Chicken, avocado/corn salad

A few months ago I had come across a recipe for Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad via Pinterest.   It sounded like a great side dish for the winter (it was) and I hoped to recreate it come warmer weather (I did). The original recipe is in the link above. However, I never make things exactly the same, often because I am missing an ingredient!   

The finished dish with my recipe, below.

From Sunday's lunch of roasted chicken, which was also used for mediterranean pizza Sunday evening  (Chebe brand pizza crust mixed per the box instructions, then topped with pizza sauce, then artichoke hearts, mushrooms, kalamata olives, chicken and sun dried tomato pieces, as well as mozzarella cheese and baked on a pizza stone brought to oven temperature).  With those two meals, I still had chicken left over!  

Yesterday I found Paleo Cupboard on Pinterest (I feel I'm rarely on that board, but when I am, I find great stuff!). I had first found a recipe for some beef meals, and then saw a photo of a fabulous looking salad. Interestingly, the photo of the salad was for the recipe of the dressing! However, I was inspired for our evening meal.  A salad with mixed greens, chicken, hard boiled egg (whites, I dislike the yolks on salads), the above Corn/Avocado salad and then topped with just a smidge of cheddar cheese. 

For the Avocado/Corn salad, I used: 
1 can of corn, drained, with 1T of cumin and 1/2 T of chili powder, sauteed in a skillet with a teaspoon of olive oil til warmed through and the spices are aromatically filling the kitchen. 

Then in a bowl, I mixed a T of apple cider vinegar, 1 T of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt and about 1tsp of black pepper and whisked that in one a mixing bowl, which I could use to add the other ingredients to as well---I'm all for less cleanup on a work night!

I sliced the cherry tomatoes I had on hand, diced up the greens of some scallions sitting in the refrigerator, and two avocados I had purchased at lunch, before I even knew what dinner would be. [I figured we'd need them for the left over carrot/sweet potato chili from last week. Now I have to go buy more avocados!] I also diced up a small red onion I had on hand.

I added all the ingredients (except for the corn, it needed to cool some) and folded them together, being sure to get the Olive oil/vinegar dressing on all of the ingredients. 

I managed to snag a photo before I completely mixed the corn into the dish!

I chopped the rest of the chicken and heated it in a skillet with a smidge of oil on the bottom. I didn't add any spices to this, but I suppose I could have added cumin and chili powder to it as well, maybe some garlic or onion powder too.  

Nothing fancy, just some basic chicken on a board cut randomly . . . no perfection required. 

Then I washed and diced up spinach, romaine and leafy green lettuces, put that in the base of the bowls. I added the corn to the salsa mixture and put some of it on next in the bowls, then placed some chicken in the bowl, as well as the hard boiled egg whites.   

Completed meal

I was thinking that one could add more dressing (lubricant) to the dish if desired.  I think, equal parts olive oil, cider vinegar with a teaspoon of cumin and half a teaspoon of chili powder and salt would be just the thing. 

Best Grinnell Run--ever

Saturday was The Mike's big race of the spring.  TransIowa version 9.  320 miles of gravel and dirt roads ("Level B") in Iowa.  Fourth year for him doing this race.  We hurry on Friday to Grinnell for the preliminary items for the race. Then try to get some sleep unnaturally early, as racers start at 4am, are suppose to be downtown at 3:30am and they all try to eat something ahead of time.  Our alarm clock was set for 2:15am (yeah?).  

Racers lined up-almost go time at 4am

After watching the cyclists depart downtown, I headed out to the north/south road to head to the hotel. One of the other cars pulled off the road at the next spot, assuming where there were police at 4am meant that the cyclists would be coming.  She was right and they had traveled a long way, from Pennsylvania for the event, she loved the quaint town of Grinnell, plus that the big city of Des Moines as not far away for exploring and shopping :-) 

Police were on hand to block vehicle traffic on a state highway, as cyclists exited Grinnell and headed towards the gravel--those lights behind the truck are ALL cyclists.

 I tried to get warmed up and back to sleep at the hotel. I finally succeeded about the time I normally awake. I slept until 8am and then awoke to a beautiful day for running and errands.  This is the first time in four years that there was beautiful weather for this event of The Mike's.   Normally it's rainy, overcast, 30mph wind, etc.  

