On Two Wheels

You've probably noticed recently that a lot of cities are advocating alternative transportation methods and have taken steps to improve the infrastructure to allow and encourage people to ride bikes for pleasure, fitness and commuting. Designed with the systems in Paris, Montreal and other international cities in mind, Denver, Minneapolis, and Boston are instituting bike-share systems which allow residents and tourists alike to rent-a-bike from kiosks throughout the city and return them to any other kiosk of their choosing. Communities are working to create more bike lanes and paths and promote bike safety.

I know several people who commute to work on their bike (They are fearless. I would be completely freaked out by rush hour traffic, myself) and of course, many people who just enjoy riding for fun. Not only is it a healthy choice for the rider, but also healthy for the environment. Unfortunately, with the increase in ridership, there also seems to be an increase in bike theft. An article in The New York Times on Sunday explored the issue. While most local police departments do not keep official numbers of bike thefts, the FBI's report of 188,698 thefts in 2008 is most likely way below actual results because local departments only report voluntarily and most people don't even report stolen bicycles. Compared to statistics from other years, this is slightly higher and officials do believe that ridership has increased over the last several years. Some cities and colleges are taking steps to crack down on bike thieves as many have actually turned out to be sophisticated rings rather than simple acts of convenience. A company has developed bait bikes that have a form of lo-jack attached to them so thieves can be caught quickly and easily. It's a pretty great idea, but it comes at a steep cost when each bait bike is $7,000 and budgets are tight. Still, it's nice to know that some communities are working hard to stop this.

If you ride a bike, be careful with how you lock it up and where you leave it. If you ever have a bike stolen, be sure to report it, don't just let it go.

I don't bike, but I wish I did. Not like the road bikers who do laps in the park early in the morning and freak me out as they zoom by in their large groups, but I'd like a cool retro looking cruiser with a little basket on front so I could carry groceries, my book and whatever I needed for work. Maybe one day I'll get one! Probably around the same time we buy a house.

Do you bike? Have you ever commuted on bike or would you? Do you take caution with where you lock up and how? Does your community support and promote biking?

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workout stats -

14mile bike

20minutes StairMaster

3x10 upright row

3x10 tricep dips

3x10 bicep curls

3x10 lat pull downs

3x10 glute kickbacks

3x10 hip abductors

2x15 leg press

stretching

Finish Line Strategy

Have you read the July issue of Runners World? I finally broke mine out of the plastic wrapper last week (I think my non-running status had me a little depressed and not as enthusiastic as usual to read it cover to cover the day it arrived) and promptly found an article written by Hugh O'Neill titled "Outta My Way, Grandpa!" with the subtitle, "Exactly who can you blow by - without guilt - in a dash to the finish?"

While the piece conjured up memories of many races run and the excitement of the finish line, it got me thinking about my typical finish line strategy and wondering what is going through the minds of my fellow runners as they get closer to the bagel and banana that awaits them.

For me, it goes something like this: since 99% of the races I've run have been in Central Park (my training ground) I know exactly where the finish line will be. Whether it is cold and brisk or hot and steamy, whether I'm feeling like I could run forever or my legs are feeling like a ton of bricks, I always react the same way as that elusive finish line gets closer and eventually comes into sight. Once I know I'm getting close, I can visualize the finish line and start to pick up my pace a little. As I turn the last corner or the finish line comes into sight, I really start to pick it up, and as I enter the shoot and the crowds are thick and cheering loudly, the thrill of the finish line takes over and my legs start turning over so quickly (it's really not that fast, but it's fast for me!) that it almost seems they have a mind of their own! I tend to be a selfish finisher - I get that finish line in my sight and it's all I can focus on. I may weave past other runners, but not with the intent to finish before them, but to chip off as many milliseconds as I can from my finish time.

