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3rd Morning Workout & 3rd Free Evening

More Furbaby Talk
I guess I should talk about my furbabies more often and let you all in on my wild and crazy kids. I love that so many of you are major animal lovers and are also into the adoption/rescue route. It's something that I feel very strongly about actually. There are so many precious animals dumped off because they aren't 100% perfect and the breeder can't get full price or they come from puppy mills or are simply dumped when they become too much "trouble."

It's true, you don't always know what health problems might be lurking with rescues. Our girl Erin had kidney failure. Heath has an over bite, 3-toes on one foot, and urinary issues that require a special diet. Maddie, well, we think that she knocked her noggin' when she was dumped off at 4 months old in a drop bin. Yep, drop bin folks. But then there was my first girl, not a rescue, who ended up with juvenile cataracts. So you never know. You can pay top-dollar and still have no guarantees. Plus, I think rescues somehow appreciate you just a bit more.

Disclaimer - I do not judge you if you paid full price from a reputable breeder for your pet. If all breeders were truly reputable and truly cared about the pets they are breeding, then there would be fewer pets in need of rescue.

3rd Early Morning Workout
I feel like I'm on a roll with these early morning workouts. Though, I must admit that I was a little sluggish and could easily have reset the alarm and dozed right back off.

But I didn't. We got up at 5:12 am so we could get in a run. I did MMA Kickboxing as a warm up while Jason drank his coffee to wake up. Unfortunately, it's getting light enough to safely run later and later. I am so accident prone that I do not need to be running in the dark. Since we didn't head out until right at 6 am, I was only able to get in a little over 2 miles. I was disappointed actually because it was a good run and I could have kept going. I would have loved to have gotten in another 4 miles.

The humidity, however, is most definitely back in full force. It was 81 degrees with index of 85 when we headed out. It shouldn't be that warm when it's still dark out should it? We both ran through sprinklers like giddy children when we saw some.

Another Free Evening Means Grocery Shopping
I had a really busy day at work with several meetings fairly close together. So, I opted to just work through lunch and leave early. It's amazing how different leaving one hour early can feel. The Limited supposedly had all these fantastic markdowns so I thought I'd head over to the mall and check them out. Apparently I went to the wrong store. This one apparently missed out on the memo for markdowns. Total waste of time. I ended up hitting up the grocery store at least. But seriously, why does each Kroger stock different items? The one I went to does not sell the Le Tortilla Factory tortillas or the whole-wheat hamburger buns I like, nor does it (apparently) sell local produce like one of the other stores. Lesson learned, sometimes convenience is not worth it, because now I'll be making another trip. Humph.

Tonight easy was the name of the game for dinner. I just heated up the Red Bean & Lentil Burgers I made the other day and baked sweet potato "fries." Burgers were topped with spinach, roasted red bell peppers and the Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet "Cheese" that I'm trying to use up.  

These "burgers" held together very well. Lately some of them have been a little soft. I'm not sure if it was the addition of red beans (they tend to be drier) or the sesame seeds, or both. Do you have a go-to veggie burger recipe or do you just sort of wing it each time? I wing it.

Comments

  1. I wish I had your early work out motivation. I prefer working out late morning but lately I don't get to the gym until 2-3pm. I just feel sluggish.

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  2. Don't you HATE when you go to The Limited and think you're about to hit the jackpot only to get there and be severely disappointed?? Yeah, me too. Boo! And um, can you believe I've never attempted to make my own veggie burgers??

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  3. I totally agree about rescue animals! Our Mabel is a rescue dog, and I swear she KNOWS that we rescued her from uncertain fate & she loves us that much more. She is so sweet & I feel so lucky to have found her. It's such a wonderful feeling giving a rescue animal a warm, loving home!

    Your burger looks delicious!!

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  4. Great story about rescuing Heath and Maddie. It is such a shame so many animals need homes.

    Great job on another early morning workout. Not being a morning person I am impressed that you ever get any workouts in before work let alone so many.

    I just wing my veggie burgers depending on what I am in the mood for at the moment. I have found adding a little vital wheat gluten to any recipe helps them to hold together and make them less soft.

    enjoy your evening,
    Ali

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  5. Adopted pets make the BEST pets. I love that you included that in your post tonight- made me smile :)

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  6. There's an adopted Husky doggie lying happily on her big frickin' pillow right now. :)

    Gorgeous dinner and awesome job on sticking with the morning workouts! Don't you feel AWESOME the whole day?

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  7. Well, at least you got up and going! I did not...ugh. I hear ya on the pet problems. Luke, our boy cat, has irritable bowel. I guess he chose the right family! He is on an all natural diet and drinks purified water. Why would animals not deserve good homes even if they had problems? Just think if Tony kicked me out when he found out about the dairy and soy allergies I have. Trust me, I probably would have gotten rid of me then! Anyway, I have a go to recipe for my bean burgers. The red beans are the best burgers! I don't like the possibility that they will fall apart or be mushy. I came up with a recipe that we all love, so I stick to it. Have a great night!

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  8. I definitely wing it when I make veggie burgers. They are usually tossed together with whatever beans and veg I have leftover in the fridge

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  9. diff groc stores stocking diff things annoys the hell outta me!!

    the limited, i have never seen them have clothes you'd actually want to buy, actually on sale. same w/ bebe. they have stuff cheap, not that you'd want to wear it though, the marked down stuff LOL

    your comment today about beign seen as "the vegetarian" but that you dont see me as " a vegan" first, but that you see tons of other things first...oh thank you, i melted :)

    and the fact that you bartended and the buttery nipple brought back memories, LOL. And your drink recipe you gave me...nice.

