The weekly bounty
It finally happened.
I woke up early and got in a workout while everyone was still sleeping.
For all of my new friends out there (hi!!), this is a huge accomplishment because:
I hate the morning.
I’ll embrace sweet, glorious slumber until the last possible second (which is usually when the tiny opera star lets me know it’s time to wake up). My intention has always been to work out early on Tuesdays, but I usually just go at night, when I’m pretty zonked from the day’s events. I realized that my nightly workout was cutting into my time to hang out with the Pilot, since he often gets home after Liv is asleep, and also the time I like to write back to emails and comments before bed. It was enough motivation for me to try it this morning, and what do you know? It worked.
Once I got to the gym, I felt so energized and ready to go. I only had 40 minutes to get in an awesome workout, so I did a combo of strength training with a few jump rope intervals in between to keep my heart rate up (similar to the “HIIT it” workout) and the grand finale was this 10-minute ZWOW. I especially loved (hated?) the dragon kicks- my biscuits were on fire!
Home just in time to have breakfast with my favorite little date.
(Today was her first time trying yogurt with fresh fruit puree mixed in. I thought it was delicious but she gagged twice – we’ll have to try again another day. She loves egg yolk again since I’ve been scrambling it for her lately)
We spent the morning playing, ran a couple of errands, and as excited as I was to see the Pilot when he came home, I was extra excited about the gift he came bearing:
Our farm box for the week!
Here’s what’s in the mix:
-curly kale
-carrots
-beets
-romaine (which I’ve been dreaming about ever since I finished last week’s)
-Fuji applies
-spaghetti squash
-pattypan squash
-microgreens and
-the cutest little garlic
(all certified organic for $22. Insane)
Here’s what I plan on making:
-Carrot, beet, ginger juices
-Spaghetti squash with a cheesy pumpkin sauce (was originally going to roll with sage but since TJs was out, I’m gonna switch it up)
-Glorious salad beasts
-more slow cooker applesauce (it doesn’t last very long around here)
Any ideas for the pattypan squash??
For now, I’m off to the wives’ coffee- I’m excited to hear what our squadron is up to this holiday season.
Have a great night <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to think:
Source: Uploaded by user via Gina on Pinterest
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Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a while and love it! (first time commenting).
I have a question: I’ve been wanting to do CSA for a while now. Do you pay per month? or per week? and do you know if you can request like enough veggies for 1 person instead of a whole family? (I’m a college student).
-Caroline
I, too, would love to know how this is going!
When did you start?
I am contemplating beginning the Farm Box Aussie equivalent in February once our little guy makes an appearance. I just worry about getting things that will go to waste… do you ever find that?
Congrats for getting up early!!! I only did it once to take a 6am spin class at my gym. I will never do it again because 1) I was exhausted and 2) It was taught by my least favorite instructor so it made it really hard to get motivated to do it. I ended up leaving early. But I envy all those who do it on a regular basis or attempt to do it!!!
ps those veggies look AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
Your box looks great, and a lot like the one we get every week out here in the Aleutians! I see that you also get tons of carrot greens with your carrots– do you have any interesting plans for them? I always tell myself I’ll do something with them, and it never ends up happening…
I remember the gagging phase. I always felt so guilty. Jasmine would look at me eating something, reach out her hands and make the excited face, then I’d let her try some and, most often, her first reaction would be to gag violently, give me a ‘what? you actually like that?’ look, then want to try it again. But, usually I was too traumatised and just left it for another day.
So the gagging thing is a real phase? My daughter just gagged like crazy with sweet potatoes, and she usually likes it! It was freaking me out tonight!
I just watched a documentary on CSA and I’m so, so jealous of your farm box. I want to do this SO BAD! Oh and I Googl’ed pattypan squash because I had no idea what it was, and I came across this roasted pattypan and chickpea recipe that you should try out! http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2009/08/roasted_patty_pan_squash_and_herbed_chickpeas.php
Sorry for the long link but the recipe looks delish!
I just made an amazing pumpkin sauce last night for my spaghetti squash- first made some sage brown butter then sautéed some garlic and onions and melted the butter in. Then added pumpkin, coconut milk, and s&p and puréed it all smooth. So delicious on the squash with some chicken!
