I’ve been very uninspired lately. In the kitchen, in my day-to-day routine, in lots of ways…I just feel like I’m tired and bored all the time. It’s weird. My days off are so lazy. I read, I draw, I read some more. But I miss my desire to be in the kitchen. I don’t know where it’s gone. Thinking of dinner ideas is hard for some reason. And it’s never been like that before. I ask Kyle to suggest things since I seem incapable of coming up with anything other than eggs and toast and I kinda shrug as he lists off things and eventually agree to something or other, but it’s never like OH YES THIS SOUNDS AMAZING I WANT IT TONIGHT! What’s that all about? Needless to say, there’s been a fair amount of take-out (not my bank account’s fave). And when it comes to exercise, I’m definitely getting sick of my walking/jogging sessions. My back and feet hurt when I go for long distances. Truthfully, I want to ride my bike so badly, but I’m scared of getting hit and I know it’s risk that’s not worth taking. Anyway, I’ve been in this little rut for a week or so and I’m just trying to wait it out because I’m getting bored with myself.
I packed this for work the other day.
But then I discovered that I wasn’t actually working (I swear, I never know my schedule). So I saved it for the next day (which I was, in fact, supposed to work).
Before you start freaking out on me, you should know that’s an old iced gingerbread Clif that I’ve been hoarding for all of 2012. So no, the seasonal Clif bars aren’t yet in stores. But as soon as they are I’m going to re-stock my stash so I can enjoy them in September of 2013, too.
Breakfast pancakes made with just banana and eggs – topped in almond butter. I’ve been seeing this little two ingredient pancake trick pop up everywhere and it intrigued me so I decided to give it a go. I’ll report back.
Lunch was leftovers from a BBQ tempeh and carrot crock-pot dish I threw together the previous night. I served it over brown rice and spinach. [More on that in a bit]
In between meals, I snacked on this sandwich. It’s just avocado and vegan cheese on Udi’s GF white bread.
And to round out the snack pack, some zucchini bread.
So back to the BBQ tempeh & carrot dish…
Here’s the “recipe” in photo format.
Crock-pot BBQ tempeh & carrots
Ingredients:
- 5 large carrots, chopped
- 1 (8 oz) block tempeh (I used Lightlife’s flax tempeh), cubed
- your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Annie’s organic [vegan] original)
- water
Directions:
- Chop everything to a similar size (I used large chunks, but if you’re short on time smaller pieces will cook faster)
- Add everything to the slow cooker
- Top in BBQ sauce (be generous)
- Add water to about 2/3 the way up the ingredients (I added too much and left the lid slightly ajar so it would steam off and reduce, so it’s not the end of the world if you over water it)
- Cook on low for 8 hours (again, if you are in a time crunch, you could go for smaller pieces/less time/higher heat, but I can’t vouch for how it’ll turn out)
- Serve over brown rice/quinoa/millet/whatever grain you have on hand
The prep for this is virtually effortless. And then you can put it in the slow cooker and forget about it. My kinda meal. As you can see it makes great leftovers, too.
I’m a HUGE FAN of both the two-ingredient pancakes and the soy cheese and avocado sandwiches. Two thumbs up to this foodie day. I’m sure that once you eventually get to eat it 🙂 you’ll love it to bits! YUM!!
I love that you always use the crock pot!!
You’ve been hiding your lack of inspiration well as you seem to be coming up with loads of great recipes! If its any consolation, I’ve been feeling the same. I’m usually so exhausted after my shifts that I spend the following days doing very little and trying to gather some energy. I feel like my physical energy is low, let alone my creative energy. It’s frustrating because part of me thinks I should be making the most of my time on my own/freedom before the baby arrives yet I can’t be bothered. Hope you feel better soon xxx
What kind of vegan cheese do you eat? We eat Almond cheese, but I’m always looking for new things…
Maybe it’d worth it to get a stationary bike or a trainer so you can use your bike indoors or outside if you have a yard. I have a trainer for my bike so I can ride it in my apartment during the NY winters, and i love it!
random: i made quinoa in the rice cooker! it’s amazing! the bottom was kind of brown so next time i’ll add a little more water, but you were right – it was so easy and i don’t know why i waited so long 🙂
also, made your “tofu for two” (i’ve made it before) and it was perfect with the quinoa.
have a good weekend!
that crock pot dish looks incredible! so do the pancakes!!
I hope you get your inspiration back soon! I went to the farmers market this morning and got squash–delicata (my favorite!) and spaghetti (my other favorite, lol!) and got inspired to roast up some yummy fall favorites. You never know where you will find your mojo… 🙂
What kind of vegan cheese was on your sandwich? I am always looking for recommendations…was it good?
