This week we are having:
Apricot Chicken Crockpot "Tajine" with CousCous
Panko-Crusted Cod Filets and Cole Slaw with Homemade Mayo
Lemon-Marinated Chicken and Pasta
Kale and Bean Soup
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Running
I didn't mention it much on the blog, except my initial "hey, I might be coming down with something" post, but I was sick for about three weeks. The cold I thought I had was actually strep throat, which I got through in a week or so with antibiotics only to spend two weeks fighting the residual congestion, coughing and exhaustion that just wouldn't die.
I finally, finally feel better, and I'm back to running. The first runs back were rough. I'm slow and rickety, and three to four miles is my upper limit. I'm also back at that stage where a good run is pretty much all I can do for the day and I'm too tired afterward to just carry on like a normal person. That's fading, and running is going to be a normal, non-exhausting part of my routine again very soon, but for now, it's a struggle.
I'm also frantically trying to make up for lost miles on my training program, because the Rogue River Trail run I planned to do is in only two months. Sadly, I think I'm going to have to push it back a few weeks to let my training be what it needs to be and have time to get stronger again. So, it looks like I'm going to have to take some time off work for the trip, because the weekend options are all too early. I'm hesitant to take the time off, but I'm going to spend March working ahead in my case load and trying to create a cushion for myself so I can take a week in June for the run and a week in July for my family's reunion.
Still, I think it'll be worth it. I really want to do this trip, and my feet are starting to get itchy for miles again. If I can stay healthy and follow my training plan, I should be able to do it.
"Mexican" Quinoa Casserole
This is one of the husband's favorite casseroles, which is saying quite a bit, because he never met a casserole he didn't like. It makes a great weeknight dinner, though there are a number of steps, so if I am pressed for time use store-bought cooked chicken and beans for this.
Mexican Quinoa Casserole
Nouns-
2 cups dry quinoa or rice
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1-2 cups corn kernels
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 cup salsa
1 can tomato soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
2 cups cooked black beans (or pinto, if you prefer)
2 tbsp chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil
Verbs-
Preheat the oven to 350. In rice cooker or medium pot, cook the rice or quinoa according to package directions, but using broth in place of water. While that is cooking, saute the chicken in a little olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add the onion and pepper and saute another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and half the chili powder and cook until chicken is done, another 2 minutes or so, then remove from heat. Now you're ready to assemble the casserole. Grease a large casserole dish and pour the beans in the bottom. In a large bowl, combine the salsa, tomato soup and remaining chili powder. Add the chicken mixture and quinoa/rice and stir to combine. Pour the mixture over the beans. Top with the shredded cheese and chips. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Mexican Quinoa Casserole
Nouns-
2 cups dry quinoa or rice
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1-2 cups corn kernels
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 cup salsa
1 can tomato soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
2 cups cooked black beans (or pinto, if you prefer)
2 tbsp chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil
Verbs-
Preheat the oven to 350. In rice cooker or medium pot, cook the rice or quinoa according to package directions, but using broth in place of water. While that is cooking, saute the chicken in a little olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add the onion and pepper and saute another 5 minutes. Add the garlic and half the chili powder and cook until chicken is done, another 2 minutes or so, then remove from heat. Now you're ready to assemble the casserole. Grease a large casserole dish and pour the beans in the bottom. In a large bowl, combine the salsa, tomato soup and remaining chili powder. Add the chicken mixture and quinoa/rice and stir to combine. Pour the mixture over the beans. Top with the shredded cheese and chips. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Meal Plan
This week's plan: We have half a chicken left over from last week's roast chicken (we bought a whole chicken, split, and so there's half still in the freezer.) and we have white beans, split peas and red beans left over from other recipes, so several of these recipes are here to use up those ingredients. I used to make the "Mexican" casserole with rice, but this time I'm going to try it with quinoa for more protein and a different texture. We'll see how it turns out. The Husband, of course, requested Husband Soup, and also the tilapia, which is one of his favorite weeknight dinners.
