RUNNING MONOLOGUE

Can't Beet Good Produce...

2012-05-23T17:06:20Z

"When I was growing up, my mom came home from work and cooked a huge meal every night.   Most of it was traditional Southern fare and we fried our meat and vegetables in a cast-iron skillet. When I had my own family, I wanted to honor the tradition of a family supper every night and the homegrown flavor of food we raised ourselves, but in the interest of good health, I knew I had to cook in a slightly different way."

You can read more of my article as well as my new favorite summer recipe, roasted beet salad, at BMoore Healthy , health coach Besty Moore's website for busy moms. She has tons of great recipes and ideas for busy women who want to live a healthier life without feeling deprived.

My recipe as well as countless others can be found at the Tumbling Shoals Farm website. Shiloh Avery has put together a tremendous database full of delicious recipes for every veggie imaginable. If you're stumped about what to cook tonight or what to do with that bunch of curly green kale you bought, this is a great place to go for a little cooking inspiration.

What are some of your favorite summertime recipes? Join the Running Monologue Facebook page and leave a comment, with or without a recipe. Part of the joy of cooking and eating is the conversation that always seems to come with it.

Roots of She

2012-05-21T14:49:16Z

I am so excited and honored to be featured as the guest writer for Jenn Gibson's Roots of She, an awesome website dedicated to telling women's stories, a "colleciton of voices on the female experience, in all of its shapes, sizes, and forms," and a "gathering place made for connecting with other women who are walking along the path beside you."

A few months ago, I made a list of dream writing gigs, and writing a guest post for Roots of She was on that list. Who says the power of just getting it down on paper doesn't exist?

I'm a big believer in writing down dreams and then making them happen. Big thanks to Jenn for taking the time to read my work and giving me the opportunity to add my story to the mix.

Run to Brooklyn

2012-05-20T19:36:04Z

You know those ideas that seem so awesome and inspired when they first come to you, but then, about halfway through them, you think, “What was I thinking?” Like, “Let’s see everything and do everything in New York in three and half days or die tryin’” or “I think we can just grab a cab after the show” as everyone in America files out of the theatre into Times Square. Uh-huh—no problem—on either of those. Yeah, I had several of those this week… but in a really good way. Those ideas generally lead to some sort of adventure, and adventures always make great stories.

This morning, as I was running along the Hudson River, I said, “Let’s run to Brooklyn,” and took off across what I thought was the Brooklyn Bridge. About halfway across, I looked over and thought, “Hmmmm… that looks like the Brooklyn Bridge over there.” Because it was.

Rob said, “I know what you’re thinking, and we’re not doing that.”

“What am I thinking?” I asked.

“You’re thinking that we’ll just run to the end of this bridge and then run several blocks to the Brooklyn Bridge and then come back across. No.”

To be honest, I had not thought of that at all, but it did sound like fun. Instead, we ran to the end of the Manhattan Bridge, which is what we were actually on, and then turned around and cut back across Chinatown.

Running is actually a great way to see the city though when we first arrived I would have told you I was too scared to run on the streets of NYC. In a lot of places, the crowds would make running at a decent pace prohibitive, even in Central Park, but on a Sunday morning along the river, it was really nice, and running across the bridge was a great way to take it all in.

Taking it all in—that’s what I feel like I did this week. I’m anxious to get home now—to see my kids, sleep, post photos and let it all soak in. My legs and feet are killing me, and I’m pretty sure I could sleep for 24 hours straight. This city is a bit of a sensory overload. It might take a while to recover.

In three and a half days, we saw…

The Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

Chinatown

The Phantom of the Opera

The Museum of Modern Art

Central Park

Greenwich Village

NBC studios

Macy’s

SoHo

A Ben Stiller movie being filmed on the street outside our hotel door

The East Village

A terrific comedy show

The Empire State Building

The Brooklyn Bridge (from the Manhattan Bridge)

The new World Trade Center

We ate and drank at…

A Cuban restaurant

A very dark (and sort of snooty) bar

A deli with the locals

An Irish pub

A hole in the wall pizza place

Some other over-priced places

One place that was expensive but totally worth it

We also saw…

Lots of homeless people

Lots of seemingly crazy people too

High fashion

Low fashion

Everything in between

Rats in the subway

Musicians in the subway

Monks and priests and Hassidic Jews on the same street

People with little kids

Artists

Girls coming home from volleyball practice

Guys talking junk on the basketball court

Men with their foreheads to the ground as they prayed

People fighting

People kissing

People singing at the top of their lungs

People sitting quietly in windows and reading a book

I know—for some people this is not anything spectacular, but for someone who lives in such a small Southern town, this was actually one of my favorite things about the city. It really gives you a much broader view of America when you come to a place like this and realize that not everyone is just like you. And then to realize, after that first revelation, that everyone is, in the end, very much like you.

