My name is Kristin and I’ve lived in Iowa for the better part of 28 years (minus a three year stint in Minneapolis after college!) While it may get a boring rap, Iowa’s a fabulous place to live! Great food can be found locally which lets me eat well, trails are abundant which allows me to run free and the cost of living is low which encourages me to travel far.
My Philosophy
Eat Well
Eating well is tough, isn’t it? Eating well with a major sweet tooth + a curiosity to taste everything is really tough!
I love to cook, and I love to eat even more. I am always up for trying something new (except if it contains mushrooms, bell peppers, or cooked carrots!) and feel the absolute best when I eat nutritious and healthy meals. That said, I am definitely a self proclaimed junk food junkie. Give me a bag of Doritos and Thin Mints any day, and a happy girl you will find.
Obviously junk food does not do a body good, so I try and live by the 80/20 rule: 80% clean and healthy eating, 20% sanity-keeping splurges. Some days it’s more like 60/40 – but, hey, we do the best we can!
My favorite foods to cook and eat include Asian foods, 5 ingredients or less recipes and comfort foods made healthier. Most nights you’ll find me in the kitchen whipping up a scrumptious meal for me and my husband – always leaving room for dessert, of course!
Check out my Recipes and Restaurant Reviews.
Run Often
I “became” a runner when I moved to Minneapolis after graduating college, and was able to take advantage of the incredible trails and lakes that Minnesota has to offer. They don’t call it the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for nothing! It was on these trails that I was able to slowly increase my mileage from barely 1 mile at a time, to more than 6.
After moving back to Iowa, I continued running on the trails near my home and eventually took those runs from 6 miles to 13 miles. All my training culminated in the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon in September 2008…on the rainiest day in Chicago’s history. Finishing that race gave me one of the biggest feelings of accomplishments I’ve ever had, and is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
I absolutely love the feeling that running gives me, and I am proof positive that if you stick with something – it will get easier!
Check out my Workouts and Treadmill Routines.
Travel Far
I’ve got the travel bug and it cannot be cured!
Some people work to get the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos, I work so I can travel. I absolutely love exploring new and unfamiliar places – learning the history and mystery behind every new discovery.
Whether it’s poking around European churches that are hundreds of years old or trying to figure out the intricacies of the mysterious Japanese culture, I want to do and see it all. Every place I go I consider a “favorite”, but my favorites among favorites include Japan, the Amalfi Coast, New York City, and ALL of California.
Destinations on my must see list include: Greece, Morocco, Alaska and India!
Your life and philosophy are so similar to mine and I just love Des Moines (and have finally given in to the idea that I’ll *always* be in Iowa) and eating well and traveling. I could use some help in the running dept, I’m at that 1-mile mark.
Anyway-very impressed and inspired by your site. Now get some posts out there about how to survive these harsh Iowa winters…that’s the thing I just can’t quite embrace after 35 years.
Loved your pics of Rome. We just returned a few weeks ago and your pics brought those 3 days back to life!
I found your website through Pintrest.com and got so excited! I’m 24 living out in NJ, but I am originally from Eastern Iowa! I couldn’t believe the “boring” reputation Iowa gets when I moved, so I was so excited to see you have brought some life and excitement to the Iowa girls name
Keep it up and I’ll be sure to follow your blog as I share the same passion for Iowa, food, traveling and running!
I also found your site through Pinterest (love that site) and I was so excited you were from Iowa and are writing about some of my favorite things! I’m from Davenport, Iowa, what area are you ladies from? Jenn you said Eastern, are you familiar with Davenport? I have lived in many of the states and just landed in Florida on August. No matter where I have lived, when I say I’m from Iowa it’s always the same response “Iowa? What’s there?”! Traveling is a love of mine although now that I have 2 kids it’s much more local (besides Toronto) that I get to travel to. I have a love/hate relationship with running. Love how I feel afterwards but struggle to get myself going so I’m hoping your workout plans will help me! Looking forward to checking out all your 5 ingredient recipes! I enjoy baking over cooking but I like to try new things! Nice to meet you ladies!!!
