Hello! Monday’s ovah!
It was too gorgeous of a day to be stuck inside a gym, so after work I took it outdoors! I followed the same 1.5 mile loop as I did last night, which contains steep hills to really challenge myself and nice dips to recover. I ran the loop 3 times, for a total of 4.5 miles in 43 minutes, whoop! Honestly, I was going to bail after two loops since my legs felt like bricks, but decided to keep going because, as they say, no pain no gain. 
Oh, I wanted to tell you, I’ve noticed that my runs – hills in particular – have gotten significantly easier since I started incorporating squats and lunges into my strength training sessions during the 40 day challenge. I don’t think that’s a coincidence, do you? I guess I always thought that running was strength training my legs, but now I’m not so sure that’s the case! Fellow runners/strength trainers, what do you think?
At any rate, we’re heading to the Caribbean for dinner tonight with Jamaican Jerk Pork Tenderloin! 
I’ve had a pork tenderloin in my freezer for ages but, to be honest, I haven’t done anything with it because pork tenderloin is kind of…boring! My opinion has totally changed since trying this recipe though!!
Per my 1001 Foods to Die For book: “Jerked meat is a popular street food in Jamaica, perfect for those who revel in hot seasonings. Originally, the Carib-Arawak people of Jamaica would prepare their meat by piercing it, then pressing spices into the holes…”
“…A shallow pit was dug and a fire prepared using green allspice wood to produce a fragrant smoke. The meat was placed over a grid of branches, and allspice leaves covered the meat to intensify the smoke.” Cool!
I was this close to busting out the outdoor, gas grill but it scares the beegees out of me and Ben wasn’t home when I started cooking to make sure it was still ok to use after standing dormant all winter. Better to be safe than sorry! 
I can’t tell you how incredible this smelled when it hit the hot grill pan, and it tasted even better!
I just love how the tenderloin is cut in this recipe too. First you butterfly it lengthwise, then you butterfly each new half so the entire thing lies flat.
I only used 1 jalapeno pepper in the marinade, which made my lips slightly tingly. It was the perfect spice level for me. Other seasonings and spices like fresh ginger, cinnamon, allspice and thyme make this ho-hum pork tenderloin into something spectacular!
The meat cooked for about 4-5 minutes a side, until the center was barely pink and sooooo juicy! 
And although plantains are a typical Jamaican side dish, sweet potatoes are a little bit more accessible, so I mashed one up with some cinnamon, butter and a wee pinch of salt. TDF!
Mmm, what a special, out of the ordinary dish. We just loved it!
Do you happen to know what’s happening tonight?? Gossip Girl is making its triumphant return after the longest hiatus known to man!!! CHUUCK! BLAIIR! CHHAAAIRR!!
Have a great night everyone.
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Have you ever been on a tropical island vacation? If not, where are you dreaming of?
This looks amazing! I was obsessed with the jerk pork on our honeymoon, and can’t wait to try this!!! Thanks!
I’ve never been to the islands but I love Cuban food and culture and would love to go there.
I’m dreaming of anywhere Europe or Carribean right now.
That dinner looks delicious!
Wow that looks like a great Monday night meal!
Would love to go to the Carribean. I love HOT weather..which we don’t get enough of in IA! Your dinner looked delish
I haven’t had Jamaican food in ages!! It looks so good!
That looks fantastic! You always have the best recipes! Yummm
looks awesome and makes me miss jamaica! i was just there a month ago!
Mike would die for that pork. I’ll have to keep this in mind!
I would love to go to the Bahama’s or Hawaii.
A tropical island get away sounds incredible right about now (esp. since I’m on spring break)…But that pork looks delicious! I am making dinner for my fam tomorrow night and this recipe looks like something they would LOVE, I just may have to make it!
I’ve always read/heard that aerobic activity, such as long distance activity, actually breaks down muscle–muscle protein are broken down for energy. Incorporating weights into your running will help strengthen stabilizing muscles to reduce injury. It’s all about catabolic vs anabolic. (note: I am NOT an expert on this, just what I’ve read and what experts have told me.)
