I’m not going to mention too much more about the snow even though I could fill a whole post! Its still here, its still very thick and deep but luckily I have managed to get out and about so I don’t end up with cabin fever!
Yesterday I was super happy that my gym was open. So happy that I walked up there in the bitterly (and I mean bitterly) cold to get in a good workout. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill: first 5 minutes at 6mph, next 5 at 6.5mph then next 5 at 7mph, then repeated. I then did 20 minutes on the step machine, cross trainer and bike for a total 1hr 30 minute cardio workout. I felt great afterwards – more just for getting out of the flat! Today has been a rest day then tomorrow I’m heading back for a good HIIT workout followed by some weights and core work on the stability ball.
Thanks for the comments with links to at home workouts, even thought I didn’t have to use them I now have some great ideas for home workouts if I fancy a change from doing DVD’s. Here’s the links to the resources. Thanks to Alison, Laura and Jo for pointing me in the right direction!
Body Rock TV – great body inspiration!
Ross Training – ideas for home work outs and DIY equipment
Figure Athlete – Rachel Cosgrove Metabolic workout
Food has been really tasty these past few days. I think I’ve been a little more creative than usual with being at home.
Breakfasts:
Mixed berry cinnamon oats in a jar followed by a vanilla chai coffee
Dorset Cereals Toasted Spelt Muesli with mixed frozen fruits and a chopped apple with soy milk
Yesterdays and today’s lunch has been this salad beast:
I wasn’t kidding when I said I have been craving raw veggies! Salad contained watercress, spinach, carrot, red cabbage, cucumber, green chilli, red onion, raw cauliflower topped with Jalapeño hummus. So good and amazingly filling – I was left with a serious food baby after eating these! I also enjoyed the heat from the chilli in the salad, great way of eating something fresh but still getting some of that cold weather comfort. I’ve followed lunch with plenty of fresh fruit like this orange and sliced apple:
I had a very tasty mid afternoon snack: Rachel’s Organic Greek Yoghurt with flaked almonds and honey:
Last nights dinner was some Lentil and Root Veg Stew with roast brussels and some steamed cavolo nero plus two plums:
Tonight I made some Kabocha and Adzuki bean stew and served it with some steamed broccoli and cavolo nero, toasted seeds and parsley.
I love this simple dish. Kabocha squash is so delicious, when I saw it in Waitrose last week I bought it even though I knew I would have to lug it around with me for two hours while I shopped! I have loads left over so I’m going to try making a simple soup and a twist on my Butternut Smoothie.
Tonight’s desert was some tofutti vanilla ice cream with one of Tam’s cherry chocolate chip cookies from the cookie exchange out of the freezer:
So yummy!
I have my lovely hubby off for the weekend so earlier we had a drive to my parents to help them put their Christmas tree up, that’s my Dad and little nephew:
I felt really festive! Next weekend is going to be a bit of a baking weekend. I’ve been asked to make some low carb / sugar baked treats for my Grandma who is diabetic. I’m also going to make some vegan almond and quinoa muffins for James as he loves anything almond flavoured, and some gingerbread cookies. I can’t wait!
I’ve also been looking at turkey alternatives for Christmas lunch. If your a vegetarian or vegan what is your favourite turkey replacement for Christmas lunch? I’m thinking either lentil loaf, seitan (I still have the vital wheat gluten I ordered from the states) or some kind of legume and grain cutlets.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I love a carrot and nut loaf hearty and delicious, your so good freezing the cookies I gotta start doing that! x x
Yaay I’m so happy that you managed to get out and go to the gym! I have been loving kabocha squash SO much recently, I have it every single day!! I agree that it is worth lugging round hehe :)
Your tree is beautiful! I love baking around christmas time, I’m definitely going to be doing some serious baking soon too.
For christmas lunch I’m having stuffed butternut squash! I can’t wait! Lentil loaf or seitan sound good too. I’m not a fan of the traditional ‘nut roast’ though…xxx
Sounds like a great workout! :)
In previous years, I’ve just had boring store-bought turkey alternatives. But this year, I definitely want to make something good, and something that other people can help themselves to too… I’m thinking something Christmasey, like a parsnip and squash bake, or a spinach tart with squash wedges… I don’t know- so many options!! Lentil loaf sounds good though! :)
I’m so glad you managed to get to the gym and a little bit or normalcy!
