CrossFit

Ryan and I recently started CrossFit and we are hooked. We had been considering if for a while and a few of our friends gave us the final push we needed to get started. The gym we joined is called CrossFit Fishers and is really close to our house. The coaches are wonderful and all the athletes are so uplifting and supportive. I'm excited to get in great shape and see progress from week to week. I'll have to give you guys some updates as we go along.

In the mean time you can check out our daily workouts and learn more about CrossFit here.

Pesto Veggie Sandwich

Ingredients: 

1 Eggplant

1 Red Bell Pepper

9 Grain Bread (or any kind you like)

Goat Cheese

Store Bought Pesto

Red Onion

Balsamic Cream

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

First I sliced an eggplant about 1/2 an inch thick and drizzled lightly with olive oil and S&P. Then I placed the slices on a baking sheet lined with foil. I also cut a red pepper in half, removed the seeds and stem, and placed on the baking sheet skin side up. 

Next I put them under the broiler for 4 minutes, flipped the eggplant slices and broiled for another 4 minutes. I kept the red pepper just how it was skin side up. After 4 minutes on each side I removed the eggplant but kept the red pepper in for another 8 minutes or so. As soon as the red pepper was done I put it in a zip lock baggy for about 15 minutes. I then took out the red pepper and the skin peeled right off so I could cut it in thick slices.

I sliced a loaf of 9 grain bread in about 1/2 inch slices or larger and put those slices under the broiler for 2 minutes. Once they came out I put big crumbles of goat cheese on one piece of bread, right away so it would melt. Next I layered on a few slices of eggplant and red pepper. I put on a few finely chopped red onion for some crunch followed by a drizzle of balsamic cream. (This comes in a squirt bottle, if you can't find it you could always skip this or make a balsamic reduction ahead of time and let cool and thicken. I have this one, and it lasts forever:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/9693938/?catalogId=44&bnrid=3120901&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Food&cm_pla=Oils%2C_Vinegars_&_Condiments&cm_ite=Balsamic_Glaze_%7C_Williams-Sonoma&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-153200869-2) 

On the top piece of bread I put a layer of store bought pesto. You could also try with hummus if you don't want to do pesto.

This sandwich was really good! I also made kale chips to go with (just take small pieces of kale, lightly toss in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, S&P and bake for 20 minutes at 300, flip after 10 minutes)

ENJOY!!

Green Smoothie

Ever since Ryan and I got our Vitamix for Christmas we have been making all kinds of smoothies. Last night I made a really healthy, fresh, green smoothie. Here is what I put in it: (I should start measuring ingredients to be more helpful...I'll work on that!)

A few handfuls of Kale
1 handful of Spinach
About 8 Baby Carrots
1 Mango
1 Pear
1/2 cup of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup of coconut water
3/4 cup of water
2 ice cubes

ENJOY!