Get Lucky - 7k

I have to say that I am falling in love with outdoor winter runs! Does this mean I am becoming one of those crazy Minnesota runners?   I find the cold slightly invigorating, and enjoy the fact that I am not running inside on a treadmill like a hamster!  I am anxiously awaiting the warm Spring weather!  

Anyways this Saturday Derek and I will be running the Minneapolis "Get Lucky" 7k and the weather forecast doesn't appear to be to warm.

At least it is supposed to be sunny! 

The race will be a quick 4.2 miles around Minneapolis!

 I am pretty excited to run this race (it has been a while since my 10 miler) and I am hoping this race will pump me up for our upcoming half marathon! And not to mention we get some pretty cool gear!

The race is sponsored by Team Ortho Quick (they put on 6 different races a year including the Monster Dash) and will feature plenty of St Patty's Day celebrating post race (complete with bag pipers)!  I will keep you posted on our time! 

Have you ever run any holiday themed races?

Happy Thursday !

Running Update - Half Training

Well, Derek and I are over half way done with our Half Marathon training! 

We completed our 10 Mile run this past Saturday, and man was it a good run! 

The weather was perfect for running outside (sad when we think that 33 degrees is lovely) the sun was shining, and I was just happy to be out running!  Derek and I ended up running clear down to Lake Calhoun and around Lake of the Isles! 

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There were a ton of people out enjoying the day Saturday!  I love seeing so many people out in the winter time being active!  It is one of my favorite things about Minneapolis - People in Minnesota just don't hibernate in the winter!  Love it! 

The half marathon Derek and I are running is not till May, but we have a 7K coming up in March!

 We also plan on back tracking in our half training and incorporating a little speed work! 

Below are a few articles I found regarding how to incorporate speed work into your training.  As well as some articles on what you should eat before and after a run!  Hope you enjoy! 

Source: modernhepburn.tumblr.com via Hayley on Pinterest

Speed Training: 
Crucial Tips to Increase Running Speed
Speed Training for Beginners  
Improving Speed and Endurance - Runners World 

Interval Workouts 

How to create your own Interval Workout 

Nutrition for Runners:

What to Eat before a Run (And Foods To Avoid)

Runners Nutrition

Happy Thursday! 

Minnesota Gophers - Basketball Out Come

This past Tuesday Derek and I went to the Minnesota Vs. IU Basketball game.

I had gotten the tickets for Derek as a Valentine's Day Present! My parents also acame up for the game (my mom had gotten tickets for my dad)!

Minnesota is Derek's Alma Mater and let me tell you it was a fabulous game to be at!  

The excitement at "The Barn" was unbelievable as Minnesota took on Number One ranked Indiana! 

The game was a close one but Minnesota ended up beating Indiana - 77-73

it was a game that ended with Minnesota Fans storming the court!

It was an exciting evening and I am glad I got to share the experience with Derek and my parents! 

Mill Valley Kitchen - A Review

This past Saturday Derek and I had a night out with Nikki and Jason.  We tried out a new restaurant - Mill Valley Kitchen. 

The Mill Valley Kitchen is a restaurant that I have been dying to try now for a long time, so I was really excited to finally be able to dine at the Mill Valley Kitchen. 

The Mill Valley Kitchen features Northern California inspired cousine and also features fresh, local and sustainable ingredients in all their dishes.  I loved how open the Mill Valley Kitchen was about their ingredients and nutrition of their entrees they serve. The Mill Valley Kitchen's atmosphere is comfortable and chic and I throughly enjoyed the whole experience.  

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I loved the white paneling and the ceiling, and the pop of color was refreshing! 

Not only did the Mill Valley Kitchen have a great atmosphere they also had amazing food!  I have to say that I loved everything I tasted! 

Derek and I started with the Mill Valley Kitchens Vegan Chili which was delicious.  It was spicy and full of flavor.  I would love to try and recreate their chili at home! 

Nikki and Jason also started off with Chili and the soup of the day! 

