A Food Cart Must: Pi Wood Fired Pizza

You guys, we've got some family business to discuss. One, I've got two cousins. Two, I've got two cousins who own a business. Three, they produce wonderful wood fired pizzas made from local ingredients you all must eat. Four, they sell their "pi" out of a food cart in a sweet little area of Portland. And five, we need your help to share the family business love!

Here's the deal. My cousins own a food cart and it happens to be some amazing wood fired pizza. I will need as many of you to share this blog post via +1 on blogger or on FB and follow them on IG and/or twitter (see info below). Then I will need you all to head to the cart and try it out this weekend 
and all other days you need to tame that pizza craving.

3, 2, 1 GO...like, share, follow, and go test it out!

Check out the info below on how they got started, the local products they use, the types of pizzas they've got, location, hours, and IG/twitter info. 
All the details you could ever ask for about a business before you go!

Pi Wood Fired Pizza

Owners: Aubrey & Dallas, The Berry Bros!

(Written by Aubrey)

Pi Pizza started as a hobby in a back garden in Estacada. Just something fun to do with fire and food. We built our first oven in 2010. It was an Alan Scott inspired oven, based on his book The Bread Builders. Pretty much the bible of hearth baking. The building process is relatively straight forward. Get the plans, get the supplies and commence building. Dallas has been responsible for both ovens we've used. I (Aubrey) mostly facilitated...lots of driving, carrying bricks, bags of concrete, and lots of cleaning.

After a couple fun garden parties, our friends suggest selling our pizza. So we started doing deliveries on Friday nights. It went well. We sold out every Friday night, all summer long. Next step was renting our Aunt's food truck. We baked at the Estacada Farmers Market and did events. All successful! The next spring our Aunt decided to take the truck to Cartlandia. We thought it was a great opportunity to take our pizzas to a bigger market. We had a good run at Cartlandia but our Aunt wanted to sell, and too rich for our blood. So instead, we left Cartlandia last October, not really sure where the move would take us.

We had money in the coffers and had to decide: brick and mortar or find a cart. We went with the cart. After a lot of searching we found the perfect unit for us. Just a prep area on wheels, an area to build pizzas, some sinks, and a refrigerator. We didn't need an oven, flat top or fryers. So we got a great deal on our cart. Dallas did what little work the cart needed and when we saw an add on Craigslist for a new pod opening on Belmont in southeast, we knew exactly where we wanted to be...

East of the river, south of Burnside, & below 52nd.

Our philosophy on pizza is neopolitan inspired. This means thin crusted, cooked quickly at a high heat, & using simple, local ingredients in harmony. We make our dough and sauce in house. We have 4 permanent pizzas: margherita, pepperoni, Hawaiian, and cheese. In addition we will do seasonal specials. Currently we have our Ser Davos, which is an onion pizza in tribute to the onion knight from Game of Thrones. We will be serving a golden chanterelle pie as soon as the mushrooms are up. Like an Italian, grandmother is our constant guide. Would she do this? Would she do that? That's why we feel great using locally grown wheat. Some swear by the 00 from Italy, but would granny do that? Buy flour from half way around the world? Def not. So that's a pretty good example of our thought process. Local!

*You can find them at 2623 SE Belmont 

*Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm

*Follow them on twitter: @berrybrotherspi

*Follow them on IG: piwoodfiredpizza

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Let me repeat myself...share, like, follow, and go get some Pi pizza. Help the local business and help out part of the fam! And most of all, go enjoy yourself a good wood fired pizza!

♥The Stanleys

HTC 2014: Summin' It Up

We survived HTC in case you all weren't updated via Instagram or Facebook. Sometimes I go a little post crazy so I'm not sure how you'd miss it anyway. But Hood to Coast...what a trip in so many ways! The literal trip was awesome. Driving across part of the State/running across part of the State, seeing some of the most beautiful areas while driving and running, and finishing up at the beach. Now that's a trip if I've ever done one! On the other hand, it's a trip in another way. Who signs up to run nearly 200 miles in total, to "sleep" in a van or to not sleep whatsoever in a 24 hour or more time period (which is closer to true), and to skim by on doing the most minimal hygiene while keepin' real close to 5-6 other individuals in the van? Nutty people and people who get talked into things way too easily...that's who gets roped into this thing. But I have to say, I haven't met a soul who regretted it. Some may not want to come back for another year, but they enjoyed the first and last Hood to Coast all at once.

Anyway, it was quite awesome to see everybody PR on not just their mile times but for some, it was the longest total time and miles they've ever run in their whole life. How cool is that? We were all super proud of each other to say the least! Scroll through the blog post to meet the team and read a few thoughts..or don't. Either way is fine with me.

The Squad

First we all started Crossfit together (crazy decision) and now we go and do this...

how nuts are we?

