Tuna Cakes with Kale Pesto "Pasta"

Weird people are all around us. If you take public transit, you know what I mean. It's not uncommon for homeless people to ask you for money or creepy guys to ask you out on dates, but has anyone ever chosen to give you a misinformed nutrition lesson?

After a long day of running around the city to test older adults for my dissertation, I was holding a takeout bag from Epic Burger (an organic, supposedly higher quality ingredient burger joint). I sat down on the bus minding my own business when this lady next to me pointed to my takeout bag and asked if I had chicken. I told her no, that it was a burger. She says "ok" and then says she hasn't eaten chicken in years. Um, ok. Then she tells me that meat isn't good for you, that I should cook, and not eat takeout. I told her that I do enjoy cooking my own food, but on days like today when I'm up at 6:30am and not home until after 8pm, I don't feel like cooking. She told me to use tupperware. I said that I have a cabinet full of tupperware but this particular week has been exceptionally stressful (significantly above average) and with these 6am-8pm days, I'm just so exhausted so takeout it is.

She said that I was limiting my options and then proceeded to lecture me on why I should make grilled cheese or peanut butter & jelly sandwiches - a whole vat of them - keep them in the fridge all week and then freeze extras. I wanted to lecture her on why meat isn't all that bad and why a diet of grilled cheese or pb&j is actually rather awful for the human body. But I bit my tongue and ran off the bus as soon as my stop came... unfortunately it was her stop too. I said good night and then walked home and enjoyed my burger in peace (minus the bread). As a side note, Epic Burger makes pretty good burgers. Not restaurant-quality of course, but much better than McDonalds, Burger King, or any other fast food joint.

Today's WOD was a team workout where you & a partner did 200m sprints, double-unders, & rowing, with medicine ball sit-ups intermixed throughout. My partner Natalie & I totally rocked the workout and we beat most of the boys! Muahahahaha

When I got home tonight, I was tired but wanted to cook something easy so I made a new version of old favorites: tuna cakes with kale pesto zucchini "pasta" (or zucchini "noodles" as others call them). My paleo salmon cakes are a classic, and these tuna cakes are a nice twist with a different flavor. My basil pesto zucchini "pasta" is also classic fare (paleo-ified of course), so using nutrient-rich kale was equally delicious.

Tuna Cakes

INGREDIENTS
5oz can of tuna, drained
1 egg white
1/2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried paprika
Pinch of ground ginger
Pinch of cayenne
Salt & pepper to taste
1 green onion, chopped; optional
2 tbsp coconut oil

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
2. Combine all ingredients (except coconut oil) in a medium bowl. 
3. Melt coconut oil in frying pan. When pan and oil are hot, drop tuna mixture into pan, about 1/4 c each.  Use spatula to flatten and shape into cakes.
4. After one side is cooked (edges will turn white, about 3 min; DO NOT touch beforehand or they will fall apart), flip each cake over. Cook for another 3 minutes, adding extra coconut oil if needed.
5. Dig in!!



Kale Pesto Zucchini "Pasta"

INGREDIENTS
2 medium zucchini
2 c fresh kale leaves (remove the "rib")
3 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 c olive oil
1/4 c pine nuts (I use macadamias for the omega-3s)
Salt & pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a pot of water to boil. While water is boiling, use a mandoline to slice the zucchini into thin strips. Then, use a knife to slice the zucchini strips into noodles. Add zucchini to boiling water and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
2. In a blender or food processor, pulverize the remaining ingredients. Sample the pesto and adjust ingredients to your preference as needed.
3. Transfer zucchini into a large bowl and toss with pesto until thoroughly combined. 
4. You CAN have your pasta and eat it too!