Wednesday, May 27, 2009

easy cheesy peasy

100_2898 Today was actually a pretty uneventful one, and I was happy to be able to drive straight home from work without any other pressing obligations to attend to.  I think this is the first time I’ve been able to do this since we moved!  This morning I decided to go to a spin class at 6 am to get my workout good and over with so I wouldn’t have to worry about it later.  Stats – Max HR 186 and 330 kcals burned.  The most I’ve burned in a spin class is 524 kcals and I was working my butt off.  I thought I worked a bit harder this time, but maybe I’m getting more efficient?  As an athlete it is actually better to have a lower VO2 max and burn less kcals than the person who has a high VO2 and is inefficient in their calorie expenditure, which can lead to fatigue.  Some of the best athletes have low VO2 values, but it can vary greatly individually.

For dinner I decided to use up some of the extra roasted veggies I made for the quinoa-crusted frittata and made falafel naan pizzas.  Usually I like to stuff everything into a pita, but I had some of TJ’s garlic naan on hand and thought it would be a great vehicle.  That naan is so good!  It gets toasty on the outside and doughy on the inside with a nice garlic flavor.  They have many flavors too and I’d like to try 100_2894 the curry flavor sometime.  I also stumbled upon this white bean and basil hummus and wanted to try it for something different.  It was actually really good and has a bit more tang than your average hummus, and the basil flavor wasn’t too strong.

On to the recipe . . . 

Falafel Naan Pizza

For the Falafel (this time around):

  • 3 garlic cloves, whizzed in the food processor
  • 1 slice stale bread, 2-3 tbsp quick oats whizzed too
  • 1 can chickpeas
  • 1/4 cup egg substitute
  • 3 tsp cumin
  • garam masala, coriander, sumac, cayenne, salt and pepper
  • handful of spinach
  • 2 tbsp olive oil to bring it all together

Form into patties and sauté until golden on a large non-stick pan drizzled with a little olive oil.

To assemble the pizzas:

100_2895 Start with your naan base, slather on a bit of hummus, top with various roasted veggies, then a couple falafels, tomatoes and a sprinkling of low-fat cheese.  Broil until golden and cheesy!  I like to dollop a bit of non-fat greek yogurt on top.  I had to eat this more like a falafel tower rather than a pizza, but it was really filling and was a flavor explosion in the mouth with all the seasonings. 

This recipe is very versatile of course . . . I’m thinking of trying a Mexican-style naan pizza next time with ground black beans, taco seasonings, lime, etc . . . mmm!

100_2898 

  Gotta love that Greek yogurt!

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100_2901 I am loving the fruit in season right now and I picked a good watermelon the other day.  Such a refreshing treat!  After dinner I had a ramekin full (plus a few more steals from the Tupperware) and then went for a nice 40 minute walk around the neighborhood.  I love going for walks!  It’s nice to just take deep breaths and clear my mind.  I myself prefer walking to running.  I don’t know what it is, but I am just not a runner.  I think I get bored, and being a dancer I’m used to taking class and doing multiple, different movements.  I tend to stick to the classes at the gym for my usual workouts.  I think it helps when I have someone yelling at me to push harder, ha!

Hope your week is going well!

Are you a runner?  What do you like most about your personal exercise routine?

 

12 comments:

Gina; The Candid RD said...

wow that pizza looks fantastic. I used to be a runner, but now I have a problem with plantar warts that get worse when I run!!! Gross, I know. Now I do the elliptical or walk on the treadmill, then I do weights. IT works for me. Once or twice a week a do a video of pilates :)

Anonymous said...

lovely naan !

I went for a walk yesterday too! I am a runner and I love the feeling of pushing myself and progressing to a further distance. Its not as easy to remember how hard you air-punched during kick boxing class, or how high you kicked, or how many squats you did during aerobics- So to me its an easier way to "see" progression. Plus, it totally lets me zone out which I need alot! I do so much thinking and writing and studying - my runs are just me time to veg out but move at the same time!

I keep thinking about what an awesome job you did on your house. I don't know where to start with ours- I wanted to paint, I can afford paint. But we also need to sand and restain our floors, and we need furniture! argh... so much... and so little $$$.

did you take out a loan or did you save up ? how did you budget your fixes ?

Anonymous said...

Pizza looks delicious, Kristen!

I have to agree with you...I love walking more than running...I've run in the past...even a half-marathon, but my preference is walking...as also classes- I get bored easily!

Have a great day!

ellie said...

FELAFEL! That's what my lunch was missing (I had a houmms and roast veggie wrap and felt like it needed something more...)

I am not a runner- dancing is my thing :)

ellie said...

I tried to email you a response to the comment you left on my blog (thank you!) but didn't have your email address! I did street, hip-hop and breakdancing pretty intensively for a few years- I had to stop/start a few times after I had some injuries, then had to quit entirely a couple of years ago (I have osteoporosis)

Tyler said...

what a great idea for a pizza! sounds delicious! i love running, but unfortunately, my hip has been bothering me for the past few weeks...hopefully i'll be back at it soon! there's nothing more satisfying to me than a good morning trail run :)

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

Great idea making the pizza with the naan-looks great :)

Thinspired said...

I didn't know that about heart rate and calorie burn. Is VO2 heart rate? I guess it makes sense that the more in shape you are, the more it will take to get your heart rate up.
I don't know if I consider myself a runner. I want to. I have only run once since my 10K because my knee has been playing up. I have high hopes of making a return to casual running. I think anyone who runs could be considered a runner. I think it's the intention and the goal that counts, not necessarily the strength and speed.
I just bought some quinoa! Looking for some good recipes to try for next week.

Michelle said...

What a creative meal! I used to dance as well, which is why I think I took to vinyasa yoga so easily. At the gym I sometimes do classes but mostly I'm there for the steam room hahaha :-)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE it! oh my god, that looks DELICIOUS!
I like running, though I wouldn't consider myself a hard-core runner. I like the peaceful, quiet time I have to myself!

Emily said...

yum...the pizza looks delicious! i would make it today if i had all the right spices. :-)

i am a runner, but i hate treadmills. i also love dance and like to mix up workouts with dance classes or cross training (elliptical).

Sprouted Kitchen said...

http://www.sproutedkitchen.com.... great recipes, love your site! We have similar tastes and health ideas!