Restful, rainy, lazy weekend

The weekend started with a rainy Friday. It was super yucky out! Since I had a long training run (Thanks NYRR!) on Saturday, I wanted to eat light and healthy and no dairy. But since it was raining, I CRAVED soup! For soup I went to Europa Cafe and picked up a small cup of Spinach and White Bean Soup. No dairy and no meat-and it was creamy and EXCELLENT!!! I also had a toasted peanut butter and sugar free jelly sandwich-on Ezekiel bread!

After work, I headed to the gym for a 45 minute cardio workout with just a few strength training on my shoulders and back and some core work!
Then I headed to Whole Foods to pick up some supplies to make Anna's Gumbo!

The changes I made:

• No black beans
• I used loads of Emeril's Seasoning and Cajun spices
• My Chicken Sausage was a Chicken Andouille Sausage
• 2 cups of okra
• Frozen Corn (I have an aversion to canned corn)

This soup is velvety rich and so excellent! I ate 2 whole cups of it along with a Cheesy Biscuit from Whole Foods! (Those were Live In's tots! I MAY have had 3 or 4!)

Saturday I woke up early and ran 16.5 miles with the NYRR's Long Training Run in Central Park! I am so grateful they organize a training run... for about $10 you can choose to run between 6-20 miles and they provide pace leaders, water, goo, porti- potties, and even a few spectators! But Central Park is one hilly B&^%H! Yes, I definitely ice bathed after the run and today I am not sore one bit!

Saturday the weather was so nice-there wasn't a cloud in the sky. After a re-fuel with some Gumbo and a Grilled Cheese and Cherries and Carrots, I went to Central Park to lie in the grass and soaked in some Vitamin D! It was HOT HOT HOT and there wasn't much of a breeze but I sucked it up and caught some rays!

For Dinner, Live In and I ordered from Cafe Blossom-a vegan, kosher Cafe across the street from us. We both ALWAYS order the same thing: LI a Sloppy Joe and I a Tofu BLT! My sandwich comes with fried tofu, tempeh, lettuce, tomato, and a chipotle aioli on foccacia bread-not low in calories, but DEEEELICIOUS! I even have some leftover for a snack/dinner tonight-which it's raining-AGAIN!

I want to make for dinner this week a spicy, smoky cheese grits, with blackened chicken and tempura okra! A fusion of many spices and tastes, but comes together nicely. This is my "Signature Dish". which still needs a bit of tweaking. When I was unemployed, I watched HOURS on HOURS of the Food Network and I decided that I needed a "Signature Dish"-a go to dish when I needed to whip up something tasty and impressive, with my personality in the dish as well. So that's what I came up with.
A few others I have:

• Seared Sesame Tuna with a Wasabi Mustard with Crispy Green Beans
• Southern Fried Buttermilk Chicken-Light (a "lighter" version, if you will)
• Edamame Goat Cheese Dip-I found this recipe in Food and Wine and ever since I made it, it's been a hit.
• Bite-Sized Spicy Spinach Croissant Rolls

Does anyone else have a "Signature Dish" and what is it?

Seared Tuna with Crispy Green Beans and a Cheese Crostini

Grilled Steak with a Chipotle Sauce and Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits