Exhaustion from my lack of sleep hit me this afternoon. Well, actually, I haven’t felt much like myself all day! If yesterday’s lesson was to "eat your breakfast" today’s is "get your sleep!" I have no idea how people can skimp on sleep and breakfast day in and out. I’d be one big grump!
I had planned on going to the gym when I got home this afternoon – via bicycle – for a short weight lifting session. Nothing too major. But halfway home the thought of going to the gym with zero energy on such a sunny day seemed like hell! With that kind of attitude, it was a sign that I was not destined to go to the gym today.
I got home and collapsed onto the floor and would have taken one of Matt’s floor naps if I didn’t know better that it would interrupt my sleep cycles again. I wasn’t hungry for a snack, but I debated eating for energy. I complained to Matt my predicament and he said "Sounds like a walk in the sunshine would solve all of your problems. It would energize you and brighten your mood." What a smartypants.
I decided the healthy thing to do for both my mind and body would be to throw the gym plans out the window and go out and enjoy the sunshine on a casual walk. Luckily, Matt said he’d come too to keep me company! I put on playclothes and we set out on a 40 minute stroll. The walk was very energizing! So glad we went.
Once home I set out to pack up my lunch for tomorrow, make some overnight oats for breakfast, and start on an early dinner. I did enough snacking while I cooked to make up for not having a snack! Bites of veggies, licks of yogurt and pumpkin, a small piece of bread. Prepped 3 meals at once!
Dinner tonight was a tempeh stir-fry featuring Simply Orange, which I was sent as a sample coupon to review. When debating what flavor to get at grocery store, I picked out the Orange with Mango flavor as a tribute to my trip to Kenya last year. My that mango juice was pure bliss.
While it wasn’t quite the same as the Kenyan mango juice, this was pretty close! It was smooth and thick and really nice. You could definitely taste the mango!
It went really well with a bunch of veggies!
First we steamed some tempeh – just put it in a metal colander over simmering water with a lid over it for 5 minutes. It helped loosen it up and the flavor was delicious. I love raw tempeh, but it’s even better cooked. Then we sautéed it with broccoli, peppers, cauliflower and garlic in some sesame oil and melted coconut butter (not sure how much that affected it but it worked ok. Couldn’t taste it though).
Plus tamari, OJ (1/2 a cup?), and flour to thicken because we’re out of cornstarch –
Served over some Lundberg Short Grain brown rice – the best in the world!
And a sprinkle of red pepper flakes!
Totally fabulous.
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Best way to transport a crockpot + ingredients: Envitote! This thing has been a lifesaver so many times!
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Off to chillax and then get to bed early!! Tomorrow I’ve got to be into work early so I’ll be working out in the afternoon again. Hopefully well-rested and energized!
Nite!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
The stir fry sounds absolutely fabulous!! I love citrus flavored things in stir frys, yum!
Jil says
That stir fry looks so good! I haven’t seen the w/ mango option of that juice yet – but maybe I need to look a little bit harder! 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Sometimes a nice walk is all we need 🙂
Have a great night!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
As usual, LOVE that bowl! Glad your weather is nice – ours is yucky with rain right now!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
That looks so good, I NEVER would have thought to put OJ in a stirfry!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
I cannot wait for some sunshine — I miss my walks! It really is one of the best ways to energize 😉
lovely stir-fry!!
Bronwyn says
My friend keeps talking about her OJ+Balsamic sauce that she puts on broccoli, it sounds so delicious. Seeing yours just makes me want to try it even more.
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
Lundberg short grain brown rice is indeed the best rice ever! Love it!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
sounds like a great dinner – i like to steam my tempeh first too.
Jenna says
Hopefully you get a goods nights sleep! Your dinner looks fantastic, very spring like. 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I’ve had that OJ before and you’re right– you can totally taste the mango!
Man, doesn’t your trip to Kenya seem like so long ago? It feels like a long time ago that I was reading about it!
Sorry, random 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I just threw gym plans in exchange for a walk ‘n’ chat with a friend from home. Our bodies will thank us tomorrow. I used to get 2-5 hours of sleep per night in high school. Now that I get 7-8, there is no turning back. I cannot even begin to describe how my hs years messed me up! I get 5 or 6 now and I am a total zombie.
Mama Pea says
Fab tropical vegan stirfry! And those hubbies strike gold once in awhile don’t they? Hope you have a restful evening!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Nice day! Oats, date lunch and sunshine in the evening! I wish it was sunny here…I am hoping for that tomorrow! have a great relaxing evening!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
mmmmm what a great way to use juice! so glad you got to walk in the sunshine…and now you’ll be tired and sleep well tonight! hope you guys have a wonderful evening 🙂
Samantha says
I totally copied your dinner. Thanks! : )
Faith @ LovelyasCharged says
As usual, everything there sounds completely delicious! Mangoes are one of my favorites, so I’ll have to track down that juice, and that seems like such a tasty way to cook tempeh too!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Wow, I can’t believe you were able to fit all the oat things you needed in that bag and it was strong and sturdy enough for a crockpot. I really got to get one.
Kelly B (at Local Foodie Fight) says
what a delicious looking stir-fry! and love your attitude about embracing the sunshine!
