It's Travel Week(s) at MinneapoLiz!

I just spent my weekend rampaging through Washington DC with Kaitlin – a much needed reunion, as we hadn’t seen each other since Boston 2015. WHAT?! That got me thinking – I’ve been fortunate enough to go on some seriously kickass trips in the last year or so, and I’m terrible about actually chronicling those trips. Since I’m out of town (and will be busy with a national conference for the next several days), I’m officially declaring it MinneapoLiz Travel Week(s)!

Going back through my photos, I never touched on the Norway portion of last summer’s Scandinavia trip, which is egregious (because Norway was my FAVE part of that trip). So that’s getting covered for sure, along with the rest of last winter’s trip to Northern California (before this move was even a thought in my head!! AHHH!)…and this February’s Miami and Puerto Rico trip for Josh and Tash’s wedding. I’m also finally going to post photos from the Schwegfam Cali trip this July…I hate posting on such a lag, but it’s worth waiting for Emily’s pro-quality camera’s gorgeous photos. And finally, of course, DC shenanigans…because with Kaitlin and me, there WERE obviously shenanigans. (And mimosas.)

Can’t wait to show off some of my favorite adventures with my favorite people!

A few things that you NEED to cook asap.

I don't know why, but around this time of year, I always find myself irresistibly drawn to the kitchen. I'd blame the change in seasons, but, hi, I live in California now (oh, have you heard?). Musings on the why aside...in the last couple of weeks I've absolutely killed it with a few old favorites and a few new obsessions, and I think you all need to try...ALL of them. 

I first made this absurdly delicious cheesy sausage and croissant casserole for Eva's bridal shower last July (see photo above, GOD that was a cute party!), and it's been a fairly regular player in my crowd-pleasing breakfast rotation since. The key: the Gruyere. It's decadent. I made it on Labor Day, and I'm pretty sure Drew had three pieces. It's been in my lunchbox all week - the leftovers freeze and reheat incredibly well!

With zero shame, I confess to all of you that I've already gotten my basic on and hopped on the pumpkin bandwagon for Fall 2017. I figure since I won't get a real fall here, I might as well evoke it in as many other ways as possible...so I spent the Sunday of Labor Day weekend assembling this absurdly easy pumpkin coffee cake. The recipe comes from one of my favorite bakers, Jessica at How Sweet Eats, and what truly sets it apart is the combo of that brown sugar glaze with the poke cake. It creates these amazing, trickly craters of glaze throughout the cake, and leaves it totally rich and moist and heavenly for as long as it lasts in the house. (Dave has been eating two pieces in one sitting all week. It's not long for this world.) (Photo via Tasty Kitchen.)

Of course, man (and woman) cannot live on bread alone, or on coffee cake and cheesy egg casserole. So I've been doing a lot of chicken lately, primarily because Safeway sells value packs of eight boneless/skinless chicken breasts for around $10. SUCH a good deal! Two favorites: 

This creamy cilantro lime chicken by Sally's Baking Addiction (the creator of my universally renowned apple pie bars!) is, not gonna lie, not a "simple and easy weeknight dinner" in my book. Then again, a "simple and easy weeknight dinner," in my book, is basically just ordering Doordash delivery from Vesta sooo...let's not go there. What this chicken IS, is incredible. There's great heat from the red pepper flakes, tartness from the limes, and fantastic cilantro flavor throughout - I'm a cilantro fiend. Simmering that sauce made our whole apartment smell heavenly. Bonus - it's super easy to reheat. (Photo via Sally's Baking Addiction, duh guys I'm a horrible food photographer!)

My new favorite chicken in the whole wide world, though, is this beast: fig, goat cheese, and pistachio-stuffed chicken with a fig and balsamic sauce. I'm in year-end at work right now, and am basically coming home, eating, and working more every night...and cooking is a great way to break up the workday and the work evening without wanting to scratch my eyeballs out. Couple that with the fact that this is like THE most California recipe ever: I made it with local goat cheese from Cowgirl Creamery, local figs (because I live somewhere where FIGS are in season WHAT?!), and plenty of rosemary, which is drought-tolerant, insect repellent, and planted everywhere here. 

Funny story, actually: after I stuffed and started baking the chicken, and was working on the pan sauce, I noticed Laura had more finely-ground rosemary in our spice cupboard than the dried whole rosemary I'd bought. I went to add just a pinch more, not realizing that the spice filter thing wasn't on...so I dumped like SIX times the rosemary that the recipe called for into the sauce. Immediately convinced I'd ruined it, I was kind of grouchy until the whole thing started simmering and smelling unbelievably delicious. Like...figs, balsamic, and rosemary filling our whole apartment delicious.

