7 Miles and the Market

This morning I got up and ran 7 miles along the lakefront ending at the last Green City up at the Nature Museum. I am really glad that they managed to have a market throughout the winter but I am VERY excited for it to come back down into the park right by my apartment. My legs are getting very tight/sore/tired from all my training but I feel pretty awesome that I was able to run for an hour and 20 mins today (I run slow and don’t hesitate to drink a few gulps at every water fountain I see). 2 years ago, I couldn’t even run a mile.

the generosity of friends

This past weekend, I threw a party at my apartment and asked my friends to donate money as “cover” to my ACS Solider Field 10 mile page.  Really, it was just a great excuse to have some great friends over to unwind before finals (and Bar Review-gag) start.  After running 6 miles (my longest yet!) in the morning, I came home to get ready for the party.  Throughout the day the donations trickled in and I was quickly over my $400 goal.  A BIG THANK YOU to all my wonderful friends that donated.  I can’t thank you enough for your generosity, especially as a time when we are all graduating and most of us without a clear income in sight.  

Smoky Baked Mac and Cheese

Last weekend I had the craving for something warm and comforting but all of my normal, go-to recipes just seemed uninspiring.  I wanted to try something new.  Whenever I am on the search for a new recipe, I look at my starred posts in my reader and slowly make my way through a stack of magazines and recipe books.  However, it never fails that I end up finding the perfect thing to try over at the Kitchen Sink.  

Cinnamon Rolls

Even though I am not religious, I wanted to make something new and special on Easter Sunday.  I have been reading about wonderful brunch menus in magazines and on blogs, and I figured that I should be allowed in on the fun.  I decided to pull out my new bread book and see if anything inspired me.  I was originally drawn to bagels but quickly decided that I wanted something sweet, and then I was quickly sucked in by the recipe for cinnamon rolls.

Venetian Bean Soup a la Rancho Gordo

After receiving 3 bags of the famous Rancho Gordo beans from Dave for Valentine’s, I had to search out a recipe that was worthy of one of the bags.

[First] Green at Green City

[mushrooms, eggs, seven grain bread, spinach, pea shoots, yukon golds, pastries]

I have always enjoyed seeing beautiful pictures of weekly groceries (go here for a GREAT example), so I think I will start to show you what I buy at Green City. The market is still indoors for April but as you can see, green is starting to arrive in the form of Spinach and Pea Shoots. I really can’t wait for Spring!

PS-I am donating a batch of my granola to Meghann’s Bake Sale on Monday April 6th so if you want a batch, make a bid while helping raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…and if any of my locals win, I will throw in an extra prize since I get to save on shipping!