Nature on my run. The lake in Grinnell

 I took a pause at the lake to watch the geese and ducks and then spied a turtle sunning himself. He ducked back in the water before I was able to capture his photo.   

The run takes me on the gravel shoulder up to the wide bike path which winds around to this lake. Then the trail runs out and you have the option of running streets (along the "bike path" with regular sidewalks) or running up to the cemetery (which is on the other side of the trees). There's not much difference in the end, but only on how to do the next few blocks.  I always choose to run through the cemeteries. I find they're peaceful and full of history.  This one was technically blocked off due to some repairs of the underground drainage, but I'm a farm girl and can walk through rough terrain, so I went that way (and there was a slight opening in the orange fencing, so I didn't break through anything). 

Up and around on the residential roads where I can run on the asphalt streets without much traffic instead of the hard concrete sidewalks, and then I returned the same way, but did a different loop  in the cemetery. Each time through is a new experience. I found this man's resting place. . . came from the East and settled in this town, helping to create Iowa College which is now Grinnell College and attended by many east coasters :-)   Interestingly, he married twice and both wives were named Sarah! 

As I exited the cemetery on a new road, I realized it'd be perfect for hill repeats, so I did a few. . . and then found a dime on said road, and a couple of beer cans by a few headstones, so I did some litter control as well.    This was definitely the best run I'd ever had in this town--beautiful weather, not much wind, and I found money! 

People always ask "What do you do while Mike is out riding all day?!".   I am so lucky that I'm comfortable in my own skin and can figure out what to do on my own!   After the run, eating and freshening up, I tried to get a pedicure but there were no openings. I did a bit of local shopping and then I went to the outlet mall and helped the economy :-)   I ate some more and then took a "short nap". I decided I didn't need to set the alarm since I rarely sleep that much during naps; I was very wrong.  I awoke two hours later and  just shortly before the Negro Spiritual event at the college.  I hate arriving late, but I wanted to hear this event:  "Soprano Randye Jones & pianist Marlys Grimm performing Negro spirituals. Ms Jones is working on her vocal literature doctorate" at Univ.of Iowa.  It was a great way to spend the evening, a free cultural event, and I was the youngest person in attendance by at least THIRTY years!  

Back to the room I listened to Trans Iowa radio for updates on the event from the coordinator, as well as watched Twitter for updates on racers. This year I didn't hear The Mike's name at all and figured that was good news.  I read a bit and watched Pawn Stars (we don't have cable at home, so it's  a treat to watch the History Channel) and then I waited for morning to come and hoped the phone didn't ring early in the morning from The Mike.  

Sunrise.

Sunday morning came about with beautiful skies and gorgeous weather in the forecast. I packed my stuff in the car (less to carry out later) and headed out to the finish line.  If you're ever in Iowa, this is what our low maintenance roads look like, AVOID them if you have no idea where they end, or if it's rainy, snowy, or icy.  Most of them are gravel roads without gravel laid down for 5-30 years.  There usually are no homes along these roads and only used by farmers to get to the roads, or for critters to travel at night. 

Level B road signs. . . amazingly, people enter this race without knowing exactly what is a Level B road! 

Four years ago I walked out of the hotel at 10am for my run and there were about 20 muddy bikes on cars. There was a gent sitting on the hotel parking lot and I asked if the race was canceled (there was lightning earlier that morning).  He said no, that his race ended because of "mud on the Level B roads. Do you know that Level B means mud?" Apparently in the months leading up to this race, he had no idea that B means dirt roads. There are also C and D roads, which means the farmer basically has a key to a fence gate to keep out others. 

A Level B road in "GREAT" condition up to the farmer's barn.

I was suppose to run two miles or so on Sunday. My legs felt pretty good from Saturday, but knowing I'd be standing around waiting for the Mike and that I had parked a bit away from the barn, I knew I'd get some running in. I didn't do the run, but I did get to run back to the car and to the barn for the first aid kit (not for The Mike).

The rest of the Level B road after the barn driveway--this is good condition too, as it's grass.

