Get Your Rear in Gear

So, I started off Saturday morning by running my first 5K...well, technically I have ran one before, back in Southern Illinois. But I don't really count it because I ran it "on a whim", hadn't been running regularly at the time and ended up having to walk a lot of it. This one went a lot better!

It was the Get Your Rear in Gear and supported the Colon Cancer Coalition. I love this message listed on the site:

Get Your Rear in Gear is bigger than just a message for colon cancer; it is a message for all of us to take action, lead longer healthier lives, go to the doctor regularly, to listen to our bodies when something isn’t right and to get the right answers, regardless of age.
~Kristin Tabor, President & Founder

I found out about the race about a week ago, figured that it was (1) for a good cause, (2) would get me outside and running with other people, and (3) it wasn't too far from where I lived, so easy to get to! Here's a post-race pic (believe me, I am quite embarassed to post this pic...but it's the only one I got):

I ended up finishing in 30:35 a new PR for me!!!! And I had a 9:50 pace :) It was fun and I can't wait to run my next one...there are a few coming up in April and May, so be on the lookout for more race posts!

The rest of my weekend included:

 
Rented "You Again" from the local Redbox...thought there were definitely funny parts. I mostly just enjoyed Betty White's role and I've always loved Jamie Lee Curtis, she was pretty funny in the movie.

Made a run to Borders and picked up this new read...I can't wait to see the movie too!

source

Tried out a new local breakfast joint...amazing!

And went and saw The Adjustment Bureau....I really enjoyed it. I am a huge Emily Blunt fan, ever since The Devil Wears Prada! :) But overall, I thought the movie was really entertaining! I recommend.

Well, I'm off to enjoy my Sunday (although it's rainy here - boo!) and run errands before the week begins.

"A Homemade Life" Indeed

After posting about my book purchase at Borders the other day, I told you that I would come back and give a review. Let's just say...I couldn't put this book down!! A Homemade Life was such a lovely read, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves to cook/bake.

Molly, from Orangette, begins each chapter with wonderful life stories that can make you laugh out loud...make you shed a few tears, and definitely make you feel very "at home". You can tell that she really enjoys sharing with readers a little piece of her world. Her writing is incredibly inviting and each story flows nicely into the next one. One of my favorite quotes I took away from the book was a chapter entitled: "Whatever you love, you are". I mean, it makes so much sense (to me)...everything and everyone we love are pieces that make up who we are or who we have become.

And another thing I really enjoyed from her book was her take on sharing vs. not sharing recipes. She genuinely believes that cooking and recipes are meant to be shared (I agree!). How else do new recipes get created?? And recipes can always be tweaked or changed in just a little way to make it taste completely different...it's all about experimentation. I'm not quite there yet...I feel more comfortable following a recipe, but hopefully one day I will be able to look in my fridge and take whatever random ingredients that I have and make something magnificent.

Hopefully some of you will check Molly's book out...if nothing, at least get it for the recipes. I haven't tried any yet, but they all sound amazing!

Blog Fanatic

I was super excited last weekend when I stumbled upon this book as I was moseying around Borders (I swear, I could get lost in there for hours):

Basically, I picked up the book, read the back and then realized that the author (Molly) is the founder of a blog that I follow, called Orangette. It's been listed on the side of my blog for quite some time now...so needless to say, I had to buy it. I haven't gotten very far yet, but I have really enjoyed her writing so far! The book includes recipes along with stories from her life in the kitchen. I can't wait to read more!

I just think the 'blog world' is so interesting sometimes...it's so welcoming, yet so overwhelming. And sometimes, after you have read a person's blog everyday for the past 2 months, you kind of feel as though you know them or at least know what their day has been like (which is a pretty personal thing to know). I definitely wouldn't go so far as to say that I know Molly, but it was a strange concept, picking up the book and thinking, I read about this girl's life...it's kind of like she is a 'blog celebrity'. Hehe :)

I definitely think it is beyond cool that people's blogs can start as something so small/simple and lead into books, movies, speaking careers, etc. I mean, how awesome is that?! I can only dream! Anyway, check out her blog and pick up her book if you like what you see/read.