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Appetites and Adventures

Indian Ginger Tempeh Stir-Fry + WIAW

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Something very strange happened yesterday.

I woke up not wanting to eat anything.  That’s not too odd.  Often I prefer to wake up and hit the gym first thing, without breakfast.  That has had to change for two reasons:

  1. My heavier lifting, longer workouts mean I’m hungry about 3/4 of the way through
  2. My 7th meal would end up being at midnight since meal 1 wasn’t until 930 or 10a (way too late for me)

That’s why this morning I ignored the part of me that wanted to skip breakfast before my workout and shoveled down my “oats.”  When I returned from the gym it was time for meal 2 and I still didn’t feel like cooking or eating.  Nothing sounded appealing, and that didn’t change throughout the day.  I reworked my spreadsheet at each meal just trying to find something that sounded tasty.

This never happens.  I always at least enjoy the process of cooking.  Maybe I’m getting sick?  I hope not!

 

Sorry for the blah intro to the 3rd installment of the  “Food, Fun, and Fitness” What I Ate Wednesday.  I’ll bust out of this funk by next week.  I can assure you that (most of) my food still tasted good… I just didn’t feel like eating it.

Check out my vegetarian protein-loaded day below; then click here to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to see everyone else’s fitness foods!

Meal 1:

The day started out as usual with a glass of my BCAAs mixed with ~2T of apple cider vinegar and water.

I’ve been repeating some of my favorite protein-filled breakfasts lately (like this Blueberry Protein Tart that I’ll be eating again tomorrow).  There have been a few crave-worthy meals!  Today I did my Paleo Oatmeal again, but this time using peanut flour instead of protein powder and vanilla instead of almond extract.

Meal 2:

The second meal of the day is a little weird, but it’s what I could get down post-workout.  Today was shoulders and glutes.  I pushed it to the limit and after my workout all I wanted was something to drink. 

These Isopure drinks are great because the entire bottle is 40g of protein!  I drink 1/2 at a time.

That was accompanied by an apple and my sorry attempt at sunflower seed butter.  It was a nasty sticky mess (which didn’t help my lack of motivation to eat).  #fail

Meal 3:

Lunch was really, really good.  One of my comfort foods is an egg sandwich, so I made just that.  I scrambled some egg whites with garlic and basil before stuffing it between 1/2 of a protein bagel.

The awesome people at P28 sent me a bag of bagels to sample and I am addicted.  It’s the first time I’ve had a bagel in years.  You definitely have to toast it, but who eats a cold bagel anyway?!  They are chewy and nutty and have 28g of protein per bagel.  Now I need to get my hands on the sliced bread and the rumored new product – wraps!

On my bagel I spread a mix of sriracha and cottage cheese before adding the egg, then stuck it in my George Foreman for a quick press.  Served with a side of roasted cauliflower, coated in a quick sauce of nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic, and rice vinegar.

This actually hit the spot. 

Meal 4:

This was the least satisfying thing I had all day.  I wanted a chocolate protein shake.  I wanted it super creamy, like a milkshake.  This did not hit the spot.  I won’t even go into details.  I’m still irked.

Meal 5:

Again, I couldn’t think of what to make and didn’t want anything.  So I went to my new staple – an Indian tempeh stir-fry.  I ate the same thing for dinner yesterday, and I ate it last Friday too.  It’s bizarre for me to repeat a meal so often, but it’s damn good.  This ginger-spiced, garlicky dish comes together quickly, and is easily changed up with different sides or mix-ins.

Last Friday I served it over parsnip rice, Monday night over a ton of fresh spinach, and last night I added zucchini and red pepper to the mix.

Confession: I tried to serve it over zucchini “pasta,” but I can’t figure out how to work my new spiralizer. 

My carb source with it last night was a sweet potato + cinnamon.

Recipe at end. 

Meal 6:

Eh.  I didn’t want meal 6 and I knew I was going to clear my protein goal for the day.  So I skipped it.  Sorry, Coach.

Meal 7:

Dessert is not a meal I ever skip.  Tonight was a bowl of Pumpkin Protein Dough with blueberries that I microwaved for ~15 secs with a bit of sugar-free maple syrup.

There’s not much  of a recipe.  Here’s what I  mixed together:

  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 
  • 2T of pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 C cereal
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 7-8 drops liquid Stevia 
  • Almond milk (maybe 2-3T?)

