Three-Bean Pasta Salad
Posted by Troy | Filed under Last Night's Dinner
Okay, so this three bean salad only has two beans. But it is really good and we’re eating it all the time this summer, so who really cares.
You can make this salad ahead of time and then toss with the dressing just before serving. Keep chilled until you’re ready to eat.
For a lower-calorie option, we cut out the salami.
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Tags: Food, original photo, salad
Chimney Rock and the Value of Risk
Posted by Troy | Filed under Parenting, Travel
We recently visited Chimney Rock State Park, just south of Ashville, NC.
It’s a really great destination for families since they’ve added steps, boardwalks and railings to make the hiking accessible to anyone.
We kept calling Exclamation Point “Explanation Point,” which doesn’t sound nearly so awe-inspiring… but it’s worth the extra 1,000 steps or so past Devil’s Head (above)… and the hike back to ground level is really cool, with rock outcroppings and alternate views of the Chimney Rock.
A few of us still had the energy to hike the mile or so out to the 400-ft. Hickory Nut Falls… we weren’t allowed nearly as close as we’d hoped, but maybe next trip there will be fewer park rangers around…
Actually, situations like that are kind of adjusting my parenting.
Those times when I know I would jump the barrier… but don’t want my kids to.
Tags: fear, kids, original photo, Parenting, Travel
Grilled Pizza
Posted by Troy | Filed under Last Night's Dinner
These grilled pizzas are awesome. We had a couple of pepperoni and one Greek and it was so sad to see them disappear…
Since they are a little smaller, it’s fun to make two or three different pizzas too. I included a few of our favorites for inspiration, but the fun is to get creative, make it your own, be adventurous and try new things
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Tags: Food, original photo, pizza
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Posted by Troy | Filed under Last Night's Dinner
The red cabbage slaw totally made these. Although the chipotle sauce also totally made them.
The grilled shrimp totally made them.
No. The slaw.
But honestly as awesome as these grilled shrimp tacos are, I think what I created with the leftovers may have been even better.
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Tags: Food, Grilling, Latin, original photo, Seafood
Cheaper than Therapy
Posted by Troy | Filed under Travel
It had been probably fifteen years since I’d done any kind of guy-trip.
Last summer my friend Robbie and I met up with our buddy T.C. (who happens to be a pretty amazing editorial photographer) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for a camping trip and immediately agreed that these things must happen more regularly.
So as soon as the snow melted we had plans for a new trip.
Tags: adventure, Michigan, original photo, Travel
Morel and Wild Leek Fritatta
Posted by Troy | Filed under Last Night's Dinner
This is one of the most amazing breakfasts I’ve ever had.
Probably because we (basically) foraged all the ingredients ourselves. (Maybe next time we’ll make our own feta).
After 3 years of searching for morels around our Northern Michigan home, I finally decided to ask for help.
So our whole family went out last weekend and searched.
After about an hour we were about to give up when my sister spotted them.
Then we saw a few more.
We were hooked.
Tags: breakfast, morel, original photo, recipe
Self Project Week 1
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
A few weeks ago was the 10th anniversary of my first cancer diagnosis.
I’m not sure that is something to celebrate, but it is something.
I guess if there is something to celebrate, it’s that I’m happy to be alive. Not only that, but 10 years of cancer (along with a variety of other trials) has shaped me into the person I am now.
I wasn’t sure I’d make it to my 30′s, but I never knew I’d be who I am now.
In a way, I owe a lot to my malady.
It is without question one of the strongest odors in the history of my life so far. My reactions to it have varied upon the condition, but the putrid stench has always made me feel that much more grateful for every breath of peace and health.
In recognition of the past decade and its effects, (as well as the introspective nature for which my writing is known) I’m starting a new project based on this portrait.
Each week I’ll release a new version of a photo-illustration of this same image each demonstrating something different about myself or the world as I experience it.
So today it’s just me. A little stubblier than usual but happy to be alive.
*Photo by my super-amazing 8-yr-old daughter
Tags: art project, Cancer, original photo, self
Goat Cheese Primavera
Posted by Troy | Filed under Last Night's Dinner
If this did not have goat cheese it would be pretty good.
It does have goat cheese though.
So it is super-fantastic.
Plus it made me feel good about myself because I was eating piles of veggies.
even peas (and broccoli and asparagus and tomatoes)
Some men think they don’t like vegetables… but they probably have just never had them with shrimp and goat cheese.
Check out the recipe on my wife’s site.
Tags: Food, original photo, pasta
Six Benefits of LEGO Play for Children with Autism
Posted by Troy | Filed under Autism, Kids, Parenting
When my kids were finally old enough for LEGOs, I was glad.
Pretty much everything about LEGO is awesome.
What was interesting (though not totally surprising) was how beneficial LEGO play seemed to be for my 6-year-old who has autism.
Interestingly enough, some serious studies are now being done to develop LEGO-based therapy for children with autism.
It makes a lot of sense:
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Tags: Autism, kids, lego, original photo
Best Christmas Ever!
Posted by Troy | Filed under Kids
Laid off.
Struggling with life’s purpose and direction.
Possibly sick and dying.
But he doesn’t know any of that.
“This is the best Christmas ever!” he announces as we decorate the (overpriced) tree.
and I realize he’s right.
Of course.
It is the best Christmas ever.
Five minutes later, while brandishing a dreidel like a dagger he exclaims,
“Prepare to be dead!”
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Tags: christmas, kids, original photo
