Lets just say that something big occurred this past weekend and I can’t divulge any of the details for a few more weeks but it is over taking my personal life right now. On top of that we have a fussy baby who is teething and super clingy which makes it challenging for me to work on things that I want/need to do because she wants to be held and Neil is crazy busy at work (per usual). I am hoping that things will settle down a little bit by this weekend so I can work on all these posts I have in my head but until then I’ll just keep you guessing.
I know you’d think after making it so many times I would have taken a better picture, eh?
This is one of my absolute favorite side dishes to date. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend I made this recipe no less than three times. This recipe is wonderful with the creamy kabocha squash but is also wonderful with delicata squash as well. I encourage you to use your favorite squash, I am sure butternut and acorn would work as well.
Serves 4 as a side
Ingredients
1 medium kabocha squash, seeds removed and cut into 1/2 inch thick half moons
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons Earth Balance
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/3 cup raw walnut halves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 425F.
Toss squash with olive oil and pour into a Roasting Pan or rimmed sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
While the squash is baking place all of the remaining ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth.
After the squash has roasted for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and brush with the maple walnut butter. Return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes or until the squash is tender.
This recipe came out of the need to use both beets and cranberries from our Thanksgiving CSA. I am not always a huge fan of either but I decided to give it a go and create a new recipe. This recipe uses a secret ingredient that really warms the dish, okay not so secret if you are reading this recipe but one that your guests will go hmm, I wonder what that is.
Serves 6-8 as a side
Ingredients
4 cups beets, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 tablespoon canola or coconut oil
2 tablespoons garam masala
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced into half moons
4 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon evaporated cane sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup water + 1 tablespoon cornstarch, whisked together
Zest and juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1 lemon
Directions
In a stock pot boil the beets for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat the oil in a Sauté Pan with a cover over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, until translucent. Stir in the garam masala and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the remaining ingredients, including the beets, and cover.
Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the cranberries have popped, stir occasionally. Remove the cover and cook for 3-5 minutes until chutney has thickened.
This dish combines my two favorite fall vegetables in one dish. If you are turning up your nose at Brussels Sprouts think again, these are not the boiled sprouts of your childhood. This recipe is bound to covert you to a Brussels Sprouts lover.
Serves 4-6 as a side
Ingredients
For the Parsnips
5 medium (4-5 cups) parsnips, peeled and diced
2 tablespoon Earth Balance
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup almond milk
Place the parsnips, butter, salt and almond milk in a 4 Quart Stockpot at medium heat. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook over medium low heat for 15-20 minutes, until parsnips are tender. Mash and place in the bottom of medium casserole dish.
For the Brussels Sprouts
4 cups Brussels Sprouts, shredded
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Place oil and garlic in a cold Sauté Pan. Turn on the heat to medium-high and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Stir in the Brussels Sprouts, reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir in the salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes, until Brussels Sprouts are lightly browned. Evenly pour over the parsnips.
Topping
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
Toss panko, nutritional yeast and olive oil together. Sprinkle over top of the Brussels Sprouts.
Preheat oven to 350F. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly browned.
As you read in my last post I need to work on increasing the intensity (and frequency) of my workouts. Today I did just that thanks to my husband who encouraged me and pushed me to run further and having a new pair of Brooks to try out was a great motivator as well.
A few weeks ago Brooks contacted me about trying out a pair of their shoes. I wasn’t told what I would be getting, only that I should expect something in a few weeks. Last week to my delight a new pair of shoes arrived on my doorstep.
I opened the box and inside was a pair of Brooks PureProject Flow running shoes. Instantly the desire to go for a run overtook my mind and body, there is nothing better than new shoes to motivate me to move.
According to the website they are “For runners who love the feel of free feet but count on cushion to go the distance, this shoe strikes the perfect balance. Breathable on top, flexible underneath, and altogether awesome looking.”
Lightweight with cushioning
Wide Toe Flex empowers big toe
Air mesh upper for breathability
Nav Band provides a locked-in fit
Named “Best Buy” by Runner’s World in their Spring 2012 Shoe
I was in need of new running shoes ASAP so I was hoping that these new Brooks PureProject Flow would fit my needs.