I Love NYC!

Where the Wild Things Are

2012-05-07T15:11:16Z

“There must be more to life than having everything.”

-Maurice Sendak

“Let the wild rumpus start!”

“And he sailed back over a year
and in and out of weeks
and through a day
and into the night of his very own room
where he found his supper waiting for him
and it was still hot.”

Creative Journaling Class for Women

2012-05-02T14:12:16Z

The first two sessions of my creative journaling class for women is less than a week away! I'm offering one session in the morning at 10:00 on Monday, May 7th and another that same evening at 6:00.

This class is something I've wanted to do for a LONG time. I've finally put it together and am feeling more excited about it everyday.

Eleven years ago, when I got pregnant, I decided that I wanted being a mom to be my job in the sense that I would be an active participant in their health and nutrition, their education, their play and development, and everything in between. I didn't want to miss out by just going through the motions.

But I was also keenly aware of maintaining my own identity. I had seen other women lose themselves completely in their role as mother. It's one of the reasons I made a commitment to running-- it was time for me that was separate from being a mom. I have managed, over the years, to maintain that part of who I am, and it has made me a better mom and person.

As my babies have turned into little people with their own interests and hobbies, I began to long for new challenges. No longer newborns, Harper Lee and Isaac don't require my constant attention anymore, and with both kids in school, I have found myself ready to explore new things. At first, I wasn't sure what those new things might be.

I started journaling. Then, I took an art class. I began to tap into some of the talents and gifts I've always had, and I realized I wanted to use them more. Writing and art, and even gardening, are things that I have always loved and am good at. They fill me up and renew my spirit. So I just started. I simply began.

I have a theory that God made each of us for a purpose. We are divinely and uniquely created to be exactly WHO WE ARE. Our job is to remember who we are made to be and to fulfill our purpose. The reason I say "remember" is because I think children are pretty in tune with this purpose, with what makes them tick; it's only as we grow older that we begin to feel the pressure to do the things other people think we should.

I have realized, over time and with much thought, prayer, and writing, that I am at my core a mother, teacher and writer. I love to create-- to write, to draw, to cut and paste, to think creatively, to teach creatively, to play, to run in the woods and let the ideas just wash over me. That's who I was made to be.

This creative journaling class is about sharing that experience. It's about learning to listen to what we know is true for us and doing the things, both physically and spiritually, that feed us and make us grow. It is the key to good health and happiness.

I'm excited about showing other women how to use their journals and exercise and good health practices to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

Here's a sneak peak at some of the things we'll be doing in class.

What changes do you need to make in your life to accommodate more time for yourself and your well-being?

What's been your greatest success in life?

If you could, by magic, change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

If money and time were no issue, how would you spend your days?

Make a list of 25 things you have always wanted to try, but have yet to begin.

*There will even be some good, old-fashioned cutting and pasting (maybe some crayons?) involved. Here's an example of an art journaling exercise.

We'll get messy, be creative, play, laugh and get down to building a foundation for better health.

I can't wait!!!

The Drool Deer

2012-04-30T19:00:59Z

Now I remember what I like so much about this running thing. A few months ago, I heard, through the grapevine, about a weird, sort of invitation only trail race at Stone Mountain. I emailed the guy who was heading it up. We were vaguely acquainted from Continental Divide since I run the finish line there and always see everyone at least once.

Derek is an interesting character to say the least, so to say that I wasn't sure what to expect is an understatement, but the race was great. As I wrote earlier, I have been struggling with a sore SI joint, a sore hamstring and a general pain in the butt, which most days, seems to be improving, but only in small increments. Running has not been as much fun as it had been.

I decided no expectations might be the best plan.

