Happy Tuesday! Boy these days and weeks are flying now and I can hardly believe Spring is coming! Well, here in Vegas anyways. We’ve had some days in the upper 60s and it’s supposed to be 77 F on Thursday? I just hope we can have a little spring weather before it’s full-blown HOT Vegas summer.
This morning I honestly wasn’t feeling like riding into work. I wasn’t sick or anything, I just felt ‘off’ and tired and knew it was going to be a battle to convince myself to just do it. I finally crawled out of bed at 5am and groggily started putting on my bike gear. Just do it! I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get a ride in next week and all of April since I will be out in the community for work. Just do it! I need to get stronger for the LiveStrong Century in 2.5 months. Just do it! This is supposed to be fun, right? All right, all right, I’ll just do it!
Since the recent time change it was freaking dark outside when I got going this morning. I actually missed one of the turn offs I needed to make and had to turn around a little bit, oops! It was a good thing Chris let me borrow his nite rider. That thing is amazing and a lifesaver! So my ride was a little weak, especially starting out in the dark and not being able to see that well. I was doggin’ and my legs were cursing me, but I made it. I’m not sure if my Garmin got messed up, but I managed to average pretty good time I guess.
- Time: 1:03 ~ 16 miles
- Avg: 15.5 mph Max: 27.2 mph
Another funny thing was that I forgot to take my pants to work yesterday! There is always something to forget. Thank goodness Chris was able to drop them off for me or else I would have been walking around in padded spandex shorts and high heels. Not a pretty picture, ha!
I certainly did not prep very interesting meals for myself today. Note to self. When I prepped my breakfast/lunch Monday morning, it was slim pickins in the fridge and I was short on time, so I scrounged to find something decent. I am out of Bob’s Muesli too!!! So devastating! So I settled for some easy cereal which consisted of Kashi Crisp, Kashi Warm Cinnamon and some TJ’s Frosted Shredded Wheats. Then I topped it with 1/2 naner and some NF milk mixed with a scoop of low-fat cottage cheese and cinnamon + H20.
Breakfast was around 7:45 and by 10:30 my tummy was telling me it was time to eat again, so I had the other 1/2 naner + a pumpkin spice energy bar. Lunch was a simple panini made with TJ’s teriyaki tofu and lite muenster cheese on Great Harvest High-5 fiber bread + pre-cooked soybeans and cuties. I think I got a bit too much bulk for the day for my tummy, as I was super full and crampy after this : / I finished about 3/4 of the panini, most the beans and 1 cutie.
My work has a place to eat outside and it was nice to get some Vitamin D. It was actually a little too hot after a bit.
Today was pretty warm, so on the ride home I tried to make sure to remember to drink at every stop at least, even though I hate taking my hands off the handlebars! I’m so wobbly.
The ride home actually didn’t go too bad and I felt stronger than the morning ride. I didn’t even get lost!!! 🙂 but I almost got on the freeway because it was right before one of my turns! Oh my gosh, I tried to play it off like nothing. I know where I’m going hehe 🙂
- Time: 1:03 ~ 16 miles
- Avg: 15.6 mph Max: 23 mph
Water totals so far: I ended up drinking about 1/2 L on the ride in, 1.5 L at my desk, and a little less than 1/2 L and 1 cup diluted Gatorade on the ride home. I’m just about done with another L for the night. So that brings it to about 3.5 L of fluids, not counting food. That’s pretty good!
It was a good thing I spent yesterday late afternoon and evening prepping some meals because dinner was ready when I got home!! yay! In the spirit of Spring I made Lentil-Barley Burgers with Mango-Kiwi Salsa and also decided to make Chicken Enchiladas Verde. Yum! These are a bit more interesting 🙂
I tried out the Lentil-Barley Burger recipe from CookingLight and used pre-cooked beluga lentils from TJ’s. Barley usually takes forever and a day to cook, but I just soaked them in some water the night before and didn’t even have to cook ’em! Easy! These burgers are also great to be prepped beforehand. I really liked them, especially with the salsa, and I also added some more NF Greek yogurt for dipping.
Have you ever tried tomatillos? I had actually never used them before and I think I like them! They are bright in flavor, almost a cross between a lemon (not quite as tart) and a bell pepper? They brought a nice crunch to the salsa.
Here’s the burger mix:
They form really nicely and almost look like real burgers.
Emma was lounging while I was cooking 🙂 awwwwh, doesn’t she sit funny?
~~~Update on Emma~~~ Buster is not a fan of Emma at all 🙁 I’ve never seen a dog so un-enthralled with another for some reason? He’s really friendly and playful when we go over to Chris’ mom’s and play with their dogs. I think it must be because it’s on his own territory and Buster is pretty possessive of Chris too 🙁 Buster seems unhappy and stressed and Emma doesn’t have a companion dog friend *sigh*
This dish was fun for presentation 🙂 And I loved the texture of the barley in there! chew, chew, chew . . . For 2 patties there’s 315 kcals, 9.5 g fiber, and 12.8 g protein! Yea!
I have some extra barley left over so I think I will make some kind of salad with some leftover chicken from the enchiladas. Always thinking of different ways to use those leftovers!
Hope you are having a nice week so far!
When you aren’t feeling up for working out, do you just go for it or say the heck with it?
If I know I’m just doggin or trying to take the easy way out, and I know that it will make me better, I usually go for it and just don’t think about it. I usually always feel better after I do. But, on the other hand, if I know my body needs a rest day or if I’m feeling sickly then I understand that it will be better another time 🙂
Love the plating of your burgers!