All I needed to do once it thickened was strain it to get all the rosemary pieces out, and the sauce was, shit you not, perfect. Lick-the-spoon, eat-it-on-ice-cream, use-it-as-perfume perfect. The aromatic sweetness paired perfectly with the tangy/creamy/savory chicken. It smelled and looked so good that I, shamefully, ate it standing up and scraped the plate clean with my f(inger)ork when I was done. I'm already pumped to have it for dinner again tonight before I go to the airport! 

So there you have it - I feel like I should have a misadventure or two to report, because that's my usual M.O., but all I've got are wins, wins, wins. Hopefully more fun to come! 

101 in 1001 #18, #28 - Yoga and pilates and fitness, oh my!

Last summer I got really into yoga, largely thanks to Hannah and our very early mornings at the Lake Harriet Yoga Project. After summer ended, I spent much of the rest of my time in Minneapolis seeking out yoga classes – with friends, at our in-building gym, or even on Youtube in my apartment after a long day. Needless to say, as I made my second 101 in 1001 list, yoga had cemented a spot on the list with “#28: Join a yoga studio.” For good measure, I also threw in “#18: Take a Pilates class,” after brief exposure through the 21-Day Fix. I’ve had so much fun checking both of these off this summer, thanks to Stanford’s amazing employee wellness program!

A few thoughts on that program – Stanford’s emphasis on health and wellness is seriously unbelievable. In addition to fully funded healthcare (I seriously pay nothing for an incredible plan!), Stanford offers a holistic program called BeWell for all faculty and staff. Shortly after I started, I completed the SHALA (“Stanford Health and Life Assessment”), a comprehensive questionnaire that addressed every aspect of personal health, from eating and exercise habits to stress triggers and sleep quality. After that, I underwent a full health screening, met with a consultant on weaker areas of personal health, and worked with a personal coach to devise a plan to address those items. As the year draws to a close, I’ll complete an analysis of victories and setbacks along the way…and for doing all of that, Stanford will pay me a big fat bonus.

UM, WHAT? Sign me up.

As part of the BeWell program, Stanford offers employees free or significantly reduced fitness classes, built right into the workday. Seeing yoga and Pilates sprinkled throughout the schedule, I signed up for several classes, all for less than $3 per class. The classes, taught by Stanford’s personal trainers, were varied and engaging, challenging me every session in new ways. Best of all, the time to go to these classes is just baked into our day – no staying late, coming in early, or struggling to fit a class in around meetings…the time dedicated to BeWell classes is near-sacrosanct, and it’s the most heavenly reset in the middle of the day.

Though I’m definitely not the bendiest person in the world, and am known, if anything, for my lack of natural grace, balance and coordination, I’ve loved the yoga sessions I’ve participated in for the last two and a half months. Our instructor Patricia (a woman in her sixties who could contort her bodies in ways worthy of a circus act) taught with so much humor and patience that I felt completely comfortable flopping around with the balance of a baby giraffe. One of my favorite moments: during a shoulder stand, I overcorrected and legitimately somersaulted over my own head with legit no idea how I’d actually done that. I cracked up, half in embarrassment and half in total incredulity.

Patricia joined in, and eventually half the class (also struggling with converting shoulder stands to headstands) was losing their shit as I sprawled across my mat like a rag doll. Needless to say, I’m steering clear of headstands for the time being. That said, over the course of the classes, I’ve strengthened my wrists to the point where planks and downward dog no longer bother them…my arches to the point where my plantar fasciitis is practically gone…and my core to the point where my posture has visibly improved. Added bonus: I can stand on one foot now for like…a VERY long time. Life skills, campers!

As for Pilates…good lord, I am so in love with it and so, so bad at it. No seriously. I’m terrible. I take a Pilates-yoga fusion class every Friday over lunch, the perfect end to a week. Two of the other women in my department also take it, and it’s been a fantastic bonding experience to walk back to the office from the studio with them, bitching the whole way about how hard class was that day. Our instructor, Susan, was a petite, compact powerhouse of torture, subjecting us to every Pilates variation under the sun with the accompanying sunny smile. From accessory sets using tubes, straps and balls to full hour sessions of planks and inversions, every new segment of class offered some kind of ridiculous way to highlight my lack of strength, stamina and inherent stretchiness. That said, I loved it so much. The isometric micro-movements and small adjustments that so much of Pilates is built around seemed underwhelming to me at first…at least until I spent ten minutes in a lunge set that left me near-incapable of climbing my apartment’s stairs the next day.

