May 26, 2011 · 3:42 pm

Bike Part 1

This morning started out with a typical breakfast of oatmeal containing

  • 1/3 c. old-fashioned oats
  • 2 T steel-cut oats
  • 2/3 c. water
  • 1/3 + 1/4 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 T chia seeds (added in the last minute of cooking)

Topped with 1/2 sliced banana and a couple sliced strawberries, we have been extremely lucky lately and have found a.m.a.z.i.n.g. strawberries at Mississippi Market Co-op.  There is one a little over a block from our house and it took us all of two weeks after we moved in to realize that we would be living at frequenting the store quite often so we became members.  They have a huge bulk selection that I love, the only downside is that they don’t have a great selection of meats and more often than not I need to make two stops if I am doing the big grocery shopping trip for the week.

In other news my bike frame arrived!!

Let’s start from the beginning, Steve bought me a used bike at the U of M bike sale about a month ago, it needed some repairs so he got to work replacing the necessary components. When it was all said and done we went for a ride to the farmers market (my first time on the bike) only to discover that the frame was going to be too small for me to ride comfortably.  Instead of giving in and buying a new bike we decided to order a bigger frame…from Hong Kong! It met both of our standards, Steve liked that it was light weight and from a reputable bike producer and I liked the colors (without knowing a lot about bikes I went the girl route on this and picked the “pretty” one).

However a new frame meant a complete bike rebuild that started out looking something like this

Lots of pieces…eek! I snapped a couple quick pictures and went to run errands, leaving the bike building to the boys.  About an hour later I returned and the bike looked something like this

Steve hard at work.

This was on Monday, since then Steve has spent every available moment working on replacing every essential and non-essential component of the bike and in turn I have learned what each component is called, how it works, and why the fact that it is 1 oz. lighter matters (even though when I get on the bike it will be many ounces heavier).

So that is part one, hopefully the bike will be fully completed by this weekend so we can go for a ride and I can show you the completed project.  For now I am off hit the gym for a quick 3 miles before work.

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May 25, 2011 · 11:21 pm

Wilde times and Bulk Bins

Today we set out on a mission, a to-do list that seemed to go on for ever

  1. Put up shelves in kitchen
  2. Get all bulk items into jars
  3. Subsequently this required a trip to Target for a label maker and plaster anchors
  4. Chiropractor and massage (treatment for a car accident a couple of months ago)
  5. Build Lightbox
  6. Clean apartment
  7. Finish bike
  8. Pick up my sis and her boy at the airport

I started my morning at the chiropractor and then got my weekly massage, it may sound great to have a massage weekly however these are therapeutic massages and more often than not they hurt.  Trying to work out all the knots in my upper back/neck and getting everything back into place is proving to be harder than I thought it would be.

While I was there Steve finished the bike, picked up the Ball jars I ordered, and put up the shelves in the kitchen. Then I got to work putting all the random ingredients we have collected into the jars and labeling them.  In the process I missed the text from my sister saying they had gotten in an hour early…ooops! We jumped in the car and raced to the airport to pick them up.

Since they just moved into their new place a few weeks before their trip to Barcelona and Ibiza for two weeks they hadn’t gone grocery shopping, so before dropping them off we went to Wilde Roast Cafe for dinner.

It is an adorable cafe in Northeast, I will apologize ahead of time for the dark pictures but trust me the food was delicious and everyone was happy.  I had the vegetable sandwich with roasted eggplant, asparagus, tomato, onion and greens on ciabata served with petit mixed greens.

The roasted eggplant gave the sandwich tons of flavor, my sister and Steve both tried it and agreed that they didn’t miss the meat.  They were sandwich buddies and got the Reuben and Rachel, both had homemade sauerkraut that had a mild flavor and a hint tartness from the apple.

For dessert the four of us shared a Peanut Butter Cheesecake

it didn’t last long…

When Steve and I got home I finished the jar project

I love that all of our bulk items are now displayed and within easy reach!

Sorry for the lighting, but I couldn’t wait to show you!

While I finished the jars Steve went to work and cleaned the living room and bathroom AND surprised me with a bubble bath to relax in while he finished cleaning the kitchen, I got a little spoiled tonight.

What are your solutions for nighttime shooting indoors without using a flash or lighbox?

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May 24, 2011 · 11:55 pm

Scusi and some "us" time

This weekend was a busy one, we both worked Friday and Saturday night so there wasn’t much time for anything fun.  Sunday I went to the Barre class I had signed up for at Time Out Studio, I liked this one MUCH more than the sculpt class.  The instructor was super helpful and made sure that there were modifications for everyone in order to make it challenging.  During the thigh and “rear” exercises I could definitely feel the burn!  Overall this was a class that I would like to incorporate into my workout plan since I felt like it targeted muscles I don’t normally work at the gym.