Stir together and let is sit in the fridge for 30 mins to let the cereal get soggy and form a dough-like texture.  Nosh away!

Indian Ginger Tempeh Stir-Fry

  • 1/2 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 T ginger, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 T green onion, chopped
  • 1/4 C red pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeno, minced
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 2 T rice vinegar
  • 1/4 C water
  • 1 serving tempeh, crumbled or grated
  • 1/2 zucchini, cubed
 Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add ginger, garlic, onion, pepper, and jalapeno.  Saute 1-2 mins, until fragrant.

Add spices and vinegar, stirring to combine.  Add water, tempeh, and zucchini, again stirring to combine.  Simmer until liquid evaporates, ~5 mins.

Plate and enjoy!

Makes 1 serving (easily doubled).

***

This day of eats was entirely vegetarian, and I managed 145g of protein.

Do you ever just not feel like eating?

What do you eat before working out?  Anything?

Comments

  2. Isn’t it funny how the grass is always greener on the other side- the minute you actively try to reduce your food intake, you want to eat all the more yet when you “have” to eat, suddenly the urge has reduced! On mornings where I am working out first thing, I usually have an apple beforehand which does the trick. For religious reasons, I fast on Mondays so only eat a meal at night. For that reason, I’ve started having a pb & j on Tuesdays during my walk to the gym which gives me the necessary energy- otherwise I’m too sluggish!

    • Great idea with the apple – I did that yesterday and it was the perfect thing to last through my workout!

  3. Mmm, pumpkin protein dough….I feel like Homer Simpson staring at a box of doughnuts! Lol What cereal do you use?

    Oh and THANK YOU for reminding me that I still have to make your cashew curry dish with the parsnip rice AND NOW I have to make this one too! I just need to go to the store! Ugh, how can it only be Wednesday and I’m out of every vegetable but carrots and bell pepper?! Oh and a ginormous bag of jalapeno and Anaheim peppers from the farmer’s market (I bought 2 from the guy and the next thing I know he was throwing extras in the bag telling me I was going to LOVE them. Who was I to say no to free peppers…even if I do live alone and now have like 5 pounds of the them! Who wants some chili…in the dead of summer?!)

    I have been LOVING super thick protein shakes lately…I’ve been making chocolate ones and they remind me of a Wendy’s Frosty!

    Do you actually like those Isopure drinks?! The powder isn’t bad, but I always thought the pre-mixed drinks tasty chalky and dried my mouth out! Ick!

    • This one was the Uncle Sam’s stuff. Really whatever cereal you have will do, but if the pieces are larger you may want to crush them a little.

      Those pepper sounds AWESOME. I love spice. A lot. You should make salsa!

      I do’nt mind the Isopure… I’ve only have the juice-like ones. I try not to make a habit of having them though – they are “emergency” proteins for me.

  5. Your Indian stir fry looks insanely good my friend, I have a weakness for anything… fried 😉
    But veges are better no?
    And of course, your WIAW makes me want to restart and eat like you 😀
    Heathy but delicious!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  6. Everything looks delicious, Laura, especially the stir fry. I can’t usually find tempeh so I guess I could use tofu. I love ginger but never buy it. I should. Thanks for the suggestion!

    • Pressed tofu would certainly work. I can usually find tempeh in the “healthy” food section of Publix or Kroger, if you have those where you live..

  8. I actually understand what you are saying here… which is unheard of for me as well! I am blaming it on being way too hot for the last few days and just being in a general mental funk. I believe we will both snap out of this soon Laura 🙂 On that note, great stirfry recipe! I have been going nuts for stir-frys lately, so this is definitely added to the list of ones to try!

  9. I normally don’t have the feeling of not wanting to eat, so when that hits (like with crazy heat and when I’m getting sick), I have to kind of force the situation. I feel like if I’m getting sick, my body needs the fuel and if it’s just too hot well, I still need the fuel, but my sources kind of change up since I probably need to hydrate more.

    Your eats look delicious! You know I love that protein dough…that stuff is so stinkin’ good!

  10. I would probably often skip eating if wouldn’t interfere with running and working out. Right now I’m on summer break so I have the luxury of eating before my morning workouts and lately it’s been protein overnight oats with sun butter, banana Vega Performance Protein and cinnamon. It’s soooooo good!

