WIAW #21: Mixed Veggie Protein Smoothie and Papaya Seed Salad for Fun Fitness Food

This summer is zooming by faster than you can say…ummm…zoom. That was bad, sorry. Anyway, although I’m not in school or anything, I can’t believe it’s almost “Back-To-School” season again! Once school’s in session, that means a longer commute to work though…bleh.


If you read my blog often, you probably know I like to puree random fruits and veggies to make creamy protein smoothies. I normally have some type of winter squash that I will steam and use for my smoothies, but lately I’ve been trying to branch out and try other things. Plus, sometimes you just don’t feel like cutting a big squash in half, scooping the seeds, cooking, and removing the skin every weekend.


So far I have used steamed rhubarb with strawberries which, obviously, made a very red but delicious smoothie. I’ve also tried green beans (not too bad), yellow summer squash (steamed and raw), and zucchini. Although it’s hard to beat pureed butternut squash for a super thick and delicious protein smoothie, I would (and do) use all of the above again.

It works for pies! Why not protein smoothies too?

This is a great way to pack in extra veggies while having a healthy dessert too. Stevia, frozen bananas or berries, peanut butter, and cinnamon can truly make the best tasting concoctions in my opinion; what do you think? Here’s one of my latest mixes with peas, carrots, tofu, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, stevia, and cinnamon. Like my cup and green koozie? This is my favorite way to eat my mixes; stick in the freezer for a while and enjoy with a spoon!

Another favorite of mine is to add fresh, pepper papaya seeds on my salad. Have you ever tried papaya seeds? They are not fruity at all and have a very strong pepper taste that is perfect on salad. I bet they’d pair well with a baked white fish or in a cold grain salad dish too.

In the fitness department, I’m making sure to keep it fun and varied with a mix of heavy barbell lifting, high-rep dumbbell DVD exercises, running, and swimming. I almost forgot, mowing the lawn with a reel mower twice a week ain’t no walk in the park either! Yes, I said “ain’t”; being a Texan allows me this right.


I love all of the workout circuits other bloggers have been posting and the ones all over Pinterest too. Just reading through them all is fun and makes me want to jump and do one right then. I like the ones with added weights over bodyweight circuits. Which ones, if any, do you prefer?


Sprinting makes up a lot of my running, but I’ve switched to swim sprints for variety and just more enjoyment. Nothing like some heavy lifting followed by a quick swim in the pool! Since my current goal is strength, I try not to go overboard on cardio, but I don’t feel complete without it. I guess I could just eat more. Think pea and carrot smoothies will help me get there?

Happy What I Ate Wednesday and as always, thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this fun blog event!

[B] Steamed veggies and tuna; rooibos tea mixed with black Tea (thanks to my Foodie Penpal!)

[S] Cut fresh red pepper and fennel with green tea

[L] Tuna-Millet Green Bean Salad

[Workout] Barbell Power Clean, Supreme 90 video, and mowing with a reel mower

[D] Gianormous salad with papaya seeds and sautéed bay scallops (you can’t see the scallops, but they’re there!) and homemade lentil veggie salsa; [D2] Veggie black bean peanut butter dip mixed with Chobani plain Greek yogurt, and pistachios; Pea, Carrot, and papaya protein smoothie; I added CHO on top later

My Lentil Veggie Salsa before the processor

I'm thinking about following the Supreme 90 Workout videos all the way through and give the barbell a break.  What do you think about this change?  It's hard to give up the barbell as it just feels good, but these videos can really work you if you use heavy dumbbells! Stay tuned for updates!

I stress way too much about working out b/c I don't ever feel like I do enough.  Really, my body is screaming at me to rest.

Q: Are you following a certain plain or just taking it day by day?

Q2: Do you have trouble giving your body a break or do you look forward to the rest day every week?

WIAW #19 Adding Spice With Fun Fitness and Drew's Salsa

Last week I mentioned how I've been working to change up my exercise routine to be more focused on strength.  I've been challenging myself with heavy compound lifts like bench, squat, row, and dead lift, but Kelley has been doing the Supreme 90 videos my mom got me for my birthday, and I decided to try them too.

Wow! I thought I could use heavy dumbbells like I do in the garage, but the fast pace of the videos requires a lower the weight.  Besides the annoying people (I swear, this one girl looks like a zombie with floppy arms), the videos are pretty effective.  I'm soaked after it's over (only 20 - 30 minutes), and the muscle groups worked are screaming at me for the pain they just endured.  So that's good, right? "Muscle confusion" at its finest!

Have you tried the Supreme 90 or similar work out videos?  Basically P90X for the budget-minded and you use more weights. Kelley and I do them together sometimes, and there's just enough room in our living room for the both us. Nothing like bonding with your spouse through pain-induced, sweaty workouts!

Speaking of pain-induced, I had the chance to try all 6 varieties of Drew's Organic Salsas, and whew, the hot one lives up to its name. No worries, though, I love the fiery pain engulfing my mouth and slowly warming my insides.  Me? Crazy? Nah? Plus, spicy food boosts your metabolism. Isn't that what we all want? Mine must be revving like a Ferrari engine by now!

Everything you'd want in a salsa and nothing you wouldn't...

Chips and salsa used to be my only use for salsa, but now I use it as salad dressing.  I used several Drew's varieties as dressing, but loved the Thick and Chunky Medium salsa the most.  It had enough heat without numbing my mouth with spice where I couldn't taste the rest of my food. Probably doesn't help when I add extra cayenne, though....oops!