With some particular races, I have wondered as I get in line for my cup of water and bagel: "what could I have done if I had pushed it a bit harder throughout the entire race?" It's not like I usually take it easy through the race, and I am usually totally spent at the end, but still. Could I have ticked off a full minute or more if I had pushed it even harder from the start? Or would I have ended up walking over the finish line? Obviously this could depend on a lot of different factors, but no matter what my overall race strategy is (as loose and casual as it is, because really, I run races for the enjoyment, experience, and camaraderie of it all) my finish line strategy is always the same. The harder I push, the sooner I get to enjoy brunch! (oh yeah, and the more satisfied I feel with my effort).

Do you have a finish line strategy?

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workout stats -
17 mile bike
3x10 weighted side bends
3x12 cable pull twists
3x10 tricep extensions
3x10 tricep kickback
3x10 lateral arm raise
100 crunches
3x20 hip raises
1x35 seconds plank
stretching

Another Kitchen Success!

First, an update on my last post:
Baking: done
Operation delivery: done!

No pictures available, but with a few slight changes, the oat & apricot breakfast bars seemed to be much more moist, so I think (read: hope) they taste fantastic!

Have you ever made a quiche? Truthfully, I have not had quiche many times in my life, I could probably count the times on one hand, but I've wanted to try and make one. So, when I recently found a recipe on FitSugar that sounded interesting and didn't require 10 eggs (which most recipes I've seen seem to), I wanted to try it. The one thing that made me pause was the use of tofu. If you've read my blog for long, you know I'm not a big fan of tofu. Not because of the taste or texture, but because it is a soy product and I try to stay away from soy as often as possible. Still, I wanted to try this recipe and decided to give it a shot. I also decided not to tell Woody about the tofu until after he had determined whether or not he liked the dish. I hid the package in the fridge (which was easy to do with all our farmers market produce) but then he saw it when it was cooking on the stove top. The look on his face was not one of pleasure, but I convinced him to give it a try. A couple hours later, he was going back for seconds!

This was the finished masterpiece quiche

And this was my plate

Click HERE for the recipe from FitSugar!

The whole wheat pie shell is filled with:

eggs (I used 2 eggs, 2 egg whites)

grape tomatoes

fresh basil

leeks

tofu

garlic

I want to apologize for something. Lately, this blog has become more of a food blog than the running, health, fitness & food blog that it started out as. This is mostly due to the fact that I have not run in several months and have not been able to write about the beautiful sunrises I experience as I run through Central Park or the routes along the West Side Highway on Saturday mornings, but I promise this is going to change. This week you'll be seeing more fitness related posts, and hopefully soon, you'll see a post on running pop up again!

In the meantime, I want to leave you with this: I recently bought a new water bottle to take to the gym and drag around town with me. My SIGG was a few years old and I really wanted something that could actually go in the dishwasher. I can't live without a water bottle at the gym, so it was imperative that I find one that was easy to drink from while peddling out 13 miles on the bike or climbing 20 floors on the StairMaster! And I found it!

This Rubbermaid water bottle (BPA free) set me back about $6 and goes in the dishwasher! It's super light weight, holds 20oz, and has been really easy to use at the gym or walking around the city. If you're looking for a new water bottle, check this one out! Also, unlike many metal water bottles, you can fill it with water (with or without an electrolyte mix) and then stick it in the freezer for an extra cold drink when you hit the hot air outdoors!

Is there something you can't live without when you go to the gym?

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workout stats -

14 miles bike

20 minutes StairMaster

3x10 glute leg press

3x10 leg press

3x10 hip abductor machine

3x10 lateral arm raise

3x10 hammer curl

100 crunches

stretching

Trying to Get a Bite Ahead

As many of you who have been reading this blog know, I am one of the millions of Americans out of work right now. While I have thoroughly enjoyed the extra time I've had to work on this blog, indulge in extra long weekday workouts, attend various events, visit the farmers market every Wednesday morning and meet friends for coffee on a weekday afternoon, I am desperately eager to get back into an office. I miss having somewhere to go each day (other than the gym), collaborating with others, the buzz of excitement when something great happens, and yes, I even kind of miss the stress of meeting a tight deadline. While jeans and sneakers were common at my old office, I'm kind of getting tired of the fact that I could stay in my gym clothes until 2pm any day of the week without anyone being the wiser.