The Mike's finish.
Two other gents road in with him,
but I don't have their permission to put their pic on the blog. 

We got home and took a nap after the exhaustive weekend.  Monday I got up for yoga and felt tired and thought I just overdid things this weekend. Instead, I realized later in the day that I was dehydrated and I was slow and sluggish from this!  

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!  

Kaua'i island  Spouting Horn

Crazy Saturday--what was I thinking?

Friday I headed to VEISHA town and spent the night with a sibling. . . not because I was going to party at VEISHA, but rather for a 5K.  My training plan had down 6 miles.  I laid out the clothing the night for the chilly temps of 25º.  Thankfully I brought my running wind jacket which I had purchased back in January for the Triple D event. Sadly, I only brought my fleece tights and not the overlayer thicker running pant.  I set out for my six mile run and had a nice route going.  As I neared the halfway mark, I had turned north and then the wind started ripping into me/through my tights across the wide open mall parking lot.  I decided to turn around and make this into an 'out and back' instead of a loop run!

I saw plenty of other runners out in the early morning, some singles and a few large groups with assorted ages.  It was great to be outside. I haven't done much outside running at all this winter. Last year I was out a lot as we had such a mild winter.  My running wasn't completely constant/at the same pace, but it was pretty darn near and that made me happy.    I got back to the house and changed my Mizuno breath long sleeve shirt for the other one of the same type, so that I wouldn't be chilled when walking the 5K.  I didn't run this add'l 3.1 miles past my coach, and maybe should have, but decided that it'd be like going shopping all day long and being on my feet that much longer!

M and I found a great parking spot near the end of the run, and then walked over to the start. It was about 30º when we started. I had printed out a few of the above 'bibs' for Boston for us and to share with other runners at the start.  M's friend J joined us as well and we all pinned on our Boston bibs. Had I been thinking clearly before my 6-miler, I would have put it on then!   A student group at the event was selling 3" pins for Boston with the proceeds going to the One Fund Boston.  We passed out the other Boston remembrance bibs to those who wanted them.  We stood around for about twenty-five minutes before the race started. . . it's always fun to see what others wear for such an event. Some were out in winter clothing, some in shorts with no leggings, one guy was basically wearing a black speedo with his bib number as a sporran. . . maybe he's part Scottish? 

I was pretty glad I wasn't running the event. J commented that it was hard to not 'take off and run' and I agreed, but as there was a hill at the start, I was glad we were just walking it together. J and I started power walking--on accident--and M had to reel us back in so we didn't take off!  At one of the first corners, the group of walkers in front of us made to 'cut the corner'. . . and I mean they were going to CUT THE CORNER.  M joked she thought I was being a real rule follower. I explained to her, and the others, that cutting the corner means walking the shortest distance on the measured course--taking the tangent. It does not mean to cut off a triangle and make a shorter distance by following a rounded sidewalk. 

We talked about current events and memories of their campus, of recently finding coins on campus which I thought would be rare any more with students and credit cards, but then I said the students at the high school dept of the comm college tend to literally throw change into the trash! As well as C's roommate who refused to pick up change, she had dropped on her own room floor, and who was moving out as we visited one weekend. That ex-roomy thought it was odd we volunteered to pick up the change on her floor. It was about $7 as we recalled and paid for the Toll Roads on our way home!

As we had not registered by the beginning of the month, we weren't given a shirt.  However, at the end, they were selling the left over shirts.  I was expecting them to be about $20--especially after I discovered the proceeds help fund a scholarship.  To my delight, the t-shirts were only $6, so of course I got one.  :-)  

After the 5K was over, we said adieu to J and we walked back to the car.  M got her family ready to go to more VEISHA events, and I packed up to go see dad. . . I'm not sure what I was thinking getting in the car after 9 miles and not much stretching, but I did.  Stiff when I got to dad's after three hours in the car and  then I got to climb the stairs and carry things down to the truck multiple times--Really, WHAT WAS I THINKING when I planned this weekend? ? 

For the drive home on Sunday, I made sure to wear my compression sleeves on the calves while I was sitting for five hours. I didn't need anything to happen on the circulation department and then the legs felt better once I got home and moving around a bit as well.  

