The weather today that is! And it really made my long run enjoyable, along with a new play list and a gorgeous route through the nature and biking trails in our area. Thanks to not being on call this weekend, I happily trekked new trails for the run and before I knew it, I was at 7 miles and heading back home. After a long, hot shower, I had a quick recovery lunch of another packed Vega smoothie.
When I was training for my last half marathon, the long runs in the summer heat did me in for the rest of the day. Many of the glowing reviews for Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer in Chocolate stated it was a great recovery food. So I figured I’d try a smoothie loaded with it after the run and see if it helped with energy for the rest of the day and it did! I had plenty of energy to take the dog for a long walk, then venture out for shopping and house work. Now we’ll see if I’m sore tomorrow.
I also snacked on chilled watermelon and salted macadamia nuts for an odd, but satisfying combo. I can’t wait for watermelon season to be in full swing here when they’re dirt cheap at every produce stand and almost too big to fit in my trunk. After a long run in the heat, these always cool me down and hydrate quickly.
Then we took the dog for a long walk while hubby played with our telephoto lens for some nature shots like this red hawk just hanging out.
After I got to drag hubby for a huge Whole Foods shopping trip stocking up on loads of produce, some beer, tempeh and goodies for the week. Shopping at Whole Foods always puts me in a good mood, something about its atmosphere compared to other stores. And today a lot of the items on my list were on sale and they were sampling Coconut Bliss ice cream. I had to thoroughly try every flavor. We had a great time checking out all the exotic beers, produce and vegan meat alternatives he might want to try.
Later for dinner, we played dueling chefs in the kitchen again where he worked on a mashed cauliflower recipe and I experimented with black beans that have been soaking in the fridge for days. But, my experiment was a flop.
My last few attempts to work with dried black beans have been flops, even after soaking for days and boiling, the beans still seem too crunchy. Maybe I have a bad batch. This time I threw the soaked and cooked beans into the Vita-Mix to create a black bean based sauce and it was too dry after heating, lacking in flavor and just not great. Not that I’m giving up on the recipe, just maybe the black bean part for now. I wrote off the rest of this dish and had a huge bowl of popcorn for dessert while we watched The Town – an excellent, but long movie.
Other than my dinner flop, today was a wonderfully relaxing day with no agenda. Just hubby and I enjoying the weather and shopping – perfect after a busy week. How was your Saturday?
glad you had a CHILL, relaxing day!
bean flops? sorry about that…which is why i never cook my own beans. It’s cheaper and homemade ones do taste better but i dunno, i just don’t embark. I use canned :)
And watermelon…i love it and cant wait for WM season, too!
I usually never have a problem with other beans, just dried black beans lately. Guess I’ll try the slow cooker for the rest of this batch.
I know it’s another appliance but the slow cooker/crock pot is what I use to cook my beans including black beans and it works great. I soak them over night and rinse in the morning then cook on low all day while I’m gone at work. Perfect beans when I get home. Just an idea. Sounds like you had a nice day!
Thanks for the tip, I will break out the slow cooker for them next time.
I love it that you and the hub duel it out in the kitchen! Sorry about the black bean flop– disappointing!
Great blog! I really am trying to refine my diet so I love coming across blogs like yours!
I had a great weekend with friends!
Hi, thanks and welcome! Looking forward to checking out your blog too!
I have a head of cauliflower in the fridge waiting for some creativity… any suggestions???
Aren’t we incredibly spoiled with the weather?! Or should I say, have been spoiled. It’s been like summer! I love it! Glad you could enjoy it with a nice long while outside!
For the cauliflower, either Ani’s mashed cauliflower recipe or slightly steam it and served chopped with nacho hemp sauce – yum! Or this creamy cauliflower is really good:
http://therawproject.com/?p=1325
Hmmm, I haven’t had that in ages and have a head in my fridge to use up. :-)
The weekend weather was amazing, but looks like we’re getting rain all this week to make up for it. :-P
ya know, i always have a problem with black beans too! it’s why i stick to chickpeas and white beans! so much more dependable!
love the red-tailed hawk picture! i wish i had a lens like that to get some shots! i always see so many of them in the field!
i have the chocolate vega smoothie and actually used it in my oats this morning. was a first for me with protein powder in my oats!