We all chatted and enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere while we waited on our entrees to arrive!  I had the hardest time picking out what I wanted to eat!  There were at least 3 things on the Mill Valley Kitchen's menu that I wanted to try.  Ultimately I ordered the Miso Glazed Seabass!

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And oh my goodness was it good!
Served over a bed of gingered-shiitake quinoa  with a sweet and sour cucumber salad.  Absolutely wonderful the fish was tender and done just right while the quinoa was full
flavorful.

So what did everyone else order you might ask?  Derek enjoyed the Grass Fed Filet, Jason ordered the Bison Burger and Nikki ordered the Herb Roasted Chicken.

All looked wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meals.  I have to say that this is a restaurant that I will be going back to!  All in all it was a wonderful evening!

Dinner Date - Pizza Sandwiches

One of Derek's favorite places to go to lunch during the work week is Carbonese Pizza (Pizza Restaurant around Minneapolis).

He absolutely loves their pizza sandwiches, something I just do not understand!  Well, a few Saturday's ago I recreated the "Pizza Sandwich" for our Saturday night  dinner date!  I found some inspiration from these Cooking Light Recipes (One, Two, Three) but ultimately I threw some things together and came up with my own thing!  I used a Trader Joe's pre-made crust which worked perfectly, and filled the dough with the toppings of our choice (meat for Derek and Veggies for me)!  

So what was the verdict made by my pizza sandwich loving boyfriend?  Two thumbs up!  He said these were phenomenal!  And you know what?  I have to agree with him! 

Homemade Pizza Sandwiches (Calzones)
Inspired by Cooking Light 

Makes 6 

Ingredients:

Trader Joe's Pre-made dough (or any dough of your choice) 

Pizza Sauce 

Mozzarella Cheese/Ricotta Cheese 

Toppings of Choice  

(I used basil, spinach, pepperoni, and ricotta for ours - but pick toppings you love!)

Directions:

1-If using pre-made refrigerated dough let your dough sit at room temp for 20 minutes.   

2- Divide dough into 6 equal parts.

3- Take one ball of dough and with a rolling pin roll into a small circle (like you were making your own personal pizza).
4- Place your toppings of choice on half the pizza crust leaving a half inch border.
5- Fold the pizza crust over your filling of choice and pinch the edges toghether.
6- Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
7- Place all your Calzones on a baking sheet and brush with milk.
8- Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until tops of Calzones are browned.

Serve with additional pizza sauce for dipping and enjoy!
 Whats one restaurant you love to go to for lunch?

Valentine's Day Recap!

I thought I would share just a few highlights with you today, from Derek and My first Valentine's Day together!

  I mentioned before in this post that my ideal Valentine's day is actually a low key night at home!  A night spent cooking, relaxing and talking.  And this Valentine's Day that is exactly what I got! 

Derek made me the most thoughtful gift! 

Origami Flowers!  So thoughtful, and a creative spin on Valentine's Day Flowers! 

Minnesota Gopher Basketball Tickets for Derek! 

I got him tickets to see the Minnesota/Indiana game!  I can't wait, it will be a fun evening! 

I made Derek's favorite meal - Shrimp and Spinach Risotto - 

The dish came out perfectly, just like it usually does! 

I follow this recipe from Taste of Home.   It is delicious!

A meal just isn't complete without a good glass of wine!

The wine we enjoyed on our first date! 

And the perfect ending to a meal... a decedent chocolate brownie!

Rich Brownie+ Decedent Frosting+Melty Vanilla Ice Cream = Dessert Heaven! 

 I followed this brownie recipe from Cooking Light (leaving out the walnuts for Derek)!  The brownies were rich and studded with melted chocolate, perfection.  To make the brownies even more decedent (oh yes, I went there) I made the frosting from this Cooking Light recipe.  Texas sheet cake frosting by far is the best! Delicious!

How did you spend your Valentine's Day?

Happy Heart Day!

Wishing you all a Very Happy Valentine's Day!

Source: thetomkatstudio.com via Oui Oui on Pinterest

Tell the ones you love just how much you love them, and never take them for granted!


Happy Valentine's Day!