Monday, August 17, 2009

100th Post, lots of food and A GIVEAWAY!

Happy Monday, bloggers :) I'm happy to report that this is my 100th post! WOOO! Why am I so excited? Well, I initially had doubts that I'd stick with this whole blogging thing, but thanks to you all (however many readers I have out there!) I've made it to the triple digits :) Yay!!

In honor of this milestone, I'm going to share some of my favorite running-related items with one winner.

Here's how to enter (You have until 9pm EST THURSDAY 8/20 to enter):
  1. Leave me a comment on this post - 1 entry
  2. Mention this giveaway on your blog and link back to this post - 1 entry
  3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway - 2 entries
  4. Add me to your blogroll - 2 entries
And what do you get for all that work?

A pair of my absolute favorite sock EVER - the Balega Hidden Comfort. It's seamless, thin on the top, cushioned on the bottom and wicks moisture away from your feet. What more could you ask for in a running sock?? I wore these during the Baltimore 10-Miler when it stormed for the first 5 miles. My feet were blister-free and they didn't even feel squishy in my sneakers! Sometimes I love sitting in the office just in these socks...they are that amazing.


Two Mocha Clif Shot Gels. I swear by these on my long runs. I was hooked on the GU brand gels during my first marathon and tried these while training for Chicago...ADDICTED. The texture of these is much better compared to the GUs - they aren't as thick. The flavor is fantastic...just like a chocolate covered espresso bean or a cafe mocha! These have just enough caffeine in them to give me that boost on Saturday mornings when my body just wants to stay in bed ;)

A pack of Watermelon Luna Moons. Hey, solids aren't for everyone. I'm still giving them a shot because they taste like a delicious treat mid-run! Hell, I'd eat these like candy if no one stopped me ;p After sampling Blueberry and Watermelon, I decided Watermelon had just the right amount of sweetness to be consumed mid-run. I hope you like them too :) They taste like watermelon fruit snacks from elementary school days...ahhh memories!



My must have earphones that I tell EVERYONE about - the JVC Marshmallow Headphones (though, they are really earbuds). I'm really picky about headphones/earbuds because I'm convinced my ears are either too small or funky shaped. Stuff that fits normal people, never seems to fit me. Grr. I stumbled across these 'buds a couple years ago and have been hooked since! They've stayed in my ears through numerous sweaty sessions on the treadmill and I love them for that. They also come in a variety of colors, but I'm sharing my fave - lime green :)

And of course...the Nuun! Nuun is great to keep on you at all times because well, you never know when you might need it. Jamie and I found ourselves in quite the dilemma in Grenada last November and luckily I had a tube of Nuun in my bag. When water isn't enough, portable tablets of electrolytes are a quick fix. These are also great to stick in your pouch for a long run. Fill up at a water fountain, pop a tablet in and poof! Instant electrolyte replenishment. Pure genius!

Good Luck :)



Now on to the eats!

As promised, here are the details from last night's Gnocchi Experiment

Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage
1 lb gnocchi, cooked and drained
2 links chicken sausage
1/4 c chicken broth or dry white wine
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 handful arugula
1 shallot, minced
1 c grape tomatoes diced

Brown sausages in a large pan. Remove and cut into thin disks; set aside. Deglaze pan with wine or broth, reduce heat and add butter. Once butter has melted, increase heat and saute shallots until soft. Add tomatoes and sausage and cook until sausage is cooked through. Add arugula and saute until wilted.
Stir in gnocchi and cook for three minutes. Serve immediately.
Not bad for my first gnocchi experience! I think the dish would be
equally good without the sausage...or a different flavor of sausage (I used that Chicken Habanero and Tequila sausage from the market and thought it was a bit overpowering).

Tonight's dinner was a throwback to our Grenada vacation last November. Jamie and I seem to be a bit obsessed with trying to find a recipe for the pigeon peas and rice that kept showing up at all our meals. I attempted one a few months ago (maybe pre-blog?) and it wasn't quite what we were looking for. I think tonight's recipe might be close!

Pigeon Peas and Rice (adapted from TriniGourmet.com)
1 c long grain rice
1 c pigeon peas, rinsed and drained
1 c lite coconut milk
1 c chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp thyme
1/2 tbsp butter
1 small tomato, chopped

Simmer coconut milk, broth and thyme in a medium pot for 15 minutes. Add butter, tomato, rice, salt and pigeon peas. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed.
To go with the peas, I got a little frisky and experimented with marinade for some boneless skinless chicken thighs.

Sweet Curry Chicken*
3 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp sliced lemongrass
1 tbsp guava jam (or maple syrup)
1 tsp sesame oil
splash fish sauce
1 clove garlic, chopped

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes before placing on a baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees.
*I may have to revise this recipe...I wrote down the ingredients and for some reason I have lemongrass down twice so I think there's something missing from this. Hmph.
For a green veggie, and because I wanted to experiment with okra, we had some Indian Style Okra

Indian Style Okra (adapted from Allrecipes.com)
1 lb okra, sliced
3 tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp salt
splash chicken broth

Heat butter in a large skillet and saute onion until soft. Add remaining ingredients and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
And everyone invited to the party:
Not a bad meal! The rice and okra combination was a little rich for me, but I LOVED my chicken experiment! It was just the right amount of heat and curry flavor. Jamie mentioned he didn't even notice the guava jam I threw in (I really just saw it and dumped it in for no reason) so maybe next time maple syrup will do. No need to waste the precious guava jam!!