Senselessness turned into compassion and strength of the strong, brave

April is a cruel month in history, especially the last twenty-some years.

April 19, 1993 -- TRAGEDY AT WACO

April 19, 1995 -- OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING

April 20, 1999 -- COLUMBINE MASSACRE

April 16, 2007 -- VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE

April 15, 2013 -- BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING

All I can say is that there are some very disturbed people who cause much devastation to so many innocent bystanders. My thoughts have been with those who survived the senseless act of destruction at the Boston finish line. Many prayers to the families of those who lost their three loved ones. This is just the beginning in the road to recovery for the hundred plus who were maimed bodily and for the thousands hurt mentally. We can't try to make sense of an act so callous, so horrendous and which put the innocent in harms way.  

Prayers and hugs to Boston racers, visitors, spectators and to the running community and their families. 

Cold and blustery day. . . must be spring! April 5K

Fools 5k put on by the fabulous Trekman Racing crew --he has great races, great organization, great after race goodies (food, awards, music, massages, and MORE!)  If you haven't heard of Trekman, maybe you've read of Park to Park in Runner's World magazine?  

This was Trekman's first event with his new combined chip timing/bib process.  When we picked up our bibs the day before, we weren't assigned a number until we logged onto the system. Then the volunteers [awesome volunteers] scanned the bib we would be assigned.  A disposable chip was on the back of the bib--to remain there.  I normally wear the bibs on my pant leg, so it doesn't crinkle and my thumbs won't attack it during a run.  However, Trekman said we needed to wear the bibs front and center on our shirts [though now i wonder what those guys who race shirtless did, hmm].  

Pic of logo on my bib

The weather had been beautiful, though a bit chilly and I decided to ride my bike over the race as a great warmup. It was a fairly uneventful ride in terms fo interruptions (no trains, no cars, etc).  I managed to scare up a doe and her fawn in the first mile, along with a bluebird.    The only problems I encountered were with the glaciers left from the previous snow fall.  I completely forgot about the layers of snow compacting as a result of the bridges above being cleaned.  I'm neither good enough of a rider, nor brave enough, to attempt to cross the ice patch.  As I came to the entrance to the state park, I came across two larger glacier fields, one with a bright red cardinal sitting atop showing off his splendid colors.  I managed to scare up a few more deer as well--surprising they were out so late but realizing they had probably been nestled down in the last days of cold weather.

The first glacier to cross on my ol' Voodoo  

 The energy from a thousand plus people was amazing.  Everyone was standing around in the sun, and trying to stay out of the breeze, and enjoying the beautiful day for a run. The parking lot where the finish festivities were staged was not the start line.  We had to walk a half mile or so to the start line.  Many races I've been to --other than Trekman's-- have signs for those who are under ten minute/mile runners and only speakers near the front.  Not Trekman!  He places speakers all along the participant lineup area, along with signage for runners of all abilities and walkers.  The Fools, taking place at a state park, is relatively flat. I don't mean in the "there's a rise of X and a descent of X so it's considered flat".  I mean in the "there are only a few inclines along the way with a gentle grade and maybe a foot increase is elevation. 

Before we started, Trekman's crew played America's song  and then we were off. . . Now, if you've never raced before you'll learn quite quickly that everyone goes off faster than what their normal pace is.  This is part of the excitement, energy, and adrenaline that racers feel. 

The gun went off, people started a slow run and then we came to a stop. . . one must love that aspect of races ;-)   I tried to stay on the edge, in case I decided to take a walk break. Since I'm just getting into running again after a few months off I figured this would be wise--and then I leave the middle for those folks who want to go really fast and zip here and there, this way and that way.   There was the woman I nicknamed the Gazelle. She was in a high-stepping run, and then she turned around and ran backward to cheer on other people in her group!  Then there was the mother/daughter combo, so cute to see the mom and daughter (about 8) running hand in hand along the course.  There were those dressed in costumes--it IS a FOOLS race after all! There was Thing 1 and Thing 2, bathing suit runners, those with tutus and a cowboy complete with hat, checkered shirt and jeggings!  (I'm still not sure where he found ones long enough for his legs!).  I've never dressed up for this race, but it's fun to see people who get completely into--and who can get their friends and families to get in on the action.  The favorite for me was the Mad Hatter--part of the Alice in Wonderland crew.  He ran with a gigantic hat upon his top! 

