Practically Dunn

Scroll to Info & Navigation

I’ve been very MIA lately, I know. So I’ll just leave this right here so you can at least see that I am alive and well in Chicago, enjoying Spring. Promise to give you all a life update sooner rather than later. A lot has been going on and iv struggled with what to share and what not to share. So you tell me… What’s “practically” your favorite thing to read about? Fashion, recipes, running, boys, work, Zoe, the zillion best friend weddings i’m in? All of the above have been totally life consuming. So ask and I’ll share.

I’ve been very MIA lately, I know.

So I’ll just leave this right here so you can at least see that I am alive and well in Chicago, enjoying Spring.

Promise to give you all a life update sooner rather than later. A lot has been going on and iv struggled with what to share and what not to share.

So you tell me… What’s “practically” your favorite thing to read about?

Fashion, recipes, running, boys, work, Zoe, the zillion best friend weddings i’m in? All of the above have been totally life consuming. So ask and I’ll share.

On Sunday I kicked off race season by running Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle. It’s one of Chicago’s biggest races with 40K participants running 8K. It is also the race that started it all for me. My marathoner friend and now roommate Christin got me back into running last year and the Shamrock was my first organized city race. I’ve been hooked ever since. I can’t believe it’s already been one year. Running has turned into my therapy and my hobby. It makes me happy, it relieves my daily stress and anxieties and it keeps my eating habits on track. So much in my life has changed in just a year and running is a big contributor to that. Since I ran the Shamrock Shuffle in 2012, I have fallen in love with this sport and the organized races that bring many chicagoans together. Next up… Soldier Field 10 miler in May, Allstate Half Marathon in June and then.. (Dun, Dun, Dun…) the Chicago Marathon in October. Let the racing season begin!

On Sunday I kicked off race season by running Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle. It’s one of Chicago’s biggest races with 40K participants running 8K. It is also the race that started it all for me.

My marathoner friend and now roommate Christin got me back into running last year and the Shamrock was my first organized city race. I’ve been hooked ever since.

I can’t believe it’s already been one year. Running has turned into my therapy and my hobby. It makes me happy, it relieves my daily stress and anxieties and it keeps my eating habits on track.

So much in my life has changed in just a year and running is a big contributor to that. Since I ran the Shamrock Shuffle in 2012, I have fallen in love with this sport and the organized races that bring many chicagoans together. Next up… Soldier Field 10 miler in May, Allstate Half Marathon in June and then.. (Dun, Dun, Dun…) the Chicago Marathon in October.

Let the racing season begin!

Leave it to me to get a flat tire… And all before my morning coffee. One would think to learn how to change a flat after the first time this happened downtown Chicago, missing an important job interview because of it. Not a pleasant way to start a Tuesday. 2 hours of wasted work time that I’ve been sitting waiting for road assistance, 3 blocks from the office. On a brighter note, I’ve run into a client, made a few appointments and chatted a cute guy. So really it all evens out right? Now bring on the mechanic and the caffeine please!

Leave it to me to get a flat tire… And all before my morning coffee.

One would think to learn how to change a flat after the first time this happened downtown Chicago, missing an important job interview because of it. Not a pleasant way to start a Tuesday. 2 hours of wasted work time that I’ve been sitting waiting for road assistance, 3 blocks from the office.

On a brighter note, I’ve run into a client, made a few appointments and chatted a cute guy. So really it all evens out right?

Now bring on the mechanic and the caffeine please!

