Proof

Here’s proof I am not a vegetarian:

Bratwurst


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During my first year of teaching, I lived in a small town in South Dakota, and I got asked all the time if I was a vegetarian—simply because I ate healthy.

True, I don’t eat a lot of meat, but I find it very intriguing that the minute people find out you eat healthy, they automatically assume you are a vegetarian. It doesn’t bother me, I actually find it humorous more than anything.


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Meat is not something I crave every day (or actually much at all).

I think the last time I craved meat was after my first marathon. The day following the marathon, I got this intense craving for a big, juicy burger! It was such a strange craving because hamburgers are something I never crave. I think my body was just craving massive amounts of protein!

I wonder if the same thing will happen this year. If anything, I’ll probably crave it because I will associate being done with a marathon with craving a burger.

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Even though I don’t eat much meat, when I know the meat is quality, home-grown meat from my parents farm, I am definitely more willing to eat it!

I had no idea how spoiled I was growing up to have fresh, top-notch pork and beef at every supper (a.k.a. dinner). (I’m pretty sure farmers are the only ones who refer to the evening meal as “supper” and not “dinner.”)


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. . . . . . .

Today was my favorite weekday morning. . . . coffee date morning! 😀

At our favorite coffee shop in Anchorage!


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Before Craig and I left for our coffee date this morning. I made “homemade” oats in a jar—if that is even possible.

Usually when you make “oats in a jar,” you use an almost-empty jar/container of nut butter (almond butter, peanut butter, etc.). Well, I wanted oatmeal this morning, I wanted it to be portable, but I didn’t have an almost-empty jar of nut butter, so I made my own!


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Here’s how I did it. . . .

I started by filling a clean jar with almond butter–approximately 2 tablespoons.

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I then made oatmeal on the stove following these directions and poured it into the glass jar.

I topped it with the rest of my banana, a crumbled Lemon Pistachio Muffin, and unsweetened coconut.


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Surprisingly it was still warm when I ate it at the coffee shop—despite making it 30 minutes prior!!

. . . . . .

This morning I did not go running. In a way it felt weird because my morning felt so much longer than usual. But at the same time it was nice to have extra time to do very important things such as:

– watch The Bachelorette on Hulu.

– stalk people on Facebook.

– finalize plans with friends for my upcoming trip to Minnesota!

– laundry. (See, I did do something important, Honey!)

– update the Recipe page on my blog.

Hey, if you would have gone to school to be a teacher, you could do these things all summer long as well! Although, I would spend some time contemplating that before making that decision!

Since I didn’t go running, my form of exercise today was a walk to the post office.


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We live in a very un-walkable neighborhood. The only two places we are really able to walk to are the post office and the Red Box.


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I had a couple of bills to pay (Mom, my Verizon check is now in the mail!), but I didn’t have any stamps, so I took a quick walk to the post office to purchase a book of stamps.


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A nice leisurely walk in the sun. (Don’t be jealous—I am wearing two jackets!)


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Time to go do some more laundry.

Hi, I'm Michelle

I love running around the lakes of Minnesota, running after my two boys, and racing anything from the 5K to the marathon. I have been blogging here since 2010 when I ran my first marathon. I finally secured my sub-3 hour marathon after trying for 8 years.

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16 Comments

  1. 6.15.11
    Cara said:

    You had me laughing out loud with this post of your “important” things to do! I can relate! Sometimes I feel guilty “goofing off,” as i like to put it, but then I remember that I just stressed out for 9 months in a row…teaching, which is more than just working. I pray you have a great marathon. Your friends in Portland are rooting for you!

    • 6.15.11
      Michelle said:

      That’s right! I honestly don’t think there would be many people willing to teach if they didn’t get the summers off!!

      Thanks for the well wishes!!

  2. 6.15.11

    I loved your oats in a jar idea, it’s genius!

    Your dinner looked delicious. 🙂 I love brats and sauerkraut!

  3. 6.15.11

    I seriously still LOVE your coffee dates! When my husband gets on a regular work schedule, I’d love to do something like that with him.

    The whole healthy eating = vegetarian thing cracks me up too. And I also totally took for granted the amazing sources of meat I had growing up. Beef from my neighbor’s farm, elk that my brother’s shot, eggs from the chickens outside my window!

    • 6.16.11
      Michelle said:

      Oh yeah! I forgot you grew up on a farm!!

  4. 6.15.11
    dana @ my little celebration said:

    That’s crazy! I was JUST craving a bratwurst today! Which means I’m not a vegetarian either : D.

  5. 6.15.11
    Jenn said:

    I was vegetarian for a really long time… and I found myself craving meat on a regular basis recently. So I decided to just give in – which makes Ross happier. I definitely won’t buy just anything, however – we stick to mostly lean poultry and fish. Definitely still healthy!

    Good luck on Saturday!

    • 6.16.11
      Michelle said:

      I was wondering if you were still a vegetarian or not.

      Thanks for the well-wishes!

  6. 6.16.11

    Sounds like a great day – just the perfect balance of productivity and fun!
    That OIAJ looks fabulous, by the way! 🙂

  7. 6.16.11
    Sarah said:

    that brat looks great! i must say, being a teacher has a lot of appeal due to summers off 🙂

    • 6.16.11
      Michelle said:

      Yes, but during the year it is crazy-busy!!

  8. 6.16.11
    Chelsea said:

    I get the same thing about being a vegetarian..people just think I am because I don’t eat alot of red meat in my diet. Don’t you love just having to time to do all the things you need to do. I hate feeling rushed during the school year and trying to cram in all my errands, appointments and workouts into the little time left once the day is over. Summer is wonderful!! Good luck on your marathon, it is right around the block!!

  9. 6.16.11
    tricia said:

    love the oats in a jar!

  10. 6.16.11
    Michaela said:

    I feel exactly the same way about the whole meat/vegetarian thing. And when I choose to eat meat, it’s usually a bratwurst or a juicy burger.

  11. 6.16.11
    lifttorun said:

    I don’t eat meat myself, but people all ready assume that because I eat healthy in general. It is somewhat funny.