BIG Summer Plans

Right now I'm pretty doubtful about spring...but I have BIG plans for summer.  I want to do everything I planned on last year but somehow didn't have time for. Not this year! I'm going to do it ALL (hahaha check back with me in September)!  A few things on my list:

Stand Up PaddleboardingI actually rented boats a few times last summer through Green Lake Boat Rentals but never went paddleboarding.  Wasn’t this the big thing with celebrities last year or the year before? I guess I’m behind the times but it still looks like fun!

Buy An Inflatable BoatI NEED an inflatable boat this year for floating in Green Lake because I refuse to get in the water. It's disgusting! Did you know that back in the day they used to pump raw sewage into the lake?!  Yuck.  I'm picturing myself sitting in this boat on a warm sunny day with some yummy snacks and a good book.  Perhaps in a few years I'll move up to something with a motor!

Go HikingThe last time I went hiking I was in Los Angeles, the time before that I was in San Diego.  I think it’s just about time to go hiking in Seattle!  Anyone have some recommendations for an easy hike that's close by? Preferably with some sort of view, waterfall or other site worth seeing?  I need to spend some time perusing around online for some good ideas - maybe some research at Washington Trails Association?

Hollywood sign!

Blog Love

I've only been to Black Bottle once and I unfortunately did not order the garlic blasted broccoli but both of my roommates have tried it and couldn't stop raving.  A quick Google search for the recipe lead to me to Dana Treat and I've been following her ever since.  She's in Seattle! The pictures are mouth-watering!  It's not really my type of food (mostly vegetarian) but I always want to make everything she posts. Anyone interested in taking one of her cooking classes?!

"Blasted" Broccoli via Dana Treat

The garlic blasted broccoli I made tonight!

The Dash

The St Patrick's Day Dash was really fun! Actually a lot more fun then I thought it would be be.   I learned a few things:

• Races with costumes make for great conversation, we saw some amazing outfits
• Wear a hat if you're going to be out in the rain (this should have been obvious...)
• Sign up for a faster heat even if you're not planning on running very fast.  Going around all the walkers is pretty annoying!

Before we got rained on

Is it summer yet?!

The weather in Seattle has really been getting to me - is it summer yet?!  Last year I did A LOT of barbecuing (and took pictures).  I found a great grilling cookbook, Weber's Charcoal Grilling and tried out a quite a few of the recipes. I'm considering doing my own Julie and Julia project and barbecuing my way through the grill book this summer. Who wants to come over for drinks on the deck with some BBQ? 

Beer Can Chicken!

Finished Product

Chicken Wings

Veggies and Steak

St Patrick's Days Dash

I think I'm one of the only people in Seattle that hasn't run in some kind of race.  What is everyone's obsession with running?! Why would you run outside in the cold disgusting rain when you could be nice and dry in the gym? Blah. Due to a stupid new year's resolution to try new things I'm crossing over to the running dark side.  I've signed up for this year's St Patricks Day Dash in the UNTIMED heat.  Maybe this will make me love running. Probably not but the costumes are sure fun!  I highly recommended Display and Costume,  they have tons of cheap race appropriate gear.



Barbecuing...in Seattle...in the snow

Need something to do the next time it snows in Seattle? Obviously barbecuing is the best cooking method for freezing cold temperatures, screw the oven!  I tried for about .5 seconds to get the barbecue lit before getting completely frustrated and The Kid took over - look at that skill!

We marinated some chicken using a recipe loosely based on this one from Mark Sisson.

Orange Garlic Chicken Marinade

Ingredients:

• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 teaspoons cumin

Directions: Combine all ingredients with chicken in a ziploc bag and let marinate for 3 - 4 hours. Enjoy!

Pineapple Chicken Salad With Warm Garlic Dressing

On Thursday I took a break from work to meet the girls for a quick lunch at Purple Cafe.  I tried their amazing cranberry chicken salad and decided that I had to make it at home.  Sadly dried cranberries have extra added sugar so I substituted them for dried unsweetened pineapple.  Yum!

 
Ingredients:

For the Salad

• 2 chicken breasts
• 3 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup dried pineapple bits
• 1 apple, cut in bit sized pieces
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 8 cups of lettuce or spinach

For the Dressing

• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions: Cook the chicken using your preferring cooking method.  We cut it up into bite-sized pieces and pan fried it with olive oil and little bit of garlic and black pepper. Combine all of the salad ingredients other than the lettuce in bowl and mix thoroughly.  In a small sauce pan heat the olive oil on low and saute the garlic until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.  Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and mustard.  Plate the lettuce and add the salad toppings and salad dressing.  Serves 4 (or 2 with leftovers). Enjoy!