Today was a picture perfect summer day!
I went to my first dance class! Faith (who is a professional dancer and has a BFA in dance) is teaching a mini series of dance exercise classes for the rest of the summer at my gym! The time (and teacher) could not have been more perfect. It’s a fusion of modern and ballet.
The class was a lot of fun – I pointed my toes, grand-pliéd and had fun remembering my 11 years of dance growing up. My FEET however, did not remember. Foot surgery + lots of tennis shoes and running left them quite fragile and weak. I need to work on that! Already excited for next week’s class 🙂
After class I smartly packed my bathing suit and book and went to the ROOFTOP of my gym to the pool! It’s not much of a pool – more like a dipping strip – but it was fun to submerge in water for the first time this year and then lounge in the cool shade. No sun for me! Just gorgeous views!
Eventually hunger got the best of me and I biked home (= HOT!)
Tea was waiting! I must start every evening with a drink other than water. These home-brewed teas are a great alternative to beer and water.
Althoughhhhh…I set out a beer for Matt to gulp as SOON as he crested the driveway = an excuse to have a few gulps myself! His Basil IPA has mellowed and the bitterness has gotten better – LOVE it!
Thanks to ME, dinner was already ready!!
We had a chilled millet salad topped with roasted chicken
The chicken was a sample from the new Organic Prairie line by Organic Valley. The same farmer-owned co-op who focuses on family farms for organic dairy now has a line of humanely-raised organic meats. I buy Organic Valley cheeses, cottage cheese and milk (often), and if you’re looking for conveniently packed meat, these vacuum packs are very nice. (I have to say, I’m a sucker for any meat that’s individually packed.) Also like what the company stands for! Right now you can order them online in bulk (thereby supporting the co-op) or at select local markets (one natural foods store here carries them.)
This morning I baked off the chicken for dinner smothered in this delicious spiced chutney that OpenSky sent. Two thumbs up: one for spice, one for flavor!
I also assembled a salad with 1 cup of cooked millet, 1 cucumber, all of my freshly picked tomatoes, 3 stalks of celery, red pepper
And about 25% of a jar of Trader Joe’s sun-dried tomatoes in oil plus half a lemon and salt
Then…THEN!!…I added feta. GOAT feta. The best feta I’ve ever had! I used to make a Greek Quinoa Salad similar to this one that inspired the meal and I would add big chunks of feta.
Obviously the feta made the salad!
Feta Millet Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup millet dry (because millet > quinoa, always and forever)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 small cucumber chopped
- 3 stalks celery
- Half a red pepper
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- Half a lemon’s juice
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 4 ounces feta of your choice choose goat!
Instructions
- Cook millet with 1:2 millet to water for 15 minutes or so – until water is absorbed.
- Pour millet into bowl
- Chop all veggies
- Mix everything together
- Add feta
- Serve!
Serve the salad on the side or top with shrimp, chicken, beans of your choice
Matt proclaimed this the best dinner of the summer! Guess he was pleased he didn’t have to cook since he often says that when I make dinner 🙂
Tomorrow I’m headed back in to the bakery while Matt takes an afternoon to play. And then we have an evening party!
Cait's Plate says
I’m so jealous of your roof top dipping strip 🙂 It looks like the perfect way to have spent your vacation day!
The dinner looks amazing – but I agree, feta totally makes the dish. I’ve been using it like crazy lately!
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
Kath, That looks AMAZING! I’m gonna make it with quinoa and shrimp!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I always think the feta makes the salad. 😉
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I can’t believe how empty the dipping strip was on a such a hot day!!
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
That rooftop looks incredible! Totally surprising for C’ville.
And the millet salad sounds fantastic… I’m a sucker for feta!
~
kalli says
love that pool on the rooftop! how fun and yes you did have a perfect day off. good for you 🙂
Kim @ Spoonful of Sass says
It makes me laugh when my husband says…this is the best blank I’ve ever had! I’m like, really?! It’s better than your moms?! I have yet to believe it! I agree that so much of the enjoyment comes when it’s just put in front of you to enjoy.
Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots says
So fun that you are trying something new!
That view from your pool is gorgeous! What a fancy gym!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
oh my goodness I <3 chutney!!! 🙂 That looks sooo delicious! 🙂
What a beautiful pool and a perfect place to relax for the afternoon. So glad you got some time to yourself! 🙂
charyll ruggeroli says
I was hoping for a recipe when I saw the millet salad.
Hurray…. looks great. I can’t wait to make it.
Thanks.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
um HI, that feta looks SOOO good. I <3 feta, so this would be a great option. And I love salads too….get my drift??! 🙂 YUMM.
I love dancing too! It always feels OH so good to be back, ya know?
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
That dinner looks so delicious! I just love roasted chicken. And those tomatoes look so cute!
Margo @ peanut butter trees says
This is such a lovely summer dinner idea! Absolutely perfect. And that is so neat that your gym has a roof top deck! Good for you for staying out of the sun – protect the skin!
