Saturday, April 23, 2011

Here Comes the Sun, Doot n' Do Do

Well it's been a heck of a day I say, a heck of a day. It's the first nice day of weather we have had in months. Yesterday Cassi and I spent a good few hours cleaning out our closets. We got rid of 5 trash bags full of clothes that I donated to Goodwill this morning. Our closet is so organized, we got rid of all that extra stuff we've been trying to cram in our drawers that we just don't wear. It's a good feeling to donate all those clothes too!

After I dropped Cassi at work and went to the Goodwill I came home and put my running shoes and ran the Lake Union loop again. It was the first time I was able to run it without a sweatshirt and there were so many people out running and enjoying the weather, we've all been patiently waiting for far, far too long. When I got home I sat on my balcony iced my knees, and drank water and then made myself lunch.

For Lunch: Green leaf lettuce with carrots, purple cabbage, pecans and crimini mushrooms with a simple homemade Dijon-Honey vinaigrette. Oh yeah and I had a couple eggs and coffee for breakfast.

Cassi came home from work and we walked down to the park and played frisbee. I plan on playing a lot of frisbee this year. I am feeling great and am so excited about the summer and my plants and my plans to get in top Triathlon shape, and also, excited for Cassi, she starts Nursing school at UW very soon!!!!! Wahooo!! Go Dawgs!!!

Happy Easter Folks!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Let's Get Physical

Well, it's been a few days and I have been very busy and I have a lot to fill you in on. Last Wednesday Cassi and I ran the Lake Union Loop again and beat our time by another 5 minutes. 6 1/2 miles is starting to feel okay, not easy yet, but easIER. The next day, I woke up and did a balance ball workout that really kicked my butt, Later that day Cassi and I met up with my mom and  we went for a nice bike ride. About 12 miles all together but boy was it chilly!! I woke up and sent Cassi to work and I went on the run again. 6 1/2 miles, three times in one week, plus biking and working out!

Friday night Cassi and I went to an event with her parents, it was fun and the food was catered by Tom Douglas the company I work for, it was really good. It was a really long night and after running the loop I was ready for bed pretty  quick. 

I worked at 9am on Saturday morning it was busy, but I worked in the biscuit bar and was the barista for the morning, I probably made 100 lattes. After work, later on that night I met up with a friend Ally and we went to the new Tom Douglas Gastro-pub, Bravehorse Tavern, we tried the food, burgers, oven baked pretzels, Bravehorse Ale and even the onion rings. All were fantastic. Mom and Dad went there a few night later and said that the fries were there best in the city, something my mom has been on the hunt for, for many many moons.

Sunday I worked a double and met up with Cassi and her parents later on. Alan and GiGi were the guest judges at a Karaoke contest downtown and we sat with them while they judged. 

I just got home from work and am sitting on the couch, I just made myself dinner and am ready for bed soon. I work a double tomorrow and I am so sleepy.

For Dinner: Tofu with Sauteed green beans and caramelized onions. 

I transplanted some of my plants to outdoor large pots today, I hope they survive!

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

My little ones . . .

This is my spring line up, this is the first time I have ever planted anything from seed and so I tried a whole bunch of different things to see what was going to come up. I am excited to tell you that everything has come up! We will see how everything goes!
Sage

 Cilantro
Dill, and some sweet basil. 
This picture has dill, marjoram,  and some basil
Italian flat leaf parsley
More parsley

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Spring Time, Time For Grillin'

Today I spent a lot of time on my balcony. I prepped all of my planting pots with new organic soil and got my beds ready for transplanting the seedlings I have inside in egg cartons. I also made dinner on the grill tonight.

For Dinner: Grilled mahi mahi and grilled veggies in the grill top pan, onion, bell pepper, and zucchini!

However before dinner I met mom at Greenlake and we jogged the 3 mile loop together. After the quick three miles mom had to get home but I decided to roller blade the loop. It was great, tiring after running 3 miles but I definitely felt like I wanted a bit more.

