300 Days of Sunshine

Happy Fall!  The leaves are changing and there's a chill in the air!  I love this time of year.  A few Tuesday Tidbits about life lately... 1) The evolution of pumpkin spice cracks me up.  What started as a novelty to celebrate the flavors of fall and create a bridge between the iced lattes of summer and the peppermint mochas of winter has become the ultimate symbol of the Basic B, and even the focus of racially charged jokes (AKA that all white girls like pumpkin).  So I won't perpetuate this by going on and on about pumpkin spice like I usually do... but I did have a salted caramel mocha frappuccino at the end of a long work week and it was heaven in a cup.  :-) 2) One of my favorite things about the weather turning cooler is diving into warm, cozy, flavorful fall foods: risotto with butternut squash, pork chops with cooked apples, wild rice, and homemade mac and cheese.  I baked a blueberry pie and peach cobbler for our friends' outdoor wedding ...

13.1 finisher! This morning I ran the Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon, my first Half since before I was pregnant with Ady.  While it wasn't my very first Half, and I didn't set any personal records, this accomplishment feels important for other reasons.  I started running again last spring, after more than 6 months off, so training for this race felt like starting at zero again.  It took me longer than I anticipated to build up my core strength, achieve my normal level of endurance, and add miles after having a baby.  I didn't have as much time to train as I have in years previously, but I made it work.  I squeezed in my long runs, usually with the stroller, and often early in the morning.  I dealt with exhaustion, soreness, and a fussy baby from time to time, but I persevered. Running a Half after having a baby also represents balance in life, for which we all constantly strive.  While being a mother is my most important role, I am still a perso...

Food is the best! Ady is such a good little eater and has enjoyed all the fruits and veges she's tried already.  Her favorites seem to be bananas, mango, and sweet potatoes!  Milk is still her primary nutrition during the first year of life, but we're familiarizing her with solid foods, different flavors and textures, brightly colored fruits and veges, and the social aspect of dinnertime.  I have been experimenting with some nutritious pureed recipes to add variety to her diet, including some of the suggestions from The Wholesome Baby Food Book by Maggie Meade. As parenting in general creates opportunity for self-reflection and contemplation, preparing meals for my baby has also led me to reexamine my own food choices.  I have always been a fairly healthy eater.  I eat breakfast every day, I like fresh ingredients, I frequent the Farmer's Market, I bring healthy snacks to work, I have never had a weight problem, and fast food is a rarity in our house. ...