What a gorgeous weekend it was in Portland! Sunny! Warm (ish)! Such a delightful change from the pouring rain. I’m sure it won’t last and I definitely didn’t take good advantage of it. I ended up spending Saturday inside–in the gym, then cleaning the house. I really, really wanted to run on Saturday. I especially wanted to run outside but I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea since I hadn’t hit the pavement in over a month. My knees were feeling a bit touchy so to the gym I went and the elliptical was where I ended up. I also spent about 40 minutes lifting weights–shoulders, chest, back.
Then to the orthopedic massage clinic! This time he focused on my IT bands because they were a bit on the tight side. He also did some cupping. If you’ve never tried it before, it’s a very odd thing. It’s based on Chinese medicine and I’ve tried it before on my back where it left huge round, purple “bruises” on my skin. The massage therapist did a different technique in that he used the cupping on my IT Bands and slid it down my leg. It was very odd feeling, but strangely made me feel a lot better afterward. The hope is that it will increase blood flow to that area and quicken the healing. Crossing my fingers.
I will be sharing a post this week with my first update on the “diet” but I wanted to share a few of the things I’ve purchased for February.
The Trader Joe’s soups aren’t new to me, I’ve had them before and they are great and also low in calories. I found that a lot of things had what I think is a disclaimer to prevent lawsuits:
A lot of things I bought said “made on equipment shared with wheat, milk, tree nuts, soy and fish.” I still consider these items to be gluten and dairy free. I’m not going to get so picky that I won’t buy something that is gluten and dairy free but made in a warehouse where those items are. Silly! I’m not doing this for an allergy reason, so I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.
The soup I had on Saturday was the Creamy Corn and Roast Red Pepper (vegan and gluten free). It was delicious! I also had some steamed broccoli with vegan TJ’s Goddess dressing and two light rye Wasa crackers. It was a delicious and fairly filling lunch but I’ll admit I had the munchies about two hours later. I had some random snacks but I tried not to go too crazy because I was looking forward to dinner. For a snack I had the “nut and rice” crackers seen above and half an avocado. The crackers were really good! Tasty, salty, crunchy. A pretty good alternative to Wheat Thins.
Dinner!
CURRIED QUINOA WITH CHICKEN AND PEAS
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- About 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 12 oz. bag frozen peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Add the oil, chicken pieces, chopped onion and garlic to a Dutch oven. Saute for about 10 minutes, or until chicken pieces are mostly cooked.
- Add the diced tomatoes, undrained, curry powder, chili powder and nutmeg. Stir until combined and let cook for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the water and bring to a bubble. Stir in the quinoa, bring to rolling boil and then reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. With about 5 minutes left to cook, stir in the frozen peas.
- Turn heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.
I like the kind of recipes that are simple, easy and cooked in one pot. I used my dutch oven and it made clean-up super easy.
I liked the recipe. Michael said it was good but not his favorite. I think it would have been much better if it had been a little spicy. I’m not sure what to add to make it spicy considering it had chili powder in it. Maybe red pepper flakes?
And with every curry recipe I’ve done, the flavor gets richer and more delicious with the leftovers. I’m looking forward to leftovers for lunch this week!
The original recipe stated it made “4 adult servings”–I have no idea what that really means. Someone in the comments said they got 8 servings out of the recipe. I got 6. If the recipe is 6 servings, that makes the calorie count more like 400. Which is perfect!
This recipe could be easily made vegetarian. Tofu would work great. And you can substitute any vegetable if you don’t like peas–carrots, asparagus spears, maybe not broccoli. Be creative.
On Sunday my parents came through Portland on their way to the beach. They took Michael and I to lunch after I got home from the pool. We went to Laughing Planet because it’s delicious AND has lots of options for gluten-free, vegan or paleo friendly. I knew that would be the best option for three out of four of us on this wacky diet.
I got the Thai Bowl. I love it! So good with a Thai lemongrass peanut sauce. It has green beans, steamed broccoli, organic tofu, brown rice and coleslaw on top. It’s about 500 calories for the bowl and it was categorized as vegan and gluten free.
So I’m day 4 of the diet and it’s not that bad. I haven’t felt any differently and I’ve been eating really good food. Stay tuned for the official update this week.
QUESTION: Are you a curry fan?
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
Cupping can do absolute wonders for your muscles! I’m a huge fan, and especially recommend it for those that find they have some extra stubborn musculature. It helped out my IT Bands and hamstrings quite a bit!
Lisa Eirene
That’s good to hear because it’s day 2 since I had the cupping done and I’m still SORE!!!
Roz@weightingfor50
this post really makes me want to run to the border and get to TJ’s. Glad the first few days of the plan haven’t been tough. Have a wonderful week.
Lisa Eirene
Trader Joe’s is my favorite grocery store. Lots of great items for reasonable prices.
Biz
I love curry, but it hasn’t been until the last few years that I’ve even tried Indian food – I worked for Indians my first job and they ate curry everything, they ate with their hands, it kinda grossed me out for years on that kind of food!
I can now find lemongrass at my store on a pretty regular basis – I add it to soup broths and I love the citrus notes it gives dishes.
Lisa Eirene
I’m sure you’d get sick of it quickly if it’s in everything.
Where is lemongrass in your grocery store? I will have to look for it.
Stacie @ Snaps and Bits
I love curry – that looks good, but I’d probably want it to be spicy too.
Lisa Eirene
Any idea on how to make it spicier? Maybe I’ll add some Srichacha….
Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not
LOVE making curries – I love all the colors in Indian food…even if my tupperware is stained yellow from turmeric for a while haha.
Lisa Eirene
Oh yes! My tupperware is stained from curry or tomato soup. 🙂