I actually have been doing a great job staying genuinely active even though derbyis in the off season. I ran 2 5ks this weekend!

So yea, I simply need to get my eating to match all the activity I’m doing. I’ve heard a lot of nutritionist and trainers talk about how unfussy it is to eat well when you give up your emotional attachments to food and see food as nothing more than nourishment. I’m simply not truly sure I want to do that though. I was raised in a family where good food was particularly important. It’s a huge part of my childhood and brings me a lot of happy thoughts.

Instead, I’ve only been working on recreating some of the foods that I genuinely love. Like this Butternut Squash Pasta. OR these Quinoa, Turkey, and Veggie Patties. I’m trying, mkay?

I decided to make these when I remembered that there was an abundance of kale growing in my garden and some of it truly needed picking. Sometimes (read: most of the time) I have no idea what I’m doing in my garden. Like when I accidentally grew purple kale. A fun mistake. How pretty is this kale though?:

To make the patties, the quinoa is cooked, the kale sauteed, and the veggies chopped. I debated cooking the turkey BEFORE forming the patties but then decided against it.

All of our ingredients are added to a big ole bowl.

And stirred together thoroughly.

And then I realize that this would be nice with a little bit of cheese (which is what I say about every single recipe ever).

Then balls of turkey and quinoa and veggie goodness are formed and ready to cook.

In a quite lightly greased skillet (or 2), the patties are flattened and cooked over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side.

I use a thermometer like THIS ONE to know when my meat is perfectly cooked. I’m not the go-to at eyeing it so Worth keeping being able to use the thermometer so I can cook all of my meat to the reliable temperature. Turkey is ready when it reaches 165 degree F.

Once they’re fully cooked, only let cool and ENJOY! Worth keeping these topped with avocado and a bit of fresh cilantro.

You could also put these between 2 pieces of bread and eat them like a burger (which is essentially what they are).

Via a smell test, these are Lexi approved and I have this blurry picture to prove it: