The Daily Musing

Monday means back to work today and with that seeing my Monday regular clients. With summer now upon us, I'm starting to see some of my clients leave for the summer and time is becoming much more available to me. This is both a good and bad thing, but in no time, summer will be over and we'll see members return to us. This morning consisted of five clients, all who have been with me for a considerable amount of time and I am very pleased with their progress.

Today's workout consisted of chest, shoulders, abs and 25 minutes of cardio. Since completing my last show back in April, my strength has improved quite nicely. I'm pressing weights I have never done before and it feels great. My nutrition has been a big part of this progress and I have to thank my coach Warren for supplying me with a great diet plan.

This past weekend's little heat wave has definitely worn me down and was still feeling the effects of the heat. Just goes to show how important it is to be well hydrated in extreme heat. Been pounding water all afternoon trying to get myself back to normal.

Now Playing - Paramore - Careful
Days until NZ - 50

Song of the Week

This week's Song of the Week:

Anberlin - Feel Good Drag

If you're an acoustic fan, be sure to check out this version. 

Have a suggestion for a SOTW? Leave it in the comments section.

Cuban Mojo Chicken with Mango and Avocado

So this weekend I had the pleasure of cooking a real meal (something other than plain grilled chicken, rice and green beans). In an attempt to keep the meal relatively healthy and clean, I searched AllRecipes.com for a new way to prepare chicken - behold, Spicy Cuban Mojo Chicken with Mango-Avocado Salsa.

Let it be known that I screwed up my grocery shopping and didn't cook the recipe exactly how it's listed...

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 fresh red chile pepper, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 teaspoons orange juice
• 5 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 (8 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
•  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce
• 1/4 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup diced mango
• 1/2 avocado
• chopped fresh cilantro to taste
• chopped fresh parsley to taste

Directions

1. Toast the cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Place the cumin seeds, garlic, chile pepper, salt, olive oil, orange juice, and lemon juice into the bowl of a blender; grind to a coarse paste. Toss the chicken with the marinade, then place into the refrigerator, and allow to marinate for about 2 1/2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until browned. Place into the oven, and cook until the juices run clear, about 8 minutes. When the chicken is done, remove, cover with foil, and allow to rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. While the chicken is in the oven, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lime zest, honey, and soy sauce in a skillet over medium-high heat. Simmer until the orange juice has reduced to 1/3 of original volume and is beginning to get thick and syrupy. Once thick, remove from heat, and whisk in the butter pieces one at a time until melted; set aside.
5. To serve, place chicken on the plate and sprinkle with mango and avocado. Drizzle with the sauce, and garnish with cilantro and parsley.   

My Deviations

1.  I couldn't find cumin seed at the store so I "toasted" ground cumin. NOTE - this will make your kitchen stink.
2. I don't think I had enough lime zest, but I think I had enough to have a hint of flavor.
3. I did NOT use butter.

The result is pictured below.

Also pictured, baked asparagus, balsamic roasted red potatoes, a side salad with walnuts, craisins and blueberries. Not pictured - homemade strawberry lemonade, guacamole and a very flavorful mix of shrimp and roasted red peppers.

Friday Funday

Today got a little out of hand at work, and the schedule I had planned didn't go exactly as planned. Sometimes it happens and one thing this profession has taught me is that you have to roll with the punches. So since I wasn't able to get my workout in at the gym, I decided to shift gears and go for a run (also knowing that I'm going to get my ass kicked tomorrow...more to come).

Here's all the fun specs of my short run...

And the playlist that got me going...

Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Bullet for My Valentine - Begging For Mercy
Comeback Kid - Balance
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Factory of Faith

Off to shower and make guacamole for tomorrow!

#NowPlaying Brand New - Sink

Mid Week Update

Sorry it's been a couple days since my last post. Things have been pretty busy and have had little time to write. Over the last few days, my roommate and I have painted and rearranged a room in our house, I've edited photos from a wedding I shot in May, an engagement shoot, my roommate's band and this past weekend's show. You can see some of my work by visiting these links...

Susie and Tim's Wedding

Jonesy

Bay State Natural

As I expected, being at the show this past weekend did make me want to compete again, but I don't want to rush it. My current plan is to maintain through the summer; come September I'll begin a bulking program to hopefully put on 10-15 lbs of lean muscle. We'll take it from there!

Shipping Up to Amherst

Sorry for the incredibly cliche post title, but you knew it was coming with any trip up to Massachusetts. So this weekend I'm up in Amherst, MA helping out my body building coach with a show. It will be nice to see a show and not have to deal with the stress of performing in it. I'm sure after seeing everyone on stage I'll want to do another one, but I know I need my break so that thought probably won't stick around for too long. Here's a picture from my last show to leave you with... don't get caught staring for too long!

NZ in 59 Days

Now Playing - LA Dispute - Safer in the Forest/Love Song for Poor Michigan

Is it too early to pack?

So it's been quite a while since I last posted - seven months actually. What better way to get back in the swing of writing again than discussing my freshly booked trip to New Zealand! I've decided to jump along with Contiki tours to make the trip as easy an carefree as possible. This tour is the one I'll be taking - the Scenic Southern. Ever since last November, I've been trying to book a trip and after Amsterdam fell through for September, this became my next destination I set eyes on. After making a few calls to Nadine at Vista Travel in Colonia, NZ was finalized! Let the countdown begin!!


NZ in 61 Days