Phew, that was a massive posting! I promise I'll keep it shorter tomorrow ;p

One last thing...I think you should check out this posting over at the Special K Treatment, not only because I won a new book (just in time!), but because she has created a cookbook of everyone's 'ME Meals' - Meals you make just for you. ME Meals aren't made to wow people, they are made because you want them. My ME Meal might repulse some people...in fact, I'm pretty sure most would find it gross...but you know what? It makes my belly happy and is my ultimate comfort food. :) I think you should share your ME Meal too :)

30 comments:

MarathonVal said...

Fabulous giveaway!!! And love the Me Meal :)

I just tweeted about it, I will post about it on my next post (I JUST put one up so I'll mention it tomorrow), and....

OK, this is embarrassing. But, you have been on my blogroll since day 1 - but I have you listed as Run Eat Repeat on accident - and now I dont know how to change it!!! LOl. The link goes to your site.. but I need to figure out how to change it. Sorry for that :( I'll change it as soon as I figure out how!

Mia {runs and rests} said...

The sweet curry sounds delish! I need to up my skillz bec I use curry from a can. :s I LOVE okra!

I may not qualify for the giveaway as I'm overseas but I still mentioned it at my blog. I also renamed your blog in my roll.
Congrats on the 100th post and the book! :D

Rosey Rebecca said...

Yay for your one hundredth post!! You're already on my blogroll but I have to change your blog name.

I'll mention it in my next post and I'm definitely going to follow you on twitter.. I don't know why I'm not already. duh

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the 100th!! That Gnocchi looks soooo good - definitely adding that to my recipe books. :)

AWESOME giveaway!! I'm all in!

Anonymous said...

p.s. I'm glad you mentioned the blogroll entry - i hadn't added you yet (agh!, so bad about updating that thing!) So, you're there now!! :)

Jen Feeny said...

Happy Blog-iversary!!! :)

Congrats on 100!!!

Keep it up girl!

B.o.B. said...

Great giveaway!

And congrats on your 100th post! That is a major milestone lady. Well done. And the dishes you posted look amazing as always.

Paige@ Running Around Normal said...

What a great giveaway. I'm sure these are all awesome products- youre such a motivating runner! Thanks for doing this giveaway:-)

Paige@ Running Around Normal said...

Also- I tweeted about the giveaway and followed you! :D and you're already on my blog roll :-)

Unknown said...

Fab giveaway - especially the lime green earbuds! I just found your site a little bit ago!

Unknown said...

I just followed you on twitter and tweeted about the contest!

Julia said...

congrats on 100 awesome posts! I love your new blog layout as well :)

Julia said...

I also added you to my blog roll :)

Tra said...

cool! i love those socks!
you're on my google reader. =D

Tra said...

http://traynharder.blogspot.com/2009/08/plumb-tired-cant-loper-get-break.html

Angharad said...

This is a way awesome giveaway! I love when people link to giveaways and it means I find new blogs! Yay! Those socks are a brilliant addition to the prize :)

Amy said...

Congrats!!!! What a wonderful giveaway. Seriously. This might just be the.best.ever.

Anonymous said...

Love the giveaway. And would love to win it! :-)

~carolyn~ said...

Congrats on your 100th post. What a great giveaway. I love ALL of these things!

Lauren @ Team Giles said...

YEAA for 100th post! :) Isn't that a fun feeling? :)

I'm following you on twitter now (I'm @TeamGiles) I love new twitter friends

and when I finally get to my Wednesday post, I'll blog about it :)

and I love your blog! super cute!

Bish said...

great giveaway - I love those socks!

Unknown said...

just came across your blog and i've already added you to my blogroll!

i'd love to win this giveaway- especially for the running socks and the luna moons. just the motivation i need to attempt a run longer than a 10k, which is my current PDR :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome giveaway. Im training for my 1st 10K and I need all those items. Thanks.

Junghwa said...

awesome giveaway.
i love your eats! esp those okras yum!

Junghwa said...

you're on my google reader

Kelly said...

Hi- I just found your blog :)
I am now following you on blogger and on twitter!

Rebeca said...

1. congrats
2. i want :)
3. where's ur store... i need gear and would rather support u than the randoms in my neighborhood ;)

Holly said...

ahhhh first and foremost...CONGRATS ON 100! that is so exciting and definitely something to be proud of!

love the giveaway - all this is perfect marathon training gear. thank you so much!

last...your indian meal has me drooling. the okra, the gnocchi, the everything. fantastic!

RunEatRepeat said...

Congrats on 100s posts :)

Quinn said...

I want to win all that fun stuff! Yay for 100 posts!