The only thing that might come close in my mind is the amazing taste explosion of an ice cold beer (in a plastic cup, of course) after a run. Enjoying a draft beer is wonderful, but enjoying a draft beer after I just ran anywhere from 3 to 13.1 miles is absolutely “throw a bucket of gatorade over my coaches head” refreshing. Who am I kidding, enjoying a beer after a brief walk to the fridge is amazing.
(FYI, those two beers were the grossest, most amazing beers I’ve had post-race.
Me, Katherine, and Lauren post 2009 Gate River Run. We EARNED those beers, trust me.)
If I swapped this amazing post-run beverage for a fresh, glazed donut, I can only imagine it would be wonderful….right? Well, lucky for me, I soon get to find out and you can too!
Jacksonville will be hosting the Jax Inaugural Krispy Kreme Challenge on Friday, June 1. (official website) With the event being smack-dab in the middle of summer (June 1) as well as in the early evening (7pm), I’m expecting some deliciously warm, gooey donuts.
What exactly does this “Krispy Kreme Challenge” entail? There are several variations of a “Krispy Kreme Run” being held all over the nation, but for this specific race, here is the general premise:
Run 1 mile
Eat 4 donuts
Repeat two more times for a total of 3 miles and 12 donuts.
Yumulicious, right? What? No? Eating 12 donuts in the Florida summer heat after running 3 miles doesn’t sound fantabulous?
Hmm.. ok. What if they threw in a charity element?
The official charity of the Jax Inaugural Krispy Kreme Challenge is the Special Olympics of Duval County. Do it for the kids!
I originally heard of this event on Carrots n Cake’s blog “Eat Donuts and get UNCOMFORTABLE“. Isn’t that a motivating title? When I read her humourous event recap, I knew I definitely wanted to sign up for this race if there was ever one near Jacksonville, FL. I am a huge fan of “adventure races” like Color Me Rad, Ragnar Relay, etc. so this one just had to be on that list. Will I do this race twice? Uh, probably not.
So maybe you think 12 donuts sounds like a bit much. Well, it could be worse! At least it isn’t 12 Krispy Kreme cake donut! Or worse, sausage, egg, and bacon sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme donuts x6 (to equal 12 donuts).
If the thought of running 3 miles and downing 12 donuts still makes your stomach a little queasy, consider signing up as a relay! This race has an option for you to grab 3 friends and form a team. Each person will eat 4 donuts and then run 1 mile and suffer as a team rather than in isolation.
Although I imagine it will really look more like this photo above – each teammate squatting on the ground, suffering through a measly 4 donuts. At least you won’t be alone. This will definitely test camaraderie.
On a side note, while I was falling down the “google rabbit hole” searching for funny photos I could use for this post, I came across this site which ironically posts another fun summer race as #2 food and drink competition….The Run For The Pies! http://www.delish.com/food-fun/food-drink-competitions
OK so by now I’ve definitely motivated you to get off that couch and sign up for this..er..race, so now here’s your chance to win a free race entry into the race!
Just comment below with how many donuts you think I’ll throw up after I pass the starting line for a chance to win a race entry!
{Yes, I’m crazy pants about running. Personal Running Solutions provided me with a free race entry because they’re nice. I didn’t even have to technically post a blog, but how could I not tell everyone about this? Besides, it’s for charity! All thoughts and obsession about running are entirely my own and not influenced by Paul or Personal Running Solutions.}
I just love beautiful Friday afternoons! This time of year is great because it is so gorgeous outside. I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity I can to enjoy the nice weather. Soon it will be hot, HOT, and I’ll want nothing but to hibernate next to the ac unit.
Friday was one of those beautiful days. Add on the fact that it was Friday (TGIF!), and I had to escape the office for lunch. I’d seen on the Jax Truckies Facebook page earlier that morning the list of trucks out and about that day. I scanned the list and saw Monroe’s Smokehouse BBQ was actually going to be just a short drive away from my office. From what I have noticed, the food trucks are mostly just downtown and only in the Southside area once or twice a week. I instant messaged Blakeley, and we decided to meet up. She placed a quick phone call and found out they opened at 11:30 am and accept credit cards!
It took me a second to actually find where they were setup. I knew it was near Viskaton in Deerwood, but that’s all I knew. I drove a few circles around some of the parking lots and finally located them. This is mostly my fault for not researching more closely before I let as to where they actually setup.