    I entered your giveaway! Always look for vegan protein sources 🙂

    • That sounds a lot like the breakfast I had this morning! Except blueberries instead of banana. 🙂

  11. Sometimes I wake up not hungry for breakfast yet, but other than that I always feel like eating haha! 😛 It’s annoying when I’m not hungry for breakfast though because then I have to sit around and wait to get hungry, which pushes back my work out.. I always eat breakfast before I exercise!

    Also that stir fry looks amazing. Definitely bookmarking it to try!

    • I do the same thing! And then you don’t want to exercise on a full stomach and then your whole day is off. #firstworldproblems

  12. Wow, all these meals look great! I am especially loving the texture of that oatmeal! I recently tried pumpkin seed butter and loved it, but now I really want to try sunflower seed butter! The stir fry looks particularly delicious! 🙂

  14. seriously it all looks so good. I give you credit for knowing fuel comes first, it is tough especially when you are not hungry. I need to start making some of your meals, I am getting bored over here with mine.

  15. I love seeing your weekly WIAW posts! I love the healthy protein packed mini meals! I also just bought my first amino acids and can’t wait to start taking them too!

  16. I just LOOVE reading your WIAW! I look forward to it every week! I wonder what ingenious concoctions Laura came up with? :). And you delivered! I’m esp intrigued by meal 7. I have all the ingredients on hand so def going to make it today! Thanks, girl!
    I feel ya! I’ve been doing yoga at 5:30 in the morning (love to work out first thing in the morning), and I’ve learned that a hearty bfast is a MUST! If I eat just a banana, I find myself saying, “whelps..there goes my banana,” halfway through the works. Now, I eat a hard-boiled egg, cereal or oatmeal, and a banana. I can afford to switch thing up a lil. Go crazy..Live a lil’ :).

  17. you could just go for a chocolate brownie, thats what I always do when i cant decide what I want to eat and i’m still going strong

  18. Actually, I have been unusually hungry lately, so I always feel like I’m eating like a pig *even though I’m probably not…* But there are days when I just don’t feel good about eating, which is a totally different thing from not “feeling like eating.” :\ I hate those days!

    And before a workout, I just try to have something so I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out when working out! Usually it’s something like a bowl of veggies with some tofu, tempeh or lentils/chickpeas about an hour before working out, or else a sandwich of some variety. I usually focus more on what I get into me after I exercise 🙂

    I LOVE the looks of your curry! I love Indian style food, so I’m definitely going to have to try this soon!

  19. I haven’t been too hungry or wanting to eat lately either – I think it must be from the heat! I’m betting your appetite will be back in no time 🙂

  20. I’m all over that stir fry! Yum.
    The bagel looks mighty tasty too.

    I love me some Isopure, too. but had to ditch it after noting it had aspartame in it – its link as a cancer causing ingredient. and I’m paranoid like that.

    • I know the aspartame is terrible… I am guilty of keeping the quick-protein fixes on hand in case of emergencies. Doh.

  21. Sorry to hear you aren’t into eating… sounds like a slump? Over-worked? Over-stressed? Sometimes all I want to eat is chocolate oats for dinner even when I have a salad waiting for me in the fridge… I resist!

    Although I hate going to a resto wanting to fix a chocolate craving by ordered a chocolate smoothie only to be disappointed. Yes, this happened a few weeks ago… but now I have the solution…. I don’t know if it is high-protein but this shake was wonderful!! Lots of creamy chocolately goodness: http://mynewroots.blogspot.ca/2010/06/raw-chocolate-milkshake-miracle.html

    Your tempeh looks great, though! Yum!

    • Probably a little of everything. It’s getting better today though. I seriously almost made chocolate oats for dinner that night. LOL!

      That smoothie looks awesome! I can’t have half the stuff in it… but it smells of a cheat day treat! 🙂

  22. Did you try to make that sunflower seed butter from sunflower seeds? I bought some and wanted to try to do the same but it seems like they don’t work as well as almonds and other nuts in terms of just throwing them in the food processor and letting them mix. Is that what happened to you too?

    • Yup. I’ve done almond just fine too! Glad to know it’s not just me… I guess I’ll go splurge on Sunbutter.

  24. That’s definitely an impressive amount of protein! When I saw it on Twitter, I had to check it out! It sounds like some of your meals frustrated you though! Blasted protein shake! :o) I’ll have to try paleo oats one of these days. I keep seeing them pop up on blogs, and they sound like an interesting breakfast. I can’t find peanut flour anywhere! I’ll have to check Amazon….

    • It was just the shake, really. Sometimes I get a little *too* creative. LOL!

      Peanut four can be found on iherb.com – order over $40 get free shipping, and there’s a discount code for first time customers: USO924

  25. I hate it when I have a smoothie “flop”! It usually happens because I get impatient and put too much water in:) Your cookie dough looks divine and I can’t wait to try out the tempeh stir-fry! I’m so bored of sauteed tempeh!

    • It’s a great one to try if you’re bored of the same ‘ol tempeh. I love the ginger in it!

  26. I definitely have days I do not feel like eating, but you know what, sis? I always always eat anyways! It’s so important to fuel ourselves even if we don’t feel like eating 🙂 Some days (rarely, though) I am sure I could go until lunch without food, but that’s NOT healthy so I won’t do it 🙂

    Your WIAW’s are by far my favourite, love 🙂 You and I have so much in common! Don’t you just love it!? <3

    I have two blocks of tempeh and I will most definitely be making the recipe above! Thank you hunnie!

    Love you so much xo

    • You are so right – and that’s what I kept telling myself all day long. 🙂

      We should do a joint WIAW! That would be SO much fun. WIA Twin-day? 😉

  27. P.s. I was always a little eerie of the protein bread, but I’ll take your word for it now 🙂 Maybe they will send me some?? 😉

    And you are so right! Who eats bagels cold!?!? HAHA

  28. There are definitely times I don’t feel like eating… especially if I know I HAVE to eat something. My inner rebellion comes out. If I’m working out in the morning, I don’t eat before. Unless it is for a race and then I’ll get up about 2hrs ahead of time so the food has time to digest. I really can’t eat closer than 2 hrs before a workout or else I find myself burping a lot (TMI, sorry!) and I really can’t stand it.

    • I’m the exact same way with running. Even before a race I’d only choke down 1/2 a banana!

  29. I’m always learning something new here. Never heard of those protein bagels- I’m intrigued! Sorry about the weird food funk… it’s so fun to not want to eat. Like you, I rarely have that problem!

  30. Lately, I’ve been craving everything and nothing at the same time if that makes sense.

    I had paleo oatmeal this am too, only because I had a pancake fail…baaah. Irked like your shake and my lunch was a fail too. Today is not my day. Haven’t had food fails in a while. Boooo

    • I used to do the prune or date thing… maybe need to bring that back!

      I like the idea… but need to replace that oil. Hmmmm…

  35. I’ve got to try that stir-fry – so good! I’m usually not hungry now that I’m not running on my strength training days, but then hungry like whoa the next. I always hungry for breakfast though. Always. Sometimes I even eat in the middle of the night!

  36. I’ve been extra hungry lately and I’m thinking I need to add more protein while I’m training for MCM. Definitely going to have to start copying some of your high protein meals!

    • Probably so! I just read an article that said whey protein is good for runners post-run. You don’t need near what I get, but I bet 0.8-1x your body weight would fill you up!

  37. Ahh sure you will be out of the funk soon love, it happens to the best of us! I generally have the feeling that I want to eat but can’t be bothered cooking… much worse because then I end up eating quick and not so nutritious foods! :/

    • I have been in that funk. Actually, I was there tonight. It resulted in the Whole Foods hot bar. 🙂

  38. I never eat before working out. It always makes me feel sluggish. I’m also super starved when I get done, regardless if I have eaten ahead of time or not, so I figure it saves me some calories. Lots of protein for being vegetarian! I know I need to get more during the day, but I usually focus on getting enough fiber.

    • That’s my problem. I don’t like feeling sloshy and weighted down. But I can’t stand how hungry I get – it hurts my last sets.

  39. I really appreciate that you put all that you do into your blog. A correction is needed though. If you skip meal 6, meal 7 becomes meal 6, not desert (meal 7). I rotate your carbs for a reason. It helps keeps the metabolism where we want it. Please try to stick to the meal plan. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. BTW, you are doing an awesome job.

    • *sigh*

      But I love dessert… and 7 meals is HARD. I know, I know… I’m not here for easy…

      Thanks, Coach. 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. […] my favorite stir-frys happened because I couldn’t figure out how to use my spiralizer.  This Indian Ginger Tempeh Stir-Fry happened when I wanted zucchini pasta but failed to […]

  2. […] always loved using Indian spiced in my dishes.  Ginger is a staple – I once made this Ginger Tempeh Stir-Fry every night for a […]

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