    I defi believe in avoiding breeders too..however am guilty of buying purebred dogs years ago...but honestly, this breeder was sooo anal and she was almost too into her dogs. I mean they were children and then some! haha!

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  10. I have to try adding sesame seeds as my burgers tend to fall apart! Partly why I usually oven bake them as opposed to frying them.

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  11. i'm so lazy; i always buy my veggie burgers. sunshine and dr. praeger's usually.

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  12. I'm definately going the rescue route for future doggies.. we're already looking into getting a rescue when we find the right one! We've been talking about fostering rescue dogs, although I'm not sure that's right for us as I'm not sure I'd manage to give them up.. It takes me approximately 30seconds to fall in love with an animal haha! Though Roxie technically wasn't a rescue at 8 weeks old we were her 4th home, including the breeders home. She was bought by a lady with a baby who threatened to throw her out so her friend took her in who sold her to us. Wow... longest comment ever!

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  13. I love hearing about your furbabies and sorry that they have some health problems. I would have a house full of rescue animals of it could, we actually have 2 turtles that were in harms way so they are now happily together (they were found separately). DH has always been firm no rescue dogs b/c of our DD being young and you never know what a dog has been through and they can turn on you but now that she is getting older hopefully that will be in the future.
    Your burger and fries look so good and I can't wait to get home to start eating "my way" again!

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  14. Krystina @ Organically Me Late morning would actually be preferable if it fit into my schedule mind you. I am really not a morning gal ;-)

    Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat I was beyond annoyed. You must make your own veggie burger!

    Jess @ The Domestic Vegan It is a wonderful feeling isn't it! Thanks for sharing.

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean I am fairly impressed with myself too LOL. I tried adding the wheat gluten and it didn't seem to help. Maybe I didn't add enough?

    Holly @ Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices Awww, glad I could make you smile ;-)

    Tiffany @ Spartanette Training She's not spoiled or anything is she?? LOL. That's how it should be.

    Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen You are so right about not dumping people. My husband says I would have been exposed as an infant ;-) I need to check out your recipe for the burgers.

    Madeline @ Greens and Jeans That's the brilliance of the veggie burgers isn't it???

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga So glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about stores stocking different items. It's a chain for crying out loud. Oh, there are some very very reputable breeders and they, in my mind, are worth every penny in that case.

    Sarah @ Run Sarah I always bake mine now instead of frying them or even trying to seer them. So much healthier.

    The Actors Diet I need to try those sunshine burgers - heard rave reviews.

    Laura @ Box Run Eat Oh I would love to foster, but know they'd end up part of the family. I have so much respect for those who do it though. I enjoyed your long comment ;-)

    Bela @ It's Life, Max it Out That is one thing about rescues, if they weren't in a foster home then you may not know the true temperament. At least if they were fostered, you have an idea of their behavior and how they are with children. Most rescues don't let families with children below a certain age adopt and that's very respectable.

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  15. I love beans and am dying to try making a bean burger but for some reason I never do it. Next week I need to try it!
    Working out in the morning and at lunch is definitely easier for me then after work. It's really nice to have some down time when you get home!

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  16. when Basil makes an appearance on my blog (who am I kidding, I have a DOXIE PAGE!!) :) he is very popular! :) the blog world loves animals. Basil was a rescue - we found him with Oregon Dachshund Rescue - and while he is so sweet and the most amazing pup, he has some skittish quirks that make me sad for his pre-rescue life... I am mostly glad I don't know his history... :( he is happy, we SPOIL him, and YES - I think he appreciates us :)

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  17. Adventures in grocery shopping, grr!!!

    We have 3 dogs, 1 of which we adopted and we always say he's sooooo thankful and grateful compared to the other two. Sometimes he just looks at us all happy and I know he's like thanks guys!

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  18. A while back I tried a black bean burger recipe that I really liked. I haven't made it in a while. It was very good. I should put in rotation.

    I am all for adopting animals. There are so many that get euthanized due to them not having homes. so sad.

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  19. First time on your blog, just wanted to say hi. Can't agree with you more about breeders!! Your burger and fries look yummy! Looking forward to following you! :)

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  20. Dawn @ Florida Coastal Cooking I have a bad habit of putting it off too, so when I make them I try make larger batches to freeze at least.

    Kristina @ SpaBettie Oh I hear you on not always wanting to know full details of their pasts. Too sad to think about.

    Kara @ My Wellnest Adventures is so accurate! I can totally picture that "thanks guys" look!

    Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian Was it one you posted? Need to check it out.

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  21. I used to volunteer for a dog rescue group and I feel very strongly about people adopting them as pets! On another note, I definitely don't have a go to veggie burger recipe. I'm not usually one to just whip something up so I'd have to have it planned earlier in the week.

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  22. You seriously are the queen of awesome burgers and sweet potato fries. I need to be invited to a dinner at YOUR house!

    Is it sad that my go-to recipe for quick veggie burgers is morningstar? lol

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  23. Robyn @ Ramblings of a Wanna Be Writer and Runner I think that's fantastic you used to volunteer for a rescue group!

    Alycia @ Fit n Fresh If you are ever in town, you are most definitely invited over for dinner!

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  24. Kristy @ The Casual Dish Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I look forward to checking out your blog!

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  25. I wing it. And I've loved reading about your dogs and how into animal rescue you have been - very cool!

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  26. I love veggie burgers, but most of the recipes I have tried have been disappointing and I couldn't keep them together :-(

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