Their menu board could use a little re-write. It’s a bit runny, regardless, I quickly saw what I wanted. MAC N CHEESE! Ok but that’s not a real meal (or shouldn’t be). So I also ordered the Lunch PLate of Pulled Pork with a side of mac and a side of Sweet Potato Fries without cinnamon/sugar).
Everyone was super nice when we ordered. You can tell they enjoy what they do and talking with the customers.
They had plenty of supplies so we could enjoy our BBQ exactly how we like. Note the Tabasco, Pepperoncini (I know what this is now!), salt and pepper, and ketchup in the background.
They also have a wide variety of sauces for the sauce obsessed (Jax Food Critic, I’m pointing at you!) Not only did they have mustard sauce, they had a spicy mustard sauce. Interesting.
Mmmm. I tried their Sweet Sauce and Mustard Sauce. That white container holds my mac n cheese! I was soooo hungry on Friday. I had only had a granola bar for breakfast because I was so busy so I could not WAIT to dig in. Everything was delicious. I personally don’t care for the bread. I wish I could swap that out for another side – but then again..what BBQ place doesn’t include bread on the side. It’s pretty much expected at a place like this.
Blakeley ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork Platter with sweet potato souffle, mac n cheese and a sweet tea.
I do have to say one thing that makes this location so awesome was there were shaded tables and chairs not too far away. One bummer with food trucks is that often there’s not a place to sit other than the curb or back at your desk in your cube. I hope more food trucks are able to gravitate to this location on other days of the week because of the chairs! (and because it’s really close to my work!)
Have you eaten at Monroe’s Smokehouse BBQ? What did you think?
Hey! I’m Stacey, also known as Starpulp around the interwebs. & I’ve been asked by the lovely Devon to put together a post for her while she’s out being fabulous and running around monuments and stuff. lucky bitch.
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s eating like I’m single.. because I’m not.
What did I used to eat when I was single?
A Jennie-O Frozen Turkey Patty sauteed in a pan w/ a side of steamed broccoli.
Seriously, almost every night. Yum.
But not really something I can make on a regular night or I just might end up single again.
So I cook yummy food. Problem is, once I get off work around 5:30 and go for a run for about an hour and walk the dog and check the mail and whatever else stuff I have to do, it’s usually almost 8pm. (how do people with kids do it, seriously??) So the last thing I want to do at this point is make something that takes forever to prep and cook. In fact, I’m usually about to chew my arm off by this point and need food…STAT.
Thankfully I’ve learned a trick or two over the years.. and I try to incorporate that into fun, fancy recipes I find online to speed the whole process up a bit.
For some reason unknown to me, I had a craving for black beans, sweet potato, and chicken. I swear I’ve never actually eaten this combination on the same plate in my life ever.
According to Betty, it’s “Packed with chicken, black beans and sweet potatoes, this Jamaican-style casserole is a meal in one.” um… yes! Yes, please!
Great.. all-in-one. Less time, less fuss, and hopefully, more yum.
I have to admit, the ingredients list was sorta a pain. I mean, when I was heating up frozen turkey patties, I didn’t need spices all too often, so I DID have to spend a fortune at the store for this.. but I am sure I’ll use these spices again. Some of you more established cooks may have some of these ingredients on hand already.
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 6 boneless skinless chicken thighsI used 3 chicken breasts instead
1 tablespoon vegetable oil olive oil
1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed
1 large sweet potato (1 lb), peeled, cubed (3 cups)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup lime juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons sliced green onions (2 medium)yuck!!!
STEP 1
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
Done and done.
In small bowl, mix salt, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, thyme and red pepper. Rub mixture on all sides of chicken. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil 2 to 3 minutes per side, until brown.
OK this step I didn’t skip or really adjust. I had a feeling this might be important and sear the flavor into the chicken.
STEP 2
In baking dish, layer beans and sweet potato. Top with browned chicken. In small bowl, mix honey, lime juice and cornstarch; add to skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Pour over chicken in baking dish.
Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (180°F) and sweet potatoes are fork tender. Sprinkle with green onions.
Woah! Stop the presses. Bake? 45 minutes (plus the 15 minutes extra it takes my oven to cook anything..). Uuuh. Yah, not happenin. I almost deleted this recipe right there on the spot. Then I thought.. hang on a minute. This doesn’t need to be baked. I mean, it IS chicken, I still gotta cook it. But why not steam it? 8 minutes > 60 minutes. Wins every time.
Queue… Ziploc Zip ‘n Steam bags.
