Running on Christmas?

Every year I always have great intentions of taking Christmas off but for some reason..

I always end up running. 

Whether it's succumbing to an addiction or attempting to mask the guilt I feel after over-eating, my Christmas Day run has always been a great run. 

2 years ago, I ran 6 mi in the dark. Last year, I ran 8 mi in my neighborhood after I consumed enough roast beef & mashed potatoes to fill two full-grown adults. This year, I ran 4 mi to a delightful mix of Christmas songs. (And yes, I do love country Christmas music) For some reason on Christmas Day I feel unstoppable. Like I can run forever. Perhaps it is a Christmas miracle. Often during the Christmas season, we get caught up in the stresses & obligations of the holidays and forget to relax. Once Christmas arrives, we can finally breathe (and run!). 

Now it's time to start brainstorming New Years resolutions! I'm starting off 2014 with the longest run of my life: 10.5 mi. Wish me luck :)

Here's to an amazing year!!

Mary

Christmas meal

Desserts always kill me...especially cheesecake (my favorite)

Tamales & Turbo Kickboxing

Determined to escape from the Netflix slump holding me hostage for the past 24 hours, I decided to try a Turbo Kick class at the local YMCA.  I have taken Zumba classes there before, a few step classes even, but this would be my first cardio kickboxing experience at the Y.  I was informed that it would be different than your average cardio kickboxing class.  Modern dance music would integrate dance moves into the kicks and punches.  Sounded interesting.  Even dragged my mom into it...

Midway through the burpees and jumping jacks and a move called "grabbing the firehose" (??), I looked over to my mom.  She obviously wasn't having as much fun as me but granted she was doing the whole workout at her age and with her knees.  The workout class was strenuous yet it also conformed to those who could only withstand less impact.  The kicks and punches provided with important stress relief.  Meredith, the instructor, made a joke that actually made a lot of sense: think of the last guy who treated you badly and you'll be given the strength to pack some power in your punch. Watch out boys.

Afterwards, I grabbed a quick 4 mile run outside on my favorite trail in Indianapolis, the Monon Trail.  Running on it still reminds me of high school long-distance track workouts, running with my best friends who consistently pushed the pace even on easy days.  Funny how it still seems like yesterday although it's been almost a couple years..

After the fairly long workout, my mom coerced me into trying a new tamale restaurant in Indianapolis although we had already eaten tamales earlier this past week.

Upon walking into the Tamaleria Lupitas Tamale Shop, we were met with the delicious and savory smells of the tamales.  The lady at the counter was very friendly and helpful as we navigated the menu to decide what to order.  Although I am fairly proficient in Spanish, it was convenient that they also offered a menu in English.  My mom and I sampled three different variations of tamales.  The first was a bean and cheese tamale, the second a spinach and cheese tamale, and the third was a chicken tamale with red sauce.  All three tasted delectable and authentic.  We finished our meal by splitting a sweeter tamale with pineapple.  The pineapple tamale included brown sugar and coconut (or at least we thought it tasted like it did..)  Probably the most unique tamale that I have ever tasted and I was not disappointed with my decision to try it.

Overall, the Tamaleria Lupitas Tamale Shop is a very friendly, casual place to grab authentic tamales in Indianapolis. I definitely look forward to returning and hopefully this time they will not be sold out of choco flan!

Mary

Authentic, delicious tamales

Don't Lose Hope, Try a Burger

Hope, Arkansas: the hometown of Bill Clinton, Mike Huckabee and Tailgaters Burger Company. Take a guess at which one of the three is my favorite...

Discovered this restaurant from complimentary Yelp reviews and am super glad I did! The decor inside is rustic and local, the perfect atmosphere for a great burger. It was also decorated for Christmas which was a nice touch. Sat on a booth that had previously been a bed of a pickup truck. Very quaint!

The food was delicious. I had an avocado burger which was well-cooked with fresh avocado slices and other traditional burger toppings. My dad tried the mushroom & Swiss burger and was equally as impressed. Mom had the Gorgonzola burger and let me sample a bite. The flavor from the Gorgonzola was strong but not overwhelming. Very well done. 

The chocolate shake was the perfect thickness and contained the desired ratio of chocolate syrup to whip cream. Very filling. 

Overall, Tailgaters Burger Company is a must-visit if you are ever in Hope, AR. Friendly service, great burgers and an awesome atmosphere. The visitor center is also just across the road so afterwards you can go check out what else this small town has to offer!

