I read a great article about taco's in Canadian Living and decided to create my own with the help of a few very talented people. Ive had the privileged of working at Cumbrae's Butcher Shop for the last 8 years or so. My lovely manager has allowed me to work the occasional shift around my day job and I feel very fortunate. I refuse to cook anything other than locally raised hormone and antibiotic free meat. The taste is like no other. I cant compromise my meat, it has to be Cumbraes. The staff also happens to be super cool. I really consider them family.
          With the help of a few talented co-workers, I decided on slices of pork butt steak pounded down and vaccum sealed in a marinade of apple cidre, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and brown sugar. It was simmered in a covered pot on the stove for about an hour and a half. I made a shell-less taco salad with diced avocado, fresh ontario tomatoes, cilantro, and Cumbrae's Seasonal slaw. A squeeze of a lime provided the final touch. This was honestly the best meal I have ever cooked. The warm pork melted the avocado and the coleslaw provided a healthy crunch, the cilantro brightened the dish. I was in food-coma heaven. If you can't get to Cumbreas to pick up the coleslaw, I will include the ingredients, but cannot provide exact quantities. So play around. You can still get the flavour of tacos without the "badness". Try a white fish if you don't eat pork!

Cumbraes Seasonal Slaw
Green, purple, and white cabbage
Red onions
Pepitas or pumpkin seeds
Dried currants
Apple cider vinegar
Olive oil
White vinegar
Agave or brown sugar to taste

In other fitness news, my competition is coming up full speed ahead. I really don't feel as good as I did last week. A bout of pnemonia in february left me on antibiotics which has caused serious GI issues since I've been on the antibiotics. I disregarded it for a while, but GI bleeding has left me feeling in rough shape and I am not leaning out as I should. These things are always a process and a long battle and Im hoping things pull together quickly with some rest and destressing. My concern is that there is some evidence that antibiotics can lead to celiac disease. I of course had kefir and greek yogurt while and after the pills, to no avail. Ive  been training my butt off and havent lost any weight :(

In my client news, one of my amazing clients decided to attack a fear head-on and do a stand up comedy show. I cannot say how proud I am of her. She blew me away and had me laughing so hard. Despite her fear, I am pretty sure she is a perfectionist at heart because it was evident she practiced and rehearsed to the best of her ability. Despite being sick. I won't name names, because I haven't gotten permission, but way to go girl :) Hugs and love :)

Special thanks to John Koplimae, Jean McCafferty, Marcus Morales, and Wes. And Jerry Meneses. Love yous.
http://www.cumbraes.com/