Blues-Busting Recipes #1: Green Goddess Post-Workout

After writing about my PPD/PPA 2 weeks ago (that entry here if interested), I decided it might be a nice thing to do to share some of my favorite Blues-Busting, Body-Pumping recipes that serve either of the following dual purposes:

1. Blues-Buster Pre-Workout
2. Blues-Buster Post-Workout
3. Blues-Buster to Kickstart Your Day

I’m cheating a little bit on this first recipe, actually, because I tend not to make this myself at home, rather I go to my favorite make-your-own-salads/wraps joint (Salad Stop) for it because it’s literally right underneath my gym. That said, it’s very easy to make at home if you are so inclined so I thought I’d share the recipe here anyway.

What you’ll need:

• 2 heaping cups (or ample “bunches”) of your favorite dark leafy greens (mine are kale and spinach) (folate for stress and anxiety, fiber for digestion, and B-vitamins  for stress, anxiety, and iron absorption)
• 1/4 cup of cubed firm tofu (protein for muscle strength and healing, and calcium for stronger bones)
• 1/4 cup of black beans (protein, and fiber)
• 1/4 cup cubed cucumber (fiber, and B-vitamins) 
• 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin (can also be subbed out with roasted sweet potato or beets) (fiber, potassium for stress and anxiety and electrolytic functions, and vitamin c for an immune system boost)
• 2 hard boiled eggs (finely diced) (protein, B-vitamins, and selenium to fight inflammation and help with antioxidant activity)
• 1 whole wheat wrap (CARBS!!! to restore some energy)
• 1.5 tablespoons of your dressing of choice (mine are Ranch or Caesar cause I like that creamy, tangy kick, and the fats post-workout are great) (FATS!!! to feed those muscles and your brain)

What you’ll do:

• Put the greens into a bowl and chop, chop, chop until they are cut up into uneven segments
• Mix the other ingredients into the bowl including the dressing (but not including the wrap…obviously…) and toss until nicely integrated
• Pour contents out onto the wrap. It’s going to look like it won’t fit, but don’t worry, you’re going to compress this baby nice and good
• Wrap it like you would a burrito (or a baby swaddle…)
• Squeeze it til everything’s nice and tight
• If you have a panini press: 
  • Pop it into the panini maker and press (lightly only) to get a nice light toast with grill marks on either side – just til the wrap has some color and crisp to either side
  • THE END! Eat and enjoy
• If you do not have a panini press and you like your wraps warm:
  • Pop the wrap into your toaster oven/baking oven at 170-degrees. If you have a nice oven-safe pan you can place it gently on top of the wrap to compress it. If you don’t, that’s fine. Just leave it in there for a few minutes (maybe 5 or until you start seeing some color)
  • Take it out
  • THE END! Eat and enjoy
• If you do not have a panini press and don’t care about warm wraps:
  • THE END! Eat and enjoy