Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Super Tuesday

By

You’re unique.

 

Just like everyone else.

It seems like everyone has done a “September Superlative” post!  I’m being a copy cat… but in a unique way because I’m doing it late.  😉

 

1. Most Popular:

Microwave Protein Cookie + WIAW – This nutty, protein-filled 30 second cookie was the most viewed post in September.  I also loved this post because it highlights a few of the many reasons women should lift weights. 

 

 

2. Most Likely to Win a Bar Fight

This Tequila-Lime Tilapia would kick your dinner’s butt.  And it would walk out in a perfectly straight line ’cause the booze (mostly) cooks out.

 

 

3. Most Versatile

What isn’t better layered like a parfait?  I’m awarding my Protein Parfait the Most Versatile because I’ve made it a million ways.  The original was a Tiramisu Protein Parfait, but September’s flavor-of-the-month is a Pumpkin Tiramisu.

 

A few friends have made their own versions.  Check out this Chocolate-Peanut Butter version from Sarena:

 

 

4. Most Unique

This is a no-brainer.  #sorryimnotsorry to be Captain Obvious, but most unique is all about the “Strange But Good” posts.   I’m craving peaches, so I’m going to call out the post with the Salmon-Peach Salad:

 

 

But you should check out the follow-up post for more #strangebutgood… like Mexican Hot Chocolate Protein Ice Cream.  If that’s still not enough strange, click on over to Lauren’s blog.  She’s featuring some weird combos today, including my PB & Jeggs!

 

 

5. Most Photogenic

It’s no secret that I abhor taking pics.  It’s a necessary evil for me as a blogger… so when I get one that I really like, I get excited.  This Fig and Edamame Salad with Sriracha-Lime Vinaigrette was pretty and delicious (fashionable and functional?). 

Honorable Mention

This isn’t a September post, but I have to give it some love… my Mexican Cauliflower “Rice” Bowl was included in Fitness Magazine’s 11 Easy Lunches to Lose Weight!

***

I wasn’t cool in high school, so no superlatives for me.  Even more reason to Bogart an entire blog post giving them to myself.  Bwhahaha!

Did you get a superlative in school?

What would your superlative be for the month of September?  Brag on yo’ self!

 

Markets, Foodies, and Fitness

By

Atlanta is a great place to be if you love food.

 

I love all of the restaurants, markets, a food events.  There is a Green Market across the street from my building every Saturday morning.  It’s where I pick up my farm-fresh eggs, tomatoes, and various other locally grown produce.

The market also features a weekly chef’s demo.  This week was Chef Daniel Chance from Campagnolo, an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.  He made a tasty basil risotto with green bean from the market and a seared lamb with rosemary.  I was paying close attention as my next demo is in less than a week!

 

Atlanta also is a great spot to be a blogger.  We have a ton of bloggers in the metro area, as we all make an effort to get together on a regular basis.  This weekend was hard for people, but we managed to get a group of 5 together to meet in the park for a potluck picnic.

Clockwise, left to right: Alayna‘s Edamame-Avocado Hummus (to be included in her soon-to-be-released cookbook), Lee‘s Texas Caviar, Stacy‘s Oatmeal Cookies,  and my S’more Bars.  Heather brought coconut covered dates, but I failed to get a pic.

All of the food was wonderful, but even better was the chance to catch up with everyone.  We sat in the park and talked for a few hours – I didn’t notice it had gotten so late until my stomach began to growl again!

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Foodie friends aren’t always local!  One of my favorite online blogger events is the Foodie PenPal program.  I love getting to try new things from across the country!

This month my “pal” was Sharlene @ Solar Cooking.  She was so sweet to put together a box of goodies I could eat on my training diet.  Admittedly, I was leery of the turkey jerky at first.  after a few people on Instagram encouraged me, I sucked it up and tried it.  It was really good!  Added bonus: it’s surprisingly low in sodium (for a jerky). 

 

Don’t you want to get in to the action?

 

 

To sign up for a Foodie PenPals in September, click here to fill out the form on that lovely Lindsay’s site.  It’s that easy!  You don’t have to be a blogger, and the spending limit is just $15.  The only requirement is that you be a US or Canadian resident.