After that it was back to work again, but the dark clouds rolled in and that was that. Thoughts go out to everyone that was affected (for non-Minnesota readers we got some pretty nasty storms that knocked out power and caused some major damage).  Once the storms cleared out I went to the gym to run but ended up on the elliptical for an hour instead, I think new shoes are in order to help these shin splints.

Yesterday Steve and I actually got a whole day together! It has been a million years really long time since we have had a day to ourselves with both of us in school and working, hence the reason there was no post yesterday. We went to run errands and to the bike store (Steve is building me a bike, but more on that in another post).  For dinner we treated ourselves to Scusi an adorable restaurant in Saint Paul.

For dinner we started with the Duck Confit

Duck Confit; mission figs, apple shallot, rattafia, crostini

Then we shared a salad (we are big on sharing lots of things instead of each getting an entrée)

Arugula Prosciutto; crisp prosciutto, arugula, dried cherries, pear,
12-year balsamic

It was amazing, the crispy prosciutto and balsamic complimented each other perfectly and though I didn’t think I was a fan of dried cherries, in this salad they complimented everything well and weren’t overwhelming.

For the main course we shared the short ribs (which went unpictured since Steve dug in before I could snap a shot) and the Vegetable Linguini

Vegetable Linguini; zucchini, squash, eggplant, arugula pesto

As you can see in the picture I also had a glass of wine Brancaia Tre from Toscana, it paired really well with all of the dishes and wasn’t to heavy. On the side I had sautéed mushrooms, the one food that Steve won’t eat and I could put on anything, well almost.

After an amazing dinner we went to see Forks over Knives, a documentary about the benefits of eating a whole food, plant-based diet.

A lot of things they said in the movie really hit home with us, since we aren’t huge meat eaters for the most part (especially when we cook at home) it was interesting to see America’s perception of why we eat meat and what it really does to our bodies.  I am not making the leap to label myself as vegetarian or vegan, but when we went grocery shopping today there was a notable difference in both of us as to what we picked!

Tomorrow I will be creating the infamous “About Me/Us” page, any suggestions for things you want to know about us?

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· 11:55 pm

Scusi and some “us” time

This weekend was a busy one, we both worked Friday and Saturday night so there wasn’t much time for anything fun.  Sunday I went to the Barre class I had signed up for at Time Out Studio, I liked this one MUCH more than the sculpt class.  The instructor was super helpful and made sure that there were modifications for everyone in order to make it challenging.  During the thigh and “rear” exercises I could definitely feel the burn!  Overall this was a class that I would like to incorporate into my workout plan since I felt like it targeted muscles I don’t normally work at the gym.

After that it was back to work again, but the dark clouds rolled in and that was that. Thoughts go out to everyone that was affected (for non-Minnesota readers we got some pretty nasty storms that knocked out power and caused some major damage).  Once the storms cleared out I went to the gym to run but ended up on the elliptical for an hour instead, I think new shoes are in order to help these shin splints.

Yesterday Steve and I actually got a whole day together! It has been a million years really long time since we have had a day to ourselves with both of us in school and working, hence the reason there was no post yesterday. We went to run errands and to the bike store (Steve is building me a bike, but more on that in another post).  For dinner we treated ourselves to Scusi an adorable restaurant in Saint Paul.

For dinner we started with the Duck Confit

Duck Confit; mission figs, apple shallot, rattafia, crostini

Then we shared a salad (we are big on sharing lots of things instead of each getting an entrée)

Arugula Prosciutto; crisp prosciutto, arugula, dried cherries, pear,
12-year balsamic

It was amazing, the crispy prosciutto and balsamic complimented each other perfectly and though I didn’t think I was a fan of dried cherries, in this salad they complimented everything well and weren’t overwhelming.

For the main course we shared the short ribs (which went unpictured since Steve dug in before I could snap a shot) and the Vegetable Linguini

Vegetable Linguini; zucchini, squash, eggplant, arugula pesto

As you can see in the picture I also had a glass of wine Brancaia Tre from Toscana, it paired really well with all of the dishes and wasn’t to heavy. On the side I had sautéed mushrooms, the one food that Steve won’t eat and I could put on anything, well almost.

After an amazing dinner we went to see Forks over Knives, a documentary about the benefits of eating a whole food, plant-based diet.

A lot of things they said in the movie really hit home with us, since we aren’t huge meat eaters for the most part (especially when we cook at home) it was interesting to see America’s perception of why we eat meat and what it really does to our bodies.  I am not making the leap to label myself as vegetarian or vegan, but when we went grocery shopping today there was a notable difference in both of us as to what we picked!

Tomorrow I will be creating the infamous “About Me/Us” page, any suggestions for things you want to know about us?

