Hey everyone! How was your day? I was finally able to breathe and catch up at work – which was so nice. I also managed to make it out for a quick 20 minute walk and got a preview of what was to come during my run this evening…humidity levels gone wild!

As my local weather forecaster stated, there is a “juicy air mass” hanging over our area which made for a very sweaty run – but a good one. I ran ~3.45 miles in 30 minutes. There were a couple of small hills on the trail so I tried out the running tips from this morning – they really worked! I imagined a rope tied around my chest and hips being pulled forward, which made my form a lot better, and getting up those hills A LOT easier! Give them a try!

Aight…we’re continuing the Summer Inspired Dinner Series tonight with the King of the Grill: Grilled New York Strip Steaks with Fresh Broccoli.

The summer inspired dinner series dinners are to be fresh, easy & conjure up images of summer…this dinner definitely did all that! Smokey grilled steak with bright, steamed broccoli. Gorgeous!

I microwaved my broccoli spears with a little bit of water for about 5 minutes. This was the perfect amount of time to keep a little bit of snap to the broccoli, as well as keep its bright, green color.

Our steaks were seasoned simply with worchestire sauce, garlic salt, onion powder, red pepper flakes & pepper. They were melt.in.your.mouth. delicious. I can definitely appreciate a good steak. I am from the Midwest after all!

A lot of people shy away from red meat because of health concerns. While red meat probably shouldn’t be consumed everyday, there’s nothing wrong with eating it on occasion and in moderation. I had about 1/3 of my steak, gave 1/3 to Ben and saved 1/3 for lunch tomorrow It was SO GOOD!

To round out Day 2, we had dessert. Oh yes, it was a FAB ONE. I made Individual Apple Crisps

I started by peeling and chopping two Granny Smith apples.

I combined the chopped apples with a dash of cinnamon, ~1 tsp sugar & ~1/2 tsp flour – then mixed well.

I spooned the mixtures into individual ramekins, which are KEY for Ben and I…we get a little crazy around crisp…

Next I combined 2 parts each of old fashioned oats and brown sugar, with 1 part each of flour and butter. I mixed and squished with my fingers until the mixture was crumbly, then topped the apples. (I had enough to make 2 individual servings, plus another small baking dish worth.)

30 minutes @ 375 = YUMMERS!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet, crunchy topping with soft, cinnamony apples. Pure Heaven.

Adding just a pinch of flour directly to the apples before you put on the toppings makes all the juices thicken up and give the crisp a “pie-like” consistency. Amazing.

Guys, I am so satisfied right now. Day 2 of the Summer Inspired Dinner Series was seriously delicious. Tomorrow we are going All American…you’ll see!

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What’s your favorite “King of the Grill” item? Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Portobello Mushrooms, Brats, Burgers, Veggies??