Mary

Avocado burger with Fried Pickles

Gorgonzola burger

Chocolate milkshake

Swiss & mushroom burger

9th Street Grill

I had never heard of Mount Vernon, Illinois until we stopped for lunch on our way to Texas. Thanks to Yelp, we decided to try 9th Street Grill. It had received great reviews and was not a McDonalds so I was thrilled. 

The decor inside was super quaint. The walls were decorated with paintings of local artists, very interesting and colorful. It was nice to see a local restaurant supporting local arts. 

Our waitress brought us out a loaf of bread to start and it was honestly the best bread I've ever had at a restaurant. It was soft, warm and zesty from the poppyseed topping. Tip- don't fill up on the bread because the food is equally as amazing!!

I ordered the Daisy, a plain Bison burger with regular toppings. My dad opted for the Hamilton, a Bison burger with Swiss cheese & mushrooms. Mom had the quiche of the day, broccoli and cheese, with a mixed greens salad. We were all thrilled. My burger was cooked to perfection and the sauces were amazing.  The bun was soft and meshed well with the leanness of the patty. The potato wedges on the side were crisp and flavorful. All three of us were super content and full after the meal. My mom raved about the quiche. 

We wanted to try the Two Sisters peppermint cheesecake for dessert but unfortunately were too full from the food. Make sure you plan ahead if you want dessert. It looked scrumptious. 

Definitely a must-visit if you are ever in Mount Vernon or are passing through. 

Mary

Daisy' Plain Bison burger

The Hamilton: Bison burger with Swiss & mushrooms

Broccoli & cheese quiche with mixed greens salad

Rendezvous Ribs

My cousin Gabi getting married in Texas meant one thing: 14 hour family road trip. Needless to say, I was not excited. 

My attitude changed, however, when I found out that we were stopping halfway in Memphis, Tennessee. Home of the Blues, Elvis and my personal favorite, ribs. I was thrilled to finally experience the famous dry ribs of Charlie Vergos's Rendevouz restaurant. Home of the most famous ribs since Adam. 

My mouth was watering as we walked down the alley leading to the restaurant off of Union Street. We were seated in close proximity to a showcase of pictures of famous restaurant visitors. There he was, my childhood idol Peyton Manning, smiling behind a plate of ribs. It was meant to be. 

The waiter brought the ribs out and our table immediately went silent. And if you know my family at all, you know that's a pretty big deal. We ordered two large orders of their famous ribs between my brother, dad and I. My mom opted for the chopped chicken sandwich. 

The dry rub seasoning is all it's cooked up to be. It's fantastic and unlike any other dry rub that I have ever tasted. So delicious you can eat the whole rack without sauce. The baked beans are phenomenal, sweet and savory. The coleslaw definitely has a kick- be warned. My mom was in tears but could not stop eating it. She said it was that good. 

If you are ever in Memphis, you have to stop by Rendevouz. It's a Tennessee staple. So glad I listened to all of my friends that recommended this place. Definitely made this road trip a little more enjoyable. And I believe I saw an advertisement mentioning their ribs can be FedExed... Hehe. 

Mary

Large order of the famous Rendevouz ribs with baked beans & coleslaw

Forget the Treadmill

If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done.

It was with this notion that I trudged out on my long run this morning in the cold, snowy Indiana weather with my best friend Meghan. We came equipped with warm layers (Me- 5, Her- 2), positive attitudes (for the most part...) and SnowTrax. I purchased these highly-useful rubber-spike attachments last year in a feeble attempt to steer clear of the treadmill. They were perfect for the layer of snow & ice covering the beautiful Monon Trail. 

We started off and despite a few wardrobe malfunctions on Meghan's part (the SnowTrax didn't like her shoes, how she runs or a combination of the two), we were having a great time. We passed a few dog-walkers and two guys running that appeared to be college students. After they passed, I turned to Meghan and asked whether she thought they were college athletes or just running for fun. She turned to me, gave me a look and said, "If they were running for fun, do you really think they'd be out here in this?"  Touché. 

Although I agree with her for the most part, I think that braving the elements is fun in a slightly-twisted kind of way. Sure you begin to doubt your exercise decisions as you are skidding around on half-melted snow but at the end of the day, how many other people can say that they ran outside in the snow? It takes a certain kind of perseverance and determination to forgo the comfort of the indoor treadmill and adventure out into the world at your body's expense. You miss out on scenic snow-covered paths, streets lined with houses decorated with lights & the nature that even the visual-images on the newer treadmills cannot mass reproduce. So the next time you are thinking about opting for the regularity of the insulated treadmill, live a little and go run outside. We are only on this beautiful Earth for a little while and we might as well soak in as much sunshine, fresh air & nature as we can. You'll thank me for it. 

