This post is a little rambly. I’ve been up since 5:15 and I’ve already ran, napped, packed for Philly ate 2 meals and watched a lot of tv. It’s been an action packed morning. I promise I end this post with a good, quick and easy recipe. It’s worth it.
Yesterday wasn’t that busy for me. I went into the city to take a SoulCycle bands class. For some reason I keep getting the times of the Friday bands class confused with the Thursday class. Since I got there “early” I stopped into Whole Foods for carrots and then moseyed into SoulCycle, stopped to talk to the girl who worked there about my anniversary, blah blah blah, I walked into class 5 minutes late. To make things worse, this is the second time I’ve done this and someone was already on my bike. Don’t worry he got off because I think it was his 2nd class already that morning. (There are some people in the class that take “doubles” and one guy in the class was on his 3rd class of the morning…)
I don’t want to go into it too much, because if you follow me on twitter I already complained. It was not my best class. The instructor wasn’t very motivating. She focused more on the “wrong” things people were doing, like when I started with my left instead of the right, she needed to call me out on. Does it really matter? She also told me I was going too slow on a sprint and then took off all of my resistance when I was in the middle of it. I wasn’t going all out because I needed a little rest. The instructor also came over to me and put my seat about halfway back without me knowing. When I sat down I could barely touch the handle bars. I don’t mind instructors getting in my face to push me, but I just felt like her touching my bike was too much, I know how to set it up, I’ve been spinning for almost 10 years. Okay rant done. It still was an amazing workout and I’m not going to let that one class, ruin my amazing experience at SoulCycle. I still am in love.
On another note:
Has anyone read the article, “Where’s the Beet?” by Joel Stein in last weeks Time Magazine (August 23rd issue)? The article was about meat, sighting that Americans eat 21,000 animals over their lifetime. Does that sound like an insane number to anyone else?? 21,000? wow. The article also made note of the fact that houses and cars cost 14 times what they cost 50 years ago, but the price of chicken hasn’t even doubled because factory farming is so darn cheap. Americans eat 150 times more chicken now than they did 80 years ago. Personally, these numbers still astound me, but don’t surprise me.
The article highlighted 6 chefs who are moving away from animal protein centered entrees and making use of less meat in pizzas, pastas, rice dishes, etc. Mario Batalli is having Meatless Monday’s in all 15 of his restaurants and the other chefs are doing smaller portions of meat (4 ounce instead of 6 ounces.) These chefs and their restaurants are trying to let people reexamine their food choices and hopefully opening them up to some vegetarian options.
There also was a second short article about partial vegetarianism to help fight global warming. The idea is that if you are a “weekday” vegetarian then you can adhere to the “diet” without worrying about “failing”. I do have a couple of problems with the statement, of failing with your “diet”. I really feel like you should eat what you want to eat and if you want to be vegetarian, vegan, carnivore, omnivore or herbivore it really is a personal choice you need to make for yourself. But I do understand the idea behind having some meatless days to help global warming, since livestock produces for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gases (according to the U.N.). The goal of the movement is to reach more people, since it’s hard for many to avoid meat. It’s easier for people to eat less meat, or to avoid on some days, rather than going all out. I get that and I do think it’s a great movement. I just would avoid the labels of vegetarian/flexitarian and say I’m trying to make a better, more knowledgable choice and eat less meat. Am I wrong?
What do you think about this? I think we can all afford to eat a little bit less meat. I wish that a larger number restaurants would also be open to buying more organic options, I know I would be open to paying more money for organic/grass fed meats. What do you think??
Now for my meatless protein filled side dish or entree. Whichever you’d like to make this. I love making a full cup of quinoa so I have leftovers to eat throughout the week. It saves a lot of time making a big serving once, than taking out the pot to go through the process 4 different times.
I’m going to call this:
Ingredients Cook quinoa according to directions on packaging. I like to use vegetable broth to add to the flavor. After the quinoa is done cooking, when the white ring appears, add the beans to the pot. Mix it all together and heat through on a low heat. You can add your favorite dressing or olive tapenade.
Have a wonderful weekend! I’m off to Philadelphia to celebrate Danny’s birthday and our 2nd wedding anniversary!!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the idea of meatless days. Even though we adore meat, we certainly don’t have to have it everyday, and do at least one meatless meal a day. And when we do eat meat, it’s small portions, and usually just once a day. I heard the statistic its better for the environment for you to become a vegetarian, or not eat beef? can’t remember, than give up your gas guzzling big truck or car.
I meant to say at least one meatless meal a week
I think small changes definitely help and that it is completely up to the individual on how they want to help the environment. I don’t eat meat and after two years of this, my boys are now eating less meat at their own request. I think putting a label on it or calling it a diet of no meat during the week will make people think they are missing something instead of enjoying other options. Oh and the instructor should definitely not touch your bike…that is too far. Your quinoa looks delicious. I LOVE quinoa!
21,000?!?! holy…cow. if only you could have seen my face when i read that! haha. meat doesn’t usually tend to make me queasy at the thought…though i think the more i’ve been meat-free, the more the idea of eating an animal (especially 21,000 over the course of a lifetime) doesn’t sit so well with me. i’ve been sort of the same as you…i don’t really call myself a vegetarian. but i honestly cannot remember the last time i had meat.
and i had no idea that being meat-free helped to combat global warming, too! so, i love that more people are becoming aware of it, and making more meat-free vegetarian options.
love your quinoa dish – protein powerhouse!!
again – happy anniversary to you and Danny. have a great weekend!
Ugh, what a horrible fitness instructor. There is a fine line between motivation and just flat out rude. There is no need to point out a person in a workout class, unless they are doing a move incorrectly that could harm them in the long run.