Oh, Canada!

It has felt like spring this past week! Wondering around Seattle I was comfortable in a light jacket and at one point short sleeves! Such a refreshing feel and a glimmer of hope that warmer weather is approaching. Winter does not last forever!!! With these glorious sunny blue skied days I ventured up to Bellingham to hang out with my parents for a few nights. I arrived Thursday night and am heading back to Seattle today. I convinced them we should go on an adventure Friday! So off to Canada we went!

Friday morning the weather was looking a bit gray, but we were amped up and ready to go explore so we headed north. About 20 minutes later we were in Canada. ha. I guess they really do live close to the boarder. Vancouver BC was our goal for the day and about 40 minutes later we were there. We tossed the idea of a big hike since the weather was less than stellar. Feeling a bit rain shy, we drove through downtown, china town, and the gas works district. Stopping now and then, but mostly just sight seeing from inside the energy efficient Prius. Our main goal was to explore Stanley Park. This park is the 3rd largest urban park in NORTH AMERICA! It is on a peninsula with views of downtown and the whole city.

Armed with our raincoats and map we started at the first parking lot and explored. There is a marvelous path right along the water the entire circumference of the park; perfect for walking and biking. We wondered out to the lighthouse first, it is on the edge of a huge ship canal. Watching the big boats and little tug boats is fun. There is also a point called Hallelujah point where the salvation army used to sing songs and from downtown Vancouver they could hear the clear singing of "hallelujah, hallelujah." Impressive Totem Poles stand majestically in this same area. The detail is incredible!

 Totem Poles!

 My parents have become huge birders in the last 2 months....I don't know what species this duck is, but they can! :)

 Canada flag at Prospect Point

Next off we explored the forest interior and walked around Beaver Lake. The rain stopped and the sun was trying to shine so we were enthused and  ready to go!  We explored prospect point, the big beaches on the ocean side of the peninsula, and walked out to see Siwash Rock. 

 Siwash Rock

According to Indian legend Siwash Rock stands 50 feet tall separated from the coast because of a young mans unselfishness. The hero's story is better told here, 

http://www.stanleyparkecology.ca/news/library/faq/faq_sirk.htm

 Canadian Convention Center

This post is going to be cut short because today's adventures are begging me to begin! The trip back across the boarder took a bit longer. Dinner was enjoyed at a thai restaurant in Blaine overlooking the bay. We finished our day of exploring by driving through Birch Bay as the sun was starting to set. This is truly beautiful country up here in the northwest. I feel so lucky to call the pacific northwest my new home and I can't wait to keep exploring it!

Yummmm

I am a fitness professional. Fitness is my passion; I love it, crave it, and want to share it with as many people as possible. That said, today's post is about food again. =)


The goal for the afternoon was stuffed bell peppers. I like bell peppers a lot, but usually when I eat them it consists of slicing them down the middle, ripping the two halves apart, tearing out the seeds, cutting them into strips, and eating them like carrots. Raw and crunchy, minimal mess and highly functional. I saw this recipe and decided maybe it was time to take my bell peppers skills to the next level.
http://www.greedygourmet.com/2009/10/02/bell-peppers-stuffed-with-couscous-pine-nuts-and-raisins/

So I did. Oh it was difficult to seed them with out breaking and the number of dishes I got dirty was sort of ridiculous. (I also made cookies today so that added to the dish stack!) These bad boys have couscous, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pine nuts, craisins, and sauted red onion in them. YUMMMMMMM. Well worth the dishes to wash! The recipe said to only fill them 3/4 full because the couscous would expand during baking, but from my picture I think I could have filled them a bit fuller.

The flavors interplayed so wonderfully. The bell pepper became this edible container of goodness holding the pine nuts and couscous which tasted hearty and brought an element of umami, the craisns and  onion were sweet and delicious. Yum. 

I am looking forward to leftovers at lunch tomorrow. =)

Food & Taize

Food & Taize worship, both feed the soul and I experienced both today. :) 


Let's start with food. My friend Chad is a great cook and I was overjoyed when he introduced me to www.foodgawker.com! Yum! Talk about a website that makes you hungry. It is a photo display of many different recipes and after your eyes have feasted on the goodness then you can find the recipes to recreate these delicious treats! I decided I was due for an interesting dinner, used this site as inspiration, and was quite happy with the results. Here's the plan:
http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-breasts-with-tomatoes.html

Here were my results:

My sister joined me for dinner and from the smiles and "yums" I think I did pretty good. I don't quite have the photo skills for food journaling yet (or the exquisite presentation skills of the first picture), but YUM! Can't wait for my next dinner. :)

My sister and I then headed to a Taize worship service.  A Taize service is a time for pray, mediation, and singing. We walked into this old brick building with views of downtown Seattle glistening in the background. The church interior had a few people, many candles, and one harp filing the space with sounds. The singing, music, atmosphere, and emotion that came to me reminded me of the church services I attended in Europe. In Europe I felt a presence that I can't quiet explain in those grand huge cathedrals with Latin singing. I felt that peace and presence tonight during the songs and meditation. Thank you.

photo from Regensburg, Germany, Europe Trip 2010

Movie from Florence, Italy Europe Trip 2010 >>to be added later, upload was not working

Da Paceum ... in diebus. <3

Grant us your peace, O Lord.