[Guest Post] Not a Race. A Heavenly Little Ride.
June 14, 2013 by KathyG · Leave a Comment
This is a guest post by Michael Doyle
Michael is the event director for Tour of Saints Bicycle Tour. He has created, directed, and produced bicycle tours professionally for 23 years. Michael has helped more than 40,000 participants bike more than 1.5 million miles. He was a founding board member of the Bicycle of Alliance of Minnesota. Michael lives in Collegeville Township and has two daughters and a son.
Are you looking for a fun bicycling event to do with your family? I’ve got the perfect event for you…the 33rd Annual Tour of Saints bicycle ride!
Okay – so, it sounds like an official race event, but it’s not…I promise! This is a bicycle ride for all ages and all experience levels. You don’t have to have years of riding experience to join us for this heavenly little ride.
The ride takes place on Sunday, July 7, 2013 – starting and ending at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The event opens with registration at 6:30 a.m. and will go until 8:30 a.m. Once you’ve registered you’re free to begin your ride. This avoids having a mass start, and makes for a much smoother process.
Do you want to know why this event is so great? You get to choose your own distance!
Go for 18, 35 and 50 Miles!
The Tour of Saints course accomodates three ride distances - an 18 mile course, a 35 mile course, and a 50 mile course, The registration fee is the same for all distances based on age. Adult Ride (18 and over), Youth Ride (5-17), Child Ride (0-4). Let me break it down the courses for you…
Back by popular demand – the short 18 mile course. First, it’s one mile from the College of Saint Benedict to Lake Wobegon Trail; then 8 miles to Avon on trail; turning around for an 8 mile return; one mile back to college. You and your children can ride the 18 mile course along the paved Lake Wobegon Trail, with a food and rest stop at Avon Trailhead Park after 9 miles of scenic biking.
The 35 mile course traces through undulating miles of scenic byways west of St. Joseph. Riders enjoy sinful treats at the rest stops. Cold Spring, the first stop at 12 miles, is home to the popular Cold Spring Bakery. Their crew offers fresh pastries, fruit, cool water and energy drinks. The second stop at 27 miles is at Collegeville Orchards near Saint John’s Abbey and University, set at the edge of woodlands and lakes.
Feeling strong? Go for 50! At 31 miles, riders choose the short course to the finish for a 35 mile day or follow the 50 mile course. At Avon’s city park next to the Lake Wobegon Trail, 50 mile cyclists are welcomed with fresh fruit, candy bars and cool drinks at the last rest stop.
Register Today!
This is truly a great event to spend time with your children (or grandchildren). Please note that children must ride with a parent or guardian. The children’s fee is just $10 (ages 5-17) and young children (ages 0-4) ride FREE!
Early registration ends on Monday, June 17th – so be sure to register to get the best price! There are also discounts for groups of four or more. If you want a keepsake of your ride – event t-shirts are available during the registration process. This year the shirts are blue!
To learn more about the ride and all the great stops, please visit the Tour of Saints website. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook, too!!
I hope to see you at the ride!
Michael Doyle
Peek Into Kelly’s…Pork Producing Friends
June 4, 2013 by KathyG · 3 Comments
A few months ago my BLEND co-worker Kathy and I attended the Minnesota FACS teachers’ state conference in Bloomington. For those of you who don’t know what FACS is, it stands for Family and Consumer Science. This is modern-day Home Ec for those of you who are still confused. These educators teach our kids everything from cooking and nutrition to money management and laundry to sewing and career planning. Basically, they teach our kids how to survive in life!
At this conference, we met a couple of women there representing the MN Pork Producers Association abd MN Pork Board. Pam Voelkel and Karen Richter were terrific ambassadors for all things pork.
We started talking about NuVal and nutrition and, of course, the “other white meat.” I’m here to tell you that these two were passionate about pork! They gave us gobs of information and some pretty inspiring recipes, such as Game Day Pork and Chile Wraps.
Game Day Pork and Chile Wraps
Ingredients
- 12 ounces boneless center cut pork loin chops, 3/4-inch thick, lean (NuVal 28)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (NuVal 11)
- Salt and black pepper
- 4 8-inch tortillas, 98% fat free (NuVal 35)
- 1/4 avocado, pitted, peeled, thinly sliced (NuVal 89)
- 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced (NuVal 93)
- 1 4-oz can diced green chiles (NuVal 36)
- 4 cups mixed salad greens, (about 2 oz) (NuVal 100)
Cooking Directions
In medium skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper and cook about 3-4 mins. per side until browned and internal temp. reaches 145 degree F, Place chops on a plate and let rest 5 mins. Cut chops into 1/4-inch slices.
Microwave tortillas on high until slightly warm and softened, about 30 sec. Place tortillas on workspace and top with pork, avocado, onion, chiles and salad greens stopping 2 inches short of one edge.