A couple weeks ago I had a second interview with a great company. While the specific position sounds incredibly interesting and challenging (which I like), the more I spoke with people and saw of the office atmosphere, the more I longed to work for this company. Even after a few follow up voicemails and emails being left unanswered, I still hold out hope that the hiring manager has simply put off making a final decision and that I still have a chance. I've stalked the company profile on LinkedIn and haven't seen any notice of a 'new hire' for this position, which I feel is a good sign. Anyway, in this incredibly competitive job market, you really have to stand out if you want a job. So, when I had an idea the other day to bake a healthy recipe and have it delivered to the hiring manager (it's a health minded company), I knew I had nothing to lose. I found a Weight Watchers recipe I had pulled a while ago for Oat and Apricot Breakfast Bars. The WW points value is pretty good I thought and I like that it uses whole wheat flour, quick oats and fruit. Of course, I had to give it one test run first since I haven't made them before, and this is what came out:

Well, it was actually a whole 8x8 pan, but you get the point! I found it to be a little dry, but I had used whole rolled oats since it was what we had on hand, and I think I may have baked it a little too long. Other than that, it was very tasty and Woody agreed. To bump up the health quotient a little, I added a bit of ground flaxseed and oat bran.

Tomorrow I'll bake this for real and deliver Monday morning. Maybe they'll think I'm crazy, but hopefully they'll see how much I want to work for them. I believe in their mission and I admire that they really want to help people.

I had this particular piece with my delicious breakfast after a good gym workout. My breakfast was pretty large, but on the weekend we tend to eat two meals with more of a late afternoon snack since we eat Brunch more than Breakfast. My omelet was a success!

My omelet was one egg white and one full egg, corn and green pepper, with a few dried herbs and fresh ground pepper. And a ketchup of course! If you've ever eaten with me, you know I like ketchup. It was only recently though, that I found out how bad it actually is for me. I didn't realize that there is so much sugar in regular ketchup! Because I can't eat eggs or pasties without it, I now only buy organic or natural ketchup that doesn't include all that nasty stuff. It's a bit more expensive, but it's worth it. My fruit salad included a banana, blueberries and two types of mango! The Tommy Atkins mango is the type that is in most stores, but we also have Haitian mangoes at most fruit stands. We had both for breakfast this morning! The Haitian is smaller and a bit sweeter. Both are delicious. And, as you can see, I also had a piece of the Oat & Apricot breakfast bar with a little strawberry preserves on top. I love having eggs and fruit for brunch! I'm still full four hours later!

Anyone running the Achilles Hope & Possibility 5 miler tomorrow? I love this race, it's so inspiring to see people with disabilities running and participating in the wheelchair race. It really puts everything into perspective. I'm sorry I won't be running this year. For those of you who are, keep an eye out for Prince Harry. I hear that he and Peter Orszag (the outgoing Director of the OMB) are both running the race - although I don't think together.

Have you ever done anything a little out of the ordinary when trying to get a job?

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workout stats -

20minutes rowing machine

13miles bike

3x10 straight arm raise

3x10 bicep extension

3x12 weighted side bends

100 crunches

1- 30sec plank

stretching

5 For Friday

Good morning! I hope you've all had a good week. It's been one of ups and downs for me, but it really has gone by quickly, hasn't it?

This morning is a bit strange for us. It's our day off from the gym, and I have a doctors appointment that Woody is going to with me, so we actually slept in until 7:30! I can't think of the last time we did that (aside from vacation). Woody went to the Tigers/Mets game last night, so sleeping in this morning was just what he needed! It doesn't really feel like a Friday morning yet, but let me get to the list!

1. PUMA and Soles4Souls are teaming up through July 12th. When you donate a gently worn pair of sneakers to Soles4Souls at a PUMA store, you'll receive 30% off a new pair of PUMA shoes. (15% off at factory stores) For more information, click HERE and to find a PUMA store near you, click HERE.

