Photo-A-Day Challenge: Day #17: Exercise

It is because of exercise that allows Charlie to sit like this: still. :) She is a wonderful dog - she is affectionate and living up to the Vizsla "velcro dog" nickname; she is making great progress in minding her manners, such as staying out of the kitchen during mealtimes, going right into her kennel upon request, and keeping her absurdly long legs in check and paws off of people/things/the cat; and she is responding to more and more commands like "lay down", "sit", "wait", "find your collar", and "don't eat the chickens". Charlie is springy and bouncy and overflowing with enthusiasm for EVERYTHING. Exercise is not optional.

Photo-A-Day Challenge: Day #27: Black and White

Our Saturday started bright and early and CHILLY this morning - the Merc hosted their second annual 5K, a fundraiser for the incredible school gardens that are happening here in Lawrence. It is so exciting to live somewhere that local, homegrown food is being embraced and treated as a priority in education. Last year, my Dad and I loaded up the double stroller and walked; this year I borrowed a single stroller and ran. Abby wanted to keep me company while Elise, Gran, and Grandpa waited for us at the end. I run for health, I run because it's good for my mental well being, I run because it sets a good example for the girls - I don't run to race. But I can't lie - it felt like a win to be the first stroller out of a bunch to cross the finish line!

Photo-A-Day Challenge: Day #20: Hot

Post-run with the puppy. I feel very proud that I ran Charlie-girl hard enough that she's actually panting. In her 2 short weeks of being a runner, she kills me every time. That overgrown wiener dog on stilts Vizsla sure can run!

Kale and Onion Egg Burrito

Nothing fancy here - just a little egg burrito that was a perfect lunch today. I'm trying to be somewhat conscientious about adding a little protein here or there now that I'm running fairly frequently again. I get 2-3 good runs in each week with the stroller - the girls have always been awesome running company- and then I shoot for 2-3 runs each week solo. And by solo, I mean totally solo. My faithful running buddy for the past 8 years hit her wall this summer. With her white face and slower gait, Aura's age (11 yrs) is showing. In early June, she and I were running and for. the. first. time. ever, she needed to stop and walk on a run. This dog has covered some serious territory with me throughout Lawrence - I have no doubt that she could navigate her way from our last house to downtown, to the farmer's market, up to the campanile and around the chi-omega fountain and back, across town to my parent's house, down Tennessee to my brother's old house, and all without missing a beat. Aura is the very reason that I started running - about a year after I got her, the vet said she needed to lose about 4 pounds, which he shared was significant in that 4 extra pounds on a dog is equivalent to 30 extra pounds on a human. Well, I'd be damned if I was going to have a fat dog (even though I had some pounds to shed myself). Fast forward through our running days and low and behold: Aura lost 4 pounds and I lost 30. That vet is one smart man. I look forward to some cooler weather when running isn't quite so taxing and my faithful companion can head out for some short jogs with me again.

And... jog on back with me to the protein. This morning's run was hot and tiresome, so for lunch I wanted to refuel. I think eggs often get overlooked because of the cholesterol issue - we are not egg-white or egg-replacement kind of people. Not only are eggs high in protein, but the egg yolk is good source of choline, which is important for brain development (during pregnancy) and function. Crack a couple eggs, toss in some greens, roll up in a tortilla and refuel!

Kale and Onion Egg Burrito

• 2 local eggs
• 1/4 medium organic white onion, diced
• 1 C chopped organic kale
• Splash of organic milk
• Salt, pepper, salsa
• Local, whole wheat tortilla
• Whisk eggs with milk, salt, pepper
• Heat 1 T olive oil in nonstick pan
• Saute onion until translucent
• Add kale and cover until wilted and tender
• Add eggs and scramble
• Roll up in tortilla with some salsa