This Week's Eats 12.22.13 What We're Eating Over the Holidays

The last 'Eats' post of the year is upon me!  Crazy how the time flies, and yet it seems like I've waited forever for my favorite week of the year.  The plan is to make Braciole for Christmas Eve and see if the kids will try it...  It's a scrumptious Italian dish, wherein you roll a flank steak around lots of yummy cheeses and herbs, brown it and then bake in tomato sauce.  On Christmas Day, once the kids are zonked out and in bed after getting up so early, we'll watch Love Actually and have a wine and cheese night.  This is when we eat lots of Salami Stacks, an array of cheeses, crackers, apples wrapped in prosciutto, and my favorite Trader Joe's appetizers: Caramelized Onion and Feta Cheese Pastry Bites, mmmm.  

For breakfast on Christmas Eve, I'm breaking out this Kringle I was so lucky to score at Trader Joe's back in November and stashed in my freezer.  

Instead of doing cinnamon rolls from scratch for Christmas Day, I'm going to make things easier and give this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake a try.  If all else fails, I bought the makings for more Cranberry Orange Bread to have on hand.  As for dessert, we still have lots of Cranberry Bliss Bark and our favorite Christmas Cookies to have all week.

We take our cookie making very seriously

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Braciole, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Salad
• Wednesday - Wine and Cheese Night!
• Thursday - Halal Cart Chicken (trying this awesome looking recipe that Everyday Reading shared via Twitter)
• Friday - Enchilada Soup (moved this back from last week, since we ended up eating out)
• Saturday - Bowtie Skillet Lasagna with Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey
• Sunday - Grilled Chicken Club Salad with Guacamole Dressing (an old Rachael Ray favorite)

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus.  Happy holidays and I'll see you next year!

Last Friday Things of 2013 and Running Playlist

Since Thanksgiving fell later on the calendar this year, the weeks between the holidays have gone by way too fast.  I guess everyone's feeling the crunch of the shortened holiday time, as our holiday cards are running late (I ordered the damn things on November 30th, and have yet to receive them - pro tip: don't use InvitationBox.com EVER) here's a preview/favorite outtake from our annual picture.

ah, poor dog, we torture him so...

I finally checked every last item off my to-do list, so after next week's eats, I'm gonna take a bloggy vacation to soak up as much zoned out couch-potato-ing in front of the tree as I can.  Speaking of sitting, I had a lovely day doing just that yesterday.  I ended up doing a double outing to the movies!  My husband and I decided to see The Hobbit during the day while he burned some vacation time, on the same day I had plans with a friend to see Catching Fire.  Both excellent!  Plus I got to have my first Cinebarre experience - totally awesome.

I was boring and just got popcorn this go round, but even that tasted homemade and had REAL butter on it - highly addictive.

And today is a snow day!  The kids have been playing in the backyard off and on for hours this morning while I write and read.  Perfect way to kick off Christmas break.

Fun things I found while looking around the internet:

• I always thought it was so magical that my stocking from Santa appeared in my bedroom, now I know what my parents were up to - and we carry on the tradition.  My mom kept it up every Christmas I slept at home - basically until I got married, and I never caught her!
• This story of how NORAD started tracking Santa is so wonderful and sweet that I nearly started crying after reading.
• Oh man, this Coke Ad depicting those early days of parenthood: priceless.
• Lies told to children had me cracking up!  
• Yes, I spent the 80s worshipping Duran Duran
• Man, I love these guys.  Or should I say, 'I Love You, Man'.

OK, last song for this year's playlist - I'm sure you've heard enough of this song already, but it's just too fun not to put on my list: Timber by Pitbull featuring Ke$ha

Happy weekend!

2013 Playlist
Can't Stop Me by Afrojack
Strangers by Seven Lions

#Thatpower by Will.I.Am

September by Earth Wind and Fire 

Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
Black Sheep by Metric

Still Into You by Paramore

Stay the Night by Zedd, featuring Hayley Williams

This is What it Feels Like by Armin vanBuuren

Pompeii by Bastille

Out of the Blue by System F

The Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi (Remixed by Steve Aoki)

Lose My Mind by Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso

Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes

Mirrors  by Justin Timberlake

Wake Me Up by Avicii and Aloe Blacc

Hey Now by Martin Solveig

We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke

Take You Higher by Goodwill and Hook N Sling

Justice and Independence by John Mellencamp

Glowing by Nikki Williams

Easy  by Porter Robinson (and Matt Zo).

I Could be the One by Avicii featuring Nicky Romero

Pair of Dice by Tiesto

Ain't No Stoppin' by Ferry Corsten (featuring Ben Hague)

Come and Get It by Selena Gomez
Apollo by Hardwell featuring Amba Shepherd

This Head I Hold by Electric Guest

Castles in the Sky by Ian Van Dahl

Feel this Moment by Pitbull, featuring Christina Aguilera

Into Your Arms by the Lemonheads

Just Give me a Reason by Pink

I Love It by Icona Pop

Little Secrets Passion Pit

Sovereign Light Cafe by Keane, remixed by Afrojack

Clarity by Zedd

Years by Alesso

Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
She Wolf by David Guetta, featuring Sia
Alive by Krewella
Illmerica by Wolfgang Garnter
Drowning by Armin van Buren
Give Me Your Hand by The Ready Set
Language by Porter Robinson
Cry for You by September
You Are My Diamond by Tiesto - featuring Kianna
Arguru - Deadmau5
We Are by Jus Jack & Oza, featuring Aeone

The Year in Running - 2013

I love Miss Zippy's idea of reflecting on the year in running, so I'm joining in the fun.  Without further ado, here are my thoughts on the year, thanks to her prompts:


Best race experience? Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage, no question.  I don't know what more to say about it, since I said A LOT already in my epic race recap.  It really helped me get back my running mojo after an injury and the disappointment of a bummer race in Eugene.  If you've never run an overnight relay, I HIGHLY recommend it!

Best run?  Ah, as I've said before, I think my favorite runs are training runs.  That's when I feel the zen, the stress melt away, and just enjoy.  But, my second leg of Ragnar was pretty darn awesome.  I wasn't super stressed about my time, I was immersed in the sense of camaraderie that Ragnar fosters, and just had such overwhelming run-love as I watched the sun set and crested a hill towards the exchange where all of my teammates were cheering.

 
Best new piece of gear? I bought my first GPS watch this year and really LOVE it!  I got the Garmin Forerunner 210 and, of course, I'm already thinking the new 220 that just came out (with the touch screen and all the whistles and bells) looks pretty awesome...  I also love, love, love my Oiselle strappy bras that came out this year.  They are super supportive, compressive, comfortable, and look really stylin' - I get questions and comments on them ALL the time at the gym.

Best piece of running advice you've received?  I was really inspired by Lauren Fleshman's talk at the Eugene Marathon expo, which she expounded upon in this Runner's World article.  She also talked about how she's had struggles with negative thoughts and fears during races.  Hearing her talk about changing the conversation in her head was really great food for thought.

Most inspirational runner?  Gosh, that's hard.  I mean, given that last bullet point - Lauren Fleshman (pictured above) is at the top of a long list!  I'll just add her to my great big family of Oiselle teammates, who inspired me in Eugene, at Ragnar, and inspire me daily on Twitter!

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?  Fun and adventurous!  No, it was not a year for PRs, like 2012.  However, I had more fun than EVER running this year.  Like I said, Ragnar was just amazing fun with teammates and an adventure to a part of my state I've never seen before.  Eugene (despite a disappointing race) was also such a great time with teammates and an adventure - the first race I traveled for, even if it was just one state away.  And getting to travel to Chicago for Hot Chocolate was the highlight of my year, being able to run AND go home.  It was the first race I've ever run alongside a friend the whole way.  Ridiculous, right??  I need to do more of that, the time went by so fast.

"Are you sure we ran 3.1 miles? Felt like .1"

That was really fun, recalling all the run memories of the year.  I'm looking forward to more great memories in 2014!

Cranberry Bliss Bark and This Week's Eats 12.15.13

One of the best things about the holiday season is when the much-anticipated red cups make their debut at Starbucks.  For me, I also eagerly await the arrival of the Cranberry Bliss Bars - those amazing bar cookies with the cream cheese frosting, orange zest, white chocolate and cranberry goodness on top.  Yes, I have a thing for cranberries and orange.  Last year, while making my traditional chocolate bark, I decided to try and make a Cranberry Bliss version and it turned out pretty darn good.  It's super easy to make, and is also a super easy gift!  

Cranberry Bliss Bark

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (two sticks) butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/2 box (about) plain graham crackers
• 2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• zest of one orange

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 10 x 15 inch cookie sheet pan with non-stick foil. Arrange crackers to fit the bottom of the pan in a single layer, breaking up the last few to fit the space.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and white sugar. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and let the mixture gently bubble for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Carefully pour sugar/butter mixture evenly over the graham cracker layer. Using a spatula, spread to cover. Bake for 10 minutes.

