Running the distance...

I finished graduate school in August, and that meant I no longer had a gym nearby (let's be honest, I hardly went to the K-State gym). But now that I didn't have a free one, I was able to justify joining the new Max Fitness that was built just down the road from us. I joined and immediately began taking advantage of the facility. They offer some great classes and I have enjoyed their Zumba class on a regular basis. Even better - I have been running a bunch. I decided to make running a part of my everyday work out. But I also wanted to give myself goals so that I would stick with it. So I signed up to run my first 5K! Rob, me and our friend Geoff all ran the Speedy PD here in Manhattan, Kansas! It was both mine and Geoff's first race ever! I made Rob run the whole thing with me, which was very hard for him seeing that Geoff would definitely beat him! But it was a blast.

 In this first picture Rob, Geoff and I are about to start. I'll never start at the front again - I was passed way too much!

Here we are running in! My time was 36 mins. Not at all good, but I will only improve from here!

Here we all are at the end!

The next running goal I set was to participate in the Splash N' Dash Triathlon on Ft. Riley.  It was yesterday and was a blast! Rob participated in the individual triathlon and I got a team together. (I'm definitely not ready to do all three events by myself - plus I have no bike). 

 Mary swam, Jessica biked, and I ran! We all wore pink socks and tanks!

Here is Jessica finished with the 14 mile bike portion and tagging me so I can begin my run!

The run was 4.33 miles. It was far but way more enjoyable in the outdoor air and with the spirit and atmosphere of a real race than it was training on a treadmill. Here I am finishing the race!

Go Team Purple Rainbows! (Rob chose our team name. We had no idea)

Rob and I after our first tri. It was his first one too - and he did great. He won first place for his age group!

I will say, as much as I have always hated running - I love running in these races. It is so fun and makes all that running worth it. Plus, I am getting way better at it, which is making me enjoy running even more. Perhaps my hatred of running has turned into a new love and hobby? I think so, since I can't wait to race again.

Middle East Night

Rob and I like to experiment with various cuisines with some friends of ours, Geoff and Jessica Bokish (and their new baby Abigail). So far we've had Greek Night and Mexican Night. It is super fun to attempt a new recipe with ingredients you aren't even sure you can get here in Kansas. So far we've always had success and everything has tasted so yummy.

Last night we had Middle East Night. It was by far my favorite of all the cuisines tried so far. Geoff and Jessica made Afghan flatbread, curry rice, and a Middle Eastern salad. We made kefta kebabs and baklava. Everything was so delicious. My favorites were the salad (with a fabulous dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic) and the baklava.

Here is all the food (keeping in mind I am NO food photographer), from Left to Right

Kefta Kebabs (made with lamb), salad, curry rice, baklava, Afghan flatbread



Here I am grilling the kebabs!


And my proud creation - homemade baklava! It certainly wasn't the easiest thing to make, but so worth it. Especially since they don't sell baklava here in Manhattan.





Is it bad that I ate some for breakfast?

Tough Mudder!!

Yesterday Rob participated in Tough Mudder in Colorado. Tough Mudder is a 10 mile challenge course that is not for the faint or weak of heart. This isn't your average run, it is no Warrior Dash - it is worse.

Starting at 8,100 feet and climbing to 11,440 feet, if the high altitude doesn't stop you, the 25 obstacles might.



It was quite the experience. Over 6,000 people competed and for those competing and watching it was a party the whole day. They were offering free mohawks which Rob jumped on.



Here are a few of the 25 obstacles:

Braveheart Challenge: This was the starting line and first and easiest of the challenges (giving participants a false sense of what was to come). They charged down a 50 degree decline, and then it was all uphill from there.






Underwater Tunnels: according to Rob, the moment you put your head under the 36 degree water it robs you of your breath and you feel like you are drowning. Rumors were abound that a woman was medevac'd on life support after attempting this challenge.

Kiss of Mud: This was one of many muddy obstacles. For this the participants had to crawl on their bellies with their face in the mud as razor wire hung 8 inches off the ground.

Mount Everest: A 15 foot high quarter pipe greased with oil. This is the event I watched the most - and most needed help getting up. Rob got up on his first try, without any help.



It was entertaining to watch everyone attempt to get up - and also great that participants were so willing to help each other out. Great sportsmanship!


Though there were tons more events, I only was able to see a few of them, (you can view them all here) but this next one was the last challenge and another really entertaining one.

Electroshock Therapy: Rob had to run through a field of live wires, some that carried a 10,000 volt charge. Many contestants were shocked so hard they were thrown into the mud, struggling to get up again while continuing to get shocked from the ground.



Here he is towards the end, waving at me


Rob finished with a great time 2 hours 3 minutes and was able to complete every obstacle without assistance. "Tough Mudder" he says, "was the most physically challenging thing I have ever done. Nothing has ever compared to this. I can't wait for the next one."

Must Try Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

I was excited to make this recipe. I figured it would be good, but I didn't expect it to be mouth-watering-I-want-to-eat-this-forever good. It surely was.



Other than the green beans, there is nothing at all healthy about it, but it makes eating your greens delightful! And it is fun to make.

Here is the recipe which I found from Our Best Bites

Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

1 lb. green beans with the ends snapped off
8 slices lean, regularly sliced bacon
3 Tbsp. real butter
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. white sugar
1 Tbsp. minced red onion
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

If you're using fresh green beans, wash and snap the ends off. When the water is boiling, briefly boil (blanch) the beans for 2-3 minutes or until you start hearing a popping noise and the beans have turned bright green. Quickly drain and rinse in cold water until the beans have cooled.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

On a cookie sheet, divide the green beans evenly into 8 piles. Carefully bundle each pile of beans with one slice of bacon and return to the baking sheet. This step can be done up to a day ahead of time.

