At some point this summer, get a bike. It can be a new bike, an old bike, a borrowed bike – you get the idea. Just get a hold of a bike.
Then, find a hill. The steepest, most treacherous hill you can find. The kind of hill you would never in your right mind attempt to run or bike up.
Next, I want you to peddle up that hill. Yes, the one we just talked about. I want you to peddle up that beast with all you’ve got. We’re talking head down, legs jamming, thighs burning and maybe some profanities flying.
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When you finally get to the top (and you will!) I want to you turn your bike around and soar down that hill!
Ahhhh!! There isn’t a problem that can’t be solved, a frown that can’t be turned upside down, a bad day that can’t be made better, by soaring down a massive hill on your bike, with the trees whizzing past you and the wind flying through your hair. It’s absolutely incredible!
In case you can’t tell – I had a wonderful bike ride last night that involved a demonic hill and the sweetest joy ride back down it. It was amazing. Plus, there’s something about riding your bike that makes you feel like a kid again – if only for a little while. Give my challenge a try, won’t you?
If not the bike ride, then maybe the oatmeal? Baked Rhubarb Apple Crisp Oatmeal?!
My Mom gave me a truckload of rhubarb earlier this week, and I’ve been dying to use it. While I have some bigger baking ideas to use some of it up this weekend, baked oatmeal seemed like an easy way to use it right now!
Baked Rhubarb Apple Crisp Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1/3 cup chopped rhubarb
1/2 chopped apple
2 Tablespoons water
2 teaspoons agave nectar (could use honey)
2/3 cup water
vanilla extract
cinnamon
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook the rhubarb and apple in 2 Tablespoons of water in a pot on the stove until softened, ~2 minutes.
2. Stir in agave nectar, water, vanilla, cinnamon and oats. Pour mixture into a non-stick sprayed baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
3. Mix together almonds, butter and sugar. After oatmeal has cooked for 10 minutes, top with the almond mixture and bake for 10 more minutes. Enjoy on it’s own, with whipped cream, or ice cream – if you dare!
Woooohooohooohoo – this was GOOD!
Tart from the rhubarb and apples, but sweet from the butter-sugar topping! The only thing that could have made this better would be whipped cream. I know. For breakfast. I wouldn’t even care. It would take this from good to GREAT!
Crisp without the “crap” – there was only 1 Tablespoon sugar total in this, compared to the multi that would be in any other crisps you’d make. Yum!
For lunch, I’ve got another dy-no-mite 3 piece!
Starring an Apricot Glazed Turkey Burger Stuffed with Goat Cheese on a bed of torn baby spinach.
I made some more of the glaze to go on top because we used it all last night. It is AMAZING! Can’t wait to dig in!
Plus my trusty standbys – Crunchy Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseed and a Pink Lady Apple.
The perfect pairing, IMO. 
Lush.
How many people are starting their Memorial Day weekend early?! I’ll be working, so think of me while you’re frolicking in the sunshine! 
TGIAF!
~~~~~
TGITQT! Answer away, my friends!
1. Do you like to take naps?
2. If you could have season tickets for one sports team, which one would it be?
3. Are you a side, back or stomach sleeper?
My answers:
1. No way – they always leave me feeling groggy and yuck!
3. Stomach
1. YES! I love naps. Sometimes it’s just what the body needs
2. BALTIMORE RAVENS baby!!!!!!!
3. Stomach sleeper..always have been for some reason.
1. I love to nap, I just wish I could do it more often. I commute to work and I look forward to my morning and afternoon naps!
2. I don’t watch sports.
3. I sleep on my side.
1. I don’t really nap eaither, I like they do make you feel yucky for the rest of the day.
2. Iowa Hawkeye Football!! I’m totally with you.
3. I sleep on my stomach with my arms tucked under my pillow!
1. I LOVE naps.
2. Red Sox baby.
3. On my side, curled up like a babe :0)
1. NO-for same reasons you cited PLUS dehydration (???anyone else???)
2. ATL BRAVES!!! although going to yankees games are also fun. gotta root, root, root for the home team though
3. tummy sleeper for life!
1. yes-in the summer, because i can!
2. STL Blues (hockey baby!)
3. Side only
I have been riding my bike all week
I love the downhill ride- wind blowing in my face…sun on my back! Yeah for summer & bikes…
I don’t take naps unless my body is screaming for one! I want season tix to the Colts one day, but for now I will watch them from my couch in MN while laying on my side ….Happy Memorial Day!
1. I love naps. The trick is to keep them short.
2. The New Orleans Saints, especially if it included travel to all the games. I also love The Big Easy!
3. Side sleeper, whether in bed or napping on the futon.
Addendum: I have had the rhubarb crips oatmeal the past 2 mornings, but substitute strawberries for the apple. About 4 medium ones work well. Fabulous! Happy Memorial Day!
[...] got this recipe off of Iowa Girl Eats blog. She has some amazing recipes. Here is the [...]
When I saw this 30 minutes ago, I had to go right out, cut my fresh rhubarb for the first time this season, chop up a pink lady apple and get to it!! Oh my the kitchen smells delish and now since my oven is already heated up with it 98 degrees outside, I’m baking sweet potatoes for our dinner tonight along with kale chips. Yes, I prefer to eat healthy, my body LOVES me for doing so, and I could easily be a vegetarian. Hmmmm…..
Funny you should say that, I’m in the market for a bike RIGHT.NOW!
My buddy and I had been simply talking about this specific issue, she is continually planning to prove me completely wrong! I want to present her this blog submit not to mention stroke it in the little!