Last week was one I probably do not want to live through again. First I take a fall on the run. Not a huge deal, I fall a lot, but I had some road rash, swelling, and pain. Enough of the latter to send me to the doctor on Monday. He didn’t think it was a huge deal either, but still referred me for an x-ray.
Stop…wait…
After reading my whine weekly recap, I decided to save it for the end of this post, so that we could get to the recipe as soon as possible. That way it is totally optional for you to put up with my long sob story.
Another Take on Quiche
I admit it. I have a thing for quiche. Obviously, when I first learned to make it, eggs, bacon, and real cheese were involved. When I became vegan, it was time for another take on quiche. The kind with no eggs, no bacon, and vegan cheese. One thing it has in common with my quiche of my PVD (pre-vegan-days) is that is still light and delicious.
- 1 vegan pie crust
- 1 pound firm or extra firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 6-ounce package baby spinach
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Nala Kamak Salt (Himalayan Black Salt)
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- Pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded vegan cheese
- Preheat oven to 425
- Press some of the water out of the tofu by wrapping it in towels and placing it under something heavy (like a few plates) while you prepare the spinach and mushrooms
- Preheat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook the mushrooms for about two minutes, then add the spinach and cook until just wilted. Set aside.
- In a food processor, combine the tofu, the seasonings, and the nutritional yeast. Process until creamy. You will want it to be somewhat thick, because it won't thicken as it cooks, but you can add a little water if you need to.
- Spoon the tofu mixture into a large bowl. Fold in the cheese, then add the spinach and mushrooms. Stir gently to combine.
- Spoon into the pie crust. Bake at 425 for about 30 minutes, until the quiche is heated through and the pie crust is golden brown. If you'd like you can sprinkle a little cheese for the last 10 minutes of baking.
And Now the Previously Scheduled Whining
Wednesday afternoon I got the message that sank my hopes of running the Honolulu Marathon this year: I had a crack in my patella. I was told I needed to wear a brace, get a referral to an orthopedist, and in the meantime, don’t bend my knee.
I finally had my appointment to get fitted for my brace on Friday afternoon. This is life for the next several weeks.
This thing is so huge and uncomfortable that I already hate it. I’m not looking forward to wearing it all day at work, getting in and out of my car is probably really funny to watch a challenge, and it makes me walk with an off-kilter gait that I’m sure will leave my problem right hip in even worse pain.
I found out the hard way how little it takes to do too much. I went with Alan on Saturday to the Tram Road Challenge, which he was announcing. You know, that little old race where we got married 16 years ago and I would have loved to run? Instead, I over-exerted myself by walking around before and during the event, which sent me to bed when we got home. I also somehow developed a migraine, which kept me in bed for the rest of the day and night. I’m not sure if they’re related, but I’m all too ready to blame the stupid brace. Plus the fact that I haven’t been sleeping well, due to the achiness and discomfort.
Okay, enough of the whining (and yes, it helped). I did have fun at the race, even if I couldn’t run it. I saw many running friends who I haven’t seen in a long time. I got to revisit the scene of my wedding. And anything is better than sitting around the house, alone, feeling sorry for oneself.
KMIR News, one of the local television stations, had full coverage of the event going on from about 6:00 am until the race was almost done. Alan was interviewed several times, as were several of my friends. One of the bonuses of living in a relatively small town, the local television stations are very involved in the community.
And, even if I couldn’t run, I could live vicariously through these awesome running friends, all of whom kicked that mountain’s butt. Remember, this is a race marketed as the toughest 6k in the world. It runs almost straight up the mountainside for 3.7 miles, with about a 2,000-foot elevation gain. Even the winners, some of the fastest runners around, take about 27 minutes for the men, 34 minutes for the women. Now that’s tough!
And finally, my incentive to get well and back to running again. My favorite Mizuno Wave Riders, ordered the Friday before I fell, and arrived the Monday afterward. So they sit on my shelf calling me back to running.
I’d like to think I’m handling this with a positive attitude for the most part, but I keep having these mini-meltdowns, when the frustration seems to overwhelm me for a few minutes. And then I wipe my eyes, blow my nose, and get back on the happy train. At least until the next one.
Have you ever tried a vegan quiche? Did you run a race this weekend? Tell me about it so that I can live vicariously through you too!
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Sunday Blog Hop with Jenn
Meatless Monday with Tina and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Anything Goes with Marilyn
Link it to Me with Chantal
Bonnie, the Pin Junkie
Tip Tuesday with Debbie in Shape
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Sarah, and Angelena Marie
Wednesday Wisdom with Nanna’s Wisdom
The Blog Booster Party with Kathleen
Friday Fitness with Jill
I’ve never tried vegan quiche before but I do have a block of tofu waiting for me to make something with it, so maybe it’ll happen this week 🙂
Hope your leg gets better soon!
You should try it! It’s kind of like a tofu scramble in a crust. Which for me makes it a perfect meal 🙂
I am all about and all for the mini meltdowns.
For me if I dont have ’em it is that much HARDER not to be generally grumpy and off (if that makes any sense). They are a necessary part of “getting through” something for me!
Good point. I’ll tell my husband that next time I blow off some steam. Would he prefer me grumpy 24/7? I don’t think so 🙂
I’ve never had a vegan quiche but that looks quite tasty! And so sorry about your knee – I feel your pain. I’ve never understood braces. I know they are meant to immobilize the area but it throws off everything else. At least you have pretty shoes waiting for you!
