I am most definitely in a workout rut. Without the stress and loneliness I experience(d) at school, I am finding it hard to get my butt to the gym (and it’s only a 7 sec. elevator ride away!). I haven’t strength trained in weeks and my elliptical sessions barely cross the 30 min. mark. That is, if I can even find enough motivation to get on the machine! While I’ve been playing tennis here and there and walking (to run errands), I still feel like my fitness level is diminishing day by day.
I’m thinking my body needed a rest post schoolio, not just mentally but physically as well. However, it’s been a couple weeks now. I’ve gotten plenty of rest. It’s time to get my butt out of this rut!
***
This morning, I woke up and ate a Super Charge Me Bar before heading to the gym. Instead of forming cookies last night, I made some bars in a loaf pan. Less mess on the palms, yo.
I used chia seeds, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Magically delicious.
They also served as movie treats for us while we watched Leap Year 1 3/4ths times last night. Yeah. We didn’t catch all the words the first time through so we went back and watched it again (no joke). That Dingle guy had a DEEP accent, ya know?
Anyways, it was a cute movie. I recommend it!
After 50 min. on the elliptical (not bad, not bad)…
I made a Berry Green Smoothie with yogurt, frozen berries, frozen spinach, wheatgrass, and protein powder.
I also had 1/2 whole grain wrap with salmon, avocado, + spring mix.
Before heading out for a walk I had a slice of Brown Rice Bread with almond butter and a glass of 1% Organic Milk.
***
I walked to the library, Harris Teeter, the bank and Trader Joe’s. Total distance was less than 2 miles. I was hot and steamy afterwards!
I broke into some TJ’s dried mango after I got back. I had a good 7-8 pieces. Irresistible, I tell ya.
After reading some, I started on dinner. I made a Veggie Goat Cheese Wrap Pizza.
First I sauteed eggplant and zucchini with salt and garlic powder.
Then I topped a whole grain wrap with pizza sauce, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and goat cheese. I stuck it in the toaster oven at 350* for about 10-15 min.
I followed up with some eggplant stackers–roasted eggplant slices with tomato and goat cheese.
I’m pretty sure I ate 3/4ths of a gigantic eggplant tonight. Love.
Aaaaaand it keeps on going….
My dad made this dish of beef, potatoes, and dried tofu sticks. I had a couple potato cubes and several tofu sticks. I guess my body wanted some protein because once I had a piece I couldn’t stop! The dried tofu sticks had 20g of protein per serving. Cha ching!
I’ve already dug into some more dried mango slices and chocolate chips for dessert.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Love eggplant!! Especially this time of year. My family uses this great recipe for eggplant called eggplant stacks where you bake a slice of eggplant topped with a slice of tomato and onion with a little sprinkle of breadcrumbs and parmesan. Just a tad of Pam (or butter!) sprayed on top. Amazing with a slice of Great Harvest Spinach and Feta bread.
We have such similar food tastes! I love eggplant and wraps and salmon and avocado! Leap Year was a cute movie too.
Wish I lived near you. You seem like a neat gal to hang out with. Love your eats.
Eggplant is the best. I just made a big eggplant stir-fry last night. I love how much volume you get out of one single eggplant. It lasts forever! And it’s funny to think that only a year ago, I didn’t really care for eggplant. I’m glad taste buds are able to change like that.
Where did your dad get the tofu sticks? They look really good.
Care to share your recipe for dried tofu? I’m always looking for better ways to eat tofu and get my protein fix.
I love eggplant! It goes so well with zucchini as well. I like the idea of making SCM cookies into bar form – I find mine a bit crumbly/messy.
Hey Allie-in regards to the workout rut-is that pool big enough to swim laps in? I’ve gone through workout ruts, so I know how you feel. Also, tennis seems like a great way to get a workout in-maybe incorporate sprints and push ups and stuff in between volleys? Since the weather has been so nice, I’m hardly at the gym now, but I’m doing things I enjoy, well, and training for the triathlon that’s in 10 days! Have I even told you about that?!
no shame in eating a large eggplant. it’s good and good for you!
i’ve been in a workout rut lately too but i’m trying to get back it. i just started p90x again so hopefully that will keep me consistent. hey, you did 50 min on the ET today. good work!
