Saturday, March 28, 2009

Bountiful Basket Morning


This is my second week participating in Bountiful Baskets. It's a produce food co-op that buys organic and/or conventional vegetables from the growers/distributors at deep discounts. For a participatory contribution of $15(conventional) or $25 (organic) you can get a basketful of produce. One would pay much more at the grocery store for the amount of produce received. Every other week they distribute the baskets to various Valley locations.

Below are a couple of photos of what was in my basket this week(I purchased the conventional basket). I had a friend that got the organic. She got beets, raisins, zucchini, kale, oranges, apples, peaches etc. I think I got a bit more in the conventional basket, but am going to go organic next time to mix it up. The fruits and vegetables vary depending on what can be purchased and what is in season. I was happy with my basket this week because I got strawberries and lots of bananas. I also got a huge bag of potatoes that I'll have to divvy up between the neighbors. Way too many for Matt and I. You can also purchase bread (However, you get 3 or 5 loaves and I don't have enough room in my freezer to store the extra loaves). They had rounds of cinnamon bread, a tuscan crusty bread and multi-grain. Something else to try but maybe after I clear some room in my freezer. At times they will offer extras like an "Asian Pack" with bok choy, green onions, snow peas and more. They had that the first week I participated and the next time they have it, I'm definitely getting one. It looked fantastic.

What I love about my Saturday morning pick-up is seeing all the different people that show up to pick them up. People really do see the value of eating healthy.







Sparky is our farm kitty. I think if he were still on my parent's farm he would be lying in the garden, all summer long, nibbling on all the vegetables.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Ragnar Del Sol Relay Run

Last weekend I ran Ragnar Del Sol with 11 other teammates. Our team, Adventure Boot Camp Dos, ran a total of 202 miles from Friday morning until Saturday afternoon. We started in Prescott and ended up in Mesa. There was little to no sleep, but lots of time either in our vehicle or running. Now that I look back on it—it really was a fun experience—even though I managed to fall during the night and skin myself up pretty good. I think we were all sore and thrashed afterwards.

I flew Kayla out from Michigan to run on our team. She was definitely the superstar in our vehicle and I was quite proud of her. She had her best run at night running 7.5 miles through Wickenburg in 55 minutes.

I thought I'd share a few photos and as I get more (I have none of our teammates in the 2nd vehicle) I'll post them. Click on photos for a larger, up close view.


Here is ABC Dos vehicle 1 runners at the start line. From left to right: Me, Heidi, Kayla, Nikki, Dave and Brianna


Heidi waiting at the start line.


Heidi on the first leg of the race.


Nikki halfway through her run to Skull Valley (near Prescott).


Kayla on her last run between Rio Verde and Fountain Hills (Note the two dudes she passed behind her).