2. Have you seen THIS monstrosity from the family restaurant chain Friendly's: the grilled cheese burgermelt? I saw a commercial for it and could hardly believe my eyes! Now I have great memories of going to Friendly's with my Grandpa and getting ice cream and yes, I enjoy grilled cheese and burgers. But did they have to put them together?! I haven't figured out yet why this hasn't received the attention that KFC's double down has. It has to be so much worse. When will restaurants start being more responsible about the options they offer? I'd love to interview the CEOs of these companies and find out what is going through their minds.

3. If you live in a hot part of the country, remember these hot weather tips. Useful for workouts and anytime you head outside.

4. Have you seen the show Wipeout on ABC? Woody and I can't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all! I feel bad because I'm laughing at people as they crash, slip and fall, but hey, that's the show, right? The challenge at the end is insane, and it must take coordination, strength and quickness. How do you think you'd do on Wipeout?

5. Have you tried PowerBars new Gel Blast Energy Chews? Here's your chance. Click HERE to request your free sample. If you like them, they're on sale through the PowerBar website right now - 15% off. Click HERE to order and enter in the code BLASTS2010.

That's it for today. Hope you all have a great weekend! Are you already making plans for the 4th of July?

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workout stats -
6/25 REST DAY!

Take A Peek Inside My Bags

It's Wednesday. If you've been reading my blog for a bit (and welcome, to the new readers!), then you know I've been to the farmers market this morning.

So far, my day has gone like this:
4:50am - wake up

2hrs at the gym (details below)

Union Sq Farmers Market

kale, zucchini, NJ sweet corn, apples, cherries, peach, whole wheat roll from Hot Bread Baker, sugar snap peas, green & wax beans, and a sweet potato

we're told to eat our fruits

and veggies!

Then Whole Foods and Trader Joe's

Whole Foods: Fage (out of Chobani and this was on sale), fresh fruit for a snack

Trader Joe's: organic carrots, frozen broccoli, whole wheat muffins, tofu (I found a recipe I'm going to try this weekend!), organic black beans, cottage cheese, bananas (can't pass them up - 19 cents each!)

Then I chatted with my mom while I rode the bus back Uptown, turned on the USA vs Algeria game while I unloaded, showered, and prepared today's yogurt mess:

(Chobani 0% plain, banana, strawberries, blueberries, TJ's shredded wheat, a few peanuts)

I can't wait to try the sweet corn! I've been waiting for fresh corn to show up at the market! I was a bit skeptical that this is actually local since it's still early, but I know the Greenmarket staff does there homework and checks up on all the vendors and their products. If they have products that are off-season, the farm is checked to make sure they actually produced it. If farms violate the rules, they can loose their spot at all NYC Greenmarkets, so obviously they're not going to. (Apples being the exception - they're allowed to be put in cold storage and sold throughout the year)

Have you heard of the book The United States of Arugula? If you haven't checked out the review I posted over the weekend, you can read it HERE.

I also want to mention how proud I am of my amazing husband who is now on our local chapter of the Michigan State University Alumni Club! He's going to do an amazing job, especially beefing up the sports teams and events offered by the club.

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workout stats -

14mile bike

20 minute StairMaster

3x12 cable pull twists

3x10 leg press

3x10 weighted side bends

3x10 hip abductor

3x10 glute kickback

3x10 straight front arm raise

Getting Off the Bored Train

I'm going to admit something this morning: I've been really bored at the gym lately. It began before we went on our trip and didn't skip a beat when we got back. I was hoping a week away would re-energize me, but that didn't seem to work. My problem is that I've been so limited in what I've been doing over the past 3 months (yes, 3!) that it's getting really old. While my heel injury continues to improve, the pain is still determining what I can do physically, which means I still haven't run!! All I really want to do is go outside and run, but I haven't even ran on a treadmill yet.

