Curry Chicken Salad – Today’s alternative for my go-to Comfort Food

So, I’ve come to realize that my comfort food is Pizza. Thin Crust Pepperoni Pineapple to be exact. Frustrating day at work…. “I’ll order a pizza. I’ve earned it.” Stressed out about wedding planning… “I’ll order a pizza, I’ll finish _______ (fill in the blank for some wedding related thing) tomorrow.” Well, now that I have a little over 3 weeks before the wedding, I really NEED to ditch this pizza comfort food dependency I have. It should have happened sooner but if you were tracking my half marathon training, you know I have a serious procrastination problem.

I went to Publix this afternoon and decided I’d make some chicken salad for dinner. Healthier than pizza right? A step in the right direction.

Curry Chicken Salad Ingredients

• Rotisserie chicken (I’m still a little squeamish when it comes to raw chicken. I think I’ve touched raw chicken about 5 times, in my life.)
• Golden Delicious Apple (1/2 Cup - chopped)
• Grapes (1/2 Cup – halved)
• Celery (2 stalks)
• Curry Powder (1 tablespoon – I really like curry, I know it's a strong flavor so some may prefer less curry powder)
• Plain Greek Yogurt (6oz)
• Walnuts (handful)
• Salt/pepper (to taste)

Mix Greek Yogurt and Curry Powder together. Then add chicken, apples, grapes, and celery and mix well.  Add walnuts some salt and pepper and voila! Pretty delicious if I do say so myself.

Wedding Planning Sneak Peak

Wow, I don’t know what happened… but the time has FLOWN by! Its only about a month before the wedding! A little bit nervous, a lot a bit excited!!! I may have underestimated the difficulty of planning a wedding in New York while living in Florida.  

We decided to do a lot of DIY things for the wedding, which I am loving! Jordan is working on a special project that I know all the guests will LOVE and I have tasked my bridesmaids with a few (don’t know what I would do without them) pinterest/etsy inspired ideas.

Here is a little sneak peak to one of my wedding DIY projects. Salt Scrub Favors!

Once I actually dedicated a day to making all the salt scrubs, and got a system down, it went pretty smoothly. Here is what I used:

• 8oz Mason Jars (I used Kerr and not Ball because Kerr had a smooth spot on the jar for me to stick on a label)
• Motrin Sea Salt
• Sunflower Oil
• Scented Essential Oil
• Martha Stewart Printable Labels (they were on sale at Michaels)
•  Decorative ribbon

I researched pinterest for some good instructions but they all varied a little, so I decided to do my own thing. I didn’t measure anything out, I just used marks on the jars to judge how much I salt/oil I was using.

First, add salt. Duh. I made about 150 so I decided to only fill the jars about half way. If you’re just making a few for gifts (or yourself!), I suggest adding more salt.

I added the essential oils in before I added the sunflower oil. Some were more potent than other so I experimented with how many drops of each scent was needed in order to notice the smell. It really depends on what type/scent of essential oil you are using. In this particular line up, I'm using an Orange scented oil. After the essential oil, add some sunflower oil and mix with a fork. I kept pouring until it just covered the top of the salt. Now this part is all personal preference. If you want a dryer scrub, add less oil… visa versa. Here is what most of mine ended up looking like. It did take a few tries to get the consistency I wanted.

Then cover, add sticker, add ribbon and voila! Perfect gift.

It is pretty simple, hopefully you'll try this recipe out soon! I promise my next post doesn’t take as long to put up as this one did :) 

Now, back to the wedding planning!

Remembering SA William Flores

The universe often has a funny way of working; the way a certain smells or a song can remind you of a specific instance, how a friend can call at a random time, but it was the time you needed them to call most. How sometimes you don’t know where your life is headed or what your calling is, but you look back and realize you were on the perfect path the whole time. How sometimes someone’s life can be so short lived, but they’re actions impact thousands of others once they’ve gone.

