Variety is the spice of life.
I’ve mentioned before that my workouts change in the winter – less running, more indoor activities. Thankfully I have found some friends to work out with to help shake things up. This weekend was spin class, today was a circuit workout… both were things I never would have done without a friend. Friends = variety.
Another benefit of a workout buddy is that you can’t get lazy. I almost ditched the post-circuit cardio, but didn’t want to look like a wuss in front of my friend. It’s so true what they say – you never regret doing a workout.
Here are a few ideas if you’re looking to shake things up too:
- Biceps + Back + Abs (with sprints built-in)
- Legs + Core
- Shoulders
- Triceps + Chest (with sprints built-in)
Of course, we all want to work off the cookies… but truth be told I’m legit on a sweets overload (sorry – it’s about to get colder now that hell has frozen over). I’ve been craving straight up VEGGIES. This is where it’s nice to have blog friends. There are SO many great ideas for winter veggies floating around the interwebs.
Great idea #1:
Curried Carrot Patties by Irina @ Nutty Crunch
Of course I made a couple ingredient modifications:
- Used 4 HUGE carrots rather than small to medium (go big or go home!)
- Subbed Herbamare for salt
- Increased curry powder to 1/2 tsp
- Added 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Turned a slice of Ezekial bread into small toasted bread bits rather than “crumbs”
I also prepared mine a bit differently because I didn’t fully read the directions due to my genius creativity. Rather than coating the patties with some of the chia egg and dipping into bread crumbs, I mixed the whole shebang together in one bowl. The power of chia eggs must be fierce, because the carrot-heavy patties miraculously held together!
My result looks totally different from Irina’s, but they were delicious! Even more so with a big glob of this on top:
Great idea #2:
Basil Walnut Pesto.
Using walnuts rather than pine nuts has a few benefits: it’s cheaper, has better nutritional content, and you don’t have to worry about palate-destroying conditions caused by Chinese exports.
While I do love walnuts, what made this pesto possibly the best I’ve made yet was the bit of sun-dried tomato. You can barely detect the flavor, but it adds depth and a pleasant sweetness to the spread.
I enjoyed the pesto many ways, but it was particularly good atop the carrot patties over a bed of spinach, bean sprouts, and pomegranate seeds.
Festive and healthy. Just what I needed to ready myself for more Christmas cookies.
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Walnut Pesto
- 1.5 C packed basil
- 1/2 C olive oil
- 1/3 C toasted walnuts
- 1/4 C yellow onion
- 1/4 C grated pecorino
- 1/4 C grated Parmesan
- 2 T sun-dried tomatoes, re-hydrated and chopped
- 2 T reserved water from sun-dried tomato re-hydration
- 2 T freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- S+P, to taste
Place all ingredients except olive oil in processor and begin to blend. Gradually add olive oil, blending until finely chopped.
Store refrigerated for up to one week or much longer in the freezer.
Makes ~1.5 cups.
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Baking season and I are developing a love-hate relationship.
Are you a victim of sugar-overload yet?
Do you prefer to workout alone or with a partner/trainer? A little of both?
I couldn’t believe that you’re over sweets (for now), but now I undestand after seeing that amazing salad! Thanks for the workout links too! 🙂
I usually work out alone, but on most weekends, I’ll do a long run with my friend Joan and that’s good for both of us because it forces us to do it.
omg definitely trying those carrot patties! so unique!!
This pesto looks amazing. Have you ever tried macadamia nut pesto? #Amazing
Noooo… but I think that will be next. love macadamias! Do you just do it with basil?
Love the pesto! 🙂 My mom is a firm believer that walnuts are the most superior of nuts, anyways, I bet she’d love this.
Those carrot patties look great, too!
I wish I had your sweets overload! I can definitely have more at any time, haha.
Carrot patties sound really cool! I never thought to make them into patties 😀
Way to be trying out new workouts instead of running in the cold, I totally understand!
They were really, really good (even with my “creative” interpretation). 🙂
Mmmm – what a pretty salad! I had my fair-share of sugar overload yesterday. I can’t really blame the holidays though. It was more raging PMS hormones. I can only blame myself… sorta
Ohhhh… better now that NYE though! 😉
Oh man, this is a gorgy salad. Those carrot cakes are awesome. Gotta try em.
I want to spoon that pesto directly from spoon into my mouth!! Sounds amazing!!
That mayyyyy have been how a lot of it was devoured. 😉
Carrot Patties? LOVE! Wonder if it would work with sweet potatoes…I guess I’ll have to actually look at the recipe to find out, huh? 😉
I bet it would! just shred them up like the carrots…. add a little cinnamon… mmmm!
What a genius idea! Carrot Patties!!! WOW!!!!!!! I want to try……
At first, I thought the pesto was guac. Regardless, it looks delicious! I love the addition of onions and sun dried tomatoes. YUM!
Awesome pesto. And the sun-dried tomato is a brilliant addition! I stick that into all KINDS of dishes and you’re right! It’s adds this awesome depth that just gives the dish that extra kick 🙂
I work out in groups, but I don’t socialize…if you know what I mean. I do the classes, but I don’t go with anybody. I like to work out in a group cause I’m competitive but I’m in the ‘zone’ during the class so don’t talk to me!
Buzzed
I’m the same way – totally competitive in that it gets me further in the zone to work harder with a group.
I don’t eat nearly enough veggies. These carrot patties and the pesto are a great way to get some veggies in!
You say pesto and I’m in. I almost never use pine nuts in my pesto. Always replaced by walnuts. Your pesto looks absolutely fantastic. love the colors.
Thank you! I never realized how many people use alternate nuts. I think I actually like the walnut taste better!
I love working out with my husband, but that rarely happens! When I do workout with others, I really push myself hard. I so don’t want to be a sissy. That pesto looks so good! I need to get onto making that…like now!
The cat photo is so funny 🙂 I really need to start exercising again. All of the recipes looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Laura, thank you very much for trying out my recipe, that is so cool 🙂 Your patties look absolutely lovely. I also sometimes ignore the breadcrumbs bit and just cook them as it is. For some reason I find breadcrumbed (is that even a word?) patties and burgers more fillings, but they look prettier without breadcrumbs, I have to admit 🙂
Your whole meal looks beautiful, such a colourful plate!
What’s your workout for working off too much wine?…aside from drinking more wine. 😉
LOL! Lots and lots of sweaty cardio. 😉
This recipe sounds awesome! I love the photo of the cat too by the way… so adorable but also a great motivator! 🙂