Purple yam, quinoa and Brussels Sprouts bowl

It's been a busy week for us with the launch of our new Trimarni coffee blends, and well as everything else that we have on our daily plate - coaching, nutrition consults, RETUL bike fits and training.

Alongside the time that I give to my business (which feels like non-stop, all day, 7-days a week), I make sure to schedule in time for sleep, cooking and eating and exercise. I don't feel it's selfish to take care of my health and to make sure I give myself "me time."

For anyone who is super busy (who isn't??), time management is key. Every person has their own "style" of time management and for me, I need a written to-do list alongside my Google calendar for consultations, private and group training camps and article deadlines. Karel uses his phone calendar. Because there will never be enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished, it's important to make the most of the time that you have.

If you are struggling to take care of your health and/or making time for yourself, don't underestimate the power of small chunks of time to accomplish something important.

I created the most delicious creation for dinner last night and the best part is that you can easily prep the items ahead of time to make it super easy to combine together for a beautifully looking, great-tasting dish. With the help of the microwave and stove top, I got a lot done in a short amount of time and only had to use two pans/pots. I also find it really helpful to prep food before working out as it's easier to make healthy food choices and when you aren't exhausted and hungry, you spend more time enjoying the meal prepping process.

I hope you enjoy my latest creation!

Purple yam, quinoa and Brussels Sprouts bowl 

Ingredients: 

• Purple yam or Sweet potato (cubed)
• 1/2 cup dry quinoa
• 6 ounce Brussels Sprouts (shredded) - I bought a 12 ounce bag of shredded Brussels Sprouts
• 1 package tempeh (cubed) or your choice protein
• Olive oil (at least 2 tbsp)
• Salt

Directions

1. Prepare quinoa according to package. 
2. In a large skillet with ~1 tbsp olive oil, sautee Brussels Sprouts until lightly brown. Season with salt to taste. Toss to prevent burning. 
3. Cook sweet potato in microwave until soft. Remove peel and cut into cubes. 
4. Pour Brussels Sprouts onto a plate and in the same skillet, cook cubed tempeh in ~1/2 - 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt to taste (optional pepper/cayenne). Toss to prevent burning and add extra oil as needed. 
5. Combine all ingredients in a bowl to your serving liking (presentation counts and extra points for taking a picture of your beautiful creation) and top/drizzle with your choice cheese, sauce or dressing. For an extra crunch, top with cashews. 
6. Now stop your busy day, enjoy your beautiful dish and savor every bite! 

Rice and veggie bowl

                                  

We ate a lot during the two weeks that we were in Florida for our training camp in Clermont + another week in Jacksonville for RETUL fits (Karel) and I spoke to the Delafina Women Cycling club.

Despite eating a lot of food, no meal left us feeling bad, stuffed, bloated or guilty as we always eat with good intentions and have a great relationship with food.
(even when Karel eats his frozen chocolate "recovery bar" - inside joke, ask us about it when you see us in person :)

 During our trip, we had a nice combination of food prepared at home (well, our homes away from home) and a few inspiring meals from restaurants.

After our Clermont training camp, we spent a week in Jacksonville, FL (where we use to live from 2008-2014 and stayed with our friend Shawn B. and his family.



On Thursday evening (3/24), Karel, Shawn and I left the house around 5pm and met up with our friends Lauren and Jen. Karel, Shawn and a few others joined the Thurs night group ride in Nocatee and Lauren, Jen and I headed to A1A for 2 x 30 min intervals w/ 5 min EZ in between (GIRL POWER!).

After my 2:20 ride, I enjoyed 20 minutes of flat road running off the bike around Atlantic Beach before Karel and Shawn arrived home from their ride. 

After Karel and I had our recovery drink (milk and whey protein), we enjoyed dinner with Shawn and his family.
Andy did the prep, Shawn did the final touches and we all did the eating.

And when I say enjoy, I mean I could not stop yumming!!
This dish was so absolutely yummingly delicious!
(yummingly delicious is my new word)

I just loved the flavors of this multi-ingredient dish that I could not wait to share it with you.

Rice and veggie bowl
Rice - jasmine or basmati (you could also do a whole grain of your choice)
Baked cauliflower and sweet potatoes - with turmeric and cumin
Sliced avocado
Chopped dates
Fresh shaved Parmesan cheese
Chopped cashews
Cilantro 

1. Toss cauliflower and sweet potato in olive oil and season with turmeric and cumin. Bake at 425 degrees for 40-45 minutes (or until golden brown)

2. Combine cooked rice and the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl. Be creative with your layering!
3. Yum!

Two simple swaps for more real food

Over several years, I've slowly changed my lifestyle habits and moved myself more and more away from a heavy processed and convenience-food diet toward a very real food diet.

