Summer Recipe and New Trails

I can't believe it's already Saturday evening! Our weekend is finally beginning....who am I fooling, everyday is a weekend for me! 

This morning Justin headed out for work, and I headed to Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park to hit some (new to me) mountain bike trails. It's a bout a 45 minute drive out of Bozeman, and there was completely different weather! Here in Bozeman today it's chilly with wild 50 mph winds, in the park it was warm, sunny and humid. The trails were lush, fluid and had some good climbs. The park was already blooming wild flowers and was bustling with campers. I think we might be taking a family trip there tomorrow or Monday. 

Views of the Jefferson River from Lewis and Clark Caverns

(source)

Tonight our dinner was a recipe from Dash Recipes. 

Justin found a Dash Recipes insert (it's part of Parade Magazine) in the newspaper at work and really liked the looks of all the food in it, so obviously he challenged me to make some. For this evenings fare I went with the Hearty Italian Couscous (which is the food so nice they named it twice). 

HEARTY ITALIAN COUSCOUS

Turn a favorite side dish into a main course

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb sweet Italian turkey sausages 

3 Tbsp olive oil, divided **I used Grapeseed Oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced **I used green

2 garlic cloves, minced **I used Wildtree's Roasted Garlic Grapseed Oil 

1 cup plain couscous

Juice of ½ lemon

¼ cup fresh basil, sliced into thin ribbons ** I used Cilantro 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat broiler to high. Broil sausages until cooked, about 10 minutes, turning once. Slice on diagonal, ½ inch thick. 

2. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high. Add onion, pepper, and garlic; cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1¼ cups water; bring to a simmer, then stir in couscous. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand 7 minutes. 

3. Fluff with a fork. Transfer with sausage to a bowl; toss with 2 Tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, and basil. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. 

The turkey sausages were amazing...well, everything was amazing! I'll have a few more recipes coming from Dash Recipes soon!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, wither it be shopping, gardening, decorating, painting or mountain biking! 

When Life Hands You Lemons......

Good Friday the 13th to you all!! I hope you have been spared from any Friday the 13th harshness! At least it's Friday right??!!

Well, sadly Blogger was down yesterday and half of today! I felt like a lost puppy without it. I did however let my husband eat his dinner in peace rather then with the camera! 

It has been so warm here in Bozeman, and I am LOVING it! Early this morning Ridley and I hiked a (new to us) trail called the Drinking Horse Trail. It's only 2.2 miles long but it goes straight up for 700 feet for the first half, which is great butt workout. Once we got to the top I really noticed how everything is turning so green here and the views were lovely! By the time we were done I was super sweaty and so glad I brought my camelbak! 

Today I want share a fun recipe I made this week! Since the warmer weather has moved in I have been craving summertime sweets!

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes!!

I adapted Ina Garten's Lemon Cake Recipe

• 1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups raw cane sugar sugar
• 4 extra-large eggs at room temperature
• 1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
• 3 cups King Aurthur Cake Flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare cupcake tins

2. Cream the butter and 2 cups raw cane sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, one at a time, and the lemon zest.

3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly in the cupcake tins. 

4. Combine 1/2 cup raw cane sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves and makes a syrup. When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a rack set over a tray, and spoon the lemon syrup over the cakes. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the frosting I combined one stick of  unsalted butter, 1 8 oz cream cheese and 4 cups of powdered sugar plus 10 chopped strawberries. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 

I also candied lemons following these directions, except after 24 hours of drying I wasn't in love with results, so I also baked them at 200 degrees for one hour. 

These cupcakes are delicious! They also fare better in the freezer or fridge since the frosting is thinner from the strawberries. That can be remedied by more sugar, but I thought it was sweet enough as it is. 

This weekend I have plans to hit the Lewis and Clark trails on my mountain bike, they are located just out of town! Our warm weather isn't sticking around for good, but I plan on enjoying it while it's here!

I hope everyones Friday is awesome! 

** I opened up a Virtual Party for Wildtree, if you are interested in ordering click this link!

Sweet Pineapple Chicken Salad

Good Afternoon! So all my plans for the have changed! As I was heading out the door to see the Special Olympics Ridley gave me a terribly sad look that tugged my heart strings. So instead we booth headed out for a hike and to swing by the library. Our library is the ending point for a trail that runs all through town, so disobedient Ridley and I hiked it for a while before I stopped into the library. The area around the library so so awesome, there are sculptures from local artists all over the place. Luckily I packed my camera......

But first....my lunch!!! I make a chicken salad with Wildtree's new Savory and Sweet Pineapple Sauce, greek yogurt, Tzatziki Seasoning, cilantro, green onions and chicken! 

I also included romaine, cukes and carrots! I love carrots, sometimes I forget that. 

And of course, a piece of last nights corn bread (or 2) for the side.......delicious!! I was really happy until Justin texted me a picture of a piece of carrot cake......plain 'ol carrots who??? Now I need to make a carrot cake. 

