Day 19 Tuesday

This is getting old, I have to say. The rain is really coming down so no walk today although I did do 6 miles on recumbent bike and 40 min. upper body and abs, followed by lots of stretching.

Breakfast: Protein Drink with pineapple and spinach

Lunch: Went Out to Exotic Thai and had Sizzling Plate: Sauteed vegetables in coconut peanut sauce over a bed of fresh spinach, topped with cucumbers and onions and with brown rice

Dinner: Thai Tofu Salad

Snacks: Banana, chips, nuts

Day 20 Wednesday

Still raining. By this weekend there will be snow on the mountains I can see from my bedroom. The creek below my house is about 3' deep and about 4' wide with many small waterfalls. I want candy. I had a gift certificate to Sur La Table so went and bought myself a seed grinder (Cuisinart, $29.95) to grind flaxseeds. Andrew Weil says that flaxseed meal and oil go rancid very quickly and does not recommend them and, even though I keep mine in the fridge, I decided to try it his way.

Breakfast: Soy yogurt with bananas and freshly ground flaxseeds

Lunch: Out to lunch with my daughter to Natural Cafe: Grilled veggie enchiladas with blue corn chips and salsa.

Dinner: Skipped Dinner and had a large bowl of chips with guacamole : }

Day 21 Thursday

This rain is making me crazy. Still working out inside but miss the long walks with Maggie. I am busily working on CEU's (Continuing Education Units) that I am writing to offer on the internet. Just trying to create some passive income, but man, these things are a lot of work, like writing term papers. The first one is on Trauma and The Brain and is about 15 pages long. The second one is a step by step guide for treating entrenched couples. It feels like being back in school.

Breakfast: Protein Drink with Strawberries and Spinach

Lunch: Quinoa Risotto with Mushrooms and Thyme (recipe follows)

Dinner: Leftover Enchilada and leftover Thai tofu salad

Day 22 Friday

The rain is stopped Yayy. The mountains are covered with snow. I only have 3 clients today and I am looking forward to the weekend.

Breakfast: Protein Drink with Pineapple and Spinach

Lunch: Salad with Peanut Dressing (recipe follows)

Dinner: Black Beans and Escarole Salad (recipe follows)

Snacks: POPCORN NIGHT!!!

Quinoa Risotto with Mushrooms and Thyme

1 c. quinoa, rinsed

1T. olive oil

1 c. chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, pressed

8 oz. crimini mushrooms, sliced

6 oz. shitake mushrooms, sliced

3 T. fresh thyme or 1 T. dried thyme

1 c. vegetable broth

Bring 2 c. water to a boil, add quinoa, cover and cook about 15 min.

Heat oil and saute onions 5 min. Add garlic. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook for about 5-6 min until tender. Add broth and reduce somewhat. Add cooked quinoa and salt and pepper to taste.

Peanut Dressing

3 T. water

2 T. rice wine vinegar

1 T. chopped green onions

1 T. peanut butter

1 T. soy sauce

1 t grated ginger

1t. Sriracha chili sauce

1 t. dark sesame oil

2 t. dry roasted peanuts

Put it all in blender or mini-prep and whirl until smoothe

Black Beans and Escarole Salad

1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 clove garlic, pressed

dash salt

1/2 red onion, chopped

1-2 T. white wine vinegar

1/2 t. pepper

2-3 T. olive oil

1 T. chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (less if you're chicken)

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1 head escarole, washed and trimmed

6 oz. guacamole (your favorite recipe or storebought)

1 avocado

1 lime, cut in wedges

Put black beans in bowl. In another small bowl combine garlic, salt, onion, vinegar, and pepper. Whisk in oil. Pour 3/4 of dressing over beans. Add the chipotle and cilantro. Toss. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Toss the escarole with the remaining dressing and grill 3 min, turning constantly until wilted and browned Serve with the beans, sliced avocados and lime wedges.

Any of my recipes could have cheese or meat added to them. Enjoy!