I know that you certainly “get” how it feels to be injured and unable to run. You’ve been through a lot. Yeah, the brace really throws off my gait. It can’t be helped I guess, but I hate that hip pain is a consequence of healing my knee.
I love quiche! Bummer on your leg. It will suck to wear that brace but hopefully you’ll get used to it–and then not need it for too long.
Thank you. I really won’t know how long I have to wear it until I see the orthopedist. I’m crossing my fingers it won’t be too long.
Sad face but YAY quiche? I love that you took a quintessentially non vegan thing and make it vegan. YOU DO THE DAMN THING.
I love to do that with food. Half of my recipes are vegan recreations of food I used to love before I was vegan. It makes my husband happy too 🙂
I have never tried vegan quiche though yours does look yummy! Sorry about your leg 🙁 so frustrating but YAY for pretty shoes <3
Thank you. This will probably be the first time my new running shoes stay clean for a month or so 🙂
I had a mini-meltdown on my blog this morning. Sometimes it helps to just let everything come spilling out instead of keeping it all bottled up. I know that the news from the doctor isn’t what you wanted to hear, but hopefully you’ll heal quickly and be back at it in no time.
Ooh, blog meltdowns are always interesting to read. I know where I’m going next :-).
I am just still so sorry about your knee! I hope it heals quickly and you are back on the road. Are you able to do any kind of workout?
I could probably do upper body work. I just haven’t done much at all yet. And at this point I don’t think there is any kind of cardio-type workout I can do. Even rowing requires you to bend your knees (not that I have any intention of rowing 🙂 ). I will ask the doc when I finally see him.
Getting injured before a big race is the worst. It happened to me last year. It’s ok to shed a few tears we all do. I know you will be back stronger than ever very soon! I am intrigued by the quiche. What is the crust made out of? Thanks for linking up with us today for meatless Monday!
The crust is just a basic pie crust (I’m lazy that way 🙂 ). But you could use any crust that you prefer.
The only bright side of missing this marathon is that I was way behind in my training anyway, It would have been a tough race.
Obviously, I can totally hold my own in the pity party department. Hey, a healthy person expresses their emotions; not represses! I think you definitely deserve a whine (or three).
Yes, I have made many a vegan quiche. I like to eat anything, am not vegan or even vegetarian, but I like to dabble.
Sorry not racing so I can’t help you there. Or maybe that’s a good thing?
One of the commenters above (Carla) mentioned that an occasional meltdown is better than being grumpy all the time. I agree (and that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!).
And yes, I would have been jealous had you raced.
Sigh. It’s like a knife in the heart to be taken out of commission running-wise so suddenly. Injury really does give us new perspective, doesn’t it? Wishing you continued, speedy and complete healing!
I love quiche but have never made one, vegan or otherwise!
One of the hard things (and I just thought of it as I was reading your comment) is that in the past all of my running injuries were chronic. I’ve never had a sudden, acute injury. No time to mentally prepare, I guess.
OH NO Debbie!!!!! So sorry!!!! I want to write time will fly & all that crap to make you feel better but as one that lives by my exercise, I know this is tough for you!!! HUGE HUGS!!!!
Will you still go to Hawaii?
Oh no! My friend! I am so sorry to hear and see that, but I know this will make you stronger and happier in the long run, sowmehre down the road. If I can do anything let me know. I do however love this take on quiche, especially as someone who is not a huge fan of eggs, this sounds good!
I never would have thought of an egg-free quiche – it looks absolutely delicious!!
I am so sorry about your knee brace. When I had a boot on my right foot, driving was AWFUL, and I had to suffer for over 4 months. I hope you recover soon – I do think trying to be positive will help make things easier!
Oh and I love that photo from your wedding 🙂
That quiche looks delicious! I’m sorry you’re having trouble with your brace. It’s tough to go from running and being so active to not being able to walk too much. Injuries are the worst! I hope you heal up quickly and can get those Mizunos on!
Oh, man! I’m so sorry about your knee! That sounds miserable on all counts! It’s awful to have to hold yourself back from doing all the things you love 🙁
I love quiche! Which reminds me, I need to make mine soon. I’m not vegan, so no, I haven’t tried a vegan version.
The quiche looks so good Debbie. I haven’t made quiche in years.
Those shoes are so pretty. I bet you are anxious to get back to running ASAP. Hope the recovery goes well. A vegan quiche? I wonder how that taste w no real eggs nor cheese. Guess I’ll have to try It out to see for myself.
I can’t say that I have ever had vegan quiche, but it looks yummy!! That race looks soooo hard! I can’t imagine that much elevation gain. My first leg of Ragnar had 1100 feet of elevation gain within the first 3 miles and I thought THAT was tough!
Never thought of having vegan quiche ever. Actually didn’t know such a thing existed. Now that you have introduced this new dish, I guess it’s time to give this a try!
I’m so sorry you couldn’t run! I hope you heal very soon.
Your quiche looks amazing! I’m going to have to try this soon for brunch!
How creative with the veagan quiche. I’m sure you have heard a variety of responses from sulking along side you to cheering you on. Know that your community supports you and that you’re doing what’s best for you. Hopefully you’ll still find a way to enjoy the sun and sand while in Hawaii ( I grew up there so let me know if you need a bucket list!)
Oh, I’m so sorry about your knee!!! But that quiche looks great, I’ve made vegan quiches before but never gotten my hands on black salt to go with (I hear it’s a must have!) Hope your recovery goes better!
I love quiche and this one looks super delish! Thanks for sharing.