BolderBoulder

Today Erica and I ran the BolderBoulder. This is our second time running this race and we both improved our times so that was good. The weather was much nicer this time around, but it was a little warm. We can't wait to run again next year.

Chris going to get the car.

We took a cab home last night. Chris is finally feeling well enough to get the car. He is biking to Old Town (~7 miles) and then driving the car and bike back.

Out with Friends at Fish

Our friends Brian and Andrea were in town from Atlanta. So, we got together with them along with another couple from the GE gang, Brian and Steph. We met at Fish Restaurant for happy hour and dinner. Chris and I arrived early to enjoy happy hour specials of half off wine (danger, danger!) and $1 oysters.

It was so nice to see everyone and catch up. Fish was really good, and we are excited to go back soon. Chris had a crab cake special. There was a lot of crab in them and not much filler which is not very common. I had a Thai grilled yellowtail snapper. It was delicious! We also had a really fun waiter named Meetsauce.

The Snapper!

Meetsauce

We didn't believe him, so he provided some proof.

Ace Gillett's

There is a new swanky bar and lounge in Old Town Fort Collins. It is called Ace Gillett's and it is located underneath the historic Armstrong Hotel. Meetsauce recommended it.

I had a martini called Green Tea Chartreuse. It was made with Green Tea vodka and Chartreuse. I also had a Green Tear which was made with Absinthe. They had a drink called The Sheboygan which I thought was pretty cool too. Sheboygan is a town in Wisconsin.

Steph, Erica, Andrea

Chris, Brian, Brian

Ready to Plant!

Thank you Jim & Pam! Thanks to Jim for helping Chris fine tune the sprinkler system. Thank you Pam for digging out our misbehaved Russian Sage yesterday! It was out of control.

In its place we are planting Lavender on the sides of our front walk and Weigela under our front windows. We also have some pots to plant on our porch so we picked up snap dragons, petunias, sedum, and Dusty Miller

We are Wholesalers

We finally broke down and got a membership to Costco. We also have membership at Sam's Club. I don't know if it is our mind playing tricks on us, but Costco seems incredibly better than Sam's.

Wholesale clubs are huge in Salt Lake City, I think because of all the Mormons. They have many mouths to feed and also like to stockpile large amounts of food for the "end of the world" or other calamaties that might occur. Just today in the valley I saw a billboard for Daily Bread which is a 25 year food storage solution company.

Anyway, we have a Sam's Club near to the house in Colorado and also a Costco on the way to the airport. We have both close to home and work in UT.

Now we have 2.5 pounds of spinach and 4 pounds of giant strawberries in our fridge. I know what Chris is having for lunch for the next week!

Salt Lake City Wildlife

This little guy was on my sidewalk.

The Bzz: Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless

Got these Covergirl & Olay Products in the mail last week - a corrector, concealer (light medium), foundation (buff beige), and blush (royal plum). See the white swirls? That is the Olay Regenerist Serum which helps restore evenness to the tone and texture of your skin. Retail for $10.99 - $13.99.

All of the products are very creamy, but turn more powder-like upon application. All of the products felt very silky and really nice going on. They also felt very light. I used my fingertips to apply everything, even though the foundation and blush have round applicator sponges included in the bottom of the packaging.

I really liked the corrector, it did a good job covering my dark under eye circles, thank you genetics ;) The other product that I really loved was the blush. Gave a dewy, rosy cheeked look and was easy to blend.

I have 5 $2.00 off coupons for any Covergirl Simply Ageless Product. Let me know if you want in! I still also have 5 $2.00 off any Covergirl product coupons up for grabs. They all expire 06/30/10.

More Bahrain

I know Bahrain is old news, but I still have pictures...

We went to the wrong hotel (same company) so we all got 2 bedroom apartments for the same price as our original rooms.

Master bedroom

Living room

Kitchen

The best part was that the hotel served beer as it is not that easy to come by in Bahrain.

Snow today

Sent from my BlackBerry

Bahrain Pearl

On Thursday afternoon, before we had to leave Bahrain, one of the local GE employees took us shopping so the guys with wives would not go home empty handed. Everyone that we talked to said we should go to Gold City, so we did. I saw this necklace in yellow gold and immediately knew that it was the one, except that I wanted white gold. They didn't have that, so I threw a tantrum! Just kidding. They agreed to rework the necklace in white gold and we were able to pick it up a few hours later. Bahrain is known for its natural pearls so that was a key component. I was extremely happy with the results and so excited to give the necklace to Erica.

