Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

2015-09-23_01-29-27

About 3 days before Rolex Big Boat Series ( #RBBS15 ) started, I received a text message from a sailing friend asking if I could crew on an Express 37. I looked at my schedule and by the luck of the Irish (I'm not Irish, but I will take their luck) I had all four days off from work. The Express 37 has a dip pole jibe similar to Zamazaan (Farr 52) that I normally crew on, so why not! The Express 37 lost 3 of their normal crew and were in a pinch to find a bow person. I committed to work bow all 4 days.

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Escapade, the Express 37 I was on, heading to the start line on Thursday. Photo by AmyH who was sailing on J105 for Big Boat.

Day one we had 2 great races, lots of wind and some neck and neck racing on the bay. The current was an issue for us as we went outside the Golden Gate Bridge on the second race of the day and as winds picked up to 17 knots.

Race Result for the Rolex Big Boat Series 2015



Great video produced by Over SF of the Rolex Big Boat series day 1 -- Thursday September 17th, 2015. At around 0:55 seconds, you will see our blue hull boat sailing up wind past the marina greens. My next gift to myself is a drones.

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

Thursday nights party was hosted by Rolex and, once again, we were not disappointed by their munchies! Lovely buffet table of smoked salmon and other finger foods for us hungry sailors.

Rolex hosted the gala for the Farr 40 Worlds 2014 and that was a culinary delight. Well done, Rolex!

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

The real reason I sail...the free food! Just kidding, but what a lovely selection of dessert. We devoured the petite lime cream cheese and fruit tarts and fresh baked cookies.



Friday, Aug. 18, 2015, the Express 37 fleet (7 boats) had a Treasure Island start. The wind finally changed direction and filled in nicely with eight knots of breeze. After a short delay, race #3 was on with warm, mild wind. Race #4 was a different story as the breeze increased to 18 knots and the current was at max flood. Once again, we had some challenges under the Golden Gate Bridge because of the ripping incoming current. In the above video at 1:01, see our boat with the blue hull battle, tack for tack, with two other Express 37s in a massive flood near the north tower of the GG Bridge. Yacht racing at its finest in the San Francisco Bay.

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

Friday nights party was hosted by Mount Gay Rum with a slew of food trucks parked in the grassy area east of the St. Francis Yacht Club: Bacon Bacon, Kara's Cupcakes, and some yummy El Sur Empanadas. We stayed at the party until the Mount Gay Rum was gone, the sun had set and the winds had once again died down. Fun night at #RBBS15




Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

Happy team with all smiles!

Hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club, this is the 51st year of the regatta in the San Francisco Bay. One of my highlights from this years regatta was seeing perhaps one of the most famous big boats in the world, Kialoa III, a Sparkman and Stephens designed boat.

"From the mid- to late-1970s and ’80s, the yacht accumulated more sailing trophies and records than just about any other campaign, including an elapsed time record in a downwind Sydney Hobart Race that was held for 21 years. She was recently bought by a syndicate of enthusiasts who formed the K3 Foundation to restore her and revisit many of the races that made the boat so legendary in ocean racing circles. (Kialoa III competed in the St. Francis Big Boat Series in 1976 and ’78.)"

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

As temps reached 81 degrees on the city front Saturday, the wind was not in our favor. Once again we were put on wind postponement until about 2PM. As predicted, we got our late-afternoon westerly blowing about 6 to 10 knots. We competed in a painfully slow race #4 with inconsistent, mild wind and challenging current. From what I heard later that night at the club, this is not normal weather for #RBBS. Typically, this time of year, breeze is in the high teens or greater.


Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

Day 4 of Rolex Big Boat was a wash. With high temps in the 80ies and no breeze, the race was called about 12PM and we all went to the St. Francis Yacht Club to watch the 49ers vs. Stealers. In the photo above, see the J111 Madmen sitting in glass like waters around 11am on Sunday.

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

At the end of the day, our boat didn't do very well. As a matter of fact, we took last in our fleet. However, we had fun, we didn't break anything and we left the regatta with good stories and new friendships.

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

It was a pleasure to see 3 of my friends yachts take first in their class and receive their hardware. These aren’t just any regatta trophies. These are Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner timepieces.

“Excellence is the rarest thing in the world,” said Bud’s owner/skipper Victor Wild, addressing hundreds of sailors from the stage at the Rolex Awards Ceremony. “We came here for that, and we found it."

Congrats to the Atlantic Perpetual Trophy awarded in the HPR class winner Peter Krueger, Double Trouble (no photo) and ORR C Wayne Koide, Encore (photo above).

