Marathon Weekend

This weekend in the Marine Corps Marathon in DC and it has me thinking about my first marathon. I ran the 2007 Boston Marathon with my good friend Ben and we raised over $10,000 for diabetes research. To this day this is still the accomplishment I am most proud of. The training was hard but the marathon and the last 21 mile training run we did a couple of weeks before were two of the best days of my life. Although I will not be stretching out my hamstrings and joining the start tomorrow I will be thinking of the runners, of the struggles and joy they will feel during the day. I am sure that another marathon may be in my future but for now a trip down memory lane. Happy running!

In Boston before we headed out to the start on the bus.

At mile 23 or so. 

Resting for a second at mile 18 with my mom and Joann

After I finished! 

Sourdough Starter

We started making our own sourdough bread starter from the natural yeast floating in the air. Here it is at 36 hrs. Look at all those bubbles. Here are the instructions on how to make your own. The Tartine Bakery book is on order, thanks to Dr. Kevin and it looks like there will be sourdough bread for our next weekend adventure a trip to the Trailview Cottage with a bunch of friends more on that later. I'll keep you posted on the progress of this sourdough. Cannot wait to take my first crusty bite.

Fermentation at work!

Rally to Restore Sanity

One of the perks to living in DC is that we can attend national events with ease. We were able to freeze our little tushies off during the inauguration of Barack Obama which was incredible. And tomorrow we will again march ourselves down to the National Mall and rally to restore sanity and or keep fear alive. Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert have become something of the political authority for much of our generation with their comedic twist on the daily news. Several friends are traveling to the city for the weekend to march or to run the Marine Corps Marathon and we will be thrilled to have them and show them around our favorite city. Hope to see you out there on the National Mall this weekend and please remember to VOTE on TUESDAY!!! 

Happy Friday. 

Le Sauce

I have been making red sauce at home for years. I originally used a recipe from Lizzy's mom Nance and it is delicious. Over the years I've tried other versions and have been making my own hybrid for quite some time. After a nice soul drenching sweat at Down Dog Yoga I came home and polished off some left-overs from last night and thought to myself, maybe others would like to make this delicious sauce for their pasta too.  So here it is my current adaptation of red sauce and meatballs. The key is the quality of the tomatoes, the better the quality the better the sauce. My mom has a beautiful garden and each summer she cans her own tomatoes this would be the ideal tomato source however jars of tomatoes do not travel well and usually I have to resort to purchasing canned tomatoes at the store. Someday maybe I will have a big beautiful garden where I can grow enough tomatoes to make sauce.

Sauce:
3- 28 oz cans whole tomatoes (the ingredients on the can should be tomatoes only.)
2 cans tomato paste (make sure it doesn't have high-fructose corn syrup some stores sell brands with HFCS which is just gross)
4 cloves garlic minced
1 onion diced
2 carrots diced
1 cup mushrooms diced
1 green pepper diced
olive oil
kosher salt
pepper
red pepper flakes
fresh basil cut into thin strips
fresh thyme

Meatballs
1 lb grass-fed beef (I usually use 90% lean)
1/4 onion minced
2 cloves garlic minced
parmesan reggiano cheese to be grated
1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 egg


Start with the sauce. Place a large sturdy stock pot on medium heat. Drizzle some olive oil (about one turn of the pan) and then throw in the onions, garlic, green pepper, mushrooms and carrots. Saute for about 5-10 minutes careful not to let the veggies get too browned. While your veggies are sauteing use a blender or a food processor to blend the whole tomatoes. Add the pureed tomatoes, tomato paste to the vegetables. Add a good 2 tsp of kosher salt and pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add fresh basil, thyme and adjust seasoning to taste. Let simmer for 30 minutes or longer to allow for the flavors to fully develop.

Now for the meatballs. Mix together the diced onion and garlic with the grass-fed beef. Add one egg and  the bread crumbs, continue to mix. I find my hands work best. Then add some grated parmesan as much or as little as you'd like. There are two options for cooking the meatballs first you could fry then up in some oil on the stove, medium heat until cooked through turning often. Or bake them in the oven at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes, check doneness and continue cooking until cooked through.

Once done toss with some pasta, throw in a little fresh basil and pass that parmesan around the table.

Enjoy!

Cooking together!

Bread Part II

Here is the french bread I made last night for dinner. Kevin and I also started some sour dough. Leave it to two science nerds to think fermenting flour and water is the perfect way to spend a week off of work. I'll keep you posted as to how the sour dough turns out. The french bread was super easy but it could have used a bit more flavor, a pinch more salt and maybe some herbs. It turned out alright for a first attempt. It was especially yummy hot out of the oven.