"Van 1"

"Van 2"

My Legs

(running legs, not my actual legs. Duh.)

Leg 0.

I may have looked like a hobo, but I managed to bike 5 miles to meet up with the van before takeoff

on a road bike with an incredibly heavy bag attached to me causing my head to be pushed forward, a food bag between my legs causing my legs to pump outwards, and a pillow that disabled me from being able to see behind me without falling off my bike. Let's just say I had to ditch a few things along the way and have a few trial and errors before I managed to leave my house.

But I sure made it and got quite the workout from it!

Leg 1.

4.84 miles. Flat with lots of stops for traffic lights and trail crossings. Run at dusk,

ended on a beautiful sunset.

13 road kills.

Leg 2.

4.14 miles. Small rolling hills at dawn. Chilly and foggy morning. Major traffic backup

and had to run 1-1.5 miles back to the van.

16 road kills.

Leg 3.

7.2 miles. A few rolling hills, then a gradual uphill for about 5-6 miles. Gravel road.

From hot and sweaty to foggy and cool.

53 road kills.

What It Means To "Hood To Coast"

you get to run for hours and hours and hours. Why would you not want to?

you get to spend time with awesome people.

you have so many laughs with these people that "tears" nearly run down your leg.

you get to be delirious with them.

you grow closer than you ever thought you would've.

they become your lifeline...because they do have to pick you up at some point at the end of your run.

In fact, you probably have never been so excited to see these people in your life up until this point.

you get to run in places and at times you most likely will never get to again.

you get to have little chances at sleeping, be a map reader at 3am, and be piled in a van

full of food and dirty clothes (and dirty people). Again, why would you not want that?

you get free entertainment along the way.

you get to be a driver stuck in traffic at some point or another (if you don't have a non-running driver)

and have plenty of time to think...or sleep at the wheel (kidding)

you get to eat your meals out of the back of your van and change your clothes

behind the van doors...praying that nobody has to see your bare cheeks along the way.

and some of us get to endure injuries other than the achy and sore feelings...

injuries like slicing your finger open with a knife.

and one of the best things...you get to see the end of the longest relay in the world!

The End

Reasons To Book A Night Stay After HTC ^^

-you may or may not feel like garbage

-you get to shower immediately

-you can sleep in something other than a van once you've eaten and showered

-you get to enjoy views like these, walk the beach the next morning, and take another nap if you so choose to

A Few "WHY'S"

(that maybe someone can answer for me)

-why is it that on the outside world we call a van, a van and a SUV, a SUV...

but once you get into HTC everything becomes "a van" when really it's still a SUV or car

or truck. Why?

-why don't the Honey Buckets further away from the start get serviced?

no TP and you're nearly sitting on someone's sh*t by the end of the relay because it's piled high.

-why do people think they can tell you when you should and shouldn't go to the bathroom?

somehow I kept overhearing ladies tell their team they needed to go to the bathroom and for some reason it was always the man in the group that would say "you should hold it until we get to the next stop" or "you'll have to wait, we don't have time for that."

(I'd like to tell them to shut it because since when did someone tell you when you can and can't go to the bathroom)

-WHY do people poop their pants when they have all the trees/bushes/poles to hide behind and just go?

I couldn't figure out why my last half mile smelled so bad...until I looked up and realized

what was running down the woman's leg. It's way easier to pop a squat somewhere even if you don't have toilet paper than it is to go in your pants, run in it for who knows how long, and ruin a pair of nice running shorts.

And I'm done...

That's all I can think of for now. All I have to say is that if you get a chance to do HTC, do it. Don't hesitate. Man up and go for it. You won't regret it...and if you do, don't come back to me and tell me.

Because you won't regret being with your team, you won't regret the experience...you just may regret the way you feel after all those runs and no sleep. But guess what, that all goes away and life goes on.

Nice job to both van 1 and van 2...way to kick some butt and finish strong!

There aren't enough words to say how proud we all are of each other.

#htc14 #motherofallrelays

♡Cori

H2C 2014: My Thoughts, Concerns, & Lifeline

Some of us prep like nobody's business many months before Hood to Coast while others prep a few weeks before go time. That also means some of us will feel decent on Sunday while the rest will feel like garbage. Maybe even worse, who knows. I feel bad for each individual who will feel like junk the following day. I'll feel bad if I'm one of them as well. However, I'm caught somewhere in the middle. If it weren't for my gal, Laura, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have even run 1-2 times a week the last couple of months. And to top it off the challenge by one of our teammates, Jason, came into play many times. In fact, too many times. Somehow I got talked into an 8 miler, then a 10 miler, and topped it off at 13.2 miles. You both are nuts, but as always, I'm happy to do it anytime with either of you!

