Greek Chicken

It's been hot here lately and so I haven't been in much of a cooking mood. I either need to get my cooking done before lunchtime or just make salads galore. How hot is it in your neck of the woods? Hopefully everyone is staying cool!

On one of those hot days last week, I made some Greek chicken earlier in the day and then enjoyed it for lunch and dinner. It was a really easy and flavorful dish that I definitely want to try again, but with chickpeas for a vegetarian version. I added extra veggies to mine since I love onions, peppers and zucchini. The lemon juice brightened the flavors while the feta added a nice saltiness to it that I love on a hot day. On a cooler day, I suggest serving this over rice, but it was definitely delicious without.

Greek Chicken with Peppers, Onions and Zucchini
serves 4

2 chicken breasts
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 sweet onion, cut in half then sliced
1 zucchini, sliced thinly
1/4 tsp dried oregano
juice of 1/4 lemon
feta cheese, for sprinkling
cooked rice or pasta, to serve

Cut chicken breasts into halves lengthwise, then pound to a 1/2" thickness. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a saute pan over medium high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil, then cook chicken for 4-5 minutes, flipping once. Chicken should be slightly browned on each side and cooked thoroughly. Remove from pan and set aside, keeping warm.

Add garlic cloves to the pan and saute for 30 seconds. Add bell pepper and onion strips and cook for 7-9 minutes, until onions begin to brown and peppers become crisp tender. Add zucchini and oregano during last 5 minutes of cooking. Be sure to toss the veggies frequently to avoid burning. Add lemon juice and toss, then pour onto a platter. Top with chicken, then sprinkle feta cheese over the top. Serve with cooked rice or pasta.

30 Days 100 Miles Update

I'm halfway through my challenge and not even a quarter of the way done with my miles. I really need to up my mileage! I have also had a lot of days where I didn't do any walking and that needs to change. If anything, I need to up my mileage to over 5 miles a day to meet my goal. And that's a lot! 

So, my question to myself is do I start to count my mileage from running, spinning or ellipticalling? (Is that even a word?) Or do I just push myself to get close to my goal? Do I push myself to reach my goal and then exceed?

The critical part of me wants to just quit now because that part of me doesn't think I will be able to do it. It's that inner super critical voice, saying you aren't good enough, saying you might as well quit and sit on the couch for days.

The perfectionist in me says that I should just push myself to get that goal no matter how hard it is. But is it worth it in the end, to push yourself so hard?

The realist in me wants to just strive to hit the goal, but if I don't make it, at least I got close and tried, right? Plus, 5 miles a day isn't exactly ideal, especially with the fact that it's summer and I don't do well in the heat.

So what am I going to do? I think I am going to start with keeping my 3 miles a day like in my original goal, and then try again next month to get to the 100.

Which side are you most like? How do you deal with it?

Heather Lake

I have this unfortunate habit of redoing my lists that I make. My hiking list is the worst offender, since I have redone it at least 2 times already this year. Heather Lake was not originally on my list to do this year, but when I redid my hiking list, it popped up, and I'm sure glad it did.

My friend Darja and I set out to do this hike on a beautiful sunny Sunday. By the time we got to the trailhead, it was already packed and I can see why. Sitting behind Mt. Pilchuck, the lake had views of waterfalls cascading down from snow still melting in the hot July sun. After making a loop around the lake, we found a nice little sitting spot where we dipped our toes into the lake.

Now, this is a big thing for me. I'm not a lake swimmer and I will not put my feet in the lake unless I can see the bottom (thanks to all the stumps in Goose Lake where my family camped when I was little). I'm trying so hard to get over it, but it still freaks me out. Last year, I did take a short swim in Olallie Lake but I haven't swam anywhere else in a long time.

Anyways, as we were packing up, a bird flew through the trees and all I saw what this white projectile heading towards me. I soon realized that it was poop and thank goodness it landed on my arm. Darja and I started to crack up, especially after we realized that it had barely missed hitting her in the face. As gross as it was, getting hit in the arm is WAY better than getting hit in the face, so I gladly took the hit for her.

I washed off in the lake, then we headed back down to the car. It was definitely a fun and eventful trip and I'm glad I got to bond with Darja more. But she owes me big time! ;)

Pineapple Coconut Oatmeal with Macadamia Nuts

I love having oatmeal for breakfast, even in summer. It's the only breakfast item that keeps me from being hungry an hour later. My typical oatmeal is some sort of dried fruit, usually raisins or a berry mix, and walnuts with a little cinnamon and brown sugar. The other day I decided to mix it up.

I first grabbed the last few pieces of dried pineapple I had bought to snack on and some shredded coconut I had in my pantry. The final delicious piece was found while rummaging through my freezer where I found some macadamia nuts leftover from some recipe I made a while back. Perfect! I cooked the oatmeal and dried pineapple with a little allspice and brown sugar, then topped it with the shredded coconut and macadamia nuts. I felt like I was at the beach, enjoying a delicious breakfast before heading out to swim in the warm water. Ahhhhh... that sounds so relaxing right now, doesn't it?

Pineapple Coconut Oatmeal with Macadamia Nuts
Serves 2

2/3 c. rolled oats (not instant)
1/4 c. dried pineapple chunks
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp salt
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 c. shredded coconut
1/4 c. macadamia nuts

In a medium saucepan, combine oats, pineapple, allspice, salt and sugar. Add enough water just to cover oats by half an inch, then place saucepan on the burner and turn on to medium-high. Set a timer for 5 minutes and let cook, stirring once or twice to avoid sticking. After 5 minutes is up, turn stove off and let stand for 2 minutes to absorb the liquid. Pour into 2 bowls, then top each with a little coconut and a handful of macadamia nuts.

Larsen Lake

I'm sure I've written about Larsen Lake on this blog, but it was so long ago, I feel it needs a revisit. Larsen Lake is a cute little lake surrounded by blueberry orchards in Bellevue. I used to go walk around the lake when I lived down the street from there, and it's still one of my favorite short walks in the area.

The loop around the lake is almost a mile and it's so perfect for a scenic run, although on a hot day it can be hard since there is little shade. My favorite starting point is actually at the Starbucks just down the street since there is a lot more parking there than at the actual trail head.

My preferred direction around the lake is clockwise. There are plenty of views of the lake from the trail, and there is even a dock to hang out on if you need a break. Plus there are tons of blueberries everywhere! (Please don't pick the blueberries. If you would like to pick them, check in with the farm stand in the red building to get a bucket.)

I recently went back for a walk around the lake and it was still as beautiful as ever. My peach green tea lemonade sure helped cool me down because even at 10 am, it was already hot out! For more information, click here.