Ladew Gardens

Recently Kevin and I took a little day trip to the Ladew Gardens.  They were beautiful something straight out of the secret garden. I imagined the roaring 1920s with fabulous parties and fancy outfits. Although it was a beautiful fall day there were still many flowers in bloom and the main attraction is the topiaries throughout the property. It was well worth the drive and we had beautiful weather to enjoy the property. We also took the tour of the house, the library is incredible. Here are some pictures from our trip to the Ladew Gardens.

Bread

It is a gloomy rainy day here in Washington, DC and I had to abandon my one week yoga challenge today because the yoga studio is CLOSED something about the heating being broken. And one cannot very well do hot yoga with broken heat. So after running quite a few errands and buying the finishing touches to the suit I will wear on my interviews for residency I am cooped up in our apartment. Kevin is programing and listening to yoga music and I might do a few vinyasas for good measure but my week long yoga-fest will have to wait until tomorrow. I was thinking of making some bread from scratch. We have some yeast left from our first attempt at pizza dough last week which turned out quite well. In looking for bread recipes online I found this. Tartine Bakery is located right next to Bi-Rite  which just happens to be the place of employment for two best friends Patrick and Anthea. When I saw the beautiful images and detailed instructions on how to create your very own home version of Tartine bread I knew I had to have it. I think this book will be on the top of my Christmas list this year. When Kevin and I went to visit Anthea and Patrick in San Francisco we tasted some amazing Tartine creations and let me tell you it was a life changing experience. I am also a huge fan of Zingerman's especially the farm loaf. I love giving the bread of the month club as a gift. I mean could you imagine a better gift than loaves of tasty, crusty bread each month? I don't think one exists. While the bread I make today will not be Tartine bread maybe this winter I will be able to make some. Here are some tasty Tartine treats as eye candy.

From Tartine Bakery 

Now back to the search for an easy bread recipe for today.

YUM!

From 101 Cookbooks

How good does this look??? I am always searching the internet for new dinner ideas. I had seen 101 Cookbooks, a link off Puddin' Pie and started reading. Then I found this potato gratin and boy does it look good. I think I will be making it soon. Usually gratins are super rich and creamy this one looks hearty but not creamy and oh so full of flavor. Next time I hit the grocery store the ingredients for this will be on my list.

One Week Yoga Challenge

I decided that I need to get myself back in shape. Too many long hours working does not make for a strong body. My solution... a one week yoga challenge. I am going to do at least one hour of hot yoga each day this week. Kevin and I started with Power Yoga at Down Dog in Georgetown today. Let me just tell you I was soaked at the end of the class. There is nothing more restorative than a good soul drenching sweat and that was achieved today. I started the class with a massive headache and tight shoulders. Sixty-minutes later I felt like a new person. It is amazing how one's body can respond, my achy shoulders felt warm almost hot at times but with each progressive vinyasa and breath in downward facing dog they got a bit looser and by the end I had a new sense of movement in my shoulders. I cannot wait to see how my body feels after a week of yoga.

Namaste!

Sweet Sweet Freedom!

I am officially on a one month break from school! Last night we went to a going away party for our friends Brandi and Evan. Brandi and I have been friends all through med school and have spent countless hours studying together. I have her to thank for helping me meet the love of my life. If she hadn't sat down at the same table as Kevin that morning back in March 2008 who knows where I'd be today. Here we are almost three years later. I am so sad to see Brandi and Evan go. They are headed back to Texas so Evan can start a sustainable, green version of Home Depot. Brandi described this year of medical school as a slow death. And she is right. Slowly each month more friends move away, take months away and may not actually be back. In March we'll all find out where we matched and where the next 3-7 years of our lives will be spent.  Med school has been a rough road, full of long nights and exhausting challenges but during this adventure I have made some of the best friends I could ask for. And although the next phase of our lives will take us sometimes thousands of miles away, I know I will always have these friends to lean on. These friends helped me learn the difficult stuff about myself and about what it means to be a doctor. We helped each other through, fed each other, loved each other and were always there when the good stuff or the bad stuff happened. This experience has sort of been like a battle, we were down in the trenches together, stressed, overwhelmed but thrilled that at the end of all of this we'd finally be doctors. I know that I couldn't have done it alone.

Lizzy posted this quote on her blog, Puddin' Pie and I found it so fitting.

From day to day, nothing surely defines the quality of our lives as the unwavering affirmation in the eyes, in the voices, in the presence of our friends. It is through them that we truly begin to know ourselves, + it is their affection that assures our dignity and worth.
-Robert Sexton

Busboys and Poets and Halloween on the Avenue

This morning Kevin and I had breakfast at Busboys and Poets. I had been to one of the downtown locations in the past but we headed to Shirlington, VA to check out the new location. It was fun to check out a new potential coffee location. The food was so yummy and it was great to get out and enjoy a Sunday morning. We do not get to do this very often so it was an extra special treat.