Your CSA is a great find!!
I love that last quote!
Your farm box is awesome – I want one delivered to my doorstep too. 🙂
P.S. Who did the redesign on your blog? I adore it!
I am about to go to the gym! Hopefully before 8 but I’m to entertained by this presidential debate.
Good job waking up early!! I hate mornings and know all too well how hard it is to get up extra early! I find when I do make myself get up and do my workout in the morning my day goes so much better! Those veggies look awesome.
I love spaghetti squash. I mix it with spinach, cannelini beans, and goat (or feta) cheese. Warm with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil…so good.
a.m. workouts are the best! they’re hard, no doubt, but then you just feel great the rest of the day, and then you have this lovely gift in the evening – a night for yourself. great job, Gina! and ps I made it through my second bootcamp class and lived (huzzah!). taking a TRX/cardio blast class thingy tomorrow. I have no idea where my old running-obsessed self has gone 🙂
Congrats getting up and doing a workout! I am doing my best to make a commitment this holiday season to sneak in early morning workouts, even if they are quick. My friends, family and boyfriend notice how much better my mood is in the morning if I get that workout completed before the day starts! I’m actually kind of jealous you worked out in the morning, to be honest. 🙂
Way to get in an early morning workout! They’re not my thing, but if my workouts were cutting into time with Josh at night I would do the same thing. That CSA haul is awesome, I wish there was one by me!
I love patty pan squash- it’s sweet so it pairs well with greens (like Kale) and with spicy stuff! (My favorite combo has been kale w/ sesame oil and patty pan squash with sriracha.) I could also see it being pretty fantastic in a kale and squash enchilada if you add lots of spice….
Stuffed patty pan squash! I’ve stuffed mine with quinoa, lentils, spices, etc. and then bake it, so good! Use any leftover stuffing as salad topper.
Hi Gina!
This is my first comment even though I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now:) I finally have two cents to add… My favorite way to prepare patty pans is with onion, garlic, diced fire roasted tomatoes, fresh corn off the cob and lots of green chili. I’m in NM!
I’m definitely not a morning workout person either. I love the idea of being able to get it out of the way early and then not have to worry about it for the rest of the day, but in the long run I think the extra sleep actually does me a whole lot better. Then again, I don’t have a baby or husband to worry about, so I’m betting I would be a lot more willing to sacrifice sleep if it meant spending more time with them 🙂
I grate them and cook them in coconut oil, sorta like shredded hash browns. Also, you can bake them like any other squash you would make. Since yours appear big, stuff them with quinoa and goat cheese, something like that. I tried dehydrating them into chips.
I really needed that quote today.. i’ve been feeling really run-down with full time work and part time school, contemplated postponing school a little bit but your right, the time will pass and if I’m not in school i’m sure something else will cause me stress anyways.
thanks!
All those veggies look pretty amazing! I always need that extra kick when the weather gets colder. All those disease fighters in there.
Cubing and roasting that squash with salt, pepper, cinnamon, and a teeny drizzle of maple syrup = pretty delish.
I understand that you’re less likely to put tons of energy into your workout if you’re tired at the end of the day, but what are the other benefits of morning workouts? I am struggling with this now and usually get them in right before bed, but then I have a hard time falling asleep.
Love patty-pan squash. I like to saute them up with some balsamic vinegar, paprika, oregano, and chilli pepper–it gives it a sweet, spicy kick.
Morning workouts rock! way to go!
Patty pan is great stuffed, or just roasted with a bit of oil, salt and pepper.
Yay for you exercising early! Hope you can make a habit of it, so your Tuesday nights will be free 😉
Aren’t early morning workouts amazing? I never used to be a morning exerciser either, but for the past few weeks I’ve been getting up at 5:45 to go to the gym and I’ve been loving it! It’s so nice to start the day on such an energizing note. Plus I feel way more productive. 😀
So jealous of your farm box! Looks like you have some great things planned for it! I have a love/hate relationship with morning workouts! I always feel amazing after but it can just be so hard to get out of bed! I love my sleep! Nice work on getting your workout done early!
