May | 2022 | An Inspired Cook

Monthly Archives: May 2022
- Lemon Pomegranate Sorbet
  
  Posted at 11:57 am by NativeNM, on May 27, 2022
  Wow, where does the time go? Memorial weekend is upon us which signals the beginning of summer grilling, festive salads and frozen treats. This weekend I’m smoking a whole chicken, roasting vegetables and topping it off with frozen sorbet for dessert. This sorbet is easily made with lemon juice, pomegranate juice and simple syrup, that’s it. It’s tart and refreshing but has a multitude of benefits. Lemon helps with immunity, aids in digestion and provides Vitamin C which reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. And Pomegranate juice is high in antioxidants and nutrients that may help with inflammation and urinary health. Once you mix the juices with the simple syrup, pour it into an ice cream maker to freeze or pour into popsicle molds which are also fun to eat, just ask my husband!
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  Posted in Dessert, Recipes | 5 Comments | Tagged Frozen Lemon Pomegranate Sorbet, Frozen Treats, Lemon Juice, Lemon Pomegranate Sorbet, Pomegranate Juice, Pomegranate Lemon Sorbet, Simple Syrup, Summer Sorbet
- Chaco Culture National Historic Park
  
  Posted at 11:21 am by NativeNM, on May 20, 2022
  Chaco Canyon located in the Four Corners area of New Mexico is the remains of an ancient civilization that began in the mid 800’s. Over the next 300 years, ancestral Puebloans aka Anasazi constructed several communities including single story and multi story stone buildings using techniques that were unique for the times. Every construction was like a community, some having hundreds of rooms. The architecture alone is amazing, oriented to solar, lunar and cardinal directions. By the early 1100’s, Chaco Canyon was a ceremonial and economic hub. It was considered a central place binding regional tribes together for ceremonial get togethers as well as trade. By the late 1100’s the Chacoans shifted in focus to other regional areas such as Aztec, Mesa Verde and beyond. There is evidence that water once flowed through the arroyo near Pueblo del Arroyo which may indicate that climate change could also be a factor why they dispersed to other areas. It’s amazing to see these villages that were built so long ago still standing and here for all of us to witness. Within Chaco Canyon there are many communities with ruins spread out across the canyon. Some are built with such sophistication it makes one wonder how they gained the knowledge to design and construct such precise curved walls, round kivas and multiple stories of rooms. Where did they learn the masonry techniques which still stand today? Chaco has been on my bucket list for the longest time. Our first visit was in May of 2021 touring the many ruins, walking within the walls learning the history and getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Now we’ve returned a year later to hike along the Pueblo Alto trail which overlooks the canyon to get a birds eye view of the ruins below as well as the landscape of the canyon. The architecture is stunning and takes you back in time wondering how they did it.
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged Casa Rinconada Ruins, Chaco Canyon, Chaco Culture National Historic Park, Chaco Petroglyphs, Chetro Ketl Ruins, Kin Kletso Ruins, Petroglyphs, Pueblo Alto Trail, Pueblo Bonito Ruins, Pueblo del Arroyo Ruins
- Church Rock Trail
  
  Posted at 10:06 am by NativeNM, on May 13, 2022
  If you ventured along with Joe and I to the top of Pyramid Rock, you will likely enjoy our hike along the Church Rock Trail, which is also part of Red Rock Park. From the start of the trail, this majestic image has the features of a church and steeple. Church Rock trail includes two loops which resembles a figure 8. The first trail covers 2.6 miles round trip looping back when you get to the base of Church Rock. The second loop is approximately another 1.5 miles and continues around Church Rock. The trail takes you close to the rock formations with a little bit of climbing and scrambling. The perspective changes as you take a 360 degree look at all sides and angles. We found a narrow slot canyon hidden by tent rocks decorated in layers of color. We spotted a white sand dune in the distance that turned out to be a mirage; it was actually white rock that has been carved by wind and sand in the image of a dune. Oh, and if you use your imagination you might find an image of the “Mother Mary” in a rock. At least that’s what the locals told us. I’m reminded by a quote from my son Josh; “don’t look at your feet, always look ahead and upward or you’ll miss the best part”!
  
  My heart is saddened that over the last couple of month’s our beautiful state has been ravaged by wild fires. We are under severe drought conditions and have been battling high winds which makes it so hard to contain them. Please don’t take nature for granted. If there are places you’ve dreamt of seeing, don’t put it off for tomorrow. Enjoy them now while you still can.
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments | Tagged Church Rock, Church Rock New Mexico, Church Rock Trail, Gallup New Mexico, Red Rock Park, Red Rock Park New Mexico
- Pyramid Rock Trail
  
  Posted at 10:15 am by NativeNM, on May 10, 2022
  Last year Joe and I started exploring the northwest part of New Mexico. Since then we’ve taken several day trips or long weekends to explore the breathtaking areas that you can only experience when hiking to them. I’m biased but I think this area is one of the most beautiful parts of the state. One place in particular that we wanted to go back and explore was the Red Rock Park approximately 10 miles east of Gallup, NM. As part of the Navajo Nation, these two trails lead to Pyramid Rock and Church Rock. There is a connecting trail between the two but it’s a bit too much for Joe and I to do all in one day. They are both moderate trails approximately 3 – 4 miles roundtrip respectively that have some spectacular views. Pyramid Rock as we discovered is not only beautiful from a distance, but the trail leads all the way up to the tip top of the peak. From there you can see for miles and miles in any direction. Joe and I are not in the same shape as our grown kids but we both felt this trail was fairly easy to climb. We met many hikers that had been hiking these trails year after year. They shared with us that if we didn’t go all the way to the top we would miss out on an amazing experience. When someone stops to tell you how much you will treasure an experience; listen. This was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Looking from above you can see the landscape that surrounds Gallup. From the beautiful Mesa’s that are dotted with shades of green and blue to the Red Rock formations that have been sculpted by the wind and sand, this area will always be one of my most cherished places to visit!
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  Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments | Tagged Four Corners New Mexico, Gallup New Mexico, Northwest New Mexico, Pyramid Rock, Pyramid Rock Trail, Red Rock Park
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An Inspired Cook

Monthly Archives: May 2022

Lemon Pomegranate Sorbet

Posted at 11:57 am by NativeNM, on May 27, 2022

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Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Posted at 11:21 am by NativeNM, on May 20, 2022

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Church Rock Trail

Posted at 10:06 am by NativeNM, on May 13, 2022

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Pyramid Rock Trail

Posted at 10:15 am by NativeNM, on May 10, 2022

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