Don't Judge A Book (food) By Its Cover (appearance).

I have never been so happy to see the weekend. I began working at a preschool in the mornings 2 weeks ago and still work at the restaurant in the afternoon and I. Am. Tired.  Preschoolers are so cute and say the funniest things (i.e. "Um.. I think my ear fell off!" ...no kiddo, your ear certainly did NOT fall off).  But they are exhausting!  So this weekend I decided to do all the things I should have done during the week.. but didn't have a spare second to do.


Yesterday I...


1) Did a boring workout at the gym (ran a few miles and did some weightlifting. nothing good. pretty disappointing)
2) I made Quinoa and Chickpea Pilaf.. and when I was complete the kitchen looked like a disaster zone. Seriously.  Recipe to follow.
3) I cleaned the kitchen
4) I cleaned out everything that had gone bad in the fridge
5) I read a book. (Yes... a whole book).
6) I decided it was time to get off the couch, so I made mini pizzas (ate 1, froze 3)
7) I returned to the couch
8) I went to see Harry Potter!!!! SO GOOD!!!! I'm still amazed that I didn't cry, though.


SLEEP.


Today went a little differently..
I was feeling a little groggy this morning from being out so late last night (anyone who knows me is aware of my grandma status.. I am no longer a night owl like I was in my childhood). So I lazed around until about noon, then got my butt into gear!  I mowed the lawn and then went to the gym and did this AWESOME workout created by Fitnessista.  (I am posting what I did today... to get more options look on her page)


(warm up= mowing the lawn HAHA!)


LOVE:
Circuit 1 (repeat 3 times)
- Stability ball hamstring curl (12 reps)
- Stability ball overhead pass (12 reps)
- Stability ball back extension (12 reps)


Cardio blast: 1 minute of burpees


Circuit 2 (repeat 3 times)
-Bench push-up (I did these with my hands on the bench) (12 reps)
-Bench split squat (I held a 12 pound dumbbell in each hand) (12 reps)
-Bench tricep dip (I had my legs so they were almost straight, but not completely) (12 reps)


Cardio blast: 1 minute of mountain climbers


Circuit 3 (repeat 3 times)
-Assisted pull ups (I changed the resistance each time) (12 reps)
-Lateral raises (8 lb dumbbells.. hate these!) (12 reps)
-Bicep curl plie squat combo (12 reps) love these :)


Cardio blast: 1 mintue of squat jumps


Ab Burner (1 time only!)
50 sit ups
50 crunches
25 reverse crunches
25 bicycle crunches




I don't usually post workouts but this one is so worth doing!!




Alright.. on to the food.  This dish is not necessarily the prettiest, but it tastes so good! I prefer eating it cold, but it can be eaten warm as well!


I go this recipe here and didn't change a thing!  She adapted it from "Veganomicon"

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2-3 tbsp tomato paste
• 3/4 C quinoa, rinsed
• 2 C chickpeas, or one can drained and rinsed
• 1/2 C water or veggie stock
• A squeeze of lemon juice

"In a medium sized pot heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the onion and saute till the onion softens before adding the garlic and cooking for a couple more minutes."

 Add all the spices and stir well and continue to cook until fragrant.  Add the tomato paste and mix well before adding the quinoa, chickpeas and water.  Mix again and bring to a boil.  Turn the heat down to simmer the quinoa mixture and cover with a lid.  Cook for 20 minutes then shut off the heat and leave covered for 5-10 minutes before serving.  I like to serve this with a small squeeze of lemon over top or just a pinch more salt and some herbs chopped and sprinkled over top."

It isn't beautiful but it tastes great!! I promise!  I am officially addicted to quinoa!