beautiful ohio.

I have not posted in for-ever! My apologies. Let's catch up, shall we?

In the past 10 days or so, you've missed:

• I've decided to run a marathon. May 15, 2011 -  do it!
• First week of pre-training for marathon training is complete; 12 weeks easy, 18 weeks hard.
• I joined a gym.
• Discovered NE Ohio has a national park...with a train! Who knew?!

Definitely need to take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad before the season ends. Ohio is too beautiful to miss.

After a long hike around the park (and a nap), I was hungryyy...

Vegetable Stew

Based this recipe off one for Vegetable Chili from Reader's Digest.

• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 1 sweet red or green pepper, diced
• 3 or 4 small red skin potatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 a cooked pumpkin, 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• cumin, cayenne, red pepper flake, salt and pepper, all to taste

1. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over moderate heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté, stirring, about 7 minutes or until softened and golden.

2. Add celery, carrots, sweet pepper, and potato, stirring frequently, 6 to 7 minutes or until softened. Season how ever you like.

3. Add tomatoes and broth; bring to a boil. Add pumpkin, black beans, and corn. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes or until tender.

the McFabulous.

Just when I start on the vegetarian train, the McRib enters my life. Never fear! MorningStar McRiblets are here! Ta-daaa!

hello beautiful.



Ate mine on a long sandwich thin with avocado. Surprisingly way better than an actual McRib, and healthier : )

Can I get a high five for this find...eh, ehhh?

Okay, so McDonald's rib shaped sandwiches may not be for everyone, but these will get you all excited....

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

This is mostly a creation of my own, combining several different ideas to get the final product.

• Your favorite boxed brownie mix
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 Tb. & 2 tsp. flour
• 2/3 c. pumpkin
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Make brownies according to instructions on the box. Pour into a (greased) 9 x 9 or larger pan:

Mix all of the cheesecake ingredients together with a mixer of some sorts, just until everything is combined:

Drop onto the uncooked brownies, swirl together (don't mix):

I baked these according to the brownie directions, testing here and there. I used a 8 x 8 pan, and that was a mistake. They were too thick and I couldn't get them to cook all the way through. I would definitely suggest a 13 x 9 pan. The center is a wee bit uncooked, but the edges are delicious and tasty. Big fan.

I may or may not be headed to the kitchen for seconds : ))

2010 goals with a side of pumpkin.

hello november!

Can you believe another year is almost gone? Sometimes I wish I could pull a Zack Morris and freeze time for a moment or two; just enough to catch my breath.

I am taking advantage of these last two months to check a few items off my to-do list. Things I've been meaning to do or want to do, but haven't had an opportunity. Putting these down in writing make me more accountable and push me harder to make them happen. So let's go!

Continue on the no meat train
I've only had a few bites of meat here and there, but I really would like to buckle down and finish this year off strictly vegetarian. I want to enter 2011 feeling as good as I know I can.

Join a gym
I have been tinkering with the idea for a few weeks now. Even though I hate the whole idea of gyms - the fine print and overcharging, sweaty strangers everywhere. Ick! My lungs burn when I run in the winter, and the limited daylight poses safety issues. I think I will suck it up and join. Thankfully there is a Fitness 19 right by my house for $9 a month. I have yet to stop in and check it out, but I shall soon.

Run a 10 miler
Running 10 miles in 30 degree weather does not appeal to me, BUT if I join a heated gym...

Experiment in the kitchen more
I absolutely hate cooking for one person. My thinking is, "Why bother?" I end up making the most boring meals for myself. Rice, pasta, a single frozen meal. I would LOOOVE to have a pantry full of options without the fear of things going bad. Not anymore. I have a lot of people in my life that would love to receive the gift of food.

I am also scared to death of cooking with tofu. I really have no idea why, but I will conquer the tasteless cube of soy!

Start weight training
Again, gym...

Get a haircut
The simplest of all things I know, but I have been putting it off for months. My hair is best kept short and if it's not short I don't really feel that confident or attractive. A cute bob with bangs will make an appearance soon, you-best-believe-it.

Start a book club
I started a book club a couple years ago with a few wonderful ladies. Life moved on and so did we. Who doesn't love to read a book during those cold winter months? If you are interested, speak up! Let's learn, let's laugh, let's make new friends!

There you have it, my goals for the rest of 2010.


Having a bit of homemade pumpkin purée in my freezer, I whipped up a loaf of pumpkin bread. I got this particular recipe (which I love) from Simply Recipes.

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 cup olive oil
•  2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls:

Mix dry ingredients into the wet, don't over mix. Pour into a loaf pan and bake at 350 for 50 - 60 minutes:

....and eat!

i'm not perfect.

I live a (mostly) healthy lifestyle. I exercise and I watch what I eat, but some days it seems impossible (am I right, ladies?)

I love all food - from nutrient packed vegetables to fast food. Some days all I want is to gorge. While I try not to have many days like that, I still do, and I think it's perfectly fine. What fun would life be if we stop having things we love?

