Orange-Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Tabbouleh with Snap Pea Sauté

Anna Blankenheim Cooking, Recipes , , , , ,

Now that my marathon has passed, I’ve been trying to be a little more mindful about what I’m eating. I’m still starving, but am trying to be careful to eat a little more balanced. I subscribe to Cooking Light magazine and while I don’t always love their recipes, I sometimes find a gem. This was definitely one of those… it was flavorful and Mike loved it! I’m not a huge fan of the tabbouleh… the consistency was a little chewy for my taste, but I might play around with different recipes using bulgur to see if that’s just how it is or it was just how it was prepared here.

Orange-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Orange-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients

1/3 cup orange marmalade

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 tablespoon peanut oil

1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin

1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup  dried cranberries

1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder (I substituted cinnamon and ground ginger)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup bulgur

2 tablespoons minced green onions

2 cups sugar snap peas

2 cups snow peas

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add pork; cook 6 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Brush pork with half of marmalade mixture. Place pan in oven; bake at 350° for 18 minutes or until a thermometer registers 145°, turning and basting with remaining marmalade after 10 minutes. Place pork on a cutting board; reserve sauce in pan. Let pork rest 5 minutes; cut into 12 slices.

While pork cooks, bring broth and next 3 ingredients (through salt) to a boil in a saucepan; stir in bulgur. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in green onions.

Place 3 pork slices on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 2 tablespoons reserved sauce. Serve each with 3/4 cup bulgur mixture.

Snap Pea Sauté:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil; swirl to coat. Add 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger to the pan; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add 2 cups trimmed sugar snap peas and 2 cups tripped snow peas. Add 1 tablespoon rice vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce to pan; cook 30 seconds.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Anna Blankenheim Movies , , , , , ,

A couple weekends ago Mike and I actually went out to the movies (gasp!) which we haven’t done in a really long time. We went to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Director: Francis Lawrence

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth

Runtime: 2 hours 26 minutes

Plot Summary: (from IMDb) A year after winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and her partner, Peeta Mellark must go on what is known as the Victor’s Tour wherein they visit all the districts. But before leaving, Katniss is visited by President Snow who fears that Katniss defied him a year ago during the games when she chose to die with Peta. With both Katniss and Peeta declared the winners, it is fueling a possible uprising. He tells Katniss that while on tour she better try to make sure that she puts out the flames or else everyone she cares about will be in danger. But unfortunately she fails to do that. So Snow decides to enact what is known as the Quarter Quell, the right to make a change to the Hunger Games, which he is allowed to do every 25 years. He decides to hold an edition of the Hunger Games wherein previous winners will compete again. Their mentor Haymitch thinks their best chance to survive is form an alliance with some of the others. They decide to align themselves with Finnick and his partner, Mags. But Snow is secretly hoping Katniss will be killed.

Rating: See it in the theater!!!

This movie was absolutely awesome – I loved it. I am always a little skeptical of sequel movies because often times they don’t live up to the original, but this one definitely was as good, if not better, than the first Hunger Games. It also doesn’t feel as long as it is (2 1/2 hours!). I can’t help but hate the Peeta character, played by Josh Hutcherson. I don’t think it’s the acting, because I hated him in the book too. I just got tired of him being hurt and needing rescue. I also loved Jena Malone as Johanna Mason – she was really bad ass! Go see this one!

Ratings Explanation:

  • Theater: This means the movie is awesome. Go see this movie in the theater – well worth the $100 you’ll spend for a night out to see it on the big screen!
  • On Demand: Since no one actually rents movies anymore, this category has changed to On Demand. This means it’s a great movie, but it is as good at home as it is in the theater and worth seeing a little sooner.
  • TV: This means the movie is ok. Wait for it to show up on HBO and see it for free.
  • Skip It: Movie sucks, don’t waste your time.

Love It: Boogie Wipes

Anna Blankenheim Product Reviews

Normally snot is not something that I would talk about on my blog. But let’s be real, we all deal with it. And let’s also be real about the fact that I am a self-professed oversharer (remember this post about losing my toenails?).

Boogie Wipes are just about the best thing ever to happen to my nose. I’ve had a cold off and on over the last month or so and by chance grabbed one of Chloe’s Boogie Wipes because there was nothing else around. My best friend had recommended this a long time ago. Seriously, if you have any nose blowing to do, these things are amazing. They’re gentle and keep you from actually getting too raw.

You can use them as is from the package (they make a great big package as well as purse/diaper bag versions) which is cooling or you can warm them up. With cold and flu season upon us, I highly recommend these lifesavers!

 

Thoughts On Marathon #2

Anna Blankenheim Exercise, Family , , , , , , , , ,

Just like that, marathon #2 is done! This is the marathon that I knew I could do… my final time was 4:42:37, which is over an hour faster than I ran San Diego. While I wouldn’t trade the accomplishment/experience of getting through San Diego (long story short, I had severe “tummy troubles”), this was an entirely different experience. I actually got to enjoy (well, as much as one can enjoy running for 26.2 miles) the course, the people, the music, and the overall experience. It was 22ish degrees at the start and a balmy 40ish degrees at the finish, which besides a little discomfort at the beginning (running with frozen toes anyone?) was actually nice weather to run in. I’ll take cold over hot any day!

