Monday, July 6, 2009

hot hot hot

IMG_3526   It’s been pretty dang hot here lately and I think we only have another 2 1/2 months of it yet to go?  Ugh!  I just feel like this heat drains me and steals all the energy I have!  Does anyone have any advice on powering through hot desert weather?  I make sure to stay hydrated, but I can’t seem to regulate my temperature well, even in the winter.  I also get terrible heat headaches since all my veins blow up like little balloons.  I just have to get through it!

I call this the blow dryer effect . . . 

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I’m going to the SNE Conference in New Orleans, so I guess I won’t get any reprieve from the hot weather.  I think it’s supposed to rain 3 out of the 5 days I’ll be there, so I’m sure the humidity won’t help things!

I also bought some new running shoes!  They were only $30 at DSW and they are quite cushy and comfy.  Now you all know that I am not the running type, and I don’t run that often to be honest.  I’ve been dancing since I was 8 years old and was on the dance team in HS and college.  I can dance all day long or take fitness classes like kickboxing and spin, but running has always been a challenge.  I truly admire those of you who can run and run and run!  So, I decided that I am going to start training for a sprint triathlon on October 3!  I think that I’m not getting any younger and I’d like to do something like this when I have the chance.  Because I’m also studying sports nutrition, I’d like to better counsel athletes if I’ve actually experienced it myself.  We’ll see how it goes . . . this hot weather isn’t helping at the moment.

IMG_3685 My lil sis Sarah’s 4th birthday was this past Sunday (the one on the left, her friend Hannah is on the right).  My dad actually has 3 little ones!  Isn’t he crazy?!  But, he truly loves it and can’t wait till he can retire and spend lots more time with them.  There is Kauner who’s 6, Sarah who just turned 4 and Josh who’s 3.  Wow, I don’t think I could even imagine having 3 kids right now even at the age of 24.  It was also Sarah’s friend Hannah’s birthday, so it was double the fun.  Here are some pictures of the party with lots of crazy kids!  Ahhh . . . to be a kid again and not have a care in the world.

Don’t drop the egg!

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I want candy!

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Sweet Josh was tired! 

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In foodie news, I have a couple great recipes for you that I tried out this past weekend, both involving my favorite thing . . . peanut butter!  I swear I think I could eat that stuff all day long.  It would definitely be my first choice if I was stuck on a deserted island :) My ultimate favorite brand is Trader Joe’s because it has a wonderful roasty toasty flavor.  When I taste a regular brand peanut butter now, it just tastes flavorless to me.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend no matter what you were up to!  

Asian BBQ Chicken with Crispy Peanutty Noodles

( I got the ‘crispy’ idea from PF Chang’s dan dan noodles)

Ingredients for the chicken:

  • 1/4  cup  packed brown sugar
  • 1/4  cup  low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1  tbsp  fresh lime juice
  • dash cayenne
  • 1/4  tsp curry powder
  • 3  garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 - 2 pounds chicken tenders

IMG_3515Combine first 6 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; add chicken. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 4 hours (this also freezes well).

Prepare grill.

Remove chicken from bag, reserving marinade. Place marinade in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute.  Place chicken on oiled grill; grill about 4-5 minutes each side or until done, turning and basting frequently with the marinade.

Ingredients for the Noodles:

  • A bunch of your favorite veggies to sauté.  I used 2 baby bok choy, 2 green bell peppers, several julienned carrots, green onions
  • 1 bundle of soba noodles, boiled until al dente
  • For the peanut sauce to add at the end:  2 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger, 3  garlic cloves, minced, 1  cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1/2  cup  peanut butter, 1/4  cup  low-sodium soy sauce, 3  tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1  tsp chili garlic sauce all warmed up in a small saucepan (you may have sauce left over, depending on how saucy you like your noodles)

IMG_3509 Stir fry all the veggies until slightly tender in a large wok, but still crisp; remove from wok.  Add some more canola oil, then the cooked noodles and cook until crispy around the edges.  Pour the veggies back on top of the noodles along with the peanut sauce and serve with the asian BBQ chicken!  Top with more green onions for garnish.  Pyramid apricot ale is one of my favorites and went well with this type of dish. 

