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 :)