I loved this perfect protein salad from PCC, and want to share the recipe with you. It is delicious, healthy, and easy to make ahead and take with you. It's also great for vegetarians because it is full of protein!

Makes 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup spelt berries
• 3 cups water
• 2 (14-ounce) cans garbanzo beans
• 1 English cucumber - peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
• 3 ribs celery, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1/4 red onion, diced
• 1/2 bunch green onions, diagonally sliced
• 1/3 bunch parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions
1. Boil spelt berries in water until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain and cool.
2. In a salad, bowl mix together cooked spelt, garbanzo beans, diced cucumbers, green peppers, celery, carrots, red onions, green onions and chopped parsley.
3. Mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, dill, salt, basil and garlic; pour over salad, mixing well.

https://www.pccmarkets.com/recipe/pcc-perfect-protein-salad/

Are you a biker looking for a way to track your distance for the #septemberchallenge?
The Love to Ride app will track your miles, help you set goals, and keep you motivated with challenges and prizes.

I love biking and anything that promotes more people getting out there to ride. Find out more and sign up today:
https://www.lovetoride.net/usa?locale=en-US

A marathon. It can sound so impossible, so daunting. If September's fitness challenge has got you feeling intimidated, or if you are hesitating to give it a shot, think about this: 1 mile a day. 1 mile a day will get you beyond the 26.2 mile mark in one month.

Like anything in life, commitment and consistency will get you further than you ever thought possible. Bike to work or to the grocery store instead of driving. Walk your dog. Hop on a rower. Take your phone with you and turn on an app that tracks your fitness. Do whatever strikes your fancy, just commit to doing something every day this month. It might feel hard or unnatural at first, but you will build momentum. You may even find yourself looking forward to tomorrow's mile, or opting for the stairs over the elevator more often.

Another tip: friends make it fun! We are social beings. Take the challenge on with one or more friends. Not only will you be moving toward your marathon goal, you will be thankful for the planned social time with your friends, which is sure to make the activities you share more enjoyable. Strengthen your relationships, strengthen your body!

Comment below or post your progress and your ideas for reaching your marathon goal! @septemberfitnesschallenge

Today I got on the rower and logged just over 1 mile. It didn't even take 10 minutes and it felt great! It never ceases to amaze me how even a short period of physical activity can elevate my mood. I might do it again tomorrow, or I might switch over to a bike ride or run. 

Post your progress and thoughts about the Marathon Challenge @septemberfitnesschallenge
Get out there and have fun!

Overnight paddle to an island I've never visited on the Puget Sound- Check! My girl friend told me about a trip to Blake Island that she did last year with her paddle group. I told her I was up for the next one, and this was it. August 20-21. You have to make camping reservations for the site in February and plan around the weather and tides. There are some first come first serve sites, but we wanted to make sure we got an awesome spot. And we did!

Four of us loaded up stand up paddle boards with food, drinks, and all our camping gear for two days and one night of beach camping.  I felt like a bad ass to be able to paddle in and explore a place blessed with amazing hikes and natural beauty. It's only accessible by boat or other water craft. We met up with 3 other women and 2 kids who came on their pontoon boat. They joined us next door with their dog (who kept the raccoons away).

It was a bit scary to share the water with ferries, boats and water taxis for fear of falling over in their wake. But we just took it one stroke at a time, knowing that we could always sit down if we needed to regain our balance or take a break. It was great practice to feel and acknowledge the fear that came up, and keep going anyway. It was a salve for my soul after some very difficult months (I talk about this on a recent podcast episode) to be present in nature and surrender to its rhythm and beauty.

We saw amazing wildlife in its own habitat.... we saw eagles, beautiful porpoises, raccoons, and  an array of colored jellyfish. We enjoyed some breath taking views. The only unexpected thing was the smoke from all the fires around Canada and Northern Washington but it didn't keep us from going. We ferried over to Southworth and paddled northeast from there. Next time we are starting from Lowman to take the ferry ride out all together. Because there is definitely going to be a next time!