The other part of the prep...packing. I always save it until last minute because as we all know, it will get done in a minute. So here I am at 11PM at night blogging. Why would I be packing yet anyway...I still have hours until start time.

My thoughts on H2C 2014

Let's just say they're mixed. When I first think about it, I think "no big deal, just a few runs with plenty of time in between." But as soon as I think about how big of a deal H2C is and the night running, I get butterflies in my stomach. Mainly the night run is what gets me and for a few reasons. The animals that could be out there, the late night drivers that may or may not be paying attention on the back roads, and being alone in the middle of nowhere. Everybody tells me not to worry about any of those, but it's easier said than done. So if you see me in the middle of nowhere on the path to Seaside with a giant machete, a rifle, and the largest beam of light coming off me (so cars don't hit me of course), just know that I'm prepared for any situation.

What To Pack

3 regular running outfits with a long sleeve to go with each

1 extra running outfit (just in case)

2-3 extra pairs of socks 

1 extra sports bra

1 running vest

1 head lamp

2 pairs of running shoes

5 pairs of undies

1 comfy outfit to wear in the van + 1 sweatshirt

1 pair of sandals or comfy shoes in between runs

1 pillow

1 sleeping bag

basic toiletries

toothbrush & paste, floss, deodorant, face lotion, hair ties and pins, chapstick, sunscreen, 

soap/body wipes, mascara, hand sanitizer, wash cloth, a towel, toilet paper

additional items to think about

glide/anti-chaffing items

shower items if you get to shower along the way

first aid items if your van isn't providing them

anti-inflammatories

phone charger

watch

FOOD (you know what you like, you know what works best)

water bottle

A friend gave me this website from Blonde Ponytail for packing ideas. The best tip was to place each running leg clothes into a ziploc bag so they are easy to get to as well as easy to put away once they're dirty!

H2C Lifelines

As I began thinking about the most important thing we all pack for two long days ahead of us, I realize that most people are concerned about having enough water (and maybe the right foods that will give them the energy to get through the relay). My lifeline: toilet paper. I am not much of a water drinker, so of course that wouldn't be the first thing to cross my mind. But toilet paper...I'm pretty sure I've reminded Ty to remind me to not forget a roll of TP. We all have our concerns, we all have our security blanket, we all have our lifelines. For some it's water, for others it's the right clothes and food, and for me it's TP. Does it surprise you? Didn't think so.

If this is your first go around for Hood to Coast or the 10th time, we wish you all a safe, fun, and wonderful experience. Take care of your body, don't poo in people's yards (so we've been told per the rules), and if possible, get a few winks of rest! 

Here's to running nearly 200 miles from start to finish with approximately 1,050 teams (times that by 12 and see how many runners that means). See you all at the beach!

Beat The Heat, Have Fun In The Sun: Part 3

Your WOD...

10x
30 second handstand
30 second wall sit

Then do...

250 double unders
or 500 singles for all you newbies

So go do it. Like now.

Your local outdoor activity, again with options for both kids and adults:

1) pack your bikes and head to Sauvie's Island. Bike around, stop at stands for fresh fruit and/or veggies, or go to a U-pick. Don't forget a backpack or two for all your purchases!

2) pack a pair of good shoes to hike/walk in and take to the Warrior Rock Lighthouse trail. It's Oregon's oldest Fog Bell and smallest lighthouse. Then head back to your car and stop about any of the farms for fresh fruit and veggies. Pick or don't pick, you decide.

Note:

please Google search Sauvie Island for times the u-picks and stands are open as well as info on the biking and hiking, depending on which you choose so you can be fully prepared.

Happy Sunday!
Soak it up before you all have to go back to work tomorrow ;-)

♥T&C

Beat The Heat, Have Fun In The Sun: Part 2

Your WOD for today...

100 burpees

1 mile run

5- 45 second holding planks with 30 seconds of rest in between
Ready, set, GO!

Your outdoor activity you're wondering about?? Well I've got two options for you.

1) Take the long path and hike Hamilton Mountain Loop (approximately 7.5 miles)
OR
2) Take the short hike to Pool of the Winds (about 2.2 miles), then head back to Portland
for the Puckfest on Belmont. Click the link below to check it out. And if you're not interested
in the brews, wander down to Dick's for some paleo lunch/dinner options and enjoy the shops
in and around the SE Portland area.

Puckerfest at Belmont Station

For Kids
If you have kids, Vancouver is having their Big Shindig Car Show today at 12pm on 12th and Main St.
If you've got a little guy or know of some who love cars, spread the word!

As always, enjoy yourself and keep cool. I don't want to run into any of you guys at the hospital or
I'll be concerned you didn't listen to me...drink water and/or the drinks I posted the other night, find some shade, and catch up on those naps. Stay out of the hospital. My only rule.
Have fun!

♡Cori Lou