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Wednesday. N'uf Said

Kick(boxing) Start to the Day
This morning I set my alarm for 5:21 am. When it went off, however, I rolled over to reset it. of course, I was awake already; I very rarely am able to go back to sleep after the alarm wakes me up. I went ahead and got out of bed and did part of Cathe's Kick, Punch and Crunch (warm up, drills, and 3 combos) and the stability ball abs on the same DVD. Once I got moving, I was really happy that I decided to get up and get the workout done for the day.

I will say that I wish I had remembered that it was National Running Day though and run this morning instead. Did you run today?

Pre-Vacation Stress?
Jason and I ran a few errands at lunch, which meant I had the afternoon free. Well, not really free of course. I have a ton on my pre-vacation to-do list. I often feel like I need a few vacation days before the vacation just to get ready. Anyone else feel this way? I've become a very proficient packer when it comes to heading out for a beach vacation. I know exactly what to take. It's the cleaning of the house, errands for last-minute items to take, writing out instructions for dog care, getting the oil changed in the car, hitting up the library for audio books...those are the sorts of things that start to weigh me down and overwhelm me.

I'm trying not to stress out too much, which goes completely against my nature mind you. Do you stress out trying to get ready for a vacation?

Fast Dinner
As is typical before a trip, we have to use up all the fresh produce and anything that might spoil. Sometimes this means getting a big creative of course or having combination you might not normally have. For example, tonight we had baked (nuked really) sweet potatoes. I normally would top with broccoli. However, we're out of both fresh and frozen. It makes no sense at all to buy some right now either. I do have a bunch of kale to use up though. So we had Sweet Potatoes topped with Cheddar Daiya Vegan Cheese, Sauteed Kale and Red Bell Peppers, and Morning Star Farms BBQ Riblets. I try not to rely on lots of meat substitute products, but sometimes convenience takes over when in need of a fast meal.

Sauteed Kale & Red Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
1 bunch kale, cleaned, de-stemmed, rough chop
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
To taste: salt, black pepper

Directions:
In large skillet, saute onion, bell pepper, and garlic until just soft. Add in the kale, OJ, and seasonings. Continue to saute until kale is soft. You may need to add more OJ. For a sweeter flavor, add drizzle of agave nectar.
 What are your favorite potato toppings?

Comments

  1. Dinner looks fabbb! Diaya cheese RULES! I haven't run yet, but I'm about to go celebrate the day with my cousin in about 30 and I totally feel you on the pre-vacation craziness. Sometimes I feel more stressed for a vacation than relaxed! But when I get there, I always mellow out. Hope you have fun at the beach babe!

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  2. There is never, ever a good time to go on vacation, but once you do go it's a big sigh. It's either working 40 hours more the week before vaca to enjoy the 40 hours the following week, or packing at the last minute. List or no list, I always overpack.

    Morningstar makes Riblets, OMG! News:)

    And now I want a vacation, lol.

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  3. Apparently we were both on the same stress out before a trip mode today. I did stay in bed though and wish I had gotten up. We are going on a work trip tomorrow, so we have been stressing all day! I am hoping that it is a good trip for us and that we can enjoy ourselves some. We have been cleaning out the fridge as well today. When we get back...there will be nothing here! Favorite thing on a sweet potato...nothing. I am plane jane! Have fun on your vacation...I don't even remember what those are any more.

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  4. Sweet potatoes are my quick fix dinners, too. I top mine with a blob o' almond butta and cinnamon. Stick to my ribs (or roof of my mouth) good.

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  5. I didn't know that it was national running day- so cool:)
    And, for packing- I always OVER pack by a ton. I figure it's better to have more than necessary.
    That's exciting that it's getting closer!!!!!

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  6. I haven't tried it yet, but lots of people like sweet potatoe with almond butter!!! have a nice trip, where ever you are going!!

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  7. I did run today! Woke up late, so I had to run on the treadmill instead of outside. It was way too hot. I count it anyway, though. :)

    I never regret getting up and working out, even on those days when I would really like to stay in bed. Like you said, once you get moving, it's all good.

    Hope you have a great vacation!

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  8. No running today for me either. ;-)

    I always start my list of things to pack weeks before vacation and then coordinate the clothes to minimize luggage. I learned this was necessary after schlepping my luggage across Europe years ago. You learn to pack light after that, LOL. Now I can go on vacation with one carry on bag for three weeks. It makes the trip much more pleasant that hauling a lot of unnecessary stuff from city to city.

