california | Fit and Fortysomething

Starting to feel like home

January 22, 2012 15 Comments

Bill and I moved from Reno, Nevada to Ventura, California about 5 years ago.

We left a very close-knit group of friends that we had cultivated after many years of living there and that centered around cycling. We loved our friends and the community but eventually we ended up hating the snow and really wanted a change.

We chose ~~heaven~~ Ventura.

We love the weather, the outdoor options, our jobs, and the location.

And finally we feel as if we have started to make good friends like we had in Reno. It takes a while when you get older

Yesterday we got to join our cycling friends for a fun cycling themed afternoon.

What could be better than italian food, italian wine, italian bikes and friends?

The food:

The wine:

Bikes!

of all kinds……I think Bill was smitten with this one in particular:

And of course…….friends.

We have to say we finally feel like Ventura is home

And the icing on the cake? We got to walk to and from the bike shop! That makes it even better.

Filed Under: Cycling, Fitness, Food, Fun 15 Comments

The farmer and the cook

October 2, 2011 11 Comments

Last night Bill and I joined forces with my sis and her hubs for dinner at The Farmer and the Cook.

I was excited!

The farmer and the cook is a quaint market/restaurant in Meiners Oaks right outside of Ojai, California. I have been here for quick salads and such but never got the chance to dine for dinner.

We sat outside.

Everything is vegetarian and can be made vegan if you wish.

We started with a few drinks our waitress recommended.

Gloria was great!

We ordered quite a few things to try as well because everything looked and sounded amazing.

Favorites of the night?

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad
Vegan BBQ Tempeh Pizza
Vegan Chocolate Raspberry Cake

This place was a winner all around.

Tasty and Healthy Food.
Helpful and Patient Service
Great Atmosphere.

We will definitely be back

Enjoy your Sunday!

Filed Under: Food, Health 11 Comments

Maddy’s market

June 28, 2011 26 Comments

Today my sister and I ventured to Calabasas to check out another fun and healthy market.

Aren’t foodies funny? We spend the afternoon scouring new markets and we enjoy it!

We had a plan, first navigate the grocery part and see what we want to buy.

Holy Kombucha! And it was on sale

Too cute…….

Then we got serious and went to order our lunch.

I ended up getting the veggie wrap without mayo and it was delicious.

And my sis got the grilled veggie sandwich on rye. Looked good!

And this is what I ended up buying in the grocery section:

I am excited to use these new to me products!

I plan on using the miso paste in this yummy pesto recipe.

And I am excited to try out the Kale chips and cashew/tahini butter.

And of course before we got home we had to stock up on some essentials!

It was a great day!

Filed Under: Food, Fun, Health, Shopping 26 Comments

While the Dust Settles

January 30, 2011 24 Comments

This week was a fun week for the house because we got our cabinets installed.

Here is a preview:

Not too shabby. We are pretty pleased with the outcome!

Still lots to do but we are moving along…….

So while we wait for the Dust to Settle I thought I would share with you a bit of history about our home (known in town as the Schmidt House).

It was built in 1924 and was just a one story, one bedroom, one bath home:

It lived a very long life as a one story until 2006, when the Schmidt’s decided to live on the edge-remodeling using a not very common method. They lifted the house and put it on stilts to build more space underneath it:

Jut this week, my friend Sarah sent me these photos her husband had taken during the remodel. Bill and I were so excited to get them!:

During the remodel, the Schmidt’s put in all new electrical, forced air heat, new copper pipes and they installed double pain windows. Definitely a score for us

And now the house is our home and we love it!

You are welcome anytime