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Reflecting and Repurposing

Spinning & Lifting 
Today I decided to try spin class. It's been ages since I've gone. I just couldn't stand to do the elliptical once more. I did use the elliptical to warm up for 5 minutes before hitting the weights for back. Today was exercises from STS Meso 2, Disc 18. It is supposed to start off with 3 different exercises using a resistance band. I opted to not use the band, but start with the pullups/chinups and add pullovers. I did use the assisted pullup/chinup machine.

Pullups - 12
Medium grip chinups - 12
Chinups - 12
Underhand barbell rows: 12,10,8,TF
1-arm horizontal row: 12,10,8,TF
Pullovers: 12,10,8

After weights it was on to spin. They didn't have the newest track yet, so that meant an old track, but I admit I like that one better than the last one they were using way back eons ago when I went.. It was a good, sweaty class, but my IT band is definitely achy now. Too bad it isn't summer and I could just jog in my pool, because apparently I'm getting to that point.

Reflection Time
I wanted to take a minute to once again thank you all for your support and kind words regarding my IT band injury. So many of you understand what I'm going through mentally and physically. It feels great to have friends understand and support me.

That has been making me reflect a lot on "in real life" (IRL) friends though. I have been finding myself very sad that some people who have been a part of my life for more years than I can count are not the ones there for me. I have a couple of new IRL friends who are also runners and they get it. They do ask how I am and provide words of encouragement because they've been there. But long-time friends? Not so much. Even some family members just seem to gloss over it. Oh, just do something else is what I hear. It's not so simple as that. I know so many of you totally get that and that is why you're support has been so overwhelming to me. Overwhelming in a good way of course.

So this all has got me thinking about how I tend to go over the top trying to reach out to friends. I have lost a dear friend and vowed that I would always do my best to be there for friends, to stay in contact with them, etc. But at some point, when it's only one-sided, you start to feel a bit unloved. I often think there's just something wrong with me and people just don't like me. I guess I try too hard, but at the same time feel like if I didn't try, then they would never contact me, ever. Maybe that's how it should be I suppose.

So when do you draw the line? When do you accept that a friendship isn't worth having? Why is it that I now feel so much closer to friends I've never met???? As bloggers, what are your thoughts? Have any of you experienced any of this? (sorry for all the questions) I do have my theories on how it happens. It's easier to open up through blogs. We read each other's daily lives so you feel very connected. Some of you I have even met, and some I know I will meet one day. Anyway, sorry for the reflection time today. Though, sometimes it's probably good to stray from the typical posting of workouts, bitches about weather, and eats ;-)

Baking & Remaking Leftovers 
Speaking of eats...My office is having a holiday party on Friday. We do a gift exchange (Dirty Santa) and we're supposed to bring snacks. I thought I might try out one or two healthier treats on the crew. Plus, it gives me a chance to do some baking and to try out some recipes I've spotted that I've been dying to try.

I think I am going to make No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies posted by Jessica @ How Sweet It Is and/or Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes from Angela @ Oh She Glows. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes and if my co-workers approve of the healthier baked treats.

For dinner tonight, I decided to remake some leftover Chipotle Kabocha & Pumpkin Soup into something similar I have repurposed soup for previously, Spicy Kabocha & Pumpkin Curry Tofu. Why repurpose the soup you ask? Well, there wasn't enough for two dinner servings. Plus, I had some leftover brown rice that needed to be used. So this kills two containers of leftovers at once and it feels like a totally different meal.

Chipotle Kabocha & Pumpkin Peanut Curry
Ingredients:
1/2 white onion, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 cups leftover Chipotle Kabocha & Pumpkin Soup (or boxed pumpkin soup)
1/2 can lite coconut milk (could also just use low-sodium vegetable broth)
3 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
3 tbsp red curry paste
Spices to taste: salt, curry powder, coriander, parsley
1/2 bag frozen peas (or edamame)
1/2 bag Quorn nuggets (or meat sub of choice like seitan or tofu)
Brown rice

Directions:
In large skillet, saute first 4 ingredients until soft. Add in soup, coconut milk, peanut butter, curry paste and spices. Allow to simmer for approximately 10 minutes then stir in the peas and meat sub. Cook until peas are thawed (just a couple of minutes). Serve over brown rice.
 

This turned out so rich and creamy tasting. I like the different textures of the veggies and the sauce too. I think it would go really well with rice noodles as well.

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