    My favorite sweet spud topping is black beans, salsa and either tofu tahini cream or avocado. That is a staple at our house.

    talk to you later,
    Ali

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  9. oh have a super vacay!!! I used to stress more about them but honestly, the older i get the more it's just like whatever. also having a child and being too tired to even get worked up, that helps :)

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  10. i get anxiety before vacations.. i guess that kind of counts as stress right!

    yea mostly that anxious, ansty, worried, cant sleep kind of feeling.

    hmmm on potatoes..SALSA i think is my fav. 5 years ago i would have said cottage cheese and gravy lol.

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  11. Alycia @ Fit n Fresh Hope you enjoyed your run. I know once I get there I'll be just fine. No worries (other than the oil spill ack!).

    Nichole @ Live for the Run Thanks so much for stopping by! Lists are my best friend LOL. Other than the grocery list when we get to our destination, all others are tossed and it's all about relaxing!!!

    Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen I'm glad to know that I am not alone in the pre-vacation stress. I hope you have a great time on your trip! Can't wait to hear about it.

    Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty OMG I bet almond butter is fantastic on a sweet potato!!! I sure wish you'd told me that earlier LOL!

    Eunice @ Food 4 Fitness I totally count a treadmill run too. Good for you. Yep, once you get moving, about 99% of the time it's all good.

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean I am trying my best to only stick to one color of clothes so that cuts down on the number of shoes LOL. I'm going to shoot for 1 bag for all of my stuff. We'll see how it works out of course. Oh, I love sweet potatoes and black beans. YUM.

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga LOL - yes, sometimes being just too darn tired can be a blessing right ;-)

    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel If I have to fly, then it's total anxiety. Right now it's just a wee bit of stress trying to figure out how to get everything done. Salsa sounds good to me...so does cottage cheese, but gravy??? ;-)

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  12. Krystina @ Organically Me I must try the almond butter on them. I don't like mine terribly sweet though - I usually put spices like chili powder, cumin, and red pepper on mine!

    Holly @ Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices I need to under-pack so that I have room to bring home anything from a shopping trip though LOL!!!

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  13. Loove kickboxing! And vacation stresses me out only because of packing for it. I need to try kale, yours looks so good. And if they are sweet potatoes, my favorite toppings are cinnamon and Greek yogurt!

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  14. AnonymousJune 03, 2010

    Shocking...but I'm right there with you on stressing before vaca! There is nothing better after a fab beach vaca than to come home to a clean orderly house. At least if you ask me there's nothing better ;-)

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  15. AnonymousJune 03, 2010

    unfortunately i am like you...i stress! i want to try almond butter on my sweet potato!

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  16. I DO always stress right before vacation. I always think I am going to forget sometime vital! haha!

    As for potato toppings...salsa! LOVE!

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  17. Ahhh how I LOVE sweet potatoes!!
    My favorite toppings would have to be plain, non-fat greek yogurt, with either salsa or cinnamon (sweet taters usually get the cinnamon combo!)

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  18. 5:21 am...love it! you are too funny!

    I love vacation stress. I guess because I know I am going away so it gives me a better relaxed feeling as soon as I am on that road to my sunny sandy destination!

    XXOO

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  19. AnonymousJune 03, 2010

    I don't get too stressed before traveling because I usually can't wait to go.

    I love topping potatoes with baked beans and some cheddar cheese. It's a really good combination.

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  20. Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries Kickboxing is a good stress reliever! Let me know if you try the kale. I love the flavor the OJ adds.

    Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat Why am I not surprised ;-) I totally agree with you on coming home to a clean house. One less thing to do upon return!

    Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something Sounds like there are a lot of people who get pre-vacation stress huh?! If I had another sweet potato left, you can bet I'd be cooking it and trying the almond butter on it tonight.

    Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly I always worry about forgetting things too but finally rationalized that I can typically buy anything I forget if I must.

    Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life Sounds like salsa and yogurts are the primo toppings LOL!

    Kris @ iheartwellness LOL, clearly I have issues with time. ;-) Now that's a nice way to approach the stress!

    Lisa @ Lisa's Foods on the Move Hmmm, baked beans would be good. Nice call!

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  21. I really need to stuff my sweet potatoes again! In college I always put baked beans in them... it made me feel better when my roomie was eating a regular potato with pounds of sour cream!
    xo

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