At the finish in Jackson.  Great ride boys!

LOTOJA tattoos.  It was like a badge of honor.

I grew this!  Amazing huh!

The last couple of years a brother or two has participate with J, and last year my friend Erin and I even rode the first leg of the race.  By the way, we were amazing!  It is dang fun catching onto the back of a large peleton of men riding their bikes fast.  J has informed me since, that hitching a ride is illegal, but Erin and I found that just a little bit of sweet talking, and stroking those boys egos, could get us a few good miles of sailing until the next peleton came along.  It is just like flying.  On to the story of this years race though.  The 2009 Great Harvest Bread Co. cycling team consisted of 4 Clawson brothers on bikes.  It was the funnest race yet I felt.  J’s older brother Dave had only ridden twice, and had never used clipless pedals.  He was amazing.  He flew into Preston going 300 miles and hour and came to a dramatic stop in front of an applauding crowd.  I was so proud of him.  I think he caught the biking bug and will be back next year.  Maybe it was the amazing Thai Lettuce Wraps that I made the night before that produced such stellar results, but I’d be willing to make them again for those Clawson brothers.  

I had to post the picture of the beautiful head of Butter Crunch Lettuce I grew.  It was devoured quickly, but it was a lovely specimen of what a head of lettuce should look like.  The lettuce wraps were sooo good.  My niece Ashlee and I had a hard time curtailing our eating.  I’m afraid more than once I almost ate all the wraps and fixed the boys Top Ramen, but I had restraint and the boys loved them.  Even Dave who usually doesn’t eat lettuce loved them.  That means they must have been a real hit.  

Next year Thai Lettuce Wraps will be on the menu again for the LOTOJA.  I think it’s the secret ingredient to a great ride!

Thai Lettuce Wraps

2 head of Butter Crunch lettuce or other leafy lettuce washed and dried

2 chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces

1/4 c. peanut butter

1/8 c. fish sauce or soy sauce

sugar to taste

Thai chili paste

Place chicken pieces in a fry pan with a little oil.  Saute until done.  Add the other ingredients and stir until combined.

Coconut Noodles

1 lb. or angel hair pasta or super thin rice noodles cooked until done

1 12 oz. can of coconut milk

1 T. of curry paste any color, or dried curry powder will work

sugar to taste

fish sauce to taste or soy sauce

Drain the noodles and place back in a pan with all the other ingredients.  Turn heat to medium and toss noodles until coated completely.  It may seem saucy now, but after it cools it will totally soak into the noodle.  I like it best when the noodles are cooled.

Shredded cucumber

Shredded carrot

Chopped peanuts

Take a lettuce leaf and top it with coconut noodles, peanut chicken and other veggies and nuts.  I like to put a little more soy sauce and vinegar on them, but do what you like.  These babies are dang delicious!