Broiled Tilapia with Summer Squash

Posted on August 10, 2013 by fmadmin

I am happy to do a guest post for Xi while she is on vacation with her family. I’ve known Xi for about a year now and she is such a sweetheart. I saw her recently when my husband and I made a trip out to Parkesdale. One day, I would love to go for a run with her!

 

 

Is there a food that you make often? Do you make it because it’s easy or because you enjoy it? You know how it is…. You have a busy day, you come home from work, and the last thing you want to do is spend an hour or more in the kitchen making dinner. 

One of my favorite foods to make for dinner is fish. I love tilapia and buy quite a bit of it and keep it frozen. Depending on the time of year, the filets may be big or small. When they are bigger, I actually cut them in half so there is enough for two servings. And there are so many options for cooking fish and so many sides that you can make with it. I am very fortunate to like many vegetables. The more the colorful they are, the more I like them!

Today, I’d like to share with you my very simple recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. And even better, it’s good for you!

 

Broiled Tilapia with Summer Squash
Author: Nanci Cernak from www.ThisCrazyLifeOfMine.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 tilapia filet
  • 1 medium size summer squash, sliced
  • Olive oil
  • Basil
  • Baby spinach
  • Tomato – quartered
  • Red onion – small slices
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Olive oil
  • Pinch of sugar
Instructions
  1. Place tilapia filet on a small foil tray and surround with slices of squash. Drizzle olive oil on both the fish and squash. Sprinkle with basil. Broil on low 12-15 minutes (or until squash just starts to brown).
  2. In a medium bowl, mix all salad ingredients and toss with red wine vinegar and olive oil. Add a pinch of sugar. I like my salad on the tart side, so I use quite a bit of red wine vinegar. Season with fresh ground pepper.

 

broiled tilapia

 

This is such a light meal, yet it is very filling. It’s the perfect meal if you are following a healthy lifestyle, like I am. I have lost 25 pounds on Weight Watchers. For those counting at home, this entire meal is 6 points.

 Broiled Tilapia

 Aren’t the colors on the plate wonderful? This meal was so delicious and easy to make!

What is your favorite weeknight meal to make? What is your favorite vegetable?

 

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Caladesi Island Ferry

Posted on August 7, 2013 by fmadmin

Recently, we ventured out to Caladesi Island.  After moving to Plant City from the other side of the coast, it has been my mission to visit as many different beaches during the summer months as I can.  Luckily, my two girls love the beach so there’s never any complaining when it’s time to pack.  You can access Caladesi Island on your own boat/kayak or you can ride the ferry inside Honeymoon Island Park.

caladessi1

waiting on the ferry to get home

 

When you board the ferry, the Captain will make a few safety announcements and he’ll tell you a story about Caladesi Island.  It is one of a few completely natural islands along the Gulf and it won Best American Beach in 2008.  My favorite part was this:

 

caladessi2

 

On our way to Caladessi

 

The water was amazingly blue-green.  There was a warning for manta rays, so the Captain told us about the “Manta Ray Shuffle“.  Thankfully, we did not see any while we were there.  Zoe was determined to find one…

caladessi4

 

The island has a 3 mile nature trail and while we didn’t venture into it, we did spot a gopher tortoise.  There’s also a snack bar and a gift shop.  The park has a really nice restroom facility with outside showers so you don’t have to wait to get back to Honeymoon Island Park to get cleaned up.  There are chair and umbrella rentals as well as other fun beach items (boogie boards, kayaks) for rent at the beach.  Check out the Caladesi Island Ferry website before heading out there to print out a $1 off coupon for your ticket.  The ferry charges $14 per adult and $7 per child.  The rates are round trip and you must save your ticket to get back on it!  The ferry leaves every day starting at 10 am weather permitting.

 

Have you ever been to Caladesi Island?

Where’s your favorite beach?

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Half Marathon Training – Disney Wine and Dine

Posted on August 3, 2013 by fmadmin

Half marathon training has started.  Disney Wine and Dine is my next half marathon race.  Yes, it has been a while since I’ve gone for a run.  To be exact, April 14th was the last time I ran before taking a 3-month break.  Why you may ask?  Too many reasons to list, but mostly, it’s just miserably hot in the summer in Florida.  And, yes, I could have run on the treadmill, but seriously, I can’t.  I admire runners who solely train on treadmills.  I, my friends, am not one of those runners.  So instead, I had a lot of fun with my Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl Netflix marathons.  Don’t judge. 😉

half marathon training

Right after completing Iron Girl in Clearwater, I immediately signed up for the Disney Wine and Dine half marathon in November.  You may ask, why would I sign up so early.  Last year I waited too long.  I was unsure about signing up for it.  First, this will be the most expensive race entry fee to date.  Second, I’ll have to book a hotel, because seriously, I won’t be able to drive back to Plant City that early in the morning.  Oh, did I tell you the race starts at 10:00 pm?  Yep, so that means, I won’t be finishing till about 12:30/1 am.  And thirdly, it is one of the fastest selling races.  Last year, I literally went to sleep thinking about the race when it was 75% sold out.  I woke up the next morning and it was completely sold out.  I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen again.  And thankfully, my husband fully supported my decision.  🙂

 half marathon training

So, here I am, starting to run again.  And guess what?  I’m more in love with running than ever.  My heart rate and my speed are not where they were four months ago, but that is to be expected after taking a break.  I’ve decided to follow the Lululemon SeaWheeze 10 week training plan with some modifications.  Basically, I’ll be running three times a week and if times allows, I’ll throw in a spin/yoga/cross training day for variety.  Or at least that’s the plan.

 

Have you run a Disney race yet?

Have you seen the SeaWheeze app?

Are you training for any race?

Are you a Netflix fan?

 

 

 

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