I ended up taking another rest day on Wednesday. I was working the front desk at the new gym last night and watching everyone do the CrossFit workout (running, box jumps and wall balls) and I just couldn’t motivate myself to jump in to the last class of the evening. I feared that if I attempted to box jump it would end up more of a box face plant given the soreness in my quads. I rolled around groaning on the foam roller instead and then came home and cooked dinner.
I cooked green lentils and quinoa together with water and vegetable broth and topped it with a little feta. I sautéed a Trader Joe’s salmon burger and some squash and onions.
I had a really productive morning. I stopped for breakfast and coffee around 8:30 and had a peach and some toast. I love South Carolina peaches. So big and sweet!
I think the extra rest day helped because I woke up feeling much better overall. I went for a run before lunch and it felt easy and good (well, as easy and good as running in 85 degree weather can feel). Without trying my average pace was a lot faster than my Monday run.
Lunch is brought to you by the color orange! Arugula blend, broccoli slaw, sweet potato, yellow tomatoes, pecans, dried cranberries and feta with honey balsamic. If you want to know how to make a salad filling, top it with sweet potato. This one had staying power.
I’m on a protein smoothie for snack kick this week. I made a chocolate peanut butter and banana shake this afternoon at work. Several months ago I ordered some Metabolic Nutrition Protizyme protein powder and a rep from the company offered to send me all of the flavors to try. Honestly, I don’t use protein powder often but I like this product. It’s medical grade and doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners. I’ve tried the vanilla, chocolate and banana so far. I also have a peanut butter cookie sample that I’ve yet to try and I hear it’s pretty amazing. I’ll let ya know what I think!
I’m so spoiled at the gym because we have a Vitamix. It puts my home blender that won’t even crush ice cubes to shame! I like to bring my shake ingredients to work so I can use the fancy blender. 😉
I trained a client this afternoon before heading to the Y to teach BodyPump. I am starting to train clients again after taking a break when I transitioned to Metro and I am really enjoying it. I put up a Personal Training page on the blog so check it out if you’re interested!
I’m too lazy to go get my memory card and edit the picture of my dinner tonight (it was a grilled cheese with tomato) but here is a picture I took on my phone of a rainbow when I was leaving the Y!
And here is a little end of the week reading for you. Check out this beautifully written post from ashtanga yoga teacher Kino Macgregor on training the mind to see the abundance of greatness in our lives.
“If you want to be a truly great person you have to master not just the attainment of material success and accomplishment, but the enlightened perspective to remain non-attached and peaceful when it is time to let it all go.”
I’ve never used a vitamix before but I’m pretty sure I’d leave my boyfriend for it. Looking forward to hearing more about your personal training again!
Good for you for listening to your body! Sometimes you just need that extra day of rest!
how are the salmon burgers? I really want to try them, but I worry that they might be too fishy, so I’m hesitant to buy a box of 4 (and my husband refuses to eat salmon-we had quinoa the other night for dinner, so I have to pick my battles!)
they are good. all salmon and no filler. i didn’t think they were too fishy if you are a salmon lover already. haha – love the picking your battles. i get that!
Do you take supplements regularly? I noticed L-Glutamine in the background of the picture 🙂 If you do, what do you take and when?
emily – i don’t take any supplements…although i would like to start. i’m going to talk to my doctor about it in a few weeks! stay tuned.
I am an engineer at vitamix… it is so good to hear that you love the blender. You have one of our newest ones at your gym, it is nice and quiet:)
that’s so cool michelle! yes, i love playing with the fancy blender when i’m at the gym. wish i had one at home! one day! 🙂
I didn’t know that you still teach bodypump. I’m thinking of joining the Y again, and would love to try a class. Is there a beginner class I should do first? What’s the best way to start?
This is great! I have been googling vitamixes and stalking craigslist for someone to get rid of one. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one out there pining over weird things like fancy blenders!
I’m definitely going to try putting sweet potato on my salads from now on! I absolutely love them and this is such a great idea!
add goat cheese too! such a good combo! 🙂
I have a dozen peaches that I plan on making into a healthy cobbler tonight before they go bad. Peaches are the best in the summer.
I took the same picture after leaving the Y last night too! That was one of the best rainbows I’ve ever seen! I also had a Trader Joe’s salmon burger yesterday, weird. I added it to the TJ’s spinach and chive pasta with mixed grilled veggies, olive oil, and fresh parmesan. 🙂
I have a vita and its the best investment I have made. It is just the best!
All your orange food looks delicious. I swear orange foods just taste the best.
Good on you for taking the extra rest, some weeks our bodies are just more tired than other weeks.
i’m so jealous of your prized possession! 😉 have a great weekend!
Hi Jen, probably a stupid question but what is your process for cooking the quinoa and lentils together? Water, quinoa, & lentil ratio and all? Thanks!
1/2 cup lentils, 1/2 cup quinoa, 2 cups water or broth, salt. bring everything to a boil, reduce heat and cover, simmer for 18-20 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. fluff with a fork and serve!
not a stupid question! 🙂
Thanks so much!
All your meals look amazing. And that picture is awesome.
Having been looking for a high quality protein supplement that contains no artificial sweeteners I was excited to see your mention of Metabolic Nutrition Protizyme protein powder as fitting that bill by not containing any artificial sweeteners. Unfortunately, after a bit of research I found that it does indeed contain sucralose which is an artificial sweetener. Other than that, it looks quite good.
Oh well, my search continues . . .
I always love to mix peanut butter with bananas and protein powder. It gives that extra boost of protein and the sweetness from the banana! And I’m right there with you on the poor blender at home.
i LOVE my vitamix. best purchase ever… i saved up and bought it when i was making a living as a yoga teacher… that took some patience! i always tell anyone who’s contemplating one, to make the splurge! it’s very much worth it 🙂