Mary

True friends hold you to exercising no matter the conditions.

The Star of Chicago ⭐️

During the Christmas season, we celebrate the journey of three wise men following the great Star of Bethlehem.  Likewise, my friend Matt and I went adventuring last Monday to Wicker Park in search of the Star of Chicago: Big Star.

I had been to Big Star once before in the summertime when the patio wasn't filled with frostbite and Christmas trees for sale.  The lights strung around the restaurant now brought a holiday cheer.  This was Matt's first visit and I knew he wouldn't be disappointed.  We were there in celebration, to ward away the traditional case of Monday blues.

My first visit, I split the chips & guac appetizer with a friend.  The avocado was fresh and there was the perfect amount of Serrano pepper included to make it zesty and flavorful.  The grilled pineapple in the taco al pastor was delicious.  Even the thought of combining pork, pineapple and onions in a single taco still makes my mouth water.  I concluded my meal with the walking taco, an item that I was a little unsure about at first.  Walking tacos reminded me of high school basketball games, mystery meat thrown in a bag of Fritos with unusually bright yellow cheese sauce.  The walking taco, however, was in a whole different league than any of the walking tacos I had ever had before.  Big Star's walking taco is the Lebron James of walking tacos.  The toppings were flavorful and fresh, the chili sauce with the perfect amount of spice and kick. 

This time, Matt and I sat at the bar and evaluated their famous margaritas. I opted for the Big Star margarita while he tried the classic version. Both were very strong but delightfully combined the lunazul blanco with natural citrus flavors. All in all, the margaritas were a delectable and refreshing way to conclude Moday. They definitely took a bite out of the cold on the journey back to Hyde Park!

Looking forward to going again and sharing the joy of Big Star with all my friends and family. 

Mary

Big Star's famous taco sign

Big Star Margarita

Turkey Trot & Tasty Treats

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with three of the things I'm most thankful for: family, running & pie.

The Bittner family always does an annual turkey trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning. That is, everyone but Johann my lazy brother who sleeps in.  This year, my mom "forgot" to register us. It's rumored that she saw the temperature estimates for this morning and decided it was too cold... Regardless, the women of the Bittner family never let anything stand in the way of this traditional run. I say women because my dad caught my brother's laziness (quite deadly disease) and retired to the kitchen to prepare the meal. 

Advantages of not running in an official, organized turkey trot: (1) you save $30 and (2) you can run whenever you want. Taking full advance of #2, my mom and I ran at 11 am when the temperature warmed up to a scorching 26 degrees. Quite lovely. The colors of the Indiana fall leaves made up for the numbness of my face and ears. Even ran into a few fiends along the 5k path in my neighborhood. Best part? Ran into my mom (quite literally hehe) and we exchanged high-fives. Truly a fun mother-daughter experience. Braving the elements to burn off enough calories to eat multiple helpings of my dad's delicious Thanksgiving meal. 

For dessert, I decided to make a chocolate bourbon pecan pie. For the record, this was my first pie. Ever. Honestly I'm more of a decorator than a baker. I stay away from the wisking and the mixing and the measuring and gravitate towards the frosting and the decorating. But this year was gonna be different. 

I found a recipe online and followed the directions. And guess what? I did it!!  It ended up sweet, savory and breathtaking. The Jim Beam procured a strong scent and flavor even after baking in the oven. Overall, a great recipe to try out. Maybe I can be a baker AND a decorator!

Here's the recipe:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/bourbon-chocolate-pecan-pie

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Mary

Beautiful Indiana running landscape

Chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Nom. 

My Silent Sunday

The Lakeshore path in Chicago is one of my top ten favorite places to run.  It's peaceful & desolated in the winter yet crowded & filled with excitement in the summer. As soon as it gets above 60 degrees in the spring, Chicagoans rush to the beaches. The crashing waves of the agitated lake soothe the thoughts of many runners, walkers and nature-adventurers alike.

I run by the lake whenever I get stressed or frustrated. I ran by the lake when my grandfather passed away. The path for me is an escape from everyday problems. It's a time to reflect upon mistakes, sorrows & predicaments. 