Join in by October 4th as pairings will be emailed on October 5th!

______________________________________________________________________________________

Workout Recap

This week was hard for me.  I have been feeling under the weather and wasn’t able to lift as heavy as I would have liked some days.  Working until 2 am almost every night could have been the culprit too…

We also added 100 pull ups (assisted – for now) to my repertoire.  Those are no joke.  I didn’t get them in every day due to feeling sick-y and  being pressed for time, but I’m starting out on Monday full-force!   Bicep day always makes me feel a little better, so here’s a pic from my favorite day:

 

 

I also had my first posing practice in a competition bikini.  I felt neekid.  There are pics… but I lack the kahunas to post them.  Less than 5 weeks out from competition… AHHHHH!

 

Workout Recap (9/24 – 9/30):

  • Monday – Chest/Biceps, Calf raises, 60 pull-ups, 2 mile walk
  • Tuesday – Legs, 100 pull ups, 2 mile walk
  • Wednesday – Back/Triceps, Calf raises, 1 mile walk
  • Thursday – Shoulders/Butt, 2 mile walk
  • Friday – Chest/Biceps, Calf raises, 2 mile walk
  • Saturday – Legs (with Trainer), 2 mile walk
  • Sunday – Back/Tris

***

Closing in on competition will mean changes to the diet are coming.  I’ll miss you, S’mores Bars… 

How do you push through workouts when you’re not feeling 100%?
 
What would you send a foodie penpal to represent your hometown?

My Favorite Topic

By

Food.

 

Anyone surprised?

You know how they say men think about sex every 5 seconds?  That’s me with food.   It’s my 50 Shades of Grey.  

When I saw this quiz on Matt’s blog I was filling it out in my head as I read through his answers.

 

Breakfast

1. Favorite cereal as a child?

Lucky Charms.  I used to get in trouble for only eating the marshmallows.

 

2. Coffee or Tea? With milk or without?

Coffee.  Black like my soul.

Since I started having my morning cocktail, I no longer need to drink coffee before noon.  When I’m in the office, I am wondering down to reception to get a mid-afternoon pick-me-up cup!

Sometimes I eat it in Tiramisu Parfaits or drink it in a Pumpkin Frappuccino.

 

3. The one food you eat most often at breakfast?

That’s tough!  I don’t like to repeat meals a lot… but lately I’ve been all about my PB & Aggs.

 

 

Lunch

1. Sandwiches are generally considered a “lunch food.” If you had to choose between a grilled cheese and a peanut butter and jelly, which would you pick?

Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly.  the “real” thing was my favorite growing up, but now days I eat this tofu-laced, low-fat, protein-filled version:

 

2. You can only put four ingredients in your salad (not including greens); what do you throw in the mix? Additionally, which greens and dressing do you pick?

It really depends on the mood!  Right now I’m thinking cucumber, red onion, celery, and walnuts on a bed of spinach and dressed with a mix of hummus, apple cider vinegar, and sriracha.

 

3. One food you can’t live without at lunch?

Again, I’m not a creature of habit!  I like to shake it up, but no matter what I need a little something sweet at the end… like a bite of dark chocolate.  Or these days on my training plan… I have a calcium chew. *sigh*

 

 

Dinner

1. It’s the end of the day. You’re tired, hungry, and your fridge is empty.  If fast food (from a chain) is your only option, where do you go and what do you order?

I’m copying Matt and saying Whole Foods.  Whatever is looking good on the hot bar (usually a bite of everything). It’s the closest thing to fast food that I will eat!

 

2. TV/computer on or off while you’re eating?

Computer.  In fact, I’m filling this out as I eat.

 

3. The one food you eat most often at dinner?

Lately it’s been my Cauliflower Pizza.  It’s a delicious addiction.

 

 

Dessert

1. Choose between these two American desserts: cheesecake or apple pie?

Cheesecake.  I don’t like cooked apples… but really I’d rather have chocolate cake than anything.

 

2. Choose between these two foreign desserts: tiramisu (Italy) or flan (Spain)?

I like them both, but I have to go with tiramisu.  Like the parfait above. 😉

 

3. Ice cream: cone or cup?

Cup.  More toppings.  Duh. 

