A week or two before running the Boilermaker, I was getting tired.  Call that BURNOUT.  There were few days that I was enthusiastic about getting out of bed for a run.   I made myself a promise that after the Boilermaker I would take a three day break from running.   Two of those days I was successful.  By the third day, my head wanted to run, my legs wanted to go back to bed.

Monday after the race, I got up to work with weights and rode the bike with Ted for 10 miles in 35 minutes.  That was a good clip for me.

Tuesday, I was up early again working my legs and abs then hopped on the bike for 30 minutes.  Tuesday night, I was grumpy, discouraged, depressed (nothing related to running – just…LIFE!), so I got on the bike again and rode for 40 minutes.  It worked out my frustrations and allowed a calmness to overcome my thoughts.

Wednesday, which was suppose to be the final day off from my running routine, I got up late.  There was no time for the gym so I grabbed my trusty running partner and went for an unplanned 7 miler.  I used a HammerNutrition Vanilla gel – that was all the fuel I had and it got me through those 7 miles feeling pretty good.  THANKS PAM! Granted the first 2 miles were rough but I loosened up and fell easily into a casual run.  Shane over heated.  I had to get him into a cool shower when we got home.

The rest of the week, I’m going to let my body dictate the workout.

Have you ever tried HammerNutrition products?  Which ones and how do you like them?

Are you good at taking a workout break when you need it or do you continue to push, against your better judgment?

CEimB – STIR FRY

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I was considering passing on this recipe but after a busy weekend and suffering from a lack of imagination, it seemed like the solution to dinner on this particular night.  Besides, Ellie has usually come through for me with a good yet easy recipe.  Unfortunately, this week, I was not pleased.

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This Chihuahua Wears Pearls by Liz was the CEimB-er who picked the recipe. It would have been one of my choices because the ingredients just looked so good.  I enjoy tofu and could easily find a substitute for my meat eating family.  Soy sauce, fresh ginger, orange juice, sesame oil…it all sounded so good!

First, marinate the tofu or meat (I used lean pork) *If you use both (as I did) double the rest of the ingredients to match the protein.

  • 1 lb extra firm tofu  or 1 lb lean pork, cut into 1 inch cubes.
  • 2 TBS low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 TBS orange juice
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp canola oil

Slice tofu (1/2 inch thick) and pat dry with a clean paper towel.  Cut into cubes.  Remove as much moisture as possible from tofu.

Mix the soy sauce, OJ, and oils.  Pour over tofu and allow to marinate over night or at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 F.  Spray a large pan with non-stick and allow to cook 30 – 35 minutes. *Pork, when cut into the small cubes, will take just as long.

When you have about 12 minutes remaining in cooking time, cook the following…

  • 2 large bunches of bok choy
  • 10 oz fresh peas
  • 2 TBS canola oil
  • 1 TBS peeled and grated fresh ginger
  • 3 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/3 cup chopped scallions
  • 2 TBS low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 TBS sesame seeds

Cut bottoms off bok choy.  Slice into 1 inch pieces and wash thoroughly.  Pat dry.

Heat oil in large pan or wok over medium heat.  Add ginger and garlic and cook for 15 seconds.  Stir constantly.  Add scallions, bok choy and peas.  Raise to high heat and cook 5 minutes stirring constantly.  Add the soy sauce and 1/4 cup water.  Stir and cook for 2 – 4 minutes until liquid reduces slightly.  Turn the bok choy into a serving bowl and top with tofu or pork.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

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I was surprised at the lack of flavor from this recipe.  Maybe I expected to be hit with the tangy saltiness of soy sauce.  Or maybe I expected to taste the sweet essence of orange.  Neither happened.  It was a bit bland.

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The main flavor of this dish was the sesame oil.

I won’t write this recipe off but I will make some drastic changes in the future.  Not sure what those might be yet…must be still suffering from lack of creativity.  Oh well, it HAS been a rough week.

Thanks Liz for this weeks CEimB pick.  I’ll try it again but customized.

What would you add to give this dish some “ZING?”

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