2-on-Tuesday: Earth Day Stir Fry

HAPPY 

EARTH DAY! 

For me, Psalm 33

best frames the day!

The schedule has permitted me to get cookin', again! And, I felt creative! And, it's easy! And, it's ROBUST.with.FLAVOR! Don't wig if you or your family shuns the very idea of tofu, because you can always substitute with the cooked & diced meat of your choice. You don't have to serve over Basmati Rice or Quinoa, but it's just way more fun!

For this dish, I utilized the Chinese Brown Sauce (see below) from Forks Over Knives and punched it up just notch with orange juice and extra garlic! Then, doubled the recipe to have plenty to use for the cooking process! Get creative and change up ingredients to what your taste prefers. 

EARTH DAY STIR FRY
(or Broccoli, Carrots & Tofu Stir Fry)

1 bunch Broccoli, remove from main stems
2-3 large Carrots, shaved or sliced thin
2 Onions, thick sliced
1 Orange Bell Pepper, cut into big chunks
2-4 tablespoons Grated Ginger or Ginger Paste (bottled or grate your own using a box grater)
4-8 cloves Garlic, minced (or purchase the jar stuff and think in terms of tablespoons)
1 block Extra Firm or Super Firm Tofu (drained and pressed to remove liquid, then cube) -OR-
1 package Extra Firm or Super Firm Tofu "Cubed" (drained)
Red Pepper Flakes or Sriracha Sauce
Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
Chinese Brown Sauce (too easy to make!)
Salt, to taste
**Optional: Garnish with spring green onions, a sprinkle of chia seeds or sesame seeds

• Make Chinese Brown Sauce, first. (see recipe below)
• Cube tofu or cooked meat and stir-in a generous helping of Chinese Brown Sauce, extra garlic and extra ginger paste and let set to marinate for 1 minute to 1 hour.
• If serving with Basmati Rice or Quinoa, go ahead and prepare.
• Prep veggies while oil heats over medium heat in large skillet.
• When oil is ready, empty the marinated tofu/meat into skillet. Occasionally stir this mixture around to make sure it doesn't scorch. Add more sauce, if needed. The marinade will reduce to cover the tofu/meat.
• When the marinade has reduced and the tofu/meat looks sufficiently covered, remove from skillet to a temporary plate and add a smidge more oil to skillet.
• Toss the cut veggies (broc, carrots, onions, bell pepper) and red pepper flakes into oil and cook until desired tenderness! This part goes really fast and, then, add tofu/meat back into skillet with veggies adding more sauce, if needed!
• Serve with or without Basmati Rice or Quinoa.

Chinese Brown Sauce
(Forks Over Knives, pg 35...I've subbed in Molasses & Corn Starch)

1/3 cup Low-sodium Soy Sauce
1/3 cup Vegetable Stock
1/4 cup Molasses
1 tablespoon Grated Ginger (or ginger paste)
2 cloves Garlic, peeled & minced
1-2 teaspoons (or more) Corn Starch, dissolved in cold orange juice (water or pineapple juice would work, too)

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened. If there are any left-overs, serve with meal or store refrigerated in airtight container!

#GoPlayWithYourFood!

I'm Fit Possible!

After participating in a hashtag conversation on Twitter, an online runner-friend suggested I check into the social media community "I'm Fit Possible." So, I did and liked what I saw!

Addiction is such a strong word for all the fun I have on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and blogging! With my recent pursuit of a healthy lifestyle involving fitness and nutrition, I can't help but talk about it and share on social media about what I'm constantly learning, whether or not people comment, email or retweet. But, when someone does respond, OH MY GOODNESS! I squeal and jump up and down on the inside (sometimes, on the outside, too!).

I'm Fit Possible seemed like a perfect fit for my <ahem> addiction pairing my sharing with a healthy lifestyle as an "Ambassador!" Think of that! Me? 

I completed the online "I'm Fit Possible Ambassador Application," which is more like a simple questionnaire, uploaded a photo, clicked the submit button and that was that. In less than a week I received this response from the founder, Tara Gusmanis...

 I got a sweet, glass thermos!

"...You're in! Yay! Congratulations on becoming an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador! You are JUST the kind of person we need to make our community that much better!"

Much squealing and jumping ensued! 

What I had shared only with my hubby and a dear friend was my desire to become a wellness ambassador, but felt it may be a year before I would realize that goal. You do not have to become an ambassador to enjoy the IFP Community on social media and events. 

Am I a professional? Do I know all the answers? Nah. But, I'm enthusiastic about spreading the word and doing what comes naturally, talking and cheering for others! It IS possible to start as a late bloomer on a quest for a healthier self and be successful! 

We are social, big hearted, creative fitness enthusiasts.

We believe in unplugging and heading outside.

We believe that the best workouts are the ones done with family and friends. 

We try and sweat every day, but if we don't we won't sweat about it.

We love to try new things and if we love something, you'll hear about it. 

Oh and smiles, hugs and high fives are not negotiable.

If this sounds like you, come hang out online with other real people. Who knows? Perhaps you'll become an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador, too!

#ImFitPossible #andSoAreYOU!

"Sam"

Smiling at 50: New Year's Goal Accomplished!

(photo by Dane Allen)

I did it! Actually, we did it!

Before the clock struck 2014, my friend snapped a pic of my goal for the new year to run a 10K, 6.2 miles. If for no other reason but that photo, I had to accomplish this goal. 

(photo by Giovanna Gomez)

I downloaded one of the free 10K training plans from Coach Jenny Hadfield and made my plan of attack allowing for injuries, schedule and weather. As fate would have it, Tennessee experienced one of the coldest and longest winters on record further proven by our gas and electric bills.

Another reason to accomplish the goal is my age. I will be the big 5-0 years old on June 28 at 8:08am! That's half of a century! Crazy!

My honey was the epitome of encouragement at every step. His words spurred me to get up and go for it when I wanted to stay snuggly and warm in the 20 degree weather. He warned how I would regret not cross-training in Zumba.

Our ImpACT Challenge 2014
Race Bib I wore on my back
for the 10K

Further drive came with the ImpACT Challenge 2014 online group of like-minded friends pursuing weekly fitness and nutrition challenges for a healthier lifestyle. Each week starting in January, we set personal ACTion goals with several challengers deciding on either a 5K or 10K in or near April. 

A 10K is not run just once, but run many times in training prior to the actual event. I chose to run intervals building anaerobic threshold, strengthening muscle and endurance; thus preventing injuries. My "run" is really more like a slow shuffle and I'm a newbie at running so these are truly baby steps forming me into a better athlete. It sounds weird to classify myself as an athlete, still a hard-fought category I have right to claim.

Race swag, bib & chip

On April 12, 2014, together we decided to run "our" race the way we trained and not in competition with any other person or time. My legs were tired from the over-zealous session of Zumba the day before. It's only 6.2 miles, but it's my first; therefore, it feels like 26.2.

The best feeling was to cross the Purity MOOsic City Dairy Dash 10K Finish Line with my hubby, hand-in-hand! My time was slower by several minutes. The next best feeling was to have family and friends cheering us at the finish line!

(photo by Emily Allen)

Now that my New Year's Goal has been accomplished, I've been asked what is next. There are a couple more items, my honey and I want to check off the Smiling at 50 List, but we believe we will continue to run toward more finish lines!







During the timeline of the ImpACT Challenge, I became an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador! Another goal reached! More on that, to come!