I first learned of these watching…The Biggest Loser. Yup. During one of their cheezy infomercial breaks, two team members steamed some veggies in this. Great. Veggies. It worked. I bought a box. Then and only then did I see the long list of items it can cook – including FROZEN CHICKEN. love
These suckers can cook 3 frozen chicken breasts in 8 minutes. True, I think the bag says 6, but it really takes 8 (at least in my microwave). I know what you’re thinkin.. ewww.. microwaved chicken breasts? I’m imagining dried out chicken.. when it gets the pink, rubbery ends. blech. But have no fear, these really do make the juiciest, moistest chicken breasts that are ALMOST better than crock pot chicken. almost
So, I zapped the chicken in the micro for 8 minutes (while I jumped in the shower). Came out, scooped out the beans and sweet potatoes out of the baking dish and into another steamer bag. Steamed those in the microwave for 3 minutes. Dumped everything back into the baking dish, poured the cornstarch mixture on top and baked.. for about 10 minutes…just long enough to get everything friendly w/ that cornstarch mixture.
omfg.. the smell.. the amazing aroma that filled my house reminded me of Turkey Day. If I needed anything to motivate me for the Subaru Distance Classic Half Marathon that’s coming up this Thanksgiving.. it is certainly this dish. It gave me memories of pumpkin pie (duh, there’s pumpkin spice in there), sweet potato casserole and all the other yummy goodness that awaits those on that national holiday.
Oh and while it smelled amazing, it tasted even better. That bubbly cornstarch mixture blended all the flavors into an amazing slightly sweet, comfort food goodness.
OH! And how’d I do on time? Well, if you add it all up, a meal that typically would have taken possibly 80 minutes to prepare and bake actually took me all of 25 minutes. (and I squeezed a shower in too!) Had I actually been prepared – it would have taken even less! I COULD have zapped the frozen chicken in the microwave while rinsing the beans and cutting the sweet potato. Yadda Yadda.
City Scramble is a fun “amazing race” scavenger hunt type event for teams of two. You’re not allowed to use anything with wheels to assist you. So cars, bikes, skate boards and more are all excluded. You need to be prepared to do 5-6 miles on foot. Everyone participating meets at one location. Our location was Mill Top Tavern. Once it’s finally time, everyone is given a rule sheet with 10-12 ‘clues’ on them. Each clue leads you to a different location. You need to figure out the clues so that you can figure out where to go. Run/walk/skip to that place. Each place you either need to take a photo to show proof of being there or complete a challenge activity. You can use any sort of technology to solve the clues.
Things to know:
If you want to win, expect lots of running sprinting. The first place team can win $500 cash! (That’s $100 per mile or $50 per teammate per mile)
You don’t have to play to win. You can do it for the experience and fun. I had only been to St. Augustine a few times, but after participating in the City Scramble, I know the city a lot better.
If you really want a chance to win, use technology to your advantage. Have two smart phones. One for each of you.
If you really, REALLY want a good chance to win, have two friends “on call” and ready to go 30 minutes before your start time. Yes, you can use any technology to your advantage which also includes your friend’s computers over the phone line. Don’t waste your time trying to load everything on your smart phone. When you get your sheet of clues, have one team member take the odd questions with one friend on the phone and you take the even questions with their friend on the phone. Work out what you can, and swap what clues are left. Each location leads to a clue. When you find out what the location is, write down the address on your sheet of paper and the location. Have one friend (which ever one is more computer saavy) tell you the quickest route between places based on your current location, plan your route, and go! Sprint, don’t walk until you pass “GO!” with your winnings!
Another reason to have two friends ready? One friend may NOT quite have their computer fully booted up when it’s time even though you called them 30 minutes and 15 minutes prior to the start of the race to make sure they’re ready. Yet another reason to have two (or more) friends “on call” to assist. Hey! We’re in it to win it!
If you don’t already have a map of the local area when you arrive, grab as many touristy publications as you can. Some have better maps than others. Find one (or two) that work best (one for each of you), and get ready.
Do NOT bring or wear anything you don’t need other than your phones and pencil. Anything extra you are wearing or carrying is added weight you don’t need. I stupidly wore one of those light sack backpacks, which after 5 miles of sprinting, was a dead weight.
Eat breakfast. Seriously, if you plan to win, you’re running 5 miles. Prep like you would 10k race. Eat something, not heavy. Don’t drink coffee. You don’t want to waste time in the bathroom etc. We were well bathroom’d before the race, but still only finished 10 minutes behind the winners.
Adam was really smart and wore his camelbak. He has a nice one that’s fairly comfortable to run with (mine’s bigger and bulkier so I didn’t wear it). With all that running we were really thirsty.
