Garden wrap up from 2012 and onto 2013

It's been a while! I've been busy blogging for Iron Body Studios, which I now call "home" for work. Last January 2012 I had to put Thyme To Cook on hold due to family related issues, and I haven't gone back. I've been concentrating on my fitness and got TRX certified as well as Russian Kettlebell certified, passing the Russian Kettlebell Challenge in Sept 2012 (Most of you know that I've been teaching Spinning since 1995). I am now working with Artemis Scantalides and Eric Gahan from Iron Body, teaching class and assuming my new role as Director of Nutrition where I coach clients as well as offer a variety of food related services. It's an exciting time!

Here at home, Chez Shiner, we are on to garden season for 2013!!! I never did wrap up our totals for 2012, so I wanted to do that now. My last report was from August, and I had reported a total of about 43lbs or produce. We had a very prolific fall w.our tomatoes! The grand total in pounds for the Shiner garden 2012 was 87.5 lbs!!!
Here's the breakdown:
Broccoli 27.3 
Radishes 3.2
Basil 25.6
Beets/Greens 42.2
Golden Beets/Greens 6.5
Blueberries 2.3  
Lettuce 1.4
Fennel 0.1
Chard 36.55
Sun Golds 359.8
Onions 19.7
Green Beans  31.5
Strawberries 1.4
Eggplant 36.3
My Girl Tomatoes = 137.8
Green Zebras = 460.03
Black Cherry Tomatoes = 57.55
Poblano Peppers = 18.25
Carrots = 14.7
Sweet Peppers = 40.95
Lemon Balm = 0.3
Raspberries = 0.1
Heirloom Bean = 0.2
Leeks = 8
Cabbage = 23.8
Brussels Sprouts = 44.55

1400.38 oz of produce = 87.5 lbs!!

We learned a ton about what to do and what not to do in terms of placement, spacing and symbiotic relationships. The boxes this year will be far less packed and spaced out better. We have already started with peas and kale and are anxiously awaiting them to sprout. We've also put in onions, which should be ready to pull in about 60 days, as well as some that take 90 days.  As the season gets going, I'll be sure to post pics of whats going on. I will also continue to post recipes here so be on the lookout for something tasty soon!!

A Quick Dinner: Smoked Chicken Saute w.Zucchini Noodles

Last Thursday I had to come up with a quick dish to make. I was starving, and didn't get home from my kid's dance class until after 6pm.
I had onion, garlic, golden cherry tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, cilantro and a smoked chicken breast from Chestnut Farms, a local farm to work with...so here's what I did.

Sauteing the garlic and onions in coconut oil

I minced the garlic and sliced the onions and gave them a saute in coconut oil....
I used a vegetable peeler to make long slices of the zucchini into "noodles" and set them aside.
I chopped the smoked chicken breast into bite size pieces and also set them aside.

After the garlic and onion softened up, I added in the broccoli and tomatoes to cook for a couple of minutes, until broccoli was still crisp and the tomatoes started to split open. The smoked chicken went in next - it was already cooked and only needed to warm through.

Zucchini noodles go in last for a quick wilt

Since I wanted a little sauce, I added in about 1/2 cup of coconut water and 1-2 TBS coconut concentrate (which is whole coconut in a concentrated form - I get it from Tropical Traditions). I let that simmer down for only a brief minute and added zucchini in last, just to wilt.
I finished the dish with a squeeze of lime juice and chopped cilantro. It took minutes to prepare and was really satisfying, and provided me w.a few meals worth of food.

Dinner is served!

Stock up your pantry w.some key ingredients such as coconut water or coconut milk, aromatic veggies (your onions, garlic, carrots, celery), some fresh veggies and proteins and a meal is just minutes away :) Enjoy!

SMART Goals w.a Nutrtion Focus

My first post of 2013 is actually a guest post on the blog of Iron Body Studios, the gym where I workout. Please head on over there and give it a read. It's on setting SMART goals w.a nutrition focus. You can find the post here: SMART GOALS.
Enjoy!