Tropical Flavors

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A few days ago was the annual National Talk Like a Pirate Day holiday. Every September 19th it's time to celebrate the swash buckling scaly-wags of the sea. Some friends of mine got together for an excuse to celebrate with some exotic cuisine and classic pirate movies. Our food theme was more of a tropical flavor, Caribbean type culinary feel, dashed with some random extras.

While there was really no rhyme or reason, the food was still fantastic.

As seems to be my usual food assignment, I was in charge of dessert. What's a pirate theme without Rum? So I made some "rum cake" cupcakes. Though instead of rum, I substituted pineapple juice and almond extract. These turned out to be a hit. Not only were they extremely moist, but topped with a slice of pineapple, mandarin orange, and cherry, they just looked so pretty.

Of course people need chocolate, so I did classic brownies with a minty frosting. With some help from a little food dye, I turned the minty frosting into a tropical ocean blue. The taste wasn't too shabby either.

I've decided that after watching movies in beautiful tropical locations, I should see them first hand. I think a trip to the Caribbean is now going to be a must see destination.

Traveling and Marathons - I've Lost My Mind

I'm not much of a runner. Meaning that I don't run fast, I don't have great form, and I've been told I look like Goofy while running. My body is usually protesting the entire time that the whole process is just wrong and unnatural. I'm sure professional runners cringe when they see me slogging by at my slow pace and horrid form. Truth be told, I don't actually like running.

But I do it. A lot. Can anyone else relate to this situation?

The reason? I like how I feel when it's over. Funnily enough, the only reason I started running was because someone told me I was incapable of ever running a marathon. With my very stubborn nature that comment didn't bode well at all. So I spent 9 months training for a marathon just to prove them wrong. I'd never run beyond a mile before. No 5k, no 10k, not even a half marathon. Yet my first running event was going to be the full 26.2 mile distance. If you're going to do something you might as well go big, right?

So in 2006 I ran the Moab marathon in southern Utah. It took me 5+ hours, I waddled like a duck for a week afterward because every muscle in my body ached in places I didn't know existed, but I finished.

And I felt like I could conquer the world. Then I swore I'd never do one again. Eight months later I was coerced into doing a half marathon. Afterwards my running shoes were hung up permanently. Or so I thought.

Fast forward 5 years and I was starting to do some fun runs - 5k, and occasional 10k runs just to keep in shape, but also for the t-shirt. I'm all about the t-shirt. A few personal trials and upheavals later I needed to do something big - something epic and loud that would give me an invincible revitalization.

Every person needs to feel that innate inner power.






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I happened to see some advertisement about the London marathon. Huh. That could be really cool - running through the streets of London. I did more research and discovered there were marathons all over the world. Oooo, that could be the epic adventure I was looking for. Why not run a marathon in an amazing location overseas? Who does that, and what a great story to have?!

After more research I settled on the London marathon with Rome as my backup. It happened that I couldn't even get in to register for London, so the Rome marathon it became.

I spent 9 months training, wondering how on earth I ever did this before and why was I putting myself through that torture all over again. But I kept trucking along and in March of 2014 I ran the Rome marathon.

It was an adventure in and of itself, but I got an amazing medal, a great t-shirt, and even a back pack for participating in their 20th anniversary marathon through the city. For whatever reason I was not that sore afterwards. Other than the quarter sized blister on my toe, and some really sore quadriceps muscles, I felt fantastic. And how many people can say they ran the Rome marathon?

So now my weird obsession has begun. I've decided that I need to run 5 international marathons. Why 5? I have no idea. It just seemed like a good number. Heaven forbid I travel just to travel these days. Now I need to tack on a marathon. But then again, why not? It just adds to the adventure - and my insanity.

My future overseas marathon plans are as follows:

Scotland Loch Ness Marathon  - because it's Loch Ness

Athens Greece Marathon  - because it's Athens Greece

London Marathon - this is definitely a wild card as it's a lotto system to get into.

I'm in need of a 5th, and alternate London location. Any suggestions?