Cassi came home after work and I fed her dinner and we watched a movie and made out way to bed pretty quickly.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Weekend Update

First of all I have to tell you that I did the Lake Union Loop again, this time with Cassi. We ran it on Friday, pretty awesome that I wasn't too sore to do it two days in a row. Our time was almost the exact same as when I did it by myself on Thursday.

I decided to go on up to Arlington with my parents and hang out with them. Cassi was working Friday night and all day Saturday so I figured I could get out and she wouldn't miss me too much! We ate a fantastic dinner at "The Bistro San Martin" in Arlington. It is honestly the only nice place to eat dinner around.

For Dinner: I started with a spinach salad with strawberries and onion and for my entree I had fresh Alaskan Salmon with fresh veggies. It was perfect.

We went home to the house and lounged around until bed time.

In the morning Mom and I got up and ran some errands and in the afternoon we come down to Seattle and dropped Dad off at the airport, he's off to the UK for business.

Mom and I were on a mission to find her new running shoes and we stopped first at Super Jock n' Jill and it was the best costumer service I have ever witness. The guy was amazing and Mom found shoes that were perfect.

Let's see . . .  then we spent two hours being indecisive about where we wanted to eat dinner and we finally stumbled upon a little place called Nettletown right in Eastlake, up the road from my apartment. All I can say is that is was decent. I really like the concept, mostly foraged and found edibles, fiddle head ferns, nettles, local wild mushrooms, etc. It seemed like there wasn't a lot of culinary creativity to match the ingredient creativity. Things were good, but not awesome and in Seattle, every meal can potentially be awesome, I prefer awesome.

We called it a night pretty quick, Cassi finally got off work and Mom went back to the condo and we went to bed.

Now I am on a quick break from work and wanted to come blog real quick. I worked at 8:30 this morning and am back on at 4:30. I hope it's mellow because I am real tired. Depending on how late I get off work tomorrow I really want to run the loop again, Mom and I already have plans to run it on Tuesday! I'm lovin' it!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

On the right TRACK

Hello, Hello. I just got back from my second trip around Lake Union. Cassi volunteered at Harborview this morning and I decided I would run without her today. I used the "My Tracks" app on my phone for the first time today, and found it it be really great. It uses GPS so it is very accurate on how far I run, how fast, where I go and records even when I am stopped at cross walk or something like that. I was so impressed with the app and equally impressed with myself. I beat mine and Cassi's time from last Friday by about 5 minutes. I also finally got an accurate reading on how far the Lake Union loop really is. 6.44 miles! Pretty awesome for an old goober like myself. This time around it took me 1:10:07 and my average running speed was 5.89 miles per hour. I think it's a great starting off point. I just uploaded a picture of the map.
The pink marker is where Cassi and I live and there's the loop I hope to be doing 2-4 times a week. AWESOME!
Wow Woo Wee Woo to Technology and Jogging!

I have got to run, make myself and smoothie and shower because I am hungry and sweaty!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I am super exhausted. Today I woke up and made breakfast for Cassi and myself. She had French Toast, I had a couple of eggs and we both had coffee.

I went to work and came home around 2:30 and changed and rode my bike over to Ballard to meet my parents. I rode back home and it rained on me pretty good. It has been nice a few days and now it's rainy again. I am ready for the spring and ready for some sun! I was actually pretty exhausted so I laid low, made myself dinner and now, I am ready for bed.

For Dinner: Sauteed Cabbage, apple and crimini mushroom salad with green onion and a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive oil.

That's all for today, night, night.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Work Week.

It's been so long since I have blogged that I guess I should fill you in. I am working at Serious Pie Westlake, a shmancy pizza joint, one of Tom Douglas' restaurants. It is awesome; the money is great, the food is fantastic and the people are even better. There is also room for opportunity, which I will explain in another post. I work all day Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings and Wednesday night. That's it! I have 5 shifts which makes me full time, but I have three days off in a row which is going to make it so great for me to train and have fun during the summer.