Last Friday was our final class with Susan for summer session, and she came in with a vengeance ready to work us HARD. Nearing the end of class, as she held us in a one-arm, one-leg plank for what felt like forever, she laughed out loud and encouraged us to look around at how far we’d come since the first class. I peeked up with sweat dripping in my eyes and couldn’t help but grin – I am in terrible shape, but at that moment and in so many others over the last few months, I’m incredibly happy to be working toward getting in better shape. It’s absurdly fun to be able to exercise with coworkers who are all on their own health journeys (god, cheesy!)…just one more perk making everything at Stanford come up roses. Can’t wait for fall session!

Check out more of my 101 in 1001 list here!

Worst weather, best people: a weekend at home!

Dorothy Gale hit the nail square on the head... "There's no place like home." I snuck back to Minneapolis the weekend before the Labor Day holiday thanks to an insanely good flight deal, and had a fabulous whirlwind 72 hours with my parents and best friends in the process! 

At first, Dick, Jodester and I had grand plans of spending all day Friday on Lake Minnetonka - boating, scoping out stunning real estate, and getting me in a Minnesota lake for the first time this summer. Instead, the forecast was for weather in the low to mid 60s and rain all weekend. Damn it, Minnesota! What was this bull? Fortunately, I have the world's best parents, and they planned a doubleheader Friday evening of my favorite places: Spoon and Stable and the Guthrie! 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Spoon and Stable is the best restaurant in the Twin Cities. And if you don't acknowledge that, I will fight you. No, I kid. But not really. We showed up nice and early to clock time at the bar with Elliot, who made me their Daily per usual. The feature of the day involved, among other things, bourbon and orgeat, a an almond-and-rose liqueur that was revelatory. I adored it. Then again, I've never had a cocktail at Spoon that I didn't adore. 

We sat down to dine, and right after our salads showed up, so did this little munch!!

LOOK at the chins on this pumpkin, my baby cousin Hugh Arnold! He (and his parents Jake and Brook, as well as cousin Matt and aunt/uncle Mary Beth and Dave!) had been down the street at the Hewing having happy hour, and popped over to say hello (and for snuggles/second base, obvs). Such a fun surprise - I hadn't seen Hugh since he was a tiny two-month old at the third Arnold brother Josh's wedding in Miami. 

My very favorite person at Spoon is our server of choice, Nikki, who is an utter delight and spoils us rotten at every turn, chatting all evening and surprising us with treats in the form of extra dessert. Papa Bear loves to debate the age-old quandary: would you choose greatfood and average service, or average food and great service? Fortunately at S&S, you don't have to choose, but the service provided by people like Elliot and Nikki is so outstanding that it's almost ruined me for normal dining experiences. I seriously love it there so much it's a bit absurd. 

After doing a fairly obscene number on the honey and cream cake (sue me), we headed down the street to my other fave place in the Cities, my beloved Guthrie, for their final performance of "Native Gardens!"

Having no idea what we were getting into, we were all blown away by the show, a comedy about neighbors warring over their yards and property lines. It felt shockingly topical and universal, and I think, based on the audience's response, we weren't the only ones who could relate. For me, the highlight was my dad laughing his ass off, which rarely happens in a theater!

I spent Saturday morning having a much-needed catch-up with my hairstylist Jen, getting colored and cut and cleaned up, before a reunion with my very own ride-or-die, Kelsie! We chose to spend the afternoon doing what we do best: an alcohol crawl through the Twin Cities, duh. 

We started at Rojo with margaritas and guacamole...

...moved to Tattersall for a peek at their totally revamped cocktail menu...if you go, I HIGHLY recommend the new 18th and Central or the Humzinger...

...And we wrapped up our day out at Indeed, where I drank IPAs (and a Mexican Honey, duh) to my heart's content! Look at the changes California has wrought in me...and it's only been two months! 

We headed back to the Schwegfam World Headquarters for a fantastic Inner Circle dinner with my parents, who love Kelsie so much that they actually use the hashtag #4thchild with her. Realistically, we've been friends for literally half our lives and I'm pretty sure at this point she's grandfathered in. My dad grilled us burgers, we drank plenty of wine, and had a blast catching up until late!

Sunday morning marked the first time all weekend that I'd seen Minnesota blue skies, and we celebrated by heading to Lake Harriet for a morning lap. While I'd been on-and-off nostalgic all weekend, this was the first moment that I really, truly felt like I'd left the Cities, rather than just gone on some bizarre extended vacation. Looking at the skyline on the horizon tugged at my heartstrings in a way that metaphorically screamed that that view doesn't belong to me anymore...it's incredibly weird, and I still haven't really synthesized it. More to come, eventually. 

We vacated the premises as storms loomed more seriously on the horizon, and I headed home to clean up and pack before meeting Hannah in Edina for coffee! We chatted for nearly two hours about everything from "The Bachelorette" to our love lives, and I was so engrossed that I didn't even bother to snap a picture. Shame on me! That said, she's coming to California in a little over a month, and I can't wait to spend a week catching up then! 