I am loving seeing everyone putting up trees and decorating their houses! It’s making up for the complete lack of them here! :-)
When I was a veggie, my favourite Christmas lunch was actually when I made up a huge portion of all my favourite vegetables and then had all my favourite condiments etc – was so good! I hated nut roast, unfortunately. :-(
Hope you have a lovely Sunday.xx
Yay for decorating and also getting exercise done :)
I am not a fan of roast dinners- dont like roast potatoes or yorkshires and cannot stand brussel sprouts! So I would rather have something completely seperate (which I do myself). Nut roasts are ok so long as they are covered in cranberry sauce! I don’t like the meat replacements though as I never liked the taste of meat- so I am probably hard to cater for!!
That tree looks fab. I bought some Christmas decorations yesterday to jazz up my tree, so I am definitely in the Christmas spirit! Only 20 days to go and counting!!!
I love all of your eats. People always think that vegetarian food is boring, but you have proved everyone wrond! :D
Nice tree! And how great that you’re able to bake for your gran :) Christmas meals for us often include nut roast (I’m going to blog a good recipe today actually), which is good if you have veggie gravy. We also have a filo pastry dish with stilton, spinach and cashew nuts, or with chestnut paste and mushrooms. Both are really good, and a real indulgence! I’ll dig out recipes if you want.
And thanks for the shout out! You really can get a great CV / strength workout at home. Top 5 moves for me are burpees, pushups, mountain climbers, plank walkups and dips. Killer! Have a good workout today :)
Tam – if I didn’t freeze the baked goods I make or recieve I’d end up stuffing my face or wasting them. This way I always have a freezer chock full of goodies!
Nicky – I’ve never tried a nut roast before but the stuffed butternut sounds delicious!
Emma – I love the idea of having something that others could also try, the tart idea sounds fab!
jessica – I’m definitely going to be making some tasty side dishes, I’m thinking honey and maple roasted carrots and parsnips, cranberry sauce and my own gravy :-)
Maria – I’m not a fan of roast potatoes either – I do love my brussel sprouts tho!
Jemma – I know its lovely seeing all the decorations going up. I’m so glad you think my food looks tasty – I honestly think my foods become more tasty and interesting since becoming veggie
Alison – looking forward to that recipe – if you have the recipe for the filo pasty dish I’d be so greatful it sounds really nice and something a bit different. Thanks for all those at home working out tips – I’m certainly going to try and develop my own at home work out to do instead of DVD’s for a change.
We never have turkey for Xmas but ham and it’s actually the best part of my Xmas, haha. But to be honest I rarely eat ham during the year otherwise, so a bit of indulgence is OK if it’s done once a year :D
We always eat my dad’s homemade potato soup for Christmas Day!
Thanks for the shoutout!
For christmas dinner I like the celebration roasts but I’ve had a few which have gone mouldy way before the best by date despite being kept in the fridge so I don’t buy them anymore. M&S do a mulled fruit nut roast which is nice, full of brazil nuts.. I am planning on having a quorn roast this year possibly with a bit of the M&S nut roast too cause my mum loves it and I’ll be making veggie pigs in blankets with quorn sausages wrapped in quorn bacon secured with a cocktail stick! Yum!
Your tree looks so pretty! I can’t believe you’re still getting pounded with snow, at the very least it’s festive?
The Linda McCartney roast is really nice, have you tried it?
Last year for Christmas I served up an aubergine charlotte for main course which went down very well, recipe is here:
http://skinnylattestrikesback.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas.html
And if I were going to try a nut roast, it would be this one:
http://jainlight.blogspot.com/2009/12/old-traditions-new-traditions.html
My mother in law does a lovely mushroom and pinenut pastry as our main dish, which she serves with bread and cranberry sauces..it’s delish.
I never miss the meat, in other words ;) x