Run.

I went for a run today. It has been a long time since I ran, and today I found out it has been too long.

I have been fighting a sinus infection for the past two days. I have tried everything to clear it up. Today's lunch consisted of a seranno pepper and an avocado. The pepper worked well, however only temporary.
Dinner was Thai Food. Hot. However, apparently not hot enough. Dinner was promptly followed by hanging my head over a bowl of hot steaming water. I burnt my lips.
None of this however seemed to clear up my sinuses and the new issue is I can no longer hear out of my right ear, too much pressure.

Well I am sure you are asking what this has to do with going for a run.
So I was lying in bed, trying to go to sleep early, as I have a big day tomorrow, not being able to fall asleep do to nasal congestion and ear pressure. Suddenly, I had an urge to run. Remembering how running in the past has helped to loose some mucus.
I put on my tights, and took off.

Immediately I thought this is a bad idea. Head throbbing, can feel my pulse in my ear and neck.
I pass the neighbors mailbox, feeling better. Another 20 yards down the road, and I feel the mucus draining. Hack, spit, relief.

Run, one foot in front of the other. Nonstop continuous pace. I reach the end of the cul-de-sac and I spy Socks, the neighborhood cat.

Now, at the end of our cul-de-sac there is an off spur, where they are trying to start another neighborhood. I have never really been down there before, and it is only about another 40yards, so what the hell. Socks decides to join me.
The pavement ends in a turn around, surrounded by weedy, woody mess of a field. I am about to turn around and notice, a path.
This path is peculiar, it is carved through the waist high weeds, and is entirely grass/clover covered, about 3 feet wide.
I pause for a moment.
Socks does that awesome cat thing around my legs, you know, when they weave a figure eight rubbing on your shins.
He heads for the path, as if to say, lets do this.

I start down the path, its nice, meandering like a stream through a valley.
Down, around, up, jumping over overhanging weeds,  round a tuffet of trees, and boom. I'm in someone's backyard.
Ok. Back. Jumping, down, around, and up.

Back to the street, Socks on my six.

One foot in front of the other. Rhythm of a clock. Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Tick.
Socks is gone.
Just me and the road, forgetting all about the congestion now. Still cant hear. Bummer.
I reach the other end of the road, plant foot and turn on a log.
Back, to the other side. tick,tock,tick,tock.
I reach the cul-de-sac. Socks is there, he just sits and stares.  I plant and turn.
Street lights are coming on now, a stiff breeze, and miscellaneous drops of rain bouncing off my forehead.
Sun is setting. Mysterious grey clouds shift above me. tick,tock,tick,tock.
Plant, turn.
I own this road. F the side. I run in the middle.
I own this road.
Tick,tock,tick,tock.
My mind is clearing, stress is melting away. The only thing I am thinking of is why have I not been running.
Plant Turn.
My road, My neighborhood. Tick,tock,tick,tock.
Maybe I should go home,     passed.
Plant turn. Sup Socks.
Tick, Tock.
After a couple of laps.
I finally decide to call it quits and head home. My nasal congestion has cleared. But my ear is still full.

My whole run was only about 2.5 miles, but it was the best run I have ever had.
I left the house to clear my head. But cleared my soul instead.

Chicken Tobago

With Black Beans and Rice.

Ingredients.

Butterflied chicken breast

Mango Salsa- See previous post.

Avocado

Rice

 Can of Black Beans

Spice Rub-

        Cumin, Chili Powder, Paprika, Old Bay, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder.

    

Butterfly your chicken breasts, if not done already. Rub on the rub, set a little aside.

Start cooking your rice.

Put the beans in a small pot, with some of the spice rub.

Cook chicken breasts in a large pan over High heat, in whatever oil you like to use, some smoking is to be expected.

Add some Diced Avocado to your Mango Salsa.

                   It's real good.

When Rice is finished, mix in some of the Black Beans.

Plate your Chicken with Mango Salsa, and Avocado on top. Black Beans and Rice on the side.

Or, Do as the Cavemen do,

And skip the Rice and Beans

Coconut Chicken Tacos

Eat this.

With Mango Salsa.

Ziplock Bag- Opened.

Chicken Breast- Diced, put in bag.

1/2 Can Coconut Milk- in the bag.

Garlic Powder, Cumin, Pepper, Cilantro- in the bag.

Fridge- the bag.

Mango- Diced

Onion- Diced

Jalapeno- Diced

Cilantro- Chopped

Combine- Welcome to Mango Salsa.

Large Pan- Medium-High Heat

Coconut Oil- In the pan.

Bag 'o Chickynut- In the pan.

Brown - it

Plate.

Over Spinach

Or make a Taco if you must.

This was pretty good. It will be re-visited.

BlogBurger

I made a hamburger.

Ground Chuck, Avocado, Sauteed Onion, Bacon...Standard Fare

I was disappointed because, my hamburger didn't have that classic hamburger shape, without the bun and all. It just kind of looked like a meatball with a hat.

 Problem Solved.

Delicious.

On a side note, how come it has taken me 20+ years to discover,

Bacon Ends & Peices!!!!

Spinach PorkChop Plate of Awesomeness.

Oooh...

Ingredients:

Pork Chops ( I like mine thin cut)

Spinach

Raspberries

Walnuts

Bacon Fat

Lemon Juice

Spice Rub-  

        Old Bay

        Pepper

        Cumin

        Onion Powder

        Paprika (only the best)

        Garlic Powder

Rub Meat with spices and let sit for as long as you can.

Cook porkchops, I did mine on the grill. Careful, thin cuts cook fast.

While porkchops are cooking, toast some walnuts in Bacon fat. Careful, these too burn quickly.

DONT FORGET ABOUT THE PORKCHOPS!!

Put some spinach on a plate, add some raspberries, and some of the toasted walnuts.

Sprinkle with lemon juice, and pour on the leftover bacon fat. 

Slice a couple porkchops and place on top.

Taco Loaf

So, I thought I would try to make a Taco flavored meatloaf. I figured it couldn't be too bad.

It may not have looked that great, but...

It was Delicious!!!

2lbs Ground Chuck

1/2 small can of Tomato Paste

1 Small Onion

1-2 cloves Garlic

1 Egg

Spices:

Cumin!

Freeze Dried Cilantro!

Pepper

Dried Basil

Chili Powder

Cayenne Pepper

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Salt

Combine everything in a big bowl with your hands. Get it mixed up real good.

Then form it into a loaf, or I guess any other shape in a baking dish.

Bake at 350 for 1hour 10min. Or until internal temp reads about 165 if your one of those.

LET REST FOR 10 MINUTES!!!

It will look kinda gross, when you pull it out, lots of fat pours into the dish. Save it.

Plate.

What seriously put it over the top was spooning pan drippings (fat) onto the meat.

or,

serve with homemade baked tortilla chips.

Ginger Shrimp over Spinach

1lb Fresh shrimp, peeled and veined, I leave tails on.
Ginger-Garlic Paste
Salt, Pepper
Bacon Fat
Lemon Juice

Saute shrimp and Ginger-Garlic paste in bacon fat, leftover from the pound you ate for breakfast.

Place shrimp on top of spinach.

Drizzle with lemon juice
Drizzle with more bacon fat.
Eat lots.