***

Sometimes I wonder if everyone else thinks about food as much as I do… or if I have OCD.

I want your answers!  Is there anything you HAVE to have in your salads, or for lunch every day?

How much time to you each day spend thinking about food?

 

Stay Calm + WIAW

By

Try to stay calm.

There may  be a bacon shortage.  The LA Times reports that drought conditions caused a reduction in corn and soybean crops, which means less feed for swine… which means less bacon.  Stock your freezers now.

Despite my frequent posting about bacon, I really am not a fanatic.  Yes, I do enjoy the occasional Maple-Bacon Pancake Cookie.  And I think Bacon Toothpaste is funny.

HOWEVER… I bought a mere 2 slices at the farmer’s market to add just a little extra flava-flav to my food this week.  And, I worked bacon into a meal today.

It’s a really stressful week.  Today I craved comfort food, and having developed the habit of reaching for healthy comforts helped me keep it clean… and sticking with September’s What I Ate Wednesday theme: “Fall Into Good Habits.”

Check out my healthy comfort foods below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how everyone else maintained healthy habits this Wednesday.

Meal 1:

Like every morning, I arose and had my morning cocktail: a mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine and Fitmixer Aminos.  Then I almost panicked when I realized I’m almost out of my Aminos.

After a quick 2 mile walk, I enjoyed a Stuft Mama-inspired sandwich:

P28 Bread panini-pressed in the George Foreman with cinnamon and flax-scrambled egg whites, sugar-free strawberry jam, a little Daiya pepper jack.  With a side of golden kiwi.

Meal 2:

This is truly random.  Certainly a Strange But Good candidate.  Pre-baked lemon-dill salmon… mixed with ricotta cheese, a little cinnamon, and blackberries.

Strangely delicious leg-day fuel. 

Meal 3:

I spent my lunch break in the gym blowing off some steam busting out some leg work.  When I got back home all I could think about was a giant green smoothie bowl.

In my bowl:

  • Vanilla protein powder
  • Chocolate unsweetened almond milk
  • TONS of spinach
  • Cinnamon
  • Liquid stevia
  • Crumbled Zucchini Protein Muffin to top (recipe for that coming soon!)

Meal 4:

Did I mention work is really, really, really stressful this week.  It called for my protein-comfort snack: PB Cottage Cheese and celery (a riff on my childhood “ants on a log”).

I mix 1/2 C no-salt added cottage cheese with 2T of peanut flour, cinnamon, stevia, and butterscotch extract.  Then I dip my celery.  There may have also been a side of dark chocolate… shhhhh… 

Meal 5:

Clearly I can never get enough pizza.  This week’s pizza meal’s base was my beloved cauliflower crust.

Toppings:

  • Swordfish
  • Bacon (just a little bit…)
  • Avocado
  • Truffle oil
  • Radishes
  • Asparagus
  • Brussels

My crust “dough” felt a little too wet, so I added a little nutritional yeast.  It worked well to soak up a little moisture, and it was really good!

Meal 6:

Still working (it was a late night).  So stressed I had no appetite.  Late nights in college always meant Waffle House… so I made a healthier version of my old order – egg whites with red onion, jalapeno, and spinach.

Meal 7:

Comfort food is the name of the game for this post.  More smoothie bowls!  Meal 7 was a Pumpkin-Chocolate Vitamix ice-cream-like concoction.

In my Fall Smoothie Bowl:

  • Pumpkin puree
  • Chocolate protein powder
  • Cocoa powder
  • Unsweetened chocolate almond milk
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Stevia
  • Ice
  • Apple slices on top

***

Does my posting most of this on Instagram ruin the suspense?  Oh!  And the protein count for the day: 195.8g from fall clean eats!

What are you favorite healthy comfort foods?

Do you have a fall chill yet?  It’s still pretty warm here (yay!).

I’m not Crabby Smoked Gazpacho

By

I’m a crab sign.

 

 

Admittedly, I can be crabby.  Like when some dude at the gym is reading TIME magazine on the captain’s chair.  Really?  You can’t do that at home?!

