
Alternating plie squats
Squats
Slide back lunge (using paper plate for rear leg, weights in hand, slide down, set weights down and stand, then slide down pick up weights and stand - did 2 sets of 8)
Weighted donkey kicks
After the weights, I did just 2 combos from Cathe's MMA Boxing. I just wanted a short bit of cardio and was starting to edge over the time I typically workout for the week. I used to easily hit 8+ hours. Now I try to keep it under 7.
Lazy & Productive
Today was both lazy and productive. After the workout, I had my oatmeal (PB&J&B) but got a little sassy and tossed in strawberries too. I know, craziness. It was SO good. I decided to allow myself some more pool/reading/lounging time before getting to chores. While I lounged, Jason mowed the overgrown weeds...aka yard. After a couple of hours, I headed in and got to the laundry. I have no problem washing laundry. However, I have huge problems folding it and putting it away. So I tackled 2 huge baskets and won. I also scrubbed down the microwave, ran dishes, and cleaned the glass door to the back (the dogs love to nose the door). After all of that, I went back out and read some more.
I had really meant to take some time in the kitchen. But, it is so hot in our kitchen that even boiling water is almost too much. Our house was built in 1890 and the kitchen is an add on. The air return is all the way at the front of the house. To make matters worse, where the kitchen is located is the one side of the house that gets full on, blistering sun. And blistering it was today...7:30 am it was already 83 degrees. By 11 it was reading 100 on our thermostat for outside. Gotta love the good old South for heat.
Anyway, so I didn't make seitan as I had planned. I also didn't make another recipe I was dying to try: Alicia's Vegan Mozzarella. Alas, there's always next weekend right? After lots of debate, we decided to make a 3-Bean Salad and Margherita Style Grilled Portobellos. I grilled portobellos inside down then flipped and filled with fresh basil, spinach, and tomato and topped with Soy Kaas Monterey Jack. I really like this "cheese" as it melts so well. So many of the soy or vegan cheese don't.
3-Bean Salad
Ingredients:
Fresh green beans (cut, steamed, shocked)
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
minced red onion
Cherry tomatoes, halved (finally from our garden)
Red bell pepper, slivered
To taste: fresh oregano, fresh basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, white pepper, red pepper, parsley, thyme
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate to let flavors meld or serve room temperature.
On the side, we also had toasted whole-wheat sandwich rounds and a small dipping dish of my homemade spaghetti sauce.
Haha...you know I can't stand the folding either!!! So, we are a wrinkled clothes kind of family! Sounds like another great day! Your dinner looks delicious! Have a great night!
ReplyDeleteyour meal totally looks light and summery! I can feel the muggy air from this post. Ugh, hang in ther!
ReplyDeleteAs usual your food looks delicious and perfect for summer!! Sounds like your day was much more productive than lazy. And yummy idea to throw the strawberries in your oats!
ReplyDeleteLove the 'slide' back lunge idea- sounds like a GREAT workout!!
ReplyDelete& that salad sounds yummy- perfect for this crazy heat.
Sounds like another good day to me, except the housework. But alas someone has to do it. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen in my old house doesn't have great air circulation either. I think that is why I haven't been in the cooking mood either. Looks like a great dinner tonight.
talk to you later,
Ali
I'm trying your PB&J oats tomorrow!! :-P
ReplyDeleteWhat's your other B? Banana?
I'm so jealous of your pool-lounging time!
ReplyDeleteUgh-- our kitchen is SUPER hot too...it makes me not want to cook anything! It's inadvertantly causing me to go raw, ha!
Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen We're wrinkled clothes too! ;-) Hope you get your relaxing Saturday soon.
ReplyDeleteAverie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga Thanks girl! It's like breathing water some days.
Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries I always feel better about being lazy if I get a few things accomplished. The to-do list is neverending.
Holly @ Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices The back slide is a killer! It really works the hams in a big way.
Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean If only I could get the dogs to pitch in a paw or 2 ;-) It's hard to get in the mood to cook when it's hot hot hot and cooking is only going to make it hotter!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life Yep - the other B is bananas. Cinnamon apples are also super yummy.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg Oh I hear you. Buying a dehydrator sounds smart and a juicer!
Darn for the lack of air flow through the kitchen. I don't blame you for not wanting to add more heat!
ReplyDeleteMargarita portobello's what a brilliant idea! I most definitely have to try that out. I have been on a mushroom kick lately which is new for me so I dont know many things to do with it. Enjoy your Monday! xo
ReplyDeletethe the beans! i think i could live off them.....i hate folding and putting away laundry too-grrrrrr oh the chores of life that never end!
ReplyDeletegreat salad! head can make me lazy too. but the workout is impressive!
ReplyDeleteYour 3 bean salad is so pretty!
ReplyDeletei love leg workouts/weights than arm ones. k but id choose arms over abs any day. even tho i love the feeling of sore abs, i dont enjoy pushing through the pain of an ab workout lol. so hard!
ReplyDeletei should try finding vegan mozarella. its my fav cheese but since i dont eat cheese ive sort of gave up on ever having mozza again which is making me sad just saying that lol. and im not a cheddar fan so any yellow or orange colored vegan cheese turns me off a bit. hmm yea veg mozza might be really good!!
xoxo <3
Lindsay @ Pancakes N Pajamas Ugh I know - it hovers at 83 in the kitchen with nothing cooking!
ReplyDeleteErica @ Fashion Meets Food I love mushrooms. Portobellos are perfect for grilling too. Let me know if you try this one.
Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something Chores are never ending - especially laundry. Aren't beans the best?!
Kenzie @ A Healthy Purpose Thanks girl. Yep, it's easy to understand why people in the south are seen as lazy - it's too hot to move! ;-)
Sarah @ The Ordinary Vegetarian Thanks girl - I've been missing your recipes.
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel Oh, I love abs/core work. You should check out Alicia's site. She has some amazing vegan cheeze recipes.
folding laundry is definitely my least favorite chore. I actually have laundry sitting in front of me right now that I am avoiding...
ReplyDeleteI love three-bean salad. I bet it tastes so good when it's made up fresh, since I've only had the really salty kind that's out of a can, and often found on salad bars. While it's good, I bet homemade is better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for noticing, I kinda dropped off the scene there! I have a post half written and I believe tonight is the night to finish it. It's the one year anniversary post and I've been kinda stuck on it. Then back to regularly posting. :)
ReplyDeleteThat meal looks delish. Like you said, it's perfect for summer.
ReplyDeleteI am the same way about laundry. I hate putting it away!
I love bean salad and can't wait to try this simple one! It goes so nice with other veggies :)
ReplyDeleteAwww I love houses that are old like yours!! They are so cute and full of so much heritage!
xxoo
Madeline@ Greens and Jeans Seems like the folding part is everyone's least favorite part. Glad I'm not the only one with baskets of unfolded clothes!
ReplyDeleteLisa @ Lisa's Foods on the Move Homemade is almost always better isn't it??? Sometimes the green beans can be so mushy, but making it fresh like this...they still had a bite.
Sarah @ The Ordinary Vegetarian Of course I've noticed!!!
Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian Isn't it funny how there are some meals that are so indicative of a season??
Kris @ iheartwellness Let me know if you try it out. Simple is the key. I love old houses too just for the character!