Caprese with a Twist

If I had to choose one last meal to eat before I die, it would include what’s pictured above (along with wine, pasta, and chocolate cake!). Caprese salads are my favorite. When I studied abroad in Italy, I swear, I ate one every single day. The only thing this salad is missing is chopped fresh basil, due to my farmer’s market being out. For last night’s dinner I added in some avocado for a bit of a twist on this classic Italian fare.

In the mix:

• 1 vine ripe tomato
• 1/2 roasted red pepper
• 1 oz avocado
• 2 servings of fresh mozzarella
• A few handfuls of arugula, as a bed of greens
• 1/2 TBSP olive oil (I used basil olive oil – SO GOOD!)
• 1/2 TBSP balsamic vinegar (Blackberry flavored)

I also had a Trader’s Joe’s organic baby baquette on the side for my dipping pleasure.

Nutrition facts: 300 calories, 21 g fat, 13 g protein, 9 g carbs.

Due to my circuit workout on Sunday, weight training + cycling on Monday, and Jillian Michaels’ DVDs yesterday, my whole body felt a bit achy and sore today. I decided to make it a light workout day to give myself some rest.

When lunchtime rolled around, I took Harley on a long walk around our neighborhood trail. Isn’t the view so pretty?

I love when I’m able to take a break from the workday to get a bit of time outside. Following our walk, I did some yoga. Though I get bored easily with the slow, meditation types of yoga, I really enjoy more of a fast-paced, fusion kind of yoga/pilates exercise sess. It’s great for stretching out (sore) muscles and improving flexibility. Plus, doing repetitions of the yoga poses increases heart rate and gets a bit of a sweat going. I haven’t been to a class in awhile, but since I’ve done so many classes in the past, I know enough moves to just create the routine myself as I go along, or I do the Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown DVD. Between yesterday and today’s post, I sound like a spokesperson for her workouts – not that that woman needs any help whatsoever!

Well, I’m back to getting some work done this afternoon, and then tonight I’m volunteering at the San Diego Humane Society. I usually go once a week to help out with the adoptable dogs. Cute pictures of any animal I fall in love with to come!