Weekend List with Dining Out

Wow, Sunday already? This weekend is flying by too quick, but it’s been a great weekend so far. I’m starting to rev up my running miles for the Urban Cow Half Marathon, have not officially registered yet but testing the waters to see if training for it will be possible with two trips we have planned before it. It’s kind of nice just going out for a long run with no pace or training pressure, just taking in the scenery.

My current favorite running shoes are Brooks Glycerin 12s which are getting near replacement time with the Glycerin 13s, always nerve racking when my favorite running shoe style is changed!

Hubby has been making some great vegan creations in the kitchen lately like this tasty beans and rice dish loaded with tomatoes and bell pepper.

I love that he’s having more fun using fresh, plant based ingredients and have been happy to step out of the kitchen and let him play. :-)

I’ve also been throwing a lot of simple, oil-free tempeh stir fries together for fast, post-gym weeknight dinners.

Hearty, protein loaded, and not bogged down with empty calories. The leftovers also make easy lunches the next day.

And I’ve been using tempeh in quick salads like this one with hummus dressing and sweet peppers.

It makes a hearty meal salad for post workouts.

Friday night we headed out for a casual Thai dinner which never gets old, I got a spicy tofu cashew stir fry and hubby very spicy tofu drunken noodles.

And celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday at Lucca Restaurant and Bar in Sacramento.

I picked Lucca because they have a lovely vegan menu with starters, main dishes, sides, and desserts! And the portions sizes were nice, not too huge and no temptation to snack on bread like at a lot of Italian restaurants. We did start with the fries which were served with a lively and spicy dipping sauce.

I got the stuffed peppers for my main, delicious with tomato sauce, rice, white beans, and greens. And for dessert we shared the Cabernet sorbet which was a wonderful treat – fruity and sweet with a tangy berry flavor. I would go again and love that they have an entire vegan menu, not just one vegan option.

Today I have another long run to take on, chores, and shopping for the week. But first the list:

Carnivore Ann Magee went vegan for 60 days with fascinating results and observations on the lifestyle.

I would like to try all of these vegan ice cream recipes.

This is a great look at the crappy, processed foods that can be marketed from the low-carb craze.

Here is another great Forks Over Knives inspirational story about a doctor becoming an Ironman tri-athlete on a plant based diet.

Another inspirational tri-athlete thriving on a plant-based diet.

And another inspirational story that takes the drama out of health.

Dr. Neal Barnard makes great points about health and quality of life.

This Florida chiropractor went through his own plant-based health transition.

WiseBread has 5 habits that will make you smarter and 5 terrible things you shouldn’t do to your mind.

Such a happy story about goat cheese farmers making vegan cheese.

I want to make this broccoli salad and this key lime pie.

Finally, eat more watermelon. Seriously, it may be nature’s perfect food.