Busy Busy Wednesday

No Rest Day
After two days of rather intensive leg workouts (weights then longer run), it's safe to say that I didn't even bother thinking about getting up early to do anything. I wasn't sure if today would end up being a mandatory rest day or not. I must say, my mood was better today and I felt more like myself. That, of course, means that I was wanting to get my workout done today.

I ended up working through lunch today and leaving early. Since I was feeling ansty to get in a workout, I ended up opting for biceps/triceps/shoulders. I mean, that is as non-leg intensive as you can get. I did another drop set workout of 4 sets of 8 reps:

Dumbbell curls
Cross-body curls
Preacher curls

Lying dumbbell extensions
Kickbacks
Overhead extension

Upright rows
Lateral raises
Overhead press

I finished it off with Cathe Friedrich's MMA Kickboxing and a nice, long stretch for the legs.

Lots Accomplished
Since I got home an hour earlier, I felt like I still had so much free time left in the afternoon. So, after my workout, I did some more cleaning. This time I focused on upstairs: sweeping, swiffering, mopping, laundry being put away. At the same time, I made some "Beef" Seitan for Italian "Beef" Sandwiches. Gotta love it when multitasking actually works out.

"Beef" Seitan

Ingredients:

2 cups vital wheat gluten flour

1 tbsp garlic powder

2-3 tsp dried basil

2-3 tsp dried oregano

1 1/4 cups hot water

2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1 vegetarian beef flavored bouillon cube

Few dashes of liquid smoke

Simmering Broth

4 cups water 

2 vegetarian beef flavored bouillon cube

Liquid smoke (sorry, just added and didn't measure)

Directions

Add garlic powder, basil, oregano, and pepper to flour and stir.

Mix liquids together and add to flour mixture all at once. Mix vigorously with a fork. When it forms a stiff dough knead it 10 to 15 times. (it forms a dough very quickly)

Let the dough rest 2 to 5 minutes, then knead it a few more times. It will be rubbery. Let it rest another 15 minutes then cut into chunks, strips, or patties.

Meanwhile, bring water to a boil and add in the bouillon cubes and liquid smoke. Drop in the seitan pieces, cover, and simmer 45 to 60 minutes. Let seitan cool in the broth.

 

Italian "Beef" Sandwiches

Ingredients:

"Beef" Seitan (with reserved cooking liquid or broth)

1/2 white onion, thinly sliced

1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1-2 tbsp minced garlic

4-6 pepperoncini, diced (depending on heat level)

To taste: salt, pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes

Directions:

In large saucepan, saute bell peppers and onion until soft. Add in garlic and cook another minute or two. Add in remaining ingredients and allow to simmer down approximately 10 minutes depending on amount of liquid you prefer.

I served these on whole-wheat sandwich thins topped with Soy Kaas Montery Jack "Cheese" and served with Baked Sweet Potato "Fries."

 See, I told you I'd be back with recipes to make up for yesterday!

Ok, so here's a tidbit for you all. I am not a big TV watcher at all, and I very rarely watch "reality" TV. However, I am a Big Brother fan and so is Jason. Anyone else out there with me?