Spooners Fro Yo for Dinner

There is a new self serve frozen yogurt joint in our neighborhood. We took a stroll and had "dinner" there. Can you tell which one is Chris's?

shitmykidsruined.com

This website is pretty darn funny. The website proclaims it is "The strongest visual birth control on the market today." The NY Times wrote an article about it as well. Read it here.

Shit My Kids Ruined

Zagat: Restaurant reviewers wanted

Zagat is looking for restaurant reviewers for Salt Lake City, Colorado, and Kansas City, among others. Read the article at the link below for more information. According to the article, Zagat is offering incentives. Those who vote before June 6 will receive either a 90-day subscription to zagat.com, a copy of Zagat's "2011 America's Top Restaurants Guide" or an entry into the "Night on the Town" sweepstakes, valued at $500.

ksl.com - Zagat: Salt Lake City restaurant reviewers wanted

Celebrating the end of the Cleanse

Natalie and Julie outside of The Pie Pizzeria. We went here to officially celebrate the end of the cleanse. The pizza was good.

Lost 6 pounds and feel really good. Hoping to keep my food low carb and low sugar, high protein and high fiber going forward. That sounds a little overly ambitious, maybe I will just strive to make better food choices.

View from Chris' Hotel

Chris sent me this pic earlier in the week. He is flying back home right now. He won't get in until tomorrow afternoon.

If Only It Were Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's is still my favorite, but Trader Vic's is not bad. This is a very nice restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, which is supposed to be one of the best hotel resorts in Bahrain. The place must be nice - when we left, the long list of fine automobiles out front included a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a Bentley, and a Maybach. I had the filet mignon which was delicious and for dessert I had the cheesecake.

Yummmmmmmmmmm...

Formula Fun

Today we had a little free time after work so we headed over to the Bahrain International Circuit where, among other events, they have a Formula 1 race. Finally, one thing checked off of my list of things to see!

Just outside the grandstands

Just inside the grandstands

What a tourist!

We got there after five so the facilities were closed. We probably could have seen more if we had gotten there earlier, but it was nice to take a little break and see some sights. Hopefully we get a chance to see more.

Kickin' Back in Bahrain

We sat by the pool after dinner for a quick drink. They were playing the cricket world championships on the big screen. England won for the first time ever. Go England!

Boring Bahrain

Nothing too exciting to report from Bahrain. We got to the hotel Saturday evening. We had dinner at the hotel and then got about 5 hours of sleep which was good considering it was from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. mountain time. I had my phone alarm set for 10 p.m. (7a.m. in Bahrain) and we had a full day at the office. We were there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then one of the guys from the office took us out to dinner. We had Arabian food at a restaurant in a mall right next to our hotel. Then we came back to the hotel and got a beer by the pool. Now it is time to get some sleep before another long day at the office.

Waiting in Kuwait

I took this picture from our little waiting room at Kuwait International Airport. The security guard was not happy that I snapped this shot...

Carrots Boiled with Orange, Garlic and Herbs by Jamie Oliver

I have been looking for simple fruit and vegetable recipes for the cleanse. Jamie Oliver is what I found. I am omitting butter and salt, but may add a touch of olive oil. Parsley is my herb of choice and instead of using oranges, I have a couple Clementines to use up.

I'm a Bzz Agent

Not sure how I heard about it, but I signed up last year for Bzz Agent which is a Word of Mouth (WOM) marketing network. After you register and tell them your preferences via surveys, you can qualify for Bzz Campaigns. I am currently qualified for 3 campaigns so they send me products in the mail to try and talk about and they usually send coupons too.

Last week, I received Covergirl Blast ShadowBlast eyeshadow stick and ShineBlast lip gloss in the mail.

I never would have paired the green and brown together for the eyeshadow, but it didn't look too bad once I put it on. It is really creamy and easy to apply, but it made big creases on my lids after a while. I also broke one of the "crayons" off at the bottom of the tube while applying the eyeshadow. The lip gloss was okay. I only wear lip gloss and prefer a tube to a wand. It wasn't sticky, which is good, but it didn't have much staying power. Both retail for ~$7.50 ea.

