wildknits: Simple meals + running + knitting

It's been a busy spring between work, training and traveling to welcome a new baby to the family.

Often I arrive home late in the evening and want a quick, simple and tasty meal for dinner (and enough leftovers for lunch at work the next day). Recent creations include:

Baked chicken breast with vegetables:

Potatoes, green beans, broccoli, garlic and carrots chopped

I split the veggies and garlic evenly between the two chicken breasts, sprinkled with salt and pepper and about a 1/4 tsp of tumeric, sprayed with avocado oil and drizzled balsamic vinegar over all. Wrapped up the veggies and chicken in the foil and baked at 375 F for 45 minutes. A very filling and tasty meal!

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - I buy in bulk and keep
them in my freezer, taking 1 or 2 out to thaw in the morning

Tonight I threw together an asian inspired meal. My first step was to put some brown rice on to cook in the rice cooker (such a convenient way to prep rice!). After a brief break to do some reading I prepped the veggies:
- 1 carrot sliced on the diagonal
- 1/2 lb of green beans, cut on the diagonal
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered

I mixed up a sauce with 1/8 cup (or so, I didn't measure to be honest) of coconut aminos (soy-free/wheat free soy sauce/tamari alternative); half of the minced garlic and 1/2 tsp or so of minced ginger and set this aside.

In a cast iron skillet I heated olive oil (1 Tbsp?) till a drop of water spattered, added the remaining minced garlic and the carrots and green beans and sautéed for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. To this I added 1/2 lb ground beef and continued to cook until the beef was browned and crumbled. I tossed in the tomatoes and poured the sauce over all and stirred well, then covered to let the flavors meld.

In the last few minutes of cooking I added 1/4-1/3 cup kimchee chopped and let this heat through.

When done serve over brown rice. Mmmmm - comfort food!

A riff on Japanese style beef and veggies, dinner plus leftovers for lunch

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I just finished up my last big training week before a taper and then Black Hills 50 mile. Thursday I ran 3 hours on the SHT in Duluth starting from the 24th Ave W. trailhead and heading southwest for 1.5 hours before turning around. As usual I got back a bit early so headed down the Lincoln Park trail for a little more practice in descending and climbing.

Saturday I opted to head up the shore for my 3 hour run and chose a section of the SHT I usually get to just as it is getting dark during the Superior 100. The last two years I have felt pretty nauseated at this point (last year to the point of vomiting) so thought it was time to get some positive memories going before this fall's race.

I haven't been on this part of the SHT (Co. Rd. 6 to Finland) in a long-time in daylight and it was great to be able to look around and see my surroundings and the great views from the Section 13 cliffs. There is a lot of climbing on technical trail in the first 2 miles! In low areas and near creeks I had an escort of a flight of dragonflies. Very cool!

At one point I encountered a ruffed grouse and her chicks crossing the trail. She was NOT happy with me and fluffed up as big as she could, hissing and flapping her wings and rather insistently escorting me away from the area. I did get to see one little fluff ball grouse chick but there was no opportunity for a photo due to mama grouse's aggressive behavior (they may be little but they are fierce!) plus I didn't want to stress her out anymore then my presence already had.

I have some strong memories of a large area of mud on this trail and I found it Saturday. It extended for 50+ feet and was knee deep for much of that distance. It had that lovely consistency that allows you to sink a long way but doesn't want to release your feet/legs easily. What a slog!! On my return trip I lost my balance and slowly fell backwards. There was nothing to grab onto and I ended up hip deep in the muck. Since pushing off the bottom wasn't an option (my arms aren't that long) I set about trying to reach a tree root that was near by, and contemplating when the next hiker would be likely to come by in case I couldn't manage a self-rescue.

extricating my leg

knee deep on a short runner

mid-point of the mud pit

I managed to get myself up and out of the mud pit and was grateful to happen upon a stream a short time later to wash my hands and arm off (brrr!! that water was icy cold!). Within a half mile the worst of the mud had fallen off my shoes and I felt a lot lighter. But being that wet on a cool day with a breeze off the Lake ensured I kept up a decent pace in order to stay warm.

As I headed back towards the sketchy boardwalk over the long beaver dam I encountered a moose print. Hmmm... that wasn't there an hour ago. I was a bit cautious when rounding blind corners until I was out of "moose country".

Moose!

My hand for size comparison (small runner, smallish moose)

Sunday was another 3 hour run, this time on the Voyageur trail from Carlton to Grand Portage and then the SHT into Fond du Lac. Much more runnable bits of trail then the day before, so got to stretch out my legs a bit and up my pace.

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I have a couple of knitting projects on the needles - a onesie for my new grand daughter and a shawl/wrap that I am doing as a knit-a-long with a friend. Unfortunately I have no pictures of either project. Will need to remedy that soon.

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The wildflowers have been amazing this spring and I just have to stop and admire them whenever I am out.