Working one tortilla at a time, fold one side of tortilla up and over fillings. Tuck fillings in tightly, then fold in the 2-in. edge. Continue rolling tortilla toward the other side, securing with toothpick if necessary. Repeat with remaining tortillas and serve. Serves 4Recipe by the National Pork Board. To learn the Nutrition Information for this recipe, click here!
The cut of meat called for in this recipe is the center cut loin chop. Pork chops are the most popular cut of meat that runs from the pig’s hip to shoulder. Depending on where they originate, pork chops can be found under a variety of names, including: loin, rib, sirloin, top loin and blade chops. Who knew? You can learn all of this and more on their website.
What is your favorite way to eat pork? Tangy BBQ ribs? Zesty, saucy pulled pork sandwich? Bacon? My favorite pork dish has to be my parents’ grilled pork tenderloin. My mom covers it in a peppery Canadian rub and my Dad grills it low and slow until it is fall-apart tender. Makes my mouth water just to think about it!
Our friends from the MN Pork Board are sponsoring our giveaway this week. 2 (yes, t-w-o) lucky readers will receive a BLEND bag filled with all things pork, including a cute piggy-shaped cutting mat, a meat thermometer and piles of information and delicious recipes featuring, you guessed it…PORK!
For a chance to win, please leave a comment* below (or click on “comment” at the top of this blog) sharing your favorite pork dish. We will pick 2 winners at random on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Good luck!
*Comment tip: if you recieved this blog in your inbox and can’t find a place to comment – simply click on the title and that will bring you to actual blog found on the BLEND website. From there you should be able to comment with ease.
Congratulations to Alison, winner from my last blog - Peek Into Kelly’s…Gadget Cabinet!
Kelly Radi
Passionate about food and good nutrition, Kelly, a BLEND Program Specialist for CentraCare Health Foundation, is also a mom who wants to set her kids up for a lifetime of good health. The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC, Coborn’s, Inc., BLEND, and the CentraCare Health Foundation.
[Guest Post] Raising Money for Education one STRIDE at a Time!
This is a guest post by Deb Thell.
Deb is a fitness enthusiast who is passionate about health and wellness among our youth. Her interests span running, cycling, kickboxing, weight lifting, and general outdoor goofing off with her children. Her kindergartener and second grader have competed in dozens of races, cycling events, and triathalons.
I’m very proud and excited to be heading up the first-ever STRIDE Academy 5K and Kids’ Fun Run fundraiser; and hope BLEND Blog followers will consider registering themselves (or a team of friends!) for the 5K. And, if you have kids sign them up for the 1K Fun Run, too.
Why a 5k?
A 5K event is a great race length. For beginners, it’s a manageable distance and provides a sense of accomplishment and pride when crossing the finish line. For more experienced runners, it’s an opportunity to amp up their pace and try to set personal per-mile records. For the community, it’s an opportunity for friends, neighbors, relatives and coworkers to do something together, providing natural training partners and shared goals.
What’s with the Kids’ Fun Run?
The fun run is a 1K, giving young people a chance to get the race bug and encourage an ongoing healthy, active lifestyle. Kids love crossing a finish line and showing off their finisher medals to parents. Every 1K finisher receives a medal and a shirt…and lots of cheers from the STRIDE team on the sidelines.
I love kid-specific athletic events – it gives the kids a chance to feel what it’s like to achieve a fitness goal on a scale that is manageable for younger ages.
Why this race?
The STRIDE 5K and 1K Kids’ Fun Run is an important event for me because it represents much of what I care about: supporting our education system, getting people of all ages active, celebrating others’ accomplishments, and community participation.
Race Details
The Stride 5K and 1K Kids’ Fun Run will be held on Saturday, June 15th, 2013 at Stride Academy (1025 – 18th Street N, St. Cloud, MN 56301). The start and finish line is at Stride Academy with the run winding through Whitney Park. View flyer!
- 7:30 a.m. - Registration opens
- 8:30 a.m. – 1K start
- 9:00 a.m. – 5K start
Cost and Registration
- $20 for 5K race
- $10 for 1K Fun Run
- Register by June 1st to guarantee a drawstring backpack (5K & 1K) and medal (1K).
- Register online today!
See you at the finish line!
Deb Thell
Peek Into Kelly’s…Gadget Cabinet
May 21, 2013 by KathyG · 15 Comments
We’ve had an emotional week filled with fond memories and tears. We said goodbye to my Grandma Vesta. My Grandma was a woman who loved people and had a passion for good food. She would share her love by feeding others. She was well-known in my hometown as an amazing cook and talented baker. She was a caterer and cake decorator.
She would make homemade donuts for special occasions.
