Blissful Blabs 2012 January 12 to 13

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Have been totally enjoying fruit smoothies lately. I found a recipe that uses dried dates as the sweetener. Oh My Goodness it is yummy. You get the little chewy sweet bits of dates with the tart fruit.  Basic recipe is:
Frozen fruit (strawberries or blueberries is what I have have been using)
almond milk (or what ever milk)
dried dates
yogurt
blend it until smooth.

Nom!!!

After a crazy day of battling with the printer at work (I eventually won) I decided it was to nice out not to get a little outside exercise. Called Tom and we went to Whatcom Falls Stairs.

I felt good the 1rst time down and up, 2nd time it was a good burn, 3rd time legs so wobbly I didn’t know if I was going to make it. Yup definitely need to get back on that exercise routine. I should be able to do 5 times easily. So easy to slip out of good habits.
Made a delicious dinner last night, I made Pioneer Woman’s Tuscan Bean Soup with some Bliss modifications:

• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced (I used 3)
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced (didn’t have an onion used about 2/3 bunch of green onions chopped)
• 3 cans (14.5 Ounce) Cans Great Norther Beans, Drained And Rinsed
  (I am not a huge fan of white beans, so used 1 can of pintos and 2 cans black beans my favorites, very well rinsed and drained)
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (I used coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (I would use 1/2 tsp next time, this was a bit spicy and those who want heat can always sprinkle extra pepper on their own servings)
• 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano (I would use 3 tsps next time)
• 1/4 cup Tomato Paste (Used one 6 oz can)
• 3/4 cups Dry White Wine I
• 1 can (28 Ounces) Whole Or Diced Tomatoes
• 6 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 bunch Kale (more If Desired)
• Plenty Of Torn Fresh Basil
• 4 Tablespoons Butter (or oil)
• 1-1/2 pound Raw Shrimp, Peeled And De-veined (used 1 lb)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
• Fresh Parmesan Shavings

Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic and stir to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir to cook about 2 minutes, Stir in red pepper flakes and dried oregano; stir and cook for another 30 seconds.
Pour in wine and whisk. Cook until bubbling.
Add canned tomatoes with their juice. Drain and rinse beans, then add to pot. Pour in chicken broth. Stir to combine and allow it to simmer for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.
While the soup is simmering, cook the shrimp: melt butter in a small skillet over medium-high (or high) heat. Throw in the shrimp and chopped parsley and toss to cook until no longer opaque, about 4 minutes. Season with salt. Set aside.
(I used precooked shrimp to I just threw them in along with the parsley)
Rinse the kale de-stem and cut into small bite sized pieces. Stir into soup. (It’ll shrink quite a bit, so don’t be afraid when you first add it!) Add a bunch of torn basil and stir. Allow the soup to simmer for another 5 minutes, tasting and adding salt and pepper (or even more red pepper flakes) as needed.
Add big, fat Parmesan or Romano shavings and more torn basil at the end.

Since the Kale was a huge bunch and I didn’t want that much kale overwhelming the soup I made this delicious Kale Salad

Kale & Carrot Salad with Peanut-Ginger Dressing

1 bunch of Kale
2 carrot  peeled and grated
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

For the dressing:
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons creamy unsweetened peanut butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dark maple syrup or honey
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Chopped roasted peanuts, for garnish (optional)

In a large bowl, toss the kale, carrots, onions, and peas to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk the apple cider vinegar, peanut butter, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger to combine. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with peanuts, if using, before serving.

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Surprised that I am not that sore from last nights work out. I can feel it but considering how wobbly I was after the 3rd time up the stairs I can’t believe I am not worse. Means I probably should go for 4 times next time  {
All I can think about is dinner. Going to have the soup and salad from last night as there was tons of leftovers. I am practically salivating just thinking about it.

I want one of these:

“The Yoga is a 3.1-pound Windows 8 ultrabook with a high-definition 13.3-inch display. But it has a 360-degree dual hinge “flip and fold” design that lets you convert the machine into a tablet, and is the reason for its apt name. Yoga has four different usage modes: You can rest it flat like any notebook. You can carry it in your hand like any tablet. You can prop it up as a stand. Or you can fold it so that it is in a tent position, useful, say, if you’re reading or watching a video.Yoga is expected out during the second half of the year at a starting price of $1,199.”

So I did it. I signed Tom and I up for the Warrior Dash July 22 in North Bend WA. I am so excited and so FREAKING FREAKED OUT. I have absolutely no upper body strength and I hate heights. Should be fun. and scary.

Gosh reading the last couple of posts it looks like I am some sort of fitness health  nut. Before you get the wrong impression do know I did absolutely no exercise today (well a little walk at lunch) and I ate 4 Trader Joe’s triple ginger coookies tonight. Sadly I had no vanilla ice cream to stuff in between the cookies which is my favorite way to eat them. See I am not all healthy exercise crazed. Nom.

 

 

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