The stationary bike is getting old. I'd love to take a class, but cardio is out of the question and the yoga teachers at my gym aren't that great.. I decided last week to try the row machine one day for a few minutes to try it out. It wasn't bad; my biggest complaint is that there aren't TVs for the machines so your eyes end up wandering. I also need to figure out how the computer works so I get the most out of it. I wasn't sure if it would bother my foot, but yesterday I tried the StairMaster. That wasn't bad either! Since I don't put pressure on my heel, it seems to be okay. I did 20 minutes after my hr on the bike both yesterday and today. It really works up a sweat! I may try the Stairmill one of these days soon if one is free. I'm also trying to add a few different strength training moves into the mix, focusing a bit more on my legs. Perhaps strengthening those muscles will create more support for my foot. 

It's not uncommon to hit a plateau or to get bored when following an exercise routine. A key part of staying fit, challenging your body, and staying present in your workouts is mixing it up often. Usually that can be pretty easy - try a new class, try running (or run a new route), try a new cardio machine, start jumping rope, workout with a friend. Unfortunately, having an injury limits what I can do, but I'm finding a few things and will get that spark back! And hopefully, sooner than later, I'll get to start running again!

On another note, I made dinner last night for Woody and me. Nothing too special but these green and wax beans I bought at the farmers market are amazing! I mean, seriously amazing. I spray a skillet with a bit of olive oil spray, throw the beans in, add a few cranks of fresh pepper and cook for about 10 minutes on low-med heat and they are crunchy and delicious! I also baked chicken with Cherry Republic's Southern Rub Cherry BBQ Sauce and made a light slaw using TJ's broccoli slaw as the base and adding shreds of zucchini, yellow squash, dried cherries, and a dressing of lemon juice, evoo, pepper and a dash of salt (the dressing was a bit off, but I think it can be remedied for the leftovers). The chicken was really delicious. The sauce was great and it was cooked just right. Oh, and we had pears, too. Here's a picture of my plate - Woody's piece of chicken was a bit larger! One thing I've learned cooking for him, is that he needs more calories than I do, so I have to make sure his portions are a bit larger than mine. Oh, the joys of learning to cook for a guy!

How do you liven up your workout routine when you start to get bored?

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workout stats -

13miles bike

20minutes StairMaster

3x10 tricep extension

3x10 tricep kickback

3x10 single leg cable pull standing crunch

100 crunches

stretching

Adventures in NYC

On Saturday, Woody and I checked out NYC Adventure, which I mentioned in my last 5 for Friday post. It reminded me of the Central Park Winter Jam in February - which is good, since people had a blast at that event. This one was no different. It was packed with enthusiastic people of all ages! Here are a few pictures from the event:

free bike helmets and safety info for riders of all ages

booths featuring food from local farms and info from organizations like the American Hiking Society, Sierra Club, the National Parks Service, and companies like Merrill, EMS, and Honest Tea (just to name a few)

North Face was showing people how they could create energy using their bikes (and charging iPhones)

kids learned how to fish

others climbed rock walls (there were two walls for adults, too)

the NBCU tent featured fitness demos like this one featuring two Season 7 Biggest Loser contestants Nicole & Damien in the red shirts, and cooking demos (that's Top Chef former contestant, Carla on the far left).

people lined up around Bethesda Fountain to kayak in the pond

People also learned to fly fish, took mini-yoga classes, saw martial arts demonstrations and much more! Another great event in Central Park!

What adventures did you take this weekend?

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Workout Stats -

13mile bike

20min StairMaster

3x10 leg press

3x12 lat pull down

3x10 hammer curls

3x10 hamstring deadlift, bicep curl, shoulder press combo

3x10 upright row

stretching

Book Review: The United States of Arugula

I picked up this book at the library, sort of on a whim when I was returning "Born To Run." I had seen it at the bookstore a few times and thought it sounded interesting and decided to give it a go.

