Biking Across the Border (to Jersey)

Sundays are often the only day the fella and I can spend any real, relaxed, unhampered QT together because of our hectic and oft-conflicting schedules. Though I often take the spinning class he teaches, we rarely have enough time to take our bikes out together, so we jumped at the chance to ride out of Manhattan and spend the day cruising. Destination- Nyack.

40 miles, we're coming for ya. #cycling #NYC #nyack #bicycle

A photo posted by @keeliesheridan on May 17, 2015 at 8:40am PDT

This was my first time riding a bike across the GWB, and I found it pretty horrifically stressful. The bridge was packed, the lane is insanely narrow and shared with pedestrians and I'm not the world's most technically proficient rider, so you do the math. We made it across and started heading up 9W when our plans were quickly dashed.

The Gran Fondo was happening and 9W was closed TO EVERYONE (including bicycles that were not registered for the race). A police officer at the barricade cautioned us against a few of the side roads that could re-route us to Nyack. "Full of potholes. Insanely steep." He was probably just trying to avoid congestion in Nyack and deter more riders, but it worked. 

Yelp to the rescue- we scouted out nearby towns with lots of talked about restaurants and then veered off course. 

We spotted the outdoor seating at Simply Vietnamese and our minds were made up.

We each ordered a Vietnamese iced coffee. There is no doubt in my mind that if I do well in this life, I'll be reincarnated as one of these in the next. I drank A LOT of this stuff when I was in Vietnam. Read about that love affair here, here and here.

We split a Pork Bahn Mi sandwich and Lemongrass Chicken. I was expecting something grilled, but the curried, peanutty dish we received was pretty tasty. 

Food makes my boyfriend smile. Always.

We hopped back on our bikes and cruised down Dean Dr. to Englewood, where I had heard tell of Cupcakes by Carousel. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and Snowball. Awwwww yeah.

Washed it all down with some amino-y fruit punch-y thing (BLAH) and we headed back to Manhattan. The delightful downhill rides betrayed us on the return- the hills were punishing and even though we only ended up doing 25 miles, it felt like a whole lot more.

Trainer Jorge recommends you treat yourself to the following stretches after a nice long bike ride.

Important questions:

-Ladies (or anyone)- do you wear underwear under your padded shorts? I didn't... and I regretted it.

-What is the absolute most padding I can get in a bike short? Because seriously, ow.

Greek Yogurt Granola Pie

I am so. so. so. so proud of myself. I'm a mad scientist in the kitchen.

Sometimes it's disastrous, but sometimes it's exquisite! This recipe is one of the latter, thank goodness!

This dish was developed out of a desire to use things in my fridge and conveniently covers my love for things that taste like dessert but can be eaten for breakfast, guilt-free AND gluten-free (I'm 99.9999% positive on this- if any of these ingredients look suspicious, let me know in the comments). Get ready. 

Greek Yogurt Granola Pie

CRUST

1 cup quick oats (not intentional- I thought they were regular oats but I guess I bought the wrong kind)
1/4 cup crushed raw almonds (food processor works well)
1/4 cup unsweetened dried coconut
2 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp Sun Crystals (equivalent to 2 tsp sugar)
sprinkle cardamom
1/4 c applesauce
1 tsp coconut oil

Preheat oven to 300F. Mix dry ingredients. Add applesauce and coconut oil. 

Roll mixture into a ball and place in a lightly greased pie dish. Flatten, raising edges slightly. 

Bake for 10 minutes.

FILLING

1 cup greek yogurt
1 tbsp Polaner All-Fruit Sugar-Free with Fiber Seedless Raspberry Preserves *GF*
1 tbsp TJ's Fig Butter *GF? Ingredients are- figs, water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate and pectin)*
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg yolk
1 tsp soy flour
8 drops French Vanilla Stevia

Combine all filling ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Pour into pre-baked crust and bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool and then refrigerate before serving.

Makes 8 servings. 140 calories, 8g fat (mostly from flax, almonds, coconut oil...), 3g fiber, 6g protein and only 3g sugar per serving! 

Double your portions for a breakfast meal with 12g protein, 6g fiber, 6g sugar, 16g healthy fats at only 280 calories!

As always, feel free to sub similar ingredients to customize your own version! Let me know how it turns out!

11.11.11

Did anyone make any special 11-11-11 plans? I didn't, but I did have a full and awesome day! :)

On busy mornings I like to eke out a few of these body weight moves- no equipment necessary, and a great way to start your day!

I had two rehearsals in the AM, so I grabbed a Clif Kid Zbar and an apple to munch on while I headed to school. The apple was mushy awfulness (few things make me angrier than mushy apples...) but the bar was delish! :)

There are a TON of trees on the Brooklyn College campus and they're ALL turning- GORGEOUS!

After rehearsal I ran into Manhattan with Joe to meet up with a writer/director to discuss some exciting collaborative performance opportunities for 2012! More details soon!

We picked up a few supplies and then it was over to the our friends' home to celebrate the pre-5th birthday of my super-boyfriend, CHRISTOPHER! I've known this little dude since he was in his mom's tummy and I'm still having trouble believing he's five already! (Read about our beach shenanigans, barbeque shenanigans, soccer game shenanigans and baseball game shenanigans!) Christopher's mom made a delicious baked ziti that we inhaled before I even though to take a picture! After dinner, it was present time!

Here we are, stretching before an epic play session. Safety first. Always use mindfulness and commitment while stretching- do I look like I'm kidding around?

 Christopher's birthday gift from Joe and I! He liked it!

 Getting ready to play...

 After our game, Christopher blew out the candles on his pumpkin birthday doughnut!

Pumpkin yeast doughnut from Doughnut Plant- DELICIOUS!