Emily @ The Swallow Flies says
I know what I’m making for dinner tomorrow – thank you! And…I’m super jealous about the rooftop pool – gorgeous!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
That pool is gorgeous! I love infinity pools.
Amy says
I work in the deli section of our gorgeous local supermarket, and I can definitely vouch for the fact that feta made of goat’s milk tastes far superior to cow’s milk feta.
Your dinner looks like the perfect summery-fresh meal. Actually, your whole day screams summer! =)
Baking 'n' Books says
Now – wouldn’t it be nice if every day could be summer vacation! You used your day wisely it seems.
Question…I’m not “beer-educated” – um, what is IPA? (don’t judge – I do like to drink beer on a hot day…;) ).
Jen says
IPA=India Pale Ale
The Healthy Hipster says
Chilled summer salads are my FAVE when its hot out. This one looks delish! I gotta get some tips on how to cook millet up without burning and/or mooshing it!
KathEats says
Less time, lower heat!
Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats says
That rooftop scene is beautiful! 🙂
Holly (Faith, Food, Fitness) says
That chicken looks fabulous! I’ve never tried millet–is it like cous cous?
KathEats says
Yup- similar. Like corn meal meets couscous
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I love home brewed ice tea! Its the perfect summer drink 🙂
Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde says
Feta makes everything better 😀
I love Kate Morton, her books suck me right in
Yay for dance classes and how cool that your gym has a rooftop pool 🙂
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
feta usually makes a summer salad 🙂 love the colours of the millet salad!
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Sounds like a perfectly relaxing day!
Feta makes everything better. I recently discovered how awesome it is. 🙂
Hilary says
Gym with a rooftop and pool like that?!? Okay, I am jealous. And the salad looks fab, as does lavender mint tea. I’m a big “alternative grain” fan, but haven’t tried millet (yet)…must get on that!
Molly @ RDexposed says
That’s it!!
I am clearing my Sunday to lounge by the pool and read my book.
Thank you.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
That gym rooftop/pool looks more like a spa than a gym! Sounds like a lovely relaxing afternoon!
Lesley Lifting Life says
That rooftop pool is amazing!! I would want to go there every day, ha.
Amy~Nutrition by Nature says
Your salad looks fantastic! We will be trying this one for sure. I love the Organic Valley brand. I didn’t know they were adding meat as well. Thanks for the info.
Hannah says
I’ve just made the conscious effort to replace some of my blog reading with book reading – such a good decision 🙂 Love seeing what you read!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I would love that pool – with or without view, in a heart beat 😀
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Feta definitely makes everything better 🙂 I just discovered millet and I love it!
Jackie @ That Deep Breath says
What a great dinner idea!! I’ll have to try this, i love feta
Nikita says
Looks like you had a beautiful day! I love the idea of having tea instead of a cocktail… I’m feeling pretty boozed out but it’s so nice to make it still seem like a treat!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
what a gorgeous rooftop pool! i often find that it is the cheese that makes a salad. sadly, my tummy doesn’t agree!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Carribbean spiced chutney = that is my kinda food! or condiment I guess you’d say. TJ’s makes a ginger mango chutney that I posted last week (and admitted to) I love it so much I could eat it with a spoon 🙂
The goat feta…you know I am not into cheese anymore but back when I used to eat cheese, goat’s milk cheese is stellar. I have many fond memories of vineyard hopping and eating goat’s cheese all over vineyards in CA 🙂
Angel7 says
Feta makes it better 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Khushboo says
I can’t get enough of feta these days- this looks great!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
My husband says the same thing: it is always better when I cook. 🙂
Namaste Gurl says
Mmmm, this would be a great veggie crowd pleaser for everyone! Definitely bookmarking this for future uses 🙂 I’m sure some fresh herbs such as basil, parsley and thyme would amp up the flavor 🙂 And maybe some nooch, too?
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
Yum looks great! And what a gorgeous rooftop, lucky you 🙂
Jumanah (Healthy Living in the Middle East) says
Sounds like the perfect summer day! I’m totally jealous of your rooftop pool- even if it is small.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Dance class.. fun! Something I could never see myself doing..I’d flop around like a fish out of water!
Your feta millet salad looks delicious!
Christine @ Burning It Off says
I wish my gym had a rooftop patio!! I can’t believe you had it all to yourself. Lucky!
Lauren says
I am absolutely loving grain salads this summer. Particularly cold grain salads. This looks incredible Kath.
Fallon says
Salad looks wonderful and so summery. Where did you purchase goat feta? That sounds so tasty!
KathEats says
@Whole Foods
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
Rooftop pool!? I wish I had one of those at home 😀
Simply Life says
wow! what a great use of a roof!
Fran says
What’s the low down on the lavender mint tea? Recipe please, because that is a combo of 2 of my favorite things!! Thanks!!
KathEats says
I wrote the recipe on the photos.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’m definitely bookmarking this to make! It looks like something I could actually get my picky dad to eat – he won’t touch anything I make containing tofu, beans, beets or kale. 😛
Hillary says
That rooftop pool—and that dinner!—look incredible. I made a similar salad last night with bulgur, veggies, and fish, all topped with Trader Joe’s eggplant garlic spread. YUM!