IEG- This post is key because, as an avid runner and personal trainer, there is such a misconception that running is strength training- SO WRONG! Strength training is just as important (if not more!) than cardio in losing weight, reshaping your body, and, as you mentioned, improving your times for runs, swims, etc. People assume to be a faster runner, you should run more…NOT the case! Keep up the squats and lunges. Incorporate some single leg strength and balance moves and you will be amazed!
Hi Kristin!
I love your blog! This meal looks awesome! I’ve been to Jamaica before and it looks very similar to a meal I had there! I’ve also been to the Bahamas and Mexico a couple times. All so much fun!!
I am a new follower and I am totally addicted to! You are adorable and your recipes are delicious! I look forward to reading your blog every day!
Can’t wait to see GG!!! I actually dvr’d it for maximum enjoyment later
Mashed sweet potatoes – awesome!
And as for the running, yeah I let strength training my legs fall by the wayside once I began running longer distances. Not the brightest idea. I think that running DOES strengthen your legs but not in the ways that lunges, squats, etc. do. My running made those things easier BUT when I incorporated more strength training, my running improved. For me, they kind of worked off of each other.
I have that cookbook too!
Hubby and I had our honeymoon in St. Thomas and traveled to St. Maarten and St. Barts—all gorgeous! I dream of living there full-time. Good job on the outside run!
arghg I still haven’t even seen season2 of GG, and I’m dying to! I’ve never been to a tropical island..but I hear Florida is ‘tropical’ (at least weather wise) so that’s where I’m dreamin
Holy YUM! That looks delicious!
You are so right that squats and lunges make you a stronger runner. I used to take a circuit class where we did a ton and my running was so effortless. The trainer moved and now I rarely do them and my run times have really suffered. Time to incorporate them back in to the routine.
I’m lucky enough to live on a tropical paradise island – Okinawa, Japan!
I grew up on a tropical island (St. Thomas), jerk chicken is one of my favorites!
I have never been to an island but have been to Costa Rica and Mexico. I’d love to go to the Caribbean some day – maybe I can convince my friend to take me home with her to Trinidad!!
Hey Kristin! I love your blog, I read it everyday. Keep up the awesome blogging!!! I got married on the beach in Jamaica. My husaband and I were obsessed with the Jerk Chicken the entire 10 days we were there. Every afternoon I had the Jerk Chicken and the plantain mash, the hubs had sweetpotato fries. Simply incredible, the spices were so fresh with just the right kick!! I am going to have to make that pork, it’s looks amazing!!
I stumbled across your blog several months ago and just can’t get enough! I read it everyday and have made quite a few your recipes. Anyway, my husband and I were engaged on St John (on Trunk Bay the photo in your site header), honeymooned there a year later and then went back when I was expecting our first son. Flashforward three years, and I can’t wait to go back again! I need to make this pork and get a little island flavor in our house
I would love to go back to Cuba (my dad worked there for about 7 years) or even back to Hawaii. I like going places with my husband because he’s always up to trying different foods, whereas traveling with my family when I was younger meant that we would stick to the normal. Not anymore!
That jerk chicken looks amazing! I’ll have to try it sometime!
K
PS – How do you find that cookbook? Are there lots of great recipes?
I used to be scared to death of the gas grill too…then I got divorced & took the grill w/me & had to suck it up & get over the fear! I am woman, hear me roar! Ha! I LOVE pork! It can be boring without spicing it up though. And yes…I took a cruise to the Bahamas. It was wonderful! I assumed that the lovely blue/green color of the water in all the travel brochures was doctored up….it isn’t! The water really IS that beautiful color! And crystal clear right down to the bottom!
I was so close to getting some daffodils today too.
I’d really love to go on a tropical vacation. Or any vacation….
I do the job with these dogs and as far as animal behavior goes, I’m a solid believer in nurture and training. I’ve met Jack Russell Terriers that I would not go close to once again, but have in no way had a poor expertise with an American Staffordshire Terrier. If you are speaking about their owners- well, that’s a diverse story. Human beings are animals as nicely, and we often every have our individual strategies about “moral concepts”.