Today is also the Halloween parade in Del Ray. We'll get to see all of the little kids and dogs dressed up for halloween. There will even be a corn maze in the dog park. Our community is unique and I love that there are events every month to get everyone out and about. There is so much to do with in a close distance of where we live that it will be hard to ever leave Del Ray. I hope we never have to. I got a witch hat to wear to watch the parade. Happy Halloween. BOO!

So Proud!

This is my dear friend Megan. She is one of the strongest most inspiring women I know. I am 100% sure she will continue to be a phenomenal leader and advocate for women and for healthcare. She is the friend who always makes sure I stay involved and vocal about the issues that are most important to me. She pretty much kicks ass all around. I am honored to call her my friend. We share many of the same passions in life. She will also be an obstetrician gynecologist and a darn good one at that. She is recognized frequently for her all around awesomeness. She was the president of my favorite medical student organization - Med Students for Choice and was recently selected by More Magazine as one of ten young feminists. I could not be prouder. I am sure that Megan and I will always stay connected. I am looking forward to our careers growing together. Although sadly, we will probably not end up at the same residency program, I envision the fun we will have meeting up regularly at national ob/gyn or health policy events. I am sure that this will not be the last time that Megan is featured in a national publication. Snaps to her! She is one powerful, inspiring and hot young feminist!

Delish!!!

Not sure if you know about the Pioneer Woman, but I first learned about her from my friend Ash's wife. I was trying to find a new way to make chicken for dinner. I was sick of the same old roast chicken. I stumbled upon The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tikka Masala and oh my! It was amazing. Simple to make and so so so good. It has become an annual tradition to visit a favorite Indian place, Rangoli. I have enjoyed many a fantastic meal there always with great friends and family. I always wanted to make great Indian food at home but never really had a good idea of how to do it. Well, thanks to the Pioneer Woman my first attempt turned out better than I could have imagined. Kevin loved it. He said it was better than going to a restaurant. We will certainly be keeping this one in our dinner rotation. If you are need your Indian fix this is a great recipe. Enjoy! Thanks Pioneer Woman!

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tikka Masala

The Pumpkin Patch!

BOO! Happy Fall!

Fall Flavor

Herb Wreath from Williams-Sonoma

My mom makes a huge wreath that she hangs from the second floor window in our great room each fall. It looks beautiful each year. I am not one for many holiday decorations. I have been known to call them "unnecessary." But I do appreciate a touch of each season and a subtle splash of holiday flavor. This wreath from Williams-Sonoma is right up my ally as far as decorations are concerned. Its beautiful, most likely smells amazing and is useful. Need a pinch of rosemary for the chicken you are roasting, pinch a bit off your wreath. Need a few bay leaves for the soup your simmering well there they are right on your wreath ready for use all winter long. I am sure that as the herbs are used up the wreath becomes a little barren but that is nothing a little creativity can't solve just add some other dried flowers or get a little extra of the lavender to fill in the spaces and it becomes and evolving work of art. I want one! I might try to figure out how to make one next month so I can tailor it to my cooking needs. Add in a little thyme maybe?

Sweet Sleep and other good things

When I was on call the other night I heard a door shut just outside my call room. In my sleepy haze for one perfect second I thought I was at home in my own comfortable bed and that the door shutting was Kevin coming in from working a late shift in the ER. I thought to myself, "Yes, he is home." I knew that he would soon be coming into bed to give me a soft kiss on the cheek before falling into a deep exhausted sleep. Then I realized that I was not at home in my own soft bed but in a hospital call room and that the sharp shrill of my pager going off would most likely be the next thing I would hear not my sweet boyfriend saying good night. My happiness was overtaken by sadness and dread of what lie ahead for the rest of my night. As a good friend recently said, the thing about call nights is that no matter what, no matter how tired you are or how bad it gets they will eventually end. And of course she is right. The night passed not without a few more pages. And last night I got to sleep in my own bed next to my very own boyfriend who kissed me softly, farted and then rolled over to sleep. It was perfect.

On a completely unrelated note. Have you seen Paperless Post? It is a great new way to send cards, invites etc and it is way classier than evite. I just sent my mom a cute save the date for a little mother, daughter adventure I have planned for Christmas. Check it out and send you next ecard with paperless post.

Here is a sample card created by none other than my favorite Linda and Harriett:

Happy Weekend Friends!