We also grabbed a blueberry cake doughnut and a salty peanut butter cake doughnut- epic!

The Vanilla Bean, Valhrona Chocolate and PB &J doughnuts were ALL divine!

We share things...

 Like crazy blueberry teeth!

 More game playing happened...

 Followed by some super fancy improvised partner yoga.

 We're pretty magical...

 Christopher and I NEVER want to stop playing...

 ...And usually have to be pulled apart.

Joe gets hugs too, but Christopher keeps him at a distance. They ARE rivals, after all.

I had a blast! Thanks to Jon and Maya for being such awesome hosts, and happy fifth birthday Christopher!

Bagels and Sushi and Cupcakes, OH MY!

Breakfast sandwiches make your homegirl happy. In a really magical way. Since I went to one of my favorite breakfast sandwich spots Saturday AM, it seemed only logical that I go to the other one on Sunday AM. Right?

 If you're looking for the quintessential Brooklyn bagel shop/ deli, Sheepshead Bay's Bagel Boy is about as good as it gets. It's always packed in the AM, but the counter guys are always super helpful and seem genuinely grateful for the business. And the food NEVER disappoints. 

Joe got his usual French Toast bagel with Cinnamon Raisin cream cheese. 

And I went to my happy place- French Toast bagel with sausage, cheddar and egg. REALLY, you should be eating this (unless you keep kosher or don't like animal products, in which case, you should be REALLY jealous). 

After breakfast, I ran to CVS to stock up on supplies for Operation STOP-BEING-SICK-NOW. 

Here I am, pretending to feel better! Aren't  I convincing?

$15 later I came home with my provisions and settled in for a day of homework and coughing. 

I munched on some leftovers for lunch and when dinner time rolled around I was NOT in the mood to cook, so when Joe got home, we ordered sushi! 

And because he's the best, Joe brought me sweets from Red Velvet Westside Bakery. 

 The cupcakes were great- a red velvet with cream cheese frosting that Joe preferred, and a yellow cake with butter cream frosting that literally made me drool.

And then, we pulled this beast out of the bag. 

Holy Whoopie Pie. I am not even close to exaggerating when I explain that this weighed AT LEAST a pound. Sweet Baby Dinosaur. The cookie was crumbly chocolatey happiness and the sugary icing was quite exciting.

 There's nothing more smile-inducing than a dessert the size of your face. 

In other news, my Creamy Apple, Pumpkin and Delicata Squash Soup recipe was one of the four winners of the Swanson Health Blogger Recipe Contest! Wahoo!!!

Fingers crossed that I have a voice for Voice class tomorrow!

Sexy & SinLESS Strawberry Muffins

1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c oats
1/4 c Sun Crystals (or the equivalent of 1/2 c sugar)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp milled flax seeds
1 cup chopped strawberries
1 egg
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup milk of your choice (I used soy)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Mix together dry ingredients and add strawberries- mix to coat.

Whisk together wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Add the wet ingredients to the strawberry mixture, fold in but do not over-mix!

Spoon mixture into a greased muffin tin. Bake at 375F for 20-25 mins.

Enjoy! This recipe made 8 muffins!

Adapted from My Diverse Kitchen's recipe. 

Sweets for the Sick

Before I forget, check out my most recent contribution to Brooklyn Exposed! I contribute to their food column, The Nosh. And if you missed it, check out my fitness contribution to Brokelyn- I'm writing a series for them called the Concrete Jungle Gym! 

Yesterday I was CRAVING sweets like it was my JOB. Unfortunately, this is usually an indicator that I'm getting sick. Wierd, right? Does this happen to anyone else? I woke up with a wicked headache, dried out sinuses and a really charming cough. Ugh.

I had a whole grain english muffin with sunbutter and TJ's Pumpkin butter along with this super delicious Olympus Strawberry Greek Yogurt. I've been jamming out on this stuff all week. Creamy, smooth and not too sweet. Perfect!

First on my schedule was an individual session with my Alexander Technique professor. I would absolutely recommend familiarizing oneself with these principles to anyone, but especially athletes or performers. I always feel so much better after these sessions. 

Since I had an extended break, I hopped over to the gym and did 4 miles on the TM. I'm slowly but surely getting back into running and it. feels. epic.  After running I was STARVING and feeling even sicker than before so I took a quick shower and headed over to my school's top secret dining room. Seriously- it's hidden, and if someone didn't tell/show you where it was, you wouldn't know it existed. It's mostly for grad students and faculty, which makes it heavenly quiet. Usually (today a mildly rowdy group of undergrads made their way in and TALKED. SO. LOUDLY).  The food is better than your average cafeteria food and the staff are THE BEST. So friendly. They're my favorite part of coming here!

 Carb craving much? Couscous, wild rice, red potatoes, veggies, catfish and chicken. And bread. Mmmm.

I snagged a beautiful looking (but un-impressive tasting) cupcake from a bakesale on campus before heading to my Acting class. 

After an emotionally heightened three hours in Acting class, I was feeling sicker than ever, but needed to meet Joe to go grocery shopping. ENERGY!!!!

Iced coffee and a few Munchkins to share. 

After walking home from the grocery store I was ready to go to bed, but homework beckoned. Joe whipped up some brown rice and beans with sofrito sauce and served it over the veggies I roasted on Tuesday. Hot and filling!

The best part about having a sore throat? ICE CREAM. Or in this case, the world's most perfect gelato!

Don't let my sick-face fool you. I. Was. Excited.

Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Gelato is made with magic and unicorn tears, I think. HOW ELSE COULD IT BE THIS GOOD? Thick, creamy, rich, decadent and delicate. 

It sure did make Joe happy....

What's your favorite treat when you're sick?