More Tweaks

As you can see from the new addition on my right sidebar, I've successfully been able to attach my Nike+ Mini-me to my blog! I've also removed my "last run" feature, because it already displays that info in the mini-me feature, as well as my running statistics and history. It still kind of blows my mind that I've run 800+ miles since I've gotten this system. It's amazing what the human body can accomplish.

But, while the statistics and animated mini-me are cute, I have to admit that the things coming out of her mouth can be a tad obnoxious and annoying. So please don't mind what she says because I'm not the one that programmed her to do that.

Mexican/Cuban Fried Rice

I love "work from home" days. I get to be relatively productive while the TV is on in the background. But, my favorite part is that I can play in the kitchen for lunch. Today I was unwilling to eat a bunch of yesterday's leftovers, so I decided to make a different meal from it. Here's what I came up with:

Ingredients
2 cups chicken stock (I used the leftover broth from yesterday)
5 stalks celery, minced
1 small yellow onion, minced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup of uncooked rice
1 cup of shredded cooked chicken (leftovers from yesterday)
pinch of Hawaiian Sea Salt
1 tablespoon of cumin
1/4 bunch of fresh thyme
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro

Saute the garlic, onions, and jalapenos in extra virgin olive oil on medium high heat. When the onions are translucent, toss in the chicken, salt, cumin, celery, and black beans. Stir fry for 5 minutes. Stir in rice. After rice has been coated with all ingredients, pour in the stock. Turn down the heat to medium and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes. Stir in cilantro before serving.

Mexican Tortilla Chicken Soup

I was cold...
So I made soup....Thanks Tyler Florence!

Mexican Tortilla Chicken Soup

Well, soup and chicken quesadillas, but the quesadillas don't make an exciting pic. As for the soup, don't ever underestimate the power of making your own chicken stock! Also, I baked the tortilla chips instead of frying them. They tend to hold up better in the soup.

Stay warm out there folks.

Tis the Season..

I've decided to take another approach to describe the events of what happened yesterday by modifying "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clark Moore.

Twas the day before monday, and all through the apartment
we were itching to hike, even though it was foggy;
We found a short route, close to SF,
not knowing St. Nicholas soon would be there;
We wrapped ourselves up all snug in our coats,
While visions of the Bay Area danced in our heads;
Raquel with the Nalgene, and I with the pack,
set out on Mussel Rock Trail to a paragliding camp,
When out on the cliff there arose such a clatter,
I sprinted towards the beach to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little old paraglider, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
He jumped off the cliff, to his team gave a whistle,
and paraglided down like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night".

It was definitely one of our more exciting hikes. I still have no idea how that paraglider manuevered the equipment with the entire costume, the fat suit, AND the hair/beard on. But then again, Santa is magic. So maybe he is just getting some relaxation time before the big night. That's my kind of Santa.

Thanksgiving Vegetarian Loco Moco

This morning, Raquel and I woke up completely sore and beat up from our Thanksgiving workouts. Apparently, Raquel biked 18 miles and I hiked a collective 12 miles over the weekend. So we were looking for a little treat for breakfast, when Raquel had an ingenious idea to make a unique loco moco. She suggested that we use the Mashed Potato Polpetti and gravy from the Thanksgiving leftovers. Then, fry up some sunny-side up eggs to assemble the loco moco. I'm sure that meal completely negated our workouts, but it was sooo worth it.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

I watch, by far, way too much Food Network. If I'm sitting at home and fiddling with my computer, Food Network will always be on in the background. But, I think it's totally worth it and came in handy today. One of my favorite Food Network Chefs is Michael Chiarello, who specializes in Napa style cooking. So tonight's dinner was inspired by Michael Chiarello and last night's recycled dinner.

Turkey Soup

Mashed Potato Polpetti

(this was similar to croquettes)

I think it came out great, and completely trumps turkey sandwiches. It's also very nutritious and low in fat, so it's perfect for training. Here's to a low in guilt Thanksgiving.

The Day after Thanksgiving

This morning I woke up completely bleary-eyed and still tired, it was almost like being hungover. But, last night I only had 2 glasses of wine. So now I'm convinced that I was suffering from a turkey hangover; way too much of a good thing. I have to admit that a full Thanksgiving dinner somewhat deters me from recovering my old running skill. Thus, it's double workout day. At least Thanksgiving dinner is nutritous and as I have said before, I can still use it as a starting block for a run.

I set out for a 5 mile hike after a meager breakfast of warm pita bread, cucumber salad, yogurt sauce, and coffee. There is a wildlife preserve nearby that I was itching to explore. And as an added bonus, today was perfect autumn hiking weather. But, as I started hiking I realized that I forgot to charge my trusty iPod, which forced me to hike the old-fashioned way (sans music).

So what did I notice? I felt the cold, crisp, blustery fall wind. I heard my labored breathing, random forest noises, and other people's conversations about their crazy cousins stealing their best Thanksgiving dinner recipes. I smelled the rich, earthy, bruised vegetation that got even stronger when I crushed leaves with each step (Raquel likes to refer to that scent as the natural Pottery Barn). It literally felt like I was a living, breathing Nature Valley commercial.

And while that felt amazing, I somehow managed to freak myself out around mile 3, because I was hiking alone in the wilderness. "What if I get lost?" "Have I watched enough survival shows to survive on my own if I get hurt?" "What do I do if a mountain lion attacks me?" "It feels like I might stumble upon the 'Pit of Despair' (7:18) from Princess Bride". Therefore, the next time I decide to go hiking, I think I'll take a buddy.

Thankfully, I made it home safely with just enough time to eat a hearty, yet sensible supper of leftover turkey soup, before I headed back out to the gym. My guilt meter has definitely been lowered after today's hike, treadmill run, and strength training. But, I'm sure that my body will still hate me tomorrow morning.