Here’s everyone at the start of the race at Milltop Tavern. You can see the race coordinator on the steps with a megaphone.
Here’s Adam and I each on our phones with our “phone an at-home friend” assistants.
One great thing about this race was that it started early (around 8am) which meant everything was empty. There weren’t a lot of people to bob and weave between. It was certainly REALLY strange to be there with it this empty.
A great example of how bad I am at taking pictures of me and Adam. Our first clue was to take a picture of a conquistador’s weapon. We had no clue what a conquisador is. Thankfully our “at home” players were able to Google this quickly and find out a conquisador is a spanish soldier and that they used cannons! We kept our eyes peeled as we completed other clues and snapped a picture with the first one we ran past.
We actually had someone else offer to take our picture here. I have a totally goofy look on my face.
Here’s my first attempt at a photo. I’m not even IN the picture! I’m TERRIBLE at this.
Finally, success! This clue led us to the Gonzalez-Alvarez House.
St. Francis Inn.. we were actually confused. We didn’t need this picture. Out front of this place there was a small park. We had to do an activity. One team member had to hula hoop while the other teammate dug in a bucket to find army men. On the bottom of each army guy wAs a letter. We then had to unscramble the letters to make a word. Not very complicated but interesting.
More running..
My face is starting to get red here!
Thankfully you can’t tell in this picture, but I was so overheated at this point my face started turning green!
Another couple from the event took a picture of us here. I bought a brand new camera right before this event. It was right after this picture that she dropped it right into the sand.
Oh THIS was a fun one. we had to walk on these boards at the same time like they’re skis.
Definitely involved some coordination and took us a turn or two to figure it out!
Some photos were really difficult to get a picture of us AND the sign in.
At the end, everyone returned to Mill Top Tavern to return everything.
My friend Maureen and her boyfriend (now husband) in the grey were also there.
Afterwards we all hung out while we waited for more people to return.
I was sooo glad to be done. We DIDN’T win, but I didn’t think 9th was really that bad. We were team “Brains and Brawn” below.
We had fun and would definitely sign up for this event again! It’s actually been in Jacksonville once since, but we were out of town.
It’s actually coming back to St. Augustine October 20th. You should sign up!
4th Annual Craft & Import Beer Festival
May 18, 2012
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena VIP: 6-7pm $45 General Admission: 7-10pm $30 After Party: Fionn MacCools at the landing: 10pm Official Website:http://www.beerfestjax.com/
Great times are to be had at the 4th Annual Craft and Import Beer Festival especially this year! Last year’s event was a blast. I saw several of my friends there, got to enjoy great local music, sample food from local restaurants, and of course, enjoy great beer! They have over 45 breweries with over 300 different beer.
(Some of the not so great was it got crowded! This goes to show how popular the event is. This year they’ve limited the event to 4,500 total tickets. Last year had 6,500 tickets. I’m hoping this will help a lot. Plus I’ve heard they’ve expanded to the top level at the Arena, which has AWESOME views of the city and surrounding areas at night.)
I leave you with my most ridiculous shots (and honestly the only ones I have) from the 2011 Craft and Import Beer Festival.
Me and the most interesting man. (FYI, the full beer bottle was merely a prop. They snagged it back right after this was taken. Boo)
Me and the MONSTER GERMAN WIENER! Seriously, get a shot with this if you can. Love, LOVE me some European Street Cafe! (Shout out to Beer Cheese Soup!)
This one was was hanging from the ceiling rather than sitting on the ground and was a few inches too tall for me!
Wait, oh! I said there would be a giveaway? OK OK!
Fill out the info in the Rafflecopter widget here to enter!
{Mmmm I love beer! Especially events that allow me to be surrounded by LOT of beer all at once. I was provided tickets from CF Media to the event in return for my post. All thoughts and obsession about beer are entirely my own and not influenced by CF Media.}
Dinners in our house had gotten fairly routine. By routine, I mean we’d find an excuse to meet up with friends or dine out rather than cook. (Honestly, I’d say I’m more the instigator here!) Taco Tuesday? Sure! Happy Hour? Lets do it!
When I got an email from MyRecipes.com on Monday promoting “Meatless Monday” right about the time I was planning out our weekly grocery list, I added it.
Tortellini Pepperoncini Salad: With spicy peppers, sweet cherry tomatoes, earthy beans and lots of fresh herbs, this well-balanced meatless recipe is a meal in itself.