Some dietary changes happened quickly whereas other changes required a different appreciation and time to create new habits.

I really value what real food can do for a body, when it comes to health and performance so I've worked really hard over many years to make some swaps when it comes to incorporating more real food into my diet.

I'm not against processed food and don't cringe at the thought of "food" in a bag but I do believe that some foods, like well-fortified foods, help to keep people healthy in all parts of our world. And since I don't have an off-limit food list, I never feel guilty, anxious or remorseful if I eat something processed.

I have a most of the time diet and then there are foods that I eat some of the time/on occasion. The great thing is that neither one is a mass-marketed diet plan so I am able to eat intuitively and mindfully and it's up to me as to what I put inside my body and when.

And I ALWAYS feel great when I eat and even better after I eat.

One of the biggest lifestyle changes in adopting a more real food diet is breaking away from food that is bought or consumed out of convenience. Certainly, it is just as convenient to snack on a washed and chopped fresh fruit salad that you put together and stored in your fridge and combine with Greek Yogurt or a hardboiled egg, as it is to snack on chips, cookies and bars, but it takes a lifestyle change to make sure fruit is available. 

I really believe that something magical happens to the body when real food takes the main stage. With a more real food diet, there is flexibility so that no macronutrient (carbs, protein, fat) takes the center stage. I prioritize proteins and fats, alongside carbs that pack a lot of nutrient density and give me the energy I need to train consistently well. In my diet, plants certainly get the spotlight and I feel this approach is great for everyone to ensure that your body stays in great health with a variety of vitamins and minerals.

I would like to share two simple real food swaps that you can easily try-out next week. 

For lunch the other day, I had this beautiful stir-fry dish.
Would you believe that this dish only had 5 ingredients???
Mixed frozen veggies, cooked black rice, cooked jasmine rice and tempeh cooked in olive oil.

Instead of a fast-food sandwich or wrap, with the meat and veggies in the inside, let's turn that sandwich inside out and fill a bowl with lots of nutrient powerful ingredients and add a grain instead of the bread.
I'm not anti-sandwich but there is only so much "plants" that you could squeeze between two slices of bread.

This swap does mean you have to eat with a fork and not with your hands but perhaps this can be the start to a new lifestyle change of sitting down to eat - with utensils. And, if you have all these items prepared ahead of time, this dish takes less than 10 minutes to assemble and heat.

This real food swap is so simple.
Consider turning your favorite sandwich, wrap or pita inside out for a more plant-strong meal. 

Your goal is to combine lots of veggies, a grain/starch, a protein and a fat for a balanced meal. You can use any meat instead of tempeh and add any fat that you'd like inside of olive oil.

Ready for another swap?

Before an early evening workout this past week, I was in need of a snack. I had some cooked sweet potatoes in my fridge so I took a few out and drizzled them with a little honey and topped with a little butter and cinnamon. I then added a small handful peanuts for a delicious and nutritious pre-workout snack. 

Eating a granola bar or a sport bar didn't even come to mind as I had real food waiting for me for a yummy snack.

Ironically, as I was eating and thinking about the composition of this snack, it hit me that this pre-workout snack had almost the same calories, carbs, protein and fat as a sport bar! Plus, you save a wrapper by eating real food instead of a processed bar so it's great for the environment too.
WIN WIN.

1 sport bar - ~240 - 300 calories, 5-10g fat, 45-50g carbs, 5-15g protein

Real food swap:
1 cup sweet potato
1 tbsp honey (or 4 pitted dates)
10 peanuts
~240 calories, ~5g fat, ~43g carbs, ~5g protein

What real food swaps will you make next week?

Sweet potato and edamame stir fry

What a delicious creation! 

Karel and I went grocery shopping a bit late tonight (around 6:30pm) so by the time we returned home and unloaded the reusable grocery bags, it was 7:30pm. We didn't shop hungry thanks to a small snack before we left but come 7:45pm we were ready for dinner. 

We both did our own meals this evening and I just wanted something simple. 

My original plan was to cook my sweet potato and have a side of veggies. I steamed the edamame, corn and mushrooms and I was ready to eat.

But then it came to me....why not combine everything together?
Oh, what a delicious, simple creation!!!

I cubed the sweet potato and combined it with a ladle or two of the veggie mixture. I seasoned with pepper and a pinch of salt and drizzled with olive oil. 

Not pictured is the slice of fresh Mozzarella cheese that I enjoyed as I was getting my dinner ready and also the big dollop of Fage 0% Greek Yogurt that I served as a dip on the side. 

I just love meal time. 

What a fun, happy and exciting time to be creative in the kitchen!