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This chicken recipe is very versatile, so I used it in another recipe the next night because I had some leftover . . .

Chicken Satay Wraps

(adapted from CookingLight)

Ingredients

  • 1/2  cup  diced carrots
  • 1/3  cup  chopped green onions
  • 2/3  cup  light coconut milk
  • 1  tbsp  low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1  tbsp  rice vinegar
  • 3  tbsp  creamy peanut butter
  • 1  tsp  curry powder
  • dash cayenne
  • 2  cups  chopped asian BBQ chicken (see above)
  • 4  (8-inch) flour tortillas (I used whole wheat)
  • romaine and bok choy for stuffing and greenage

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little bit of olive oil. Add carrots and onions; sauté 1 minute. Stir in coconut milk and next 5 ingredients (through cayenne); stirring constantly. Add the chicken; cook 1 minute, stirring to coat. Remove from heat; cool. Warm tortillas and spoon about 1/2 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla, and top each with greenage. Roll up and enjoy!

I also topped mine with some creamy goat cheese.

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mmmm . . . mid bite

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One recipe, two versatile dishes that are a whole lotta yum :)

Speaking of glorious nut butters . . . Angie is giving away some great stuff from Trader Joe’s (my favorite, um I mean it’s terrible!)  Darn it, I forgot she is on east coast time and I missed it!  But you should still check out her blog :)

What’s your favorite way to use nut butters? 

 

 

 

10 comments:

Gina; The Candid RD said...

Aww, your sister is so precious. Another thing we have in common, young siblings! My brother is thirteen, a bit older, but still!
Have fun at the SNE conference, that looks very interesting! I'm sure you'll get a lot of great information and maybe even some samples? Or at least some great food!

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm.. I could just eat nut butters from the spoon! I like them on carrots, on apples, on graham crackers, in oatmeal, on chicken, on sweet potatoes, on protein or granola bars, stirred into granola and milk, stirred into yogurt....

Peanut Butter Swirl said...

those asian noodles sound divine!! and so does the wrap :)

Anonymous said...

oh my god! your siblings are SO adorable! And I LOVE using nutbutters in savory recipes...though my fav way to eat them is still on good ol' oats!

Thinspired said...

That photo of Josh is precious! What an angel.

I love the idea of your Asian chicken. I have all the ingredients onhand, too! Maybe I'll make it tonight :)

I guess with nut butter I am an old-fashioned girl...just give me a slice of bread and I'm happy!

Being Healthier said...

amazing recipes as always dear!! Truly mouth-watering.

Happy Birthday to your sis! I did re-read that and was surprised that your dad has little ones but that is so cool for him and you! I always wanted to have little brothers and sisters and it never happened. Ah well.

Anonymous said...

I am trying to have sympathy for the humidity, but it' averaging around 60 degrees here in Scotland :( Lol. It can be a nightmare in hot hot hot weather with no reprieve. I'll send some gales your way :P

Wow- that's so neat that your siblings are so young! Happy birthday to your sister!

LOVING the look of that chicken wrap!

Hmm...nut butters. Today I tried something new- I simmered chopped peaches and blueberries in a pan with a little vanilla extract and sweetener until they were soft and syrupy, then ate them topped with almond butter. I think this might be my new favourite!

Astra Libris said...

Oh my goodness, I'm swooning over your gorgeous chicken recipes! PB is one of my favorite foods in the world too! And now you've given me two excuses to serve PB with supper more often... You rock!! :-)

My current favorite way to use nut butters is a classic PB and banana sandwich on whole wheat toast... :-)

I'm so glad your car is out of the shop! Hooray! :-)

Happy Birthday to your little sister! Too adorable!

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

How cute-it must be such fun to have such a big difference in age with your siblings! My son is two and he's quite a handful-I just cannot imagine handling another two along with him!
The chicken recipes sound great-will try them and let you know :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the peanut sauce recipe! And as for nut butters...I like them in oatmeal, in Greek yogurt, with cereal & milk, and on toast with sliced apples. :)