Capers? Pepperoncini? Sounds fancy. Yes, I’ve never had capers or pepperoncini before. Yes, it’s been pointed out peperoncini is the same thing that comes in the corner of the Papa Johns box. No! I haven’t ever eaten that pepper either!.
Adam and I have also recently chatted about branching out and trying new things…so here’s our first attempt.
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s slaving over the stove for an hour on a new recipe only to ultimately make a dish I don’t like. So frustrating.
We lucked out. This dish only took TEN MINUTES! Yes, ten minutes to prep and cook. Since the only thing heated is the tortellini, this will also be great in the summer months when it’s too hot to use the oven. Oh, and it’s actually tasty! Bonus!
First thing is you get the tortellini water boiling. Then, rinse all your veggies off.
Next, begin to chop up the ingredients. Since this is essentially a salad, Adam took a little extra care to aesthetically slice the grape tomatoes for presentation purposes. While he was busy with that, I chopped up the pepperochini, basil, and spinach. I threw in the tortellini in the pot of boiling water once I noticed it was ready. Adam also measured and added the capers and Parmesan cheese.
We combined all our chopped veggies into a bowl and tossed. I really wish we’d selected a larger bowl at this point, but it still worked.
The tortellini was done by this point, so we drained and rinsed it with cold water.
We then rinsed, drained, and added the Great Northern Beans. This recipe actually called for Navy Beans, but I didn’t have any. I did have Great Northern Beans, and they look almost the same, so that’s what we were usin’!
Lastly, we added the tortellini into the bowl with the lemon juice and olive oil and tossed one last time.
I was sneaky and let Adam take the first bite.
“Babe, this is good!”
You could hear the surprise even in his voice.
It’s so surprisingly good, in fact, I decided to share it with you!
Cook pasta according to package directions. (This typically only takes 3-5 minutes, so you may want to start cutting your ingredients first).
While pasta cooks, combine tomatoes, spinach, peppers, cheese, capers, basil and beans in a large bowl. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. (This removes any unnecessary starch). Add pasta, juice and oil to tomato mixture; toss gently. Serve immediately.
How have there been 19 of these already?? This will be the FOURTH Folio Weekly Beer Festival I’ve attended. I can’t wait.
The Folio Weekly Beer & Music Festival has over 200 beers to sample. I typically am adventurous around the beginning, but after an hour or so, you’ll find me mingling around the Shock Top or Stella Artois tables.
This year, I have a few goals in mind:
I’m looking to try a variety of Belgian-style wheat beers
I want to try all the local brewery beer available. Greenroom? I’ll be looking for you!
Get some food from MOJOs! (Rumor has it they’re serving pork, rib tips, and butterbean hummus!!!! drool…. )
Check out the Beer Garden! Last time it was raining, but today’s weather is beautiful and perfect for (beer) gardening!
Here are some tips to those attending to have an even BETTER time:
Splurge for the VIP tickets. VIP is from 6-7 and regular admission is from 7-10. VIP is limited to a certain number of people so you’re actually able to move around. It’s TOTALLY worth it. I usually go to VIP and then split around 7:30.
Start hydrating now! Don’t show up thirsty and dehydrated. You need a good base to work off of!
Arrive early. This event is popular…so popular that there’s usually a really long line of people waiting to get inside. It’s fairly hot outside. Prepare to wait. It’s worth the wait.
If you’re on Twitter – pay attention! Some events like these do fun giveaways! Pay attention to the individual beer vendors if they have QR codes or Twitter accounts listed, scan them, follow them. If there’s a contest to fill out, fill it out!
Don’t expect to leave full… of food. You will be full of beer.
Plan to eat something decent right after you leave. Perhaps head to The Pier – the official after-party. They have a mexican cantina to get you going again.
Keep an open mind and try new things. It’s only a sip.
Bring a koozie or find one as soon as you get in the event from one of the tables. Sometimes you’ll get a bigger pour that way.
Expect to be hot and sweaty by the end. Morocco Shrine is a great location for this event, but with soo many people in there it can get HOT!
Hydrate and pace yourself. There will be non-alcoholic drinks there.
Be adventurous. Find the most random beer flavor available and make sure you try it. It’s probably going to be the Blueberry flavored beer. It might actually be good!
Even if you don’t officially participate in the Wing Eating contest put on by Wild Wing Cafe, find wings and eat them. You’ll need the sustenance.
Plan a ride home with a designated driver or call a cab.
What are you looking forward to at Folio Weekly’s Beer Festival? Do you have a tip you’d share?