They say college is a time for finding yourself. The miles between Hyde Park and downtown along the lakefront have helped me grow as a person. Sometimes I stop mid-run and sit on the huge rocks lining the lake. How lucky I am to be living. How lucky I am to be thriving in a world that constantly throws obstacles and negativity into our lives. I'm fortunate to have such a powerful and thought-provoking place to keep me grounded in a world of uncertainty. 

People ask why I enjoy running so much. My run Sunday proved my rationale true, yet once again. Running release all tension. It allows you to relax and feel accomplished. Although I was dreading it, my 6 mile long run Sunday was quiet. I ran without music for the first time in months. I could hear my breathing, my struggle to inhale the cold air. As much as I love running to Taylor Swift and whatever else comes on shuffle, the silence was a new challenge. It was a pleasant break from the typical music blaring from my iPhone headphones, disrupting true self reflection. Try it sometime. You'll never discover what you've been tuning out otherwise. 

Mary

sNOw days off

Can't decide which was worse to run in today: the snow, the wind or the leaves hitting me in the face.. All three really blew.. (Pun intended)

I was motivated, however, by my afternoon plans. A few friends & I had a baking date: Christmas music, cupcakes and lively chatter. We decided upon chocolate cupcakes with peppermint cream cheese frosting. Completely worth the walk to the store in the freshly fallen slow. 

Meanwhile, my friend's roommate was trying a new recipe for a berry cocktail. From what I hear it was amazing.. It contained Bacardi peach rum, strained juice from fresh berries & a mint leaf. 

Cupcakes turned out amazing. We drizzled melted white chocolate peppermint on the tops & adorned them with crushed candy cane. Note to self: make sure frosting is thicker and less runny. Accidentally ended up frosting myself...  

When selecting a cupcake to test try, I like to pick the ugliest ones. Think of it as cupcake natural selection...survival of the prettiest.

Maybe a C+ for presentation but definitely an A+ for taste. Still recovering from my cupcake coma...

Completed my Christmas-themed day with emerald nail polish with gold sparkles, matching the tree in my friend's apartment. Although it's not even Thanksgiving yet, it's never too early to get into the holiday cheer!!

Mary

   

Brrrr-gers: Yelp Chicago Burger Binge Week

25 Degrees: delicious restaurant or temperature during my run on Friday?

Both. 

The cold weather is here once again. Almost impossible to find motivation to brave the frigid weather to run. But anything beats the treadmill.... 

First ice spotted along 56th street underneath the Metra so watch out. Ice is never fun to run in...

In honor of Yelp's Chicago Burger Binge week, a friend and I ventured off to 25 Degrees, near Clark & Chicago. Promised were $12 speciality burgers for $5 with Yelp check-in. We scouted out the menu before and were dying to try their famous spiked milkshakes. 

The decor inside was both fabulous and chic. Velvet patterned wallpaper mixed with dark woods and lovely chandeliers. Very romantic and elegant. We sat down in a booth and were met with friendly service. 

I tried both the #2 and the #3 burgers. (We went halfsies) The #2 was a brilliant combination of ground beef and pesto. I would have never thought of putting pesto on a burger but oh my it was fantastic. The #3 (my personal fav) was a burger topped with chipotle queso and avocado. The bun was toasted yet soft, a combination that meshed well with the fun flavors of the burger. 

Time for milkshakes. We split an Irish Car Bomb milkshake: chocolate ice cream with Baileys. Indescribable. Breathtaking. 

I will definitely be making a return to 25 Degrees. As far as good burger places go, it's a bit more expensive but I've also heard great things about their #4 yellow-tail burger. The shakes are to-die for and I am considering attempting to make my own rendition. Overall, a cool burger restaurant to dine at when in the loop!

Mary

Keep Calm & Grill On

Sometimes life doesn't go the way we want it to go. I'm convinced that's why we have exercise and barbecue.

Take for instance how I discovered my absolute favorite restaurant in Chicago: Lillie's Q. A friend of mine took me on a first date there. We didn't work out. Perhaps because my heart was stolen by another: their pulled-pork sandwich topped with assorted BBQ sauces. I was awed by appetizers of oysters & hush puppies, cooked to perfection. Was I impressed? Absolutely. Any guy who takes me to a delicious, authentic BBQ restaurant automatically wins my heart. 

This was Saturday. The following Thursday, the water heater exploded and the place burnt down...