The weather on Saturday was perfect, mid-50's at the start. The trail was, as always, beautiful, and Derek, God bless him, had purposely set up stops along the way where we had to venture a little off the direct path but we would also get to take in the most stunning views. He had us get out timing chips, which were actual wood chips attached to our bibs, marked by volunteers. That way, we were absolutely guaranteed to see Stone Mountain in all its glory.

I have to say that I surprised the fool out of myself by running one of my better races in a long time. I ran well, I felt strong, I beat some pretty good people, and I had FUN! It was such a welcome relief.

As we were climbing the steps to the summit, one of the guys ahead of me commented on the incline. I told him the fun part was coming. He seemed briefly relieved and said, "Downhill, I hope?" I told him I was just being sarcastic, but that yes, eventually, there would be a downhill. This was a good reminder to me that already knowing the course is a really good thing. Stone Mountain is a home away from home when it comes to running, and I'd already been out to run the course twice before. Sometimes, it's helpful to know what lies ahead.

Overall, I placed 4th in the women's division and was 8th (?) overall. And I won an awesome trophy with a handmade drool deer attached. Again, thanks to Derek and his creative genius.

My only faux pas was at the summit. When I rounded the corner, I saw three water jugs sitting along the fence. If there were people around, I was not aware. Racing here, people. I'm not focused on other human beings (unless they are about to pass me or I am trying to pass them) or paper cups.

I grabbed a jug, opened it and began to drink only to hear a freaked out volunteer saying, "No, no, no, no! There are cups," at which time he produced the cups.

I felt sort of bad because I just assumed we were doing it Surry Central style and drinking from a communal jug that may or may not have amoebas swimming in it-- I mean, c'mon, have some guts, right?!

I apologized, passed on the cups and took off again while other folks were nice and hygenic and waited for a cup. It should be noted that only two of those "clean" people beat me. The message here is don't wait for cups.

I was able to really open it up and run a lot faster on the way down (though I'm a bit beat up now-- the bike may be my friend for a couple of days), and I felt really good about the race. Every time I run one, I fall more and more in love with trail racing. It has never been my strength, but the fun of getting to run in the woods possibly outweighs everything else.

We even got personalized bibs with our Drool Deer names on them. Earlier in the month, I had received a cryptic email from Derek with two phrases in quotations. I had no idea what they meant. They must have been possible nicknames for the race. After getting no response from me, he chose what turned out to be my favorite, "Just Cut It Off," which sounds vaguely obscene, but he included an explanation with our packets, and I found it was actually pretty appropriate, which is sort of amazing since he really doesn't know me that well. The explanation for my name was "Whether it is the way she treats twisted ankles, broken limbs, or the Continental Divide finish line, she is the end of the line for all things painful!" Awwww, thanks.

And thank you for an awesome race experience.

Sick/Art Day

2012-04-27T17:55:22Z

Harper Lee was sick this week and stayed home for two days, but there are only so many naps one can take or back-to-back episodes of Little House on the Prairie and The Walton's one can watch, so we broke out the art supplies and had a Girls' Art Day, one of our very favorite things to do that we, unfortunately, don't do nearly often enough. It's really too bad that it took a sinus infection (and terrible case of poison ivy) to get us to do it.

We started by tracing parts of ourselves onto white poster board. Then we ripped out pictures and words from magazines. We didn't really have a plan-- we just played.

Our work area was a little messy. That's the way we like it.

Harper worked most of the late morning and early afternoon on hers. She likes a lot of texture... and messages. Can you see some of what she's written?

"Don't hide yourself behind a mask!"

"It's not too late to be colorful."

"Nothing can stop a tree from growing. Nothing can stop me!"

Hmmmm.... words to live by???

I covered my tracing completely but didn't care. I like the end result.
The ability and willingness to "just play" can lead to some pretty cool things.

I hate it when my kids are sick, but I have to admit loving the extra time it gives us to snuggle, play and just be together.

Thought for the Day:
If you had a "sick day," what would you do with it? Why wait until you're feeling bad? Do it today while you feel good, and when you do, don't feel the least bit guilty about it. Enjoy!

Something about this just spoke to me today...

2012-04-23T15:21:48Z

Thanks to the girls from Hannah Marcotti's Joy Up Tribe for sharing this. It made my day.