{Mmmm I love beer! Especially events that allow me to be surrounded by LOT of beer all at once. I was provided tickets from Folio Weekly to the event in return for my post. All thoughts and obsession about beer are entirely my own and not influenced by Folio Weekly.}
Since I love it so much, (& it’s iPhones birthday – 1 year. They grow up so fast!), LifeProof sent me another iPhone case for me to giveaway to my readers! One reader will win their very own LifeProof iPhone Case AND a belt clip.
If you have a LifeProof iPhone case, what would it protect you from? Are you a dropper? Would you run with it? Do something else?
Comment below with your answer, fill out the Rafflecopter form below to confirm it and learn ways you can get additional entries!
This past week, we were hosted by BlackFinn to check out their new Dine & Wine Wednesdays. I have to admit it’s been a while since I’ve been to BlackFinn especially for dinner. They now offer some pretty tempting $6 appetizers and flatbreads as well as $3 domestic drafts, house wines and well drinks from 4-7pm on Wednesdays. Bottles of wine are half price all night as well as glasses of wine PLUS if you stay for dinner, they’ll take 15% off your bill.
We arrived a little bit late, so we needed to catch up to everyone else. I’d seen a twitpic on my way there from Jax Food Critic of a perfect looking Mojito, so I was already thinking of ordering one. We perused the drink menu and saw an entire page dedicated to Mojitos. We ordered a “Coconut Lime” and a “Dragon Berry” (left and right respectively). These aren’t on their Wednesday Dine & Wine featured happy hour, but I just can’t pass up the chance to try a good Mojito. One of my first places in Jacksonville was actually at Esplanade condominiums located right behind Maggianos in St. Johns Town Center. Living there it was super fun to invite friends over and just go “bar hopping”. This was way before The Markets at Town Center and BlackFinn were built. One of my favorite places to bar hop around St. Johns Town Center? Cheesecake Factory for their Mojitos. I loved sitting at the bar and watching the bartender muddle the mint and make magic. So how did this Mojito compare? These Mojitos weren’t syrupy. They were tasty and delicious and definitely gave the bartenders at Cheesecake a “run for the money”.
Next, we had to try their featured appetizers. First up? The Southern Nachos. These were a generous plate full of crunchy chips topped with the usual cheese, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos (which I picked off), and tomatoes. What made these remarkable was the addition of Barbequed Pulled Pork and, instead of regular ol’ cheese, it was smothered in a chipotle queso. These nachos had a flavorful, smokey flavor. I honestly would head here for happy hour JUST so I could order these. After a long day or week of work, sometimes I just want some queso and chips, THIS is just that and more. Plus for $6 these were a good deal. Usually nachos this big and tasty cost around $8-10. Plus the chips weren’t charred, and we weren’t left with dried out chips on the bottom. (I hate that…) You really need to come and try it for yourself. If you do, please let me know what you thought.
Next up, per Adam’s request, we ordered the calamari. The first time I tried this was at a chain Italian restaurant, and they were chewy and unimpressive. I have to say here they were tasty and not ‘bouncy bouncy’ like my first calamari experience, but still not my personal choice when there are so many other options available. Since I clearly have no knowledge of good calamari, I asked Adam, the calamari “expert,” his thoughts. He said they we’re tender and lightly fried. Compared to other restaurant calamari, it wasn’t as spicy and slightly bland. It could handle some italian seasoning in the breading. The rings were slightly smaller than expected, but the plate was plentiful and more than enough. He’d order these again if we were there & had a taste for calamari.
Lastly we sampled their Margherita Flatbread (above) and their Buffalo Chicken Flatbread (below). The Margherita was good, but a little dry. On the other hand, their Buffalo Chicken was good. The chicken tasted like it had been cubed and then spent time marinating in something similar to Franks Hot Sauce. (Franks rocks my socks.) Flatbreads are really popular at restaurants recently, and I’m used to a thin, dry crust. This was flaky and not dried out at all.
After trying out their happy hour selections, we decided to stay and headed inside for dinner.
We were also celebrating an anniversary, so we decided to indulge just a little bit. Our waiter was really helpful in assisting us to select a Cabernet Sauvignon. Since bottles are half price, why not! Plus, if you purchase the bottle, but would like to enjoy the rest of it at home, BlackFinn will package it up so you can safely bring it home with you.
I do love the QR codes that are showing up on packaging these days from Heinz ketchup bottles to wine!
I also enjoyed a glass of Stella. I love when the beer comes in a glass that represents.