Today Neil and I decided to have an at home day after running around for the last four days and I decided that it would be the perfect day to try out my new shoes. Neil and Edith decided to come along for the run since my pace is still pretty slow. Neil pushed Edith in the BOB and I ran ahead of them, making loops back to say ‘hi’ every .3 miles or so.
The run went really well and it was great to have Neil helping me with correcting my stride and arms. He also was a great “coach” and pushed me to challenge myself and run further before taking a walking break. I usually don’t like to run with anyone else but today it was great to have the help, support and of course to get to see little E while I ran.
On the way back from our run E was getting cold and a little fussy so daddy to the rescue aka Neil carried her home during my cool down walk and I pushed the empty BOB.
E was so glad to get home and decided to show you all how I felt by the end of my run.
I am so glad I got out for a run and now I’m itching to get back at it again.
What motivates you to run?
Disclaimer: Brooks sent me these shoes at no cost. I was not asked or required to review these shoes.
Goal #6 is one that I am finding to be the most challenging.
When I was making my plans for postpartum fitness (back before I actually had a baby) I had these grand plans of run/walking the half marathon that I had signed up for (before I knew I was pregnant). I thought that around 4-6 weeks I would doing low intensity workouts and even start run/walking. By eight weeks I would be back to consistent running and attending a weekly postpartum yoga class and of course getting out for daily 2-3 mile walks with Edith. Here we are at almost 20 weeks postpartum and I have been on five runs and the only yoga classes I have attended are baby yoga and I don’t think taking three deep breaths and sounding ‘om’ once counts as yoga practice.
The only workout I was consistently doing were walks with Edith which occur 4-6 times per week and are usually 1-1.5 miles; so not exactly what I had hoped but it’s something. Then about four weeks ago I started Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp and although I feel like it has helped me to get back into a better routine I know that I haven’t been doing the workouts to the fullest. I know I have a million excuses but it is really challenging to fit workouts in with a demanding 4.5 month old and a husband who works long hours. At this point I am able to 10-20 minutes at a time and some days that’s all I can fit in.
Goal #6 is going to take some time and dedication to accomplish. It is also going to involve working out a better plan with my husband so that both of us have adequate time to workout 4-6 times per week. Right now my fitness intensity is around a 2 and I’d really like it to be at more of a 6 while I am still breastfeeding.
Speaking of breastfeeding that is also a factor that is making fitness a challenge. I have been having issues with my supply (that’s for another post over on Naturally Family) and so I have to be mindful of the intensity of my workouts as well as making sure I am eating adequate calories and staying hydrated. As you can see this goal faces a number of obstacles, however these are all obstacles that I know I can work through to get myself to the fitness level that I once was, and who knows maybe even increase that level.
So now is the time when I talk about the action steps that I am going to take to actually accomplish Goal #6
Make time. I know that I could make more time to workout. This means I need to sit down and compare schedules with Neil so that we both have time carved out for our own fitness activities. I know that I could do earlier morning workouts or even late night but I don’t. It’s so easy to sink into the couch after putting E to bed, especially after a particularly long day and/or night. On the other hand if I do my workout instead of sinking in I know that I will be able to help myself to have more energy to make it through those tough days, so as much as I dread an early or late workout it’s either that or some mediocre workout that I try to fit in between playing, feeding, and changing diapers.
Try out 24 Hour Fitness. Down the road from us is a 24 Hour Fitness gym and often you can get free trial memberships. I think it’s time for me to try it out and see if I can make it work because getting out of the house, away from the baby, the computer and household chores may be just what I need to get back to my fit self. Why haven’t I done it yet? Well honestly it kind of frightens me. It’s in a strip mall, I would have to go early in the morning or late at night and who knows who is at the gym at that time and I really hate going to the gym alone but I have no one to go with me (I know suck it up and do it).
TBD. More steps to be determined as I go along.
Do you struggle with balancing life and workouts? Do you have any suggestions?
Today I am thankful for my wonderful family most of all my amazing, hardworking, supportive and caring husband and my wonderful little bundle of joy, Edith.
Today we are spending the morning/afternoon with family and then heading home to have a wonderful vegan feast with two (omnivore) friends. Hope you enjoy your day!