The crock pot is a magical thing. There is nothing better than coming home after a long day to a homemade meal, hot and ready. In honor of me being sick all of last week and all those other sickies out there that aren’t handling the change of season in tip top shape; I thought I’d share one of my homemade soup recipes.I grew up in a household of lots of cooking and lots of homemade soups. As those of you who have seen my recipes before know… I kind of just wing it. I cook to taste. So I tried to mentally measure out the ingredients below as best as I could for you. The good part about soup is, it’s always trial and error. Add too much seasoning? … Just add more water and vice versa. Enjoy!Chicken and Tortellini Soup-32 oz of Swanson Low Sodium Chicken Broth-32 oz Water-4 teaspoons of Wylers Instant Bouillon - Chicken-2 Frozen Chicken Breasts (about 8oz)-8 oz (bag of) tortellini (I used ricotta and spinach)-8 oz Whole Wheat Cous Cous (or any noodle)-Chopped Celery-Chopped Carrots-Sage - to Taste-Basil - to Taste-Garlic Powder - to Taste-Onion Powder - to Taste-Pepper - to Taste-Parsley - to Taste-Crushed Red Pepper - OptionalPut everything but the tortellini and noodles in the crockpot on high for 5-6 hours. I took out and shredded the chicken after about 3 hours and then put back in to finish cooking. After about 5 hours, I added the cous cous and tortellini. Put the crockpot on low, then let sit for 45 minutes. I taste tested throughout, adding more seasoning or water as needed. Easypeasy and delish! 

The crock pot is a magical thing. There is nothing better than coming home after a long day to a homemade meal, hot and ready. In honor of me being sick all of last week and all those other sickies out there that aren’t handling the change of season in tip top shape; I thought I’d share one of my homemade soup recipes.

I grew up in a household of lots of cooking and lots of homemade soups. As those of you who have seen my recipes before know… I kind of just wing it. I cook to taste. So I tried to mentally measure out the ingredients below as best as I could for you. The good part about soup is, it’s always trial and error. Add too much seasoning? … Just add more water and vice versa. Enjoy!

Chicken and Tortellini Soup
-32 oz of Swanson Low Sodium Chicken Broth
-32 oz Water
-4 teaspoons of Wylers Instant Bouillon - Chicken
-2 Frozen Chicken Breasts (about 8oz)
-8 oz (bag of) tortellini (I used ricotta and spinach)
-8 oz Whole Wheat Cous Cous (or any noodle)
-Chopped Celery
-Chopped Carrots
-Sage - to Taste
-Basil - to Taste
-Garlic Powder - to Taste
-Onion Powder - to Taste
-Pepper - to Taste
-Parsley - to Taste
-Crushed Red Pepper - Optional

Put everything but the tortellini and noodles in the crockpot on high for 5-6 hours. I took out and shredded the chicken after about 3 hours and then put back in to finish cooking. After about 5 hours, I added the cous cous and tortellini. Put the crockpot on low, then let sit for 45 minutes. I taste tested throughout, adding more seasoning or water as needed. Easypeasy and delish! 

Misery Loves Company

and I love this. Way to show some team spirit, Rockford. 

People always hate on their hometown and I will admit, that I have done so in the past. But since I’ve moved away, I’ve learned to love it more and more for the little things.  

Rockford isn’t a wealthy city and we don’t try to be.  We are a large midwestern city that got hit hard by a low economy.  Yes the roads suck. There’s crime, unemployment and frankly, some really trashy people. ( O and the shopping. The shopping is catastrophic) But guess what. You have that just about everywhere (except for the awful shopping).  I know this campaign didn’t focus on the real issues like those just listed, but I thought the city did a great job of showing what we can offer and why our residents have decided to live there.

Rockford has some great real estate. Smart hospitals, delicious local restaurants, beautiful parks and gardens, indoor and outdoor venues that have hosted some pretty well known artists. Awesome minor league sports teams (hey there Blackhawks affiliate) educational museums, an air show that trumps Chicago’s (thanks dad) and we can take credit for the creation of the sock monkey and the start of Cheap Trick. (those are uber important, I know)  We also have pride. A lot of it. You can talk bad about your own hometown, but man if you haven’t lived it (or there), we won’t let you contribute to the knocking.   

So cheers to Rockford and all of your hometowns that don’t get much love either. After all, I may be a city girl now, but my roots are what keep me grounded and have gotten me to where I am today.