Vermilion Lakes

Vermilion Lakes is a quick drive or bike ride from the town of Banff and has spectacular views of mountains. You're also likely to see some wildlife cruising around the lakes.

Fairmont Banff Springs

This place is no joke. If you're rolling, this is where you stay.

Banff Gondola

More amazing views...

2014 Livin' The Dream in Canada

I used to think Canada was just America's hat, but I now know better. After spending six days in Banff and Jasper, I've become a huge fan of our neighbor to the north, especially Western Canada. Here are some excellent things to do if you decide to go to Banff and Jasper. I highly recommend both, although a lot of the trails in Banff were still snowy the last week of May because winter lingered a little longer than typical. Visit the Banff Gondola at the top of Sulphur Mountain. The views are spectacular. It was one of the first things I did after getting into town. You can see countless amazing mountains and have a bird's eye view of the town of Banff.

The First Triathlon

Registered! D-day is May 19th at Lake Welch - Harriman State Park, NY in Stony Point, NY. What distance is an Olympic (or "international distance" or "standard course") triathlon? It is a 1.5 km/0.93 mile swim, 40km/24.8 mile bike ride, and a 10km/6.2 mile run.

Honey-Lime Grilled Skirt Steak With Avocado-Tomato Relish

This recipe is probably the most gourmet I've tried since making my cooking resolution in 2012. It is fantastic, but there are several drawbacks. First of all, skirt steak is expensive. I think I paid north of $10/pound at my neighborhood Citarella. I couldn't find it at Trader Joe's and didn't feel like rolling the dice at Food Emporium. The second challenge is cooking the skirt steak if you don't have a grill. I opted to broil it in my oven, which probably would have been fine if I didn't run out of aluminum foil. As a result of the foil shortage, I severely burned the honey-lime marinade onto my cooking pan, which led to an intense amount of smoke (and a very smokey apartment). However, if you're looking to impress your friends with a fancy pants cook at home meal, this is it. Recipe can be found here: http://www.food.com/recipe/honey-lime-grilled-skirt-steak-with-avocado-tomato-relish-468506

Turkey-Lentil Chili

In a previous post, I blogged about Boilermaker Tailgate Chili, which is fantastic for game day and extra meaty. For those looking for a healthier option that is still hearty, I recommend Turkey-Lentil Chili. The recipe can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/turkey-lentil-chili/ I opted for a slightly spicier version and used some extra Cholula hot sauce, as well as some jalapenos. The recipe makes a TON of chili - I froze some and have been eating it for a week. I also recommend replacing the low-fat yogurt on top with low-fat sour cream. Happy chili-ing!