Your fellow Iowan,
Carrie
Hi l am from right across the river from you i love in moline
How fun to find another Iowa girl! I, too, moved to Minneapolis after college (for 4 years). I’m older than you, I’m 42, so I’ve been in Iowa 38 years.
And yes, most people think Iowa is pretty boring. And it might be, except it has the greatest people on the planet (I might be partial
).
This is fabulous!! I am a Minnesota girl gone Arizona but definitely am a midwest girl in my food loving. I’m also a runner for the reason. Can’t wait to read more!!
Aww,I just discovered this little ‘treat’ of a site! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook, bake, eat, ect… so I have naturally become addicted to Pinterest, where I found your 8 minute mini cinnamon roll recipe. I am also from Iowa, but have since moved to Pensacola after college. Its so nice to get a little ‘taste’ of back home while getting great recipes and workouts! Thanks for all the posts, keep it up!
Love your site! I’m an Iowa girl through & through..and not leaving anytime soon..Glad to find a great site that’s local!
I love your site too! I ran across it a few weeks ago from a friend’s post on facebook. I must say your blog inspires me to think about starting one. LOVE your creativity and recipes! Keep up the great work! p.s. I’m an Iowa native who has resided in Minnesota (live in the country and work in the city) for nearly 7 years. Iowa still holds a special place in my heart.
Was an Iowa girl for 13 years! Lived in Deep River near Montezuma. Moved back to Maryland in 1984. So your site is kind of nostalgic for me
Thanks
Iowa girl here, too!! (Specifically Davenport). I’ve been living in Wisconsin for 11 1/2 years but will ALWAYS be an Iowan!!! Love your site!
I am so inspired by your website. Who doesn’t love to be well, travel and enjoy delicious food! 3 of my most treasured blessings!!!!
So excited to find this Blog! I just moved to West Des Moines2 1/2 years ago from Michigan and LOVE it here! I am a runner too – did the Des Moines half, the Scheels DU and the Living History farm in 2010 to name a few. The trails here are great and I love to always see so many people out and about whether it is biking or running or just walking their dogs. It’s inspiring! I look forward to following you. I also just started my blog – stop by when you get a chance:)
What a refreshing change to read something so NICE about Iowa, especially after the catastrophic Stephen Bloom debacle that has everyone thinking we’re corn fed hillbillies!
Your philosophy (eat, run, travel) is mine, as well. If you haven’t run my hometown race, The QC Times Bix 7, you should…such a great time!!
I have been a long-time fan of your blog. You take some of the most beautiful photos! I am in the market for a new camera, and would love any tips on brands/lens info. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much! I use a Nikon D3000
Hi Kristin! I just came across your blog and absolutely love it! I love traveling and cooking/eating like you do and can’t wait to try your recipes!! thanks so much for sharing <3
ps. i really love your tips for morning workouts…it's always such a struggle getting out of bed in the morning to run in the cold!
Love your site as I also love to eat (try to eat healthy, but the sweets…), began running 4 years ago and have completed 7 marathons, and also love to travel (and scuba dive). Oh, I live in the midwest, too – Omaha!
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I love your site, I ran across it today on pintrest. I, too, am from Iowa, however we no longer live there. We are from Oelwein! What a small world!
Just found your blog and I love it! Like most comments on here, I’m also from Iowa! My husband and I lived in Des Moines for 3 years before moving to Charlotte, NC. I’ll definitely follow you site!
SO glad I came across your blog – I love it! And I’m also from Iowa (well, Illinois technically.. but just across the river.. so I claim Iowa as my home too;). I don’t currently live there.. we live where the military sends us…;) …but I go back to visit family as often as possible. Again, so happy I found your blog!
Just stumbled unto your blog today via pinterest. Although I’m in the ‘more mature’ group, (I’m 61), I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas, like to stay fit and also enjoy traveling. But home is still my favorite and that’s Nebraska. Talk about getting “and what’s to see in Nebraska?” comments! But I love th peace and quiet where we live and we see so many “screensaver” sunsets and clouds.