 

Despite the astrological connection, the last time I ate crab I was 7.  We were at the beach and my dad paid me $1 for every crab claw I could eat.  I ate 10 claws.  Greed > Gag

That was the last time I ate seafood until this year.  Incidentally, I also didn’t eat tomatoes until recently.  In another dad-related traumatic event, he gave me a big slice of tomato and told me it was watermelon.  I happily took a bite before choking it back up.  Talk about being crabby… not cool, Dad.

 

Thankfully I grew out of that.

 

Things I still won’t eat: caviar (he told me they were mini grapes) and sour cream (thought I was eating a spoonful of ice cream).

I also won’t east white potatoes, though I don’t remember a traumatic event associated with those.

 

 

I’m glad I did get over the crab and tomato hatred.  This tomato-based gazpacho is a tasty soup, and the meaty crab gives it the protein to fill you up.

One my favorite parts about gazpacho is its resemblance to salsa.  In order to leave those delicious chunky pieces of tomato and pepper, I reserved some of the soup when I blended the base.  After pureeing part of the mixture, I manually stirred in the rest of the remaining chopped veggies.

 

 

The other fun component here is the addition of liquid smoke.  It adds just a touch of… well, smokiness… as if you’d first roasted the tomatoes over wood chips.  It’s a fantastic way to add more flavor to dishes without adding salt.

 

 

If you don’t eat seafood, you can leave off the crab.  If you do eat seafood, you will love the rich, slightly sweet crab again the spicy soup.  Another option would be to top this with tempeh bacon, or possibly a firmly pressed tofu marinated in sweet citrus.

Either way, don’t skimp of the cilantro.  It’s wonderful with the late-season tomatoes and tangy lime. (Unless you don’t like cilantro… in which case parsley would be a fine sub!)

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Crabby Smoked Gazpacho

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 c diced red onion
  • 1/2 C fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 jalapeno
  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 1 T white wine vinegar
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 5-6 drops liquid smoke (optional)
  • Crab
  • S & P, to taste

 

Place garlic, onion, and cilantro in blender.  Roughly chop remaining vegetables into 1 inch cubes.  

Add 2/3 to the blender.  Pulse briefly to coarsely puree the contents.  

Add remaining 1/3 of vegetables, vinegar, lime juice, and smoke.  Manually stir to combine.  Chill before serving, as the flavors develop the longer gazpacho sits.

To serve, top with fresh crab meat, fresh cilantro, and pepper.

Makes ~3 cups.

***

I still get crabby if I fall for something silly.  Scarred for life. 😉

Did your parents ever trick you into eating something you didn’t like?

What food(s) will you absolutely never touch?

 

Microwave Protein Cookie + WIAW

By

Lifting weights will not make you bulky.

It drives me NUTS when I hear women say they don’t want to lift because they are scared they’ll get bulky or look “manly.”  Women don’t have the hormone levels men do, so it’s just not possible to gain like a dude.  It takes a TON of work to significantly grow muscle.  I should know.

It is especially important for women to have a strength training program.

A few of the benefits include:

  1. Body Fat Reduction – As you increase lean muscle, so does resting metabolism.  This means that you burn more calories all day long.  Studies have shown that for each pound of muscle you gain, you burn 35-50 more calories each day.  That’s as much as 18,250 calories in a year!
  2. Decreased Risk of Osteoporosis and Heart Disease – Women are at an especially high risk of suffering from this disease.  Weight training can increase spinal bone mineral density, and – combined with adequate calcium – can be one of the best defenses against osteoporosis.  Cardio is important in heart health; however, lifting can help to lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, increase “good” (HDL) cholesterol, and lower blood pressure.
  3. Improved Athletic Performance – Research continually proves that strength training improves athletic ability.  It enables you to increase endurance, improve technique, and decrease the risk of injury.
  4. Improved Mood and Fights Depression – A Harvard study found that 10 weeks of strength training reduced clinical depression symptoms more successfully than standard counseling did!  Strength training often helps women feel more confident and capable, both important factors in fighting depression.
  5. Physical Strength – This may sound obvious, but strength training is important for daily activities – chores, chasing after kids, carrying groceries… basic, daily tasks will be much easier.  And how nice is it to be able to open ajar unassisted?

