Swim, Bike, Run, EAT!

I'm a big fan of all things protein: chicken, steak, pork, sushi,...and tofu. When it comes to tofu the best can be found on the salad bars at your local Whole Foods or other health food stores. This texture, taste, and firmness is something I've struggled to replicate.
Enter, Trader Joe's! They now sell an organic tofu that actually cooks up to taste just just as good (if not better) than the Jimbo's/Whole Foods version. (It's in the cheese section)

Cut the large block in half (the long way to make it thinner). Wrap each half in a few layers of paper towel, and put back in the fridge for a few hours. The paper towel absorbs the excess water, causing it to dry out and become more crispy when baked.

Cut into small cubes, add your favorite marinade, and bake. I use my toaster oven-faster and works better. Bake at 400 for about 15mins, turn over and bake another 15mins or until baked to your liking. Add to a huge plate of veggies and enjoy!

This weekend I enjoyed a lot of swimbikerun! Saturday's workout didn't look that long on paper, but it wiped me out.First it was off to master, then I jumped on the bike for some hard efforts. (Sad news for those of u racing Cali- it was cold when I started biking with wet hair at 7:30). Why swim/bike unless you're going to run after? Right?!?!? So I jumped on the treadmill for a hard t-run. It took a lot of mental games to get me through that one!
Today I was thankful for to enjoy amazingly awesome company for my long run. Thank you Lauren! It was actually harder than most of my long runs to this point. My legs were simply fried (perhaps from my tour 'de San Diego earlier this week? See previous post). But together we ticked off the minutes and miles- just over 15 to be exact. When I finished the run I was famished. With 30mins to go I began dreaming of breakfast - which takes me back to topic #1: FOOD! One of my favorite treats if "the muffin." Not just any muffin, but a hearty, jam packed, heavy, yummy muffin. I haven't made these in a while, so it was such a treat.
3/4C Whole wheat flour
1/2C white flour
1/2 C oats
3/4 ground flax seeds
3/4 oat bran
1/2 C brown sugar
 2tsp baking soda
 1tsp baking powder
 1t salt
 2T cinnamon (I double this)
1T nutmeg
1/3 C unsweetened coconut
Mix the above ingredients in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl combine:
2 eggs, or 4 egg whites (beaten)
1/4 C agave sweetener
1/4 C agave maple syrup (they have it at Trader Joes)
3/4 C milk (I used almond milk this time, but either works)
1t vanilla
1T coconut oil
2T apple sauce

Slowly mix wet ingredients into dry. Mix fruit into a separate bowl. This time I used blueberries (1C), strawberries (cut into small pieces) (1C), shredded carrots (1C), and 1C spiced chunky apple sauce from Trader Joes (or a diced apple works too. but the chunky apple sauce adds great spice/flavor and moistness to the muffins). Slowly fold fruit into the muffin mix. Grease muffin tins. Sprinkle with raw shredded almonds. Bake at 350 for 25mins (for large muffin tins), or until fully cooked.

I savored every bite (and then quickly shared with friends so I wouldn't eat them all in one day).
Have fun making your next workout count, and enjoying the benefits of healthy eating thereafter!