Easy Does It

Day 16:  Last night was agonizing.  For some reason, my muscles decided to call mutiny.  Each and every one of them ganged up on me in spasms.  It started with a restless feeling in my legs and a soreness in my arms, but it really progressed from there.  I kept waking up in pain and stretching and releasing my arms and legs.  I was exhausted and couldn't quite seem to wake up enough to have presence of mind to do anything (perhaps take an Aleve?).  Instead I existed in half-asleep misery, unable to get comfortable.

When the alarm began this morning, I didn't even try to convince my angry muscles to put on my workout clothes.  Instead, I reached for a soft robe and fuzzy slippers and promised them another hot soak in an epsom salt bath and a long session of yoga later today.  I emailed the yoga studio that I attend sporadically to see if they still had the 75 minute gentle yoga at 5:30pm and to please sign me up as a drop in for today.

For anyone local, that is Sri Yantra Yoga Studio in Houston at Cherry and Pike street (in the old school house), owned by Patti Spadaro.  Best yoga in the whole area, in my opinion. 

The focus this week is on preparing dinners each night from one of my Mediterranean cookbooks.  Last night, (as pictured above) I prepared Braised Chicken with chickpeas, lemon and garlic.  This was from my Mediterranean Cooking hardback cookbook by Sterling (I want to make sure I give credit, where credit is due).  I made some adjustments, which I've noted on the recipe (which I will share in a moment) and served it with a small serving of brown rice just to give it something to grab hold of on my plate.

It was quite tasty.  My husband noted that he could really taste the lemon flavor (lemon zest really is fantastic, isn't it?).  He didn't love the chickpeas and my daughter didn't love any of it but the chicken and keeps asking when I am going to cook "regular" again.

I also made those Strawberry bars I mentioned the other day.  This recipe was from Jacquelyn Ely, the nutritionist at the Wellness Center.  These were seriously Yum!  And my family ate them up like this:



How could I not share this little friend who I visited with while I waited for the kids to come out to the car this morning?  

Strawberry Bars (you could probably make this recipe with apples, pears or any stone fruit).


Have a great day everyone.  :)

Until next time...  Be well!
~Tracy





  



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