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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?

Comments

  1. I had to see what a cross body curl was. I need to try that one. Love finding a new exercise! Look at you getting all your stuff done! Now you have to feel good about that. As for big brother, I haven't seen it since the first season. We are so not tv people here or at least not mainstream tv. Have a great night Heather!

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  2. LOL I am watching Big Brother as I am typing this. I enjoy BB and I really like Hayden and Brendon on this one.
    Glad you got home early and got lots done, I love productive days!

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  3. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010

    Rare TV watcher eh? But you watch Big Brother, too funny. I admit I am into TV - but on my terms, DVR was the best invention ever! I can watch what I like when I like to watch it. :) Glad you are feeling more "you" today, that's great news.

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  4. Out of all the vegan/veg bloggers out there---your veg meals always look the best to me! you've def got a way! :)

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  5. Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen Oh sorry - I should totally link to examples. That's just laziness. I have watched BB since season 2. Nuts. Hope you have a great eve too!

    Bela @ It's Life, Max it Out I haven't decided who I'm for just yet...It changes so much in the very beginning.
    Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat I know right? Oh and we are all about DVR now. It took us a while to justify the cost. Totally worth it. Yes, very happy to be back to "normal" ;-)

    Lisa @ I'm an Okie You're too sweet! I seriously take that as a huge compliment!

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  6. Way to multitask. I always feel better after I clean. Just feels good!
    Haven't seen big brother yet. Maybe I should start watching??

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  7. As always, I'm loving the sweet potato fries. Yours always look the best.

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  8. never watch prime time tv other than the bravo or e channel and that's on dvr. ive got blogs to read :)

    glad you're feeling more like yourself, yay!!!!

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  9. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010

    We LOVE big brother too - so good! Thanks for the seitan recipe, I still need to pick up wheat gluten.

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  10. I just had to catch up on your last couple of posts! I'm so sorry you were feeling down...it happens to the best of us. I think it's awesome that you are even more diligent about your workouts when you're feeling down.

    I am so glad you felt better today!

    I am not a TV watcher either, and I have never seen BB, but I've heard a lot about it!

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  11. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010

    Your recipes look great! I've never tried seitan before. Where do you get yours?

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  12. oohh love the sound of that seitan! I haven't made it since that one time, and I need to.. bookmarked it!

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  13. so glad to hear ur feeling more like yourself and being the active carefree Heather we know and love <3

    i dont mind big brother.. im more of a mtv Real World fan.. but i do like to watch B.B. when its on for sure!

    xoxo

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  14. Lindsay @ Cotter Crunch Sometimes just scrubbing down every inch of the house does help oddly enough. As for BB - start watching at your own risk LOL.

    Jenna @ Healthy. Happy. Well. Thanks girl! I appreciate that.

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga Maybe that's why I don't watch much tv - I'm glued to the computer ;-)

    Sarah @ Run Sarah Let me know if you try it out and how you like it. You could definitely use a low sodium faux beef stock in lieu of the water. That is likely what I will do the next time.

    Candice @ ChiaSeedMe Sometimes staying on top of my routines is what I need to keep myself afloat. At least you've heard about it LOL ;-)

    Elaine @ Om Sweet Om Hey girl - I made mine. You can find it at stores like Whole Foods.

    Alyson @ Nourished Fitness Oh I missed that you tried making it....

    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel Thanks sweetie! Oh I used to watch RW a million years ago. Not exactly sure how I got sucked into BB. Glad it's only on during the summer.

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  15. OOh legs and then running! OUCH!!
    I know I hate to miss workouts too....but sometimes when I am just so sore...I take a break!
    Plus your muscles grow when resting!!

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  16. I have never seen Big Brother...I don't even know the premise.

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  17. Finally, an answer to, where's the beef.

    Even when you're tired, a little workout lifts you up.

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  18. Glad you are feeling more like yourself again. You know I love that you are making seitan now. ;-)

    hugs,
    Ali

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  19. glad you're back in the swing on things! i had a down night yesterday and the devil on my shoulder tried to talk me back in bed this morning, but i powered through and got a workout in......yay us!

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  20. Heather, you have the best vegetarian "meat" recipes. I never knew how to properly make seitan, so thank you! My boyfriend is a carnivore through and through, but I doubt he'd be missing "tha beef" with this one!

    You go girl, powering through that workout! Just make sure you get enough rest too :)

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  21. I've tried so many new foods recently, but I still haven't tried seitan because it seems like so much work to make! You make it look so good though!

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  22. It's funny because I have a show most nights of the week that I "watch" but usually it's just background noise while I'm busy with other stuff. I admit that I do enjoy the mind break TV can give.

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  23. Simple Daisy It definitely wasn't exactly brilliant of course, I'll greatly appreciate my rest day that's for sure.

    Kelly @ Healthy Living with Kelly

    Kenzie @ A Healthy Purpose Well, you really aren't missing out on too much truth be told. But I'm sure you gathered that LOL.

    Nichole @ Live for the Run LOL. Yep, workouts are often a good mood and energy booster.

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean Me too - now that I realized how easy it really is.

    Kenzie @ A Healthy Purpose Sounds like there's a bit of the blues going around. Good for you for getting it done!

    Laura @ B Foxy Fitness Thanks so much - big compliment in my book. Oh, I'll definitely be taking in a rest day and enjoying it.

    Chelsea @ The Healthy Munchkin It's really not that complicated at all. It takes time more than anything. Just a few minutes of prep then it's the simmering that you don't really have to baby.

    Tina @ Faith Fitness and Fun If I can make myself sit down and watch TV, then I have to agree it can be nice to just tune out for a bit.

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  24. YES- you know it girl, I'm right there with ya on the big brother :)

    Your comment about swifftering (or however you spell it) made me laugh- I don't know why it did, but I just thought it was funny- maybe just the word swifftering :)

    Love your workout!! Bis & tris workouts are my favorite!

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  25. I have never seen big brother! Oh my your food looks so yummy though!

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