She would make birthday cakes in the shapes of animals, t-shirts, cars, stars, sports equipment, motorcycles and even a piano. If we could dream it, she could make it. Not only did these cakes look good…they tasted great!
Here’s Grandma with our wedding cake. Yes, she made it!
My Grandma appreciated kitchen gadgets. If a new gadget or tool came out, she had it. Her walk-in-closet was literally overflowing with these space-sucking, but useful tools of her trade. I can still see the rice cookers, blenders, mixers, electric knives, slow cookers, food processors, popcorn poppers, can opener and food dehydrator. While I don’t have such an expansive collection of kitchen gadgets, there are a few I cannot live without…
- Cuisinart blender/food processor combo—2 gadgets in one!
- Kitchen Aid mixer—which is actually a 19-year-old wedding gift from Grandma Vesta and Grandpa Earl and still runs like a charm.
- Yonanas machine. Yo, what?? You heard me…our Yonanas machine.
Yonanas
We learned of this wonderful dessert maker a couple of years ago. It is a machine that turns frozen bananas into a soft-serve dessert. Mock ice cream, if you will. And tasty, too!
We pulled out the Yonanas machine last night to whip up some dessert for my uncle Keith and cousin Becca, who were in town for Grandma’s funeral. They are both into nutrition and health. And, like me, they can no longer eat copious amounts of cookies and cakes for dessert.
We pulled some peeled ripe frozen bananas out of the freezer and let them “rest” on the counter for a few minutes. Then we turned on our Yonanas machine.
You simply push the bananas through the chute and watch creamy soft-serve come out into the dish. That’s it. No dairy. No added sugar. No sodium, fat or cholesterol. Only frozen bananas, which score a NuVal 91, and are high in potassium and fiber.
Both Keith and Becca gave it a thumbs up!
While it might not be as “homemade” as Grandma’s desserts, I know she’d approve. And, I know she’d have a Yonanas machine in her gadget closet.
Win a New Kitchen Gadget!
This week, in honor of Grandma Vesta, and because I like dessert, I’d like to give away a Yonanas machine to one of my blog readers. For a chance to win, give us a Peek Into YOUR cabinet and tell us about your favorite kitchen gadget. Just leave a comment below (or click on “comment” at the top of this blog). I’ll select one winner at random on Tuesday, May 28.
Congratulations to Anthony, winner from my last blog – Peek Into Kelly’s…Family. Meet Brooke!
Until next time, enjoy your dessert…and, if you can, give your Grandma a great big hug!
Kelly
[Guest Blog] The Couple That Plays Together…
May 16, 2013 by KathyG · Leave a Comment
This is a guest post by Greg and Corinne Skoog. Greg and Corinne are Sartell, MN residents, parents and both members of the Apple Duathlon committee.
Okay, so huffing and puffing your way around the Apple Duathlon course may not be candlelit dinner at the Ritz. But it sure beats sitting silently on the couch! So my wife and I are running the Apple together this year.
We’re doing the Apple together because…
- It’s a challenge and a fitness goal that keeps us motivated.
- It’s something we both enjoy. (All right, it might be a stretch to say that Corinne “enjoys” running. But she does enjoy the excitement and competition of race day.)
- It’s fun to say you took part in a “World Championship Qualifier” race.
- This year’s shirts are really awesome. (Yes, that is so a good reason for running a race.)
And just to make the whole race even more romantic, we’re going to be running it together as a team. That’s right – some quality bonding time AND half the work of running the whole race? I think that’s what they call a win/win.
Corinne will start out running a 5K. (You know you can run a 5K.) Then she’ll have an hour or so to recover while I hop on my bike and pedal just under 21 miles through Sartell and St. Stephen. (It’s a great course.) Finally, Corinne will run a second 5K and find me cheering for her at the finish line.
Then we’ll eat and drink whatever we want for the rest of the day. (Wait, can I say that on a BLEND blog?). Because we just raced the Apple flippin’ Duathlon.
Hurry – get registered!
There’s still time to get registered, but not much, so hurry. Race it yourself for the challenge. Or team up and race it with your spouse. Or maybe a sibling. Or a neighbor. Or a friend. (Heck, you can race it with an enemy. We won’t judge.)
Want to make it a full weekend of family awesomeness? Sign up today to race the Apple with your spouse on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Then sign up the kids to race the Apple Kids Duathlon on Friday, May 24, 2013. It’s a great way to kick-start the kids’ summer with a burst of activity. And it’s part of the BLEND Fit Kids Club Series!
See you out at the Apple!
Greg and Corinne Skoog
Greg is not only a runner and cyclist who has competed in the last seven Apple Duathlons, he’s a pro at guest blogging. Greg wrote a BLEND post last May to promote the Apple Duathlon - Something New to Du. Check it out!