Whitney @ Lettuce Love says
That stir fry looks sooo good! Smart move to go outside instead of the gym — nothing beats the sun 🙂
Biz says
I love stir fry – love the orange sauce too!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
We are making a fried rice dish with that OJ later this week.
Veggielady4life says
I can relate to how you were feeling today about going to the gym. I’m in my third year of medical school… and some days I am just exhausted once I get home. I usually have to be at the hospital around 6 AM, so working out in the mornings is just insane. I would probably have to get up around 4 AM. Just not feasible. So I do wait until the evenings, and it’s hard. I don’t feel like working out… or cooking or whatever. But I try to remind myself that it really won’t zap my energy… it will just increase it. And it always makes me feel so much better!!!
Anywhoo… I do think it’s important to listen our bodies. When we really feel too tired… we just have to be kind to ourselves. Enjoy the day… get some sunshine… and remember… it’s all about moderation anyway. BTW… your dinner looks delicious!!
Rachel says
That stir-fry looks and sounds great! I love stir fry – there are so many options! Good choice with skipping the gym and heading outdoors. Our bodies really do know best!
Run Sarah says
Love the idea of a walk in a sunshine to gain some energy. That looks like a wonderful recipe – I can’t wait to try it out! My hubs always has OJ around!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
What a wonderful dinner – so creative!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
I wish there was sunshine to walk around here in DC… its been rainy and gloomy! But they are saying its going to get up to the 80s later in the week… fingers crossed!
Meghan@traveleatlove says
Ahhhhh I want some sunshine!!! A walk in the sun is just the cure for everything sometimes!
Gabriela says
Hahahaha – sleeping is the key, for sure!
Loved that orange juice, Kath!
And those veggies looked divine 🙂
Have a great week!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
Katrina says
I love Simply Orange. I haven’t tried the mango yet, but after that recommendation, I’ll get some. I made orange stir fry last night and I LOVE the combination of orange with the veggies. I’m interested in the addition of the mango.
And I gave in to the good nap today. I should have gone outside, but I crashed hard when I got home. I’ll regret that tomorrow when cloudy skies return. 🙁
Jenny says
Your trip to Kenya looks beautiful!
eatdrinkandbemerrynyc says
A walk is always a great alternative to a nap! I can NEVER nap EVER….so maybe that’s just me being biased 🙂
Sara
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
An outdoor walk always does the trick to get me energized!
I LOVE that sauce Kath! Great idea!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Oh, and thank you (and Ally) for getting back to me on the tea question… whenever I order Chai (my favorite) it comes as the liquid mix, so the Vanilla Rooibos just totally confused me haha! Glad I’m drinking the right things! 😉
Ashley says
Kind of SCARY!! So, last night I made Sweet + Sour Stir Fry from the Clean Food cookbook. Tonight we were having leftovers but I thought I’d spruce it up a bit with ORANGE glazed TEMPEH!! hahah How funny!! THE best recipe for this is on 101 cookbooks. You get the tempeh nice + crispy and then pour the sauce on and cook more. It is really amazing. Anyway, I just thought this was quite hilarious and had to tell you 😉
Charlie Hills says
Casual walks, how I miss thee… I need to get back into the swing of things, that’s for sure.
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
:O wow at that stir fry, it sounds/looks delicious!
I didn’t know you’d been to Kenya, that must’ve been amazing. Did you eat all the crazy food there!? My sister went to South Africa and had like, gazelle burgers lol 😛
Hannah says
Well done for listening to what your body wanted! And red pepper flakes make everything better. (Even chocolate. And ice cream. Brilliance!)
Kori says
Your dinner looks ahhh-mazing! 🙂 I love all things citrus and with mango. My sister and I are going to try some simple pan-heated tempeh this week on whole wheat bread with fruit spread. Ever since I’ve seen that combination from you my mouth has been watering. Going on walks ALWAYS puts me in good spirits. They sort of revive and energize me. I’ve been at a crossroads too of “should I nap or should I take a walk”? Whenever I have that predicament, I just head out the door. 🙂 Have a great Tuesday, Kath!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
I love Simply Orange orange juice! I switched from Tropicana to them recently. Your tempeh stir fry looks fanastic!! 😀
Jenn
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
I love long walks in the sunshine, they always lift me up. Your citrus infused sitr-fry dinner looks remarkable! I love steamed tempeh as well, steaming it really does allow it to absorb whatever seasoning, sauce, or marinade you add to it.
Kaci Higgins says
You have the sweetest, most thoughtful husband! Please clone him! 🙂
Teri [a foodie stays fit] says
your envitote can support a full crockpot without breaking?? i need one!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
A walk cures everything! I was feeling super lethargic on Saturday and suggested to my hub that we go for a walk. He grabbed his skateboard (yes… he has a skateboard) and we were out for about 45 minutes… Felt amazing afterward! Nothing like some fresh air and a little activity to perk you up!
Gena says
I love it when bloggies discuss how laying off exercise can sometimes be the healthy choice. Thanks for reminding your readers of that, my friend 🙂
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
I love sunshiney walks! Whenever I’m not feeling up to a full-on work-out for one reason or another I can always convince myself to at least walk. Especially when it’s nice out there really is nothing better for getting back some energy to power through the day!
cara says
Those are the best walks. The husband and I used to do that all the time when we were tired. We should look into doing that again on those days.