During the Summer of 2008 I was a Swab at the United States Coast Guard Academy (the Academy’s version of Boot Camp).  During Swab Summer, at the end of the day, everyone gets time to reflect and write in their journal. Sometimes the Cadre (the Cadets in charge) read a motivational story. One of the stories stuck with me, one of courage, heroism, and self sacrifice. As a Swab I didn’t remember many of the details; names, place, etc. I do remember there was a young boy, fresh out of boot camp that sacrificed his life to save his shipmates. I remember sitting against the bulkhead (Coast Guard word for “wall”) half listening to the story half writing in my journal thinking, “I hope one day I will be someone’s hero, change someone’s life”. Then I went to bed, woke up, and probably got yelled at for something, and stashed the story of the young boy far back in my mind somewhere.

5 years later I’m finishing up my tour on the USCGC MORGENTHAU and getting ready to report to USCGC WILLIAM FLORES, the third Fast Response Cutter. All the FRCs being added to the Coast Guard Fleet are named after Coast Guard Enlisted Heroes. As I get ready to report in, I look up SA William Flores interested to learn why we have honored him. I being reading a very familiar story, one I feel like I have read before, and then it all comes back to me. That night writing in my journal, listening to my Cadre read the very story of SA Flores, the cutter I am now assigned to. 

It is interesting how a story 5 years ago came back into my life in a completely unplanned way. I am honored to be serving on a Cutter recognizing SA Flores. 

Flores was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal. The Coast Guard Medal is the highest non-combat bravery award of the United States Coast Guard.

Seaman Apprentice FLORES is cited for heroism on the evening of 28 January 1980 while serving onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BLACKTHORN. Immediately after the collision between SS CAPRICORN and USCGC BLACKTHORN near the entrance to Tampa Bay, Florida, BLACKTHORN rolled to port and capsized before the ship's personnel could prepare for an orderly abandon ship. Exhibiting composure beyond his shipboard experience, Seaman Apprentice FLORES joined another BLACKTHORN crewmember in making their way to the starboard lifejacket locker and commenced throwing lifejackets over the side to fellow crewmembers in the water. Later, as the BLACKTHORN began to submerge and his companion abandoned ship, Seaman Apprentice FLORES remained behind to strap the lifejacket locker door open with his own belt thereby contributing to the survival of struggling shipmates who retrieved lifejackets as they floated to the surface. Even after most of the crewmembers abandoned ship, Seaman Apprentice FLORES, with complete disregard for his own safety, remained on the inverted hull to assist trapped shipmates and provide aid and comfort to injured and disoriented shipmates. His exceptional fortitude, remarkable initiative and courage throughout this tragic incident were instrumental in saving many lives and resulted in the sacrifice of his own life. Seaman Apprentice FLORES' courage, selflessness and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.

Marin? No, I’ve never heard of it.

Happy Tuesday! No, wait… It’s Wednesday. My week (I know it’s only half way through the week) has been insane thus far. We have been preparing for our Ready For Sea (RFO) inspection for a while now and today was the kickoff. So far we are ahead. It’s halftime. Tomorrow begins the second half and hopefully we’ll come out with a W. The refs are tough…. There is always that one you never quite agree with!

Today I got home, turned on the TV, checked Facebook and came across this great article; “Love Letters: Marin County”. It was originally posted on the Travel section of Huffington Post.

I love it. In the Coast Guard, so often people ask you where you are from. Its an easy conversation starter. If you’re new to a unit that is usually one of the first 5 questions you are asked. Then the answer usually, “Well I’m from… but I was last stationed in ….” Often I just say San Francisco, (I mean who doesn’t know where San Fran is…) then you come across someone who was stationed nearby and so I try and go more in depth. About 50% of the time people know what I’m talking about. People know San Francisco, people know Wine Country, but about half the time people have no idea about this Paradise in between.

So after a long day, this put a smile on my face. It reminded me of where I grew up, all the adventures I had as a child, and how incredibly lucky I am.

Dear Marin,

Each day for the past 8,487 days I have fallen in love with you all over again.

I love you for being so damn authentic. True, you have your flaws -- some roll their eyes at your plethora of yoginis and scold your affluence as excessive -- but you never try to be someone you're not (unlike that Southern California city).