Sometimes I want cookies for dinner.
Sometimes I want to be vegan.
Sometimes nothing will satisfy me like a cold Coke.
Sometimes ordering a veggie burger feels like a treat.
Sometimes I want McDonald's, especially when the McRib is in town...

and so I did.

I ran in the rain, I deserved it : )

All I'm trying to say is that no one is perfect, we all make mistakes. If you are struggling with staying healthy, treat yourself. Be aware of it and move on. Tomorrow is a new day, start fresh and get back on track.

cleveland beer week.

For those of you living under a rock, it's
Cleveland Beer Week!

With more than 375 events at 120 venues, this week has been exciting for the Greater Cleveland area. With the main focus on local breweries it's not all about beer. I've been enjoying the community factor, and of course the food. Add food to any event and I'm on board.

With the full schedule listed on the website, you still have time to experience something. Go out and visit some place new. I promise you will find amazing things.


Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon - North Olmsted

Before Saturday I had no idea this place existed. Thank you CBW! I was extremely impressed. Great atmosphere, great food, great brew.

Like I said, the food is awesome. Ordered the pretzel sticks to start. They are not normally on the menu, just a 'Special of the Day' kind of thing. I took one bite and literally wow'd.

Since filling up on pretzels (errr....), I was only able to eat one slice of my margarita pizza. yum!

Thank you Fat Head's! A++

Market - Rocky River

**Warning** Gentlemen beware - there is a disgustingly charming Australian bartender. Prepare to have the lady in your life ignore you, and flirt uncontrollably with him. I swear, she cannot help it, it's a medical condition - the attractive accent causing weak knees syndrome.

Since I was too busy chatting it up with the Australian guy (who was married btw, who cares), I took no pictures. Oops : )

Great place, open and cozy atmosphere. Food looked great, large selection of beer. Definitely make your way there. Men will love the food and bar, ladies will love the scenery. Hey-ohh.


With limited time and money, a few friends and I decided to host our own CBW event. Each person brought an interesting beer to taste. We dined, we tasted, we laughed. Great idea for anyone looking for an interesting dinner party theme.

We sampled 2 local brews, along with ones from Belgium, Lithuania, and Ireland.

Finished the evening off with a little Rock Band, our favorite!

A big thanks to Mr. Ricco for his beautiful rendition of Lady Gaga.


Three days left of Cleveland Beer Week, where will you go?

punkins.

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, been busy doing lots of fun things - some I'll share now, some I'll share next time.

okay!

I took Thursday and Friday off work for a mini-vacay. Traveled with a few friends (new and old) to Detroit for a concert. We went to see Sufjan Stevens, a very exciting and wonderful musician.

This tour is described as, "Part awkward modern art installation and part captivating rock spectacle."

With inspiration from late artist, Royal Robertson, Stevens put on quite a show. I had a great time!

eats.

It's pumpkin time!

I love roasting small pie pumpkins for all my recipes. It takes some time, but I think the end result is way worth it. Plus you know all the ingredients.

Preheat oven to 400. The stem is very dry, be sure to cover with foil so you don't burn your house down:

Roast for 30 - 45 minutes, depending on size of pumpkin. When you can stick a knife easily into the skin, it's done.

Cut open, let cool:

Remove seedy-goop (roasted pumpkin seeds make a great snack), stick flesh into a food processor or mash with a fork and voila! pumpkin puree. Canned on the left, fresh roasted on the right:

You may keep the pumpkin in chunks and add to chili or my favorite, Mushroom and Pumpkin Risotto.

I actually made the risotto tonight. I used vegetable stock instead of chicken to keep it vegetarian/vegan.

If this doesn't say Fall, I don't know what does.

yumyum.

fiver.

Last night, stars aligned.

The world provided the most amazing environment.

Perfect weather, good music.

I ran an impromptu 5 miles.

Oh how I love days like this. My body is properly fueled and hydrated. I was fully entertained. My legs felt strong. Everything was just right.

The only thing that didn't get the memo of perfection was my bladder. I could have easily destroyed 6, 7, 8 miles, but of course I needed to stop.

I don't know what triggered the sudden increase in mileage. I think it may have something to do with what I had for lunch. Since I finished being vegan, I ate a little bit of all this:

THE WORST IDEA EVER.

I hated myself after I ate all that cheese and eggy-ness. I felt way too full and really gross. It wasn't even worth it and I was kicking myself for thinking that I needed to eat it JUST BECAUSE.

I went home after work and made myself a delicious dinner. It happened to be vegan and it was so much better than any of the things I splurged on.

I wanted all of that nasty food out of my body, so I ran and didn't stop (until absolutely necessary). It was the perfect combination of mind and body. I was focused and enjoyed myself. My shin splints didn't flare up, and the hills that normally give me problems were a breeze.

Whatever happened in the universe last night needs to happen more often.


"Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body?" - The Smiths