WHO ROCKS? ... the warpaint

well YOU do!

* I wanted to send a shout out to Sara T.  I got this great email, in which she told me about her running.  up to 5, under 60.  that's awesome.  entering races.  ie: fun runs.  i'm proud and impressed.  *

For those of you that made some sort of, any kind of commitment to a healthier 2011, how's it going?  I enjoy sharing our progress, and our tough days too.  didn't anybody ever tell you, "we're stronger together!"  or "united we stand, divided we fall!"  or .. ha psyche.  i think you get it.

I have some fun runs coming soon.  i'm excited.  we gotta keep pushing, choosing, deciding .. put on that "warpaint" and hit the track, the tready, the trails whatever.

on this evenings menu:

a seared tuna steak (covered in seasonings such as cumin, cayenne, coriander, s&p)
sauteed zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, and grated carrot with fresh garlic and ginger and a little sesame oil
tossing the veggies in to some brown rice and garnish w/ cilantro

mmm.  xot

eat your heart out ..

I cannot take credit for this creation whatsoever.

"CM" is Chris, my vegan step-brother.  This is his dessert.  He brought it to our parents house this Christmas and it was so yummy, and guilt free!  I can't help but share the recipe.

With Valentines Day approaching I've been thinking about the typical sweets that go along with the day o'love.  Chocolates, or the little hearts with the sweet messages ... well, they are NOT Leeg approved.

BUT, this is!

Flourless Chocolate Tart

1 cup raw pecans
1 cup raw walnuts
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 TB butter (Vegans like Earth Balance)
16 oz nondairy semisweet or dark chocolate chips or bar
2 cups milk (I'm sure regular milk would work, but if using nondairy I
would probably use Almond, hazelnut, or hemp)
2 TB kudzu or cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Sifted confectioner's sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375

Pulverize nuts and sugar in food processor.  Add butter until a thick
batter forms.  Press into a 9 or 10 inch tart pan.  Bake for 10
minutes until the crust turns golden brown.

Meanwhile melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.

In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat.  It should be scalding hot
but not boiling.  While milk is heating, combine kudzu or cornstarch
with the water in a bowl or measuring cup until completely dissolved.

Add melted chocolate to milk and whisk thoroughly to combine (I
recommend whisking most of the way through putting the chocolate in
and then scrapping the last bit into the pot).  Whisk in thickener and
stir well.  Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The chocolate mixture will thicken slowly.  Pour over baked crust and
allow to chill two hours or overnight.

Dust with sugar before serving.  You can cut out a paper stencil and
lay that over the cake while dusting.

Enjoy!

-CM



I send many thanks to CM for sharing.xoT

....

..... and the weekend comes to an end!

So, how was it?  Did everybody do something fun, or relaxing?  Have any yummy food?

I have made myself this little deal.  All week, I eat really healthy stuff and then comes Saturday and you know what .. I like food and I allow myself to have whatever it is I want on Saturdays.  Now this doesn't mean I go ahead and gorge my face all day, oh no.  I basically allow myself one meal.  Thus far, that one meal has been dinner.  I still eat healthy things for my other meals, which is no big deal because as I've mentioned before, I really truly like just about all foods and so my steel cut oatmeal w/ sliced banana is filling and good in my opinion!!  Just what was my indulgence you ask!  Well, I was out and about watching the playoff game and went ahead and ordered three, yeah that's right three Sierra Nevada's and calamari with a yummy lime aoli sauce.   I loved every minute of it! lol

Sunday a.k.a. "day of rest" .. (where have I heard that before?)  no running, no body pump class and didn't even do my new butt workout I stole from my new love GP's trainer Tracy Anderson.  Instead I watched some "Weeds", took a small nap and made some Baja Shrimp Tacos sans taco shell, replaced with brown rice.  Yum.  Gotta make some quick guac and pico and black beans too and seriously, it was so good and fresh and "Leeg"!!

Quick recipe for ya:  for 2

1 cup brown rice
black beans, throw in a garlic clove and some cilantro and let warm in a small pan

PICO:
quartered grape tomatoes(just eyeball)
1/4 diced white onion
chopped/seeded red chili pepper
cilantro
little fresh squeezed lime juice
dash kosher salt

GUAC:
1 avocado, mashed with a fork
1/4 diced white onion
cilantro
fresh squeezed lime juice
dash kosher salt

clean up raw shrimp
squeeze lime juice
salt and pepper
grill/saute

either use a corn tortilla or for an even more "Leeg"version just get a little pile of the brown rice and pile on the shrimp, beans, pico, and guac and enjoy!!!

The Golden Globes are on.  Of the nominated films, so far I have seen Black Swan(wowza! great) The Fighter(loved it) and Country Strong(ha, duh)  not sure which song was nominated!  I love going to the movies this time of year.  The good ones have finally come out!

Hope you all had a great weekend and if the winter rain and cold starts to get to you, make yourself those Baja Shrimp Tacos and be glad we all have a little more winter to go.  You know before the season of less clothing is upon us!!xoT

"Country Strong"

A major part of Legion is diet.  The exercise is important, but to really begin to transform my body I have to watch what I'm putting in it!  I mean I can run 5 miles and depending on my pace only burn 400 calories.  So if I'm just eating any old thing my workout is erased and no change will ever happen.  I'm adjusting to eating mainly.. Protien.  Lots of it.  I want to be healthy first and foremost, and I want to be strong and toned too. Here's a look at what I've basically been eating since ol Leeg started.  I'm lucky b/c I enjoy these foods.  Their flavors agree with my pallet.  Eventually I know I'll begin to grow tired of the same old stuff and will have to bring out the recipes and switch it up a bit.  I also know that to get the look I want will absolutely require a strict dedication to the food choices I make.  As I've said for some time now, life is about trade-offs.  This is one I'm willing to make!

Breakfast:
Kashi Go Lean High Fiber/Protien Cereal with non-fat milk, 1/2 banana sliced and a handful of blueberries
1 slice whole grain/dbl fiber bread with a conservative spread of Nutella and the other 1/2 sliced banana
green tea w/ a bit of honey or 1 cup Starbucks coffee (thanks Jen) w/ a splash non fat milk

H20 H20 H20

Lunch:
marinate 1 chick breast in lowfat balsamic, grill or broil
mostly spinach and some romaine
grated parmesean
baby bellas large slices
1/2 avacado
squeeze fresh lemon juice
drizzle w/ red wine vinegar and balsamic + pepper.
                        ~ OR~
1 slice (aforementioned) whole grain/dbl fiber bread
spoonful nonfat cottage cheese
spincah
avacado
tomatoe
drizzle w light balsamic dressing + pepper

H20 H20 H20

Dinner:
I like to do a simple and so yummy eggplant parm.  For "Leeg" I just leave out the Provolone.

H20 H20 H20

been Snacking on raw almonds, Luna bars, apple or orange to get that sweet tooth and OJ .. calcium/vit d added!!

You know who else eats like this, and I will post more of her stuff ???   GP  I just saw her latest film  Country Strong.  1.  I love music and she did all of her own singing in this movie 2. she is fast approaching 40 and look at her!!  I heart Pandora and I heart  Gwyneth Paltrow. lol