Hmmm… Well, what can I say. Tuesday I went for my planned ride and felt great. I did 10.37kms in the 35 minute ride. I had the gears cranked up so I focused on resistance rather than speed. My AHR was 77% of my max.
Thursday I was unwell. Not too sick to work, but too sick to be pushing it on a bike with no available toilets nearby. If you get my drift….
Then the weekend was just insane with birthday festivities, and Xmas parties.
This week I have Xmas functions every evening.
So I believe that starting this challenge in December was perhaps not the wisest thing to do. However, next week is looking reasonable clear, so I will start week 1 again next Monday and see how things go.
xox
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Spinach & Mushroom Lasagna
Another new recipe. That is 2 this week. I made a spinach & mushroom lasagna. It was great, although it took a long time to cook. I made the sauce from scratch, something I had never done before, and it took over an hour to reduce enough. It was worth it though. We had friends over for dinner who seemed to like it too, which was good. I am always nervous when other people try my food.
I served it with a garden salad and some sweet potato wedges that I got out of my Vegie Food book. I didn't actually like the wedges. They were way too oily. I will try them again, but with a lot less oil.
I served it with a garden salad and some sweet potato wedges that I got out of my Vegie Food book. I didn't actually like the wedges. They were way too oily. I will try them again, but with a lot less oil.
Despite how long this took to prepare, I actually really enjoyed it. I spent half the afternoon in the kitchen, chopping, and stirring, and measuring, and tasting. It was a wonderful way to spend the day.
xox
Shopping Day
This morning we went back to Gaganis Bros Warehouse. We made a tip there last weekend with Mum, but just had to go back when we had more time. I only needed some red kidney beans for a chili I want to make, but I thought we could spend some more time looking through the kitchenware side. Oh if only I had an endless supply of money and a massive kitchen in which to store everything...
I finally bought myself a little garlic press, which is going to make things so much easier, as I seem to be making quite a few recipes with garlic lately. We bought more wine glasses and a few other bits and pieces. But my favourite things are...
A mortar & pestle. I love them and have always wanted one. But as I never really cooked before I never saw the need. But now I am sure I can make use of one.
And a red baking tray. I am making a spinach lasagna tonight and while I do have a dish I can use, the red one is so much better!
We got home and decided to sit down to a cup of herbal tea...
I finally bought myself a little garlic press, which is going to make things so much easier, as I seem to be making quite a few recipes with garlic lately. We bought more wine glasses and a few other bits and pieces. But my favourite things are...
A mortar & pestle. I love them and have always wanted one. But as I never really cooked before I never saw the need. But now I am sure I can make use of one.
And a red baking tray. I am making a spinach lasagna tonight and while I do have a dish I can use, the red one is so much better!
We got home and decided to sit down to a cup of herbal tea...
And some delicious chocolate that we got from Bracegirdles last night. Anyone who lives in Adelaide who has not yet visited this amazing house of chocolate, needs to get there asap.
The is Fairy Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Mint Smash. Yummo.
The is Fairy Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Mint Smash. Yummo.
Tonight we have friends coming over for Ross birthday (although is birthday was actually yesterday). I am looking forward to trying new recipes again.
xox
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Fun Cooking Challenge
I have decided to set myself a fun little challenge to cook 1 new recipe a week, every week, for 3 months. That comes to 13 new recipes over the next few months. Since it is the first week in December, I am starting now.
Tonight I made Texan Tacos. Although I didn't have taco shells, so I made them like burritos using tortilla wraps. They were delicious. The taco part was made with Sanitarium Casserole Mince, which is 'minced wheat gluten in gravy', with onion and red kidney beans. I really like red kidney beans, but I hate the texture. So I used my Tupperware happy chopper and chopped them up. Mixed in with taco seasoning and a can of chopped tomato's, and you have vegetarian taco filling.
We started with lettuce, piled on the taco mix, then topped it with tomato's, cheese, avocado and taco sauce.
They were absolutely divine. Incredibly filling, but not heavy like burritos normally feel to me. This is yet another thing that will definitely be made in our house again.
Now to find a new recipe for next week. This is fun!
xox
Tonight I made Texan Tacos. Although I didn't have taco shells, so I made them like burritos using tortilla wraps. They were delicious. The taco part was made with Sanitarium Casserole Mince, which is 'minced wheat gluten in gravy', with onion and red kidney beans. I really like red kidney beans, but I hate the texture. So I used my Tupperware happy chopper and chopped them up. Mixed in with taco seasoning and a can of chopped tomato's, and you have vegetarian taco filling.
We started with lettuce, piled on the taco mix, then topped it with tomato's, cheese, avocado and taco sauce.
They were absolutely divine. Incredibly filling, but not heavy like burritos normally feel to me. This is yet another thing that will definitely be made in our house again.
Now to find a new recipe for next week. This is fun!
xox
Supplement Update
I went to the chemist and got some Iron supplements. I got something I haven't seen before called 'Bio Iron' by Blackmores. It is meant to give you the iron you need without the constipation. Dose is 1 tablet 3 times a day. I'll start with 1 a day and see how I go.
I went to get some Iodine but they don't sell it on its own anymore. So I got Betadine, which contains Iodine, and will see how I go with that.
xox
I went to get some Iodine but they don't sell it on its own anymore. So I got Betadine, which contains Iodine, and will see how I go with that.
xox
Fatigue
The last week or so I have been feeling quite tired. Last night I sat down to go over what has been going on to see if I can come up with a solution. I jumped on the Net (my source of all things information-related) and did a look up of fatigue relating to a vegetarian diet, just in case I am missing something. Here is what I came up with.
