Lamb Shank Redemption

Memphis may be known for its barbeque, but the Emerald city is known for its plethora of  wonderful restaurants.  You can't turn a corner without finding a little treasure of a place, dashing with happy little patrons.  Not only is the food delicious, but the prices and the beer aren't bad either.  

However, deciding on just the right place can be overwhelming.  After much contemplation Thursday night, we settled on this wonderful little Meditteranean joint called Lola.  

We started with a refreshing spritzer.  

  

Followed by an appetizer, Dolmades.
By far the best dalmades I've tasted!  All ingredients are super fresh and are delivered daily from Lola's sustainable source, Prosser Farms.  The proof is in the pudding, and the pudding is delicious!

For our main course I had the Haloumi Cheese Kabobs.   

While the hubs enjoyed the Anderson Leg of Lamb.

I may have been caught stealing a few bites.  ;)

Run (in the) Forest, Run

Crystal Mountain

I have never been a huge fan of road running and struggle to make myself get out there and pound the pavement; however off-road running is one of my greatest running motivators.   I look forward to my trail runs on the weekends.  There are so many wonderful places to experience the trail and many more reasons to give it a shot.  Off-road running offers fewer injuries, improved technique, a mental break, speed and spectacular views.  So lace up your running shoes, and run like an antelope to one of these great trails!

If you live in the Seattle area, check out these trails: 

Cougar Mountain 

Photo Courtesy of Harriman Hiker

Greenlake Park

Photo Courtesy of WalkinginSeattle

Seward Park

Crystal Mountain

Discovery Park

Washington Arboretum

For my friends in Memphis, check out these trails:

Herb Parsons Lake

Shelby Farms

Whale Trail

It's been quite a week for the hubs!  Seeking a little get away, we decided to head North in search of a little R & R.    

Our impromptu road trip took us through the little town of Tulalip, where we stocked up on "much needed" outlet wares.  We then headed towards the Washington State Ferry at Anacortes.  The ferry is just about an hour outside of Seattle on I-5 North.   

We stashed our car and walked aboard to gorgeous scenery and a relaxing breeze.

  After an hour long ferry ride, we finally arrived at Friday Harbour, where we hopped aboard a shuttle to Lime Kiln State Park or The Whale Trail as it is known by the locals.  

We didn't spot any whales, but we did find this little beauty...

 Before the sunset, we made one last attempt at whale watching, before heading back home.  

Hidden Beauty

A few weekends ago, the hubs and I hiked to the stunning Otter Falls.  This beauty is located  only 40 minutes from Seattle, but you feel as if you are a million miles away!  

It is not easy to find, but the hunt is well worth it!  

Travel along an abandon rocky road for about 3 miles and keep a close watch for four stone faced Karens (cairns) that will guide you to this hidden location.    

There is no trail to speak of, so get ready to scramble over rushing creeks, up a steep hill and through lots of trees.

Where you will finally reach Lipsy Lake, where you can dip your aching tootsies in the refreshing cool water, while taking in the spectacular view of Otter Falls.

Raising the Barre

I have become a creature of habit with my fitness routine.  I run...and that’s about it.  In the past, I have always combined running with interval training or yoga, but lately I've been stuck in a runner's rut.  Craving a little spice and stretch in my life, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and find a challenging, yet enjoyable way to add to my fitness routine.  Enter Pure Barre, a workout that combines ballet, yoga, and pilates.   It is a strength training workout that targets the core muscles, glutes, quads, and hamstrings, but does not give you jelly legs the next day.  So, yes you can still run the same day or the day after!  It is also great for stretching, and improving balance.   

Barre-style workouts combined with running, could quite possibly be the best combo I've tried thus far!  My running is starting to improve; I ran my longest run in a year!   I know there are lots of other strength training options and I would love to hear about what routines you use to improve your running regimen.  

Have you tried a barre class? If you run, which strength training exercises do you like best?

Grape Escape

A long week, deserves a long and refreshing weekend.  So sit back and relax with these real Summer Sipper recipes.  Absurdly easy, quick and completely delicious, but be warned it's difficult to drink just one!  

Photo Courtesy of The Minimalist Baker

Summer in a Glass

 created by The Minimalist Baker

It takes only 5 ingredients and serves 4; or 1

Recipe:

• 1 bottle of red Spanish wine (I like to use Campo Viejo Tempranillo Blend, but you can use any inexpensive bottle)
• 1 bottle of champagne or ginger ale
• 1/2 pineapple (chopped; roughly 1 cup)
• 1 naval orange (sliced round and then in half)
• 1  apple (diced)

Instructions:

1. Slice fruit and drop into large pitcher or carafe
2. Add champagne, then wine, and stir
3. Refrigerate until serving ~ 4-6 hours

Photo Courtesy of Julia Kent

Julia's White Sangria

created by Julia Kent
serves 4

Recipe:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) Chardonnay or Riesling (use for a sweeter taste)
• 1 litre ginger ale
• 1 apple (cored and sliced)
• 1 lemon (seeded and sliced)
• 1 lime (seeded and sliced)
• 1/2 bunch of seedless white grapes (frozen)

Instructions:

1. Place limes, lemons, and apples into pitcher or carafe
2. Pour 2 cups of wine over the fruit
3. Refrigerate and let sit for 1-hour
4. Add ginger ale until the pitcher is half full
5. Top off with more wine
6. Add frozen grapes

English Mojito

Recipe:

• 2 ounces Gin (preferably Hendrick's Gin)
• 8 ounces tonic water
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• 5 lime wedges
• 3 slices of cucumber

Instructions:

1. Peal and slice cucumber
2. Muddle the mint and lime and place in the bottom of glass
3. Pour gin over the mint and lime
4. Add tonic water and cucumbers 
5. stir and serve

Happy Fourth!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth!  Our Fourth of July festivities kicked off at Crystal Mountain, which is just shy of 2 hours south of Seattle.  As you can see from the photos the view of Mt. Rainier from the top is gorgeous!   

After riding the gondolas to the summit, we hiked along the steep, rocky and sometimes snowy trail to the sound of Gray Jays.  We were perplexed by the disk golf course on a 45-degree slope; but didn’t have much time to ponder as we were soon chased back towards the summit by some very determined bees.  

No worries though as we were able to breathlessly out-walk our new friends and soon found ourselves at the Summit Restaurant overlooking the Cascade Mountain Range.  There we rested our tootsies and enjoyed comfortable seats, tasty sandwiches, and a cocktail (or two).

With our bellies full we ventured to find the old men that live in the Grove of the Patriarchs.  

These bearish fellows can be found in Ohanapecosh National Park just North of Crystal Mountain.  After paying our $15 entrance fee, which helps maintain this beautiful park, we crossed a highly entertaining suspension bridge, and a few slow pokes to finally find these gorgeous seniors hiding on the other side of the river.  

After a brief visit, we said our goodbyes to our new old friends and headed back to Seattle.

We finished off the night at Lake Union Park with a spectacular show of fireworks!  I mean seriously people, there were people sky diving into the lake from a Chinook helicopter, followed by these beauties…