Chopped Farm Stand Salad

First, pour yourself a glass of wine...does anyone else feel like it makes cooking much more relaxing?

Um, but don't have too much. You don't want to cut your arm off with all of the chopping you're going to do.

When it's hot outside I really don't want anything heavy or hot to eat. On the other hand, by the end of June I am totally over salads. I finally figured out that I love all the add-in veggies, but the lettuce...oh, the lettuce...it's so much effort! It's a pain in the neck to eat and I feel like it's only there to justify the other vegetables. But, why?! This salad will make good use of your overflowing garden (I wish....but the husband nixed the fire-escape tomato idea), CSA or farmers market goods. Plus, it won't be a pain in the butt to eat! Hooray!

I used mostly local veggies, but I have to admit that I wanted asparagus (out of season...from Peru) and the cute mini heirloom tomatoes were from the US but not local. Everything else you can get near you. The point is to enjoy whatever super fresh veggies are around right now. Feel free to substitute as desired. (Full recipe at the end)

Start by mixing the dressing so it can sit for a little while.

Definitely chop that garlic up before putting it in the bowl. You may think, hey, it would be really great to mash this up with the basil, but it won't end up like you thought. Trust me. Also, just put the basil in at the end with the other veggies.

Maybe consider zesting that lemon before you cut it in half an juice it. It's probably a lot easier. Also, don't knock over your wine glass with the zester. You're welcome.

I do things the hard way so you can learn. That's all.

Whisk it up, let it sit and chop up your vegetables. Oh, that bowl you're going to choose? Pick the bigger one. It never fails that I pick a bowl wayyyy too small. You'll need room to mix everything anyway. Once those veggies are all in a bowl, whisk it again and pour it over the top.

You can serve it as a side or add anything you want for a full meal. I added some cheese tortellini, but definitely underestimated how much to buy. I'll probably also have some chicken with it. The best part is that there will be a ton of left-overs, which is necessary for the amount of chopping.

Dressing


1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c red wine vinegar
juice of two lemons
zest of one lemon
1 tbsp of whole grain mustard
1 tsp honey
salt and pepper to taste

Salad


4 medium sized tomatoes
small container of mini heirloom tomatoes
1 large carrot
1 large cucumber
1 summer squash
1 zucchini
2 bell peppers (I chose one red and one orange)
15-20 radishes
1 bunch asparagus
fist-full of basil

Cook the asparagus in boiling water for a minute or two, just until it starts to turn bright green. Pour into a colander and run under cold water. Chop the asparagus and the rest of the veggies into the desired size. I cut everything into chunks, except for the squash, zucchini and radish which I sliced thin, and the basil, which I cut into ribbons. Mix everything together, adding any beans, pasta, etc. Pour the dressing over the top and mix again.

I'd let it sit for a while in the fridge for the dressing to set in.

Enjoy!

Slimmed-down Piña Colada

I got the idea for this cocktail from a blog I regularly read and enjoy, Carrots 'n' Cake. We've been mixing up cocktails for the boat when we go to visit my parents, but the last round of sugary Mai Tais killed out stomachs (but they were SO GOOD!). The recipe is great as she makes it, but I'm not sure just the coconut rum will cut it with everyone I may make them for!

Slimmed-down Piña Coladas

6 oz coconut water (such as Vita Coco or another brand)

3 oz pineapple juice

2 oz coconut flavored rum

1-2 oz white rum (if desired, to taste)

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake it up and you're done!

Why I'm running for Dana-Farber

On October 7th this fall, I will be running my third half marathon with the Boston Athletic Association. This year I will be fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer Center. To those who have donated, thank you so very much!

I am $300 of the way to my $500 minimum and I'd really like to raise $1,000. If you would like to donate and haven't received the link on facebook or through email, you can email me or comment on here.

*****

My first memory of knowing what cancer was, was when I lost my grandfather to lung cancer when I was around 7. I was too little to understand that he had even been sick, and at first I didn't really understand that I wouldn't see him anymore either. I did understand that my Mom had been out somewhere and came home sadder than I had ever seen her. That made me sad too, although I still wasn't sure why. Back then, my Mom was the same age I am now and one of my aunts was only 17 or 18. There were also three other children in their family, along with my grandmother. I run in his memory and I run because none of them, my grandfather or his family, should have to go through that.

I saw someone else fight breast cancer, and win, although I barely remember it since I was so young. I run for her and her family too.

Later, in middle school, I had a friend who had a type of lymphoma. I knew she was sick and often felt weak and had dizzy spells. I saw that she lost her hair, but I just couldn't wrap my head around it. It just didn't seem fair (and it wasn't) that a child could get cancer. We were basically children at that point, even if we thought we weren't! I remember how I tried to imagine how I'd feel if I was her and couldn't. I remember being impressed with how, no matter how badly she felt, she was always kind and had a great spirit (and still does). I run for her and for the fact that no child should have to worry about more than the sniffles when it comes to their health.

