Recipe Reblog

Two summery recipes for you this week!

Perfect Summer Panzanella: A quintessential summer side dish. Still plenty of time to enjoy those fresh from the garden veggies before summer wanes.  If you’re unfamiliar, panzanella is a combination of cubed bread, tomatoes, onion, cucumber and a vinegar/oil dressing. It’s light and refreshing and this was the first time I had ever made it. We thought it was quite tasty. However, the leftovers were pretty soggy. Best to eat this all in one sitting. Mixed up quick and easy. Give this a try!

Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken: This recipe comes from an old issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray. June 2007, to be exact. The back of the page has a side dish I made years ago but I had never mixed up this recipe on the flip side. This was a good summer recipe too. The chicken gets salted and peppered and grilled like normal, then the sauce is brushed on when finished. It was sweet with a hint of heat and you probably have all ingredients in your pantry. Grill it up tonight!

You guys. My feet are throbbing. I went to Zumba in the Parking Lot just before I typed this up. It was 2 hours of straight zumba on asphalt. I want to die. Or just be carried everywhere for the rest of my life.

Autumn Beer 2012 Edition

It may only be August 21st but the fall beers are here! They excites John to no end as the fall variety are his favorite specialty brews. For me, it's a tie between summer and fall. But, having sampled a number of summers already, I'm ready to move on.

For your sipping pleasure..........

This Pumking from Southern Tier is the end all be all of pumpkin beer. It's their seasonal Imperial for fall. At $8.99 for the 1/6th keg bottle size (22 oz.), it had better be. But, oh my heavens. If you are a pumpkin lover, you need to splurge on this. The brewer says you should taste pumpkin, buttery crust, pie spices, vanilla and roasted pecans. This description is spot on! It packs a punch at 8.6% ABV (alcohol by volume). PLEASE try this. You'll never go back.

Via

Maple Bock from Hinterland has been in stores for awhile even though it's their fall release. I spied this in my store at least a month ago and pined after it for just as long. Because there were so many summer beers to try, I passed it up on many occasions. But, last weekend, I handed over my $9.99 for 4 - 16 oz. bottles and poured a glass. Unfortunately, this did not live up to my hype. I so wanted a strong maple flavor to punch my taste buds without apology. Instead, I got a smoky, brown ale that was so so but nary a maple note to be found. This was the first from Hinterland I've tried. I would attempt others with caution and lowered expectations.

Via

Much like the Maple Bock, this seasonal offering of Caramel Apple Spiced Ale from Blue Moon was quite intriguing. So intriguing, in fact, that we had already purchased that weekend's beer but bought the mixed 12 pack anyway because of the inclusion of this beer. It's only available in the Autumn Brewmaster's pack. Again, I was hoping to be inundated with caramel and apple and got only the slightest hint of it. So sad. Good thing there are only 3 bottles in the pack because it's not their best.

And that's all she wrote, folks. Sorry to end on a down note.

 Want to see more about fall beers?

 Here's what I posted last year. And more can be found here.

Ultramarathon Man

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For a little motivation as I continue through my half marathon training, I read Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner by Dean Karnazes. This is the second book of his I’ve read but it’s the first one he wrote. This man is amazing! Ultramarathon Man chronicles how he came to be a runner, the heart and strength behind his races and perseverance, and what brought him to the ultra stage of the spot. Karnazes talks about the first time he ran the Western States 100, a 100 mile foot race through the mountains that he attempted to finish in 24 hours, his attempts at the Badwater Ultra (racing through the desert), and a chilly marathon in Antarctica. I found his story very interesting and really enjoy his writing as well. As he discussed some of the pain and strife he encounters on his runs, I was right there with him. It definitely solidified the fact that I do NOT aspire to be an ultra runner. However, I applaud all that he’s achieved.
A fast and captivating read, even for non-runners. But, give it a try especially if do lace up on a regular basis.
Rating: * * * ½

Recipe Reblog

I’ve been trying to mix up my diet and incorporate a lot more protein, especially on days that I do strength training. I used to be afraid of the fat in protein but I got over that. You should too!