There I was, running along near the edge so I could maneuver around people if the occasion arose. All of a sudden a preteen who was walking in the center of roadway decided to start running and moved over the shoulder and then just stopped right in front of me!  This is one of the reasons I never let myself get "so in the zone" of running--always be  on the lookout for people who don't quite obey the rules of the roadway.  I did get around the young girl, although I almost plowed into her.  :-(   

We ran an out and back course with a side lollypop portion.  It was fun doing the lollypop, as then we were able to see the lead runners on their way back, then finishing the out and back let us see the rest of the racing community who was out there.  On the way to the finish line and around the small curves I just ran a straight line, or "ran the tangent" if you want to get all technical on the geometry names.  Plenty of racers think they need to run the complete curves and stay to the outside, but that's only true when you're training and don't want to get run over by a car.  In races, the course is certified, which means that you can run the shortest tangents and still end up doing the total race mileage. It's the reason that you run a half marathon and come up with running 14 miles on your GPS device.  

I finished in a respectable time, though my GPS thought I had gone further than I had, probably because it couldn't tell what I did on the lollypop area. 

After the finish with my "mardi gras'" beads

Here I am after the finish and after my face became slightly less red.  My time did improve from the March 5K, which is expected since there were no hills on this course, nor any street corner turns. 

Larger glacier field

If you want a fabulous race atmosphere and have time in September, think of joining Iowa for Trekman Racing's  Park to Park Half-marathon, 10K or 5K event! 

3rd race of 2013 (March's, it's a late post--eeek)

I cannot believe I neglected to write about my third month, third event of 2013! I must do this before I can write about the April event!  

I was trying to figure out what to do. I needed a 5K for March for this twelve months of runs to continue  We had late month snow that put the dampers on going to visit dad and doing a 5K near him.  (I love to drive in snow, don't really have a problem with it, but I didn't want to drive back in the dark in snow when the last time the weather folks were off with us getting a "trace" and we wound up with seven inches instead!)

Our "trace" of snow, ha ha ha ha

I was looking on Get Me Registered and Running in the USA websites looking for a local 5K to do and found a 5K in a town about an hour away.  The fundraising purpose of the event was to raise funds for a youth group to go to on a missionary trip to help people with their homes. Before the race started, they raised enough from this year's race to do the trip they planned to do in Puerto Rico and then do a trip to Michigan as well!  

Online registration was, of course, closed already and there was no information on their website as to how much the race cost, so I called.  I have never heard of this a staggered race entry before.  I know most places do an online registration cost and day of registration cost. I have never heard of a place having a "pickup packet day /in person registration price" with a "day of event registration price" being even more.  When I called, I was told if I came to the place on Friday it'd be $35, but day of event it was $40.  EEK.  How was I going to justify spending $40 for an event, driving an hour to get there (and back again) and having already paid $20 for a race I wasn't able to do. . . it was a spendy enough weekend to call it a marathon ;-)  One of my friends and coworker had just returned from a trip and knew from driving through this area that there was no snow or ice on the ground (unless us a bit to the north!).  She was in for the 5K as well YEAH! 

Friday night involved getting the clothing ready, laying out styles, extra shirts and then Saturday dawned early and I headed over to C's house to get her. . . turned the seat warmers in the car and set the station to Sinatra for her enjoyment and off we were. 

We found the running store in a fairly new strip mall with plenty of parking down the way. Inadvertently, I did drive unknowingly on part of the course. It was nice to recognize the finish area when we came around the corner.  Registration was in a running store created by runners. They had a lot of stuff packed into a small store front and it was just the right amount!  So many shoes and socks and CEP compression, as well as women designed clothing for women, and a nice array of hydration and nutrition.  Oh, it was so overwhelming early on in the morning (chuckle chuckle). We were also lucky enough to get shirts on race day--they weren't guaranteed for us and only a few sizes were left.  

