Today was redonkadonk. I spent 5 hours on a teleconference call troubleshooting computer server issues. And that’s all I’m going to say about that, because honestly, it’s 9:34pm and I don’t want to think about it any more tonight.
I was fortunate enough to be able to work out my frustration at the gym tonight. I’m fighting tendinitis in my right foot, so I’m not allowed to do any impact exercises. BOO. I can tell you, though–I.miss.running. I cannot even begin to explain how much I miss it. And on days like today, I REALLY miss it.
To get some cardio in, even though I’m currently not even allowed to use an ArcTrainer, stationary bicycle, or even elliptical, there’s an awesome hand-crank machine. Appears easy, but let me tell you, after 15 minutes you’re feeling the burn. Then my trainer kicked my arse. One full hour of Tabata exercises.
What’s Tabata, you ask?
It’s torture. That’s what it is. It’s torture. 20 seconds of an exercise followed by 10 seconds rest (kinda like HIIT). You do this 8 times. The first, even second and third rounds aren’t too terrible. But by the end, it is sheer willpower that gets you through. My triceps and quads are currently sore. And it’s only been 4 hours since our sesh ended. Yeah…we’ll see if I’m able to move tomorrow….
Anyway, yesterday I wanted to post, but it was so late by the time I had a chance that I didn’t have the energy to physically write.
Yesterday I also used the hand crank machine. For 40 minutes. I have a heart rate monitor to help track my calorie burn when working out…in 45 minutes I burned close to 440 calories and got a max heart rate of 176. Yeah, a little hand crank machine can do that.
#nojoke
So, that means big dinner, right? Definitely big hunger, no doubt. Nom Nom Paleo posted a Facebook post about Everyday Maven’s Paleo Taco Dip earlier in the day and I decided it sounded delicious. So I went to the grocery store, picked up the ingredients and got to cooking.
I don’t have one of those awesome things that you can easily see your layers that looks all fancy, so I improvised and used a glass casserole dish. I learned a couple of things from making this dish:
1). Taco seasoning is super easy to make (EverydayMaven even has a recipe!).
2). Buy enough salsa (or make enough of your own) to spread across your taco meat. If you don’t, it’s perfectly ok to improvise and mix the two ingredients. Not gonna lie, it tastes pretty dang good this way, too.
Salsa and Taco Meat can be Friends!
3). Food Processor = greatest invention ever if you want some of the smoothest, well-blended guacamole you’ve laid eyes on. My avocados were just under perfectly ripe. Mashing with a fork wasn’t going to cut it. I already chopped the onion and cilantro in the processor…why not just add the rest of the ingredients and go? Excellent idea, if you ask me. (insert awesome photo of guacamole–and terribly pun-ny “Guac the Casbah” joke–here when phone finally stops acting silly and syncs to computer).
4). This thing really does taste awesome. It was so worth the hour it took to make it. I added black olives just like the recipe suggested (again, phone won’t allow me to post a proper photo). Plantain Chips definitely add crunch and flavor to it to make it even more awesome.
Meat, Salsa, Guac, and Lettuce
5). Quite honestly, I don’t miss the beans. Or the sour cream (or, quite frankly, the calories).
6). It made enough that I was able to share with my roommate…and I now have lunch and dinner for the next 3 days….but I’m actually ok with it because it is so dang tasty.
Enjoy!
Meg's Motivating Journey 