Adam knew exactly what he was ordering before we even sat down. On a previous visit (another anniversary), I’d enjoyed the Iron Skillet Lobster Mac -n- Cheese while Adam drooled from across the table. This time, that’s exactly what he was ordering. Nothing could change his mind.
I selected the Shrimp and Grits. I’m silly and didnt read past the title, so I didn’t realize these were actually grit cakes (which I personally don’t care for).
We enjoyed out tasty beverages until our entrees appeared.
Bam! It may look tiny, but it’s actually a big skillet and very filling! Adam said the lobster Mac was meaty, cheesy deliciousness. No improvements needed.
Oooh! Aaaah!
My Shrimp and Grits (cakes) were really good and REALLY hot! The Tasso (ham) cream sauce was really flavorful and complimented the blackened shrimp. I also loved how they artfully stacked the grit cakes with two jumbo shrimp for an appetizing design. It wasn’t just lumped on the plate. (Seasons 52 also makes sure their entrees are plated artfully). I do wish the dish title had said “cakes,” (and not just the description) because I really had my heart on some buttery grits (Palm Valley Fish Camp style). It’s ok though, I clearly survived, and honestly needed to save room for dessert!!
Oh yes. Chocolaty melty Peanut Butter surprise! Drool. The official (and very deceptive) name is “BlackFinn Hot Chocolate.”
At first this looks so simple until you dig in to discover cakey brownie moist deliciousness. Then you’re hooked on the peanut butter surprise that lines the bottom of the cup. The chocolate and peanut butter soufflé is served warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel. It is definitely plenty to share among two or even three people.
Next, we ordered.. HA! We didn’t order anything else. We rolled on home and fell into a sleep coma.
I don’t know what it is about being sick or injured that makes me want to workout more than ever before. I know I can’t be the only person that’s ever felt like this. I sit here and dwell on the fact I’m not running, biking, swimming, and, of course, at Timed Exercise. My favorite of all those activities is definitely running.
Thankfully someone in town is trying to help you with your recovery! Alter-G came to Jacksonville about 5 months ago in November which was perfect timing for my Achilles Tendinitis that I ended up with during the Subaru Half Marathon on Thanksgiving.
I chatted with Paul, the owner of Personal Running Solutions, after a session at Timed Exercise to get his opinion of my Achilles Tendinitis, which he basically confirmed my fears. Only way to heal it is to do nothing. Althooooough, I was welcome to swing by and take a spin on his Alter-G treadmills to see if I like it. Definitely!
By now you’re probably wondering what an Alter-G Treadmill actually is (unless you already knew, that is). The theory behind Alter-G Treadmills is that it’s a treadmill with a chamber you fasten around your waist, the chamber fills with air, raising you up, putting less of your body weight onto the actual treadmill. This lowers the strain on your body making it possible for one to actually run during recovery. Lowering the strain on the body is ALSO beneficial for a runner that is NOT injured. The Alter-G would enable a runner to run more frequently (daily instead of every other day), longer (10 miles instead of 3 miles), and even faster without as much wear and tear on the legs, back, and overall body.
So mid December, Adam and I met up at Alter-G Jax which is located in the back of the Southside Baptist Church in San Marco. That’s the white church near San Marco.
(Source: Google Maps Screenshot)
First thing I noticed was a collection of DVD’s to the left when you walk in. That’s pretty nice they provide you with some entertainment. I’m sure you could bring your own DVDs or Netflix rentals too.
I was then handed a pair of shorts to put on over my shorts. I had been told beforehand to wear something similar to bike shorts. I now understood why as these were pretty similar to bike shorts themselves. If I’d worn regular shorts or something bulky, it would have bunched up and been less comfortable.
There were several pairs of shorts hanging to dry pretty much anywhere there was a spot one could hang something. It looks like they frequently clean/wash the shorts, and then hang them up to dry to keep them clean and germ-free. They probably had around 8-10 pairs of shorts hanging up.
One great thing I noticed is they have a decent locker room there. It’s not state-of-the-art, but it’s definitely big enough with several showers for a quick lunch-time run and shower before dashing back to work.
Once you pull them on, they’re actually fairly comfortable.
Hawwwt, right?
To get started, you walk up to the end of the treadmill so it’s just like the picture above. You step onto the light grey plastic and step into the hole.
You then grab onto the sides, and slowly raise it up to your desired height. When you go for your first visit, they’ll assist you with determining the correct height and help you get all setup.
Next, you zip yourself in! Yup, you literally are zipping your pants to the machine! Totally bizarre feeling.
“Look, ma! No hands!”
