The One Week Vegetarian: Day Three: BRICK oven veggie pizza

June 15, 2011

Breakfast - nada... I was running super late....I know I know - you can scold me.

Lunch - Mixed Green Salad with water

No Afternoon Snack

Dinner - Brick Oven Veggie Pizza.

Dinner tonight is a recipe from Jason at Cook Train Eat Race.  He is vegetarian and houses a ton of awesome recipes on his site CTER.  Not only is there recipes there are a ton of posts on nutrition in general, race reports, exercise facts, Q&A, etc. It is a repository of useful information - stop by and check it out.

He features a weekly spot called The Athlete's Plate.  Where he picks a different blogger each week to be featured.  The recipe I swiped from him was the week he featured Summer Brooks of The Blue Line Runner blog.  I knew I wanted to make pizza one night and this one fit the bill.

Pics are limited...

Step One - Take the mashed sweet potatoes, flour, and other dry ingredients to make dough...

Step 2 - roll out (or attempt to) and place in oven to bake for 10 min at 400*

Step 3: Spread ricotta cheese thinly on the bottom and then place tomatoes, garlic and I added basil along with Asiago Cheese

Step 4: Bake in oven until cheese is melted... sorry no final pic.

True test:  Again this recipe was a WINNER!! Bill loved it; I loved it and it was filling and delicious.  We loved the sweet potato in the crust along with the thickness of the crust without being too filling.  The light cheese and veggies was just enough to make our tummy's full without having that too greasy icky feeling from an order-in pizza (even the veggie ones)

We were both pleased with how this turned out.  Want to make your own BRICK oven veggie pizza?  Just CLICK HERE!

I have now gone 3 days with no diet coke.  I've had a bit of a headache today but nothing unbearable.  I know I have not drank enough water today which frustrates me because it something I NEED to be doing.  Other than the coffee yesterday I have had no caffeine.  I've limited my sugar intake and am feeling great (minus the headache today) I was down two pounds when I weighed my self this morning.  I will not weigh again until Friday.

Workouts - I was supposed to run but it didn't happen.  I could give you a million excuses as to why I didn't but the plain and simple fact is I was tired and drained this morning and wanted to sleep in.  I could have gone after work and ran on the treadmill but the though of running on a treadmill makes me want to puke and it's 100* outside until like midnight.  So my run got skipped.  I was scheduled for two off days this week any - so I plan on just shifting around and making it work.

So that's that :)  Happy Hump Day!

Day Two: The One Week Vegetarian: Ratatouillie

Day Two - June 14, 2011

Breakfast - Overnight Oats in A Jar: - If you aren't familiar with this delicious little delicatessen you should familiarize yourself with them QUICKLY!  They are just about the most awesomest things ever.  If you follow me on twitter you see me use #OOA (I've always referred to it as overnight oats addict but apparently it's really anonymous) and #OOIAJ (overnight oats in a jar) - If you follow the recipe below and you tweet - be sure to use the hashtags and @ mention me so I know you tried them!  They will seriously change your breakfast life.

I did have a cup of coffee with breakfast.

I found out about this morning treat from Jason and I'm so thankful - Here you go

Ingredients: 1/3c rolled oats, 5oz greek yogurt, 2/3c HoneyMilk (Vanilla or Honey Flavor), 1/2  banana sliced thin, 2 strawberries sliced thin, 1/4c dried pineapple, 2tbs chia seeds, 1/3c shredded unsweetened coconut, 1/4c almonds, 1tbs agave nectar, 1tbs nut butter (optional chocolate chips, M&Ms, dried fruit)

Directions: Do this the night before

1. In a bowl combine all the ingredients except for the agave nectar and nut butter.
2. Once well combined pour into an empty jar (old nut butter jar….I use a plastic jar by Bell)
3. Place in refrigerator and let sit overnight (now you understand the overnight oats part?)
4. Next morning after your workout take out from fridge and add agave nectar and mix.
5. Take the tbs of nut butter on your spoon and begin to eat.  With every bite you will get a taste of nut butter and the overnight oats.

Lunch: 

I had lunch with my friend Karen and opted for tomato soup and a spinach salad.  No recipes or pictures to report.  Lunch was filling and I was satisfied.

Afternoon snack (pre workout) - Power Crunch Bar


Dinner:

When I posted on here I was going veggie for a week Mrs. Adventure (the super awesome host of all the giveaways that end FRIDAY JUNE 17) suggested Ratatouillie.  I had never heard of it before but the name alone intrigued me.

Here's the breakdown

Bloggers being a pain in the a** and won't post the picture correctly... GRR!!

 Step 1 - Saute eggplant with parsley...

Step 2 - Layer veggies (recipe link below)

Step 3 - Bake - I added mushrooms on Bill's half and sans mushrooms on mine....