Overnight Oats: These are all the rage in the blog world but if you don’t read any cooking or health blogs, they might be new to you. There are lots of reincarnations of Overnight Oats and for my first foray into the subject I tried three different varieties and played around with the amounts a bit.

Day 1: (no pic, sorry): ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, ½ cup skim milk. Mix it all up, put it in the fridge. In the morning, you can eat it cold but I threw it in the microwave for 20 seconds to take the chill off. First bite was…..tangy. If you’ve never had Greek yogurt before, you probably won’t like the plain version of this. I am a Greek yogurt lover and still decided to add some cinnamon and about a teaspoon of brown sugar. That helped a lot!

Day 2: Same ratios on the ingredients but this time I threw in a squirt of honey and a few blueberries and strawberries. I really liked the addition of fruit but today, the oats were kind of soupy.

Day 3: Overnight Oats in a Jar. This is probably the most popular version I come across online and I can see why. I went a little lighter on the milk today, only about 1/3 cup. Then, I used an empty peanut butter jar that was destined for the trash. The mixture takes on the PB flavor plus in the morning you can scrape up those delicious left behind traces of peanut buttery goodness. I also added some strawberries but no extra sweetener. Much better with less milk, and you can use any kind of nut butter (almond, cashew, etc.)

The downside to this breakfast is that buying the extra Greek yogurt costs more than the instant oatmeal I was eating 3 mornings a week (cold cereal on Tuesdays/Thursdays). But, it helped me add more protein and it shakes things up a bit. Plus, the instant oatmeal that John also eats will last longer if I’m not eating it.

Verdict: I’ll keep adding this into my diet when possible. I’m really looking forward to mixing in pumpkin this fall.

Put-In-Bay Day

If you didn't grow up or live near Lake Erie, you may have never heard of Put-In-Bay. A few miles from Ohio's beachy coast (there's a sentence you don't hear often), sits South Bass Island. Put-in-Bay has somewhat of a party reputation and I believe if you're staying overnight, you can find yourselves all sorts of trouble to rouse. Don't be assuaged though; it's also a family destination with lots of activities for all ages to enjoy. One recent Saturday, John and I hopped aboard the Miller Ferry with my dad and stepmom to take in the sights and visit a place none of us had been to in a good 10 years or so. You can also take the Jet Express but it costs twice as much. Miller Ferry leaves Port Clinton every half hour during peak season and costs $13/person. Save a buck with the coupon on their site! A quick 18 minute ride and you're on the island, ready to explore!

The main modes of transportation on the island are golf carts and bicycles. You can rent both at many locations by each dock. We rented a 4 person golf cart for the day (which I never photographed!) It wasn't cheap, about $80. They also have hourly rentals. The ferry will transport your vehicle for you but where's the fun in that? John was our driver for the day as I'm not licensed to operate a golf cart.

Our first stop was Heineman's Winery.....at just before 11:00 am. We skipped the Crystal Cave tour (world's largest geode) because we've all done it before but it's worth seeing if you never have. Instead, we did what any normal folks do at 11:00am at a winery. Drink wine! My dad is not a wine fan but he was pleased with his Diet Coke. We shared a bottle of Gewurtztraminer (sweet and crisp) and this fancy cheese plate. Yes, those are plastic cups for our wine.

Dixies and saltines!

 I would have preferred a tasting but when I asked the staff (not super helpful) what the tasting situation was they said $2.00 for a 5 oz. glass or you can buy a bottle. We ended up with the bottle thinking multiple varieties of tastings wasn't the best deal. As it happens, the raucous crowd at the next table shared their Island Chablis and a red I can't remember with us as well. When on the islands, beware that tipsy folks are oftentimes happy and will come visit your table! Don't be alarmed. They were nice, and entertaining.

Back in the cart we headed on down the road. You can't really get lost here as there are only a few main roads with a lot of side streets. PIB has some year-rounders but it's mostly vacation homes and rentals. Lake Erie in December is typically not somewhere you'd want to hang out.