Bekah says
I know, I know, this is a weird question, but somehow I think you’ll have an answer. With this summer weather, I’m having a tough time with chafing when working out and cycling. Is there anything such as workout underwear that keeps this from happening. You workout a lot. What do you do? Thanks for your input!
KathEats says
The only time I’ve had chafing is with shorts – thighs rubbing. I think it was because my shorts were too short and my thighs..a little too big at the time. Have you tried Body Glide? That helps a lot with this problem
Bekah says
Body Glide is my friend. So is cornstarch. Sometimes vaseline. All depends on the sport. I’ve just upped the ante this week with boot camp sessions, so I’m getting underwear elastic chafing in general and butt cheek chafing from the bike seat. Too much information I know. Thanks for your input!
Ashley G says
That is SO awesome that Faith teaches dance classes at your gym. I was a dancer too and I miss having real, structured classes like that! I wish more gyms did that (yours really seems awesome!) See you in a few hours!
Karen says
LOVE Goat Feta. The best topping to any salad, for sure. 😀
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I haven’t been to an actual dance class since I was little…but no doubt it’d be fun!! If only it weren’t so darn expensive..and for that I’ll happily stick with Zumba 🙂
Hope says
What an awesome pool! Looks like you had a great day off! I love your dinner! It looks so good! 🙂
Lisa says
That rooftop and dipping strip looks amazing!
On an unrelated note, I’m the type of person who has to have a little something sweet before I go to bed. I got inspired by some of your posts containing a berry/milk(cream)/granola-type snack that I made up a glass of blueberries, rasberries, soymilk, and pumpkin flax granola last night and it was delish!
Katie @ cookiesandkimchi says
Looks like a perfect summer day! It has been so hot where I am too and this recipe looks like a great dinner for a hot summer night – thanks!! Also, goat feta = yum, gotta find me some of that!
Katie says
Looks like a perfect summer day! How’s the book coming? I only have about 40 pages left and I’m anxious to finish it and move on to another book. I’ve enjoyed reading it, but it just hasn’t excited me as much as I wanted it too if that makes sense. Kate Morton is a wonderful writer and I want to read more of her books, maybe this fall or winter. Right now I’m looking for either a quick, light, make-me-feel-good read or “the best book I’ve ever read” that I don’t want to put down. Any suggestions?
Delicious looking dinner, thanks for the recipe. Goats milk feta is some of the best feta.
KathEats says
It’s slow. Definitely not my favorite. But I’m liking it
Katie says
I was able to finish it today. The problem was I liked it enough to not stop reading it, but it was fairly long and a slow read for me. I’m thinking I may try Sarah’s Keys next or something really light like the The Starter Wife or Tina Fey’s book, Bossypants.
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
The view from the pool is beautiful! Looks so relaxing!
Jack O'Brien says
I know you posted about making bagels EONS ago (in your old house, even!) But I finally made some of them! haha. They’re fabulous. Tell Matt THANK YOU for the wonderful recipe 🙂
KathEats says
Oh yay!
Jennifer says
I am really jealous of that pool with the views. Amazing!!! What an awesome way to spend the afternoon. 🙂
I love feta!!!! I never knew there were different kinds of feta. I always thought feta meant goat cheese. I often refer to it as goat cheese. Hmmm…..now you’ve got me wondering. 🙂
Chelsey @ Chew with Your Mouth Open says
Your salad looks delish! Feta is the BEST! Also, how cool that your gym has a rooftop pool! I live in western WA, where this would be a ludicrous idea. SO jealous!
Susan Mc says
What an awesome post… your gym pool is gorgeous… and WOW…that salad looks amazing, that’s on our next week menu fer sher… think I’ll use couscous.
An FYI for ATL area KERFers (KERFites?… KERFians?)… the organic prairie line is available at http://www.naturalfoodswarehouse.com/
their prices are great… best barney butter deals … love the store, not affiliated!
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
I am a HUGE fan of goat feta !! SO freakin amazing if you can find it. Working on a roasted red pepper hummus w. goat feta I’m going to post tmr or Fri 😉
Jill in Chicago says
Oh wow, thank you for introducing me to Organic Prairie’s website! I will definitely be ordering some organic meat! (And I love the “Meet the Farmers” section — quite a few of them are in the Midwest, which is bit ‘local’ for me :))
Gina (Yogattude) says
AH! I’ve been on the search for goat feta! Yum!
Allison @ Happy Tales says
Goat feta sounds like a must-try. And that’s your GYM POOL?! Holy awesomesaunce… you lucky girl!
Charise says
I just finished House at Riverton a couple weeks ago! What do you think of it? I enjoyed it, but not as much as The Forgotten Garden.
Megan says
Hi Kath – why do you say “millet > quinoa, always and forever” ???
KathEats says
Meaning I just don’t like quinoa that much