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May 20, 2011 · 10:42 pm

Trying something new

Today I woke up bright and early (for me) and got ready to try out a new studio and workout.  I stumbled across Time Out Pilates and Fitness Studio while searching for a gym that had barre classes, and this weekend they had an open house to try both barre and sculpt! I immediately signed up to try both, Yoga Pilates Sculpt today and Behind Bars on Sunday.  I was a little nervous going to a new studio but the class included a 30 minute instructional before the hour-long class, so I drank my coffee, donned my gym attire, and hit the road.  The studio is about 20 minutes from our house, but I figured if I loved the classes (and got to try them out for free!) it could be worth the drive.

You can’t tell from the picture but it was raining out and it took quite a bit of effort not to stay curled up on the couch with my coffee! When I got inside I was given a quick tour and had time to set up my mat.  The class started with a 30 minute introduction that mostly covered the ab workout we would be following at the end of class and a couple other key yoga poses like warrior one.  Since I do a Sculpt class at CorePower Yoga every week I caught on to the Pilates poses quickly.  This class uses 1 and 2 lb. weights, at first I didn’t know what to think because I usually have 5 and 8 lb. weights and I thought I may not be challenged.

The class went well and there were definitely times that I felt the burn, but I missed the heat and sweat I get from my CorePower sculpt class (I will let y’all know tomorrow if I am sore).  After class I came home and had a quick lunch with Steve before we both had to head out to work.  I am a server/bartender until I find a “big girl” job now that I am done with school and in the summer I mostly work on the patio.  I love my job since it allows me to interact with people, be outside, and be active.  However the downside to being outside is that when it rains…we wait…and if it keeps raining we close the patio.  That happened tonight so I found myself back at home at 5 pm instead of the midnight I had planned on. I decided I still wanted to get a good sweat in for the day so I hit up the RealRyder class at 6.

When I got home I was h.u.n.g.r.y. so I decided to keep it quick and simple (especially since it was just me).  So I threw together a salad

Ingredients:

Spinach

Cucumber

Tomato

Chia Seeds

a small handful of pine nuts

and a honey balsamic/olive oil combo

Along side I had a panini with roasted red pepper hummus (my favorite!) and artichoke hearts.  Yum.

Hopefully this rain clears up before tomorrow so we can go to Art-A-Whirl and get a run in outside before work!

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May 19, 2011 · 11:25 pm

Graduation and Lentil Soup

As promised a real first post, complete with pictures and a new obsession!  This past weekend I finally graduated! It was a weekend filled with family and fun, my mom hosted a lunch with family, drinks and dinner with my dad and his wife, and a birthday/graduation lunch with Steve’s mom.  It was a blast but I was more than exhausted after it was all said and done! I know you are bursting with excitement to see me in those horrible distinguished graduation gowns so without further adieu

Stephen and Ashleigh

And me with the fam, I am still holding out for the pictures we took with my dad but they will be up soon!

Now on to the fun part (for me anyways) the food!  I got home from work last night and was surprised with dinner.  Not only dinner, but dinner with my new food obsession, lentils.  I had always been a little intimidated with the soaking and cooking process until I stumbled upon Trader Joe’s fully cooked lentils.  I made some for dinner the night before and Steve turned the leftovers into a delicious soup.

Starting with the basics: carrots, onions, celery, and garlic

A look at the rest of the ingredients, y’all will have to bug him for the recipe…

I do know that toasted cumin and coriander went into the mix.  To top it off it was a vegetarian meal! Something I don’t think Steve would have ever chosen before our new food and fitness adventures, I am so glad we are getting to experience these things together!  The finished product, complete with a spoonful of sour cream and homemade wheat bread (thanks to my mom for the bread maker!) turned garlic toast.

I spent the rest of the night tonight going to Real Ryder – a new CorePower Yoga class

NEW! A revolutionary CorePower workout on RealRyder indoor bikes. This 45-minute class redefines a typical spinning class with bikes that allow you to turn, lean and steer – you’ll feel like you’re actually on the road. It’s an ultimate full-body, cardio workout that will increase your core strength and torch calories. Room is heated (approx 85 degrees and 40% humidity). Open to all levels.Tennis or cycling shoes required!

And finished it off with a 3 mile run! Now I am off to bed, tomorrow I am trying out a new fitness studio and taking a yoga pilates sculpt class.  I will let y’all know how it goes!

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May 18, 2011 · 12:04 am

Take Two!

It’s official run.refuel.repeat is here to stay!  With finals and graduation I decided to take a break until I could commit to posting everyday, so for those of you who are here from the old blog WELCOME!

I plan to make this a site for food, fitness, and new adventures.

Hang in there, updates are being made daily and the real fun starts tomorrow with the first official post…stay tuned!

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