Happy Birthday Zoe

Because I wrote a blog for Ciena's birthday, it's only fair that Zoe gets one too. Zoe is 3 today! I don't know what it is about the second dog, but she is 180 degrees different from mellow, hippie Ciena dog. Zoe = trouble.

The day we brought her home (we had no idea what we gotten ourselves into!)

Ciena still curses us for it

But she has learned to love her over the years

See look at those smiles

How could you not love this face?

Happy Birthday Zoe! May your 4th year of life bring you manners, listening skills, calmness and a better understanding of skunks.

New Gig

I'm in a rut. Well, maybe a few ruts. I'm getting tired of living in NYC, but the thought of moving away makes me kind of sad. I'm tired of my job, but the thought of moving on makes me nervous. I'm psyched to be back to running and training with no injuries, yet I feel like I want a sport change. Why is it that when one thing starts going downhill, everything else goes with it? Likewise, when things are going well, it's all roses. Call me Debbie Downer, because I know things could be much worse, and really, my life's not bad at all...I have a great hubby, great friends, family, furry kids, a stable job, a fun apartment and tons more. But, for some reason I want something different. It's kind of like eating dinner and feeling full, but not being sated.

I always say, unless you're going to do anything about it, then quit bitching. So, here's what I'm going to do about it.

Convince Doug to move to New Zealand for a few years

We would open a bed and breakfast

Then after our B&B started doing well enough, we could paddle around all day

And then we could ski all winter long

Will you all come visit?

Do you ever go through periods where nothing seems to make you content? What do you do to shake it?

Yummy Summer Recipes

The Union Square Farmer's Market in New York is one of the most famous farmer's market in the country, luckily for me, it's right outside my office 4 days a week! Every time I walk through the market, I'm inspired to try new recipes using all fresh veggies. Last week I made a couple salads that I am obsessed with and thought I would share the recipes with you:

First is a (Healthy) Potato Salad:

I don't know exact measurements, but here are the ingredients I used:

- Couple pounds of small new potatoes
- 1 red onion
- Fresh dill
- Capers
- Olive Oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Ground pepper

I started by cutting the potatoes into appx. 1 in. cubes (left the skins on) and threw them in boiling water for about 15 min. Don't let them boil for too long, you don't want mushy taters. While the potatoes are boiling, I cut up the onion into long, thin slices and grilled it up with some olive oil just until it was a little tender and browned. Once the potatoes are done, I drained them and ran them under cold water for a minute and then put them into a big bowl with the grilled onion. To finish it off, I added some olive oil, red wine vinegar, ground pepper, a jar of drained capers and lots of fresh dill. I did everything by taste, not so much by exact measurements (hence why I can't bake to save my life).

I served this at a BBQ this weekend and it got rave reviews. Best of all, it's much healthier than the typical mayo-laden potato salads that usually adorn the summer picnic table.

Here's the yumminess before I mixed it all up


The second salad is a Panzanella Salad:

Ingredients:

- Loaf of Ciabatta bread
- Bell pepper; yellow and/or green
- 2.5 Avocados
- Large cucumber
- Ball of mozzarella cheese
- 1 pint of cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil
- White vinegar
- 1 packet Good Seasonings Italian dressing

First, cut the bread into 1 in. cubes, spread it out on a baking pan, drizzle all of it with olive oil and then stick it under the broiler for a few minutes until it's brown on top (watch it carefully...this happens pretty fast)



Next, I chopped my yellow pepper into fairly big chunks, then did the same with my cucumber. I cut the cherry tomatoes into halves and then cut the mozzarella into smaller chunks.



If you're making this salad ahead of time, you should wait to add the avocados until right before so they don't go brown. When it's go time, cut up the avocados into slices and put them in the bowl.



Next up, I added most of the bread. I didn't use all of it because I knew if I was going to eat this salad as a leftover, I wouldn't want soggy bread in it, so I took out a small bowl of the veggies (enough for lunch the next day) and some bread.

Lastly, I made the Good Seasonings Italian dressing packet with olive oil and vinegar. Once again, I did this mostly by taste as well, and used less olive oil than the packet called for. You definitely don't have to use a packet, you can add your own spices and just some oil and vinegar and it will probably be just as tasty.

Once the dressing was made, I poured it over the salad and mixed it all up (make sure you save a little dressing for the small bowl of veggies and bread you set aside).

Voila, just like that, a healthy bread salad!

TOMS

I'm in love with Tom's shoes.


They're adorable, comfy and for every pair I buy, they send a pair to a child in need.


Just when I thought the simple little flats couldn't get any cuter, they come out with these!!



Doug, if you're reading this - remember that our anniversary is coming up and rumor has it, wedges are a perfect 7th year anniversary gift.

Samples

One of the perks of my job is that I get sent a lot of samples from the vendors we work with. They'll send me a new running shirt or pair of shoes, I run in it and tell them what I think, a new pair of headphones, sure I'll test them out...a new energy bar, mmm, lunch. So, all in all, it's great, especially because I get to keep everything.

This week I got one of the stranger samples I've ever seen.

Introducing...The Whiz Freedom Kit for Women! "Allowing women to wee standing or sitting indoors or outdoors whenever they choose."

"No need to undress - discreet use"

"Liquid repellant, flick to dry"

"Machine Washable"

Some additional images in case you had a hard time visualizing how it should be used

I'd be willing to pass along this sample to you if you want to try it out, just comment below. If you're too embarrassed to say you want to try it out, you can order one for yourself at www.whizfreedomusa.com. If no one claims it, I think I will wrap it up and give it to my sister for Christmas.

One Of Those Mornings

Today was one of those days that when the alarm went off, I turned over, convinced myself I needed the sleep more than a run and then turned it off. I hate when I do that because usually I could use the run more than the sleep, but sometimes it turns out okay.

I decided to make up the run I missed this morning and went after work, even though it was still hot out and I was hungry for dinner. Every once in a while I have a run that makes me so happy that I feel like I should just keep going...tonight was one of those nights. On my way up the river I saw a group of about 30 people standing watching something on the pier, so I stopped to see what they were watching. A guy was down on one knee proposing to his girlfriend after leading her through an obstacle course of flowers, candles and boxes...the last box had the ring! Everyone started clapping and some people were wiping their tears away.

Further up the river I saw two old guys smoking cigars on a bench laughing, a mom teaching her son how to ride a bike, a dad playing catch with his daughter, a chocolate lab puppy that melted my heart and a ballroom dance class waltzing on the pier. My body felt healthy and strong and I was smiling from ear to ear.

As I ran home watching the sunset over the Hudson River I was glad I turned off my alarm this morning.

Happy Birthday Ciena

My oldest furry child turned 6 today. I've definitely said about her what I hear all my mom friends say when their kids have bdays..."I can't believe she's 6 already...where has the time gone...I can remember just yesterday falling in love with her picture on Findapuppy.com..." ...yeah, maybe not the last one. Here are a few photos of my pretty girl.

NYC's a lot different from S. Dakota

Out for a rollerblade (yeah...I don't think I've been since)

Rockstar

Happy Birthday Ciena dog!