January 29, 2011

Chariots of Fire



I'm seriously pumped. I can actually run more than 5 miles outdoors. This has never really happened to me. I'm so glad that I chose to partake in the Fleet Feet morning run. No, not because I actually ran with them, but to basically make me understand that I am able to run for longer than I think, without music, and even in the cold. Molly picked me up in front of my apartment at 7:25am, which, after a night of heavy red wine drinking, was kind of struggle. I think I was drunk when we first started. I wore my regular socks in addition to my menorah socks. It's fine. My feet get cold in the winter. We ran 3 miles to Fleet Feet in Lincoln Park. After that, came the intimidating chat from the people really training for legitimate marathons--they were super intense and super skinny, and were chatting about bathroom stops for miles 10 and 11. Wow. Not there yet. I ran for about 1.5 miles with the team, then split off from them, turned around, and ran from Mon Ami Gabi to Whole Foods on North Avenue. I'm assuming that was about another mile or so. All in all, I think I did about 6 miles, or a little over that. I just checked it via Gmaps Pedometer. Coolest Site ever. Look how cool the city looked from crossing over the bridge near Old Navy (Clybourn/North area). Also, for proof, is the group I ran a little with. I think I could legitimately train for some type of race in the future. Woo! I'll keep you posted if I can walk tomorrow.

By the way, extra credit goes to Doug who picked me up from Whole Foods after. Produce shopping and an almond milk coffee is the way to go.

January 26, 2011

Mandy is Sweet


We are certainly loving the cake tastings for our wedding. Yesterday, Doug and I ventured to Sweet Mandy B's for our second (and final) tasting. As expected, we came to the conclusion that Sweet Mandy B's has not only the brightest color furniture and wall paint colors, but also has the best physical CAKE in the city of Chicago. True story. It was moist (I hate that word, I know it's sick, but it was true), yet light, and fluffy. DELISH!

We ended up purchasing our cake. Sorry Bittersweet! We're going another direction. We purchased a 3 tier ALMOND cake with VANILLA buttercream frosting. Yum. On the side, we are going to have yellow cake sheet cake with vanilla buttercream frosting as well.

I was doing hip hop dance moves when we got home, followed by jumping jacks and leg twitches due to sugar overload. Doug and I were hyper and had a great time together at the tasting. Above is the photo that I tinted to save your eyes from being blinded by the purple pastel walls at the bakery. I'll share more about the cake designs I'm looking for after I find them all. They are going to be simple, elegant, classic, and all white! Man do I love cake. If I don't get any at the wedding I'll be disappointed big time.

January 25, 2011

Call-E-Flower


I made a really good risotto style barley dish last night. Mine looked almost like this but without the parsley and instead of the pretty background, is my ugly work cube. Ew. Recipe below. Enjoy! This is really tasty!

1 medium head cauliflower, cored
2
tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup pearl barley
3 1/2
cups reduced-sodium chicken
1 1/2 cups water
4
garlic cloves cut with garlic press
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano cheese (I used 3/4 cup b/c I cut out the butter)
1/4 cup almond or soy milk
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in upper third.
Cut cauliflower into 1/2-inch pieces and toss with 2 Tbsp oil and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper. Spread in 1 layer in a large 4-sided sheet pan and roast, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and well browned, 20 to 30 minutes.

While cauliflower roasts, toast barley in a dry 4-qt heavy pot over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and golden, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl alone. Trust me this step helps. I know it sounds ridiculous but it adds texture. Spray the sauce pan with PAM first.

Bring broth and water to a simmer in a small saucepan that you used for the barley a moment ago. Add garlic from a garlic press. Let that cook for a minute or two. Next, add in the barley along with a 1/2 cup hot broth and briskly simmer, stirring, until absorbed. Keep the heat on pretty high the whole time. Continue simmering and adding hot broth, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until barley is just tender and creamy-looking, about 20 minutes (you may have broth left over).I switched off adding in broth, water, and the last time I added in liquid, added in milk. Stir in cauliflower, cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.

I was inspired to make this recipe by Gourmet Magazine, one that I haven't ever heard of believe it or not!

Link to Magazine

January 24, 2011

Back in Black.


Thank you to my bridesmaids who accept that J Crew is my mecca, and for agreeing to sport the Lorelei Strapless Dress in black, on October 22, 2011. I'm personally very excited for the contrast of these dresses with the lighter coloring of the flowers. I think this will look simple, classy, and elegant, while being flattering to the figure and easy on the eye. Plus, they have POCKETS, best part.

Mish

January 23, 2011

(the) Bear(s) (are) Down.


Ick. Terrible. Frustrated & exhausted. Sitting on my couch right now while Doug snores on my lap and I try to type over his head, after watching the Bears game today at Mahoney's on Ogden. I know that bar sounds like it's in the middle of nowhere, but it was actually a great location of a pub not too far from my apartment (ahh, the joys of catching a cab when I'm in a rush, it never happens the way I want it to and I end up standing on the curb by myself talking to myself literally swearing under my breath until a cab comes my way). I went to the pub after a very productive (yet hungover) morning consisting of cleaning, Whole Foods shopping, run outdoors, and a trip to the steam room in my home that I've started to use this weekend. I really don't want to get sick & that's been helping me clear out my sinuses. I know you all care so much about that, so I'll just spare you the details of the type of facial mask I wore in the heat, etc. I felt better that I had gone grocery shopping so was able to have healthy food in my purse. I did the same thing the weekend prior (lovely photo above) when I was at Mickey's on Clark. I would rather not spend $50.00 to $70.00 on unhealthy food to throw away my workout! I know, I sound nuts to you I'm sure. I just like being healthy and not spending money on things I don't want to (like an unhealthy pizza or sandwich) when I could just spend a little more time to buy fresh produce at Whole Foods. I'm slightly depressed that someone stole that helmet (which I stole from a frat house at University of Illinois, of course, but that's hardly the point! I want it back!).

Last weekend's win was a tease, as the game today was terrible. It was a mess. We went through 3 quarterbacks, the first two barely seemed to play. I will refrain from talking smack about the two of them, but will just say that I think I'd like to see a little more "heart" from players of their caliber, rather than someone who just gives up. That's all. I'd like to discuss Caleb Hanie. What a cool kid. Third back up quarterback, Colorado State player (which I learned today), and seemed to be someone completely hands on and positive. He was exactly what we needed at the end of the game. Sad that our third backup would be better than our first string quarterback. Enough said. Hanie rocked. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to win, which was a huge disappointment of course. I was really stressed out at the end of the game. Just went I thought it to be closer of a game, the Packers intercepted the ball. It was pretty miserable, not going to lie.

Luckily, we went to Big Star after the game was over, and had a hilarious cab drive (after waiting 25 minutes in the numbing cold without a hat on--excellent) there including seeing a man standing on the off ramp from the highway next to a cab with its blinkers on, while he threw up on the side of the road. Of course we shouted "go BEARS" out the window for good measure.

Big Star was the perfect end to the night. It made me remember the struggles of being a Chicago sports fan. It's never easy!

I'm watching the Steelers game right now, and they are playing the Jets. I really want the Steelers to win, given my background as a Pittsburgh girl!

Maybe next year, Bears!

Mish