Trainer!

Dave and I have decided to buy a trainer. No, not a personal one, but the kind you connect to your bike so you can ride your bike in your living room without going through the walls. I had no idea what they were called. All I knew was that my dad has one and I could picture it in my head. I knew they existed.

So, when I started looking for one I went to bike stores all over Salt Lake. As I had no idea what they were called (or really what they looked like; my dad made his himself so I doubt there are many in the world that look like his) I would walk in to the store and ask if they carried "those things you can connect your bike to that let you ride your bike in your house without going anywhere". And the very informed employee (there are many bike experts in Salt Lake City) would respond, "Oh, you mean a trainer?" The first time I heard the guy at the Sports Den on Foothill say that, I thought he said "trailer". I pictured those things you connect to your bike to put your kids in when you go on Sunday bike rides to the park. So I repeated my very uninformed description of what I was looking for, or some version of it. I'm sure he thought I was the coolest girl he had seen all day.

Sports Den guy and I finally got on the same page and that's when I learned the real name. It was also helpful when searching for them on Amazon.com... Anyway, it's not like we can fit many more equipment-type things in our apartment with all Dave's musical intruments (which I love, don't get me wrong) and my many decorative pillows (which I also love), but I'm excited to get one. It will make me look forward to working out.

Which brings me to another topic. I have kind of figured out what motivates me to exercise: new stuff. I can so see how my little brother and I are similar... Whenever I get a new exercise video, or new weights I am all about it. But once they start to feel old, I get bored with it and stop working out until I can get more new stuff and start again. I know, I'm really lame:-/...

Goal with our new trainer: ride my bike in our apartment in the morning before work like 3 to 5 times a week. Let's see if I can do it...

Dave and Hannah Learn to Cook, Part II

Marvelous Mac and Cheese! And some fried zucchini...
This time we attempted homemade macaroni and cheese. We thought it was a success; however, we did learn a few things about how to make it better. I'll explain later... I think my favorite part about this dish is that we used pepper jack cheese. It adds a nice kick:) Also, this makes great leftovers!

You'll need:
-One 17.6 ounce bag of macaroni noodles
-About 5 cups of grated cheese, any and as many kinds as you want. We used chedder, pepper jack, and gouda mmm.
-One garlic clove, roughly chopped
-One large zucchini, sliced
-1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-1 T butter
-Salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
1. Cook the noodles, drain and cool. Heat frying pan with olive oil on medium heat. Turn oven to 325.
2. Fry garlic on pan for about 10 seconds. Cook zucchini, stirring occasionally.
3. Mix cheese and noodles in a large bowl. Place noodles in a glass baking pan. Sprinkle extra cheese on top.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes and when the cheese is melted, turn oven to broil for about 2 minutes or until cheese is brown on top.
5. Keep stirring zucchini on the stove. Salt and pepper to taste (add garlic salt if you want it more garlic-y). When zucchinis are to your liking (we like them a bit crunchy) stir in butter and turn heat to hi and cook and stir until butter is browned.
6. Serve and enjoy! Serves 4 to 6 people.


After talking to my friend Lori, I learned that she adds heavy cream and whole milk when she makes it. Not the healthiest, but it's probably best for the consistency and taste. Next time we'll try that. We're still learning...

There's still more to come. Dave found this awesome-looking dessert recipe that includes caramelized pineapples and coconut sorbet:):) Mmm! I think we will try to make it when my parents come to visit here soon. I'll keep ya updated!