When done, remove from oven and let rest until bubbling subsides. Sprinkle white chocolate chips evenly over the top. Wait about 2 minutes for chocolate to melt, then use the spatula to gently spread chocolate chips into an even layer on top of the graham crackers. Sprinkle with the chopped nuts, dried cranberries and orange zest pressing down gently into the chocolate.

Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours. Peel foil from chilled bark. Crack into 2-inch irregular pieces.

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container. 

This week's eats:

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Thai Ground Beef with Vegetables and Brown Rice
• Wednesday - Alpine Chicken Casserole (Chicken breasts topped with swiss cheese, cream of mushroom soup thinned out with water, or a little white wine if ya want, and then cubed stuffing that's been tossed with a little butter. Bake at 350 for an hour, covered with foil for the first half hour - mmmm, cheesy baked goodness.)
• Thursday - Turkey Burgers (just throw lots of chili powder, cumin, minced garlic, chopped jalapeno, cilantro and some breadcrumbs into ground turkey) and Alexia Tots
• Friday - Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta (an old Emeril recipe)
• Saturday - date night!
• Sunday - Chicken Enchilada Soup in the Crock Pot

Update on last week's eats, the fried rice recipe we tried was good, but I thought it needed a bit more flavor - smothering it in Huli-Huli sauce worked well!

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!

Friday Things and Running Playlist

It was a pretty big bummer having to say goodbye to grandma this week.  Although, the kids have been distracted by all the holiday fun at this time of year.  Both have been practicing for their respective holiday sing-a-longs and, miraculously, have sung together in the car on the way to school without bickering lately.  Baby girl's Christmas program was today, and, er-ma-gherd.  This performance was much more orchestrated than the preschools that my son went to, and the kids were all so freaking adorable and well behaved as they went through all these little choreographed moved to the songs.  Seeing as how this was her first little school performance, we were over the moon.  

yes, I flooded my Istagram feed already today, but I have to share this one for posterity.

Speaking of the holidays, if you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed I'm hosting an online Stella and Dot party!  I've wanted to host one of these for awhile, but the stylists I know personally don't live here in Seattle and I'd just rather support them to buy the jewelry (and all sorts of other awesome stuff).  I also kind of dread the idea of dealing with my kids during a party; so when a friend from high school was looking for some peeps to host an online party, it was a no-brainer, given how much I do online.  Plus, I'm a big fan of no pressure situations and shopping in my jammies!  Here are some awesome deals going right now/things I've shared via Twitter and Facebook:

Now through the end of December, if you spend $50, you get 50% off on some very cool items!  A great way to spend $50 or more is with the 3 for $60 poufs (along with these cute beaded bracelets).  You could fill them with all sorts of little things that would appeal to your giftee, maybe small school supplies for a teacher or a Starbucks gift card for... anyone.  Plus  you could get two poufs for gifts and a bracelet for yourself, or vice versa!  Or, if you're not looking to spend $50, there are lots of cute things to choose from, including these bird earring are on sale for less than $16! WANT.  

So, click on this link and get shopping - they have guaranteed Christmas delivery with their regular flat rate shipping (they're eating the cost of expedited delivery) if you order by 9AM on the 18th!

OK, A few fun things from the internet this week:

• Funny notes written by kids, mine are TOTALLY freeloaders...
• Gotta love the irony
• Behind the scenes photos from Obama's visit to South Africa
• And, juuuust in case you didn't see this WestJet Christmas surprise - check out this awesome video from a very smart marketing team.  I even wanna try flying WestJet next year - it's like Oprah's favorite things!
• Also good holiday fun: man walks all day to create giant snow patterns.  Unreal.

I'm adding Can't Stop Me by Afrojack to the playlist, because that's always a good lyric for a running tune.

Happy weekend!

2013 Playlist
Strangers by Seven Lions

#Thatpower by Will.I.Am

September by Earth Wind and Fire 

Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
Black Sheep by Metric

Still Into You by Paramore

Stay the Night by Zedd, featuring Hayley Williams

This is What it Feels Like by Armin vanBuuren

Pompeii by Bastille

Out of the Blue by System F

The Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi (Remixed by Steve Aoki)

Lose My Mind by Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso

Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes

Mirrors  by Justin Timberlake

Wake Me Up by Avicii and Aloe Blacc

Hey Now by Martin Solveig

We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke

Take You Higher by Goodwill and Hook N Sling

Justice and Independence by John Mellencamp

Glowing by Nikki Williams

Easy  by Porter Robinson (and Matt Zo).

