Well, that was an interesting dinner. I had "brussel sprouts" and "quinoa" on Wednesday night for my weekly meal plan, but I had no idea what the heck to do with them. I also had a ton of leftover bok choy in the fridge (I still do), so I cooked up some of that as well.
I decided to try the boiling method with the greens. I've only ever made brussel sprouts by halving them and roasting them in the oven, so I wanted to try something new. These were also baby brussel sprouts, so I wasn't sure if they would be too small to chop up in even halves.
I prepped the sprouts by washing them under water, chopping off the "stems" and peeling off some of the outer leaves. I also separated the bok choy leaves. While I was doing this, the quinoa was cooking.
(Random thought...but the spell check doesn't recognize any of the foods I am talking about. I just thought I'd let you know that.)
I decided to try the boiling method with the greens. I've only ever made brussel sprouts by halving them and roasting them in the oven, so I wanted to try something new. These were also baby brussel sprouts, so I wasn't sure if they would be too small to chop up in even halves.
I prepped the sprouts by washing them under water, chopping off the "stems" and peeling off some of the outer leaves. I also separated the bok choy leaves. While I was doing this, the quinoa was cooking.
(Random thought...but the spell check doesn't recognize any of the foods I am talking about. I just thought I'd let you know that.)
Thanks to obeying the 2:1 water to grain ratio with the quinoa (I used to put in much less water), my quinoa turned out beautifully! I love the way it looks after it's cooked. It's like every grain has a little ponytail.
I boiled water for the greens, and I put them in the water just as the quinoa was finishing up. The bok choy took about 60 seconds to cook, but the brussel sprouts took about 8 minutes.
I made the quinoa tastier by mixing in non fat Greek yogurt, a plain Laughing Cow cheese wedge (I put it in the microwave once everything was mixed in to soften the cheese), cumin, garlic powder, dried basil and plain Garlic Gold flakes. It was so yummy.
I can't say the same about the greens. I didn't do anything special with the bok choy, but I mixed the sprouts in the same ingredients as I did with the quinoa for added flavor (no cheese, though). They were still pretty blah, and they had that bitter taste that you often get with them. I think I'll stick to roasting them from now on.
I hope you like how I plated up my food, though! That was an interesting dinner, right?
I made the quinoa tastier by mixing in non fat Greek yogurt, a plain Laughing Cow cheese wedge (I put it in the microwave once everything was mixed in to soften the cheese), cumin, garlic powder, dried basil and plain Garlic Gold flakes. It was so yummy.
I can't say the same about the greens. I didn't do anything special with the bok choy, but I mixed the sprouts in the same ingredients as I did with the quinoa for added flavor (no cheese, though). They were still pretty blah, and they had that bitter taste that you often get with them. I think I'll stick to roasting them from now on.
I hope you like how I plated up my food, though! That was an interesting dinner, right?
What else? How about a few words on exercise balls?
I just searched "exercise balls" in the photo gallery for Weebly, and I found the above photo. I think I should train at least one of my dogs to do that!
Actually, I won't. I don't want to injure my puppies.
Here is one without a dog:
Actually, I won't. I don't want to injure my puppies.
Here is one without a dog:
I'm talking about these balls, because I love how extremely versatile they are. You can use them for so many different exercises. One thing that I've been doing on them lately is chest presses and flies. I work my upper body by using the weights, but I also work my lower and my abs by stabilizing myself. I love it.
You can get into the position by sitting on the ball with your weights and then walking your feet forward until your back is parallel to the ground and just your head, neck and part of your upper back are resting on the ball. You do your exercises as you normally would on a weight bench, but you have to be extremely careful to squeeze your abs and your glutes. Not only you will work your lower body and core, but you will avoid injury!
I'm not even close to being a fitness expert, so make sure you look at pictures and/or consult somebody who is experienced before you do it. Here is a nice simple link for ya.
I think the highlight of today's post was definitely the dog on the ball. I'm sure you all agree! Unless you like looking at pictures of quinoa. I know that I do.
I now have to go scan more things for school. I swear, this preparation thing will never end. And Al is throwing an orange fish-shaped stress ball at me.
Goodbye for now!
You can get into the position by sitting on the ball with your weights and then walking your feet forward until your back is parallel to the ground and just your head, neck and part of your upper back are resting on the ball. You do your exercises as you normally would on a weight bench, but you have to be extremely careful to squeeze your abs and your glutes. Not only you will work your lower body and core, but you will avoid injury!
I'm not even close to being a fitness expert, so make sure you look at pictures and/or consult somebody who is experienced before you do it. Here is a nice simple link for ya.
I think the highlight of today's post was definitely the dog on the ball. I'm sure you all agree! Unless you like looking at pictures of quinoa. I know that I do.
I now have to go scan more things for school. I swear, this preparation thing will never end. And Al is throwing an orange fish-shaped stress ball at me.
Goodbye for now!
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