Strength training isn’t the only factor though.  I’m trying my best to gain as much as possible before my November competition.  Just as important as lifting is diet.  Healthy fats, complex carbs, and a lot of protein are key to gaining mass.  As much as I’m taking in, I’m still not She-ra…. but I am making gains!

A few people have asked for progress pics.  I wish I’d done a better job to tracking and taking pics from the same angles, but here’s the best bicep progress pic I have:

Still a really long way to go, but I think there are some changes!

Speaking of strength training (nice transition, right?), this fall’s  What I Ate Wednesday theme: “Fall Into Good Habits.”

Check out my healthy fall fuel below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get ideas from others’ fall eats!

Meal 1:

I probably bore you all with my morning cocktail, but this day started out like every other day with a mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine and Aminos (I’ve switched since this pic to ON brand and LOVE it) … with some kombucha and water.  This week I had a lavender-rosemary homebrew to mix in.  Good for the digestion, skin, and overall energy!

30 mins later I noshed on a random concoction:

A Morningstar veggie sausage scrambled with egg whites and topped with cilantro, 1/2 a grapefruit, and a slice of Ezekial bread with sugar-free strawberry jam.  Not super creative, but it was the jam on this rainy morning.

Meal 2:

If it’s going to rain, at least my food can be bright!

There’s no shame in microwave baking!  Especially when it is an iced Sunbutter cookie. 

This cookie is incredibly easy.  I was going to bake it, but that seemed too time-consuming.  35 secs in the microwave for this baby!  I blended together cottage cheese, stevia, and apple pie spice as the icing and arranged golden kiwi slices on top.

Recipe at the bottom.

Meal 3:

Monday night’s dinner was a healthy version of Crab Eggs Benedict.  I remade it for WIAW because it was so delicious.  I’d probably be eating it again right now if I wasn’t out of my local farm fresh eggs.

However, I’m a tease.  The recipe will be shared tomorrow… sorry, but I felt it deserved its own post. 🙂 

Meal 4:

Tilapia again… but I did prepare it differently!  I’m working on a project making my own (salt-free) spice blends.  This was cooked in a grill pan with my Mexican blend and fresh lime juice.  On the side was roasted broccoli slaw and brussels, topped with more of my blend, rice vinegar, and nutritional yeast. 

Meal 5:

I’m trying not to Instagram everything before I post it on WIAW… but I couldn’t help myself last night.

This pizza combo knocked my socks off.  I toasted a low-carb tortilla as the crust, then slathered it with a sweet potato mashed with lemon juice, cumin, and chili powder.  Meanwhile, I sautéed asparagus and chopped fennel in a splash of garlic-infused olive oil.  That saute, arugula, and pre-cooked salmon topped my pizza.

I put the whole thing in the oven on broil for a few mins, finish with freshly ground pepper, thick balsamic, and cilantro… and viola!

Total foodgasm.  ♫ The neighbors complain about the noises above… ♫

Meal 6:

An old favorite… with a new twist.  Remember my Carrot Cake Protein Batter?  I made it chocolate. 

This Chocolate Carrot Cake Protein Batter was basically the same recipe, but I added 1 T cocoa powder and use almond extract instead of vanilla.

Side note: Did you know that 1 T of cocoa powder has 1g of protein?

Meal 7:

In the interest of honesty… this happened:

I get an extra cheat each day in effort to gain weight… although this may not be what my trainer had in mind…

It was delicious though!  Terrapin is a Georgia brewery, and their Pumpkinfest beer is fantastic. It combines two styles – pumpkin beer and Oktoberfest – to create a spiced pumpkin beer that isn’t overly sweet.

Never fear!  I got my protein in too: 

A maple-casein version of my 150 Calorie Microwave Protein Cake topped with fresh figs.

Micro Protein Cookie steps

Nutty Microwave Protein Cookie

  • 2 T peanut flour
  • 1 T water
  • 1 T Sunbutter
  • 2 T egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 5-6 drops liquid stevia

Mix ingredients in a small bowl.  

Coat small, microwave-safe plate with cooking spray.  Spread dough on plate and microwave 30-40 secs.  

Serves 1.

***

Protein count for the day: 191.3g from fall clean eats!

Do you do any strength training?  Why or why not?

What foods have you been loving the most this fall?

Fig and Edamame Salad with Sriracha-Lime Vinaigrette

By

I have a few confessions:

  • I abuse the 5 second rule… yet I’m not a religious floor-cleaner.
  • I ate a giant piece of flour-less chocolate cake this weekend.  It was sprinkled with flaky sea salt and drizzled with olive oil.  And it was worth every sugar-y calorie.
  • Sometimes rather than washing the sheets I just wash the pillowcases.
  • It’s not unusual for me to “fluff” the laundry no less than 3 times.
  • My least favorite part of blogging is taking and editing pictures.  Can’t I just Instagram everything?!
  • I spaced out and missed last week’s Meatless Mondays from A-Z challenge.  Sorry Heather.

Last week’s theme was edamame, which I LOVE.  I did link up a tasty old recipe – Edamame Jicima Salad – I still felt like I owed Heather a little something extra this week… so I went for the 1-2 punch with the ingredient themes.

You might remember when I did this with the Overachieving Cauliflower Crust Pizza.  I used all 3 of the first ingredients – artichokes, beets, and capers.

For my recipe this week, I made a gain salad of Kamut berries (see this post for more info on Kamut), edamame and figs.  Never one to eat a mild dish, I spiced this up with my favorite flavors: cilantro and sriracha.

I know there are a few of you who aren’t fans of cilantro.  Basil or parsley would also work well here!

The figs may sound a little odd to add to this combo (another Strange But Good candidate?), but their sweetness worked well to tame the sriracha heat.  The slight sweetness of the edamame also had a cooling effect.  I am a texture feign, so I especially adored the chewy Kamut berries with the crisp edamame and soft figs.

I wanted to keep it vegan for Heather, but another great add here would be some Greek yogurt.  Kamut berries are high in protein.  The yogurt would give you even more protein, and also add a luscious creaminess.

Aren’t figs gorgeous?

[Tweet “Figs and Sriracha come together for a sweet heat in this whole grain salad!”]

Workout Recap

It has been quite the workout week!  Monday’s leg day with my trainer left me damn near paralyzed.  My second-day-soreness on Wednesday left me gripping the handicap rail in the bathroom.

BUT… it’s paying off.  This exciting news this week came on Saturday (leg day #2).  I got the green light from my trainer.  I AM competing in November!!!!!!

No, I won’t be to the point we want yet.  I’ll probably be the leanest person there (read: too lean), but I’m going to work even harder to grow between now and then (and maybe have another piece of chocolate cake).  BAM.

Workout Recap (9/10 – 9/16):

  • Monday – Legs (w/ trainer), 2 mile walk
  • Tuesday – Rest, 2 mile walk
  • Wednesday – Back/Triceps, Calf raises, 3 mile walk
  • Thursday – Shoulders/Butt, 2 mile walk
  • Friday – Chest/Biceps, Calf raises
  • Saturday – Legs (w/ trainer), 2 mile walk, 50 push-ups
  • Sunday – Rest-ish… 2.8 mile sprints

Fig and Edamame Kamut Berries with Sriracha-Lime Vinaigrette

by Laura Hall

Prep Time: 10 mins

Keywords: entree salad low-sugar nut-free soy-free vegan vegetarian fig kamut lime cilantro Asian

Ingredients (2 servings, easily doubled)

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together cilantro, lime juice, oil, sriracha, and cumin to make the vinaigrette.

Place berries in medium bowl and toss with vinaigrette.

Stir in edamame and figs.

Powered by Recipage

***

Time for important decisions… like what color should my suit be.  Blue?  Green?  Aqua?

What is your confession today?

Is your next-day or second-day soreness worse?

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm…

By

Strange, but good.

 

That’s going to be my new tagline.

Training for a figure competition means my diet is a little odd.  It may make you go hmmmm.

I need certain combos of food and certain times.  Rather than view these parameters and restrictions, I try to turn them into opportunities to create.