Then there's:

Colon cancer survivor

Lung cancer survivor

Skin cancer survivor

Someone lost to head/neck cancer

Prostate cancer

Two survivors of salivary gland cancer, the same type that took Adam Yauch. One of them is my age. The other fought it and beat cancer for the second time.



I run for all of you above and anyone else I didn't put on this list. I run for anyone who has hurt seeing someone they love suffer. I run because someone I love is facing it again.

I run because it's another way I can help someone fight.

The bike

Well...it's certainly been longer than I expected to post about my bike and training. Here are some pictures of it. Excuse the slightly grainy iphone pics. I never ended up grabbing my real camera.

2012 Specialized Allez Comp Apex (SRAM Apex)

It's so pretty! It's so pretty that 3 days after my last post I crashed it. Like, not a fall, not into something, not hit by a car, but 25-30mph caught in a groove thrown through the air crash. I was on a bike path and passing someone who must not have heard me. When he drifted slightly towards me I started to get nervous but was ok until I got caught in a groove in the pavement. It was totally my fault. He was still in his lane and I got spooked when my wheel caught. Lesson learned. My chain came off and the guy stopped to help me get it back on (I was pretty shaky) and make sure I was ok. My thumb was bleeding like crazy and I had smashed my wrist, but I could get home. I had about a mile to go. I was still to shaky to want to ride my bike, so I walked it about halfway home until I got sick of it. With about half a mile to go I decided that I felt fine and that I wanted to get the getting-back-on-the-bike over with. I rode home and got some funny looks. It wasn't until I went to shower that I realized I had rubbed blood from my thumb allllll over my neck. THAT must have been an interesting sight riding down a busy street in Boston. Then I got out of the shower and my wrist looked like this:

Yeah...it was pretty ugly. It's mostly healed except for a lump at this point. I didn't go to the ER because I felt like it really just needed some ice. I hope that was the right choice!

I also found that the big chainring on the front was wobbly and clicked when I pedaled. I brought it to the shop where I had bought the bike and they ended up needing to replace it. Of course it was over Memorial Day weekend when I really wanted to take it out with my family! A few days later I got it back:

"Reunited and it feeeels so gooood..."

At this point, I've been out and been okay. I was super nervous around other people at first, but I'm getting over that. I really love how the bike rides, but it is very responsive. I really have to be 110% mindful of what I am doing and thinking. I feel a bit like a poser having this awesome race bike, but lacking the skills to really ride it like I should, but I keep reminding myself that I bought it to grow into.

8 weeks to go! I have my work cut out for me.

Next up:

Tory Row 5K race recap (and PR!)

BAA Half Marathon 2012

How long?

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've posted? Really? Well, that's not okay. Maybe I've been distracted by...

MY NEW BIKE!!!!!!!

I was waiting to post until I could get some good, maybe non-iphone pictures, but that may take a bit. I also wanted to take my phone out on a ride to take some pics, but I ran out of bike fund money (darn you beautiful shiny bike!). I ended up going with the Specialized Allez Comp Apex (SRAM double tap). I LOVE how the Allez Comp feels. I'm 5'4" so the extra-small (49) compact frame feels more like something I can control and less like an overly touchy, twitchy bike that some people experience. Don't get me wrong. I just have to feel nervous and I start to zig zag, but I'm getting better at heading that off. I certainly feel every crack in the pavement, but I like it like that.

In other news....weigh in: 152.8!  That's exciting, but just after I got a stomach bug and then the post-bug super-hunger. So, I'm betting that I'll stay the same this week if I'm lucky. I never lose weight when my stomach bothers me. I get too hungry after.

Also on tap for this week? Making a plan for my triathlon that combines more running since the tri is 3 months from this past Saturday (and I plan to run a half marathon 2 months after that)! I'm going to use somewhat of a combination of a beginner tri program and the FIRST intermediate (or whatever the equivalent is) half marathon plan.

Have a good rest of the week everyone! If the recipe I'm working on comes out well, I'll have that to share for you too.

Almost a bike owner!

I test rode bikes today. HOORAY! But first...my weigh in.

153.8! Down 1.2lbs. Whose's LOLing now, SCALE?

So after months and months of bike stalking online, I finally went to Landry's bicycles in Boston. I was really nervous, which I'm sure shocked you. Just like the first day I went to the pool, I was totally intimidated. That turned out to be really silly, because the guy that helped me was really friendly and super helpful. The rest of the people working there looked like they would be just a helpful too. He came over right away to see if we needed help. I told him I was looking for a bike for a triathlon and thought a road bike would be my best bet for now. It's my first bike since childhood and my first tri, so I don't need anything crazy (yet...heh, heh, heh). I also said that I wasn't too set on men's vs women's bikes or brands but that I'd like to at least try the Specialize Allez line since multiple people recommended it.

He fit me for frame size on a women's Trek and men's bike that I can't remember now. I also tried a few to get an idea of how different bikes within that size fit me. I ended up test riding the Dolce Sport. I can't remember if it was the Compact or the Triple in that line.