This summer will be the first summer in two years that I will have both legs!!! Let's re-cap:

Summer of 2009

There I am, front and center!

Summer of 2010
This is a couple hours after I got home from the hospital, I think I am a little out of it.

I am ready to have a real summer, big time!

KNOCK ON WOOD
KNOCK ON WOOD
KNOCK ON WOOD
KNOCK ON WOOD
KNOCK ON WOOD

My weekend is all over and I have to go get ready for work, I really have to do my hair before it air dries all flippy like a little Dutch boy. Talk soon, promise.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Why, Hello Again!

Wow, it has been a super long time. I am excited to get back on my blog and motivate myself again to kick my butt into shape and really feel the burn. Last weekend Cassi and I went to visit Ally, my sister, and her husband Shay in San Francisco. It was a great trip! We drove which to most people sounds absolutely absurd but it was actually really nice. It's a 12-13 hour drive and we timed it right so we wouldn't hit any traffic in the cities we were passing through. When we got there we had a fantastic time; we shopped, we ate, we drank, we danced, we laughed . . . it was great.

When we got back to Seattle both Cassi and I really felt like it was time to start fresh. So we went grocery shopping and tidied up the apartment and decided to get back on track. It's Spring folks! Wahoo!

I have started jogging again and am already feeling great. Yesterday Cassi and I did the 6 1/2 mile loop around Lake Union, non-stop. It felt really good and I was really surprised I could do it.

After the run we went down the the market and walked around. It was so nice yesterday. I love the market, It's really touristy but still the colors, smells, and people watching is great!




San Francisco Pictures!!

Cool painted van at the side of the road.

The heart at Union Square

Love this picture of Cassi 
 This picture is blurry but its the only one with everyone in it. 80's night
 We went all out and danced our hearts out at an 80's themed night at a local bar.

Wing Span of the Golden Gate this one.
Just for the record I AM kneeling, I am not THAT short.
Wine Cave, look at all that wine!

Benziger Winery, love this pic.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Steppin' Out

Last night Cassi and I had the night off together. We ran some errands and then decided to do something different for dinner. We ended up going to an Afghan Cuisine restaurant that was truly amazing. I would never pick this kind of cuisine usually but I realized while reading the reviews of this place online, that I really had never tried anything like it. The place is called Kabul and is right in Wallingford. Oh my goodness it was so good.

For Dinner: We started with cardamon hot tea which was their specialty drink as the server explained to us. Then we ordered to appetizers and one entree for us to split. All of it was great.



Bolani -Turnovers filled with scallions, cilantro and potato, served with yogurt-garlic dip.

Shornakhod -A salad composed of chickpeas and kidney beans with a crushed cilantro, lemon and vinegar dressing. 

Badenjan Borani -Eggplant sauteed and simmered in a lightly spiced tomato-based sauce, served on a bed of yogurt garlic sauce, sprinkled with dried mint.

The flavors were so fresh and the atmosphere was great too.

Cassi and I just got back from the gym it is about 1:30 and soon we will both have to get ready for work. We jogged to and from the gym which round trip is 3.22 miles, we tracked it. When we got to the gym we focused on strength building exercises, since we already had the cardio taken care of.

For Lunch: I just made a smoothie for us. frozen berries, flaxseeds, protein powder a touch of cranberry juice concentrate.

Work, working out, my knee, my health, I feel like everything is going pretty well!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Keep Running!

I worked last night and then went to the gym. I jogged two and a half miles and then walked a mile and a half. It felt really good and makes progress for my weight and my knee seem promising. I got home and ate some dinner.

For Dinner: Tuna fish with artichokes capers lemon juice and a touch of olive oil. I also had an apple.

I worked all day today and it was okay. I got a break in the middle of the day and I came home and made myself some lunch and relaxed for a bit.

For Lunch: Broccoli and the same tuna fish with artichokes and capers.