The screen in front of you has several options. First thing you do before you start the treadmill moving is inflate it. The initial inflation fills the entire bag tightly which is called calibrating. This usually takes about 45-60 secs as the bag fills up around you. Once the bag is done calibrating, you can change how much air is in the bag. The % indicates the amount of air in the treadmill. Usually you start out at 65%. You can increase or decrease it from there. At 20% you would have a lot of help from the treadmill and only have part of your weight on it. At 80% inflation, you would have very little if any assistance from the treadmill, and be running normally.
Once you’re inflated correctly, you can start walking on the treadmill. Once you’re comfortable, you can increase the speed and start running.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Each treadmill comes equipped with it’s own TV screen. You can watch DVDs while you run or another feature is you can watch yourself run! There are cameras installed to the side, back, and front of the machine.
Camera on the left.
Camera to the back.
This enables you to watch your stride and learn how to self correct while running. This to me is a really valuable tool. When I get tired, I tend to cross my right foot over in front of my left foot – but I don’t actually feel myself doing it. With this screen I can check my stride from the back and see if I’m doing it. I am pretty sure this is because I have a torn PCL in my left knee combined with the fact I’m not as strong as I should be.
Overall, the treadmill is surprisingly comfortable. I got used to being “zipped in” and didn’t even really notice it after a while. I enjoyed running on it and could actually see myself using it in the future even if I wasn’t recovering from an injury.
I tried several different inflation levels and speeds to test the treadmill out. I seemed to be the most comfortable with 65-75% inflation. This enabled slight assistance from the Treadmill while still feeling like I was running normally. If I inflated the treadmill more, it gave more of a feeling of walking on the moon. One advantage I did notice of inflating the treadmill slightly more than 75% is that I could really run at a higher speed. I could see this being a benefit to train my legs to go faster.
One negative personally is that it is in San Marco. If I still worked downtown, this would be perfect for lunchtime. I would zip on over the Main Street bridge, run for 30 minutes, do a quick shower and be on back to work probably in an hour and fifteen minutes. Not bad. Since this is indoors, I could keep a very consistent schedule since I wouldn’t be hindered by weather. Plus you won’t waste anytime driving in circles looking for a parking spot since the church has a private lot. Another bonus is that you actually reserve your treadmill online in advance. This is a great way of ensuring you’re never stuck waiting on a treadmill to free up (like at one of the typical gyms).
Another very minor negative is I did have some lower back pain. When running on the machine, it really keeps you in form and fairly straight. I personally think the back pain is just me and solely due to the fact I’m not in great shape. If I did a few good weeks of consistent weight lifting, I doubt I’d have any back pain at all.
So if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how much this all costs. They currently have the following packages available.
10x45mins sessions for $100.00
10x60mins sessions for $140.00
They are also running a special right now for the summer with unlimited sessions for May, June, and July, for $250.00. This same offer is available to high school students for $150.00.
It would also be silly for me to not mention Personal Running Solutions as well. Paul, the owner, is the brains and brawn behind Personal Running Solutions which is Jacksonville’s biggest and best running group. They offer 9 group runs per week and every runner gets an individualized schedule produced for them online. They also get great discounts of 15% off at both 1st Place Sports and Jacksonville Running Company. Members also get a network of proven professionals who have experience with runners and athletes. These doctors, chiropractors, and massage therapist give PRS members great discounts they wouldn’t otherwise have.
As you can see, he knows his stuff when it comes to running. (He also just came in third place in the Corporate Run 5k last week!)
Here are some links for more information on the Alter-G treadmills and Personal Running Solutions
Since these treadmills aren’t just just for people with injuries, Alter-G would like to give one of my readers the opportunity to try out these spacelike treadmills themselves! Fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Comment on this post with what you would watch on the TV if you were to run on the Alter-G (this is required to enter the contest). You can also get a bonus entry for liking the Alter-G Facebook page, Personal Running Solutions Facebook page, my Facebook page, as well as following Personal Running Solutions on Twitter and for following me on twitter! One winner will “run away” with a punch card good for ten 45 minute sessions at Alter-G Jacksonville.
Comment below with what you would watch on the TV if you were to run on the Alter-G!
{Yes, I’m crazy pants about running. Paul of Alter-G provided me with a free session to try out their treadmills. He didn’t brainwash me with exercise endorphin’s to persuade me to run on this crazy machine. I was actually interested in trying it when I first heard about the machines. All thoughts and obsession about running are entirely my own and not influenced by Paul or Alter-G.}