All too soon, it was goodbye to Hannah and time for a crazy-enthusiastic hello!!!! to baby Ryan Reuvers! 

This not-so-little cutie pie (and his amazing parents, Zach and Colleen!) met up with me at Tavern on France for patio mimosas and a ton of cuddles. He was so excited to finally meet me that he pooped straight through not one, but two outfit changes. I have that effect on guys, apparently ;) 

The side-eye says it all...I'm clearly ready for parenthood. It was beyond fun to catch up with Zach and Colleen and meet their little man, who is just as precious as they are...can't wait for more quality time when they head to the Bay Area in THREE weeks! 

My parents came and met me, we had a disastrous dinner at Al Vento, and before I knew it it was time to head to MSP and board a late flight back west. While the weekend was a total whirlwind of activities and socializing, it gave me exactly the boost I needed as I headed into Stanford's year-end. Minnesota is good for my soul, friends - or at least it is now. We'll see if my tune changes come wintertime, when my thin new-Californian blood has to deal with subzero temps again! 

Student life: a summer class recap

Hi friends! How was Labor Day? Mine was utterly decadent in its total lack of major activity. I stuck close to home - power-cleaning and organizing, watching football (pleased to see a solid win by the Irish to start the season!), cooking up a storm, and trying to beat the Bay Area's absurd 110-degree heat in our complex's stunning pool. All in all, an excellent three days of relaxing before a manic autumn!

One of the best perks of my job with Stanford is that, as a staff member, I get to take classes at a heavily-reduced rate. I started just a week before summer session kicked off, and my bosses encouraged me to dive right in and use my allotted education funds. So I did! While there are a plethora of for-credit classes offered that will advance my career, improve my professional knowledge, and even move me along a slow but steady road to a graduate degree, I decided to be kind to myself in a season of major transition and chose my summer classes utterly for pleasure. While they won't get me anywhere near a degree in anything but being a professional dilettante, I had an utterly pleasurable experience learning for the mere fact that I love to learn. 

I started my week with "Great Opera Performances" on Mondays. Taught by Speight Jenkins, former host of Live at the Met and the director emeritus of the Seattle Opera, the class explored in depth what makes an opera performance "great," from both a technical and emotive standpoint. Jenkins, at the age of 80, has been an opera lover and expert for decades, and brought the most incredible personal anecdotes and insights to every class. His personal friendships with titans of the opera world often left me with my jaw actually dropped, and learning about what performances/artists/stagings have succeeded or failed - and why - has completely re-framed how I look at the opera world. 

On Tuesdays, I took "The Innovations of World-Class Museums," which was far and away my favorite class. Taught by a Harvard-educated curator of Stanford's expansive museum collections, the three-hour class started each week with a thematic discussion of a development or cultural shift that affected the world of museums, and shifted in the second half to discussing a specific museum adapting or responding to that change. Some favorite combos: the rise and influence of technology, coupled with the British Museum's collaboration with Google to make their collection available digitally; the "corporatization" of museums versus government support, framed against the Louvre's controversial partnership with the United Arab Emirates; and the ethics of cultural sensitivity, appropriation, and education, demonstrated through the shifting approach to Holocaust museums, as well as debates and legal tangles over artifact ownership the world over. 

I could not get enough of this class, guys. Our professor was incredibly articulate and incisive in getting to the heart of controversial topics, and presented fact without allowing her opinion to pollute the discussion we had weekly. The accompanying course text, "Riches, Rivals and Radicals" by Marjorie Schwarzer, illuminated our focus areas even further and stretched my admittedly conventional view of what a museum should be to consider, instead, what a museum could be. 

And finally, Wednesdays found me taking a virtual class for the first time in my life with History of Wine! As we've covered extensively here, I've turned into a hardcore wino since moving within day-trip distance of Napa/Sonoma Valleys, and this class added so much to my appreciation of wine. Focused on the origins of wine, through the present day "cult" and "corporation" of wine production and distribution, I gained a totally new vocabulary around wine. While I'm nowhere near "Somm" level knowledgeable, I have a much better context for wines across the world, and can use that context to appreciate wine so much more. Plus, the flexible online format was a total kick - one of my favorite places to "take class" was at the Stanford gym on the ellipticals for a couple hours! 

I'm taking the fall semester off from classes due to our 8/31 year end, as well as a hectic stretch of travel and visitors that would make tests and papers hard to fit into an already busy schedule - but it's safe to say I've fallen entirely back in love with life as a student. I tweeted something in that vein in the thick of midterms:

Still mean that, every word, and am so grateful that Stanford is enabling me to foster a lifelong love of learning.