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

Congrats! Keefe Kilborne Trophy for the J/111 class Rob Theis, Aeolus.

Rolex Big Boat Series 2015

Check out all the photos here on my Flickr Account

Rolex Big Boat 2015



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Homemade Energy Bar with Coconut Flour

Homemade Energy Bars #glutenfree

Coconut Flour with Dark Chocolate Energy Bars made fresh in your own home! These are great for a grab-and-go energy food. Easy to make and even better to eat!

Whether you use these healthy energy bars as a pre-workout snack or to refuel and recover post-workout, you'll be getting the nutrition your body needs without all the sugars, preservatives and other unknowns in the store purchased brands.

Why coconut oil ? Coconut oil can reduce your appetite helping you eat less without even trying. It boost metabolism and helps increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Healthy, real-food.  If you want to learn more, check out Coconut Research Center.

Homemade Energy Bars #glutenfree

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup granola
- 1 cup coconut flour (organic)
- 1 1/2 cup uncooked oats
- 1 cup coconut oil (yes, this will keep your bars moist)
- 1 cup hole hazelnuts (any nut you enjoy)
- 1 cup raw honey (local)
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates
- 1 cup raisin (soak for ten minutes in warm water)
- 3 eggs
- 3 or 4 tablespoons almond butter
- 3 tablespoons sunflower seed butter
- 3 tablespoons flax seed (whole)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- hand full or 2 of dark chocolate chips or break-up favorite chocolate bar into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Other options:
- Dried figs
- Lemon rind / peel
- Organic rice pop or leftover cooked rice
- Any dry fruit
- Almond flour
- Any unsweetened cereal
- Crystallized ginger





Tools:
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Big, strong spoon
- 2 Large mixing bowl
- Sharp knife


Homemade Energy Bars #glutenfree

Truth be known, I added most ingredients from my pantry that were going to expire or I only had a small portion left. You don't have to follow this recipe to the 'T', but add what you enjoy eating and what you have in your pantry. Cooking is about having fun and enjoying your food!

1. In a big bowl add the eggs, vanilla, honey, coconut oil, almond butter, and sunflower seed butter and mix with a blender or with a big wooden spoon. It will be lumpy. That's OK.

2. In the same bowl, mix in the raisins, dates, and hazelnuts

3. Using the other clean bowl, add all other dry ingredients: Cinnamon, coconut flour, granola, oats, flax seed, chocolate chips or smashed bar (I used Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Imported From Belgium one pound bar).

4. Add the dry mix to the wet batter and stir with the big wooden spoon.

5. Pre-heat oven to about 325 degrees, place the parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

6. Using your spoon, dump batter on parchment paper and press batter down to make a flat 1 inch thick, massive bar. Use your hands and spoon to flatten out bumpy areas. Your hands will get sticky. It's OK. Cook bar for about 30 to 35 minutes. Checking in on the bar after 25 minutes. You do not want to burn the edges.

7. Once cooked, take parchment paper and massive bar out of the oven and let cool for about 30 minutes. Once cold, place on cutting board and cut into fun size bars. You can freeze a few, gift a few to your co-workers, and enjoy the rest. These bars last up to 4 months in the freeze.

These are great with ice cream, too!


Homemade energy bar recipes right here -- Snappyliving.com




Monday, September 14, 2015

Ice Climbing With Dan Fredinburg in Switzerland

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Ice Climbing on a glacier in Switzerland - The Stein Glacier (German: Steingletscher) is a 4km long glacier (2005) situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. A very cold summer day in the Swiss Alps

Dan Fredinburg on The Stein Glacier in the Urner Alps in Switzerland June 2011
 
Dan Fredinburg Foundation
"Dan Fredinburg, modern day super hero, dedicated his life to changing the world. On Saturday April 25th, 2015, Dan lost his life on Everest in the avalanches caused by the devasting earthquakes in Nepal."




Traveling on the glacier tied into each other for safety.  Dan and I having a conversation about the video... So many funny moments from this day.


Ice Climbing in Switzerland

The guide wasn't happy with our excitement for the 1980ies rental gear and our dance party moves while on the glacier. We rocked that day! In the picture above, Andrew and Dan getting stoked on the start of our learning adventure. Ice Climbing!

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

This is Dan in his BLUE STEEL Zoolander move! Very technical move. Do not try this at home!