Step 4 - enjoy!!

Want to make your OWN at home Ratatouillie?  CLICK HERE

Bill loved this recipe and loved dinner!  It was another hit!

Day two was another great day food wise... it was terrible in all other aspect.  I am now 3 days (including today) without Diet Coke.  More on that in the next post.

We did break down and have a frozen yogurt cone.  Shakes had a seizure - we were on our way to the emergency vet and he stopped.  It was a stressful day for me with work and with Shakes. Bill (being the best ever) pulled through and got us yogurt as we were driving home from attempting to take Shakes.  (I think Shakes just wanted a car ride). 

All in all it was great day - I had an awesome spin class and when I weighed my self this morning (6/15) I was down 2 lbs.

Day One: Black Bean Burgers

I was nervous waking up Monday morning.... I stepped on the scale...weighed myself and was prepared for an increase in "that" department.  I was right... but that was OK - I had a plan.  A plan to see what one week of being a vegetarian would do to me....

Would it kill me?

Would it help me loose a few lb's?

Would it increase my energy?

And so many more questions.... I had so many because I have never been a vegetarian.  I have lived on red meat my entire life and it has always been a part of my diet.  I didn't understand why people wouldn't eat meat (unless for religious/cultural reasons) - why would you CHOOSE to not eat the bloody red goodness of a cow's rump?  Anyway, I embarked on this journey for one week to see what would happen; will that one week turn into one month, one year, one lifetime? Who knows but here is my experience with Day One of the The One Week Vegetarian.


Breakfast - typical breakfast - Quaker Oats in the a.m. and some water.  I skipped the morning coffee and diet coke just to see if I would get a splitting headache.  I supplemented with lots and lots of water.  I peed a lot from 8am to 11am.   No workout today so all was well with one breakfast.

Lunch - no headache yet - SCORE!  Getting nervous about what to eat considering I didn't pack a lunch.  Decision time came and the team opted for Thai food.  Veggie spring rolls and brown rice it was for my first meat-less lunch.  It was delicious - topped off with an icy cold Pellegrino.  Yummy....

Afternoon is when I get my sweet craving.  I continually drank water to keep my tummy full and curb that sweet tooth.  It worked.  I traded my afternoon sweet tooth for about 19 trips to the bathroom - but by this time **Too much info to follow** I was peeing clear and that means adequate hydration (or that I'm drunk but I definitely was NOT drunk)


Dinner: Thanks to Matt over at The Athlete's Plate for posting his favorite recipes.  I swiped his recipe for black bean burgers and headed to the kitchen.

I tried to document in pics... except the finishing pic of me actually eating the creation...

Step One - get ingredients - CHECK!

Step Two - Saute veggies in a skillet...Easy enough...

Step Three: Rinse and Drain black beans while veggies are cooking...

Step 4: Take sauteed veggies and pulse in food processor ( I forgot to take a pic)
Step 5: Add in cilantro - no pic
Step 6: Add in and pulse beans ... again no pic.

Step 7 - take bean/veggie mix and combine in bowl with bread crumbs, egg and spices.

Step 8 - form three patties and put in cast iron skillet

Step 9 - Cook 8 minutes..

Steo 10 - place on your favorite whole wheat bun, top with your fav veggies and VOILA!

I am clearly not a food photographer (or any real photographer for that matter) so sorry for the images.... I tried :)

This was one darn good black bean burger.  The cilantro in the pattie along with the spices make it taste a little Mexican/Southwestern which is totally fine with me.  I would put cilantro on anything.  I topped mine with fresh spinach, tomato, avocado and a little feta cheese. 

But the real test is ... what did Bill think?

He liked it so much he ate the third one!  I sauteed mushrooms for his - he loves them; I hate them.  He said he loved it and would like to add it into our dinner rotation.

All in all it was a deliciously filling dinner that is a recipe for the keeping.  Thanks Matt for recipe!  If you are interested in creating this black bean burger for yourself... click here!

What's your favorite burger and toppings??

Baaaaah Baaaah boyfriend....

Can you GET any sweeter?  (in an awesome Chandler voice)

Last night I had had a long day at work (par for the course these days) - Bill had set out rack of lamb to thaw on Monday for Tuesday's dinner.  I came home and he had already marinated the lamb and was about to put it into the oven. 
Fast forward three hours (I'll come back to the details of these three hours in a minute)

He comes home from baseball......I'm on the couch wishing I had stopped and gotten yogurt (YOGURTVILLE!) after the gym.......he busts through the back door, kisses me and heads straight for the kitchen....

2 minutes pass....

He is standing by the couch with Rocky Road ice cream and a spoon........he knows me and MY sweet tooth so well.  How sweet is he? 

So back to dinner...