Courtney
A post you wrote donkeys ago, (sorry I can’t remember the title of the post), where you discussed your love of Jillian Michaels DVDs & weights, totally inspired me to start strength training. And I’ve been doing it & lovin it ever since! Are you still into strength training? Maybe it could spice up your workout routine a little?
Aww, I hope your foodie inspiration finds its way back to you. For what its worth, all your food looks totally delicious, & excites me:). The pancakes with splodges of AB, & that fudgy looking zucchini bread! Ooft.
Xxx
It’s totally normal the way you’re feeling, Elise – HORMONES. Just make you feel a bit blah and uninspired.
Exercise wise have you tried pilates? It’s excellent for pelvic floor exercises which are CRUCIAL (believe me, I’ve just done my post-natal yoga teacher training and I have heard some HORROR stories about women that ignored their pelvic floor exercises during/after pregnancy!)
It’s fun if you have one of those large exercise balls too – plus these are great during labour 😉 Plus they double as a toddler-toy!
Haha! I, too, hoard the seasonal Clif bars. I still have a pumpkin spice one in my cookie jar (cuz you know, it’s totally normal to keep energy bars in the cookie jar).
Need to try the egg pancakes!
I miss the seasonal Pear-Apple Clif bars…sigh.
-Stacey
You might be down in the dumps, but you and your blog got me right off my feet today and down to shop at Sprouts! I have your quinoa plum pudding in the fridge, to try for breakfast, and I bought all the ingrediates to make your wonderful sounding butternut squash/quinoa quiches. I also found almost all your ‘favorite snacks’ and I’ve been nibbling all evening. The chips, the chocolates. It’s been a delicious day and I you to thank for the inspiration. So, THANKS! And chin up. Your inspiration is clearly within. 🙂
nalini! this comment made my day. seriously, its so nice to get feedback like this that helps me stay motivated to keep things up.
ive never tried the pear apple! i want!!!!
lets be real…they arent truly “energy bars” as much as cookies…with a hint of “health”.
ive never tried pilates actually. but thanks for the tip. pelvic floor exercises are definitely important!! congrats on your ypga training…i had no idea you were doing that. thats super cool.
i do have an exercise ball so ill try some exercises with that. ive heard they are good to bounce/rock babies to sleep too.
awesome! im so glad you got into it.
i am still into strength training but on a MUCH less intense scale at the moment. i should check out some online routines/workouts to try though! thanks for the reminder! i could probably modify some jillian DVDs too.
i just got a spaghetti squash today! i hope this helps get my mojo back!
oh and it was daiya cheese btw. i splurged.
yayyyyyy!!! haha. finally 🙂
i would LOVE to get a stationary bike. sadly, i dont think its in the budget. at all. the trainers are pretty pricey too!
i splurged on daiya last week. but almond cheese is a fave for sure!
If spaghetti squash can’t do it, I don’t know what can 😉
Courtney
a lot of them are backlogged meals i never posted before.
i feel like you…my energy is just plain blah when it comes to exercise and food. i feel like im just passing the time (more like watching it waste away). but im trying to cut myself some slack and remember that its perfectly fine to be mellow now. things will be crazy later, right?
easiest appliance i have!
Well here’s an update. We loved, loved, loved the plum pudding. That is going to become a staple breakfast around here. I love that I can make it the night before and it ‘cooks’ in the refridgerator.
On to the quinoa quiche….that was also a bit hit, even from my meat loving husband! I’ve never used Bragg’s yeast seasoning and I can see exactly why you love it.
So that’s a million for sharing these breakfast treats…they made my week. I was getting pretty tired of Oatment. 🙂 By the way, I happened to see the shuttle here in my area (La Canada) and later saw your tweet photo up there as well. It’s always a nice treat when LA feels like a real community, eh? All the best. Nalini
Squats, all I can say is: squats, squats, squats…. if you are planning on an active labour (as I’m sure you are!) then you need all the leg/quad strength you can muster 🙂 An exercise ball is excellent for doing squats/lunges up against the wall for extra support.
AND yes, they are brilliant for bouncing/rolling babes to sleep – ALL misty wanted to do was BOUNCE for about the first 6 months 😉
Exactly! Our lives are going to be non stop crazy and sleepless. I’m defo trying to stock pile sleep hours. If only it actually worked like that!
i forgot the other reason i posted — i got a TOFU XPRESS and used it for that recipe! it’s an awesome tool!
hooray!!!