Spectathele at IMNYC (i.e. IMNewJersey)

So I went to watch Yasi at Ironman New Jersey New York City....First off, I was so impressed during the time I have been training with her while she was preparing for this race.  This girl has more focus and dedication than anyone I know so I was quite confident that her time was going to be LESS than what she anticipated. And spoiler alert.....she was awesome and fast!  Check out her PART 1 and PART 2 of her race reports.

The swim was supposed to be cancelled due to our wonderful eastern seaboard - leak of a sewer line which would be leaking chlorinated raw sewage (i.e. poop), but the swim was on, and I think I was more nervous for her swimming in that shit (literally) then jumping off a plank....

The night before she wanted to get rest which in Yasi-speak meant fro-yo....so we discussed her times when we would see her etc and she was giving us bullshit times like 14 hours (whatever girl, I never believed you).

After I left her, I conveniently went home to foam roll (another story for another day of my quest to prove myself among high school football players) and make some signs and drink some beers...how I do my best work of sign-making.

I then waited for the Big Onions (mom, dad and sis) to arrive for some brekkie and to go meet up with my cousins in the Big Apple who conveniently live right near the only stretch of NYC in the race (i.e. 9 miles - don't you get it?  IMNYC??).  Anyway, we ate a fabulous joint called the Community where we had some huevos rancheros and some caffeine to get our cheers on...

my cousins Joey and Vince

More family photos at Community

I also found out that there would be a convenient location for spectating - a bar on the course - YES!!!

Christine came up via train to meet up with more signs so we can heckle and cheer for all the awesome people that were tackling this feet. 

Posing for spectatheleting

Figures the "artist" Christine would come up with the Pretty sign...

choosing location...

We cheered for every athlete and that included me holding the loudest piece of equipment - the bullhorn complete with siren sounds....

This is how I role

And this is how my family roles - Dad handing out french fries to the runners...

We saw her twice which meant we had to RUN 1.5 miles to the finish which she had 3 miles to go. 

I mean, seriously, "did the girl look like she just swam, biked then ran 20something miles??"

and she hugs me all sweaty

Doable for us to get to finish line first? Of course!  In flip flops and a crew?  Not so much, so Chris and I said see you later to the rest and booked it (in flip flops) and got there in plenty of time right before the finish to see her mom.  We quickly saw her coming and decided to sprint, yes sprint, where Chris and I were getting cheered for our run...and we missed her by a second to come in but she found us and we were all able to jump on her while she seriously looked like she could do it all over again. 

Great photo high fiving her dad

Congrats girl - excellent well put together race!!

Our crew and Yasi

She finished 4th in her AG!!  I thought we she was going to Kona as I heard a lot of people saying there was many slots...so I JUST IN CASE checked on my phone flights from Orlando to Kona (just in case) since I would be on vacation till the 12th...I needed to help her race day the day after my vacation....Unfortunately, no spots rolled down for me her.  Again, I had a wonderful time cheering her on - she worked hard and it paid off!

Pretty sunset to end the day!

What To Do With Your Farmer's Market Finds!

Farmer's markets have been in full swing - I have experienced some new things this year like garlic scapes and tropea onions which I have fallen in love with....

so I thought I would share some easy quick recipes using these gems you may have found at the market.  Some I use my Vitamix but a food processor works just as well.

Cucumber Salad

 (print recipe)

Ingredients
2 cucumbers

2 radishes

1 red onion
1 tspn of chopped dill
1 tspn chopped mint
1 Tbspn of maple syrup
1 Tbspn of brown rice vinegar
1 Tbspn of olive oil

Directions
Skin and slice cucumbers, radishes and chop onions.  Place cucumbers, onions, dill and mint in a bowl. Mix dressing of maple syrup, brown rice vinegar, olive oil.  Toss and Enjoy!

 

Gazpacho

(print recipe)

Ingredients

• 1 pint heirloom or regular cherry tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tropea onion (or red onion)
• 1 jalepeno (I use seeded but you can unseed for less spice)
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• cilantro for garnish

Directions
Put first 7 ingredients in the Vitamix or Food Processor.  If using the Vitamix, use in this order (better mixing).  If using Vitamix, put on variable low for a couple seconds then move to high. 
Serve with cilantro and avocado.

 

Edamame/Garlic Scape Hummus

(print recipe)

from Daily Garnish - this is a must read blog btw

I can't take any credit, I was just on a hunt to use my garlic scapes other than sauteing with olive oil and kale.

Ingredients

• 1 container of edamame (I use TJ's already shelled fresh)
• 2 garlic scapes chopped
• 3 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• sea salt

Directions
Place all the ingredients in the Vitamix or food processor. On the Vitamix, I did low variable and move to high.  I had to use a spatula and push it down a lot.  I also had to add a little extra oil (I used olive oil as the extra).  Daily Garnish put hers in the food processor for 8-10 minutes, I realized why.  It is important that it goes for a while since it is so thick.  I served this with rice chips - it was so yummy!!

 

Roasted Peppers

(print recipe)

Ingredients
Peppers
Olive Oil
Garlic minced

Directions
Heat Grill till it reaches temperature of 400 degrees.  Cut peppers in half.  Place on grill and flip once charred - about 5 minutes on each side. 

Place peppers immediately in bag (take the air out) and place in fridge overnight or for a few hours.

Once cooled the skin comes off much easier.  Take off skin and marinate with olive oil and garlic. 

Seafood Chard Spaghetti Squash

(print recipe)

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash
Olive oil
Seasoning

Olive oil
1 garlic scape chopped
1 red onion chopped
Seasoning
2 Tomatoes chopped
1 bunch swiss chard chopped
1 pint mushrooms

TJ frozen seafood mix (calamari, scallops, shrimp)
1 can clams in juice
1/2 cup white wine


Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise and scoop out insides.  Rub olive oil and seasoning on squash, place face down on casserole dish.  Fill to about 1/2 inch of water in dish.  Bake for 40 minutes or untill soft.  Use a fork to make into "spaghetti."

Saute olive oil, garlic scape, red onion and seasoning for about 3 minutes.

Add tomatoes, mushrooms and chard and saute for about 10 minutes.

In a separate pan, heat oil to medium heat, add frozen seafood and clams.  After about 5 minutes add white wine and saute for another 5 minutes.  Then add to vegetable mix.  Once spaghetti squash is down add to the mixture and let cook for another 5 minutes so flavors soak in.