Experiments in My Kitchen

So, I know this isn't a food blog, but the hubby and I made a dish last night that I'm so excited about that I feel I had to share it. First though, let me explain why I even tried to make it in the first place.



I was informed by my trainer Andre', none to subtly, that I HAVE to start eating my veggies. Here's the problem: I don't particularly like them. Don't get me wrong, I want to like them, but I just don't. Here's a list of veggies I find tolerable:

• Steamed spinach (raw is too bitter)
• Steamed broccoli (again, not raw)
• Steamed cauliflower
• Lettuce
• Cucumbers (this was a recent realization, as in the past week. I had to work my way up to it though)
• Onions, if mixed in something
• Red bell peppers if cooked down
• Corn
• Cooked green beans 
• Potatoes

WE ARE SPARTA! (For real this time)

The familiar first chords of "Eye of the Tiger" start playing as we slowly make our way through the dusty fields, heading to where we'd be parking and shuttling to the Spartan Race. The tension and anticipation in the car is palpable; Brian is practically bouncing in his seat, Daniel has his eyes closed-steadying himself-and I'm sweating bullets and want to throw up. I try to lose myself in the lyrics and beat of the song to get my head right. There's a lot riding on today's race. It's Brian's and Daniel's first ever Spartan Race and they've both trained hard for it. I, on the other hand, have been on vacation in Colorado for the last week, eating like a kid who just escaped fat camp. I've done everything I shouldn't have done before a race-burned out my grip and forearms while bouldering, killed my legs on a super steep hike in Boulder, and apparently let myself get dehydrated. Spending a week in high altitude with next to no humidity was probably the worst thing I could have done before this race. The heat and humidity on this race day make you feel like you're practically chewing the air before being able to swallow. Yech.