I love trying new flavors.  Adding sweetness to things that are traditionally savory and vice versa.  Using spices that are not-so-common to give the ordinary a little something extra.  Sometimes it doesn’t work… but when it does it WORKS.

 

Today I want to share a few that I’ve tried recently, and a couple of “proof” shots from others:

1. Recovery Sweet Potatoes

This was born of a craving.  It was early in the morning and post-workout.  I wanted something breakfast-sweet, but also had a craving for sweet potato.  Then there was the matter of getting my protein to feed muscles growth and aid recovery.  This vanilla-cinnamon concoction fit the bill!

 

 

Recovery Sweet Potatoes

  • 1 small sweet potato, pre-cooked and cubed
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 3 T unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Pinch of cardamom
  • 2 T raw rolled oats

 

Place sweet potato cubes in a bowl.  

In a small bowl, mix protein powder and spices.  

Pour sauce over sweet potatoes and top with oats.  Devour.

 

 

2. Tequila Lime Tilapia and Kiwi

 

 

For meal 2 I get a fruit, a protein, and a tablespoon of seeds.  It was close to noon before I was able to eat, so I wanted something more savory as my protein.  With this leftover Tequila-Lime Tilapia, I made a sort of fruit salad by adding golden kiwi and peptias (pumpkin seeds).

 

 

3. Salmon and Peach Salad

This pre-workout meal was eaten in the car on the way to the gym (hence the blurry-in-a-hurry pic).  Again, it was a late Meal 2, so I  needed my fruit and protein.  I had some leftover grilled salmon in the fridge that needed to be eaten.  Salmon is slightly sweet to begin with, so I paired my leftover  it with a late-season peach.  I mixed in a little Greek yogurt (maybe 2-3 T?) to add moisture.  With the slight smoky-char flavor from the grilled fish, the sweet peaches were absolutely fantastic.

 

 

For those of you who are short on time, this is an easy, fun meal that can be thrown together 5 mins before walking out the door and eaten on the go!

 

 

4. Greek Chocolate-Orange Protein Yogurt

Chocolate and orange probably isn’t a strange combination to many of you.  I haven’t been a big fan of the combo in the past.  I like my chocolate served with a side of chocolate!  Keeping an open mind (and in need of a quick meal 2), I eyed the half eaten orange in my fridge.

I wanted Greek yogurt, but I try to limit my diary as I find it makes my face break out.  Often my solution is to eat just half a serving and combine it with 1/2 a scoop of protein powder to get at least 20g of protein (my minimum at each meal)., which is exactly what I did here.

 

 

Greek Chocolate-Orange Protein Yogurt

  • 1/2 c Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 3-4 drops of chocolate flavoring (I use these Capella drops)
  • 5 drops of orange liquid Stevia.  
  • 1/2 segmented orange

 

Mix together yogurt, protein, chocolate flavor, and Stevia in a small bowl.  

Top with orange segements and (optional) sprinkle of cinnamon.

 

 

5. PB & Jeggs (and Aggs) Proof

I have a little PB & Jeggs (Aggs/Peggs/etc) addiction.  This egg white-peanut flour-fruit combo is a staple in my diet.  It’s the perfect high protein fuel, and suitable for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Sounds weird, taste good.  But I’m not the only one who thinks so!  My friends Eiren and Meg agree:

 

Meg’s PB & Jeggs (with oats):

 

Eiren’s PB & Jeggs (isn’t this the coolest graphic?!  So sweet of her to make it):

 

And Eiren’s awesome twist on the PB & Aggs… PB & Aggs in a Jar:

 

***

In other weird food news, I remain addicted to Carrot Cake Protein Batter.   I’m eating it as I draft this post.  Pretty sure this will never get old.

Have you tried PB & Jeggs?  Just trust me on this one.

What is your favorite strange food combo?

 

Follow Me!

instagram_b facebook_b twitter_bpinterest_b
rss_a email_ayoutube_b googlep_b

Popular Posts

Home | About Me | Privacy Policy | Fitness | Recipes | Training & Nutrition

Affiliate Links: This site is monetized through the use of affiliate links. This means that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, Sprint 2 the Table would receive a small percentage of the sale price. Thanks for your support!