More pool, please.

Since it was nasty hot out this evening and I wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of running on the treadmill, Jamie and I decided to go to the pool for some good old floating and what we fondly call the 'old lady breaststroke'. You know what it is. It's that leisurely breaststroke-ish thing that older ladies will do at the pool. There's nothing wrong with it. Nothing wrong at all. In fact, 20-30 minutes of that makes my chicken arms feel shaky. Dang. Not quite 4 miles of running, but let me tell you, that water was exactly what I wanted in this weather!

Unfortunately, I got a little rowdy in the shallow end and ended up scraping off some of my brownness:
I had a minor freak out when I looked at my hands in the water and saw WHITE. Oww.

While we were OLB-ing, my precious little shrimpies were marinating in a delicious bath of coconut milk, lime, garlic powder and chili powder. Why? To be included in tonight's Shrimp Tacos, of course!
I had this weird urge to make some shrimp tacos this weekend and a fruity salsa seemed like the perfect accompaniment! I loved the colors on this plate :)

Shrimp Tacos
12 large shrimp, shelled
1/4 c lite coconut milk
1/4 tsp garlic powder
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp chili powder
Mango & Tomato Salsa (see below)
4 corn tortillas
handful arugula

Combine coconut milk, garlic powder, lime juice and chili powder in a bowl. Add shrimp and let marinate for 30 minutes. Grill until shrimp is pink. Assemble tacos by placing some arugula on a tortilla, followed by 3 shrimp and topped with the salsa.
Mango & Tomato Salsa
1 mango, diced
1/3 c grape tomatoes, quartered
1/4 c pineapple, diced
1/2 avocado, diced
4 radishes, sliced into matchsticks
handful chopped cilantro
sprinkle cumin
juice of 1 lime
2 tsp pineapple juice
pinch salt

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl, let sit for 10 minutes.

I'm definitely making this shrimp again! Who knew leftover coconut milk would come in so handy?? I think the tacos were missing something...they were really yummy and light, but I kept thinking they needed a little something extra. Not a clue what though!

Before I rush off to read more of Julie & Julia (already halfway through!), I'm going to leave you with a list of some of my favorite summer reads. These are quick reads that are pretty easy to get lost in. I think you should check these out :)

A Cook's Tour - Anthony Bourdain
I've already mentioned how much I enjoy this book, but I thought I'd bring it up again ;) It combines travel and food - two of my favorite things. Plus, it reads almost like you're watching No Reservations...what more could you ask for?

Untangling My Chopsticks: A Culinary Sojourn in Kyoto - Victoria Abbott Riccardi
This book made me SO hungry. I was craving Japanese food the ENTIRE time I was reading! The author shares her adventures in Kyoto as she studies the art of kaiseki, including recipes scattered throughout the book. Well written and delicious.

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise - Ruth Reichl
I actually chuckled to myself several times as I read this book. I loved her writing style so much that I immediately purchased another one of her books.

The Painted Veil - W. Somerset Maugham
I bought this book immediately after watching the movie. Don't laugh. It was during one of my super sappy phases and it just so happened to star Edward Norton and I may or may not have a weird thing for him. ANYWAY, I enjoyed the book...which wasn't as sappy as the movie, but still good.

Happy reading :)