I Could be the One by Avicii featuring Nicky Romero

Pair of Dice by Tiesto

Ain't No Stoppin' by Ferry Corsten (featuring Ben Hague)

Come and Get It by Selena Gomez
Apollo by Hardwell featuring Amba Shepherd

This Head I Hold by Electric Guest

Castles in the Sky by Ian Van Dahl

Feel this Moment by Pitbull, featuring Christina Aguilera

Into Your Arms by the Lemonheads

Just Give me a Reason by Pink

I Love It by Icona Pop

Little Secrets Passion Pit

Sovereign Light Cafe by Keane, remixed by Afrojack

Clarity by Zedd

Years by Alesso

Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
She Wolf by David Guetta, featuring Sia
Alive by Krewella
Illmerica by Wolfgang Garnter
Drowning by Armin van Buren
Give Me Your Hand by The Ready Set
Language by Porter Robinson
Cry for You by September
You Are My Diamond by Tiesto - featuring Kianna
Arguru - Deadmau5
We Are by Jus Jack & Oza, featuring Aeone

How to Find Your Next Favorite Book

How do you find what books to read next?  This is a question I get A LOT, with all of my reading and talk of booooooks.  The ways I find great books are certainly the usual: friend recommendations, bestseller lists, browsing the bookstore, etc.  But there are a few ways to best utilize these sources, as well as some other great tools to get great info!

• My first recommendation would be to subscribe to Book Riot, Amazon's Omivoracious blog, and Go Book Yourself.  These are my go-to websites with all sorts of fantastic articles, lists, reviews, the latest on award winning books, etc.  Sometimes I think I might spend as much time reading about books as I do actually reading books...
• If you like to listen to podcasts, Bookriot has one, as well as NPR books (also a great website for booky info).  
• Your library should be a resource [edited to add: or your local bookstore, obv. - but I'm more of a library lover], whether you're an e-reader afficianado or not.  I mostly prefer my e-reader and if you haven't figured out Overdrive for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks - get on that.  I feel so lucky to live here in King County because of our amazing library system: the inter-library loan process is seamless, all online, and just fantastic.  In addition to great online content, each library has the latest 'paperback picks' which is a great jumping off point when looking for something new.  They also have fun marketing materials like these that are always changing:

• Bestseller lists are also a great resource, especially at this time of year!  Amazon does roundups all year long with the top books of each month, as does Oprah, and of course The New York Times.  Speaking of end of year lists, here is the mother of all Best of 2013 lists - courtesy of Bookriot.  And NPR changed things up a bit this year with a 'Book Concierge' app, rather than a list, which has been really fun to click around.
• Follow your favorite authors on social media.  Whether on Twitter, Facebook, or their personal blog, they talk about books, and not just their own!  I remember following Stephenie Meyer's blog after reading Twilight (before the movie even began shooting) and she recommended The Hunger Games on her site (what seems like a million years ago, now) and of course I devoured it.  
• Follow bookish bloggy people, too.  I've said before that I love reading Kim's blog, Miss Zoot, and she also talks books: same goes for Elizabeth at Princess Nebraska, Janssen at Everyday Reading, and Linda at All and Sundry, among others.  It stands to reason if you like a person's blog personality, you'll like the books they read.  Just like real-life friends!
• And, lastly, get your real-life friends on Goodreads, if possible.  Goodreads is mainly a social media website for keeping reading lists and sharing what you're reading with friends.  But it's also another website chock-full of great bookish info, best-of lists and monthly newsletters for members.  It's fun to add a book to my shelf and automatically see if any friends have already read it, and given it a review.  And, of course, it's nice to see your friends reviews/star ratings in real time, and what they're adding to their to-read shelves - especially when a book pops up that everyone seems to be adding at the same time.

Okay, I think with all this talking of books, I really ought to go and actually read my book right now...

Cranberry Orange Bread and This Week's Eat's 12.8.13

My streak of sharing favorite holiday recipes continues!  We make this scrumptious quick bread about once a week from Thanksgiving through New Year's, and maybe a few times more...

Cranberry Orange Bread

• 1 cup walnuts (about 4oz)
• 1 stick (4oz) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.  Place nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until very lightly browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes.  Leave oven on; coarsely chop nuts and set aside.