Check out that sky

The pinnacle attraction (for height and popularity) is Perry's Monument. I'm sorry. Its full name is Perry's International Peace Memorial and Visitor Center. This 352 foot monument was built to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. We were lucky that recent renovations were completed ahead of schedule so we could take the elevator to the top. We got in line just in time and had about a 20 minute wait for our turn. No bathrooms inside (you've been warned). $3 admission charge as well but the views from the top are spectacular!

You CAN see Pelee Island but that's not it

Busy Marina - we also ate lunch down there

Back down on the ground and much to my father's pure joy, a cannon was about to be shot off in a reenactment.

Thar she blows!

Windy

There is a visitors' center with artifacts and a movie but we didn't stick around there long. We were HUNGRY. There are a number of eateries to choose from in the main marina area of the island. We selected The Upper Deck at the Boardwalk. They are known for their lobster bisque but I had a perch sandwich. Yum!

We walked around a bit and popped into a couple shops but ultimately landed at the Put-In-Bay Winery. I regret that I took nary a picture here! I'm sorry as the grounds were lovely. Check out the link though, you can see it there. This joint was classy. Real wine glasses and everything. And true tastings, but pricier than our first stop. We sipped outside and enjoyed the vino. We also tried their Celebration drink with was lemonade, pomegranate and a bunch of herbs topped off with their sparkling moscato. The ladies loved it, the gents not so much. We purchased a couple bottles and went on our merry way.

I should note that we had an absolutely gorgeous day weather-wise. Up until that day, we had been slogging through upper 90's and suffocating humidity. Today started out a bit shaky as we drove through some rain on our way to the ferry. The lake was pretty choppy on the boat ride, white peaks and all. But, once on the island, the sun came out, the temps hovered in the low 80's and the humidity was almost non-existent.

We drove around a bit more and after having been on the island for about 6 hours, we decided it was time to go back to the mainland. There are other attractions, Perry's Cave, Butterfly House, etc. but we skipped those. I can't say enough about how perfect our day was. The weather, the sights, spending good, quality time with family. This was a belated Father's Day/Birthday outing for my dad and I think we delivered.

Lake Erie - smooth as glass

If you haven't ever been, you really ought to check it out! I think it would be fun to go for a weekend some time. An island getaway in Ohio!

Wednesday Things

Sometimes posts have a theme. Sometimes they don't. They're Mounds and Almond Joy like that. When I have ultra important things to share that don't fit together, what's a girl to do? Throw them in one post for your reading pleasure,that's what!

I had a spa day a couple weeks back and wanted to show you my new favorite color. This is Dim Sum Plum by OPI. I liked it so much I bought it the next day for touch ups and to add to my collection. Too often I purchase nail polish only to find an identical color at home. This was unlike anything I own so I was pleased with my choice. I think it'll look great in the fall too.

I opted for Cajun Shrimp on my toes but I'm only showing you the bottle. Ain't nobody wanna see a picture of my gangly toes. You're welcome.

And a brief garden update. Despite not watering for a week in July when we were on vacation, everything is growing great. I have already harvested 100 cherry tomatoes with plenty more still on the vine! I've also decided that the plant labeled green pepper is actually the red pepper and vice versa. Unfortunately, my red peppers have all died on the vine. Not sure what to do about this. I haven't been feeding them. Perhaps that would help.

Hope you're all having a great week! Thanks for stopping by!



American Heiress

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I picked up The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin because I'm going through Downton Abbey withdrawal. I came late to that party and Netflix only has Season 1, which I've finished. Must find Season 2 somewhere before the third begins. I was longing for the over the topness of the Guilded Age and I found that here.

Good Reads' Synopsis: "Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage."

What I Thought: I found myself transported by Goodwin to the mansions of Newport, Rhode Island (which I've been to!) at the beginning of the story. While some of the characters were of course, lamentably money and title-grubbing, others evoked real empathy. Over time, I grew to care for Cora more and more and I liked her maid, Bertha, from the start. The servants are always most interesting. The story itself was somewhat predictable but that didn't bother me. The imagery is what really sells this one for me. If you're into the romanticism of that era, give this one a try! Relatively quick read for 400+ pages.

Rating: * * * 1/2