How Much Does That Pack Weigh?

My sister just went on a epic trip.  Where did she go you ask... a tour across Europe, a Mediterranean cruise, Fiji?  The answer is none of the above.  My sister spent the month of July living in the wilderness of  the Wind River Wyoming. When I say living in the wilderness, I mean it.  Living out of a pack.  Horses bringing food every ten days.  No shower.   She went on this trip through a program called NOLS.

This is something that she had been wanting to do, and I'm so glad that she got the time and opportunity to do it.  I am proud of her for doing something that she so wanted to do, even though most people who heard about the trip did not understand why in the world someone would want to take such a trip.  She loved the trip and is so glad she went.  To brag on her, her group called her "the machine" as she was such a good, fast hiker.  She was, however, thankful to get back to the front country for some meat (they mainly ate starches), running water, and of course me :)

With her being in the wilderness for a month, that meant no communication with her.  When her flight returned her to Alabama, I was there to greet her.  I actually skipped and leaped towards her when I saw her approaching us!

Check out her pack. Can you believe she carried this around for a month!

Arroz con Pollo

Growing up my mom made a dish we called Spanish rice.  While scanning through Pinterest one day on my lunch break, I found this recipe that reminded me of the Spanish rice dish... and looked a lot more appetizing then the left over piece of pizza of was eating.

This recipe was surprisingly quick and easy partly made so by the fact that I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts unlike the whole chicken the original chef used.  This was much to the disappointment of my loving husband who informed on this night that he in much prefers chicken legs and wings (really anything with skin) over boneless skinless chicken breast. His tastebuds may feel that way, but his arteries feel the complete opposite.

Also, my reading comprehension when it comes to recipes is terrible. As much as I say I need to read through the entire recipe before I start, I don't.  So I got a third of the way through the recipe and realized I was not prepared to do it the way the recipe called for so I just winged it and did it my own way... which is the way I have below.

Don't be intimidated by the long ingredient list. I promise this is not a time consuming recipe!

Arroz con Pollo
Adapted from Eat Live Run

1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 bell peppers of any color (I like to do different colors!), diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1/3 cup green olives, sliced in half or thirds (I love olives so I might have used more)
1/2 cup green peas (I used frozen that had been thawed)
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups brown rice
3 cups Chicken broth

Start by placing chicken broth in a pot to boil for the rice.  Go ahead and start the next step.  Once the water is boiled at the rice and let it cook (I usually use minute rice).

Combine orange juice, lime juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet.  Heat and add chicken breasts.  Add 1/4 teaspoon cumin & 1/4 teaspoon paprika to each side of chicken breasts (use more if you think you need it).  While the chicken cooks, I use the cooking utensil to cut the chicken into slices.

Add bell peppers, yellow onion, and diced tomatoes.

Add 2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper.

Once chicken is cooked throughout add olives and green peas.

Mix in cooked rice and serve.

Blackberry Lime Bars

Blackberries. Something about them just make me happy. Tart but sweet.  Nature's candy.  This summer I went to the Decatur farmer's market with my mom and sister.  We bought blackberries, and I'm pretty sure I ate most of them before anyone else got a chance.

When I saw this recipe on pinterest I knew I needed to give it a try.  Don't be intimidated by the fact that you have to make your own crust- it is as easy as pie bars.  The result is an incredibly tasty, tart summer treat.  Note: If you pair the tartness of this bar with the sweetness of vanilla ice cream, happiness in your mouth occurs.

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Blackberry Lime Bars

For the crust:
1 stick + 1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

For the filling:
2 heaping cups of blackberries, pureed-  (you can use frozen or fresh- just thaw if you are using frozen AND pull out that trusty food processor or my favorite kitchen appliance)
1 cup sugar (or 1 1/2  cups if you prefer it to be less tart)
2/3 up lime juice (you can use real limes or the bottled lime juice- I used some of both)
2 tablespoons lime zest
3 egg whites
1 egg
2/3 cup flour
pinch of salt
note: I did not place my blackberries in a sieve to get rid of the seeds so that is why mine look a little different than the ones on the recipe I linked to- but if you want to get rid of the seeds- grab that sieve and go for it! 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.  I found the most effective way to do this is to take one piece and cut it the appropriate width of the pan cutting it long enough to over hang.  Cut another piece the same size.  Then lay one piece going one direction and overlap the other piece going in the other directon.

To make the crust:
Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer.  Add vanilla.  Add flour until just incorporated.  Place dough in lined baking pan and press with your hands until it evenly cover the bottom of the dish.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly golden.

To make the filling:
Mix blackberry puree, sugar, egg whites, egg, lime juice, lim zest, flour, and salt in bowl and stir to combine. Pour mixture into crust.  Bake 25-30 minutes.

Let cool to room temperature and then place in fridge for 4 hours.
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By the way, did you notice the bowl I place the blackberry lime bar in?  If you didn't scroll back up and check it out as it is my new favorite bowl.  I love Southern Living magazine and when I saw that they now have a line at Ballard Designs, I knew I had to check it out.  These bowls are my favorite size AND shape.  PS. I kinda want everything in this line!

The Summer of Sports.

What have we been up to?  This pretty much sums it up...

We were Olympics obsessed for sure.  Every night we were glued to the tv from 7-11pm.  Days were spent avoiding Twitter and other social media to prevent hearing the outcomes of events.  I truly enjoyed the Olympics this year, and I am sad it is over! However, the fact that it only occurs 2 weeks every 4 years makes it all the more special.

Some of my favorite Olympic moments:

We now have no idea what to do with evening free time.  Not only did the Olympics occupy this time, but this has definitely been the summer of sports.

It kicked off with the NBA Playoffs.

Just a few days after the Heat won the Finals, the Tour de France started.  Last year was the first year I had watched it, and JP and I both get really into it.

Here is winner Bradley Wiggins- whose name I like to say in a British accent- and if you know me then you know that it really doesn't sound like a British accent.

 Then about a week after Bradley won, the Olympics started.  I'm ready for Post Season baseball!