Mar 5, 2012

Beets with Yogurt and Walnuts

Last Friday I mentioned that I had borrowed a few cookbooks from the library, one being Food From Many Greek Kitchens. This book had a couple of good recipes I wanted to try, but one in particular caught my eye.

Beets.

Greek yogurt.

Walnuts.

Uh, yeah. I needed that in my life. DSC_0039

Beets with Yogurt and Walnuts slightly adapted from Food From Many Greek Kitchens

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pounds beets, leaves trimmed
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp. coarsely chopped parsley
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 (6 oz.) contained of plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp. chopped walnuts, for topping

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Wash the beets well, being careful not to pierce their skins. Wrap each fresh beet individually in aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour or until tender.

In a small bowl, whip the oil with the lemon juice and garlic.

Once beets have finished cooking, peel them. Trim away the root and cut them into chunks. Put in a bowl. Add the lemon oil, parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Add the yogurt and mix gently. Scatter the walnuts on top and serve.

You know you’re intrigued by this color. Just wait until you see what it does to your pee! (If you’re a chosen one. Sorry, Holly, this doesn’t apply to you.)DSC_0030

In fitness news, I’d like to share a quick treadmill workout with you. It’s quick but will kick your behind! And your quads too. Maybe more!

Now listen up: For the main part of this workout, you will be doing intervals of running with 15 second breaks. During the 15 second breaks, you can hop to the sides of the treadmill, one foot on each side while gripping the handlebars. Be so careful not to fall or you will fly backwards and hurt yourself! And then you probably will never want to come back to your gym out of embarrassment.

HMHtreadmillworkout

Though you are only doing the intervals for 20 minutes total, you will have had enough by minute 25. Trust me. Each 15 second break is enough for your heart to think “Oh, cool, we’re done...oh wait…shoot…just kidding.” Bam, you’re sprinting again. Get sweaty people!

Are you a fan of beets? Favorite beet recipe? I have a slew of recipes that readers have sent me if anyone is interested!

Do you prefer interval workouts or long, steady runs? I get so bored on the treadmill that intervals are my preference.