Tag Archives: Basil

Workout: Day 2

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Saturday was a busy day preparing food for a family lunch I was having on Sunday; made some sangria, fresh veggie rolls, and blueberry pie.

I love making the veggie rolls–you can basically put anything you want in the rice paper rolls (I put green peppers, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, noodles, basil, and mint), then dip it in a delicious sauce of tamari, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, hot pepper, rice vinegar, and chopped cashews.

But I had to find some time for Workout B, and I did…

Deadlifts ( I LOVE these): 2 sets, 15 reps, 35lb

Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 2 sets, 15 reps, 20lb

Pullovers on Swiss Ball: 2 sets, 15 reps, 20lb

Lunges: 2 sets, 15 reps, 20lb

Swiss Ball Crunches: 2 sets, 8 reps, 10lb

60 sec breaks between each sets.

I increased the weight for my lower body and my legs felt like Jell-o after the workout. I definitely felt it the next day! I ended my workout with a protein shake made with vegan protein powder, almond milk, banana, and blueberries.

Workout A is back on Day 3 on Tuesday…

Brown Rice Pasta Salad

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OMG this is a delicious meal! The sauce in this salad makes it addictive and the texture of the brown rice pasta is heaven.

Brown Rice Pasta Salad (Adapted from a turkey recipe booklet!)

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp tamari
  • 1 tsp sriracha (Asian hot sauce)
  • 2 tsp grated ginger
  • 250g brown rice penne or rotini pasta
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 red pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 cup snow peas or green beans, trimmed
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup salted, roasted cashews
  • 4 cups salad greens

Combine the first 6 ingredients and set aside. Cook the pasta according to package directions (do not overcook!). Drain pasta and toss it with 1/2 the sauce. Set aside.

In a medium-sized pan, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the garlic and ginger for a minute and add the red pepper and green beans (if using) and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the snow peas (if using) and cook for another minute. Add the pasta and the remaining sauce and warm through for another 2 minutes. Add basil and cashews and remove from heat. Toss on salad greens. Y-U-M. I forgot to take a picture because I ate it way too fast…

Garlic Scapes Pesto

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I received a weird-looking vegetable last week in my farm share box. It turned out to be garlic scapes, a cross between garlic and green onions, the stem of a garlic bulb. I love discovering new produce!

In it went in my regular pesto recipe, with a few tweaks.

Garlic Scapes Pesto

  • 1 bunch garlic scapes, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups basil
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp pine nuts
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or vegan version
  • 1 tbsp softened butter or vegan butter (e.g., Earth Balance)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and you’re done! Pesto freezes really well in a well sealed jar. It comes in handy when you need a quick meal–thaw in fridge, make a pot of pasta. Serve a dollop of pesto on pasta and enjoy with a side of salad. Mmm.

Chives and Basil Pesto

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I received a beautiful bunch of chives last week in my farm share box and wasn’t sure what to do with all of it. When I think of chives I think of a garnish, sprinkled lightly on top of your finished dish. But with a big bunch in the fridge, I had to think of another idea…

Chives and Basil Pesto

  • 1/2 cup chives, coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups basil
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp pine nuts (I call them diamonds–have you seen how much they currently cost??)
  • 2 small garlic cloves
  • 1/4 tsp Himalayan or Celtic sea salt
  • 1/2 cup organic Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan cheese ( I like the one Galaxy Nutritional Foods make)
  • 3 tbsp organic butter or vegan butter (e.g., Earth Balance)

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend well. Serve on top of whole wheat spaghetti. Yum!

The pesto also freezes well. Once you want to use it, defrost it and mix in some water to lighten it up as it may have thickened.