This weekend is Memorial Day.  A day of BBQs, fun, family and friends, and remembering those who serve our country.  But there are others who have a different agenda, and unwanted agenda this weekend.  I would like to take a minute and send my thoughts and prayers out to all those affected by the devastating tornados in Oklahoma.
Its been a whirlwind of awful events in the last month.  We have coined phrases "Boston Strong", "Texas Strong", and now "Oklahoma Strong".  Although our communities, cities and towns are resilient, it sucks to prove that this way!  The clean up and disaster relief is going to be months and years.  Although no amount of money can repay the families of these devastating events of what they truly lost, there are relief funds that are set up to try and help with clean up, rebuilding and to get people back on their feet.  Sadly, there has been rumors of "fake" funds out there.  I seriously cannot believe someone could have the audacity to do such a thing. So if you do donate (or buy a product that supports a fund) be sure you know where the money is going and how much.  The 3 main funds for the current events are Boston: The One Fund,  West Texas: The West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund, and Oklahoma: OKStrong. And of course donating blood to the Red Cross helps everywhere!  

Phew, now on with a post and OF COURSE a recipe!!!!  Memorial Day weekend, the kick off to Summer BBQs!  At least your guaranteed protein!  But sometimes its difficult to stay on track.  So be strong, make good choices (celebrate being able to make a choice!)  That takes me to the recipe.  The Naked Burger.  Basically, a burger with the fix-ins', sans bun.  Yummy.

Im coming at you with 3 recipes today!  Well…. They all go hand in hand, so I couldn't with hold any from you!  Joe and I LOVE seafood.  But lets face it, its not the cheapest food out there.  We like to buy the bags of the un-cooked frozen shrimp when they are buy 1 get 2 free,  that’s a good deal! We will typically get the salmon when its on sale.  We did have trout a few weeks ago, bummer I didn't get a picture of it because it was DEELish!  I see that being a recipe in the future.

So what else is new around here.  We adopted a new kitty!  Full grown kitty… his name is Milo.  We thought Bynx needed a friend, and friends of mine couldn't keep Milo anymore = Match made in heaven?  However, the introduction has been a bit rough.  Milo REALLY wants to be friends and wants to do everything and be EVERYWHERE Bynx is.  Bynx is just not sure how he feels about it.  Bynx is an old man, and may be a bit set in his ways.  Sometimes Im not sure if Milo is playing or if he's getting jealous.  He flips a switch like no other!  We are working on it, time will tell.  But we are hoping Bynx allows us to keep Milo!  I like to sing "We are Siamese if you Pleeeaasseee" to them.  Its fun.

Bruins are moving to the next round!  After 7 games, with the last being the most intense hockey game ever, we are still in it.  Now if the Red Sox could get their groove back……  

Alright, enough babble.  Now for the Recipes!

Stay away from those deadly packets!!  This is super easy to make and taste exactly the same (if not better!) without all the junk!

• 2  Tablespoons chili powder
  
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons cumin
  
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons paprika
  
• 1 Tablespoons onion powder
  
• 1 Tablespoons garlic powder
  
• 2 teaspoon oregano
  
• 1/2 teaspoon  red pepper flakes (I may have upped this a bit for more spiciness!!)
  

1. Just put everything in a container and shake to combine! To make taco meat, mix 3 T of the mixture with 1 lb of ground meat and salt to taste. Just brown the meat, add the seasonings and 1/4 cup of water, and simmer for 5 minutes.
   

Happy May!  So I haven't written a blog post in a while, its been a bit busy around here.  Well, I guess you can say I have been consumed by current events.  Everyone by now knows about the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  What a very sad and tragic event that is very close to my heart.  I am a runner and not only have I run the Boston Marathon before, but I know what its like to be down there - an atmosphere like no other. Amazing energy, inspiration and just love from the city.  It was one of the first years I haven't been down there in many, typically I would be standing in front of Marathon Sports.  Luckily, I wasn't down there this year and my friends whom I normally go with were safe.  I am a member of a running club - The Shamrock Running Club, based out of Woburn, MA. Every year, we rent a bus to bring all of the marathon runners into Hopkinton.  So my morning started off immediately logging onto the marathon site and setting up my "tracking" for all my friends.  I listened and kept glancing at the elite runners on the streaming video on the site.  What a beautiful morning it was.  Perfect weather, perfect conditions.  Trading texts with a friend down there at the marathon, giving some updates on who they have seen ect.  Now, leaving mile 17 - they head towards the finish line.  In a matter of about 20 min, I learned that tragedy struck at the finish line.  Not knowing where my friends were, everyone I was tracking came to a halt, and more then half of them were past the 40K check point (which is almost to the 25 mile mark).  My heart is in my throat and I am panicking.  Watching streaming video (which was very gruesome and heart wrenching before they went off air due to the graphic nature)  Trying to process what was going on, all I could do was text.  and wait.  Thankfully, my spectator friends were still on the T when the bombs went off.  We had runners who has just crossed the finish line, and runners who were VERY close and were stopped.  No one really knew what was happening, my friends were getting off the T with lots going on and a few frantic texts from me.  Luckily the texts went through so they knew a tid bit on what was happening.   This is a day I or anyone close to the situation will ever forget.  I am so thankful that my friends hadn't made it to the finish line.   The marathon will never be the same. Question is, will this make it a better and even stronger race?  Each year Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu, Sean Collier and the 280+ people who's lives are forever changed will be remembered. BOSTON STRONG.

Sorry for the sad post, but here is a yummy breakfast that will make your day happier!   I realize my last few posts were breakfast - so I will work on some lunch/dinner ideas next!