homegrown

Friday, day 4 in the clinic, was slower than usual. I had lunch with the ladies in administration who order out every Friday, and did my first solo exam on a woman with some serious posture problems (her C6-C7 vertebrae formed a right angle--talk about forward head posture). Our last patient was at 2:15, so I was outta there by 3. I had a blast with Woody this week, and am excited to learn from Dave starting next week.

my plan :)

SO- my first full weekend in Rockford. And I was bound and determined to get out of the house and explore the town. I did just that Friday night after work-- I threw on a summery skirt, loaded the Google Maps app on my phone, and eventually found downtown Rockford, situated on the Rock River. My destination was the Rockford City Market, a farmers' market plus live music and beer. I picked up some spicy Texochile cheddar cheese from across the border in WI, some homegrown fresh green beans, and a pretty fancy red and purple sunflower to spruce things up around here. I hit up RedBox on the way home, and would highly recommend Source Code to those who love movies that make you think (and/or who don't mind looking at Jake Gyllenhaal).

@ the Farmers' Market in downtown Rockford, right next to the Rock River

Saturday, I hit the road as soon as the rain stopped, and ran through Rock Cut State Park (I impressed myself with 8.5 miles). Click here for a visual. I also set out in search of a gym with a reasonable monthly rate, but no such luck (I'm spoiled at LA Fitness at home with my $15/month bill). Although, I admit that I did not visit two of the gyms in the area, Asylum and Inferno, for obvious reasons. I also bought tickets to fly out to see Jack in NY the last weekend in September! I fell in love with Hamilton during my very short visit to pick him up last spring, so I can't wait to go back. I visited Ben the same weekend last year but unfortunately didn't get to see him play rugby because he messed up his head, but I'll get to see Jack play against RPI. I talked to Dad at the cabin, then opened a Blockbuster account and treated myself to a House marathon. I was supposed to go out for drinks later that night but fell asleep instead. Oh well.

Today was a beauuutiful day in Winnebago county. Cooked up some delicious coconut banana french toast, and hopped on my bike. Explored Rock Cut again today- this time all the way around Pierce Lake (check it out). I would have liked to have gone farther, but it wasn't too comfortable biking with a hard splint on my wrist. (It is feeling better, by the way-- pretty sure it's just a sprain and not a scaphoid fracture, but it's still not quite healed.) 

Ok, ok, so I actually took a picture of myself so you'd know I wasn't making all of this up.

Next, I ventured south of Rockford to Cherry Valley, and to Valley Orchard. While it may not be prime apple season yet, the Early Gold and Paula Red apples I picked were divine. The best apples I can remember eating-- ever. I even picked a few bell peppers, and picked up some homemade apple-cherry butter. YUM. 

I loooove orchard photography (reminds me of my trip to Bayfield with Mom last summer)

I spent the rest of the afternoon cooking dinner. I don't know what's gotten into me this past year, but all of a sudden I love to recipe-search online, read my new Skinny Bitch cookbook (yes, that's the real title), and try new foods. I'm pretty sure Mom will tell you I didn't get this itch from her. I think it's a combination of having to cook for myself (aka not living at home), and seeking out healthier snack and meal options. I promise this won't turn into a food blog, but I'll give you a little taste of what I've been up to (figuratively, not literally-- unless you come visit me, that is :). This weekend, I've been experimenting with quinoa, a grain (an expensive one, I might add) that's been called an alternative to rice.  Friday, I tried quinoa stir fry (I didn't love it), but tonight I cooked up some awesome quinoa burgers. Think potato pancakes/latkes, but stuffed with more veggies and with a little kick (I put hot sauce on/in everything I eat). I even whipped up a new recipe- spicy Asian green beans (with my farmers' market buy), and topped the meal off with some roasted sweet corn. Now, I am envisioning my dessert for when I get home-- it's a toss-up between a banana split (the healthy version) or baked apples with cinnamon and brown sugar (from the orchard, of course). 

quinoa burgers!

Pretty much, ask me what I'm doing in my free time here in Rock, and the answer will probably be working out (training for my sprint tri in 4 weeks with Lindsey!) or cooking/shopping for homegrown foods to cook. I'm managing to keep busy, and am terribly excited that my weekend doesn't end today. I get all day tomorrow to myself, as well. And I just got off the phone with Mom and Dad, and Mom bought Twins-White Sox tickets for next Monday night, when she'll be down for a visit. I know what you're thinking...and no, I will not be making a Circle Me Bert sign. But you can still look for us on tv, ok?!

Lastly, I have a confession to make. As I'm sitting here at Starbucks, surrounded by local high school and college students, I kind of wish I was in class. I know, I know, call me crazy (I know that's what Alisa is thinking anyways), but this will be the first year in 20 years I won't have a first day of school. Turns out, I'm one of those eternal learners. Guess I'll just have to start teaching myself medical French for Africa. (Don't worry, I've planned for this sudden urge to learn. My English-French medical dictionary is supposed to arrive in the mail tomorrow :) A demain, mes amis.