I have five $2 off any Covergirl product coupons for anyone who is interested. Let me know via comments and I will mail them first come first served next week (they are in CO at the moment).

Solo in SLC this weekend

Chris is in Bahrain for work for the next week. Bahrain is an island off the coast of Saudi Arabia. I really wanted to go, but it just didn't work out. Chris says he will blog from the Middle East and I am excited to see what it is actually like there. Not sure how often we will be able to talk, it costs $2.30 a minute on Verizon. Chris did get an unlimited data package so we can text at least.

I am just hanging out in Salt Lake. Still doing the cleanse, feeling really good. I am planning on finding some vegetable recipes to try out, maybe do some shopping and get out for a run. It is supposed to really warm up by Sunday, so looking forward to some sunshine. It has been rainy and cool here the past week.

Eat your Greens

Greens with avocado-cucumber puree. Lunch of champions!
Sent from my BlackBerry

Cleanse - Day 3

2 gals from work and I are cleansing for 10 days. We started on Tuesday and are mostly only eating fruits and vegetables and drinking tons of teas. It has been pretty good so far.

Erica did a lot of reading prior to starting and one author stated that day three often marks a state of euphoria from a cleanse or fast. Well, it is day three and there is nothing euphoric about it. I am sipping a fruit smoothie (cup of frozen fruit, a couple splashes of milk, 2 spoonfuls of yogurt) as I type, thinking about what I will have for lunch (probably romaine with an avocado, cucumber, garlic, and lemon puree). Lots of fruit and tea for snacks.

I am hoping to "reset" my body and flush it out. I already feel like my stomach is smaller. I also hope I will continue with more fruits and veggies in my diet when this is all over. I have definitely felt hungry the past two days, but am constantly eating and have lost 2.2 pounds since Tuesday. This is definitely a test of will power - a piece of toast with butter sounds REALLY good right now!

Lilacs from the Yard

The entire apartment smells lovely! Love lilacs!
Sent from my BlackBerry

Deal O' the Day!

Target regularly brings in designers to make clothing, home goods, accessories, etc. Liberty of London was one of their spring designers. They are known for their flower prints.

Erica has been eying up this Liberty of London dress at Target for 2 months now. Chris got tired of Erica looking at it and told her to just buy it already! So she did last week, after she found it on the clearance rack for $8.49!

Up In The Air

Chris snapped a few pictures with his phone on his last flight from Denver to Salt Lake. These are totally untouched...no Photoshopping here!

Just reached cruising altitude after leaving Denver...

Descending into SLC...

Erica's office might just be down there somewhere...

City Creek Canyon Ride

Today Chris rode up City Creek Canyon. The road is open to bikes on odd numbered days and this is the first time he has had the chance to ride the canyon. The ride gains about 1500 feet in 6 miles. It was a fun little grind. He can't wait to do it again! He is not sure if he made it all the way to the top, but based on his mileage he must have been close. He rode until the road was covered in snow!

SWAGGER WAGON

Although we don't plan on owning a minivan, we thought this was pretty funny. And appropriate for Mother's Day too.

Happy Mother's Day!

We hope all the moms out there have a fantastic day! Love, Chris & Erica

Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia Nut

A few months ago these were on sale at Erica's Super Target. She saw a young gal buy 3 boxes of these bad boys. We noticed they were on sale again last week, so we tried them out. SO GOOD. We had been making our own granola bars this winter. But I am not sure we can make them taste like these do. They are banana-y, not too sweet, with macadamia nuts and coconut.

