Takin it to the Tropics…Kitchen Sink Salad Style

\ by

Another Monday, Another plan astray! I had such a great meal planned for tonight, but by the time I finished work and put in my 7 miles at the gym, it was too late and I was just too tired to put some major time into dinner. THUS, another Kitchen Sink Salad was born…I think I may just need to rename it the Monday Night New Yorker’s Kitchen Sink Salad. I believe this is the third week in a row.

First we had the Fiesta, then the Thanksgiving Style and now….

A masterpiece in the makin...

The Hawaiian Stylin’ Kitchen Sink Salad. I must caveat this creative salad by saying that I’m trying to clean out my refrigerator before I go away to Texas this weekend for a wedding. Anyway, in the salad sensation this time:

  • Fruit: fresh strawberries, oranges, papaya and lime; canned crushed pineapple and raisins
  • Protein: Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Strips (a busy girl’s best friend) and two egg whites from a hardboiled egg (I boiled eggs!)
  • Toppings: mango salsa (mango, lime juice, mint, red onion- store bought :-() and cranberry vinagrettie
That all went on top of a bed of lettuce and made this beautiful and tasty dinner.

Just call me the Pineapple Queen

All of the different fruits, proteins and toppings worked “harmoniously” together to create a genuine tropical flavor. Plus, the salad was light, refreshing and perfect for a quick late-night meal.
I kept the tropical theme with desert which was simply a Chobani yogurt, topped with the rest of the canned pineapple and a cherry, because that’s how I roll 🙂

And a cherry on the top!

In an effort to motivate myself to clean my kitchen, I decided I’d give you all a glimpse of where the magic, or lack thereof, happens. Behold, a New Yorker’s tiny kitchen.

Tiny kitchen for a unique little "chef"

Small but nimble, this kitchen has been the background to many a great salad and Wacky Food combination for the past year. I just renewed my lease, and I have hopes this blog will spur a whole new level of creative cooking in my tiny kitchen.
Here’s the front of my fridge. One day, I’ll take you inside the Sometimes Healthy Fridge

A cluttered fridge of motivation and memories

What you see in this photo are a bunch of inspirational poems (Sometimes Healthy, Always Cheesy), my National Marathon race bib, some pics AND a notepad that says “Stuff to Get on My 19th Run to the Store this Week.” This fridge pretty much sums me up in a nutshell!

Seeking Motivation and Some Downtime

Reading about the Boston Marathon today got me thinking about my running goals…or lack thereof. I once thought I’d be able to make it to Boston someday, but after a great run at the National Marathon, something tells me Boston might not be in the cards. I ran a great race, but I don’t think I can improve that time by more than 10-15 minutes, at most. I’ve been running long enough to know my “sweet spot” in terms of distances. I’ve run 3 marathons, countless half marathons, lots of 10Ks and a few 15Ks. I’ve actually lost track of all of the races I’ve run in at this point!

However, none ended as well the Soldier Field 10 Mile race back in 2008. The race is run in Chicago, my home before NYC,  goes all along Lake Michigan, and ends in Soldier Field, where the Bears play. It’s a flat, fast and scenic course – my kind of race. In my second year running the race, I finished in 1:13:29, 7:20 per mile. That was good enough for 65th place out of over 3000 women and 5th in my division.

Celebrating after my fastest race eva

I’m not really sure what came over me that day, but I’d like to find it again! I’ve run some fast races since then, but I haven’t come close to such a fast time. I was hoping to get back to the race this year, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. So, I need to find a race to kill like the Soldier Field 10 Mile 🙂 As I mentioned earlier today, I’ve registered for the ING New York Marathon Lottery, but chances are, I won’t make the cut. 

So…I need a race! So much has happened in my life these past three years, and it would be such a triumph to prove to myself that I’m still a little speedster ;-). And on another note, between the blogging, the working, the house guests and other unexpected surprises, I haven’t had much downtime these days! Hopefully I can fit in a little bit of chill-axin on my way to Texas this weekend.

Until then, two things are callin my name – Teddy and a good book:

Awwww. Time for bed 🙂

Yep, I was seeking runner’s inspiration tonight, so I did what anyone does when he/she is seeking the ultimate cheese factor: I purchased a Chicken Soup for the Soul, the Runner’s Soul. 😉
 
WELL Good-night New York. Thanks for the beautiful skyline tonight…

Good night moon

Question:
What race should I sign up for??

Posted in: New York, Quick Dinners, Races

15 Thoughts on “Takin it to the Tropics…Kitchen Sink Salad Style”

  1. runlindsrun on 19 April, 2011 at 10:23 am said:

    Yum, I love fruit salads! I am on the hunt for a 10 miler for you….but first, sign up for the NYRR Mini 10K in June!

  2. Lisa @ I'm an Okie on 19 April, 2011 at 10:31 am said:

    You have a pretty nice kitchen though! Small, but mighty :).

    And I love all the fruit in the salad!

    The races that are on my “race horizon” are the Rock n Roll half in virginia beach and POSSIBLY a marathon in November in san antonio. Who knows though. We shall see.

  3. Becca on 19 April, 2011 at 12:00 pm said:

    Ummm…my friend are you seriously going to do another marathon??? And about the salad-that actually sounds pretty good!

  4. Coffee&Claptrap on 19 April, 2011 at 1:54 pm said:

    I say Soldier Field! 😀

    I can’t seem to latch on to this fruit in savoury salads combo… it’s mental! I don’t understand ham and pineapple pizza, cheese and jam and turkey and cranberry to name a few.

    Just seems wrong on so many levels to an English git like me 😀

  5. Pingback: Sleeping More than Ryan Reynolds… | The Sometimes Healthy Living Blog

  6. Smore on 19 April, 2011 at 2:43 pm said:

    I love your kitchen sink salads. I always make a salad when I can’t decide what I want. Throw a bunch of different foods in a bowl, toss it up, and voila! Dinner with variety. Love it.

  7. Dad on 20 April, 2011 at 12:10 pm said:

    As someone who is totally objective and without any bias, I wanted to tell you how much I like your blog (although I still can’t fully understand the whole concept of blogs). You are a terrific writer and more importantly a wonderful daughter. Keep it up and remember about clean kitchens the next time you come for a visit..
    Love,
    Dad

    • The Sometimes Healthy Girl on 20 April, 2011 at 12:25 pm said:

      Thanks for the kind words. Perhaps you can guest post some time. I’m sure the readers would love to hear your tips on healthy living 😉 I think you should keep reading and use some of my tips. I may be talking about bring healthy snacks when traveling tonight…

  8. Marvin Polikov on 20 April, 2011 at 1:49 pm said:

    Sorry I am so late in congratulating you on your most recent marathon. I was told you did well and should be very pleased. A little birdie told me about your Blog, and I am impressed with your writing skills. Would like to inheret some of your good eating habits, and perhaps you can do a consultation on your next visit home.
    In the meantime, keep smiling and keep writing.
    Marv

  9. Pingback: Warm Kale Salad + Tabata Time | The Sometimes Healthy Living Blog

  10. Stephanie on 11 August, 2014 at 10:00 pm said:

    Keep up the good work! Can’t wait to read more.

Post Navigation