Husband Soup
"Mexican" Quinoa Casserole
Bean and Kale Soup
Tilapia and Asparagus
Roast Chicken with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Wilted Greens
Husband Soup
"Mexican" Quinoa Casserole
Bean and Kale Soup
Tilapia and Asparagus
Roast Chicken with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Wilted Greens
Eggplant Almond Enchiladas
This recipe is modified from several I found online, and I think it is easy and delicious! I was pleased with the flavor of the eggplant and the texture of the almonds, and the sauce is easy and delicious... so much healthier and better than store-bought! This is a little time and effort-intensive, but it is totally worth it. In fact, I am always looking for gluten-free and vegetarian recipes for entertaining, and this one is a keeper!
Eggplant Almond Enchiladas
Nouns:
1 eggplant, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
1 cup shredded cheddar or jack cheese
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beer
2 medium onions, diced
12 corn tortillas
olive oil
Verbs:
Preheat the oven to 350. In a large saucepan, saute half the onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, beer and half the garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down to a simmer for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet or pan, saute the other half of the onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add the eggplant and cover, stirring occasionally, for about ten minutes. Uncover and add the remaining garlic, stirring for another 3-5 minutes. Then, take the sauce mixture off the heat and puree it with a stick blender or by carefully pouring into a regular blender. Grease a 9-13 baking dish. Take the eggplant mixture off the heat and add the almonds and cheese, then stir to combine. Add about 1/4 cup of filling mixture to each tortilla, then roll the tortilla and place it seam side down in the baking dish. After all the mixture and tortillas have been arranged in the dish, pour the sauce over the top and bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbly. Eat! Yummm!
Eggplant Almond Enchiladas
Nouns:
1 eggplant, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
1 cup shredded cheddar or jack cheese
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beer
2 medium onions, diced
12 corn tortillas
olive oil
Verbs:
Preheat the oven to 350. In a large saucepan, saute half the onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, beer and half the garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn down to a simmer for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet or pan, saute the other half of the onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add the eggplant and cover, stirring occasionally, for about ten minutes. Uncover and add the remaining garlic, stirring for another 3-5 minutes. Then, take the sauce mixture off the heat and puree it with a stick blender or by carefully pouring into a regular blender. Grease a 9-13 baking dish. Take the eggplant mixture off the heat and add the almonds and cheese, then stir to combine. Add about 1/4 cup of filling mixture to each tortilla, then roll the tortilla and place it seam side down in the baking dish. After all the mixture and tortillas have been arranged in the dish, pour the sauce over the top and bake for 15 minutes, or until bubbly. Eat! Yummm!
Finally Feeling Better
I have been sick for two weeks. I had strep throat for a week, and since I finished my antibiotics I have been struggling with the residuals; cough, sinus pain, congestion... just a general feeling of yuck. I have been exhausted and barely able to get through the day most days, and though I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I am wondering how long it'll take to get back to 100%. Hopefully, not too much longer.
As a result of all the sickness, I haven't been myself... I haven't been doing the things that keep me sane and happy, or really doing anything but going to work and going to bed. I had brief moments of feeling better last weekend before the sinus pain set in, and I got to see some friends, but mostly, I have been a blob going from work to bed and back again. Worse, I haven't run in two weeks! Two! I feel really weak and unenergized and it is kind of amazing that I am still standing, because running is how I manage my anxiety, how I center myself, how I feel strong and confident and reaffirm my own sense of Me-ness, and these last two weeks have had plenty of emotional sucker punches in them. I have had to practice the fine arts of letting go, delegating, and acceptance, and well, I suck at them. I totally suck. So it's been really difficult, even to do the little things like admit I don't have energy to make dinner.
Tonight I cooked. It was awesome. I really haven't cooked in two weeks, and so tonight I made some buttermilk roasted chicken, some kale wilted in garlic and white wine, and some crispy roast potatoes. The house is all warm and smells lovely, my belly is full and I feel content. Tired, but recuperating. It's good to be getting back to myself.