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Summertime fun in Switzerland learning to ice climb with SWISS ALPINE GUIDES




Ice Climbing in Switzerland

This is an intro course to ice climbing and very easy and safe. We rappel deep into the glacier, then ice climb out via top rope.

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Our guide Hano drilling our anchor.

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Gear needed: Mountain boots, ice axes, crampons, harness, warm fleece, beanie, gloves, gaitors, backpack, and your mountain guide

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

GoPro Selfie of me on the glacier

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Photo shoot starts NOW! I think we had more fun with making photos then we did with the climbing.  Dan Fredinburg and Andrew sorting out gear

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Lowering Andrew down the crevasse for the first try. Here we go...

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Vidoe of us on the climb. Lucas and Andrew with Dan's voice in the background

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Somewhat of a short hike in but nothing difficult for a non-climber.

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Hiking into the The Stein Glacier. I believe it was about an hour for us to hike.

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Hano helping me with my crampons.






Ice Climbing in Switzerland

I did not have the cool 1980ies clothing. I felt left out!

Ice Climbing in Switzerland

Photos of all the other groups training on the glacier.

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

Dan helping me with my GoPro! Technical equipment

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

It's about having fun and the adventure! Dan hiking in...

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

The hike in was a little steep, but not difficult

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

More selfies...

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

Dan climbing up the crevasse. See the little blue dot with orange helmet? That's him.

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

Selfie (Louisa) inside the crevasse.

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

If you are claustrophobic, maybe you should think twice. It's a small space

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

After our day of ice climbing, we were driving back to Interlaken when we saw this... it's like a vending machine for milking cows... then you can purchase fresh milk. It's amazing!!!

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

Cow milk vending machine in Switzerland

Ice Climbing with Dan in Switzerland 2011

Finally we get a hot coffee to warm us up on this very cold June day in the Swiss Alps! Here is Lucas, Dan and Louisa



Video of Dan's first ice climb!


Second time I'm dropped into the crevasse and I'm not sure I enjoy how tight the fit is... very hard to get out!(video)


Me climbing out, not doing so well I guess but we were having fun!


Dan, Andrew, Lucas and me








Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Traditionally made in Puebla or Mexico City to celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 16, these chiles are made with pork filling enhanced with chopped fruit, a creamy pine nut sauce topped with seasonal granadas (pomegranates). Normally, walnuts are used instead of pine nuts for the sauce, but I enjoy the flavor of pine nuts and wanted to try something different. You can use walnut, almonds or pine nuts.

Stuffing:
- Pork (1 lbs.)
- Raisins (1 cup)
- Cinnamon (splash or so)
- Pear (2)
- Apple (1)
- Tomato (4)
- Jalapeño (2 I like it hot)
- Corn (1 cup)
- Onions (1)
- Peblano chiles (3 to 6)

Sauce:
- Lime (1)
- Cinnamon (dash)
- Pine nuts (1/2 cup or more)
- Yogurt (1/2 cup)

Garnish:
- Pomegranates (1)
- Pine nuts (couple)

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Fire roast the Poblano chiles until the skin is burned, blistering and black.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Place the chiles into a plastic bag. Close the bag tightly to steam the chiles for about 5 minutes.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

After the chiles have cold, peel all the blacken skin off the chiles and place aside in a bowl.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Cut the pork into bite size pieces or have your butcher chop the pork. Typically, the pork is minced or ground.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Cook the onions in a 12 inch fry pan for 3 minutes on medium-high

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Add the chopped jalapenos and pork to the pan.  Cook on medium for about 8 minutes or until the pork is browned and cooked.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Tomatoes, apples and pear - dice them up while you are waiting for the pork to cook.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Measure out the raisins, apple, pear, and corn.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Stirring the whole time, add all four ingredients to the 12 inch fry pan and cook on medium heat for about 12 minutes. After about 5 minutes, add cinnamon.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

With a paring knife, cut a line from the stem to the bottom of the chile and take out the seeds.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Stuff the chiles with the pork filling by spooning the mix into the chili.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

To make the Mexican cream, place the Greek yogurt, pine nuts, cinnamon, and lime juice into a Vitmix blender and 'pulse' until it's completely mixed together.

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Garnish with beautiful colors

Fire Roasted Poblano Chiles en Nogada

Plate the chile, spoon on cream and sprinkle with garnish. Happy Mexican Independence Day!


I didn't measure anything, but played it by ear with 4 tomatoes, 2 pears, 1 apple, 2 cups of pine nuts, 1 lime, 1 cup raisin, 1 cup corn and 1 pound of pork. I froze the leftover stuffing for later use.