In a large bowl, using a hand held mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg.  Beat 1 minute.  Gradually beat in juice.  Add flour, baking powder, orange zest and salt.  Mix until just blended. Stir in cranberries and toasted walnuts.  Spread batter into pan.

Bake until top of loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean,  50-55 minutes.  Let stand in the pan for 10 minutes, then place onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

This week's eats:

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - out to dinner with friends!
• Wednesday - trying this Six Sisters recipe for fried rice I found on Pinterest
• Thursday - Pioneer Woman's 'Fancy' Mac & Cheese with Roasted Broccoli
• Friday - Baked Chicken Taquitos (a favorite recipe from Our Best Bites)
• Saturday - Rigatoni Arrabiatta 
• Sunday - Greek Turkey Meatball Salad

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!

November 2013 in Pictures

First night in Chicago, the Palmer House Hilton

Hot Chocolate 5K!

Chagall

Besties

I love these crazy sleeping pics

I also love it when I don't always have to do the pushing

Mustache Dache!

Little gymnast

Zoo pics feedin' the birds

More birds

Zip line

This is what the kids optometrist office looks like

Watercolor turkey

Yummmmy clove scented sidecar

First run together!

Tree is up!

Friday Things and Running Playlist

It's that time of year again: time for grandma (my husband's mom) to visit!

Garden D'Light's at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  I love that we have traditions that involve Grandma, which for most families is a given...

 Yep, my kids see her once a year.  One day we'll hopefully all be able to afford more visits, but it's hard.  And my mom hasn't seen the kids in over a year and a half.  Mostly due to dealing with effing cancer, she's had to cancel her last few visits.  Moving to Seattle was one of the best things that has ever happened to us.  If given the opportunity to do it all again, we wouldn't hesitate.  As much as I talk about Chicago, and it will always be the city of my heart, we will most likely stay here for a long, long time.  When it comes to family, it's hard.  My brother lives in Minnesota and I haven't seen him in over three years.  Thinking that through and writing that down, man, that just made me feel queasy.  During the holiday season, if you're immersed in any local family drama, maybe take a moment to be thankful that they are near and hug them close.  OK, I'm off to enjoy some more quality time with grandma and the kids!

Worthwhile internet finds this week:

• I think I need to start watching, and commenting on The Brain Scoop 
• This Dad's response to his daughter's Christmas list is hilarious
• Amazing story, a memorial to a plane crash built in a remote African desert
• Famous brands updated with honest taglines, I could use a CD frisbee..
• Speaking of brands, these Twitter brand feuds are awesome

For your listening enjoyment: Strangers by Seven Lions is goin' on the playlist.

Happy weekend!

2013 Playlist

#Thatpower by Will.I.Am

September by Earth Wind and Fire 

Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
Black Sheep by Metric

Still Into You by Paramore

Stay the Night by Zedd, featuring Hayley Williams

This is What it Feels Like by Armin vanBuuren

Pompeii by Bastille

Out of the Blue by System F

The Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi (Remixed by Steve Aoki)

Lose My Mind by Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso

Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes

Mirrors  by Justin Timberlake

Wake Me Up by Avicii and Aloe Blacc

Hey Now by Martin Solveig

We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke

Take You Higher by Goodwill and Hook N Sling

Justice and Independence by John Mellencamp

Glowing by Nikki Williams

Easy  by Porter Robinson (and Matt Zo).

I Could be the One by Avicii featuring Nicky Romero

Pair of Dice by Tiesto

Ain't No Stoppin' by Ferry Corsten (featuring Ben Hague)

Come and Get It by Selena Gomez
Apollo by Hardwell featuring Amba Shepherd

This Head I Hold by Electric Guest

Castles in the Sky by Ian Van Dahl

Feel this Moment by Pitbull, featuring Christina Aguilera

Into Your Arms by the Lemonheads

Just Give me a Reason by Pink

I Love It by Icona Pop

Little Secrets Passion Pit

Sovereign Light Cafe by Keane, remixed by Afrojack

Clarity by Zedd

Years by Alesso

Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
She Wolf by David Guetta, featuring Sia
Alive by Krewella
Illmerica by Wolfgang Garnter
Drowning by Armin van Buren
Give Me Your Hand by The Ready Set
Language by Porter Robinson
Cry for You by September
You Are My Diamond by Tiesto - featuring Kianna
Arguru - Deadmau5
We Are by Jus Jack & Oza, featuring Aeone