Rhubarb Margarita Recipe, Running Update & TV Cooking Segment

I have a mish-mash of topics for you today and a couple of exciting updates. We’ll start with a Rhubarb Margarita recipe that is sure to become a summertime favorite (even the guys will like this one), then move on to an update about the running side of my life (the butterflies are fluttering already) and end with a TV cooking segment I did this week, featuring some of my favorite grilling tips and a wicked vegetarian slider recipe. Let’s dive right in.

The cocktail:
In my world, there’s no better way to start a summertime weekend than sipping on a cool cocktail on the patio. This rhubarb margarita is the creation of Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking. Now, Gaby is known around the food blogging world as the queen of all-things-guacamole. After taking one sip of this cocktail, I’m ready to place a new crown on her head and name her the “summertime cocktail queen”. I wrote about this alluring cocktail on Tasty Kitchen blog. Head over there for the recipe.

The running:
As many of you know from reading my half-marathon recap (thank you for all of your support!) and weight loss/healthy living journey, running has become an integral part of my life. I love how I feel when I run, and I must admit that I get a little high off of seeing my body transform into the strongest body I’ve had in a long time (maybe ever).

My husband’s running and amazing accomplishments in marathon running have been such an inspiration to me over the years. I live and breathe his training schedule, knowing how many miles he’s running on a given day, whether he incorporated sprints during that particular run and how his legs are recuperating. I get a charge from seeing him become stronger and always (ALWAYS!) have tears in my eyes as I see him running down the home-stretch of a marathon.

I decided I wanted a piece of that. Despite that little voice in my mind that was screeching, “Are you (bleep)ing crazy?!)”, I signed up to run the Portland Marathon in October.

I know that training is going to be bloody hard on some days, but I also have an inner confidence, one that is telling me I can do this. There is also the secret weapon. “What is that?” you ask. Well, it’s not a “what”, but rather a “who” and her name is Cindy BeMent. Some of you may know her as the blogger behind the tempting creations at Once Upon a Loaf. I know her as the woman on the other end of the computer who is whipping my booty into shape.

You see, Cindy is a certified running coach (and an impressive marathoner herself). However, she’s more than just a numbers gal (miles per week, etc.) She is a woman who cares deeply about empowering other women and helping them reach their full potential. Her down-to-earth recommendations are always accompanied by a dose of humor and a whole lot of encouragement. I’m going to do everything in my power to follow her recommendations to a tee. Then I’m going to run that darn race, dreaming of an ice cream soda bath at the finish line.

TV Cooking Segment:
This week on one of Utah’s local news shows, Studio 5 (KSL-NBC), I was excited to kick off their Girls That Grill series with some of my favorite grilling tips (see How to: Grill Like a Girl) and an addictive vegetarian recipe, Grilled Mushrooms Sliders with Cilantro Almond Pesto.

The host, Brooke, and I talked about how to turn on the grill without blowing up a city block, why not to use that barbecue fork to turn the meat and other tips that will help you become the grill master in your house.

Click here or on the photo above to see the segment. (Sorry about the 30 second ad first. I wish I could delete that for you!)

Now, go mix yourself a rhubarb margarita, contemplate running a little further than you ran last week, check out Cindy’s blog and take control of those grilling tongs. My work here is done (wink).

Tagged as: cocktail, exercise, marathon, margarita, recipe, rhubarb, running, TV