I was deeply-troubled. What a tease my visit had been! I would have to wait weeks (even months!!) until it reopened. 

After I returned to Chicago in August (was in Manhattan this summer), I was delighted to hear that Lillie's Q was finally reopened. I ventured off to Wicker Park the first opportunity I had. I was met with the fantastic flavors of the slow-roasted pork between the toasted buns that had haunted my dreams for oh so long. I tried the mac & cheese, the speciality fries and even the cornbread. A few friends accompanied me on the expedition, soon becoming as obsessed as I am with Lillie's Q. 

My parents came to visit 6 weeks later and I knew where I had to take them. I got to sample a few of my dad's slow-roasted ribs. One word: Amazing. 

That was the night I also had three of the best dessert dishes I have ever tried in my life:

- Drunken Pumpkin Ice Cream: pumpkin ice cream with bourbon

- Bread pudding with warm chocolate bourbon sauce

- Shortcake with cranberry red wine toppings

On that day in February, I was dining with the love of my life for the first time. I'm not talking about the guy. If you want the best barbecue place in Chicago (if not the Midwest) you need to stop by Lillie's Q in Wicker Park. We aren't exclusive so I'm happy to share. Life never seems to work out perfectly but you'll never know who (or what) you'll miss out on when you aren't looking. 

Keep calm & grill on. 

Mary

Pictured are the three unbelievable desserts mentioned above. 

Adventure Awaits

Last Tuesday, I decided I would go on an adventure. I hopped on my bike, pedaled out of Hyde Park and was soon cruising along the lake shore. Had no plan on how far I was going. That would lead to some difficulties later on...

I parked my bike by Grant Park, right near the boat dock and began running. Soon I was flying by tourists braving the cold weather at Navy Pier. Took the underground tunnel onto Oak Street and ventured into Old Town. Few things are more enjoyable than multi-tasking. Accomplished a lot of window-shopping while on my run! The high-end stores, like Harry Winston's & Prada, were tastefully decorated for the holiday season. Overall, a very enjoyable run which is arguably why I accidentally ended up running more than I wanted to. Five miles later I was back to my bike. 

I, unfortunately, forgot to account for the early sunset. The sun set around 4 and I was left to ride back in the dark. Luckily, my bike is equipped with a light (fun fact: Chicago law requires a light-device on all bicycles after dusk). Although it was a bit chilly, the ride was fairly pleasant. Not a lot of people on the path after October..

Highly recommend taking an "adventure run" sometime. I love Old Town but got to explore so much more on my run. Colorful leaves adorn the quaint townhouses, a true depiction of the beauty of fall. Plus a little window-shopping never hurt anyone..

Stretching view from Ohio Street Beach, just north of Navy Pier

Love at First Bite

They say the first mile is always the hardest.  The effort exerted into dragging yourself outside to run when you could easily fall back upon the lazy, idle state that is oh so comforting.  The first bite, however, is a much easier task.  Whether it is out of hunger or mere excitement, the first bite comes naturally.  I find myself eager to taste new dishes, yet also resistant to steer away from favorites.  Fascinating how two of my favorite past times (yes, eating is one of them) have completely separate motivating factors.  I'm not quite sure whether I run so I can eat or if I eat so I can run.  In a roundabout way, my workouts motivate my consumption as much as my consumption motivates my workouts.

It is for this relationship that I have decided to start this blog.  Although I have to admit, like the first mile, the first blog post is seemingly the hardest.  But I'm confident that it will get easier.  It's quite simple: write fairly regularly about my two favorite things, food and exercise. I hope out of my blog you will find at least one of three things:
    (1) Motivation to start running or to continue if you have already become addicted (like myself)
    (2) Inspiration to try new restaurants in the city you reside
    (3) A laugh & light read that brightens your day

I understand running isn't for everyone.  People often ask me how I find motivation to run.  In part, I love the therapeutic aspect.  Runs along the lake provide me with crucial time to think about life or escape stress.  It doesn't matter how fast or how slow you are, the benefits are universal.  I hope that reading about my adventures, whether exercise or food-based, will motivate you to venture out as well.  I've found that my favorite restaurants have come from others' recommendations.  (At least one good thing came out of that crush..HA) I hope that you will also enjoy my restaurant suggestions and find them useful.

And so the journey begins..

Mary

Oh and PS: feel free to follow/friend me on Yelp at http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=C5wDD_M3Lnv-alQwLxRGPQ