MADdash 5k Run/Walk

MADdash 5k Run/Walk May 1, 2010

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Madeline L. Loftus Memorial Scholarship Fund

Madeline Linn Loftus was 24 years old when she was taken from us in the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 in Buffalo, NY. A devoted daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend, Maddy was always ready to share her charming wit and infectious smile. She was a beautiful, genuine young woman with a truly magnetic personality – the kind of person who, after meeting her, you remember forever. It’s a testament to her compassionate soul and strength of character that she was able to touch so many lives in such a short time. Maddy was always active, but her true passion was hockey. She broke down barriers and became the first female on her high school’s hockey team, later going on to play for Buffalo State College in New York and St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. While at St. Mary’s, she helped found the Cardinal Athletic Council to represent student athletes and provide services to the community, and it is in this spirit that the Maddy Loftus Memorial Scholarship Fund was created. With the MADdash 5k, we hope to create an event that will honor her enduring spirit and serve as an uplifting salute to someone who unquestionably lived her life to the fullest.

Summer Project

The date is set... MAY 31! Memorial day weekend marks the beginning of summer for most. For me it will mark the beginning of my summer project. I'm pulling the plug. Turning off the TV. Disconnecting the cable.
I love me some good trashy tv, the faker the better for me... gossip girl, melrose place (round one and the new rendition,) grey's, desperate housewives, anything food network or HGTV.... the list goes on and on. My DVR box is ready to bust.
There are so many things I want to do. I have a list of projects, sites to see, new foods to try and I'm going to learn how to read again. Similar to church I some how got it set into my head that reading was a chore and who likes doing chores. Maybe I will try church  again... who knows!  haha... It is going to be a fun filled summer full of adventures and definitely some good reading. I have a book list and movies and so much to do.

Stay tuned! (hehe)


What is one thing that you don't think you could ever give up?

The Write Bite - Tofu

This is by no means a foreign food to me but I decided to give tofu a little credit. Tofu is versatile, budget friendly and a super good protein source. Firm tofu (3.5 oz) has about 8.1 g of protein/4.8 g of fat and is only 94 calories. Oh and did I mention tofu is cholesterol-free.

I get my firm tofu at the farmers market the refrigerated section for $1.29/package or two bricks. When mixed with veggies, noodles or rice one package make two servings or sometimes I just marinated, saute and gobble up the whole thing. That's about 65 cents per serving of clean, unadulterated vegetable protein.

There are three main types of tofu –
Silken/soft, is great for making dips or adding to smoothies for that protein boost. It is also great for lightening some heavier things like mayonnaise and soft cheeses.
firm, is kind of the "general, all purpose" tofu. It is great for sauteing and stir frying. It will get a nice crust on the outside while maintaining a cream texture on the inside.
extra firm, is great for crumbling and really has a meaty texture.

The firmer the tofu the more concentrated the protein.

I love to cook it simply in a stir fry, chop it up with a little cumin and chili powered and serve in a tortilla, breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert tofu can do it all.

What is your favorite tofu dish?

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Tofu Parmesan
Serves 2
1 package of firm tofu
1 jar of your favorite sauce or about 2-3 cups depending on how saucy you like things.
1/2 cup skim mozzarella
1/4 cup parmesan
5-6 leaves of basil
1/3 lb whole wheat pasta
1 clove of garlic
salt/pepper
extra virgin olive oil

Remove the tofu from the package slice into 1/4-1/2-in slices. Lay on a paper towel to drain. While the tofu is draining smash the garlic and add it to a medium/large non-stick skillet with 2 TBSP of olive oil and let warm on medium. Salt and pepper the tofu. Once the oil is warm, remove the garlic and add the tofu to pan in a single layer, seasoned sided down. (Be careful ,if you haven't gotten enough water off it might spit.) Season other side. Let cook on each sided about 5 min or until golden brown on each side. While the tofu is cooking preheat the oven to 375 degrees and start your pasta water. In a 9x9-in pan add 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Once the tofu is done browning add it in a single layer to the pan. Top with the parmesan cheese and then with another cup of the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top and bake in the oven for 10-20 min or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Finish with the chopped basil. Serve over the whole wheat pasta and remaining sauce. ENJOY!


*Tofu Facts

The Perfect Sunday Afternoon

The Tourne/Cafe Metro, Denville, NJ

 

The views were nice and apparently I like to climb things. Poor Frankie had to climb things too. Well, kind of. Well, not really he was just placed there.

 

 

 

 

Cafe Metro was a fun time. The food was great and Frankie was even allowed to join us. I love the warm weather it make owning a dog much more fun. He loves people and watching but we are working on the barking. I have to imagine that it is frustrating for him. He barks at people as if he is talking to them. I'm sure he has lots to say. He's a smart dog.

(Fresh calamari lightly sauteed with extra virgin olive oil, roasted and hot peppers, kalamata olives, garlic, lemon, fresh herbs, and balsamic vinegar)

We started with the Summer Wind Calamari. It was very spicy but we were very hungry and ate it all. The calamari was perfectly cooked. Maybe slightly over seasoned but the heat kind of numbed that out.

I ordered the Marinated Grilled Tofu and Jessica had the Grilled Chicken and Eggplant we decided to share.  

(Marinated Grilled Tofu topped with grilled zucchini, sundried tomatoes, marinara, and regular or soy mozzarella cheese, served with a side of pasta)

(Grilled chicken breast topped with grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, marinara, and mozzarella cheese, served with a side of pasta)

 

We finished with a piece of vegan chocolate raspberry cake. It was surprisingly dense, chocolaty goodness.  Over all another really nice weekend with good food, trails and friends. 

JOCKEY HOLLOW

Jen and I went hiking today at Jockey Hollow. It was such a beautiful day. We followed the long loop (the white squares, which was about 6 miles. Not expecting the mud was difficult and slightly wet, Frankie loves it. Since when are Pomeranians water dogs? He really loves the water and apparently mud. Belly deep in the mud, stopping to smell the skunk cabbage and having a ball.

Frankie has his new summer name... The Trail Blazer.... jersey shore inspired of course. It was just beautiful in the woods and the trails were clearly marked despite our poor sense of direction.

The log vs. Frankie - woo hoo Frankie won! I thought pulling would work.

 Jenn decided to give a helping hand. Thanks! He is a trooper. Under all the poof he's a real dogs dog. He went right though the water and mud. He even scratched his eye lid on a thorny bush... Poor baby.

We found a tree that had fallen about 20 ft over high over the trail. We decided to climb on it and take pictures. I was convinced it was going to break. I would get stuck underneath and some how have to explain to a cute EMT why I thought it would be cool to climb out on a fallen log and take my picture.

And then we found this little guy. I named him Harry. There was a fallen tree that had created a pool of water that all the frogs and at least a couple dozen eggs were thriving there. It was so neat. This little guy had burrowed himself into the cool mud and was just chilling. They were so vibrantly green. I loved them.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!