Happy Wednesday! It sure was a COLD one this morning. I started layering yesterday since it has been 28 degrees outside at 6am! Yes, I know that sounds crazy but I am going to beat out being a louse this winter. I am going to layer up and go to workouts as usual no matter how deep the snow is. 😀 I wore sweats over my workout pants and a fleece plus a down vest. It was perfect!
This particular morning I knew I was going to have to be a little more diligent about getting up. Last Wednesday, I stayed in bed because my body hurt from a strenuous Zumba class the night before. Thanks Antonio! This Wednesday I was determined to GET up despite how hard the Zumba class was the night before. (which was VERY hard and a great workout)
I got up this morning, got to the gym and was the ONLY person so I got a personal workout with the instructor and it was fabulous! I am officially the most dedicated person for 6am workouts as I was told today! 🙂 Since I knew I had to buy groceries this morning, I prepared my Green Monster smoothie in advance and took it in a to-go cup!
Blueberry Green Monster Smoothie #3
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 2 cups spinach
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk
- 2 Tablespoons cacao nibs ( I buy Navitas)
- 3 Tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 Tablespoon flaxseed oil
- 1 teaspoon maca powder
- scoop of protein powder
Blend well and enjoy!
I am still trying to figure out my schedule if I workout twice in one day. I know, I know. Do not give me a hard time. Zumba is in the evenings and the morning workouts HELP me tremendously with my work day so I at least workout twice during the week.
Since I ate my brunch at noon yesterday, I decided only to eat an apple before my 6:45pm Zumba class, and left dinner prepared so I could eat it when I came back. It is SO not a good idea to leave for a workout smelling the goods you just prepared in the kitchen. I was hungry before my workout and was starving by the time I came back from class. I finally realized I cannot be eating that late so my schedule will be changing a bit.
Either way, dinner was FABULOUS guys! Remember when I told you that I was given a big bag of peppers?
These babies have started looking a little sad so I was thinking how I could use them. Suddenly I remembered we have not had pasta in a while and I could make a pepper tomato sauce. Oh yes, the wheels were turning.
I made a fresh Arrabbiata sauce which is typically made with red crushed peppers, but I decided to make a fresh crushed pepper sauce sauteed with tomatoes, spices, and olive oil. It sounded like Italian heaven to me! Once I made it and had the finished product AND if you try it, you will know why I was kicking myself for not eating 3 hours before my workout. It was so tasty and definitely a repeat.
I am going to be making a repeat of this sauce in the next few days.
Penne with Fresh Arrabbiata Sauce
print recipe
preparation: 15-20 minutes
cooking: 20 minutes
serves 6
1 pound dry penne pasta
6 red chiles, seeded and chopped
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons Italian seasonings
1 1/2 teaspoons pink Himalaya salt crystals
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 28-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add chopped peppers and onions and fry for 10 minutes. Add garlic and seasonings, except for the maple syrup and the rest of the olive oil). Continue frying for 5 more minutes.
Add the tomatoes and increase heat to medium high heat simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Add mixture to a blender or high-powered blender (Vitamix) and blend well until smooth.
Pour the smooth sauce back in the skillet and drizzle the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and the maple syrup as well and heat on low while pasta cooks. Cook penne according to packaged directions.
Sprinkle vegan parmesan cheese to make a complete meal.
Vegan Parmesan Cheeze
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
3/4 cup raw walnuts
1/2 Tbsp sea salt
In a food processor, add all the ingredients and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Makes 1 cup.
I will be updating you on my SINGING engagements tomorrow!! Very fun stuff coming up soon!
If you have not gotten a chance to hear my last little recording, check it out here:
