Food for Runners: B-E-E-T-S

This time of year, we often roast veggies for dinner . . . like every single night. And there's something especially satisfying about making a good side of beets. Before a couple years ago, beets were this mysterious veggie I avoided because I had no idea what to do with them. They were dirty and seemed complicated . . . and I'm so glad I gave them a chance.

I like roasting them in my dutch oven. Here's how. Aside from the taste and texture, I've recently discovered beets are also a great food for runners. Who knew?

Psst: If you're catching up, we've covered tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin, cucumbers, bananas, eggs, garlic, quinoa, berries, peppers, mushrooms, and kale -- and included our favorite recipes from across the web.

"A study by researchers at Saint Louis University shows that eating cooked beets 'acutely improves running performance.' The key, the study says, is nitrate." Runners were tested on a 5K course -- and after eating beets -- "went an average of 3 percent faster and shaved 41 seconds off their times. And their biggest speed gains came over the final 1.1 miles of the race." (Source)

Yup! "Beets are a great source of inorganic nitrate [which] ends up in your saliva, when friendly bacteria convert it to nitrite. Elsewhere in the body, the nitrite is converted to nitric oxide, which does... well... a whole bunch of things related to blood flow, muscle contraction, neurotransmission, etc." (Source)



Our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.

Our Apple-Beet Muffins
Gina's Beet Juice The NYT's Mixed Berry + Beet Smoothie
Our Roasted Beets w/ chutney
Susan's Raw, Vegan Beet Tea Sandwiches
Sally's Roasted Beet + Pear Salad
Food 52's Bright Red Beet Hummus
The Vegetarian Ginger's Easy Beet Soup
Our Beet Pizza Dough -- yeah, it's a thing
Yelena's WW Linguine + Beet Puree
Susan's Beet Chips
Our Veggie Beet Burgers
Kitchen Rhapsody's Beet + Chocolate Pots
Cosmo Cookie's Beet Ice Cream
Our Black Bean + Beet Brownies


What's your favorite way to use beets?

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Foor for Runners: B-E-E-T-S
Food for Runners: T-O-M-A-T-O-E-S
Food for Runners: A-L-M-O-N-D-S
Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: P-E-P-P-E-R-S

Like what you just read? Browse more of our posts + recipes on Pinterest. You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: B-E-A-N-S

It's been a while since we visited our Food for Runners series. Today I'm focusing on beans since, well, we eat so many of them. For vegetarians and vegans specifically, beans are a fantastic source of protein and can be whipped into hummus, stirred into soups, mashed into burgers, and even mixed into desserts.

I'll admit that I still mostly use canned beans. I've been meaning to soak my own beans for a long while -- so if you're looking for instructions on re-hydrating beans, here's a fantastic tutorial on The Kitchn.

Psst: If you're catching up, we've covered tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin, cucumbers, bananas, eggs, garlic, quinoa, berries, peppers, kale, and mushrooms -- and included our favorite recipes from across the web.

"From a single, one-cup serving of black beans you get nearly 15 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein. You won't find this outstanding protein-fiber combination in fruit, vegetables, grains, meats, dairy products, nuts and seeds, or seafood." (Source)

"When paired with whole grains, garbanzo beans provide a source of protein comparable to that of meat or dairy products, without the worry of saturated fat or cholesterol. One cup of garbanzo beans supplies roughly 27 percent of daily protein requirements." (Source)

And if you're like me, you have your budget in mind. Great news! "Beans and lentils are the cheapest source of protein out there." (Source)


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Black Bean Breakfast Burrito via Gimme Some Oven
Apple + Pumpkin Baked Beans via Kitchen Vignettes
Bean Bowl w/ a Poached Egg via The Stone Soup
Fall Harvest Chowder via A Family Feast
Our New + Improved Pumpkin Chili
Quinoa + Bean Party Dip via Citron Limette
Crock Pot Vegetarian Refried Beans via Kitchen Treaty
Our Canelli Bean + Beet Burgers
Honey Balsamic Bean Salad via My Whole Food Life
Kale + Mushroom + White Bean Stew via Love & Lemons
Our Smoked Chipotle Bean Burgers
Cauliflower + Garbanzo Bean Curry via Indiaphile
Chocolate Black Bean Cookies via A Couple Cooks
Our Black Bean + Avocado Chocolate Pudding
Garbanzo Bean Brownies via Fit Foodie Finds


Ada eats beans every single day, actually. They're super simple to just gobble up plain. Like I mentioned above, we add them to almost all our soups + stews. We toss black beans in homemade quesadillas. I even added garbanzo beans to chocolate chip cookies once after reading to do so in a cookbook.

What's your favorite way to use beans?

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: M-U-S-H-R-O-O-M-S
Food for Runners: T-O-M-A-T-O-E-S
Food for Runners: A-L-M-O-N-D-S
Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: P-E-P-P-E-R-S

Like what you just read? Browse more of our posts + recipes on Pinterest. You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: M-U-S-H-R-O-O-M-S

It's been a while since we visited our Food for Runners series. Today I'm focusing on mushrooms solely because I've been eating a lot of them these days. At least from what I notice in my meal diaries. Man. I've been vegetarian for so long, eating a beefy grilled portabella, for example, is really like eating, well, beef!

I recently made a delicious mushroom + bean veggie burger (recipe below), which is where the photos in this post come from.

Psst: If you're catching up, we've covered tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin, cucumbers, bananas, eggs, garlic, quinoa, berries, peppers, and kale -- and included our favorite recipes from across the web.

"While full of protein, the star nutrients found in mushrooms are selenium, copper, zinc, vitamins B12 and B3." (Source)

"While meat, seafood, grains, and nuts have excellent levels of the mineral, mushrooms are the only produce that have high levels of it, so they are especially important to include in your diet if you are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free." (Source)

"A study by the American Society for Nutrition found that white button mushrooms may promote immune function by increasing the production of antiviral and other proteins that are released by cells while they are trying to protect and repair the body’s tissues." (Source)


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Lynn's Rustic Wild Mushroom Tart
Mark & Reese's Spinach + Mushroom Omelette
Our Portabellas with Peanut Sauce
Scott Jurek's Lentil Mushroom Burgers
Kim's Crimini Mushroom Risotto
Our Stuffed Portabellas
Jolinda's Mushroom + Bean Burgers (from the photos in this post)
Justin's Cream of Mushroom Soup
Soma's Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms w/ Goat Cheese
Our Open-Faced Portabella Sandwiches
Jennifer's Crispy Old Bay Mushrooms w/ Sriracha Mayo
Maria & Josh's Kale, Mushroom, and Ricotta Calzones


I probably roast a couple of portabellas each week. The best method I've found is to preheat my oven to 400 degrees F. Scrub the mushrooms very well + then take a spoon and scoop out the ruffled underbelly and stem. I suppose this part isn't necessary if you want them chopped up, but I usually roast them whole.

Then place on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in the oven for 10 minutes // FLIP over // then roast another 10-15 minutes.

What's your favorite way to use mushrooms?

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: T-O-M-A-T-O-E-S
Food for Runners: A-L-M-O-N-D-S
Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: P-E-P-P-E-R-S

Like what you just read? Browse more of our posts + recipes on Pinterest. You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: P-E-P-P-E-R-S

I love that you guys + gals love these Food For Runners posts. I lost a bit of momentum when local produce stopped overflowing from our farmers market basket in the fall. But I figure there's no use waiting because before we know it, we'll thaw out and so many foods will be ripe and ready to eat.

If you're catching up, we've covered tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin, cucumbers, bananas, eggs, garlic, quinoa, berries, and kale -- and included our favorite recipes from across the web.

Though a sometimes controversial choice, there's no denying peppers are packed with nutrients:

"A recent study took a close look at vitamin C, vitamin E, and six carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) + found that two vegetables contained at least two-thirds of all nutrients. One of these foods was the sweet bell pepper." (Source)

Specifically interesting for runners: "All colors of bell pepper are high sources of potassium. This mineral helps keep your fluids and minerals balanced in your body, enhancing muscle function and regulating blood pressure." (Source)

5 main health benefits of peppers: "Burn off fat, control cholesterol, keep arthritis at bay, lower breast cancer risk, and are heart healthy/prevent stroke." (Source + more information)


If you can -- and this is the rule with most fruits + veggies -- grow your own or buy organic and/or locally. Unfortunately, peppers taste great and are good for you, but they are also on the dirty dozen.

You can find all types of peppers at the supermarket.  

"But, in fact, peppers are a seasonal vegetable, and when freshly picked they are sweeter and more intense than any hothouse variety. The skin is thinner, and the flavors are vivid. Eat the real ones often enough, and you may never return to the bland, expensive ones from the grocery store." (Source)


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Our Pepper Omelet Rings
Colleen's Roasted Red Pepper + Tomato Soup
Kelly's Tomato-Basil Bell Pepper Tartlets
Jo's Grilled Works w/ cheese, roasted peppers, and onions, etc.
Pamela's Red Pepper Sauce
Kat's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Our Cherry Pepper Poppers
Jodi's Baked Parsnip Fries w/ Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
Lisa and Anna's Roasted Poblano Salsa (like Chipotle!)
Michelle's Raisin + Couscous Stuffed Peppers
Our $5 Dinner: Veggie Stuffed Peppers
Aida's Charred Poblano Pesto Pasta
Alexandra's Red Bell Pepper Pie


The fastest/easiest way to eat them is raw -- washed well and chopped as a quick snack. But my favorite is roasting. Just set your oven to broil, rinse peppers and chop in half (remove seeds). Place face-down on baking sheet, and roast for 10-15 minutes until lightly blackened.

I then fill with cooked veggies/grains or chop up and add to omelets or top pizzas. You can also remove the skins by gently rubbing and store in olive oil -- great on sandwiches!

I can't wait till they're in season again (August and September)! For now, we'll enjoy the occasional store-bought + our CSA's locally frozen variety.


What's your favorite way to use peppers?

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: T-O-M-A-T-O-E-S
Food for Runners: A-L-M-O-N-D-S
Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E

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Food for Runners: T-O-M-A-T-O-E-S

I still have tomatoes on the brain after last week's Roasted Tomato Soup recipe. I made yet another batch last night and it turned out even better than the first. The trick was letting it simmer until it had really thickened.

But now I can't tell much difference between the soup and tomato sauce.

Oh, well. I'm writing today about tomatoes and why they are a fantastic food for runners. I get plenty of them -- fresh and canned -- in my diet, and if you're an athlete, you should, too!

Interestingly, "organic tomatoes are higher in some antioxidants, including quercetin, than conventionally grown ones. Research on quercetin suggests it may improve immunity in endurance athletes." (Source)

You can enjoy great antioxidant power, as "Tomato sauce is a rich source of carbohydrate (at roughly 21 grams per cup), as well as various vitamins and minerals and antioxidants such as lycopene." (Source)

And even more good news: "Tomatoes can help reduce lactic acid buildup." (Source)


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Springer's Gruyere Frittata w/ Kale and Tomato
Hannah's Fresh Tomato Roasted Chile Salsa
Our Slow Roasted Tomatoes
Katherine's Carmelized Tomatoes
cooking4carnivores's Heirloom Tomato Puff
Jenn's Caprese Salad w/ Heirloom Tomatoes
Beth's Tomato-Ginger Muffins
Our Pumpkin Chili is full of tomatoes!
Erin's Risotto-Stuffed Tomatoes
Ashley's Sundried Tomato-Almond Butter
Eden's Green Bean and Tomato Salad
Our Tomato-Basil Marmalade
Kathy's Open-Faced Tomato Tofu Feta Sandwich
Swathi's Tofu & Green Pepper in Tomato Gravy
Kiersten's Panera-Style Tomato & Mozzarella Panini

What's your favorite way to incorporate tomatoes into your cooking?


Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S
Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N
Food for Runners: A-L-M-O-N-D-S


Pssst: Today on Writing Chapter Three I have part I of a series on budgeting to be a Stay At Home parent (or maybe to make a career change?).

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: A-L-M-O-N-D-S

I wrote about my first experience making homemade almond milk on Friday. Since then, I've made it three more times! Each batch more delicious than the last. I'm even drinking it as I write this post.

Which got me thinking about almonds.

What a great food for runners! And as a vegetarian (yeah -- last year's fish-eating experiment didn't last more than three servings before I discovered I just couldn't do it), I need all the extra protein I can get.

Almonds are "loaded with vitamin E, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium." And just "one serving can help reduce muscle damage, strengthen your bones, and boost energy to power through a run." (Source)

Though plant foods aren't as high in protein as many animal counterparts, "almonds are a very good protein source. One ounce of dry-roasted, salted almonds contains six grams of protein." (Source)

"Almonds are one of the foods not derived from animals that contain a large amount of calcium." In fact, "they contain higher levels of calcium than any other nut." (Source)

I had always heard that almonds are a good source of Omega-3s, but in all the resources I found, that isn't necessarily the case. Walnuts are a better bet if you're looking for that.


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

How to make Almond Milk at home
Ashley's Maple-Cinnamon Almond Butter
Marta's Yogurt w/ Toasted Quinoa, Almonds, Dates
Kelsey's Super Green Smoothie w/ Almond Milk
Our Sweet Chili Granola
Carrie's Almond Flour Banana Muffins
Cavewoman's Paleo Almond Flour Pancakes
Sharmilee's Cilantro-Almond Pesto
Katie's Pan Roasted Broccoli w/ Almonds
Kathryn's Coconut Curry Veggies w/ Almonds
Esi's Lemon-Scented Grain Salad w/ Almonds, Asparagus, and Feta
Erin's Arugula Salad w/ Almonds, Peaches, etc.
Our Maple-Almond Cookies
Andrea and Paul's Seared and Poached Apples w/ Ground Almonds
Joanne's Pumpkin-Almond Cake w/ Almond Frosting

Do you have a favorite way you use almonds in cooking and baking?


Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S
Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: P-U-M-P-K-I-N

Tonight we ate year-old pumpkin chili from the freezer. It was just as delicious as the day I cooked it on the stove! But it got me thinking of another great seasonal food for runners: PUMPKIN. Yeah. If you're new to healthy living blogs, you are in for a LOT of pumpkin these next couple months.

We all seem to be are completely obsessed.

And for good reason. This healthy food is low in calories and high in fiber. It's extremely adaptable to a variety of vegetarian recipes. Plus, it tastes great!

"Canned pumpkin is considered a nutrient-dense food because it is low in calories and fat, yet high in vitamins and minerals." Specifically, it's an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron, calcium and fiber. (Source)

Conveniently enough, canned pumpkin is actually healthier processed than in its fresh form. How can that be? The cooking process removes much of the water, thereby "concentrating the nutrients" and makes it easier for the body to absorb them. Find out more here. (Source)

And if you're interested, here's the complete nutritional profile for cooked pumpkin via Self.com.


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Our tutorial for How to Make Pumpkin Puree
Jen's Pumpkin Spiced Avocado Smoothie
Ella's Pumpkin Pie Millet Porridge
Emma's Pumpkin-Carrot Soup w/ Coconut Milk
Marte's Crusted Pumpkin Wedges
Felicia's Pumpkin & Thyme Risotto (use veggie stock versus chicken)
Dina's Kale and Pumpkin Ministra
Marta's Pumpkin and Feta Muffins
Divya's Spicy Pumpkin Curry
Our No-Knead Pumpkin Loaf
Yadsia's Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Pudding
Trissa's Pumpkin Ricotta Lasagna
Stephanie's Pumpkin Butter
Chinmayie's Simple Spaghetti with Pumpkin
Our Pumpkin Garlic Knots
Deborah's Pumpkin-Cheddar Mac-n-Cheese
Lynn's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Our Pumpkin Chocolate Pie


Pumpkin can be used in most any recipe. With baked goods, sub it in for applesauce. Or replace eggs (1/4 cup for each egg) or oil (equal amounts). With cooking, consider adding pumpkin to sauces in place of tomato. Experiment with spices, too. Thyme and sage for savory. Cinnamon and nutmeg for sweet.

What's your favorite way to eat pumpkin?

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S
Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: C-U-C-U-M-B-E-R-S

Today we're focusing on the health benefits of a food I don't particularly enjoy: Cucumbers. Stephen loves them, though, so this post goes out to him. Well, and it was inspired by him because . . .

. . . he made pickles! (Using the method in Put 'Em Up!)

Anyway, health benefits of cucumbers for runners:

"Cucumbers are an excellent source of fiber . . . what makes cucumbers a good choice for fiber is that they have the naturally occurring water that should accompany fiber intake . . . When you eat cucumbers, you increase your fiber and your water intake at the same time." (Source)

We runners love antioxidants: "Cucumbers are a valuable source of conventional antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. Fresh extracts from cucumber have been shown to provide specific antioxidant benefits, including increased scavenging of free radicals and increased overall antioxidant capacity." (Source)

"Cucumbers can best be stored sealed in shrink foil. Sealing a cucumber increases its shelf life considerably." (Source)



But there are many more things to do with cucumbers besides pickling. Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

David, Luise, and Elsa's Very Green Juice (Cucumbers, kiwi, apple, mint, ginger)
Dawn's Thai Breakfast Sandwich w/ cucumber
Lauren's Cucumber-Basil Spritzers
Monika's Chilled Cucumber-Yogurt Soup
Yum Sugar's Asian Tomato-Cucumber Salad
The Kitchn's Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
Aimee's Cucumber-Basil Bites
Kristy's Carrot Cashew Pâté Cucumber Canapé
Our try at Tassajara Pungent Cucumbers
Deborah's Chilled Cucumber-Mango Soup with Mint
Ashley's Raw Veggie Collard Wrap w/ cucumber
Jasmine's Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi (omit fish sauce)
Stephanie's Cucumber-Chili Mexican Popsicles


Though I don't love cucumbers myself, I do have a favorite way to consume them. Cucumber water! When we got married, we took a mini-honeymoon to the Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles, NY. They have cucumber water everywhere, and I love it. So much.

Here's instructions on how to make it via Huffington Post.

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S
Food for Runners: E-G-G-S

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Food for Runners: E-G-G-S

Some of you who have been reading for a long time may remember when I ate eggs again for the "first time" a couple years ago. It was a huge turning point in my diet. Difficult at first, but I have now embraced eggs fully, and I am certain that -- at least in my case -- they have improved my running.

We're continuing our Food for Runners series with eggs. No, they aren't some magic food that have directly lowered my PR-times. Instead, eggs have provided me with a incredibly convenient protein source, which is something I value greatly with my vegetarian diet.

"Just one large egg contains 30 percent of the daily choline (a nutrient) that a runner's body needs." In other words: eggs fight inflammation. (Source)

Runnersworld.com lists eggs as one of the 15 foods runners need every week for good health and top performance. The site reports that "one egg fulfills about 10 percent of your daily protein needs. Egg protein is the most complete food protein short of human breast milk, which means the protein in eggs contains all the crucial amino acids your hard-working muscles need to promote recovery." (Source)

Remember: You need to eat the yolk to get the full health benefits. However, egg whites alone pack a protein punch.


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Marla's Perfect Scrambled Eggs
Terry and Reiko's Egg in Toast
Our Scrambled Egg Bites
Martha's Seared Summer Squash and Egg Tacos
Laura's Oven Baked Eggs with Thyme and Gruyère
Our Omlette Rings
Pigamitha's Pesto Potatoes and Eggs
Jenny's Baked Eggs w/ Spinach, Pancetta & Bocconcini
Elly's Eggs with Spicy Beans
Pick's Ginger Scallion Noodles w/ Poached Egg
Our Avocado Egg Salad
Kasey and Matthew's Avocado Toast w/ Poached Egg
Rachael's Roasted Jalapeño Deviled Eggs
Evan's No-Mayo, Thai Deviled Eggs
Our Mayo-Less Egg Salad
Jeanette's Baked Avocado and Egg with Miso “Butter”


My favorite way to make eggs is poaching. But sometimes that's too intensive. So, I do over-easy served with toast or potatoes and avocado. Always avocado!

But can there be too much of a good thing? Information I've read over the years has changed with guidelines for egg consumption, mostly citing cholesterol concerns. The latest number I've come across in various sources is 7 eggs a week.

I'd love to know what you've heard/read or what guidelines you follow on the matter.


Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E
Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Ready, Set, Weekend!

Happy Friday. I thought it'd be fun to share a variety of things I've been meaning to sneak into posts, but just haven't yet. There isn't much of a theme here. So, let's get to it!

#1: Grace wrote to us because she enjoys our Food for Runners series. She sent along the link to an awesome cookbook called Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients.

Grace writes: "Power Foods starts out with info about 30-40 of the most nutrition-packed foods out there and explains why each are good for you and how to best to prepare and store them. Next, it's got tons of recipes containing all (and pretty much exclusively) these super foods."

"It's not aimed at eating light or weight loss, but at how to feed your body what it needs to keep it strong and healthy. Right up your alley. The recipes are great too. I want to make every one of them! And the majority are vegetarian. The photos are excellent to boot. I highly recommend it."

You can buy Power Foods on Amazon.com for $16.

#2: Christina writes: "I just started running this summer and really enjoy it . . . I recently came across this way of running called 'Chi running' and was wondering what you thought about it. Have you tried it, and, if so, is it worth venturing into?"

What is Chi running? Check this out . . .



I'm sharing this topic because I, myself, don't know much about it. Stephen, on the other hand, read ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running and watched several videos like the one above. He now swears by the method, which he says has "helped [him] use the downward pull of gravity to [his] advantage."

#3: Kim writes: "At a race I did recently, the results had a column for something called 'Age Grading' . . . I hadn't seen that before. What do you know about this number? Does it matter much?"


I came across the age grading thing in the same way, Kim. I had never heard of it before, but then I saw a number in the results of a race one day. Basically, age grading is a way of judging everyone -- regardless of age -- on the same scale based on their performance versus exact time. There's more information about specifics on the Compuscore site.

The scale is as follows:

100%= Approximate World Record Level
Over 90%= World Class
Over 80%= National Class
Over 70%= Regional Class
Over 60%= Local Class

To calculate your age grade for a recent race, just check out this nifty Runners World Calculator.

Do you know anything about Chi Running or Age Grading? We'd love to hear your thoughts and help answer these questions. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.


And read all about our Tornado Thursday today on Writing Chapter Three. What a wild afternoon it was.

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Food for Runners: B-E-R-R-I-E-S

The produce aisle at the grocery store and stands at the local farmers market are teeming with plump fresh berries -- blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc. -- this time of year. And what are berries rich in? Antioxidants!

Who are antioxidants good for? Runners (and everyone else)!

So, we're continuing our Food for Runners series with berries, specifically those that are in season, which I'll get to in a moment. If you're catching up, we've covered bananas, garlic, quinoa, and kale -- and included our favorite recipes from across the web.

Simply put: "Running and other intense exercise is known to increase free radicals." (Source)

Also simply put: "Fruits, especially berries, are full of antioxidants" (which combat free radicals!) (Source)

I was interested to learn that "because we metabolize large amounts of oxygen while running, and antioxidant levels tend to quickly run low in our body, free radical damage is commonplace in runners. Research shows that hard training endurance athletes often have low levels of antioxidants circulating in their bodies." (Source)

And if those snipets of information aren't enough Running Times magazine has some more scientific evidence for your to pour over.


