Nutrition

This year we signed up for a CSA with Rock Spring Farm. We've really liked it although we've definitely not known what to do with the herbs.

Last week, amongst various root plants and leafy greens we had a zucchini! I'd guess if poled 85% of the populations first though upon hearing the word "zucchini" is something related to zucchini bread. As a kid I always loved zucchini bread and the other variations banana bread etc. However, I am now allergic to bananas and nuts which makes banana bread a huge allergic bomb.

However I still have zucchini bread!

I talked to Cade about it and he was in. The lil' guy loves to cook and especially loves it if the cooking/baking/roasting involves tools, fire and stirring. This was right up his alley. After assembling the ingredients and being pretty much ready to go, Cade and I went at grating the zucchini. It only took a minute and I could smell the cool, crisp fragrance of zucchini. I continued to grate and the semi transparent gratings were lying on the plate with a pool of zucchini juices.....

Wait. This is NOT a zucchini. This was a cucumber. Now, honestly, I'm not stupid. I knew looking at this thing that it was a cucumber. But for some reason I had it in my head that it was a zucchini and that was that.

I knew that the lil guys heart would be broken if we didn't continue with the recipe. I KNEW that if we didn't include the ingredient we'd be grating for the last few minutes he'd confused and heartbroken. So, we carried on. I did pose the question that perhaps we should call it something different, but Cade overruled. What do I care if our zucchini bread has no zucchini, but has 2 cups of grated cucumber?

That is the story of how we made Zucchini Bread! And as a public service, here they are below: The zucchini and the cucumber.

Last year at the Apple Duathlon, CadesMom wow the drawing at the end of the race and walked away with a HUGE prize including new sunglasses, a set of Spinervals videos, a new tri outfit, new bike shoes, a sweet big bag, on and on thanks to the good folks at Gear West and the sponsors of the races. For Christmas, my sweetie got me a trainer. Which means that she and I can ride on our trainers together, our own little spinning class! We broke out a Spinerval called, "19.0 Bending Crank Arms". This was a great workout. This workout included off the bike activity doing squats followed by iso's. My legs ache today and I love it.

On the diet front, I've been eating really well lately. The only change I've really made is to increase my fruit and veggie intake and reduce breads. I'm done 5 lbs or so in the last couple of weeks without really trying to lose weight.

This weekend is the P.F. Chang Rock n' Roll Marathon in Phoenix. CadesMom and I will be running. EstersMom is running the 1/2 marathon. This will be the marathon that CadesMom qualifies for Boston. She is targeting a 3:45. Initially I thought I'd try to stay with her ala my goal for the Monster Dash Half Marathon, then I thought I'd run with the 4:30 group and if I felt good push the last 6 or so and now I'm back thinking I'll run with her. I haven't trained at that pace really, and I'm battling a bit of a sore ankle, but I think I have it in me AND I think it would be great support for my lady. Thinking about the Marathon I realized that I won't be really happy running with my current eyeglasses as with any sweat they slide down my nose. It is EXTREMELY frustrating. So after a lunch out today I visited my downtown Marhalls and found these sweet babies. Funny thing is that I went online after buying them and found that they are for sale retail for $129! What a steal I got!? Anyway, I hope they make me strong for P.F. Chang. Funny thing about this marathon is that I haven't really done any specific training for it, but I'm not nervous or anything. Calm before the storm?

Yes. Todays, Things I Like (TIL) subject is...... COFFEE! Long long ago, my first real non-temp job out of college was at a small company where one of the ladies had a cup which said, "No Coffee, no workee." At the time I did not see the wisdom which I now comprehend.

Although I can go without, I choose not to. Each morning CadesMom or I brew up a pot (or two). Some days, today for example. Neither of us have felt that great CadesMom is downright S.I.C.K., but the coffee has pulled us through. We've tried several different kinds and I believe that all of these are solid: Kirkland (Costco), Starbucks Mexican Shade Tree, Anything Peace Coffee, and most recently we've had really REALLY good coffee from Alterra.