Kale & Quinoa Salad with Blueberries

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Last week we were invited to dinner to celebrate my father in-law’s birthday. I offered to bring a salad and I knew it was the perfect chance to use up some of the kale from my garden. Here’s the recipe I threw together.

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What You Need:

  • 1 bunch fresh kale
  • 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups quinoa, prepared
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1/4 cup feta
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds

For Dressing

  • 2 Tbsp. evoo
  • 4 Tbsp. fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 tsp. honey

Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Wash kale thoroughly. (Mr. Spider took a trip inside with us). Cut leaves away from stems and ribs and chop into small bite sized pieces. Wash again and then use salad spinner to dry out leaves. Place in a medium serving bowl. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. EVOO and salt and pepper. Massage kale leaves to soften.

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When the quinoa has cooled add two cups to kale greens. Then add blueberries, feta and almonds. Prepare dressing by combining oil, orange juice, salt and honey and whisking well. Drizzle a tablespoon or two of dressing over the salad and toss well.

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Pairing the sweet blueberries and dressing with the bitter taste of the kale makes for a delightful combination of flavors. The quinoa adds a bit of protein to the dish. It’s perfect for a summer evening and will save nicely to eat for lunch the next day… if there’s any left!

I’ve always loved cooking, but I’ve got to say that cooking with vegetables grown in your backyard is even more satisfying. We’ve eaten up all the kale from the garden this year. Next year I’m going to plant even more lettuce. It’s easy and quick to grow. For now I’m dreaming up ideas for all the other goodies that will come out of my garden this year. Stay tuned for more garden fresh recipes!

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Race Recap

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No, I didn’t run a race this weekend… haven’t run one since April. But I’m beginning to look at races for this fall. I’ve got a few half marathons on my radar. I’m surprised to say that I even have the urge to sign up for another full, but I’m going to force myself to postpone that desire until another time. I just can’t properly fit that sort of training in with all the exciting projects I have going on right now with our business. And that’s ok, because all of the career goals I set a year ago are all coming to life and it is one of the most exciting times in my life!

But as I begin to think about half marathons I honestly couldn’t remember how many I’ve done now. I decided that somewhere I should keep a log of the races I’ve run and my times. Obviously this seemed like the logical place. So, here goes…

I’ve highlighted my current PRs in each distance in red so that I can reference it quickly for upcoming races.

2013

May 2013 Chagrin Falls Blossom Run, Age 35, Distance 5.25 miles, Time 45:00.4, Place in Age Group 20th, Place Overall 713, Pace 8:34, May 26, 2013, PR, My 1st Race!

Blossom Time - My 1st Race

Blossom Run, My 1st Race!

TowPath 10/10 10K, Age 35, Distance 10K, Time 53:00.6, Place in Age Group 2nd, Place Overall 59th, Pace 8:33, June 16, 2013, PR, My 1st 10K!

LifeBanc Gift of Life 10K, Age 35, Distance 10K, Time 49:51.8, Place in Age Group 1st, Place Overall 42nd, Pace 7:53, August 3, 2013, 10K PR, 1st in age group and SET A NEW RACE RECORD! 

River Run Half Marathon, Age 35, Distance 13.1 miles, Time 1:51:10, Place in Age Group 23rd, Place Overall 296, Pace 8:29, September 8, 2013, PR, My 1st Half!

My First Half Marathon 2013

River Run, My 1st 13.1

Rock N Roll Half Marathon Cleveland, Age 35, Distance 13.1 miles, Time 1:54 (Results no longer posted, so I don’t know the rest). October 6, 2013

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Rock N Roll Half Marathon

Chagrin Falls Turkey Trot 5K, Age 35, Distance 5K, Time 24:13, Place in Age Group 6, Place Overall 91, November 28, 2013, 5K PR

2014

Big Sur Relay (I ran 16 miles), Age 36, 3:50:35 total time for 26.2 miles for our two person team, Event Place 27, Pace 8:48, April 27, 2014, The furthest I’d ever run!

Big Sur Marathon Relay
I ran 16 miles

Cleveland Half Marathon, Age 36, Distance 13.1 miles, Time 1:49:31, Place in Age Group 44, Place Overall 507, Pace 8:21, May 2014, PR

Cleveland Marathon - 2014

Cleveland Half Marathon

Chagrin Falls Blossom Run, Age 36, Distance 5.25 miles, Time 41:38.8, Place in Age Group 7th, Place Overall 366, Pace 7:56, May 25 2014, RACE PR

Akron Half Marathon, Age 36, Distance 13.1 miles, Time 1:49:21, Place in Age Group 39, Place Overall 689, Pace 8:20, PR, September 27, 2014, HALF PR

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Akron Half Marathon

2015

TowPath Half Marathon, Age 37, Distance 13.1 miles, Time 1:53, Place in Age Group 5th, Place Over 147, Pace 8:38, April 12, 2015

Big Sur Marathon, Age 37, Distance 26.2, Time 4:41:18, Event Place 53, Pace 10:44, PR, April 26, 2015, My 1st Marathon!!!

Cleveland Marathon, Age 37, Distance 26.2, Time 4:06:24, Age Group Place 34, Place Overall 573, Pace 9:23. PR, May 17 2015

Chagrin Falls Blossom Run, Age 37, Distance 5.25 miles, Time 42:37.1, Place in Age Group 9th, Place Overall 356, Pace 8:06, May 24, 2015

River Run Half Marathon, Age 37, Distance 13.1 miles, Time, 1:55:07, Place in Age Group 23, Place Overall 329, Pace 8:47, September 13, 2015 (Ankle injury. Training run for Chicago Marathon)

Chicago Marathon, Age 37, Distance 26.2, Time 4:07:55, Place in Age Group 772, Place Overall 12969, October 11, 2015

Turkey Trot 5K, Time 25:19, Place in Age Group 4, Place Overall 262,November 26, 2015,

2016

Cleveland Ten Miler, Age 38, Distance 10 Miles, Time 1:24:11, Place in Age Group 20, Place Overall 405, Pace 8:25, April 23, 2016 (I added on 3.1 more miles to make it a spring half in my mind. My time was 1:55.), PR

So… only ONE race so far this year??? What’s up with that? Well, this spring I had to miss some local races because of prior engagements, like my son’s birthday! And honestly I was feeling a little selfish and guilty for spending so much time training and racing in 2015.

I wanted to focus more time on doing good in the world then on doing good for myself. After creating a marketing plan for our company, building a website and blog for them, launching our Perfectly Imperfect Produce product and beginning our new From Seed to Spoon educational program, I feel like I’ve made major headway there. I am ready to commit to a race or two for the fall.

Tell me all your favorite half marathons!