Bill made the rack of lamb just perfectly and I made the side of asparagus.... but not just ANY asparagus....

Asparagus with Parmesan-lemon vinaigrette.  Sounds delicious doesn't it... (pictures are terrible quality they are from my iphone)
 

Start with Parsley, Parmesan, and onion (or shallot)



Grab some olive oil



and feta



Mix with lemon juice and olive oil



Drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper on the asparagus and roast for 6-10 min under the broiler

Top with vinaigrette

Throw on some feta (b/c I love feta)

And serve......

 I had an awesome run last night at the gym.  I was dreading going after dinner...I was tired, full and really really just wanted to lay on the couch.  But I got up, got dressed and headed for a quick 3 mile.  I've been wanting to break the 10 min. mile hurdle for a while so I try and try and try and push myself every time I run.  My running has backed off lately due to the calf/shin issue and I've had a terrible few weeks of workouts - so I NEEDED a good run.  29:41 - 3 miles - 9:50 mile.  No ipod either.  I'm trying to train myself to run without my ipod since I won't have it at NOLA70.3  they are forbidden in any USAT sanctioned race. 

It's easy on the smaller distance runs....but it's tough on long distances.  I like my music - it motivates me.

But that's beside the point....

I got in a great run, came home showered, caught up on some blogs and waited for Bill to get home to watch Biggest Loser.

I didn't watch the SOTU - I know how un-American - I 'll catch the recaps online today.

For now, I'm off to meet the handyman at my house for a quote for the stuff that needs to  be completed in order to put it up on the market.

Wish me luck!

Monday Delicious-ness.......

Monday's seriously don't seem as bad when they are the start of a 2.5 day week.  I vote for short weeks every week - who's with me?  It also is a sign of good week when you wake up on Monday and learned you won a giveaway!  Thanks Stephanie (Run to Health) for the Pearl Izumi toe covers!  I can't wait to see if they fit....they will come in handy as it starts to get cold here!

Last night Bill made leg of lamb with marjoram au jus for dinner.  It was freakin' delicious.  He worked all day, marinated, roasting and making HOMEMADE au jus from the pan drippings.  It was amazing. 

We made a salad to accompany the main dish and let me tell you - I was stuffed.

Lamb became part of my rotation after I tried it at Texas de Brazil...now granted TDB could cook up squirrel and make it gourmet; everything is THAT good - but then it solidified how much I loved it when we found our favorite Greek place.

If you live around here (Jason) or you are visiting the area try Zorba's.  Even if you don't think you like Greek food - this place will make you fall in love with it and you will crave it - seriously - CRAVE IT!  (they have loads of vegetarian items also)

Bill and I probably go a few times a month (another plus; it's BYOB) and split the same thing every time; what can I say we are creatures of habit.  Now I'm hungry for a Gyro....damn it!

I baked two pies last night...I know you can go ahead and call me Betty.... We are having a pie contest and silent auction today at work and my pie  better win... it is so flippin good.  Wanna see??? You HAVE to know I would have taken pictures....(sorry for the quality - I took them on my iPhone)

Ingredients:

• Pastry dough for a 2-crust pie
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 6 cups of peeled, cored and thinly sliced apples (see note)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425° F.

Line a 9-inch pie pan with half the dough.

Combine the brown sugar with the cinnamon and flour and toss with the apples and lemon juice.

(brown sugar, cinnamon, flour)

(apples and lemon juice)

(combine together)

Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie shell. Dot the butter over the top.

Roll out the remaining dough to form the top crust. Cut decorative vents in the crust with small cookie
cutters, or just slit it in a few places with a knife.

Lay the top crust over the fruit. Crimp or flute the pastry together. You may brush the surface with a little beaten egg and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if you like.

Bake the pie for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350° F. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes longer or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

So it doesn't look all that pretty after it is baked....but it tastes good and I better win ..... I like to win....especially food related contests b/c I rock at cooking (not tooting my own horn or anything....)

Day 19: Something you miss....

Jess, My Dad, my nanny, laying around on Saturday/Sundays (no more of that with training, my metabolism from when I was a teenager (what happens to that!?!), not having ANY bills, summer, my riding boots - I can't find them anywhere!!!, my six pack...I had one once when I was 16....

What do you miss????

Fall for these....

This is one of my most, absolute, favorite recipes of all time.... To be honest, I can't remember where I heard it.  The best part about it.... 2 ingredients....*GASP* - yes only 2 ingredients.

1 box of spice cake mix (any brand you like....)
1 can of canned pumpkin (the small can - not the super large SAM's size can)

Mix the two together, put into muffin tins, bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.

They are delish and I promise you are going to love them...

You can also put in a bundt pan and make a cake if you prefer..... trust me either way you will be addicted!