As a result of all the sickness, I haven't been myself... I haven't been doing the things that keep me sane and happy, or really doing anything but going to work and going to bed. I had brief moments of feeling better last weekend before the sinus pain set in, and I got to see some friends, but mostly, I have been a blob going from work to bed and back again. Worse, I haven't run in two weeks! Two! I feel really weak and unenergized and it is kind of amazing that I am still standing, because running is how I manage my anxiety, how I center myself, how I feel strong and confident and reaffirm my own sense of Me-ness, and these last two weeks have had plenty of emotional sucker punches in them. I have had to practice the fine arts of letting go, delegating, and acceptance, and well, I suck at them. I totally suck. So it's been really difficult, even to do the little things like admit I don't have energy to make dinner.
Tonight I cooked. It was awesome. I really haven't cooked in two weeks, and so tonight I made some buttermilk roasted chicken, some kale wilted in garlic and white wine, and some crispy roast potatoes. The house is all warm and smells lovely, my belly is full and I feel content. Tired, but recuperating. It's good to be getting back to myself.
In Defense of Justin Bieber
Of all the many many objectionable things on the internet, and oh there are many, one has been bothering me quite a bit recently: Justin Bieber Memes. For some reason, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc, are all full of memes to the effect that Justin Bieber is a girl. And that is ha ha ha hilarious. Except it isn't. This post would be more reader friendly if I linked to allllll those memes, but I don't want to support them, give them clicks, or make their authors think anyone cares. If you want to see them, use the Google.
First, calling boys girls like that is a bad thing is just a really tired and ridiculous trope. Some boys are more masculine and some are more feminine and there's nothing shameful or immoral or wrong about being either way. There's nothing inherently bad about femininity for men or women. It shocks me regularly that I have to explain that to otherwise educated and intelligent people (I'm looking at you, co-worker who thinks it's hilarious to mock men who play "girly" sports) that being a girl is just as good as being a boy, and being a boy who has some girly traits or a girl with some boyish traits is likewise hunky dory. Seriously. If you are not on board with that very simple proposition, just don't talk to me. At all. Thanks.
But, more importantly, Justin Bieber is an almost totally harmless teenage popstar. He's not a horrible example for kids in terms of drugs, violence, etc. He sings obnoxious catchy songs and lots of teenage and tweenage girls like him, probably because he is a little femme; he's cute, unthreatening and seems sweet. If you hate his music, fine. If you hate his fashion, fine. If you want to mock his unbearable singing voice, carry on. But mocking him because you think he is too girly is sending a bad message to girls and to boys: that boys have to be masculine to be valuable, and that being like a girl is a shameful, disgusting, bad thing. And girls will wonder what is so incredibly awful about being, well, like them.
And I'm here to say there is absolutely nothing wrong them. Nothing at all.
If you really want to turn your internetly mockery against a popstar who is a shame to masculinity, may I direct your attention to Chris Brown?
First, calling boys girls like that is a bad thing is just a really tired and ridiculous trope. Some boys are more masculine and some are more feminine and there's nothing shameful or immoral or wrong about being either way. There's nothing inherently bad about femininity for men or women. It shocks me regularly that I have to explain that to otherwise educated and intelligent people (I'm looking at you, co-worker who thinks it's hilarious to mock men who play "girly" sports) that being a girl is just as good as being a boy, and being a boy who has some girly traits or a girl with some boyish traits is likewise hunky dory. Seriously. If you are not on board with that very simple proposition, just don't talk to me. At all. Thanks.
But, more importantly, Justin Bieber is an almost totally harmless teenage popstar. He's not a horrible example for kids in terms of drugs, violence, etc. He sings obnoxious catchy songs and lots of teenage and tweenage girls like him, probably because he is a little femme; he's cute, unthreatening and seems sweet. If you hate his music, fine. If you hate his fashion, fine. If you want to mock his unbearable singing voice, carry on. But mocking him because you think he is too girly is sending a bad message to girls and to boys: that boys have to be masculine to be valuable, and that being like a girl is a shameful, disgusting, bad thing. And girls will wonder what is so incredibly awful about being, well, like them.
And I'm here to say there is absolutely nothing wrong them. Nothing at all.
If you really want to turn your internetly mockery against a popstar who is a shame to masculinity, may I direct your attention to Chris Brown?
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