March Challenge is ON

So, I've challenged myself to write each day of March and to present a new recipe in that post. Today being March 1 it looks as though I will just make it under the wire. 10:20 pm as I am typing out the rough draft.

As Mondays go today wasn't a bad one. The beginning of the month testing went well for the clients who tested today. And for my personal testing, it was beyond my expectations!! I set physical fitness baseline for myself and am working toward a new level, a personal best in the gym. I'm feeling energized and exhausted all at the same time. Energized by the opportunity and vastness of the goal at hand and exhausted from the exertion and length of the day.

Without further intro here is the recipe for March 1!

Black-eyed Pea Hummus

2 cups cooked black-eyed peas
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 clove crushed garlic
1 TBS wheat free tamari
3-6 TBS water

OPTIONAL Additions:
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp chili powder

Combine all basic ingredients and desired optional additions in a food processor. Add enough water to make a creamy paste. This alternative style hummus can be eaten with raw veggies for a nutritious snack. It is a good source of vegetarian protein.

More Rain

So it is raining again. The predicted amount is 1 inch today, another tonight, and then for a change of pace tomorrow we could get two inches. I'm not complaining. We need the rain. I would just rather snuggle on the couch watching movies than try to work in the drippiness. There are a few errands that must get run. I have already been out. I don't want to go back out. The rain makes driving no fun. Maybe the cats won't mind not having food for the next few days. Maybe the bill collectors will forget they need their money until I am in the mood to take it to them. Maybe I am living in a fantasy world.

I have been keeping up on the cardio. The weight training has gone to pot so far this week. Well, that is not too fair to say. I was not able to get in my lower body on Monday. Today is only half gone. I could double up and do upper and lower body today. I am planning to get in another hour on the bike. Kam mentioned to me that I need to be walking two miles each day as well as all the other stuff I am doing. I thought I could get away with not doing it because of the rain. Many games are called on account of rain. Apparently cardio is not one of them. She remembered the Walk Away the Pounds videos. I can do a few miles without even leaving the house. Joy Bliss

On the knitting front, I am half way through the leg portion of the second Charcoal Broadripple sock. I intended to breeze right through it until it was done. Alas, I got distracted. Last night was one of my great evenings with Mia. Mia is a friend's 11 year old daughter. We hang out together on Tuesdays so her parents can have some time away. This is not babysitting. She is not a baby. She is more like a surrogate niece. She is an excellent knitter. A few weeks ago I promised to teach her to knit with circular needles. Last night she started a lovely green scarf. Again, I forgot my camera and will need to ask her permission to photograph her progress when I see her on Thursday evening. While she was plugging away with the nice 10.5 needles, I started another hat using size 6. Normally it is fine to do a magic loop hat. Last night I decided to use bamboo circulars. The center cord is so stiff it might as well be wire. I am so very spoiled with my Knit Picks Options. I have the nickel plated model. The yarn glides over the needles in a way I cannot describe as anything less than heaven. That may sound like an exaggeration. It is not. After last night's workout with needles I have learned the beauty of the Options. The hat I started is for my other niece. It is lovely. The yarn is soft and very smooshy. She has the most beautiful long brown hair and this baby blue slouch hat will be perfect for her. Hopefully she is feeling it is perfect for her too!