Chick “peace” and Fitness

What a perfectly wet weekend.  Something about Yom Kippor and rain, that seem to just go hand in hand.  Though we didn’t attend services, Mitch and I had an incredibly quiet day, with much time to ponder the year behind us and look forward to the one ahead.  We ended up purging and cleaning, which felt right to us.  Having fasted most of the day, I was looking forward to something appropriate to eat for break-the-fast, dinner.  Since all the typical foods were out for me, I whipped up a batch of tun-o, my very favorite alternative to tun-a!  It’s the perfect thing to put on a bagel and though it’s not low in calories, it’s not a diet-wrecker, either.  Here’s how I make it:  (and I highly recommend it!)

I rinse a can of chick peas and then put them in a bowl with a few spoons of veganaise (which I buy at Whole Foods).  Then I mash them  (leaving a few whole peas as they can be stubborn) and add some chopped red onion, chopped celery and the most important ingredient–some chopped half-sour, dill pickles.  I even added just a drop of the pickle juice this time, which actually helped the texture become more tuna, like.  Chock full of fiber, protein and  flavor, this is great food for a sandwich spread, or an appetizer with pita chips.  One can will make a nice size bowl, or enough for about 4 sandwiches.  YUM!

It rained so hard and so much Saturday night, that I thought our newly planted herb/veggie garden would be washed away in the morning, but there was only one casualty, a pineapple plant, which had no fruit growing, so no loss.  The tomato plants seem to be having a hard time getting started, but I am optimistic that most of them will make it.  The cherry tomato plant is doing really well, and I never even took it out of its large container.  I think I might just leave it as it is.   The tomatoes at Publix were not even worthy of buying, making me extra excited to get out to some farmer’s markets now that fall is here.

And with fall here, the weather across most of the country is just right for running.  I am wondering how it felt in Chicago, for the mararthon, yesterday morning with the temperature being unusually warm for October.  If anyone ran it, or knows someone that did, let me know how it turned out for them.  This time of year always makes me want to get out on the streets and get my motor running, and I did get in some of that this weekend, too.

This time of year is also open-enrollment time in the world of medical insurance.  If you know someone 65 or over, shopping for a new insurance plan, please suggest they consider one that offers FREE gym memberships WITH classes!  It has become quite obvious that those that participate in a group class, like SilverSneakers, take much more advantage of this benefit and hence reap the benefits of regular, consistent exercise as well as socialization and plain old FUN!  In fact, at SilverSneakers our motto is all about making friends, having fun and getting fit.  Here in South Florida, Humana, Care Plus, Coventry and some other smaller providers offer the SilverSneakers benefit.  The providers are different from county to county and state to state, but chances are great that you can jump on the benefit, right where you are.

If you are a local and were a member of Sunrise Fitness (the old Gold’s gym) in Sunrise, come on over and check us out at Tamarac Fitness Center.  We have a wonderful SilverSneakers program offering 8 classes a week, Monday-Friday.  If you are not SilverSneakers eligible, and were paying for your membership, talk to Ron or Wendie and they will definitely give you a great deal.  Tell them I sent you!  Call 954-726-1070 or come on over and try a class.  We are located at 7935 West McNab Road, just west of University Drive.  I will be there today teaching an 8:30 am,  cardio/mat class and an 11:30 SilverSneakers class.  There is always room for a few more…

Wherever you are, make sure to get some peace and some fitness into YOUR day.  Your mind and your body will thank you.  I thank you for stopping in.  Make it a great Monday and a great Columbus Day!