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Holly, Annie, and Chelsea's Green Raspberry-Mint Lemonade
Alina's Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes
Julie's Cherry Morning Rolls
Meeta's Poached Plums and Blueberry Granola
Christina's Raspberry Plumb Breakfast Bars
Jaimem's Strawberry Salad with Candied Almonds
Angry Asian's Chocolate Cherry Panini
Maria & Josh's Blueberry, Strawberry, and Jicama Salsa
Sala's Mango Blueberry Quinoa Salad
Branny's Strawberry Pizza w/ Goat Cheese (original recipe uses bacon, omit for vegetarian)
Mary's Blackberry, Wild Rice, and Barley Salad
Lisa's Rye Crust Blackberry Tartlets
Our Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Simply Life's Whole Wheat Cherry Zucchini Bread
Our Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake


Many of Our Smoothies feature berries -- of all sorts of varieties -- as the main ingredient
. Nothing easier than plopping them into a blender! Ashley has me hooked on using frozen coconut milk cubes.

Be sure to check out this handy chart with information on which berries and in season and when.


What's your favorite way to use berries?

Don't forget to read up on these other healthy ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A
Food for Runners: K-A-L-E

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Food for Runners: K-A-L-E

Let's hear it for kale. I've been a long-time fan, and I'm almost certain I can credit the veggie for my awesome iron levels during pregnancy. Today we're continuing with our series of foods that fuel activity. If you're catching up, we've covered bananas, garlic, and quinoa -- and included our favorite recipes from across the web.

We've been lucky to have tons of organic, locally grown kale available to us through our CSA. And as we've learned over the years, kale is great for far more than simple salads.

The basics: Kale is "packed with nutrient rich photochemicals and health promoting benefits. It is rich in calcium, lutein, vitamin C, A, E and K, and tons of beta-carotene. Loaded with fiber, kale is a superior vegetable by any standards." (Source)

One cup of kale "includes over 1000% of your daily recommended vitamin K, an antioxidant that promotes bone growth and regulates blood clotting. In fact, kale’s vitamin K content surpasses that of broccoli, spinach and collard greens." (Source)

I was interested to learn that "the number of non-vegetarians with iron-deficiencies is on the rise. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef . . . Kale [also] contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is better absorbed by the body than dairy." (Source)


Here are some of our favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

Angela's Classic Green Smoothie
Sarah's Eggs Florentine with Kale
Our Leafy Green Pancakes
Teri's Thai Peanut (Massaged) Kale Salad
Sonja and Alex's Garlic & Kale Soup
Katherine's Kale, Blood Orange, and Avocado Salad
Kathy's Miso-Dipped Kale-Avocado Wraps
Our Cooked Kale & Chickpea Salad
Todd and Diane's Spicy Smoky Kale Chips
Laura's Sweet Potato Ravioli with Kale Pesto
Sally's Kale and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Julia's Caramelized Onion-Butternut Squash and Kale Grilled Pizza
Our Kale-Stuffed Veggie Stromboli
Kimberley's Potato & Kale Skillet Gratin
Annie's Spicy Kale Lasagna


If I'm in a hurry, the fastest, tastiest way I can think to prepare kale is to make Stephen's Crispy Kale.

Combine a few handfuls of chopped kale, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce. Heat oil/kale over medium-high heat, cook five or so minutes, stirring frequently. Add soy sauce, keep cooking over the heat for 3 to 5 minutes.


Combine kale with these other ingredients:

Food for Runners: B-A-N-A-N-A-S (think smoothies!)
Food for Runners: G-A-R-L-I-C
Food for Runners: Q-U-I-N-O-A


What's your favorite way to eat kale?

And today on Writing Chapter Three I wrote about how to breastfeed the ever-distracted baby. It's been hard, but we're finally making things work!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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