The National Bestseller written by David Kamp (a writer and editor who has had pieces in Vanity Fair and GQ), is all about the history of food, specifically chefs, restaurants and cookbooks, in America. Kamp begins his story back in the 1700's with the first known cookbooks in America and a vivid description of American eating habits. Turns out, the history of our restuarant culture and the rise of 'celebrity chefs' is quite interesting! The book is filled with fascinating tidbits of insider knowledge and background on chefs and restaurants. I never realized that fine dining in this country originated with French restaurants in New York, and really got its start during the Worlds Fair! And did you know the first Sushi restaurant in the US, Kawafuka, opened in 1960 in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles?

The book covers so many topics and people that at times it is a bit difficult to keep it all straight, but the stories are still quite intriguing and informational. I do think it's a good book for anyone interested in this area of the food industry. It did educate me on a lot of the chefs we know today and where our dining habits (outside of the home, mostly) originated. There is quite a bit of time spent on local and organic foods, but Kamp doesn't ignore the other view of food sourcing for restaurants either. I think my interpretation, or ideas, of some of these stories is most likely quite different than those of a chef or someone in the restaurant industry. Looking in from the outside, some of it seems a bit ridiculous, but it is serious business and art at the same time, so I do suppose even the wackiest situations make sense in a way.

For more info on David Kamp and this book, visit http://www.davidkamp.com/

Now I'm heading to Central Park for NYC Adventure and then to the bookstore to pick up my next read (I tried getting it through the library but was number 450-something in line for it! I'm not waiting that long!).

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workout stats -

2mi elliptical

13mi bike

3x12 cable pull twists

3x10 single leg cable pull standing crunch (made up that name!)

3x10 tricep extension

3x10 tricep kickback

3x10 glute kickback

stretching (although not enough!)

5 For Friday

Happy Friday! It's that time of week again: time for my 5 for FRIDAY list!

1. Most important thing: Sunday is Father's Day! If you haven't already picked up a card and/or gift for your Dad, you better get going. Woody always says that Dad's get jipped on Father's Day because Mother's Day is always more popular, and that Dad's probably just want their own time to have a beer and watch sports! Well, this is a great weekend for Dad's who love sports because not only is the World Cup going on, but this weekend is also the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (you know what Woody will be doing all weekend - starting tonight)! I seriously have the best Dad I could have ever hoped for and I'm sorry I won't be with him this weekend. He's always been there for me and I know he always will be. I don't think I will ever be able to express to him just how much he means to me.

2. On the World Cup tip, USA plays this morning against Slovenia. Hopefully all those Vuvuzela's won't throw them off too much! If you have young kids who enjoy soccer or sports in general, there's a great book you might want to check out - The Wild Soccer Bunch. It's an inspiring story about a kids soccer team, their struggles, triumphs and how they work together as a team. (full disclosure: I'm currently working with the publicist for this book)

3. For NYCers - check out NYC Adventure on Saturday from Noon till 4pm in Central Park at the bandshell. There will be rock climbing walls, yoga clinics, bike rentals, a fishing zone, obstacle courses, live music, and much more. And it's all FREE!! Let me know if you're going to stop by, cause I'll definitely be there!

4. Another NY thing - I read about this very cool art installment that's starting next week here in the city. It's called "Play Me, I'm Yours" and consists of 60 pianos that volunteers have painted and will be placed in various points around the city (all boroughs) where people can just sit down and start playing! You don't have to know how to play, just play something! Have fun! Be creative! Sounds great, doesn't it? The instillation will be running from June 21st through July 5th, so there's plenty of time to find a piano and have some fun!

5. Be a part of Yoga at the Great Lawn! Jet Blue and Flavorpill are sponsoring an evening of music, spoken word and yoga on the first full day of summer! (and they're hoping it'll be the world's largest yoga class!) Gates open at 5, the yoga class is at 6:45pm. If you're thinking about attending this free event, click the link above to register and print your ticket! Hope to see you there!

What are you up to this weekend?
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workout stats -
rest day!

Going Local, cont: Wine Edition

After Woody and I visited the Sarah Hardy Farmers Market in Traverse City and the Suttons Bay Farmers Market, we kept heading north for our main destination of the day: The Leland Wine & Food Festival!