Usually I make myself do it. But I compromise. On the days I’m really not up for a run, I let myself ellipticize for an hour and read a mag or book. Always works!
Comment by Lily @ Lily's Health Pad — March 16, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
You rock for biking to work!
Tomatillos are great – I think of them as great “brighteners” to spring & summer food. I use them in the same way that I use a banana pepper – chopped up in salads, salsa, just a nice added flavor that adds… okay I’m really trying to find a better descriptor than brightness because who uses “bright” to describe flavor, but it just – I guess it’s kind of like adding lime to something – it helps bring out the taste of everything, and then there’s the nice crunch that it adds.
Comment by Anna @ OatsnBoats — March 16, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
Anna, Thanks! You are right, ‘bright’ is the perfect description. I could see using this in a lot of other summery dishes 🙂
Comment by Kristen :) — March 16, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
[…] tired legs | eatingRD.com […]
Pingback by Is this pain just growing pain or Arthritis? | Treating Arthritis — March 16, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
I’ve never had tomatillos before. But they sure look good!
I used to shower at the gym before work and I once forgot my shirt. Somethings you can make due without….pants or a shirt? Nope!
I love Emma! She is such a cutie!
Comment by Shannon — March 17, 2010 @ 5:21 am
you are a stud for riding to work in the dark! i have had such a hard time with the time change and getting up and working out! I just sold my road bike….first time in forever that i have been without a bike-road or mountain-I am buying a new one thiough and can’t wait to start riding again!
have a great day….love the pic of your dogg 🙂
Comment by kalli@fitandfortysomething — March 17, 2010 @ 10:20 am
Great black bean burgers. They are sorta similar to the ones we made a few weekends ago and I bet they tasted good likes ours too.
I am so sorry to hear about Emma, I will say it took my animals a while before they were the happy family. They do need an adjustment period I think if one is already established in the home, like what you said about Buster being possessive already in his own turf.
Comment by Melinda — March 17, 2010 @ 11:03 am
Way to go on riding your bike to work and in the the dark… I wish a) I lived close to work so I can bike there and b) we had showers here so I can clean up..
I am sorry to hear about Emma. I wonder after a week or so Buster would warm up to her! I love the frog lay… Sadie does that from time to time.. I think its cute 🙂
Comment by Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie — March 17, 2010 @ 11:22 am
How fun Emma is laying like that..Charlotte does the same thing. Too cute! I’m sorry Buster isn’t coming around more.
Those burgers look great!
Good for you for biking to work and bike. Do it more now before the weather gets ridiculously hot!
Comment by Kristen (swanky dietitian) — March 17, 2010 @ 2:12 pm
I think I have a similar debate with myself about working out about once a week, I usually go but occasionally I don’t if I’m really realllly feeling off.
I’ve been trying to convince myself to ride my bike to work for years, but I never do. Do you ever get sweaty at work because of it? haha. I just worry about looking like I just worked out when my kids get to work and my boss comes in to say hi haha.
That dinner looks amazing. I’m obsessed with all things mango.
Comment by Kelly — March 17, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
Kelly, yea I admit I get kind of sweaty, but try to wipe myself down and not get too close to my co-workers lol
Comment by Kristen :) — March 17, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
I am REALLY bad lately and have just been saying to heck with it 🙁 that needs to change.
Comment by Kelly at Local Foodie Fight — March 17, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
I usually skip “working out” and take the dog out on a long walk as a compromise.
Comment by Mo @ MommyRD — March 18, 2010 @ 7:56 am
I am 50/50 when I don’t feel like working out. I figure my body doesn’t want to work out for some reason, and I should listen to it. 🙂
Sorry Buster isn’t getting along with the new puppy. She is cute.
Comment by Allen — March 18, 2010 @ 9:48 am
I usually just GO FOR IT when I don’t feel like working out. I think about how good I feel after I’m done, and that gets me motivated. Now sometimes I really need a break, and then I will take one, obviously.
The lentil burgers look very tasty. Nick would probably eat them too. He’s been loving beans lately.
I am jealous of your 77 degree weather. It has been beautiful here too (60 degrees), but it’s supposed to snow again next week! WHAT?!
Comment by The Candid RD — March 18, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
If I really don’t feel up to the workout I have planned I try to still move. Either take the dog for a walk, do some yoga or stretching. I always feel better when I get my body moving one way or another.
I’m thinking about biking to work twice next week if it’s not rainy. It’s about 4.5 miles there which isn’t too long but I can just picture myself being real sweaty after I get there with just a bathroom available. Does your work offer a shower area?
Those burgers look so pretty! How are the lentils in there? My husband isn’t a fan of lentils… think I could sub for a bean?
Comment by Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather — March 19, 2010 @ 7:16 am
Heather, You should just go for it and try it out! My work unfortunately doesn’t have a shower or locker 🙁 but I just wipe down with a wet towel real good and have lots of deodorant and spray 🙂 We don’t mind lentils and the recipe calls for you to grind up 1/2 of them so they aren’t too predominant. But I’m sure you could use another bean as well!
Comment by Kristen :) — March 19, 2010 @ 9:01 am
Emma is sooooooooooo cute! I love that that she lays like that!!! I’ve never had a tomatillo, but I think I want to try one! Persimmons too! I need to try both of those new fruits and vegetables. When I don’t want to workout, I do the “10 minute rule”. Exercise for 10 minutes, if you want to stop after 10…stop. I try to listen to my body with some weeding out of the laziness and fatigue 🙂 Have a great weekend, Kristen!
Comment by Nicole, RD — March 19, 2010 @ 7:32 am