Paleo Pesto "Pasta" with Blackened Chicken

The julienne peeler is back!  This time, for squash.  Because my pesto was already made, this was a really quick and easy meal. 

Paleo Pesto "Pasta" with Blackened Chicken
2 servings
ingredients
4-5 medium sized summer squash, julienned (I julienned the peel and all.  Like the cucumbers, the seedy middles did not yield noodles, so stop when you get to that part of the squash.  Chop it up and use it for something else!)
2 tbsp pesto (I had some in the fridge leftover from this.  You can use that recipe or use store bought, just read the ingredient list and make sure it's Paleo friendly.)
1 tomato, chopped
1 chicken breast, pounded until even thickness all the way around
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper
1 tsp coconut oil

directions
Heat coconut oil in a cast iron skillet on the stove.  Turn on vent fans.  Sprinkle chicken breast with salt and pepper.  Once skillet is screaming hot, put in chicken breast.  Let cook until "blackened" on  one side (~8 minutes).  Flip to other side and allow to cook through and blacken (~5 more minutes).  The skillet will smoke, which is why I advised turning on the fans.

While chicken is cooking, add pesto to squash and microwave in a covered bowl for about 2 minutes, or until squash is soft.  Take out of microwave and add tomato and cooked chicken. Mix together.

There you go.  15 minutes and dinner is on the table!

What are your quick go-to meals?

Cucumber "Seaweed" Salad with Seared Ahi Tuna

I have not stuck to my workout plan for the week.  Actually, today was the first day I fit in a workout. #Fail. 


My punishment came in the form of burpee box jumps at 5:30 AM via this WOD.  Buh.rue.tall.  After the warm up, I was feeling good and knew it was a day to push myself.  The cutoff was 30 minutes.  It was going to be close. Burpee box jumps take a little longer than normal burpees because you have to take a step toward the box before the jump and step back down, but it also gives you a second to breathe! I'd finished 150 regular burpees in around 26 or 27 minutes a while back. 


Our coach, Travis, assured me I could do it.  I told him burpees were my arch-nemesis.  My finish time was 29:16.  Sweaty success!  But the competitive side of me is disappointed I won't see the other times on the white board to know how I fared against those who go to later classes. 


I mentioned how I have fallen in love  have become obsessed bought a julienne peeler.  Here is my first recipe utilizing my new beloved kitchen gadget.  It is the perfect summer dish! If you love sushi, you will love this. The texture reminds me of seaweed salad, hence the name.

Cucumber "Seaweed" Salad with Seared Ahi Tuna
(Paleo, Gluten Free)
1 serving
ingredients
2 large cucumbers, peeled and julienned (Once you get to the seeds when julienning (word?), stop.  The middle of the cucumber will not yield "noodles".  I chopped up the seedy middle for salads.)
1/2 bell pepper, sliced very thinly
1 tbsp tahini
1 tbsp water
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp agave
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp Bragg's amino liquids
1 ahi tuna steak
salt and pepper to taste
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp Bragg's amino liquids
1 tsp coconut oil
Siracha hot sauce to taste


directions
Combine tahini, water, lemon juice, agave, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp Braggs amino liquids and mix with fork.  Pour over cucumber and peppers, cover, and put in the refrigerator for a few hours.


Mix lime juice, 1 tbsp Braggs aminos, salt and pepper.  Pour in a bag with the tuna steak and let marinade for a few hours. 


Heat coconut oil in skillet.  When skillet is really hot, add tuna steak.  Cook about 3 minutes on each side, just until the center is no longer cold.  Slice and serve on top of cucucmber and pepper salad with dizzles of siracha hot sauce.

Are you competetive?  I definitely am.  But when it comes to CrossFit, I know sometimes I only have so much to give and often have to swallow my pride.
Do you love sushi?  Yes!  It's so expensive, so I don't eat it nearly as often as I'd like.


It's almost the weekend, and I'm going to see Gavin Degraw, Cobie Calait, and Andy Grammar tonight!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

1. Julienne Peeler


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I have been wanting one and finally broke down and spent the $9.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  I'm.in.love!  Cucumber "noodles" and squash "noodles" have been made.  (Complete recipes will be posted soon!)  An attempt at bell pepper "noodles" deemed unsuccesful.  Next on my list is sweet potato noodles.  What else can I julienne?!?

2. Library Elf and Other Online Library Services



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Why pay $9.99 for a book when my tax dollars provide me with all the books I could ever borrow?  And since I can browse the entire parish's card catalog online and place a hold on books, I don't even have to waste time perusing the shelves.  My new best friend, the Library Elf, texts me when my on hold books are ready for pickup.  He is also kind enough to remind me when books are due, saving me from $0.25 a day in late fees.

Also, enitre library CD catalog can now be downloaded from their website in MP3 version.  There is a maximum of 10 songs per week, but I was able to download an entire Wood Brothers album.  Free music=win!

3.  Claim Your Journey

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Reading the blog daily is a constant source of inspiration, running tips, and recipes. Just yesterday morning, I used this recipe  to make baked eggs in whole roasted tomatoes.  Yum!  

I tried to put 2 eggs in my tomato, but they didn't fit. 

Can we please start Sunday Runday in Lake Charles?  I'll bring the watermelon!


4.  This dress I bought from Target.

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I wore it for church Sunday and again to work on Monday.  Yes, two days in a row and I'm not ashamed.  It is so comfortable and bright!  At first I was unsure about the high low trend, but now I'm on board.


5. Eggplant are finally in! 

Babaganoush is on the menu.  It will make a great poolside snack with fresh veggies for dipping.


6.  You!  Thanks for reading my little ol' blog!  


How do you feel about the high-low skirt trend?  What else can I julienne? I'm obsesssed!  What are you loving?