Friday Faux Gras

A few months back I ranted and raved and squealed about this stuff, Faux Gras, also known as Toasted Walnut Lentil Pate:

My friend Ian, dazzled and moved by my glorious blog, decided to try out his own version. According to him, it was spectacular. So I had to make it for myself:

INGREDIENTS:
1.5 cups of uncooked brown lentils
About 4 cups of water
1 heaped TSP of Marmite
2 large onions, sliced/chopped
Olive oil
A bag of walnuts*
1 TBS soy sauce
Salt
Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Cook the lentils for 45 minutes with the water and Marmite. Drain any excess water.

While the lentils are simmering, saute the onions on low heat slowly in olive oil. Check and stir frequently. This slow, gentle caramelizing of the onions gives this spread its outstanding flavor.

Blend everything (I used a food processor) until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

*I decided to toast my walnuts in the oven at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes before blending with the other ingredients.

Okay, so it looks a little like cat food. But trust me, this stuff is insanely good. I put it in a collard leaf with some julienned carrots and zucchini for a nice lunch earlier this week (challenge no. 20).

Kale and White Bean Salad

For today's lunch (challenge no. 20), I made a hearty and delicious salad with homemade caesar dressing. I found the recipe here.

SALAD INGREDIENTS:
1 small or 1/2 medium head dinosaur (lacinato) kale, sliced into thin ribbons
6 sundried tomatoes, sliced into narrow strips
1/2 cup white beans

DRESSING INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup cashews
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp salt
Juice of two lemons
Black pepper
3 pitted dates
1 tsp dulse flakes
3/4 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS:
Blend all of the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy. Massage over the kale (I used three tablespoons of dressing for my portion). Add the beans and sundried tomatoes and toss.

The Weekly Three

Last month I did a post describing my five daily challenges. Today I thought I'd discuss the three challenges that require my attention on a weekly basis.

DO YOGA THREE TIMES A WEEK.
There are so many different types of yoga, but I have narrowed it down to the two that I love the most: Power Vinyasa and Hot Yoga. After brief stints with Yoga to the People (cheap and convenient but crowded) and Bikram Yoga Lower East Side (fabulous instructors and a great vibe but expensive), in addition to some at-home yoga, I think I finally found my match.

David Barton Gym at Astor Place impressed me from the beginning. This gym is beautiful, high-end, and incredibly unique. It's like if Studio 54 came back as a gym run by gay goths. Trust me, that would make sense if you've been there. The whole place (4 floors) is dimly lit, which I love. It was uncrowded despite the prime time I visited, and what? Is that a DJ? Playing a pumped-up version of the True Blood intro song? Where do I sign? The yoga studio is in the gym, so I don't have to separate my gym and yoga memberships. And the yoga room is gorgeous. Candle-lit at all times. Smells better than fresh laundry. I could barely walk for three days after my first Power Vinyasa class there, so I'm also confident that it's challenging enough.

MAKE AND BRING YOUR LUNCH TWO DAYS A WEEK.
I've talked about some of my lunches here and here and here. I plan on making more of these meals post-worthy and making more of an effort to "cook" rather than just "assemble." Last week I finally got a food processor, so I feel like I just unlocked a new cooking door. Next up (maybe even this week): Mashed cauliflower and marinated mushrooms. A ridiculously healthy version of steak and potatoes.

DO 200 CRUNCHES AND THREE 1-MINUTE PLANKS EVERY OTHER DAY.
Someone once told me that planks get easier the more you do them. LIES. For me, they're getting harder. Why is this? I'm angry. However, I have noticed that my core is stronger. I can do some ab moves that were near impossible before. When I'm feeling ambitious I add some side planks. Still waiting on that six-pack though. Shy little muscles, those abdominals.