Congrats on your a.m. workout, something I should also force myself to get into the habit… but unfortunately never happens! Yay for your farm box. I’ve been thinking about joining a CSA for the past couple of months, think we need to pull the trigger!
I have the same issue;) – trying to do some work out before starting the day …. till now did it just few times unfortunately, but definitely agree that is a great way to get energy and prepare for a whole day. The problem is just that to be on time at work I need to start at 7:00am anyway, so any time still earlier seems to be impossible for me … maybe I manage to put my eyelash mascara quicker and get few minutes extra?;) …
So happy you got in a great AM workout, girl! Your smile says it all, really. 🙂 I love to do ZWOWs! They’re so effective. I’ve been cutting down on HIIT for health reasons, but look forward to them once a week!
I love that Earl Nightingale quote. I have several copies of a longer version of it printed out and taped in various places for me to see. It’s been my motto this year.
How do you get your brown rice torilla’s to not break in half??? I buy the same ones and no matter what I do to heat them, they always rip right in half 🙁 Looks like some good eats this week tho!
Early workouts FTW! Mine are 5:00 a.m. before I head in for a loooong day of work, so I as hard as it’s been getting up with the cooler weather, I never regret an early workout.
I’m a morning exerciser. It’s almost impossible for me to get my run done after work. With my long commute, by the time I cook dinner, I’m too wiped out for anything else.
I’m doing a similar CSA and absolutely love it. Pattypan squashes are adorable stuffed (I like quinoa in a tomato sauce in mine), but I also like them chopped and sauteed/roasted/steamed just like zucchini or yellow squash. The texture is just a little firmer but still delicious.
When I got pattypan squash from my farm share I made chocolate bread!! Yumm it was so good. Check it out! http://chelseaeatstreats.com/pattypan-squash-chocolate-bread/
DUDE> that sounds insanely amazing
Yay for early productive mornings! I wish I could get back into my morning gym groove, I’ve been getting home so late since I go after work [boo] :/ We’ve already finished off the crock pot of cinnamon applesauce I made over the weekend- it’s SO MUCH better than the jarred stuff!
it makes me never want to buy it- so much easier, and more delicious to make at home. i eat it much faster though 😉
I have to start early morning workouts too….my behind has been suffering (sitting on it all day).
I cooked mine the same way I cooked my zucchini (I cut the large ones into quarters and small ones in half). They tasted very similar, except zucchini is softer (possibly from the seeds inside?) I dont know, if they’re in my CSA this week, my head may explode.
I found CSA’s have been the only way I can afford to eat local food (why is it more expensive for less transportation???).
I joined one in Tucson, waitlisted in NYC, then moved to Philly and joined another one.
The Tucson one always had THE BEST FREAKING STUFF. Gah! Miss my easy little Tucson life so much sometimes.
i’m going to be very sad when we move.
Just curious, but what time did you get up at to exercise? I already get up at 5:30 am to get my little one to daycare and then to work on time. I could use some inspiration to get up in the am to exercise!
you are a rockstar. definitely not as early as you- i got up at 5:30
I must say, check your Trader Joe’s for the cheese that has cinnamon incorporated. Now I look like a doofus because I don’t remember what it’s called. But it is BANGIN’ with spaghetti squash and pumpkin sauce. 🙂
i’m on a mission to find it 🙂
Morning!
I do morning workouts and love them! I changed a few years back to mornings and could not think of going back as once you are done that is it for the day! You have the whole day ahead of you!
I love love love that quote and just put it as my background! Thanks for sharing!
I applaud you! I can get out of bed early, but I can’t make my muscles work right away. I’m a have-a-cup-of-tea-and-read-blogs kind of girl before I get anything physical in. Tripp looooves it when I use him as a weight to lift in the garage, but strap him in the carrier and mop the floor? Notsomuch. I’ve been getting up around 6 to get all my chores done before he starts his day around 730. It works well. I don’t feel like I’m cutting into quality time with him when we work out “together”. I’m hoping as he gets older he’ll enjoy really working out with Mommy. 🙂
I love the quote at the end of your post, I had to Pin It 🙂
That’s a ton of organic veggies for $22 – Awesome!!