 He had me try it just to get an idea if I'd like that set up. It's supposed to feel more stable and comfortable than a typical road bike, although it may also be a bit slower. I really didn't like it! I was kind of sad because it's a nice bike. They have a parking garage behind the shop that you can ride around in, which was nice since it was raining (and has rained the last 4 days I've wanted to go get a bike). I felt like I was either going to tip over when cornering or not be able to turn the wheel enough to make the turn. I thought maybe it was me, but it was really bad! The guy helping me was pretty amused since I had the exact opposite reaction to the bike than most people. It's supposed to feel much easier to control. I felt like I was going to crash the entire time.

Next I tried the Trek Lexa SLX.

I liked this one a lot! BUT, I just wasn't sure. This one was $1,300, which is about the top of what I want to spend and only trying two bikes was making it hard to commit. I was limited somewhat by my price range and what I was looking for, as well as the fact that I'm short and they didn't have some of the ones I should try in stock. He spent another 20 minutes or so talking about the Specialized Allez options since they were out of those as well. So here's the plan. They're ordering the two from the Specialized Allez line for me to try. Since they carry them anyway, it's no big deal if I don't want either.  

The Comp Apex Mid Compact:

and the Elite Compact:

Yeah, yeah, they look pretty much the same. The top one has orange detail and the bottom one has red. The components are a lot different on each, but you cant exactly tell from the pictures. If I don't like either of these, then I will probably end up going with the Trek. Which I didn't put a deposit on to hold for the week while I wait for the other two to come in. Eeek! I am so excited, I can't wait!

run2012summer playlist!

Yup, that's the playlist title. I'm so creative! 


I used to edit my playlists as I went, but then I got nostalgic for my first running paylist, which didn't exist anymore. Now I just make new ones as I go, even if there's a lot of overlap. This is most of my current one, which is still in progress.

Let me digress a bit right here. I'm hearing the push back from the non-music purists. I hear ya. I don't run in races so I can experience EVERYTHING, good and bad, about the race. Some of my best memories are due to the spectators that I'd miss if I had an ipod on. I also run without music on 90% of my outdoor runs. This is especially true if I'm doing "quality work," ie speedwork or at pace long runs. I don't want to practice these with music, which generally makes my runs easier, when that won't be the reality on race day. Unfortunately, since triathlon training and half marathon training will overlap I won't have much time for extra fun runs. I'm probably going to be doing something along the line of the FIRST training plan that incorporates 3 quality running days (such as a day of track repeats, a tempo run and an at pace long run) with 2 cross training days (bike and swim for the tri), plus the 2 days of strength I do with my trainer. I do use music on the treadmill (yeah yeah...as a bribe) and when I just have the urge to go out for fun with a soundtrack. This past week, I was excited about my new Bad A** sunglasses and just wanted to get out with them, my hot pink compression socks and some music.

Here's 10 selections from my list:

#1 - If you're not totally sick of this song, but instead, obsessively channel hop while driving to catch this song as many times as you can (my record = 4 times in a row!) then you get it. If not, you're groaning right now and can skip this one. I'm telling you. Starting a run the way I did with this song was a highlight. Plus it was a crisp, clear, bright and sunny 60º.

#2 "And it's hard to dance, with the devil on your back. So skake him off. Oh woah!"

I'm posting some of these with lyrics instead of the videos, because I prefer my memories and vision of the song more than the video. There are a few songs out there that I won't watch the video to so I don't mar a particularly special memory.

#3 Get this remix. The original song is good, but I like this version so much better. I LOVE this version, actually. If you haven't seen it, maybe wait a bit to watch the video. I'm not crazy about it at all.

#4 This is a nod to St Patrick's Day and Joshua Tree, who did and amazing job playing at The Burren.

#5 I know I mentioned this song before, but it's still a lot of fun to run to!

#6 IRONMAN KONA!!! I always thought I had to earn my way to the athletic clothing, neon compression socks and cool-guy sunglasses by learning to run fast first. Then I realized it's all mental. Wear what you want, put on your game face and go out and run. No one knows that you're running a 10 minute mile at the beginning. For all they know you've been out for hours. Take yourself seriously, show up dressed and ready for the role you want and RUN. No one's going to call you up later to fill in for the part. Claim it yourself.

#7 Yeah, I like Linkin Park. WHAT OF IT?

#8 I  love men in uniform, am obsessed with the ocean and anything maritime, rescue swimmers and the movie The Guardian. I just found out that my awesome swim coach just joined the Coast Guard Auxilliary to coach their swimmers and she is my new hero. I mentioned my favorite movie and she was like, "YES! I LOVE that movie!" You know...'cause she's awesome! When I'm having a particularly tough time in class I think of this song. Not the real video, but this version:

#9 This is just a good, head-down gut-it-out at the end of the run song:

#10 Another fun. song. I'm sorry. I just love them! This is a great celebratory end of run song. If my run is longer than this list, I just repeat this song or go back to We Are Young.

That's it! Have fun! (and listen to fun. SERIOUSLY)