Songs were sung, thank yous said and we were off on the 5K.  Somehow I thought C got ahead of me and so I spent the race thinking "I need to catch her".  I started off too fast, as always it seems in short races, and had to take some walking breaks.  Then there was the second or so corner to round with a mom holding two five year olds' hands. No problem with that--quite nice to see families and kids getting out for these events.  Instead, the problem was with the woman between that group and myself who kept diving to the left and then the right and then the left and then the right  like she was magically going to fly over the trio and be able to 'cut the corner'. It would have been funny to watch, had I not been so worried about trampling her.  Instead, I put on a burst of energy and sped past the jazzercising runner.  

source

The scenery was quite a mix--business to residential to a pond and then along a highway with police protection and back onto a curvy residential street before we turned onto a business road again. I took a small walk break here up the incline and then looked behind me and saw more people catching, so I took off around the corner and realized we were just a few blocks from the finish  which actually was a left turn into the parking lot and then an incline to the finish line.  No sooner had I finished with huffing and puffing finesse than I looked around for C. She came up and found me. I asked, "how long ago did you finish?" and she had just finished. She thought I was in front and I laughed because I thought she was in front and I kept pushing myself to beat her and vice versa!  

Seriously one of the cookies at this 5k. . .
perhaps the key is doing a race before Easter? Lots of Easter themed decorated cookies!

After finding some nourishment (a huge smorgasbord with bananas, breakfast bars and dozens and dozens of cookies,  we went shopping. . . what else were we to do?  

We both got new headbands and I acquired a new iFitness hydration pack which has been improved with collapsable water bottle cages (so you run with it as a belt to hold things in the pouch instead of just hydration), a larger cell phone pouch and silicone grips on the back of the front hip sections so it has less desire to slip around on slippery spandex!   There were several other beauties they had in the store to which I had to say 'not just yet'.  The only sad part was that we apparently spent so much time IN the store that we missed out on the door prizes. 

Cinnamon rolls-Take 1

I have been drooling over the Chebe facebook page whenever they post something about their cinnamon rolls, so I had to give their mix a shot. I already am in love with their pizza crust mix (already has seasonings in the crust), their Foccacia bread (which we whipped up at Thanksgiving with rice milk for gluten free & dairy free bread) and their regular/basic Chebe has became a favorite with the in-laws for holidays :-)  

The Mike arrived home from a cycling ride just after I started prepping the dough, so he was able to take these fabulous photos for me (Should I award him brownie points?) 

I put the ingredients in my food processor; however, that's not necessary. It's quite easy to mix by hand and then knead a bit.  My wrists rather prefer I don't knead, which is why I use my Kitchen-Aid processor. 

Immediately after mixing the dough

I rolled out the crust, measuring marks on the parchment paper for the size the package recommended.  Whenever an edge was going to go over that amount, I just flipped the parchment paper, folding the rolls mix on itself, and then rolled to even out the rectangle.  

Applying the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon mix. The key to cinn rolls, in my opinion/experience, is to leave a bit of the edge without the mixture so when the roll is rolled, you can pinch the dough and get the roll to seam  together.

 I put raisins in my cinnamon rolls, just a little something extra.  I didn't have any pecans on hand and that might be something to use next time. 

I used the parchment paper to start rolling the dough into the log.
(Next time, I will roll from the short end instead of the long end). 

Using a ruler, I cut each one about an inch and a quarter in size.
I think next time, I will make them a little taller, maybe two inches. 

I only have one regular muffin tin and it's a six seater, so I used my jumbo cupcake pans.  First though, I cut small circles from parchment paper to be placed at the base of each container.  

Fresh from the oven.
Next time, I will roll the dough up on the short edge rather than rolling the long edge.
This will make the rolls have more layers.

The finished product:  

After cooking (and photo session) I flipped the rolls out onto a cooling rack covered with parchment paper
 
Don't look at me that way, I don't want to have to clean hardened cooked brown sugar off my cooling rack!

 Verdict:  Yummy! These hit the spot for what I was craving. I stored the leftovers in a simple zipped plastic bag. They stayed moist and didn't become dry.  I believe the next time they'll stay in for just a  minute or so less in time, but I'll also be rolling them the other way to make the rolls thicker.  Amazingly, they did last more than two days at the house, even without frosting!