When the oven is ready, place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and sizzling. While the bundles are in the oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. When the butter is bubbly, add in the onions and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are softened and fragrant. Reduce heat to low and add in vinegar, sugar, and salt. Remove from heat and set aside.

When ready to serve, place bean bundles on a serving platter and drizzle with sauce. Serve immediately.

If you decide to try it, let me know how you like it. Enjoy!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Saturday Rob took me to my FIRST real baseball game. It was a million times better than watching it on TV. We were at the Kansas City Royals v. St. Louis Cardinals game. We were a little worried that the weather wouldn't cooperate, since they were calling for thunderstorms. But we lucked out and it was a clear beautiful day. I can't wait to go to my next game!

We recently returned from a wonderful trip to Seattle. We went to visit family...



and to attend the wedding of one of my favorite people: Kaela!



We had such a wonderful time. We were able to celebrate Ben's birthday (Rob's brother) as well as Mother's Day with the family.

On the days everyone was working we took advantage of the opportunity to see some of the city.

Here we are at the troll under the Aurora Bridge.


We also went to Pike Place Market and had some yummy seafood.


We explored the Discovery Center downtown where Deborah (Rob's sister) recommended to Rob that we go to the Star War's exhibit before it leaves town. I (naturally wanting to fit in) replied, "Great! I'm a huge Trekkie!" Obviously, I am the worst nerd EVER!




My favorite was the butterfly exhibit, where I even had one land on me (but flew away before we could get a photo op).



It was a wonderful time had by all!

It's all GREEK to me

In an attempt to experiment with and challenge my limited culinary abilities, and to try to incorporate some culture into our lives, we had a Greek night with friends! It was fabulous.


The Menu

greek salad
baklava
tzatziki
hummus
domatokeftethes



What is domatokeftethes? The most delish tomato fritters! While my mom and I were in Greece last summer we made an effort to try new food, and domatokeftethes was one of our favorites. I was so excited to come home and find out that my Mediterranean cookbook had a recipe for them! They are basically a fried tomato pancake flavored with scallions, parsley and mint. Though they are yummy, they are fried, so aren't the healthiest food around.



It was such a fun night!



What I was most excited about what my hummus that turned out EXCELLENT! Here is the recipe:

1 (15.5 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 large clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons tahini
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground red paper (add more if you want it spicy)
4-6 tablespoons water, divided
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley, optional

Combine chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the water in a food processor. Process until smooth. With processor running, pour in olive oil. Process until just combined. Add additional water by tablespoon until you reach the consistency you like.

Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. For optimal flavor, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Right before serving, top with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and chopped fresh parsley.

Recipe from Our Best Bites

Birthday Bliss

Not only was my birthday last week, but it was my FIRST birthday that Rob and I have EVER spent together since we've known one another. Last year he was in Iraq and the year before he was in Afghanistan. If you know me, you know that birthdays are the BEST! No holiday is better than YOUR birthday because it is all yours and (hopefully) you don't have to share it with anyone! In my family it is a day you can do whatever you want, you can be as spoiled as necessary (because when else do you have an excuse to do all this).

To celebrate, we went shopping (successfully) and went out to eat and came home and had my favorite - ICECREAM CAKE! But not just any icecream cake, Dairy Queen icecream cake, which if you've ever had, you'll share in my enthusiasm.



In coordination with my goal for this year, all the things I seem to want have to do with cooking. So I got a food processor which I quickly put to use making homemade hummus (recipe coming soon).



I also got a griddle, which I think Rob was more excited about than I was, since he got it right out and used it the next morning ;)



It was a great birthday and I enjoyed every minute of it!

A Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo

This week was spring break and instead of taking a huge vacation, Rob and I decided to take a little trip to Nauvoo! We had such a wonderful time. Though I lived in Illinois for a few years as a kid, it had been so long since I had been to Nauvoo, I wanted to go back and experience all the changes and see the temple. Rob had never been before.


It was the PERFECT time to go. The weather was pleasant and there was hardly anyone there! There was never any wait or lines and we were the only ones on most of the little tours.

It was great to see where both of our ancestors had lived and what life was like for them. Here are some of my ancestors on display at the visitors center!




The hands on stuff was extremely fun!



And now we have our own Nauvoo brick!



We even took the tour of the Joseph Smith Mansion house and Red Brick Store which is currently owned by the Community of Christ. As many times as I wanted go inside Joseph's home the million times I came to Nauvoo as a kid, and my parents never agreed to pay the tour fee, they were wise in their decision. Unfortunately it was not worth it, and was somewhat of a disappointment compared to the rest of Nauvoo. We decided it didn't have the same spirit as the rest of the Nauvoo stuff owned by the LDS church - but my harsh judgments are a result of my extreme bias.



We enjoyed seeing Carthage Jail.



But our favorite part of the trip was the Nauvoo Temple. It is even more beautiful inside than it is on the outside. And really, is there anything better than being in the temple with the one you love in a place that has so much historical significance to not only your faith but also your ancestry?



We had such a wonderful time and can't wait for our next mini-adventure!

Home at Last

Rob is finally home. He came home Saturday morning, March 12.

For those of you who have never experienced a redeployment ceremony, here is what happens. First, they change the time of their arrival a million times the week they are to come home. The final change occurred the night before Rob came home. Then they gather all the families in this big room with bleachers. Meanwhile, the soldiers are all at another location on post in-processing and stuff.


Then we wait and wait and wait...



And then they announce the arrival of the soldiers and they all start running in!







Then there is a prayer, a few people speak for a couple minutes. And then finally, the soldiers are dismissed and can join their families.



We left right away and came home! Together at last!