To me, you are the perfect love child of an outdoorsy philanthropist and a progressive hippy -- a lovely contradiction. A land built on the dreams of true hippies who (partially) retired their peace signs and swapped Berkeley for Fairfax and hot tubs for BMWs. A cultural mecca where Tupac grew up and The Grateful Dead lives on. Where San Quentin and Skywalker Ranch both share roots. Where the fog meets the Purple Haze.

I love that "compost" was part of my kindergarten vocabulary. I love that the teenager blasting Mac Dre in his car waves at the senior citizen from the Redwoods protesting the war on the street corner. I love that In-N-Out's lack of drive thru means you'll likely run into your old volleyball coach or your middle school crush. I love that 101 is your main artery, where Priuses outnumber SUVs and it's nearly impossible to drive without spotting a "Keep Tahoe Blue" or "Free Tibet" bumper sticker.

Sometimes I get nostalgic for the old days -- when going to the Village meant a slice at Sbarro's with friends and Mill Valley's Sake's Alive was the go-to source for cheap party favors. But a core part of your admirable character lies in your ability to adapt. You evolve as the world does, incorporating change without sacrificing too much of your genuine identity. Your steadfast loyalty to the Peso and the Deuce amidst the burgeoning likes of Blue Barn and Beerworks attest to this admirable attribute.

You offer so much and ask for very little in return. You nurture me, providing me with so many opportunities to explore your vast geography. In one day, I can bodysurf the modest waves of Stinson Beach, hike beneath the lofty canopies of Redwoods, bike past the iconic Sausalito houseboats, picnic in the Headlands' barracks that Jack Kerouac once called home, and kayak beside Great Whites on Tomales Bay.

Being in love with you might have made me overweight, Marin, if you weren't so damn health conscious. Only you could overwhelm the foodies of San Francisco with so many options. From the lime green facade on 3rd Street that signifies a slice of Puerto Rican flavor to the familiar faces behind the magic of Stefano's -- and all the organic goodness in between.

Regardless of the season, you appeal to me. I love you in summer, when you greet me with brunch at Parkside and leave me with Headlands' sunsets. I love you in fall, when Blue Angels decorate the sky and the lingering heat is abated by an afternoon dip at Three Wells. I love you in spring, when Samuel P. Taylor comes alive and you seduce me with Lavender Honey Vanilla ice cream. I even love you in winter, when rain glitters on Phoenix Lake and Ghiradelli hot chocolate is just a bridge away.

Above all, I love that your iconic symbol is a mountain. To the sleeping lady who protects us all with her comforting presence, Mt. Tam, I owe you my heart. Your endless hiking trails crisscross the mountain in a poetic maze of natural wonderment. Under a cloudless canopy, you rise like a celestial beacon, tit for tat with your eastern rival, Mt. Diablo -- two sentinels beside the Bay.

I remember the time it snowed on your peak my junior year of high school, meager but majestic flakes. We clambered into our cars and raced to the top, blasting "Electric Feel" with that unique Marin smell wafting through the open sunroof.

Throughout all, I love that you remain you -- one of the most forward thinking and naturally beautiful places I've had the privilege of knowing. Your authenticity never ceases to amaze me.

Marin, if I could, I would keep you for myself -- blot out Bolinas from the map, barricade the Dipsea steps, smother any whispers of the Lava House, and stop telling hopelessly lost tourists on Blazing Saddles bikes where "the tall trees" are.

But, alas, I am far from being the only one that loves you. And damn, if that doesn't make me love you even more.

Peace and love,

Karin

Karin Swanson is a UCLA alum and the current Ignite Good Fellow for the Huffington Post. She was born and raised in downtown Mill Valley where she treated Mt. Tam as her personal backyard playground. She now lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where she wears her Joe's Taco's tee-shirt to bed and dreams of garlic plantains.

To read more Love Letters visit The Huffinton Post link here.

I hope you enjoyed this read as much as I did! Here are a couple photos from my Dad's Marin archive. Much Love.