Grilled Corn and Pepper Salad with Honey Lime Dressing + Thoughts on Exercise Obsession

We are officially residents of Houston, Texas! It still doesn’t feel real. After our 20 hour drive, loading and unloading our 26 foot truck that we somehow packed to the brim, and sorting through dozens of boxes, we are finally getting settled. Definitely would not have been possible without the help of my mom and our best friends Aaron and Jess who bravely journeyed cross-country with us (seriously, love you guys!!). But, with all the craziness of the actual move, then starting my new job which works anywhere from 9-14 hour days, I haven’t really had too much time to allow the fact that I now live in Houston to sink in.

Also, during last week’s whirlwind, it hit me at one point that I hadn’t gone on a run in almost 5 days. I don’t know about anyone else, but there was a point in my life where that would have sent me into a panic. Exercise, especially running, is a way for me to clear my mind and get my endorphins up when I am in a slump. In the past, while exercise still gave me those benefits, it was also something I used to try to manipulate my weight and body. Despite having every intention to go for a run a few of those days, I was able to step back and see that my life was crazy busy, my body was exhausted from moving, and it was more important for me to spend time with the people who would soon be leaving us in Houston than to run. If you ever find yourself forcing your body through a workout or being unable to take a day off without getting awful anxiety, I challenge you to reevaluate your relationship with exercise. Taking a break is normal and healthy! Your physical health will not suffer from skipping a few days of a workout, but your mental and emotional health might!

Anyways! What better way to spend some much needed down time that finally putting my gorgeous new kitchen to use?! Seriously, I know it is still just an apartment kitchen, but I am obsessed. Also, the weather here has been nothing but gorgeous! Unfortunately, Houston has a law that grills are not allowed on apartment balconies. But, our apartment has an amazing grill common area right downstairs! Our last place had one too, but for some reason we never used it. Here we have already used it multiple times in the week we have been here!

There is just something about that slight charred taste and those sexy looking grill lines on food, am I right?!

This salad comes together so quick and easy, and is the perfect side to bring to your next cookout this summer! I cut the peppers and onions into sections to place on kabobs for easier grilling, and diced into smaller pieces afterwards.

Ingredients:

3 ears corn

1 red bell pepper, squared

1 green bell pepper, squared

1/2 red onion, squared

1 small jalepeno, diced

1/2 cup roma tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup feta cheese

2 T olive oil

2 T lime juice + 1/2 tsp zest

1 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp honey

2 T cilantro

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat grill to high (~450 degrees)

2. Cut onions and peppers into 1″ pieces and place on a kabob stick. Lightly coat corn and peppers with olive oil and place onto grill directly. Grill corn ~15 minutes, turning halfway; peppers and onions ~8 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from grill and allow to cool.

3. While foods are grilling, chop up tomatoes and jalepenos. Place into a large serving bowl and set aside.

4. Dice cooked bell peppers and onions and cut corn kernels from ear. Add to the bowl with tomatoes and jalepenos.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together dressing: oil, lime juice+zest, honey, cilantro, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add to the bowl with the vegetables and toss to combine. Stir in feta cheese and serve!