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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

blue apron #2

Blue Apron Delivery Numero Dos.


I feel like my cooking adventures should be streamed live. It is incredible how I can't follow directions, or if I do, somehow, I still manage to mess up something because I am incredibly clumsy.

Meal 1: Roasted Spaghetti Squash

What went wrong: 
- The top highlight was completely spilling all of the peppercorns from the pepper shaker on the floor.  Spoiler alert: I did this again with new peppercorns during Meal 2.

- Also, wasn't aware of how long it took spaghetti squash to cool down after roasting in the oven for 24+ minutes.  Patience is not one of my virtues.

What went right:
- After all was said and done, this was pretty delicious.  I definitely want to cook with spaghetti squash again as an alternative to pasta.

Meal 2: Kale and Monterey Jack Quesadillas

What went wrong:
- The tortillas decided to ravel up when I placed them in the pan.  Which made flipping the 'dillas too much of a challenge.
- Yes, I spilled the peppercorns again.

What went right:
-Egg and kale. Basically - I loved this since those are two of my favorites.
-Never cooked with radish before..I have no idea why I had to let them sit in ice water. Should probably look this up.

Meal 3: Mixed Mushroom Risotto

What went wrong:
- I cannot chop chives so they are 1/4 of an inch long. Guesstimating is not one of my strong skills.
- Additionally, I don't know the difference between thyme and chives, as I put the chives in way too early in the cooking process.

What went right:
- I love mushrooms so this was pretty heavenly.  Tried a few new kinds that I have never had before.
- This was by far the easiest meal to make. Easy is always great.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

half training 2015.3.4

Got right back into it this week with 21 miles!

Monday:

Woke up at 4a...I think after work I walked on the treadmill until 12k, and then hit up the elliptical.  But I honestly don't remember...#sleepdeprivation

Tuesday:

3 miles on the treadmill/9:01 pace.  Pretty good considering this was after work, and I had been awake since 3:15a.

Also, eating this an hour before may have helped out a lot.


Wednesday:

7 miles on the Urban Trail/9:12 pace. This was a fun one - first off, even though it was 55 degrees and I was dressed like it was a blizzard, I was freezing...then it started raining during mile 5.

At the beginning of the run...

Then coming back, I saw this. And tried to pick up the pace.

A little soaked from the rain.

At least there was a pretty sunset.

Thursday:

Elliptical and strength train.  Actually felt good to lift for the first time in over a week!

Received my Blue Apron delivery too - more to come with this!

Friday:

3.1 miles on the road/8:27 pace. I have been getting frustrated with my 9min+ miles considering I want to run a sub-2 half in less than a month, so I made an effort to speed up my pace on this one. 

Saturday:

8 miles/9:17 (ugh) pace. The first 4 miles of this was on the trail where I fell really hard a few months back so I was a bit hesitant about this..so decided against listening to music.  Finished the last 4 on a Forest Road that I *swear* was going up a hill but looking at my data...it definitely wasn't.  Also, starting to feel tightness in my IT band - this is what you get when you slack on foam rolling everyday.

Living life on the edge with a mid-run pic on the trail.

Another one just to show you that we do have some red trees in the fall. Also - this is the best weather we've had all week.

My new Oiselle shirt did the trick. Probably kept me too warm considering my hair was dripping. Totally normal, ok?! I swear it was cold when I started..

Getting back into the double digits next week with an 11 mile run!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

disney world vaca: animal kingdom, mickey's halloween party, and hollywood studios

Let's get right into it!

Wednesday:

Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life - the A Bug's Life 3D show inside was terrifying.

Real hikes include aquariums.

Well, they should. How cool!


Finished this half day with our first ever Dole Whip at the Polynesian!

Also checked out Magic Kingdom's parade, light show and fireworks with the rest of humankind that night.

Thursday

Mickey's Halloween Party!

Let me, Princess Anna, guide you through our magical Halloween Adventure.

One of my favorite pictures of the whole trip! Happy Aunt over here!

Magical memories being made watching a show in front of the castle.

It's A Small World was a huge hit with Everett.

While Candy Corn soft serve was the biggest hit with everyone..or just me..

It was extremely difficult to pick between all of the rides with no wait or endless trick or treating.  Splash Mountain was definitely worth it though!
Loved the light show!

And of course, the fireworks.  It was just like we were in the middle of that one Full House episode, only the Beach Boys were missing.

Friday:

Hollywood Studios

Toy Story was pretty cool though there were some too long holding times in the middle of the ride.

Performing dental work on Mater.

His ears were the first to go.

Selfie!

Last day had to include Dole Whip.  This time - with vanilla swirl!

Racing down the highways was a must.

Went back to Magic Kingdom to grab a Starbucks Disney mug and of course, ride Space Mountain. 

Overall: a super magical trip! Until next time..

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

disney world vaca: magic kingdom and epcot

Here are some quick highlights from Day 1 and 2 of our family Disney World vacation...

Sunday:

Emma's 3rd Birthday - Dinner at Chef Mickey's!

We also met Mickey and Minnie!

That macaroon(s)...

Surprise in-room birthday celebration!

Monday:

Magic Kingdom

Halloween decorations out in full force.

Flying elephants are not normal.

Buffets are what's up.  Especially ones where you meet...

Winnie the Pooh!

Decent landscaping..I guess..

Tuesday:

Epcot

This was a highlight on Spaceship Earth.


Hey guys...this is a little dangerous...

The pigeons outside the ride may have been one of the best parts..


The Food and Wine fest was going on, but the toddlers wanted gelato.  I don't blame them!


Epcot was our 2nd favorite park, behind Magic Kingdom.

Since I'm falling asleep at 7:30p because I'm cool like that (waking up before 4a the previous two days also helps..), the rest of our trip will be featured in the next post!

half training 2015.3.3

Not too much to post about running last week since I was at a very magical place.. Disney!


Tuesday:

Fueled up with 6 pieces of Broccolini pizza from Via Napoli in Epcot..
It's amazing how you feel after you eat not greasy pizza (this one) versus greasy (I'm looking at you, Austin).

 Then, I ran 3 at 8:45 pace throughout nearby resorts.  The first mile was ran on the golf course cart path...which you're not supposed to do by the way.  Luckily the only employee that saw me seemed to be amused by my breaking the rules.  Unfortunately, I hurt my left foot on this run due to the sharp sidewalk turns throughout the resort..I'm not used to those.

I don't have any pictures from these runs..so here's Epcot!

Thursday:

Decided to get back at it after icing my foot several times Tuesday evening and Wednesday.  This time I decided to check out the Grand Floridian, and then head over to the Polynesian, for a total of 4 miles, 9:27 pace.  It was pretty cool to see the castle at the Magic Kingdom at several points throughout the run. It also took much self-control to not stop at the Polynesian for a Dole Whip break..

The humidity makes it look like it was a super intense run.  Shortly after I turned into...

Princess Anna!

Saturday:

Back in Flag! Ran 4 on the Urban Trail at an 8:57 pace.  Foot pain is gone! Maybe the Disney magic cured it.

Have to rock the Buckeye jacket on Game Day!

Sunday:

Our original plan for Sunday was a 14 mile hike up and over Humphrey's (highest peak in Flagstaff) but luckily (yes, luckily) the weather was not too great so we went down to Sedona for a short hike. Got 5 miles in at 9:11 pace on the treadmill, this was pretty tough.  Think I need to figure out a way to make the treadmill more interesting.

Quick hike in Sedona..

Also, had a Book Club meeting Sunday night and made these Hummus Stuffed Mushrooms.  They were a hit!

Thank you Pinterest!