I Did It!
Me At The Finish Line

The Signs: There were the traditional funny running signs (“Worst Parade Ever” and “Who Needs Toenails Anyway?”) and some new ones I hadn’t seen before (at mile 2: “You’re not almost there!”). One that really touched me read “Someday you won’t be able to do this. Today is not that day”. I don’t know why, but that was really inspiring to me, because it’s so freaking true. Unless you’re that 80 year old guy who passed me at mile 25. Apparently then you can do it for the rest of your life.

The Spectators: My mom was amazing… she was absolutely everywhere! It was so great to see a friendly face among the supporters. I think she ended up making it to four different spots on the course and screamed her lungs out! Kati, Nate, Mike, and Chloe all joined her at the end… it was much-needed support to get me across the line! Kati even made me laugh, which at that point in the race is really hard to do! Poor Dad was home sick, but was proudly posting to Facebook! I can’t believe how many people were out there in the cold cheering all of us runners on. I began to actually think “They must be freezing… at least I get to run to stay warm!”.

The Aftermath: I am seriously considering writing Dr. Seuss to come up with some new running inspired books, such as Oh The Places You’ll Chafe and One Gu, Two Gu, Chocolate Gu, Vanilla Gu. I went home and took a long, hot bath in our jet tub… it was the most amazing thing ever. This time around I am not nearly as in pain as I was with the first one. I am definitely sore and stiff today, but I think that by tomorrow I’ll be the “hurts so good” sore. And, I’m starting to get hungry. I wasn’t really yesterday, and I know that by tomorrow I’ll want to eat everything in sight. Hooray for running!

I am really proud of myself for doing this one. Honestly, this could not have been a better marathon experience. I felt like from the start of training all the way through the day-after pains I was able to actually enjoy the experience. My training runs were beautiful and I took time on the course yesterday to reflect on the whole process. There’s just something about setting your mind to something and actually doing it. Something that you have to push your body to do. More so than your body, your mind.

I think this might have been my last one, but I’ve learned to never say never! 🙂

Saturdays With Shadow: Snow Edition

Anna Blankenheim Critters, Photography , , ,

Overnight we got about seven inches of snow (hello, did I mention I’m running a marathon tomorrow?!).

Even though he’s seen and hiked in snow before, I still love seeing the excitement Shadow gets from getting to frolic in it. I’m not gonna lie, I still get really excited about it too (as my friend Jamie says, we’re flatlander transplants and still don’t see it as work!).

First off, I make him pose with me. Both him and Mike love it when I do this.

Say Cheese!
Say Cheese!

It’s not a good time in the snow if you don’t eat some:

Eating Snow
Eating Snow

After that, I got serious and tried to get some good pictures… Shadow is so hard to photograph because of how dark he is… but I got some good ones!

Handsome Boy
Handsome Boy

Check out Facebook for some more! 🙂

 

Favorite Song Friday – “12 Days of Christmas”

Anna Blankenheim Music , ,

Well, it’s officially December, which means I can officially listen to Christmas music! It wouldn’t be Christmas without a little Straight No Chaser “12 Days Of Christmas”. I know, not traditional, but this song never fails to make me laugh and get me into the Christmas spirit. Happy Friday!

In Memoriam: Nelson Mandela

Anna Blankenheim Death ,

Today the world lost a wonderful man. Today the world lost Nelson Mandela. In college I took a South African Literature class and learned a lot about South Africa and apartheid. Not only was he a man who showed extreme courage and stood up for what he believed was right, he also had a remarkable lack of anger over the injustice done to him (hello, 27 years of incarceration?!). He was a man who actually practiced what he preached.

More than anything, to me, Nelson Mandela embodied peace. And he’s credited with some amazingly inspiring quotes:

  • “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – seriously, this is how I feel about my marathon!
  • “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
  • “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
  • “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
  • “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
  • “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

What is amazing is how the South African people are reacting. While, as expected, there are tears, the South African people celebrating Mandela’s life by singing, dancing, and sharing his message of love and peace. I truly hope his legacy continues and that his message of peace and love continues to get propagated around the world. While the world lost a wonderful man today, God gained a very special soul. Rest in peace, Nelson Mandela.

He REALLY Loves Me!

Anna Blankenheim Critters ,

The “he” that I refer to is my husband.

How much is “REALLY”?

Well, he’s about to fulfill one of my biggest, most long running dream.

If you’ve known me for any amount of time, you’ll know that I love animals. Almost all of them (I’m sure there’s some reason to love the skunk and the snake, but I haven’t found it yet). I spent a great deal of my childhood wanting to be a veterinarian and have had pets galore. There has always been one that was at the top of both the proverbial and literal (ie. birthday/Christmas) lists. One that I’ve wanted more than anything, but have never had.

That’s right, a horse.

He’s buying me a horse. An honest to God, breathing, living, 1000+ pound horse.

I am so excited that I think my head might explode. More to come friends… stay tuned for a ton of obnoxious horse-related posts. 🙂

40!!!

Anna Blankenheim Family, Holidays ,

Last night I threw Mike a 40th birthday party. It was supposed to be a poker party, but we did not end up playing a single hand of poker. What we did do was eat a ton of food, drink a lot of booze, and just have an overall really fun time.

The Birthday Boy
The Birthday Boy

The singing of “Happy Birthday” and blowing out of candles was preceded by a shot. I asked someone to take pictures as I had what seemed like a brilliant idea…

Cake Face!
Cake Face!

Needless to say, the favor was returned:

True Love
True Love

The party was seriously a good time… it was great to have so many people come out and celebrate Mike!

The Gang
The Gang