Getting Better

There must have been a lot of energy in the air this morning. We saw 2 runners and 2 walkers out before 6AM. Don’t even think that it was because it was a warm morning in Upstate. 31 degrees.

This morning’s work out was: 40 minutes Elliptical. 40 minutes chest, biceps, & abs.

W/O for Chest: 1. chest press w/ bar, 2. chest press on Universal 3. pec. press 4. incline chest flys 5. push ups on ball. W/O for Biceps: 1. bicep curl using universal 2. concentration curls 3. bicep curls laying on bench … abs in between all exercises. About a 40 min. run-walk with Shane (only ran to keep warm-wasn’t really in a running mood).

Breakfast: 1/3 cup cream of rye with 1/4 banana, 2 strawberries, 1/2 tsp p-nut butter, and apple pie spice. For protein: 1/2 scoop whey protein w/ 1/4 banana and 3 oz raspberries. Mid morn. snack: Oikos greek yogurt w/ 1 tbs raisins and almonds.

As I was getting my coffee at work today, I noticed the dry creamer and thought …”I have heard this stuff can ignite”. If that is actually true, then the so called “health” note on the label really doesn’t mean anything, does it? “No Trans Fat – Gluten Free”. Can something that is flammable be all that healthy/safe? Just a thought.

flammable creamer

Lunch was warming on a cool day – although it did warm up and is expected to be one of the warmer days this week. I had the home made fat burning veggie soup w/ the left over Seitan. Snacked later on a bunch of baby carrots, celery and spicy chile hummus…. also sneaked a few bites here and there of a CarbRite protein bar…feeling a bit chocolaty today.

As for work… it was a busy Monday that started off in a panic – one of our machines was down and we need to get the parts on THAT machine out the door. But the electrician came through and we were up and running by 9:AM. The industrial gas supplier also hooked up the micro-bulk system. That’s exciting because it does away w/ all the tanks that we have had to move about the shop. It’s monitored via computer so we won’t have to call for a fill up. Handy and one less thing to worry about!

Ted intended to continue chopping wood. He’s going to be growing a beard soon and donning plaid shirts! But he didn’t feel like emulating Paul Bunnion today so he “winterized” the rose garden. I took out the flowers in the small flower bed. How sad!

winterized rose garden

Cleared out the flower garden

Tonight for dinner I made Shepherds Pie with Soy Crumbles (trying the Boca Brand for the first time) and topped with mashed acorn squash.

Meatless Crumbles

Typically, Ted doesn’t like the soy crumble products but this didn’t come out too bad for him… really enjoyable for me:

Here’s what I used for a super one dish meal:

1 Tbs Olive Oil

1/2 onion, chopped

1 bag Boca Meatless Crumbles

1 bag steamers (broccoli, beans, waterchestnuts, carrots)

1 TBS minced garlic

1/4 of each: Yellow, Orange, Green Peppers chopped

1/2 pint baby bella mushrooms

1 large can diced tomatoes

1 TBS Steak Sauce

2 tsp soy sauce

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 med. Acorn Squash.

Here’s what you do: Preheat oven to 350 F. Put squash in microwave for 10 min. (until soft) cut in half and let cool while prepping everything else. Heat olive oil over med-hi and add onions, peppers – cook for about 5 min. Add mushrooms and BOCA crumbles and garlic. Saute about 6-8 minutes. Add tomatoes, soy, steak sauces, and steamed vegetables. Put in baking dish and sprinkle top with parm cheese. Add squash (which you have seeded and mashed) to top, spreading evenly over “meat” mixture. Sprinkle squash with paprika and a little more cheese if you like. Bake 30 minutes.

So that’s a wrap for Monday… words from Ted: “Subaru”…. don’t even ask…I didn’t!