Starbucks Happy Hour May 7-16

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Party in Salt Lake City today :)
Sent from my BlackBerry

The Ninja

Trying out the Ninja today to make our non-alcoholic cinco de mayo drinks. My co-worker loves her Ninja - will let you know how it works.
Sent from my BlackBerry

Tried out the Toe Shoes

It took a little manuevering to get my toes in the right spots. They were comfy and pretty cute. But, I think they have limited use. They didn't look that great with jeans and are pretty pricey for just kickin' around the house. The store however, was pretty much sold out of them (except for my humongous size which is the only positive I have ever experienced from having gigantic feet).
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Menu from Cooking School

Quinoa salad with shrimp, avocado and oranges
Wine Pairing: Acordeon, Torrontes, Argentina, Cafayate Valley 2008

Lomo Saltado with Aji Peruano
Wine Pairing: Cruz, Malbec, Argentina, Mendoza 2006

Suspiro de Limena

Shrimp and quinoa salad with oranges and avocadoes

Serves 2

Shrimp:
2 Qts Water
1/4 C White wine
1 Celery stalk, chopped
1/2 Onion, chopped
2 garlic clove, smashed
1 Lemon, halved and juiced
3 Cilantro sprigs
1 Bay leaf
6 peppercorns
2 Tbsp Salt
6 Shrimp, peeled and deveined

Quinoa
2 C water
1 C quinoa

Dressing:
1/2 Shallot, minced
1 Garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp Red wine vinegar
4 Tbsp Olive oil
salt pepper

Salad:
1 Avocado, diced
1/2 Red onion, sliced thin
2 Oranges, peeled and sliced, juice saved
1/2 Cucmber, peeled, seeds removed, and sliced
1/2 Pint Cherry tomatoes, halved
2 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped
Salt
Pepper

For the shrimp:
1. Bring the water to a boil
2. Add all the ingredients except the shrimp and simmer for 5 minutes
3. Prepare an ice bath
4. Add the shrimp to boiling mixture and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the shrimp are just cooked. Strain and place the shrimp in the ice bath to cool for 2 minutes, drain and save

For the quinoa:
1. Bring water to a boil
2. Add the quinoa, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid and is tender, but still firm.
3. Spread the quinoa out on a pan and place in the refrigerator to cool.

For the dressing:
1. In a small bowl combine the shallot, garlic, and vinegar. Whisk together
2. Slowly add the olive oil while whisking
3. Season with salt and pepper

Final Preparation:
1. In a bow, combine the cooled quinoa and shrimp, avocado, onions, oranges, cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs and gently combine
2. Add the dressing, salt and pepper, and gently combine the plate.

Lomo Saltado with Aji Peruano

Serves 2

Potatoes
1 Potato, cut in 1/4 x 2-inch pieces, covered with water
Oil for frying
Salt
Pepper

Lomo Saltado
12 oz Beef, sliced 1/4 x 2-inch strips
Salt Pepper
1/2 Onion sliced thin
1/2 Green pepper sliced thin
1 Yellow chile or jalepeno, seeded, and sliced
2 Garlic cloves, minced
2 Roma tomatoes, quartered
1 Tbsp Red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp Soy sauce
2 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped

For the potatoes:
1. Heat oil in pot to 250 degrees
2. Drain potatoes and pat dry
3. Working in small batches, fry potatoes until softened. Drain on paper towels

For the Lomo Saltado:
1. Season the beef with salt and pepper
2. Heat oil in a pan and add beef. cook until medium-rare and remove from pan and set aside
3. Add more oil of necessary and add onion and peppers. Cook until softened
4. Add chilies, garlic, tomatoes and cook until softened
5. Add vinegar and soy sauce
6. Add cooked beef and drippings and fold in

Final assembly:
1. Increase potato oil temperature to 375 degrees
2. Working in small batches, fry potatoes until golden brown, drain on paper towels, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Fold potatoes and cilantro into Lomo Saltado and serve.

Suspiro de Limena

Serves 4

Caramel:
1 14.5 oz can Evaporated Milk
1 14.5 oz can Condensed milk, sweetened
8 Egg Yolks, beaten

Syrup:
1 C Port
1.5 C Sugar

Meringue
4 Egg Whites

For the caramel:
1. Combine the two milks in a saucepot and simmer gently, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens and the spoon leaves tracks across the bottom of the pan, about 1/2 to 1 hour.
2. Take off the heat and whisk in beaten yolks. Leave to cool and pour into dessert cups.

For the syrup:
1. Combine sugar and port in a small saucepan and bring to boil. Cook until syrup forms an unbroken thread when dropped from a spoon.

For the meringue:
1. Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Continue to beat and in a slow steady stream add hot syrup.

Final assembly:
1. Top the caramel with meringue topping and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.