Sleep - I have been getting a reasonable amount of sleep, for me. Anything over 6 hours with 3 hours uninterrupted sleep (I have lots of night time toilet stops) is good for me. I have actually been getting about 8 hours with a couple of 3 hour stretches, so that is good.
Vitamin D - I am confident my Vit D levels are returning to normal. I have been taking my supplements (due again next week) and have been getting actual sun on my skin without sunscreen (in moderation) and without long sleeves.
Protein - This could be a problem. I do not think I have been getting enough protein in the last couple of weeks. So I need to increase my intake of eggs and legumes. On days when I don't have these I need to have a protein bar or shake. While this is not my preferred source of protein, it will do in a pinch. It is grocery shopping this weekend, so I will stock up on eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes, and I will then make sure I cook them as often as possible!
Iron - I have always struggled with borderline low iron levels, ever since I stopped eating red meat coming up on 20 years ago. I never actually made a decision to stop eating red meat, it's more that I was quite ill for a couple of years with Glandular Fever and after I recovered meat made me feel sick, so I stopped eating it except in very small amounts. Over the years I have trialled every iron supplement there is, including kids doses, and they all result in the same thing - constipation. :o( But.... I think I will try again. I figure if I take half a dose every second day it will have some impact on my iron levels, and hopefully have no impact on the *other issue*.
Iodine - This is a tricky one, but one I know I can self test on, as I have had a naturopath do it before. Just get some iodine and put it on your skin in an area where the skin is soft (crook of the elbow or sole of the feet is best). If in a couple of hours there is no stain from the iodine you are low (as your body has sucked it all in). If the iodine is still evident your levels are okay. The good news is if you are low you can continue to put iodine on the skin to absorb it that way.
B12 - I need to start taking my supplements again. Along with my multi vitamin. I have put a reminder in my phone and I am taking todays dose mow.
I have also decided that after the end of my 3 month trial if I decide to become a vegetarian, I will go to the doctors and have everything checked, just to make sure I am doing okay.
On to slightly other, but related news, Ross & I have enrolled in an exotic vegetarian cooking class next year. It is a 4 week class and you learn vegetarian recipes from all over the world. I am really looking forward to it!
xox
Sleep - I have been getting a reasonable amount of sleep, for me. Anything over 6 hours with 3 hours uninterrupted sleep (I have lots of night time toilet stops) is good for me. I have actually been getting about 8 hours with a couple of 3 hour stretches, so that is good.
Vitamin D - I am confident my Vit D levels are returning to normal. I have been taking my supplements (due again next week) and have been getting actual sun on my skin without sunscreen (in moderation) and without long sleeves.
Protein - This could be a problem. I do not think I have been getting enough protein in the last couple of weeks. So I need to increase my intake of eggs and legumes. On days when I don't have these I need to have a protein bar or shake. While this is not my preferred source of protein, it will do in a pinch. It is grocery shopping this weekend, so I will stock up on eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes, and I will then make sure I cook them as often as possible!
Iron - I have always struggled with borderline low iron levels, ever since I stopped eating red meat coming up on 20 years ago. I never actually made a decision to stop eating red meat, it's more that I was quite ill for a couple of years with Glandular Fever and after I recovered meat made me feel sick, so I stopped eating it except in very small amounts. Over the years I have trialled every iron supplement there is, including kids doses, and they all result in the same thing - constipation. :o( But.... I think I will try again. I figure if I take half a dose every second day it will have some impact on my iron levels, and hopefully have no impact on the *other issue*.
Iodine - This is a tricky one, but one I know I can self test on, as I have had a naturopath do it before. Just get some iodine and put it on your skin in an area where the skin is soft (crook of the elbow or sole of the feet is best). If in a couple of hours there is no stain from the iodine you are low (as your body has sucked it all in). If the iodine is still evident your levels are okay. The good news is if you are low you can continue to put iodine on the skin to absorb it that way.
B12 - I need to start taking my supplements again. Along with my multi vitamin. I have put a reminder in my phone and I am taking todays dose mow.
I have also decided that after the end of my 3 month trial if I decide to become a vegetarian, I will go to the doctors and have everything checked, just to make sure I am doing okay.
On to slightly other, but related news, Ross & I have enrolled in an exotic vegetarian cooking class next year. It is a 4 week class and you learn vegetarian recipes from all over the world. I am really looking forward to it!
xox
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Cycle for Life - 8 Week Training Plan
I have noticed recently that my fitness level has dropped dramatically this year. I guess it is understandable. I really haven't been focused at all on my fitness or my cycling. At the beginning of November I got Nicole Cooke's book - Cycle for Life. I have decided that now is the time to make a start on the training programs within. It actually embarrasses me to admit that I need to start on the beginners one, my fitness has dropped so much. The aim of the first 8 week Training Plan is to get your cycling up to a solid 4 hours a week. I am starting this week, and Tuesday (today) is the first session. I am not including commuting in the 4 hours a week I am working towards. Using my bike as transport is still just that - transport. This is dedicated cycling hours.
Today's session is 35 minutes constant cycling in the "Green Zone". The green zone is with your HR between 60-75% of your max. The hard part is finding places to ride where I can do a constant 35 minutes, as there are traffic lights absolutely everywhere near my home and work. In the 3km commute to work I go through 4 sets of lights, and I use back streets for the last km to avoid more. However between work and home is the park lands. There is a bike path through them and there is a stretch of about 4kms where you do not need to stop and cross roads. I am going to loop that section. Yes, it will be a little boring, but it is the best I can do right now.
The first week consists of 2 x 35 minutes Green Zone sessions and 1 x 45 minute Green Zone session. looks relatively easy on paper, but it has been a long time since I did cycling without breaks for lights. I'll report in at the end of the week. Wish me luck!
xox
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