Today really is an awesome improvement on our spring. The trails were busy, people were picnicking and the cool mountain breeze was just lovely! 

Ridley started out unleashed, but his behavior was out of control and ended up back on the leash. 

A 5k??? Maybe? Especially if I can wear an afro wig.

All the trail intersections are labeled, which is super nice for those of us who are new to town. 

Everything is really starting to turn green here! It makes me so excited! 

Gorgeous scenery!

Now, onto the library artwork.......

This bench is a sun sit bench. It soaks up the sun and stays really warm.....I wanted to try and catch a tan, but Ridley doesn't like sitting around.

Someone left their children on the benches so long they turned to stone....

So cool........

My plans to ride with Justin this evening were foiled as well, he has to run the Women's Bicycle Clinic at work tonight till 8......so I'll be heading out soon......! 

Bye! 

Also, I added a goals page! Check it out! 

Peaches and Cream Oatmeal

Good Morning! Today is bright and sunny and it's going to reach 70 degrees here in Montana! I am overly excited....but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the snow. 

Last night I went to bed thinking about breakfast. You see, we are out of Almond Butter which is a staple in all my breakfasts, we are also out of fresh fruit, honey, cottage cheese and nuts....basically my entire normal breakfast. So while I was falling asleep I concocted a breakfast like Angela's (at Oh She Glows) oatmeal/banana soft serve parfaits. 

I used frozen peaches and almond milk to make a soft serve and layered it with oats mixed with greek yogurt for extra protein. I also topped it with chia seeds and pinch of brown sugar (to make up for the lack of honey).

On a side note, these are the ugliest pictures but it was super delicious! It reminded me of the peaches n' cream instant oatmeal I use to eat as kid, only without the freeze dried peaches. 

This week Bozeman is hosting the Montana Special Olympics. I think I'll stop by today and catch an event or two. I also have a road riding date with Justin at 6........here's to sunny happy weather!!

I also spent sometime yesterday making a goals page so check it out! 

Comfort Chili and Corn Bread

Good Evening! Don't you just love Tuesdays? I do, because Justin goes back to work and I can deep clean the entire house. After a weekend of having him home his messes are everywhere! Don't get me wrong I love having him home, but I don't love his shavings in the sink, undies on the floor, dishes in the sink and his breakfast crumbs on the couch! 

Yesterday we spent another day on Bridger Bowl, hiking up and snowboarding down. It is such a great workout hiking up in that snow, it always makes my bum sore, lol!

Today I decided to head out for a run. I haven't been running because I am desperately in need of new running shoes, and they aren't in our budget right now. My current shoes are way over miles, and are hurting my feet. I decided to head out anyways and ran a quick 4 miles and walked the last mile. I also did one of the Tone It Up workouts, I really enjoy them! 

I have actually been putting off a post about my weight loss, mainly because there hasn't been any, but hopefully I'll get up the guts to do it soon. 

Onto the foods......

Tonight I made a thick Turkey Chili with Wildtree's Leslie's Chili Mix, and Corn Bread. 

I also added some romaine and cukes for a small side salad..... I really needed to add some greens!

I topped my chili with greek yogurt and cilantro, my life wouldn't be complete without cilantro. Did you know some people taste cilantro as soap?? So weird! 

I topped my salad with balsamic vinegar. 

What a filling and delicious dinner!! 

Tonight I'll be taking in DWTS and Body of Proof. I don't know who will be voted off tonight, but I am dying to know. I just love Chelsea Kane and Hines Ward! Romeo is pretty awesome too and so is Kirstie Alley. 

Currently, Ridley is begging me to take him out so I gotta jet!

Questions???

Do you like Cilantro?

Who do you think will be voted off tonight??

This Weekend.....

Good Monday Morning! I always enjoy Monday mornings, because in our house Monday's are like Sundays. Also, a late shout out to all the mom's, mom's to be, g-ma's, pet mom's (holla!), adopted mom's.....etc, Happy Mother's Day!! I hope you all had a great day, and you children acted perfectly. By the way, is anyone else watching the new show on AMC called The Killing? I am addicted!! 

Today I am really excited to share the party I catered over the weekend. It was a really long, but super fun day! Everything went really smooth with no problems, until I was backing out of the drive way and right into their truck.......no kidding, it really happened. The lamest things happen to me. 

As soon as I arrived I let the new graduate frost the cupcakes. She loved all the personal details I had made for her. 

All the food was a huge hit! If you want a play by play of exactly what I made click here.

The trifle was a huge hit as usual. We went through two large bowls of this sugary greatness. Several people asked for the recipe. 

You don't have to be in the South to enjoy good BBQ!

If you are interested in any recipes email me cjraynes (@) gmail.com, or if you want to order any of the Wildtree products click here. 

We are on our second day of dreary rain here in Montana, but at least it's not snow! Today Justin

and I are debating between heading up to hike up Bridger Bowl or putting our bikes on the trainer.