Leland is another cute little Northern Michigan town on the Lelanau Peninsula. When you think of wine in the US, you probably think of Sonoma or maybe the Finger Lakes region in New York, but let me tell you, Michigan has a really successful, and growing, wine industry. As of March of this year, there were 14,600 acres of vineyards in Michigan and 71 commercial wineries producing "cool climate" wines.

The day was very overcast and scattered thunderstorms were possible, but people Up North don't let a little rain scare them away from a good party with great wine! We weren't sure what to expect, so we were thrilled as we drove into town and saw cars parked everywhere and lines of people streaming towards Fishtown (the historic area where the festival was held)! Two types of tickets were available - $12 for a wine glass and two wine tickets, $7 for non-drinkers who wanted to try the food and enjoy the music. You could tell who had been there before, they brought chairs and staked out spots to sit with their friends and family for the afternoon.

16 wineries (and one microbrewery) from the area were on hand, including a few of our favorites: Black Star Farms, Bel Lago, Cherry Republic, Gill's Pier Winery, and Bowers Harbor. One of Woody's favorite wines of the day was Just Unleashed from Gill's Pier.

In addition to all the wineries, 12 area restaurants were on hand to fill our stomachs! Let me just say, the grills were hard at work!

We had a great time enjoying the wine, music, food, and the great location on the Leland Bay! If you ever have the opportunity to try a Michigan wine, I highly recommend that you do!

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workout stats -

13mi bike

10minutes rowing machine

3x12 cable pull twists

3x10 hammer curls

3x10 bicep curls

3x10 lateral raise

stretching

Going Local

I'm writing a little late this morning since I make my weekly trips to the Union Square Farmers Market and TJ's on Wednesday morning after the gym. Since I went to the market today and was thrilled to see even more farmers and vendors out than two weeks ago with tons of veggies and fruit (yay for local strawberries and cherries!!), I thought about our visit last week to two farmers markets in Northern Michigan!

You see, Woody and I started a new tradition last summer - to visit farmers markets when we go on vacation whenever possible. This started in St Paul, MN when we were visiting my sister and her family last July. Then we went to two (one was absolutely amazing) in Montreal later during the summer and one in San Antonio in January. It's a great way to learn about local foods, directly support the local economy when visiting another town or city, and support a great tradition. There are lots of farm markets in Michigan - as seen in THIS awesome new publication for Northwest Michigan that can be picked up all over the area. We were able to stop by the Sara Hardy Farmers Market in Traverse City and the Suttons Bay Farmers Market on Saturday. Unfortunately this was our last full day up north, so we couldn't get much, but we still definitely enjoyed both of them!

The TC market is held in a municipal parking lot between the bay and the river that goes through downtown. It's a great space, packed with vendors selling everything from local strawberries and asparagus, to honey, homemade fudge, jams, salsas and other tasty condiments made with local fruits and veggies, cheese, delicious breads and baked goods, and a ton of flowers and plants. Even though it was chilly and overcast, the market was packed with locals and tourists! We wanted to buy a ton of things, but left with only a pint of delicious strawberries since we wouldn't have time to eat it all!

The market in Suttons Bay (about 15miles north on M22) was much smaller but we arrived close to closing time and some vendors had already sold out and packed up for the day. Still, we picked up a cinnamon roll made by a local bakery with local dried cherries to split the next morning and tried some interesting jams and an award winning salsa from Food for Thought. It's nice to see even small towns embracing the farmers market!

This morning I picked up a slew of things from the USQ Farmers Market - string and wax beans, sugar snap peas, cherries (they seem to be early this year), apples, a sweet potato, Swiss chard, a yellow squash and a bialy from Hot Bread Kitchen. Along with what I picked up at TJ's, I can't wait to get cooking!

What is your favorite spring/summer fruit or veggie? I love all the fruit - strawberries, raspberries, cherries! And I can't wait for fresh corn on the cob!

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workout stats -

17.5mi bike

3x12 cable twists

3x12 lat pull down

3x12 weighted side bends (ea side)

3x10 glute kickbacks

3x10 hip abductors

foam roller and stretching