Wow, I never knew that those tofu sticks have THAT much protein in them?! I’ve never really known what the protein content of soy products are, but I definitely eat a lot of tofu and dried tofu (dou gan). Don’t worry about workout ruts. At least you’re still working out, right?
Wei-Wei
Allie loves her eggplant…
Nothing wrong with eating 3/4 of a big aubergine – they’re so super for you! Plus they taste amaze
Dired tofu sticks…I have never heard of them, I have no idea what they heck they are lol!
Wow, everything looks great and I’m glad you’ve given your body a rest!
Girl every time I see an eggplant I like of my girl Allie! I actually think your eggplant creations are what drew me to your blog in the first place.
I’m thinking I need some eggplant in my meal plan next week!
Was there any noticeable difference in texture between the super charge me cookies as a bar versus cookie? I really like that idea as a makeshift granola bar!
must. find. dried. tofu. sticks.
You seem to be keeping yourself busy though which is great. When I finished uni I was miles away from all my friends, could only see my bf once a month and was job searching / applying for jobs all day. I became really down due to the loneliness and lack of direction in my life. I wasn’t enjoying my free time enough. But you seem to be doing well. I know there is a job out there for you Allie, keep going! And leep making delicious food!
Such a good idea to make Super Charge Me bars instead of cookies, I need to try that out for sure!! And I love that pizza, I used to hate eggplant but it’s slowly growing on me. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!
i understand the workout ruts.. i find that when i get into a regiment of doing the same thing over and over again i get bored more easily.. i also recognize that it could be my body trying to speak to me– sometimes it just needs a break.
hope you get ‘unstuck’ and have a wonderful day
xo bec
Maybe it would help to plan out a time each day for working out? I find if I’m on a schedule, I’m more likely to get my butt into gear.
Also switching up workouts and trying new exercises always helps.
Love the look of the wrap pizza! I’m always tempted to make one, but I’m scared my wrap won’t be able to hold up under all my toppings haha.
I agree with Chelsea – having a scheduled workout plan makes a big difference for me. I sit down on Friday afternoon and plan out my workouts for the next week. Then I add them to my planner, so they are literally on my “to-do” list.
Another thing that might help with the workout rut is to have a buddy…I know everyone says that…but I think it’s true. Last summer, I trained really hard for an 8 mile race, ran the race, and then didn’t go to the gym for, like 9 months! My boyfriend/buddy finally got my bum in gear and we’ve been trying new things together like boxing and Crossfit.
BUT if you’re happy right now, I wouldn’t stress too much about going to the gym…you’ve been in shape before, and you can get back into shape again. If you’re having fun with life, enjoy it! Working out shouldn’t feel like a chore…IMO.
Have a great day!
i have been LOVING goat cheese!!!! i have sundried tomato and basil kind form whole foods its is OUT of this world and because its rich, a little goes a long way!
that pizza looks amazing with the eggplant!
nice job getting back to the exercise! I get in ruts too!
I know what you mean; since I’ve basically been out of school for a week now, I’ve been kinda worried that I’ll lose my workout motivation, now that I have more free time and don’t feel like the only time I’ll get “me-time” is while working out. But so far so good! Hope you can get back to normal soon too.
Good idea to turn the cookies into bars!
I love eggplant and that wrap looked amazing! Great job on pushing through a workout and breaking out of your rut!
YUUUM – loved that eggplant combo, Allie!
Thanks for sharing
Wish you a lovely almost-summer day!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
I have been lacking in the strength training too, oh well, just gotta say today is a new day!
Awww I LOVE Leap Year!!!! So good
I need to watch it again before I go to Ireland. And The Holiday, which reminds me of Ireland for some reason? Oh, and P.S. I Love You.. not that you wanted to know any of that lol
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