Cassi bought me some Market spice tea yesterday and I haven't been able to get enough! I love it.  I went back to work and just got home. I work all day tomorrow so i am just laying low tonight, I am super tired!

I really want to get back to the gym and keep running!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sleepy Head

For Breakfast: One piece of dry toast and coffee.

I slept in sooooo late today. almost 11, I really must have needed it because I never sleep that late. A couple hours later, after Cassi got home from volunteering, I made lunch.

For Lunch: Steamed shrimp and broccoli with just a little garlic, salt and pepper.

In a little bit I will have to go to work, fun fun fun!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Night, Night.

I worked at my new job today for the second time. I only worked for a couple hours and then went to the gym. I ran on the treadmill today. I did over a mile and my knee felt great! I also did the stationary bike. I am excited to go back and get into a routine again and with my new work schedule I should be able to get to the gym at least 4-5 times a week, I just have to do it!

Cassi got home from work nice and early tonight, I made dinner for the two of us.

For Dinner: Organic baby greens with red onion, toasted pecans, honey crisp apple. and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. With chicken breast cooked in a cast iron skillet and roasted brussel sprouts with pecans and garlic. So good, so full.

I am so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open, so I am going to go shut them, night night.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Not Too Shabby!

I woke up Wednesday and spent some good quality time with my kitchen. I roasted some garlic, to make pesto, I made pesto from the ridiculous amount of Basil I bought, and I even roasted a chicken, and I took pictures of everything!

First I roasted garlic:
I just use foil and put peeled garlic in the oven with a bit olive oil and salt. Super simple.






That's it! I put it in the oven at about 375-400 for an hour.

Then I made pesto. I make my pesto vegan. I use raw almonds, salt, pepper, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and fresh basil, with roasted garlic.


First I get my food processor out and chop up my almonds. I buy slivered almonds because I use them for lots of other things.
 

I set the almonds aside and clean my basil. After I food process my basil I add the almonds back and salt and pepper and then slowly add my oil. I don't measure how much I use, everything to taste and consistency.


Quite simple really.

The next thing I did was roast a chicken so I can use it through the work week in sandwiches and for salads. First I prep the bird. Ever since a couple months ago when I halved the bird before I cooked it and had such great results I have done the same thing. So I rinse and dry the bird and then chop it in half removing only the spine. Then I get my pan ready. I slice some carrots and onion and use it as a riser to elevate the bird from the pan. I season the chicken only with my Gullah seasoning and that's it. and then into the oven for 1 1/2 hours at 425 degrees.

See the carrots and onions?

The rub on the chicken

Half way through the cooking I add some chicken stock that has been simmering with the chicken giblets. 

The stock this makes is awesome!


All that cooking and I actually didn't have any of that. I made Cassi and I the tofu cucumber salad that I had for dinner the other night.

Not Too Shabby!

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Tuesday, my day off.

I woke up pretty late this morning which felt fantastic because I was tired and it was my day off today.

For Breakfast: Coffee. Two eggs , over hard.

I paid bills, cleaned the apartment and organized the kitchen during the morning and then set out to runs lots of errands.

For Lunch: I just grabbed a handful of raw almonds.

I went to target and then to Trader Joe's and to Cash 'n' Carry. I bought just a few things, enough to fill in the gaps at home. I stopped by the Biosonics office and said hi to Mom and Dad and then came home and made myself dinner.

For Dinner: I have a julienne peeler so I took it to some English cucumber and some carrot and tossed it with lemon zest a touch of lemon juice, ground ginger, sesame seeds, sesame oil, white rice vinegar, a little salt and pepper. I sliced some firm tofu and browned it in my cast iron skillet. I laid down a bed of organic mixed greens and topped it with my tofu and cucumber sesame salad. It was awesome!!!!

I just packed a goodie bag and I am about to go meet Jules for a movie. I packed some dried cranberries, raw almonds and walnuts.