Life & Simple Meals

I am pretty happy this week is almost over and I didn’t get called in for jury duty, woohoo! I was on call having to check each night to see if needed the next day this week, so that was a relief. And it actually got chilly here again this week – lows in the 40s … in May!?!? I’m not complaining, I know we should enjoy this while we can because triple digit summer heat will be here soon enough. Or maybe it will snow, who knows with climate change. Miko appreciated his snugly blanket during the chilly mornings, there is a dog under there.

And he’s been a sweetie keeping me company in our home gym in his other snugly blanket.

We have sets of dog beds in every room for them because they follow me all over the house and pout if there’s not a bed nearby.

It has been a busy week, so busy at work that new recipes have been a challenge. So I have inspiration for simple, whole foods eats during crazy times. I used the leftovers of my garlic avocado sauce as a dressing for this simple salad with canned organic pinto beans one evening and had the leftovers of this salad for lunch today.

I made a huge marinara saute with chopped potatoes, carrots, and peas topped with basil and hemp seed “parm” for dinner by simmering the potatoes and veggies in just enough water to cook, then added the sauce.

Ready in 15 minutes, very filling and the leftovers were also great for a simple lunch

I also threw together an oil free stir fry with organic canned chickpeas, onion, and veggies seasoned with a drizzle of liquid smoke and smoked paprika.

Delicious! Smokey flavors are great for complimenting the slight sweetness in the corn.

And this simple dinner using organic tofu, tamari, and sriracha in an oil-free stir fry.

I bought this 3 lb. bag of organic broccoli at Costco and I know what you’re thinking – how are two people going to get through this bag? Ha, challenge accepted!

Between stir fries, salads, smoothies, hummus dipping, and dog treats – it will last a week, maybe. And it was perfect to add to this tofu stir fry.

Creating a simple and super filling light dinner.

And tonight was my first run after Sunday’s 5-mile race. The hardcore hills and trail running worked more stability muscles than I’m used to in my ankles and feet, so I did a little more cross-training this week while those settled down. But it was nice to get in an intense run to blow off work steam finally and I ran into another co-worker at the gym doing the same thing.