Bikes, Tiffs, and Blueberry Scones

I've been anticipating getting bikes for months now. While Jt was home in SC, he shipped out his sister's mountain bike and managed to find its twin on Craigslist yesterday. So we found some cheap helmets at Target (my Wonderland) along with some nifty little bags for holding my precious iPhone and keys. Of course, he was thrilled and terribly focused on setting up our bikes and going for a ride while I was secretly thrilled more about my dinner recipes and anxious to try them out.

My husband loves me. I love my husband. He isn't perfect. Neither am I. This leads to occasional friction. When you put a Southern man (MAN being the key difference here) with his own way of doing things, and a California/North Carolina girl (GIRL being the key difference here too) who doesn't even know who the heck she is but knows that sometimes she wants to do the leading and not the following on a bike ride, the settings are just right for a "tiff" (what we call our disagreements - doesn't it sound so gentle?).

Our 4 1/2 mile ride was great. The wind on my face, the power of my legs pedaling as fast as I wanted to go, my husband calling to me from behind to watch out for cars, feeling the abrupt stop of my very functioning brakes, my heart racing, my lips pursing, my husband's lecture on bike safety. It was a great ride. We both half enjoyed our bikes and each other's company - wanting to relish in the moment and, at the same time, each of us was probably vowing to go alone next time.

I don't blame him for being upset with me. I can be a brat. I don't blame myself for being upset with him. I wanted a bike so I could taste freedom - not boundaries. Isn't that how a life in Christ is though? HE gives us boundaries because therein we find freedom! So, no, I don't want to hear my husband lecture me on bike safety, but if I actually follow "the rules," I'll find riding my bike on busy city streets and crowded boardwalks to be much more fun and freeing.

Remember those recipes I was so looking forward to? They required my husband and his grill skills, but I shot myself in the foot while engaging my GrillMaster in a tiff. We came home in a huff, and assuming I'd have to figure out this Grill-thing on my own now, I walked out the back door and turned on the grill. When I came back in the house, Justin, still made at me mind you, sweetly says, "You don't have to do that, Darlin'. I'll grill for you, but I'm not eating anything." Okay, so you are mad at me and refusing to eat what I'm making, but you are still going to cook for me?? If that doesn't throw you off, I don't know what would. It's like he was making a statement and killing me with kindness. Argh. And of course, I don't want to tell him how he has just humbled me by offering to serve me in spite of my silent pouting. My pride won't let me apologize. Naturally, by the time our dinner was ready (at 10pm!), so was his appetite...and our tiff had dissipated. I think it's because my recipes were SO GOOD!

So here you go:

1. Island Soyaki Chicken

Seriously, it doesn't get any easier than this. Go to Trader Joe's and buy this marinade. (I needed to finish the last of this bottle so I only used it for my chicken.) Put your chicken in a baggie with this marinade and grill a bit later. Great stuff!

2. Grilled Teriyaki Tofu

On a few occasions, I have tried Teriyaki or Smoked Tofu. It's great in salads or stir fry, but it can cost $3.99 plus and I wanted a cheaper solution. So I bought Firm plain old tofu, marinated it in a Teriyaki Soyaki marinade from Trader Joe's for a few hours, and grilled it. Turned out great and it only cost me $1.69!! I recommend using Extra-Firm.

3. Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette


I bought all my produce at Henry's for CHEAP!

5 Ears Corn, husk removed, brush with olive oil and grilled, remove corn with sharp knife (49 cents each)
2 Avocado’s, diced and sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning (2 for $3)
2 C. Tomatoes, red and yellow cherry variety or equivalent (49 cents/lb.)
1 Small red onion, finely diced (49 cents)
¾ C. Feta, crumbled ($2)
1 ½ C. English cucumber, skin on and chopped small dice (89 cents)
Add to a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

Cilantro Vinaigrette

6 T. Olive oil
2 T. Sherry vinegar
1 t. Garlic powder (I used 1 fresh clove)
2 T. Fresh cilantro, minced ($1/bunch)
½ t. Salt
10 Grinds of fresh ground pepper
Add all of the above ingredients in a small glass jar with a lid. Shake really well. Taste and adjust seasoning as you desire.

When ready to serve salad, add the dressing and gently toss.

4. Blueberry Scones with Homemade Whip Cream


(99 cents for 1 pack of blueberries)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/simple-scones/detail.aspx


For whip cream, use heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract (no imitation), and a little powdered sugar. Mix on High for a few minutes and you are done!