Really, all 6 flavors are wonderful eaten with a spoon and nothing else. The organic medley of produce and spice creates delicious salsa that's fairly low in sodium and uses all natural ingredients. Fighting the urge to use all of the flavors to top my salad, I chose to "turn up the heat" by baking something with a spicy salsa bite.

Cap added for "dramatic" effect...not for consumption

We had a lot of chevre (goat cheese) left that wouldn't last long, so whatever I made would by very goat cheesy and spicy with Drew' Salsa. I opted to make a whole grain protein cornbread with Drew's Black Bean and Corn salsa and goat cheese. I love using protein powder to replace some flour; post workout baked goods are functional and delicious!

There was still a good chunk of chevre left, and being the good husband that I am, I chose to make one of Kelley's favorite goat cheese treats.....goat "cheez-its"! I used Drew's Thick and Chunky salsa and goat cheese to mix with whole spelt flour, protein powder, and a few other spices to create a hearty and spicy cracker dough.

The crackers magically disappeared within a few hours! I'd say Kelley loved them! They have just the right amount of tangy goat cheese and spice in a crunchy toasted square had us addicted. Guess I need more Drew's and goat cheese! Recipes, you ask? Of course, they'll be on a post soon; I promise!

But now, lets move on to my exercise and eats.  A bigger than big thanks to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting this fun foodie event every Wednesday!

Happy WIAW, Everyone!!

[B] Spicy Carrot and Cauliflower Dip; iced black tea with vanilla rooibos; [S] Drew's Salsa and goat cheese crackers with green tea; [L] Medley of steamed veggies and Wild Planet Tuna topped with Drew's Salsa; Zevia to wash it all down; [Workout] Supreme 90 video and mowing the lawn with a reel mower [D] Huge salad with radishes and grilled chicken topped with, you guessed it, Drew's Salsa; [D2] Chocolate squash and rhubarb smoothie with pistachios, Peanut Butter and Co Crunchy PB, CHO plain Greek yogurt, and pistachios; then a cup of chocolate protein overnight oats

If you haven't tried them, look for Drew's Salsa or Salad Dressing next time you're at the store. I mentioned their delicious Smoked Tomato Dressing in this post and how after Kelley is done, I'll use the bottle to fill with liquid and good something on the stove.  It's the best way to squeeze every bit of flavor out of the tasty, all natural dressing.

I want to thank Angela at Drew's for her kindness and support in helping to provide these flavorful salsas...Thanks, Angela!!

Have you ever baked with salsa? - Yes, see above.
Do you have a certain workout routine for each week or keep it varied and play it by ear? - I have to have a plan or I'll go crazy!

Back to Posting in the New Year....

So, it's been a while since I've posted anything and I'm hoping to get back into it.  One problem I had before was trying too hard to find something to post about and then searching for / taking related pictures.

For now, I will make my posts more on just what is on my mind.  Topics will mainly be food related, but I might mention something on the work out I did, what happened at work or home that day, car related, just pictures, or maybe another article I read and feel like sharing / discussing.

Maybe I'll even rant about something with all of the crazy things happening out there!!

Since my last post in October, when we were in our temporary < 800 sq/ft apartment, we've been pretty busy...

Kelley and I both trained for and ran the Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon the beginning of December.  The race was less then stellar with overcrowding, lack of support (for the slower runners...sorry, Kelley), and generally just poor organization.  And what's up with the food provided at the end of marathons?  Big companies bring their "healthy" energy foods to promote (i.e. Snickers) but none of really seems that great.  If it doesn't have a lot of "carbs", then it is probably full or artificial sweeteners to make sure it still tastes sweet and the general population will want more and more.  Whatever, it shouldn't bother me, but in my Foodie head, it's hard to comprehend.

After getting back from the marathon, we almost immediately closed on our new home that was built and moved in the weekend after the race.  We are still working on getting things unpacked and Kelley is diligently finding curtains, drapes, rugs, etc.....this will probably last a while.  I sold my motorcycle, bought a '98 BMW 540i, then traded it in for a 2006 Subaru Legacy GT a month later.  I think I just belong in a Subaru....I feel most comfortable with these cars.

Also, I had an idea I submitted at work to offer standing desks several months ago, but it was denied and waved off.  So, I made a request to another department and was able to get a standing desk for my work space.  I am happy, and it wasn't anything hard to change, so success!!  Oh yeah, Kelley got Abby back since we are now moved in....yay.

It's great being in our new home; cooking was less than inspiring while in the apartment, but I'm getting back into it now.  Roasted veggies will have to become more frequent in household again.

I'm not running like I was during training, I'm hardly running at all.  There is one day in the week where I'll go for over an hour long run, but the rest of the time I am focusing more on strength training. After logging many miles and hours running, I was left feeling pretty weak and useless for anything else.  Now I am trying to increase strength with free weight training and a little cardio on the side.  I may post on this at certain times if I feel the need.

In the old home, we did not have cable, or anything besides what the antenna could pick up.  In the new house, we got nothing with the antenna and decided to get cable.  So, now we are exposed to more annoying commercials and shows; I might rant about these at times as well.

For those of you reading, what would you be interested in seeing for future posts?  I plan on keeping the focus on food related topics, but might inject a few bits of my everyday life should I feel like doing so.

Until next post (hopefully sooner than 3 months), take care and try to learn to know what you are eating....never be afraid to ask questions...it's your body!!